"Little Tian, how long have you been on the mountain?"
In the ancient Taoist temple on Longpan Mountain, an old Taoist with white hair and beard, radiating an immortal aura, asked softly.
"Reporting to Master, eighteen years,"
Behind the old Taoist, a handsome young man replied respectfully.
"Eighteen years." The old Taoist counted on his fingers, sighed, and then said, "It's time for you to descend the mountain."
Ling Tian's expression was calm, but his heart was exceptionally excited. Eighteen years! Master was finally willing to let him go down the mountain!
He bowed deeply to the old Taoist's back.
"Thank you, Master!"
With that, four figures appeared behind him.
A fat monk, draped in a tattered robe and with a greasy face, smiled at Ling Tian and said, "Little Tian, after you go down the mountain, don't let anyone bully you. If anything happens, come to us Buddhists. I guarantee that all eighteen Golden Guardians of the mountain will appear before you as quickly as possible."
Beside the monk, a kind-faced old man in green clothes said, "You have learned all my medical skills. While making the name of the Medical Sage lineage resound throughout China again, remember, a doctor's heart is like a parent's."
A grey-robed old man with an ordinary appearance nodded slightly at Ling Tian, his voice hoarse and stiff, "If someone offends you, kill them. I'll take responsibility."
"Old Yang, restrain your murderous intent. Little Tian isn't going down the mountain to do your killer's business," the old man beside him, dressed in a neat Zhongshan suit and looking vigorous, said with dissatisfaction. He then smiled at the youth, "Little Tian, I've already informed the armies everywhere. If anything happens, just find them. However, if any ghosts or monsters are causing trouble, Fifth Master would also appreciate your help in dealing with them."
"I will strictly follow the teachings of all my masters!"
Ling Tian looked at the five masters he had lived with for eighteen years, his nose stinging. "After I leave the mountain, you must take care of yourselves. When I'm done with things down the mountain, I'll definitely come back to visit you often."
With that, he turned and walked潇洒ly down the mountain.
Leaving the Taoist temple, Ling Tian looked at the dense forest of Longpan Mountain, his expression grave, his eyes filled with icy coldness.
"The Bai family, the Ye family, the Liu family... all those who attacked my Ling family back then, I will make each of you pay the price!"
As Ling Tian left, the masters' smiles faded.
"Old man, why did you suddenly let Little Tian go down the mountain?" the fat monk grumbled to the Taoist.
The old Taoist narrowed his eyes, slowly rose, and walked into the Taoist temple. "All things have their opposites, yin and yang complement each other. There is a destiny in the unseen. To keep him here blindly will only turn a jade into a stubborn stone, and a precious sword will be covered in dust."
"You're always talking nonsense. The young lady down the mountain is your arrangement, isn't she?" the second master, the fat monk, asked pointedly.
The old Taoist paused, "I made arrangements, but ask yourselves, hasn't each of you arranged something interesting for Little Tian?"
Hearing this, the four masters exchanged strange glances and smiled without speaking.
The old Taoist walked back into the Taoist temple with his hands behind his back, musing, "I'm going into seclusion. Remember to have Sixth Master's Misty Rain Pavilion pay more attention to things down the mountain, after all... we only have this one disciple."
"I'll go notify Misty Rain right away!"
The fat monk was the first to rush out of the Taoist temple, heading in the opposite direction of Ling Tian.
The others watched the fat monk disappear in a flash, their expressions filled with disdain, and they all spat, "Lecherous monk!"
Misty Rain was Ling Tian's Sixth Master. She was gentle and enchanting, with an exceptionally hot figure, making her the dream lover of all men.
Misty Rain Pavilion, as the name suggested, was a place of romance and beauty, like mist and jade, a gentle haven.
However, it was unimaginable that such establishments had spread all over China, even having a presence abroad.
...
Ling Tian soon arrived at the foot of the mountain. As soon as he stepped onto the mountain path, he saw a beautiful young girl, followed by a robust man, walking into the mountain, their faces filled with worry.
After all, Ling Tian had stayed in the Longpan Mountain Taoist temple for eighteen years. The mountain's transportation was inconvenient, and his Taoist robe was faded from washing. Even though he was handsome, he looked like a beggar who had lived in the mountains for a long time.
The middle-aged strong man stood directly in front of the girl, warily saying, "Where did you come from, you wild kid? Get lost!"
Ling Tian was stunned. Were people down the mountain so rude? They cursed at him upon meeting?
Before Ling Tian could retort, the girl behind the strong man shouted, "Uncle Yi, he's just a little beggar. Let's not waste time and hurry into the mountain to find Immortal Master Daoyuan."
The strong man obeyed, gave Ling Tian a fierce glare, and turned to leave.
Ling Tian flashed forward, blocking their path, his arms crossed. He asked, "Who told you that Immortal Master Daoyuan is on this mountain?"
Daoyuan was Ling Tian's Master's Taoist name.
Immortal Master was the respectful title people gave to this leader of the Taoist sect.
Eighteen years ago, after Master rescued him and brought him to the mountain, he hadn't made a move since. How did this girl, who was around his age, know about him and find her way to Longpan Mountain?
"Kid, mind your own business about things you shouldn't know," the strong man said fiercely.
The girl sized up Ling Tian. Although his clothes were ragged, his face was presentable. Because she was worried about her grandfather's illness, she asked with a hint of a gamble, "Young Taoist priest, my grandfather is seriously ill, and only Immortal Master Daoyuan can save him. Do you know where the Immortal Master is on the mountain?"
Ling Tian frowned. Although he didn't know how they got their information, his Master, who was at a critical juncture of deducing heavenly secrets, would certainly not descend the mountain for them. He said in a deep voice, "I've been here for eighteen years and have never heard of any Immortal Master Daoyuan."
This wasn't entirely a lie; the other masters called his Master "old man."
Hearing this, the girl's hope began to fade. Tears welled up in her bright eyes, and a look of desolation appeared on her delicate face, but it was quickly replaced by determination. "No matter what, this is our last hope. Uncle Yi, let's go up the mountain and look."
Ling Tian didn't want them to disturb his Master's seclusion, so he directly stopped them and said calmly, "I've lived here for so long, and I've never heard of any Immortal Master. However, if there's something you need, I might be able to help."
Hearing Ling Tian's words, a flicker of hope returned to the girl's dim eyes. She was about to say something, but was interrupted by the strong man beside her. "Kid, this is the eldest daughter of the Wang family from Jianghai. Put away your selfish thoughts, or you won't even know how you died."
The hope in the girl's eyes fell on Ling Tian's clothes, and then quickly dimmed. Yes, how could such a little beggar cure her grandfather's illness?
Ling Tian chuckled, knowing he was being mistaken for a swindler. After a moment of thought, he said to the girl, "If I'm not mistaken, you're here for your grandfather?"
"Putting on a show. Miss has already told you that we are here for the老爷's illness."
The strong man's face showed disgust and disdain. "Get out of the way quickly. If you delay our important business, don't blame me for being impolite!"
Ling Tian was not angry. He said unhurriedly, "I also see that your grandfather fell ill three months ago, and every month on the fifth, fifteenth, and twenty-fifth, he suffers from severe pain, difficulty sleeping, and his condition is deteriorating, nearing his end."
"Furthermore, hospitals can't find any problems, and only a Taoist priest can slightly alleviate the老爷's pain, telling you that only Immortal Master Daoyuan can save your grandfather, right?"
With every word Ling Tian spoke, the girl's eyes brightened, and the strong man's face grew uglier.
"Please, you must save my grandfather."
The girl eagerly rushed forward, tightly grasping Ling Tian's hand.