Don't let Yu Ding take on any more disciples.

Chapter 403 Li Jing, It's Time for You to Graduate
Sky and clouds.

Seeing the jade tripod meant that the matter had been settled, the group exchanged glances, their expressions becoming somewhat strange.

This... isn't this going a little too smoothly?

Manjushri, in particular, looked on with deep incomprehension.

No, the Taixu Master in his memory wasn't so easy to talk to.

That guy has a very strong personality and a tough attitude. He'll start a fight with you if you disagree, but now he's managed to reach an agreement after being scolded by Yu Ding.
"I'll go down and take a look first."

Huanglong moved swiftly and headed downwards first. Taiyi Zhenren glanced at the two people beside him and followed.

Master Puxian also said, "Let's go!"

Manjushri, the Heavenly Venerable of Vast Dharma, glanced at the innate sword embryo floating beside him, which served as the wager.

"While the innate sword embryo is good, it cannot guarantee your safe passage through the tribulations," Master Puxian said calmly.

Manjushri Bodhisattva was stunned. Remembering that even with this treasure, the Jade Cauldron could not stop the calamity, he immediately stopped talking and rode the clouds with Samantabhadra to the General's Mansion below.

Only the two treasures left as stakes remain suspended in mid-air.

They weren't worried that these two things would be lost right under their noses.

Inside the backyard of the General's Mansion.

"The presence of fellow Daoists Yuxu at my humble abode is truly an honor to this place."

Master Taixu rose and bowed: "My disciple and I have failed to greet you properly. I hope you fellow Daoists will not take offense."

For the first time, Li Jing realized that the phrase "蓬荜生辉" was not an adjective.

The Taoist priests who arrived were ethereal and otherworldly, surrounded by a clear light that made his backyard glow.

Huanglong Zhenren, Taiyi Zhenren, Manjushri Guangfa Tianzun, Samantabhadra Zhenren, plus the earlier-arriving Yuding Zhenren...

Five of the Twelve Immortal Leaders of Jade Void have come to his house today. Even though he has seen many grand occasions,
At this moment, Li Jing couldn't help but feel immense pressure, and fine beads of sweat slowly appeared on his forehead.

The usually arrogant and domineering demon god Bifang was now as docile and obedient as a quail inside his body, suppressing all his aura.

Li Jing also noticed that Manjushri, the Heavenly Venerable of Vast Dharma, who had visited his home before, did not look too pleased.

"Fellow Taoist, you're welcome."

Everyone bowed in return, even Manjushri, the Heavenly Venerable of Vast Dharma, who wore his displeasure on his face.

"Fellow Daoists, please take a seat and let's discuss this in detail!"

With a smile, the Taoist Master Taixu swept his whisk, and a beam of clear light descended, making the pavilion appear much larger and adding several more prayer mats.

Taiyi and the others thanked him and sat down on the left and right sides.

As for Li Jing... although he was the master, he could only stand aside with his two sons at this moment.

He glanced at the five great immortals of Jade Void who had arrived, then looked at his master, who remained calm as if nothing had happened.

"Don't worry, I can handle it..." After noticing Li Jing's worry, the Taoist Master Taixu gave him a reassuring look.

"Fellow disciples, I have already discussed this matter in detail with Fellow Daoist Taixu."

Yu Ding shook his head and said, "In the end, this is all a misunderstanding, a case of the flood washing away the Dragon King Temple. Brother Taixu is indeed a disciple of the Grand Master Uncle."

"A disciple of the Grand Master?"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of everyone looking at the Taoist Taixu immediately changed.

Manjushri, the Heavenly Venerable of Vast Dharma, stared straight into the void and said in a deep voice, "Why is that fellow Daoist preventing me from accepting a disciple?"

Taixu looked at him and smiled, "You are all immortals under the tutelage of the Primordial Sage, and Li Jing is one of my disciples. If you take his son as your disciple... what will become of the Primordial Sage then?"

