Sect message talismans were primarily divided into two types. The first was the disciple message talisman, used for communication between fellow disciples. Once sent, all disciples of that sect within a certain range would receive it. Disciples traveling outside could collect several before leaving the mountain.
The other type was the master's message talisman. Once this talisman was sent, anyone holding an identity token of the Xuanqing Sect, no matter where they were in Tianji, would receive it. However, this talisman was extremely difficult to produce and involved mobilizing significant resources, so it was generally not used casually.
The first one Mo Tiange received was a master's message talisman.
Having been away from Mount Taikang for a full twenty-two years, she had just set foot on Kunwu soil when she received the sect's message talisman.
Mo Tiange lightly furrowed her brows and unfolded the talisman paper.
"All disciples of the Xuanqing Sect, take heed: All disciples at Foundation Establishment and above, regardless of whether they have duties, are to drop their current affairs and return to Mount Taikang before the sixth day of the sixth month."
It was just this single, simple line of command. It didn't mention a reason at all, leaving Mo Tiange momentarily stunned. The Xuanqing Sect had over two hundred Foundation Establishment disciples. Although they had suffered significant losses during the beast calamity decades ago, considering over thirty years had passed, they should have mostly recovered by now. Adding in the Foundation Establishment disciples managing shops and handling affairs outside by order, the total number would certainly reach around three hundred.
What were they recalling so many disciples to the mountain for? Moreover, many of the Xuanqing Sect's important industries were overseen by Foundation Establishment cultivators stationed outside. Recalling all of them would cause many matters to grind to a halt. Was this matter so significant?
Shaking her head, she flicked her finger, and the talisman paper in her hand ignited. A flash of spiritual light shot from the burning paper, vanishing into the sky. This was the reply to the master's message talisman.
At the same time, similar spiritual lights streaked across the sky.
Seeing this, Mo Tiange smiled. It seemed fellow disciples were also here. That was good.
She rose into the air, riding her escape light towards the location of that spiritual light. Before long, her spiritual sense detected someone else flying in this direction. As their spiritual senses touched, they shared the same intent and quickly flew closer to each other.
The newcomer was indeed also a Xuanqing Sect disciple. Spotting her from afar, he raised his hand in salute. "Senior Sister." It was a young man at the early stage of Foundation Establishment. Although he addressed her as senior sister, his expression and tone carried a hint of arrogance.
Judging by his appearance, he was only seventeen or eighteen, likely extremely young. Those who achieved success young always had some pride; it was nothing unusual.
Mo Tiange smiled faintly and also raised her hand in return salute. "Greetings, Junior Brother."
The two met mid-air, stopping and quickly sizing each other up. The youth noticed she also appeared youthful but didn't dwell on it. Among female cultivators of major sects, many practiced appearance-preserving techniques. Even if they couldn't preserve their looks, they could always afford a Beauty-Preserving Pill.
"Senior Sister, did you also receive the sect summons to return?" the youth asked.
Mo Tiange nodded. "Indeed."
Hearing this, the youth smiled. "Since our destination is the same and we're fellow sect members, shall we travel together?"
Since their goal was identical and they were fellow cultivators, traveling together was the natural choice. Mo Tiange readily agreed.
Once they set off on the return journey together, the youth introduced himself. "My surname is Lan, single name Ling. The 'Ling' as in hills, not the 'Ling' as in cleverness. I'm a disciple of Ganlu Peak. May I ask Senior Sister's esteemed name?"
Lan Ling? Mo Tiange couldn't help but curl the corner of her mouth. Such a girlish name, no wonder he emphasized it was the 'Ling' for hills.
"My name is Mo Tiange, a disciple of Qingquan Peak."
"Ah, so it's Senior Sister from Qingquan Peak." The youth tilted his head to look at her again. "Senior Sister, were you out traveling or on official business?"
"Traveling," Mo Tiange replied briefly, then asked, "Junior Brother Lan, where is this place?"
"Huh?" Surprise flashed in Lan Ling's eyes. "Senior Sister Mo is here but doesn't know where this is?"
Mo Tiange lightly shook her head. "I arrived via a teleportation array and haven't had a chance to ask anyone yet."
"Oh, I see," Lan Ling said. "This is southeastern Kunwu, not far from the Tiandao Sect."
