Unfathomable Yet Awe-Inspiring

"Master, have you been discovered?! Could it be that all of this is a lie?"

At this moment, Xiao Ling'er thought of many things.

Could it be that she had been deceived?

Her teacher, Liang Danxia, remained calmer and said in a solemn tone, "Not necessarily. This rule must have been established before you joined the sect, not afterward. So, it isn't necessarily aimed at us. Moreover, if everything were deceitful, the sect's efforts in training you—providing the Core Earthfire and the five elders tirelessly collecting various spiritual herbs and materials for you—are genuine. So, there's no need to overthink this."

Although she was equally shocked, having seen much of the world and experienced far more than Xiao Ling'er, Liang Danxia quickly calmed down and analyzed the situation to reassure her disciple.

"That's true," Xiao Ling'er's expression softened considerably. "No matter the intentions, the care from you and the sect is real and cannot be faked. However, why is such a rule included in the sect's regulations? No, why are there so many strange rules?"

She couldn't understand no matter how much she thought about it.

Liang Danxia felt the same.

After all, it was indeed absurd. What sect would write rules like these?

"I don't know either," Liang Danxia admitted, but it didn't stop her from speculating. "However, we can glean some insights. I think these rules were written before you joined the sect, at least before this year's major recruitment. Because only this year did they disregard talent and focus solely on fate. Furthermore, it isn't aimed at us specifically, and they might not even be aware of my existence. The new recruitment rules include dozens of specific conditions, each targeting a particular group. Although they seem unrelated, each has its own 'unique aspect.'"

"I suppose..." She paused for a moment before continuing slowly, "The person who set these rules must have their own reasoning and is convinced that those who meet these conditions are extraordinary?"

Even Liang Danxia found her thoughts absurd.

How could meeting these random conditions make someone extraordinary?

But then she was stumped.

"These conditions seem unrelated and chaotic, but actually, actually..."

"Actually what, Master?" Xiao Ling'er blinked her eyes.

"Actually, they seem to have some logic," Liang Danxia said these words slowly.

If she were a modern person, she would have found a perfect term to describe it—unfathomable yet awe-inspiring.

Unfortunately, she wasn't.

"After all, they used these rules to select you from over ten thousand people and have been nurturing you with such dedication, almost pouring in everything they have. This proves that these seemingly nonsensical and bizarre rules must be extraordinary!"

Xiao Ling'er was stunned.

It seemed... indeed true.

"And, from Master and the five elders' attitudes, it's evident that they highly regard these rules, or rather, unconditionally believe in them?!"

"Exactly!" Liang Danxia seemed to have figured it out and continued, "In my opinion, these rules must have been set by your Master."

"Why do you say that?"

"You must have noticed by now, your Master is extraordinary! His cultivation speed is almost faster than yours, despite you having my dedicated guidance, the techniques I gave you, the support of exotic flames, and numerous elixirs I personally crafted. But your Master consistently outpaces you! You've never been able to close the gap. Moreover, your Master only recently assumed the position of Sect Leader, and before that, the Moon Grasping Sect had no such rules! Otherwise, given their importance, wouldn't they have been implemented before this year's major recruitment? Everything points to your Master. He... has secrets. And those secrets are likely far greater than ours!"

Xiao Ling'er fell silent after hearing this.

Liang Danxia didn't say anything further.

After a moment, Xiao Ling'er smiled, "I was worrying unnecessarily, Master. Everyone has their secrets. It's normal for Master to have secrets, right? Just as he must know I have my own secrets but never questions me, but instead uses all the sect's resources to support me. So why should I care so much? As long as the sect and Master treat me sincerely, I will repay them wholeheartedly. Moreover, this gives me direction. In the future, if I encounter people who meet these conditions, I can bring them back to the sect."

"Good, very good!" Liang Danxia laughed heartily, "That's the spirit."

Who doesn't have secrets?

I have my own secrets too!

I've also kept things from this girl, but having secrets doesn't mean the kindness shown to her isn't genuine.

"However, Master, regarding the latter part of the rules, the ironclad laws of the sect... aren't they a bit too cowardly, too harsh?"

Xiao Ling'er began to focus on the latter half of the rules.

She thought her Master would agree, but the response was completely opposite to what she expected: "No! We can only speculate about the first part, but the latter part is absolute truth!"

"Ah?!"

"You are still young and have experienced too little. You will understand in time."

"As for now, follow the rules without deviation, and you won't go wrong."

Xiao Ling'er: Σ(⊙▽⊙ 

***

Several days later, outside Grand Martial Immortal City.

Duan Qingyao and Xiao Ling'er slowly descended.

"Ling'er, this is Grand Martial Immortal City." She smiled and asked, "Magnificent, isn't it?"

"Magnificent!" Xiao Ling'er exclaimed in awe.

"Of course." Duan Qingyao sighed, "Grand Martial Immortal City has a permanent population of over a hundred million. If you include the temporary residents, it's nearly two hundred million."

"The city is teeming with powerful beings!"

"Especially the current City Lord, known as the Earth Immortal of Grand Martial Immortal City, a true expert of the Loose Immortal realm."

"Loose Immortal?" Xiao Ling'er was puzzled.

"A Loose Immortal is a cultivator who, after attaining immortality, failed to ascend but did not die. Instead, they chose the path of a Loose Immortal, also known as an Earth Immortal. A typical Loose Immortal is stronger than those who break through the void but weaker than those who ascend. However, Loose Immortals can undergo tribulations, and with each tribulation, their cultivation and combat power increase dramatically. If they survive twelve tribulations, they transcend the 'Immortal' realm and directly ascend to become a 'True Immortal!' Hence, there is a saying, 'Twelve Tribulations of a Loose Immortal, each tribulation elevates them further.'"

"I see!" Xiao Ling'er realized. 

However, in her mind, Liang Danxia lamented, "Elder Duan is right, but surviving the twelve tribulations of a Loose Immortal is incredibly difficult. Throughout the long history of the Immortal Martial Continent, very few have succeeded. Forget about twelve tribulations, even surviving seven tribulations marks one as a prodigious talent. A Loose Immortal who has survived seven tribulations can easily defeat those in the Ascension realm. Loose Immortal tribulations occur every five hundred years, and there's no way to avoid them. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, never consider becoming a Loose Immortal through rebirth dissolution."

"Yes, Master."

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