CHAPTER 369: CHAPTER 369: QIAN XIAOFENG JOINS THE CLAN_1

If, in time, the sect confirms that Hall Master Yuan has indeed perished, someone would undoubtedly step in to take his place as the Master of the Immortal Welcoming Hall! At that time, Tian Zhiyu would ascend to the eighth seat... I, on the other hand, would have to compete with the other three core candidates for the ninth seat. It seems easier, but according to the rules, I wouldn’t be able to challenge higher seats as I could when defeating the ninth seat. For the next two years, I would have to remain in the ninth seat position, fending off subsequent challengers for Tian Zhiyu!

This was something Shen Mo could not accept under any circumstances. The Tian Clan must pay the price for daring to conspire against him in the first place. Shen Mo had already intended to step over Tian Zhiyu to ascend, stripping him of his status as a core disciple and reducing him to a mere Elder. If the worst-case scenario unfolded, where not only would he be unable to suppress Tian Zhiyu, but he would also have to fend off challengers for him, Shen Mo felt he might be frustrated enough to spit blood!

Fortunately, even if the Riverside Sect confirmed Yuan Chengshan’s death, it would still take some time before they arranged for one of the nine core disciples to fill his position. So, Shen Mo wouldn’t be caught off guard!

It won’t be long until I reach the Second Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm. Once I advance, I’ll invite many high-ranking sect members to witness my challenge against Tian Zhiyu.

With these thoughts in mind, Shen Mo drained his cup of spiritual wine.

As for Tian Hong, who was present at the banquet... Shen Mo was no longer on the same level as him. Even if he did want to "repay" the Tian Clan, he would only consider core disciple Tian Zhiyu and Affairs Hall Master Tian Zhaoquan as his adversaries! Only by aiming for higher peaks could one climb ever higher. Of course, if some people still overestimated themselves and persistently annoyed him, as repulsive as a toad clinging to one’s foot, Shen Mo wouldn’t mind casually disposing of them.

A faint golden streak of light landed directly before the gates of the Riverside Sect. As the light faded, two figures appeared: a man and a woman. They were none other than Shen Mo, returning from Wolf Howling Ridge, and Qian Xiaofeng, whom he had brought with him to the Riverside Sect.

"Senior Shen... Is it really impossible for my brother, Qian Xiaohu, to join the Riverside Sect?"

Qian Xiaofeng was very familiar with Chen Mengze, but in front of "Sister Mengze’s" close friend, she didn’t dare to be too forward. Of course, given her innocent and vivacious nature, after seeing Shen Mo a few more times, she might well "become bold from favor" and start acting overly familiar and casual around him.

She was overjoyed when she learned she could join the outer sect of the Riverside Sect for cultivation. Furthermore, she could join Stars Peak after advancing to the Qi Gathering Realm, so she happily followed Shen Mo!

However, during the journey, the more Qian Xiaofeng thought about her brother Qian Xiaohu missing such an opportunity, the more regretful she felt. Thus, she couldn’t help but ask as soon as they landed.

Shen Mo nodded and replied, "Xiaohu has already reached the Qi Gathering Realm. According to the rules of our Riverside Sect, he can no longer enter the outer sect to cultivate."

"Unless he possesses astonishing achievements in the Hundred Arts of Cultivation, he might be granted the title of alien minister."

Although the requirements for outer disciples of the Riverside Sect regarding Talent, background, and innate gifts are not as stringent as those of the Heaven Sword Sect, cultivators who reach the Qi Gathering Realm are not accepted into the outer sect!

Firstly, those who have reached this realm have already established their initial cultivation foundation, making it difficult to smoothly transition to practicing the Riverside Sect’s techniques. Take Shen Mo himself, for example. In the beginning, the Heavenly Yuan Magic he cultivated was of a low grade, and his cultivation progress was slow. However, its strength lay in its compatibility and inclusiveness, harmonizing the mundane and the profound. When he later cultivated the higher-grade Purple Mansion Heart Scripture and Mixed Yuan Qi Technique, the Heavenly Yuan Magic did not conflict with them. Many cultivators from families or rogue cultivators, in their pursuit of faster cultivation speeds, often employ eclectic breathing methods, cultivating Spiritual Qi of various attributes. For instance, the siblings Qian Xiaofeng and Qian Xiaohu cultivated their family’s heirloom technique, the Azure Wave Art.

