Chapter 1098: Taking a Disciple on Behalf of the Master!
The token floated upward on its own.
The next moment, a jade hand condensed from moonlight slowly reached out from within the heavenly palace and gently caught the token.
Ye Chen stared at that hand, a flicker of shock in his eyes.
It was too perfect. Every finger was slender yet perfectly proportioned, with flawless lines, as if it were the most exquisite creation in the world. Ye Chen had never seen such beautifully crafted fingers before.
But what mattered far more was the system notification that rang out in his mind once again.
"Congratulations, Host. High-compatibility gift recipient detected…"
"Yue Yao: two hundred thousand times!"
Looking at that delicate hand, Ye Chen made his decision right then and there.
He was definitely joining the Jade Pool Immortal Sect. Even if they refused to make him a personal disciple, he wouldn't mind becoming a regular disciple.
…
The jade hand accepted the token. Then, from deep within the heavenly palace, a soft, lingering sigh echoed. A voice like clear spring water mixed with moonlight flowed out, carrying endless nostalgia:
"This token was indeed left behind by my master… Back then, Master was preparing to accept her fifth personal disciple. She had just finished setting up the secret realm and infused a strand of her divine sense into the token when the great war erupted…
"Master fought at the Emperor Pass for two thousand years. Although she held on until the Heavenly Emperor matured, she eventually exhausted her strength and origin, and fell…
"I never imagined that after so many years, this token would appear again. The token remains the same, but most of the people from that era are no longer here…"
The woman sighed, seemingly lost in old memories. Soon, however, her voice regained its dignity: "Fellow Daoist, where did you obtain this token?"
Ye Chen hesitated for a moment before answering calmly, "From the lower realm."
Both the woman and the elder beside her showed clear surprise.
Many cultivators who ascended from the lower realm could still make a name for themselves in the Immortal Realm. Quite a few were exceptionally talented. Although the quality had declined after the Heavenly Emperor severed the Jianmu Tree, it was still decent. Since the Heavenly Emperor's era, two ascenders from the lower realm had already reached the Immortal Monarch level.
For Ye Chen to become an ascender of this generation, his talent must be quite good.
From within the heavenly palace, Jade Moon Immortal Monarch's voice carried a trace of emotion. "I searched for it back then but never found it. So it had fallen into the lower realm. You wish to join the Jade Pool Immortal Sect as a personal disciple?"
At the end, she asked directly.
Ye Chen nodded seriously.
Jade Moon Immortal Monarch continued, "Our Jade Pool Immortal Sect is currently in decline. We no longer have an Immortal King guarding us, and I am the only remaining Immortal Monarch. We can already be considered faded… Are you still certain you wish to join?"
Ye Chen nodded again, his gaze firm.
Jade Moon Immortal Monarch fell silent for a moment before speaking once more, "This is my master's token, so I cannot accept you as my disciple…"
Ye Chen frowned slightly. It sounded like she was politely refusing him. Although both a two-hundred-thousand-times and a one-hundred-thousand-times multiplier made him eager to contribute to the Jade Pool Immortal Sect, if she was unwilling, then so be it. He had the system and did not need to beg. Compared to the Supreme Hall, the Jade Pool Immortal Sect was at least honest about it.
However, just as Ye Chen was about to take his leave, Jade Moon Immortal Monarch's pleasant voice rang out again:
"This is my master's token, so I cannot accept you as my disciple… But my master will surely resurrect in the future. You should not become my disciple, but rather my master's disciple. Given my master's personality, if you had come with this token back then, she would have definitely accepted you. Therefore, today I will accept you on behalf of my master. From now on, you are my junior brother!
"Before Master fell into slumber, she had accepted three personal disciples. From today onward, you will be my fourth junior brother! All your treatment and resources at every realm will be at the highest standard—even higher than that of a regular personal disciple… You may choose any mountain peak beside the Western Empress Peak as your own."
The moment Jade Moon Immortal Monarch's words fell, Ye Chen's eyes lit up brightly. He had already been considering becoming a rogue cultivator, but now… Accepting a disciple on behalf of the master? His seniority had jumped straight up.
This Jade Moon Immortal Monarch was truly someone worth getting along with. But why was he the fourth junior brother again? Why was he number four?
Ye Chen's expression turned somewhat complicated.
However, Jade Moon Immortal Monarch's words contained something that truly shocked him. The Western Empress had not died? She would resurrect one day? Was that true? Had the Holy Master lied to lure him toward the Supreme Hall?
The elder beside him was equally stunned. The Jade Pool Immortal Sect had maintained a pure female-only tradition for over a million years, and now they were about to accept a male disciple?
