Taking a master?

For many reasons, the present-day Great Marsh Mountain is now shrouded in mist and clouds, its appearance obscured.

But Great Marsh Mountain in the Dharma Realm still retains its original appearance.

Since Chen Sheng had nothing else to do, he could only do these trivial things to pass the time.

As the location chosen when the [Swan Palace] was built, the former Great Marsh Mountain naturally had a unique landscape.

The mountains form a screen on the outside, while a vast lake stretches for thousands of miles within, encircling the peaks where the [Swan Palace] is located.

The vast expanse of water meets the sky, and the reflection of the lake blends seamlessly with the sunlight.

Above Tingzhou, cranes gather in flight, their cries echoing in the clear, melodious wind.

But it stands atop the highest peak of Great Marsh Mountain, beside the floating sea of clouds.

For reasons unknown, Chen Sheng gazed at the Rotten Axe Handle Dream Pavilion, a place now deserted and devoid of any familiar faces.

I was lost in a long, long period of memories and reflection.

This place was once the gathering place of our Grandmaster, Amitabha Buddha, and the First Northern Dipper, where they would get drunk together.

They were Chen Sheng's closest and dearest friends.

Even after they parted ways, this point never changed, even though they each held their own opinions.

They were also the most elegant and talented immortals Chen Sheng had ever seen.

Even though later generations always revered the "Second Great Yin," Chen Sheng never changed his mind.

Back then, they always gathered here.

In the [Swan Palace] and the Rotten Axe Handle Pavilion, a single discussion could often last for several days and nights, without stopping day or night.

They won't stop until one side completely refutes the other two.

The winner is usually Buddha, because he loves sophistry and can often give the patriarch and the First Northern Dipper a headache after saying just one key sentence.

That cannot be refuted.

But because of this, the two who were refuted could only laugh it off in the end, refusing to admit their mistake, their words more stubborn than their fists.

Thus, the disciples and their followers who served them could only argue about this as well, their faces turning red, coming and going in an endless stream.

I still remember how magnificent the Daoist tradition was back then.

But now, all that was in the past has turned to dust.

The three of them had no choice but to leave this world one after another, and their ideals for each other failed as a result.

Therefore, let alone inheritance, there are very few people left who truly know each other's wishes.

"I am the only one who can inherit [Swan Palace]----"

"And of those who remember our master's teachings, only I remain—"

Chen Sheng murmured to himself, "This is another reason why I am willing to participate in the project of mending the heavens."

He was the only one left of the entire lineage; there was nothing left to begin with, so what was there to fear about its complete annihilation?

It would be better to let myself, who has been barely surviving, try out that delusion one more time.

Therefore, after choosing to join the Great Project of Mending the Heavens eight hundred years ago, he never accepted any new disciples.

He didn't want any worries, nor did he want anyone to die needlessly with him. But then, an unexpected event occurred.

Liu Bang sent his child here to be educated by him. If that were all, it wouldn't be anything special.

Chen Sheng didn't think he would be moved by it.

They wouldn't truly be master and disciple, and they couldn't possibly spend much time together.

Even though the [Swan Palace] has been deserted for over a thousand years, one's emotions will not be so cheap.

However, this child is special. He is truly special among all the people he has ever met. Without a doubt, only that annoying monkey is more talented than him.

After all, the reflection that could increase the base stats of the [Reflecting the Great Thousand] Divine Ability power tenfold and become stronger when facing stronger opponents was something that the opponent couldn't fight back against from beginning to end.

To my recollection, only that monkey had ever acted in such an illogical way, one that defied common sense.

If that were all, it wouldn't be a big deal. Chen Sheng might appreciate geniuses, but he wouldn't care about them.

After all, by the time a genius reaches a point where he needs to be acknowledged, he'll probably be long gone.

But here's the problem: this child isn't just a genius.

The only way to describe Chen Sheng is innocence; this child was even more innocent than the "Southern Dipper" of yesteryear.

Kindness, tolerance, and benevolence; most importantly, he understands compassion and has empathy for ordinary people.

This is the most important place.

Chen Sheng had to admit that he had found a perfect candidate for his sect's lineage, one that was more suitable than anyone else.

He was tempted.

The reason he stopped accepting disciples was that he knew people's character better than anyone else and only accepted those disciples with excellent natural qualities.

After their deaths, they will either be overwhelmed by hatred and die in vain, or they will live out their lives filled with regret because of their powerlessness.

This is not what he wanted to see.

However, accepting those who fundamentally contradict the principles of the Daoist tradition can indeed reliably ensure its pure and unbiased transmission.

But are you kidding me?

Chen Sheng would rather let the orthodox tradition disappear completely than allow anyone to occupy its name and tarnish their great aspirations in the slightest.

