It wasn't that his years of arduous training couldn't overcome this loneliness, but rather that Zhang Junbao knew that understanding and utilizing loneliness was the key to maintaining the most fundamental desire in martial arts.
Why do so many martial artists lose themselves after their strength skyrockets? It's because they lack a fundamental pursuit in their hearts. Once their strength is enough to solve problems, where should they go from here?
Zhang Junbao understood very well that the strength he pursued lay in exploration and protection, always maintaining reverence for the Dao, constantly exploring, and at the same time never forgetting his original intention: protecting those around him. The path of the strong is not necessarily lonely; a wise mentor or helpful friend who can enlighten you at crucial moments is invaluable.
Sometimes one person's strength is limited. Just because you are strong doesn't mean you can consider all aspects. You can learn from others' experiences. Fellow Daoist's significance doesn't necessarily lie in strength, but in having different ideas.
The most brilliant wisdom is born from the constant collision of ideas. Solitary solitary solitude and asceticism may lead to extremism. Upon emerging, one may find that the problems that puzzled them had already been solved by others from different perspectives.
"Hey you two, can you stop flattering each other? It's Babata my teeth ache."
Seeing the two exchanging compliments, Babata couldn't help but comment.
"You two are both perverts. Luckily, I, Lord Demon Babata, had the foresight to have Zhang Junbao become the master's disciple. Hehe, no matter how perverted he is, he's still the master's disciple."
"Hmm? Junbao, you've received a legacy, and you've even become the disciple of a cosmic powerhouse?"
Hearing Babata's boast, Hong immediately tensed up. According to Babata, Zhang Junbao Zhang Junbao a master who was a powerful being from the universe. What did this master think of Earth? Did he want to take it over for himself?
Hong's concerns were not unfounded. Given Zhang Junbao's strength, if he truly had a master of cosmic power, defeating Hong would be a piece of cake. Even when Babata invaded Hong's intelligent Optical Computer, he was powerless to resist. No wonder Hong was on guard.
Zhang Junbao noticed Hong's worry and said with a smile, "Don't be nervous. I have become an apprentice, but it's not what you're thinking. Babata, didn't you marvel at Hong's extraordinary talent? How about I take on the role of apprentice on behalf of the master and let Hong become his disciple as well?"
Babata's eyes lit up. That's right! So what if Hong is a genius? As long as I make him one of my own, wouldn't that make me a monster? Sure enough, my great Lord Babata is too farsighted. By taking Zhang Junbao as a disciple, he also got a genius like Hong who has mastered a domain at the Planetary Level as a bonus.
Zhang Junbao is indeed a mature successor; he even considers the development of Yunmo Star on his own.
"Alright, with Hong's talent, he barely meets Master's standards for accepting disciples," Babata said proudly.
Zhang Junbao recounted in detail to Hong the story of the inheritance from Yunmo Star and Hu Yanbo.
Is a spaceship hidden beneath the Australian Continent?
Hu Yanbo's Intelligent Life Babata?
Planetary Level, Star Level, Universe Level, Domain Lord Level, World Lord Level, and Immortal Level beyond World Lord?
The Ganwu Advanced Cosmic Civilization Empire, the Black Dragon Mountain Intermediate Cosmic Civilization Empire, the Silverblue Elementary Cosmic Civilization Empire, Milky Way Galaxy.
Should one become the disciple of an Immortal powerhouse, or a deceased one whose legacy remains?
Hong's eyes lit up. If it was really as Zhang Junbao said, it would be like finding a treasure on the street! Hong might have some hesitation about becoming an apprentice, but a dead master was a different story.
"I have a brother, Thunder God. I wonder if we could become disciples together?" Hong asked.
Babata was deeply gratified. He hadn't expected Hong to be so self-aware even before he had entered the sect, and he even knew how to recruit others. It seemed that the succession of the master was becoming more and more promising.
Having witnessed Hong's monstrous abilities, Babata, who had previously looked down on Earth's civilization, quickly browsed the entire global internet and naturally knew that Thunder God was second only to Hong in power on Earth.
"Alright, I was thinking about how to Thunder God to come over, but since you want him to become your apprentice as well, then you tell him to Thunder God over and become your apprentice together." Zhang Junbao agreed.
" Zhang Junbao, whether they can become my disciples depends on whether I, Lord Babata, agree. How could you just agree to it so easily?" Babata was still fantasizing about the rise of the Yunmo Star Inheritance, and Zhang Junbao had already agreed, which made Babata feel very embarrassed.
" Babata, I am the eldest brother. Now that Master is not here, I am the one who calls the shots in the Yunmo Star Lineage. Can't I even make a decision on something like accepting disciples on behalf of Master?" Zhang Junbao said with a cold look in Babata eyes.
For a moment, Babata saw a shadow of Hu Yanbo in Zhang Junbao, and almost thought that Hu Yanbo had been reincarnated.
Zhang Junbao knew that Babata liked to be in control of everything. In Babata's eyes, Zhang Junbao was just a newborn baby who had no ability to make decisions. Naturally, it was Babata who would take the lead over the Yunmo Star Lineage.
But how could Zhang Junbao allow an Intelligent Life to control him?
However, Zhang Junbao's performance hit Babata's weak spot. Although it appeared very strong-willed, it was actually a very dependent person. After seeing Zhang Junbao's assertiveness, Babata developed an even stronger sense of trust in Zhang Junbao.
Without speaking, Babata assumed that Zhang Junbao, as the senior brother, would rule the Yunmo Star Lineage. Suddenly, he felt a strange sense of security, just like when his old master Hu Yanbo, was around.
It's so good to have the boss around!
Half a day later, under Hong's guidance, Zhang Junbao finally met another top powerhouse on Earth, Thunder God.
Thunder God touched his bald head and looked Zhang Junbao up and down without any politeness.
" Brother Hong, is this the senior brother you were talking about? He looks like he's just become a martial artist!" Thunder God said with a loud laugh.
"Don't underestimate Junbao. Even I couldn't defeat him in the Challenge Space," Hong explained. He knew that Thunder God was just like that—somewhat carefree and without malice.
"What, do you have a problem with me being the senior brother?" Zhang Junbao looked at Thunder God and said with a smile.
"Of course not, it's just that I'm not convinced that you could defeat Brother Hong. How about we have a fight in the Challenge Space? If you beat me, I'll agree to become your disciple." A sly glint appeared in Thunder God's eyes.
Thunder God understands Hong; he knows Hong wouldn't speak carelessly, nor would he drag him to find just anyone to be his apprentice. Since Hong told him, it means Hong has already confirmed everything.
Zhang Junbao and Hong chuckled. With Thunder God's looks, how could he escape their notice? Thunder God wasn't actually unconvinced; he was just itching to test his skills against Zhang Junbao, and this was just an excuse.
"Alright, it won't take long to prepare for your apprenticeship ceremony anyway. Hong, have someone prepare the ceremony. Since Little Leizi is not convinced, then beat him until he is."
Five minutes later, Thunder God, grumbling, took off his Virtual Helmet and obediently became his apprentice.
"You perverts! You're all perverts! You think you can do whatever you want just because you don't have a domain? Just because you have a domain doesn't mean you can do whatever you want!"
"Sorry, having a domain really does mean you can do whatever you want." Zhang Junbao and Hong exchanged a smile, leaving Thunder God looking utterly dejected!