Hearing this answer, Mo Tiange was momentarily taken aback. "So it's here."
"What about here?" Lan Ling asked curiously.
Wasn't this near the Cloud Mist Sect? However, she currently had neither the time nor the inclination to return to the Cloud Mist Sect, so she merely said calmly, "I've been here before."
"Oh." Lan Ling nodded and didn't press further.
He could tell Mo Tiange wasn't much of a talker, and he himself was quite proud. Even though this was a senior sister at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, he disdained to engage in flattery.
Mo Tiange was happy with this arrangement, so the two focused solely on traveling.
They were currently in southeastern Kunwu. The Xuanqing Sect was located in the western region of Kunwu. As they hurried back, they encountered fellow sect members along the way one after another. Two became three, three became four or five, until finally their traveling group reached eight people.
With so many people, including some who loved to chat, the journey became filled with chatter.
Having been away for over twenty years, Mo Tiange was unaware of so many trivial matters that had happened in the sect and listened with great interest.
For example, Ancestor Zhenyang and Ancestor Lingxu wanted to arrange a marriage between their prized disciples, Uncle-Master Bai and Uncle-Master Jiang. However, after Uncle-Master Bai found out, he refused, saying Uncle-Master Jiang was too spoiled and willful. When this got out and reached Uncle-Master Jiang's ears, she caused an earth-shattering uproar.
The Uncle-Master Bai and Uncle-Master Jiang they mentioned were likely Bai Yanfei and Junior Sister Jiang under Dao Lord Lingxu. Mo Tiange had heard of that Junior Sister Jiang in the past. She was a blood descendant of Grandmaster Lingxu, doted on since childhood, hence her spoiled and willful nature. On Liuyun Peak, she was like a little tyrant; even on other peaks, no one dared to criticize her.
Someone asked, "But this Uncle-Master Jiang is still young, right? Our Xuanqing Sect doesn't emphasize romantic desires. Even if dual cultivating, it's usually considered after Core Formation. Why arrange a marriage now?"
The one speaking about this was an old man. Although quite aged with graying hair and beard, he loved to talk. Who knew where he got his gossip from? These past few days, he had been the one telling others trivial stories. Now, he smiled and said, "Junior Brother, don't forget how old Grandmaster Lingxu is. He's about to pass away!"
Hearing this, Mo Tiange secretly nodded. That was right. This Grandmaster Lingxu's lifespan was nearly up, hence his urgency to find a powerful backer for his beloved descendant. Unfortunately, that Junior Sister Jiang was too spoiled; she would likely disappoint his intentions.
"Oh, so that's why," the previous person understood. "Grandmaster Lingxu still looks very spirited; he's actually about to pass away."
The old man stroked his beard, squinting. "Grandmaster Lingxu is, after all, a Nascent Soul cultivator. As long as he hasn't passed away for a day, his cultivation is solid. The pity is, once Grandmaster Lingxu passes away, our Xuanqing Sect's Nascent Soul cultivators will be back to five."
Someone else chimed in, "What's the big deal? Several of our uncles and aunts are already at the late stage of Core Formation and will soon attempt Nascent Soul Formation, right?" He started counting on his fingers. "Uncle-Master Danning of Liuyun Peak, Uncle-Master Yuanyin of Lingyin Peak, Uncle-Master Shoujing of Qingquan Peak, and Uncle-Master Lingxi of Ganlu Peak. These uncles are all at the late stage of Core Formation!"
"Haha!" The old man laughed heartily. "You all, how old is your news? Let me tell you, Uncle-Master Danning and Uncle-Master Shoujing have both reached Core Formation Perfection and will attempt Nascent Soul Formation soon!"
"Ah!" Hearing this, several people in the group turned to look at the old man. Even the disdainful Lan Ling and the secretly listening Mo Tiange focused their gazes on him.
A cultivator attempting Nascent Soul Formation was a major event for any sect. Not just for small and medium sects; even for a major sect like theirs, once a cultivator was preparing for Nascent Soul Formation, they would strengthen security, activate the mountain-protecting grand formation, and enter a semi-sealed state to prevent sabotage.
Suddenly the center of attention, the old man's gossip-loving heart was satisfied. "You all didn't know?"
