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

This question had been weighing on his mind for far too long.

That half-sentence of the lost general principles, that profound understanding of Yin and Yang and the Daoist principles, that transcendent ability to casually bestow the title of "patriarch".

All of this points to an incredible answer.

Chen Xuan glanced at Tai Qingzi, his gaze distant, as if piercing through three thousand years of time.

He remained silent for a moment, and just when Taiqingzi thought he wouldn't answer, he slowly spoke, his voice calm, yet seemingly carrying the weight of time:

"Your ancestor was a cowherd back then."

Taiqingzi trembled violently, suddenly looked up, and his eyes widened in shock!

A cowherd?!

That supreme, ascended patriarch in his heart...

The person in front of me claims he's just a cowherd?!

Chen Xuan seemed to recall something, a slight smile curving his lips, and continued:

"The Dharma I transmit."

Just four words, a simple and understated description.

It was like four thunderbolts from the heavens striking Taiqingzi's crown! It left him bewildered, his limbs numb, and his mind blank!

The Dharma I transmit...

The Dharma I transmit...

The Dharma I preached!!!

I see! I see!

No wonder!

No wonder he could fill in the gaps in the lost general principles so easily!

No wonder he could see through the origins of the Yin-Yang Pendant at a glance! No wonder he dared to casually name his "ancestor"!

Because the lineage of Taiqing Temple... the supreme Taiqing Daojing... even the first patriarch himself... all originated from the person before us!

He... he's actually the true source of the Taiqing Temple's lineage?!

He was the Dharma-transmitting master of the first patriarch?!

This truth was too shocking, too unbelievable, and exceeded all of Taiqingzi's imagination!

He felt a rush of heat to his head, followed by an instant chill, and he swayed as if he were drunk, almost unable to stand.

Three thousand years ago... he passed on his teachings to a cowherd... watching the cowherd establish his own lineage and ascend to the immortal realm... while he himself remained, still wandering the mortal world...

Just who is this senior?!

Taiqingzi's gaze toward Chen Xuan had completely transformed from one of reverence and awe into one of utter awe and... indescribable excitement and honor, as if he were looking up to a deity!

To be able to meet the patriarch who is the source of the Taoist lineage!

What an earth-shattering opportunity!

It is a blessing that Taiqing Temple has accumulated over three thousand years!

With a "thud," he could no longer stand and fell to his knees, touching his head to the ground. With all his might, he shouted with utmost devotion:

"This junior is Taiqingzi!"

"Greetings to Patriarch Daoyuan! Your grace has benefited our Taiqing Temple for three thousand years!"

He was so excited that he was incoherent, his whole body was trembling, and tears streamed down his face.

At this moment, all pretense of a Golden Core Ancestor and the majesty of a Master were cast to the winds.

He was like a most devout believer who had finally met the supreme deity in his faith.

Lu Yao was completely stunned by this scene, her hand holding the Ancestral Master's Token stiffened.

Looking at Taiqingzi kneeling on the ground, weeping bitterly, and then at his senior brother with a calm expression, his brain completely shut down.

Chen Xuan looked at Taiqingzi kneeling on the ground and gently shook his head.

"Get up. What's past is past, there's no need for this."

His tone remained calm, "Qingxu's achievements today are his own good fortune."

"The fact that Taiqing Temple has been able to survive to this day is also due to the efforts of your successors over the generations."

He paused, then looked at Taiqingzi: "You just need to keep today's events in mind."

"There's no need to publicize it so much, as it will disturb Yao'er's peace and quiet, and also disrupt the daily routine of Taiqing Temple."

"Yes! Yes! This junior understands! This junior will humbly obey the ancestral master's instructions!"

Taiqingzi quickly got up, wiped away his tears, and respectfully replied.

He understood that this patriarch preferred tranquility and did not wish to reveal his identity, so he naturally dared not disobey.

"Alright, you can go back now."

Chen Xuan waved his hand, "Take good care of Taiqing Temple. Yao'er will visit you disciples and grand-disciples when she has time."

"Yes! This junior takes his leave! Ancestor Lu Yao, this junior takes his leave!"

Taiqingzi bowed to Chen Xuan and Lu Yao respectively, then turned back every few steps, filled with excitement, and respectfully withdrew from the back mountain, his figure quickly disappearing into the mountain path.

