Beginning with a Masterless Start

Wu Zhou.

Ningzhou, Dongyang Commandery, north of Langyu County.

Green mountains shrouded in mist, clouds and smoke ethereal. Looking afar, between the undulating terrain, one could see cloud dragons and water fish shuttling, as if a few strokes of light ink had spread, the artistic conception leaping onto the paper.

Though not a divine mountain or a spiritual vein of immortals, it was rich in Spirit Bamboo. And because the mountain had nine peaks, it was named Nine Bamboo Mountain, gaining some fame within Ningzhou.

Ascending the moss-covered stone steps along the mountain forest, one could find an unremarkable Taoist temple nestled within an inconspicuous peak.

Having endured the ravages of wind and rain, cracks snaked across the temple's outer walls. The plaque was long gone, the front courtyard was overgrown with weeds, and in the center, a lush potted plant was mounded up...

Upon closer inspection, one would realize this was no bonsai at all, but a cauldron-shaped incense burner, now occupied by greenery due to years of neglect.

Retracting the previous statement, this Taoist temple was far from unremarkable; at least the mottled traces left by time were visible everywhere.

"Disciple, my lifespan is nearing its end, and I will not live much longer. I have a few simple dying words for you, listen carefully..."

Beneath an old tree in the backyard, an old man and a youth sat on the ground. The old Taoist, with white hair and a youthful complexion, was refreshed and stroked his goatee. "There's no need to be sad. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are natural occurrences. Don't put on a tearful act."

Opposite him, the youth raised a hand to touch his slightly dry eye corners and nodded heavily. "Understood."

"Rest assured, though my time is short, I have already sent word to your senior sister, Bai Jin. She will guide you diligently in your cultivation. Thirty years ago, she was the head disciple of the Lingxiao Sword Sect. I imagine by now..."

"Speaking of the Lingxiao Sword Sect, I do miss it. What a shame. If only I hadn't been careless and severely injured the Sect Leader Senior Brother back then, I would have definitely gone back to see it before I died."

"Forget it, times have changed. Talking about these irrelevant things..."

"..."

An hour later, the youth blinked in confusion, looking at the dying man who was still rambling on. He secretly shifted his stiff legs.

What the hell? He said he had a few simple dying words, so why was he getting more energetic as he spoke?

Could it be that he was really seeing ghosts?

"Oh right, disciple."

Perhaps realizing he had been rambling too much, the old Taoist clenched his fist and coughed lightly, his expression serious. "I know you didn't wish to become my disciple and hold a grudge about it, but I truly didn't lie to you. With your aptitude, it would be a waste not to cultivate immortality."

The youth's lips twitched. He had to admit, being straightforward and sharp-witted since childhood, it was clear the old man was half in the grave and knew his time was limited, so he randomly picked a lucky spectator.

And he just happened to be nearby.

"Oh right, disciple, I..."

The old Taoist coughed several times, raising his sleeve to cover half his old face. "Time is short. I was in a hurry to travel before and forgot to ask your name... Uh, what's your name?"

Lu Bei: "..."

Not in a hurry. Just reminiscing about his past life took the old man two hours.

"My worthy disciple?!"

"Lu Bei."

"A good name. I am Mo Buxiu, the Sect Leader of the Feather Transformation Sect on Sanqing Peak, Nine Bamboo Mountain. After I die, you will inherit the position of Sect Leader."

The old man glossed over the awkwardness and gestured around, trying to regain his previous seriousness. "I'm sure you've already noticed, disciple, this place is blessed with outstanding people and spiritual energy, and it is precisely Sanqing Peak's Feather Transformation Sect. From today onwards, you will be in charge."

Lu Bei: "..."

So, "outstanding people" referred to him, and "spiritual energy" referred to the lush vegetation?

If that was the case, he couldn't argue.

Clearly, Mo Buxiu's struggle was futile. The serious atmosphere had already dissipated when the master and disciple exchanged names, and the mention of this "outstanding people and spiritual energy" Feather Transformation Sect made the atmosphere even more awkward.

The master and disciple stared at each other for a while before Mo Buxiu began to explain. He was a restless person and had been traveling and cultivating outside for years, so it was reasonable and logical for the place to be overgrown.

"Alright, disciple, enough talk. My time is truly running out."

Seeing Lu Bei's signs of wanting to flee, Mo Buxiu fumbled in his robes, pulled out a Qiankun bag, grabbed his hand, and stuffed it in. He spoke rapidly, "The Sect Leader's seal and the land deed are all in here. There's also a copy of the Fetal Breath Qi Replenishing Art. I obtained this book in the far west of Kunlun. Although this book takes an unconventional approach, its conception is extremely profound, making it a rare and wondrous book in the world. My cultivation realm is too high, and I can no longer practice it. You have just begun, so it is precisely..."

