My words have become law; I truly have no desire to display my divine power before others.

Deep within the Cangwu Mountains, there lies a sect.

It is called Maoshan.

The disciples of the sect have lived in seclusion in the deep mountains for generations, specializing in the arts of invoking gods and using talismans.

That night, the moon was bright and the stars were few.

In the stone chamber where the sect leader was in seclusion, a lamp that had been burning for a long time suddenly flickered three times.

The old sect leader, who was sitting cross-legged, opened his eyes, a glint of light flashing in his cloudy old eyes.

He slowly got up and walked to the incense table in the corner of the stone chamber.

On the altar was a palm-sized jade tablet with an ancient-style character "茅" (mao) engraved on it.

Those are the memorial tablets of the patriarchs of past generations.

At this moment, the jade pendant was glowing faintly.

The old sect leader knelt down and kowtowed three times.

A moment later, an aged voice resounded in his mind:

"A great calamity is imminent... The mountain gates may be opened... True disciples... Enter the mortal world for training..."

The sound gradually faded away.

The old sect leader lay prostrate on the ground, not getting up for a long time.

......

The next morning.

The main hall of the Hidden Immortal Sect.

Seven elders sat in the hall, all with white hair and solemn expressions.

The old sect leader sat at the head of the table and recounted the patriarch's instructions from the previous night.

The seven elders remained silent for a long time.

The Grand Elder sighed:

"Six hundred years...it's finally time to enter the world."

The Second Elder nodded:

"A great calamity is imminent, and we can no longer hide. It's a good thing to send our true disciples out to gain experience."

The Third Elder suddenly said:

"Who should we send?"

The elders exchanged glances.

The old sect leader said slowly:

"Zhao Shouzhou".

Upon hearing this name, all seven elders fell silent.

After a moment, the Grand Elder nodded:

"That child is suitable."

......

In a secluded courtyard on the back hill.

A young man is practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard.

He was in his early twenties, with thick eyebrows, big eyes, and regular features, giving him an honest and simple appearance.

He wore a faded gray Taoist robe, and a jade pendant with the character "茅" (Mao) engraved on it hung from his waist.

He practices swordsmanship, but not swords of killing; rather, swords of summoning gods.

With each thrust, a faint wisp of runic light lingered at the tip of the sword.

After finishing a set of sword practice, he sheathed his sword, stood up, and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

Just then, footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate.

A child's voice rang out:

"Senior Brother Zhao, the sect leader requests your presence."

Zhao Shouzhou paused for a moment, then nodded:

"Coming!"

......

The seven elders and the former sect leader were all present in the council hall.

Zhao Shouzhou entered the hall and bowed to the old sect leader at the head of the table:

"Disciple Zhao Shouzhou greets the sect leader and all elders."

The old sect leader nodded, gesturing for him to stand up.

Zhao Shouzhou stood up straight, with his hands at his sides, looking obedient and docile.

The old sect leader looked at him and slowly spoke:

"Shouzhuo, how many years have you been with the sect?"

Zhao Shouzhou:

"Reporting to the sect master, I entered the sect at the age of three, and it has been twenty-two years since then."

The old sect leader nodded:

"Twenty-two years...it's time to go out and see the world."

Zhao Shouzhou was taken aback.

The old sect leader continued:

"Last night, the patriarch issued a decree that a great calamity is imminent, and ordered our sect to open its gates so that true disciples can enter the world to gain experience."

"You are the foremost true disciple of our sect in this generation; this journey into the world will be yours."

Zhao Shouzhou was stunned.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but found his throat was a little dry.

Entering the world?

To leave the mountain?

He had been waiting for this day for twenty-two years.

From the age of three, he knew that he was a disciple of the Hidden Immortal Sect and that he was to spend his life cultivating in these deep mountains, forbidden from going down the mountain, forbidden from contacting mortals, and forbidden from revealing his magic.

The elders repeatedly warned him: Those who cultivate the Tao must be low-key, patient, and conceal their talents; they must never show off in front of others.

He listened to what he was told.

But he had a thought in his mind.

Learning magic is all for the purpose of becoming an immortal, isn't it? And becoming an immortal is all about living a carefree life, isn't it?

Why can't you show off your abilities in front of others? Why can't you let others see how amazing you are?

He kept this thought to himself for twenty-two years and never told anyone.

Upon hearing the words "entering the world," that thought suddenly resurfaced, stronger than ever before.

