Noble Families Enter the Mountain, Senior Disciple Must Act Like a Senior Disciple

The Tree Python was not small, its nearly hundred-meter-long body weighing over ten tons, comparable to the heaviest adult elephants during the late Dharma-ending period. Its movement along the way created quite a stir.

Along the path, some Evolved Beasts were disturbed by the Tree Python's scent and fled in panic.

Occasionally, startled roe deer, overwhelmed by fear, would run directly in front of Yuan Tianzong, disoriented. Upon seeing him and the great python, which still exuded ferocity even in death, their legs turned to jelly.

They were too weak, their life essence not even enough to fill a gap between teeth. Yuan Tianzong had no intention of bothering them. He bypassed them and returned to his small wooden cabin.

Just as with the True Apes he had previously dealt with and distributed, all the flesh and blood went to Yuan Tianzong, while the python's bones were left for Bone.

Yuan Tianzong had already understood that by refining the bones of powerful Evolved Beasts and making them part of his own skeleton through some unknown method, that skeletal part could provide Bone with specific strengths.

For example, the True Ape was a fierce, strength-based creature among Evolved Beasts, with a robust physique.

After Bone replaced its bones with those of the True Ape, its skeletal aura instantly changed, becoming stable and full of power.

Yuan Tianzong wondered which part of its body Bone would refine the python's bones into.

Speaking of which, its head was already made of python bones.

Without paying too much attention to Bone's refining process, Yuan Tianzong shifted his focus back to processing the flesh and blood.

It was the familiar barbecue method. It wasn't that he didn't know other cooking techniques; it was mainly about simplicity and speed. After all, barbecue was arguably the most convenient of all cooking methods.

He wasn't particular about taste; as long as it was cooked, it was fine. At most, he'd sprinkle some cumin and black pepper to enhance the flavor. The key was to obtain the nutrients and life essence from the flesh and blood.

He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and regulated his breathing, entering the state of his breathing technique.

In this state, Yuan Tianzong's entire body engaged in a special kind of respiration, significantly boosting his physical attributes and allowing him to rapidly refine flesh and blood, absorbing its internal substances.

A large amount of life essence was absorbed, and inner energy surged.

Despite the Tree Python's considerable size, the life essence within it was not much for Yuan Tianzong. His physical body was at a much higher level, having already undergone one transformation.

A rosy glow flowed over his skin, and life essence gradually enhanced his vitality.

As his vitality grew, his inner energy increased accordingly.

More and more inner energy formed a tide within his body, surging and blooming.

He had read in ancient texts about the highest realm of the physical body: becoming a saint.

It was said that at that stage, the physical body was indestructible, and its flesh and blood contained immense energy, making it highly nourishing to consume.

The Tang Monk's flesh in Journey to the West might not have been entirely fabricated.

Becoming a saint in body, achieving immortality as medicine – he was on the path to verifying the truth.

By the time Yuan Tianzong had fully digested the Tree Python's flesh and blood, Bone was still refining its bones.

Maintaining his caution, he remained dormant, not venturing further into the mountains to hunt Evolved Beasts.

Yuan Tianzong was clear about debts of gratitude. His breathing technique had provided him with a direction for inner energy cultivation, a great kindness for which he decided to protect Bone and help it grow.

Perhaps if they were in a safe place within the city, Yuan Tianzong might have left alone. But this was Wangwu Mountain, overrun with Evolved Beasts, and populated by many cultivators and mutants. It was not safe.

Suddenly, the sound of propellers echoed in the sky.

Yuan Tianzong, looking up from the valley, saw uniquely designed armed helicopters flying overhead, heading towards a certain location in Wangwu Mountain.

"Armed forces."

His excellent eyesight allowed Yuan Tianzong to see a symbol on the armed helicopters.

Not long ago, he had seen a similar introduction while browsing videos. He hadn't paid close attention but had an impression. After thinking for a moment, he took out his mobile phone, found that introductory video, and watched it carefully.

"Jin City Wang Family."

Yuan Tianzong identified the owner of the symbol: a powerful cultivation family from Jin City, located within Shanxi Province, north of Wangwu Mountain.

