Under One Person: Rebuilding the Glory of the Beast Master

The ship docked at Sandu'ao Wharf, which was bustling with activity. However, Zeng Runguo and Zeng Su paid no attention to these things, as they had already reached their destination.

"From Sandu'ao to Taimu Mountain, it's still dozens of miles of mountain road," Zeng Runguo said while packing his bags. "Su'er, let's go!"

"Hmm!" Zeng Su carefully put the wooden plaque away from his body and followed Zeng Runguo off the boat.

The two of them walked along the mountain path deeper into Mount Taimu.

The mountain road became narrower and steeper as we walked, and the trees on both sides became denser, gradually changing from broad-leaved forests to evergreen trees such as pines, cypresses, firs, and camphor trees.

"Come on, Uncle Su will carry you on his back." Zeng Runguo suddenly walked to Zeng Su's side, squatted down and said.

"No..." Zeng Su naturally wanted to refuse. Although he was still young, his physical condition was quite strong due to his cultivation, so walking this distance was nothing.

But before he could refuse, Zeng Runguo said, "Come on up! Don't think about anything else, I'm your uncle."

Upon hearing this, Zeng Su paused for a moment, then smiled and nodded, climbing onto his uncle's back.

"Um!"

Zeng Runguo carried Zeng Su on his back and walked towards the Sanyi Gate. Along the way, the two kept talking about various things, including the Zeng Family Village and Zeng Runguo's experiences in the martial arts world.

Finally, Zeng Runguo stopped in front of a stone archway.

"We've arrived," Zeng Runguo said, and put Zeng Su down from his back.

The archway is made of bluestone, about three zhang high and two zhang wide, with three powerful seal characters carved in the center: "Sanyi Gate".

I don't know which master penned these three characters, but they are powerful and majestic, and you can feel a sense of awe and righteousness from afar.

Zeng Su looked up at the plaque and felt a sense of solemnity arise inexplicably in his heart.

Once inside the archway, the scenery on both sides of the mountain path was completely transformed. It was no longer a desolate wilderness, but rather a well-ordered and orderly sect-like atmosphere.

The road was paved with smooth bluestone slabs, and towering ancient cypress trees were planted on both sides. The trees were at least a hundred years old, with gnarled branches and lush green leaves. Every few dozen steps, there was a stone tablet by the roadside, engraved with the rules and regulations of the Sanyi Sect. The characters were neat and the carving was vigorous.

"A righteous heart, upright conduct, firm will, and calm demeanor."

"Abstain from greed, anger, ignorance, pride, and doubt."

As Zeng Su looked around, he felt more and more that the Sanyi Sect truly lived up to its reputation as a legitimate sect of Xuanmen. Just its grandeur alone was something that ordinary places could not compare to.

After walking along the mountain path for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a wide-open flat area appeared ahead.

At the end of the flat land stood a majestic mountain gate.

The mountain gate is a wooden and stone structure with upturned eaves, carved beams and painted rafters, and vermilion pillars as thick as two people could hug. Above the gate hangs a huge plaque with the three characters "Sanyi Gate" in gold, shining brightly in the sunlight.

Two young disciples dressed in gray-white Taoist robes stood on either side of the mountain gate. They were upright, with piercing eyes and a unified aura around them.

Behind the mountain gate are layers upon layers of palaces and pavilions, spreading out along the mountainside.

The most distant temple sits atop the mountain, shrouded in clouds and mist, appearing and disappearing indistinctly, giving it a sacred and inviolable feel.

"Halt!" A disciple guarding the mountain stepped forward and raised his hand to signal them to stop. "This is a sacred ground of the Sanyi Sect. Unauthorized personnel are not permitted to enter."

Zeng Runguo hurriedly stepped forward, took out a letter from his pocket, and respectfully handed it over: "I am Zeng Runguo from Zengjiazhuang. I have come with my nephew Zeng Su on the orders of the clan chief Zeng Qing'an to pay our respects and request an audience with the Left Gate Master."

The gatekeeper took the letter and glanced at the signature on the cover. He had never heard of any Zeng family among the supernatural organizations. However, the Sanyi Sect did not have any arrogant attitude. Instead, it treated all sects and families equally. This was the true spirit of the orthodox Xuanmen sect.

The disciple guarding the mountain nodded: "The Zeng family... please wait a moment, I will go and inform them."

After saying that, he turned and entered the mountain gate, disappearing among the many halls and palaces in a flash.

Zeng Su stood outside the mountain gate, looking at the magnificent sect before him, his heart filled with emotion. In his previous life, when he read comics, he had only seen fragments of the San Yi Sect after its destruction; this was the true golden age of the orthodox Xuanmen sect.

