Chapter 133: Taking a Disciple
Yet Bai Zihua continued to manifest his holiness before others; he intended to use this method to force Hua Qiangu to take him as her master.
A brilliant ray of light tore through the firmament, plummeting down like a shooting star, finally coming to rest upon the peak of Mount Shu.
Within that light was none other than the Immortal World's renowned Immortal—Bai Zihua.
The moment Bai Zihua descended, the entire Mount Shu seemed to tremble because of it.
The air was permeated with a rich Immortal Qi, causing every immortal cultivator to feel an unprecedented sense of oppression.
His figure stood tall on the mountaintop, as immovable as a towering mountain range, and a light of wisdom flickered within his deep eyes, making one dare not look directly at him.
The Elders and Disciples of Mount Shu, seeing Bai Zihua descend, all bowed with cupped hands.
"Greetings, Changliu Immortal."
Mount Shu was naturally well aware of the name Changliu Immortal.
He was currently the number one Immortal in the Immortal World, but the Disciples of Mount Shu were all very curious as to why this Changliu Immortal had descended upon Mount Shu.
Mount Shu was a cultivation sect, but it only sat in the Human Realm, and while it had connections to the Immortal World, they were not many.
Hua Qiangu naturally felt this powerful aura as well.
She looked at Bai Zihua, who had descended upon Mount Shu, and could not help but knit her brows; she was also very curious as to why this Bai Zihua had descended.
Hua Qiangu had her own guesses; could it be that Bai Zihua had descended to take her as his disciple?
Having read the plot, Hua Qiangu had already tried her best to break away from her original Fate and not form any connection with Bai Zihua.
What Hua Qiangu sought now was merely to protect the common people of the world.
What did any romance have to do with her?
Hua Qiangu did not know that what Bai Zihua sought was the Qi Luck Merit upon her, but it was true that she did not want to form any connection with Bai Zihua.
With various thoughts in her heart, Hua Qiangu walked out.
If that Bai Zihua wanted to take her as his disciple, she would absolutely not agree.
Now that she had the Heavens Chat Group, she did not need to take a master.
Hua Qiangu watched Bai Zihua from afar, feeling the powerful momentum and strength upon him, yet she said not a word.
Regardless of why this Bai Zihua had suddenly decided to take her as his disciple, she had already determined that she would not form any connection with him.
Hua Qiangu walked out of her hiding place, having already made up her mind.
She looked at Bai Zihua in the distance; although she could feel the majesty and power upon him, her gaze was exceptionally firm.
Bai Zihua naturally noticed Hua Qiangu's arrival; he turned his head slightly, his gaze falling upon her.
A trace of admiration flashed in his eyes; the tenacity and determination radiating from this Hua Qiangu were indeed extraordinary.
Could it be that this was a person of great Qi Luck?
Bai Zihua felt more greed—greed for the Qi Luck and merit upon Hua Qiangu.
Soon!
Soon!
Very soon, the great Qi Luck Merit upon Hua Qiangu would belong to him.
"You are Hua Qiangu?"
Bai Zihua's voice was low and magnetic, as if it could pierce through one's soul.
Hua Qiangu nodded, without excessive words.
She did not want to have too much interaction with Bai Zihua; she only wanted to state her stance as quickly as possible.
At the peak of Mount Shu, the atmosphere was tense and solemn.
Bai Zihua, this Immortal from the Immortal World, had eyes like torches, staring straight at Hua Qiangu.
"I have descended upon Mount Shu this time to find a disciple who can inherit my mantle."
His voice was clear and firm: "Your talent and potential are both outstanding; are you willing to take this master as your teacher and follow me to the Upper World to cultivate?"
The Elders and the Sect Leader of Mount Shu all held their breath, their gazes cast in unison toward Hua Qiangu.
They were all waiting for the answer from this Sect Leader, their hearts filled with curiosity and anticipation for the unknown.
They did not know why this Immortal from the Immortal World had descended upon Mount Shu to choose to take Hua Qiangu as his disciple.
But they had always held Hua Qiangu in high regard.
She was not only gifted with talent but also kind-hearted, and she was deeply loved by the Disciples.
She was the Forty-eighth Generation Sect Leader of Mount Shu and would certainly lead their Mount Shu to rise in the future.
If Hua Qiangu refused, then she would continue to serve as the Mount Shu Sect Leader, leading the Mount Shu Disciples in their cultivation.
And if she agreed, then she would leave Mount Shu and head to the Upper World to cultivate, which was undoubtedly a huge opportunity for her.
Bai Zihua, as Changliu Immortal, was a powerful Immortal with high prestige even in the Immortal World.
