Chapter 21: Mortal Nature, Ming An Becomes a Disciple

The alpha wolf's final memory was a streak of azure light stretching hundreds of feet across the sky.

He vaguely saw a Taoist in azure robes and a jade crown, treading upon a fire dragon, slashing out a hundred-foot sword light that cleaved in two the magical artifact that he and his eight brothers had forged with their collective hearts and minds.

When the artifact was completely shattered, the resulting backlash caused the alpha wolf to lose consciousness entirely.

By the time Tian Ming'an hurriedly arrived at the front hall of the Taoist temple clutching that small flicker of candlelight, he saw only eight desiccated corpses lying scattered across the ground.

The "Eight Wolves of Dongjun," an evil cultivation gang that had once terrorized the region and dominated Qingzhou, had become nothing more than dead wolves.

Furthermore, the battle between Jiang Sheng and the Eight Wolves of Dongjun had destroyed nearly half of the Taoist temple.

The front hall was utterly ruined; the side walls were reduced to mere rubble, and half of the main entrance had been smashed to pieces.

As far as the eye could see, fires burned everywhere amidst broken bricks and tiles. The planted green pines and emerald bamboos had been trampled and snapped, leaving a scene of utter devastation.

Looking at the wretched state of his own training grounds, a rare trace of irritation flickered in Jiang Sheng's eyes.

Anyone would be irritated by this.

He had been minding his own business, cultivating in the mountains, only to have a group of irrelevant people show up to launch a sneak attack.

Even though the enemies were dead, half of his training grounds had been destroyed.

Who was he supposed to turn to for justice?

"Daoist Master?" Tian Ming'an looked up at Jiang Sheng—who stood treading upon a fire dragon and wielding a green blade—with eyes full of adoration.

Jiang Sheng sighed and withdrew the spiritual power maintaining the fire dragon.

Even with Heavenly Dao Foundation Establishment, someone with his profound spiritual power found it difficult to maintain a fire dragon for an extended period.

In truth, the final struggle had been a contest between Jiang Sheng and the Eight Wolves of Dongjun to see who possessed greater resolve and deeper spiritual reserves; clearly, Jiang Sheng was the one laughing last.

As the spiritual power receded, the fire dragon let out a final low rumble before dissolving into a sky full of flames and vanishing into the air.

Jiang Sheng landed on the ground and waved his hand. "That's enough. Go back and rest. We will discuss matters tomorrow."

Tian Ming'an nodded obediently, but after returning to his room, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

The events of tonight had far exceeded his imagination, leaving him too excited to rest.

Jiang Sheng did not rest much either. The front hall was completely destroyed, and the middle hall had been partially ruined by the aftershocks of the battle. Jiang Sheng had no choice but to hang the portrait of the Ancestor in the rear hall and set up a new altar with incense and candles.

Sitting cross-legged before the Ancestor's portrait, Jiang Sheng swallowed a Yuan-Gathering Pill and began to slowly regulate his breath and cultivate.

After the fire dragon vanished, the scorching heat lingering in the air persisted for a full quarter of an hour before finally being neutralized by the falling snow.

The drifting snowflakes fell once more, extinguishing the remaining fires in the temple and covering the tragic traces on the ground.

The next day, at the hour of Mao, as the horizon began to glow faintly red, Tian Guofu led the people of Qingping Town up the mountain, carrying various tools.

The dragon's roar from the previous night had awakened the entire town. They knew the sound had come from Qingping Mountain, but they had no idea what had happened.

Due to the heavy snowfall, they had been forced to wait until dawn to enter the mountain and investigate.

Worried about his grandson, Tian Guofu had led the able-bodied men up the mountain as soon as it began to dawn.

After a difficult climb to the mountainside, Tian Guofu and the men of Qingping Town looked at the ruined Taoist temple and the surrounding devastation. Their hearts sank halfway: *Could it be that Daoist Jiang was eaten by a dragon last night?!*

"Town... Town Head... Daoist Jiang couldn't have..." One young man felt himself trembling. His sharp eyes caught sight of a corpse that wasn't fully covered by the snow; the body was incredibly emaciated and frozen to a bluish-gray.

Tian Guofu was also worried about his grandson, but he forced himself to remain calm. "What nonsense are you talking about?!"

"Daoist Jiang is a High Practitioner from Penglai! Do not let your imagination run wild!"

Despite his words, Tian Guofu stepped forward quickly. "Come, let's go into the temple and see!"

Seeing the Town Head take the lead, the men hurried after him, entering the temple as a group.

Even though most of the traces were buried under the fallen snow, the piles of debris and the completely collapsed front hall made it obvious that a fierce battle had taken place here last night.

In particular, the broken bricks and tiles scattered throughout the front courtyard, along with the various remnants of combat, made it clear just how dangerous the situation had been.

Seeing these traces, Tian Guofu's heart sank. "This is bad. Something terrible has happened!"

"What 'terrible thing' has happened?" Jiang Sheng's voice suddenly rang in their ears.

Hearing Jiang Sheng's voice, Tian Guofu felt an immediate, inexplicable sense of relief. Since Daoist Jiang was fine, his grandson must surely be safe as well.

