Chapter 0002: Leaving the Mountain, Forgetting to Conceal the Mountain Gate Path

"Junior Brother, take care!" Wu Ma Youxiong embraced Chen Xuanqiu tightly. He was not good at expressing his feelings, but the turmoil in his heart surged like the tides. Since Junior Brother did not cultivate the path of immortality, this descent from the mountain might mean they would never meet again in this lifetime

Chen Xuanqiu fell silent for a moment and said: "Master, the disciple understands. How many cultivators are there in the world, and how many can transcend tribulations to become immortals? The path to immortality is elusive; if one can rely on their own abilities to establish a legacy in the mortal realm and leave a name for generations to come, it would not be in vain for this life. However, the disciple has no land to call his own, nor a house to dwell in..."

Suddenly, a stuttering voice abruptly sounded: "Master... Master, take me with you!"

With a faint blush on her cheeks, she handed over a sachet: "My junior sister and I made some talismans. If anyone bullies you, I will help you deal with them."

Chen Xuanqiu was taken aback as he accessed the information in his mind. These two families were located, one in the far west in the State of Ji, and the other in the far east in the State of Yi, separated by a distance of millions of miles. It seems that the original parents of this body were certainly not ordinary people

The disciple has been on the mountain for ten years

Chen Xuanqiu said: "Disciple, apart from my appearance, I possess nothing. I fear that my wife's family, including her father and mother, as well as her brothers and sisters, will come to look down upon and insult me..."

Moreover, Chen Xuanqiu always felt that there were aspects of his master's words that were not fully detailed. However, knowing that it was unlikely he could ask anything, he did not show any signs of discomfort. Compared to his original self, he had indeed gained an additional lifetime of life experience.

The white clouds, which were rising steadily, suddenly came to a halt, and after a moment, they swiftly returned to the cliff.

Chen Xuanqiu had little belongings, just a small bundle, which he quickly packed. Outside the door, the sound of a suona began, a mournful tune that, although high-pitched, did not feel noisy. As Chen Xuanqiu stepped out with his bundle, the suona music ceased.

A person who has achieved a minor success in celestial arts, when faced with a great shaman, will inevitably meet their demise. A person who solely cultivates physical martial arts, if they reach the pinnacle, can indeed shatter myriad laws with a single punch. The ancient creator god demonstrated the path through strength, and countless practitioners who have attained the great Dao and divine powers must also face annihilation of their souls under his single strike

This young apprentice was picked up by Daoist Wu while he was wandering in the boundless sea, from a solitary island.

The Taoist Wu struck his cane against the ground, transforming into a middle-aged Taoist with a clear and refined appearance. The cane in his hand morphed into a whisk. He was clad in a robe woven with jade threads and golden stars, adorned with a five-colored lotus crown on his head. The essence of the Tao flowed around him, taking on a substantial form like a cloud dragon. Behind his head appeared a halo of the Great Dao, divided into nine layers, pure and boundless, with life and death ceaselessly in motion. A heavy and sacred aura immediately enveloped the surroundings.

Daoist Wu nodded and said, "Indeed!"

"Senior Brother, I... I haven't said goodbye yet." A weak voice emerged, and the scene fell silent once more

The Daoist Master Wu said: "The information regarding these two households has already been transmitted to you by me. Remember it well and do not forget it."

The Daoist Wu gently touched the head of his little disciple, who was drenched by the rain, and said kindly: "Wuwei, your master has not overlooked you. I simply wanted you to see my cloud-summoning technique..."

Chen Xuanqiu crouched down and embraced this little junior disciple who was always overlooked by everyone, gently saying: "Senior brother will treasure it and keep it safe, nameless little junior disciple, take care!"

Good! The nameless one smiled, for the thoughts of a child are simple; as long as the master has not forgotten him, that is enough

The Daoist Wu spoke, pointing a finger, and a beam of clear light struck the center of Chen Xuanqiu's brow, instantly granting him mastery over the relevant information of those two households

The Taoist priest Wu chuckled and stroked his beard, saying: "Are you afraid that others will disdain you for your poverty and favor wealth, seeing your current plight, and force you to break off the engagement?"

Oh?

Chen Xuanqiu was astonished: "In the human world?"

Chen Xuanqiu sat down on the mat opposite Wu Daoren, feeling a slight tension in his heart

The Daoist Wu quickly stepped forward, gently touched his head, and said kindly: "Wudao, my disciple, I have not overlooked you..."

Ye Li expressed with a sense of sorrow: "Once entering the mortal world, it is as deep as the sea. Junior brother, take care on your journey!"

