Floating Immortal Order

TL Note: Henceforth, the term “Secret Areas” will be changed to “Secret Realms”, which more accurately reflects its nature. As such, the world that Xu Disheng lives in will be called the “Seventh Mortal Secret Realm”.
Xu Disheng shook his head. “This beggar. Do you only know how to eat and sleep or something?”
The little beggar grinned, showing his regularly cleaned white teeth. He didn’t say anything, but in his large eyes that were watching Xu Disheng, the meaning in his eyes was clear. “Daoist Sir, please give me some money, then I’ll keep talking.”
Xu Disheng lightly flicked his sleeves, not really interested in speaking with this beggar any further.
He turned around and started heading in the direction of the center of the city. As he began to walk, he said, “If you want to never have to worry about eating and drinking ever again, you can come with me.”
By the time his words sunk in, he was already 10 meters away. The beggar’s eyes went round, staring at the view of Xu Disheng’s retreating back. After a moment, he seemed to have made his decision.
The beggar stood up, not even caring about the small bowl he used to collect his money anymore. With a kick, the bowl flew off with a crash, landing who knows where.
Looking in the direction that Xu Disheng went, the beggar jogged after him, leaving the other beggars sitting in that corner of the city wall looking at each other in dismay.
Xu Disheng hadn’t been able to pinpoint the origin of that particular feeling he had about this beggar. As he walked, he spoke to the person following behind him. “You seem to be rather clever and quick-witted, so how did you end up as a beggar?”
The little beggar, who was blindly following Xu Disheng, raised his head and said, “When other people beg, they can’t earn enough to eat their fill, but I always had some extra money. Then again, in these times, if you aren’t a martial artist, there isn’t much of a difference.” With these words, the look in his bright eyes grew dim.
Since he was small, he and his older sister had relied upon each other for survival, and although he was already 11 years old, he hadn’t had his Dao Channels measured. At the Dao Channel Measurement Ceremony that took place in this city, the officials and soldiers in charge of the records saw that he was a beggar and gave him nasty looks, kicking him out of the ceremony. How could they let such a dirty beggar have his Dao Channels measured in front of so many aristocratic families and clans?
The ways of this world were quite unfair to him. Unable to measure his Dao Channels, he had no hope of cultivating Martial Techniques. He was also too young to do physically demanding labor, so he could only suffer a bitter struggle at the lowest rungs of society.
Xu Disheng nodded, apparently having pinpointed the source of that particular feeling he had. “That’s alright. Meeting me can also be considered to be your fate. What’s your name?”
The beggar replied, “This little one’s surname is Su. But I’m just a lowly beggar, how can I possibly dare to speak of my own name? Daoist Sir, you can just call me Su.”
Su walked with Xu Disheng for a little over two hours. As they walked along the main streets, Su noticed that Xu Disheng’s feet never stopped for a moment, and he already began to feel exhausted.
Su gritted his teeth and continued to lift his weary feet, placing them one after the other as he continued to follow after him.
Eventually, when Su looked up, he saw that they had already reached the center of Anyang City. Up ahead, there was a continuous stretch of imposing, rich pavilions, inspiring awe within him.
He started to wonder about the origins of this young Daoist. All this time, they had been walking in the direction of the palace complex, which was the place where the Regional Lord of the Anyang Region lived.
He didn’t dare to think too much about it. He suppressed his thoughts, once again picking up his feet, which were practically numb by this point, and continued to plod forward one step at a time.
The interior of the Shangqing Dao Palace of the Eastern Qin Province in Anyang City was a dazzling sight, decorated with gold and jade in glorious splendor. It was impressive and grand, and on the roof face of the palace were ten glittering Night Pearls. The engraved faces of the obelisks were inlaid with gold and inset with jades, giving off an extremely luxurious air.
In the host seat, a middle-aged man sat, wearing magnificent clothing. With a smile, he said, “Senior Martial Brother Qingxin, it seems that with you successfully refining a Foundation Laying Pill, there’s hope for you to reach the Dao Foundation stage. Congratulations.”
Daoist Lord Qingxin replied, “It took gathering all the power of the You Province and ten years just to refine these two Foundation Laying Pills. This spiritual medicine would be common in the Human Realm. This world is too lacking; it’s simply impossible to find these anywhere else in this world. I was even of the mind to replace it with a different spiritual medicine, but I was afraid the effects would be way less than anticipated.”
Daoist Lord Qingyu was also in the hall, and he said, “Among the outer disciples of Zhuri Mountain, this pill was still extremely precious. Junior Martial Brother Qingxin’s pill refining skills are truly impressive. Even though it offers minimal assistance with condensing the foundation of Profound Laws, being trapped in this place yet still being able to refine pills is extremely astonishing.”
These two Daoist Lords, along with the middle-aged man, Daoist Lord Shangyuan, didn’t come from the same Mountain Range in the sect. However, they were all similarly stranded in this faraway Mortal Secret Realm together, so they were all like martial brothers to each other, engaging in many mutual interactions.
