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

Taiqingzi felt lost and was about to turn away when the longing for talented people and the resentment of missing the opportunity grew wildly in his heart like vines.

His steps were heavy, and he kept turning back, his gaze unable to leave Lu Yao's pure and flawless Foundation Establishment Dao aura.

No! We absolutely cannot give up like this!

Taiqingzi gritted his teeth, a resolute glint in his eyes.

He suddenly turned around, facing Lu Yao and Chen Xuan again, and as if using all his strength, slowly took something out of his pocket.

Those were a pair of jade pendants.

It is crystal clear and warm, with one black and one white piece. Its shape is simple and ancient, resembling a yin-yang fish, and its surface flows with a faint, almost imperceptible chaotic luster.

The moment the jade pendant appeared, the surrounding air seemed to freeze for a moment, and a vast, ancient, and boundless aura spread out.

Although extremely restrained, it still shook Lu Yao, who had just established her foundation, as if she had seen the creation of the world and the initial separation of yin and yang.

"This is the most precious treasure of my Taiqing Temple—the 'Taiqing Yin-Yang Pendant'!"

Taiqingzi held the pair of jade pendants in both hands, his voice trembling slightly with excitement and a kind of sacrificial resolve.

"This treasure has been passed down from ancient times. It is said that the first patriarch, enlightened by the Celestial Venerable of Morality, refined it from a wisp of Yin and Yang essence at the beginning of the universe!"

"It contains infinitely profound principles, which can help people comprehend the great Dao of Yin and Yang, and can also protect the soul from all evil!"

He looked intently at Lu Yao, and then at Chen Xuan, who remained motionless beside him, his tone more solemn than ever before: "Young friend! I know you already have a master, and I dare not force you."

"But my love for talent is as clear as day!"

"As long as you are willing to join my Taiqing Temple, even if it's just as a nominal disciple, that's fine!"

"These Yin-Yang pendants are a gift from this humble Taoist to you, young friend, as you formally become my disciple!"

"No, it's a small gift! I only ask that you, young friend, could visit my Taiqing Temple when you have time to sit and discuss the Dao, and occasionally offer some guidance to the unworthy disciples within the temple. I would be eternally grateful!"

He's gone all out! He even brought out the most prized possession of the temple, just for a chance to "list" it! He's lowered himself to the lowest possible level, almost begging.

For the sake of Taiqing Temple's future, he was willing to risk his reputation!

Lu Yao was completely stunned. Looking at the jade pendants whose mere aura made her heart tremble, and then at the senior in front of her who was practically "begging" her, she was at a loss.

She instinctively looked at her senior brother again.

This time, Chen Xuan on the rock finally reacted.

He, who had been feigning sleep with his eyes closed as if indifferent to everything, slowly opened them.

His gaze did not fall on the pair of precious Yin-Yang jade pendants, nor on the earnest-looking Taiqingzi, but seemed to pierce through distant time and space, landing on the extremely subtle trace of Daoist charm flowing on the jade pendant.

That Daoist charm was very familiar.

Chen Xuan sat up, his movements still composed, his gaze calmly fixed on Tai Qingzi's face. He spoke to him formally for the first time, his voice flat:

"You just said that these jade pendants were left by your first patriarch?"

Taiqingzi was surprised that this "senior brother" who had been silent all along would suddenly speak up, and ask this question.

He was taken aback for a moment, then quickly and respectfully replied, "Yes... yes, fellow Daoist, that's right."

"The first patriarch of my Taiqing Temple, whose Taoist name was Qingxuzi, attained enlightenment at the end of ancient times."

"Legend has it that the Taiqing Celestial Venerable enlightened me in a dream, leading me to establish the Taiqing lineage. Three thousand years ago, I achieved perfect merit and ascended to heaven, joining the ranks of the immortals!"

When talking about his ancestor, Taiqingzi's tone was full of pride and reverence, and he straightened his back a little.

Master Qingxuzi is the only patriarch of Taiqing Temple in thousands of years to be confirmed to have successfully ascended to heaven. He is the greatest honor and source of confidence for the temple!

"Qing Xuzi..."

Chen Xuan repeated the name in a low voice, a distant daze flashing in his eyes, as if the name had pulled him back to a long-forgotten fragment of time.

A picture flashed through his mind:

A thin, dark-skinned cowherd, dressed in tattered clothes, was discovered eavesdropping on his friend's discussion in the mountains. He was trembling with fear after being discovered, but he still mustered up the courage to kowtow and beg for instruction.

Seeing his sincerity and the fact that although his aptitude was poor, he possessed a rare talent, I casually tossed him a basic copy of the "Qi Cultivation Manual" and gave him a few pointers on the principles of Yin-Yang rotation and maintaining oneness.

Later, as he traveled far and wide and experienced the world, he almost forgot about this small act of kindness he had casually made.

Unexpectedly, as time went by, that timid cowherd actually forged his own path, established a lineage, and even ascended to immortality, all with just a rudimentary cultivation manual and a few casual words of guidance.

Chen Xuan's lips curved into an almost imperceptible, faint smile.

In that arc, there was a hint of surprise, a touch of melancholy, and a faint sigh of loss for a departed friend.

No wonder the yin-yang Taoist charm on these jade pendants looked so familiar.

The original source is here.

His gaze toward Taiqingzi unconsciously softened, losing some of its previous indifference and gaining a subtle... almost serene quality, akin to how one would look at the "descendant of an old friend."

"So it was him."

Chen Xuan said softly, his voice so low that only he could hear it.

Taiqingzi, however, did not hear clearly and asked in confusion, "Does fellow Daoist know my ancestor?"

Chen Xuan didn't answer the question, but looked at Taiqingzi and said in a calmer tone, "You said you want my junior sister to join your Taiqing Temple?"

Taiqingzi's spirits lifted, and he quickly nodded: "Exactly! This humble Daoist has absolutely no intention of forcing anything; I only ask for a title and a predestined connection!"

"As long as you're willing, young friend, all conditions are negotiable!"

"Oh?"

Chen Xuan raised an eyebrow, a half-smile playing on his lips. "If that's the case... it's not entirely impossible."

Upon hearing this, Taiqingzi was overjoyed and almost jumped for joy! What a dramatic turn of events!

The mysterious "senior brother" has finally spoken!

"Fellow Daoist, please speak! What other conditions are there?"

"As long as it's within the power of my Taiqing Temple, I'll do it without hesitation!"

Taiqingzi patted her chest and assured him, her eyes full of anticipation.

Seeing his excited expression, Chen Xuan's smile deepened, and he slowly said:

"The conditions are very simple."

"Make her your apprentice."

He paused, and under Taiqingzi's expectant gaze, slowly uttered the second half of the sentence, "That's too beneath you. You're not qualified."

"what?"

Taiqingzi's joy froze instantly, and he stood there dumbfounded, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him from head to toe.

Not qualified?

As the esteemed patriarch of the Taiqing Temple, with a late-stage Golden Core cultivation and a mastery of divination, I am a figure who commands respect in the cultivation world. I am not qualified to accept a Foundation Establishment disciple.

Lu Yao stared wide-eyed at her senior brother, completely bewildered.

Chen Xuan seemed oblivious to Taiqingzi's stiff expression, continuing to speak slowly and deliberately, his tone carrying an air of matter-of-fact indifference:

"It's not impossible for me to join your Taiqing Temple."

"However..."

His gaze swept over the Yin-Yang jade pendant in Taiqingzi's hand, then looked at Lu Yao. "What kind of disciple-grand-disciple relationship is this? The seniority is all messed up."

"I think he's barely qualified to be your 'founding father'."