"Let's go, let's take a look at the mountain peak."

Instead of rushing directly to the top of the mountain, it's step by step climbing. By the time Qi Xiu and Bai Qingfeng reached the summit of Jiantian Peak, it was noon.

Standing atop the highest peak of the Kun Gu Mountain Range, the roaring wind wrapped in biting cold whistles by. Standing above the mountains, overlooking the vast land, two lines of poetry from a past life naturally emerge in Qi Xiu's mind.

To reach the top of the mountain, and see all the peaks small!

The fierce wind blows, making the Daoist robe flutter audibly. Qi Xiu is very satisfied with the mountain gate location he has chosen.

"Now that it's decided, I'll contact people to start constructing the mountain gate."

Seeing Qi Xiu's satisfied expression, Bai Qingfeng also nods.

Currently, the whole Primordial Sect consists of only him and Qi Xiu, so naturally, all these miscellaneous tasks within the sect fall on his shoulders first.

"No need, it's a simple matter, I'll manage it myself."

With a wave of his large sleeve, under Bai Qingfeng's surprised gaze, a wolf hair ink brush materializes in Qi Xiu's hand, its shaft exuding a divine marvel, akin to an immortal official's celestial brush.

"It's been a while since I painted, I don't know if my skills have become rusty."

Dipping the brush tip lightly in the void, endless colorful hues flow instantly. Qi Xiu chuckles softly, his robes fluttering like an immortal descending to the world, holding the wolf hair ink brush, with a gentle wave.

In an instant, myriad colorful clouds surge forth like a torrent.

The colorful hues are brilliant and dazzling, rapidly enveloping the originally snow-piled, steeply rising mountain peak.

The accumulated snow that has piled up for countless years quickly melts under the reflection of the colorful clouds, and the hard rocks seem to be smoothed by an invisible big hand. In the blink of an eye, it transforms into a flat and spacious platform.

After this, Qi Xiu does not pause, he waves the wolf hair ink brush in his hand once more.

Light entwines, as if a spring surges, one by one, ancient, exquisite, and elegant pavilions and palaces come into existence out of thin air.

These pavilions and palaces, with carved beams and painted pillars, soaring eaves and brackets, emit a mysterious and enchanting aura, appearing as if manifested from an immortal realm in a painting.

Each pavilion has its unique charm, with intricate patterns carved on the vermilion doors and windows. Between the pavilions, winding corridors connect them. On the roofs of the palaces, golden tiles glisten, reflecting with the colorful clouds.

A gentle breeze passes by, and the ribbons around the pavilions and palaces lightly flutter, producing a pleasing sound.

The air is filled with a faint fragrance, akin to the aura of an immortal realm.

Qi Xiu stands quietly on the mountain peak, looking at the dreamlike and illusionary scene before him, and a satisfied smile appears on his face.

This immortal realm created by his own hands will become a one-of-a-kind existence in the world, drawing countless people's fascination and yearning.

"This..."

Watching Qi Xiu wield the brush to transform the place into a building complex like an ethereal palace, Bai Qingfeng is dumbfounded.

"Is this truly something that can be achieved by human effort?"

With a thought, creating objects out of thin air!

Even a Primordial Spirit True Honor couldn't do it with such ease and liberty.

"Now that we have the mountain gate, the next step is to recruit sect members."

Turning around, he casually closes Bai Qingfeng's gaping mouth, Qi Xiu steps into the mountain gate residence he created through divine marvel painting.

"I plan to recruit the first batch, initially a hundred people, what do you think?"

Walking on the smooth and ascending steps, Qi Xiu sizes up the surrounding structures while conversing with Bai Qingfeng beside him.

"It's not about the number, but how to select them. Though our Primordial Lineage does not prioritize aptitude and bloodline, we can't have no threshold for recruitment, to avoid attracting people of ill motive.

There is one more important point."

Pausing for a moment, Bai Qingfeng raises his eyes to look at Qi Xiu, his expression showing a hint of helplessness:

"Now the entire sect has just us two. If disciples are recruited, who will teach them, you or me?"

The establishment of a sect aristocracy often requires the joint effort of several generations to complete.

Unlike Qi Xiu, where two people, find a mountain and want to open a sect right away, not to mention in today's world, even going back through the Ancient Times, has never been this casual.

"These one hundred people are the first batch of disciples for my Primordial Sect's grand opening of the mountain gate. I have decided to personally assess and select them as the foundation of our sect.

Our Primordial Lineage differs from other Daoist inheritances.

Practicing under borrowed methods allows cultivation progress to be much faster than other Daoist inheritances.

The only thing to be cautious of is the issue of mental state caused by overly rapid progress.

