Chapter Twenty-Six: The Eight Sects of the Mystic Gate and the Six Orders of the Demonic Path

Bright sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting ring after ring of shifting shadows beneath the trees. Countless motes of dust floated in the air, drifting with every breath of wind and swaying gently to and fro.

Outside, though the snowfall had ceased, a cold rain still fell relentlessly, chilling to the bone. Yet within this not-so-large divine domain, the air remained warm and gentle, as though it were the heart of a balmy spring, untouched by the turning of the seasons.

Chen Heng had once asked out of curiosity why it was so bright here, even though there was neither sun, moon, nor stars within this domain. Tu Mountain Ge had stammered and hemmed and hawed for ages, failing to make things clear and eventually tying himself into knots. In the end, he could only close his mouth in frustration.

The divine cultivation method he practiced had originally been obtained by his former master after slaying a wicked mountain god. It was hardly a canonical scripture; its principles and terminology were incomplete and fragmentary. Moreover, not long after Tu Mountain Ge acquired this method, his previous master perished, and he himself was expelled from the Crimson Radiance Sect. With no one left to teach him, the obscure secrets within the method remained forever beyond his grasp.

“Wasn’t it you who insisted on sparring with me?” Chen Heng withdrew his peachwood branch and spoke calmly. “You claimed you’d witnessed several skilled sword cultivators in the Crimson Radiance Sect and, inspired, created your own sword techniques—boasting yourself as the foremost swordsman among the Three Thousand Spirit Beasts. Yet after only a few exchanges, you’re already giving up?”

Having his bluster exposed, Tu Mountain Ge only grinned sheepishly, showing no sign of embarrassment. “Master, though your swordplay comes from the mortal world, it is truly extraordinary—quite profound, in fact.” He sheathed his magic sword. “At your current level, Master, I suspect you’re more than just proficient.”

“Intermediate level,” Chen Heng replied.

“Ah, so it is! Master truly has the bearing of a divine being!” Tu Mountain Ge sighed in admiration. Over these past days, he had come to appreciate Chen Heng’s remarkable talent. The man was a natural prodigy of cultivation, learning any art or technique with ease and mastering it in no time. In just a few short days, he had cultivated the newly acquired Armor of Qi to the intermediate stage—a level of comprehension seldom seen even among the disciples of Crimson Radiance, perhaps rivaled only by true disciples destined to inherit the sect’s legacy.

“It’s only intermediate—nothing compared to Senior Brother, who has already mastered the ‘Ten Steps, One Kill’ technique. My meager skills are nothing.” Chen Heng shook his head at Tu Mountain Ge’s flattery.

After putting away their swords, Tu Mountain Ge noticed Chen Heng’s expression and guessed he had something to ask. Without waiting for him to speak, he led Chen Heng to the main hall, offered him tea, and said, “Master, whatever you wish to ask, please do. After all, I spent more than a decade in the Crimson Radiance Sect. In a major sect of the Eight Great Daoist Schools, even idle gossip is a precious secret to outsiders!”

Tu Mountain Ge’s pride was obvious as he spoke.

“You’re clever—I hadn’t said why I came, but you already guessed I had questions.” Chen Heng smiled, lifting the teacup and blowing gently. It was rare for him not to be cultivating in the Realm of True Law; he had come to Tu Mountain Ge’s domain for a reason. Still, it seemed rude to raise his concern immediately, and he had been roped into a sparring match instead. But this fox spirit, though lacking in cultivation, was worldly and astute—he’d anticipated Chen Heng’s intentions before a word was spoken.

“Master, you usually seclude yourself in your cave, rarely venturing out. You even forget to eat the meals I have Ning Ning deliver. For you to visit my domain today, you must have important business!” Tu Mountain Ge clapped his hands in satisfaction.

“You’re right—it is important. You know the Mystic Truth Sect is small and lacks foundational scriptures or any blessed lands. You spent years in the Crimson Radiance Sect; you must have far broader knowledge.” Setting down his cup, Chen Heng fixed Tu Mountain Ge with a steady gaze. “What I wish to know is: How can someone of my background hope to join a great sect?”

Tu Mountain Ge was momentarily dumbstruck, his pride freezing on his face. After a long pause, he coughed awkwardly and scratched his head. “Well… there are few precedents for that. Among the Eight Great Daoist Schools and the Six Demon Sects—those who truly rule the world—their disciples are mostly raised from childhood, with pure backgrounds. Occasionally, an elder might take on an external disciple during travels, but it’s exceedingly rare—one must have a stroke of immortal fate. Best not to count on it.”

Feeling genuinely ashamed, Tu Mountain Ge could only answer awkwardly, “Master, if that’s your question, I’m afraid I have little advice to offer…”

The Eight Great Daoist Schools: Jade Heaven Sect, Crimson Radiance Sect, Pivot Star Sect, Grand Talisman Palace, Middle Yi Sword Sect, Northern Pole Court, Shadow View Sect, and Nine Truths Sect.

The Six Demon Sects: Reliant Light Sect, Divine Dominion Sect, Blood River Sect, Innate Demon Sect, Pestilence Sect, and Dark Nether Grotto.

These are the true powers of this world. All the myriad minor sects across the four seas and nine provinces must bow before them to survive. Their influence stretches beyond this realm, with branches and outer sects in other lands—true giants of the immortal world.

Because of their purity and prestige, these great sects are extremely strict in recruiting disciples. Not only must candidates be raised from youth, but they are also judged by bone structure, temperament, soul, innate talent, and cultivation will—none of these can be lacking.

Dongmi Prefecture is where the Jade Heaven Sect, Reliant Light Sect, and Crimson Radiance Sect have their headquarters. These two Daoist and one demonic giant dominate the cultivation landscape here. Yet, within this vast land, aside from these three top sects, there are nine second-tier sects and hundreds of small sects like the Mystic Truth Sect.

Though Tu Mountain Ge lacked a ready solution, he racked his brains and eventually recalled a secret worth sharing with Chen Heng.

“You’re saying that the Flower God Palace periodically holds a ‘Plucking Blossoms Banquet’ to recruit rogue cultivators?” Chen Heng asked.

“Precisely! Though participating in such a banquet is costly, and only the final three survivors are admitted as disciples, the Flower God Palace is a proper second-tier sect, with a Nascent Soul master presiding!” Tu Mountain Ge added, “But to enter, you must offer tribute—a hefty sum, I hear.”

“How much, exactly?”

“That I don’t know, Master. But my former master said that at every ‘Plucking Blossoms Banquet,’ there are rogue cultivators who sell their wives and daughters just to afford it—so it must be considerable.”

“Not only must one pay tribute, but only the top three survivors are accepted? That sounds quite difficult.” Chen Heng sighed. With no other options, the Flower God Palace might be a backup, but the cost…

“It seems that for my journey to the Abyss, I must fight desperately—at the very least, I need to harvest more Shadow Stallions.” So he thought to himself.

In truth, if possible, he still wished to join a true orthodox sect like Jade Heaven or Crimson Radiance. But how exactly to proceed would require further deliberation.

“Thank you, Brother Tu Mountain, for clearing my doubts. Yet, I have one more question.” Chen Heng hesitated for a moment, but recalling that this fox spirit was now bound to him by contract—his life and death resting on Chen Heng’s will—he decided to speak plainly.

“Have you ever heard of the title ‘Divine House Pivot Splendor Lord’?” he asked. “Or perhaps, the ‘Primordial True One’?”