Ze Tian Guai

Holding a banner to summon the soul, carrying a three-foot wooden sword, dressed in black robes and a blue crown, with his face covered by brocade, a Daoist priest stood in the ancestral hall at the village entrance. He looked at the empty altar and then at the mountain of memorial tablets, his hands constantly calculating.

"Senior Brother Song, there isn't a single dog in the village, let alone a person."

"We've searched the entire village, front and back, but there are no signs of a fight. It seems to have been abandoned for a long time."

Before long, two young Daoist boys, both wearing 'Unknown Face' masks, dressed in hemp clothing and straw sandals, one holding a golden bell and the other with a silver bell on his wrist, and with their hair tied in buns, came in to report.

"That shouldn't be the case..."

Senior Brother Song slammed the banner down, and with a loud bang, he drove the flagpole into the ground, making it stand upright about a foot deep. Then he took out a register from his pocket and flipped through it with his fingers to check.

The two young Daoist boys exchanged a glance, and the one with the silver bell spoke, "Senior brother, we've searched far and wide, traversing all forty-eight villages, but we haven't found a single junior brother. It seems there are no more destined ones nearby."

The one holding the golden bell nodded, "If you're worried about how to explain things to the Master, why don't we try our luck in Changsi City? There are so many refugees from the north; we can just buy a few and bring them back to the mountain to report."

Senior Brother Song shook his head repeatedly, "No, no, no, whatever else is fine, but since the Mountain Lord specifically instructed me, there must be someone in this village!"

The two young Daoist disciples were also helpless.

"Senior brother, even the loudest bells and the most powerful chimes can't summon them... On the bright side, perhaps they've moved to Lou Guan City?"

"Yes, yes, it's not surprising that a village in this desolate wilderness could be wiped out overnight by passing demons."

Senior Brother Song turned his head and glared at them.

"Lazybones! What nonsense are you spouting! If you don't want to move, then stay here! As long as you don't leave the Dharma Banner Dojo, you'll be fine. I'll go out and search for three days. If I don't return in three days, you can go back to Ink Bamboo Mountain yourselves."

"Yes..."

Seeing that his senior brother was determined, he walked out of the village in a few steps and disappeared from sight. The two boys had no choice but to stay temporarily in the ancestral hall. The Golden Bell Boy couldn't help but complain.

"That guy surnamed Song is really troublesome. I've been searching for him for a month now, braving wind and rain. I'm exhausted. Wasn't Senior Brother Qian doing a good job? Why was someone else given the job of guiding the disciples?"

Seeing that his senior brother was not there, Silver Bell Boy plopped down on the altar and complained.

"Who knows? I asked around at home, and they said that Song Dayou was in the first batch from Tianyu Mountain. He was in the same batch as True Lord Xiang and True Lord Lin back then. Now, his classmates are all famous Martial God and true lords in the Southern Country. He's still stuck at the Golden Core stage. He recently came back from the front line of Yu Mountain. He probably couldn't keep up with his fellow cultivators' progress and was injured by Nangong. He's probably back to recuperate."

"Hmph, the mountain lord ordered it? The Grand Master broke through Yu Du and has been in seclusion for fifty years. Would he really come out of seclusion to instruct a mage stuck in the Golden Core realm on such a trivial matter as recruiting disciples? What a load of bull."

"What can we do? He refuses to turn back. Are we just going to waste our time in this desolate wilderness? The mountain is filled with malevolent energy, and our spiritual energy is depleted. This is a huge waste of our cultivation time! As the Grand Master said, time is money!"

"Sigh, let's just bear with it. Actually, this is for the best. We can't find a single outsider with this surname Song, so we can sell the spots for entering the mountain to the bank. I heard that the market price for a single Outer Sect Disciple position is a whopping 20,000 taels of silver."

"What, what?! Twenty thousand taels for a disciple! And this guy surnamed Qian only gave me five hundred! Damn it! My family may not be short of this little bit of money, but you can't just rip me off like this! Are you looking down on me?!"

"Tch, five hundred taels isn't enough to shut you up, you should be content. They only accept forty-nine people per session, and now there are even northerners vying for spots. We have to follow the rules and first seek out those with affinity, and we also have to take care of the seniors from Lou Guan City, Tianyu Mountain, and Moshan who have passed away. Where are we going to find so many twenty thousand taels to earn?"

