Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

Lotus City, Southern Domain Palace of the West Sea Sect.

"Xing" represents cultivation, and "gong" stands for palace—such a cultivation palace is indeed a pivotal stronghold where a sect defends its territory!

Gazing down at Lotus City from the high skies, this enormous Immortal City resembles a green lotus floating atop a vast lake.

The Southern Domain Palace is the lotus' heart.

Staring at the majestic Immortal Palace ahead, Wang Chen took a deep breath and ascended the white jade staircase.

At the end of the ninety-nine steps was a set of vermilion palace doors, studded with three hundred and sixty-five bronze knobs.

In front of the doors stood two statues of Immortal Cranes, one with its head bowed pecking for food, the other craning its neck in a high-pitched call, their white feathers and vermilion crowns lifelike!

"This is a restricted area of the palace, no loiterers allowed!"

Just as Wang Chen finished climbing the last step, two cold gazes settled upon him simultaneously.

To the left and right of the palace doors stood two towering, burly guards.

Their faces were expressionless, radiating an air of aloof indifference and ruthlessness.

Wang Chen immediately presented his identity plaque and stated solemnly, "I am Wang Chen, a newly promoted Inner Sect Disciple, here to register at the Southern Domain Palace."

The next moment, a Divine Sense swiftly swept over him.

The identity plaque in Wang Chen's hand immediately glowed faintly, casting a rune-like shadow.

An unknown, powerful Divine Sense swept over him, and the massive palace doors slowly opened to the left and right.

The obstructing guards stepped back and simultaneously lowered their arrogant heads.

To ordinary cultivators, they were lofty beings from the foremost of all Immortal Gates.

Even the servants of the West Sea Sect held higher status than Loose Cultivators!

But an Inner Sect Disciple's status could completely crush them to dust.

"Ou has the honor of meeting Senior Brother Wang."

The moment Wang Chen stepped into the Southern Domain Palace, a fair-faced Taoist boy promptly arrived and reverently greeted, "My master has been waiting for you for quite some time."

Wang Chen asked in confusion, "May I inquire who your esteemed master is?"

The Taoist boy replied with a beaming smile, "my master is White Crane True Person."

Wang Chen was taken aback, "So it is the chief Elder himself, my respects for arranging this meeting, junior brother." Experience tales with empire

Although this was his first visit, and he was not familiar with the Southern Domain Palace, he had heard the illustrious name of White Crane True Person numerous times.

The Southern Domain Palace of the West Sea Sect was co-managed by nine Elders, with White Crane True Person holding the highest authority, equivalent to the position of palace lord.

It was said that this True Person's Cultivation Level had reached Golden Core Completion, just short of a fateful opportunity to break the Golden Core to Condense the Nascent Soul.

And he had been cultivating for less than a hundred years!

Wang Chen also noticed that the Taoist boy before him exuded a Qi of Clarity, his eyes exceptionally pure, neither human nor exuding the faintest demon aura.

It was very likely he was a plant that had achieved transformation and was then enlightened to become the attendant of White Crane True Person.

Ou, could it be the spirit of a lotus root?

Musing to himself, Wang Chen followed Little Ou through the corridors and courtyards, passing by countless exotic flowers and herbs, misty pavilions, and towers, sometimes spotting Immortal Cranes strolling about, the dense Spiritual Energy refreshing both the heart and spirit.

Eventually, Wang Chen reached the very top of a nine-tiered white tower.

The highest level of this tower was empty except for a solitary meditation cushion in the center, upon which sat a white-haired man with his hair reaching the ground, meditating with his eyes closed.

Little Ou stepped forward to report, "Master, Senior Brother Wang has arrived."

The white-haired man slowly opened his eyes, revealing a faint smile, "Mmm."

Wang Chen immediately advanced to offer a grand salute, "Disciple Wang Chen, pays his respects to the True Person!"

The chief Elder of the Southern Domain Palace of the West Sea Sect, a great cultivator at Golden Core Completion, appeared deceptively young, with a handsome visage and a touch of scholarly air, exuding elegance and gentility.

Yet, his eyes betrayed a depth of immeasurable vicissitudes that saw through the affairs of the world!

White Crane True Person gave Wang Chen a most peculiar feeling, seemingly within arm's reach, yet as if separated by millions of miles.

Furthermore, within Wang Chen's perception, the True Person before him showed not the slightest fluctuation of mana.

Just like an ordinary person!

But Wang Chen was very aware that the other could easily crush him to death with a flick of their fingers.

"No need for excessive formality."

White Crane True Person gestured with his hand, "Please, have a seat and let's talk."

With a wave of his sleeve, a cushion appeared in front of Wang Chen, along with a set of tables and tea utensils.

Was he actually inviting him for tea?

Wang Chen felt a surprised yet honored sentiment: "Thank you, True Person!"

After Wang Chen sat down opposite White Crane True Person, Ou began to boil water and prepare tea for them.

White Crane True Person gave off an impressively aloof aura, very difficult to approach.

Yet, he was quite amiable towards Wang Chen, as if an elder was receiving a junior who had come to visit the elder's home—even if they were strangers before, he still accorded hospitality fitting of the etiquette.

The exchange between the two was basically White Crane True Person asking questions, and then Wang Chen answering.

However, White Crane True Person's questions were somewhat out of this world; he wasn't interested in Wang Chen's background, but was very curious about Wang Chen's experiences traversing the Jade Dragon Mountain Range.

In addition, the True Person asked three questions related to Luo Zhen.

Wang Chen had a hunch that this was the reason the other had spoken with him for so long.

A Golden Core True Person, and even at the stage of Golden Core Completion, how precious their time must be—not something to be wasted on an outsider with no backing whatsoever!

Based on this, Wang Chen inferred that Luo Zhen's true identity must be extraordinarily special!

Once the pot of Spiritual Tea was finished, exactly half a two-hour period had passed.

White Crane True Person picked up his teacup, "Cultivation is not easy, I hope you cherish it well."

Wang Chen bowed deeply, "I will heed True Person's teachings!"

White Crane True Person nodded, then fell silent.

Once again led by Ou, Wang Chen left the tower and arrived at the Sect Affairs Hall set up beneath the Palace.

After a series of processes such as bathing, cleansing, incense burning, and worshiping, Wang Chen successfully recorded his name in the Immortal Register at the Sect Affairs Hall, becoming a true member of the West Sea Sect.

Of course, he also left behind a wisp of his Divine Soul's breath.

This wisp of Divine Soul's breath wasn't used to constrain the disciples, and even if it fell into the hands of someone with malicious intent, they would not be able to do anything that would severely harm the original owner.

The main purpose of the Divine Soul's breath was to distinguish life and death, yin from yang; once a disciple perished, the sect would immediately know.

Another purpose was for sending messages.

All other procedures went very smoothly, the only issue being the use of the Transmission Array to go to the Inner Mountain Gate of the main sect which encountered some problems.

The Executor in charge of registering new members told Wang Chen that the Transmission Array in the Southern Domain Palace was activated only once a month, and unless there were special circumstances, it remained closed.

The cost to use the Transmission Array was anything but cheap!

Furthermore, the next activation of the Palace's Transmission Array wouldn't be for another ten days.

This meant Wang Chen would have to stay in Lotus City for another ten days before leaving—it wasn't something he could just walk away from instantaneously!

After some thought, Wang Chen decided to find a high-class inn to stay in.

He wasn't lacking in Spirit Stones.

But to Wang Chen's surprise, just as he had walked out of the Palace's main gate, he received a Crane Message.

As Wang Chen opened it, he felt a mix of laughter and tears!

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