Ye Ling's attention fell upon the scars on Zhang Zhiyue's body. A cursory glance revealed a complex, crisscrossing pattern, as if he had been attacked and hacked by multiple blades.
However, upon closer inspection, the scars subtly aligned with a natural order, appearing as if they were from a method of circulating spiritual energy.
Realizing this, Ye Ling became interested. He attempted to isolate the scars on Zhang Zhiyue's body, decipher the cultivation technique's pathways, and then simulate its operation within his own body according to those pathways.
After circulating for several cycles, Ye Ling developed a cultivation technique from Zhang Zhiyue's scars. Its grade seemed to be quite high, even comparable to Ye Qingyan's "Tai Yi Sword Art"!
As Ye Ling practiced the technique, all the surrounding spiritual energy flowed towards him, forming a white mist around his body.
"Master Ye? How do you know my Zhengyi Sect's 'Da Dao Xin Jue'?"
Zhang Xiaoxia exclaimed in surprise, her eyes wide with astonishment, sensing the cultivation technique Ye Ling was currently employing.
The "Da Dao Xin Jue" had long been lost within the Zhengyi Sect. Currently, the disciples of Zhengyi Sect practiced the "Xian Tian Tao Hui Jue," which was deduced from incomplete fragments of the "Da Dao Xin Jue."
Although the "Xian Tian Tao Hui Jue" was also a top-tier cultivation technique in the circle of extraordinary individuals and a secret of the Zhengyi Sect, it was merely a simplified version of the "Da Dao Xin Jue" and possessed significantly less power.
The technique Ye Ling was now practicing had an aura similar to the "Xian Tian Tao Hui Jue," but the spiritual energy it refined was much denser. It was undoubtedly the "Da Dao Xin Jue"!
"This cultivation technique... is called 'Da Dao Xin Jue'?"
Ye Ling murmured the name. Although this technique was merely a low-level one for him and not of great use, it would likely end up gathering dust in his collection.
However, according to Earth's grading system, the "Da Dao Xin Jue" was sufficient for someone to cultivate to the Ninth Stage of Mortal Immortal, and even breaking through to ascend was not an issue.
On Earth, this was undoubtedly considered a top-tier cultivation technique!
"You, you actually comprehended the 'Da Dao Xin Jue' from Martial Uncle?"
At this moment, Zhang Muya, who had been mostly healed by Ye Ling, recovered and looked at Ye Ling with excitement, her body trembling violently.
After Zhang Zhiyue's fierce battle with the extraordinary individuals of the Yang Kingdom, he was on the brink of death and narrowly escaped with his life.
However, although Zhang Zhiyue survived, he was left with severe underlying health issues, and his cultivation could never return to its peak. He could no longer glimpse the realm of Mortal Immortal.
Following the great battle with the Yang Kingdom's extraordinary individuals, the Zhengyi Sect suffered heavy casualties and its decline was inevitable.
Fearing the loss of the Zhengyi Sect's cultivation technique, the "Da Dao Xin Jue," Zhang Zhiyue used the scars on his own body as a foundation, self-mutilating to engrave the entire technique onto himself. At the same time, he declared that whoever could learn the "Da Dao Xin Jue" would become the Sect Master of Zhengyi Sect!
Currently, only Zhang Muya and the current Sect Master, Zhang Mingyu, knew this secret within the entire Zhengyi Sect.
Zhang Mingyu himself practiced only a half-step "Da Dao Xin Jue" and could not learn the complete technique from Zhang Zhiyue. Therefore, he was effectively only an acting Sect Master, though the outside world was unaware of this secret.
"What? Is there something special about comprehending this cultivation technique?" After circulating for a few cycles, Ye Ling lost interest and stopped using the technique, asking Zhang Muya.
Zhang Muya stood up shakily and excitedly told Ye Ling, "Martial Uncle once said that whoever learned the 'Da Dao Xin Jue' from him would become the Sect Master of Zhengyi Sect."
"Ye Ling, you are now the thirty-seventh generation official Sect Master of my Zhengyi Sect!"
Zhang Xiaoxia stammered, "Master Ye... you've become the Sect Master of our Zhengyi Sect?"
