Chapter 195: Joining the Sect

A few days later.

Lin Jing arrived at the mountain gate of Thousand Illusion Mountain on the Senluo Province.

On the way, he had done plenty of research on Thousand Illusion Mountain.

Unlike the Sects in the Ancient Kingdom that recruited Disciples once every few years, most Sects in Qingzhou recruited all the time.

Thousand Illusion Mountain was the same; it had a specific peak dedicated to testing those who wished to join the mountain gate.

The assessment was divided into Mortal assessment and Cultivator assessment.

Lin Jing did not intend to hide his Middle Stage Foundation Establishment cultivation; having too low a cultivation would be disadvantageous for finding opportunities to learn Thousand Illusion Mountain’s Spells.

However, whether it was the Mortal assessment or the assessment for Loose Cultivators, they all had to pass the most important trial.

The Illusionary Heart Array.

This was an illusionary array set up by an expert from Thousand Illusion Mountain. After entering the array, if one’s purpose for joining Thousand Illusion Mountain was impure, they would lose their mind and expose their true intentions.

“An illusionary array—”

Regarding this Illusionary Heart Array, Lin Jing wasn’t particularly worried. It wasn’t because he relied on his own attainments in the Illusion Dao, but because with the Ice Soul Gu parasitic within him, he could hardly be deluded; the Ice Soul Gu would naturally help him freeze his mind.

“You wish to join Thousand Illusion Mountain?”

At the foot of Immortal Ascension Peak of Thousand Illusion Mountain, a plump old man in purple Daoist robes stroked his beard and sized up Lin Jing.

“Reaching the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment at such a young age, your talent is impressive. Why do you want to join Thousand Illusion Mountain?”

Lin Jing said, “Answering Senior, this Junior is an orphan who has cultivated with my Master since childhood. Not long ago, my Master passed away. Because I have some talent in the Illusion Dao, before he died, my Master suggested I join Thousand Illusion Mountain to Cultivate, saying I would surely become a powerful Cultivator.”

“A Loose Cultivator? What was your Master’s title, and what is your name?” the Golden Core Stage old man asked.

“I only know my Master’s title was ‘Immortal Master Huang Song’. As for this Junior—my name is Yellow Universe.”

“Never heard of him.” The old man curled his lip, not caring; there were too many nameless Loose Cultivators. He said, “With your Aptitude, as long as you pass the Illusionary Heart Array, joining Thousand Illusion Mountain won’t be a problem at all.”

“However, Disciples with your Aptitude are as numerous as ox hairs in Thousand Illusion Mountain. since you’re joining the Sect midway, without guidance, even if you have decent talent in the Illusion Dao, it won’t be easy to become a True Disciple.”

The old man sighed with a knowing expression.

Lin Jing’s heart bled, but he still took out a bag of Mid-Grade Spirit Stones and handed them to the old man.

“Senior, these few Spirit Stones are a small token of my respect. Please, Senior… give this Disciple some guidance.”

“You Loose Cultivators always like doing this. Once you join Thousand Illusion Mountain, you must absolutely stop this practice.”

“However, seeing your earnestness in seeking the Dao, this old man will make an exception.” The old man pocketed the Spirit Stones and said, “Go through the Illusionary Heart Array first; other tests can be skipped.”

“Once you pass the Illusionary Heart Array, I will immediately find someone to arrange an Inner Mountain Disciple identity for you and grant you an opportunity to enter the ‘Divine Beast Hall’.”

“The Divine Beast Hall contains many statues and murals of powerful Yao Beasts from the outside to the inside, embodying their divine charm.”

“If you can manifest the essence of a powerful Yao Beast within it, you will quickly distance yourself from ordinary Disciples. This chance to enter the Divine Beast Hall is very rare; usually, Disciples need to exchange merit points for it. Getting it right after joining will save you a lot of trouble!”

The old man chuckled and pointed to the small path leading up the mountain. “Go on, it’s only a hundred meters.”

