"Young man, stop looking. This area has been sealed off by my magic, so you can't see anything," the white-haired elder said with a smile.
"What?" Zhang Ergou exclaimed in surprise.
"Don't be nervous, young man. I mean no harm. I just see that you have excellent bone structure and are a good candidate for cultivation." The white-haired elder tried to ease Zhang Ergou's apprehension.
"Old man, don't you try anything funny. I know how to fight," Zhang Ergou said, waving his fists to bolster his courage.
"Haha, is that so? Freeze!"
As the white-haired elder uttered the word "freeze," Zhang Ergou felt his entire body immobilized, only his eyes able to dart around. He tried to speak, but his mouth wouldn't move, which terrified him.
About fifteen minutes later, the white-haired elder chanted another incantation, and Zhang Ergou regained his freedom. The moment he was free, Zhang Ergou turned and fled back the way he came, truly frightened by the old man. The mysterious incantations could paralyze him with a single word. This was something Zhang Ergou had never experienced before, and he panicked, sprinting forward as if his life depended on it.
After running nearly a hundred meters, Zhang Ergou saw that the old man hadn't pursued him and began to relax. "Little fellow, you run quite fast. Your burst of speed is good, but your stamina needs work!"
Just as Zhang Ergou was about to slow down for a brief rest, the white-haired elder's voice boomed in his ear like thunder. Zhang Ergou froze instantly. He slowly turned his head and saw the white-haired elder standing behind him, his face unfazed, not even breathing heavily. He showed no signs of strenuous activity.
"A ghost!" Zhang Ergou was utterly terrified and bolted again.
"An interesting young man." When Zhang Ergou stopped again, the white-haired elder appeared behind him like a phantom.
Zhang Ergou was completely stunned. Although he was known for causing trouble and acting fearless in the village, the silent, unhurried pursuit of the white-haired old man filled him with dread. His legs gave out, and Zhang Ergou slumped to the ground, his face pale.
"Don't come any closer, you... you... don't come closer..." With his eyes closed, Zhang Ergou, now desperate, whispered. "Heaven and earth, spirits and deities, quick to manifest! Jade Emperor, please capture this old man!"
Hearing Zhang Ergou's chant, Chunyang Sanren found it amusing. "Little fellow, am I that scary?"
With a wave of his hand, Zhang Ergou, who had been slumped on the ground, stood up again. Zhang Ergou, his eyes still closed, was forced to open them. Seeing the white-haired old man standing so close, his face ruddy and full of life, he didn't seem so terrifying after all.
"Old man, why were you following me for no reason?" Zhang Ergou asked, mustering his courage.
Chunyang Sanren felt a pang of frustration. Clearly, the young man hadn't listened to a word he had said earlier. His efforts had been in vain.
"Little fellow, I saw that you have excellent bone structure and thought you would be a good candidate for cultivation. I wanted to ask if you would be willing to cultivate with me." Chunyang Sanren patiently explained to Zhang Ergou again.
"Cultivation?" Zhang Ergou's mouth widened. "Is that like the kind of kung fu that lets you fly and burrow underground?"
"Flying and burrowing, what's so difficult about that!" As he spoke, Chunyang Sanren's body slowly rose into the air, and he hovered before Zhang Ergou, unsupported. Zhang Ergou's eyes widened in disbelief, staring at the white-haired old man. Had he encountered an immortal?
Zhang Ergou pinched his thigh hard. The pain that shot through his leg made him almost cry out. "Are you an immortal?" Zhang Ergou asked Chunyang Sanren in a hushed voice, his eyes wide with shock.
"Haha, an immortal! This humble recluse hasn't reached that realm yet." Chunyang Sanren retracted his technique and stood back in front of Zhang Ergou.
Zhang Ergou asked curiously, "Then what realm are you at now?"
"I am currently at the peak of the Golden Core stage. This is too far off for you, and it's best you don't know too early." Perhaps it was his good mood, but Chunyang Sanren patiently explained to Zhang Ergou. After reaching the peak of the Golden Core stage, Chunyang Sanren felt he had hit a bottleneck and decided to travel. He hadn't expected to encounter the promising-looking Zhang Ergou so soon. Chunyang Sanren's heart was filled with a desire to nurture talent. It was rare for people to find a way to become his disciple; Zhang Ergou was truly lucky.
"Peak Golden Core!" Zhang Ergou smacked his lips. He didn't understand the realm Chunyang Sanren had mentioned at all.
"Then, if I cultivate with you, can I also fly and hover like you?" Zhang Ergou, envious of the skill Chunyang Sanren had just displayed, gazed at him expectantly, hoping for a positive answer.
"Of course not. If cultivation were that simple, everyone would be doing it!" Chunyang Sanren dashed his hopes.
"Then how can I stand in the air like you?" Zhang Ergou persisted.
Chunyang Sanren's expression turned very serious. "Little fellow, are you sure you want to learn the methods of cultivation and become powerful like me?"
Seeing Chunyang Sanren's stern face, Zhang Ergou felt a surge of nervousness, but he braced himself and said, "I am willing. I want to become strong so that those who bully me will look at me with respect." As he spoke, Zhang Ergou's face showed a look of determination.
Chunyang Sanren nodded inwardly but did not immediately agree. "The path of cultivation is not only arduous and dull but also filled with suffering that ordinary people cannot bear. Are you sure you can persevere?"
Zhang Ergou had made up his mind. Recalling the suffering and humiliation he endured in the village, he nodded with even greater resolve. "I am sure I can persevere. No matter how difficult it gets, I can bear it!"
Chunyang Sanren stared intently at Zhang Ergou for a long time, and Zhang Ergou met his gaze fearlessly.
"Haha, good, good!" Chunyang Sanren laughed heartily, repeating the word "good" twice. "Little fellow, you haven't told this recluse your name yet. Are you willing to take me as your master?"
Upon hearing that the old man was willing to take him as a disciple, Zhang Ergou immediately knelt and kowtowed three times. "Master, your disciple Zhang Ergou pays his respects!"
"Excellent, excellent! So your name is Zhang Ergou. It's a bit of an unpleasant name, but a humble name is easy to raise. I see from your face that you are destined for a long life."
"Since you have now become my disciple, I cannot be stingy. Here, take this!" Chunyang Sanren handed a porcelain bottle to Zhang Ergou.
"Master, what is this?" Zhang Ergou treasured the porcelain bottle and quickly asked.
"This is a Foundation Establishment Pill. It will be very helpful for you to begin your cultivation journey. I suggest you keep it safe and take it when the time is right."
"Master, what should I do now?"
"Here, take this!" Chunyang Sanren pulled out a small booklet and handed it to Zhang Ergou.