Chapter 6, Turning Point

In the midst of carefree wandering, an old man with a goat's beard suddenly appeared out of nowhere and shouted, "You possess inferior celestial roots; how can you possibly become an immortal!"

Stop! Mu Fu said in a deep voice, "Do you think that with just the two of us, we can retrieve the jade bracelet from the hands of the people of Pinghai Sect?"

When Wang Tiesheng saw Mu Yi's expression, he immediately guessed something, furrowing his brows and saying: "Mu Tou, what’s wrong? Could it be..."

The blacksmith Wang, standing to the side, felt little excitement; these selected disciples would soon be escorted to the Pinghai Sect, separating him from them.

Mu Yi furrowed his brow, feeling a sense of puzzlement.

Mu Yi clenched his fist tightly and said forcefully: "Father, wait for me. One day, I will definitely return Mother's jade bracelet to you!"

Mu Yi remained perpetually gloomy, and despite Mu Fu's various efforts to enlighten him, there was no effect. Even when extravagant gifts of novel toys or delicious delicacies were purchased, Mu Yi remained indifferent, as if chewing on wax

After a while, Mu Yi stopped crying. Following this outburst, he felt somewhat more relaxed. He sensed a bit of hunger and gnawed on the lamb leg a few more times, then quickly fell into a deep sleep

Why should the course of one's entire life be completely altered by these three words

Father, I will work hard. Mu Yi solemnly promised

Mu Yi shook his head inwardly, unable to believe that he belonged to the third category of individuals with the poorest aptitude. He did not even qualify to become an outer sect disciple and had to rely on his father to bribe the deacon of the Pinghai Sect to obtain this opportunity.

For three consecutive days, Mu Yi neither practiced his skills nor took any rest, remaining in a daze throughout the day. His complexion grew increasingly dark, and his originally robust body had noticeably slimmed down. Mu's father observed this with concern, feeling extremely anxious in his heart.

With the assistance of Wang the Blacksmith, Mu Fu found a steward with the surname He from the Pinghai Sect. In exchange for a pair of jade bracelets, he requested this individual to add Mu Yi's name to the ranks of the outer disciples.

At the sound of this reprimand, all of his celestial powers seemed to vanish in an instant, and his figure plummeted downward, about to fall into the vast ocean.

Mu Fu sighed deeply and could not help but say, "Is joining the Pinghai Sect really that important to you?"

What exactly is an outer disciple? Mu Yi is also unclear about it; in any case, being able to join the Pinghai Sect is sufficient. However, how could the figures of the Pinghai Sect agree to the request of a mere fisherman from a small island

"I will not return to Hanya Island without making a name for myself!" Mu Yi thought to himself as he waved vigorously at his father and then strode up the mountain.

Mu Yi. Although his father had already made the arrangements, Mu Yi still felt a bit nervous

"That is the only item left by my mother; it cannot be given to anyone else!" Mu Yi, in a state of urgency, impulsively intended to run out and retrieve the jade bracelet from the steward of the Pinghai Sect.

The father did not speak; at this moment, silence was an affirmative response

You need not ask about this. Mu Fu is clearly avoiding something

Mu Yi followed his father in a daze, leaving this place. At the exit, Wang Tiesheng was waiting for Mu Yi.

He did not know how he was invited out of the pavilion by the young man. When he came to his senses, he found himself outside the pavilion, and his father was asking with concern: "How is it?"

If you wish to reclaim what belongs to your mother, you must diligently cultivate your skills. One day, when you are far stronger and hold a higher status than that steward, he will willingly return the jade bracelet to you, intact and without needing to be instructed.

Hmm, Yi'er will definitely work twice as hard! Mu Yi was excited beyond measure, yet remained exceptionally calm and resolute

"What is your name?" a slightly older guard asked Mu Yi lazily

Mu Fu nodded and said, "Rest well. Tomorrow morning, we will go to Pinghai Sect."

The emotions that had been suppressed for several days suddenly erupted like a dam breaking, as Mu Yi collapsed onto the table, weeping uncontrollably

Mu Yi was suddenly jolted awake, discovering that his father was sitting beside him. He did not know when his father had returned, nor how long he had been asleep.

The profound joys and sorrows experienced over the past few days have caused his state of mind to mature significantly, no longer resembling that of an eleven or twelve-year-old child

Mu Yiqiang gathered his spirits and said with a bitter smile: "Tiedan, I am of inferior celestial roots and could not join the Pinghai Sect. You must cultivate diligently in the Pinghai Sect and bring honor to our Hanya Island"

Several guards clad in bronze armor stood outside Shimen Station, each carrying a large saber and a long sword at their waist, exuding an imposing presence

Mu Yidun was momentarily stunned in place; it was precisely to give him the opportunity to join the Pinghai Sect that he lost this pair of jade bracelets. He must rely on his own abilities to retrieve this pair of jade bracelets

He believed that as long as he worked hard enough, he could change his destiny, but little did he realize how difficult it is to truly take control of one's fate

Why should my greatest dream be ruthlessly dismissed by these three words

On the second day, before dawn, the Mu family father and son, along with Wang the blacksmith, hired a horse-drawn carriage and set off towards the towering peaks at one end of Changping Island.

