Surprise

Duanmu Ren was still unwilling to give up the position of power he had worked so hard for half his life.

His purpose in becoming an apprentice to cultivate immortality was simple and pure: he only hoped it would help him get promoted and never thought about achieving immortality.

Li Chengxuan did not force the issue.

As long as Duanmu Ren Qi Ingestion and enters the Dao, cultivates the [High Shaman] lineage, and gains the favor of the Heavenly Dao in the cultivation Heavenly Dao, improves the Manifestation of Supreme Mystery Mountain, and accumulates the Merit [Continue Lost Teachings], he can obtain these three benefits.

As for why Duanmu Ren practiced cultivation and how he practiced it, Li Chengxuan left it to him.

Li Chengxuan watched Duanmu Ren drive away and asked Liu Zhijian, "What do you think of him?"

Although Liu Zhijian could not sense people's hearts, he still gained some profound insights by practicing the Qi Ingestion of [Old Man by the Stream]'s [Kan Water] Manifestation. After pondering for a moment, he said, "He seems flexible and adaptable, but in reality, he has a rather fierce and hidden nature."

"But I always felt that his ferocity and violence were just a facade."

"I must admit my poor eyesight to discern the true nature of this person's heart."

"There are many vicious and tyrannical people in this world, some with the courage of brutes, others who bully the weak, and most of them have no Manifestation to speak of." Li Chengxuan nodded slightly, mentioning that he had gone to Stone Ridge County and met two other people besides Li Jiabao.

The first one is Hu Shihao, a gangster boss in Stone Ridge County. He became famous when he was robbing a mine and covered in explosives, forcing back hundreds of enemies. Over the past twenty years, he has killed people more than once, and he can indeed be called ruthless.

However, he was vicious and only cared about money, which was truly Lower Vehicle, and his Manifestation was so shallow that it was not worth mentioning.

The second is the new county magistrate who succeeds Duanmu Ren.

According to Li Jiabao and Hu Shihao, this man is quite old and nearing retirement. His reputation for being greedy and addicted to women is well-known. He came to a major coal-producing county as the last stop of his career in order to make a fortune and save enough money for his retirement.

This man is greedy and vicious, and in theory he is no less than Duanmu Ren. However, his Manifestation is extremely unpleasant, even exuding a sense of decay. He is not only inferior to Duanmu Ren, but also to Hu Shihao.

Li Chengxuan then confirmed that Duanmu Ren's ability to condense the Manifestation a [High Shaman] was indeed extraordinary.

His original idea of arbitrarily finding a corrupt official to replace him was an underestimation of Duanmu Ren, and even more so of the [High Shaman] lineage.

Liu Zhijian listened and pondered silently.

Stones from other mountains can be used to polish jade.

Having already Qi Ingestion and embarked on the path of [Kan Water] cultivation, studying other Daoist traditions can not only broaden one's knowledge but may also offer valuable insights.

Although Li Chengxuan's focus upon returning to Earth was on Duanmu Ren, he also placed high hopes on Liu Zhijian, offering him guidance and instruction from time to time. Seeing Liu Zhijian deep in thought, Li Chengxuan said with satisfaction, "The Deng Gang incident has greatly affected you, to the point that your mind is unsettled. Forcing yourself to cultivate will easily lead to inner demons."

"Why not put aside your spiritual practice completely and relax for a while?"

"There's no Spiritual Qi here, so it's impossible to cultivate here. It couldn't be more suitable."

"You can fish and relax here, or you can go back to your hometown for a visit."

"In my spare time, I can also chat with Duanmu Ren."

In the past, a down-on-his-luck fisherman would often be at a loss for words when trying to communicate with the county magistrate.

But once you enter the immortal sect, all the rules of the mortal world become nothing but a joke.

Although Duanmu Ren held some status in the secular world, he was merely Registered Disciple of Supreme Mystery Mountain.

As the sect leader's eldest disciple, Liu Zhijian could naturally handle the situation with ease.

"Yes." Liu Zhijian could sense Li Chengxuan's good intentions and readily accepted all the arrangements.

As for going back to his hometown, Liu Zhijian no longer has that idea.

What's left of my hometown?!

Two old houses that are uninhabitable.

Several relatives with whom there is no familial bond.

Three or five friends I've lost contact with.

Going back would only cause more trouble.

Duanmu Ren had a headache.

The idea that one must get a tattoo to cultivate immortality is as absurd as the idea that one must castrate oneself to practice this skill.

Fortunately, the sect leader said that after Qi Ingestion and entering the Dao, one can use magic to hide.

Otherwise, if you take off your clothes during your annual physical exam and show off your tattooed arms and back, you'll probably become a hot topic immediately.

The second troublesome thing is asking for leave.

Although he barely escaped the turmoil at Supreme Mystery Sub-Courtyard, he managed to land safely.

However, according to the rule that he couldn't say, he had already become a "disgraced official" and was a key person under observation.

