This year, it was once again time for the Tiandao Sect to open its Immortal Platform Meet. Mount Yuheng bustled with activity, crowds coming and going, creating an incredibly lively scene.
Ten years ago, the Tiandao Sect had lost a Nascent Soul cultivator, several Core Formation cultivators, and a great many low-level disciples within Tianmo Mountain, causing its strength to plummet and placing its title of the First Sect of Tianji in peril. To address this, the upper echelons of the Tiandao Sect made a decisive decision: to open their mountain gates wide and extensively recruit disciples.
In the past, such a decision, while unable to immediately solve the problem of diminished strength, would have allowed the Tiandao Sect to gradually recover its power over a century or so, still firmly holding its position as the First Sect of Tianji.
However, over seventy years ago, after the demon beast rebellion, the various cultivation sects had only just begun to recover their vitality. Then, struck by this great calamity, they all widely opened their mountain gates. The previous situation of numerous disciples finding it difficult to enter a sect instantly transformed into a scenario where sects competed fiercely for disciples. Although the Tiandao Sect was hailed as the first sect, its prestige had somewhat declined, and for a time, it could not guarantee securing sufficiently outstanding disciples in this competitive landscape.
For this reason, the Tiandao Sect's new sect leader, Perfected One Yanglin, nearly worried his hair white. Although he was the sect leader, he had to answer to the Grand Elders above and deal with power struggles below. If this problem wasn't resolved properly, it was possible that if the several Nascent Soul Grand Elders became displeased, the sect leader position might change hands. Yet, although the position of sect leader was like a punching bag, it was crucial for his family's interests. It wasn't something he could simply choose not to do.
Thinking of this, Perfected One Yanglin even felt a bit envious of those ascetics who dedicated themselves to bitter cultivation. Although they had no family backing and cultivated with great hardship, they could wholeheartedly devote themselves to cultivation without bothering with these mundane affairs. That was also a fortunate thing!
However, no matter how much the Tiandao Sect's might had diminished compared to the past, it was still far better than those small and medium-sized cultivation sects. As soon as word spread about opening the Immortal Platform Meet, Mount Yuheng was instantly flooded with countless low-level cultivators. He only hoped that among these low-level cultivators, there would be a few disciples of outstanding talent. If so, it would count as an explanation to the Grand Elders.
"Wu Laosan, what are you doing here?" Among the low-level cultivators waiting for the Immortal Platform Meet to begin on Mount Yuheng, someone shouted.
The person being called was a pale-faced, short-bearded cultivator in his thirties with a cultivation level of only Qi Refining seventh layer. In the past, such cultivation wouldn't even dream of attending the Tiandao Sect's Immortal Platform Meet; they could only try their luck with minor cultivation sects. But they happened upon good times. Over the past ten years, the Tiandao Sect had held the Immortal Platform Meet almost every year, allowing many Qi Refining seventh-layer disciples to enter the sect.
The man called Wu Laosan turned his head, saw the lean man who had called him, curled his lip and said, "If you, Li Siyang, can come, why can't I, Wu Sande?"
This situation was not uncommon in recent Immortal Platform Meets. Originally, if the meet was held every three or ten years, it would gather a large group of minor cultivators from various places, most of whom wouldn't know each other. But holding it every year meant the number of cultivators who would come to participate was limited, so of course, there were many acquaintances.
Hearing this, the lean man named Li Siyang chuckled, stepped forward, and put his arm around Wu Sande's shoulder, saying, "Wu Laosan, we've known each other since childhood, after all. I was just saying hello, no other meaning. Don't misunderstand!"
"Misunderstand? Hmph!" Wu Sande glanced at Li Siyang with a rather disdainful look. "Forget it. If your words, Li Siyang, could be trusted, the sun would rise from the west!"
"Hey, hey, hey! What kind of talk is that?" Li Siyang patted his shoulder forcefully. "Let's forget about the past. We're old acquaintances. What great fortune is it to meet here at the Immortal Platform Meet? Come on, let's chat. Maybe we can even give each other some pointers."
