The "White Crane" at His Lips Flew Away

Across the vast heavens, the snow-white Tai Xu Shui Yun He beat its wings and soared, its figure slicing through the sky.

Zhunti and Jieyin exchanged glances, each catching a trace of suspicion deep in the other's eyes.

"Oh no, that sly little white crane played us!"

Yet in that instant, an unfathomably profound aura, seemingly beyond the mortal world, slowly approached, causing them to cast their doubts aside.

"Could he really be this kid's master?"

Zhunti murmured softly, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. But he was unwilling to give up. How could the white crane already at his lips simply fly away?

An old man seemed to stride over the clouds from the edge of the horizon. A delicate treasure tower rested atop his head, with myriad auspicious rays cascading down, while the clouds beneath his feet reflected a resplendent glow.

The old man slowly came to a halt before Shi Yu with a smile. Looking down at Zhunti and Jieyin, he said calmly yet firmly, "This person and I share an unbreakable bond. You two should leave."

Zhunti and Jieyin's expressions shifted unpredictably as they secretly wondered: Why does this line sound so familiar? It seems like it should have come from us.

"I am Taiqing of Kunlun Mountain. Fellow Daoists, if you insist on refusing to let go, then why don't we discuss the Dao right here?"

"Let's see whose reasoning is more convincing!"

The old man's words were filled with majesty, and his presence was overwhelming and unquestionable.

The two of them understood that the person before them was no pushover. After weighing their options, they truly had no desire to bring trouble upon themselves. After all, once they fought, the outcome would be hard to predict. If they lost... then so be it~

"Junior Brother, forget it. There's no hope for our precious disciple."

Jieyin gave a helpless, bitter smile, his face filled with dejection. Accompanied by Zhunti, he took three steps and looked back once.

In the end, they left with unwillingness and helplessness in their hearts. The other side was simply too powerful. The Sanqing were one body, and with two against three, they had no chance of winning.

Seeing the two leave, Shi Yu quietly breathed a sigh of relief before turning to Taiqing and saying respectfully, "Thank you, Senior, for coming to my aid."

The corners of Taiqing's mouth lifted into a warm smile. "Think nothing of it. I came here as if riding seven-colored auspicious clouds. Since you and I share a fated connection, we should naturally form a master-disciple relationship."

After saying that, Taiqing gazed warmly at Shi Yu and asked, "Are you willing to acknowledge me as your master?"

Shi Yu was overjoyed. He hurriedly dropped to both knees, bowed, and saluted. "Greetings, Master!"

Taiqing nodded in satisfaction. "From this day onward, you are a disciple under my Kunlun Mountain."

"Master, this disciple has an impertinent request. I hope you can grant it..."

Shi Yu raised his head slightly and looked at his master with a trace of shyness. Asking someone to do something right after becoming his disciple was indeed a little abrupt.

"Hahahaha, speak freely. If my disciple has a request, your master will naturally do everything in his power to help. I cannot shirk my duty!"

Taiqing waved his hand boldly, displaying the generosity and bearing of a master. He also felt that a master ought to show off a little in front of his disciple; that was how one carried oneself as a master.

"This disciple would like to ask Master to help me refine Mount Fangzhang. It is this disciple's old home, and I have always been attached to familiar places..."

In truth, Shi Yu was secretly calculating. Such a rare Blessed Land would be a terrible waste to abandon here. Since it already belonged to him, he might as well pack it up and take it away...

If he left it here, Zhunti and Jieyin would definitely return to pack it up themselves~

"This is a trivial matter. Watch your master's skill!"

Taiqing lightly waved his sleeve. In an instant, the towering, enormous immortal mountain shrank to the size of a palm and flew toward Shi Yu like a streak of light.

"Master truly possesses vast divine abilities. This disciple cannot thank you enough!"

Shi Yu accepted the mountain and sincerely thanked his master. He then returned leisurely to Kunlun Mountain together with Taiqing.

At that moment, Zhunti and Jieyin, who had not yet gone far, witnessed Shi Yu's actions and could not help sighing in unison:

"Such talent, yet he failed to join the West. What a regret! What a pity. We finally found a disciple so perfectly suited to us, and he's gone just like that~~"

Their words were filled with regret, but even more so with heartache and disappointment.

They could only watch as the "immortal crane" that had nearly fallen into their hands gracefully flew away. The feeling in their hearts was like a blade cutting into them, the pain refusing to fade.

In particular, Shi Yu's habit of treasuring Heavenly materials and earthly treasures was exactly like that of the two brothers. How could this not leave them overwhelmed with emotion?

When Heaven and Earth were first created, all things were hazy and ignorant, with no awareness or understanding. Yin and yang provided the foundation, the celestial bodies began in the northern extremity, and the earth took shape in the void of Kunlun.

At the summit of Kunlun Mountain, immortal aura filled the air and cloud shadows drifted about, seeming both dreamlike and illusory. Purple Qi Comes from the East, filling the land with auspiciousness.

Mountain ranges stretched for countless thousands of miles. Spiritual Springs and immortal plants covered the land, while spirit beasts and immortal cranes often appeared, making it seem like an otherworldly immortal realm standing apart from the world.

At that moment, a crane's cry tore through the firmament. The Tai Xu Shui Yun He carried an old Daoist through the wind and clouds.

It was none other than Shi Yu's newly acknowledged master, Taiqing, who was flying gracefully toward the valley of Kunlun Mountain.

The old man with an immortal bearing and the immortal crane overflowing with celestial aura complemented each other, like an immortal emerging from a painting.

