Chapter 464: Chapter 234: World in Uproar! The Immortal Family’s Secret Legacy, North and South Divided (Opening 2025)_2

Liu Nanxu said, that young man is a disciple of Transcendent Zhenren, maybe just received some pointers.

Just like Ye Beichen of Zhongnan Mountain, when he was young he too once received guidance from Chu Chaoran. Although now he has already attained the position of Celestial Master and inherited the incense line of Zhongnan Mountain, in private he still calls himself a disciple of Transcendent Zhenren, and always addresses him as teacher when they meet.

Chu Chaoran is a highly respected figure who has aided countless juniors. Disciples like this are naturally not few in number.

However, the apprentice ceremony is completely different—it’s a declaration to the world, inviting all parties to witness; a disciple accepted this way is no small matter.

Transcendent Zhenren may have many disciples, but such a closed-door disciple can only be one.

The invitation letter from Zhenwu Mountain did not specify who Transcendent Zhenren would take as disciple.

"Perhaps the Zhenren had a sudden inspiration, developed the intention to accept a disciple, and wanted to offer juniors of the world a chance." Li Chengge mused thoughtfully.

A Daoist giant like Transcendent Zhenren, moved by compassion, might well want to open a way for later generations, granting destiny through Striking discipleship—it’s not impossible.

"Doesn’t that mean a lot of people have a chance?" Hua Yixun couldn’t help but say.

There are not too many cultivators in the world, but not too few either.

Apart from those who establish sects and worshipping mountain incense, there are also many hidden hermit forces and great clans.

Among them, those with outstanding status are even no lower than the famous Daoist mountains, known as the "Profound Families."

These "Profound Families" may not match the former so-called "Immortal Family," the Dragon Tiger Zhang Family, but their ancestors also produced Dao Ancestor-level figures.

In Daoist heritage to this day, one who can be called Dao Ancestor must have cultivated to the Pure Yang Infinite Realm, grasped the Three-Five Transformation, and glimpsed the stream of Earthly Immortals.

For example, Ancestor Master Chunyang—the Ancestor Lv—or Quanzhen Dao’s Ancestor Qiu and so on.

The most famous among them are the so-called "Four Great Celestial Masters"—that is, Zhang Daoling, Ge Hong, Sa Shoujian, and Xu Xun.

These four ancestors are all of the immortal level, so they bear the name Celestial Master passed down through later generations, precisely because their earthly feats mostly remained at the Celestial Master level, but their actual cultivation and achievements went far beyond that.

For example, the Xu Family, where Zhang Fan’s ex-girlfriend Xu Zhixia is from, is a direct descendant of Ancestor Xu’s line.

Profound Families, though never establishing sects, by rights are also eligible to be initiated into sects and lineages.

Not to mention, there are countless hidden powers concealed in the Mountain and Sea Desperate Realm.

"No matter how you look at it, this invitation from Zhenwu Mountain has truly stirred the entire cultivation realm." Li Chengge sighed.

He also couldn’t figure out why Chu Chaoran suddenly made such a move.

However, it cannot be denied: every action of Pure Yang Zhenren tugs at the nerves of all cultivators. Now everyone’s attention is focused on Zhenwu Mountain.

No one knows which up-and-coming hero is going to receive such a heaven-sent opportunity.

It seems that on the second day of the second lunar month next year, Zhenwu Mountain will be bustling with excitement.

"Second day of the second month—we’ll get to see the style of Pure Yang Zhenren again," Li Chengge sighed, "Looks like I need to go into closed-door cultivation for a while."

Thinking this, he turned and walked away, stepping lightly into the ancient, unadorned Incense Burning Hall.

...

The news that Transcendent Zhenren would take on a disciple spread through the Daoist sects almost overnight, shaking the entire land.

You know, many years ago, Chu Chaoran had also taken a closed-door disciple, at that time also inviting all parties to witness the ceremony.

That closed-door disciple was Xia Weisheng.

Now, after so many years, Chu Chaoran again has the intent to accept a disciple, which inevitably leads to all kinds of speculation.

Even more so, many have their eyes on this opportunity.

The immortal fate of becoming Pure Yang Zhenren’s closed-door disciple might just fall on one’s own family.

...

Jiangnan Province, Yujing City.

Zhang Fan stayed at home for three days, waiting for news from Fang Changle.

There didn’t seem to be any movement from the Daoist Alliance side.

"Who has the time to bother with you right now?"

That day, Fang Changle brought news.

"Transcendent Zhenren is going to take a disciple?" Zhang Fan was stunned.

"All the Daoist sects in the land are talking about it now. It’s said that even Shangjing City has sent people to Zhenwu Mountain to inquire about the situation," Fang Changle couldn’t stop himself from saying.

"That old immortal taking in a disciple—that’s a big deal."

"Who are they taking?" Zhang Fan couldn’t hold back and asked.

"Who knows? Nothing’s been said by Zhenwu Mountain." Fang Changle paused for a moment, "Aren’t you from Zhenwu Mountain? You don’t know?"

