LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 136: Join
"Speak freely, without any reservations."
Zhang Jianlin said with a smile, "In fact, we are just like you, also coming from the surrounding worlds. Even most of the higher-ups in the Nine Cauldrons Sect hail from the surrounding worlds. From this perspective, we should belong to the same camp."
Qin Yi, who was beside him, also nodded slightly, "The Artifact Sect has a heritage of three thousand years. Over those years, even the oldest Immortal Sects have decayed.
A few hundred years ago, us outsiders who became cultivators had already reached the lowest position within the Artifact Sect, facing oppression in every aspect and even treated like servants by the local disciples, to be beaten or killed at will—especially during the time we suffered a loss to the Moon Demon Empire… We were treated entirely as cannon fodder, which is why we had no choice but to stand up and rebel, establishing our own Nine Cauldrons Sect."
"The Nine Cauldrons Sect doesn't follow the same old rules as the Original Artifact Sect or other sects—all cultivators are equal in dignity, differentiated only by their duties. Even the most ordinary disciples, when facing the Sect Master directly, only need to maintain respect without the need to kneel or salute.
Likewise, although we are Elders and Vice Hall Masters, you can also treat us as ordinary cultivators."
Zhang Jianlin said with a smile, "In terms of status, we are equals. The Sect Master once said that anyone, as long as they have the ability and can gain the recognition and respect of others, can hold a high position.
If there comes a day in the future when he should assume the role of Sect Master, he would step down with great joy to make way for a better leader because that would mean a more outstanding leader has emerged. Under his leadership, the life of everyone in the Nine Cauldrons Sect will definitely be better than it is now."
Alkaid listened to the two of them, realizing that they were aware of his intention to start his own sect.
Unwilling to submit to others.
But…
He was somewhat surprised.
Although he had seen from various aspects that the Sect Master of the Nine Cauldrons Sect seemed to be a man of great resolve,
he also had a mind that was as vast as the seas.
But…
Hearing about something is one thing, but seeing it with your own eyes and experiencing it personally is another.
Publicity, who doesn't do it?
But now, what Zhang Jianlin and the others were saying seemed…
to be the consensus within the Nine Cauldrons Sect?
"Sect Master Li truly has a magnanimous spirit."
Alkaid said.
Zhang Jianlin offered a modest smile and manipulated the magic artifact in his hand slightly, projecting a stream of light directly in front of Alkaid.
The Nine Cauldrons Sect regulations.
The general principles.
Article one…
The Nine Cauldrons Sect is a republic led by the class of cultivators, based on citizens and sect personnel.
Article two…
All power in the Nine Cauldrons Sect belongs to the citizens.
Article three states that all citizens and sect personnel are equal.
Alkaid quickly skimmed through these sect regulations.
Alkaid went over each one and indeed saw the statements mentioned by Zhang Jianlin.
The Sect Master of the Nine Cauldrons Sect is elected by the combined vote of the sect personnel…
Alkaid understood that 'citizens' referred to those members who had joined departments like the Energy Department, Transportation Department, Communication Department, and others.
They were essentially the cornerstone of the operation of the many institutions within the jurisdiction of the Nine Cauldrons Sect.
Sect personnel, even more needless to say.
Registered disciples, official disciples, core disciples, true disciples.
Stewards, Chief Stewards, Chiefs, Offerers, Protectors, Elders—they all belonged to the sect personnel.
The rules are always made by the strong.
But…
That the Nine Cauldrons Sect would include these rules in their sect laws was something Alkaid had not expected.
Enjoy more content from empire
Although the strong never have to abide by rules, if there comes a day when he is strong enough and truly wants to do something, these rules can serve as a moral justification, proving the legitimacy of his actions.
He could see this point, and so could the people who made these rules, but they still wrote this rule into the sect laws…
"The high-ranking members of the Nine Cauldrons Sect really do have great determination."
This time, Alkaid's praise was truly sincere.
It took him a while before he said, "Aren't these rules of the sect…afraid that someday a strong outsider will come along and with their strength, overthrow the rulers?"
"I've said that everyone only has a difference in duty, not in rank. To usurp the rulers, they must first ensure one thing: to gain everyone's approval, or…"
Zhang Jianlin said with a faint smile, "To suppress everyone with their own strength!"
He paused for a moment, "As for the former, no doubt, his abilities would gain everyone's approval and the Sect Master would be willing to abdicate in favor of the virtuous. As for the latter… if he can suppress everyone on his own, that just proves that we no longer have a choice in the matter."
After listening, Alkaid nodded.
Qin Yi, who was by his side, did not find the questions asked by Alkaid to be inappropriate.
Or think him naturally rebellious or the like.
These people were different from the native cultivators.
They lived in small worlds and had managed to come to the Cangwu Realm, having already been through a selection of the fittest, with each one being a dragon among men of their own small world.
With hearts soaring above the heavens, that was only natural.
According to the Sect Master, they are to maintain their vigor, sharpness, and drive, so even those who are currently in low positions would feel the shame and strive to become stronger, inspiring twelvefold spirit in their lives and cultivation, and spontaneously work hard to practice and grow."
And only in this way could the Nine Cauldrons Sect rapidly revive, reclaim the territories of the Original Artifact Sect, re-enter the ranks of the top ten Immortal Sects, and stand at the pinnacle of the world.
