Chapter 10, The Path of the Dao

The Taoist also arrived shortly thereafter, but ultimately he was a moment too late. However, when he entered the room, he stopped quite steadily, his body hardly swaying at all. As soon as the Taoist landed, he immediately began to curse: "Damn crow, how dare you play tricks! If your master is not home next time, I will surely pluck your feathers and roast you for a drink!"

Ga! ... ... ''

Daodian solemnly said, "Therefore, you are neither a member of our sect nor can you be considered a person of the Immortal Sword lineage. In the future, as you travel the world and engage in your endeavors, they will have no relation to our sect." After saying a few words that left Yang Qiang feeling somewhat enlightened yet confused, Daodian softened his tone and asked, "Disciple, do you know why I wish to take you as my apprentice?"

Yang Jiang understood that his master must have something very important to convey, yet he remained silent, waiting for his master's instructions

After the master and apprentice leisurely soaked for a while, they finally came ashore, got dressed, and entered the main topic

As soon as lunch was over, Dao Dian could not wait to take Yang Jiang to another place to impart his skills

Yang Jiang knocked his head three times, decisively and neatly

More than a hundred years ago, Dao Dian was pursuing a member of the demonic sect. Although he succeeded in killing that individual, he was also injured by the poison of the demonic sect member. Forced by circumstances, he had no choice but to temporarily stay on this island to heal from the poison. However, the poison was exceedingly vicious, leaving Dao Dian helpless. Fortunately, he encountered Qin Xiaoguan, which allowed him to save his life. Later, when Dao Dian unexpectedly discovered Qin Xiaoguan's Beast Body, he had been wanting to take Qin Xiaoguan as his disciple, but unfortunately, the latter repeatedly declined his offer politely. Nevertheless, the poison was indeed treacherous, rendering Dao Dian powerless, and it was fortunate that he met Qin Xiaoguan, which allowed him to survive. Afterward, upon discovering Qin Xiaoguan's Beast Body, Dao Dian had been eager to take him as a disciple, but regrettably, he was turned down multiple times by the latter.

A strong gust of wind rushed in, and Phoenix was the first to dash into the room. Due to the incredible speed, upon landing, it unexpectedly rolled several times on the ground, falling in a disheveled manner.

Indeed, in no time, the strange odor on Yang Gang had completely dissipated

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Having said that, Qin Xiaoguan handed a package of pre-prepared medicine to Yang Jiang.

Yang Jiang nodded in agreement

In the midst of conversation, the situation of the once equally matched competitors, the human and the bird, has already changed.

Dao Dian nodded and said: "Indeed. That was more than a hundred years ago..."

The person was caught off guard by the strange bird's unexpected maneuver. In a moment of miscalculation, they stepped down forcefully, sending the poor shark plummeting from the air towards the sea surface. Then, using the momentum from that stomp, they soared into the air, rivaling even the speed of a phoenix.

The Taoist was even more delighted upon hearing this, laughing and saying: "Wonderful! Disciple, you are just to my taste! Using a gun is great; those fools on the mountain only know how to fly with swords, all the same, utterly lacking in novelty. They keep saying that the sword is the ancestor of all weapons, the immortal of all weapons, and that only by cultivating the sword can one become an immortal. Hmph, I have listened to this for thousands of years, and not a single sword immortal has been achieved; instead, their skills have deteriorated significantly. Disciple, you must never cultivate the sword path in the future; no matter how much you practice, there will never be a way out! By the way, what is your name, disciple?"

Dressed in this manner, he resembled a down-and-out Taoist priest; however, the brilliance in his eyes shone like lightning, radiating a spirited aura that made one feel he possessed a bold and unrestrained character, embodying the spirit of a chivalrous hero

The two stopped at the mountainside, where there was a pool formed by the impact of a waterfall. The Taoist priest laughed and said, "This scholar truly knows how to choose a place; residing on this island is simply a paradise on earth. Disciple, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and take off your clothes to go wash in the water. Alright, it has been a long time since I last bathed, so it is just right for me to soak a bit."

Heavens! It is actually a shark

This island is situated in the ocean, with no other islands in the vicinity. The island is characterized by towering peaks, dense forests, and lush greenery. Between the mountains, ravines and waterfalls are interspersed, creating a picturesque landscape of mountains and waters.

Yang Jia, from today onwards, you are my disciple, but you are not a disciple of this school; this point you must remember firmly

Could it be that the person mentioned by Qin Xiaoguan just now is this strange Daoist?

The phoenix did not know whether it was stunned from the fall or somewhat afraid of the Taoist, as it did not retaliate at all

Call!

The sound is powerful, akin to thunder striking the flat ground

Qin Xiaoguan did not stop him and smiled, saying: "The scenery at Guren Peak is quite nice, and nothing will disturb you there. Moreover, there is a hot spring where your disciple can wash with medicinal herbs to remove the peculiar smell from his body"

Yang Jiang's conjecture must be the solitary blade peak mentioned by Qin Xiaoguan, and before the thought had fully formed, Dao Dian had already leapt into action, swiftly flying towards the waterfall.

Suddenly, his eyes emitted a brilliant light, as if he had discovered some rare treasure. Unable to resist, he pinched Yang Jiang's arm and exclaimed, "Good! Good! Good! Such quality is rare and hard to come by. Brother Qin, you are truly generous to have brought me such a good disciple. Ha, in my lifetime, I have finally found someone to carry on my teachings!"

Such a ferocious shark was actually treated as a plaything by this person

Before Yang Jiang could express his gratitude to Qin Xiaoguan, he was dragged out of the window by Dao Dian, his feet stepping into the void, soaring through the wind. Seizing this opportunity to fly, Yang Jiang finally had the chance to see the full view of the island.

