Ancestral Master Xuanji's pupils contracted upon hearing the words, and his palms tightened involuntarily in his sleeves. However, with his mind cultivated over countless eons, he eventually suppressed the turbulent waves in his heart.
"Xu Fu is my direct disciple. I am very optimistic about that girl's talent, but I cannot give her to you." The Ancestral Master of Longevity raised his tea and took a sip, refusing without a change in expression. Yet, inside, a tremendous wave surged: "Is he testing me? Or is it a mere coincidence? Has he perhaps perceived something? Was his recruitment of Zhang Chen just a ruse, with the real target being Xu Fu? Could he have detected the existence of the Grass Returning Pill and thus harbored intentions?"
Reflecting on how Zou Wenlong inexplicably acquired an Array, which was also conveniently activated at Five Villages Temple, the Longevity Ancestor's mind spun with thoughts, finding it hard not to link all these occurrences together.
For such an extraordinary Array, even I approach it with great caution. With Zou Wenlong's insignificant cultivation, what grounds does he have to obtain it?
Even if he stumbled upon it by sheer luck, on what basis could he have activated it?
Unless someone is secretly manipulating the situation, plotting through Zou Wenlong.
The most crucial point is that the Xuanji Ancestor possesses the Celestial Secret, capable of divining the mysterious workings of the heavens. If he indeed glimpsed something in the Celestial Secret, it would be reasonable.
"You old fellow are too stingy. Xu Fu has only been under your tutelage for a year. Why are you so reluctant? At worst, you can state some conditions, and I will compensate you." The Xuanji Ancestor persisted.
He was adept in the Celestial Secret, skilled in grasping changes between Heaven and Earth. From Zhang Chen's few words, he could deduce that Xu Fu was Zhang Chen's younger sister, thus younger in age. If she was younger, she must have climbed the mountain together with Zhang Chen to apprentice and learn skills. Therefore, he deduced their apprenticeship times should be identical.
On hearing this, the Ancestral Master of Longevity entertained another thought: "Indeed, he came prepared, having done his homework in advance, even knowing the times Zhang Chen and Xu Fu entered the mountain..."
With this thought, the Ancestral Master's heart grew increasingly somber, with strands of Evil Qi swirling within. As the Grass Returning Pill relates to overcoming future tribulations, anyone daring to obstruct his path and ruin his great endeavor must be shown the consequences.
"However, what I need to ascertain now is whether it is only the Xuanji Ancestor applying a covert scheme against me, or if several other old fellows are also participating." The Ancestral Master of Longevity harbored a rising killing intent. Should any of these old fellows dare to plot against him in this matter, decades of friendship would have to be disregarded; he would be compelled to kill mercilessly.
The Xuanji Ancestor, unaware of these few words' effect, still jovially teased: "It's but a single disciple; what's the big deal? Just give me the disciple, and you can set any conditions you like. I might even exchange for the techniques once taught to me by the Immortal from the Upper Realm."
The Xuanji Ancestor was genuinely intrigued by Zhang Chen's Life Chart. Such a chart, breaking the fate, neither on this shore nor the other, if comprehended, would undoubtedly elevate his cultivation to another level.
"What? You're willing to offer the techniques passed down to you by the Immortal?" The Ancestral Master of Longevity was stunned, staring incredulously at the Xuanji Ancestor, trying to determine if he was joking.
"Of course! As long as you ask, I'll gladly offer up this Creation with both hands. Even the Immortal True Spirit in my possession, I'm willing to exchange!" The Xuanji Ancestor replied.
Upon hearing this, the Ancestral Master of Longevity had only one thought: "He's actually willing to part with even that Immortal True Spirit. Either he's gone mad, or he genuinely calculated something and intends to scheme against me, currently probing me."