"Disciple, take care!" Manqingyin opened his arms wide and gave Chen Xuanqiu a big hug, but Chen Xuan immediately pulled away.

... ...

The young apprentice pouted and said: "Master, isn't your disciple called Wuming?"

Chen Xuanqiu

Chen Xuanqiu followed Daoist Wu and had only taken three steps when a weak voice came from behind: "Master... Master, I... my... realm, Master has not... seen it yet."

At that time, Daoist Wu was wandering in the Western Sea and discovered an immature spiritual plant on an island. He used his supernatural powers to excavate the plant along with several square zhang of soil and brought it back to Qingping. It was only when he was about to plant it that he discovered a baby hidden among the grass. Even with Daoist Wu's powerful divine consciousness, he had not noticed it at the time

Daoist Wu slapped his forehead and suddenly remembered that he still had a disciple

The scene was enveloped in silence

The fine rain fell gently, and Chen Xuanqiu casually plucked a leaf from a banana plant and placed it on his head

The Daoist Wu's face twitched a few times, and he said: "Do not indulge in wild thoughts. The reason I have arranged this is that you are fated to have no connection with the immortal path. To forcefully pursue the immortal path will surely invite divine retribution. Your path lies in the mortal realm"

Chen Xuanqiu shook his head and said: "This disciple is not worried at all; with such a superficial appearance, which family would be willing to break off the engagement with their daughter"

The Taoist priest Wu said lightly: "In the mountain dwelling, insects and rodents are rampant, and have stolen and destroyed everything."

Ye Li: "Master, my junior brother has never come down from the mountain, I am truly worried..."

"Wuming has grown up... understands now, and will not cry anymore." Wuming smiled broadly, handing the suona he had just played to Chen Xuanqiu, saying: "Fourth... Senior Brother, this is for you."

The kind Daoist Wu said: "Xuanqiu, I have not taught you the cultivation techniques all along, do you harbor any grievances?"

Chen Xuanqiu asked: "Where is that paper entrusted?"

Wu Daoren said: "Then what are you worried about?"

Chen Xuanqiu descended the mountain, and several fellow disciples stood on Qingping Peak, watching his figure gradually disappear into the mist.

"Elder Brother, Second Sister, Third Sister." A hint of warmth appeared in Chen Xuanqiu's eyes; regardless of whether he had lived two lives, the bond formed over ten years of companionship was genuine

This suona was crafted by the young unnamed individual himself, with the reed mouthpiece made from a piece of West Sea black iron that he held in his small hands when he was discovered. This suona has always been a cherished possession of the unnamed individual.

Daoist Wu questioned, "Is it really possible for such a thing to happen? Those who can be betrothed by your parents must be close friends for life; I believe they would not treat you poorly. If the family your father has betrothed you to looks down on you, you can go to the family your mother has betrothed you to. Why must you hang yourself on a single tree?"

Wu Ma You Xiong said, handing a turtle shell to Chen Xuanqiu. In the mortal realm, this is often used for divination, but the turtle shell that Wu Ma You Xiong presented to Chen Xuanqiu was merely slightly larger than a single coin, appearing to be nothing more than a decorative item

The Daoist Wu shook his head and said: "Without cultivating the Golden Elixir, there is no chance of ascending to immortality, and those few will not discover him. Our worldly ties have come to an end, let us return now"

The Daoist Wu slightly revealed a sense of self-satisfaction and said: "Although I have not imparted to you the techniques of cultivating immortality, I can teach you the martial arts, which are the true path of martial virtue, sufficient for you to traverse the world with ease"

Wu Ma Youxiong, Man Qingyin, and Ye Li, upon hearing the words of Daoist Wu, also transformed themselves, each maintaining their appearance while their attire had changed completely. Wu Ma Youxiong wore a Seven Stars Crescent Crown and was draped in a purple ceremonial robe adorned with cranes. Both Ye Li and Man Qingyin donned celestial dance robes, their hair styled in soaring swan-like buns, exuding an ethereal aura, no longer resembling mere mortals.

The Daoist Master Wu said kindly: "Disciple, you have grown up on the mountain since childhood, and it is natural to feel lost upon descending. In fact, there is no need to worry. You have already achieved great success in body refinement, and in the secular world, you are an extraordinary being. What more could you desire to survive?"

The Daoist Master Wu said: "Indeed, it was your parents who arranged a marriage for you in their wombs back in the day. How did it come to this? It is beyond what I know."