Moreover, since Jade Moon Immortal Monarch had accepted him on behalf of her master, Ye Chen's seniority would be second only to her own.
Earlier, Ye Chen had been looking around with great interest, his eyes lighting up especially when he saw Nangong Wan. It was clear he was not a man indifferent to women. With such high seniority and authority, wouldn't he be able to do whatever he wanted? If he grew strong enough in the future, wouldn't the entire Jade Pool Immortal Sect become his personal harem?
This would not do. It absolutely would not do.
But since Jade Moon Immortal Monarch had already spoken, the matter was set in stone. The elder could only sigh inwardly and decide to immediately notify the other elders and disciples. In the future, they should keep their distance from Ye Chen's mountain peak. They should also stop dressing so freely within the sect and refrain from bathing or cultivating in the wild. There was now truly a man in the sect!
…
Although Jade Moon Immortal Monarch only extended one flawless, perfect hand, when she gently waved it, streams of green light flowed out and formed an illusory map of mountains. Aside from the central Western Empress Peak and a few already occupied peaks, Ye Chen could choose any of the others.
Ye Chen did not particularly care and casually selected a peak surrounded by already occupied ones.
The elder's expression grew even more worried about the Jade Pool Immortal Sect's future.
Jade Moon Immortal Monarch, however, paid no attention to such details. She simply waved her hand, dispersing the illusory mountains, and continued speaking:
"As my fourth junior brother and my master's personal disciple, you do not need to undergo any tests. You may directly receive the Western Empress Supreme Scripture created by my master. Master controlled three great daos and was a giant among experts. Therefore, the Western Empress Supreme Scripture is also divided into three parts.
"Unfortunately, due to various accidents and the fall of my two junior sisters, the other two parts were not preserved. Only the Western Empress Undying Chapter that I cultivate remains intact. Thus, although this scripture may not fully suit your physique, it is the only choice we have. Next, I will impart to you the Western Empress Undying True Immortal Chapter…"
Chapter 1099: Joining the Sect!
Ye Chen's face showed clear surprise.
An Immortal King scripture was an incredibly precious treasure even in the Immortal Realm. After all, Immortal King scriptures were directly related to comprehending great daos. Their value was self-evident.
He had truly not expected that Jade Moon Immortal Monarch would not only accept him on behalf of her master but also directly impart an Immortal King scripture to him. This was far beyond his expectations.
As for why she was only giving him the True Immortal chapter of the Western Empress Undying Scripture, Ye Chen could understand. After all, he had only just joined the Jade Pool Immortal Sect. Handing over the complete scripture carried the risk of it being leaked. Giving him even the True Immortal chapter was already unexpectedly generous.
For Ye Chen, having the True Immortal chapter meant there was still a chance to obtain the full scripture later.
"Thank you, Senior Sister," Ye Chen said sincerely.
Although he had come with the token, the contrast with the Supreme Hall made Jade Moon Immortal Monarch's character stand out even more.
Jade Moon Immortal Monarch gave a soft laugh. "Fourth Junior Brother, there is no need to be so formal. I am currently in a special state and cannot handle too many procedures for you personally. However, once the formal acceptance ceremony is complete, the Western Empress Undying True Immortal Chapter will be delivered to you. If you need anything, you may speak directly to the elders."
Ye Chen bowed once more in thanks.
Soon, the green light around the heavenly palace receded, and Jade Moon Immortal Monarch's aura slowly withdrew.
Outside the Western Empress Peak, streaks of flowing light arrived one after another. They were all beautiful female cultivators dressed in colorful robes. They had already received Jade Moon Immortal Monarch's decree.
Jade Moon Immortal Monarch had actually accepted a male disciple—and on behalf of their master, no less. It was simply unbelievable.
Their expressions were strange, filled with resistance.
Those who had come were either peak masters, inner sect elders, or even Supreme Elders. All of them frowned, clearly displeased.
The arriving disciples were the same. They looked at Ye Chen with clear hostility.
After all, for over a million years, the Jade Pool Immortal Sect had been a female-only sect, a forbidden ground that no male cultivator could step foot in. Now, a male disciple had suddenly appeared, and his seniority was frighteningly high. Nominally, he was the Western Empress's personal disciple—her fourth disciple. Even Supreme Elders would have no authority over him. Only Jade Moon Immortal Monarch, as his nominal senior sister, could discipline him.
Having such a person join the Jade Pool Immortal Sect would undoubtedly affect everyone. If his character was not upright, the consequences could be disastrous. The future of the Jade Pool Immortal Sect might reach a turning point because of today.
Everyone felt helpless.
