Chapter 63: The Gift of Meeting

  Zhuang Xiong thought for a moment, then said: "Actually, I think when accepting disciples, one should first look at their character. If they have good qualifications but bad character, it will only lead to greater disaster. On the other hand, there are many people with average qualifications but excellent character, and I wouldn't mind guiding them a bit. Of course, accepting disciples still requires careful consideration, after all, you can't just let anyone go out and lose face for yourself."

  Tongtian did not speak for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. His eyebrows furrowed slightly as he pondered, before finally saying: "Brother Xiong's words are reasonable, it seems I've been too focused on appearances. Indeed, one cannot neglect the heart's nature."

  Tongtian also came back to his senses and laughed, saying: "Indeed, it's still better for you to speak bluntly, thinking about it, it's really like this. If we were to cultivate a Luo Ye, I don't know how much disaster it would bring to the Hong Huang, or how many causes and effects it would stir up. It seems that this heart-nature test is quite important. Can't be careless."

  The old man heard the words and looked at Zhuang Xiong with a deep gaze, his eyes slightly grateful, but happened to be seen by Zhuang Xiong. Zhuang Xiong's mind moved, and he couldn't help but sigh. Perhaps the speculation of that year had come true. The old man's walking on the road of forgetting was also a helpless move, while his words could make the two people have a little common ground, which can ease the relationship in the future. That's why the old man would be grateful? Helpless and forgetful, after all, it's not really forgetting.

  Zhuang Xiong thought for a moment and found it unsolvable, but when he looked up, he saw San Qing staring at him with an expression that seemed to say "this silly bear is still so absent-minded". He couldn't help but roll his eyes, pointing at Lao Zi and saying to Zi Yu and the others: "This guy with a poker face is called Lao Zi, you can just call him Master Uncle. Zi Yu, take a good look, if you still don't speak or show any expression, who knows, maybe one day you'll end up like your Master Uncle. Just think about how embarrassing it'll be when you meet people."

  Several people involuntarily rolled their eyes, while Zi Yu, Kong Xuan and the other three hastily stepped forward to pay their respects, addressing him as Master Uncle. However, Laozi merely slightly nodded his head almost imperceptibly, and if it weren't for the fact that several of them had a high level of cultivation, they wouldn't have been able to notice his movement.

  Zhuang Xiong didn't think much of it, pointing to the original way: "This is your original Shibo, a very upright and regular person. In front of him, be honest with me, don't do anything wrong or he'll catch you, I won't be able to save you." (The original looked at Zhuang Xiong with a dark face), but the original Shibo was still good to the younger generation, as long as they were obedient. The original Shibo was also easy to talk to, and if there was something that needed help, they could find the original Shibo.

  Several people couldn't help but look down on Zhuang Xiong, and Zi Yu and several others hastily stepped forward to pay their respects to Shibo. The original nodded slightly and said: "Don't listen to this foolish bear's nonsense, I follow the rules because my way is to follow the natural order of things. You have time to come to Kunlun Mountain to play too. This foolish bear doesn't like to talk about rules, you don't need to be overly restrained either. The scenery on Kunlun Mountain is still pretty good, this foolish bear knows it clearly. Sometimes my brothers and I will discuss the Tao, and you listening in will also have some benefits."

  Zi Yu and a few others naturally knew that while it was okay to say such things in private, they still had to follow the rules; otherwise, it would directly affect their impression of him. They hurriedly expressed their gratitude.

  Zhuang Xiong pointed at Tongtian Dao and said: "This is your Master Uncle Tongtian."

  Tongtian originally liked lively things, and he was particularly fond of these younger generations. Upon hearing Zhuang Xiong's introduction, he couldn't help but exclaim: "Why are all the older brothers called Shibo, while only I'm called Shishu? Zhuang Xiong, you're being too obvious in bullying people!"

