Chapter 757: Chapter 346: Sectarian Self-Interest and True-Born Lineage (Part 2)
"Feeling unjust?" Shi Nandang sneered, "The Cultivation Technique in Bixia’s hand only goes up to Divinity Transformation. With her aptitude, it’s nearly impossible for her to acquire the subsequent technique."
"As for Li Hao... if he weren’t given some incentive, how could he be so diligent in snatching those Jiushan Sect Magic Artifacts and pills?"
"And how could we explain ourselves to the sect?"
The emaciated old man was stunned upon hearing this and said, "Master, don’t you value his aptitude?"
"His aptitude is indeed good, but he’s from an external sect, and now he’s just a Golden Core." Shi Nandang shook his head, chuckling lightly, "To enter the Saint Ancestor’s lineage, who knows how many years it will take."
"Without joining the clan, how can he stand out in the sect?"
"Can this Xuanwei situation wait for him?"
...
In the Jiushan Realm.
Zheng Fa hurriedly walked to the grand hall of Heavenly Palace Island and asked Sister Zhang, "Has Elder Han returned?"
Sister Zhang nodded slightly, her eyes curious.
"I’ll explain to Sister once Elder Han arrives. By the way, where is Fairy Xiao’s archaeological team now?"
Sister Zhang looked even more puzzled, but Zheng Fa bowed his head, holding the Creation Jade Disc, seemingly communicating with someone.
"Why are you looking for me? Did something happen to the Tianhe Sect?"
Looking worried, Elder Han hurried into the hall.
Sister Zhang shook her head, indicating she didn’t know either.
Elder Han looked towards Zheng Fa, who just came to his senses and, seeing Elder Han’s anxious face, apologized, "The Tianhe Sect is fine; I just had some matters regarding Haori Mountain and wanted to ask you, Elder Han."
"Haori Mountain? What’s happening at Haori Mountain?"
"Haori Mountain’s Three Saints inherit their Cultivation Techniques through a family structure?"
Sister Zhang’s eyes widened, her expression surprised.
Elder Han gently nodded, seeing Sister Zhang’s expression, and smiled:
"It’s considered a family, but not entirely based on blood relations."
Sister Zhang’s expression grew more puzzled.
"Haori Mountain has Lu, Yun, and Yang as the Three Saints, hence, Three Clans. But these clans are not hereditary, more often it’s through master-disciple transmission."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Fa appeared more understanding, while Sister Zhang couldn’t help but ask, "Master-disciple transmission?"
"Yes, to be precise, it’s surname bestowment. The direct lineage of the Three Clans will recruit some exceptionally talented disciples from Haori Mountain. If a disciple is extremely outstanding, making great achievements or having peerless Cultivation, they will be bestowed with the surnames Lu, Yun, or Yang."
"Cultivators who are bestowed surnames are regarded as direct lineage of the Three Clans. They have generally made significant contributions to the clan, enriching its heritage and ensuring a continuous flow of talent."
"Thus, for hundreds of thousands of years, the Three Clans have maintained control over the power in Haori Mountain, and what is called the true inheritance of Haori Mountain comes from the Three Clans."
Sister Zhang realized upon hearing this.
"Well... what about those cultivators in Haori Mountain who are not part of the Three Clans?"
Elder Han chuckled, a hint of sarcasm in his tone: "With the strength of the Three Clans, other cultivators naturally just attach themselves like wings."
Zheng Fa sighed inwardly, now understanding why there’s such a vast difference in status between Shi Nandang and those six Divinity Transformation cultivators.
The approach of the three major clans of Haori Mountain can only grow stronger, but Haori Mountain has limited resources.
How can other cultivators not feel oppressed and stifled?
There’s a major issue with this model in the modern world—if someone is prodigiously talented, they could occupy another’s nest.
But with the control Dao Fruit has over cultivators, the Three Clans don’t have this worry.
In fact, the model of Haori Mountain even offers more upward mobility than the Demon Sect.
"What about Shi Nandang?"
"He’s from the Lu Clan and is a disciple of one of the clan’s direct lineage. I’ve heard... if he makes a great achievement this time, he may receive the surname Lu."
Zheng Fa slowly nodded, speaking slowly:
"Fairy Xie said the same."
"Were you just in contact with Xie Qingxue?"
"Yes, I asked her if the Haori Mountain Dao Fruit has opened the true inheritance technique, and if so, who can receive the inheritance?"
Upon hearing this, Sister Zhang realized: "You’re asking Sect Leader Yan."
"Yes, Sect Leader Yan knows more about these things."
Zheng Fa glanced at Elder Han, knowing this old man had keen ears but dared not get too close to those Divinity Transformation cultivators; he couldn’t get such high-level information.
"What did Sect Leader Yan say?"
"Sect Leader Yan said." Zheng Fa’s expression was peculiar, "It seems the Three Saints of Haori Mountain intend to open up the Dao Fruit inheritance, but... the Three Clans don’t seem willing."
"Hmm?"
"The current situation is this: the Three Clans have lowered the threshold for entering the clan, but without joining the Three Clans, it’s still impossible to get the complete true inheritance technique of Haori Mountain."
Sister Zhang was shocked, murmuring: "Defying Dao Fruit’s will, have they succeeded?"
"Maybe it’s not outright defiance but more like pretending to comply while acting otherwise. Perhaps the Three Saints also need to consider their family members, or maybe resources are limited, so they’ve taken a step back..."
"Even so, these Three Clan cultivators are quite bold."
Zheng Fa also nodded.
This was the first time he heard of cultivators going against Dao Fruit.
Spreading the Dao Fruit method benefits Dao Fruit cultivators but is detrimental to the Three Clan cultivators and could even disrupt Haori Mountain’s long-standing power structure.
Their special status was initially dependent on this Dao Fruit technique.
Yet surprisingly, they could withstand the pressure of Dao Fruit.
Self-interest within the sect, capable of making them disregard life and death?
Thinking of this, Zheng Fa became increasingly certain that such formidable existence is not allowed within the Hundred Immortals Alliance.
Putting aside thoughts about the future of the Hundred Immortals Alliance, Zheng Fa added:
"Now it seems, to acquire the ’Red Cloud Jade Book,’ one must start with the Three Clans."
"With the cultivation talent I’ve shown in the Chongxuan Sect, it’s not enough to impress Shi Nandang..."
"Let alone join the Three Clans."
According to Elder Han, to join the Three Clans and receive the true inheritance, one must apprentice under the direct lineage of the Three Clans. Currently, even Shi Nandang might not have that qualification.
Judging from the six Divinity Transformation cultivators’ behavior, this matter isn’t that simple either.
"You plan to ’advance’ to Nascent Soul?" Sister Zhang seemed to understand Zheng Fa’s plan.