Under One Person: Rebuilding the Glory of the Beast Master

"But the Qi in your body is not the path of the Sanyi Sect." Zuo Ruotong stood with his hands behind his back in front of the hall, his gaze falling on the mountains outside the door. "The Sanyi Sect's Reverse Life Triple Stage emphasizes the word 'reverse'—reversing the deficiencies of one's innate nature, returning to the origin, in order to reach the 'triple stage' realm."

He turned around and looked at Zeng Su.

"The cultivation of the three levels of reversal requires the cultivator's own Qi to be 'pure' enough. The purer the Qi, the easier it is to reverse back to the innate state. Conversely, the more turbid and complex the Qi, the greater the difficulty of reversing rebirth."

Zeng Su's heart skipped a beat, knowing that he was very likely to be rejected.

"Your Qi is very strong, there's no doubt about that." Zuo Ruotong's tone was very calm. "But it's precisely because it's so strong that your meridians are already completely filled with your own Qi. It's like a cup that's already full of water; if you try to pour more water into it, not only will you not be able to, but if you force it in, the cup will crack."

He paused, looking into Zeng Su's eyes: "So, for you to cultivate the Reverse Life Triple Level, the difficulty is several times higher than for ordinary people. And that's not even the biggest problem."

Zeng Su frowned slightly. He didn't know what the problem was. According to the Beast Sensing Technique, he had already reached the forefront of everyone in the Zeng family, including the Zeng family's ancestors.

"The biggest problem is that the Qi within you carries a... unique attribute." Zuo Ruotong carefully chose her words, seemingly searching for the most accurate explanation. "This attribute isn't acquired through cultivation; it's innate. In other words—"

"Innate superpowers," Zeng Su said for him.

Zuo Ruotong glanced at him and nodded: "So you knew after all."

Zeng Su was silent for a moment, then asked, "Sect Leader Zuo, will innate special abilities affect the cultivation of acquired techniques?"

"It will have an impact, but it's not absolute." Zuo Ruotong shook her head. "Some innate abilities and acquired cultivation techniques complement each other and promote each other. But in your case—your innate ability and the Reverse Life Triple Technique are probably not very compatible."

Why?

Zuo Ruotong did not answer immediately, but walked to the prayer mat in front of the hall and sat down, gesturing for Zeng Su to sit as well.

Zeng Su sat down opposite him, with a small table between them. On the table was the bronze incense burner, and the sandalwood incense smoke rose gently, forming a faint veil of smoke between them.

"I'm asking you," Zuo Ruotong began, "what is your innate special ability?"

Zeng Su hesitated for a moment. He didn't want to speak, but lying to someone like Zuo Ruotong was pointless. This "Great Ying Immortal" had unfathomable cultivation and terrifyingly sharp eyes; trying to outsmart him would only backfire.

Moreover, he needs Zuo Ruotong's help.

Besides, his strength isn't some kind of innate superpower.

"My innate ability is to evolve my beast tamers," Zeng Su said. "I can see the potential of my beast tamers and use specific methods to help them break through their limits."

After listening, Zuo Ruotong remained silent for a long time.

Upon hearing this, Si Chong could no longer conceal his surprise. As an elder of the San Yi Sect, he was knowledgeable and knew what the words "Beast Taming Evolution" meant.

Beastmasters have been at the bottom of the supernatural world for two hundred years, not because they can't raise supernatural beasts, but because their efficiency in raising supernatural beasts is too low—it takes several generations of selection and decades of training to produce a single supernatural beast.

And this child in front of me can actually make the beast evolve directly?

No wonder he was able to raise that pig at such a young age.

"Your innate ability allows your beast taming to evolve." Zuo Ruotong spoke slowly. He wasn't too surprised by Zeng Su's innate ability, because innate abilities were inherently miraculous, and it wasn't surprising that they possessed any power.

"And after your beast evolves, it will in turn nourish your Qi, making it even stronger. It's a positive cycle, isn't it?"

