Azure Province, Southern Region.
Profound Azure Sect.
In recent days, Sect Master Yan Changkong and Great Elder Chen Xiu had been busier than ever, their schedules packed.
They felt both pain and joy.
Now, the Profound Azure Sect was considered a wealthy sect throughout Azure Province.
Whether selling information about the Emperor or opening the Emperor’s former residence to charge visiting cultivators, they were raking in money.
It was even more exaggerated than mining spiritual veins.
After all, even if you were given a spiritual vein, you still needed manpower to mine it. The Profound Azure Sect was simply lying back and collecting money.
Additionally, the entire sect had become much more lively, with a bustling atmosphere.
The number of disciples had grown from a few thousand to over ten thousand—nearly doubling.
This was still a result of Yan Changkong’s extreme restraint, as he had high requirements for the talent of new disciples.
This scene made the other sects in Azure Province envious, practically drooling with jealousy. They secretly resented why their sects hadn’t produced an Emperor.
One person had revitalized an entire sect.
On this day, the Profound Azure Sect was exceptionally lively. Sect Master Yan Changkong led a group of newly admitted disciples to the former residence of the Immortal Emperor.
At this moment, the Emperor’s former residence had undergone some new changes.
The scale in front of the residence had expanded a hundredfold, and the granite slabs on the ground had been polished smooth.
There were simply too many visitors.
Above in the sky, a long sword hovered, exuding a chilling sword intent that loomed overhead.
It was intimidating to behold.
Yan Changkong took a couple of steps forward, lifted his long robe, and bowed deeply, respectfully saying:
“Ancestor Lin Feng!”
“I, Yan Changkong, a junior, have brought the new disciples to pay respects to the ancestor!”
Behind him, Great Elder Chen Xiu and the group of new disciples all knelt down with a thud.
“Greetings, Ancestor Lin Feng!”
This had just become the established rule of the Profound Azure Sect: from now on, every newly admitted disciple must come to pay respects to Ancestor Lin Feng.
Just like how one must pay respects to the founding ancestor of the sect, Lin Feng was now a living Emperor. The rise of the Profound Azure Sect was all tied to him!
Of course, they needed to pay their respects.
After the ceremonial process, Yan Changkong stood on a stone platform, lightly cleared his throat, and spoke loudly: “Disciples, I am very pleased that you can join the big family of the Profound Azure Sect.”
“I’m sure many of you have already heard about the life and character of Ancestor Lin Feng over these past few days, haven’t you?”
Yan Changkong scanned the crowd and said slowly, “Ancestor Lin Feng is a practitioner of noble character, firm will, and one who has risen above petty interests.”
“He values his teachers and the Dao, unites his peers, and cares for the sect!”
“Although he possesses extraordinary talent, he never looked down on others or bullied his fellow disciples. I hope everyone keeps this in mind.”
Below, the new disciples shouted excitedly, nodding vigorously.
Yan Changkong looked around, quite satisfied. “Moreover, Ancestor Lin Feng’s unwavering will and dedication to cultivation are qualities we should learn from!”
“For the sake of practicing swordsmanship, he swung his sword a million times!”
“He bravely ventured alone to the Yunluo Mountains for the sake of a spiritual herb. This kind of persistent spirit is an essential quality in our pursuit of the Great Dao and immortality!”
The more Yan Changkong spoke, the more excited he became. “Let us inherit the spirit of the Immortal Emperor and bring glory to the sect!”
Great Elder Chen Xiu stood at the front of the crowd and raised his arms in solidarity!
Soon, everyone’s voices rose like a mountain roar or a tsunami!
“Inherit the spirit of the Emperor and bring glory to the sect!”
“Inherit the spirit of the Emperor and bring glory to the sect!”
“Inherit the spirit of the Emperor and bring glory to the sect!”
The voices continued to echo, and at that moment, the cohesion of the Profound Azure Sect reached an unprecedented level.
These new disciples suddenly found a sense of belonging.
They fully immersed themselves in the Profound Azure Sect.
After a little over half an hour, Yan Changkong finally urged his spiritual power to calm everyone down. “Coincidentally, today is also the day the diary is revealed. Let us watch together and further immerse ourselves in the spirit of the Immortal Emperor!”
The disciples eagerly nodded in agreement, all feeling that joining the Profound Azure Sect was the right choice.
The atmosphere for cultivation here was excellent!
Now, almost all sects had set up projection arrays to display the transmissions from the Tianji Pavilion within their sects.
This ensured they could view the emperor’s diary at the first opportunity while also providing convenience for their disciples.
It was a win-win situation.
After waiting for a moment, a light screen appeared in the air above the array, with words slowly appearing one by one.
“It’s here!”
“Hey, what do you think happened between Ancestor Lin Feng and Ancestor Ruoyu in that cave?”
“What more is there to say? It’s been labeled inappropriate for children…”
“After all, they were young back then; who wasn’t filled with youthful vigor?”
“Ahem, when I break through to the Foundation Establishment stage and need to go out for training, I’ll head to the Yunluo Mountains as well.”
The disciples of the Profound Azure Sect were all excited, whispering to each other.
This time, however, their perspective had subtly shifted.
They no longer viewed the diary as outsiders, but rather as juniors eager to learn from the experiences of their venerable elder.
This mindset filled them with a sense of joy and anticipation.
Yan Changkong stood on the steps, along with the elders, eagerly staring at the light screen.
“Ahem, I hope the ancestor doesn’t falter and quickly gives these newly initiated disciples a lesson!”
“Using personal experiences to let them know that diligent cultivation is essential. Even Emperors must endure various hardships to achieve success!”
Yan Changkong thought to himself, not too worried, as Lin Feng’s achievements were well-established.
This was the invincible Great Emperor, a peerless figure!
His journey to greatness was undoubtedly an inspiration.
It was with this confidence that Yan Changkong had organized the event, hoping it would humble and motivate these highly talented but somewhat arrogant new disciples!
Moments later, the contents of the diary finally fully displayed.
Immortal Emperor’s Diary, Page 9:
[Unknowingly, I’ve been living in this cave for half a year.]
[Ruoyu’s injuries have healed, and her strength has basically returned, which is good news.]
[But I find myself a bit reluctant.]
[Her injuries have healed, and I know we’ll soon part ways. From then on, we’ll be separated by mountains and rivers, unlikely to ever meet again.]
[Forget it; let’s cherish each day we have now!]
[I’ve lost all will to cultivate and fully embraced lying flat and slacking off!]
[Cultivation? Young people should learn to enjoy life. For now, I’d rather spend more time playing with… A shame there are no black stockings.]
Immortal Emperor’s Diary, Page 10:
[When night fell, Ruoyu told me she had to leave.]
[My heart tightened a bit.]
[Yes, I should also return to the sect; this time of training has exceeded my plan.]
[It’s raining, a heavy rain.]
[Ruoyu threw herself into my arms, utterly unrestrained. We didn’t stop until sunlight crept into the cave the next day.]
[At parting, Ruoyu revealed her true identity to me; she is actually from the Central Region, the Saintess of a certain Holy Land!]
[Crying, she asked me to promise that I would definitely come to find her!]
[Ah, seeing her so pitiful, my heart softened, and I agreed. What can I say? Handsome men just can’t help it when saintesses fall for them so deeply.]
[My back ached, my legs felt numb, and I stumbled out of the cave, leaning against the wall…]