Chapter 307: Just Because You Can’t See It Doesn’t Mean I Can’t Do It
In Su Muyu’s view, having so many people come to Longhu Mountain for advanced training would inevitably consume a certain amount of resources.
Resources in this world were already scarce to begin with, and many major powers had even gone to war over them.
He’d feel the sting too, if they were just going to raise disciples for other people for nothing.
But if he didn’t let them come, now that Zhang Yangqing had opened that door first, he didn’t know how to say no.
He couldn’t exactly play favorites, could he?
If Zhang Yangqing hadn’t agreed to the first one, Su Muyu could have simply said: Our mountain doesn’t accept visiting disciples for training.
The one who tied the knot had to be the one to untie it. This matter was like a game of kickball, and it had been passed right back to Zhang Yangqing.
After hearing him out, Zhang Yangqing let out a yawn. What’s the big deal? I’ll go handle it.
You know them, but I don’t.
Anyway, my reputation in the cultivation world is already that of a notorious bully. One more time won’t make a difference.
Seeing Zhang Yangqing like this, Su Muyu continued, “It’s not just this one thing. There’s a second matter too—”
And that was what gave Su Muyu an even bigger headache.
Over the past few days, some “special” people had also shown up at Longhu Mountain.
Daoist cultivators were a free-spirited bunch. Back in the day, Longhu Mountain had many Daoist priests who were of the same generation as the Old Heavenly Master.
These priests hadn’t inherited the position of Heavenly Master, so many had returned to secular life, married, and lived as ordinary people.
Others, after completing their studies, had descended the mountain to wander the four seas and retire into the forests.
Add to that the fact that, for a while, temple incense hadn’t been burning so bright. Many who had trained at Longhu Mountain had also gone down the mountain to find “work” elsewhere.
The older generation had already passed on, and those of the same generation had returned to lay life and left.
The entire Longhu Mountain had been guarded and sustained by the Old Heavenly Master all this time.
With limited resources, the mountain couldn’t take on many new disciples, so the Old Heavenly Master had worked tirelessly to find resources all over the world to keep the sect going.
He had fulfilled every duty a Heavenly Master should in his lifetime.
Now, with Zhang Yangqing’s rise, the Daoist tradition was flourishing once more.
Some of the “old seniors” who had once cultivated at Longhu Mountain also wanted to come back.
But everyone valued their pride. At their age, how could they bring themselves to just show up?
Besides, if Zhang Yangqing flat-out refused them, where would they put their old faces?
And don’t doubt for a second whether Zhang Yangqing would be too embarrassed to refuse—he’d certainly never given any of those old geezers a pleasant look on Mount Kunlun.
So lately, they’d all been visiting Su Muyu, hoping to use their past connections with Longhu Mountain to get their descendants or disciples accepted.
As long as they got into Longhu Mountain, cultivation resources? Those would be a piece of cake!
No other sect in the country had more cultivation resources than Longhu Mountain.
These old-timers’ status was especially tricky, because back when Su Muyu was just a young Daoist apprentice, these people had already lived on the mountain for over a decade, even decades.
Some had even personally taught Su Muyu how to chant scriptures and practice cultivation techniques.
They’d “worked” at Longhu Mountain, after all. Even if they didn’t have great merit, they’d put in the hard work.
Which was exactly why Su Muyu found it hard to refuse them.
So the only option was to see if Zhang Yangqing had a better solution.
If worst came to worst, they could accept one or two as a token gesture, so they wouldn’t seem completely heartless.
At this point, Su Muyu also offered up a few possible solutions.
First: use public opinion to pressure them into leaving.
These people all cared about their reputations and had a certain standing in the cultivation world.
If news of them trying to pull strings got out, they’d naturally back off on their own.
It wasn’t the best approach, but no one wanted to face the backlash of public opinion.
Second: set up a branch temple, shunt all those people over there, and distribute resources to them on a schedule.
That way, they wouldn’t disrupt the normal cultivation at Longhu Mountain.
After all, Longhu Mountain was an established sect, situated right in the middle of the mundane world—it couldn’t escape mundane concerns either.
