Almost every sect and cultivation family has ancestors who ascended to the upper realms. Upon their ascension, these ancestors received a baptism of celestial energy from the upper realms, and would share a portion of this energy with their family members or close friends. This forged a bond of goodwill, ensuring the family's continued prosperity after their own ascension.

If a cultivation family or sect doesn't have a few immortals who ascend to the upper realms, then that family or sect is simply not respectable.

Ascension is an honor.

Whenever someone ascends to immortality, even if they are a rogue cultivator, they will invite three or five friends to witness the ceremony and forge a good connection.

However, since its founding, the Xiaoyao Sect has never held an ascension ceremony.

Granny Xiang was 100% certain of this.

"If that's the case, then no one from the Free and Unfettered Sect has ever ascended to the Upper Realm. So, over the years, those senior masters of the Free and Unfettered Sect have either passed away or become wandering immortals."

Rong Xi's expression changed slightly.

But after thinking about it carefully, she had to believe that it was true.

As the founder of the Xiaoyao Sect, Xiaoyaozi never ascended to immortality, so how could his disciples and grand-disciples ascend?

"Granny Xiang, Granny Rui, this matter still needs to be investigated. You two will be in charge of this!"

"yes!"

Granny Xiang and Granny Rui immediately agreed.

As stewards of the Yantian Sect, both of them were eager to make some contributions.

"Sect Master, what about us?"

After Rong Xi instructed Granny Xiang and Granny Rui to do their work, Magpie was also unsettled.

Rong Xi glanced at her and said, "What you and Jiang Zi need to do now is cultivate diligently. When you two reach the Nascent Soul realm, you can represent the Yantian Sect and travel the world!"

"ah!"

Both Magpie and Crimson Purple stared wide-eyed; their aptitude was indeed exceptional. The problem was, they had only been cultivating for a short time, and who knew how long it would take them to reach the Nascent Soul stage.

"What are you 'huh' about? Hurry up and go cultivate!"

Rong Xi glared and immediately chased Xi Que and Jiang Zi away.

In this world, true strength is everything. Everything else is meaningless. Someone like her, who is about to reach the Golden Core stage and has the powerful Taotie and Qiongqi protecting her, is truly safe and secure.

However, there are still some troubles if you want everything to be worry-free.

A person who does not plan for the future will have trouble in the present.

In this mortal realm, she can lie down anywhere. But the problem is, this is not the end; it's just the beginning. Given time, when her cultivation reaches a certain level, she will inevitably ascend to the upper realm.

The upper realm is the domain of immortals.

She knew nothing about the different ranks of immortals or how powerful they were.

However, the ancient Yantian Sect inheritance she possesses is absolutely enough to drive immortals crazy.

A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime.

This phrase perfectly describes her current situation.

Almost all the ancient sects lost their lineage. The ancient Yantian Sect, however, vanished without a trace before the great upheaval of the world. Many believe this was a premonition, a way to avoid the cataclysmic event through some extraordinary method.

Who wouldn't want such a method?

It wasn't that Rong Xi had a persecution complex, but rather that she had put herself in Rong Xi's shoes and realized that if she had known about this way of avoiding misfortune and seeking good fortune, she would have tried every means to seize it.

Sadly, this method simply doesn't exist.

However, if she were to tell anyone, probably no one would believe her.

People are more willing to believe what they want to believe in their hearts.

Magpie and Crimson quickly took their leave to diligently cultivate.

Rong Xi then contacted the spirit of the blessed land within the Imperial Scripture Pavilion, opening a portal into it. She needed to have a good talk with Xiaoyaozi about the possibility of the Xiaoyao Sect submitting to the Yantian Sect. Hmm, she also needed to speak with the Azure Dragon King to gather intelligence on the upper realm.

As the saying goes, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."

"Little girl, release this old man at once!"

Poor Xiaoyaozi, he finally managed to reach the eighth level of the Loose Immortal realm, only to encounter Rong Xi and become a prisoner.

"Xiaoyaozi, do you know who I am?"

Rong Xi completely ignored Xiaoyaozi's clamor and leisurely sat down opposite him, slowly opening her mouth.

"Who are you?"

Xiaoyaozi paused for a moment, then asked a question nonetheless.

"I am the master of the Yantian Sect. You inherited the legacy of my Yantian Sect and founded the Xiaoyao Sect. Now, shouldn't you acknowledge your ancestry and return to your clan?"

Rong Xi spoke calmly, "As for the flaws in your Northern Darkness Profound Art, I can naturally bestow upon you a new technique to correct them. Otherwise, even if you reach the ninth level of the Loose Immortal realm, you will surely die when the Heavenly Tribulation descends!"

"impossible!"

Xiaoyaozi's eyes widened. "In my entire life, I will never submit to anyone. The Yantian Sect has long since lost its lineage, and I am someone who inherited the Yantian Sect's legacy. Moreover, my cultivation is higher than yours. Even if someone is to be the sect leader, it should be me. What qualifications do you, little girl, have?"

"Xiaoyaozi, are you out of your mind?"

"What merit or ability do I possess?"

Rong Xi sneered, "Just because I'm sitting here now, and you're just a prisoner, you dare to challenge me for the position of sect leader? Who gave you the courage?"

Xiaoyaozi was speechless.

His cultivation was indeed far superior to Rong Xi's, but he was now a prisoner. Could this little girl really be the master of the Yantian Sect?

"I don't have time to waste with you. If the Free and Unfettered Sect refuses to acknowledge its ancestry, I will have no choice but to act according to the rules of the Yantian Sect, reclaim the portion of the inheritance you took, and exterminate the Free and Unfettered Sect's legacy!"

These words were not Rong Xi's way of threatening or intimidating Xiaoyaozi.

That is indeed the rule of the Yantian Sect.

In fact, the sects of ancient times had extremely strict rules. Any cultivation techniques that were circulated without the sect's permission would be recalled. And those cultivators who practiced these techniques would invariably have their cultivation crippled.

Xiaoyaozi was well aware of this.

"Little girl, I need to think about it!"

"Furthermore, even if I agree to allow the Free and Unfettered Sect to acknowledge its ancestry, I have been in seclusion for so many years that I have not paid much attention to the affairs of the Free and Unfettered Sect!"

"Those who disobey, then let's follow the rules!"

Rong Xi wasn't there to bargain with Xiaoyaozi.

If the Yantian Sect is to reopen its gates, it naturally cannot appear in a small, insignificant manner. An ancient great sect must possess the grandeur of an ancient great sect.

Currently, the Free and Unfettered Sect is the number one sect in the world, and this number one sect is precisely because it inherited the legacy of the Yantian Sect. Given this, Rong Xi felt that it would be too incompetent for the Free and Unfettered Sect not to become an affiliated sect of the Yantian Sect.

She wants to annex the Free and Unfettered Sect, but she won't take over the entire sect.

The Yantian Sect only wants truly exceptional talents.

Once Xiaoyaozi has made his choice, he will return to the Xiaoyao Sect and select the most talented disciples to cultivate in the Yantian Sect.

By then, the Imperial Statue Pavilion will have no further connection with the Qing Dynasty!