The Ancestor spoke with a marvelous tone, and the two families learned from him, effortlessly grasping the teachings.
Jiang Tong'er listened, entranced, while four others accompanied him in listening.
Zhen Jian truly gained something from the class, seeing through life and death, and catching a glimpse of the marvelous tone.
After half a day of teachings, the Ancestor finally dismissed them.
Zhen Jian bowed down, then bowed again to Jiang Yuan, exiting the class and heading to the quiet room.
Jiang Tong'er originally wanted to serve the Ancestor back to the room, but the Ancestor had other plans.
The Ancestor said, "Tong'er, do not be anxious. There is a cultivator outside who has come; you should chase him away."
Jiang Tong'er was slightly startled and asked, "Master, how should I chase him away? Is he a wicked person?"
Having been under the Ancestor's tutelage for hundreds of years, Jiang Tong'er knew the Ancestor to be kind and tolerant, believing that anyone who came to cultivate would surely be taught a way.
Even the Left family, who lived peacefully, the Ancestor had allowed to reside in the mountains.
This was the first time he had heard the Ancestor instruct him to chase someone away.
The Ancestor shook his head and smiled, saying, "Not at all! This person is not a wicked person, but a cultivator. However, he has a fateful connection elsewhere. You should just tell him that the fateful connection is not here, and he should go east where someone will guide him."
Jiang Yuan suddenly understood, "So that's how it is. Master, please wait a moment; I will go now."
He wondered why the Ancestor wanted to chase someone away, realizing that this person had a fateful connection with others and should not come under the Ancestor's tutelage.
As Jiang Tong'er walked outside the cave, it wasn't long before he opened the main door of the residence and indeed saw a person standing outside.
This person was four elbows tall, with a fierce and intimidating appearance, his strength rivaling that of the Demon Gods.
He had a robust physique and wielded a Demon-Subduing Staff.
Jiang Yuan thought to himself, "Although this person has no cultivation, his eyes are spirited; he is indeed a cultivator's material, a true hero."
As Jiang Tong'er observed, the person was also sizing him up, surprised in his heart: "What a long-lived child of the mountains! This mountain truly has an old immortal!"
Upon thinking this, the person dared not look any longer.
He struck the ground with his Demon-Subduing Staff and bowed, saying, "Disciple has come with sincere intent to pay respects; please, immortal child, introduce me. I have heard that an old immortal resides in the cave, and I have come to pay my respects."
Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "You should go, you should go! My master will not accept you."
The person was taken aback, his eyes wide open, resembling a lion or tiger.
He said, "How can this be? I have come through difficult paths, hearing that there is an old immortal in the Ling Tai Fang Cun Mountain, residing in the Xie Yue San Xing Cave. The old immortal is compassionate and often accepts those who come to pay respects. How is it that I am not accepted?"
Jiang Yuan replied, "My master has said that you are a cultivator, but your fateful connection is not in this mountain. You should go east; there will surely be others to guide your cultivation."
Upon hearing this, the person knelt on the ground and said, "Immortal child, you do not know. I have faced countless difficulties coming to this mountain, all because I possess the Demon-Subduing Staff. It was arduous to reach Fang Cun Mountain, and how could I retreat without finding a way? If I retreat, would I not fall into demonic obstacles?"
Jiang Yuan was astonished and helped him up, saying, "Quickly, please rise! There is no need for that!"
The person bowed again and said, "I implore the immortal child to introduce me, so that the old immortal will accept me."
Jiang Yuan said, "It is not that I do not wish to help, but your fateful connection is not in this mountain. You should seek elsewhere."
The fateful connection had already been determined; this person's fate was not to be under the Ancestor's tutelage.
What a pity, what a pity.
The person said, "Immortal child, the fateful connection is illusory; today, I have come to make it real. Please accept me!"
Jiang Yuan shook his head, "Your fateful connection is not here; go."
He finally understood why the Ancestor had used the term 'chase away'; it was because he knew this person would not be willing to leave.
Seeing this person's determination towards the Dao, how could he wish to depart?
The person was indeed unwilling and insisted on becoming a disciple.
Just as Jiang Yuan was about to say something, he suddenly heard the Ancestor's voice in his ear.
"Tong'er, personally escort this person eastward for a while, and take that tail of the dust brush with you. Tell him to be quiet on the eastern road."
Upon hearing the Ancestor's words, Jiang Tong'er complied.