"Master, have we arrived? Kunlun Mountain is so vast. Where is our Daoist sanctuary?" Shi Yu asked, filled with curiosity.

Taiqing smiled and gently patted the crane's back, signaling it to descend. "Do not be impatient, disciple. That thatched cottage over there is the Daoist sanctuary shared by me, my Second Brother, and my Third Brother."

A simple thatched courtyard came into view. Who could have imagined that this was the residence of the Sanqing before they separated? It seemed somewhat at odds with their noble status.

"All right, Master, sit tight. This disciple will land now."

Shi Yu was determined to leave a good impression on his master. The crane's wings beat violently, instantly lifting them ten thousand zhang into the air. Then it abruptly slowed, swaying from side to side as it drifted down into the courtyard like a light fallen leaf.

That was a textbook fallen-leaf drift, and it counted as leaving a good impression on his master.

"Master, we're home. Come down quickly, and don't keep sitting on my back. If you enjoy flying, this disciple will take you out for more rides in the future."

Taiqing slowly climbed down from the crane's back, bracing himself against an immortal tree as he spent quite some time steadying his breath.

"Disciple, your master's arms and legs are old."

"Don't pull these fancy stunts anymore. When you have time, just go out and find your master a mount."

"I think a green ox or something would be quite good—sturdy and honest, rather suitable for your master!"

At that moment, two people walked out from the thatched houses on either side of the courtyard. They were none other than Yuqing Yuanshi and Shangqing Tongtian.

Taiqing smiled and said, "Second Brother, Third Brother, this is the disciple I accepted while traveling. He was transformed from the Innate Being Tai Xu Shui Yun He and has excellent natural endowments and aptitude."

Tongtian, however, focused solely on something else. "A mount? Eldest Brother, have him find one for me too. It's no trouble!"

Tongtian wore black robes, his black hair tied up with a jade hairpin securing it. A few loose strands hung over his forehead, giving him an imposing and heroic appearance. A blue sash was wrapped around his waist, and a long sword hung there, though it was not his proving Dao treasure, the Qingping Sword.

Seeing this, Primordial Heavenly Venerate pretended to scold him. "Third Brother, how can you ask your nephew for something the moment you meet him? Where are your manners?"

Yuanshi wore white Daoist robes, his hair neatly arranged and his eyes deep and wise.

Yuanshi then turned to Shi Yu and said, "Nephew, you are Eldest Brother's first disciple and also the first disciple under our Sanqing. This is a gift for our first meeting. Take it."

With a wave of his hand, a jade-green bottle flew before Shi Yu. "There is Three Lights Divine Water inside. Consider it your Second Martial Uncle's gift for our first meeting!"

Shi Yu looked troubled and hurriedly declined. "Thank you, Martial Uncle, for bestowing this treasure, but it is far too precious. I dare not accept it."

His respectful attitude greatly pleased Yuanshi. Yuanshi nodded repeatedly. This boy is excellent. He has such good manners!

Tongtian, however, laughed from the side. "Eldest Nephew, there's no need to be so polite. Your Second Brother has plenty of Three Lights Divine Water in the Eight Treasures Glazed Bottle. This little bit is nothing. Just accept it."

After saying that, Tongtian snatched the jade bottle and forcibly stuffed it into Shi Yu's hands. He also reminded him to keep it safe.

Shi Yu's heart was filled with delight and relief. He secretly thought: Fortunately, I didn't follow the Western Duo. Otherwise, I might still be wandering about, or perhaps going everywhere to "form fated connections."

Primordial Heavenly Venerate said proudly, "Since it was given to you by your Martial Uncle, it is yours. Keep it safe. Tongtian, aren't you going to give your nephew something as well?"

Tongtian scratched his head awkwardly. "Second Brother knows that I am extremely poor. The only thing I have that can be brought out is a Purple Lightning Hammer. My nephew is so frail and refined; I can't exactly have him wield a hammer."

At that time, Hongjun was still gathering people to prepare for a group battle against Luohu. The Sanqing had yet to travel through the primordial wilderness or pay respects to Hongjun, so it was normal for them to possess few spiritual treasures. Lingbao Tianzun's hands were not rich in treasures either, and he had yet to advance into the "Lingbao" Tianzun.

Tongtian thought for a moment before saying, "Eldest Nephew, your Martial Uncle will give you two choices. The first is the top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, the Purple Lightning Hammer." At the mention of it, Tongtian's face showed reluctance. "The second is for your Martial Uncle to help you with one matter in the future."

Shi Yu did not hesitate. He understood clearly that a Saint's promise was as weighty as Mount Buzhou. How could it compare to a spiritual treasure?

Besides, he already had the Cloud Void Water Fan, which was no inferior to the Purple Lightning Hammer. Moreover, he truly had no desire to make himself swing a hammer.

"Thank you for your affection, Martial Uncle. A nephew's affection is more valuable than a spiritual treasure."

There was also the fact that he was so handsome. Swinging a giant hammer? That was absolutely impossible. It would be an insult to his refined bearing.

Just imagine fighting someone in the future, only for Shi Yu to suddenly pull out a huge Purple Lightning Hammer with a whoosh. The image was too beautiful to contemplate.

Tongtian laughed heartily. "Good boy, you have an eye for things! Since you've chosen this, come find your Martial Uncle whenever you need something in the future."

Yuanshi and Taiqing also nodded approvingly. How could there be such an understanding eldest nephew in the primordial wilderness?

From then on, Shi Yu officially became the first disciple of the Sanqing, and the thatched courtyard gained another small thatched cottage.