"Oh, speaking of this, I heard them say that because there are too many disciples, the Grand Master has broken through the Enlightenment Stage after emerging from seclusion. He wants to return the position of Mountain Master to the old Mountain Master, build a new branch in the South China Sea, and teach the Tai Sha Sword Dao that he recently deduced. It will be called the South China Sea Sword Palace. He also plans to merge the entire South China Sea into the main sect. Is that true?"

"I've heard about it too, but these things are unfounded. We should wait until we wipe out the remaining Nangong followers in Yushan first."

"That's just a matter of a snap of the fingers. Even the Mountain Lord captured Empress Nangong in one move, let alone those brats? I know they were specially left for our disciples to cultivate by the Grand Master!"

"Oh dear, needless to say, once the two old mountain lords recover their power, my Ink Bamboo Mountain will have three Dao Lords, hundreds of Nascent Divine Transformation, and thousands of True Lords! Spanning the Li, Xun, and South Seas, we will undoubtedly be the number one sect in the South! Even the Northern Divine Sects and Xuanmen wouldn't dare to underestimate us! Hehe, 20,000 taels for tuition? I think that's too little!"

"... What nonsense are you spouting? You can't just brag like that. Where did you get hundreds of Nascent Divine Transformation from?"

"Aren't all the people from Moshan capable of Divine Transformation?"

"That guy called Revered Heavenly Demon, he might just end up being used as a drinking snack. What kind of Divine Transformation is he anyway..."

"That punch will be the same no matter what! Alas, it's a pity I can't master the Ink Mountain Fist. I hope the Great Fiend Sword Dao that the Grandmaster is proposing this time will be easier to cultivate, then I can go to the South Sea Sword Palace to cultivate."

"Come on, you have a sword?"

"Hey, I may not have a sword at home, but I've got money."

The two boys chatted and joked while cleaning, removing dust and cobwebs, drawing incantations and talismans Fourth Department the Hall of Light, and setting up formations. Most importantly, while it was still light, they repaired the eaves, doors, and windows, making sure not a single ray of light could get in. Finally, they took out their small alchemy furnace, roasted medicinal pills, and emitted Dao Breath of Daoist energy. Then they sat down in the Daoist temple, eating dry rations and cultivating their breathing, quietly waiting for Senior Brother Song to return.

On the first night, the sky was cloudy and silent. On the second night, it rained but nothing happened. On the third night, the False Moon in the sky, and the village became more crowded.

With the moonlight so bright, and the two boys not being novices who had just entered the Dao, but having been instructed by their elders, they naturally dared not casually enter into meditation at such a time. Hearing the comings and goings of people and the sounds of chickens and dogs at the village entrance, they secretly peeked out through the crack in the door. Under the moonlight, they saw illusory figures appearing and disappearing, sometimes gathering and sometimes dispersing, like flickering lamplight illuminating a purple curtain.

"What kind of law is this...?"

"Who knows? Just don't call them out, and everyone will be fine. Time to sleep."

However, when they turned their heads, the children were stunned, because a statue had suddenly appeared on the shrine that had been empty for the past three days!

The image was hidden in the darkness, and only a vague outline could be seen, but those knowledgeable disciples of Ink Bamboo Mountain would naturally recognize its shape.

"Black Lotus Mother!"

As soon as the words were spoken, all was silent. The two boys held their breath and secretly turned their heads to look outside the door again.

It was pitch black outside the door.

It wasn't because the moonlight suddenly disappeared.

It was because all the shadows of the entire village had gathered around, peering into the doorway.

"... What do we do now? Should we call for help?"

The two boys quickly jumped under the banner, each holding a golden bell and a silver bell, and each produced a silk talisman.

"You shout at them, then you'll get what's coming to you!"

"... But... but can I light it now? I only have one Kun Talisman to save my life..."

"Nonsense! I only have one!"

"Then, how about we wait for Senior Brother? Maybe we won't need to..."

"Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang bang bang!"

Suddenly, the ancestral hall door roared! It was being pounded on by someone outside, making a deafening noise! Dust from the roof beams swished and fell all over the children's heads and faces, as if some ferocious beast outside was angrily ramming the door, trying to rush in!

"Senior brother! Senior brother! Help me, senior brother!"

"Put on the talisman! Put on the talisman! Help! Senior brother, help me!"

