Am I the old man who's always by my apprentices' side?

Chapter 253 Shi Yizhi and Anderding

Shi Yizhi scratched his head awkwardly and admitted, "To be honest, I don't know either!"

Upon hearing this, the burly man with the thick beard twitched almost imperceptibly at the corner of his mouth, which was hidden beneath his beard.

You don't know anything, yet you're spouting so much nonsense!

However, he was clearly good-natured and didn't say much. Instead, he cupped his hands in farewell to Shi Yizhi and said goodbye in a friendly manner: "In that case, I won't bother you any longer, young brother!"

Having said that, he turned to leave the alley, but Shi Yizhi called out to him urgently—

"Hey! Wait!"

Shi Yizhi took two quick steps to catch up, and when he met the gaze of the bearded man who had turned around again, he said, "What do you mean by this 'Celestial Fate Gathering' you mentioned? Didn't White Stone Mountain already hold the Celestial Fate Gathering a long time ago?"

The news that the White Stone Immortal Sect would hold the Immortal Affinity Conference on the first day of the first month of the first year of the Immortal Yuan era had already spread throughout the north and south of the country, and it could be said that everyone knew about it.

But Shi Yizhi really didn't know!
Before the news spread, he had just returned to his master's family. Due to family matters, he voluntarily went into seclusion to practice martial arts, almost to the point of exhaustion.

After he heard about the White Stone Immortal Dao University from his cousin, he hurriedly ordered his personal attendant to get three volumes of the White Stone Immortal Dao book. Soon after, his cultivation of immortality was exposed, and he was confined to his quarters. The matter of the White Stone Immortal Sect was also ordered by Old Lady Zhong not to be passed on to Shi Yizhi's ears, which is why he knew nothing about the Immortal Fate Assembly.

Even if he occasionally heard people discussing the Immortal Destiny Conference, he would just assume it was the last one—this was the excuse his old servant used to fob him off, and he never doubted it!

That's exactly right! This is like the imperial examination, who would have thought it would be held twice in less than a year? Even a change of dynasty wouldn't be this frequent!

Shi Yizhi really hadn't thought of that at all!

It wasn't until the burly, bearded man in front of him brought it up again that Shi Yizhi realized something was wrong.

If this burly man with a thick beard is out of touch with the news and is referring to the previous Immortal Fate Gathering, how can we explain that he also knows about teleportation arrays?

The teleportation array was only recently built!

I've even heard that it's not finished yet!
In addition, I seem to have heard about the Immortal Fate Conference several times recently from the West Gate Street area. It's been several months since that event. Is it really that popular?

The doubts in his heart were completely aroused by the confident behavior of the bearded man, and he naturally asked the question.

Shi Yizhi's doubts shocked the burly man with the thick beard. He looked Shi Yizhi up and down, whose clothes, though luxurious, were somewhat dusty and wrinkled, and said, "Young brother, you don't know? Didn't the White Stone Immortal say that starting next year, the 'Immortal Era' will be used for the year reckoning, making it the 'First Year of the Immortal Era'? To celebrate this, a formal 'Immortal Affinity Assembly' will be held on the first day of the first month at White Stone Mountain. Regardless of background, origin, age, or cultivation level, everyone can participate in the 'Immortal Affinity Assembly' and challenge the 'Trial Array.' Once you pass, you will be accepted into the White Stone Immortal Sect and become a true disciple of the White Stone Immortal Sect!"

"Is...is that really the case!?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Yizhi felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He was clearly furious, but then, like a deflated pig bladder, his spirits plummeted.

If it weren't for her past playfulness, which made the old lady feel she couldn't rely on her, they...

Surely they wouldn't completely distrust themselves...

Looking at Shi Yizhi's appearance, the burly man with the thick beard, though unclear about the specifics of what had happened, realized he had likely been deceived. Adhering to the principle of avoiding trouble, he politely took his leave again: "It seems you're facing some trouble, young brother. I won't disturb you any longer. Farewell."

"Hey, brother, I see you're quite old, so I'll take the liberty of calling you brother!"

Shi Yizhi was not about to let go of someone who had finally managed to find out about the White Stone Immortal Sect. He shamelessly called out to the other person again, saying, "My surname is Yi, and my name is Yizhi. I also want to seek the path of immortality. I didn't know about it before, but after hearing about the 'Immortal Fate Gathering' from you, I'm very interested and would like to give it a try. So, I would be so kind as to ask you to accompany me, so we can look after each other along the way..."

As he spoke, seeing the bearded man frown and show his reluctance, Shi Yizhi quickly added, "By the way! Although I don't know where the teleportation station in Chang'an is, I know if anyone else does! Why don't you come with me to ask? It's not far from here. Asking first will save us from walking too much!"

Upon hearing Shi Yizhi's words, the burly man with the thick beard relaxed his furrowed brows and nodded, saying, "In that case, I will follow Brother Yi!"

After saying that, since Shi Yizhi had introduced himself, the burly man with the thick beard replied, "My name is Addin Mohammed, but I also have a Zhou name, Anderdin. Brother Yi, you may as well call me Anderdin!"

Shi Yizhi readily agreed and cupped his hands in greeting: "Brother Ander Ding'an!"

Having exchanged names, the two were now acquainted, and together they walked out of the alley, led by Shi Yizhi, to the place of the person he had mentioned who "knew where the teleportation station was."