Regarding the trajectory of Huaxia's history during his period of slumber, Yuan Tianzong had already done a rough overview.

In the early stages of the world's transformation and the re-emergence of cultivation in living beings, a great war had erupted.

During the war, the aristocratic families and conglomerates contributed significantly, participating in many efforts.

This experience solidified their current special status. Subsequently, with the emergence of Evolved Beasts and continuous battles, they played a crucial role.

Therefore, the aristocratic families and clans were granted a special privilege: the sole group officially permitted to possess lethal weaponry.

Furthermore, the aristocratic families and conglomerates were also the driving force behind the integration of technology and martial arts. With these strengths, their combat power was beginning to catch up to the ancient forces.

According to information gathered online.

Sects were mostly established in the wilderness, while aristocratic families and conglomerates were entrenched in cities. Previously, there was almost no significant interaction between the two. After the appearance of exotic fruits, their interactions noticeably increased.

They either competed with each other or formed alliances.

Yuan Tianzong withdrew his gaze, not dwelling on the matter. Whether the Jin City Wang Family clashed with the sects within Wangwu Mountain or joined forces, it had nothing to do with him.

A few days later, Bone finished refining its bones.

It had refined the entire Tree Python's skeleton into its head, just as Yuan Tianzong had predicted.

With its new skull updated, Bone was very excited and couldn't wait to show Yuan Tianzong the special power of this bone. It suddenly opened its mouth, and the python's maw rapidly expanded, capable of swallowing a giant elephant in one bite. Its hooked teeth were densely packed, a true nightmare for those with trypophobia.

Crack!

With that bite, it clamped down on a massive stone weighing tens of tons, crushing and shattering it.

The towering tree was also bitten off and fell into the forest.

"Clack clack~" The bones returned to their original state, seeking praise from Yuan Tianzong.

"Not bad, not bad, you can even fight a Tree Python solo." Yuan Tianzong said truthfully, confirming that the other party's combat power was already at the level of a Tree Python-class Evolved Beast, and it possessed the ability to protect itself within Wangwu Mountain.

The bones were very happy to receive Yuan Tianzong's affirmation.

"Alright, you've refined another piece of strange bone. Rest at home for now. I have to go to the Celestial Master Temple tonight to look at some books. I won't be back early, so don't wander off."

Not long ago, he had encountered some disciples from the Celestial Master Temple in the forest and overheard their conversation.

Through their conversation, Yuan Tianzong learned that the Celestial Master Temple not only had the Sutra Depository where Daoist classics were kept, but also another place called the 'Celestial Master Cave', and the latter's collection of classics was even more prestigious than the Sutra Depository.

The disciples' words revealed their desire to enter the Celestial Master Cave.

Knowing this, Yuan Tianzong conceived the idea of sneaking into the Celestial Master Temple again, hoping for a better harvest this time and to understand the path ahead.

The bones nodded and wrote a line of text with a small wooden stick: "Okay, Master, I'll keep an eye on the home."

"Mm."

As night fell, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse.

Yuan Tianzong skillfully entered the Celestial Master Temple.

"This place is truly remarkable. The vital energy is becoming increasingly dense, and many areas are showing signs of transformation. I believe there will be more drastic changes soon, and it will only be a matter of time before it becomes a legendary blessed land."

Muttering to himself, Yuan Tianzong began to search for the location of the Celestial Master Cave.

After searching around, he found nothing.

"Where is the Celestial Master Cave?"

Yuan Tianzong felt a headache coming on. He believed that with his search methods, there was almost no place in the entire Celestial Master Temple that he had missed. Could it be that it wasn't within the temple grounds?

He stood on a high point of a pavilion in the Celestial Master Temple, with a panoramic view of the surroundings.

From the conversation of those disciples, it was not difficult to infer that the Celestial Master Cave held a very high status within the temple, and most people were not allowed to step foot inside.

Logically, such a place could not be outside the temple.

Yuan Tianzong trusted his judgment and searched the temple again, but still couldn't find it.

If you can't find the book title, you can try searching for the author! Maybe it's just been renamed!

