Ziwei Immortal Path

Chapter 118 The Ding Family Has a Daughter
Arriving at Qingning Bay, Xu Boyang landed at the welcoming pavilion by the stream and notified the Ding family's guard. After watching the guard cross the bridge and go into the battle formation, he looked at the water of Kuzhu Creek and waited quietly in the pavilion.

The Nine-Curve Corridor Bridge connects the white walls and black tiles, with hanging willows and gurgling streams. After crossing the bridge, you will reach the territory of Dingjia Qingning Bay. Xu Boyang has been here many times in the past few years. The scenery here is still the same as yesterday, with small bridges, flowing water and houses.

"Boyang, you're finally back!"

After a while, Xu Boyang looked back when he heard the sound, and saw Ding Fusheng and a young woman in white clothes descending from the air in Qingning Bay on a flying shuttle. As soon as they landed, Ding Fusheng's face suddenly changed drastically, and he said in surprise,
"Bo, Boyang, are you at the ninth level?"

Xu Boyang glanced at the young woman next to him. The woman was no more than twenty-one or twenty-two years old, with almond eyes and a beautiful nose. Her black hair was tied around her back with a red ribbon. She was dressed in a snow-white outfit and looked heroic. At this moment, she was looking at him with a slightly pursed mouth. However, he had never seen this person before and didn't know who she was from the Ding family.

Hearing this, he remained silent and said,

"Boyang has met Ding Zongzheng. It's been two years since we last met. I dare not slack off. I hope he is well."

Ding Fusheng laughed:
"I remember you were only twenty-seven. You're really amazing. You've come from behind and achieved your goal of building a foundation at the age of thirty, which means you've met the requirements for joining the Immortal Sect. No wonder my nephew is so fond of you."

Xu Boyang laughed dryly:
"Ding Zongzheng is being too kind. What virtue and ability does Boyang have to dare to hope for the favor of the Immortal Sect?"

"Come, let me introduce you to my daughter, Ding Xuelian. She's twenty-one years old and my youngest daughter."

Ding Fusheng gestured with his hand, and the woman in white beside him smiled and stepped forward to salute with a clear voice.
"Xue Lian greets Master Xu."

Xu Boyang's heart trembled slightly, his face was surprised, and he bowed and said:

"So you are the daughter of the Zongzheng family. Nice to meet you."

Ding Fusheng smiled and said:
"My little girl is devoted to Taoism. Back then, she was overlooked and failed to be selected by the Immortal Sect. She is very strong-willed and has always felt ashamed of this. She has been staying at home for many years, practicing hard in seclusion, and has not come out for many years. That's why I didn't mention it before. Don't blame me, Boyang."

"father…"

Ding Xuelian didn't want his father to be so outspoken as to tell him everything about himself the moment they met. His face flushed, he glanced at Xu Boyang, pulled his father, and said unhappily,
"Why are you bringing up this old story?"

Xu Boyang's spiritual consciousness retreated as soon as it was touched. He had already realized that Ding Xuelian had reached the seventh level of Condensation Yuan, which was considered good for his age. Seeing his daughter acting shy and complaining about her father, he smiled and replied,

"Zongzheng, you are too polite. Your daughter is so young, yet her cultivation is so impressive. What she said about the Immortal Sect may not be true. I'm afraid that Zongzheng is just reluctant to let her go."

"Boyang is still good at talking."

Ding Fusheng laughed and said to his daughter gently:
"Xue Lian, it's alright. Boyang has helped our family for many years and is one of us. Seeing your great progress, Dad is very pleased. Last time at the 'Taihe Jingwu Banquet', you hadn't reached the sixth level of Condensation Yuan, so you weren't eligible to participate. This time, with your successful cultivation, you will surely win the honor. Then, you only need to enter the Diyuan Liuding, and your long-cherished wish will be fulfilled!"

Ding Xuelian was delighted to hear his father's affirmation and smiled:
"Don't worry, Daddy. Xue Lian will definitely live up to your expectations."

Xu Boyang couldn't help but smile knowingly at the father and daughter enjoying themselves so well. Then he heard Ding Fusheng say with a smile:
"Boyang, it's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early. If you had come back a month later, you would have missed something important. Fortunately, it's not too late. Let's go to the ancestral hall and have some tea before we talk."

Xu Boyang knew that he must have something important to discuss today, so he agreed without asking any questions. Then the two of them rose up on their swords, passed through the mountain protection formation of Qingning Bay, and landed in the hall of the Ding family ancestral hall.