Zeng Su nodded, agreeing. This was also the core of the Zeng family's Beast Taming Technique, where the master and the beast grow together, complementing each other.

"That's exactly the problem." Zuo Ruotong sighed softly. "The reason your Qi is so strong is largely due to the feedback from that strange beast pig. Your Qi and its Qi are interdependent; you contain me, and I contain you. And that pig's Qi carries extremely strong 'metal' attributes—hard, sharp, and pure."

He paused, looking into Zeng Su's eyes: "The Triple Rebirth requires 'gentleness' and 'purity.' Not rigid purity, but gentle purity. Your Qi is too 'hard,' so hard that it's completely opposite to the path of the Triple Rebirth."

Zeng Su finally understood completely.

It's not that he lacks the necessary qualifications, but rather that his qualifications are "too good"—so good that he has chosen a path completely different from the Reverse Rebirth Triple.

This is like forcing someone born with superhuman strength to give up physical training to practice light-body skills. It's not that they can't learn it, but the price and effort they have to pay are far greater than for an ordinary person, and they still might not be able to reach a high level.

"So," Zeng Su's voice was calm, "the Left Sect Leader isn't planning to accept me?"

Zuo Ruotong looked at him, a flicker of emotion flashing in her clear, deep eyes.

"It's not that I won't accept you," he said. "I just don't want to hold you back."

Zeng Su understood the weight of those words.

Zuo Ruotong didn't look down on him; quite the opposite, she thought highly of him. It was precisely because she saw his talent and potential that she didn't want him to take a difficult path.

A child who can raise a mythical beast at the age of eight would be a genius sought after by any sect. However, if this genius goes to a sect that is not suitable for him and learns a cultivation method that is not suitable for him, it would be a waste of his talent and a misguidance of his students.

Zuo Ruotong was unwilling to be the kind of person who misled young people; this is the character and qualities of the Great Ying Immortal.

The Qingxu Hall remained quiet for a long time.

As the sandalwood incense burned out, the last wisp of smoke dissipated in the air, leaving only a faint lingering fragrance.

Zeng Su sat on the ground, head down, looking at his hands resting on his knees. The hands of an eight-year-old child were small, but the knuckles were distinct, and thin calluses already formed on the fingertips.

He thought of his grandfather.

I remembered Zeng Qing'an sitting on the doorstep smoking, and I remembered what he said: "The Sanyi Gate's problem isn't whether they want you or not, but whether they can even snatch you away."

Grandpa was right; the Trinity Sect was indeed vying for him. But what Grandpa didn't expect was that the very reason the Trinity Sect was so eager to have him would become the obstacle to his entry into the Trinity Sect.

He thought of Baijiahei (a Chinese cold medicine brand).

He remembered the iron-bristled pig that grew from a tiny piglet into a gigantic creature, its bright eyes, and the warm touch of its head against his hand.

He thought of himself.

I thought of the office worker in my past life, working overtime until late at night in an office building; I thought of the ordinary person who was overwhelmed by life; I thought of myself after transmigrating to this world, vowing to live a different life.

Then he looked up.

"Master Zuo," his voice wasn't loud, but every word was steady, "you said you didn't want to mislead me, and I understand your good intentions. But I want to ask you a question."

Zuo Ruotong nodded slightly: "Go ahead."

"Why do you think an eight-year-old child, accompanied by a strange beast, would travel three thousand miles from Daqingshan to Taimushan?"

Zuo Ruotong remained silent.

"It's to find a place where I can cultivate in peace," Zeng Su answered the question himself. "It's not to learn the Reverse Life Triple Stage, not to join the orthodox Xuanmen sect, not to bring glory to my ancestors—it's to find a place where I can walk my own path in peace."

He looked into Zuo Ruotong's eyes, his dark pupils reflecting the other's handsome face.

