Infinite Professions

"Taiyi... Daoist Palace?"

Mei Daoist furrowed his brows, and the others revealed a mix of surprise and doubt in their eyes.

This question from Mei Daoist was actually posed with a probing intent.

Probing what?

The origins, naturally!

Whether they belonged to the Mystic Sect Orthodox Sect or the Heterodox Dao.

Although this Cyan Nether Sword Master possessed unrivaled strength, comparable to even the Seven Taiyuan Cultivators, the various sects had never understood his origins, nor did they know about his cultivation technique or sword technique.

This left the sects with lingering doubts.

Compared to strength, they valued origins more.

This is not the sects being conservative or old-fashioned; rather, origins represent greater strength and more stable connections.

So-called Mystic Sect Orthodox Sect essentially refers to the legacy of ancient immortals and buddhas, with each sect corresponding to one or even several great powers. With such a background, a sect can be called Mystic Sect Orthodox Sect.

Without support from an Upper Realm ancestor, no matter how strong your personal strength is, limited by the world, you can at most become a Divinity Transformation reverend, reign for two or three thousand years, and then either ascend to the Upper Realm or perish as your lifespan ends.

By then, the sect you established is doomed to decline unless another person like you emerges.

This is why, since ancient times, throughout countless years, Heterodox Sects have always been suppressed by the Orthodox Sect, unable to break out despite numerous attempts.

It’s not that Heterodox Sects lack talent; in fact, Heterodox Sects have produced exceptionally strong individuals who could overpower the two Orthodox Sects. But those people prefer not to engage in short-term disputes with you; no matter how strong you are, I will seal my mountain gate, and if you’re capable, attack my mountain gate formation or never ascend.

Once you ascend, and your apprentices and descendants fail to follow, the Orthodox Sect will immediately settle scores with your sect. Moreover, after you ascend to the Upper Realm, the immortal and demon ancestors of both Orthodox Sects will be welcoming to you regardless.

This is the reason for the weakness of Heterodox Sects.

No one in the Upper Realm!

But if you are from the True Righteous Dao, the situation is entirely different. In deference to Upper Realm ancestors, even if you have a succession gap or suffer a tragic demise at the hands of enemies, fellow sects will unite to help your descendants re-establish the mountain gate and continue the lineage.

This is the alliance of the Orthodox Sect, the legacy left by great immortals and demons, wherein each sect has substantial cause and effect, and significant relevance, fostering competition but prohibiting excessive actions, especially extermination, lest it tarnishes the dignity of the ancestors, which may even trigger a major upheaval.

Hence, origins matter greatly.

And the origins of this Cyan Nether Sword Master remain unclear, even more mysterious than that of the Three Calamities Blade Demon.

Although the Three Calamities Blade Demon also emerged suddenly, the Karma Fire Three Calamities Method he cultivated is a well-known Demon Dao legacy, traceable back to an ancient Demon Buddha.

However, his Cyan Nether Sword—both sword technique and cultivation technique—remains obscure in origin.

If he were an ordinary person, he would have long been categorized as Heterodox Dao, shunned and resisted by all Orthodox sects.

But he is not an ordinary person; his formidable strength and connection to Celestial Destiny compel all sects to tread carefully.

At this point, even if he randomly concocted an origin, claiming to have received a legacy from some immortal or buddha, the sects would grudgingly accept it.

But this Taiyi...

All cultivators turned their eyes to Mei Daoist, who was frowning deeply.

What is Taiyi? What does Taiyi signify?

Taiyi is the Dao!

Dao—the utmost essence—cannot be formed nor named; if forced to name it, it is called Taiyi, also known as Taishang or Taiqing.

Within the Taiyuan Realm lies the Taishang legacy, which is the ruler over the East Sea and the head of Taiyuan’s Orthodox Dao—Taihua Mountain.

So, is this Cyan Nether Sword Master of the same origin as Taihua Mountain?

But look at Mei Daoist’s expression...

"Could the Sword Master truly be a Taishang legacy bearer?"

Mei Daoist relaxed his brows and displayed an expression of greater surprise: "No wonder you have such deep foundation, and your sword technique is so astonishing. It’s Mei Yun’s eyes that fail to recognize a mountain, unaware of the senior brother right before me!"

Having said that, he offered a bow.

"..."

"..."

"..."

The cultivators reacted with silence; the Two Talents sat nearby were more stunned, especially Gux Shenxiu, who was struck speechless.

What is happening?

Accepted just like that?

Without even verifying?

The Three Heroes and Two Talents were at a loss for words.

The Nascent Souls also remained silent.

Of course, they must accept; if not, what else could be done?

Should he be branded as a Heterodox Sect?

Or pushed toward the Demon Dao?

Please, let’s not joke about that!

Given the current situation, even if he claimed to be the reincarnation of a True Immortal, an ancestor from Taihua Mountain from some generation, Mei Daoist would have to acknowledge it, or else tearing the face would bring no good.

This is the power of strength!

Even though in this Taiyuan Realm, origins outweigh strength sometimes, there are moments when strength must be respected.

Right now is one such moment.

Mei Daoist already accepted, what else could they say?

"Fellow Daoist, you needn’t do this!"

Shen Hex shook his head and raised him with a gentle hand: "I establish Taiyi Daoist Palace to surely enlighten all beings, guide towards goodness, stray not into Evil Dao, and strictly guard against such chaos arising in the world again!"

"Senior brother’s great virtue!"

Mei Daoist rose conveniently, then voiced a concern: "How should those Heterodox sects be handled?"

Where there’s Spiritual Qi, there will be cultivators.

Unless the two Orthodox Sects ruthlessly exterminated all cultivators and even mortals beyond themselves, Loose Cultivators are bound to emerge, evolving gradually into Heterodox sects.

But annihilating Heterodox sects obviously isn’t feasible; considering the Celestial Dao as the Dao of all beings, Heterodox sects hold a certain proportion within it. Among other things, suppressing them is fine, but pursuing an extermination, the cause and effect karmic force is beyond even True Immortal and True Demon to endure; let alone them.

Hence, concerning Heterodox sects, the two Orthodox Sects can only suppress, not obliterate them entirely.

But now, this Taiyi Daoist Palace...

Facing the eyes of the audience, Shen Hex smiled faintly: "Having spoken of enlightening all beings, naturally it is to teach without distinction, those willing to receive my teachings can join my sect; those unwilling are not compelled, as long as they don’t disrupt the laws of my Daoist Palace, let them roam freely."