With this thought, Tian Guofu hurriedly bowed toward the rear courtyard. "Daoist Jiang, we heard what sounded like a great commotion in the mountains last night."

"But it was the middle of the night and the snow was falling heavily. Even though we were worried for your safety, we didn't dare enter the mountain lightly. We had to wait until dawn and until the snow stopped before we could come up to assist you."

Tian Guofu's explanation actually made Jiang Sheng chuckle. "If you are worried about your grandson, just say so. There is no need to use this poor Taoist as an excuse."

"Rest assured, Town Head Tian. Your grandson is currently fast asleep. If you wish to see him, you may go to the guest room in the rear courtyard."

Upon hearing this, Tian Guofu rushed toward the rear courtyard, but after only a few steps, he stopped and turned to the men from the town. "What are you all standing around for? Don't just stand there—help Daoist Jiang clear away this mess!"

The men realized their mistake and began picking up tools to sweep away the snow and clear the ruins.

When Tian Guofu reached the rear courtyard and saw that his grandson was indeed sleeping soundly, he was so angry that he grabbed Tian Ming'an and pulled him up. "You senseless boy! Do you have any idea how much we've been worrying? You didn't even come home to report that you were safe when dawn broke! You made your father, your mother, and me worry all night!"

Just awakened, Tian Ming'an was somewhat confused. Only when he realized the person before him was his grandfather did he snap to attention. "Grandpa? Why did you come up the mountain?"

Tian Guofu said crossly, "How else could I confirm your safety? There was such a massive commotion in the mountains last night; the whole family was worried sick!"

As he spoke, Tian Guofu gestured toward the rear hall. "It is only because Daoist Jiang is kind-hearted that he protected you. And yet, instead of helping the Daoist with his burdens, you ran off here to take a nap!"

Listening to Tian Guofu's scolding, Tian Ming'an lowered his head and obediently admitted his fault, before being dragged into the rear hall by his grandfather.

Tian Guofu bowed respectfully to Jiang Sheng. "I have seen the traces in the front courtyard. In such a fierce battle, the Daoist still did not forget to ensure this boy's safety. I truly do not know how to thank you..."

Jiang Sheng smiled and said, "It is no matter. I was the one who let him stay the night. Had I not let him stay, he wouldn't have encountered any danger last night."

"Since I chose to let him stay, I would naturally ensure his safety."

As he spoke, Jiang Sheng rose slowly, looking at Tian Guofu and then at Tian Ming'an. "Town Head Tian, do you regret letting this boy come up the mountain?"

Tian Guofu froze, unsure of how to respond.

In truth, he did regret it.

His intention had been to let his grandson follow Jiang Sheng for a while to gain some prestige. If Jiang Sheng were willing to teach him even a single move or technique, he could one day become a Taoist official, bringing honor to the Tian family and prosperity to their lineage.

But Tian Guofu had underestimated just how dangerous the world of cultivators truly was.

The dragon's roar that had echoed through the mountains, the fierce battle marks in the front courtyard, the smoke and scorched earth, the signs of axe and blade strikes, the crisscrossing cracks in the stone slabs, and even the gruesome remains of monsters that were visible even through the snow...

The world of cultivators was far too terrifying.

Knowing Tian Guofu's thoughts, Jiang Sheng said, "Rest assured, Town Head Tian, I will not force this boy to stay."

"Speaking of which, it was because of me that he was put in danger yesterday. If you only desire a life of wealth and glory for him, then take him back. I will speak a few words to Magistrate Zhang; ensuring he has a life of prosperity will be no trouble."

"There is no wealth or glory to be found by staying by my side. I am merely a person of quiet cultivation, unwilling to be too entangled with the mortal world. I have no interest in the affairs of the Qi State's court or the martial world."

"But even so, there will still be danger in following me. Just like last night—one never knows when such an event might occur again."

Tian Guofu was truly tempted by Jiang Sheng's words, but before he could say anything, Tian Ming'an spoke up.

Ever since witnessing the magnificent world of cultivators last night—even though it had nearly cost him his life—Tian Ming'an was filled with a longing for cultivation.

He desperately wanted to become a cultivator like Jiang Sheng, rather than becoming some wealthy merchant.

Therefore, upon hearing the conversation between Jiang Sheng and his grandfather, Tian Ming'an suddenly broke free from Tian Guofu's grip and knelt directly before Jiang Sheng. "Daoist Master, this boy wishes to stay!"

Tian Guofu looked at his grandson in astonishment, but Tian Ming'an did not look at him at all. He kept his head bowed. "Daoist Master, last night was the first time I witnessed the combat of a cultivator. I am not afraid of danger; I am only afraid of living a life of mediocrity and insignificance."

"Before, I was merely a frog at the bottom of a well, ignorant of the vastness of heaven and earth. But last night, you allowed me to witness the greatness of the world and the wonders of heaven and earth. I truly do not wish to return to my former life of mediocrity."

"In this life, my only wish is to follow the Daoist Master, serving you faithfully. I implore you, Daoist Master, please let me stay!"