The young Daoist and the child, who had been born only a dozen days earlier, smiled at each other. There was an indescribable charm between them. The Chen couple had never seen this child, who had neither cried, fussed, nor smiled since birth, wear such an expression. The young Daoist breathed out a wisp of immortal qi, which settled over the child. Only then did the traces of Buddhist charm left in the child since birth slowly recede, sinking into his bones.
Human charm appeared in his eyes. He opened his mouth, then suddenly began to cry, as if he had just been born.
The Chen couple hurried to comfort the child. The young Daoist withdrew his finger, holding his horsetail whisk with serene ease. The young couple, having received such immense kindness, naturally invited him to stay so they could entertain him and express their gratitude. Qi WuHuo politely declined. The young man hesitated, then suddenly gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and bowed.
"Immortal, forgive this presumptuous request. You saved my child—that alone is an enormous kindness. I shouldn't ask for anything more. But my child suffered such a calamity as soon as he was born. You possess great powers and boundless compassion. Would you consider taking my child as your disciple?"
"I don't ask that he learn any great cultivation, only that he gain the power to protect himself and never again face such danger or be snatched away by a demon... Immortal, please show mercy. Please..."
He bowed with clenched teeth. The woman holding the child froze, then looked utterly reluctant to let him go.
The young man suddenly felt a gentle force supporting him, preventing him from bowing any lower. He stared blankly for a moment, then looked up and saw the young Daoist sweep his