Because years ago, several Immortal Kings who had been close to the Western Empress had all taken action and confirmed that she had exhausted her origin and truly fallen. The remnant soul Jade Moon Immortal Monarch had collected could not possibly resurrect her. Everyone believed this.
Only Jade Moon Immortal Monarch stubbornly insisted that her master was merely sleeping and would awaken when the time was right.
Everyone thought she had gone mad. They believed she had only made this decision because she had seen the token left behind by her master. Yet because Jade Moon Immortal Monarch had poured her heart and blood into supporting the Jade Pool Immortal Sect, everyone felt only respect and pity for her.
Thus, no one blamed Jade Moon Immortal Monarch. They only blamed Ye Chen. They all assumed he had shamelessly clung to the token and forced his way in.
But no matter how displeased they were, since an Immortal Monarch had given the order, they had to obey. They could not embarrass Jade Moon Immortal Monarch.
Since Ye Chen had been accepted on behalf of the master and held even higher status than a regular personal disciple, the entrance ceremony was naturally grand. The entire Jade Pool Immortal Sect participated.
Even though there were few genuine smiles, everything was handled properly and gave Ye Chen sufficient face.
The ceremony lasted a full seven days.
From the formal entry into the sect, to the acceptance as a disciple, to swearing an oath before the statue of the Western Empress that he would never willingly betray the Jade Pool Immortal Sect.
It was extremely busy.
What surprised Ye Chen, however, was that the consequences of breaking the oath were not severe. He would only suffer a year of backlash and be expelled from the sect.
The mountain gate elder noticed his confusion and explained, "Ancestor Western Empress cared about the future of female cultivators. She wanted to protect them, not oppress them. That is why the oath is not overly harsh."
The mountain gate elder sighed with deep emotion as she spoke.
Although she had never met the Western Empress—having been born long after the ancestor's fall—she still felt profound admiration and reverence whenever the name was mentioned.
Ye Chen listened quietly and felt a growing respect for the Western Empress. She truly had been an extraordinary woman. And now, she was nominally his master.
His master was impressive indeed.
Once the grand ceremony finally concluded and the elders and disciples had fulfilled their duties, they dispersed without hesitation. None showed any intention of greeting their new "Old Ancestor."
Only the mountain gate elder remained, looking somewhat helpless. Still, she escorted Ye Chen all the way back to his divine peak.
Ye Chen named his peak Transcendence Peak.
The meaning was clear: becoming an Immortal King was not his goal. Only true transcendence—breaking free from all restrictions, freely traversing the river of time, and doing as he pleased—was his ultimate pursuit.
"Old Ancestor Ye… if you need anything, you may directly instruct the Internal Affairs Hall with your token," the elder said. "If there is nothing urgent, it would be best not to leave the boundaries of Transcendence Peak too often. This is not a restriction on you, of course. It's simply that you have only just entered the Immortal Realm. Raising your strength should be your top priority."
Ye Chen smiled. He was not bothered by the collective cold shoulder. When he had first arrived at the Heavenly Intention Holy Land, the hostility had been far worse. In the face of his sincerity, none of that mattered.
Besides, he could understand their reaction. A female-only sect suddenly gaining a male disciple had already shown considerable tolerance.
Regarding the elder's tactful warning, Ye Chen paid it little mind and instead brought up another matter. "Transcendence Peak is currently short on people and difficult to develop. Would it be possible for me to bring a few friends from outside to join the Jade Pool Immortal Sect and settle on my peak?"
The mountain gate elder immediately became serious. "Old Ancestor Ye, the Jade Pool Immortal Sect is ultimately a female-only sect. Your entry was due to the token. We absolutely cannot accept any more male disciples. You may bring any female cultivators to join—even as inner sect disciples. If you wish to take them as disciples, they will receive personal disciple treatment. But men are absolutely not allowed."
"…"
Ye Chen smiled. "Rest assured, they are all female cultivators."
The elder had been prepared to say much more, but Ye Chen's straightforward answer left her momentarily speechless.
She had dropped so many hints, yet Ye Chen still insisted on joining. It was clear he had a strong fondness for female cultivators. The ones he wanted to bring in were most likely his Dao companions—and from the sound of it, there would be more than one.
The elder's heart sank.
This was bad… Someone had come to open a harem inside the Jade Pool Immortal Sect.
She silently resolved to warn everyone later: stay far away from Ye Chen and never approach Transcendence Peak. Otherwise, the consequences could be unpredictable.
The only thing the elder could take comfort in was that Ye Chen's cultivation was still very low. For at least the next thousand years, there was no need to worry about him abusing his power.