With the sect leader Zuo Ruotong still alive, the sect boasted numerous experts and enjoyed immense prestige in the world of supernatural beings. Fourteen years later, the Jia Shen Rebellion broke out, and the Sanyi Sect was destined for destruction in this great storm. Zuo Ruotong passed away, and Lu Jin survived with a few disciples. The Sanyi Sect thus became history.

But none of this has happened yet.

The San Yi Sect's heyday lasted for another fourteen years.

Fourteen years is enough time for him to do a lot of things, and perhaps he can even extend that time further.

After waiting for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, footsteps came from inside the mountain gate. The gatekeeper who had announced the arrival returned, followed by a middle-aged Taoist priest dressed in a white robe.

The Taoist priest was in his forties, with a square face, a long beard under his chin, and a composed demeanor. He was clearly a senior who had achieved great success in cultivation.

He walked to the mountain gate, glanced at Zeng Runguo, and then looked Zeng Su up and down. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, because the child in front of him was full of energy and his cultivation was not low.

"Zeng Family Village?" he asked, his voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable weight. "The grandson of Brother Zeng Qing'an?"

"That's right." Zeng Runguo quickly cupped his hands in greeting. "Senior, this is the clan chief's only grandson, named Su."

The middle-aged Taoist nodded, his gaze lingering on Zeng Su for a moment, as if sensing something. After a while, the surprise in his eyes deepened, but he didn't show it on his face, only smiling faintly: "Please follow me, the sect leader is already waiting in the reception hall."

The two followed the middle-aged Taoist priest into the mountain gate.

Passing through the mountain gate, a wide stone path leads straight to the summit, flanked by several palaces and pavilions with flying eaves and bracket sets, exuding a magnificent aura.

Disciples of the Sanyi Sect would occasionally walk by, and they would respectfully bow to the middle-aged Taoist, addressing him as "Uncle-Master Si Chong".

Zeng Su's mind stirred: Si Chong! Zuo Ruotong's junior brother has reached the second level of the Reverse Life Triple Realm, his strength is very strong, and his status in the Sanyi Sect is also very high.

The group walked up the stone steps. Zeng Su observed the surroundings as he went. The layout of the Sanyi Gate was rigorous, with clear functional zones.

The core area sits atop the mountain, housing important buildings such as the main hall, ancestral hall, sect leader's residence, and scripture pavilion, its imposing presence enhanced by the surrounding clouds and mist. Surrounding the core area are the activity zones for the core forces—the martial arts arena, medicine hut, alchemy room, and weapon workshop—each bustling with activity yet maintaining perfect order.

The outermost area is the outer perimeter, where the disciples' residences, dining halls, guest rooms, and lower courtyards—that is, the place where the disciples study the Way—are located.

The entire Sanyi Gate complex boasts a simple and solemn architectural style, with every brick and tile exuding the profound heritage of a centuries-old sect—something that cannot be accumulated overnight. This feeling cannot be experienced in Zengjiazhuang.

The reception hall is located on a platform halfway up the mountain. It is a three-bay hall with the front open and a plaque above the door that reads "Qingxu Hall".

Si Chong led the two into Qingxu Hall.

The interior was simply furnished, with a long table in the center bearing an incense burner filled with burning sandalwood, its smoke curling upwards. On either side were several armchairs, made of rosewood and intricately carved.

There was already someone sitting in the hall.

The man sat in the center of the armchair, dressed in a moon-white Taoist robe, with a silk sash around his waist, and his hair was tied up on top of his head with a jade hairpin. He looked to be no more than twenty years old, with a handsome face, regular features, and skin so white it was almost transparent, with the veins beneath the skin faintly visible.

His eyes were clear yet deep, like a deep pool, calm on the surface but containing unfathomable depths.

This is Zuo Ruotong.

The leader of the Sanyi Sect, known as "Daying Immortal," is a top-tier master recognized in the world of supernatural beings.

His reputation in the world of supernatural beings is at its zenith, and his personal charisma is unparalleled.

Zuo Ruotong looked at Zeng Su and nodded slightly.

"You're Zeng Su?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it reached Zeng Su's ears clearly. His voice was gentle and warm, like a spring breeze, yet it carried weight.

Zeng Su stepped forward and, following the etiquette Zeng Qing'an had taught him, respectfully performed a deep bow to his elder: "Junior Zeng Su greets the Left Gate Master."

Zuo Ruotong did not speak immediately, her gaze lingering on Zeng Su for a long time.

He could sense the Qi emanating from Zeng Su, which was an astonishing amount for an eight-year-old child.

But what caught his attention even more was something about Zeng Su that was different from ordinary extraordinary people—a special kind of Qi.

"Beast Master," Zuo Ruotong said calmly, "The Zeng family's beast master."

"That's right." Zeng Su nodded.