The two boys frantically rang the bells and chimes to call for help, and the doors, windows, and even the floor tiles of the ancestral hall all trembled violently, as if it were about to collapse in a major earthquake!

"Eh--!"

"Crack!" "Boom!!"

Then suddenly a furious shout came from outside! Thunder and lightning! A deafening roar! Blinding blue light almost pierced through the gaps in the window frames and rubble to pour into the ancestral hall!

But in that instant, the dilapidated ancestral hall, almost falling apart, fell silent. The young Daoists held their breath and waited for a moment, then saw a figure walk to the door and then speak in Song Dayou's voice.

Are you all alright?

"Senior Brother Song!"

"No, it's nothing!"

"Stay inside and Door Opening when it's light."

Then the figure disappeared. The two Daoist boys waited anxiously for half the night until the morning light shone through the crack in the door. Only then did they realize that the image of the Black Lotus Mother on the shrine had disappeared sometime earlier.

The two exchanged a glance, cautiously peeked through the crack in the door, and then pushed the door open.

Senior Brother Song stood guard at the village entrance, breathing exercises in the morning light, surrounded by lightning and enveloped in mirage energy.

Beside him was a boy of about five or six years old, squatting on the ground with his knees drawn up to his chest. He actually had rather delicate features, but he was extremely thin, suffering from severe malnutrition. His hair was so long that it covered his face, and he was wrapped in a large, dirty black robe that was matted together like a tattered carpet. He looked as if he hadn't spoken to anyone in a long time and seemed a little dull-witted.

Smelling a certain scent emanating from him, the two young Daoist disciples kept their distance and bowed respectfully.

"Thank you so much for saving me, Senior Brother..."

Song Dayou opened his eyes, nodded, and gave a brief introduction.

"I went to Moon Worship to check. This is the village of the Luo Sect. The villagers fled into the Void Land to avoid the war, but they encountered something strange and couldn't return to human form in an instant. Only this child survived, so I picked him up from the Void Abyss."

I have examined him; he is not Devil Embryo. However, according to the rules, we should still bring him back to Ink Bamboo Mountain and have the master examine him before making any further decisions."

The two young disciples looked at the young demon child, who was able to enter and leave the Void Abyss at such a young age, with fear and hurriedly bowed and agreed.

Then Song Dayou looked at the boy and asked, "Does he have a name?"

The boy shook his head blankly, as if he couldn't remember.

So Song Dayou did some calculations, handed the boy a talisman, and pointed to the ancestral hall behind him.

"Hold it tight, go in and kowtow three times."

The boy was quite well-behaved. He ran into the ancestral hall with the talisman and kowtowed. He quickly returned and gave the talisman back to Song Dayou.

Song Dayou took the talisman and flicked it, burning it to ashes in his palm. The ashes scattered in the wind, and he closed his eyes and listened intently.

"Is your surname Zheng?"

So Song Dayou opened his eyes and did some calculations.

"Since the mountain lord specifically requested me to accept you as a disciple, it seems you are destined to be connected with the thunder magic lineage of my Qingting Peak. I am also nearing the time to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage, so according to the lineage's tradition, I will pass on the name 'Ze' to you. From now on, you will be called Ze Tian."

After this matter was settled, Song Dayou took out a jade gourd, silently chanted, and a lightning-streaked thundercloud emerged from the gourd, enveloping the two Daoist boys and one disciple in the thundercloud. They then soared into the air and flew back to Ink Bamboo Mountain at lightning speed.

Zheng Zetian wasn't afraid of heights. He stood with his mouth open, peering out from in front of the thunderclouds at the world outside the village, his face full of wonder.

The two young Daoists were not in such high spirits. After all, the country had suffered from a severe drought for many years, and the journey to Ink Bamboo Mountain was through desolate wilderness, with yellow earth and white sand, not even a hint of greenery. There was really nothing to see.

Although these two were not very old, they both came from cultivation families and were mature and sensible at a young age. Of course, they knew how extraordinary it was to be 'picked up from the Void Abyss ', and couldn't help but inquire.

"Senior Brother Song, are you sure this kid is alone in a place like Void Abyss? I mean, what does he eat? Is he hungry? Should we give him some pills?"

"I heard that if you spend the night in the Void Abyss, you can't return to human form and can be used as a snack with drinks. Is that true? Junior Brother Zheng, are you really alright?"

Song Dayou seemed to roll his eyes at the 'Unknown Face'.

