CHAPTER 495: CHAPTER 413 ENTERING THE PATH_3

Sun Yingping, as an outer disciple, did not actually take a master. He only practiced martial arts with the Chief Instructor. Strictly speaking, he wasn’t considered a disciple of the Chief Instructor.

The Celestial Soldier Dao has hundreds of thousands of outer disciples. Once these outer disciples leave the Celestial Soldier Dao, they actually have little connection with it.

Sun Yingping was like this. His martial arts were mediocre, and he ended up destitute in Copper City, dying from hunger and cold. His end was rather tragic.

The key was to investigate Gao Xuan’s origins, confirming he indeed was a disciple of the Celestial Soldier Dao, with a clear and legitimate lineage.

Pang Tong was a bit skeptical: "Can an outer follower become a Martial Arts Grandmaster? Moreover, considering Gao Xuan’s age?"

Sun Shangdao waved his hand and said, "I practiced the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Cross Training Method without much depth, but I learned the Celestial Soldier Strategy immediately. Each person’s talents are different."

"Does the Daoist Master plan to take Gao Xuan as a disciple?" Pang Tong admired Gao Xuan, and a young Martial Arts Grandmaster had unlimited potential. Including him in the Celestial Soldier Dao would be a great advantage.

Sun Shangdao said, "Gao Xuan is already a Martial Arts Grandmaster at a young age; naturally, he would be ambitious. I will take the disciple on behalf of my master and make him my junior brother."

Pang Tong was startled: "This is inappropriate. Gao Xuan is so young, becoming your junior brother would confuse the hierarchy."

"Extraordinary people require extraordinary methods."

Sun Shangdao laughed and said, "You just said I didn’t understand flexibility. Now you’re sticking to conventions."

Pang Tong expressed some worry: "I’m just afraid that Gao Xuan, coming midway without a mentor, would have no sense of belonging to our Celestial Soldier Dao."

"With me here, I will naturally teach him the principles of conduct and handling affairs."

Sun Shangdao was very confident about this. As a dignified Martial Saint, even without the title of master, he could manage Gao Xuan without any issues.

Moreover, he could live for another fifty or sixty years without a problem. If Gao Xuan caused trouble, he could handle him anytime.

The Celestial Soldier Dao lacked successors, and there were significant conflicts with the Taiyi Dao, Path of Non-Birth, and Ten Directions Dao. At this time, it was important to absorb fresh strength.

Moreover, with Gao Xuan’s teacher being Sun Yingping, he was one of their own anyway. Over the past month observing Gao Xuan’s conduct, Sun Shangdao admired him greatly. He believed he was not mistaken in his judgment.

Although Pang Tong felt things were a bit rushed, with Sun Shangdao having made up his mind, he could not object. After all, it was a good thing.

That day, Gao Xuan received an invitation letter personally written by Sun Shangdao, inviting him to a banquet at the Celestial Soldier Mansion.

Gao Xuan was not surprised, as the Six Paths and Eight Sects had been waiting for almost a month, and it was time for news.

In fact, the Path of Non-Birth, Mountain Character Sect, and Water Sect had all offered him generous terms. Especially Tie Yue from the Mountain Character Sect, who appreciated him greatly.

Tie Yue was upright and courteous, with a touch of generous spirit. Gao Xuan had a pleasant conversation with Tie Yue. If it weren’t for some differences in their paths, Gao Xuan would have chosen the Mountain Character Sect already.

Of course, if discussions with the Celestial Soldier Mansion didn’t go well, Gao Xuan would definitely choose the Mountain Character Sect.

As one of the Eight Sects, besides the Five Mountains Spear, the Mountain Character Sect had the Three Great Divine Spears, all unparalleled spear techniques. However, due to the incompetence of later generations, although the Three Great Divine Spears were not lost, in this generation, only Tie Yue mastered the Kunlun Spear.

Gao Xuan felt regret for them, thinking it would have been better if they gave the other two spear techniques to him...

Actually, the Thirteen Grand Protectors’ Cross Training Method was originally paired with spears. Gao Xuan believed that with the other two Divine Spears, achieving Martial Saint was no problem.

The Thunder Martial Saint Sun Shangdao from the Celestial Soldier Dao personally sending an invitation indicated the stance of the Celestial Soldier Dao.