Therefore, I will personally tutor each of these one hundred people one-on-one. Once they succeed, they will be the pillars of our Primordial Sect, the roots for branching out and flourishing."

On the peak of the mountain, inside the Sect Master Hall, Qi Xiu gently pushed open the door. Right in front of the solemn and majestic hall, an upright Taishi Chair was placed.

He took slow steps forward and leaned down to sit.

The next instant!

Numerous buildings on Jiantian Peak emitted a golden light, and from the void, boundless mystical energy descended from the heavens, transforming into an imposing pillar of light where myriad paths resonated, dragons and phoenixes circled, and golden lotuses emerged, piercing straight into Qi Xiu's body.

Seated on the Taishi Chair, Qi Xiu's expression was calm and natural. As the vast pillar of light poured down, the image of an ancient and majestic figure appeared behind him, flanked by dragons and tigers, surrounded by purple aura, with Yellow Turban Strongmen standing by decree, and underfoot, a rolling Qingyun with countless lotus blossoms slowly emerged.

This was indeed the Hunyuan Daoist!

Watching the magnificent and world-shaking scene before him, Bai Qingfeng's eyes were moved, and he couldn't help but kneel down, calling out loudly:

"Disciple Bai Qingfeng, pays respects to the Supreme Sect Leader!"

...

"I've explained to you many times already. The Sect Master stated that the apprentice recruitment this time is personally appointed by him. Even if you sit here for a hundred years, I still can't let you in."

Outside the mountain gate of Jiantian Peak, the expression of Bai Qingfeng was helpless as he looked at the man stubbornly kneeling in front of the mountain gate, persuading him kindly.

"Please inform the True Monarch, as long as he's willing to see me and tell me personally that he doesn't want to take me, I, Xiahou, will not pester anymore."

The man kneeling on the steps of the mountain gate lifted his head. On his face with cloud-like birthmarks, his eyes were determined and persistent.

"You... sigh..."

Looking at Xiahou Shan, who had been kneeling at the gate for three months, Bai Qingfeng shook his head softly. He didn't know how this child learned about the recruitment of sect members by their Primordial Sect and found his way here.

But Qi Xiu had clearly stated that he would personally select these hundred disciples, preferring quality over quantity.

And this person in front of him... how could the Sect Master accept him?

Just as Bai Qingfeng turned to leave, a gentle breeze suddenly brushed past from behind, causing his expression to freeze at once:

"Sect Master..."

"He hasn't left yet?"

Arriving at the mountain gate, Qi Xiu appeared indifferent, standing with sleeves gathered.

"No, despite being persuaded multiple times, he still doesn't listen. Should I force him to leave?" Shaking his head, Bai Qingfeng frowned.

Xiahou Shan is a member of the Shenxiao Sect.

Though Qi Xiu had left the Shenxiao Sect, as someone in the know, Bai Qingfeng was naturally aware that his relationship with the Shenxiao Sect had not been severed.

So he had been kindly persuading Xiahou Shan.

If it were someone else, they would have already been chased down the mountain with sticks by now.

"Enough, I'll speak to him myself."

Waving his hand, Qi Xiu was actually well aware of Xiahou Shan's purpose in coming here. However, due to his affection for the Shenxiao Sect, he was unwilling to accept this genius with an Innate Dao Body.

Slowly opening the mountain gate, Qi Xiu cast his eyes down, gazing at Xiahou Shan, still kneeling at the mountain entrance.

"The Shenxiao Sect has nurtured you for so many years. Do you truly wish to leave your sect and abandon your master to join my Hunyuan?"

Upon hearing Qi Xiu's voice, Xiahou Shan lifted his head in surprise, but upon hearing Qi Xiu's question, his expression froze, and a hint of sadness appeared. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"I know what you are thinking, the ailment of the Innate Dao Body, I can help you alleviate it. Once it's done, you should return."

Upon hearing these words from Qi Xiu, Xiahou Shan first felt a sense of astonishment, then his face suddenly flushed red, clenching his fists tightly.

"Do you think that my persistent plea to become your disciple is merely for the ailment of the Dao Body?"

"Isn't it?"

"Of course not!"

Standing up angrily, Xiahou Shan took a few deep breaths, his chest heaving, raising his bright and determined eyes to lock firmly onto Qi Xiu in front of him.

"Enough, right or wrong, the True Monarch has long decided in his heart, even if I explain, it would be a waste of breath.

Sorry for disturbing!"

Though filled with anger in his heart, Xiahou Shan still respectfully bowed deeply to Qi Xiu, observing every courtesy, and then decisively turned to leave.

Watching the departing figure of Xiahou Shan, Qi Xiu's calm and composed eyes couldn't help but ripple slightly, a light chuckle in his heart.

Ha, that stubborn temperament does somewhat resemble mine.

...