Chapter 5: Undercover

【18 years old: You held a cheerful welcome banquet, but the new disciple was extremely shy and hurriedly waved his hands to refuse.

As the uncrowned lord of the forest, you didn’t indulge this kid.

The banquet was lively as you introduced the new little junior disciple to all the others.

They came forward one by one to acknowledge him.

The little rascal who had been adopted a few years ago finally had a junior brother.

He happily planted a kiss on the little disciple’s face.

The junior disciple pouted again.

You didn’t expect him to be so timid!

Amidst everyone’s laughter, his mother carried him back inside.

Morality dropped significantly.

The junior disciple was truly reserved.

During breakfast, even when Xiao Hong brazenly stepped on his face, he forgave her.

Seeing this, you scolded Xiao Hong loudly.

After apologizing, Xiao Hong cursed and ran off.

During the tussle, the junior disciple’s sleeve was torn open.

You noticed large patches of tattoos on his body, which made you feel somewhat uneasy.

You had thought the introverted junior disciple was at least a normal, obedient kid.

You never expected… well, never mind.

As an open-minded teacher, you didn’t mind much.

After all, this kid becoming a Daoist wouldn’t mean he’d go take official exams.

The junior disciple was malnourished and emaciated.

You fed him, but due to nearsightedness, you accidentally drank some nearby fine wine.

Drunk and unsteady, you went to class and loudly sang “Invitation to Wine” in front of the junior disciple.

He stared in amazement.

His abilities rose significantly, but your morality decreased.

The junior disciple’s foundation was weak, so you crafted a personalized plan.

One day, while carrying the lesson plan, you saw Xiao Hong kicking the junior disciple.

You grabbed Xiao Hong’s fur and gave a disapproving look, mediating the dispute between the disciples.

Xiao Hong stormed off again in anger.

That night, you clumsily climbed over the wall to comfort and educate Xiao Hong.

As a teacher, every student is your flesh and blood.

Just a few bumps—no pain.

Morality finally increased!】

Wu You watched the developments below with satisfaction.

He reached out for his Joy Water but was too hasty and crushed the bottle in his grip.

Panicked, Wu You hurried to find a cloth to clean up.

Ever since equipping the Strength of an Ox, his overwhelming strength had become somewhat troublesome.

It was a pity that even this terrifying force couldn’t crack a single piece of wall plaster.

But it didn’t matter.

He still had the Simulator and could keep grinding simulated characters.

One day, he would gain the talents he desired from another version of himself’s magnificent life.

Wu You tore open a cookie and continued watching the Simulator.

【One day, after finally reaching a surface-level truce with the junior disciple, Xiao Hong suddenly ran over and grabbed your pant leg.

Having spent a lot of time together, you always felt you could understand Xiao Hong’s words, and this time was no exception.

“Boss! Boss! That little brat is a traitor! Mark my words!”

Xiao Hong’s sharp voice was less comforting than the content of her words.

From crude before, she now spoke with substance, and you felt a sense of achievement.

You didn’t care about Xiao Hong’s accusations.

What could a simple teacher like you possibly covet?

It wasn’t like the woodland academy was stealing students from others.

If anyone came knocking, you would directly show them what it means to “convince with reason.”

You weren’t stupid.

You could sense the junior disciple’s sincerity and also noticed his strange agitation.

His identity was probably not simple, but you didn’t care.

If he truly betrayed you, you’d just take it as getting bitten by a dog.】

Wu You’s eyes suddenly fixed on the Simulator.

For the first time, the Simulator presented a choice question!

【But your students didn’t see it that way.

One dark and windy night, Xiao Hong woke you up, pressing close to your ear and scolding, “We caught him! That stinking Daoist! Son of a bitch!”】

【Fate was beginning to shift—】

【Node appeared——】

【Choice 1: Pull Xiao Hong down as a pillow, turn over, and continue sleeping.】

【Choice 2: You want to see what these kids are up to!】

Wu You nervously bit his nails.

He had a feeling this choice was very important.

***

The tattoos were also called Contract Marks.

Once entering the Daoist path, one’s soul was offered to the gods, becoming a Divine Slave.

One person, two, three.

Once everyone was branded with the Contract, everyone was both parent and child, born and dying according to the gods’ arrangements.

All living to please the gods.

Cong Xin’s face was terrified.

The Blood-Faced Evil writhed over his arm’s flesh.

He clenched his teeth, not daring to make a sound.

Life in Wanggui Forest had been too peaceful.

