“This…?” Huang Yulang was completely stunned, his terror-filled eyes staring fixedly at the Daoist Child walking on air above him.
“You ant.
This Daoist Master was careless just now and was almost fooled by your little trick.
Today, I’ll let a lowly mortal like you see what the methods of an Immortal look like.
Go.”
The Daoist Child formed Finger Formulas with his hands and let out a low shout.
The wooden sword on his back shot toward the sky, and in an instant, several streams of Sword Qi erupted from it.
PFFT.
PFFT.
PFFT.
Huang Yulang’s pupils contracted sharply.
He saw several holes pierced through the tiles on the roof, allowing sunlight to stream down.
As the Daoist Child withdrew his power, the wooden sword instantly returned to its place on his back.
Seeing Huang Yulang so terrified by his actions, the Daoist Child’s mood lifted, and his face beamed with delight.
“Ironwood Blooms.”
With another low shout, a green radiance surged around his body.
Within the area enveloped by the light, the wooden beams of the house suddenly rejuvenated, sprouting tender buds and blossoms.
Huang Yulang was once again dumbfounded by the dreamlike scene, but it wasn’t over yet.
The Daoist Child waved his hand.
The tender buds and flowers vanished, and countless wood fragments on the ground floated up.
They began to spin automatically, sending sawdust flying as they transformed into a swarm of wooden spikes.
THIP.
THIP.
THIP.
The countless wooden spikes blotted out the sky as they shot toward Huang Yulang, intent on piercing him.
‘My life is over.’ Seeing the overwhelming torrent of wooden spikes rain down, Huang Yulang was terrified to the extreme and squeezed his eyes shut in despair.
But the spikes embedded themselves in the ground all around Huang Yulang, making a series of soft sounds.
The Daoist Child had finally vented his frustration.
Still not satisfied, he was about to cast another spell when the elder Daoist, seeing that Huang Yulang was thoroughly terrified, spoke up to stop him.
“That’s enough.” The Daoist Child reluctantly landed on the ground.
He looked at the half-dead-with-fright Huang Yulang and sneered.
“You rotten punk, get up and try to act tough with this Daoist Master again.
See if I don’t finish you off.”
Huang Yulang had never witnessed such a spectacle before and was truly frightened, his face pale with terror.
‘What did I just experience?
A real Immortal performed magic right in front of me, and I kept foolishly provoking him.
If he’d had any killing intent, even nine lives wouldn’t have been enough to save me.’
At this thought, a wave of fear washed over Huang Yulang, and he couldn’t help but tremble.
But who could have guessed that a Cultivator would actually show up at his door?
Having witnessed the true methods of an Immortal, Huang Yulang was horrified, but deep in his eyes, a wild joy began to bloom.
‘My guess was right.
This world really is extraordinary.’
Huang Yulang struggled to get up.
How could he dare feel any dissatisfaction with the Daoist Child’s mockery?
It was just that the great mountain on his body was still there, and no matter how much he struggled, he couldn’t rise.
Seeing that his disciple had vented his anger, the elder Daoist shook his head helplessly.
With a wave of his Floating Dust, the pressure on Huang Yulang’s body instantly dissipated.
“Im-Immortal!
This lowly one was blind and failed to recognize a True Immortal’s esteemed presence!
I spoke rudely and insulted you, True Immortal.
This lowly one truly deserves ten thousand deaths.” Huang Yulang shakily got to his feet and bowed humbly.
‘How could I not bow?
He’s an Immortal!
If I truly angered him just now, losing my life would be getting off easy.
Annihilating my entire clan wouldn’t be out of the question.
How could I not be terrified?’
Fortunately, the elder Daoist still had a kind face, and the playful smile on his lips only grew deeper.
He didn’t seem angry in the slightest.
As for the Little Daoist Child, having vented his anger and seeing this “ant” in such a state, he felt a great sense of satisfaction.
His rage dissipated, and he gave a cold laugh.
“Well, well, now it’s ‘Immortal’ this and ‘Immortal’ that.
Why aren’t you calling this Daoist Master a little swindler anymore?”
With a look of terror still on his face, Huang Yulang cursed his luck internally.
He slapped himself twice across the face with the back of his hand, producing two loud SMACKS.
Forcing himself to ignore the stinging pain, he offered an apologetic smile.
“Oh, my Immortal Daoist Master!
This lowly one is just a Tier One mortal.
In your eyes, am I not just an ant?
