As the head of Qinglong Temple, Shen Huazhen maintained his youthful habit of morning jogs.
Born in a village at the foot of Qinglong Mountain, he could never forget the day he was spotted by a white-bearded Daoist while out on one such run. That man had taken him up the mountain and made him a disciple. The man had given himself the Daoist name Lingxiu.
Daoist Lingxiu was reasonably kind to Shen, teaching him everything he knew. By the time Shen turned twenty-five, his cultivation was already on par with his master's. However, Lingxiu had a fatal flaw: he was unwilling to relinquish power. Sensing the talent of his disciple, he grew guarded and decided to demote Shen to the rank of elder.
Chapter 650