At the same time, his strength could be called the number one in the Six Realms today.
If Hua Qiangu could become his disciple, she would obtain better cultivation resources and guidance, and her future path would be even brighter.
Of course, this was what everyone at Mount Shu believed.
They did not know of Bai Zihua's deeper schemes.
Nor did they know that Hua Qiangu did not need such a master.
Upon hearing this, Hua Qiangu's brows locked tight.
Although she knew of Bai Zihua's status and prestige in the Immortal Cultivation World, she did not want to become his disciple.
She wanted to walk her own path and did not want to be bound by anyone.
Especially since she knew the plot.
Once she connected with this Changliu Immortal, Bai Zihua, she seemed destined to become unfortunate.
Now, in Hua Qiangu's heart, there was always a firm belief: to protect Mount Shu, and to protect this land and the Disciples she loved.
She understood that no matter where she went, this responsibility would accompany her forever.
She would lead Mount Shu to rise again and protect the common people of the world.
As for this master, Bai Zihua, she did not need him.
"Senior Bai Zihua, thank you for your high regard."
Hua Qiangu said respectfully, "But I do not wish to become your Disciple."
Upon hearing this, a flash of surprise crossed Bai Zihua's eyes; clearly, he had not expected Hua Qiangu to reject his invitation so directly.
As the number one Immortal in the Immortal World and a top-tier existence within the Six Realms, his invitation to take on a disciple was undoubtedly a dream opportunity for most people.
If it were known throughout the Six Realms that he, Bai Zihua, wanted to take on a disciple, those wishing to apprentice under him would likely line up from the Immortal World to the human realm.
Yet, Hua Qiangu chose to refuse, which completely exceeded Bai Zihua's expectations.
He examined Hua Qiangu before him once more, and ripples stirred in his heart.
He knew that the Qi Luck Merit on Hua Qiangu was something he had always intended to scheme for; it concerned his future plans and goals.
Bai Zihua had always been a person who strategized and controlled the overall situation.
But once again, he found himself unable to control Hua Qiangu's decision. This made him feel a trace of irritation and unease.
He understood that if Hua Qiangu did not become his Disciple, his plans would be greatly affected.
According to his arrangements, Hua Qiangu had exceeded Bai Zihua's expectations time and time again.
How could the ever-calculating Bai Zihua not be irritated?
He had to scheme for the Qi Luck Merit on Hua Qiangu; absolutely no accidents could occur.
But now, not only had an accident occurred with Licentiate Hua, but an accident had also occurred at the Qisha Demon Palace.
Now, Hua Qiangu was actually unwilling to even apprentice; if this were the case.
If he couldn't even establish the most basic connection with Hua Qiangu, how could this work?
"Why?"
Suppressing his irritation, Bai Zihua continued, "Hua Qiangu, do you know that refusing my invitation means you will miss a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity? What I can grant you is not just cultivation and resources, but infinite possibilities for the future."
"This Venerable is the number one Immortal in the Immortal World; if you apprentice under me, your future will be a smooth path."
Bai Zihua attempted to sway Hua Qiangu with his words; he had to establish a master-disciple relationship with her.
But the more Bai Zihua spoke this way, the more suspicious Hua Qiangu became.
That plot only provided a rough glimpse of the future; beneath the plot, what exactly was going on, and what secrets were hidden?
Even Hua Qiangu, who had already seen the future, was not clear.
But without a doubt, Bai Zihua's behavior made Hua Qiangu sense a problem.
As the most powerful Immortal in this World, why did this Bai Zihua insist on taking her as his Disciple?
Could it be that this Bai Zihua already knew she was the last God in the world?
If that were not the case, given Bai Zihua's strength, why on earth would he want to take her as his Disciple?
Hua Qiangu's heart was filled with doubts; although she did not know what Bai Zihua was actually planning, she was determined never to apprentice under him.
Hua Qiangu had not guessed the truth, but with her current Golden Finger, she did not need to know the truth.
"I have my own path to walk."
Hua Qiangu said firmly, "Immortal, I am very grateful for your high regard. But in my heart, Mount Shu is my home, and the Disciples are my kin. I am willing to remain at Mount Shu to protect them, protect this land, and protect the common people of the world."
Upon hearing Hua Qiangu's words, everyone on Mount Shu was deeply moved.
They sighed one after another, saying this was the Sect Leader in their hearts, Hua Qiangu.
Facing such a tempting opportunity—to become the Disciple of the number one Immortal in the Immortal World and go to the Upper World to cultivate—this was something many dreamed of.
Yet, Hua Qiangu chose to refuse without hesitation. She knew deeply that her responsibility and mission were at Mount Shu, and she was willing to stay here to lead the Disciples in cultivation and protect this land.
