There are no ancestors at all; I made them all up.

Chapter 68 Why don’t I know?
Chen Qing pushed open the door and stepped out. The scene outside the mountain gate made his gaze slightly narrow.

Bai Shaoyou knelt upright in front of the stone steps.

The little golden monkey even imitated it quite well, clasping its paws together and kneeling upright.

What's going on here?

Chen Qing frowned slightly: "Young Master Bai, what are you doing?"

Bai Shaoyou looked up at the sound, his eyes burning with fervor: "Disciple Bai Shaoyou sincerely seeks the Dao! Please, Sect Leader, accept me as your disciple and pass on to me the ancient orthodox methods!"

"Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!" the little monkey chirped along.

Chen Qing's eyelids twitched, and he said, "Get up and talk."

"If the sect leader does not allow it, this disciple dares not rise!" Bai Shaoyou's tone was firm.

Chen Qing scrutinized the other party and could tell that Bai Shaoyou was at least at the mid-stage of the second realm, yet he suddenly wanted to become a disciple. There must be a reason for this.

In essence, his disciple, with his illustrious family background and exceptional talent, would be sought after by various sects. However, the Five Qi Pavilion and even more complex forces were involved behind him, and Chen Qing had not yet fully digested what he had learned in his dream. To rashly accept him as a disciple would pose considerable risks. Moreover, given his current resources, he didn't have much to teach him, and naturally, he couldn't afford to mislead his disciple.

Just as he was about to politely decline again, Bai Shaoyou spoke first: "This disciple knows that ancient traditions cannot be easily obtained without great perseverance, great opportunity, and great wisdom! I dare not ask the sect leader to grant my request immediately! But this disciple's determination to seek the Dao is firm, and will not change despite wind and rain, or the torment of heat and cold. I will surely gain the sect leader's approval!"

He clearly saw Chen Qing's words as a test, which spurred his determination!

Chen Qing became increasingly puzzled.

"Amitabha!"

A Buddhist chant came from down the mountain, breaking the stalemate in front of the mountain gate.

The monk Huichi arrived in straw sandals, followed half a step behind by the Taoist Xuanzhaozi, who carried a green sword on his back and was surrounded by misty water vapor.

Their gazes fell on Chen Qing, but then suddenly became fixed.

Hui Chi's eyes flashed with wisdom. Although the face of the Sect Leader Chen in front of him looked slightly thinner, he immediately smiled and said, "Sect Leader Chen, since we parted at Xiaoyingzhou, your cultivation has improved even more."

"You flatter me, Master." Chen Qing looked at the two men and asked, "What brings you here?"

"I have come here to ask you something," Hui Chi said, his gaze sweeping over the two characters "Hidden Star" on the plaque above the mountain gate. He then changed the subject slightly: "I wonder what classic text your sect's name originates from?"

Chen Qing's heart stirred slightly, but his face remained calm and composed: "This was left behind by the patriarch, its origins are ancient and untraceable. I only know that the lineage has been passed down for a long time, but its specific origins are difficult to fully describe." His words were ambiguous, subtly attributing everything to the elusive patriarch.

Hui Chi seemed to be deep in thought, and stopped asking questions. He put his palms together and said, "The Dao follows nature and has an orderly lineage. Your sect has a profound history, which is truly a fortunate thing."

After a pause, he stated the reason for his visit: "There is unusual activity in the South China Sea. Fellow practitioners of the Star Luo Alliance saw half a stone tablet with the words 'Hidden Star' on it, so they asked me to investigate."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing was initially taken aback, but then his interest grew, and he inquired in detail.

However, the monk Huichi's knowledge was also limited, so he said, "If Sect Leader Chen is interested, he may accompany this humble monk to investigate." He paused slightly and reminded him, "However, the dangers are still unclear, and it will take some time to find out the details. Sect Leader, you may wish to wait a little longer."

Although Chen Qing was curious, he had no intention of taking any risks: "Since there is danger, we should be cautious. We can discuss it when the time is right." After saying that, he saw the Taoist priest next to Hui Chi suddenly take two steps back and look at him with a look of fear. He couldn't help but ask, "Who is this?"

Hui Chi immediately introduced, "This is Fellow Daoist Xuanzhao from Cangming Island, and also a fellow Daoist of this humble monk."

From the moment he stepped into the mountain gate, Xuanzhaozi's eyes subtly shimmered with a clear, watery light as he quietly activated the "Mysterious Water Qi Observation Technique," a method that could discern a person's fortune and determine the auspiciousness or inauspiciousness of the earth's veins.

At first, he only felt that Chen Qing's aura was restrained and his foundation was far more solid than his peers, which was indeed extraordinary.

But when he strained his eyes to try and examine his destiny more closely—

"Buzz!"

The scene before my eyes suddenly changed!
Chen Qing's figure disappeared, replaced by a surge of bright yellow energy!

"hiss--"

He gasped!
"Such fortune must be accumulated by someone with great merit and achievements! But this person lives in the remote South Bank and his cultivation is only at the second realm. How could he have such merit? It must be because of reincarnation, because he had connections in his previous life..."

Genuma's mind raced.

Hui Chi exchanged a few more pleasantries with Chen Qing, agreed on a date for another visit, and then took his leave and descended the mountain.

Once they were far from the mountain gate, Genzōko finally let out a long sigh of relief and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Seeing this, Hui Chi laughed and said, "You're usually so eloquent, why are you so quiet today?"

Xuan Zhaozi then said, "Sect Leader Chen's fortune is very strong. Befriending him might bring us good fortune." After a pause, he added, "If we can bring him into the alliance, the Star Luo Alliance's fortune will surely be greatly enhanced! Its fortune will soar!"