  Zhuang Xiong impatiently shouted: "What are you calculating, this is not important, according to the time of transformation, all of you are my junior uncles. I'm not going by appearance, am I? Who told you to look like that? And with a personality like that, it's obvious you're still an immature child. Not as mature as my family's Gong Ming. What should I call you if not Junior Uncle?"

  The heavens are not moved by the mute and speechless, but rather by the stifled and unhappy. Who would have thought that Zhuangzi's reincarnation was late in coming, but his transformation was too contrary to heaven?

  Zhuangzi saw that Tongtian was not happy and couldn't help but speak with a heavy heart to comfort him: "Actually, I think it's okay if you're a bit younger and less mature. Being young means you can naturally ask for care, and being immature means making small mistakes is normal. These are all things that can be dealt with leniency, as long as you correct them. Youth represents opportunity. It's like when you make a mistake, fellow Taoists will usually just educate you a few times, and as long as you correct it, there's no problem. But if an older Taoist makes a mistake, the original Taoist will inevitably have some reservations."

  Stunned and speechless, I just realized that my personality can be interpreted in this way too.

  Yuanshui didn't nod, knowing that his own brother's personality was a bit immature and he should be more careful and take care of him.

  Laozi, however, had already picked up on the hidden meaning behind Zhuang's words. This was another attempt to find a reason for reconciliation between Tongtian and Yuanshi, laying the groundwork. He couldn't help but feel grateful towards Zhuang, thinking that although this bear-like friend seemed unreliable in his speech and actions, he inadvertently clarified many complex issues bit by bit.

  Zi Yu and a few others saw that several people were discussing something, so they went forward to pay their respects and called out "Master Uncle". Tong Tian was delighted and praised each of them with a few words.

  Zhuang Xiong rolled his eyes and said, "What's the point of bragging? All the masters have been called, is it to give the kids some meeting gifts or something? Can't let the kids go through all that trouble for nothing."

  Three Purities were speechless, Tongtian was the first to react, shouting: "I knew you silly bear wouldn't say anything good, giving gifts is no problem, but why didn't Fuxi need to give any?"

  Zhuang Xiong looked at Tong Tian with a strange gaze and said, "Fu Xi naturally doesn't need to give it to him. He'll probably say that he wants the whole sister or even the whole family to accompany me later. Now, whatever I like, I go get it. What's the difference between his things and mine? Don't forget, the gourd bestowed by the founder of Taoism is still in my hands for drinking wine."

  Tongtian was speechless again, and Yuanyu said with a sigh: "Tongtian, don't take it to heart. Since you clearly know that arguing with Xiong Daoyou is futile, why be so serious?"

  The old man directly handed over a gourd and said, "Dumb bear's equipment forging level is not bad either. I'm also quite good at this alchemy technique, so I'll give you the golden elixir I recently refined as a gift to celebrate our meeting."

  Several people looked at Zhuang Xiong with hesitation, and Zhuang Xiong smiled: "I dare not decline the gift from my elder, since it was given by Master Bo, you can take it."

  Zi Yu then stepped forward and accepted it from his juniors of the previous generation.

  Tongtian said with a sneer: "What a long-winded speech, you're just a shameless bear who doesn't care about saving face."

  Zhuang Xiong's face was thick, and he pretended not to hear, but thought to himself with a sly smile: "I wonder what kind of meeting gift this primitive Daoist friend is planning to give the young one? Can't just use something that can be seen anywhere to fool the young one, oh no."

  Yuanshu shook his head and smiled wryly, "You're a rare talent in the world of martial arts, although you're not particularly skilled in Taoist magic. However, at this level, it's not that difficult to achieve. Moreover, your Road Walking Technique and Qiankun Divine Thunder are truly unique and extraordinary, unlike anything I've seen before. This is making things a bit tricky for me."

