Upon hearing the words of Ancestral Master Xuanji, Zhang Chen was surprised and said, "A strange matter?"
He thought that this Ancestral Master Xuanji had some insight, unexpectedly able to discern his unusual nature. However, Zhang Chen now strives to work with Chen Tongguang to find a way to help the Innate Peacock reborn and then kill the Longevity Thief Dao, so with a surprised expression, he said, "I wonder what strange matter the Ancestral Master is referring to? From childhood to adulthood, this disciple has never encountered any strange events."
"Strange indeed! By destiny, you should have died early, yet why are you still alive?" Ancestral Master Xuanji's eyes revealed a hint of bewilderment. He had attained the Dao by the Celestial Secret and was extremely confident in his calculation technique. How could such a situation arise? This was entirely contrary to the Law he had always followed.
But to him, this was also an opportunity. If he could comprehend the changes within, his Dao Practice would surely have a breakthrough.
"Boy, are you willing to take me as your master?" Ancestral Master Xuanji wanted to keep Zhang Chen by his side to study him day and night, looking at Zhang Chen with burning eyes, a hint of ardor in his gaze.
"This disciple has already pledged allegiance to the Ancestral Master, how dare I turn to another door?" Zhang Chen didn't know what Ancestral Master Xuanji's intentions were, so he calmly refused.
"Do you mean that as long as your family's Ancestral Master agrees, you would be willing to take me as your master, wouldn't you?" Ancestral Master Xuanji said.
He thought that with Zhang Chen now doing menial tasks like boiling water for tea, he didn't seem valued. Among the hundreds of disciples at Five Villages Temple, given his relationship with Longevity Ancestor, it should be no problem to ask for an insignificant disciple.
"Thank you for your favor, Ancestral Master, but I also have a younger sister practicing in the Daoist Temple. My younger sister is still young, and I must take care of her. Wherever my sister goes, I will go too. If you can take my sister along, what harm is there in this disciple taking you as my master?" Zhang Chen said respectfully, while also thinking of a vicious plan in his heart. Xu Erniu was secretly refined by Longevity Ancestor into a Grass Returning Pill, a secret only known by Longevity Ancestor himself. If Ancestral Master Xuanji and Longevity Ancestor were to ask for Xu Erniu, what would be the result? Would the Longevity Thief Dao secretly suspect, or even feel that someone has peeped into the secret of the Ginseng Fruit and Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror? If he took this opportunity to steal the Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror, would the Longevity Thief Dao suspect Ancestral Master Xuanji and even take deadly actions against him?
One must know that the Grass Returning Pill and the Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror involve the Longevity Thief Dao's tribulation, and even though Ancestral Master Xuanji and he have known each other for tens of thousands of years, when it comes to such fundamental matters of survival, it would still be a life-and-death struggle.
"Who is your sister? The old ancestor I am quite familiar with, the Longevity Daoist. As soon as I speak, I can definitely bring your sister along," Xuanji Ancestor asked indifferently.
It was merely asking for two disciples; Ancestral Master Xuanji thought that Longevity Ancestor would surely grant him this face.
Upon hearing Ancestral Master Xuanji's words, Zhang Chen respectfully said, "My young sister is called Xu Fu."
Xuanji Ancestor stood up: "I will go and speak with your master right away."
Finishing his words, Ancestral Master Xuanji already hurriedly departed, leaving Zhang Chen standing in the courtyard watching Ancestral Master Xuanji's departing figure, silently holding a water kettle as he left.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard of the Ancestral Master of Longevity's residence, the Ancestral Master stood with his hands behind his back, looking at the distant sea of clouds, his eyes filled with suspicion and uncertainty: "How can there be such a domineering and ruthless Array in this world? From childhood, Wenlong grew up in the Daoist Temple, never leaving my sight; how could he come up with such methods? Moreover, the power of this Array is immense; how could Wenlong possibly wield it? Could it be that someone knows my tribulation is near and wants to plot against me?"
While countless thoughts flickered in the heart of the Longevity Ancestor, a voice came from outside the door: "Is Daoist Changsheng in?"
"So it's Xuanji, the wise brother, please come in and have some tea." Ancestral Master of Longevity's face was full of smiles as he invited Ancestral Master Xuanji into the courtyard, and then both sat down as the Ancestral Master prepared tea:
"Wise brother, have you come up with a plan to break the Array?"
Ancestral Master Xuanji shook his head: "Breaking the Array, difficult! Difficult! Difficult! I didn't come here today for the grand Array, but rather to pull this old face down and ask Daoist Brother for a person to be my disciple."
"You old fellow, you actually came to sabotage my foundation. Don't you want disciples to choose your own? But since you've spoken, I can't be stingy. As long as it's not the four major disciples, you can ask for anyone you want." Ancestral Master of Longevity joked with a laugh.
"It's the Daoist Child who made tea for me today, the one named Zhang Chen," Ancestral Master Xuanji said.
"Is it him?" The Ancestral Master of Longevity was stunned upon hearing this and incredulously asked: "Are you sure it's him?"
"What, are you reluctant?" Xuanji Ancestor said.
"It's not that I'm unwilling, but this person is dull-witted. He has been with me for a year and has yet to cultivate even Qi Sensing. Did you make a mistake in your perception?" The Ancestral Master of Longevity reconfirmed.
"No mistake, it's him! I always feel that this person is fated with me!" Xuanji Ancestor said with a smile: "Seeing your expression, are you unwilling to let go?"
The Ancestral Master of Longevity shook his head: "Since you have set your sights on him, I naturally have no reason to keep him forcibly. You can take him away directly when you leave."
The Ancestral Master of Longevity had previously examined Zhang Chen, deeming him a piece of dead wood not worth carving, feeling that Ancestral Master Xuanji had made an error.
Hearing the words of the Ancestral Master of Longevity, Ancestral Master Xuanji laughed: "Good! We've made an agreement, you can't go back on your words."
At this, Ancestral Master Xuanji said, "Since you've given Zhang Chen to me, there's another matter. It's best if you could also resolve it for me. Zhang Chen has a sister named Xu Fu who is also practicing in your Daoist Temple. I can't bear to separate the siblings, so please entrust Xu Fu to me as well."