Cultivation is just so scientific! Chapter 1604 - 848: Ceremony (Part 2)

Right now, the hall of Luanyang Palace split into two distinct sections. The left side hosted all the male cultivators. Though their robes varied in style, every one of them displayed the Luanyang Palace emblem on their chests.

The right side consisted of female cultivators, each clad in the elegant robes typical of Luanyang Palace.

Within the group of male cultivators, Li Shiming spotted almost ten Great Cultivators he remembered from earlier trips. He had never encountered the rest, yet based on their positions, their ranks and influence matched or exceeded those familiar Great Cultivators from the mighty powers.

"Hello, Mr. Li, I am Niu Huan from the Sun-Shooting Sect!"

"Mo Bao from Guiyuan Sect, greetings to Mr. Li!"

"Ma Chu from Feiyu Sect, greetings to Mr. Li!"

A few outgoing Great Cultivators proactively approached Li Shiming with greetings, whereas the more aloof ones simply offered smiles and nods in his direction.

Nevertheless, every male Great Cultivator present understood their goal: to introduce themselves to Li Shiming and inform him that they too counted as honored connections to Luanyang Palace.

Possessing that kind of standing, forging ties would lay a stronger groundwork for future bonds.

Li Shiming responded to each greeting in turn, and thanks to the Great Cultivators' arrangements, he ended up seated in the prime position on the left.

He attempted to show modesty, yet none of the Great Cultivators would allow themselves to outrank him. Should he act overly deferential, the male Great Cultivators could end up queuing beside him in an awkward lineup.

"The Phoenix Palace Master is here!"

Following the proclamation, an elegant figure soared into the Luanyang Palace hall, her immense aura blanketing the entire space.

"A Peak Great Cultivator!" Li Shiming detected the cultivation realm of the arriving Phoenix Palace Master.

No mighty faction can be taken lightly; the Phoenix Palace Master from Luanyang Palace proved far from ordinary. Though he couldn't gauge her personal fighting prowess, the petite phoenix resting on her shoulder qualified as a Late Stage Fourth Grade Red-Gold Phoenix.

Even at the Fourth Grade Middle Stage, a Red-Gold Phoenix possessed power enough to challenge Great Cultivators.

Upon advancing to Late Stage Fourth Grade, its battle strength matched that of formidable Great Cultivators. Specifically, the Phoenix Palace's Red-Gold Phoenix approached the pinnacle of Late Stage Fourth Grade, more than able to clash with a Peak Great Cultivator.

To put it another way, the Phoenix Palace Master by herself equaled the might of two Peak Great Cultivators.

This highlights the advantages of raising elite spirit beasts. While it demands extra resources, the boost to overall fighting capability proves far more substantial.

Naturally, Li Shiming felt only mild astonishment, without much apprehension.

Though he appeared here solely via a ’Phantom Avatar,’ one endowed with the battle prowess of a standard Thunder Cultivator Great Cultivator.

Still, he had brought along five Late-stage Golden Corpses. Equipped with those five Late-stage Golden Corpses, all outfitted in outrageously superior gear, he stood ready for conflict unless facing a major force's assault.

"Luanyang Palace hasn't witnessed an occasion this magnificent in ages. My thanks to all fellow Daoists for joining the initiation rite of our fresh disciple Yin Shilan!" The Phoenix Palace Master descended onto the central seat within the hall, offering a slight bow to the male cultivators on the left while addressing them.

Her eyes lingered on Li Shiming, brimming with intrigue upon detecting his ’Phantom Avatar.’

As a Peak Great Cultivator, she readily perceived the extraordinary nature of Li Shiming’s ’Phantom Avatar.’

Without prior knowledge that Li Shiming attended via a ’Phantom Avatar,’ she might have mistaken it for an authentic flesh-and-blood form.

At the same time, she formed a sharp insight into Li Shiming’s capabilities. Granting a ’Phantom Avatar’ the might of a Thunder Cultivator Great Cultivator indicated his mastery over Thunder Cultivation far surpassed expectations.

Not even she, despite being a Peak Great Cultivator, could craft an energy clone matching the caliber of Li Shiming’s ’Phantom Avatar.’

Li Shiming remained composed under the scrutinizing look from the Phoenix Palace Master. With his present power level, unless Luanyang Palace sought outright enmity, they wouldn't risk attacking his ’Phantom Avatar.’