After the servant brought the tea, Ding Fusheng picked up the tea bowl and said:
"Boyang, over a year ago, my nephew came back and told me about your trip. He reassured me and told me to notify him if you returned without success. You just came back today, so I guess everything has been done?"

"Ah."

Xu Boyang nodded and said, "I dare not let down Taoist Ding's trust."

"That's good."

Ding Fusheng looked satisfied and stirred the bowl. "You've come back just in time. I have something to tell you."

Xu Boyang picked up the tea bowl, blew off the tea foam, took a sip, and said:

"Zongzheng, just say whatever you want."

"Boyang, you know that two years ago you went out and brought back two Lingxizi for the family. Now, two years have passed, and it's the time for the eight-yearly Jiaozi Festival, plus the grand event of the 'Taihe Jingwu Feast'. My nephew came back last time and asked me about it. I looked at the people at home, and currently, you and Xuelian are the only ones in Fengqing Town who meet the requirements. I told him that you two will attend."

Xu Boyang nearly spit out a mouthful of tea, his face full of surprise. He swallowed the tea, put down the covered bowl, and asked:

"Ding Zongzheng, what are you participating in?"

Ding Xuelian, who was standing by, couldn't help laughing when he saw his embarrassed look, and said crisply:
"What else can Master Xu attend? Of course, he should attend the Taihe Jingwu Banquet! This grand event only happens once every eight years. This year, only you and I can reach Fengqing. In a month, if you and I perform well, not only can we enter the Immortal Sect, but we will also have the opportunity to be accepted as disciples by the Feathered Master!"

"I?"

Xu Boyang was surprised and turned around to ask, "Ding Zongzheng signed me up?"

"Of course I did."

Ding Fusheng didn't expect Xu Boyang to react like this. He put down the tea bowl, stared at him, and asked with a strange look on his face,
"Could it be that Boyang doesn't know about this Taihe Jingwu Banquet?"

Xu Boyang was groaning in his heart, but he didn't dare show it on his face. He forced a smile and said:
"I've heard Daoist Master Ding mention it before, but I embarked on the path to immortality relatively late, so I don't know much about it."

Ding Fusheng suddenly realized it, picked up the bowl and said:

"I think he should have told you, Boyang, that when it comes to the path of cultivation, you were a step behind the times. Now that you've come from behind, it's truly commendable. However, don't underestimate this Taihe Jingwu Banquet. This is the only way for cultivators of my generation, a small sect or clan of the Qingshen clan, to enter the Immortal Sect and reach the 'Langfeng Peak', besides the spiritual resonance test. Success or failure depends on this one move, and this opportunity only comes once every eight years, so you must not miss it."

"Last time, my daughter didn't reach the sixth level and was not eligible to participate. She wasted eight years in vain. Otherwise, she would have already established her immortal foundation and joined the immortal sect. Who knows, she might even become a feathered disciple."

Xu Boyang smiled and said:
"Thank you for your kindness, Zongzheng. However, Boyang is not very talented and well-educated. He knows that he is self-aware. He is already satisfied to have the favor of Taoist Ding and to have a worry-free life in Fengqing. He doesn't dare to think too much about things that are too vague."

"What does Boyang mean by this?"

Ding Fusheng saw that there was no joy on his face, so he shook his head and sighed, lowered his head and drank a sip of spiritual tea, and said,

"Don't worry, you are from my Ding family. My family has always been generous to everyone and will not favor one over another. As long as you meet the requirements, everyone who should participate must participate. After all, this opportunity is hard-earned and should not be missed!" "Boyang, you should encourage yourself in time. Time waits for no one. You don't know it. For example, the person you met with me last time, Gong Keqing, who guards the Nanhuai Mountain mine. Eight years ago, at the Taihe Jingwu Feast, he almost became one of the Six Ding of Diyuan. Unfortunately, he was defeated by Fang Zhian of Qingxuan Town. He lost the game by one move and missed the opportunity. Since then, he has regretted it and has been unhappy. Now when he sees me, he often tells me that one wrong move in chess can lead to a complete loss."

Ding Xuelian saw Xu Boyang's strange expression and remained silent, wondering:
"Master Xu, don't you know the benefits of joining the Immortal Sect? If you can join the Immortal Sect as soon as possible, it will be of great benefit to your cultivation! To put it bluntly, if you can't join the Immortal Sect, you won't be able to enter the Huangting in the future!"