Jiang Yuan looked at the person and said, "Your fateful connection is indeed not in the mountain. I will accompany you down the mountain for a while to escort you east. Your fateful connection lies to the east, and there will surely be someone to guide you; this is not mere words."
The person heard this, seeing Jiang Tong'er’s determination, sighed inwardly, and had no choice but to agree, thinking only of the dangers ahead.
Jiang Yuan said, "You wait here; I will be back shortly."
After saying this, he returned to the Sanxing Immortal Cave.
He intended to pay respects to the Ancestor, but upon seeing the Ancestor peacefully resting, he did not dare to disturb him.
Instead, he took the jade dust brush from his room and walked back outside.
The person saw Jiang Yuan holding a tail of the dust brush, as if he were a true immortal, filled with admiration, and said, "Immortal child, you are remarkable."
Jiang Yuan replied, "Your fateful connection lies to the east, so you should head east. My master pities you and has instructed me to escort you for a while. Hurry along the road."
The person asked, "Is it truly that my fateful connection lies to the east?"
Jiang Yuan had no choice but to affirm, "Indeed!"
Only then did the person believe it, wielding the Demon-Subduing Staff as he walked down the mountain, speaking as he went, "Immortal child, you do not know; this road is difficult. I have faced countless hardships coming here, all because my Demon-Subduing Staff is extraordinary. Otherwise, I would have been devoured by demons long ago."
Jiang Yuan said, "You should remain calm; I will ensure your safety. Please tell me your hometown and name clearly."
The person stood still and said, "Immortal child, listen to me. My name is Li Xing Shi. Since childhood, I have been full of spirit and born with great strength.
I admire heroes and have sought out great men. I have crossed the Five Heavy Lakes and ventured through the Four Seas, only to find the path of cultivation. It was all due to the lack of a good teacher, delaying my entry into the Dao.
I have traveled through countless mountains, totaling seventy-eight, and upon hearing of Fang Cun Mountain, I came from a thousand miles away, only to find no fateful connection and had to leave."
Jiang Yuan understood in his heart upon hearing this; this person was similar to him, seeking the Dao for longevity.
Indeed, "Those who seek the Dao are of one kind."
He said, "Do not worry; my master has said that there is your fateful connection to the east, and it must be true."
Li Xing Shi nodded, responding gloomily.
The two of them headed down the mountain.
...
At the Sanxing Immortal Cave, the Ancestor's quiet room.
The Bodhi Ancestor opened his eyes and looked towards where Jiang Tong'er was descending the mountain, saying, "This time down the mountain, when Tong'er returns, it will surely be when the Yellow Granny returns to her position. Tong'er should know how to invite the Yellow Granny."
"The beings of the Southern Zhanbu Continent come with their qi leaking and defeated. Tong'er will lead; if he obtains the Golden Elixir Dao, with Tong'er like this, he will surely gain profound magical power. Those who are restless, those who are restless!"
The Ancestor smiled, closed his eyes again, and said no more.
...
At the foot of Ling Tai Fang Cun Mountain.
Jiang Yuan was heading east, with Li Xing Shi closely following behind, holding the Demon-Subduing Staff, remaining vigilant.
Li Xing Shi said, "Immortal child, do not be careless; there are many demons and monsters on this road, and they can eat people."
Jiang Tong'er lightly waved the dust brush, calming the surroundings, and said, "Do not fear; no demon or monster dares to harm you."
With four people assisting him, although five were not yet gathered, he still had some magical power within him.
Ordinary small demons were certainly no match for him.
Li Xing Shi firmly held the Demon-Subduing Staff and said, "Immortal child, your weapon is not very effective. Why not let me lend you this staff? If you cultivate with the old immortal, you will surely gain abilities. With this staff, you will have even greater power."
Jiang Yuan smiled and said, holding the jade dust brush, "Do not underestimate my weapon; this treasure is extraordinary; it is not an ordinary treasure."
Li Xing Shi, seeing Jiang Tong'er speak, did not believe how a dust brush could be more powerful than his Demon-Subduing Staff.
His Demon-Subduing Staff was a treasure he had obtained by chance, and he had relied on it to come this far, not knowing how many demons he had slain.
He did not want to contradict Jiang Tong'er and could only remain silent.
Jiang Yuan smiled without speaking, holding the dust brush as they continued eastward...
(End of Chapter)