"I believe you, the Sanyi Sect is not suitable for me to cultivate the Reverse Rebirth Triple Stage. But besides the Reverse Rebirth Triple Stage, the Sanyi Sect has other things—cultivation techniques, mental cultivation methods, cultivation experience, guidance from seniors, and sparring with fellow disciples. Every sect has these things, but the Sanyi Sect's are the best."

"I can learn other things at Trinity Gate while continuing down the path of the Beast Master. The two are not mutually exclusive."

Zuo Ruotong's eyes flickered slightly.

"Moreover," Zeng Su's voice lowered, but became more resolute, "my grandfather sent me to Sanyi Gate not just so that I could learn skills. He did it so that I would have a backer, a backer that would protect Zeng Family Village from being bullied."

He paused, raised his head, and looked directly into Zuo Ruotong's eyes.

"I know this sounds very calculating and mercenary, not something an eight-year-old should say. But I don't want to lie to you. Part of the reason I came to Sanyi Gate was indeed for Zeng Family Village. But the bigger reason was for myself."

"I need an environment where I can grow up in peace, I need a force that can protect me when I am weak. I need a way to make me qualified to stand on the stage of the supernatural world someday, so that everyone can know that the Beast Master is not at the bottom, and the Zeng family is not in decline."

"Trinity Gate is the best option I can think of."

After he finished speaking, Qingxu Hall fell silent.

Si Chong stood aside, watching the eight-year-old child, his surprise turning into shock. He had cultivated for decades and seen countless disciples who had joined the Sanyi Sect, some with extraordinary talent, some from illustrious families, and some with exceptional character. But never had a child spoken such words in front of the sect leader.

Be neither humble nor arrogant, neither evasive nor dodging.

Lay your purpose, demands, and bottom line all on the table.

This courage, this insight, this composure are even more valuable than his natural talent.

Zeng Runguo stood at the door, his eyes already red.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end he said nothing. He just clenched his fist tightly, knowing that he couldn't help Zeng Su.

Zuo Ruotong sat on the futon, looking at Zeng Su.

He didn't speak immediately, nor did his expression change. He just stared at Zeng Su like an ancient well, its surface calm but its depths unknown.

A long time passed, so long that Zeng Su thought he was going to refuse.

Zuo Ruotong suddenly smiled; it was a smile of appreciation.

"You're even more amazing than your grandfather said," Zuo Ruotong said.

Zeng Su was taken aback.

"Your grandfather wrote in his letter," Zuo Ruotong pulled a letter from her sleeve—the very one Zeng Qing'an had Zeng Runguo deliver—"He said you are 'precocious and eloquent, unlike ordinary children.' I originally thought it was just an elder's favoritism, an exaggeration. But seeing it today—"

He placed the letter on the table and looked at Zeng Su.

"Your grandfather was being modest."

Zeng Su didn't know what to say, so he just sat there properly.

Zuo Ruotong stood up, walked to the front of the hall, put his hands behind his back, and looked at the layered mountains outside the door. The mountain wind blew from afar, making his Taoist robe flutter.

"The San Yi Sect, established for over a thousand years, has taken in countless disciples." His voice wasn't loud, but it was clear in the wind. "Second rule: Those with wicked intentions will not be accepted. Second rule: Those with mediocre talent will not be accepted. Third rule: Those with weak wills will not be accepted."

He turned around and looked at Zeng Su.

"Your mental fortitude is fine. Your aptitude is not only fine, but far surpasses that of ordinary people. As for willpower—for an eight-year-old child to say what you just said, his willpower must be quite good."

Zeng Su's heart began to race.

"But you will indeed face many difficulties in cultivating the Reverse Rebirth Triple Stage, I'm not lying to you about that." Zuo Ruotong's tone remained calm. "If I let you cultivate the Reverse Rebirth Triple Stage like the other disciples, you might be slower, more tired, and suffer more than others. In the end, you might not even be able to reach a high level."

"That's not fair to you."