The shark swayed its head and tail beneath the feet of the Taoist, as if attempting to struggle free from the control of the master. However, in doing so, it appeared as though the shark was carrying the Taoist, gliding through the sky.

Suddenly, a towering solitary peak appeared before Yang Gang, and halfway up the peak, there was a waterfall cascading down, creating a magnificent spectacle

Yang Jiang truly did not expect to encounter a celestial being who could ride the wind, and he could not help but cast a glance. However, he found that this person bore none of the legendary ethereal grace; instead, he appeared quite disheveled. He seemed to be around thirty or forty years old, wearing a tattered gray robe that looked very worn. The man was unkempt, carrying a rusty sword on his back and a wine gourd hanging from his waist.

The Taoist, surprisingly unfazed, helped Yang Gang to his feet and laughed heartily, saying: "Good! From now on, you are my disciple! I have waited two hundred years for a good disciple, and I have finally found one! By the way, what weapon do you use, disciple? Is it the long spear on your back?"

Yang Jiang knew that this hot spring waterfall was undoubtedly formed by volcanic geothermal activity. It was suitable for bathing and could also invigorate and nourish the body. Without hesitation, he undressed and entered the water, applying the medicine he had given to Qin Xiaoguan all over his body.

Meanwhile, the cry of an eagle echoed from a distance

Yang Jiang could not help but look in the direction of the sound, only to see a person and a bird swiftly approaching from the horizon, as if in a race.

Yang Jiang was taken aback and said, "Could it be that the master once intended to take Mr. Qin as a disciple?"

Yang Jiang shook his head and said, "The disciple is foolish and truly does not know."

Dao Dian listened to Qin Xiaoguan's praise without any modesty and said to Yang Jiang: "Disciple, rest assured, you are the person I value the most among the old Daoists, and you are no worse than this bookish scholar. I have always wanted to take this scholar as my disciple, but he stubbornly refused, wasting such good talent. Now, it is good; with your excellent talent, you will surely help me regain my reputation. Alright, enough of that, let's eat first. The food we have been eating on the mountain is really no better than pig slop"

Yang Jiang could not help but turn his questioning gaze towards Qin Xiaoguan, who nodded and smiled, saying: "Indeed, it is him, but he is not an ordinary martial artist; he is a cultivator."

The master does not know the apprentice's name, and the apprentice is even less aware of the master's background. However, in Yang Jiang's view, it is undoubtedly a sign of great fortune that he has encountered a series of good events. Not only has his physical condition surpassed that of the past, but he has also gained two excellent masters, and it seems that his grand ambitions are just around the corner

Yang Jiang said: "Mr. Qin's medical skills are indeed unparalleled in the world. However, Master, with your current level of cultivation, your disciple truly cannot compare. I just do not understand why you place such importance on me."

Yang Jiang's eyesight has now become extraordinary; upon seeing the fiery red and emerald green bird, he immediately recognized it as the "Phoenix" without a doubt. As for the person, Qin Xiaoguan did not expect that the legendary realm of "flying with a sword, covering a thousand miles in a day" could actually be attained by someone. This individual was dressed as a Taoist, yet it seemed that what he was riding on to fly with the wind was not a "sword".

The phoenix originally soared with its wings spread wide, resembling an eagle in flight. However, at this moment, it suddenly folded its wings and tail, adopting the form of a swift swallow darting through the air. As a result, its body significantly reduced in size against the wind, and its speed increased dramatically, akin to a powerful arrow piercing through the sky, instantly shooting right before the eyes.

Your disciple is named Yang Jiang, do not forget this. Your method of accepting disciples is truly rare in the world, as you did not even inquire about your disciple's name. Qin Xiaoguan said with a smile, leading the Taoist to an empty seat, and then addressed Yang Jiang: "As for your master, you must remember that his Daoist title is 'Dao Dian'. In terms of swordsmanship and Daoist techniques, he has already reached the level of a contemporary master. In the future, Yang Jiang, you will need his guidance, and your skills will naturally progress by leaps and bounds."

The man first greeted Qin Xiaoguan, noticing that there were actually visitors today. He casually glanced at Yang Jiang, intending to exchange a greeting.

Dao Dian smiled and said: "It is solely because your aptitude is truly exceptional, and your future achievements are beyond estimation. Therefore, I wish to impart all my lifelong knowledge to you, to see in the end what level you can reach, whether you can surpass all your predecessors, become an immortal, or something else entirely. Ha, I have been waiting for this opportunity for over a hundred years, so upon seeing you, I could not help but take you as my disciple"

Qin Xiaoguan and the others could not help but exclaim; this master and disciple are indeed rare in the world

Dao Dian casually picked up a large stone and sat cross-legged on it, asking Yang Jiang to sit opposite him. At this moment, his expression appeared exceptionally serious, markedly different from his previous casual demeanor.

Yang Jiang was originally astonished by the extraordinary skills of this Taoist priest and felt a sense of envy. At that moment, upon suddenly hearing that the priest intended to take him as a disciple, he was unwilling to let this opportunity slip away. He quickly bowed and said: "Master, please allow your disciple to pay his respects!"

After Dao Dian finished speaking, he couldn't help but sigh: "Among the people in the world, that scholar is the only one I truly admire, for even among the masters of our Immortal Sword sect, their medical skills are still far inferior to those of the scholar"

Brother Qin, you are truly lacking in camaraderie; you actually took action without waiting for me, almost causing me to miss out on the skills of my sisters-in-law