Chapter 360

Chapter 360: True Master White Crane

In Lian City, at the South Domain Palace of the West Sea Sect.

“Palace” signifies a grand hall, while "South Domain" refers to a significant location; the immortal sect palace is indeed the branch hub of the sect’s guardianship!

From a high vantage point, Lian City appears like a blue lotus floating on a vast lake.

The South Domain Palace serves as the heart of this lotus.

Gazing at the magnificent immortal palace ahead, Wang Chen took a deep breath and stepped onto the white jade stairs.

At the end of the ninety-nine steps stood a pair of vermilion palace doors, adorned with three hundred sixty-five copper buttons.

Two statues of cranes flanked the entrance, one bowing low to search for food and the other tilting its neck to call out, their white feathers and red crowns vividly lifelike!

“This is vital ground; no idle persons may enter!”

As Wang Chen finished the final step, two icy gazes landed on him simultaneously.

On either side of the palace door stood two burly strongmen, their faces expressionless, exuding an air of superiority and indifference.

Wang Chen quickly displayed his identity token and spoke in a deep voice, “New inner sect disciple Wang Chen, here to register at the South Domain Palace!”

In the next moment, a divine sense swept over him in an instant.

The identity token in Wang Chen’s hand immediately glimmered lightly, revealing an ethereal pattern resembling runes.

The formidable divine sense scanned swiftly, causing the massive palace doors to slowly open to the sides.

The blocking strongmen stepped back a pace, bowing their proud heads in unison.

To ordinary cultivators, they were among the lofty elite of the first immortal sect.

Even the servants of the West Sea Sect held a higher status than loose cultivators!

However, the identity of an inner sect disciple easily crushed them entirely.

“Little Ou pays respects to Brother Wang.”

Just as Wang Chen stepped into the South Domain Palace, a rosy-lipped, white-toothed young disciple swiftly approached and bowed respectfully, “My master has been waiting for you for quite some time.”

Wang Chen asked in confusion, “May I ask who your esteemed master is?”

The young disciple, smiling brightly, replied, “My master is True Master White Crane.”

Wang Chen was taken aback: “So it is the esteemed Chief Elder. Thank you for your guidance, junior disciple.”

Though it was his first visit and he was unfamiliar with the South Domain Palace, he had heard many times of True Master White Crane’s renowned status.

The South Domain Palace of the West Sea Sect is jointly governed by nine elders, with True Master White Crane holding the highest Authority, equivalent to that of a palace master.

It is said that this master has reached the pinnacle of Golden Core perfection, just a step away from breaking the Golden Core and condensing the Yuan Ying.

Moreover, he had achieved this in less than a hundred years!

Wang Chen also noted that this young disciple radiated a refreshing aura, his gaze exceptionally clear, neither resembling a human nor exuding any hint of spirit beast energy.

It was highly likely he was a plant spirit that had transformed, chosen as True Master White Crane’s young disciple.

Little Ou—could he be the spirit of lotus root?

Wang Chen quietly pondered as he followed Little Ou through the corridors and courtyards, marveling at the countless rare flowers and plants along the way. The buildings seemed to float ethereally, and occasionally, cranes strolled among them, the rich spiritual energy bringing a sense of peace and joy.

Finally, Wang Chen arrived at the very top of a nine-story white tower.

The highest floor of the tower was empty, save for a futon in the center, where a man with long white hair sat cross-legged, eyes closed in deep meditation.

Little Ou stepped forward to announce, “Master, Brother Wang has arrived.”

The white-haired man slowly opened his eyes, revealing a faint smile: “Hmm.”

Wang Chen immediately stepped forward and performed a deep bow, saying, “Disciple Wang Chen pays respects to the true master!”

This chief elder of the South Domain Palace of the West Sea Sect, a powerful practitioner who had achieved Golden Core perfection, appeared remarkably young, with an attractive and scholarly demeanor, exuding warmth and elegance.

However, his gaze revealed an endless depth, bearing the weight of worldly experience!

True Master White Crane gave Wang Chen a uniquely strange feeling: though he was close at hand, it felt as if a great distance separated them.

Moreover, in Wang Chen’s perception, this true master showed no signs of magical fluctuations.

He seemed just like an ordinary person!

Yet Wang Chen knew very well that with a mere flick of his finger, the master could easily crush him.

“No need for excessive formalities.”

True Master White Crane raised his hand in a gesture of invitation: “Let’s sit and talk.”

With a wave of his robe sleeve, a futon appeared before Wang Chen, along with a table and teaware.

He was actually inviting him for tea?

Wang Chen felt a mix of surprise and delight: “Thank you, true master!”

As he sat down across from True Master White Crane, Little Ou began to boil water and brew tea for the two of them.

True Master White Crane gave off an exceptionally aloof aura, seeming difficult to approach.

Yet he was quite amiable toward Wang Chen, like an elder receiving a younger relative, offering customary hospitality even without prior acquaintance.

Their conversation primarily revolved around True Master White Crane asking questions and Wang Chen responding.

However, some of True Master White Crane’s inquiries were rather unconventional; he seemed unconcerned about Wang Chen’s background but was very curious about Wang Chen’s experiences crossing the Yulong Mountain Range.

Additionally, the true master asked three questions related to Luo Zhen.

Wang Chen sensed that this was the true reason for their lengthy discussion.

A Golden Core true master, especially one at perfection, possessed invaluable time; how could he spend it on a newcomer without any background?

Thus, Wang Chen speculated that Luo Zhen’s true identity must be extraordinary!

After finishing a pot of spiritual tea, half an hour passed quickly.

True Master White Crane raised his teacup: “Cultivation is not easy; I hope you cherish it.”

Wang Chen bowed deeply: “I will heed the true master’s teachings!”

True Master White Crane nodded, and then fell silent.

With Little Ou’s guidance, Wang Chen left the tower and arrived at the sect hall established at the palace.

After a series of rituals including bathing, purification, incense burning, and offerings, Wang Chen successfully recorded his name in the immortal registry, officially becoming a true member of the West Sea Sect.

Naturally, he left behind a trace of his spiritual essence.

This spiritual essence was not for controlling the disciples; even if someone with ulterior motives obtained it, they could not cause any serious harm to the original owner.

The primary function of this spiritual essence was to discern life and death, to see the very balance of yin and yang; should a disciple fall, the sect would immediately be notified.

Another function was for communication.

All other procedures went smoothly, but there was a slight issue with using the teleportation array to travel to the inner mountain gate of the main sect.

The steward in charge of registration informed Wang Chen that the teleportation array at the South Domain Palace only opened once a month, and generally, it remained closed unless there was a special circumstance.

Using the teleportation array came at a steep price!

The next time the palace’s teleportation array would open was in ten days.

This meant Wang Chen had to stay in Lian City for another ten days; he couldn’t just leave at will!

Thinking it over, Wang Chen decided to find a high-end inn to stay at.

He wasn’t lacking in spirit stones.

But Wang Chen never expected that as soon as he stepped out of the palace doors, he would receive a letter of crane paper.

When Wang Chen opened it, he felt a mix of emotions that left him both amused and perplexed!