Inside the courtyard of the Tuoba Lineage in the Flame Blessing Tribe.
"Father, Mingye has defected, and she even conspired with others to kill my friend!"
You must help me bring her back! I want her to suffer a fate worse than death!
Tuoba Ziying spoke, his eyes were filled with resentment.
Snap!
He was slapped and covered his face with his hands.
Do you think I don't know what you've done?
Why did you send Mingye to deal with the people of Chen Village? Don't you think the tribe has already suffered enough trouble?
The one who slapped him was Tuoba Rong, Tuoba Ziying's father and the current head of the Tuoba Lineage.
"I didn't want him to target Chen Village, just the talisman master who helped Chen Village..."
Tuoba Ziying wanted to explain, but after being glared at by Tuoba Rong, he dared not speak again.
Tuoba Rong sat on the desk, his fingers tapping lightly on the surface.
"How dare Mingye betray us! I will never let him get away with this!"
However, although the interior of the Heaven-Questioning Pavilion is loosely organized, it is extremely difficult for outsiders to enter.
"Fine, let them run wild for a year. After a year, the new disciples of the Heaven-Questioning Pavilion will all go down the mountain for training. We can deal with them then."
"Yes! Your son will heed your teachings, Father..."
Tuoba Ziying responded respectfully, his resentment towards Mingye deepening.
A sunny morning.
Chen Mu changed into his brand-new disciple robes and followed the mountain path to Elder Ming's courtyard once again.
Just like last time, Chen Mu called out twice in the courtyard, and another huge wooden plank rose from the ground.
The unfinished game on the wooden board was exactly the same as last time.
Chen Mu was secretly delighted and quickly began moving the chess pieces on top.
Clang, clang, clang!
In less than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Chen Mu had cornered his opponent.
Boom!
The massive wooden plank landed back on the ground.
A figure opened the door from inside the house and slowly walked out.
Judging from his appearance, he was an elderly man of about fifty years old, with his hair tied in a bun and wearing a brown-gray Daoist robe.
Chen Mu Muyuan thought that a talisman master who focused on studying runes would be unkempt and disheveled, but this old man was neatly dressed, energetic, and had a powerful and imposing presence.
After Elder Ming came out, he looked Chen Mu over a few times and nodded.
"Not bad! So young and you've already solved this endgame for me. Come in!"
Elder Ming slowly turned around and entered the house, and Chen Mu quickly followed him inside.
"Sit!"
Elder Ming's room was filled with calligraphy and paintings, exuding an antique charm, quiet elegance, and the abode of a scholar.
Chen Mu sat down on the wooden chair, sitting upright and quietly waiting for Elder Ming's questions.
What brings you here?
Elder Ming sat on the other side of the table and asked calmly.
" Elder Ming, I am a new student who just joined the cabinet this year. During this time, I have had the privilege of studying under Elder Fang, but there are many questions that he cannot answer for me."
In the end, it was he who sent me to you. I wonder if you could answer my question?
Chen Mu was respectful and spoke sincerely.
"Oh?"
Elder Ming looked at Chen Mu with a newfound interest.
"What doubts do you have? Tell me!"
After thinking for a moment, Chen Mu decided to start by discussing the Five Elements, which he was most familiar with.
" The Theory of Creation states that heaven and earth and all things are divided into five elements, but recently I've been studying the principles of space, and I still don't understand the connection between the five elements and space?"
Elder Ming laughed heartily, his initial indifference gone, replaced by enthusiasm.
The Five Elements correspond to the Five Directions: East, South, West, North, and Center.
The Five Elements can be transformed into space, therefore the principles of the Five Elements can be applied within space...
After Elder Ming explained it to him, Chen Mu immediately understood, but new questions arose, which he raised one by one.
Chen Mu was well-versed in the underlying principles of runes, and he could grasp any problem quickly and apply his knowledge to other situations. The two chatted happily, and before they knew it, it was noon.
" Little Mu, are you hungry? Shall I go get you something to eat?"
Elder Ming Ming's cultivation was profound; he had already reached the semi-abstinence stage. Normally, he wouldn't feel anything if he didn't eat for three to five days. Yet, he actually cared about Chen Mu's diet, which showed how much he cared about Chen Mu.
"Thank you for your concern, Elder Ming. I actually prepared the food this morning, but Elder Ming was just wondering if you would be interested in trying my cooking?"
"Oh? Haha, come to think of it, I haven't eaten for seven or eight days. Well then! I'll try some."
Chen Mu and Elder Ming walked to the dining table next to them. Chen Mu took out two beggar's chickens that he had made that morning from his storage ring and handed one to Elder Ming.
"Just crack it open and eat it directly."
Chen Mu cracked open his beggar's chicken, and a rich aroma wafted out, making one's mouth water.
Seeing Chen Mu start eating, Elder Ming didn't stand on ceremony either. With a slight tremor of his hand, he shook off the earthen shell of the beggar's chicken, then reached out and tore off a chicken leg, devouring it with gusto.
"Hmm! Not bad, your skills are already comparable to the head chefs of the restaurants in this pavilion!"
As he ate, Elder Ming praised it.
"Haha, you flatter me! I'm glad you enjoy it, Elder Ming."
After a hearty meal, Chen Mu pondered for a moment, then stopped hiding his intentions and directly stated his purpose.
" Elder Ming, as you can see, I have an extreme passion for the Dao of Talismans, so I would like to ask you to accept me as your disciple. I wonder if Elder Ming would be willing to accept me?"
Chen Mu stood up, cupped his hands, bowed slightly, and looked respectful.
Elder Ming quickly helped Chen Mu up, shaking his head with a smile.
" Little Mu! It's not that I don't want to take you in, but I'm afraid of holding you back."
There are many talisman masters in the Heaven-Questioning Pavilion who are stronger than me. I believe that as long as you are willing to express your feelings, they will all be willing to accept you as a disciple, given your understanding of the Dao of Dao of Talismans. Why waste your time on me?
Chen Mu shook his head, his eyes resolute.
" Elder Ming, I've also looked into it. Although many of them are stronger than you, when it comes to understanding the Dao of Dao of Talismans, it's generally acknowledged that no one can compare to you."
So I don't care. What I love is the study of Dao of Talismans, and I believe your teachings are better than anyone else's.
Elder Ming stared blankly at Chen Mu, who had a stubborn expression on his face, as if he were seeing himself in his youth, when he was equally obsessed with the Dao of Talismans.
Back then, I was the same way, believing that as long as I pursued the pinnacle of the Dao of Dao of Talismans, I would naturally stand at the highest point in the world.
But now...
He sighed and continued.
"However, I have neglected affairs within the pavilion over the years. The resources allocated to me have been decreasing. Even if you become my personal disciple, the resources you receive may not be as high as those of the other inner disciples."
"You don't need to worry about that. As a talisman master, I can obtain resources myself. What I need is a master who can truly help me in the Dao of Talismans."
But you are the master I most desire to find.