Sasuke Seeks a Master, the Celestial Master Refuses

At that moment, Itachi Uchiha's chest rose and fell continuously as he slowly adjusted his condition. When he looked at the Old Celestial Master again, his eyes were filled with wariness.

Although he still had some trump cards in reserve, he could not continue fighting under these circumstances. Otherwise, he might very well lose his life here today.

Then he turned to Kisame beside him and said, "We're leaving."

As soon as the words fell, the two flashed away and fled the area.

Asuma was about to give chase when Kakashi stopped him. "Forget it. The three of us can't keep them here."

He knew very well that they had left because of the Old Celestial Master.

Those were two Kage Level powerhouses. Even injured, they were not opponents the three of them could handle. Chasing after them rashly would only be throwing away their lives.

Still, no matter what, Itachi and Kisame's departure made them breathe a sigh of relief. Fortunately, the Dao Sect's Celestial Master had been here this time. Otherwise, who knew what kind of trouble might have broken out.

With that thought, they prepared to go over and offer their thanks.

But at that moment, Sasuke walked directly up to the Old Celestial Master, dropped to both knees, and bowed deeply. "Sasuke Uchiha wishes to join the Dao Sect. I ask the Old Celestial Master to take me in!"

Everyone was slightly stunned at the sight, especially Kakashi, his teacher. How had this guy decided to change masters after just a few days apart?

But he quickly understood. The Uchiha clan had always been proud by nature, and it was hard to imagine them lowering themselves to kneel and beg like this.

There could only be one reason for him to do such a thing: revenge!

Sasuke must have been shaken by the power of this Dao Sect senior and wanted to take him as his master, learn even more profound arts, and seek revenge against Itachi Uchiha once again.

And that was indeed the case. When he saw the overwhelmingly powerful Itachi Uchiha, who had driven him into despair, being defeated so easily by the old man before him, the thought had taken root in his heart.

As long as he could gain enough power to take revenge, he was willing to pay any price, even if it meant lowering the Uchiha's proud head.

Looking at Sasuke kneeling before him, the Old Celestial Master's expression shifted slightly as he asked, "Why do you wish to join the Dao Sect?"

Hearing the question, Sasuke thought for a moment before raising his head and replying, "This junior admires the Celestial Master's bearing and wishes to cultivate by your side. Please grant my request!"

The Old Celestial Master glanced at him and said calmly, "What I see in your eyes is more hatred than anything else. You wish to cultivate the Dao so that you can kill someone, don't you?"

His thoughts having been exposed, Sasuke did not deny it. "That's right. Even if it costs me my life, I will make that person die!"

As he spoke, his eyes turned blood-red again, and his nails cut into his palms.

The Old Celestial Master said, "Taoist methods do not exist to kill, nor do they exist for revenge."

Sasuke's expression changed slightly at those words. "Have you never killed anyone, then?"

The Old Celestial Master smiled. "I have, and I have killed quite a few. But I did not cultivate the Dao in order to kill. On the contrary, the one thing a seeker of the Dao must not possess is viciousness in his heart."

Sasuke did not quite understand those words and immediately said, "If you do not wish to accept me, just say so. Why make so many excuses?"

The Old Celestial Master smiled. "Very well, then. I truly do not wish to accept you."

Hearing such a blunt answer, Sasuke was briefly stunned. Then he gritted his teeth and left without looking back.

Watching him depart, the Old Celestial Master shook his head slightly. "That child has some talent, but his temperament is lacking. Without removing the demons in his heart, he will have difficulty finding the righteous path."

Chen Feng, standing nearby, nodded at those words.

The Old Celestial Master was right. Sasuke's heart was now clouded by hatred. If he cultivated Taoist techniques, he would very likely end up suffering a cultivation deviation.

Although cultivators did not need to completely cast aside the seven emotions and six desires, they could not allow their hearts to be controlled by emotion. Otherwise, even if they entered the Dao, they would only be walking a crooked path."

At that moment, Kakashi and the other two approached and bowed to the Old Celestial Master. "Thank you, Senior, for saving us just now!"

The Old Celestial Master smiled. "It was merely a casual act, no need for courtesy. If there is nothing else, this old man and the Dao Child will return first."

Kakashi nodded. "Please do. If you need anything, feel free to speak up."

The Old Celestial Master nodded slightly, then placed a hand on Chen Feng's shoulder. A flash of lightning appeared, and the two vanished.

Seeing this, Kakashi clicked his tongue. "This Old Celestial Master's strength is truly unfathomable. If all the senior experts in the Dao Sect are this terrifying, that would be far too frightening."

Kurenai Yuhi looked astonished. "That... can't be possible, can it?"

Kakashi sighed. "According to the earlier introduction, he is the head of Dragon Tiger Mountain. But within the Dao School, there are a full nine forces like Dragon Tiger Mountain."

Hearing this, Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma were both startled. They found it difficult to imagine what kind of existence the Dao Sect was to be so terrifying.

Kakashi took a deep breath and said calmly, "Konoha is currently at a low point. We can only befriend a force like this. Unless absolutely necessary, we must not offend them lightly."

Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma nodded as well, deeply agreeing...

Meanwhile, Chen Feng and the Old Celestial Master had returned to the courtyard. Xiao Meng had arrived before them and was now waiting inside the yard.

Chen Feng walked up with a light smile. "Since when have you become so polite? You even came out specifically to welcome me."

Xiao Meng merely glanced at him, passed him by, and came before the Old Celestial Master. She gave a slight Daoist salute. "Xiao Meng of the Dao School greets the Celestial Master."

The Old Celestial Master returned the salute courteously and smiled. "Young friend, you possess excellent insight. Your future is limitless."

A rare trace of a smile appeared on Xiao Meng's face as she continued, "Senior, your cultivation is profound. I ask that you do not hesitate to instruct me."

Though proud by nature, she still held great respect for such a senior whose Dao cultivation far surpassed her own.

The Old Celestial Master also wished to guide the younger generation, so he readily agreed. Over the next month, the two spent a considerable amount of time discussing the Dao almost every day.

The Old Celestial Master held nothing back, sharing the cultivation experience and insights he had accumulated over the years.

Under such personal instruction, Xiao Meng's cultivation improved noticeably, reaching the realm of Innate Perfection.

Measured by the ninja world's system, she was roughly at the Quasi-Kage level. With her various supreme Taoist techniques, she could fight even a true Kage Level powerhouse.

Chen Feng also benefited greatly from occasionally sitting in on their lessons, especially gaining new insights into Feng Hou Qi Men...