If the Celestial Master truly has an issue, what impact would it have on the entire Celestial Master Mansion? Lei Jun first reined in his wildly diverging thoughts.
He calmly said, "Senior Sister Xu guided me into the Tao. It is already a regret that I could not become her disciple.
Recently, I've benefited greatly from the cultivation guidance of Elder Yuan and Senior Brother Wang. If Elder Yuan does not find me wanting, I still hope to become his disciple."
Wang Guiyuan was surprised.
Yuan Mobai's smile didn't falter. "A master chooses a disciple, and a disciple also chooses a master. Who would turn away such a fine prospect? I've really struck gold, and this is a great boon for the Sect Leader and Yuan Zhen too!"
Xu Yuanzhen said, "Don't include me."
"Congratulations, Master, on gaining such an excellent disciple," Wang Guiyuan said with a smile, recovering his composure. "Lei, this means we are truly fellow martial brothers now."
Lei Jun said, "In the future, I ask for the continued guidance of Master, Senior Sister Xu, and Senior Brother Wang."
The formal change of address should actually wait until after participating in the Transcension Ritual and officially confirming the mentorship.
But now, with only the four of them in private, it didn't matter if Lei Jun changed how he addressed them.
"The Celestial Master, His Reverence, will emerge from seclusion after the New Year. So, at this Transcension Ritual, I imagine many will want to try their utmost to become Direct Disciples under the Celestial Master himself," Wang Guiyuan said softly.
Yuan Mobai said, "There's nothing improper about that."
He smiled at Xu Yuanzhen. "Xiaotang can finally fulfill her wish after nearly ten years of waiting."
Xu Yuanzhen said, "It's the path she chose. As long as she can accept it, that's fine."
Wang Guiyuan asked, "I remember Tang used to be in seclusion as well. Has she come out yet?"
Xu Yuanzhen replied, "Just two days ago."
At first, Lei Jun didn't realize who they were talking about, but after listening a bit longer, he recalled a legend in the Tao Boy Court—someone whose name he had heard but whom he had never met.
Tang Xiaotang.
Some time ago at Qingyun Shoal Riverside, because of the chaos caused by the Talisman Ink Tower, the other Tao Boys had also mentioned this Senior Sister Tang.
She was a legendary super-talent, rumored to be so exceptional that the Taoist Holy Land, the Celestial Master Mansion, had made exceptions for her more than once—the foremost prodigious figure.
Of the eight divisions of the Tao Boy Court, Division One has, in recent years, consistently been the exclusive territory of the Li Clan's disciples.
The only exception was Tang Xiaotang, because no matter where she was, she liked to be number one.
To Lei Jun's knowledge, this girl had entered the Tao Boy Court about ten years ago. During this period, she missed three Transcension Rituals and had yet to officially become a True Inheritance of the Celestial Master Mansion through such a ritual.
Of course, it wasn't that she wasn't qualified to participate in the Transcension Ritual; rather, she was set on becoming a Direct Disciple of the Celestial Master.
Unexpectedly, the current Celestial Master Li had been in secluded cultivation for more than ten years. As a result, Tang Xiaotang had waited all this time, remaining a Tao Boy for a decade.
This was only because the current Celestial Master was still around; otherwise, people might have taken her as a disciple on his behalf.
It was said that the Mansion, unable to bear delaying such a supreme talent, allowed numerous Elders to make exceptions and provide her with Special Treatment.
When the Li Clan's disciples received Special Treatment, it was mostly in terms of having access to more resources.
This gifted girl, however, was rumored to have been taught many True Transmission Secret Skills and Divine Skills that a Tao Boy would normally not have access to...
But these matters were not brought into public discussion; everyone had a tacit agreement not to speak of them.
It's unclear who first started it, but she was given the nickname "Little Elder Sister"—a counterpart to Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen—half in jest and half in respect.
Before Lei Jun was initiated, Tang Xiaotang had already begun appearing less frequently in the Tao Boy Court, gradually becoming a legendary figure among the other young Tao Boys.
It was only after her departure that other young talents began to shine anew.
For example, this year's new prominent figure, Chen Yi from the Eighth Branch.
"Lei Jun hasn't met Xiaotang yet, has he?"
At this moment, Elder Yuan looked at Lei Jun with a smile. "It seems you two are quite fated. In ten years, my martial niece, Yuan Zhen, has only brought you two back to the mountain."
Lei Jun was somewhat surprised and turned to look at Xu Yuanzhen.
Xu Yuanzhen said, "Two is already a lot."
Lei Jun suddenly recalled that when Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen had just brought him back to the mountain and taken him to the Tao Boy Court, one of the instructors there had complained. The instructor said that the person she brought back bullied the other Tao Boys—one against many.
So, the legendary figure they were talking about was Tang Xiaotang?