Look at that bunch of scum who inherited the First Devil Lineage.

Do they even remember a fraction of what the First Devil Ancestor truly wanted to convey to the world back then?

There's a reason why the [Great Purple Radiance Palace] doesn't acknowledge the Fourth Devil Ancestor.

It's not without reason that Rahu, Fruit Position for so many years, wouldn't even give them a second glance.

And, although it may sound harsh, the most important thing is----

"Whether it's the former or the latter, it's very difficult to achieve the Golden Core in this day and age."

"Therefore, whether to accept him or not is meaningless." But this child is different from the two types mentioned above. With his talent and nature, if he inherits the Dao lineage, he will surely achieve the Golden Core and pass it all down.

Chen Sheng gazed at the empty pavilion and spoke softly, as if addressing someone. "Besides, this might not be the best choice for him—"

"If he stays here and I teach him, his natural talents will be better preserved, and he will eventually be undisturbed and unmoved by outsiders."

"But if he followed Liu Bang, given his naivety, he would surely have experienced the filth and depravity of the world during the subsequent Qin conquest of the six states."

"He will continue to confront the ugliness of human nature during his ignorant youth—"

Chen Sheng asserted, "He will be corrupted. In this situation, he cannot possibly maintain his innocence solely on his own. 'One who stays near vermilion gets stained red, and one who stays near ink gets stained black'—"

"Hehe----The Buddha's words are always so clear and profound, no matter the time."

After that, Chen Sheng fell silent and said nothing more.

Because his idea might be good, and he genuinely cared about the child.

However, his thoughts, or Liu Bang's thoughts, are actually not important.

Most importantly, is the child willing?

Is he truly willing to become his disciple and inherit everything from [Swan Palace]?

Chen Sheng didn't know.

"Judging from his current nature, he probably won't reject the principles of my school of thought."

"They might even quite agree with this."

"But these are two different things—"

"His cultivation of the 'First Northern Dipper' is secondary; after all, I still possess a portion of His legacy from back then."

"But asking him to make a life-altering decision at this age is surely putting him in a difficult position."

Chen Sheng was at a loss for what to do, but he stood there for a long, long time, watching the Sun gradually set on the horizon.

Calculating the time, and knowing that Liu Bang would probably return soon, he finally made a decision.

Although it was selfish, he still wanted to try and ask the child what he thought, to see if he was willing.

Chen Sheng taught Lü Yuan that whether one is True Lord or an immortal, there is actually no difference between them and ordinary people.

They all have emotions, love and hate, and desires.

It's just more powerful and more ideal.

However, there were actually two more sentences he didn't tell Lü Yuan at that moment.

Yes, they are more powerful and more idealistic, but at the same time, they are also more fanatical and more insane.

Therefore, even if one's own decision might lead a gifted and innocent child to make a misguided choice or a life of hardship, as long as the master's philosophy can be passed down completely.

Then Chen Sheng would do it.

He will express his apologies, but he will not regret them.

Of course, if Lü Yuan ultimately chooses to refuse, he will not force him, because that would prevent the transmission of the Daoist tradition.

If I made a mistake.

Rotten Axe Handle Dream Pavilion, Chen Sheng bowed slightly to the spot where the man used to sit, and then whispered, "Please forgive me, Grandmaster—"

As dusk fell, Lü Yuan, summoned by Chen Sheng, stood before the main hall in the very center of the Swan Palace, gazing idly at the large bronze cauldron.

I'm a little confused as to why the teacher called me in.

Are there new classes?

Or has Liu Bang already returned?

So, does that mean I can already begin practicing the "Records of Riding the Emperor's Chariot to View the North Pole"?

As Lü Yuan was lost in thought, Chen Sheng's figure gradually appeared in the distance.

He hadn't been here for a long time, much less gone in to pay homage to the spirits of his former teachers.

But today, perhaps he will finally step through that door with this child.

"Teacher, you wanted to see me?" Lü Yuan asked respectfully upon seeing Chen Sheng. "Is there a new course I need to learn?"

"Is it time for me to leave?"

Chen Sheng shook his head and remained silent for a long time under Lü Yuan's puzzled gaze, as if he was still struggling with something.

But in the end, he still walked up to Lü Yuan and looked down at him.

With a complex expression, he replied, "It could be the former, or it could be the latter; either is possible. What does that mean?"

While Lü Yuan was puzzled, Chen Sheng had already spoken up to clear up his doubts, but this only made him more confused, and he was even stunned.

Because he heard Chen Sheng ask softly, "Would you like to become my disciple?"

"If you're willing, then it's the former; if you refuse, then it's the latter."