Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

After the world spun dizzyingly, Wang Chen found himself in the Reception Hall.

The West Sea Sect truly deserved its reputation as the number one Immortal Gates in the Mountain and Sea Realm, possessing not only a grand formation capable of transporting hundreds of cultivators tens of thousands of miles away but also the ability to freely move both its inner and outer gates, which was extremely convenient.

Steadying his mind, he took out the mission scroll and Zhou Senzhi's head from his Storage Bag, and bowed deeply towards the majestic figure enveloped in a faint golden light ahead, "Disciple Wang Chen has successfully completed the mission."

Previously, Zuo Xiaomo had told Wang Chen that True Person Zixiao, who presided over the Reception Hall, was actually an avatar.

Meanwhile, the True Person's main body was always cultivating in seclusion within his Cave Mansion.

Though it was just an avatar, its formidable presence and power were incomparable to those of the Purple Mansion cultivators.

"Hmm."

True Person Zixiao nodded slightly, gazing at Wang Chen with an indifferent and emotionless look, "New disciple Wang Chen, having completed the assessment within the set time limit, you are granted entry into the sect."

No sooner had his voice faded away than the head and scroll in Wang Chen's hands disappeared.

A bronze-colored oil lamp silently flew over, hovering in front of Wang Chen.

The voice of True Person Zixiao entered his ears once more, "Light the Soul Lamp."

Without hesitation, Wang Chen condensed a strand of his Divine Soul's breath and infused it into the Soul Lamp before him.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

In an instant, a small flame flickered to life.

This wisp of soul fire connected to Wang Chen's Divine Soul, sensitive to induction even across vast distances.

Should he die, the Soul Lamp would automatically extinguish.

Of course, if Wang Chen were to betray the sect, the sect would use this lamp to hunt him down across the Mountain and Sea Realm and slay him!

However, if Wang Chen were to fall into dire straits, perhaps it could be a life-saving straw.

"The Sect's Ten Commandments, the first commandment, betraying the sect..."

After lighting the Soul Lamp, True Person Zixiao expounded upon the ten major precepts of the West Sea Sect to Wang Chen.

Each of these statutes was punishable by death, and any transgression would face the harshest punishment.

After True Person Zixiao finished speaking, Wang Chen took a Dao oath towards the Soul Lamp.

The Dao oath corresponded to the sect's first commandment, that is, not to betray the sect, or else one's body would perish, one's Dao would vanish, and the transgressor would never ascend.

While it sounded harsh, the binding power of this kind of Dao oath wasn't very strong. There were many ways to evade or resist it, otherwise, none would dare betray the sect.

In fact, no matter the sect, there were always disciples who had defected.

Taking the Dao oath was merely a formality.

"The path of cultivation is long; thou must discipline thyself."

As True Person Zixiao's words were still echoing, Wang Chen found himself involuntarily shifted out of the Reception Hall.

He discovered he was on a vast square, with majestic palaces behind him and strange peaks surrounded by clouds and mist all around.

"Reception Disciple Yi Sixteen, greets the Immortal Master."

Just then, a fair-faced Taoist boy with red lips and white teeth bowed to Wang Chen, "I humbly await the Immortal Master's instructions."

Although Wang Chen was now officially a disciple, he was new here and had no idea where he was; he had been summarily dispatched by True Person Zixiao without clear direction.

As for what he should do next, or where to go, Wang Chen was completely clueless.

The answer clearly lay with the Taoist boy before him.

He unashamedly asked, "I have just passed the assessment and entered the inner sect. What should I do now?"

If it were anyone else, out of respect for the Purple Mansion Superior, they likely wouldn't be so straightforward and simple.

But Wang Chen was never one to pretend and put on airs.

The Taoist boy replied with a cheery smile, "Then how about I, Yi, take the Immortal Master to appreciate the scenery of the Mountain Gate first?"

Wang Chen readily agreed, "Good!"

Being new to the place, he certainly needed to familiarize himself with the surroundings first.

Only hearing the Taoist Boy Yi whistle, two Immortal Cranes parted the clouds and soared into view, descending before the two of them.

"Immortal Master, please."

Wang Chen mounted the larger of the Immortal Cranes, while Yi rode the other.

One leading and the other following, they rose into the sky!

Upon reaching the clouds above, Wang Chen was suddenly astonished to see an enormous island beneath his feet!

Surrounded by endless azure waves, most of the vast island was shrouded in mist, preventing a full view. But one could still see the undulating mountain ranges with their treacherous peaks, the verdant forests, the winding streams, and the waterfalls and valleys hidden amongst them.

And the Reception Hall was situated on the peak of a mountain, commanding a lofty view, truly a sight filled with majestic grandeur.

Wang Chen looked up ahead and saw, scattered in the distance, islands both large and small, with specks of white sails sprinkled among them.

Rainbow bridges connected some of the islands, shining brilliantly under the sunlight.

Streaks of light moved up and down between them, and there were others like Wang Chen riding on Immortal Cranes or other flying creatures, traveling leisurely.

Yi flew beside Wang Chen all the way, acting as a dedicated tour guide, explaining the sights to him.

The West Sea refers to the sea in the west, but it is, in fact, not a real ocean but a vast lake spanning tens of thousands of miles.

Legend has it that during the ancient times, a Power Man from the Upper Realm struck down at the Mountain and Sea Realm, forming an immense pit on the earth, which was then filled by torrential rain that poured non-stop for three full years.

That is the very West Sea beneath their feet.

Latterly, several True Immortals joined hands, used their mana to raise land and create islands, and thus founded the West Sea Sect.

The core of the West Sea Sect is the West Sea; along with a total of nine thousand three hundred and five large and small islands!

In the Inner Sect Nine Veins of the West Sea Sect, more than a hundred thousand cultivators are dispersed across these islands.

The larger islands can accommodate tens of thousands of people, while the smaller ones serve as secluded cultivation sites for True Persons and True Immortals.

The largest of these islands is West Sea City.

One island, one city; it is also the only Immortal City within the Inner Sect of the West Sea Sect!

According to the rules of the West Sea Sect, newly-promoted Inner Sect Disciples first settle in West Sea Immortal City, then choose to join one of the Nine Veins.

If they fail to join any vein within three years, they have to leave the Inner Sect and go to the Outer Sect.

In other words, the true core of the West Sea Sect lies in the disciples of the Nine Veins; not joining the Nine Veins means that even with the title of Inner Sect Disciple, there is still a possibility of being eliminated.

As for how to join the Nine Veins, that's where the new disciples need to show their mettle!

Yi told Wang Chen that every year, thousands of disciples leave the Inner Sect, many of whom are Purple Mansion cultivators.

Moreover, if you want to settle in West Sea Immortal City, you need to pay Merit Points.

One Merit Point per day!

Merit Points can be earned by completing Sect tasks. If one cannot pay the required Merit Points for residing in West Sea Immortal City, they too will be expelled from the Inner Sect.

In short, the Sect does not support the indolent; entering the Inner Sect doesn't mean one can rest easy—the competition inside is actually extremely fierce.

Wang Chen took out his Identity Plaque to check it.

Enclosed therein were one hundred Merit Points.

This was considered a starter pack for newly promoted Inner Sect Disciples, good for living in West Sea City for three months.

If there was no income of Merit Points during that time, or if one did not join one of the Nine Veins, then they had to get lost!

"Immortal Master, up ahead is West Sea Immortal City!"

Wang Chen immediately perked up.

A massive island beyond compare came into view, like an emerald jewel embedded in the azure waves.

----------

First update delivered.