It wasn't until long after Taiqingzi left that Lu Yao slowly came back to her senses.

She looked at the ancestral token in her hand, then at her senior brother, her little face scrunched up, filled with both anxiety and confusion.

She asked cautiously, "What exactly happened?"

"How...how did I become someone else's ancestor? And...that cowherd..."

Chen Xuan lay back down on the rock, closed his eyes, and said lazily, "It's nothing, just that many years ago, I casually taught a cowherd a little something."

"I never expected him to become so successful later on, even opening a Taoist temple."

He spoke casually, as if he were saying that he fed a stray cat yesterday and that cat became the king of cats today.

Lu Yao: "........"

Senior brother, isn't it a bit too "small" that you just casually taught me a little bit?

You're not teaching the "Buddha's Palm" technique, are you?

"Then...this token..."

Lu Yao held up the token, somewhat at a loss.

"Keep it safe, treat it like a toy."

Chen Xuan's voice came through, "If anyone bullies you in the future, or if you want to bully someone, you can show your face for fun."

Lu Yao: "........"

Treating the Taoist ancestral tablets, which have been passed down for thousands of years, as toys?

Senior brother, if the elders and disciples of Taiqing Temple heard what you said, wouldn't they all vomit blood?

However, seeing her senior brother's nonchalant and lazy demeanor, Lu Yao's shock and confusion gradually subsided.

Who cares? My senior brother is the best, so listening to him is always the right thing to do!

She carefully tucked the ancestral master's token into her bosom and placed it close to her body.

I don't know exactly what it's used for, but it seems pretty powerful.

"Senior brother, I'm going back to cultivation!"

Lu Yao shook off her distracting thoughts, sat cross-legged on the stone slab again, closed her eyes, and began to consolidate her Foundation Establishment realm.

Chen Xuan hummed in response and then fell silent.

........

Taiqing Temple, the secret chamber of the Ancestral Master Hall.

Upon returning to the temple, Taiqingzi immediately summoned all the core elders, including several Supreme Elders who had been in seclusion for many years.

When Taiqingzi recounted what he had seen and heard that day, he concealed Chen Xuan's specific identity and the phrase "the Dharma I transmitted."

It is said that I met an unimaginable senior who completed the general outline and designated Lu Yao as the "patriarch" of my sect.

The entire secret room remained deathly silent for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Then, with a loud "boom," it was like a pot exploding!

"Complete the general outline?! This... how is this possible?!"

"The Ancestral Master's Token...was given to that little girl?! Ancestor, you...you're not joking, are you?!"

"Just who is that senior...?!"

Voices of doubt, shock, and disbelief rose and fell.

The news was so shocking that it overturned their understanding.

Taiqingzi simply sat calmly in the main seat, and only spoke slowly after everyone had quieted down. His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable majesty and a sense of holiness.

"This matter is an unprecedented opportunity for our Taiqing Temple!"

"This is also a manifestation of the patriarch's divine power, a blessing upon our temple!"

Taiqingzi's gaze swept over the crowd. "From this day forward, Ancestor Lu Yao will be the sixth patriarch of my Taiqing Temple!"

"Your status is exalted, even above mine!"

"All resources within the temple will be prioritized for supply!"

"Whatever orders the Patriarch issues, everyone in the temple must obey unconditionally! Those who disobey will be punished as traitors!"

He paused, then added, "This matter is classified as top secret within the temple!"

"This must not be told to anyone outside of this location!"

"To the outside world, we will only announce that our young friend Lu Yao has a very deep connection with our sect, and that she has been bestowed with the Ancestral Master's Token, making her our sect's most esteemed guest elder!"

The senior elders exchanged glances. Finally, the most senior elder slowly rose and, addressing Taiqingzi and the void, said in a deep voice:

"I respectfully obey the ancestral decree! I pay my respects to Patriarch Lu Yao!"

Upon seeing this, the other elders also stood up and bowed respectfully with complex expressions.

The sky above Taiqing Temple changed silently and without anyone knowing.

The source of all this is currently basking in the sun leisurely on the back mountain of Qingcheng Mountain, as if he had only done something insignificant.