The two walked and stopped frequently, and in about fifteen minutes, they arrived at a certain place...

"The watchtower?"

Anderdin was taken aback when he saw the tall tower in front of him.

The fire watchtower, also known as the fire lookout tower, is a tall tower that was an important building in ancient cities for urban security and fire prevention.

As the name suggests, each tower has two minor officials on duty to observe the situation within the city. If a fire is discovered, they will "alarm" by beating drums and gongs, and organize people to fight the fire; hence the name "Fire Watch Pavilion." "Indeed," Shi Yizhi said, "the common people may not know, but the officials at the Fire Watch Pavilion are officials; they must know where this teleportation station is. Just ask them!" He added, "Even if someone doesn't know, they can ask them to help. I've heard the teleportation station is enormous, almost as big as a palace hall; they'll definitely spot it at a glance!"

“What Brother Yi says makes sense, but…”

Anderdin was a little embarrassed and only said half of what he wanted to say; he was too embarrassed to say the other half.

Why should they help you?
But just as he was thinking this, he saw Shi Yizhi calmly step forward, then wave to a minor official on the tower, who then climbed down the ladder.

Shi Yizhi's attitude was so matter-of-fact that the minor official became extremely polite, bowing and saying, "You are..."

Shi Yizhi returned the greeting and said, "I am a member of the Shi family. I am a bit lost and would like to ask you how to get to this teleportation station?"

Upon hearing that it wasn't a fire, the clerk breathed a sigh of relief and politely pointed out the way: "So you're from the Shi family. I'm very grateful. The teleportation station is in the south of the city. Turn out and follow that road to the end, then turn east. You'll see the roof of the teleportation station!"

"Thank you very much!"

As Shi Yizhi spoke, he took out the smallest gold leaf from his pocket and handed it over, saying, "Thank you both. This little bit of money is for you to have some tea!"

The clerk immediately beamed with joy and, without any hesitation, pocketed the gold leaf, showering him with compliments: "Young master, you are not only handsome but also act with great magnanimity. You truly are a member of the Shi family!"

Shi Yizhi nodded with a business-like fake smile: "Not at all, we won't bother you any longer, farewell!"

With that, he led Anderdin away from the watchtower and followed the path pointed out by the clerk to find the teleportation station.

“Young Master Yi, you…” Anderding remained silent for a moment, but couldn’t help but ask the question that had been bothering him: “Are you really a member of the Shi family? I heard that the Shi family now only has General Shi’s only son left, could it be…”

"Oh, I just made that up!"

Without batting an eye, Shi Yizhi casually remarked, "If we don't say it that way, how can we find out the information? Besides, they won't care whether you're a member of the Shi family or not. Once they've paid, they'll agree to anything. It doesn't matter if you're impersonating the Shi family or the Wang or Song family!"

Anderdins then realized—indeed, when it comes to doing business, money always paves the way.

It's just asking for directions; they don't really need to find out if you're from the Wang family or the Li family.

But...

"This method is ingenious, but unfortunately I can't use it!"

Andersen remarked with emotion.

Shi Yizhi turned his head and looked at Anderdin, who had deep-set eyes, a hooked nose, and a full beard, and nodded in agreement: "Indeed."

Even if you claim to be from the Wang or Li family, having a face like that of someone from the Western Regions is somewhat insulting to one's intelligence.

Afterwards, the two continued their journey while exchanging their insights on the path of immortality.

Although Shi Yizhi did not have time to study the three books on immortality, he had read them thoroughly and knew what he needed to know.

Anderding did have a set of books, the corners of which were worn up from repeated readings, showing his deep knowledge of various common knowledge about immortality.

"I can barely sense the Qi, and that mysterious feeling is indeed extraordinary. However, I don't know if it's because I cultivate martial arts or something else, but I'm always unable to absorb the spiritual Qi I sense into my body, let alone keep it inside or truly guide it into my body! Alas!"

At this point, Anderdin seemed quite regretful.

Shi Yizhi said enviously, "I never imagined that Brother An would have such outstanding talent. I heard that the first student from Baishi Immortal Dao University to enter Qi cultivation took about three months. Although I don't really know how long it takes to sense Qi, it can't be done in just a few days. This is truly excellent talent!"

Anderding replied, "Brother Yi, you flatter me. It hasn't really been many days. Although I speak the Jingzhao dialect quite well, I can't recognize the characters. I had to consult an old scholar who taught me to memorize these three books word by word before I was able to sense the Qi... Alas, I don't even know if it's Qi. Although that 'Qi' is indeed different from the true Qi I cultivate, I am still a novice practitioner, so it's hard to say whether it's real spiritual Qi..."

"It must be!" Shi Yizhi nodded firmly, then reminded him, "However, I have heard that if a martial artist wants to switch to the path of immortality, he must dissipate all his martial arts true energy and even refine the true energy channels in his body. I wonder if this is the reason why you are unable to draw energy into your body, brother."

Anderding frankly admitted, "I know about this matter, but dispersing one's true energy and refining one's true energy channels... sigh, it's easy to say, but who can really do it so easily? Not to mention that I have worked hard for thirty years to cultivate to the fifth rank, how could I bear to give it up!"

"That's true. Let alone Brother An's fifth-grade cultivation, even I, at the eighth grade, feel a bit of pain!"

……

(End of this chapter)