You are a grand Cultivator on the righteous path; you can’t lower yourself to the level of an ant like me.
If word got out, wouldn’t it damage your esteemed reputation?”
“Hmph!
I am an Immortal.
Naturally, I won’t bicker with a mortal like you.” Flattered by Huang Yulang’s praise and mollified by him slapping his own face in apology, the Daoist Child was feeling quite pleased with himself.
The elder Daoist glanced at Huang Yulang, surprised once again.
‘This boy certainly has a silver tongue, and more importantly, he knows when to yield.’
‘And my own disciple gets carried away by just a few words of praise.
The difference in their mental fortitude is obvious.’
‘It’s just a pity his Spiritual Root’s Attributes are too mixed.
Even if he could truly embark on the path of cultivation, I’m afraid he’d never get past the Qi Refining Stage in this lifetime.’ A faint sense of regret flickered in the elder Daoist’s heart.
“Ah, this…?” Fu, who had gone to arrange the banquet, returned.
Seeing the trashed room, he couldn’t help but cry out in alarm.
“Young Master, wh-what happened here?” Huang Yulang ignored Fu and walked up to the elder Daoist with a broad smile.
“Elder Immortal Master, I’m sure I can’t hide anything from your esteemed Dharma Eye.
This junior meant no harm.
It’s just that there have been too many swindlers in recent months, which led to today’s misunderstanding.”
“Elder Immortal Master, Immortal Daoist Master, it’s all my fault, one hundred percent my fault.
I have already prepared a banquet and must properly apologize to you both.” The Daoist Child snorted, but the elder Daoist just smiled faintly, looking as serene as a calm wind and a light cloud.
“Blessed Infinite Celestial Venerable.
Since you are so sincere, little friend, then this humble Daoist won’t be polite.” Seeing the elder Daoist agree, Huang Yulang was overjoyed and quickly led the master and disciple toward the reception hall.
The banquet was ready, a feast for the eyes and the palate.
Huang Yulang personally poured wine for the two masters and kept them company.
There were also songstresses and dancers.
With Huang Yulang’s glib tongue, the atmosphere at the banquet was extremely harmonious.
With just a few words, he had the young Daoist Master roaring with laughter, all previous grudges forgotten, much to the elder Daoist’s exasperation.
“We’ve drunk the wine and eaten the food.
Shouldn’t you tell us your purpose now?”
The elder Daoist got straight to the point, looking at Huang Yulang with a smile.
Huang Yulang gave an awkward laugh, dismissed the servants, and his expression turned serious.
He dropped to his knees and kowtowed to the elder Daoist.
“Elder Immortal Master, this junior has dedicated his heart to seeking the Dao but has had no way to begin.
Heaven took pity on me and arranged for you and your disciple to come to my door.
It must be fate.
This junior boldly begs the Elder Immortal Master to accept me into your sect.
I will definitely cultivate diligently, respect my master and the Dao, and will never bring shame upon you, Immortal Master.”
By now, the Daoist Child’s opinion of Huang Yulang had changed considerably.
‘Master only has me as a disciple.
It would be nice to have a junior brother to talk to.’ Seeing Huang Yulang directly ask to become a disciple, he looked at the elder Daoist with eager eyes.
The corner of the elder Daoist’s mouth twitched.
‘What is this kid trying to say?
He’s spinning my visit into some act of fate.
If I don’t accept him, does that mean I’m going against Heaven’s will?’
However, Cultivators themselves walked a path of defying heaven and changing their fate, so the elder Daoist didn’t pay Huang Yulang’s words any mind.
‘A mere mortal with abysmally poor aptitude…
I’d have to be out of my mind to accept him as my disciple.’ But seeing the craving and determination for cultivation in Huang Yulang’s eyes, the elder Daoist began to have second thoughts.
“Blessed Infinite Celestial Venerable.
This humble Daoist can see that your heart for the Dao is firm, but alas, your natural talent is limited.
In this life, you are not fated to walk the Great Dao…”
‘What does he mean?
He’s saying my talent is no good?
Who is he looking down on?’
‘What a joke.
I’m a Transmigrator!
And Transmigrators have golden fingers!
I may not know what my cheat ability is yet, but I refuse to believe I transmigrated without any perks at all.
I just haven’t discovered it yet.’
‘Talent is nothing in the face of a golden finger.’ In truth, Huang Yulang hadn’t expected to succeed in becoming a disciple.
At the very least, he would be satisfied with just getting his hands on a Cultivation Technique.
