Simulated immortality allows me to calculate talent stats.

[You saw the old Taoist accept the truth and immediately smiled happily.]

"Master, I told you I wasn't lying to you, and you finally believed me."

You released your hand from the cat's head, gently smoothed your clothes, stood up, and looked around.

"Let's go. Where is the Celestial Master's Mansion? Should I pay respects to our ancestors first, or get to know my fellow disciples?"

The old Taoist silently raised his hand and removed the surrounding restrictions.

His tall, sturdy frame seemed to bear a heavy burden, making him appear somewhat hunched over.

[Their voices sounded much older.]

"Come with me, as for this thing..."

You see him staring at Xu Kun with a furrowed brow.

"Master, to others he is an extraterrestrial demon, but to our Celestial Master's Mansion, he is an auspicious omen, perfectly suited to be a guardian beast of the mountain!"

[Auspicious omen? A guardian beast of the mountain?]

The old Taoist priest couldn't imagine what expressions other fellow Taoists would have when they came to visit and witnessed this auspicious mythical beast emitting black smoke.

"Keep an eye on him, don't let him run around and scare people."

"Meow~, my profound and mysterious nature inevitably inspires awe. For my elder brother's sake, I'll reluctantly keep a low profile."

Xu Kun squatted down and licked his paws.

【"well……"】

The old Taoist priest sighed, no longer wanting to speak, and gently waved his hand.

The scene before them rippled like a reflection in a mirror or the moon's reflection in water; the image of the Heavenly Palace and Taoist temple appeared like a mirage.

"Is this the Celestial Master's Mansion I'm going to inherit?"

You stand with your hands behind your back, surveying the surrounding landscape.

The old Taoist priest's lips twitched; he opened his mouth, but remained silent.

I'm exhausted. Whatever happens, happens.

[A mysterious energy is released, and you will feel the scenery before your eyes changing.]

From the small boat on the Han River, we arrived before the ancient and solemn main hall.

The old Taoist priest gazed into the distance at the memorial tablets enshrined in the main hall.

[I feel a strange sense of guilt, as if I've let down the Celestial Masters of all generations and am about to destroy the Celestial Master's Mansion.]

"Master, don't just stand there, let's finish the ceremony quickly."

You ascend the long stone steps, turning back to urge me on.

The old Taoist priest walked a difficult path, step by step.

Finally, I led you into the main hall.

You glanced at the neatly arranged memorial tablets, your nonchalant expression vanishing.

[Following the old Taoist's instructions, complete the initiation and apprenticeship ceremony.]

[When finally, holding sandalwood incense, he inserted it into the bronze cauldron.]

[Knock knock knock!]

The neatly arranged memorial tablets suddenly trembled.

Your eyes widened, and you almost couldn't keep up the forced smile.

"Hehe... Master, look, our ancestors are jumping for joy... Hehehe..."

The old Taoist priest stood silently in place, his face deathly still.

[Sizzle...]

Suddenly, arcs of electricity burst forth in his pupils, stretching and piercing through the void.

Kuo Ran raised his hand and pointed to the numerous memorial tablets.

"Jump, jump, jump! What are you jumping for! I'm just taking on a disciple, why are you so panicked?"

"What calamity could I, Zhang Bingcheng, not be able to withstand?"

[Boom!]

The celestial phenomena shifted and changed, a terrifying pressure raged, forcing all living beings to submit.

"Brewed by Ganlin."

The old Taoist priest, having suppressed his frustration, now revealed his true nature.

[He pointed directly at the sky and began to curse.]

"On this auspicious day of me accepting a disciple, are you going to keep putting on airs?"

"Come on! If you're so capable, strike me with lightning!"

"Oh, so it's impossible?"

"So the power of divine retribution and lightning punishment lies with me, this old Taoist priest?"

"Sorry, how about I, the old Taoist priest, chop myself up to comfort you?"

【…】

You stared, dumbfounded, at the old Taoist priest who was now spewing insults.

Xu Kun, who was squatting at the entrance of the hall, was also dumbfounded.

[Such a heroic person still exists in this world.]

You used to think you had a broad perspective, that you'd even seen yourself arguing with yourself.

This is the first time I've ever seen someone argue with the heavens.

This is truly eye-opening.

I've learned something.

Is this the first lesson your master taught you?

You understand.

The old Taoist priest launched into a tirade of curses, but suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. He suppressed his anger and turned around.

[I met your smiling gaze.]

"Master, I understand."

【“?”】

The old Taoist priest glared.

"What have you figured out? What nonsense are you spouting?!"

You gently rolled up your sleeves and straightened the memorial tablets, which had been jumping around and were now tilted.

[It seems your ancestors quite liked you.]

It keeps trembling in your hands, I'm so happy.

Seeing your behavior, and having vented his pent-up frustrations, the old Taoist priest finally began to acknowledge you as his disciple to some extent.

But the next moment...

Suddenly, his expression changed, and he actually stretched out his hand, forming a hand seal.

[You also noticed that the old Taoist's expression was off.]

Moreover, in all the time we've known each other, the old Taoist has only ever used his fingers twice.

This is the second time. As for the first time... it was when I saw you in your red-haired monster form.

"What's going on? I only cursed a few times. I've cursed plenty of times before, so how could defying fate have descended upon the Celestial Master's Mansion?"

Your hand, which was placing the memorial tablet, paused.

His gaze fell upon the memorial tablet in his hand… Zhang Xunzhi.

[So, this old ancestor wasn't trembling with joy after all?]

[You also recalled your own taboo attribute: "subordinates overthrowing superiors."]

[Note 1: Using "subordinates overthrowing superiors" will be considered a grave act of rebellion. The fortune of your faction will be shaken by this act of defiance. The more times and for the longer it is used, the more defiance will accumulate.]

Although the identity of Wei Qi's retainer had already been confirmed.

However, compared to a formal apprenticeship ceremony, this is less formal and less about showing respect to one's ancestors.

The former's identity is still too vague.

Simply put, your status and position within the Wei family are not significant enough.

Therefore, even though some of the rebellious destiny was taken away, the majority was added to the Celestial Master's Mansion.

The old Taoist priest couldn't figure out the reason, so he focused his attention on the person who created the reason.

It's obvious without even thinking that it's related to his newly accepted apprentice.

You see the old Taoist's eyes begin to glow again.

[He chuckled awkwardly, "Master, can you handle it?"]

You have used "subordinates overthrowing superiors" several times.

[The rules were established, and armor was layered on Wei Qi, Pang Hai, Xu Hui, Zuo Shi, and Xu Kun.]

[And the pressure he had casually used earlier to dispel the old Taoist's aura.]

[Such a superficial application shouldn't accumulate a lot of negative karma, right?]

"We can handle it."

The old Taoist priest answered coldly, then stared intently at you: "Will there be more?"

You chuckled confidently, "Don't worry, I already have a plan."

[I heard your answer.]

The old Taoist priest gave up again.

Looking up at the sky, I suddenly felt that this world was no longer worth staying in.

[The old Taoist priest quickly composed himself.]

[He was eating roast chicken again, quite casually.]

"Now that you've become my disciple, I'll give you a courtesy name."

"You belong to the 'Yu' generation."

"Let's call you Yujing, hoping you will be as flawless as white jade, serene and peaceful."

Listen to your master's words, which carry beautiful meaning.

I felt a pang of guilt.

Clean and safe.

Master, I can't do it.