One person: I am Li Buren, I cannot bear to do anything!

"Huh?"

Xiaoyu's steps faltered as she heard this, and her legs felt slightly weak.

"I've heard that the Quanxing sect is utterly wicked and unacceptable to the world. How could they possibly stay in such a peaceful place as our Longhu Mountain?"

"Could it be that you've made a mistake, Master Li?"

Li couldn't help but chuckle as he touched his nose, then casually put his hands behind his head and strode up the mountain.

"Is that so? Maybe. You know, nine out of ten gossip and rumors are false."

"Maybe I really heard a fake news story? Hahahaha..."

"Why are you so nervous? Are your legs going weak just from hearing the name of the Quanxing Sect?"

He laughed without any restraint and with great joy, unlike a Taoist priest, but more like Xu Xiake, who traveled the world.

"Master Li, you're certainly joking. Who doesn't know the infamous reputation of the Quanxing Sect?"

"If that evil man from Quanxing is really on the mountain, then my fellow disciples are in real danger."

"I'm still young, so it's understandable that I'm scared."

Xiaoyu straightened his chest, truly resembling a young Taoist priest who dared to admit his fear.

Li couldn't help but squint and look around aimlessly, taking in the entire scenery of Longhu Mountain.

"The scenery of Longhu Mountain is truly unparalleled. It's a pity that I'm just a rough man like me, and I can only take in this picturesque landscape in a cursory way."

"It truly lives up to its reputation as a sacred site of Taoism; its cultural heritage and scenery are unparalleled in the world."

"But do you think it's possible that someone might actually be planning an attack on Longhu Mountain?"

Li Buren seemed to be moved by the beautiful scenery and casually uttered a few words of reflection.

The cloth shoes crunched and groaned as they stepped on the small, uneven stones on the mountain path.

He seemed so engrossed in appreciating the scenery that he appeared oblivious to the fact that the young Taoist boy, Xiaoyu, had already turned deathly pale.

"Hey, why aren't you saying anything?"

Li Buren suddenly realized what was happening and began to care about Xiaoyu who was standing to the side.

"If you ask me, Longhu Mountain is such a sacred place, those thieves wouldn't dare to cause trouble even if they had ten times the courage."

"Moreover, with someone like the Celestial Master in charge, even if the Quanxing Sect came, they wouldn't gain any advantage."

But he immediately changed his tone, as if he were considering it very seriously.

"No, that's not necessarily true."

"Longhu Mountain is so big, even if the Old Celestial Master is strong, he is still just one person."

"Two fists can't beat four hands. If we really fight our way up to Longhu Mountain, I'm afraid even the old Celestial Master will have a hard time protecting the entire Celestial Master's Mansion."

"Thinking about it this way, the task of taking care of those senior uncles and elder brothers will still fall on your shoulders."

Li couldn't bear it and patted Xiaoyu's shoulder hard.

"How's it going, kid? This is such a difficult task, can you handle it?"

Xiaoyu's face flushed red from Li Buren's few slaps, and she almost felt like she was falling apart.

"This, this is only natural. Protecting our senior brothers and sisters is our duty."

"However, I don't think Quanxing would dare to attack the mountain easily. Longhu Mountain is an impenetrable fortress; it's not so easy to break through."

Li Buren expressed his deep agreement.

"That's true. If I were from Quanxing, I definitely wouldn't dare."

"Unless... I've laid out plans years in advance and planted spies within our Quanxing organization, then with inside help, even the Old Master wouldn't be able to predict it."

"Tell me, am I right?"

At this moment, "Xiaoyu" was already soaked in cold sweat and unable to speak.

"Hey, why are you ignoring me again? Why are you always ignoring me? You little Taoist disciple, you're really rude..."

"Alright, I won't argue with you. We've arrived at the Celestial Master's Mansion. I'm going in now; I don't want to keep the Celestial Master waiting too long."

Li couldn't help but smile and wave goodbye to "Xiaoyu".

His tone was cheerful, and he had only been teasing the "little Taoist boy" on purpose.

At the doorway, watching Li's reluctant back as he entered, "Xiaoyu" still couldn't help but tremble slightly.

"The plan remains the same."

...

"Little Bu Ren, why are you so late? Please sit down and have a couple of cups of tea with me."

When the old master saw Li Buren enter, he immediately reached out and poured two cups of boiling hot tea into the two cups in front of him.

"It's all because the scenery of Longhu Mountain is so beautiful, with so many flowers dazzling the eye, and I also chatted with that young Taoist boy for a while, which is why I was a little late."

The old master didn't seem to care much about anything else, and just seemed to be drinking his tea by himself.

After downing two cups, the old master poured himself another full cup, but this time he didn't drink it. Instead, he looked at Li Buren in front of him.

"Little one, I can't bear it! The Luo Tian Grand Ceremony is almost over. Why don't you predict who the final winner will be?"

Li couldn't bear to pick up the cup in front of him, take a sip, and examine the blue and white porcelain cup.

"Why are you beating around the bush, Master? If you want to know whether I favor Zhang Chulan or Zhang Lingyu, just say so."

The old master chuckled.

"You have a very straightforward personality."

"Since you already know, then just tell me. I'm also curious about your opinion."

Li couldn't help but think for a moment before putting down his teacup.

"Zhang Chulan's path is upright but not straight. I can't comment on whether it's good or bad; it's just a personal choice."

"He has his purpose and his principles. For a traveler, it doesn't matter whether the road is straight or crooked; only those who reach the end are on the right path."

"Although this person is disliked by many, I think he has a kind of wisdom in dealing with the world, but I think he is suitable for the position of Celestial Master."

"Not qualified."

The old master stroked his beard and laughed heartily.

"You're quite strange, always making your evaluation so convoluted. Now I'm even more eager to see how you'll evaluate the Spirit Jade."

Li couldn't help but smile along with the old master, but his expression quickly turned serious.

He paused, then said seriously.

"Among the younger generation, I have the least respect for Zhang Lingyu."

"He thought he was a high-ranking master, a direct disciple of the Celestial Master's Mansion, yet he did things that were disrespectful to Longhu Mountain and to a certain person."

"Looking back and forth, indecisive, yet unsure which side they should be fair to."

In the end, I'm afraid it will be difficult to even be true to myself.

The old master's expression froze for a moment, but then returned to normal.

"He's too stubborn and a perfectionist, which makes him flawed."

Li couldn't bear to stop there and said no more.

The old master nodded.

"After all, he's a child who grew up with me, so I know him very well."

"So, you think Zhang Chulan will win?"

Li Buren nodded.

"I don't think he'll win just because Zhang Chulan is very strong."

"I just think that Zhang Lingyu deserved to lose."

He picked up his teacup again, took a small sip, and then drank it all in one gulp.

The old master continued to ask.

"So, who do you think is the strongest among the younger generation?"

"I."

Li Buren answered crisply, without a trace of emotion.

Whether it's humility or arrogance, not a single emotion is reflected in this sentence.

It was as if he were simply stating a fact, like "the sun rises in the east."

"I'm not targeting anyone in particular, I just feel that this younger generation is all..."