‘This elder Daoist’s disciple is already so powerful; the old man must be unfathomably strong.
He definitely has a Cultivation Technique on him.
If I miss this chance, who knows when I’ll get another one?’ Without waiting for the elder Daoist to finish, Huang Yulang spoke up urgently.
“Elder Immortal Master, please don’t refuse me!
If I miss this opportunity with you, I may never have another chance to become a Cultivator in this lifetime.
Even if my aptitude is limited, I want to fight for this chance!”
“A mayfly is small, but it dreams of shaking a great tree.
An eagle strikes the Long Sky, its ambition rivaling the Kun Peng.
Though I am but a Tier One mortal, I am unwilling to live my life in vain!
My fate is my own to decide, not Heaven’s!
Even if I must die, I am willing to die on the path of seeking the Immortal Dao!”
“I beg you to grant my wish, Immortal Master!” Huang Yulang’s eyes were resolute as he knelt there respectfully, filled with an abnormal determination.
‘I refuse to believe that my sincerity can’t move this old Daoist.
If this old fellow still refuses, then I’ll have to resort to other means.’
The Little Daoist Child was stunned by these words, and a strange emotion swelled in his heart.
The elder Daoist was also deeply shaken by the phrase, “My fate is my own to decide, not Heaven’s.” He stared blankly at the youth before him, speechless for a long time.
“Master…”
The Little Daoist Child was deeply moved.
He recalled his own lonely and helpless past.
He, too, had once been desperate, helpless, and resentful.
He had also held onto hope.
If his master hadn’t appeared and changed everything, he probably would have died in some mountain ditch long ago.
This youth, who was the same age as him, was able to speak such heartfelt words.
The Little Daoist Child was not only shocked but also filled with admiration, and he couldn’t help but want to plead on Huang Yulang’s behalf.
The elder Daoist’s expression was complicated.
His gaze toward Huang Yulang softened considerably.
He reached out, helped Huang Yulang up, and sighed.
“Sigh…
you are a good child, but accepting you as a disciple is impossible…”
Seeing that the elder Daoist still refused, Huang Yulang, who had already prepared for this, was not discouraged.
He reached into his sleeve, pulled out a stack of silver notes, and respectfully presented them.
“Elder Immortal Master, I beg you to take me as your disciple.
This is ten thousand taels in silver notes.
Please accept them, Elder Immortal Master.”
The ten thousand taels of silver notes stopped the elder Daoist’s words in his throat.
The Little Daoist Child froze for a moment, then his eyes lit up as he stared intently at the stack of silver notes.
On their journey, the master and disciple had treated illnesses and saved people from wealthy families.
A generous payment would be a few hundred taels.
This was the first time someone had pulled out ten thousand taels in silver notes.
As the saying goes, wealth can move the gods, and money makes the world go round.
Although mortal silver has limited use for a Cultivator, it can still be quite helpful.
This was especially true for the declining Qingcheng Mountain, which had no businesses to support it, leaving the master and disciple to fend for themselves.
Even if they wanted to find a wealthy fool to exploit, they wouldn’t dare be too blatant about it.
After all, this world had its rules.
The mortal dynasties and the truly powerful clans all had backers of their own.
If a Cultivator dared to act unscrupulously, the consequences would be severe.
An existence on the level of an old monster like Master Xuanmu, a Nascent Soul expert, could only rely on his own skills to honestly earn some silver to spend, even in a remote place like the Yun Country.
Huang Yulang saw the master and disciple staring blankly, especially the Little Daoist Child, whose eyes lit up at the sight of the silver notes in his hand.
Huang Yulang’s heart leaped with joy.
‘It’s working!
Silver is a hard currency in any world.
Today, this young master will use these silver notes to bludgeon a Cultivation Technique out of them if I have to!’
Huang Yulang reached into his robes again, and another stack of silver notes appeared.
“Please accept this, Immortal Master.”
Seeing twenty thousand taels of silver, the elder Daoist’s expression couldn’t help but shift slightly.
The look the Little Daoist Child gave him grew even more brilliant.
Huang Yulang remained outwardly calm, standing there respectfully, but he took in the expressions of both the master and the disciple.
‘Still not taking it?
Looks like it’s not enough.
They’re Cultivators, after all.
A few tens of thousands of taels of silver isn’t enough to impress them, huh?’
Steeling his heart, Huang Yulang pulled out all the silver notes from his robes—a full ten stacks piled on top of each other.
“Please accept this, Immortal Master.”