"I've been cultivating for sixty years, do I really need you to remind me of this?"

The two Daoist disciples naturally dared not confront them directly, saying, "We just don't trust you, a piece of trash who's been stuck at the Golden Core stage for sixty years." They could only say it tactfully.

"It's not that I don't trust my senior brother, it's just that I'm new to the sect and want to learn and discuss things. Junior Brother Zheng, do you perhaps possess some kind of treasure that allows you to reside in the Void Abyss for so long?"

"Yes, yes, Senior Brother, you are knowledgeable and experienced, having fought in numerous battles and possessing profound Daoist skills. Do you think he might have obtained some secret technique from the Luo Sect, which would allow him to freely enter and exit the Void Abyss?"

Song Dayou couldn't help but glance at them sideways.

"Hey, how old are you two? You know quite a lot, but your skills are so rudimentary, it doesn't seem like you're from a powerful family. What, are you from a prestigious clan?"

The boy holding the golden bell quickly offered a Banknotes, saying, "No, no, what era are we living in? Forget about aristocratic families. I'm just Huang Jing, my family is in business. This is just a small token of my gratitude for your help, senior brother."

Song Dayou lifted the Unknown Face and was astonished when he saw the amount of the Banknotes. "Wow, a thousand taels right off the bat! Goodness, are you from that Huang family that smuggled salt?"

Jin Zhongtongzi laughed, "It's just a small business, nothing to mention. It's all thanks to the Grand Master and the Railway Institute!"

The boy with the silver bell couldn't possibly produce a thousand taels of silver, but he quickly came forward to curry favor.

"Senior brother, you're too kind. I am Xiang Ji, a scion of Xiang County in East River Dao. If we were to check the family genealogy, True Lord Xiang would be my distant uncle. So, senior brother, you would be my uncle too! We're all from Ink Bamboo Mountain, practically family!"

Song Dayou was speechless.

"Oh, I see. No wonder you two dared to gossip behind my back and give me attitude. You must come from a very powerful family. These days, no wealthy families can compare to local tycoons like you."

"Please forgive me, senior brother!" "I know I was wrong!"

The two young Daoist disciples immediately made a gesture to kneel down and beg for forgiveness.

Song Dayou flicked his sleeve and bounced them both up.

"Alright, alright, I see you two spoiled brats have been pampered since childhood, ignorant and arrogant. But my Ink Bamboo Mountain sect never holds back its disciples. You two are already quite fortunate, yet you're jealous of Ze Tian's destiny for immortality, huh? Fine, I won't say I won't give you a chance. Let's see if you can seize it."

Upon hearing that there was a connection to the immortals, the two young Daoist disciples were overjoyed.

"Senior brother, what are you saying? As fellow disciples of Ink Bamboo Mountain, it's only natural for you to help your junior brother!"

"Yes, yes, Junior Brother Zheng is also a local from Li Country! It's only right, it's only right!"

Song Dayou was too lazy to expose their little schemes. He simply beckoned Zheng Zetian to come over, rolled up his sleeves, and exposed his arms.

"Come see if you want, this is his destiny."

Huang Jing Xiang Ji were delighted to take a closer look. They saw that on the little beggar's thin arm, there were densely packed scripture characters, seemingly written with cinnabar or some kind of blood...

Song Dayou said,

"The Precious Scroll of 'The Immovable Mount Tai, Deeply Rooted and Bearing Fruit'."

With a loud bang, Huang Jing 'Xiang Ji face blazed with Unknown Face!

The two Daoist boys screamed in agony, "Aaaaah!" and "Ooh ah ah ah!" as they rolled around in the thunderclouds, covering their faces! Purple flames erupted from their heads, faces, and hands, scorching their flesh and blood!

Zheng Zetian watched them howl and thrash about quietly, as if he were truly born dull and stupid, or as if he had seen this scene countless times before.

"You are indeed destined to follow my path."

Song Dayou patted Zheng Zetian's head with satisfaction, then looked at the Daoist boys who were rolling around on the thunderclouds, burned by the flames. After watching them roll for a while, almost burned beyond recognition, he made a hand seal and waved his sleeve to extinguish the flames. He then said to the two barely alive men,

"What, this isn't enough? It seems your luck isn't tough enough to shoulder such a heavy responsibility. How about we take a break, prepare you, and try again?"

"... No, no..."

"This disciple knows his mistake, senior brother, please spare my life..."