At this point, he finally gave up on searching himself and decided to find someone to help.

With a few leaps, he arrived at the Sutra Depository as if strolling through a garden.

The few caretakers here were elders of the Celestial Master Temple, and they must have entered the Celestial Master Cave before.

As things stood, Yuan Tianzong no longer cared about being discovered as an outsider sneaking into the temple. Cultivation came first, face second.

Where are they?

Why are they all gone?

Upon arriving at the Sutra Depository, Yuan Tianzong found that the five elders who had been stationed there not long ago were gone.

Such an important place as the Sutra Depository, the five of them must have been guarding and meditating there year-round. They wouldn't have left without reason, let alone all five at once.

"Something must have happened in the Celestial Master Temple." Yuan Tianzong made this judgment and curiously continued to search within the temple.

During his search, he found that the disciples within the temple were not acting unusually. They were like usual, either chatting in small groups about cultivation, diligently attending their evening classes, or holding Daoist books and reading them with a swaying head.

It had to be said that although the Celestial Master Temple had few disciples, far fewer in scale than another Daoist sect within Wangwu Mountain, the 'Quanzhen Sect', its cultivation atmosphere was excellent, and the disciples' aptitude and temperament were good.

"All the elder-level figures have disappeared, only the disciples are as usual."

Yuan Tianzong muttered and then headed towards a secluded bamboo forest on the east side of the temple.

The evening breeze blew, and scattered bamboo leaves drifted down, dancing with the wind, natural and harmonious. The vital energy in the entire bamboo forest was abundant, much more spiritual and refined than in ordinary places within the temple.

In the center of the bamboo forest was a clearing. A young Daoist priest, wearing the Daoist robe of the Celestial Master Temple and with his hair tied up in a crown, sat cross-legged. A pure and vast righteous energy floated around him.

Earlier, he had overheard some disciples of the Celestial Master Temple talking in the mountains, saying that the Celestial Master Cave was a forbidden area, and only core members could enter to receive inheritance.

The elders were gone, but the disciples remained.

Therefore, Yuan Tianzong could only set his sights on the disciples who might have entered the Celestial Master Cave.

The disciples of the Celestial Master Temple were divided into three categories.

First, true disciples.

Second, inner disciples.

Third, outer disciples.

The status and position of these three types of disciples were different. The simplest way to distinguish them was by the Daoist robes they wore.

The robes of true disciples were cloud-blue, with cloud patterns embroidered on them.

The young Daoist priest sitting cross-legged before him was wearing this cloud-blue robe, making him a true disciple.

Perhaps accustomed to cultivating within the Celestial Master Temple, the young Daoist priest did not maintain his vigilance while cultivating, and thus did not notice someone's arrival.

Beside the clearing was a stone table. Yuan Tianzong walked over lightly.

As the saying goes, do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto you. He himself did not wish to be disturbed while cultivating, so naturally, he would not easily disturb others' cultivation practice either.

Furthermore, Yuan Tianzong was not in a hurry; waiting for the other party was fine.

On the stone table were a teapot and simple tea-making utensils. Yuan Tianzong did not stand on ceremony and began making tea as if he were an old friend.

Time ticked by, minute by minute.

It wasn't until midnight that the young Daoist slowly opened his eyes, concluding his nightly cultivation practice. He exhaled a long, drawn-out breath, his aura profound, indicating his cultivation was not weak, having already reached the Five Elements Realm.

One step beyond this realm was the current peak of cultivation, the Dragon Opening Realm.

To reach this level at such a young age spoke of immense talent.

As his true energy circulated, completing the Heavenly Cycle, his mind felt clear and his body refreshed. The young Daoist, who should have been relaxed, tensed up the moment he opened his eyes. He leaped up, and the vast true energy that had been absorbed into his body surged forth again, swirling around him.

After a moment, the Daoist exhaled a breath of turbid air and relaxed his body.

He smelled the calming aroma of tea.

The tea he had brewed in the afternoon had long since gone cold. The scent of tea accompanied by rising steam indicated that the other party had been here for a while and had not disturbed him during his cultivation. They were polite and not malicious.

