Two consecutive strikes of True Thunder left Zuo Dao charred on the outside and tender on the inside. At the same time, it completely shattered the resolve of Bone Daoist and his group. How could they compete now?
They had originally intended to seize the Immortal Sword through sheer force, but now, with one member of their faction defecting and the opposing faction gaining a powerful Sword Cultivator, the balance of power had shifted dramatically. Continuing to fight would undoubtedly lead to significant losses.
Bone Daoist wanted to push forward, but if he couldn't retreat unscathed, he would ultimately be paving the way for others to benefit. He didn't believe that those hidden in the shadows wouldn't take advantage of his misfortune.
Reluctantly, Bone Daoist withdrew.
Zuo Dao managed to stabilize himself mid-way, preventing a public embarrassment. However, he felt a strong dissatisfaction towards his newly acquired disciple—very strong dissatisfaction.
The Ancient Ancestor had his own pride; although he followed Zuo Dao, it didn't mean he would give him face in every situation.
The farcical conclusion revealed the depth of Mount Hua Immortal Gate to the onlookers and made them realize the strangeness of Zuo Dao. With just a few words and moves, he had captured two Nascent Soul Ancestors—what was happening here?
Some believed it, while others were skeptical; rumors began to swirl, each more outrageous than the last.
"This is clearly a trap set for Bone Daoist and his group to jump into."
"This is just Mount Hua Immortal Gate putting on a show for everyone, aiming to extinguish any thoughts of resistance."
"If you have the ability, go ahead and put on a show yourself—let two Ancient Ancestors fall into your hands in front of everyone."
"Young Master Zuo is truly extraordinary; with just one move, he shook the ground."
...
In the Cave of Zuo Wang Peak, Zuo Dao sighed as he looked at the two individuals before him.
"What do you mean by that?"
"My lord, the oath has been sworn. What else could we mean? We are now your people." Fire Rush, having broken through a bottleneck with a single strike, was in high spirits and spoke with an unexpected humor.
Yao Ming simply nodded in agreement, saying nothing.
"Alright, I admit it, I had ulterior motives back then, but I didn't make you swear the Great Dao Oath, did I?"
"Does it make a difference? Isn't this better? You have gained two more powerful allies. When the time comes to storm the Celestial Realm, we can rally for you."
Looking at Fire Rush, Zuo Dao Zhao was at a loss. How could this seemingly rough man be so smooth-tongued?
Truly, one knows a person’s face but not their heart.
"Brother Zuo, the Sect Leader and others are outside the cave and wish to see the two seniors." A servant entered at that moment to convey the message, his expression peculiar. Since when did the Sect Leader need to send a message just to meet them? And it seemed he was too timid to come out himself.
"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and welcome them!" Zuo Dao jumped up in surprise. Fire Rush and Yao Ming lagged half a step behind as they followed.
When Jiang Chuan and the other elders of the Immortal Sect saw them emerge, they all stepped forward to pay their respects.
"Daoist Yao, Daoist Fire."
Zuo Dao quickly sidestepped; this was not a greeting meant for him. If he accepted it, he might be struck by five thunders.
Yao Ming and Fire Rush responded lightly, having exchanged pleasantries.
"My disciples are inexperienced and have troubled you two. Please accept this small token of appreciation." Jiang Chuan was unconcerned about it. After all, they were top figures among the Ancient Ancestors; such behavior was not out of line.
"Additionally, the Immortal Sect invites both of you to take on the position of Elder. May I ask how you feel about this?"
With such generous offers and high positions, Zuo Dao's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"That would depend on my young master's opinion," Fire Rush said, passing the responsibility back to Zuo Dao.
"This...," Jiang Chuan was taken aback, while Zuo Dao was left speechless.
"The Sect Leader has spoken; after all, we are all one family. Whatever you decide is fine," Zuo Dao quickly interjected. If he remained silent any longer and caught Jiang Chuan's deadly gaze, he feared that one wrong move could cost him his life.
"Good, since both of you have agreed, the Immortal Sect will choose an auspicious day to hold a grand ceremony to announce your joining."
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Jiang Chuan and the others left behind their gifts and departed. The atmosphere had become too awkward, and they were unsure of what else to say.
The addition of two Ancient Ancestors, especially top-tier figures among them, greatly enhanced the prestige of Mount Hua Immortal Gate. The ceremony was conducted with immense grandeur. This was face; even at the level of Ancient Ancestors, many had already let go of certain things, but face was still face.
Yao Ming and Fire Rush had little objection to this; what they were really thinking about was how to gain what they most desired from Zuo Dao.
At that moment, Zuo Dao was overwhelmed with gifts, receiving so many that he felt weak in the knees yet was thoroughly enjoying it. Representatives from every notable sect and family in Moling Star had come to witness the event; even first-rate sects and Hidden Sects sent people. What this truly meant was only clear to them.
All the gifts were handed over to Zuo Dao because they knew that the two newly appointed Elders of the Immortal Sect were his followers. Each person who presented a gift couldn't believe that this was the individual who had made two Ancient Ancestors swear the Great Dao Oath.
The ceremony officially began. Yao and Chong followed the established protocols to complete the rites. Then, under the guidance of the Drunken Old Man, for the first time, the celestial sword was revealed to everyone.
As soon as the celestial sword appeared, silence fell over the crowd. For countless people, it was their first time seeing a legendary Celestial Artifact up close.
A seemingly ordinary sword hovered above everyone's heads; at first glance, it looked even less impressive than a mundane weapon, let alone a magical or spiritual artifact.
The only impression it gave was one of antiquity; the entire sword exuded an atmosphere that felt primordial. Before the ancient times, cultivators adhered to pragmatism; weapons were meant for battle, and excessive embellishment would hinder their effectiveness.
The Great Guardian Sword hung silently above everyone, gradually emanating the unique Celestial Aura of a Celestial Artifact. Those cultivators who stood nearby felt their blood surging, their magical and spiritual energies flowing freely. Some even sensed that old injuries or damage from years of cultivation were showing signs of improvement in that moment.
If it weren't for the previous battle with the Immortal Sect, most of those present would have rushed to seize it.
The leaders of the Immortal Sect observed everyone's reactions with calm expressions, while those from Zuo Wang Peak remained completely unresponsive. Ever since the celestial sword had appeared, Zuo Dao and others had begun cultivating beneath it.
Though the time since its emergence was short, it left a profound impact on everyone. They also sensed the threat posed by Mount Hua Immortal Gate, particularly those from lower-tier sects who felt an intense sense of danger.
The subsequent banquet lacked any remarkable events; cultivators formed several groups to eat and chat. Those at the Nascent Soul Stage gathered closely together, with only elite disciples or direct lineage relatives qualified to sit with them.
Zuo Dao rushed over to Yan Zhen's side, joining them at the table. The Foundation Establishment Period cultivators present were few, primarily because there wasn't much for them to contribute. The Qi Training cultivators could contend with Golden Core practitioners, so their qualifications reached that level.
Yao Ming and Fire Rush were the main characters of the day; throughout the banquet, there were congratulations, probing questions, relationship-building, and requests for advice from all sorts of individuals. Fire Rush had become a spokesperson among the two, navigating conversations with ease as if he were handling everything alone.
However, both of their thoughts remained focused on Zuo Dao sitting aside.
He was always envied by others, especially with representatives from all three teachings of Nine Streams present. There were still a few individuals with ulterior motives lurking around. Fueled by alcohol, troublemakers began to emerge.
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