Zuo Ruotong pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Did you bring your exotic beast?"

Zeng Su felt a chill run down his spine, but he didn't hide anything. In front of a powerful figure like Zuo Ruotong, many things couldn't be concealed. He reached into his pocket, took out the wooden plaque, and gently patted it.

A flash of white light, and Bai Jiahei's massive body appeared at the entrance of Qingxu Hall.

As soon as Baijiahei came out, it snorted, shook its head, and its bright eyes curiously surveyed this unfamiliar place.

It saw Zuo Ruotong's nose twitch twice, followed by a low groan, a signal of alertness; it sensed the power of the person before it.

Bai Jiahei immediately shielded its master behind it, crouching low, its Qi flowing freely, awaiting the master's command to attack. No matter how powerful the enemy was, protecting its master and obeying orders would always be Bai Jiahei's unwavering commitment.

There was a moment of silence in Qingxu Hall.

Si Chong stood to the side, and his pupils contracted slightly the moment he saw Bai Jiahei. He had cultivated for decades and seen many strange beasts, but this was the first time he had seen a beast like the pig in front of him that exuded such pure Qi. It wasn't because Bai Jiahei was particularly powerful, but because it was special.

Zuo Ruotong's gaze lingered on Bai Jiahei for about ten breaths before turning back to Zeng Su.

"Okay," he said, uttering a single word.

That simple word reassured Zeng Su a lot.

He wasn't sure what Zuo Ruotong meant by "good"—did she mean Baijiahei was good, or that he was good, or something else entirely? But whatever the reason, the fact that the other party hadn't directly rejected him was a good start.

"Zeng Su," Zuo Ruotong began, "do you know the rules of the San Yi Sect for accepting disciples?"

Zeng Su thought for a moment, then shook his head: "This junior does not know, please enlighten me, Master Zuo."

Zuo Ruotong stood up, walked to the front of the hall with his hands behind his back, looked at the layered mountains outside the door, and said in a calm and unhurried voice: "The selection criteria of the Sanyi Sect are both high and low. What I need are cultivators who are simple-minded, know how to maintain a proper distance, and are steady in character. This is mainly determined by the unique cultivation method of the Reverse Life Triple Technique itself."

He paused, then continued, "To enter my Trinity Sect, we do not consider one's background or family history, but only whether one has the aptitude to learn the Threefold Reversal of Life. We do not distinguish between rich and poor, noble and lowly, but only judge by aptitude."

Zeng Su nodded.

"You were able to raise a strange beast at the age of eight, so your aptitude is naturally exceptional. Your temperament—from your words and actions since you came in just now—also shows that you are a composed child. Logically speaking, I should directly accept you as my disciple." Zuo Ruotong turned to look at Zeng Su, "But there is a problem."

Zeng Su felt a tightness in his chest.

Zeng Su looked up at Zuo Ruotong, feeling a little panicked. "What's the problem?" If the Sanyi Sect didn't accept him, what should he do?

Zuo Ruotong didn't answer directly. Instead, she walked up to Zeng Su and extended her hand. Her hand was fair and slender with distinct knuckles. It didn't look like the hand of a master who had cultivated for decades, but rather like that of a pampered scholar.

Give me your hand.

Zeng Su hesitated for a moment, then extended his right hand.

Zuo Ruotong grasped his wrist, placed three fingers on his pulse point, and a warm Qi seeped into Zeng Su's meridians from her fingertips.

The Qi was very light and gentle, like a spring breeze in March or a clear mountain spring, flowing slowly through Zeng Su's meridians.

Zeng Su did not resist, letting the Qi circulate within his body.

Zuo Ruotong closed her eyes.

The Qingxu Hall was extremely quiet; even the faint sound of burning sandalwood could be heard clearly.

Si Chong stood to the side, his gaze shifting back and forth between his master and Zeng Su. The expression on his face changed from calm to surprise, and then from surprise to thoughtfulness.

Zeng Runguo stood at the door, barely daring to breathe, his palms sweating profusely, even more nervous than Zeng Su.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Zuo Ruotong opened her eyes and released Zeng Su's wrist.

His expression was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger, but there was something complex in his eyes—not disappointment, but a kind of...regret!

"Zeng Su," he spoke, his voice still gentle, but his tone much more serious than before, "your Qi is very strong."

Zeng Su remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"But the Qi in your body is not the path of the Sanyi Sect." Zuo Ruotong stood with his hands behind his back in front of the hall, his gaze fixed on the distant mountains. His voice was unhurried. "The Sanyi Sect's Reverse Life Triple Stage emphasizes the word 'reverse'—reversing the deficiencies of one's innate nature, returning to the origin, in order to reach the 'triple stage'."

He turned around and looked at Zeng Su.