While the Yan Family Ancestor and Mr. Xuanye, the brain trust of the Yan Family, were discussing how to leverage Yan Taibai's status as a Metal Heavenly Spiritual Root to secure the maximum benefits for both the Yan Family and Yan Taibai himself, Yan Taibai was sitting in a room within Flying Cloud Pavilion, as usual, staring intently at a yellowed and somewhat tattered ancient book.
This was an ancient book from Mr. Xuanye's personal collection that he had specifically asked for. The information and knowledge contained within it had increased the progress value of his "Reading Tens of Thousands of Books" ability by another zero point one percent.
Do not underestimate this mere zero point one percent; it meant that the information and knowledge in this book were entirely new, with nothing in the books on the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion matching them. Otherwise, it would have been just another cheap knockoff publication.
As for this spiritual root test, Yan Taibai had originally expected some face-slapping plot to unfold, but nothing of the sort happened at all. It was only after his test revealed him to be a Metal Heavenly Spiritual Root that a triple sequence of "Shocked," "Shocked," and "Shocked" popped up.
If nothing unexpected happened, the Seven Sects would soon be sending people over, and Yan Taibai would need to choose one of them, join it when he reached around the 10th Layer of Qi Condensation, and become a disciple of that sect.
In due time, he would reach Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, and even achieve Nascent Soul condensation, becoming a Nascent Soul cultivator.
Before Core Formation, he would not need to worry about bottlenecks in his cultivation; he only needed to cultivate step-by-step, naturally condensing his Golden Core and becoming a Core Formation Cultivator with the smoothness of water flowing into a canal.
This was the immense benefit brought by a Heavenly Spiritual Root. For any immortal cultivation sect or family, possessing a Heavenly Spiritual Root meant that within roughly a century, they would gain a high-level Core Formation Cultivator.
This was the pillar of an immortal cultivation sect, the equivalent of a founding ancestor to an immortal cultivation family.
Therefore, Yan Taibai already had a clear plan for which sect to join.
However, this matter also required taking the Yan Family into consideration.
After all, he was a member of the Yan Family.
Just as Yan Taibai was reading and pondering which sect the Yan Family would have him join, a familiar figure stepped into the open room. It was none other than the middle-aged scholar and mastermind of Yan Family Fortress: Mr. Xuanye.
The owner of the "new book" currently in Yan Taibai's hands.
"Your junior, Yan Taibai, pays his respects to Mr. Xuanye. Has the Ancestor summoned me?"
As soon as the man stepped inside, Yan Taibai put down his "new book" and, with his small frame, bowed respectfully to him, leaving absolutely no room for criticism.
Especially the scholarly and refined aura emanating from his person—it was completely unlike anything a three- or four-year-old toddler should possess.
"Haha! Truly clever. Well then, follow me! I have already petitioned the Ancestor; choosing which sect to join will be entirely up to you. I believe you can make a wise decision."
Seeing this, the smile on Mr. Xuanye's face grew even warmer and more satisfied as he offered a gentle reminder.
"This junior thanks Mr. Xuanye."
Hearing this, Yan Taibai felt a surge of joy in his heart, and he quickly bowed again in respectful acknowledgment.
"Mm."
Mr. Xuanye gave a slight nod, then turned to lead the way, with Yan Taibai following closely behind.
The entire journey was passed in silence. Before long, the two arrived before the door of the topmost room of Flying Cloud Pavilion. There, Mr. Xuanye halted and bowed respectfully, announcing:
"Reporting to the Ancestor, Yan Taibai has been brought here."
"Come in, both of you."
A slightly aged yet booming voice echoed from within the room, making it clear that the speaker enjoyed exceptionally robust health.
"Understood."
Hearing this, Mr. Xuanye stepped into the room first, with Yan Taibai once again following closely behind.
Upon entering, Yan Taibai kept his eyes lowered and his mind focused, adopting the very picture of an upright and proper gentleman.
He then followed Mr. Xuanye in offering a respectful bow to the red-haired elder seated in the seat of honor at the head of the room, who radiated an unforced majesty:
"Disciple Yan Taibai pays respects to the Ancestor."