Wu Sande looked at him suspiciously several times but was eventually persuaded. Indeed, they were both here to participate in the Immortal Platform Meet. Although they had conflicts since childhood, there was no deep enmity. Chatting was fine.
Thus, the two found a corner and began discussing matters of the Immortal Platform Meet, talking about cultivation, exchanging news.
Both were at Qi Refining seventh layer. In the past, they truly had no chance to enter a major sect like the Tiandao Sect. They couldn't let this opportunity slip away. Who knew in which year the Tiandao Sect would recruit enough disciples and no longer be so easy to enter as it was now.
After finishing their exchange of news, Li Siyang, still unsatisfied, asked, "I say, Wu Laosan, all seven major sects are recruiting disciples. Why did you also come to the Tiandao Sect?"
Wu Sande stroked his small beard and snorted, "What other reason? It's close! Besides, the Tiandao Sect is at least hailed as the first sect. It's always a bit better than other sects."
"Wrong, wrong." Li Siyang waved his hand. "Wu Laosan, you are mistaken there."
"Mistaken?" Wu Sande glared. "Where am I wrong? Among the seven major sects, let's not even mention the Danding Sect; they suffered heavy losses over seventy years ago, and their current scale is just that of a medium-sized sect. The Spirit Beast Sect specializes in beast taming arts; ordinary cultivators like us without talent for beast taming find it hard to enter. The Zhengfa Sect? They specialize in water-based techniques; we don't have water spiritual roots. The Biyun Sect is even less worth mentioning; I'm not a female cultivator, and their requirements for male cultivators are much higher. The Ancient Sword Sect is actually good, but they are a sword cultivation sect, and starting cultivation anew isn't easy. Calculated this way, the remaining ones are the Xuanqing Sect and the Tiandao Sect. The Xuanqing Sect is also good, but it still falls a bit short compared to the Tiandao Sect..."
"Wrong, wrong, wrong!" Li Siyang interrupted Wu Sande's words with three consecutive 'wrongs,' looking askance. "When it comes to cultivation, I, Li Siyang, might not be as good as you. But regarding these matters, you, Wu Laosan, don't see as clearly as I do!"
Although Wu Sande was unconvinced, Li Siyang admitting in his words that his cultivation was inferior made him feel quite comfortable, so he didn't mind the interruption. But he still felt he wasn't wrong: "Where am I wrong? Tell me!"
"Actually, what you said earlier was all correct. Sects like Danding Sect, Spirit Beast Sect, either their strength is weak, or they aren't suitable for us. But saying the Xuanqing Sect falls a bit short compared to the Tiandao Sect? That's where you're wrong!"
"Why?" Wu Sande said, widening his eyes. "The Xuanqing Sect originally fell a bit short compared to the Tiandao Sect. Although the Tiandao Sect lost a Nascent Soul cultivator ten years ago, they still have six, including two Late-Nascent Soul cultivators! The Xuanqing Sect only has one Late-Nascent Soul cultivator. Although they lost no Nascent Soul cultivators ten years ago and now also have six, one Late-Nascent Soul cultivator is worth several early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators! The difference in strength is obvious at a glance!"
"Heh heh! You only see the surface!" Li Siyang said smugly. "That's right, the current Tiandao Sect's strength in Nascent Soul cultivators is indeed a bit stronger than the Xuanqing Sect's. But have you considered the next several hundred years?"
Wu Sande looked at him suspiciously. "What? Are you saying the Xuanqing Sect will have many cultivators advancing to Nascent Soul in the future? But the Tiandao Sect also has many talented disciples. How could they be inferior to the Xuanqing Sect?"
