The Patronage Group, the rear mountain.
A waterfall cascades down from high above, its rumbling sound echoing throughout the heavens and earth. The swift current flowing down the mountain crashes into a pond, stirring up waves and splashes.
By one side of the pond, there is a secluded pavilion that has stood there for hundreds of years since long ago. It has been repaired and renovated over the centuries, bearing the marks of time.
Three hundred years ago, Chen Mo had come to the rear mountain of the rely-on-mountain sect, and had made a deal with the sect leader Song Chengfeng in the pavilion. The water moon cave behind the waterfall was a gift of fate he offered to the latter.
Three hundred years have slipped by, and with the exception of the pavilion looking somewhat dilapidated, everything else has changed little.
There are no buildings or palaces, nor bamboo or wooden houses built in the rear mountain. The legendary ancestor of the rely-on-mountain sect lives in the original water moon cave.
The waterfall cascades down from the mountain, and outsiders cannot see the true appearance of the cave inside.
Wearing white robes, Hua An walked ahead in trepidation, frequently glancing back at Chen Mo and the group following behind.
"What I'm about to say, you must remember. The ancestor pays great attention to etiquette. When you see him later, you must not lack the appropriate manners. Don't act careless, the ancestor dislikes young people who are disrespectful in front of him..."
Thinking of his ancestor, Hua An still feels aftertaste of fear. He had once been beaten up severely for a elder showing disrespect and being arrogant to the ancestor, and he was bedridden for three months.
The ancestor of the Rely-on-Mountain Sect is powerful in strength and very temperamental. Anyone who offends him or causes him displeasure will face severe punishment, a punishment that even the sect master, Li Wang, fears.
Therefore, he did not come along on this trip to the rear mountain.
Wiping the sweat beads on his forehead, Hua An couldn't help but vent in his heart about the uncaring sect master. The ancestor hated it when strangers were introduced without warning and when a large group of people were brought at once. If the latter blamed him, then a severe beating was inevitable.
"I've heard that the ancestor of the Rely-on-Mountain Sect has a temper and is ruthless in his actions. If we go along with them, will we get beaten up?"
Sun Qian followed behind, timidly asking.
"I've also heard of this rumor. It's said that many members of our sect have been scolded by him, let alone the outer sect members. I'm really worried that Grandpa will attack us."
Suki nodded slightly, paused her steps, and was about to hide behind Chen Mo. However, she saw that the position had already been taken by Sun Qian. She slightly raised the corners of her mouth and then grabbed Sun Qian's clothing corner, following behind.
"What are you doing?"
Sun Qian asked unhappily.
"You've taken my position and there's nowhere for me to hide, so I naturally have to hide behind you."
"You... never mind, I won't argue with you."
As the two spoke, Huagan indeed furrowed his brow. "I forgot to say... The ancestor's temperament is indeed eccentric. So, it's best to be careful in front of him. Don't forget, the ancestor hates anyone saying a 'dead' word in front of him and even the word 'old' is avoided..."
"Little girl, what you just said about the grandfather, you can say it now. But when we meet him later, don't say it at all. Don't think that because you are a girl he won't hit you. We have a female elder who was scolded after saying 'you old man' to him..."
Huagan spoke whatever came to mind, the rules were as numerous as cowhairs, and Chen Mo and the others were getting a headache listening. This so-called ancestor of the Rely-on-Mountain Sect had such an eccentric temperament and so many taboos that they couldn't keep them all in mind.
Sun Qian and Suki originally wanted to meet the legendary ancestor of the first major sect in Qingzhou, but upon hearing these rules, they had second thoughts; while Zuocheng was naturally eager to seek strength, he hesitated upon hearing these strange taboos.
Compared to them, Chen Mo was headache-wracked. He originally thought that by finding a mentor he could find a place to lean on, but he found the ancestor instead. So many rules, he couldn't accept any of them at all.
After Huapan's round of reminders, Chen Mo heard in one ear and forgot in the other, unable to remember a single point.
As they approached the pavilion next to the water pond, Hua An finally stopped talking and reminding, staring at the waterfall with his eyes, bowing his hands with both palms up in respect, respectfully saying: "I, Hua An, a junior disciple, specially come to pay my respects to the old ancestor. I wish you a long and healthy life..."
Chen Mo's eyebrow twitched, and he felt a chill run down his spine. Before meeting him, he had to start with a barrage of flattery, putting him on a pedestal. This elder ancestor of the Rely-on-Mountain Sect was indeed extremely arrogant. He couldn't help but wonder if he would be able to get along well with him.
Before Hua An's praise was over, a cold and proud voice suddenly echoed from within the Water Moon Cave behind the waterfall, "Speak up quickly, let loose your wind if you have any."
As soon as the voice fell, the pond stirred up a series of waves, and droplets of water sprayed out. The terrifying spiritual pressure pushed Chen Mo and the others backward several tens of meters.
Hua An felt bitter in his heart. He thought that the visit to the ancestor would not bring any good news.
"This is the ancestor of the Rely-on-Mountain Sect? His temperament is indeed strange; even praise won't do."
Sun Qian couldn't help but mutter a complaint.
Hua An, upon hearing this, fell silent as if he had been stricken with frostbite, and his cold sweat poured out. The ancestor was a person of great importance; the entire rear mountain was under his control, and every slight movement was within his grasp.
Indeed, within just a moment, a cold huffing sound could be heard coming from behind the waterfall, "To speak ill of the elders, to be arrogant in your gaze, you deserve to be punished."
After the words fell, a formless spiritual pressure suddenly fell on Sun Qian. He lost his balance and fell to his knees instantly. Blood mist spewed from his mouth, and his eyes were filled with terror.
Not only him, but also Zuo Quansheng and Su Keke were affected. However, the former was able to withstand it due to his powerful physical body.
"Huaan, you didn't report in advance and brought these little guys to the rear mountain without any reason. What do you want? Are you trying to forget my rules, or have you forgotten to respect an old man like me because of your age?"
Hearing this, Hua An was so scared that he immediately fell to his knees, quivering and saying: "This is not my intention. It was the sect master's wish. The results of the apprentice selection competition have already been announced. The sect master has ordered me to bring his personally trained disciples here. Now he is standing next to me, named Chen Sanzang..."
"Personal disciple? Is that true?"
"Yes, this was what the old ancestor himself said. We are acting on your orders."
Hua An felt embarrassed, the ancestor had indeed personally asked him to do this, but now he could not remember it? What was going on?
"Ah, there was indeed such an order, but, today my mood is not good, let him go."
A cold voice echoed from behind the Water Moon Cave behind the waterfall. Although no one had seen the person, his attitude was arrogant, crushing everyone, leaving them unable to speak in anger. And even Huagan was too scared to utter a single word. He tremblingly stood up and grabbed Chen Mo's arm, ready to leave.
However, at this moment, Chen Mo raised an eyebrow and tentatively said, "Old man luck, are you inside?"