Zeng Su opened his mouth as if to say something, but Zuo Ruotong waved her hand, signaling him not to speak yet.

"Therefore, I have a suggestion." Zuo Ruotong looked at Zeng Su with an indescribable gentleness in her eyes, "You will join my Sanyi Sect as an 'outer disciple'."

Outer disciple?

Zeng Su was slightly taken aback.

"The San Yi Sect is divided into inner and outer sects," Zuo Ruotong explained. "Inner sect disciples mainly cultivate the Reverse Life Triple Stage, which is the orthodox practice of the sect. Outer sect disciples can cultivate the Reverse Life Triple Stage and learn other techniques and skills of the sect, or continue to cultivate their own family's traditions."

He paused, then continued, "The status and treatment of outer disciples are no different from those of inner disciples. The only difference is that they have more freedom in choosing their cultivation methods. The Sanyi Sect has taken in many outer disciples. Some come from small sects, some possess unique skills, and some are simply independent cultivators. They come to the Sanyi Sect not to learn the Reverse Life Triple Stage, but to have a place where they can cultivate in peace."

Zeng Su's heart skipped a beat.

Isn't this exactly what he wanted?

"You can stay on the mountain as an outer disciple of the Sanyi Sect and continue cultivating your Zeng family's Beast Master techniques. You can also choose to learn other techniques and skills from other parts of the sect." Zuo Ruotong looked at Zeng Su. "In the Sanyi Sect's Scripture Pavilion, besides the Reverse Life Triple Level, there are many other good things. Medicines, pills, artifacts, arrays, talismans, and techniques—basically everything you can think of is available."

"You can stay at Trinity Gate for three, five, or ten years. Whenever you feel you've found your way and are ready to leave, you can go anytime. Trinity Gate won't stop you, nor will it ask you to do anything for the sect."

Zeng Su fell silent.

It wasn't because of hesitation, but because of shock.

The conditions offered by Zuo Ruotong were too good to be true.

An outer disciple can enjoy the resources of the Sanyi Sect, practice the techniques of the Sanyi Sect, and receive the protection of the Sanyi Sect, but does not need to bear any obligations.

This is not reasonable.

"Left Gate Master," Zeng Su raised his head, "why give me such good terms?"

Zuo Ruotong looked at him, a hint of a smile flashing in her clear eyes.

"Because you deserve it," he said. "A beast master who can raise strange beasts at the age of eight is one in a hundred years in the entire world of supernatural beings. It is an honor for the Trinity Sect to be your starting point."

Zeng Su was stunned.

It wasn't because Zuo Ruotong's words were too polite, but because of the tone he used when he said them—not politeness, not flattery, but a heartfelt recognition.

He genuinely felt that Zeng Su was worthy.

"Furthermore," Zuo Ruotong changed the subject, her tone becoming more relaxed, "I'm not entirely without selfish motives either."

Zeng Su pricked up his ears.

"You may be an outer disciple of the Sanyi Sect, but you're still a disciple of the Sanyi Sect." Zuo Ruotong looked at Zeng Su, a slight smile playing on her lips. "If you make a name for yourself in the world of supernatural beings in the future, and people ask you which sect you belong to, you can say 'Sanyi Sect.' The Sanyi Sect will be proud of you!"

Zeng Su paused for a moment, then smiled.

This is the real Zuo Ruotong.

He's not pretentious or aloof; he speaks clearly and explicitly. He genuinely helps you, but he doesn't deny that he might gain something from it.

This kind of honesty is far superior to those who spout benevolence and morality while secretly scheming and plotting.

"Master Zuo," Zeng Su stood up, straightened his clothes, and then bowed deeply, "Disciple Zeng Su wishes to enter the Sanyi Sect. Please grant my request, Master."

Zuo Ruotong did not agree immediately, but looked at Si Chong next to her.

"What do you think, Si Chong?"

Si Chong, who had been listening from the side, stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Sect Leader, I believe this child is teachable."