Mid-sentence, Mo Buxiu's pupils lost their luster, and the hand holding Lu Bei fell limp. He stopped moving silently.

He died so suddenly that Lu Bei couldn't believe it. Mo Buxiu, who had been so energetic and rambling for two hours just moments ago, was gone just like that. Lu Bei raised his fingers and placed them under his nostrils.

He tried it!

Slap!

Mo Buxiu slapped Lu Bei's hand away and took a deep breath. "Continue. Where were we? Ah, right, though my time is short, I have already sent word to your senior sister, Bai Jin. Regarding cultivation... Huh? Why is this Qiankun bag in your hand?"

Lu Bei: "..."

"Oh, I remember now! We've already talked about this!"

Mo Buxiu suddenly realized and smacked his forehead hard. "Look at my brain. I haven't died yet, but it's already malfunctioning."

Hit harder, and maybe you really will stop malfunctioning!

Lu Bei rolled his eyes. If he hadn't resisted a little on the way here and found he couldn't win, he would have definitely punched Mo Buxiu hard in the face.

But forget it. The deceased should be respected. Mo Buxiu was practically dead anyway. He, a living person, arguing with a dead person would just be asking for trouble.

"Disciple, although I cannot teach you cultivation, cultivating immortality is not just about practice. I have something here you must remember."

Mo Buxiu took a wooden box from the Qiankun bag and placed it in Lu Bei's hand. "You must not have the intention to harm others, but you must guard against others. Keep this Fetal Breath Qi Replenishing Art safe and don't tell anyone, not even your senior sister."

What does that mean, Senior Sister isn't a good person?

Lu Bei frowned, nodded, and didn't say much more. In front of Mo Buxiu, he tucked the booklet from the wooden box into his chest.

"Now, I have no regrets, except..."

As he spoke, Mo Buxiu stared intently at Lu Bei, "Disciple, haven't you realized you haven't called me Master even once since you became my disciple!"

Gazed at by those affectionate eyes, Lu Bei shivered. Whether it was an illusion or not, he saw a sickening greasiness in those eyes.

For a moment, he felt utterly terrible.

Thinking back to the forced apprenticeship, he felt a myriad of unwillingness. Then he remembered Mo Buxiu didn't have much time left. This was likely a final burst of energy before death. If he delayed any longer, the old man would pass away with regrets.

How pitiful.

Finally, meeting the expectant gaze, Lu Bei took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Master."

"Good! Good! Good..."

Mo Buxiu clapped his hands in delight. Then, with a smile, he lowered his head and became still.

Lu Bei: "..."

Having learned from past experience, he wasn't entirely sure if history might repeat itself. After waiting for a moment, he reached out to test Mo Buxiu's breathing.

Unexpectedly, before his fingertips were even a hand's width away from Mo Buxiu, the old Daoist's body rapidly turned to dust, scattering into a pile of white ash.

Lu Bei stood there dumbfounded as the wooden box beside him swirled with a vortex, drawing the white ash into itself. In a matter of moments, the entire funeral process was complete, with only the banquet left to arrange.

"This, is quite..."

Lu Bei was momentarily speechless, "Quite... convenient."

He put away his Qiankun bag, picked up the wooden box, and began searching the Taoist temple. After some effort, he finally found a wooden table used for offerings in the dilapidated main house.

The back wall seemed sturdy enough, and the roof didn't look like it would collapse suddenly. It was just unfortunate timing; there were already residents under the table.

A nest of foxes suddenly darted out, yelping and howling, attempting to intimidate the uninvited guest with their numbers.

However, it was useless. After Lu Bei stomped his foot hard, the four foxes immediately fell silent and fled, disappearing into the mountain forest through a hole in the wall.

"Foxes in this world can cultivate into demons. After driving away these residents, will a fox spirit come to seduce me tonight?" Lu Bei put down the wooden box, contemplating that he had been careless earlier. He considered himself a standard frail scholar, unable to carry anything heavy or lift anything substantial. How he would spend the night on the mountain was a real problem.

Go down the mountain?

Going down the mountain was impossible. He had seen clearly on the way up; the mountain path was rugged and steep, very unfriendly to his acrophobia.

Most importantly, he was hungry.

After failing to open the Qiankun bag, Lu Bei tragically discovered he was trapped on the mountain. His only hope now, besides the Senior Sister Bai whom he had never met, was the fox spirit returning for revenge tonight.

"I hope Senior Sister comes soon..."

Lu Bei muttered, closed his eyes, and opened his status panel.

Name: Lu Bei

Race: Human Race

Template: NPC

Level: 3

Experience: 250/900

Cultivation: 30/30

Health: 22/30 (Hunger, Fear, Fatigue)

Main Profession: None

Secondary Profession: Farmer Lv1

Attributes: Strength 2, Speed 3, Spirit 3, Stamina 3, Charm 3, Luck 3

Evaluation: Please have some self-awareness, what's there to evaluate!

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