"Not inferior!" After all, this was the Tiandao Sect. Li Siyang's grand discussion, seeming to imply the Tiandao Sect was not as good as the Xuanqing Sect, had already attracted others' attention. Those who came to participate in the Tiandao Sect's Immortal Platform Meet all had relatively favorable impressions of the Tiandao Sect. Hearing his words, they had long been looking at him unfavorably. A slick person like Li Siyang had of course noticed this. Unhurriedly, he said, "When did I ever say the Tiandao Sect was inferior to the Xuanqing Sect? What I said was, it's still too early for you to conclude the Xuanqing Sect falls short compared to the Tiandao Sect! True, in terms of Nascent Soul cultivator strength, the Tiandao Sect is stronger. But sect development doesn't rely solely on Nascent Soul cultivators; it depends on thousands of low-level disciples!"
Around them were all Qi Refining stage low-level cultivators hoping to enter the sect. Hearing this sentence, they felt comfortable and became less hostile towards Li Siyang.
Li Siyang continued, "Have you considered how many low-level disciples the Tiandao Sect lost during the demon beast rebellion and the two great calamities of Tianmo Mountain? Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment stage disciples—at least over a thousand fewer! And Core Formation stage, seven or eight more. Originally, where the Tiandao Sect was stronger than the Xuanqing Sect was precisely here: they had over a thousand more Qi Refining disciples, over a hundred more Foundation Establishment disciples, and nearly ten more Core Formation cultivators! It was precisely because they had more low-level disciples that their potential was greater, and the Tiandao Sect always had one or two more Nascent Soul cultivators than the Xuanqing Sect!"
These words attracted the attention of the surrounding low-level cultivators. Many crowded around; those who didn't also pricked up their ears to listen.
Li Siyang became even more pleased with himself, speaking loudly, "But do you know that the Xuanqing Sect suffered no losses among Qi Refining disciples during the demon beast rebellion? And during the two great calamities of Tianmo Mountain, because they were too far from Tianmo Mountain, few low-level disciples participated? Calculated this way, from Qi Refining disciples to Core Formation cultivators, the Xuanqing Sect is already completely on par with the Tiandao Sect, perhaps even surpassing them slightly!"
At this point, someone interjected, "Fellow Daoist, where did you learn these things? You're not a sect disciple. How would you know the disciple numbers of major sects?"
"Heh!" Li Siyang glanced at the cultivator who raised the question, lifted his head and said, "Brother, if you don't pay attention to these matters, of course you wouldn't know! No matter how large a major sect is, it doesn't reach ten thousand people. Although we minor cultivators can't get exact numbers of cultivators, we can still make estimates."
Someone in the crowd responded, "True, this fellow daoist speaks correctly. This isn't some top-secret matter. Looking at the number of disciples these major sects recruit each year, we can roughly estimate."
"Right, right!" Someone echoed. Li Siyang was overjoyed and repeatedly said, "This fellow daoist is absolutely correct. It's precisely estimated from the number of disciples recruited!"
"Enough, enough," someone else, displeased with his smug demeanor, spoke up. "If you have something to say, say it quickly. Why drag this out?"
Although the words were impolite, they were waiting to listen. Li Siyang wasn't angry either and continued, "Alright, let's continue with the main topic. In terms of low-level disciple numbers, the Xuanqing Sect is already on par with the Tiandao Sect. So, in terms of potential, it can also be said to be equal. But there's another point. I wonder if everyone has noticed: the Xuanqing Sect suffered minimal, even negligible losses during these events! This is very important for the cultivation mindset of disciples. Considering this, the potential of the Xuanqing Sect's low-level disciples probably surpasses that of the Tiandao Sect!"
Li Siyang's gaze swept around, seeing the cultivators all pondering silently, not opposing his argument. He continued, "So, where is the Xuanqing Sect lacking now? It's that they are still suppressed by the Tiandao Sect in terms of Nascent Soul cultivators! It just so happens that several of the Tiandao Sect's Nascent Soul cultivators are facing the end of their lifespans, while the Xuanqing Sect, although weaker in strength, mostly have not yet reached half their lifespan. Calculated this way, which has better prospects, need I say more? I dare say, within this century, if the Xuanqing Sect produces a Nascent Soul cultivator first, then their momentum will surge greatly. The title of First Sect of Tianji might very well switch to them!"