"This……"

Taiyi and Puxian exchanged a glance and frowned slightly.

Indeed, by that logic, Li Jing was of the same generation as them, while their senior uncle was a generation above their master.

As fellow sages of the Heavenly Dao, there is no distinction of high or low!
Once they reach their level of understanding, they will not care about the seniority or hierarchy of ordinary people.

but,
He's not good at being the leader of a religion, and he's even less good at managing his followers.

Huang Long frowned and nodded: "What you said... makes some sense. What should we do?"

"wrong."

Manjushri, the Heavenly Venerable of Vast Dharma, stared intently at the Great Void and said in a deep voice, "You didn't say that last time."

Taixu said calmly, "My attitude towards guests depends on their attitude."

Manjushri, the Heavenly Venerable of Vast Dharma, turned ashen-faced, snorted, and remained silent.

Taiyi frowned and said, "We definitely want to take you as a disciple, but this matter involves our elders and fellow disciples. What do you think... how should we resolve this?"

"This……"

The group exchanged glances, their brows furrowed, and they looked thoughtful.

"Daddy!"

Jinzha and Muzha looked up at Li Jing beside them, and Li Jing quickly raised his hand to make a shushing gesture.

He looked at the group of Taoists in the arena and felt a sense of powerlessness welling up in his heart. He knew that the situation here was no longer under his control.

"This matter is quite simple!"

Then a voice broke the silence.

Everyone could see that Yu Ding had a smile on his face: "I said that this matter has been settled. Of course, I discussed the solution with Fellow Daoist Taixu. Otherwise, how could I accept the bets from my senior brothers?"

Their eyes lit up, and when they looked at the Taoist Taixu beside them, they saw that Taixu had a smile on his face and remained noncommittal.

"Oh, Yu Ding, what good ideas do you have? Tell me quickly," Huang Long urged.

Yu Ding smiled and looked at Tai Xu, who then said, "Disciple!"

"Disciple is here!" Li Jing stepped forward.

Master Taixu looked at Li Jing with satisfaction in his eyes and said softly, "Li Jing, my disciple, you have been under my tutelage for quite some time now. I am particularly pleased and proud of your achievements. However, our master-disciple relationship ends today. It is time for you to graduate."

"Master, have you...did I do something wrong that would make you expel me from the sect?"

Upon hearing this, Li Jing became anxious and knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly, saying, "Master has been kind to me by imparting knowledge, teaching skills, and resolving my doubts. I have not yet repaid you, so how can you expel me from the sect?"

Seeing this, Jinzha and Muzha quickly knelt down and cried, "Master, we promise to listen to you from now on. Please don't send Father away, okay?"

Master Taixu looked at Li Jing and said with some emotion, "What is there to repay? If you can uphold the righteous path of humanity, protect the peace of the people in Chentang Pass, and not use your abilities to harm living beings, then your teaching will not have been in vain."

Li Jing was one of the disciples he truly devoted his heart and soul to teaching.

As for the previous ones... they were all too monstrous, completing their studies in three-year cycles and leaving the mountain without him ever having to worry about them.

This led to him spending more time with Li Jing, participating in Li Jing's cultivation, career establishment, marriage, and children, among other things.

Even a cat develops attachments over time, let alone an apprentice you've painstakingly taught.
Taixu then looked at Jinzha and Muzha and smiled, "Jinzha and Muzha, as long as you remember what your master taught you, your master will be very happy."

Li Jing, who was kneeling on the ground, suddenly turned his head and glared angrily at Manjushri, Samantabhadra, Taiyi and the others: "Did they threaten my master with the lives of my entire family to expel me from the sect...?"

Upon hearing this, Taiyi Wenshu and the others' expressions changed drastically, and dark clouds suddenly began to gather in the sky.

"You brat, how dare you talk like that?"

Taixu glanced at the group and quickly reprimanded them, "If these fellow Daoists do such a thing, then they are no longer Jade Void Immortals."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions relaxed.