Therefore, the Nine Cauldron Sect was not afraid of ambition in a person; what they feared was a lack of ability.
"I'm curious, as a mere high-rank cultivator, I'm not worth the trouble for the two of you to personally invite me, am I?"
As Alkaid spoke, he glanced at Lin Sen, "Even if I demonstrated a certain aptitude in artifact refining during the 'Immortal Shadow 60' project, it still shouldn't be enough to disturb the two of you."
Zhang Jianlin and Qin Yi exchanged a glance.
There was hope.
"Let me explain."
Zhang Jianlin said with a smile, "First of all, the aptitude you've shown wasn't just a certain level in artifact refining, but a mastery that can be considered top-notch. Based on the improvements you made to 'Immortal Shadow 60,' I estimate that your proficiency in artifact refining might not be inferior to a Master Artifact Refiner.
It's only due to limitations in cultivation and equipment that you haven't been able to fully demonstrate it."
"Master Artifact Refiner?"
Lin Sen on the side was somewhat shocked.
He hadn't expected Elder Zhang to hold such a high opinion of Alkaid.
"Body Refining is different from Qi Refinement and Divine Refinement. Divine Intent possesses powerful deterrent and destructive effects, but it's naturally unsuitable for artifact refining, alchemy, array formation, and talisman making—these delicate operations.
Although there are many great cultivators in our Nine Cauldrons Sect, most of the Body Refining Star Lords...if not ninety percent, then eighty percent."
Zhang Jianlin continued, "Among the remaining members, not everyone has a secondary profession that they have taken to a Master Level, and even if they have, it's not necessarily in artifact refining. Therefore, the entire sect has only a few dozen Master Artifact Refiners, and when it comes to the Nine Heavens Domain, there might not even be one."
He looked at Alkaid, "Now, do you understand how important you are?"
"You flatter me; I am still far from a Master Artifact Refiner."
Alkaid replied.
He was at seventy-one percent of the ninth rank in artifact refining, and to be on par with a Master Artifact Refiner, he would need at least eighty percent or more.
"You're being too modest."
Zhang Jianlin smiled, "Now for the second point."
As he spoke, his expression grew slightly more serious, "You have engaged in Dual Cultivation of both Body Refinement and Divine Refinement."
"Dual Cultivation?"
Alkaid was taken aback.
Then, as if understanding something, he realized. Dual Cultivation! The key lay in Dual Cultivation.
The difficulty of Dual Cultivation in this world was extremely high, far from as simple as cross-disciplinary or interdisciplinary studies.
Those with the talent for Dual Cultivation...
They were often subject to focused cultivation.
But at the same time...
Many talented Dual Cultivators would also become distracted by practicing two systems, ultimately achieving nothing on either path.
So, he himself hadn't thought that Dual Cultivation was anything special, but from the attitudes of Zhang Jianlin and Qin Yi, it seemed to be a different story.
"Since three hundred years ago, the path of cultivation has been undergoing continuous optimization and refinement. The current refinement has reached its peak, but correspondingly, it has also begun facing various problems, even getting stuck in dead ends."
Zhang Jianlin said, pausing in his tone, "The path of cultivation should never focus on a single direction. Essence, Qi, and Spirit advancing side by side is the Great Dao."
"There's a problem?"
Alkaid was surprised.
"If you pay close attention, you will notice... In the Cangwu Great World, it has been over a hundred years since anyone achieved the Golden Core. The existing Golden Cores in today's world are all that remain from the era of the great war with the Moon Demon Empire, and each of these Golden Cores is incredibly powerful. However...
relative to their destructive potential, in terms of divine oddities, they are far from matching the power they wield."
"Destructive power..."
Alkaid had an epiphany.
"Yes, in response to warfare, everyone was pursuing destructive power, and the world entered an era where destructive power was severely overflowing. Powerful Golden Cores could bring extinction-level disasters to the entire Cangwu Great World, yet they... are unable to break through the upper limits of their lifespan."
Zhang Jianlin took a deep breath, "How is it reasonable for a being with power comparable to the sun in the sky to have only a few hundred years of lifespan?"
Unreasonable.
Alkaid immediately reached that conclusion.
"Based on the joint research of various top-notch Sects and Cultivators, they've come to a conclusion that Dual Cultivation is the way out for cultivators in the future. Focusing on a single path... especially the insane pursuit of destructive power... is a deviation from the correct path. Small sects don't have a choice; without great power and destructive potential, they face the risk of extinction.
But for grand sects... they need to consider not only the present but also the future."
Zhang Jianlin looked at Alkaid, his eyes gleaming, "And you, the cultivators with the talent for Dual Cultivation, represent the future of grand sects. In the future, if anyone among you can break through to the Golden Core Realm, that will be a true Golden Core, one that can maintain stable operations without the need for the sect to support its power!"
Qin Yi also spoke up, "There is talk among the upper echelons of the Cangwu Great World that whichever sect can cultivate a new Golden Core-level powerhouse from a new system of cultivation will be able to dominate the world and the future!"
Having said their piece, the two of them looked at Alkaid.
And Alkaid also understood why, as a high-rank cultivator, he was worthy of personal invitations from two great cultivators.
"So, Alkaid, what do you think..."
"I think..."
Alkaid glanced at the rules the Nine Cauldrons Sect had set.
He smiled, "With such a lax environment, and a sect led by a Sect Master with the mind broad as the sea, I see no reason to refuse."