"I'll take Lei to meet her," Wang Guiyuan said. "Indeed, it's quite fated. After the New Year, during the Transcension Ritual, you two can participate together and be formally initiated into the sect."
"I should be the one to do it; I brought them both back," Xu Yuanzhen said, standing up.
She and Lei Jun bid farewell to Yuan Mobai and his disciple before leaving the cave mansion together.
Xu Yuanzhen seemed to know Tang Xiaotang's current whereabouts. They returned to the Tao Boy Court at the foot of the mountain and headed straight for the First Branch.
Upon arrival, the instructor saw Xu Yuanzhen and looked as though he had seen a savior.
"Senior Sister, you're finally here! That... Tang hasn't been back to the Tao Boy Court in a long time. As soon as she returned, she... she..."
Xu Yuanzhen asked, "She what?"
The instructor replied, "She revised, altered, and marked up our teaching plans."
Xu Yuanzhen asked, "And how were the changes specifically?"
The instructor said, "…More insightful, more precise, and easier for the Tao Boys to learn."
Hearing this, Lei Jun gained a more direct understanding of that super-talent's capabilities and her ostentatious, showy style.
The instructor gave a bitter smile. "Senior Sister, of course she has the ability to do that. But generally speaking, how would other Tao Boys get the chance to access more advanced Talisman Scriptures and Daoist texts? The established rules and procedures of the Mansion are still very important..."
Receiving exceptional Special Treatment is one thing. Flaunting it publicly for all to know is quite another.
Xu Yuanzhen replied noncommittally, "We'll wait for her here."
It seemed no special notification was needed. Soon, a streak of Daoist light flashed from the courtyard ahead.
The next moment, a tall figure landed before them.
"Senior Sister!" the newcomer greeted with a grin.
She was strikingly beautiful and so tall that she surpassed many men, only half a head shorter than the towering Lei Jun. This made the already petite Xu Yuanzhen appear even younger by comparison.
Xu Yuanzhen asked, "Are you that afraid the Tao Boys will forget you?"
The tall young woman giggled. "Just leaving everyone a final memento before I officially say goodbye."
She looked at Lei Jun beside them. "Senior Sister, who is he?"
"Lei Jun," Xu Yuanzhen said. "You haven't met him. I brought him back to the mountain to be initiated into the Tao a little over a year ago. He's preparing to enter Master's tutelage."
The girl named Tang Xiaotang immediately beamed at Lei Jun.
"Then he's one of us! Come on, call me Senior Sister, let me hear it."
Hearing this, Lei Jun glanced at Xu Yuanzhen first, then turned his gaze back to Tang Xiaotang. "Little Elder Sister."
Tang Xiaotang's eyes widened.
Xu Yuanzhen said, "You're already getting away with something. By age, Lei Jun is two years your elder, and as for initiation, neither of you has formally become a disciple yet."
Lei Jun was surprised. I'm two years older?
Xu Yuanzhen continued, "She wasn't even eight years old when I brought her back to the mountain. Back then, she was in her village climbing trees and raiding birds' nests…"
"Senior Sister!" Tang Xiaotang exclaimed, grabbing Xu Yuanzhen's sleeve. "That was ages ago! Why are you still bringing that up?"
She looked back at Lei Jun and cleared her throat. "Age doesn't mean much. As they say, in learning, there's no order of precedence; the accomplished come first."
Lei Jun replied, "Little Elder Sister makes a good point."
Tang Xiaotang puffed her cheeks. "…Fine. Anyway, after the New Year, my first step will be achieved, and the second and third steps won't be far behind. By then, you'll naturally drop the 'Little' when you address me."
Lei Jun asked, "Plan? First step?"
Xu Yuanzhen calmly stated Tang Xiaotang's three-step plan: "'First, become a True Inheritance of the Celestial Master. Second, become the foremost among the Celestial Master's disciples. Third, take over the position of Celestial Master and become the next Celestial Master.' She might have a chance with the other steps, but the second one is hopeless."
Tang Xiaotang giggled. "Senior Sister, it's normal for you to be scared now. I'll soon catch up to and surpass you, starting next year!"
After a moment's thought, Lei Jun spoke, "Is it possible that the Celestial Master, His Reverence, is at a critical juncture in comprehending a Mysterious Skill and won't emerge this New Year either?"
Tang Xiaotang's eyes widened. "Are you deliberately trying to provoke me?"
"My meaning is, perhaps it's best to lower your expectations somewhat," Lei Jun said. "Then, if things exceed your hopes, it will be a pleasant surprise."
Tang Xiaotang waved her hands dismissively. "No need! Since the Celestial Master has issued a decree, how could it be mere jest?"
「And so, one month later.」
The first New Year's gift for the gifted young lady:
The Celestial Master did not emerge from seclusion as expected.