The spiritual energy was restored, and he became a mortal immortal in two days.

Lu Yao was immersed in the wonderful feeling of successfully establishing her foundation, carefully experiencing the warm and pure true essence flowing within her body, as well as the omnipresent spiritual energy between heaven and earth.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, she looked up at the path not far away.

An elderly man, dressed in a blue Taoist robe, with white hair and beard and a gaunt face, was slowly walking from the end of the misty mountain path.

The old man's steps seemed slow, but with each step he took, his figure appeared several feet away, as if shrinking the distance to an inch. In just a few breaths, he had arrived at the edge of the open space behind the mountain.

It was none other than the patriarch of Taiqing Temple, Taiqingzi.

He stopped at the edge of the open space, not immediately going forward. His gaze first fell on Chen Xuan, who was pretending to sleep with his eyes closed on the huge blue stone, and a very complex sense of awe flashed in his eyes.

He quickly composed himself, bowed slightly in that direction, and gave a respectful salute.

His movements were natural and fluid, as if he were simply passing by the place where the younger generation was cultivating and casually giving a greeting.

Then, his gaze turned to Lu Yao, who had just finished her practice and stood up.

Upon seeing this, Taiqingzi's eyes suddenly lit up, like two bright lamps that had been suddenly lit!

He stared intently at Lu Yao, his gaze sharp as lightning, as if trying to see right through her.

With his level of expertise and keen eye for deduction, he naturally recognized the incredibly pure Foundation Establishment aura that had just stabilized on Lu Yao's body at a glance!

But that wasn't the most shocking thing for him.

What terrified him even more was the Daoist aura that subtly flowed around Lu Yao!

It was an extremely ancient and pure charm, seemingly pointing directly to the origin of the Great Dao, which perfectly matched the equally pure and flawless Foundation Establishment True Essence within her body, forming a perfect harmony!

Although it was extremely subtle and almost imperceptible, Taiqingzi was very confident in his deductions and perceptions!

This woman is extraordinary! She's no ordinary person!

Taiqingzi's heart skipped a few beats, and an overwhelming surge of excitement and ecstasy welled up inside her.

He originally came simply to follow Chen Xuan, hoping to find an opportunity to survey the land again and verify his guesses. He never expected to have such an unexpected gain!

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his excitement, and put on a smile that was as kind and gentle as possible. He walked a few steps away from Lu Yao and stopped.

"Greetings, young friend."

Taiqingzi bowed and said in a gentle voice, "I am Taiqingzi, a humble Taoist priest from Taiqing Temple."

"I was passing by this place when I suddenly sensed a strange movement of spiritual energy and a natural Daoist charm. I was curious and came to take a look."

"I never imagined that you, young friend, would break through to the Foundation Establishment realm here. Congratulations!"

He adopted a very humble attitude, not at all like a highly respected and accomplished patriarch in the cultivation world, but rather like an approachable old Taoist neighbor.

Lu Yao looked at the old Taoist priest who had suddenly appeared in front of her with some confusion, and then subconsciously glanced at Chen Xuan, who seemed oblivious on the rock next to her, and felt a little wary.

However, following proper etiquette, she returned the greeting: "Junior Lu Yao greets Senior Taiqingzi."

"This junior is dull-witted and only managed to break through by chance. I hope you will forgive my foolishness, senior."

"A lucky break? No, no, no!"

Taiqingzi waved his hands repeatedly, his eyes filled with even more admiration. "Young friend, you are too modest! I have lived for hundreds of years and have seen countless geniuses and outstanding talents."

"But someone like you, young friend, has such a solid and stable foundation, and such a pure and natural Daoist aura."

"And... well, it seems they skipped many hurdles in the Qi Refining stage and went straight to Foundation Establishment. That's unheard of and unseen before!"

He grew more and more excited as he spoke, and couldn't help but step forward, looking intently at Lu Yao: "Young friend, do you know what astonishing talent you possess?"

"This is simply a cultivation prodigy, one in a million!"

"Given time, he will surely become a grandmaster, and it is not impossible for him to even reach a higher realm!"

Lu Yao felt a little embarrassed and confused by his praise.

She knew that her breakthrough was due to the teachings of the Suhua Sutra and those key instructions from her senior brother, but was she really as exaggerated as this senior said?

"Senior, you flatter me. I was just..."

Lu Yao was about to explain.

Taiqingzi interrupted her directly, his tone becoming extremely solemn and earnest: "Young friend! My temple has a connection with my Daoist sect, and an even stronger connection with me!"