Realizing this, the young Daoist dispersed his true energy and replied politely, "Fellow Daoist, I am Xue Ding, a disciple of the Celestial Master Temple. May I know your esteemed name, and what business brings you here so late at night?"

Yuan Tianzong's fingertips moved slightly, and a cup of fragrant tea flew out, landing in Xue Ding's hand.

Looking at the full but not overflowing teacup in his hand, Xue Ding felt a surge of surprise. What astonishing control! I didn't feel a single fluctuation of true energy throughout the entire process. A supreme master!

As a cultivator in the Five Elements Realm, he was naturally an insider. This seemingly simple move by the other party had already made him realize that he was no match for him.

If Xue Ding had known that Yuan Tianzong had not used true energy for this action, but purely relied on his extraordinary control skills, he might not have been able to maintain his composure.

"My surname is Yuan. I came here to ask you one thing: where is the Celestial Master Cave?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Ding fell silent for a long time. Facing an outsider who wished to enter the forbidden area of his temple, he remained calm.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, the Celestial Master Cave is a forbidden area of our temple. Even for disciples within the temple, entering is extremely difficult, let alone for outsiders. I'm sorry, but I cannot help you with this."

Yuan Tianzong slammed the teacup onto the stone table. The teacup remained undamaged, but the stone table shattered. He had once again effortlessly displayed his top-tier strength.

"I'll ask again, where is the Celestial Master Cave?"

Xue Ding looked at the shattered stone table and the undamaged teacup, marveling again at Yuan Tianzong's power. He also knew he was being threatened.

"Fellow Daoist Yuan, you can kill me, but I do not know the location of the Celestial Master Cave."

Not afraid of death?

Yuan Tianzong raised an eyebrow and waved his hand. Leaves detached from the bamboo stalks, hovering in the air like countless green arrows, all aimed at Xue Ding. "You're still not going to tell me?"

Xue Ding took a deep breath and still shook his head, "I don't know."

Whoosh whoosh!

Hundreds of bamboo leaves moved, charging towards Xue Ding like a thousand arrows piercing his heart.

A drop of blood seeped from his brow, sliding down his fair cheek. A bamboo leaf had slightly pierced Xue Ding's brow, but not deeply. The surrounding bamboo leaves hovered in place.

A gust of wind blew, and the bamboo leaves drifted down.

Yuan Tianzong smiled. "Your cultivation is good, but I just want to find something in the Celestial Master Cave. I'm not here to cause trouble. Why must you be so stubborn, risking your life? Are you truly not afraid of death?"

Xue Ding shook his head. "Of course, I'm afraid of death. But as the senior disciple of the Celestial Master Temple, I must bear my responsibilities and uphold the rules of the temple."

"Very good, very good. You have principles. I like that."

"However, aren't you afraid that in my anger, I will not only kill you but also everyone in your Celestial Master Temple? Perhaps you think I wouldn't dare?" Yuan Tianzong's smile faded, his eyes turning cold.

Xue Ding raised an eyebrow. "No, I believe you have the strength and the ruthlessness to do so, Fellow Daoist Yuan. But why are you looking for me?"

"What do you mean?" Yuan Tianzong asked, confused.

"As the senior disciple, I must take responsibility. Even if I fear death, I must stand tall and set an example for my junior disciples. Instead of making things difficult for me, why not find other true disciples? They might fear death and lack my burdens, making things much simpler, wouldn't you agree?"

Hearing this, Yuan Tianzong laughed.

"You're an interesting fellow. Fine, then take me to a true disciple who knows the location of the Celestial Master Cave."

Xue Ding thought for a moment and nodded. "I can, but can you promise me one thing?"

"What is it?"

"Do not reveal that I led you to them. As the senior disciple, I must set a good example for my junior disciples. Acting this way would betray my fellow disciples."

The coldness on Yuan Tianzong's face disappeared, and he laughed heartily again. "The burden of a senior disciple is indeed heavy."

Xue Ding sighed. "My master's kindness to me is as great as a mountain, and he has placed high hopes on me. I do not wish to disappoint him. He hopes to revitalize the Celestial Master Temple, and for that, I must set a good example for everyone."