No tangible benefits at all!
As for the petty revenge for killing my father?
If the old man doesnât die, how can I inherit the position and take charge?
Lu Zhongping sneered, heâs been hoping for his father to enter the coffin since he was twenty, just so he could become the big master.
...
...
At Yuanyang Temple, Daoist Chongxu sat cross-legged in the main hall, unlike Master Xuanji who preferred to retreat to a hut in the back mountain for quiet study, he had always conducted the morning and evening lessons with numerous children.
Today, after reciting the "Five Emperorsâ Treasures", he slowly opened his eyes and waved the Daoist children of varied ages on both sides away:
"Why hasnât that fool Qingfeng returned yet? I didnât expect Bai Qilang to be a disciple of Ninghai Zen, this complicates things a bit."
Daoist Chongxu was slightly anxious, knowing that recruiting disciples was all about speed.
Itâs hard to come across two promising seedlings, if theyâre not secured, itâs as if a fifty-pound fish slipped away while fishing.
A hundred years later, on the brink of death, with only half a breath left, one might suddenly sit up and angrily pound the bed.
"That Ninghai Zen... is merely a martial artist. He teaches martial arts, while I transmit Daoist skills, neither should offend the other."
Daoist Chongxu had a few encounters with the Yihai Prefecture star who was infamous for suppressing seventeen lineages and destroying four families before stopping. He deeply knew this manâs difficulties, not inferior to the plague deity Qiu Changtian.
Years ago, the seventeen lineages paid a large sum to Master Qingxuan of Zhi Xin Temple to perform Tracking Skill, setting up a heavenly net, yet Ninghai Zen flew across the sky with a "Heavenly Leap".
Later, Master Qingxuan mysteriously vanished, his fate unknown, prompting a suspicion by the Purple Register Daoist Official in Celestial Water Prefecture that it might have been Ninghai Zenâs doing.
After all, it was well-known that this person held grudges.
If it werenât for the Mountain and Water Observations confirming his innocence, affirming Ninghai Zen hadnât left Black River County, there might have been another significant turmoil.
"Harmony in all things is paramount. I certainly wonât compete with him for disciples. First, bring them into the Daoist School, report to Celestial Water Prefecture, and earn a small merit.
Gradually, bring them under my wing and nurture them well. As long as the hoe is wielded well, thereâs no wall corner that canât be dug out..."
Daoist Chongxu, shrewd and calculating, knew that dealing with someone like Ninghai Zen, mere talk of background and pros and cons is useless. Sincerity is the best approach.
Entering Tongwen Hall and advancing far in Martial Dao, at best, one becomes a Four Cultivation Grandmaster and dominates a region.
But entering the Daoist School offers the future chance to take the Dao Trial, become a Daoist Official, and be ranked among the top three records!
Saying "a bright future ahead, a vast journey" is no exaggeration.
"Everything is ready, only waiting for Qingfeng to bring them in!"
Daoist Chongxu stroked his long beard, ready to send another Daoist child to inquire about the situation, when suddenly, a bright, dragon-like Divine Soul flew into Yuanyang Temple.
Under the scorching sun, this Divine Soul roamed freely, without the slightest damage, demonstrating profound cultivation.
"I wonder what important matter brings Daoist Xuanji to visit?"
Daoist Chongxuâs gaze deepened, such an open disregard for restrictions, arriving at Yuanyang Temple with Divine Soul out of body, indeed showed no respect for him.
"If it werenât that I have no hope to break through to Ghost Immortal, and am about to retire, I wouldnât tolerate your insolence!"
Daoist Chongxu was greatly vexed, now forced to endure Master Xuanjiâs arrogance, choosing to swallow his anger.
As Qingfeng, his Daoist child, would say, "You messed with me, consider it like kicking a pile of wool."
"Daoist Chongxu, when I heard you had a feeling and wanted to travel, I was disappointed. Without you presiding over the mountain-searching and sea-examining ritual, relying solely on my strength, I might not control it well.
Now seeing that youâre still in the temple, Iâm truly delighted."
Master Xuanjiâs Divine Soul emitted vibrant energy, spreading like ripples, heavy pressure wantonly unfolded, startling those Daoist children to kneel down.
"Tonight, I wish to search within a thousand miles of Yihai Prefecture! I ask for your assistance, do not decline!"
Daoist Chongxuâs face twitched, lowering his eyelids, saying:
"Since Daoist Xuanji requests, how could I, as a humble Daoist, refuse."
He rose, flicked the duster on his hand, and stepped out of the main hall.
A gray cloud lifted underfoot, five or six yards off the ground, heading straight for the city government office.
"Thatâs sensible."
Master Xuanjiâs Divine Soul flickered, transforming into a sweeping long rainbow across the sky.
Its radiance dazzled, booming loudly, causing the populace to exclaim "Immortal".
...
...
"Master, there are traitors in the city coveting your granddisciple! You must intervene!"
After half past 1:00 PM, while Bai Ming held up Qingfeng Daoist Child from Yuanyang Temple, Bai Qi hurried to the Inheritance Hall.
Seeing Chen Xing, whose stature was majestic and as steady as a mountain, Bai Qi felt a mysterious sense of security.
Throughout Yihai Prefecture, there might not be many who can withstand Masterâs Black Tiger Heart Grasp!
"Who is daring enough to plot against you? Normally, itâs unexpected. Your masterâs fierce reputation is well-known, even after a decade, it should deter people."
Chen Xing, dressed in a fit fighting attire, was tinkering with wooden stakes in the front yard and couldnât help but smile upon seeing his good granddisciple.
"The Lu Familyâs big master at the Antique Shop, someone beside Lu Zhongping, heâs been watching me and Ah Di, with rather sinister eyes."
Bai Qi truthfully informed, narrating slowly.
Others might find this outrageous, thinking being stared at a few times doesnât justify labeling one as a "traitor".
Utterly absurd!
But Master knew the subtlety of Heart Grasp, one of the Five Grand Captures.
Especially Bai Qi, having declared his openness to seeing and hearing, with a keen Spiritual Sense, proficient in detecting malicious intent.
Ensuring complete reliability!
"Lu Zhongping... this old rascalâs ancestors were tomb raiders for three generations, following the Unveiling Mountain path, unlike Feng Shui Daoists with various techniques.
His grandfather was a notorious leader of Green Forest Dao in Yihai Prefecture, once gathering a thousand men with large shovels and hoes, oxen and horses dragging, forcefully breaking open an underground tomb, obtained lots of treasure, thus rising in wealth.