"It would be great if I could join the Immortal Sect. Do you still need me to tell you?"

Xu Boyang felt overwhelmed after hearing this. He smiled bitterly to himself, but he did not dare to speak out his true feelings. He could only say:
"Zongzheng, Miss Ding, to be honest, the last time Taoist Ding told me about this, he only wanted me to escort Lingxizi and go to Yuchuan to join in the fun. He didn't tell me to attend the Taihe Jingwu Banquet. Now that my mission is complete, I hurried back. I haven't been prepared for the past two years. I'm afraid I'm not up to the task and will lose face for Feng Qing and betray the kindness of Zongzheng and Taoist Ding."

"It's okay, it's okay, Boyang, you're already at the ninth level, and you're still so humble..."

After hearing this, the father and daughter of the Ding family smiled at each other. Ding Fusheng waved his hand, put down the tea bowl, and came over to explain in detail.
"This Taihe Jingwu Banquet is a competition to showcase all that one has learned throughout life, to test one's abilities. It's not about grand strategies or theories. It's a martial arts competition specially set up by the Immortal Sect for the small sects and poor disciples of Qingshen. From Diyuan to Tianyuan, anyone who isn't from the Immortal Sect, isn't a direct descendant of one of the four major families, is under 30 years old, and is above the sixth level of Condensation but not at the Foundation Establishment stage, can participate. There are no other restrictions."

"Don't worry, there's no need to prepare anything. Just spend this month getting your energy and spirit into peak condition, ready to perform on stage and fight!"

Xu Boyang hung his head and said nothing, feeling mixed emotions for a moment. He only listened to Ding Fusheng's earnest words, which seemed to have good intentions. He had acted first and reported later on this matter, and now he was in a difficult situation. If he didn't go, he was afraid that he would have no chance.

But if he went, the big bosses of the four Qingshen sects would surely show up at this Qingshen event. If a real person came in person, would the fact that he possessed the [Purple Star Fate Palace] be exposed? Also, if he really entered the immortal sect, would that cause any trouble?

My mind was in a mess, and I was just thinking about how to politely refuse, when I heard Ding Fusheng say:
"Boyang, you are already at the ninth level now, and you will need to establish your foundation in a few years. If you succeed in obtaining the Six Dings of the Earthly Origin this time, won't your Divine Origin Pill be secured?"

Xu Boyang's heart tightened, and he suddenly looked up and asked:

"Zongzheng is saying that as long as we win a place in the martial arts competition, the Immortal Sect will grant us the Divine Yuan Pill?"

"Of course!"

Ding Xuelian looked at Xu Boyang in surprise and said:

"Master Xu, don't you know? With your status as a small Qingshen clan, you only need to obtain the Six Earth Origin Ding to join one of the four immortal sects and become a disciple of the sect's branch. Not only will you get the Divine Origin Pill, but the immortal sect will also provide you with all the resources you need for your future cultivation. You don't have to worry about anything!"

Ding Fusheng saw Xu Boyang's eyes suddenly gleam with brilliance, as if he had become a different person. He secretly laughed in his heart. He had just wasted his breath. If he had known earlier, he would have brought out the Shenyuan Pill first. As expected, benefits are the most tempting thing. He nodded and said,

"My daughter is right. Our Qingshen Immortal Sect has a rule that only those who have established their foundation can be accepted as disciples of the sect's branches. Those who have not yet established their foundation cannot join the sect. This is an iron rule set by the Immortal Master. Since you defeated all the heroes at the Taihe Jingwu Banquet and obtained the Six Dings, the Immortal Sect will accept you into the mountains and accept you into the sect. Naturally, they will give you the Shenyuan Pill to help you establish your foundation. Otherwise, how will you enter the sect in the future?"

"Boyang, you still don't understand. For our small clan, this is a bright and promising road ahead!"

Xu Boyang was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked:

"May I ask Zong Zheng, what do you mean by Tian Yuan and Di Yuan?"

"Giggle cluck..."

Ding Xuelian covered his mouth and chuckled, then interrupted,

"It seems that Master Xu is the kind of person who won't release the eagle until he sees the rabbit. Dad, let me tell him!"

"Okay! Talk to him!"

Ding Fusheng chuckled, took the tea bowl, stirred it, and lowered his head to drink tea.