But his face still held an honest and simple expression; he simply bowed his head slightly and said respectfully:

"Your disciple obeys."

......

The old sect leader took out two items from his sleeve.

A jade talisman, about the size of a palm, covered with runes:

"This is a protective jade talisman, capable of blocking three fatal attacks. It should not be used lightly unless absolutely necessary."

The other item was a yellow talisman.

"This other item is called the Thousand-Mile Vanishing Talisman. It can also be used three times. If used in a dangerous situation, it can take you a thousand miles away from danger."

Zhao Shouzhou accepted them one by one and carefully put them away.

The old sect leader looked at him and said earnestly:

"Shouzhuo, you are the head of our sect's true lineage, with excellent talent and temperament. Now that you are entering the world, remember a few things."

Zhao Shouzhuo lowered his head:

"Please enlighten me, Sect Master."

Old Sect Master:

"First, one should not easily reveal one's magic. Mortals are foolish and cannot bear to see such things; it will only bring trouble upon them."

Zhao Shouzhou nodded:

"I have noted it down."

Old Sect Master:

"Secondly, you must not clash with the government. They have a protective aura of humanity; offending them will not do you any good."

Zhao Shouzhou nodded:

"I have noted it down."

Old Sect Master:

"Third, when you encounter problems, observe and think more, and speak and act less. There are many talented and extraordinary people in this world. Although you are a true disciple of our sect, once you leave the mountain gate, you are still a novice. Remember, there are always people more capable than you, and there is always something beyond your understanding."

Zhao Shouzhou nodded:

"I have noted it down."

The old sect leader looked at him, remained silent for a moment, and then waved his hand:

"Go."

Zhao Shouzhou knelt down, kowtowed three times to the old sect leader and the seven elders, then stood up and left the main hall.

......

As he stepped out of the council hall, Zhao Shouzhou took a deep breath.

He looked up at the sky—the sky was very blue, and the sunlight was very bright.

He looked down at himself—a blue Taoist robe, a jade pendant at his waist, and talismans and magical implements in his sleeves.

The 22-year wait has finally come to an end.

He walked down the mountain path slowly, each step steady.

As he stepped out of the mountain gate, he looked back once.

Behind them, the sect hidden in the clouds and mist was no longer visible.

He suddenly laughed.

That smile was completely different from the honest and simple one he had shown in the hall just now.

With a mix of pride, excitement, and the exhilaration of "finally I don't have to pretend anymore."

He turned around and strode forward.

After walking a few steps, he suddenly stopped, took out the talisman from his sleeve, looked at it, and then put it back.

After walking a few more steps, he took out the protective jade talisman again, weighed it in his hand, and then put it back.

An old man chopping wood passed by and saw the young man touching this and that, so he couldn't help but take a second look.

Zhao Shouzhou noticed his gaze, immediately dropped his smugness, put on an honest and simple expression, nodded to the old man, and continued walking forward.

He walked a long way away, making sure the old man was out of sight, before letting out a long sigh of relief.

"I'm so suffocating!"

He muttered to himself, his honest and simple face vanishing completely.

"In the sect, the elders always say to keep a low profile, not to show off or be ostentatious."

But what was the point of my twenty-two years of studying magic? Wasn't it just to show off to others?

He muttered to himself as he walked:

"Those mortals have never seen a deity in their entire lives. If I were to show them my skills, wouldn't they kneel down and kowtow to me? Just thinking about it is exciting!"

Suddenly, he remembered something, took out a stack of yellow talismans from his sleeve, pulled out one to summon the gods, looked at it, and then put it back:

"No, it's too ostentatious to invite deities right after we come out. Let's keep a low profile and see how things go first."

He then took out a small bronze mirror and looked at himself:

"That face looks so honest. Ordinary people would never guess that this young man with thick eyebrows and big eyes is actually a true disciple of the Maoshan Sect!"

He chuckled twice, put the small bronze mirror away, and strode forward.

As he walked, he stopped and looked back at the way he had come.

"Keep a low profile... Hmph, once I make a name for myself outside, let's see who dares to tell me to keep a low profile."

He turned around and continued walking forward.

The sunlight shone on him, making his thick eyebrows and big eyes look exceptionally bright.

He walked while calculating:

Which town should we visit first?

Ideally, it should be someone from a remote, unsophisticated place, someone whose skills could easily impress them.