Fang Che looked up.
The five people above were not wearing masks.
There was no need.
The Yixin Sect was a subordinate unit of the Wei Wo Zheng Sect; passing this trial meant becoming a member of the Wei Wo Zheng Sect, and failing meant never leaving alive.
At this stage, there was no need for any cover or pretense.
Among them, a man stood eight feet tall, exuding an imposing aura. He simply stood there, but possessed a distinctive presence.
The other three were elderly men with white hair and beards, one slightly plump, one as thin as a monkey, and the third short and round, pudgy and white, looking like a wealthy tycoon.
"There's no need to introduce identities first; after the indoctrination is complete, there will be time for introductions."
The man in the middle said.
"Yes."
The other four nodded simultaneously.
"This young man is quite fortunate. Since the establishment of our Yixin Sect, this is perhaps the only time that all five of us have performed the indoctrination together."
The man in the middle laughed heartily, giving off an unexpectedly amiable vibe.
He didn't at all resemble the notorious demon of legend.
The others joined in the laughter, with Sun Yuan saying, "This is the young man's good fortune."
Then, the man in the middle took out a disc of green incense from his bosom and extended a finger.
Sun Yuan said, "Let me do it."
"It's alright."
That man took out a knife, and with a quick slice, the tip of his finger bled profusely, the blood dripping onto the incense.
The other four were equally fervent, cutting their fingers too, allowing their blood to drip onto the incense.
They then practiced their powers, igniting the incense with the True Spirit Fire. A wisp of green smoke, entwined with a red thread, spiraled upwards, slowly being inhaled into the nostrils of the Celestial Worm God statue on the altar.
Not a wisp escaped.
When the incense was one third burnt, the eyes of the Celestial Worm God suddenly lit up.
A clump of green light tightly enveloped Fang Che's entire body.
Fang Che's heart tensed, knowing the test had begun.
Whether he could make it through depended on the Divine Power of the Celestial Worm God.
A matter of life and death!
This was the Wei Wo Zheng Sect's trial that numerous people in past lives couldn't decipher or break through.
He quietly started the Infinite Scripture's mental method, releasing control of the Five Spirits Gu within him.
During this period, he exercised the Five Spirits Gu dozens of times each day.
Tormented relentlessly by the Infinite Scripture, only to recover time and again—a cycle of stick and carrot.
All for today.
"Celestial Worm Divine, your disciple prays, for Yixin Divine Sect to accept new members, the righteous path of Wei Wo Zheng; incense as the token, blood as the catalyst; praying with true heart, hoping for your scrutiny; any with hidden agendas shall be blood enemies; those earnest in spirit shall be the core. Wei Wo Zheng Sect's greatness commands the Jianghu; sovereign over the universe, overlooking mountains and rivers!"
The man in the middle held the incense, his voice slowly chanting.
The incense burned at an increased pace.
The eyes of the Celestial Worm God became brighter and brighter.
Finally, the incense was completely burned.
The man turned and said to Fang Che, "Kneel down! Look up."
Fang Che's expression was calm as he slowly knelt down.
And looked up.
The green light in the eyes of the Celestial Worm God, in an instant, shone into Fang Che's eyes.
The green light swiftly took over his body, and the Five Spirits Gu in his Dantian were mobilized.
On Fang Che's body, a green dot appeared, slowly moving and gradually increasing in speed.
Enveloped by green light.
It seemed to be communicating with the Five Spirits Gu.
Throughout the process, Fang Che was fully conscious, but he had completely lost control of his body.
He could feel the Five Spirits Gu communicating with something.
The emotions were quite intense.
Fear, excitement, dread. As if they were accusing Fang Che of how he had maltreated them, in an incessant, long-winded litany of grievances.
There was a strong sentiment, begging 'You must stand up for me; this Fang Che is the most horrifying demon.'
Sun Yuan and the other four watched intently, surprised.