"Then..." Li Jing was still a little confused.

Taixu raised his hand to interrupt him, saying, "I have taught you everything I could and should have taught you. It is time for you to graduate. The appearance of these fellow Daoists today has brought about this predestined relationship."

From this day forward, I am no longer your master, Li Jing, and you are no longer my disciple. From now on, you must forge your own path.

"Yes……"

Li Jing, a dignified general, had tears in his eyes at this moment and could only helplessly bow his head and kowtow.

This scene left Taiyi Huanglong and the others feeling somewhat uneasy, but it was indeed the only option they had at the moment.

Since Li Jing was not a disciple of Taixu, he had no connection with the Human Sect, and therefore there was no question of his senior master being superior to his master.

Taixu added, "Furthermore, Li Jing, your three children do indeed have a master-disciple relationship with these three immortals. This is the will of Heaven, which cannot be defied by human power."

If you still believe in this humble Taoist, then... please arrange for Jinzha and Muzha to become my disciples!

Li Jing stood up, took a deep breath, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "Brother... Li Jing will remember this."

He originally planned to keep his son by his side to teach him, and at the very least, his own mentor would help him with the instruction.

He only waits until his child grows up and achieves success in his cultivation before telling him about the family feud from back then, to see if he can seek justice for his relatives and friends in the future.

The reason he was against his son being taken away was because he was afraid that if too much time passed, they would become estranged when they met again, and even if he knew the truth, his son wouldn't help him anymore...

Just now he suddenly realized that sometimes he had to bear certain things himself and could not impose the responsibilities that should belong to him onto his own children.

This is not fair!

He left with Jinzha and Muzha to make arrangements, leaving only the Five Immortals of Jade Void and Taoist Taixu behind.

"Fellow Daoists, are you satisfied?"

Master Taixu glanced at the group and asked indifferently.

"Alas, this matter has indeed put Fellow Daoist Taixu in a difficult position," sighed True Man Yuding.

The people nearby remained silent.

They sensed a hint of dissatisfaction in Master Taixu's words;
But they understand!
Anyone would feel bad about this, so no one dared to object.

Of course, the jade tripod is an exception!
Li Jing will be chosen by Randeng to become his disciple after leaving his master's school. The Linglong Pagoda is a wonderful thing... Yu Ding was making plans in his heart.

No matter how well he trained Li Jing, he couldn't do without his signature equipment.

Otherwise, without the tower... what's the point of calling him the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King?
Although the Linglong Pagoda cannot be considered a primordial spiritual treasure, it is still a precious treasure below the primordial magic treasures, possessing the great power to subdue demons and suppress immortals and gods.

It was also the treasure that the Taoist Ran Deng gave to Li Jing in the original story to deal with Nezha.

The original Li Jing was too useless, but it was precisely because of this treasure that he was able to turn his life around and become the Pagoda-Bearing Heavenly King.

If Ran Deng still insists on taking Li Jing as his disciple, then he has no objection. However, if anything happens in the future, he hopes that Master Ran Deng will show some decisiveness. Tai Xu Dao Ren snorted, glancing at Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Taiyi: "Disciples, this humble Daoist can make concessions and allow you to take me in, but if you cannot teach me well… humph!"

"How dare you, how dare you!"

Master Puxian laughed and said, "Now that we have become master and disciple, I will certainly impart all my knowledge to you."

"That sounds nice..." Yu Ding snorted inwardly. The only masters who had taught him everything were Guang Chengzi and Chi Jingzi, who had given him all their most treasured possessions.

As a result, when their disciple betrayed them, even when they came in person, they couldn't subdue him. Instead, they were defeated by their own magic weapon, fled in disarray, and became a laughingstock.

As for Samantabhadra and Manjushri... they are not mentioned in the Investiture of the Gods, but judging from the fact that the followers of Julusun, who were on good terms with them, kept a secret, it is probably not much different.

After all, birds of a feather flock together!

