One person: Starting with the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, his grandmaster uncle emerges from seclusion.

With each breath, a mysterious connection was formed between the earth's spiritual energy and that of the surrounding Longhu Mountain.

Even the wind stirred up by her walking had a light and ethereal, otherworldly charm.

"Hey hey hey..."

Zhang Tianyi couldn't help but let out a wicked, villainous laugh in his heart.

"Big Zhang, oh Big Zhang."

"Don't you always brag about how amazing your apprentice is?"

"Today I'll show you something amazing!"

"What is meant by a rare gem, one in a million? What is meant by a true seedling of cultivation?"

"I'm going to make you, you old Taoist priest, rotten with sourness today!!"

The more Zhang Tianyi thought about it, the more excited he became, and his steps became much lighter.

Not long after.

The two walked through a dense bamboo forest, and the view ahead opened up.

The magnificent and ancient main gate of the Celestial Master's Mansion suddenly appeared before our eyes.

The vermilion pillars and the high-hanging plaque exude a sense of weight and majesty that has endured for thousands of years.

Outside the door, two young Taoist priests on duty were sweeping the fallen leaves on the ground with brooms, doing it half-heartedly.

Zhang Tianyi rushed in happily, shouting loudly:

"Children!!!"

"Master Dao, I'm back!!!"

Chapter 302 Returning Home in Glory, Senior Brother and Junior Sister

Zhang Tianyi's voice was powerful and penetrating.

Not only did he employ Taoist breathing techniques, but he also exuded an arrogant air of returning home in glory.

The sound echoed back and forth in the spacious front courtyard of the Celestial Master's Mansion.

It even startled a few sparrows that were dozing on the eaves, causing them to flutter away.

After shouting that, Zhang Tianyi opened his arms wide.

He closed his eyes tightly, raised his chin slightly, and wore a smug smile.

I've already pictured a scene in my mind:

Countless young Taoist priests emerged from all directions, their eyes sparkling with admiration, surrounding him and cheering, "Welcome back to the mountain, Second Master!"

Then, with a nonchalant gesture, he casually pushed out the unparalleled gem behind him, basking in the astonished gazes of the crowd.

This is absolutely perfect!

however.

Five seconds have passed...

A slightly awkward autumn breeze swept through the courtyard, swirling up two fallen leaves that drifted slowly past Zhang Tianyi's outstretched arms.

"..."

Zhang Tianyi's smile froze.

He slowly opened one eye and scanned the courtyard.

Empty.

Only under the large ginkgo tree in the very center stood an old man wearing a worn-out Taoist robe.

The old man was holding a large broom in his hand, maintaining a sweeping posture.

Hearing the noise, he looked up and stared in astonishment at Zhang Tianyi, who was posing as a roc spreading its wings.

Eyes wide open.

The atmosphere was extremely awkward at that moment.

"Uh……"

Zhang Tianyi silently pulled his outstretched arms back, patted his Taoist robe twice, and coughed to cover his embarrassment.

"Qianhe."

Zhang Tianyi looked at the old man, his lips twitching slightly.

"Why are you wandering around the yard all by yourself? Where are those little rascals up the mountain? Are they on holiday today?"

The old man with the broom was none other than Zhang Qianhe, the eldest disciple of the Celestial Master.

A mild-tempered, always smiling, and kind-hearted person.

Zhang Qianhe, confirming he wasn't seeing things, quickly put down the broom and rushed over.

His face, etched with the marks of time, was filled with surprise, and he respectfully performed a Chinese bow:

"Second Uncle! Why did you suddenly return to the mountain? You didn't even give me a heads-up!"

"Hey, the morning classes just ended, and the younger disciples have all gone to the training ground on the back mountain. Junior Brother Rongshan is keeping an eye on things over there."

After Zhang Qianhe finished explaining with a smile, his gaze naturally fell on Zhang Tianyi's back.

Upon seeing this, the old Taoist priest, who had spent most of his life on the mountain, was slightly taken aback.

Chen Duo just stood there quietly.

But what kind of insight does Zhang Qianhe possess?

He immediately recognized the girl's innate and wondrous state, perfectly in harmony with the surrounding天地气机 (heaven and earth energy).

"Second Uncle, who is this young lady...?" Zhang Qianhe couldn't help but ask.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Tianyi's earlier embarrassment vanished instantly.

That's exactly what he was waiting for!

"Come, come, Qianhe, let me introduce you."

Zhang Tianyi pulled Chen Duo in front of him, patted her on the shoulder, and couldn't hide his smugness:

"This girl is called Chen Duo. She is the precious gem that I carefully selected and finally managed to find on this trip down the mountain."

Zhang Tianyi deliberately dragged out the last syllable, raising her chin slightly:

"From this day forward, she will be the first disciple of my Tian Shu lineage!"

"what?!"

Zhang Qianhe almost dropped the broom.

He looked at Zhang Tianyi in shock, then at Chen Duo.

Second Uncle has taken on a disciple?!

This guy, who has no taboos and even dares to ignore the old master's words, has actually taken on a disciple for the first time ever?!

However, Zhang Qianhe was known for his strong sense of rules and etiquette.

After a brief moment of shock.

The old man, who looked to be in his seventies or eighties and whose beard was half white, immediately composed himself.

He straightened his Taoist robe.

Then, under Chen Duo's somewhat bewildered gaze...

Zhang Qianhe bowed and clasped his hands in a gesture of respect to the girl, who was old enough to be his granddaughter, performing a gesture of equality between them.

"So he is a descendant of the Tian Shu lineage."

"Zhang Qianhe greets Junior Sister Chen Duo."

Now it was Chen Duo's turn to be dumbfounded.

She looked at the kind-faced old man, then looked up at her master.

"Master..." Chen Duo muttered softly, "Why does this white-bearded grandpa call me junior sister?"

"Hahahaha!"

Zhang Tianyi burst out laughing at the scene full of comedic conflict.

“Girl, this is the rule of Longhu Mountain. I am his senior uncle, and you are my disciple, so he is naturally your senior brother.”

Zhang Tianyi rubbed Chen Duo's head: "Don't let his white beard fool you, by seniority you're on equal footing with him."

Chen Duo nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

She returned Zhang Qianhe's greeting very earnestly, and called out in a soft, sweet voice:

"Hello, senior brother, grandpa."

"Grandpa...Grandpa..."

Zhang Qianhe's lips twitched slightly, but looking at Chen Duo's obedient and innocent appearance, he couldn't help but smile kindly.

"Junior sister, you're too kind. If you need anything on the mountain in the future, just tell the old man."

"Alright, Qianhe, stop with the formalities."

Zhang Tianyi had long been unable to contain her restless heart.

"Where's your master? And the third brother! Where are those two old bones hiding?"

"Reporting to Second Uncle, Master and Uncle Tian are playing chess in the back hall."

"Alright! Girl, let's go!"

With a wave of his hand, Zhang Tianyi strode confidently, leading Chen Duo straight to the back hall.

……

The rear hall of the Celestial Master's Mansion.