For the Five Spirits Gu were lively, much more than in any previous initiation ritual—and they were much stronger!
Moreover, this indoctrination was taking longer than usual.
Previously, it would be over in a short time; a sliver of Divine Thought from the Celestial Worm God would immediately depart.
But this time, it had already been half an hour.
And it wasn't over!
Sun Yuan's face showed a look of anxiety, but he dared not speak.
Finally… after a quarter of an hour.
The green light flashed, and a clear message was sent to everyone—the peaceful sensation of passing the trial. And there was an emotion of 'appreciation.'
The five of them were overjoyed!
Appreciation!!
It was a rare occurrence for the Celestial Worm God's Divine Thought to show emotion in all the years of Wei Wo Zheng Sect, and this time there was a clear feeling of 'appreciation.'
This was an incredible rarity!
"The indoctrination has been passed!"
The green light flickered, returning to the Celestial Worm God, and then the light in the eyes of the Celestial Worm God quietly faded away and ceased.
The man in the middle's eyes sparkled, landing on Fang Che's face as if discovering a priceless treasure.
Sun Yuan laughed heartily, saying to the Sect Leader, "Isn't my disciple exceptional?!"
Only then did Fang Che realize that this person in the middle was none other than the leader of the Yixin Sect.
The one known as 'Blood Spirit Slaughter,' the Great High Priest of the Yin Shen Palace, and the notorious terror of humanity.
So, who are these three people beside us?
"The Yixin Divine Sect Leader of the Yin Shen Palace."
Yin Shen Palace said with a smile, "This is the Great High Priest, Lv Xin Sword, Mu Lin Yuan."
Fang Che immediately greeted him with respect, the one being the slightly overweight elder with white hair.
"This is the Second Sacrificial Officer, Poison Heart Divine Ape Hou Fang."
The small and thin elder, like a monkey.
"This is the Third Sacrificial Officer, Ba lu Cai God Qian Sanjiang."
The short and chubby elder.
Fang Che greeted each one, feeling puzzled in his heart.
This Yixin Sect is somewhat incomprehensible. My insignifiant initiation ceremony actually has the Sect Hierarch and the three Great High Priests personally attending?
Isn't this showing too much face?
He couldn't help but glance at Sun Yuan.
Yin Shen Palace smiled, "Your master is also an elder within our sect."
However, to save face, he still didn't say 'these three are First Class Offerings, while your master is a Third Level elder.'
Sun Yuan knew it well in his heart, and his face flushed with embarrassment. He hurriedly reigned in his expression, maintaining a facade of righteous indignation.
Unfathomably profound.
"So the master is so powerful," Fang Che exclaimed in surprise at the right moment.
Sun Yuan's eyebrows both raised in a smile.
Yin Shen Palace gave a faint smile, then looked at Fang Che's face, "This time, boy, you have struck it rich, haven't you? The Su Family's wealth is considerable, isn't it?"
"I haven't touched it. There should be jewelry and other things in a few chests, and a few tens of millions in golden bills, I guess."
Fang Che spoke frankly, "Those are not mine. I am only keeping them safe. When elder brother Su Yue returns, everything will return to its rightful owner."
Yin Shen Palace squinted his eyes, speaking indifferently, "If he hasn't come back by the time you encounter a bottleneck in your cultivation, and you cannot obtain what is needed with your own abilities and need to use the items, what would you do?"
Fang Che replied without hesitation, "Naturally, I would use them if necessary, leaving an IOU inside the chest. I'll make up for it when I have the chance later."
"What if you haven't compensated for it, and he returns?"
"Then I'll just give him the IOU along with his belongings."
Fang Che was resolute.
The five exchanged glances.
"Persistent yet not old-fashioned, good."
Mu Lin Yuan smiled and praised.
"But still a bit too honest," Qian Sanjiang said with a grin.
"But why did the Su Family just disappear so mysteriously?" Yin Shen Palace pondered, not understanding.