Daoist Lord Shangyuan said, “You two still have hope to reach the Dao Foundation stage. Although I have 400 years of longevity left, there’s already no hope for me. I can only waste away here in mediocrity.”
Although he spoke in this manner, there was a smile on his face. Daoist Lord Shangyuan was someone who voluntarily chose to enter the Secret Realms. After all, in the Shangqing Sacred Sect, he was just a small, insignificant Sea of Qi disciple. The sect was rife with elaborate schemes and mutual deception amongst the disciples as they vied for power. Going out to do missions for the sect was always a dangerous task, and it made him feel like he was just a minute existence whom no one cared about.
In the Mortal Secret Realms, he could have a high position with a title of Daoist Lord, and have several hundreds of concubines. Even the Regional Lord of this place had to suck up to him and be respectful.
He wouldn’t leave behind this hedonistic, befuddled lifestyle, nor did he want to. He only had to deal with the periodic visits of the Secret Realms Envoy from the Affairs Hall of Wenyuan Mountain. All of the other times, he could engage in sensual pleasures and party and drink however much he wanted.
A guard entered the hall and announced respectfully, “Daoist Lord, Regional Lord sent a letter saying that a person arrived who proclaims he is from the You Province Dao Palace.”
Daoist Lord Qingxin smiled. “Senior Martial Brother Qingxin, it seems your disciple has arrived.” Then, he turned and addressed the guard. “Bring him directly to the Dao Palace.”
The guard received the order and withdrew.
Daoist Lord Qingxin lightly nodded, but Daoist Lord Qingxin’s brows were furrowed as he said, “Last time I received a letter from Yu’er, he said that he wanted to quietly and stably continue his life as the Prince, and that he had no intention to escape from this world. In the end, I guess he was just a mere aboriginal of this land, his mind too stiff to be enlightened.”
Daoist Lord Qingxin replied with a sigh, “With Yu’er’s aptitude and temperament, even if he went to the sect inspection, there’s no guarantee that he would pass. Everyone has their own ambitions, so don’t be angry, Senior Martial Brother.”
Even though disciples were temporarily accepted by them on behalf of the sect, they still had a master-disciple relationship, and Daoist Lord Qingyu had done Zhang Keyu the favor of passing his teachings on to him. In the Secret Realm, disciples were often taught and raised with sincerity, and Daoist Lord Qingyu was clearly regretful for Zhang Keyu’s decision.
Shortly after, Xu Disheng arrived outside the palace hall. He announced respectfully, “Xu Disheng wishes to see Master.”
“Come in,” Daoist Lord Qingxin replied.
When Xu Disheng entered the palace hall and saw Daoist Lord Shangyuan and Daoist Lord Qingyu, he saluted. “Greetings to both Martial Uncles.”
Daoist Lord Qingyu nodded at him.
Daoist Lord Shangyuan said amiably, “Daoist Lord Qingxin, upon closer inspection of this disciple of yours, I actually think there is a good chance that he will pass the sect’s examination.”
“Thank you for your praise, Martial Uncle,” Xu Disheng said.
Daoist Lord Qingxin waved his hand and sent out a stream of Shangqing Profound Qi, which circled once through Xu Disheng’s meridians before returning to him. With a rare look of surprise, he exclaimed, “Sheng’er, you’re about to reach the Cleansed Meridians stage? Your meridians are actually already about 70 to 80 percent filled with Shangqing Profound Qi!”
Xu Disheng nodded but didn’t speak.
Daoist Lord Qingxin shook his head and said, “After this, you don’t have to call me Master anymore. With your age and aptitude, it won’t be hard for you to pass the examination. All I did was temporarily accept you on behalf of the sect. Once you enter the Shangqing Sacred Sect, you will naturally come to understand why.”
Xu Disheng was silent. After a while, he raised his head. “Master, there’s one thing.”
“Go ahead.”
Xu Disheng looked at Daoist Lord Shangyuan and said with a salute, “Martial Uncle, I would like to borrow the Dao Channel Measuring Martial Treasure for a bit.”
“You may,” Daoist Lord Shangyuan replied. He then instructed the servants to bring the Dao Channel Measuring Martial Treasure.
The item he was referring to wasn’t the ordinary Dao Channel Measuring Stone Platform, but the item that the envoy, Zhang Kemu brought to the You Province last time. It was the Martial Treasure that looked like an ancient mirror, and was far more precious.
The Daoist Lords all looked at Xu Disheng, waiting for him to speak further.
Xu Disheng walked to the gate of the palace hall and said, “Come in.”
Su was blinded by the dazzling splendor of the Dao Palace, and there were tall waves rocking his heart. At the moment, he was in a daze, just standing there before the gate.
When he heard Xu Disheng calling him, he grunted subconsciously in agreement before walking with him into the Dao Palace.
When he looked up, he saw a middle-aged man in magnificent clothing, looking brilliant and awe-inspiring. Seated next two him were two Daoists with auras that were as deep and profound as the ocean. It was as if they immediately saw through all the secrets on his body with just one glance.