"Please, Celestial Master, save the lives of my family!"
Longhu Mountain, Celestial Master Mansion.
An elderly man, accompanied by a young girl, knelt at the entrance of the Celestial Master Mansion. His gaze was filled with pleading.
The elderly man was none other than Wang Jianye, the chairman of the Emperor Group, a man of high position. He was also the respected elder of the Wang family.
As for the girl, she was his granddaughter, Wang Yiluo.
The Wang family, being part of the Emperor Corporation, could be described as living in the lap of luxury.
However, at this moment, he appeared world-weary, kneeling on the ground with a look of utter dejection on his face, his eyes filled with despair.
Everything started five days ago when the Wang family's third daughter-in-law suddenly became possessed. After becoming possessed, she began to talk nonsense.
After this incident, more and more people were possessed. So far, nearly everyone in the Wang family, except for the old man and his granddaughter, had been afflicted.
In attempts to save his family, the elderly man had tried countless methods. But none of them was of any use.
Even the major hospitals could not find any solution. In the end, the old man thought of seeking out a master.
But who would have thought that the masters they found were useless, unable to resolve the issue and accidently causing the death of several.
Eventually, no one dared to stand up for the Wang family.
Then, the old man thought of the Celestial Master Mansion.
But meeting the Celestial Master was not easy at all.
The old man has been kneeling here all morning, yet the doors of the Celestial Master's Mansion remain shut.
"Grandfather, let's give up. The Celestial Master will not come out." Wang Yiluo raised her dispirited head, the ghastly image of her deranged mother cutting deep into her heart.
"Without the Celestial Master, no one else can save us," Wang Jianye shook his head, a determined look stamped on his face.
The lineage of the Celestial Master's Mansion spans two thousand years, with every generation comprising individuals thoroughly versed in knowledge of the Tao and the world.
The Wang family had been seeking help for a long time and consulted many people. But their efforts were futile.
Someone told him that what the Wang family encountered was too eerie, and only the Celestial Master could save them.
As time trickled by, Wang Jianye's mouth grew parched and tongue scorched, yet he continued to kneel grittethly. Seeing that she could not dissuade her grandfather, Wang Yiluo also continued kneeling.
Time passed indefinitely.
Suddenly, the door of the Celestial Master's Mansion opened.
Eagerly, Wang Jianye looked up, only to see a young man in a Taoist robe strolling out.
The young man appeared to be about eighteen-years-old. His appearance could only be described as astounding.
Wang Jianye looked up— and was instantly stupefied.
This young man was unnaturally odd-looking.
The sides of his forehead jutted out and his nasal bone ran the length of his face, giving off the impression of a seal.
His ears were large and thick, with lobes drooping down. His arms were elongated, and his hands extended past his knees.
The boy's face was dominated by eyes that were large and pitch-black, exuding an imposing aura even without displaying anger. What was even more astonishing was his pupils – there were two of varying sizes nested within one another. He had the legendary 'dual pupils'!
Awe filled Wang Jianye's heart: "Where did this boy come from? Such anomalies are incredibly rare."
Upon noticing their gaze, the boy subconsciously shielded his face.
His name was Li Changye, a disciple from Dragon-Tiger Mountain.
He was an orphan, having no knowledge of who his parents were. Coupled with his strange appearance, he was extremely self-conscious.
"My master doesn't want to leave the mountain, so he sent me to save you," timidly spoke Li Changye.
"Really? That's fantastic!" Wang Jianye stood up, brimming with excitement.
However, Wang Yiluo looked curiously at Li Changye; she didn't understand why her grandfather was so excited. The boy seemed utterly ordinary, even somewhat ugly.
"Let's go then," Li Changye proposed.
"Please follow me down the mountain," Wang Jianye uttered respectfully, his gaze filled with admiration.
Li Changye, though confused, still followed them down the mountain.
Throughout the journey, Li Changye was reserved, occasionally glancing at Wang Yiluo, filled with curiosity.
He seldom left the mountain and had never seen such a beautiful woman before, which filled his heart with longing.
However, the thought of his own hideous appearance filled Li Changye with silent sorrow.
As they descended the mountain, Li Changye bumped into several acquaintances and couldn't resist greeting them.
"No wonder you've descended the mountain, seems like you've encountered a beauty," a corpulent middle-aged man chuckled as he looked at Wang Yiluo.
Li Changye laughed awkwardly, "Why would she fancy me? I just descended to help them with something."
"Oh, is that so. When will you return?" the middle-aged man asked with a smile.
"I don't plan to return for the time being. Master told me to experience the world, and I want to see what's out there too," Li Changye responded cheerfully.
"Well, that's great, haha!" the middle-aged man laughed dryly a few times before hastily running off.
Once out of people's sight, the man's expression shifted. He swiftly took out his phone and dialed a number.
As he crouched on the ground, he lowered his voice, his face pale as he reported, "There’s trouble. Li Changye is leaving Dragon and Tiger Mountain and he doesn't plan to return for now."
Below the mountain, at Erniang's Restaurant, a woman dropped her phone upon hearing the news. She didn't care about it, and quickly ran out.
"Li Changye is leaving Dragon and Tiger Mountain!"
Upon hearing this sentence, people were all taken aback.
"What? He's leaving Dragon and Tiger Mountain?"
"Is it my turn this time?"
"No, I heard that he's not planning to return after leaving Dragon and Tiger Mountain."
"He's not coming back? What are we going to do?"
For a moment, the entire town was in an uproar. Many people gathered at the entrance of Erniang's Restaurant.
"Everyone, let's discuss what we should do?"
"No matter what, we can't let Li Changye leave our Longhu Mountain!"
"Right, if he leaves, our good times will be over."
"Whoever dares to take Li Changye away, I will fight them to the death!"
Everyone was discussing animatedly. The woman, however, wore a helpless face as she said, "I heard that this matter was approved by the Celestial Master. We can't interfere."
"The command of the Celestial Master?"
"Then there's nothing we can do."
Everyone's faces fell in disappointment, but no one contradicted her.
The Celestial Master’s position in Longhu Mountain is unquestionable. If there were no Celestial Masters guarding Longhu Mountain through the generations, it would not have remained a peaceful sanctuary amidst chaos and warfare.
Longhu Mountain has stood for a thousand years; this legacy cannot be shaken by anyone.
"We just need to find a way to change Li Changye's mind."
"Right, as long as he changes his mind, even the Celestial Master won't be able to stop him."
"We must change his mind for our own welfare."
At the foot of the mountain, Li Changye was walking briskly, without any signs of fatigue. But Wang Yiluo and Wang Jianye by his side appeared weary.
At the base of Longhu mountain, a line of vehicles was ready. The bodyguard, Uncle Wang, came over and looked towards the old master.
"Are you alright, old man?"
"I'm fine." Wang Jianye shook his head, his gaze first falling on Li Changye: "Please get in the car."
But Li Changye shook his head and said earnestly, "I haven't said goodbye to the townspeople yet, and I'm hungry. It's a good time for a meal."
"Well then, let's go for a meal." Wang Jianye thought for a while and agreed.
"Grandpa!" Wang Yiluo, anxious, stomped her foot. "My mother’s fate is still uncertain."
"Be quiet and come with me!" Wang Jianye glared at her, and then followed behind Li Changye.
Wang Yiluo stomped her foot, feeling helpless, and could only follow along.