He's been in the Daoist Temple for several years and knows that Zou Wenlong holds a special place in the Ancestral Master's heart.
Sure enough, the following month, Zhang Chen occasionally heard Xu Erniu complain to others about being busy with cultivation all day, unable to manage many aspects of life, costing him too much time.
After noticing the rumors spread, Zhang Chen rose and leisurely wandered around the Daoist Temple, encountering Little Fatty Zou Wenlong in the afternoon.
Upon seeing Zou Wenlong, Zhang Chen began greeting him from afar: "Senior Brother Zou! Senior Brother Zou!"
Zou Wenlong turned his head to see Zhang Chen rushing over, raising an eyebrow involuntarily: "Kid, what are you calling me for?"
"I heard people say Xu Fu is busy cultivating in the backyard, unable to eat or sleep well, so could you think of a way to assign me to be by Xu Fu's side and take care of her living quarters?" Till here, two drops of tears fell as Zhang Chen spoke emotionally: "Xu Fu and I depended on each other since childhood at the foot of the mountain. I'm a failure now in cultivation; all hope is on my junior sister. She is young and without care, how can she manage?"
"You want to go to the backyard? Do you deserve it?" Zou Wenlong frowned and chastised: "Do you know what the backyard is? Only four or five people can enter, even those cultivated to the twelfth tier can't enter freely. Look at yourself, how do you deserve to enter?"
Listening to the sarcasm in Zou Wenlong's words, Zhang Chen cursed internally: "What a wolf, I saved you from the mountain, you'll see when I make you take the blame later."
Then Zhang Chen, putting on a smiling face, said: "I am also worried about my little sister. Once at the foot of the mountain, I found a mysterious item, researched it long but found no way. Today I wish to gift it to Senior Brother to ask for a favor."
While speaking, Zhang Chen took out the Invisibility Rune from his chest and handed it to Zou Wenlong.
The Invisibility Rune is a Lifebound Talisman he cultivated, no matter where it is, just a thought can retrieve it. Giving it to Zou Wenlong is merely temporary, a thought later can reclaim it.
When Zou Wenlong saw the Invisibility Rune, he couldn't take his eyes off. Grabbing it, he researched briefly and understood its use, then discreetly placed it into his sleeve, eyeing Zhang Chen: "Kid, you're really lucky to gain such Creation. Seeing your sincerity, I could speak on your behalf, but whether it will succeed depends on the Ancestor's decision."
"Wait for my news then." After speaking, Zou Wenlong took the Talisman and left, disappearing into the backyard, leaving Zhang Chen staring at his back silently.
If entering the backyard through Zou Wenlong's connection is possible, that would be best; if not, further planning is needed, increasing unknown trouble.
Zou Wenlong, being clever, quickly thought of an excuse and arrived at the Ancestral Master's resting place, respectfully greeted: "Greetings, Master."
"Why aren't you cultivating? What are you here for?" The Ancestral Master of Longevity looked at Zou Wenlong who walked in and asked.
Zou Wenlong said: "Disciple and Xu Fu are too young, unable to care for ourselves. Could Master assign Zhang Chen to serve us in the backyard?"
Hearing this, the Ancestral Master's eyebrows twitched but asked after pondering: "Is it Zhang Chen who couldn't cultivate Magical Power?"
"It's him," Zou Wenlong replied.
"Has he cultivated Magical Power?" the Ancestral Master asked.
"I've never seen such a dull person." Zou Wenlong scratched his head: "Still hasn't cultivated it."
He lamented internally: "Zhang Chen, you can't blame me for not helping; it's your lack of effort. If you could cultivate Magical Power, just my mention today could get you into the backyard. You have yourself to blame."
Just as Zou Wenlong suspected the Ancestral Master disliked Zhang Chen's foolishness, he unexpectedly heard: "Zhang Chen is indeed a dead wood; since he hasn't cultivated Magical Power, entering the backyard is harmless. Tomorrow, a thorough check is needed; you may leave."
Zou Wenlong was stunned: 'How is it that without Magical Power he can enter the backyard? What of us?' He dared not voice his confusion, sensing something amiss, being extremely astute.
"Something's off!" Zou Wenlong mumbled as he exited the Ancestral Master's hall, returning to cultivation.
The next day
After the Ancestral Master finished lecturing, he instructed Zhang Chen: "Zhang Chen, stay."
The disciples left, leaving Zhang Chen standing in the hall, promptly approaching the Ancestral Master respectfully: "What does the Ancestor command?"
The Ancestral Master beckoned to Zhang Chen: "Come forward."
Quickly moving forward, Zhang Chen knelt at the Ancestor's mat, seeing the Ancestor's palm press upon his head, operating Divine Techniques to sense Zhang Chen's surroundings. After a brief moment, the hand withdrew with a light sigh: "I've never seen someone so foolish, your body shows no sign of Qi Sensing."
He had inspected and found no evidence of Magical Power circulating within Zhang Chen's body.
Magical Power is the Power of Law; wherever it passes, marks are left. Even he cannot erase such traces, so whether Zhang Chen cultivated Magical Power cannot deceive him.
He was unaware of the Innate Yin Yang Qi's mystery which erased all Qi Mechanism in Zhang Chen's body, even the Ancestral Master found it hard to detect.
"Tomorrow, work in the backyard, fetching water, washing clothes, caring for Xu Fu and Zou Wenlong," the Ancestral Master commanded, leaving no room for Zhang Chen's objection: "The backyard needs someone to clean, are you willing?"
"I'm willing," Zhang Chen promptly bowed.
He nodded: "If you perform well, when you die, I might consider refining you into my follower, another form of Immortality."
Hearing this, Zhang Chen internally sneered: 'What kind of immortality is this? Isn't this like a caring little ghost? Can't even enter reincarnation, a slight mistake leads to death, I'll overturn your Five Villages Temple when I find the chance,' Zhang Chen thought coldly, yet showed excitement: "Disciple thanks the Ancestral Master!"
"Off you go!" The Ancestral Master gestured Zhang Chen to leave.
Zhang Chen returned to pack, then headed to the backyard, unhindered now, as the guarding disciple let him enter.
Xu Erniu stood waiting at the door, her eyes showing joy upon seeing Zhang Chen enter: "The Ancestor has assigned tasks, I'll familiarize you with the environment and instruct daily duties. Work well, hoping the Ancestor keeps your spirit to achieve Immortality with me; we'll be divine beings together."
Then Xu Erniu led Zhang Chen to a secluded courtyard to settle, guiding him around the backyard with tens of rooms, each containing a memorial tablet or Divine statue.
"The Ancestor said you must clean the Daoist Temple daily, wipe statues and tablets, and also do chores like washing clothes for Xu Fu and Zou Wenlong," Xu Erniu explained to Zhang Chen: "I know this is grievance, but entering the backyard under Ancestor's notice is an opportunity, you must seize it, never lose your temper."
She knew Zhang Chen possessed a proud spirit.
She was puzzled too, Zhang Chen once at the mountain foot used mysterious methods, and even groomed someone like Xiu Liu, why now a failure in the mountain?