Chapter 485: Chapter 473: Immortal Martial Reform
At the main peak of Immortal Martial Mountain, after a pair of newcomers departed, everyone’s gaze gradually focused on the floating White Jade Square. The fairies who performed song and dance had already left, likely because Immortal Martial Mountain had other arrangements.
Hong Xuanji stepped out and stood on the White Jade Square, facing the immortals, his expression solemn.
He spoke loudly, "Since the Era of Mythology, Earth Civilization has seen frequent appearances of immortals, and the civilization of cultivation has flourished brilliantly. Even ordinary people possess the right to pursue longevity.
Immortal Martial Mountain has been established for four centuries. During these four hundred years, my master, the Martial Immortal, has nurtured disciples and built the mountain gate’s formidable reputation, making unprecedented contributions to Earth Civilization alongside the disciples.
We have fought alien races, embarked on expeditions to the Otherworld, slain Venerables, and Immortal Martial Mountain has contributed greatly to Earth Civilization and also benefited from its merits.
Immortal Martial Mountain has over six hundred True Disciples, together with honored guests and elders, totaling less than two thousand people. Although talent is abundant, the momentum is indeed not strong.
The local population of Earth has already exceeded five trillion, and the Divine Land also has billions. On this vast land with its multitude, there must be plenty of exceptional talents and promising jade.
For the rise of the Divine Land, for the rise of the Human Race, Immortal Martial Mountain has recently decided to open the door wide and cultivate a hundredfold more disciples than the current number.
Immortal Martial Mountain will hold trials annually across various regions of the Divine Land, selecting young people with outstanding physique, perception, and temperament based on talent.
The standards for recruiting disciples will be open and fair, ensuring that the populace will not be confused, indignant, or degenerate.
Billions of people need hope, and Immortal Martial Mountain is willing to give it to them!
Everyone possesses infinite hope, and only then can Earth Civilization have warriors who advance bravely, can safeguard a pure land, and become even stronger!"
Such bold declarations stirred the blood of the thousands of immortals present, confirming that Immortal Martial Mountain indeed has this responsibility.
It’s not just empty slogans but the actual expenditure of precious cultivation resources.
Why are there so few True Disciples in the Immortal Holy Land? It’s because resources are limited; the more disciples there are, the fewer resources each will get.
"Magnificent! Immortal Martial Mountain’s actions benefit all beings and will surely alleviate the internal conflicts of Earth Civilization, igniting the flame of hope for civilization!"
True Immortals close to Immortal Martial Mountain had received the news in advance and naturally stepped out now to offer unreserved praise and compliments.
Various sects and Holy Land Half-Step Immortals did not offer objections, instead were smiling, seemingly already prepared.
Hong Xuanji knew that even though Immortal Martial Mountain will proceed with its own affairs, it must not affect the interests of other Immortal Holy Lands.
The best approach is for everyone to contribute and share the benefits; otherwise, if only Immortal Martial Mountain reforms, though the reputation will be theirs, it will inevitably make other Holy Lands appear lacking, and thus resentment would arise.
"The reform plan of Immortal Martial Mountain will be announced to the world tomorrow.
Next year, Immortal Martial Mountain will hold trials, initially recruiting ten thousand Outer Sect disciples between the ages of twelve to eighteen, with the quota increasing annually.
Disciples will be assessed based on physique, perception, will, and combat power; anyone meeting the criteria can become an Outer Sect disciple of Immortal Martial Mountain, thereby receiving the instruction of Cultivation Techniques and obtaining cultivation resources.
Those with exceptional qualities may, after assessment, become Inner Sect disciples, and for the Nine Veins of Immortal Martial Mountain, all True Immortals have the qualification to accept True Disciples."
Hong Xuanji pointed to the four corners of the White Jade Square, which were specifically prepared.
He said, "To celebrate our reform, Immortal Martial Mountain has prepared many generous gifts.
Four arenas can give rise to four champions, each representing the strongest in physique, perception, aptitude, and combat power.
Those who ascend the stage must be young individuals under one hundred years old."
The rules are simple; anyone can climb the four high platforms, and attempting to ascend them is inherently challenging, a feat only achievable by those favored by the heavens.
Once there is a first person, the difficulty in ascending will rise according to the level of the champion, and the next person attempting to reach the top must surpass the champion.
"May I ask, can a single person ascend all four platforms?"
The Son of War God Yafu stepped forward; since everyone can climb, naturally, one person can ascend each.
"Yes." Hong Xuanji replied, "The aspects of physique, perception, and will are divided into Earth Immortal, Celestial Immortal, and True Immortal three levels, while combat power requires single-realm assessment."
Among them, aside from combat power needing a single-realm assessment, physique, perception, and will are only partially related to realm and age.
Many things become settled once a person reaches adulthood; although cultivation level will steadily rise, major changes require growth in Great Realms.
As for physique and perception, they are mostly innate, only improving noticeably with an increase of a complete Great Realm or a decade or two in age, or by consuming Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.
Willpower primarily undergoes significant change with breakthroughs in spiritual cultivation.