Taking extended leave might raise suspicions that you're planning to abscond, potentially triggering some people's sensitivities.

Fortunately, Duanmu Ren was quick-witted. His stated reason for requesting leave was to find the missing Hua Chunning and bring her back to testify, so as to completely clear himself of suspicion.

Privately, he was also frank and straightforward, saying that he went there to ask his godfather for medicine.

He is now in a vegetative state.

They even abandoned their own children, only caring about dividing the inheritance.

Duanmu Ren still had some filial piety, thinking that Hua Chunning could cure pneumoconiosis, and perhaps she could also save his godfather's life.

The latter reason is clearly more convincing.

After listening, the city leader didn't say anything, but patted Duanmu Ren on the shoulder with great emotion, and with a wave of his hand, approved it directly!

Having successfully obtained leave, Duanmu Ren breathed a sigh of relief.

Who would have thought that the first hurdle in my cultivation journey would be asking my boss for leave?

Next, we'll face the second challenge.

Tattoo!

Or rather, engraved with Shaman Runes!

Duanmu Ren found the highest-rated tattoo shop, hesitated at the door for a while, and then went in.

Inside the shop, a girl with a stunningly beautiful full-sleeve tattoo was playing on her phone. Noticing someone enter, she immediately stood up to greet him. She glanced at Duanmu Ren and, startled, quickly spoke up, "Sir, we are a legal and compliant tattoo shop. We never serve minors. If your child has a tattoo, it has absolutely nothing to do with our shop!"

"No," Duanmu Ren somewhat awkwardly, "I want a tattoo!"

"You?!" The tattooed girl looked Duanmu Ren up and down, then suddenly realized, "Oh! I get it! It's because of that popular challenge on that short video, right? Something about belated rebellion, and the post-90s generation dyeing their hair yellow and red."

"You're from the post-80s generation, right? Even more rebellious, you even got tattoos!"

After all, you can dye your hair back if you want to.

Removing a tattoo can be a real hassle.

"Yes, yes, that's it." Duanmu Ren breathed a sigh of relief, then impatiently urged, "Can I get it done or not?! If not, I'll go somewhere else!"

"Of course it will work, it absolutely will!" The girl with the full-sleeve tattoo, who also had tens of thousands of followers and considered herself a fashion trendsetter in the small town, immediately asked enthusiastically, "What kind of tattoo does the uncle want?! A dragon crossing the river, or a tiger descending the mountain?!"

There's nothing we can do about it; the older generation just likes this!

"The pattern is here; I prepared it myself." Duanmu Ren carefully took out the Shaman Runes pattern given to him by Li Chengxuan.

The tattooed girl, used to seeing strange customers, initially didn't think much of it. But upon taking a look, her eyes widened immediately. The dark blue-black pattern was extremely intricate, with a hint of the uncanny, and judging by its scale, it seemed to cover her entire body. After examining it closely, she looked at Duanmu Ren in disbelief. "Uncle, you... have such good taste, such courage!"

Li Chengxuan returned to Supreme Mystery Mountain.

Xue Yang from Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain was already waiting in the General Affairs Hall.

Clearly, the [Geng Metal] sword talisman that Liu Zhijian displayed was very intimidating.

Xue Yang's tone was not only much more intimate than before, but also showed a hint of reverence. He even spoke frankly with someone he barely knew, subtly inquiring whether he could borrow the sword and talisman to slay demons.

Li Chengxuan knew he wouldn't agree.

Xue Yang clearly didn't expect to actually borrow it, and with a laugh, he brought up the matter of the Southern Edge Continent.

The appearance of the Supreme Mystery Mountain Sword Talisman caused fear among all the families.

Even the Azure Cloud Sect, which had suffered a great loss, didn't dare to say anything more.

Furthermore, Deng Gang transformed into Human Pill, leaving the Deng Kingdom leaderless and in complete chaos.

Supreme Mystery Mountain is a superior sect, and it carries great righteousness.

The Azure Cloud Sect, after all, holds the title of Imperial Preceptor, which gives them grounds to intervene.

The Southern Verge Immortal Alliance also has a supervisory responsibility; it cannot allow the country to continue to descend into chaos without composing poetry.

Li Chengxuan listened calmly and said, "In a few days, I will send people down the mountain to clean up the mess."

"Is he your eldest disciple?" Xue Yang asked with a smile, clearly having a deep impression of Liu Zhijian.

Li Chengxuan shook his head and remained silent.

Xue Yang didn't ask any further questions. He looked at Hua Chunning, who was serving tea as a substitute maid, frowned and pondered for a moment, then exclaimed in surprise, "I remember you! When you were little, your grandfather took you to Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain."

"I remember you lacked the Manifestation and Fate you were destined for; there was no hope of entering the Tao in this lifetime."

"The Manifestation is perfect now, and we've even started Qi Gathering!"