“Oh, anything else? If not, I’ll go out and settle this.”
Zhang Yangqing seemed to have gotten the gist and was ready to leave.
Su Muyu thought for a moment, then said, “Just make sure you talk to them properly when the time comes. Don’t use your fists.”
Zhang Yangqing shot him a look. “What’s that supposed to mean? Do I look like the kind of person who likes to solve problems with violence? I always reason with people, you know.”
Su Muyu: “…”
Who would believe that?
Before long, Zhang Yangqing arrived at the side hall.
Hearing he was coming, the place was already packed with people.
Many were white-haired old men, surrounded by their proudest descendants or their sect’s most gifted beloved disciples.
Before Zhang Yangqing showed up, they’d been greeting each other and comparing notes.
These were all seniors who had ties with Longhu Mountain.
Those who tried to fabricate connections had already been chased off by Su Muyu.
That left ten seniors from other sects, all old close friends of the late Heavenly Master.
And five who had once trained at Longhu Mountain.
They felt their request wasn’t unreasonable—just slipping one disciple in.
And their disciples were exceptionally gifted, true cultivation prodigies.
You couldn’t exactly show up without some real talent, could you?
If these disciples were placed in any other sect, they’d be top-tier talents too.
Really, this was another form of one-upmanship.
Which disciple performed best at Longhu Mountain—and even earned the recognition of the sect leader and Heavenly Master—wouldn’t that be a ticket to fame and glory?
And if Longhu Mountain could produce such outstanding disciples, wouldn’t that be a win for both reputation and resources?
These old-timers were playing the emotional angle. They just couldn’t believe Zhang Yangqing would refuse to give face.
Besides, Su Muyu couldn’t say no to them.
These old men were already congratulating each other.
As if the matter of accepting disciples had already been settled behind the scenes.
They figured today was just a formality—Zhang Yangqing would make a personal appearance to accept these disciples.
That would make for a fine story too.
Some Longhu Mountain elders from years past had even started earnestly instructing the newer disciples.
After all, they were old-timers. The new disciples could only bow their heads and listen.
From time to time, they’d drop lines like “Back in my day,” “The Old Heavenly Master and I,” or “When I was here before…”
Enough to keep the mountain’s new disciples respectful.
Even though many of the new disciples were immensely talented, they were still too young.
They hadn’t been in the cultivation world long, and in front of these old-timers, they didn’t dare even breathe loudly.
The old seniors, meanwhile, kept bringing up Su Muyu, praising him for his excellent leadership and calling him an undeniable genius.
They didn’t praise Zhang Yangqing—not because they didn’t want to, but because they wouldn’t dare.
That kid clearly didn’t treat anyone as a senior. If you went up and praised him in a patronizing tone, weren’t you just asking for trouble?
Honestly, though, they didn’t much like Zhang Yangqing’s arrogant and overbearing personality either.
If it weren’t for needing something from him, why would they have come in person?
Old people were like that. Deep down, they thought, I’m the senior here. Even if you’re the new Heavenly Master, you still owe me some respect.
After all, the salt I’ve eaten on this very mountain is more than the rice you’ve eaten in your whole life, Zhang Yangqing.
By all customary rights, a single “letter of recommendation” from them should have been enough to get Zhang Yangqing to open his doors and accept disciples.
They’d come in person this time—that was already giving you plenty of face, Zhang Yangqing. Don’t be so ungrateful.
Though they didn’t say it out loud, wasn’t that exactly what every one of them was thinking?
As they chatted, a terrifying aura that shook heaven and earth suddenly descended.
The person hadn’t even arrived, yet their presence already crushed the entire hall.
In that instant, all the prestigious seniors present felt as if they’d been cast into a vast sea of stars—as insignificant as ants.
With just a wave of his hand, the one emanating this presence could annihilate them on the spot.
Horror spread across every face.
And when Zhang Yangqing finally appeared, they truly understood what it meant to stand alone under heaven, honored by the Dao itself.
Zhang Yangqing stood tall, his robes flowing, surrounded by starlight and celestial radiance.