The crowd fell silent. After a while, someone said in a strange tone, "Since that's the case, why doesn't this fellow daoist go to the Xuanqing Sect? Instead, you still come to participate in the Tiandao Sect's Immortal Platform Meet!"
This statement clearly came from a supporter of the Tiandao Sect. Li Siyang wasn't angry either and laughed, "Brother, you haven't been to the Xuanqing Sect, have you? Let me tell you, the Xuanqing Sect suffered minimal losses among low-level disciples and recovered their vitality years ago. Although they've also widely opened their mountain gates these years, their recruitment standards remain just as strict! I, Li Siyang, though somewhat clever, when it comes to cultivation, am not worth mentioning. I truly lack the confidence!"
That person sneered again, "Are you so sure the Xuanqing Sect will produce a Nascent Soul cultivator first? What if it's the Tiandao Sect? By then, they'll still have more Nascent Soul cultivators and stronger strength than the Xuanqing Sect. The title of First Sect of Tianji—the Xuanqing Sect won't be able to snatch it away no matter how they try!"
"I never said it definitely would be the Xuanqing Sect first!" Li Siyang said innocently. "I was just analyzing possible scenarios. I've always been speaking of possibilities. Everyone heard that, right?"
The surrounding onlookers nodded one after another. He indeed spoke of possibilities. But although it was just possibilities, Li Siyang's analysis was thorough and logical. Among the surrounding crowd, those with considerable confidence in their own talent and cultivation level thought: If the Xuanqing Sect truly hadn't lowered their recruitment standards, didn't that mean they were very confident? Should I try the Xuanqing Sect first?
"Hmph!" Seeing the onlookers agree with Li Siyang, the person grew annoyed and angrily said, "Just you wait. It will definitely be the Tiandao Sect that produces a Nascent Soul cultivator first. By then, the Xuanqing Sect will still be second best!"
Li Siyang smiled, "Brother, such things are truly unpredictable. It could be the Tiandao Sect, or it could be the Xuanqing Sect. However, ultimately, it's a matter for their major sects. We minor cultivators can just chat idly about it for fun. After all, we haven't even entered a sect yet!"
"Right, right!" In front of outsiders, Wu Sande also stood on Li Siyang's side. "Just chatting. No need to get excited, fellow daoist, no need..."
Just as the conversation reached this point, a sudden thunderclap rang out! The sky abruptly flashed with ten thousand zhang of golden light, dazzling to the eyes. Wind and clouds surged, thunder rumbled incessantly!
The cultivators looked up and saw countless spiritual lights flashing high in the sky, among which spirit magpies danced, auspicious clouds surged. An intense pressure descended, causing these minor cultivators' spiritual energy to instantly become chaotic, making it difficult to breathe. Some with weaker cultivation even vomited blood and knelt down.
The crowd began to stir. Someone shouted, "What's happening? What is this thing?"
Subsequently, someone knowledgeable shouted, "Heavenly Phenomenon! This is a Heavenly Phenomenon! Someone has formed their Nascent Soul! Nascent Soul formation!"
Those cultivators who had just listened to Li Siyang's grand discussion were secretly shocked upon hearing this. Had the Tiandao Sect produced another Nascent Soul cultivator? It seemed the Xuanqing Sect truly couldn't become the first sect.
Li Siyang and Wu Sande exchanged a glance, bitterness showing in their eyes. Could it really be such a coincidence? Wouldn't all their efforts be in vain? But this was undoubtedly the Heavenly Phenomenon of Nascent Soul formation!
In the sky, the golden light grew increasingly dazzling, gradually dyeing the auspicious clouds fiery red. The auspicious clouds surged, slowly forming a shape—wings spread, tail feathers gently raised, a clear cry rang out—the divine beast, the phoenix!