Huang Lianyu was the First Disciple under Elder Dao Yun, the second elder of the Tongshan Sect.
Although Elder Daochen was the head of the elders, he hadn't taken a disciple for many years, claiming that the destined one had not yet arrived.
Thus, Huang Lianyu had no choice but to apprentice under the second elder.
This matter once sparked a small discussion within the Tongshan Sect. Huang Lianyu was considered a rare genius in fifty years, with a High-Grade Wood Spiritual Root. How many High-Grade Spiritual Roots were there in all of Tongshan?
Brother Yellow initially chose the Tongshan Sect because of Elder Daochen's reputation. After more than a year, he finally awaited the day when the elder would accept disciples. He hadn't considered any other elders and directly recommended himself to Daochen.
At that time, Elder Daochen only said one thing—"Come back to me in three years."
How could Huang Lianyu wait for three years? The Tongshan Sect was a major sect, very competitive. His junior brothers and sisters had already apprenticed under elders, receiving higher-level training early on, while he had to explore on his own.
How could this be acceptable?
So Huang Lianyu believed that Elder Daochen didn't want to take him as a disciple and was making excuses to avoid it. Frustrated, he turned to the second elder.
Fortunately, the second elder, Dao Yun, didn't mind and saw him as a promising talent, taking him under his wing.
Now, when Daochen and Tao Mian mentioned this matter, they could only sigh.
"Though he has talent, his heart is not steady. Such impatience, how can he go far? I asked him to wait three years merely to cultivate his mind, not to block his path."
Elder Daochen didn't have a good impression of Huang Lianyu, considering him impatient. He originally thought that in the vast Tongshan Sect, there would surely be disciples better than Huang Lianyu.
The head of the Tongshan Sect, Wu Zhengang, had intended to select a successor for the position of sect leader for the past two years. He was not young anymore and was still longing for ascension, so someone had to take over the sect.
The successor to the position of sect leader is usually selected from the disciples under the elders, a tradition passed down through generations. In this generation, the sect leader looked around, and among the short ones, Huang Lianyu seemed to be the only one who stood out.
Elder Daochen was perceptive and had already seen through the sect leader's intentions. But he didn't approve of this candidate.
Rather than elevating a sect leader with high talent, the Tongshan Sect now needed someone upright.
Otherwise, it would just be going downhill.
The relationship between Sect Leader Wu and Elder Daochen was average, and even if Daochen saw things clearly and told him, he might not listen.
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So Daochen thought about taking a disciple.
But disciples aren't like cabbages in the field; they're not easy to come by.
The Sword Trial Conference to select the sect leader candidate had already begun planning. Daochen was anxious but refused to lower his standards.
He had many requirements: the person should have talent, strength, and not be impatient, and it would be best if they were loyal.
Daochen was about to give up when someone actually showed up.
It was a little thief who, in the middle of the night, opened the Tongshan Sect's mountain-guarding formation and swaggered in.
When Tao Mian heard this, he slapped his thigh.
Isn't this walking right into the trap?!
But now they've reached a compromise. Tao Mian agreed to pretend to be Daochen's disciple and, during the Sword Trial Conference, defeat Huang Lianyu and then leave.
If Tao Mian won the Sword Trial Conference and then gave up, the second-place winner wouldn't automatically become the successor. The Tongshan Sect's leader candidate must be the first.
If no one was chosen this time, the shortest interval before the next Sword Trial Conference would be a year, even if the sect leader died within that year. There would still be an acting sect leader.
There is an age limit for the sect leader candidates, a rule set by Ancestor Tong Sheng.
Tao Mian agreed, and Daochen promised to help Tao Mian find what he wanted and ensure he left the Tongshan Sect safely.
The two hit it off.
However, Tao Mian remembered something.
"Elder Daochen, you see, taking one is taking, taking three is also taking."
"… You want to take two more with you?"
"A friendly gift, more without extra charge."
"…"
Elder Daochen reluctantly nodded in agreement, and now Li Fengchan and Shen Bozhou had legitimate status in the Tongshan Sect.
Tao Mian was satisfied.
Once the matter was settled, he patted his backside and was ready to leave, unwilling to stay a moment longer.
Daochen reminded him as he was leaving.
"Tomorrow morning, at the Tongshan Sect's early practice, I will announce that you three have become my disciples."
"No problem," Tao Mian nodded, "If I don't oversleep, I'll be there. If I do, I'll trouble the elder to explain."
Daochen was good-natured.
"You should try to come, and get to know the other elders' disciples."
"They definitely won't want to know me," Tao Mian grinned, "They'll regret it if they do."
...
Back at Ah Jiu's courtyard, Tao Mian relayed what had just happened to the other two.
"I decided without your consent, otherwise it would be inconvenient for you in the Tongshan Sect."
Thinking of this, Tao Mian suddenly looked at Li Fengchan.
"Oh, I forgot. Have you found what you're looking for? If so, you can leave the Tongshan Sect."
Li Fengchan indeed had no reason to stay here, but returning to that desolate place with nothing was also unappealing.
Her father was dead, her mother had left long ago, and now she was all alone.
"I'll stay with you guys, broaden my horizons."
Get a free elder disciple status.
"Alright," Tao Mian nodded, "Then call me before you go to early practice tomorrow."
Xun San had been taken away, and Tao Mian, with his disciple Liu Chuan, divided his two rooms to live in.
Li Fengchan and Ah Jiu lived in one courtyard.
After Shen Bozhou came to the neighboring room, he finally had the chance to be alone with his master.
"Immortal Master, is this really okay?" He liked to think things over and felt that becoming Tao Mian's disciple and now being his brother was a bit surreal.
Tao Mian waved his hand.
"It's fine, it's all fake anyway. Besides, we look like we're the same age. If you tell others I'm your master, they won't believe it."
Li Fengchan was very surprised to learn of their master-disciple relationship. Tao Mian looked too young and was more outgoing than Shen Bozhou. If you said Shen Bozhou was his master, Li Fengchan might believe it more.
"From now on, we'll each call our own," Tao Mian lay on the couch, pulling out the dagger he had stabbed in last night, looking relaxed, "You call me master, I call you junior brother."
"…"
He could see that Little Tao Immortal was no longer satisfied with just finding the Water of Heaven; he wanted to stay here and play.
Elder Daochen kept his word. During the Tongshan Sect's early practice the next day, he, who rarely showed up, suddenly appeared at the martial arts field.
Sect Leader Wu had already known the night before about Daochen taking disciples. Although he minded the timing, with the Sword Trial Conference approaching, he couldn't say anything.
Sect Leader Wu's face was a bit dark as he cleared his throat, and the disciples in the martial arts field immediately quieted down.
"All disciples, listen. Elder Daochen will hold a disciple acceptance ceremony today, and I ask all members of the Tongshan Sect to witness it."
Then he turned to look at the smiling Elder Daochen.
"Elder, please bring out the disciples."
Daochen looked around, not seeing anyone, guessing they overslept.
He sighed inwardly and was about to announce the names when a voice suddenly came from behind.
"Sect Leader, Elder, we're here."
The one who replied was Shen Bozhou, with Li Fengchan beside him, dragging the half-asleep Tao Mian between them.
The disciples were all stunned.
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