Someone impatient urged, "Those of us here have either been traveling for years or are usually swamped with work; we're not clear on things! Senior Brother Yan, tell us quickly."
The old man, pleased with himself, said, "Alright, I'll tell you. Our Xuanqing Sect's current situation: Grandmaster Lingxu's remaining lifespan is said to be only about a dozen years. That's why he's in such a hurry to marry Uncle-Master Jiang to a promising young junior with both backing and prospects like Uncle-Master Bai. This way, even if he passes away, he won't have to worry about Uncle-Master Jiang causing trouble."
"Senior Brother Yan, get to the point!" someone urged impatiently. Although Uncle-Master Jiang's affairs sounded interesting, compared to someone in the sect attempting Nascent Soul Formation, they were nothing.
"Young people are so impatient," the old man glared at that person and continued unhurriedly. "The passing of a Nascent Soul cultivator has a profound impact on the sect, especially since Ancestor Xuanyin's Nascent Soul Formation greatly boosted our Xuanqing Sect's strength. At this time, our various ancestors naturally don't want to just watch Grandmaster Lingxu pass away. But how can one stop someone from passing away? The Longevity Pill isn't so easy to obtain..."
This old man was truly long-winded. Mo Tiange felt like grabbing his collar and shaking him hard to shake out all the nonsense.
She certainly wasn't the only one with this thought, but the old man remained unthreatened. After all, they were fellow disciples; everyone refrained from such actions. Helpless, they had to let him continue his chatter.
After a long while of rambling, he finally got to the actual content. "...Since that's the case, there's no other way. Grandmaster Lingxu can't hold on for many more years, so they have to urge the Core Formation uncles and aunts with hope of Nascent Soul Formation to intensify their cultivation. Besides Uncle-Master Danning, Uncle-Master Shoujing, Uncle-Master Yuanyin, and Uncle-Master Lingxi only advanced to the late stage in the last fifty years! This is due to the support of the Nascent Soul ancestors..."
After another few hundred words of nonsense, he finally reached the key point. "Uncle-Master Yuanyin and Uncle-Master Lingxi haven't been at the late stage for long; it seems Nascent Soul Formation will have to wait a while. Uncle-Master Danning has been at the late stage for a hundred years and finally reached Core Formation Perfection about two years ago. As for Uncle-Master Shoujing, he just recently achieved Core Formation Perfection. Uncle-Master Shoujing has been in seclusion for thirty-five years. Ever since he returned injured from the beast calamity thirty-five years ago, he hasn't emerged. Hey, speaking of Uncle-Master Shoujing's talent, it truly shouldn't be underestimated. Among us here, there might be someone with a better spiritual root than his, but we're still struggling at Foundation Establishment, while he not only achieved Core Formation but is also about to attempt Nascent Soul Formation soon..."
"Senior Brother Yan!" someone couldn't bear it anymore. "We all know about Uncle-Master Shoujing's affairs; no need to keep talking about it!"
The other seven people wore identical expressions. Senior Brother Yan had no choice but to shut up. "Fine then. Anyway, you just need to know that Uncle-Master Shoujing and Uncle-Master Danning have both reached Core Formation Perfection and can attempt Nascent Soul Formation. That's it."
"..." The seven people were simultaneously speechless.
Under the collective glare of the seven, the old man surnamed Yan cried out aggrievedly, "You wanted it concise! That's the one sentence!"
"..."
After a moment of silence, someone else asked, "Will Uncle-Master Danning and Uncle-Master Shoujing succeed in Nascent Soul Formation?"
"Who knows the answer to that," Senior Brother Yan quickly chimed in. "Nascent Soul Formation! It's not like Foundation Establishment, where as long as your aptitude isn't terribly poor and you keep taking Foundation Establishment Pills, you'll eventually succeed. Nascent Soul Formation depends on heaven's will; it actually has little to do with aptitude."
That was true. Foundation Establishment was the first threshold of immortal cultivation. Although most cultivators remained at the Qi Refining stage their entire lives, for sect disciples like them, as long as they were diligent and had some luck, the possibility of Foundation Establishment was quite high. But as for Nascent Soul Formation, too many examples showed that heaven's will was unfathomable.