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

In the Luanyang Palace hall at this instant, it split into two distinct sections. The left area gathered all the male cultivators. Though their robes varied in style, every single one carried the Luanyang Palace insignia proudly on their chests.

The opposite side hosted the female cultivators, each one adorned in the elegant palace attire of Luanyang Palace.

Within the ranks of male cultivators stood almost a dozen Great Cultivators that Li Shiming identified from earlier journeys. The remaining faces were new to him, yet from their placements, it was clear their prestige and roles rivaled or surpassed the well-known Great Cultivators from those dominant superpowers.

"Greetings, Mr. Li, I'm Niu Huan of the Sun-Shooting Sect!"

"Mo Bao of Guiyuan Sect, salutations to Mr. Li!"

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

Several outgoing Great Cultivators stepped up to introduce themselves to Li Shiming, while the more aloof ones offered friendly smiles and slight nods in his direction.

Yet every male Great Cultivator present understood their aim: to forge ties with Li Shiming, ensuring he viewed them as fellow prestigious in-laws of Luanyang Palace.

Holding such elevated standing naturally paved the way for stronger alliances and bonds.

Li Shiming politely responded to each greeting, and following the Great Cultivators' guidance, he took the prime position on the left side.

He attempted to show humility, but none of the Great Cultivators would claim a spot above his. Excessive modesty could lead to the male Great Cultivators awkwardly queuing beside him.

"The Phoenix Palace Master arrives!"

Following the herald's call, a poised figure soared into the Luanyang Palace hall, her potent aura swiftly blanketing the entire space.

"A Peak Great Cultivator!" Li Shiming quickly gauged the Phoenix Palace Master's cultivation realm.

No mighty force could be taken lightly; the Phoenix Palace Master of Luanyang Palace proved far from ordinary. Though he couldn't judge her personal fighting prowess, the diminutive phoenix resting on her shoulder was a Late Stage Fourth Grade Red-Gold Phoenix.

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

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

Thus, the Phoenix Palace Master by herself equated to the might of two Peak Great Cultivators.

This highlighted the advantages of raising elite spiritual pets. Though it demanded extra resources, the boost to overall combat strength was remarkably superior.

Still, Li Shiming felt only mild astonishment, without much dread.

This visit came via his 'Phantom Avatar' alone, armed with the fighting capability of a standard Thunder Cultivator Great Cultivator.

That said, he had five Late-stage Golden Corpses in tow. These five, outfitted with outrageously potent gear, ensured he was battle-ready unless facing a massive force's assault.

"Luanyang Palace hasn't witnessed such a magnificent gathering in ages. My thanks to all fellow Daoists for joining the initiation rite of our fresh disciple Yin Shilan!" The Phoenix Palace Master settled onto the central throne in the hall, offering a gentle bow to the male cultivators on the left as she declared.

Her eyes lingered on Li Shiming, brimming with intrigue after detecting his 'Phantom Avatar.'

As a Peak Great Cultivator herself, she instantly perceived the extraordinary nature of Li Shiming's 'Phantom Avatar.'

Without prior knowledge of its 'Phantom Avatar' origin, she might have mistaken it for a genuine flesh-and-blood form.

At the same time, she grasped the depth of Li Shiming's abilities. Granting a 'Phantom Avatar' the prowess of a Thunder Cultivator Great Cultivator revealed his mastery over Thunder Cultivation as utterly profound.

Even she, at Peak Great Cultivator level, couldn't craft an energy construct as refined as Li Shiming's 'Phantom Avatar.'

Li Shiming remained calm amid the Phoenix Palace Master's scrutinizing look. With his present power, barring Luanyang Palace's intent to spark eternal enmity, they wouldn't risk striking at his 'Phantom Avatar.'

He grinned and joined the other male cultivators in a respectful salute, honoring her role as palace master.

"Let the initiation ceremony commence. Ancestors of Luanyang, please manifest!" The Phoenix Palace Master pivoted and offered a light bow to the grand table ahead in the hall as she intoned.

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

As the jade-carved phoenix materialized, Li Shiming sensed his 'Phantom Avatar' quiver. Surprisingly, this form reacted to nothing more than a jade sculpture.

Amid his shock, he realized this jade-carved phoenix must be a supreme treasure, its hidden powers beyond the ceremonial ancestral token role remaining a mystery to him.

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

Then Master Li escorted Yin Shilan inside. For the occasion, Yin Shilan wore a flowing palace dress, the official garb of Luanyang Palace.

Guided closely by the Phoenix Palace Master, the ritual unfolded step by step, culminating in Yin Shilan's homage to Luanyang's ancestral token.

Once her respects concluded, a beam of spiritual light shot from Luanyang's ancestral token, descending upon her.

"Yin Shilan, in recognition of your services to Luanyang Palace, at my recommendation and with the elders' approval, as you join our ranks, you shall ascend directly to core disciple status. Receive this Red-Gold Phoenix egg from Luanyang Palace. May you train hard and fulfill our palace's hopes!" The Phoenix Palace Master revealed the egg and passed it to Yin Shilan, proclaiming with grave dignity.

Li Shiming shot a startled look at Master Li, whose expression mirrored the surprise. Evidently, the Phoenix Palace Master's decision hadn't been shared with Master Li in advance.

Yin Shilan gleefully received the Red-Gold Phoenix egg. She paid no mind to the tangled politics; her 'contribution' clearly stemmed from Li Shiming's influence.

What thrilled her most was gaining her own Red-Gold Phoenix; now Little Feng would have a playmate.

Ever since partnering as Daoist companions with Li Shiming, she'd spent time with Little Feng and the Illusion Spirit Dragon. The latter's stealthy nature paled against a woman's innate love for stunning phoenixes, so she'd long yearned for her very own Red-Gold Phoenix.

"My deepest thanks, Palace Master!" Yin Shilan snapped from her daze and voiced her appreciation to the Phoenix Palace Master.

"Congratulations to Yin Fairy; from Central State Commerce, we 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.

Customs forbade rejecting such tokens of goodwill, so when Yin Shilan sought Li Shiming's cue with a glance, his subtle nod prompted her to accept them all.

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

Before Li Shiming's 'Phantom Avatar' reached the Central State Continent, the Phoenix Palace Master might have heeded Master Li's wishes, planning to gift Yin Shilan a Red-Gold Phoenix in the coming years.

But the fervent pursuit of Li Shiming by superpowers throughout the Central State Continent convinced the Phoenix Palace Master of his value; this connection to Luanyang Palace promised vast gains.

One key matter weighed on the Phoenix Palace Master's mind. Yin Shilan hadn't entered Luanyang Palace from the outset but joined via Li Shiming after their Daoist companionship.

Thus, Luanyang Palace's sway over Yin Shilan remained limited. Considering Li Shiming's crucial role, the palace had to ramp up its support for her, fostering true loyalty beyond mere access to Cultivation Techniques.

Beyond the male cultivators' offerings, several female cultivators of Luanyang Palace also came forward with their gifts.

They grasped the perks of allying with Yin Shilan, viewing this not as scheming but as essential social savvy.

Likely, only Yin Shilan's initiation rite boasted such splendor; typical ceremonies stayed formal at best, without crowds of observers or lavish gift presentations.