Upon hearing Zhang Muya's words, she was somewhat stunned, feeling as if the world had become unreal.
However, the Zhengyi Sect did indeed have a tradition where the Sect Master had to master the "Da Dao Xin Jue" and comprehend the true essence of a Celestial Master.
It was just that the "Da Dao Xin Jue" was now lost, and the Zhengyi Sect's tradition could no longer be continued, so no one mentioned it.
Based on this logic, even though Ye Ling was an outsider by surname, he was qualified to be the Sect Master of Zhengyi Sect!
Combined with Zhang Zhiyue's prior declaration, Ye Ling's ascension to the position of Zhengyi Sect Master was now a certainty.
Zhang Muya respectfully bowed to Ye Ling, "Muya pays respects to the Sect Master."
Zhuge Feng and Zhuge Yehan, witnessing the situation unfold, quickly began to strategize on how to handle the subsequent developments.
Zhuge Feng knew clearly that with Ye Ling's strength, he would definitely be able to ascend the Immortal Ranking!
Now that Zhengyi Sect had a Mortal Immortal descend, it would likely become the foremost sect in the world in a very short period, far surpassing the Wuhou Sect.
In this scenario, if their Wuhou Sect were to antagonize Zhengyi Sect again, it would be the Wuhou Sect that suffered.
"Sect Master?"
Ye Ling found it somewhat perplexing to suddenly become the Sect Master of Zhengyi Sect.
However, he had no interest in being the Sect Master of Zhengyi Sect. He beckoned to Zhang Xiaoxia, "Xiaoxia, come here."
Zhang Xiaoxia, still somewhat dazed, walked forward blankly upon hearing Ye Ling call her and asked, "Master Ye... what do you need, Sect Master?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Ye Ling placed his large hand on her head, transferring the cultivation pathways of the "Da Dao Xin Jue" and the spiritual energy he had derived to Zhang Xiaoxia.
Sensing the spiritual energy surging into her body, Zhang Xiaoxia was greatly alarmed, "Sect Master!!!"
Ye Ling said, "Don't speak. Follow my spiritual energy and practice the technique for a few cycles."
Zhang Xiaoxia dared not be careless and followed Ye Ling's instructions.
In just five minutes, Zhang Xiaoxia mastered the "Da Dao Xin Jue." Moreover, her cultivation broke through to the Sixth Stage due to absorbing Ye Ling's spiritual energy!
According to traditional understanding, Ye Ling had essentially performed a "Ti Da Guan Ding" for Zhang Xiaoxia, opening her Ren and Du meridians.
"Sect Master, you..."
Zhang Muya was even more astonished to see Ye Ling directly impart the "Da Dao Xin Jue" to Zhang Xiaoxia!
Logically, with such a top-tier cultivation technique, extraordinary individuals would hide it, not casually impart it to others.
Furthermore, Ye Ling's actions seemed more like abdicating the position of Sect Master to Zhang Xiaoxia.
The Sect Master of Zhengyi Sect possessed unimaginable power and resources, yet Ye Ling could so easily relinquish it...
Such a carefree attitude was rare in the world!
Zhang Muya realized that she was increasingly unable to fathom the young man before her.
Zhang Xiaoxia, feeling her rapidly increasing cultivation, was still somewhat dazed, not fully understanding what had just happened.
To be honest, she had thought her role in this was merely to observe, and everything would depend on Ye Ling's performance.
She never expected to not only receive the "Da Dao Xin Jue" for free but also have her cultivation soar to the Sixth Stage!
This dreamlike experience caused Zhang Xiaoxia to pinch herself hard.
Feeling the real pain, Zhang Xiaoxia finally came to her senses and looked at Ye Ling with confusion, "Sect Master, why did you..."
"Stop calling me Sect Master, I don't like it." Ye Ling waved his hand. "If you want to take the position of Zhengyi Sect Master, Xiaoxia, then go ahead and take it."
Zhang Xiaoxia: "..."
Zhang Muya: "..."
Seeing Ye Ling's utter indifference to the position of Sect Master, they fell into complete silence, unsure how to describe their feelings.
The Sect Master of Zhengyi Sect...
Was it that undesirable?