Chapter Sixteen: Who Is That Person?

Jiangzhou, Mount Longhu, the Celestial Master's Residence.

The Celestial Master's Residence, a legendary sect standing firm for a thousand years, has endured through countless dynasties without a hint of decline. It has left behind countless mythical tales of glory on this land and shines like the midday sun in the contemporary Great Xuanwu Martial World, its renown illustrious.

Every Great Xuanwu practitioner holds it dear; those who enter to cultivate here are truly the favored of heaven. From the foot of the mountain, one can see two peaks facing each other, resembling a dragon soaring and a tiger leaping, exuding extraordinary momentum. Ancient trees tower on the mountains, wisps of blue smoke curl upward, clouds and mist swirl, cranes soar among the clouds, spiritual apes run freely, and beasts gather in harmony. At the summit rests a colossal Taoist temple.

Above the temple’s gate hangs three resplendent golden characters: “Celestial Master’s Residence,” majestic and steeped in history. This is the present-day Celestial Master’s Residence, a martial sect famed throughout the Great Xuanwu Dao world and even across the Xuan Star. It is the place where generations of Celestial Masters have cultivated, the abode of the old Celestial Master who descended the mountain wielding his sword, purging demons and reshaping mountains and rivers.

In the rear courtyard of the Celestial Master’s Residence, an elderly man with white hair and beard, dressed in simple linen garments, swings a hoe steadily, tilling the earth beneath his feet. Each swing seems light and agile, lacking force at first glance, yet when the hoe strikes the soil, its power is immense. The entire tool sinks deeply into the ground, causing even the earth under his feet to tremble slightly.

The old man appears nonchalant, as if accustomed to this. Although his hair is white, his complexion is rosy, and his skin smooth as a child’s, presenting the paradox of white hair and a youthful face, showing no sign of age.

Suddenly, the elder spoke:

“Ah, you people, all you know is to bury yourselves in hard training, constantly seeking seclusion or demanding real combat. Don’t you realize that martial cultivation is not to be sought only in the mountains? Every bit of daily life counts as practice!”

“Martial cultivation isn’t simply achieved by mastering techniques, joining sects, or obtaining resources.”

“You must understand that walking, sitting, lying down—all are forms of cultivation. Profound truths lie within the ordinary; genuine knowledge is found in daily living!”

“Back in the day, among those my age, why was it only I who attained the path to perceive the divine, while others did not? Because I understood this principle!”

The elder shook his head, sighing as he continued to till the earth.

Nearby, a young girl practiced her fists, muttering as she struck:

“I don’t believe you! You old codger are up to no good. Are you trying to trick me into digging up that patch of earth? I’m not falling for it!”

“It’s obviously because your martial skills are so profound that you’ve integrated them into every little detail of life, making every move a form of martial art. No one else can do that!”

The old man’s face turned dark with vexation. Before he could reply, the girl halted her movements and turned sharply, eyes blazing with intensity.

“The law enforcement squad has already sent word. That person should be brought here soon. Grandpa, aren’t you mistaken?”

“You said you whimsically threw out the inheritance because someone connected to the Celestial Master’s Residence would appear and help elevate our sect in the future.”

“But according to the law enforcement squad, more than one person has seen the inherited scripture besides the Cult of Worshippers. Could the other person be from that cult? Your whimsy isn’t reliable, is it?”

The girl looked at the elder suspiciously.

The old man flushed slightly, cleared his throat, and explained:

“Well... it’s not exactly whimsy. I wanted to find a disciple to take on, but hadn’t met a suitable candidate yet. So I thought of casting the inheritance out to test my luck. Who would have expected someone truly destined would appear?”

“Ah! Ah! Ah!”

“You old man, you’re so irresponsible! That’s the core inheritance of the Celestial Master’s Residence! I wanted to become a Celestial Master someday! And you just casually threw the inheritance away!”

“What if the first person to see it was from the Cult of Worshippers?”

The girl shouted and charged at him, claws extended.

The elder slowly reached out a hand and, just as she came forward, pressed down firmly on her head, holding her in place no matter how hard she struggled. He laughed heartily:

“You don’t understand. This inheritance scripture has circulated across two states, seen by more than one person. But the Cult of Worshippers’ members have all been captured by the law enforcement squad. Besides them, only two others have seen the scripture.”

“All things in heaven and earth possess qi. Mount Longhu has it; the Celestial Master’s Residence has it. Though the scripture was lost, the Residence’s qi has not diminished but increased. This means those who have seen it will do no harm; they will be beneficial.”

“So these two cannot be from the Cult of Worshippers.”

“Furthermore, even if the cult spreads the scripture’s contents abroad, it’s of no consequence.”

“The Cult of Worshippers do not practice the Great Xuanwu Dao, so they wouldn’t scheme to inherit it.”

“The theft was merely commissioned by certain organizations, only two or three at most. I know this clearly. At worst, I can personally go investigate. There’s no place on this Xuan Star I cannot reach.”

“Wow!”

“Grandpa is mighty!”

The girl finally broke free, clenching her fists, eyes shining with admiration. This was how she imagined him—the Celestial Master who once held back a million warriors with a single sword! None of this digging soil or farming nonsense showed his true prowess.

She secretly scoffed inwardly.

“Grandpa, since you think this whimsy will bring someone connected to the Residence through the stolen scripture, who do you believe this destined person is?”

Thinking of the two who had seen the Longhu Dan Scripture, the girl asked the elder her doubts.

“Also, the identity of the first person remains unknown. How can you be sure they are destined?”

Faced with her curiosity, the old Celestial Master was momentarily at a loss.

“Uh...,” he stammered.

He couldn’t very well admit he hadn’t anticipated it either.

“Grandpa, you don’t mean you don’t know either!”

The girl pressed on stubbornly.

The elder coughed, feeling exasperated.

“Child, don’t worry about this. Just focus on your cultivation.”

“The law enforcement squad should be arriving shortly. You go and bring the person up.”

After coughing again, the elder waved his hand, signaling her to leave.

The girl curled her lips. Trying to change the subject now—wasn’t it a bit late?