Nobody could answer this question.
The Su Family's actions were too abrupt and mysterious.
Yin Shen Palace quickly moved on from this thought.
Looking at Fang Che with interest, he inquired, "I heard from your master that you have excellent talent?"
"My master is overly fond of this disciple."
"There's no need for modesty."
Yin Shen Palace's eyes flashed, recalling the Celestial Worm God's appreciation, and was involuntarily moved, "Well then, since today I have witnessed your doctrinal baptism, let's give you another benefit, depending on how much you can grasp."
Sun Yuan, on the side, couldn't contain his excitement, "The Sect Hierarch's meaning is…"
Yin Shen Palace said, "Originally, we came here for other important matters, but we happened to be present for the baptism of this young man. As such, it could be considered a serendipitous occasion. It's a chance for him, as well as for us."
"Since it's fate, it would not disappoint the Celestial Worm God's good intentions."
Yin Shen Palace continued, "Each of us four will teach you one cultivation technique, and you have only one hour. Within this hour, how much you can remember will determine how much benefit you'll receive."
He said with a merry smile, "I've heard that you can remember fist, palm, sword, and blade techniques after a single glance, mastering a cultivation technique in half a day. Today, it is also a test for you, how about it?"
With that said, the three Great High Priests all smiled.
In their view, Sun Yuan had probably exaggerated; where in the world was there such a genius? Photographic memory?
These were all profound cultivation techniques.
Swordsmanship is not just about swordplay, it requires the accompanying Sword Spirit Technique, movement techniques, and footwork. Only by combining and comprehending all these aspects can one truly master swordsmanship.
Remember at a glance?
What nonsense!
Sun Yuan exclaimed joyfully, "How can I thank the Sect Hierarch and the three elders enough?"
"Don't thank us yet; perhaps he won't remember anything," Poison Heart Divine Ape Hou Fang said ominously.
Fang Che had already immediately knelt to the ground, "Thank you, Sect Hierarch, thank you three elders! For such bestowal, Fang Che shall never forget, regardless of whether I can learn it or not, I am willing to treat you with the respect due to a master."
He spoke with sincere earnestness.
Instantly, Yin Shen Palace and the three elders felt more comfortable in their hearts.
"I am willing to treat you with the respect due to a master." Yes, that's the phrase they wanted. This was the appreciation of the Celestial Worm God, an occurrence that didn't happen for tens of thousands of years.
And for Fang Che, what did face or inner worth matter? Now that he had taken this step, he had to climb to a higher position in the Yixin Divine Sect without any hesitation!
The higher the position, the more he could do.
So, it was crucial to seize this connection with Yin Shen Palace and others as a Heavenly Ladder at all costs!
This was a tremendous boost, not something Sun Yuan could match.
Regarding treating them with the respect due to a master, it was heartfelt.
In the future, he would certainly see to their last rites!
Yin Shen Palace's voice softened, "Seeing how clever you are, boy, I originally planned to casually pass on a technique to you, but never mind. I'll teach you the Blood Spirit Seven Swords."
"Thank you, Sect Hierarch!"
Sun Yuan said with unexpected joy, while Mu Lin Yuan and the others looked at each other in astonishment.
Although the Blood Spirit Seven Swords was not the most supreme skill of Yin Shen Palace, it was the swordsmanship technique Yin Shen Palace became famous for!
The origin of Yin Shen Palace's title 'Blood Spirit Slaughter' came from the Blood Spirit Seven Swords.
Powerful and extremely ruthless!
"Pay attention!"
Yin Shen Palace drew his sword from its sheath, drifted three feet from the ground, and stood with the long sword in front of him, "Blood Spirit Seven Swords, a special sword technique supported by a Sword Spirit Technique, has its own unique cultivation pathways, and requires a combination of specific body and footwork. Missing any element will prevent you from reaching the peak. You have one chance to understand as much as you can."
......