"Then I'll gladly accept the treasures from my fellow disciples."

Yu Ding smiled and raised his hand. A primordial sword embryo and a halberd flew from the sky, turning into rays of light and disappearing into his sleeve.

Before long, Li Jing had arranged the venue, and Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Taiyi went to observe the ceremony.

As for Huanglong...

He gloated, "Now that Taiyi is gone, how could his senior uncle not give him a little something in return?"

Taiyi went there because of his disciple, what do you know if you don't even have a disciple...? Yu Ding glanced at Huanglong: "As the senior master, how can you not offer a gift?"

Huang Long said indifferently, "I don't take on disciples, so why would I give you a gift? Besides, look at me, what gift could I possibly have?"

"I see your dragon horns, reverse scale, and heart-protecting dragon scales are quite impressive..." Yu Ding thought to himself.

Huang Long glanced at him: "Then why don't you, as his senior brother, go?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Ding straightened his back and said confidently, "They didn't give me a gift when I took on disciples, so it would be too unfair for me to give one."

Huang Long paused for a moment: "That makes sense."

About half a day later, Li Jing and Taiyi returned to the villa.

This time, the three of them had completed their apprenticeship ceremony, but Jinzha and Muzha were taken to the Daoist temple by their respective masters to cultivate.

Because Nezha is too young, he needs to stay at Li Jing's house until he grows up a bit more before they can take him away.

However, when they returned, Li Jing and Taiyi Zhenren did not look too good.

"Taiyi, what's wrong with you? You look so pale," Huanglong asked in surprise.

At this moment, Master Taixu said, "Nezha's birth time is not good; he is destined to suffer a calamity of 1,700 killings."

"Seventeen hundred..."

Huang Long stared wide-eyed at Li Jing: "Boy, what despicable thing have you done? Your son has actually committed a 1,700-killing calamity?"

"This shouldn't be happening, this shouldn't be happening. I calculated this and deliberately staggered the timing." Taiyi muttered to himself with a furrowed brow.

Upon hearing this, Li Jing looked up at Master Taixu and asked, "Master...Master, is there any way to remedy Nezha's calamities?"

Taixu glanced at the two and shook his head, saying, "The will of Heaven is predetermined and cannot be changed by supernatural powers or human strength."

Taiyi Zhenren sighed wearily.

"Destiny! Destiny! It's destiny again!"

Li Jing clenched his fist and slammed it against a nearby pillar: "Heaven took away my family and friends, everything I had before, and now... what did I, Li Jing, do wrong?"

Click...

Centered on his fist, spiderweb-like cracks quickly appeared and spread throughout the entire pillar, causing the pavilion to sway precariously and threaten to collapse.

“Li Jing, you did nothing wrong, and the child did nothing wrong either.”

The Taoist Master Taixu said, "It's all just destiny. Everything was predetermined before the child was born."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and pointed, and a stream of magic power landed on the almost shattered pillar, which was then restored to its original state.

"Go to hell..."

Li Jing was somewhat on the defensive. When he opened his mouth to attack, he suddenly couldn't open it. When he looked up, he saw that Taiyi Zhenren had placed his whisk on his arm.

"General Li, calm down. This is not just something you need to worry about. As Nezha's master, how could I sit idly by?"

Taiyi frowned and rebuked, "Besides, I have Senior Brother Huanglong and Junior Brother Yuding here. One person's plan is limited, but two people's wisdom is superior. Do you think they would just stand by and do nothing?"

"Well, actually, I'd really like to stand by and do nothing..." Huang Long thought to himself, but said, "Of course not."

Yu Ding stepped forward and nodded: "It is my duty."

Taiyi Zhenren gave the two of them a grateful look and nodded, saying, "It's getting late. Let's go back and think of a solution. Fellow Daoist Taixu, General Li, farewell."

"General Li, see the three immortals off."

Taixu tapped Li Jing with his whisk, then walked into the room with his hands behind his back.

Li Jing looked puzzled.