He grinned and joined the other male cultivators in saluting back, honoring her role as palace master.

"The initiation ceremony starts now. Ancestors of Luanyang, please manifest!" The Phoenix Palace Master pivoted and gave a gentle bow toward the long table ahead in the hall as she declared.

A burst of radiance flared, and atop the long table materialized a phoenix sculpted from jade.

As the jade-carved phoenix emerged, Li Shiming noticed his ’Phantom Avatar’ quivering. Surprisingly, this mere statue affected his form.

Amid his shock, he realized this jade-carved phoenix must be a supreme artifact, although he remained ignorant of its unique powers beyond serving as the ceremonial ancestral token.

The Phoenix Palace Master's face held utmost gravity, and every participant in the rite displayed nothing short of deep veneration for Luanyang Palace's ancestral token.

Next, Master Li escorted Yin Shilan inside. For the occasion, Yin Shilan wore the formal palace gown, Luanyang Palace's customary attire.

Guided directly by the Phoenix Palace Master, the ritual unfolded step by step, as Yin Shilan advanced to honor Luanyang's ancestral token.

Once her homage concluded, a beam of spirit light shot from Luanyang's ancestral token, settling upon her.

"Yin Shilan, in recognition of your services to Luanyang Palace, following my recommendation and the elders' approval, as you join us, you'll be elevated to core disciple status in Luanyang Palace. Behold this Red-Gold Phoenix egg, a gift from Luanyang Palace to you. May you train assiduously and fulfill Luanyang Palace’s hopes!" The Phoenix Palace Master retrieved the egg and passed it to Yin Shilan, proclaiming with gravity.

Li Shiming cast a startled look at Master Li, who mirrored the astonishment on his features. Evidently, the Phoenix Palace Master's idea hadn't been shared with Master Li in advance.

Yin Shilan happily took hold of the Red-Gold Phoenix egg. No need for her to ponder the tangled matters; that mentioned contribution surely stemmed from Li Shiming.

Her delight sprang from now owning a Red-Gold Phoenix herself; Little Feng would gain a partner.

Ever since pairing as Daoist companions with Li Shiming, she enjoyed time with Little Feng and the Illusion Spirit Dragon. Thanks to the Illusion Spirit Dragon's cloaking ability, plus a woman's innate attraction to stunning phoenixes, she had long yearned for her very own Red-Gold Phoenix.

"Thank you, Palace Master!" Yin Shilan snapped out of her daze and voiced her thanks to the Phoenix Palace Master.

"Congratulations to Yin Fairy; from Central State Commerce, I offer this gift!"

"Congratulations to Yin Fairy; Beidou Sect offers a gift!"

Now, the Great Cultivators from the left advanced sequentially to offer congratulations to Yin Shilan and deliver their presents.

One mustn't spurn the goodwill of guests, so upon Yin Shilan seeking Li Shiming's cue with a glance, his subtle nod prompted her to receive every offering.

The Phoenix Palace Master observed with a smile, fully aware that bestowing core discipleship on Yin Shilan—complete with a Red-Gold Phoenix egg at initiation—owed entirely to Li Shiming.

Maybe prior to Li Shiming’s ’Phantom Avatar’ arriving on the Central State Continent, the Phoenix Palace Master might have heeded Master Li's wishes, planning to provide Yin Shilan a Red-Gold Phoenix in the near future.

Yet, the fervent interest from Central State Continent's superpowers in Li Shiming alerted the Phoenix Palace Master to his value; this tie to Luanyang Palace promised vast gains.

A key concern weighed on the Phoenix Palace Master. Yin Shilan didn't enter Luanyang Palace initially but joined via Li Shiming after becoming his Daoist companion.

This implied Luanyang Palace held limited sway over Yin Shilan. Considering Li Shiming's crucial role, Luanyang Palace had to ramp up its efforts toward Yin Shilan, fostering her loyalty to the palace beyond mere access to Cultivation Techniques.

Besides the male cultivators' offerings, several Luanyang Palace female cultivators came forth too, extending their gifts.

They grasped the perks of allying with Yin Shilan, recognizing this as prudent social etiquette rather than mere scheming.

Likely, solely Yin Shilan’s initiation ceremony featured such splendor; typical rites stayed formal at best, without hordes of observers or gift presentations.