The Daoist Wu said calmly: "I have not spoken for a year, and my tongue is a bit clumsy. Wuming, I believe you are still young and do not need to be assessed. Look, you have been on the mountain for seven years and have already reached the mid-stage of Gathering Yuan, which is quite impressive."

Sit

The Daoist Wu raised his hand and with a gentle sweep, a white cloud appeared out of nowhere, lifting him along with Wu Ma, Qing Yin, and Ye Li, slowly ascending into the sky. In mid-air, Daoist Wu said leisurely: "The traces here should also fade away into the mortal realm."

Chen Xuanqiu, in both of his lives, had never come into contact with those parents, and could not help but ask: "What kind of people are my father and mother?"

Wu Daoren said: "All techniques in the world, whether they are spells, divine arts, demonic powers, witchcraft, or curses, as well as martial arts, ultimately revolve around the manipulation and application of force. It is not a matter of who is more powerful, but rather the depth of one's mastery.

Chen Xuanqiu nodded vigorously, took a deep look at the three individuals, and then stepped forward to walk down the mountain

The Taoist Wu believed that this infant must possess some extraordinary qualities, so he took him as his fifth disciple. However, the only talent this child has displayed thus far is an uncanny ability to be easily overlooked and forgotten. The little disciple's heart was hurt, and his face was flushed with an embarrassing red.

Wu Ma Youxiong, Manqing Yin, and Ye Li Jing stood quietly in front of the door

Chen Xuanqiu slowly turned around, walked to the side of the ten-year-old nameless child, ruffled his hair, and smiled, saying: "Senior brother is afraid of hurting your feelings, so... did not say goodbye"

Hmm... Wu Daoren glanced at Chen Xuanqiu's appearance and secretly sighed, truly worthy of being her son, to have turned out so extraordinary. Such narcissistic words spoken from his mouth seemed entirely natural, even to himself.

Chen Xuanqiu was taken aback and exclaimed, "My father arranged a marriage for me? My mother arranged a marriage for me?"

The Daoist Wu smiled and said: "Do not concern yourself with these details; I have been considering your foundation since the beginning. I will go and discuss some matters with your fourth senior brother, and I will return shortly to guide you in your cultivation."

On that rainy day, the young man in a spring shirt folded a leaf into an umbrella, walking alone amidst the green duckweed

As Daoist Wu entered the thatched cottage, with a single thought, the wooden door closed by itself

After Daoist Wu finished speaking, he swept the dust away with his whisk, and a fine rain fell from the sky in an instant. The grass and trees, upon contact with the rainwater, immediately appeared more ethereal. The traces of habitation left by the people on the mountain top, such as the thatched cottages, water wells, and mats under the trees, seemed to have experienced the passage of a thousand years in an instant, gradually fading and disappearing.

Chen Xuanqiu walked along the mountain path, never looking back. He wanted to appear carefree, but as he gazed at the familiar mountains and waters, the sorrow of parting ultimately spread like a drop of ink in water, slowly, slowly diffusing outward

A small trinket, given to you by your senior brother, carry it with you; it may prove useful in your travels among mortals

The Taoist priest Wu slightly shook his head and said, "That paper entrusted to me did not specify clearly."

The Daoist Wu smiled and said: "As cultivators, we do not adhere to mundane customs. Xuanqiu, you may descend the mountain now."

Chen Xuanqiu solemnly fastened it to his waist silk ribbon in front of his senior brother, creating an ornament

Chen Xuanqiu said with a hint of resentment: "My foundation is exceptionally solid, yet I cannot catch a glimpse of the true cultivation techniques. To be honest, if it weren't for the fact that I am male and my master is also male, I would almost suspect that you are cultivating a 'furnace' for yourself."

When he finally could not help but stop and look back, all he could see were clusters of white clouds. Among them, one cloud seemed to be blown away particularly quickly by the wind

The Taoist Wu spread his palm, and a jade pendant had already appeared in his palm. The Taoist Wu said: "When I found you, there was only this invaluable jade pendant in your swaddling clothes, along with a letter of entrustment, stating that if a kind-hearted person found you, they should take good care of you. Your parents had arranged a marriage for you before you were born, and when you turn eighteen, you are to go seek your family. If the family also has a son, you shall become sworn brothers; if they have a daughter, you shall become husband and wife. Now is indeed the time..." Now is indeed the time...

The Daoist Wu appeared beside them without them knowing when, and as his gaze fell upon the mountains, he let out a deep sigh and said: "I hope that this child, Xuanqiu, can live a life of peace and joy, and enjoy tranquility throughout his life"