Such a decision made the Mount Shu Disciples admire and love their Sect Leader even more.
They knew that Hua Qiangu not only possessed outstanding talent and potential but also had firm conviction and a sense of responsibility.
She was willing to give up personal benefits and opportunities for the sake of Mount Shu and the Disciples.
The Elders and Disciples fell into deep thought; Hua Qiangu might have had better development if she went to the Upper World.
But at their Mount Shu, it was not bad either.
Moreover, this was Hua Qiangu's decision, and they all respected it.
Bai Zihua had said all he could, but Hua Qiangu still firmly rejected him, which undoubtedly left him feeling deeply surprised and disappointed.
As the number one Immortal in the Immortal World and a top-tier existence within the Six Realms, his invitation to take on a disciple had always been regarded as supreme glory and opportunity.
Yet Hua Qiangu's refusal was like a loud slap across his face.
This feeling of being rejected was an extremely rare experience for Bai Zihua, who had always strategized and controlled the overall situation.
He could not help but feel an indescribable irritation and unease in his heart, because he knew that the Qi Luck Merit on Hua Qiangu was something he was determined to obtain; it concerned his future plans and goals.
But Bai Zihua also understood that he could not lose his composure because of this.
He knew Hua Qiangu's character and determination well; since she had already made her decision, no amount of persuasion or temptation would be of any use.
Bai Zihua still asked unwillingly, "Hua Qiangu, are you sure? Are you sure you want to refuse to apprentice under me?"
Hearing these words from Bai Zihua, Hua Qiangu became even more vigilant.
This Bai Zihua was definitely up to no good.
Without a second thought, Hua Qiangu spoke up again, "Forgive me, but Hua Qiangu has no master-disciple fate with the Immortal."
Facing Hua Qiangu's repeated refusals, Bai Zihua indeed fell into deep contemplation and hesitation.
He had been weighing various options, trying to find the most suitable solution.
What should he do now?
Should he drop the facade and forcefully take Hua Qiangu as his Disciple?
Although it seemed direct, Bai Zihua knew this was not a wise move.
This would not only violate his principles, but might also be counterproductive, inciting Hua Qiangu's resistance and hostility, making the situation even more complex.
Another path was to leave temporarily and plan for the future.
Although it seemed safe, Bai Zihua also understood that Hua Qiangu's Qi Luck was gradually awakening, and he could not sit idly by.
Continuing to wait might make the situation even harder to control, and by then, he might truly be unable to suppress Hua Qiangu any longer.
If it were before, Bai Zihua would have planned for the future.
In the days to come, he might adopt more covert and ingenious means to approach Hua Qiangu, attempting to scheme for the Qi Luck Merit on her through other channels.
In his previous plans, Bai Zihua had always regarded Hua Qiangu as an object that could be easily controlled.
But Hua Qiangu had exceeded his expectations time and time again, making him realize that his plans needed to be more cautious and flexible.
Should he leave temporarily and plan for the future?
Yet now, Bai Zihua was uncharacteristically hesitant.
It was mainly because Hua Qiangu had exceeded his expectations time and time again.
If he continued to plan for the future, would there not be accidents in the future?
Was there even a future?
If he waited for the Qi Luck on Hua Qiangu to transform into a dragon, would he still be able to suppress Hua Qiangu at that time?
Precisely because of this, Bai Zihua fell into deep thought and fell silent.
Seeing Bai Zihua in this state, the Elders of Shushan were initially puzzled, but now they also became vigilant.
The dignified number one Immortal of the Immortal World had come to the lower realm to take Hua Qiangu as his disciple.
That would have been fine.
But now that he had been rejected, why had he not left immediately and was still here?
What was he trying to do?
Was he going to act against the Sect Leader, or was there something on the Sect Leader worth him scheming for?
Shushan was a thousand-year-old major cultivation sect and naturally possessed various ancient texts, so they were not unfamiliar with Immortals.
Likewise, they were also clear that there must be various secrets on Hua Qiangu.
Otherwise, how could Hua Qiangu be so young and yet possess her current strength?
But the Elders of Shushan did not care about the secrets on Hua Qiangu, nor would they scheme for the secrets on Hua Qiangu.
And now, this Changliu Immortal was lingering and refusing to leave; was he trying to scheme for the secrets on Hua Qiangu?
The Elders looked at Bai Zihua with scrutinizing gazes.
The Great Elder did not hesitate at all and spoke directly, "Immortal, our Shushan Sect Leader and you have no fate of master and disciple; should you not be leaving?"
(End of this chapter)
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