Ding Xuelian explained:

"Master Xu, this Taihe Jingwu Banquet is divided into two levels, one is the Diyuan Six Ding, and the other is the Tianyuan Six Jia."

"The Di Yuan Six Dings" refers to the fact that at every Taihe Jingwu Banquet, no matter how many Di Yuan group members compete, only six contestants are ultimately selected."

"Those from smaller clans among these six can choose not to take the Forget Worry Pill and join the branch of the Immortal Sect with their original surnames. Those from smaller clans can directly merge into the main branch of the Immortal Sect. In the end, both can obtain the Divine Yuan Pill, be rewarded with the Immortal Sect's magical instruments, and be granted the Immortal Sect's Taoism."

The Di Yuan level contestants are cultivators from the four Qingshen counties who are above the sixth level of Condensation Yuan and below the foundation building level, not from large clans or tribes. They are just like you and me. However, the final winner is not determined by the top six. After all, there are differences in cultivation between the sixth and ninth levels of Condensation Yuan, and it would be unfair to lump them together.

"The Earth Yuan level is divided into three groups. We will select three people who are ranked first in the ninth level of Condensation Yuan, one person who is ranked second in the eighth level of Condensation Yuan, one person who is ranked third in the seventh level of Condensation Yuan, and one person who is ranked fourth in the sixth level of Condensation Yuan."

"These six people in total are the 'Six Dings of the Earth' of this Taihe Jingwu Banquet!"

After hearing this, Xu Boyang suddenly realized that this competition of the Immortal Sect was relatively fair. The many restrictions were also for the benefit of the disciples of the small sects and clans in the various towns of Qingshen. So he asked:
"Miss Ding, where is Tianyuan Liujia?"

Seeing that he was listening very attentively, Ding Xuelian showed a hint of pride on his face and said with a smile:
"The Tianyuan Six Jia are similar to the Diyuan Six Ding. In the end, only six people will be selected. However, the contestants will be the disciples of the branch lineages of the immortal sect and the small clans of the current Diyuan Six Ding. As for the small clans, it depends on the individual. After all, once a small clan enters the main lineage, they must be the disciples of Yu Shi. Of course, they can also give up their status as the main lineage of the immortal sect and choose not to enter, just to challenge the Tianyuan Six Jia."

"The restrictions on cultivation levels have been relaxed. You only need to be below the late stage of foundation building, and there is no level limit."

"For the Tianyuan level, as long as your cultivation level is below the late foundation building stage and you belong to an immortal sect, but are not a disciple of the main lineage of the immortal sect, you can participate. The top six people, one in the first place, will be a disciple of the real person, two in the second place will be appointed disciples of the feathered scholar, and three in the third place will be appointed disciples of the feathered scholar."

"Of the six Tianyuan candidates, the first place is awarded the Purple Palace Blue Order, bestowed with the Huangting Daoist Dharma, and allowed to enter the "Langfeng Peak," becoming a direct disciple of the Purple Palace and having eight pillars pass on the Dharma. The second place is awarded the Feathered Scholar's Token, bestowed with the Huangting Dharma Instrument, and becomes a direct disciple of the Feathered Scholar. They are ranked as the chief of the immortal sect and can marry into the Feathered Scholar clan. The third place is awarded the Feathered Scholar's Token, bestowed with the Huangting Dharma Instrument, and given a fiefdom, becoming a member of the Feathered Scholar clan, and granted the position of the Green God Guardian."

Xu Boyang smiled bitterly to himself. It turned out that the "Tianyuan Liujia" was basically an internal competition among the immortal sects. It was a nice name because the members of the small clans of Diyuan Liuding were included and had the opportunity to become Yu Shi disciples. However, the difference was too huge, from the sixth level of Ningyuan to the middle stage of foundation building, which was a world of difference.

Could it be that a cultivator at the sixth level of Condensation Yuan in the fourth level of the Earthly Yuan Sect could defeat a cultivator at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment in a branch of the Immortal Sect?
It is nothing but a foolish dream for a cultivator from the humble Qingshen clan to become a disciple of a feathered monk!
It's just like this. After the next term, or eight years later when I become a disciple of the Immortal Sect branch, I can give it a try.

After all, leaving a glimmer of hope and not completely blocking it is a kind of mercy.

Thanks to book friend Jiuge for the monthly ticket!

The first volume is finally coming to an end! Go, go, go!

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(End of this chapter)