Cultivation: I Can Reincarnate Into Various Worlds

Now, there was internal strife between the Family Line and the Master and Disciple Lineage within the Flying Feather Immortal Palace. These two factions were not mortal enemies. Sometimes they even united amidst their confrontations. Generally speaking, however, the Flying Feather Immortal Palace was rife with internal conflict. It was not united wholeheartedly. As for the secret of Xu Xing's constitution and that he would Break Returning Core in less than fifty years, it was uncertain how long they could keep it hidden.

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「Whale Island.」

On a cliff in the center of the island, Xu Xing fell silent for a moment before he asked his Master, "Master, I have been in the Sect for over forty years and have always been confused about something. Why does the Sect make the lower-rank disciples compete...?"

To compete was to vie for resources. To compete was to stand out from the crowd and attract the attention of the high-level members...

Xu Xing understood the reasoning behind the Flying Feather Immortal Palace's promotion of competition among the low-ranking disciples. His words at this moment carried a deeper implication.

"Compete?"

The Giant Sword Daoist Monarch did not expect Xu Xing to ask this question. Instead of directly answering Xu Xing's query with a simple explanation, he pondered seriously for a moment, then said, "Assume that Cultivation is a journey from one bank of a river to another, where cultivators are passengers on a boat and the Sect is the boat. This boat was built by our forefathers...

"When the boat sails, it will inevitably experience wear and tear. To compete is to avoid being made into planks for this boat and sinking deep into the river."

He revealed the true purpose of the Sect.

While the Sect was an organization that sheltered cultivators, it also, in a way, drained their flesh and blood, using them as fodder to cross the river.

"Then what if... I choose not to compete?"

On the clifftop, a chilling wind blew fiercely as Xu Xing overlooked the entire Whale Island. The island was bustling and vibrant, with red buildings and green tiles arranged densely, and pedestrians bustling about.

If he, as a newcomer disciple, made this statement, he would undoubtedly incur the displeasure of his elders. Refusal to compete was a sign of idleness and avoidance of hard work. It could not sustain one long on the Immortal Journey.

However, at this very moment, Xu Xing had already stood out from the crowd and was confirmed to be the eighth Chief in the Master and Disciple Lineage. When he said he did not want to compete, neither the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch nor the two Nascent Soul Saint Monarchs of the Flying Feather Immortal Palace would view Xu Xing as being devoid of Dao Heart. Xu Xing had already proven his "will to compete" through his actions.

"The eighth Chief of the Master and Disciple Lineage…"

"I do not want to take it."

Seeing the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch lost in contemplation, Xu Xing continued organizing his thoughts. After pondering for a moment, he said, "The position of Chief is indeed beneficial, but in my opinion, as long as one has the will to compete, that is sufficient. To compete merely for the sake of competition is to stoop low…"

The position of a Chief was of utmost importance for the Giant Sword Lineage. If he did not have the strength to compete for it, generally speaking, the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch would not have been overly critical. However, if he had the strength to compete yet inexplicably gave up the position of Chief, it would definitely incur the dissatisfaction of the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch. The Giant Sword Lineage did not solely consist of the two of them, master and disciple.

Becoming a Chief had a significant impact on the strength of the Giant Sword Lineage. The Sect would allocate resources accordingly to support the Giant Sword Lineage... In the Flying Feather Immortal Palace, the reason only the Master and Disciple Lineage had a Chief was that they held the Sect Leader Position. The Chief had the qualification to inherit the Sect Leader Position. Although with the passage of time, the Sect Leader Position had become somewhat nominal, requiring one to listen to the opinions of the Nascent Soul Saint Monarchs, it did not mean that becoming Sect Master had no benefits... According to the rules, the support from the Sect directed toward the Master and Disciple Lineage where the Chief resided was meant for the Chief to have a dependable lineage of power to rely on, preventing him from ending up alone after he inherited the Sect Leader Position.

"You mean…"

The Giant Sword Daoist Monarch shook his head. "I cannot get involved in this. As for Purple Magpie Valley and Hangu Mountain, the Sect made you compete for them. But beyond just competition, the Sect has also taught you disciples one thing: the Immortal Journey is your own…"

He patted Xu Xing on the shoulder, a smile on his face. His words indicated an implicit agreement with Xu Xing's request not to compete for the eighth Chief position in the Master and Disciple Lineage.

Ever since they joined the Flying Feather Immortal Palace, the Sect had given its disciples two options. Even now, it remained the same.

"Yes, Master."

Xu Xing nodded, his heart easing slightly.

Enjoying the benefits of the Giant Sword Lineage without helping in return, he felt a slight guilt. He was indeed callous, but given a chance to do things better, he did not want to owe anyone any favors. He was stepping back at this moment. However, who knew if he would continue to step back, cease to compete for the position of Chief in the Master and Disciple Lineage, prefer to stay in Seclusion Cultivation, and remain aloof from worldly affairs…? It was impossible to enjoy the shade, benefits, and privilege without taking up the responsibilities.

Xu Xing took a deep breath and made this pledge: "Xu Xing is taking a step back now to take two steps forward in the future. If given a chance... Xu Xing will certainly enhance the prestige of the Giant Sword Lineage in the future."

The binding power of this pledge was not strong. He only said he would have the opportunity, not that he would definitely enhance the prestige of the Giant Sword Lineage. But by doing so, he had shown his sincerity.

In the Cultivation World, except for a Blood Oath which required strict terms, other Dao Oaths were not so demanding; it was all about following one's heart.

"As long as you have this intention, it's good enough…"

"No power in this world lasts forever."

The Giant Sword Daoist Monarch shook his head and let out a melancholic sigh. Compared to other cultivators of the Giant Sword Lineage, Xu Xing was his Direct Disciple. His loyalty naturally leaned more towards Xu Xing. Although he did not know why Xu Xing chose to step back, he had faith in Xu Xing's judgment.

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「After discussing with the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch.」

Xu Xing bowed deeply, sending the Giant Sword Daoist Monarch out of his Island Master's Cave Mansion. Then, he returned to his Cave Mansion to meditate and adjust his breath, solidifying his early-stage Returning Core Cultivation.

「One month later.」

He left Whale Island. He reported his departure to the Sect and boarded the Sea-Crossing Flying Boat back to the Flying Feather Immortal Palace.