Shortly after returning to the Emotionless Dao Main Peak, a grand master-disciple ceremony unfolded in the Sect Plaza.
The whole plaza was lavishly decorated, with a blood-red carpet laid on the black Demon Pattern Stone floor, stretching from the mountain gate to the high platform.
Dozens of black stone pillars stood on either side, with eerie blue Demon Fire burning atop, reflecting the night sky like an Illusion Realm. Hundreds of Spirit Lamps floated in the air, their shadows flickering, casting the figures of countless cultivators below into a dance of light and shadow.
Almost all cultivators above Foundation Establishment in the Emotionless Dao were present, from Outer Disciples to Inner Sect Stewards, and Golden Core Elders alike, uniformly dressed in black Daoist Robes, neatly arranged on either side of the plaza.
On the high platform, the Emotionless True Monarch lay slumped on a throne draped with black tiger skin, the two embroidered characters "Emotionless" on his purple Daoist Robe glimmering with gold in the light of Demon Fire, his demeanor utterly relaxed.
Chen Sheng donned a brand-new purple robe, similar in style to the Emotionless True Monarch's, adding a touch of nobility to his originally thin figure.
He sat on a small seat beside the Emotionless True Monarch, hands resting on his knees, his back straight, but his gaze carried some restraint, forming a subtle contrast with the solemn atmosphere surrounding him.
At this moment, he was already titled as the Young Venerable of the Emotionless Dao.
"Daoist Master literarily and martially virtuous, Young Venerable unparalleled in talent!"
Following a loud proclamation from a Golden Core Elder, the cultivators in the plaza all knelt down, their voices booming like thunder, echoing through the night sky:
"We pay respects to Daoist Master! We pay respects to Young Venerable!"
The sound of tens of thousands of worshippers caused the ground to thrum, the "waves" of black Daoist Robes rising and falling throughout the plaza, creating an extraordinarily magnificent scene.
The Emotionless True Monarch stroked the beard on his chin, his eagle-like gaze slowly swept across the people below, his Divine Sense quietly spread out, taking in the expressions of every cultivator.
There was awe, there was envy... and deeply hidden jealousy.
Krijg op elke leeftijd een erectie met deze oude truc! Tweemaal daags innemenOpen
These gazes stirred a strong sense of satisfaction within him, a wild smile unconsciously tugging at the corners of his mouth, his feelings of triumph almost overflowing.
He turned his head slightly and gently patted Chen Sheng on the shoulder, his voice carrying a hint of expectation:
"Life-Annihilating disciple, from today on, you are the Young Venerable of the Emotionless Dao, second only to me, and above all others. You can indulge in the glory and wealth of Jiang Country henceforth."
Chen Sheng slightly raised his head, gazing down at the dense crowd below, a strong sense of "fulfillment" appropriately reflected in his eyes.
His eyes widened, the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned upward, his gaze filled with excitement, as if thoroughly shocked by the ceremony and the identity of "Young Venerable."
A moment later, it was as if he finally reacted, somewhat "awkwardly" speaking, his voice filled with endless gratitude:
"Thank... Thank you, Master."
Such a demeanor made the Emotionless True Monarch even more satisfied at heart. He nodded lightly, just about to say something more, when suddenly recalling some amusing matter, he burst into laughter.
The laughter rang like a great bell, causing the spirit lamps in the sky to sway slightly, as if seeking to encompass the entire world within that sound.
"By the way, disciple."
The Emotionless True Monarch stopped laughing, looking at Chen Sheng with slightly more "affectionate" eyes:
"In a few days, your parents should return as well. The two of them aren't particularly gifted either, unable to create much acclaim, better to have them care for you closely upon their return, you'll find a bit more closeness within the sect with them."
Upon hearing this, Chen Sheng was suddenly surprised. He always assumed that his parents in this lifetime, as Outer Disciples of the Emotionless Dao, had long fallen in the cruel missions.
After all, Demon Sects treat Outer Disciples like consumables, disappearance often signifies death.
Besides shock, he immediately adjusted his expression, a thick hope arising in his eyes, hands involuntarily clenching the hem of his clothes, his voice carrying a hint of choking:
"Thank... Thank you, Master! Disciple... Disciple hasn't seen my father and mother since birth!"
The Emotionless True Monarch saw him like this, an unnoticeable glint of calculation flashed in his eyes, yet he still reached out, gently patting his shoulder, his tone calm:
"Alright, no need to be too emotional. The ceremony is almost over, come with me to the cultivation secret chamber in the rear mountain. I'll impart to you our core cultivation technique of the Emotionless Dao."
"Yes, Master!"
Chen Sheng hurriedly stood up, bowing respectfully to the Emotionless True Monarch, then followed him closely, step by step down the high platform.
The cultivators below were still kneeling, none dared to look up, only the eerie blue Demon Fire quietly burning atop the stone pillars, illuminating the silhouette of this "master-disciple" pair.
Following the Emotionless True Monarch, Chen Sheng sensed the numerous gazes behind him, yet he was quickly calculating in his mind.
The return of parents in this life, what does it signify, is it the "favor" of the Emotionless True Monarch, or a pawn meant to control him?
Anyhow, it adds another layer of variables he must address!
In the cultivation secret chamber of the rear mountain in the Emotionless Dao, so quiet you could hear the subtle sound of Spiritual Qi flowing.
The black Cold Jade Meditation Mat emanated slight coolness, the Spirit Gathering Runes on its surface faintly visible in the dim light, slowly drawing in the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, transforming into pale cyan streams encircling the mat.
Chen Sheng respectfully sat cross-legged on it, his hands forming the standard "Calm Heart Seal," his back straight as an arrow, and his eyes carrying an appropriate amount of reverence.
The Emotionless True Monarch stood three steps away in front of him, the hem of his purple Daoist Robe hanging on the ground, merging with the black floor.
Without saying much, his right hand suddenly raised, his fingertips gathering a dazzling golden light!
Amidst the golden light, countless profound texts flowed like living beings, sometimes transforming into ferocious Demon Patterns, sometimes condensing into obscure Runes, emanating a daunting Demon Dao pressure.