The first batch of teachers from the Zhenyan Sect arrived quickly, some even a few days ahead of schedule. They all looked like diligent gardeners, eager to throw themselves into their educational work.
You You didn't linger. After holding a welcome meeting and introducing them to all the disciples, she immediately asked Qiu Zhang to arrange their schedules and begin targeted classes.
These five elders, who were teaching for the first time, were rare educational resources for the sect. Furthermore, the sect had inquired beforehand about their cultivation methods, which matched the sect's teaching materials, before making the selection. In particular, two of the five filled vacant positions as beast cultivators.
This has somewhat alleviated the crisis of insufficient teaching staff in the sect. Although they came with the intention of having Qiu Zhang revise the cultivation method, since the introduction of volunteer teachers, each disciple in the sect has had to take on an additional specialized course on revising the cultivation method, in addition to revising Qiu Zhang's manuals. Judging from the past speed of publishing new editions of Qiu Zhang's manuals, it wouldn't be a problem to publish one edition per month, let alone ten years.
Of course, the new teachers were clearly not used to this teaching model at first. In less than five days, when they received the first batch of revised exercises, they were already furious and clamoring to demand an explanation from You You.
"A group of disciples who have just reached the Foundation Establishment stage dare to talk about the flaws in the cultivation technique? It's utterly absurd!"
"That's right, they've only learned a little bit and they dare to try and show off their limited skills. They have absolutely no respect for their elders!"
"These are high-level cultivation techniques left behind by powerful figures in the past. How can some junior disciples just arbitrarily modify them?"
"Indeed! I have not been able to fully comprehend this technique even after hundreds of years! They actually dared to modify it at will, as if everyone is Master Qiu!"
"Such a high-level cultivation technique is so precise that even the slightest error can lead to disastrous consequences! If it is modified arbitrarily, what if the practitioner suffers from internal fire or demonic possession during practice?"
"These disciples of the True Transformation Sect are far too ignorant, claiming it's an order from the sect leader. They must stop, or we will not remain in this sect any longer!"
"Yes, if this continues, won't it ruin our reputation!"
The group grew louder and louder, charging aggressively towards the main peak. You You was just about to call someone in to "brainwash"... ugh! To reason with them. A remnant soul who had come to deliver the new version of the Qiu Zhang Jue suddenly brightened up, patting his chest confidently, "Sect Master, don't worry, they're just having a temporary moment of confusion. Leave this to me, I'll handle it!"
Youyou was somewhat surprised, but she didn't stop her and nodded.
Qiu Zhang stroked his beard, then scurried away, a familiar voice echoing in the distance, "Five fellow Daoists, your kind of thinking is unacceptable..."
"..."
Why do I suddenly feel like I'm a pyramid scheme leader?
No one knows exactly how Qiu Zhang persuaded them, but ever since then, the five people's enthusiasm for teaching has soared to unprecedented heights. This is directly reflected in the increasingly heavy workload of the sect's disciples. Moreover, in less than a year, another floor was added to the sect's library. Next to the cabinet that specifically housed Qiu Zhang's teachings, five new special cabinets were added.
Each cabinet contained similar cultivation techniques, such as: Xing Hong's New Chapter of the Beast Taming Heart Method, Mo Qing's New Chapter of the Profound Talisman Technique, Xie Yi's Transmission of the Profound Ice Spirit Beast Technique, Hao Wu's New Transmission of the Floating Light True Technique, and so on. Moreover, each chapter was followed by a line of small print stating that a certain cultivator from the True Transformation Sect assisted in the editing. The signatures for each chapter were different.
Youyou: "..."
Ling Qi: "..."
That was... quite unexpected!
But it somehow makes perfect sense.
As a result, all the disciples of the Zhenyan Sect once again entered into a more inspiring and positive learning atmosphere.
——————
Five years later, in the main hall.
"Qingyu Sect?" You You was taken aback.
“It is a medium-sized sect that has been established for a thousand years. Although it is not one of the top sects like the Three Gates, Six Schools, and Seventy-Two Sects, its strength is not weak.” Ling Qi explained, “Moreover, most of its members are sword cultivators. Since the Qiu Zhang Jue was promoted, the sect’s strength has increased greatly, and it has the potential to join the ranks of first-class immortal sects.”
"But why did they send me an invitation?" Youyou asked, somewhat confused. "And... what is the Star-Picking Ceremony?"
"The so-called Star-Picking Ceremony is a grand event where the Heavenly Maiden chooses her sole cultivation partner!" Ling Qi continued to explain. "This is an extremely important event in the Immortal Realm, so it is perfectly normal to notify all sects to attend."
"A Daoist partner?!" You You exclaimed in surprise. She understood this. "You mean the Heavenly Maiden of the Azure Feather Sect is getting married?"
“That’s exactly right!” Ling Qi nodded.
"Oh..." She finally realized, why didn't you say so earlier? It was a wedding invitation. "Why don't we just prepare the money for the wedding? Why do I have to go in person?" There are still things to do in the sect. Besides, she doesn't seem to know that Heavenly Maiden from the Azure Feather Sect very well.
“The celestial maidens of the Immortal Realm do not easily choose a cultivation partner unless they voluntarily give up their status and abilities as celestial maidens and abandon everything to form a cultivation alliance with someone. Therefore, this matter is extremely important.” Ling Qi continued with a heavy tone.
"Give up the identity of a celestial maiden?" You You was taken aback, somewhat surprised. Could that really be given up? "You mean, if a celestial maiden chooses a Daoist partner, then..."
"Having lost the Heavenly Maiden's power, she can no longer bestow spiritual roots upon her disciples." Ling Qi nodded.
"Why is this happening?" Youyou was even more surprised.
“The Heavenly Maiden is a blessing bestowed upon the world by Heaven,” Yuan Qi explained from the side. “Naturally, she cannot belong to one person alone, but the alliance of Daoist partners is a vow that belongs exclusively to each other, and the two cannot coexist!”
"..." You You was a little confused. So, was the Heavenly Maiden destined to be a single dog for life? After thinking about it carefully, she couldn't help but worry, "If the Heavenly Maiden of Qingyu Sect wants to find a Daoist partner, what will happen to the disciples of her sect?"
Isn't it said that every immortal sect exists because of the Heavenly Maiden? If the Heavenly Maiden chooses a Daoist partner and loses her abilities, wouldn't the Azure Feather Sect be without a Heavenly Maiden?
“Therefore, the Heavenly Maiden will not easily choose a Daoist partner, unless…” Yuan Qi sighed, a hint of regret in his voice, and continued, “she will no longer need to worry about these things.”
"Huh?!" You You was stunned for a moment before she reacted, her eyes widening suddenly. "You mean..."
Yuan Qi nodded and said with certainty, "The Heavenly Maiden of the Azure Feather Sect is nearing the end of her lifespan!"
"..."
“Indeed!” Ling Qi sighed. “The Heavenly Maiden of the Azure Feather Sect isn’t exactly a top-tier talent. She barely broke through to the Nascent Soul stage a few hundred years ago, but she’s been unable to break through to the Deity Transformation stage. Now, her lifespan is almost up. Perhaps it’s because she knows her time is coming to an end that she wants to become a Daoist partner with the only person she loves before she falls!”
You You suddenly felt a bit heavy-hearted, finally understanding why this grand ceremony was called "Picking Stars," and why the celestial maidens from various sects were required to attend. It was probably not only to congratulate them on their union as Daoist partners, but also to send this celestial maiden on her final journey.
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