Lin Jing, using the alias “Yellow Universe,” nodded. This old guy was alright; at least he got things done after taking a bribe.

Yellow Universe, Yellow Universe—reversed, it’s Universe Yellow, symbolizing his ambition.

Great Emperor Yuhuang.

As for the so-called Illusionary Heart Array, Lin Jing walked through it with ease. According to his perception, it could at most affect the minds of Cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage; he could ignore it just with his own attainments in the Illusion Dao.

Of course, this was related to the fact that Lin Jing’s attainments in the Illusion Dao couldn’t be judged by common logic; after all, they were gained from enlightenment under the Golden Bodhi Tree.

As for Loose Cultivators above the Nascent Soul stage joining Thousand Illusion Mountain, they probably wouldn’t have to go through this Illusionary Heart Array; the Sect Master would surely come out to negotiate in person.

“Not bad.” After Lin Jing passed the Illusionary Heart Array, the plump old man in purple robes flickered in front of him, looking at him with a smile.

“Yellow Universe, right? Wait a moment, I’ll call a Disciple to take you into the mountain!” He took out a jade pendant, and after inputting mana, a streak of light soon flew out from Thousand Illusion Mountain.

During this time, Lin Jing had already received a Cultivation Technique from the plump old man.

The Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment chapters of the Thousand Illusion Great Canon. After cultivation, it allows mana to naturally possess Illusion Dao properties. Depending on the depth of one’s cultivation, it can deceive the Divine Sense of Cultivators one or two major Realms higher and grant illusions the ability to cause significant mental damage. Using this mana as a Foundation to practice Illusion Dao Spells would yield twice the result with half the effort.

“Although I don’t know what technique you’re currently practicing, you should switch as soon as possible while your cultivation is still low. If you want to continue on the Illusion Dao, a Illusion Dao Cultivation Technique is essential, you understand? If you perform illusions with mana from other techniques, you can at most exert sixty percent of its potential. But with the enhancement of Thousand Illusions True Essence, the effect of the illusions can be doubled!”

“This Disciple understands!” Lin Jing naturally had no intention of switching techniques. After all, he didn’t plan to truly pursue the Illusion Dao; he was only using it as a temporary measure in Qingzhou.

For someone like him who found cultivation difficult, the Beast Taming Art was more suitable.

Moreover, as a Cultivation Technique, if one set aside the traits of “illusions carrying mental damage” and “being accessible to most people for entry-level cultivation,” the Thousand Illusion Great Canon was completely crushed by the Thousand Transformations he had comprehended in Bodhi Heaven.

Thousand Transformations could allow him to deceive across three levels. Of course, the current Thousand Transformations was pure deception; the terrifying pressure it simulated could hardly cause substantial damage to enemies. In this regard, it was somewhat inferior to the Thousand Illusions True Qi.

However, for Lin Jing, who had already joined Thousand Illusion Mountain, his goal was precisely to use the various Illusion Dao techniques and Spells here to make up for this deficiency and improve his own Illusion Dao attainments.

“Second Uncle, you were looking for me.” The young man summoned by the plump old man arrived.

This Middle Stage Foundation Establishment youth was obese with flickering eyes, not looking like a good person.

“How many times have I told you? Use my official title when in the Sect!” The plump old man glared at him.

“Ah, Deacon You, what are your orders!”

“This is Yellow Universe, a Loose Cultivator Genius who just passed the assessment and joined our Thousand Illusion Mountain. His talent meets the standard for entering the ‘Divine Beast Hall’. Take my handwritten order and hand it to Elder Qin, who guards the hall.”

“Yes, Second Uncle.” The plump Disciple looked like he would surely complete the task.

Then, he looked at Lin Jing and said with a chuckle, “Junior Brother Huang, since you joined Thousand Illusion Mountain through my Second Uncle, I’ll be looking out for you from now on. Come, Senior Brother will take you to the Divine Beast Hall first!”