Hui Chi then said, “The karmic entanglements are too heavy for us to bear easily. Let us report what we have seen and heard truthfully and leave the decision to the elders.”

After seeing the monk and the Taoist off, Chen Qing stood at the mountain gate, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

"The name of Hidden Star has begun to spread? It really is affecting the present world! Then we need to make some preparations. Just to be on the safe side, we should refer to ourselves as Mingxia Mountain more often from now on."

His mind was spinning.

"However, the sect is exhausted. Apart from a non-existent ancestor, we are not afraid of investigation. If we can find some opportunities through others, it will save us a lot of effort. But we must be careful of those who are reckless and unreasonable! In that case, before we develop, we really need to find some allies and help us..."

Thinking of Genuma's surprised and uncertain expression, Chen Qing frowned slightly.

"Furthermore, this outward display of merit must be restrained."

With this thought in mind, his gaze fell on the steps before him, and he said, "Fellow Daoist Bai, please rise. Even if you are eager to seek the Dao, the ancient traditions are not limited to one family. Why act this way? It's nothing more than long-held admiration that has suddenly been challenged. Losing your composure will hinder your cultivation and your Dao heart." He could see that Bai Shaoyou had acted impulsively. Bai Shaoyou thought for a moment, then stood up and said, "The Sect Leader's words are wise."

Chen Qing let out a long sigh and said, "Actually, I have two things to ask you. I wish to find a method to conceal my breath and spirit, preferably one that can hide my own destiny. Secondly," he paused slightly, "I wish to observe the Void Abyss and the Floating Dawn from afar. Could you arrange that, fellow Daoist? I am willing to exchange it for the secrets of the Immortal Dynasty..."

"The method of concealing one's breath? Observing Mount Xuyuan from afar?"

Bai Shaoyou replied, "I need to go back and ask about that, that secret..."

Chen Qing then said, "Even if you've already entered the field, let alone not yet, you can't make a mess of things."

"The sect leader is right." Bai Shaoyou was much calmer now. He stood up, bowed, and went down the mountain.

Seeing this, Chen Qing chuckled, feeling a slight relief from the heavy pressure in his heart. He said to Fang Da'ao and Qu Xiaoyao, who had been watching the commotion for a while, "Stop watching and focus on self-cultivation."

He had experienced many ups and downs in his dream, leaving him mentally and physically exhausted. In addition, he needed to stabilize his Dao seed and digest the light of the tribulation. Therefore, after making some arrangements, he went to rest early.

Night is falling.

Chen Qing's consciousness descended upon the white mist platform once more.

He first sat quietly to regulate his breathing and sort out what he had gained from the dream. When his mind was clear, he got up and walked to the center of the platform, opened the "Records of the Great Void" and turned to the page on "Chen Xu".

After a moment's hesitation, Chen Qing's fingertip touched it.

"Om-"

A faint sense of calling arrived as promised, scattered in different corners of the world.

"Just feel around for a bit, see if there are any that are a little weaker..."

He avoided those deep, unfathomable sources, and after a few breaths, his expression brightened as he locked onto an extremely faint fluctuation of thought.

The call lacked any piety or fervor, only a stagnant, wooden silence.

"eccentric."

After a moment's thought, he separated a wisp of his divine sense and cautiously probed the source of the call.

Thoughts are like a boat entering a dark river, going upstream, surrounded by a viscous and sluggish atmosphere, as if bound by an invisible pressure.

After a few breaths...

"Boom!"

As if penetrating an invisible film of water, the scene before my eyes suddenly became clear:

An ancient altar with a rough and rugged style stands in the center.

Seated cross-legged on the altar was a giant man as tall as an iron tower, his upper body bare, his muscles bulging like a rock, and large patches of dark blue tattoos twisting and turning on his bronze skin, forming a suppressive array that exuded a chilling and binding power!

Lux slave!
The record in the ancestral master's handbook flashed through Chen Qing's mind: By using secret methods to process living people, pouring fierce energy on them, and carving slave marks on them, one can create tireless, painless, and obedient servant warriors!

However, the creation and maintenance of warrior slaves are extremely costly, and only the wealthy can afford it!

At this moment, the strongman's eyes were empty as still water, but his lips moved mechanically, constantly chanting a name—

"By the Hidden Star True Lord!"

The numbness in calling out originates from this!
"He had no idea what he was calling out; he was just being given orders!"

"Da da da."

Footsteps sounded from the shadows.

A scholar in a dark blue robe strolled out, walked up to the strongman slave, and asked, "Is there any 'feedback'?"

Li Shinu shook his head stiffly.

"Failed again?" The scholar frowned. "Could the response to the honored name be fake? But that initial ripple..." As he pondered, he paced back and forth anxiously.

Chen Qing took in this scene and felt a chill run down his spine!

This is bait!
Fortunately, I only used a faint divine sense to probe; if I had responded rashly, I would probably be trapped by now!

The scholar finally stopped and sighed, "That's enough for today." With that, he turned and left.

Li Shinu silently rose and followed closely behind the scholar.

The two walked through a dark corridor, pushed open a heavy stone door, and a huge stone chamber appeared before them.

The walls of this room are carved with several layers of niches, which are filled with various antiquities. In the center stands a huge rock, more than two zhang high, with a black surface. The rock surface is uneven and covered with dense seal script.

The scholar walked to the rock and looked up to read the inscription: "There is a Daoist hidden star who has seven true disciples, each in charge of a region and with their own origins, including members of the East Sea Dragon Clan, descendants of the East Sea Marquis, members of the Immortal Dynasty's royal family, and disciples of the Taiyi True Palace who also cultivate..."

Chen Qing's mind was blank for a long time before he came to his senses. When he finally understood what it meant, he was speechless with astonishment.

"I do not know how?"

　The next chapter is coming soon...

　　
　
(End of this chapter)