Seeing this, Yu Ding secretly shook his head. Sometimes, the difference is really quite obvious.

At the entrance of the General's Mansion.

"General Li, please wait a moment. This is enough."

Yu Ding smiled and stepped forward to whisper something to Li Jing, who was taken aback.

When he looked up again, Yu Ding had already gone with Taiyi and Huanglong riding the clouds.

It was already dark by then.

Gradually, the bright moon hung high in the sky.

It's late at night!
A figure tiptoed into the courtyard. As soon as he stepped inside, his vision blurred and he was instantly thrown into freefall.

A moment later, Li Jing turned around, half-squatted on the ground, and looked around warily.

All around, there were blue skies and white clouds, lush green grass, birdsong and fragrant flowers, and a waterfall cascading in the distance... It was like a paradise on earth.

Suddenly, Li Jing paused for a moment, and the wariness on his face disappeared.

Not far away, a figure sat cross-legged by a pond, holding a fishing rod and fishing without moving.

"Greetings, Master!" Li Jing couldn't help but say.

Taixu said without opening his eyes, "Some people, some etiquette, some relationships don't need to be shown or spoken. If you have them in your heart, they will always be there."

Li Jing's eyes lit up and he said, "I understand."

"What brings you to see me so late at night?"

"Wasn't it the real person who came to find Li Jing?"

"Who said that?"

“Master Yuding said that when you tapped me, it was a signal for me to come find you at the first watch of the night.”

"Emm...you're quite frank."

Taixu opened his eyes, somewhat speechless at Li Jing's straightforwardness: "I know you have many doubts in your heart right now, but don't ask."

He interrupted her as she was about to ask something, saying, "Don't say anything even if you guess it. The only thing I can tell you is... you will soon have a great destiny with immortals."

"A great destiny with immortals?" Li Jing was slightly taken aback.

Taixu nodded slightly: "This is the second reason why I want to sever my master-disciple relationship with you, apart from those people from Yuxu. Before obtaining this immortal opportunity, it is best not to do anything."

"what!"

Li Jing sat up abruptly and found himself still lying in bed with his wife beside him.

Everything that just happened feels like a dream.

Li Jing composed himself, then, remembering something, picked up a lamp and went to the side courtyard. He opened the door, only to find the room empty; there was no sign of the Taoist Taixu.

"A teacher for a day is a father for life. If you have that in your heart, then it will always be there..."

Li Jing was somewhat lost in thought: "First Xiaobai left, then Jinzha and Muzha left, and now Master has also left."

……

Yuquan Mountain.

On the small platform in front of Jinxia Cave.

Yang Jian paced back and forth anxiously, while Long Ji and Yang Chan sat under the peach tree with worried expressions.

The three-headed dragon was now as docile as an eel, clinging to a tree and trembling.

I originally thought Yang Jian and his sister were terrifying enough, but I never expected that the seemingly harmless little girl next to Yang Chan would have an aura that was in no way inferior to Yang Jian's...

Moreover, he was also a disciple of the Jade Cauldron Immortal.

Crazy!

too crazy!

How many disciples did this Jade Cauldron Immortal teach?

But didn't Master Yuding lose all his magical powers?

For some reason, he also felt a sense of unease, as if he were being watched by some terrifying being, which made him too scared to move.

"Fellow senior brothers and sisters, please have some tea!"

A pot of tea and several teacups arrived from Qingyunduan.

"At this point, we're in no mood for tea," Longji said anxiously.

Qingyun sighed: "I never imagined that the master would have lost all his cultivation more than two hundred years ago."

"Wait, more than two hundred years ago?"

Yang Jian frowned slightly: "So, when Master took us in... he had already lost his cultivation?"

"Based on the timeline..."

Qingyun counted on his fingers for a moment and nodded, saying, "It should be."

I had a relapse of duodenal ulcer and cholecystitis and had to stop for a few days. I'm really sorry, but those two days were really painful. I'm much better now.