Chapter 41: Centipede

The Xuandao Sect Disciples were also sizing up their counterparts, each secretly comparing them in their hearts, especially the few black-clothed Disciples at the sixth layer of Qi Condensation, who were their key targets of focus. Besides them, Wang Zhuo's handsome and extraordinary appearance, combined with his fifth layer Qi Condensation cultivation, also drew the attention of the Xuandao Sect Disciples, who made a mental note of him.

As for Wang Lin, a Disciple who was only at the third layer of Qi Condensation, they completely ignored him.

Other than Liu Mei, who had paid him a little attention, no one focused on him.

While the Elders of the two Schools conversed, they were also secretly observing the Disciples from both sides. The three old men from the Xuandao Sect grew increasingly ecstatic the more they watched, secretly thinking that if the Hengyue School only had these Disciples, they were certain to win this competition.

However, they had been secretly competing with the Hengyue School for many years and knew that the opposing side was very cunning, often only bringing out their trump cards at the most critical moment. For instance, although there were many Disciples here at the sixth layer of Qi Condensation, they were all unfamiliar faces. None of the Disciples who participated in the previous exchange competition were present.

Those people were the focus of their attention for this competition!

Sect Leader Huang Long Immortal Master swept his gaze over the Xuandao Sect Disciples, paying extra attention to the man and woman with the Single Water Spiritual Root. He sighed internally, lamenting that the Hengyue School had declined so much over 500 years, lacking successors, unable to compare even to the Xuandao Sect, a small, unknown School 500 years ago, and suffering multiple consecutive losses. He had thought victory was certain this time, but the opponent had produced two Disciples with Single Spiritual Roots, which were rare in the Cultivation World. He couldn't help but feel more worried about this competition.

“Do I really need to send out the purple-clothed Core Disciples? But those few are currently in Life-and-Death Seclusion…” Suddenly, Huang Long Immortal Master's gaze landed on the Disciple standing at the very back of the opposing group. His expression shifted slightly, and he immediately made up his mind.

“Forget it. Since the opponent has such Disciples, it seems the Core Disciples must be sent out!”

Thinking this, his expression remained normal. He smiled warmly and said, “Fellow Daoist Ouyang, the Disciples have traveled far. Let them go rest first. We old fellows should gather properly. Come, please enter the Main Hall!” As he spoke, he gestured with one hand and smiled at the other party.

The three old men from the Xuandao Sect all smiled, nodded, and followed him into the Main Hall.

At this time, the Hengyue School seniors all accompanied them inside. The last one to enter was Junior Martial Uncle Dao Xu. He glanced at the Disciples of the two Schools and said, “Wang Zhuo, you are responsible for hosting these Xuandao Sect Disciples. If anything goes wrong, your Master will certainly not forgive you!”

Wang Zhuo was clearly prepared for this and immediately replied respectfully, “Master, please rest assured. I, your Disciple, will meticulously host all the Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters of the Xuandao Sect.”

Junior Martial Uncle Dao Xu smiled at the Xuandao Sect Disciples and said, “All you Martial Nephews and Nieces of the Xuandao Sect, if you have any needs, you can tell Wang Zhuo. This old man is getting on in years, so I won't mix in with you young people. You should interact frequently; the future Cultivation World belongs to you!” After speaking, he smiled and walked into the Main Hall.

As soon as the seniors left, the Disciples of both Schools immediately relaxed. Several female Disciples of the Hengyue School quickly went to the side of the man with the Water Spiritual Root, chatting and smiling charmingly, their eyes showing admiration.

Similarly, many Xuandao Sect Disciples gathered around the Hengyue School Disciples who were at the sixth layer of Qi Condensation, discussing their experiences.

As for the other Disciples, they also stepped forward to socialize. Many people gathered around the motionless Thousand-footed Centipede lying on the ground, marveling at it.

Wang Lin glanced around, unwilling to join the commotion. He walked to the corner steps, sat down, watched the blue sky and white clouds, and sunbathed, feeling quite content.

Among the Hengyue School Inner Sect Disciples, many, like Wang Lin, disliked crowds. The Woman surnamed Zhou was one of them. She saw Wang Lin's leisurely appearance from afar and walked over.

“Junior Brother Wang, I've been meaning to congratulate you on reaching the third layer of Qi Condensation. Few Inner Sect Disciples Cultivate as diligently as you do.” The Woman surnamed Zhou smiled faintly and, without caring about the dirt, sat down on the steps beside him.

Wang Lin chuckled, shaking his head. “That's not true. I see most people focusing intently on their cultivation.”

The Woman surnamed Zhou looked at the white clouds in the sky and sighed softly. “Junior Brother Wang, you shouldn't belittle yourself. During the four years of closed-door cultivation in the back mountain, almost all our fellow Disciples frequently came out of seclusion, but I rarely saw you. cultivation is a very boring thing. Honestly, Junior Brother Wang, I truly admire you for reaching the third layer in four years; that requires immense willpower!”

Wang Lin rubbed his nose and smiled. “Senior Sister Zhou, didn't you also reach the third layer?”

The Woman surnamed Zhou sighed softly, speaking with melancholy, “I reached the third layer three years ago, but now, fellow Disciples who were originally inferior to me have all surpassed me. Perhaps it's because I truly cannot sever my ties to the mortal world.”

Wang Lin was silent for a moment, then said, “The Great Dao is ruthless. Senior Sister Zhou, if you wish to advance, these ties to the mortal world must be severed.”

The Woman surnamed Zhou turned her head, looking at Wang Lin with her beautiful large eyes. She smiled brightly, showing her white teeth, and said, “Junior Brother Wang, I see that you have also reached the peak of the third layer and can Breakthrough at any time. I imagine you will surpass me soon.”

Wang Lin glanced at her breathtakingly beautiful face, gave a wry smile, and shook his head. “It's impossible for me to Breakthrough anytime soon. How can these ties to the mortal world be severed just by saying so? I can't do it.”

The Woman surnamed Zhou was startled. She hesitated for a moment and asked, “Junior Brother Wang, if I may ask bluntly, what is it in the mortal world that you cannot sever?”

Wang Lin shook his head, offering no reply. In his mind, he couldn't help but see the aged faces of his parents. Filial piety is the highest virtue; how could he sever the grace of his parents just by deciding to? He couldn't do it.

Seeing that Wang Lin was unwilling to answer, the Woman surnamed Zhou sighed softly and said, “What I cannot sever is familial affection. Immortality cultivation is too cruel; perhaps I was never suited for it.”

Wang Lin was about to speak when his expression suddenly shifted. He turned his head and saw Wang Zhuo in the distance, staring at him and the Woman surnamed Zhou with intense malice in his eyes.

At this moment, Wang Zhuo's voice drifted over from afar: “All Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters of the Xuandao Sect, it was just mentioned that this Thousand-footed Centipede likes to eat live beasts. During your stay at the Hengyue School, please leave the task of feeding the Thousand-footed Centipede to us. I have a Junior Brother for whom cultivation is just a waste of time; catching wild beasts to feed it is perfectly suited for him!”

“Senior Brother Wang Zhuo, isn't this inappropriate? The Thousand-footed Centipede is untamed. If a stranger feeds it, there will be certain dangers!” The man from the Xuandao Sect with the Single Water Spiritual Root hesitated before speaking.

“It's fine, Senior Brother Liu. How can a Cultivator retreat because of danger? You are honored guests. Since this chore is being done at my Hengyue School, it is naturally our responsibility.” Wang Zhuo said this with a gentle expression.