Gao Xuan believed Sun Shangdao, such a significant figure, must have been well-prepared before sending the invitation. There was a seventy to eighty percent chance this matter would succeed.

That afternoon, Gao Xuan and Ye Jinxiu took a carriage to the Celestial Soldier Mansion.

The Celestial Soldier Mansion was located outside the west city, under the Profound Yellow Mountain. The entire mansion covered dozens of acres and was quite impressive.

Su Ce, leading a crowd, welcomed them at the main entrance. After exchanging pleasantries, they entered the Celestial Soldier Mansion through the main gate.

Upon entering, Gao Xuan noticed there were no gardens or ponds inside. The Celestial Soldier Mansion resembled a massive military camp. Most people wore military uniforms or armor, appearing fierce and imposing.

The banquet hall was only furnished with a massive white tiger screen as decoration.

Just as Gao Xuan arrived at the banquet hall, Sun Shangdao, accompanied by Pang Tong and Yu Jin, entered.

Gao Xuan had met Pang Tong before, knowing he was the current Grand Commandant, in charge of the court’s military power, a truly notable figure. Although Gao Xuan hadn’t met Sun Shangdao, he was familiar with the Thunder Martial Saint’s renowned reputation.

Gao Xuan, showing humility, greeted them. Sun Shangdao laughed heartily and supported Gao Xuan up: "I’ve long heard of your great name, indeed a remarkable individual, indeed a remarkable individual!"

This was Sun Shangdao’s first time meeting Gao Xuan. He had heard Pang Tong praise him before, but seeing Gao Xuan’s impressive demeanor and extraordinary bearing was still a pleasant surprise.

Such a person truly stood out as a talented figure.

Feeling an instant connection with Gao Xuan, Sun Shangdao sat down with him, and after chatting a bit, felt a regret of not meeting sooner.

Sun Shangdao was extremely pleased with Gao Xuan, feeling that despite his young age and humble background, he had an inherent grandeur in his conduct, surpassing even Pang Tong.

Additionally, Gao Xuan was eloquent and insightful. Although there were many experts in the Celestial Soldier Dao, many were either crude, arrogant, or lacked vision. Compared to Gao Xuan, they fell short.

The more Sun Shangdao observed, the more he liked Gao Xuan, immediately bringing up the old affairs of Sun Yingping.

Gao Xuan quickly understood Sun Shangdao’s intentions and expressed his admiration for the Celestial Soldier Dao.

Sun Shangdao promptly said, "According to seniority, Sun Yingping is my martial uncle. But since he was in the outer sect and not formally registered, I can take you as a disciple on behalf of my master, fulfilling Martial Uncle Sun’s wish for you to return to the Celestial Soldier Dao."

Gao Xuan immediately stood up, bowing: "Thank you, Senior Brother, for your kindness."

Sun Shangdao led Gao Xuan to the Ancestral Hall, where Gao Xuan knelt and paid homage before his master’s memorial tablet.

After the ceremony, Sun Shangdao gave Gao Xuan a Dark Gold Tiger Talisman, engraved with his lineage on one side and the Celestial Soldier Dao on the other.

Gao Xuan solemnly accepted the tiger talisman, and everyone around congratulated him.

From this moment, Gao Xuan became a formal successor of the Celestial Soldier Dao, and as Sun Shangdao’s junior brother, his status was elevated.

The next day, news of Gao Xuan joining the Celestial Soldier Dao spread throughout the Six Paths and Eight Sects.

In the Ten Directions Dao’s Leiyin Temple, Great Hero Hall, Zuo Bubei stood quietly before the Buddha’s Golden Body, eyes slightly lowered, expression indifferent.

Beside him, a Mother of Non-Birth had a gloomy expression: "Gao Xuan has joined the Celestial Soldier Dao, what do you say about this?"

"A mere Martial Arts Grandmaster can’t change the overall situation. There’s no need to mind."

Zuo Bubei said calmly, "We will proceed as planned. When the Xingtian Grand Ceremony occurs, it will be the Emperor’s day of passing. If Sun Shangdao knows what’s best for him, he’ll be spared. If not, the Celestial Soldier Dao will be destroyed along with him..."