Qian Xiaofeng is still fine, as she has not yet reached the Qi Gathering Realm, and the Qi Sea in her Dantian has not yet taken shape. Normally, during her cultivation, most of the Mana she refines gathers in her internal organs and Chakra. After transitioning to the Heavenly Yuan Magic, she can gradually replace the Azure Wave Mana with the more adaptable Heavenly Yuan Mana. Qian Xiaohu, however, no longer has this chance. His Dantian and Qi Sea have already adapted to that specific Mana. Even if he were to forcibly change techniques, it would be very difficult for his cultivation Realm to improve.

Due to this, as for the Immortal Families connected to the Riverside Sect... If they have outstanding young disciples who have not yet reached the Qi Gathering Realm, they will arrange for them to enter the Riverside Sect’s outer sect early on. Conversely, the more mediocre members who remain in their families are typically left to condense their Qi Sea in their Dantian using their family’s inherited cultivation methods.

Secondly, the sect does not accept Spirit Sea Realm cultivators as new disciples. This is to ensure the cultivation of Sect Disciples who are loyal to the Riverside Sect. Consider Guo Xun, a core disciple from the Guo Clan. He too joined the Riverside Sect to cultivate at a young age. After so many years, distinctions of lineage matter less to him; he identifies more strongly as a core disciple of the Riverside Sect and Stars Peak.

Shen Mo’s connection was even deeper. His deceased parents were both disciples of the Riverside Sect. He grew up within the sect from childhood and joined the outer sect as soon as he reached the age for cultivation. He was considered a disciple with an impeccable pedigree. Therefore, when he displayed exceptional Talent, the upper echelons of the Riverside Sect, recognizing this background, placed great hopes in him and granted him additional rewards. They never worried that he might betray the sect after they invested more cultivation resources in him!

It’s a different matter for cultivators already at the Qi Gathering Realm. Having cultivated to this Realm, they could serve as Elders in lesser immortal sects. Even if they were to blend into the mortal world, they could establish their own Cultivating Families, living carefree and unrestrained lives. To make such individuals start from the lowest rungs of the sect and slowly climb up might cause them to harbor resentment, ultimately nurturing an ungrateful wolf!

Shen Mo patiently explained the implications to Qian Xiaofeng.

"Xiaofeng, instead of feeling sorry for your brother, you should focus on your own cultivation in the future! With stronger abilities and more like-minded friends, you can establish a solid footing within the Riverside Sect. Then, if Xiaohu encounters difficulties in the future, you will be able to lend him a helping hand. Moreover, your father, Qian Xingji’s (Shopkeeper Qian), position within the Qian Family is quite delicate. If you can advance rapidly on the path of cultivation, achieve the Qi Gathering Realm, and open your Spirit Sea, then even your clan granduncle, Qian Fuming, will no longer give your father a hard time!"

Qian Xiaofeng nodded seriously, a resolute look on her face. "Xiaofeng understands!"

Seeing this, Shen Mo smiled faintly. He then led her to the outer sect’s Deacon Hall, where he helped her register her name and enroll. She received her identity jade pendant, main cultivation method, sect attire, a magic sword, a Universe Bag, low-grade Elixirs, and other items.

Of course, the items distributed by the Riverside Sect to its outer sect disciples were naturally basic resources. Otherwise, with over one hundred thousand outer sect disciples, just distributing slightly better magic swords, Universe Bags, and similar items would represent a terrifying expenditure.

Fortunately, as Shopkeeper Qian grew increasingly distant from the Qian Family and Qian Fuming, more and more of the Spirit Stone resources ended up in his own hands. Apart from a portion he gave to his younger brother, Qian Xingxiang, who was cultivating at Rising Sun Peak, most of the remainder was spent on Qian Xiaohu and Qian Xiaofeng. Naturally, he had long since prepared a full set of resources for his treasured daughter.

Currently, Qian Xiaofeng lacked nothing: she had a magic robe, inner armor, magic artifacts, a top-quality Universe Bag, talismans, Elixirs, and so on. There was naturally no need for Shen Mo to concern himself with these matters.