Randeng Hugs a Thigh? Arriving at Shouyang Mountain, the Two Boys Golden Horn and Silver Horn?

Daoist Randeng's words struck Guangchengzi like a thunderbolt, his mind reeling with utter disbelief.

"This...?"

He stared at Randeng with an incredulous expression.

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined this.

Daoist Randeng had come to Kunlun Mountain seeking to become a disciple of Yuanshi.

Let it be known—Randeng was a Quasi-Saint!

"What's going on?"

"What... what is Daoist Randeng thinking?"

"A dignified Quasi-Saint Great Expert, here to snatch the position of Senior Brother under Yuanshi's tutelage?"

Guangchengzi's heart trembled, his breathing turning ragged.

He had originally assumed Randeng's visit was to discuss important matters with their master.

Who would have guessed Randeng was here to seek apprenticeship?

And if Yuanshi agreed, with Randeng's Quasi-Saint cultivation, he would naturally become the Senior Brother among Yuanshi's disciples.

The more he thought about it, the more uneasy Guangchengzi grew, the corner of his mouth twitching uncontrollably.

After a brief daze, he quickly turned his gaze to Yuanshi.

Deep down, he desperately hoped Yuanshi would refuse Randeng.

"Hm?"

At the same time, Yuanshi was equally caught off guard upon hearing Randeng's intent.

In his view, someone of Randeng's status and cultivation coming to see him would most likely be to discuss the Dao.

But who knew Randeng, that sly old fox, actually wanted to become his disciple?

"He wants to take me as his master—likely chasing the opportunity of the Saintly Way."

"If not, with his Quasi-Saint cultivation, why would he willingly place himself beneath another?"

After a moment's thought, Yuanshi had already guessed the reason.

After all, Randeng was the same as him—a Quasi-Saint.

Logically, he would never submit to being inferior.

But earlier, Dao Ancestor Hongjun had distributed the Saint seats during his third sermon at Zixiao Palace.

The Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, and the Western duo Jieyin and Zhunti—these were the future Six Saints of the Heavens.

Daoist Randeng's choice here

was naturally aimed at the Saints.

Having figured this out, Yuanshi remained expressionless and gave a faint smile:

"Daoist Randeng, you and I are both guests of Zixiao Palace. If I take you as a disciple, it would hardly be appropriate."

Hearing Yuanshi's refusal, Guangchengzi breathed a secret sigh of relief, thinking his position as Senior Brother was safe after all.

After all, if Yuanshi gained a Quasi-Saint disciple, wouldn't the rest of them have no choice but to obediently follow orders?

Daoist Randeng, upon hearing Yuanshi's words, quickly replied:

"Daoist Yuanshi, you speak amiss."

"As the saying goes, mastery makes the teacher. Daoist Yuanshi will surely attain the Saintly Way in the future."

"Randeng is willing to uphold the rites of a disciple!"

"I beg Daoist Yuanshi to grant this request!"

With that, Randeng bowed once more to Yuanshi.

Guangchengzi, watching Randeng's words and actions from the side, couldn't help but twitch his eyelids, cursing inwardly:

"Damn it! This old man's skin is thicker than a city wall!"

"Master already refused him, yet he still doesn't know when to back off!"

Thinking this, Guangchengzi quickly looked at Yuanshi, his heart growing uneasy again.

He worried that Yuanshi might soften and actually take Randeng as a disciple.

From then on, his own status under Yuanshi would plummet.

Fortunately, after hearing Randeng out, Yuanshi showed little reaction and said with a calm smile:

"Daoist Randeng."

"Let us speak no more of apprenticeship."

Pausing briefly here, Yuanshi added:

"However, if you have no place to go, you may stay temporarily at Kunlun Mountain, handling various affairs on my behalf and managing the disciples."

In Yuanshi's view, this Daoist Randeng was no weakling in cultivation—if he could be kept on Kunlun, he would become a great asset in the future.

Besides, once he himself became a Saint, he likely wouldn't be able to personally manage his disciples.

If Daoist Randeng was willing to stay, he would be a fine choice to oversee the sect on his behalf.

At Yuanshi's words, a flicker of disappointment flashed through Randeng's eyes.

He had originally thought Yuanshi would accept him as a disciple.

Who would have guessed—he was refused.

But after a moment's thought, Daoist Randeng let it go.

He figured that staying within the Dao Field of a future Saint was still better than wandering aimlessly outside.

Moreover, Yuanshi was certain to become a Saint—clinging to a Saint's thigh, why not?

With that thought, determination flickered in Randeng's eyes, and he bowed respectfully to Yuanshi:

"Then I thank you, Daoist Yuanshi!"

Yuanshi smiled faintly and raised his hand lightly, signaling Daoist Randeng not to stand on ceremony.

Guangchengzi, standing by, secretly breathed a sigh of relief and muttered under his breath:

"Good thing I didn't get another senior brother..."

"I'm still the chief disciple under Master."

Time slipped by, and in the blink of an eye, many days had passed.

By now, Qin Mu had arrived at Shouyang Mountain.

Gazing into the distance, he saw purple qi coiling around the mountain peak, Xuanhuang Merit cascading down, and an ancient Dao palace perched atop the clouds, inscribed with three Dao characters: "Eight Sceneries Palace."

"As expected of Senior Uncle-Master's Dao Field—truly extraordinary in bearing."

Qin Mu sighed in admiration.

He could naturally tell that the Dao Field Taishang had chosen was rich in fortune.

After taking in the view, Qin Mu didn't dwell on it. He composed himself and headed straight into the mountain.

Entering Shouyang Mountain, he saw slopes sprouting auspicious grasses, the ground growing lingzhi, roots connecting to the earth's beauty, peaks touching the heavens—green pines and willows, purple chrysanthemums, red plum blossoms.

"Truly a place of non-action and purity!"

Qin Mu praised to himself.

At the same time, he was curious.

"I wonder what kind of red packet will drop here?"

"At least a Medium Red Packet, right?"

In Qin Mu's view, Shouyang Mountain, chosen by Taishang, was a land of gathered spiritual essence.

Even if it couldn't compare to Buzhou Mountain, it wasn't far off.

Earlier, at the peak of Buzhou Mountain, he had obtained a Large Red Packet.

Coming to Shouyang Mountain this time, even if he didn't get a Large Red Packet, a Medium Red Packet would be fine—worth the trip.

After a brief thought, Qin Mu collected himself and continued forward.

Before long, he reached the mountain gate and was about to step inside.

Just then, a sharp shout rang out:

"What creature dares trespass on Shouyang Mountain?"

As the words fell, two figures darted out from within the gate.

These two figures were short and small, looking like a pair of little runts.

Qin Mu followed the sound and saw two children, less than three feet tall, blocking his path.

On their heads, one bore a small golden horn, the other a small silver horn.

At that moment, the two children had their hands on their hips, putting on fierce expressions, staring straight at Qin Mu.

"Oh?"

Qin Mu was inwardly startled:

"Golden Horn? Silver Horn?"

"These two must be the future Great King Golden Horn and Great King Silver Horn, right?"

Qin Mu muttered to himself, naturally recognizing the identities of these two children.

After all, in the future Journey to the West, Great King Golden Horn and Great King Silver Horn were the ones who created a tribulation for Sun Wukong.

The two dueled with Sun Wukong in magic and combat, first gaining the upper hand with their magic treasures, then losing due to Sun Wukong's schemes.

In the end, Sun Wukong defeated Great King Golden Horn and Great King Silver Horn, confiscated their five magic treasures, and returned both the treasures and the people to Taishang.