"To see you today is truly the will of Heaven! I humbly request that you grant me this request..."

He paused, as if making a decision, his voice trembling slightly with excitement:

"This humble Taoist wishes to take you as my disciple! No, not just any disciple, but my personal disciple! My last disciple!"

Lu Yao was stunned, completely unexpected that the other party would suddenly make this request.

Before she could answer, Taiqingzi quickly added, speaking rapidly as if afraid Lu Yao would refuse if he spoke too slowly: "Young friend, please hear me out!"

"Our Taiqing Temple is a legitimate Taoist sect that inherits the lineage of the ancient 'Taiqing Daode Tianzun'!"

"Profound cultural heritage and complete lineage! The temple houses three thousand volumes of ancient Taoist scriptures, countless elixirs and miraculous medicines, and several blessed lands for cultivation!"

"If you become my disciple, I will impart all my knowledge and skills to you!"

"All the resources of my Taiqing Temple are at your disposal! I even promise you the future position of Abbot of Taiqing Temple!"

"I swear on my Daoist heart that, if you agree, within a hundred years, no, within fifty years!"

"This humble Taoist will surely help you condense your Golden Core, and the Nascent Soul stage is within reach! The Deity Transformation stage is also a possibility!"

He spoke with great passion, spittle practically flying from his mouth, completely losing his previous air of otherworldly wisdom and resembling more of a businessman eager to sell his treasure.

The longing and eagerness in his eyes were almost overflowing.

He was truly moved, and he was also truly anxious.

Such talent and beauty are hard to find even throughout the ages.

If they can be taken under their wing, not only will Taiqing Temple have successors, but its future prosperity is also promising.

This is simply a godsend, an incredible windfall!

Lu Yao was overwhelmed by his series of promises.

Taiqing Temple?

That sounds pretty impressive.

The position of Abbot? Golden Core? Nascent Soul?

These things were still too distant and vague for her.

All she knew was that this senior seemed to value her very, very much.

She subconsciously looked at Chen Xuan again.

On the rock, Chen Xuan still kept his eyes closed, as if he were fast asleep, completely unaware of what was happening around him.

Taiqingzi also noticed Lu Yao's gaze. He felt a chill and immediately understood who the key lay with.

He quickly cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards Chen Xuan, his tone even more earnest and sincere: "This fellow Daoist must be my friend's teacher."

"I have been presumptuous. I am delighted to see your talent and truly admire it; I have absolutely no ill intentions whatsoever!"

"If you, fellow Daoist, would so be so, I would like to offer the most precious treasure of my temple, the 'Taiqing Divine Talisman,' as my gift for your apprenticeship. I also promise that once you enter my Taiqing Temple, you will hold a supreme position and will never suffer the slightest grievance!"

He has even "conquered" Chen Xuan's side as well, and the conditions he offered are even more astonishing.

The Taiqing Divine Talisman is one of the most treasured artifacts of the Taiqing Temple. Legend has it that it contains a trace of the Daoist essence of the Taiqing Dao Ancestor and possesses boundless power. Historically, only the Temple Master or a candidate for the next Temple Master has been qualified to comprehend it.

Lu Yao listened to these conditions, which she didn't quite understand but felt were impressive, but she wasn't really moved.

She remembered the Suhua Sutra that her senior brother had casually given her.

She recalled her senior brother's casual yet enlightening guidance, and his lazy appearance as he lay on the rock basking in the sun.

She gently shook her head, her gaze becoming clear and firm once more.

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Taiqingzi."

Lu Yao bowed to Taiqingzi, her voice not loud but clear and calm, "But I already have a master, and I am grateful that my senior brother does not abandon me, imparting the Daoist arts and guiding me through my confusion."

"Although I am dull-witted, I know the principle that if someone is a teacher for a day, they are a teacher for life."

"I appreciate your kindness, senior, but please forgive me for not being able to agree to your request to become my disciple."

She refused.

Without hesitation, without agonizing, and without even weighing those extremely tempting conditions.

Taiqingzi's smile froze instantly, and the eagerness and excitement in her eyes receded like the tide, replaced by disbelief and deep disappointment.

You were rejected?

He had offered such amazing terms, even promising the position of abbot and the treasures of the temple, yet he was so readily rejected?

He looked at Lu Yao, then at Chen Xuan, who remained motionless on the rock beside him, and a complex emotion welled up in his heart.