He didn’t merely look like a celestial being come down to earth—he was an immortal.
Just his arrival struck everyone with immense awe.
Especially the cultivators seeing Zhang Yangqing for the first time—they couldn’t help but feel a deep, primal fear.
Such a majestic, world-commanding figure was a rarity beyond compare.
Inside the side hall, the old men’s hearts churned with emotion, and hushed murmurs spread through the crowd.
“No wonder he dared to snub the heads of the Six Great Associations. This young man is truly a child of heaven—peerless and unequaled!”
“A thousand years have passed, and Longhu Mountain has produced another unparalleled master of this age. What a blessing for the sect!”
“We’re just meeting him—does he really need to unleash such an overwhelming aura?”
“You don’t understand—this isn’t even his full display. I heard that at the last Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony, even the elders had trouble breathing!”
Whether it was the old-timers or the disciples they’d brought, everyone was shaken by Zhang Yangqing’s entrance.
Involuntarily, their respect for him skyrocketed.
Some disciples in particular—those who were doted upon in their families and sects—had been assured by their elders and masters that getting into Longhu Mountain wouldn’t be hard.
These disciples had also thought that even if Zhang Yangqing didn’t care about others, surely he’d make an exception for their own elders, right?
And after they got in, they naturally expected to receive plenty of resources.
After all, their elders had put in their time here.
Besides, Zhang Yangqing might look terrifying, but he was about their age—surely it wouldn’t take long for them to hit it off.
That was the idea, anyway. But the moment they laid eyes on Zhang Yangqing, they instinctively started peeking at him with lowered heads.
They didn’t dare look him straight in the eye—because not bowing one’s proud head was an insult to the powerful.
Many disciples were utterly floored. The Heavenly Master really was far more terrifying than he appeared on screen.
No wonder those horrifying anomalies acted like obedient dogs in front of him. So this is what it felt like.
After Zhang Yangqing took his seat in the main chair of the side hall, the others didn’t even dare to sit down.
“Everyone has come to visit Longhu Mountain today. What guidance do you have for me?”
Zhang Yangqing started with a question to which he already knew the answer.
Everyone exchanged glances. Finally, an old man who had once trained at Longhu Mountain stepped forward with a smile and said:
“We’ve taken the liberty of visiting unannounced. To behold the Heavenly Master’s countenance today is truly an honor of three lifetimes…”
Zhang Yangqing didn’t interrupt him. He let the man finish.
The old man’s speech was skillful.
First step: adopt a low posture. He set aside his pride—and indeed he had to, given the disparity in strength. Not doing so would have been asking for trouble.
Second step: bring the topic to Zhang Yangqing and offer sincere praise—that was flattery.
Third step: bring up the Old Heavenly Master, praising him for having accepted a disciple like Zhang Yangqing—a blessing for him and a fortune for Longhu Mountain. This was establishing seniority.
Though it sounded like praise for the Old Heavenly Master, it was really hinting to Zhang Yangqing: We’re from your master’s generation.
Fourth step: play the trump card—or rather, put him on the spot—by bringing up the prior agreement with Su Muyu.
He claimed Su Muyu had already agreed. Whether or not that was true, he wanted to use Su Muyu’s name to pressure Zhang Yangqing.
After delivering this flawless, eloquent spiel, he waited for Zhang Yangqing’s response.
He and the other old-timers were convinced Zhang Yangqing wouldn’t turn down such a win-win arrangement.
But Zhang Yangqing took a sip of tea and then slowly, unhurriedly, uttered two words: “Not accepting.”
After saying “Not accepting,” Zhang Yangqing fixed his cold gaze on everyone in the hall.
The silence was absolute—so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Even the old men stood there with their mouths open, at a total loss for words.
He simply said not accepting and gave no reason to anyone present.
All the thousands of heartfelt words they’d prepared to get chummy with him were left stuck in their throats.
It felt like you had a million reasons, but the other person just said, I don’t care.
If Zhang Yangqing had come up with any excuse—like “setting up a branch temple,” “taking in one or two for now,” or “letting disciples compete fairly with others”—these old foxes would have clung to it like a lifeline and shamelessly pushed their people in no matter what.