The Benefactor’s protection had briefly made him forget the terror of defying the God-Lord.

Did the God-Lord feel his betrayal of former vows?

Did the God-Lord sense his desire to leave?

“Divine Power is dazzling, not to be deceived.”

Since the first day he entered the Daoist path, these words had been etched in his mind.

This time, he really thought he was going to die.

The Blood-Faced Evil silently broke through his arm.

Blood sprayed out.

A strange mirror appeared before Cong Xin.

Inside the mirror was a face full of immortal Daoist aura.

He smiled gently, unlike any mortal.

The Old Daoist was at the top of the slaves.

Cong Xin had been deceived into the Daoist path by this very face.

“Little Cong Xin, long time no see,” greeted the Old Daoist.

“Greetings, Master,” Cong Xin hesitated whether to mention his Benefactor.

The beasts in Wanggui Forest were vicious, but the Daoist path was no pushover either.

They usually didn’t bother with the forest.

If they truly wanted to destroy it, it would be easy with the God-Lord’s support…

But Cong Xin also knew the Daoist path.

His Benefactor’s talent was like the convergence of heaven and earth’s energy.

How could the Daoist path let him go?

If the Benefactor were exposed and taken as a Divine Slave, Cong Xin’s gratitude would turn into revenge.

But the good thing was he was always a fool, always believing in the God-Lord’s divine might.

These wandering fools were the easiest to deceive.

Cong Xin gasped for breath, his heart racing.

He made a decision.

At this moment, he would tell the greatest lie for his Benefactor!

The Old Daoist sighed, “Your senior brothers haven’t returned.

There’s a tomb for the clothes and body inside the Shrine.

I’ve been checking attendance these days.

Seeing you, this little clever rascal, still alive, is quite the unexpected joy!”

Cong Xin nervously glanced back at the door and whispered, “Master, I got some chance.

A great spirit recognized me as a disciple!”

The Old Daoist raised white eyebrows in confusion.

“Great spirit? How many great spirits has this greenhorn seen?”

Cong Xin pressed his lips and said shakily, “It once toppled Gonggong Mountain.

It once caused seawater to flood the continent, leaving several turbulent rivers.

It once traveled a thousand days in a single day, ten thousand miles without leaving a trace.

It once moved the Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch, playing chess with the stars as friends and pieces.

Its talent is unparalleled through the ages.

With a single poem, it could suppress the world!”

Cong Xin exhaled deeply.

“It wields a wooden cane made from Primordial Spirit Wood — the last tree nurtured by Hongmeng’s essence.

It can split heaven and earth, sweep through the Thirteen Provinces with ease.

No immortal or spirit can resist it.

In ancient legends when immortals still roamed the earth, it was famous.

It once traveled with Bohling Celestial Lord as sworn brothers.”

The Old Daoist was momentarily overwhelmed by this flood of information.

He was speechless but didn’t doubt these words were made up by Cong Xin.

After all, no one could speak so fluently of things they had neither seen nor heard.

The Old Daoist knew Cong Xin’s background well.

He was once a beggar he had picked up outside the city on a whim.

How could a beggar speak so eloquently in just a few months?

Besides, the Old Daoist had indeed heard of Gonggong Mountain.

He knew about the age when gods and immortals walked among mortals.

As for Primordial Spirit Wood, Hongmeng, Bohling Celestial Lord, those didn’t sound like nonsense either.

The Old Daoist hurriedly interrupted, “How did you learn all this?”

Cong Xin was terrified.

“It was the great spirit’s idle study room.

While cleaning, I accidentally touched a Jade Slip.

The knowledge inside suddenly flowed into my mind.

The Jade Slip’s name is Journey to the East.”

Jade Slip.

The Old Daoist murmured the word like a man possessed.

He seemed to have seen it somewhere.

The ancient books in the Shrine mentioned an ancient technique of passing on skills through touch, completing mastery in moments.

The Old Daoist trembled inside.

If this really was such an ancient beast, it would take countless Divine Slaves and summoning the God-Lord to break the situation.

Cong Xin kept speaking, “One year the great spirit went into seclusion.

It cultivated until seas changed and mountains turned to mulberry fields.

When it emerged, all friends had left or died.

Across the world, there was no one left to speak with.

It felt lonely.

So it decided to open a school and spread the Dao.

Until today…”

“Until today!” the Old Daoist hurriedly asked.

Cong Xin gritted his teeth.

“It’s been ten thousand years!

It’s taught countless disciples who now gather around it.

The day it saw me, it liked me and didn’t kill me.