Four prizes suddenly appeared on the four high platforms: Celestial Grade Celestial Treasure, Peak of Earth Tier Super Grade Pills, piles of Spirit Crystals resembling small mountains, and a set of Celestial Tier Battle Armor.
These prizes hold immense appeal for disciples at the Earth Immortal Realm in the mountain gate, not to mention the chance to appear before the immortals; why not strive for it?
Hongze was equally tempted, not for the prize, but for the sake of his master Wang Xuan’s reputation, and the dignity of Immortal Martial Mountain, he would also fight for it!
Controlling the Sky, he first ascended the platform testing physique. As a cultivator of the Creation True Scripture, his cultivation aptitude has been transforming, his innate physique is superior; in terms of physique, he is absolutely not lacking!
The Young King of the True Holy Sect glanced at the Young God of the Ancient Divine Teachings. The rivalry between the two sects was longstanding, and the two were often in competition.
The Young King headed towards the platform to test willpower, while the Young God rushed towards the platform to test insight.
...
As soon as the child was born, Wang Xuan tossed his son, Wang Zhu, into the Ten Thousand Years Earth Milk for a bath, while he attended to his wife.
The Ten Thousand Years Earth Milk was born from ancient Dragon Veins, and Earth Civilization temporarily lacked such resources. Though there were many Spirit Veins, they lacked Dragon Veins capable of transforming creatures into dragons.
Only Dragon Veins with life force comparable to Immortal Creatures could nurture Earth Milk, and the annual yield was pitiably low.
Wang Zhu splashed in the jade basin filled with diluted Earth Milk, pores breathing in the air, not drowning, just occasionally choking on water, mouthful after mouthful of Earth Milk entering his belly.
Lin Cheng looked concerned: "Won’t the child drown?"
Wang Xuan casually replied: "Rest assured, he inherited my Purple Blood Golden Body constitution. Even submerged a hundred meters deep in the sea, he wouldn’t drown.
Given his life force, soaking in lava might still be a challenge, but conventional natural disasters pose no threat to him."
Even if he were just a baby left alone in a forest for a year or two, Wang Zhu wouldn’t starve or die of thirst; his constitution is frighteningly robust.
"Will gulping down his bathwater cause him tummy troubles?" Lin Cheng anxiously asked.
Wang Xuan comforted her: "Bathing in Earth Milk will only benefit his body, enhancing his aptitudes and making future cultivation easier.
Though it’s bathwater, it’s still his own, and the precious Earth Milk shouldn’t be wasted.
If he doesn’t drink it, then who will?"
Wang Xuan placed a hand on Lin Cheng’s abdomen; nurturing an Immortal Embryo exhausted terrifying amounts of Primordial Qi, requiring careful recuperation.
Otherwise, it would not only affect future cultivation but also reduce longevity.
After a while, once the child had drunk most of the bathwater, Wang Xuan finally directed his gaze at him.
After the bath, the child’s skin had become smooth and tender, looking incredibly cute.
Wang Xuan lifted Wang Zhu, placing him in front of Lin Cheng, rocking him gently: "See, isn’t the child no longer ugly?"
"Chubby, seems to weigh over ten pounds, no wonder it hurt so much during birth." Lin Cheng puckered her lips at the child, "Xuan, the child looks a lot like you, maybe one-fourth like me."
"A child resembling his father; it would be odd if he didn’t resemble us."
After rocking for a while, the child let out a gurgle, vomiting two mouthfuls of water before burping with a sense of fullness.
That huge basin of bathwater was almost too much for him.
Wang Xuan felt much happier, yelling "Chun Shui, bring this basin of bathwater to the Golden Turtle to drink. Right, don’t tell it this is Wang Zhu’s bathwater."
Though Earth Milk is precious, considering Wang Zhu drank a bellyful, he wouldn’t press him further.
"You are so cheeky." Lin Cheng held the child in her arms, "Though the child is healthy, he can’t withstand your antics. I must keep an eye on you."
"I’m his dad, wouldn’t harm him," Wang Xuan replied.
Boys might be pampered occasionally, but should also endure hardships; a rough upbringing for a boy, a rich upbringing for a girl.
Wang Xuan had already planned, once the child grew a bit, to travel the world with him.
Of course, navigating the wilderness and sleeping outside, relying on legs, wasn’t avoidable.
The child pulled a disgruntled face, seeming to lament.
Most of the hardships in his bitter life would probably originate from his father.
No wonder he cried so pitifully at birth; everything had been predestined, fate had already hinted.
Outside Black and White Mountain, the Dominator—Golden Turtle raised the jade basin, gulping down the Earth Milk, finally licking the basin with satisfaction.
"Such a good thing." The Golden Turtle sighed, "This wedding feast is one of my happiest moments."
It’s likely only on such a joyous occasion that Wang Xuan, in his joy, would bestow such a precious thing upon it.
Wang Xuan truly is a good person, a great benefactor.
Chun Shui, nearby, hesitated before speaking.
She opened her mouth, finally saying: "The Mountain Lord has kept you in mind, otherwise he wouldn’t have ordered me to bring this treasure to you.
In Black and White Mountain, your status is only second to the Young Master."