"Taibai! Excellent, what a fine name. Truly as clever and exceptional as Xuanye described."
The Yan Family Ancestor beamed with a warm, amiable, and approachable smile.
He looked just like a kind and benevolent grandfather next door, yet Yan Taibai knew very well that the person before him was the grand patriarch of the entire Yan Family Fortress and a Core Formation Cultivator.
Who knew how many cultivators' lives stained his hands? He was the very man who had elevated the Yan Family to the position of the premier immortal cultivation family in Yue Country; his methods and scheming were far beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.
He could be called the undisputed "local emperor" of Yan Family Fortress.
Once he gave an order, apart from the strategist Mr. Xuanye, no one else could hope to obstruct it in the slightest.
"Thank you for the praise, Ancestor; Taibai is unworthy of such high regard."
Pulling in his stray thoughts, Yan Taibai bowed respectfully once more, impeccable in his manners and entirely unlike the obnoxious children usually found in the Yan Family.
"Mm! The reason for summoning you here has surely already been explained by Xuanye. What are your thoughts on the matter? The old man and Xuanye would like to hear your opinion."
The Yan Family Ancestor nodded with a faint smile as he inquired, his gaze growing increasingly warm and kind as he looked at Yan Taibai, instantly easing the atmosphere considerably.
Yet Yan Taibai did not dare to lower his guard in the slightest. After a moment of careful thought and deliberation, he finally spoke up and replied respectfully:
"Reporting to the Ancestor, Taibai wishes to join the Moon Masking Sect."
"The Moon Masking Sect? Can you explain why?"
Hearing this, a flash of delight crossed the Yan Family Ancestor's eyes as he pressed for an explanation.
Mr. Xuanye, too, looked at Yan Taibai with eyes full of appreciation.
"Reporting to the Ancestor, Mr. Xuanye: among the Seven Sects, the Moon Masking Sect is preeminent. It is also the strongest sect, possessing numerous cultivation techniques and divine abilities far surpassing the other sects. Most importantly, Linzhou, where our family resides, borders Xinzhou, where the Moon Masking Sect is located. In the past, the vast majority of our family's disciples joined the Moon Masking Sect, and quite a few hold high positions; if Taibai joins the Moon Masking Sect as well, there will be people to look after me."
Yan Taibai spoke unhurriedly, every word clear and distinct.
It sounded nothing like words spoken by a three- or four-year-old child.
And these were the facts. To be precise, apart from the Moon Masking Sect, the only other sect among the Seven Sects available for Yan Taibai to choose from was the Giant Sword Sect.
This was because the Giant Sword Sect primarily focused on metal-attribute cultivation techniques and was renowned for its sword-based divine abilities, making it the most suitable sect for an immortal cultivator with a Metal Heavenly Spiritual Root.
As for the Core Formation Cultivators from the other sects coming here, they were simply joining the bustling crowd and trying their luck, holding no great hope of taking Yan Taibai in.
After all, the vast majority of Yan Family Fortress disciples joined the Moon Masking Sect, with which they maintained the closest ties.
In reality, this was also a pledge of allegiance!
After all, Yan Family Fortress was not affiliated with any of the Seven Sects and remained the premier immortal cultivation family in Yue Country.
Under such circumstances, if they were to ally with other immortal cultivation families and produce yet another Nascent Soul cultivator, Yue Country would inevitably see the birth of an eighth immortal cultivation sect.
Consequently, over the years, the Seven Sects had all been secretly suppressing Yan Family Fortress.
Coming here today to recruit Yan Taibai was also a means of keeping Yan Family Fortress in check.
After all, as long as Yan Family Fortress was not foolish, they would never easily abandon a disciple of boundless potential with a Metal Heavenly Spiritual Root.
"Just as Xuanye predicted, you have chosen the Moon Masking Sect. What you said is correct; joining the Moon Masking Sect holds immense benefits both for you and for the entire Yan Family. I am deeply gratified that you were able to make this choice."
The Yan Family Ancestor beamed with gratification and a wide smile.
He was extremely satisfied with Yan Taibai's choice.
"That being the case, what is it that you desire?"