Chuxuan and Senior Brother Rongshan were walking along, completely unaware that the scene of Chuxuan undergoing the test had just been witnessed by the Old Celestial Master, who was hurrying back.
The Old Celestial Master looked at Chuxuan's receding back, stroked his white beard lightly, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
"Chuxuan truly is an extraordinary kid. I believe you won't let your master down," the Old Celestial Master said with a faint smile.
Afterward, the Old Celestial Master headed toward the Celestial Master Mansion. Passing the two of them along the way, he said to Chuxuan and Senior Brother Rongshan, "Rongshan, once you finish settling Chuxuan in, bring him to see me."
"Understood, Master!"
Looking at the figure that flashed past before his eyes, Chuxuan felt even more certain that his decision to apprentice here was the right one.
"Junior Brother Chuxuan, let's hurry along!"
With that, Chuxuan closely followed Senior Brother Rongshan deep into the back mountains of Longhu Mountain.
A surge of excitement welled up inside Chuxuan. He had finally been accepted into Longhu Mountain, which meant he could now cultivate and grow stronger. Yet, Chuxuan did not let pride get the better of him.
Deep within his mind, a voice told him that he must become powerful. This voice constantly echoed in Chuxuan's head.
Chuxuan knew that he had only just taken his first step, and the path ahead of him was still very long.
"Senior Brother Rongshan, tell me a bit about Master so I can be prepared!" Chuxuan asked Senior Brother Rongshan.
Senior Brother Rongshan smiled, nodded, and said to Chuxuan, "Junior Brother Chuxuan, let me tell you about Master now so you can be prepared.
"Master himself is the current head of the Celestial Master Mansion. Along with Uncle-Master Tian, he belongs to the oldest generation in the Celestial Master Mansion. Master's strength is immense—I don't even know just how formidable he truly is, but I can certainly say that Master is definitely the most powerful person in this world."
Looking at the absolute adoration in Senior Brother Rongshan's eyes, Chuxuan sensed a sort of blind confidence in the Old Celestial Master, with every word filled with awe.
Hearing Senior Brother Rongshan's description of the Old Celestial Master, Chuxuan could not help but feel immensely surprised. The Old Celestial Master could actually be considered the most powerful person in the world today—how could Chuxuan not be astonished?
Chuxuan had previously witnessed Senior Brother Rongshan's strength, as well as the capabilities of Calamity Seed and Thunder Smoke Cannon, feeling that they were already exceptionally powerful. If the Old Celestial Master was the strongest in the world, just how terrifying must his strength be? With Chuxuan's current perspective, it was simply unimaginable.
With a hint of excitement, Senior Brother Rongshan continued, "Master can now be considered the most powerful person in this world, and his strength has long since reached an unfathomable realm. Although Master has already reached the age of seventy, he remains vigorous and robust, and his strength is even more formidable. He is a very interesting person, as you will find out in the future."
Chuxuan nodded slightly, having gained some understanding of the Old Celestial Master.
Chuxuan followed Senior Brother Rongshan all the way up the mountain and finally arrived at the grounds of the Celestial Master Mansion.
Looking at the courtyards nestled ahead, Chuxuan knew this must be the location of the Celestial Master Mansion that Senior Brother Rongshan had mentioned.
Senior Brother Rongshan pointed to the courtyard ahead and introduced it to Chuxuan: "Junior Brother Chu, we've arrived. This is the true Longhu Mountain. Do you see that huge plaza over there? That is where the disciples usually gather to practice, and you will be cultivating there in the future."
Shortly after, Senior Brother Rongshan arranged a small courtyard for Chuxuan, where he would be living for the foreseeable future.
Chuxuan nodded slightly and accompanied Senior Brother Rongshan toward the Old Celestial Master's residence. Along the way, Senior Brother Rongshan occasionally explained the situation within the Celestial Master Mansion to Chuxuan.
Chuxuan listened attentively, engraving Senior Brother Rongshan's words in his heart. Finally, continuing all the way upward, Chuxuan and Senior Brother Rongshan arrived at the courtyard where the Old Celestial Master resided.
Once they stepped inside, Senior Brother Rongshan said to Chuxuan, "Junior Brother Chu, let's go in."
Chuxuan nodded slightly and, with a trace of tension, entered the Old Celestial Master's small courtyard.
"Master!" The two of them paid their respects to the Old Celestial Master with utmost reverence.
Senior Brother Rongshan nodded and replied, "Master, I have brought Junior Brother Chu. He is doing very well. Just now, he steadily crossed the chains all by himself, taking less than three minutes from start to finish."
Hearing Senior Brother Rongshan's words, the Old Celestial Master smiled faintly and said, "It seems you think very highly of your Junior Brother Chuxuan, Rongshan!"
Senior Brother Rongshan smiled, nodded slightly, and said, "Indeed. However, I imagine you must have already seen through Junior Brother Chu's extraordinary nature long ago, Master!"
"Alright, Rongshan! Let me first impart the cultivation method to Chuxuan!" The corners of the Old Celestial Master's mouth curved upward as he smiled, stood up, and walked toward Chuxuan.
"Very well, Master!" Senior Brother Rongshan patted Chuxuan on the shoulder and left the courtyard. "Junior Brother Chu, follow Master and cultivate diligently."
"Thank you, Senior Brother Rongshan!"
Watching the Old Celestial Master walk toward him, Chuxuan stepped forward solemnly, stopped right in front of him, and bowed respectfully. "Disciple Chuxuan greets Master!"
The Old Celestial Master looked at Chuxuan with a kind expression. His eyes were exceptionally vibrant and deep, and though his face bore many wrinkles, his physique was robust and upright, exuding a vigor and spirit that defied his age.
As the Old Celestial Master carefully looked Chuxuan over, as if trying to see right through him, he sensed the mysterious energy hidden within Chuxuan's body—something even the Old Celestial Master could not immediately fathom.
The Old Celestial Master and Chuxuan exchanged a smile. Looking at Chuxuan, the Old Celestial Master said with a smile, "Chuxuan, you are most unusual. The road ahead of you will be winding and long, and I hope you can persevere on this path until the very end."
"Master, I will persevere," Chuxuan said with a resolute gaze.
Seeing Chuxuan full of spirit and unwavering determination, the Old Celestial Master was extremely pleased with his newly accepted disciple.
The Old Celestial Master looked at Chuxuan and asked, "Chuxuan, let me ask you: what is your purpose in coming to Longhu Mountain?"
The Old Celestial Master suddenly spoke, looking straight into Chuxuan's eyes. A sharp, piercing gleam flashed in his gaze, as if he could pierce directly into Chuxuan's soul, questioning not just him, but the very depths of his heart.
Facing the Old Celestial Master's gaze, Chuxuan showed not a shred of fear and did not shrink back in the slightest. He raised his head and met the Old Celestial Master's weathered eyes head-on.
Chuxuan began to recount his past to the Old Celestial Master: "Old Celestial Master, I have only just awakened, and everything from my past remains unremembered. But in my mind, there is a voice that constantly repeats, telling me to become stronger in order to protect the people I hold dear. Therefore, the purpose of my cultivation is to grow strong enough to protect those I care about."
Hearing Chuxuan's words, the Old Celestial Master could truly feel his inner heart and knew that everything Chuxuan had said was the absolute truth.
Looking into Chuxuan's resolute eyes, the Old Celestial Master said to him, "Chuxuan, guarding the ones you love is your goal. While this goal may seem simple, it is actually unimaginably difficult. I hope you can persist and never forget your original aspiration."
The moment Chuxuan stepped into the world of The Outcast, an extraordinary journey had already begun!