It let me be a lowly Outer Sect Disciple!”

The Old Daoist was silent, his expression extremely complicated.

He looked over Cong Xin repeatedly, as if wondering what kind of damned luck this kid had.

Cong Xin wiped his reddened eyes with his sleeve.

“Master, save me.

Though the great spirit is kind, it seldom cares for me.

Its other disciples are no good!

I’m almost dead here.”

The Old Daoist looked at Cong Xin with pity.

“This poor little guy.

Once in the Daoist path, we’re always family.

Don’t fear.

It’s just that the God-Lord’s Divine Tasks weigh on me.

I can’t look after you now.”

He never saw a second wave of Daoist people.

Cong Xin believed they had found clues to artifacts elsewhere.

Cong Xin wagered, “I know the God-Lord is the first.

I’ve been searching desperately for artifacts lately, but found nothing important here.”

The Old Daoist stared at him blankly, then suddenly changed expression and coaxed, “Focus on learning under the God-Lord, little Cong Xin.

Once in the Daoist path, we’re always family.

Later, I’ll find a way to get you out.

For now, work hard to please the great spirit.

It’s your duty as a Righteous Sect Disciple!

If the God-Lord finds out, you’ll be rewarded!”

Cong Xin glared and cried out, “Master!”

“Shh—shh—” the Old Daoist’s kindly face was like he was soothing a grandchild.

“When you master your skills and return, I will petition the God-Lord for your merit!

Then you’ll be a direct disciple of the Shrine, respected and spreading the God-Lord’s blessings!”

Cong Xin swallowed, longing in his eyes.

The Old Daoist smiled in satisfaction and continued spinning the tale.

Inside the room, the little Daoist massaged his stiff cheeks.

Black blood dripped down his lowered arm, falling drop by drop onto the floor.

The fierce blood tattoo lay quietly on his shoulder.

Cong Xin grabbed a cloth to wrap it and opened the door.

His pupils shrank.

There lay a peach blossom Fragrant Sachet quietly on the floor by the door.

It was the Benefactor’s Fragrant Sachet.

Cong Xin’s expression changed rapidly.

The Benefactor knew his identity, yet simply left, never entering to question him after it was over.

Remembering the Benefactor’s forgiveness, dreams, and past teachings, Cong Xin bowed his head and wept.

The Benefactor’s kindness was like rebirth, freeing him from confusion.

Such generosity completely won Cong Xin over.

How could he not risk his life for such a man?

How could he not see him as a father?**

【18 years old: Sneaking over the wall with Xiao Hong to spy on the junior disciple, you overheard a long stream of flattery.

Even your thick skin was embarrassed away.

On the way back, Xiao Hong cursed and grumbled.

You scolded Xiao Hong to curse less.

Tasting the junior disciple’s praise, you suddenly realized—he must have been secretly reading those cultivation novels!

You decided then and there to assign extra homework.

Tomorrow, you’d pile on more work to see if he still had time to brag.

Otherwise, this junior disciple might soon become the new Pangu in his own mouth!

He wouldn’t dare eat shit though! He really wouldn’t!

The next morning, you awkwardly watched as the junior disciple respectfully returned the Fragrant Sachet.

The open-minded teacher sneaked over to eavesdrop at the corner.

You turned your back in shame.

The junior disciple suddenly kowtowed several times with loud thuds.

A good start!

You hurried to pull him up.

Just as you were about to speak, the junior disciple interrupted, “The fault is mine! Thankfully the Benefactor did not abandon me!”

You narrowed your eyes subtly.

Had the junior disciple’s secret reading been exposed?

The junior disciple nodded, “I already understand the Benefactor’s earnest intentions.”

You were silent.

He was quite a good kid after all.

You cleared your throat, “Extra homework!”

The junior disciple was stunned.

Your eyes flickered as you wondered if the punishment was too harsh.

The junior disciple bowed his head and kowtowed again.

You quickly caught him, thinking, What’s with this kid? Just reading a cultivation novel to death?

The junior disciple’s eyes brimmed with tears, loudly declaring, “I will follow the Master’s teachings!

The disciple will never betray the Master’s kindness!”

Wait, why was he still so happy?

Was he secretly enjoying this?

Uh… well… anyway, all in all, the eavesdropping at the disciple’s corner was behind you now.

As long as he was happy.

Your morality dramatically increased again.

Oh no, actually, it increased!

That was truly no easy feat.

A cause for celebration! A cause for celebration!

Morality greatly increased!】