Beast-Taming Cultivator from Two Realms

Chapter 87: Six Knocks on the Heavenly Steps

Southern Wastes, Earth Proliferation Territory, Mirror Moon Sea Region.

The salty sea wind carried raging waves surging at the horizon where sea and sky met, letting out thunderous roars.

Chen Beiwu gazed forward from the bow of the boat.

At the center of the tumultuous whirlpools, an island resembling a slumbering dragon stood tall upon the boundless sea, radiating ten thousand rays of multicolored light.

As they drew closer, Chen Beiwu noticed that the island’s cliffs were steep and sharp, as if carved by axe and blade.

Vines as thick as palace pillars wound between the cracks of the rocks, exuding strands of rosy clouds, shrouding the seventy-two scattered smaller islands around the giant island in a hazy glow. It was as if a true dragon swam about, lording over heaven and earth, emanating endless water-shaped power.

‘This is the Still Moon Island, under the control of the Mirror Moon Sect’s main lineage?’ Chen Beiwu’s pupils contracted, his eyes showing shock.

Shu You, however, was unsurprised.

She remembered when she first laid eyes on the sect’s grand formation, the Eight Wastelands Water Mirror Subduing Dragon Formation. At that time, she had been so overwhelmed her scalp tingled.

Compared to her past self, this Junior Brother Chen was far more composed.

“Junior Brother Chen, do you feel as though you are standing before the majesty of a true dragon as you gaze at the island?” Shu You smiled faintly.

“Yes.” Chen Beiwu nodded slightly, his eyes never leaving the island.

Just from the essence of the vast water-shaped power that the formation gathered in its normal operation, he already felt a terrifying pressure, as if a dragon was coiled at his side, watching him.

If the Mirror Moon Sect’s protective grand formation truly unleashed its might, its eruption could likely crush even a Golden Core True Person with ease.

“The Eight Wastelands Water Mirror Subduing Dragon Formation was laid down by the sect’s third-generation ancestor. It is a fifth-tier sect-protecting origin formation, its power unfathomable.”

Speaking of this, Shu You’s face revealed pride. “In history, there was once a mid-stage Nascent Soul True Lord who dared invade the sect. In the end, he was suppressed by the Eight Wastelands Water Mirror Subduing Dragon Formation for three days and nights, before being refined into dust.”

Hearing this, Chen Beiwu’s eyes flickered.

If it could slay even a Nascent Soul True Lord, then the heavenly energy required to activate such a formation was a terrifying figure beyond imagination.

Only the Southern Wastes, where resources were abundant and cultivators cared little for spiritual qi, could afford such extravagance.

If this formation were in the Immortal Alliance, where not a trace of energy could be wasted, it would have long since been strictly prohibited by the higher-ups.

Seeing Chen Zi’ang’s reaction, Shu You nodded inwardly.

Each time she guided new disciples, she would explain the grand formation’s glorious achievements, letting them understand how overwhelming the Mirror Moon Sect’s dominance was—that even Nascent Soul True Lords could only bow.

At that moment, a streak of rainbow light suddenly shot out from one of the scattered small islands, stopping outside the cloud-boat, revealing a young cultivator dressed in Mirror Moon Sect robes.

“Deacon Yun.” Shu You greeted.

“Junior Sister Shu.” The newcomer did not act arrogantly, instead smiling warmly.

The position of an outer sect deacon was similar to that of an inner disciple—both were Foundation Establishment cultivators.

However, in terms of potential and future prospects, the latter was far more valued by the sect than an outer deacon.

Deacon Yun’s gaze swept over Chen Beiwu, his expression gentle. “Junior Sister, how many new disciples are joining the sect this year?”

“Thirty-three in total. Two can directly enter the inner sect. The rest I leave to Deacon Yun.” Shu You handed him a jade slip.

Deacon Yun’s eyes lingered on Chen Beiwu, curiosity flashing. “And this one is?”

Everyone knew Shu You’s reputation in the sect—fond of beauty in women, not men.

For a new disciple to sit beside her and chat so casually, he either had extraordinary talent or extraordinary background.

“This is Junior Brother Chen Zi’ang, favored by True Disciple Zhu.” Shu You smiled.

“Greetings, Deacon Yun.” Chen Beiwu cupped his hands.

At this, Deacon Yun dared not be careless.

In the sect, there was only one “Zhu” among the true disciples—none other than that famed God of Slaughter.

Deacon Yun immediately returned the bow, praising Chen Zi’ang a few times before leaving his contact imprint and taking the cloud-boat of new disciples away.

“Outer disciples must be led by a deacon to West River Island to report, and then undergo one year of tempering tasks.

Those who pass the tempering are officially registered as part of the Mirror Moon Sect’s outer sect. Those who fail are reassigned to the subsidiary sects to continue contributing.” Shu You explained.

“So that’s how it is.” Chen Beiwu nodded, then turned toward Gu Chun standing nearby. “Then where should Junior Sister Gu and I report?”

“In a while, I’ll take Junior Sister Gu to report at the Personnel Hall.” Shu You’s gaze then drifted toward the mountain at the core of the giant island, her eyes filled with yearning.

“As for you, Junior Brother, you may directly head to Sun-Moon Pool at Water Moon Peak for a month of cultivation. During that month, if a Golden Core elder takes a liking to you, they will bestow a decree and accept you as disciple.”

Hearing this, Chen Beiwu was slightly startled. “Senior Sister Shu, but haven’t I already apprenticed under True Person Zhu?”

“That’s right. So all you need do is carry the Cold Pool Spirit Sword with you and follow the process.” Shu You’s tone held a trace of envy.

Most Golden Core elders of the Mirror Moon Sect were devoted to their immortal path, unwilling to take disciples.

The few willing to do so either had no hope of advancing to Nascent Soul and wished to leave a legacy before their fall, or had dwindling disciples on their island and were forced to pick a successor.

Thus, even in Water Moon Peak’s history, there had once been a Heavenly Root cultivator who was overlooked by all Golden Core elders and excluded from the core sequence.

But with the Cold Pool Spirit Sword in hand, Chen Zi’ang had a safeguard.

After all, True Person Zhu was recognized as the cultivator closest to Nascent Soul within the sect, acknowledged even among the Five Great Sects as the number one below Nascent Soul.

On the strength of True Person Zhu’s token, even if no Golden Core elder favored Junior Brother Chen, at the very least he would still be placed into a sequence position above the inner disciples.

“Thank you, Senior Sister, for your guidance.”

Saying so, Chen Beiwu took out the Cold Pool Spirit Sword from his storage pouch.

Before long, the cloud-boat arrived at Water Moon Peak.

“Junior Brother, this is the Ascending Steps to Sun-Moon Pool at the summit. You only need to climb, and there will be cultivators to receive you.”

Having said this, Shu You departed with Gu Chun aboard the cloud-boat, leaving Chen Beiwu alone before the jade staircase glowing with multicolored radiance.

“Hoo…”

Chen Beiwu exhaled deeply, stepped forward, and set foot upon the stairs. Instantly, information surged into his mind.

【Six Knocks on the Heavenly Steps: One may knock upon the Mirror, the Heart, the Delusion, the Soul, the Fate, and the Dao.】

【New disciples need only overcome the Mirror Knock to ascend directly to the summit.】

“Boom!”

As the message faded, ripples in space before Chen Beiwu distorted, condensing into a crystal-clear mirror.

Inside the mirror, he saw an identical version of himself.

No… not quite!

Chen Beiwu frowned, then saw the mirror-image of himself grin strangely, step forward, and shatter the boundary—emerging into reality.