"The grand Array is part of his scheme. He knows I cannot break it and will certainly have to invite everyone over, giving him a legitimate excuse to visit Five Villages Temple and explore secrets under the guise." The Ancestral Master of Longevity felt anger boiling within: "No matter who it is standing in my way, I will assuredly cleave them! For now, I must ascertain how many others are involved."
"I need to think it over, besides, Xu Fu is a person, not a pet. If you desire Xu Fu, she needs to agree first, don't you think? If you can persuade Xu Fu, I might not mind making a deal with you." The Ancestral Master said unimpressed.
Hearing the Master's words, the Xuanji Ancestor laughed heartily: "Good, you said it yourself. You can't go back on your word. Bring Xu Fu here, and I will try to persuade her."
"Xu Fu is currently in seclusion cultivating. I'll notify you once she emerges." The Ancestral Master of Longevity raised his tea and took a sip, concealing his inner unease and irritability.
Hearing this, the Xuanji Ancestor pressed on relentlessly: "Say, aren't you just finding excuses to fob me off? When will Xu Fu emerge from seclusion?"
"Noon tomorrow." The Master gave a time frame, having a whole night to prepare. He could give clear instructions to Xu Fu, and considering Xu Fu's 'father' resided on Qingcheng Mountain, it was impossible for the Xuanji Ancestor to take his disciple away.
"Good! Then I'll return tomorrow." The Xuanji Ancestor left in high spirits, not believing that, with Zhang Chen's request, he couldn't persuade a little girl.
Watching the Xuanji Ancestor's disappearing back, the Ancestral Master's face turned gloomy, with such concentrated killing intent in his eyes it seemed impossible to dissolve. The next moment, the Master stood up, resolved to find Xu Erniu.
Meanwhile, Xu Erniu approached the Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror, practicing the mantra passed down by her Master, attempting to absorb the Innate Five Elements Qi from the mirror. But after standing before it for half an hour, there was no reaction from the Treasure Mirror.
"How could this be? It shouldn't be like this?" Xu Erniu widened her eyes, confusion filling her pupils, doubting herself: "Could I have remembered the incantation wrong?"
Thinking this, Xu Erniu attempted a few more times, before turning to seek advice from the Ancestral Master. However, halfway there, she encountered the Master and hurriedly knelt before him, expressing her remorse: "Master, I have made a grave mistake. Please punish me."
The Longevity Ancestor, seeing Xu Erniu's expression, felt a sudden ominous premonition: "What is it? Speak while standing."
"Master, I remembered the incantation you passed down incorrectly and couldn't draw the Qi of the Five Elements. Please punish me." Xu Erniu remained kneeling.
"Oh, it's merely a minor issue of forgetting an incantation. I shall teach it to you again." The Longevity Ancestor sighed in relief, speaking with a smile as he lifted Xu Erniu. They proceeded together to the hall dedicated to the Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror, where he said to her: "I will teach you the incantation."
After speaking, he once again transmitted the incantation. Upon hearing it, Xu Erniu furrowed her brows, realizing she hadn't actually remembered incorrectly. The incantation passed down by her Ancestor was identical to what she remembered.
"Why do you have that expression?" The Longevity Ancestor noticed Xu Erniu's face and sensed something amiss.
"Reporting to Ancestor, the incantation you taught is identical to what I remember, and I didn't get it wrong. Yet, using it doesn't draw the Qi of the Five Elements." Xu Erniu scratched her head, her face full of bewilderment.
"What?" The Master exclaimed, his expression changing: "Perform it again for me to see. Perhaps you've memorized it correctly but made mistakes executing it."
Although Xu Erniu believed she executed the incantation correctly, with the Master's words, she had no reason to dispute it. She proceeded by forming hand seals and pointing at the Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror. The Divine Light flowed on the mirror's surface, but not a trace of Innate Five Elements emerged.
Witnessing this scene, the Longevity Ancestor's complexion dramatically changed, horror filling his gaze. He confirmed that Xu Erniu's execution of the incantation was correct, thus the issue must lie with the Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror itself.