Long Yunhai sent a disciple named Long Wentian to take Lu Li and Qian Huanhan to Patriarch Gu.
Along the way, this disciple explained many of Patriarch Gu's rules, which gave Lu Li a headache.
Even though Long Wentian did not say much about Patriarch Gu, Lu Li could tell from his brief words that this Patriarch Gu had a strange temperament. He was eccentric and difficult to get along with.
For example, when they were at Patriarch Gu's place, they must pay special attention to cleanliness. If Patriarch Gu's hall was dirty or messy, they would be punished severely …
Another thing was that when they were at Patriarch Gu's place, they must not make any noise or leave for no reason. They must ask for Patriarch Gu's permission or else they would be punished as well …
Qian Huanhan was young and good-looking. He was the kind of person that people would like at first sight.
He was not particularly handsome, but he was pleasing to the eyes. It was a pity that he was a bit dull and sometimes silly.
He followed Lu Li and looked around with curiosity. Along the way, he said nothing. There was a hint of excitement in his eyes. He had no idea where he and Lu Li were going or what was waiting for them.
Lu Li was speechless. Did this man have a one-track mind?
After making a few turns, Long Wentian arrived at a corner of the valley. There was a huge manor here, with a castle and two small pavilions. It looked quite grand.
"I, Long Wentian, would like to see Patriarch Gu!"
Long Wentian stood outside the door, then bowed respectfully and said in a deep voice.
There was no response from inside the manor. Long Wentian stood there quietly. Lu Li and Qian Huanhan did not dare to say a word.
After the time for two incense sticks to burn, Long Wentian heard a hoarse voice from inside, "What is it?"
Long Wentian put on a solemn face. He bowed again and said, "This time, we have recruited some registered disciples. We have picked two of our best and sent them to you. They will be at your disposal."
With that said, the manor quieted down again. After the time for two incense sticks to burn, Patriarch Gu said, "Leave them here. You can go now!"
"Okay!"
Long Wentian bowed and said, "Elder Gu is busy, disciple will take his leave."
Long Wentian looked at Lu Li and Qian Huanhan and walked away. Lu Li could tell from Long Wentian's eyes that he was gloating. Qian Huanhan could tell as well. He scratched his head in confusion.
After Qian Huanhan left, Qian Huanhan scratched his head and whispered to Lu Li, "Lu Li, shall we go and pay our respects to Patriarch Gu?"
"Before Patriarch Gu says anything, don't move. Wait!" Lu Li threw him a glance and said in a low voice.
Qian Huanhan scratched his head again but did not move. He stood outside with Lu Li in silence.
As it turned out … they stood there for three days and nights. Lu Li and Qian Huanhan were like two idiots. They stood outside the manor for three days and nights.
On several occasions, Qian Huanhan tried to open the door and go in, but Lu Li stopped him with a look.
Qian Huanhan's temper was not bad. He just stood there with Lu Li.
"Come in!"
~
”
On the fourth day, a hoarse voice finally came from the manor. Lu Li was relieved. They must have passed the first test. Lu Li bowed and Qian Huanhan followed suit.
Lu Li pushed the door open and walked into the manor with Qian Huanhan. Finally, they arrived at the castle.
Outside the castle, Lu Li did not go in rashly. Instead, he bowed again and said, "I am Lu Li, a registered disciple. Greetings, Patriarch."
Qian Huanhan came back to his senses and bowed as well. "I am Qian Huanhan, a registered disciple. Greetings, Patriarch."
After the time for two incense sticks to burn, Lu Li finally said, "Come in!"
Lu Li tidied up his clothes and Qian Huanhan followed suit. They walked out of the castle but there was no one in the hall.
Lu Li did not use psychic power. He took a look and saw that there were three corridors in the hall, leading to the left, right and back.
After a pause, Lu Li walked to the corridor in the back. Qian Huanhan did not seem to have his own thoughts. He just followed Lu Li.
Lu Li and Qian Huanhan arrived at the backyard. What they saw was an old man in a black robe sitting under the grape trellis in the backyard. He was examining a strange artifact embryo with a frown. On the stone table next to him were some ancient books.
"Um.
~
”
Qian Huanhan looked to the other side of the backyard. He saw two graves, one older and the other newer.
"Swish!"
Patriarch Gu suddenly moved his hand. A hand appeared in the air and landed on Qian Huanhan's face.
Qian Huanhan did not have time to react. He was smashed away and fell to the ground. There was a blood mark on his face.
"Don't look at what you are not supposed to see!" Patriarch Gu said coldly without looking up.
Qian Huanhan was angry but he said nothing. He stood up and calmed himself down. He stood behind Lu Li.
Lu Li bowed and said, "Greetings, Patriarch Gu."
Qian Huanhan must have been very dissatisfied, but he did not show it. He bowed slightly and said, "Disciple Qian Huanhan greets Elder Gu. I have made a mistake. Please punish me!"
"I've already punished him."
Elder Gu didn't raise his head and coldly said, "As long as you don't violate my rules, you can do whatever you want here. If you do, I will naturally punish you.
If you are not convinced, you can apply for a transfer from the Hall of Elders. I will not force you to stay. "
"Transfer?"
Lu Li forced a smile. If he dared to ask the Hall of Patriarchs for a transfer, he would be tired of living. He would be banished from the sect directly or sent to guard a cemetery for hundreds or thousands of years …
Lu Li believed that he could live a comfortable life here as long as he was careful and had a good grasp of Patriarch Gu's temperament.
He slowly explored the Dao of Artifact Refinement while cultivating in secret, slowly plotting.
Therefore, he paused for a moment and said respectfully, "Elder Gu is right. It is our honor to follow Elder Gu. Naturally, we must abide by Elder Gu's rules."
"You will live in the attic on the east side!"
Patriarch Gu seemed to be losing his patience. He waved his hand coldly and said, "Without my permission, you cannot go anywhere other than in the attic.
I will call you if I need you. You can be at my beck and call! "
"Yes!"
Lu Li and Qian Huanhan bowed and were about to leave when Patriarch Gu remembered something. "Go to the left side of the hall of materials to sort out the materials. In three days, familiarize yourself with all the materials.
In three days, I need to forge artifacts. If you cannot get the materials I need in time, you will have to cut off your hands 10 times. "
"Swish, swish, swish!
~
”
Lu Li and Qian Huanhan were taken aback. They had to learn all the materials in three days?
Who knew how many materials were in that side hall?
What was more, they did not have any books about this.
Once they made a mistake, they had to cut off their hands 10 times?
That was equivalent to suffering the pain of having their hands cut off 10 times. This Patriarch Gu was too freakish.
"Yes.
~
”
Lu Li made up his mind and left. So did Qian Huanhan.
They left the backyard and walked to the left side hall. When they pushed the door open, they were teleported into a strange small space. They were dumbfounded by what they saw!
This wasn't a side hall filled with divine materials, and it was a strange small world instead. It covered an area of an entire few tens of kilometers, and it was filled with strange divine materials. With a single glance, it was impossible to tell how many divine materials there were. So, how could they finish identifying them in three days?