After Wang Tiesheng was taken away by the people of the Pinghai Sect, Mu Jia's father and son, along with Wang Tiejian, also left that place

After walking over a hundred zhang along the stone steps of the mountain path in one breath, Mu Yi turned back to look, and saw his father still gazing up at him from below the mountain

Mu Yi uttered a soft "hm" and then took the bundle from his father's hands, turning to walk through the mountain gate

Is this the mountain gate of the Pinghai Sect?" Mu Yi murmured, indeed it has a certain grandeur

In an instant, Mu Yi's heart once again held a more resolute and more specific goal

On the carriage, Mu Yi learned from Wang the blacksmith the reason behind the outer disciples

It is too late! Mu Fu shook his head and smiled, saying: "I have already promised a steward from the Pinghai Sect that I will take you to the Pinghai Sect early tomorrow morning to become an outer disciple."

This etiquette is something he has only recently learned

The carriage traveled for a whole half day, and it was only in the afternoon that it arrived at a range of continuous lofty mountains.

Mu Yi dismounted from the carriage and looked up to see a tall and handsome mountain peak completely blocking the way ahead. At the foot of the mountain, a majestic stone gate stood tall and imposing, with three powerful ancient characters inscribed on it, yet Mu Yi did not recognize any of them

These three words struck his ears, and Mu Yi felt as if he had been hit by a bolt from the blue, momentarily stunned in place

After this parting, I do not know when we will meet again

"Please go in; there is someone in the hall halfway up the mountain waiting for you." The guard, however, did not make things difficult for Mu Yi and readily allowed him to pass.

Mu Fu nodded, thought for a moment, and then said: "If it is too exhausting, just return to Hanya Island; there is your favorite fish porridge at home."

Wang the Blacksmith replied: "I have heard that this is merely the later constructed outer mountain gate. The true inner mountain gate, however, possesses an air of the celestial beings, far more grand and magnificent than this place."

Father, I have come to a realization. I should accept my fate and follow you back to Hanya Island to learn fishing.

Since Tie Dan was accepted as an inner disciple by the Pinghai Sect, Wang Tiejiang immediately became very attentive to the various matters of the Pinghai Sect, and after inquiring from multiple sources, he has already become half a guide.

"When has your father ever deceived you!" Mu Fu said with a serious expression, "This is all the ability I have. Once you enter the Pinghai Sect, the path ahead will depend entirely on you!"

Wang the blacksmith looked at Mu Fu, feeling a sense of envy in his heart. On one hand, he was reluctant to see his son leave; on the other hand, he hoped his son could have a broader future. His emotions were quite conflicted.

On the evening of the fourth day, Mu Fu brought back a fragrant roasted leg of lamb, but Mu Yi only took a bite and, citing a lack of appetite, set down his bowl and chopsticks

In gratitude for the nurturing grace and the trust in the Pinghai Sect, each selected disciple's family will receive a substantial sum of money. However, it is stated that once the child enters the Pinghai Sect, they must abide by the sect's rules, and matters of life, death, honor, and disgrace will be determined by the sect.

He is very unwilling to accept that after so many years of hard work, he is simply labeled as "unqualified" with just three words

He had a beautiful dream in which he finally fulfilled his wish to join the Pinghai Sect, mastering a complete set of celestial arts and becoming an immortal capable of flying through the air

Although Mu Yi did not cry out loud, his eyes were still somewhat red

"How is that possible? Your meridian cultivation is so impressive; how could you not be selected!" Wang Tiesheng shook his head repeatedly, feeling very anxious for Mu Yi.

Mu Fu was taken aback, and Mu Yi had already stood up again, anxiously saying: "Where is the jade bracelet that you have always kept in your bosom? What about the pair of jade bracelets left by mother? Did you take the illustrations and books to bribe the steward of the Pinghai Sect?"

Esteemed adults, I have come to send the child to join the outer sect of the Pinghai Sect. " Wang the blacksmith clasped his hands in salute to several guards and performed a bow

The Mu family father and son could only bid a brief farewell outside the mountain gate

The large ship returning to Hanyan Island will not arrive until seven days later, so the three of them found a cheap inn next to the market and settled into two lower rooms

Father, how is it that you possess such remarkable abilities, allowing the steward of the Pinghai Sect to agree to accept me as an outer disciple?" Mu Yi pondered for a moment and asked with some curiosity

The wooden father comforted, "Don't be sad. Come back to Cangya Island with me, and become a fisherman to support yourself. There is nothing wrong with that"

It was discovered that among the children coming to be selected as disciples, only a very few talented children were directly accepted as inner disciples. A portion of those with acceptable qualifications and some progress in their cultivation would have their names recorded and be sent to a specific location to become outer disciples of the Pinghai Sect. The rest would be directly eliminated and not accepted.

Suddenly, he thought of something and abruptly threw himself into his father's embrace

Since Mu Yi became aware of things, it has been several years since he cried so intensely. Mu's father sat quietly for a moment and then silently left the room

Mu Fu and Wang Tiejiang also wanted to enter, but were stopped by the guards, who said that outsiders were not allowed to enter

"Unqualified!" Mu Yi murmured, at this moment he only wanted to throw himself into his father's arms and cry out loud, but he held it back

It is very important! Mu Yi said loudly, "I do not want to stay on Cold Crow Island for a lifetime, I do not want to be a fisherman for a lifetime"

Father, you are not deceiving me, are you?" Mu Yi jumped up from the wooden bed, hardly believing his ears