  Yuanshen thought for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh and say: "You almost got me with your silly tricks, Bear Daoist's equipment refining techniques are good, but most of them rely on that Qiankun Ding. If we talk about the system being meticulous, it's not as good as mine. You guys don't have that Qiankun Ding, so I'll pass on this manual equipment refining method to you." As he spoke, he handed over a jade plate and said: "There are also several small magical techniques I've researched inside, which happen to match your attributes, consider it a gift for you to play with."

  Zi Yu and several others hurriedly expressed their gratitude, but Zi Yu still stepped forward respectfully to receive it.

  Tongtian saw several people's eyes turn to himself, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. He raised his head towards the sky and said proudly: "Although this bear is not bad in many ways, this formation is just a mess. I could see it back then, so I studied formations diligently and can be considered one of the few top formation experts in the world. Seeing that you several little guys are quite clever, I like you very much, so I'll pass it on to you." As he spoke, he casually took out a jade slip.

  Zhuang Xiong couldn't help but feel a sense of resignation, the methods used to pass on information in this chaotic world were truly diverse and varied. There were books, disks, bamboo slips, and materials of all kinds. You never knew when you might kick a stone on the mainland and stumble upon some great god's inheritance.

  Zi Yu and the others thanked him again, just as they were about to reach out to take it, Tong Tian's hand withdrew, and he smiled, adding: "I'm telling you guys, look at how Big Bear still doesn't want to accept you as his apprentices. You can tell that this guy isn't good enough for you, and he looks like an unreliable person. Why don't you come to our Kunlun Mountain one day? We'll definitely treat you like treasures." Only then did he hand the jade slip over to Zi Yu.

  Zi Yu couldn't help but laugh silently and quietly retreated back. Lao Zi originally also had a head full of black lines.

  Zhuang Xiong was furious: "You're really something, Tian Tian! How dare you try to steal my apprentice? I'm not reliable, but are you? Are apprentices supposed to be treated like treasures?"

  Tongtian had not yet replied when a voice came from afar, saying: "I'm all confused just listening to it. Is it that Brother Xiong is extorting something from you three brothers, or is Tongtian trying to dig a corner of Brother Xiong's wall?"

  Several people turned their heads and saw that Zhenyuanzi, with his benevolent eyebrows and eyes but also a hint of sharpness, was walking towards them with a smile.

  Zhuang Xiong couldn't help but shout: "Zhenyuanzi, don't slander me! What's this about extortion? When a junior meets a senior for the first time, shouldn't the senior give a gift to make it a pleasant meeting?"

  Zhenyuanzi smiled wryly and remained silent, knowing he couldn't outtalk Zhuang Xiong. He also recalled that Zhuang Xiong had given small gifts to his own family's Qingfeng Mingyue, so he simply closed his mouth and didn't speak, only giving a surprised glance at the four people including Ziyu. It was clear that he was curious about the extra few young ones, let alone Zhuang Xiong actively helping them ask for benefits, showing that he indeed had a good impression of the few youngsters.

  "Zi Yu, Kong Xuan, Gong Ming, and you too, Vegetable Boy, this is Zhen Yuan Da Xian. He's quite old, so let's just call him Master Uncle. He doesn't have anything particularly good, but there's a ginseng fruit tree he planted at home that tastes great. Back then, he lost a bet to me and said I could eat as much of the ginseng fruit as I wanted. But how many can an old man like me eat? And it's not like it has any special effects either. You all can go try some if you're free; just consider it my treat."

  San Qing rolled her eyes, and Tong Tian muttered: "I knew you'd bully the honest ones, you're really shameless." Zi Yu and the others were also very embarrassed, but they didn't dare to interrupt, so they just bowed their heads in greeting.

  Zhenyuanzi couldn't help but smile bitterly, it was indeed a case of being careless in making friends, and one misstep led to eternal regret. First, he had mistakenly befriended Zhuang Xiong, such a troublesome friend, and then in a moment of impulsiveness, he agreed to that duel, which ended up harming his own ginseng tree.