"Could it be you they’re taking?"

Fang Changle looked Zhang Fan up and down.

In terms of cultivation, strength, talent, Zhang Fan is all top-notch, and just happens to be a disciple of Zhenwu Mountain. If Transcendent Zhenren were to take in a disciple, taking him isn’t out of the question.

"Don’t talk nonsense." Zhang Fan glared, "Don’t jinx me."

Transcendent Zhenren taking a disciple is an event all eyes are on.

Anyone who jumps out now claiming to be the Zhenren’s disciple will become a target of everyone in no time.

Besides, unless Chu Chaoran admits it himself, who dares say they’re that heaven-favored closed-door disciple?

"Could they really take me..." Zhang Fan couldn’t help but suspect in his heart.

By rights, he’s tied to Zhenwu Mountain by fate, even having grabbed the inheritance incense—Zhenwu Jade Scroll—for himself.

If Chu Chaoran really did take him as a disciple, it would make sense.

But with the grand ceremony scheduled for the second day of the second lunar month next year, it’s only a few months away, and if they were really going to take him as a disciple, why hasn’t there been any word? Zhenwu Mountain hasn’t even contacted him.

Or maybe Chu Chaoran meant to take someone else as a disciple?!

"I heard there are already quite a few Profound Families sending recommendations to Zhenwu Mountain," Fang Changle said gravely.

"These Profound Families are pulling out their most treasured heirs, desperate to apprentice under Pure Yang Zhenren."

Profound Families, though not having established sects, have remarkable ancestors and deep foundations. Who knows, they might really have some extraordinary heir—if they enter Pure Yang Zhenren’s tutelage, they’ll be like a tiger with wings, soaring to the heavens in a single sweep.

"It’s indeed an opportunity, but Zhenren probably already has someone in mind," Zhang Fan couldn’t help but say.

"That’s not necessarily true."

Fang Changle shook his head.

"Second day of the second moon, the disciple-intake ceremony... but the invitation from Zhenwu Mountain said Transcendent Zhenren will select his closed-door disciple..."

"Selection... means anyone has a chance."

"Either way, at least for now, Yujing City should be peaceful for a while," Fang Changle said solemnly.

"But you’d best keep a low profile. The Daoist Alliance Headquarters may not be moving, but the Divine Power Association’s investigation team hasn’t left yet."

"Got it."

Once Fang Changle had left, Zhang Fan finally breathed a sigh of relief. It looked like he didn’t need to go on the run after all.

At least for now, the Human Xiao incident can be said to have passed.

Right now, the biggest event in the Daoist world is probably Transcendent Zhenren taking a disciple next year on the second day of the second month.

Before then, Zhang Fan should be able to enjoy a period of peace.

"Now, just waiting for news from Lin Jianyue."

Zhang Fan’s taut nerves finally slackened. At this point, he just needs to keep cultivating. Once Lin Jianyue finds Zhao Jie Xuan, then he can attempt Divine Fusion.

Once Divine Fusion succeeds, the Primordial Spirit is complete, Divine Demon Holy Embryo forged—only then will Zhang Fan truly have the foundation to gain a foothold.

"No matter how fast I train, unless I become the strongest, I’ll never feel safe." Zhang Fan sighed.

Having witnessed that Celestial Master magical combat, his own current achievements suddenly seem like nothing. Even the joy of stepping into the Mahasattva realm has been diluted.

The key point is, that day there was that young Primordial Spirit claiming to be Zhang Sheng—he’d also heard the name from Yin Hu.

"Don’t tell me I actually have an older brother?" Zhang Fan showed a strange expression.

As for this supposed brother, he has no impression whatsoever.

"And what’s this ’South Zhang Master’ anyway?" Zhang Fan remembered how Huo Dharma King had called his so-called ’brother.’"

It’s as if everything going on in his family is being kept from him alone.

"My head hurts. Forget it, not thinking about it."

Zhang Fan shook his head, rubbed his temples, pressed down his doubts, and pulled out his phone, casually opening "Little Yellow Book" to browse.

"Huh!?"

Just then, Zhang Fan’s eyes lit up—he noticed that "Thousand-Year-Old Demon’s" profile icon was actually online.

"That guy’s online!?"

Zhang Fan hurriedly opened the chat window with "Thousand-Year-Old Demon." However, he hadn’t even managed to send an emoji before the other person’s profile icon turned gray.

"Logged off? Damn, runs faster than a rabbit."

Zhang Fan blinked, subconsciously glanced around his own room.

He even suspected if this "Thousand-Year-Old Demon" had installed pinhole cameras at his place.

"Just you wait, sooner or later I’ll drag you out,"

Zhang Fan gritted his teeth, opened "Thousand-Year-Old Demon’s" homepage out of habit, and with just one look, he was stunned.

Three minutes ago, Thousand-Year-Old Demon had just posted a new thread, entitled:

The Former Number One Sect in Cultivation, the Immortal Family’s North-South Lineage Shocking Secret!!!