Because those kinds of words left room for negotiation. They weren’t outright rejections, just tactful refusals.
And as long as it was a tactful refusal, there was still a chance to bargain.
But Zhang Yangqing’s blunt “Not accepting” completely threw everyone off.
What was there left to negotiate?
And with that cold stare of his, who was hard-headed enough to go up and scold him?
Remember, the heads of the Six Great Associations just wanted to reason with Zhang Yangqing, and they got beaten black and blue.
What status did these people have? Did Zhang Yangqing care about that?
He’d beat them all the same.
Zhang Yangqing had long established himself as a ruthless character. So even if he beat them up on the spot, no one would think much of it—because that’s just who everyone knew him to be.
You keep bringing up the Old Heavenly Master, huh? Go ahead—report me to him if you can. If you can’t make it there, I can send you myself.
Zhang Yangqing had been annoyed since early morning, listening to Su Muyu.
You “worked” for Longhu Mountain for all those years?
Did Longhu Mountain not train you? Not give you resources?
Didn’t you learn all your skills right here?
Zhang Yangqing felt Su Muyu had fallen into a trap from the start.
In his view, these people not only failed to repay Longhu Mountain—they now dared to pull rank. Where did they get the nerve?
If it weren’t for his senior brother telling him multiple times not to throw punches, he’d have kicked them out already.
Still, he wouldn’t scold them. He wouldn’t tell them why he was doing this.
He’d just say he wasn’t accepting. What could they do about it?
Don’t like it? Feel free to come up and take a swing.
Beat me, and you can say whatever you want.
Can’t beat me? Then keep it to yourself.
Su Muyu may find it hard to refuse you, but what difference does that make?
Longhu Mountain is my territory. He doesn’t get the final say—I do.
You’re saying I favor the Xiaoyao Sect? That I let one of their disciples come for training?
Yeah, so what? I am playing favorites. What are you going to do about it?
This world isn’t fair.
You expect me to treat everyone equally?
Just getting a word with me today is already more face than you deserve.
Normally, you’d have to line up just to see me.
Dead silence filled the hall. Everyone had come expecting an induction ceremony, only to be dismissed with a single sentence.
Minutes passed. Sweat dripped from the people standing in the hall, but not a single one dared step up and argue with Zhang Yangqing.
Because arguing required the other side to be reasonable.
If they weren’t reasonable from the start, what was there to argue about?
After sitting for five minutes, Zhang Yangqing finished his tea and left the guest hall.
I gave you a chance to speak. You didn’t take it. Don’t blame me.
The old men were dumbfounded.
If Zhang Yangqing had said even one polite remark—like “I’ll take my leave now” or “Please, continue chatting”—they’d have found a way to reopen the conversation.
But this guy really didn’t say anything.
Zhang Yangqing couldn’t care less. My reputation is earned through my own strength. My resources are gained by my own efforts. Why should I share them with you?
Once you’re here, you’ll start factionalizing inside Longhu Mountain. Then you’ll pull more people in.
If it’s troublesome, Zhang Yangqing would make every single one of them scram.
As the current Heavenly Master, you have to be brave enough to say “no.”
You’re fine with making things difficult for me—why should I be shy about making things awkward for you?
After Zhang Yangqing left, the old men looked at each other.
In front of Zhang Yangqing, none of the old geezers dared to complain.
But once he was gone, some started getting angry.
“Who does that kid think he is? Back when I was—”
Before he could finish, the person next to him stopped him.
“Are you crazy? If you’ve got a problem, go tell him to his face—but don’t drag us into it.”
The other old men were panicking. They’d just come to pull some strings.
They didn’t want to not only fail at that, but also offend the man—that would be a waste of effort.
Today, he’d been completely even-handed—turning everyone down. Many old men sighed and left.
What was the use of lamenting an unfair world? Zhang Yangqing didn’t care.
Some still hadn’t given up. Since they couldn’t get through to Zhang Yangqing, they’d go back to Su Muyu.
After all, Su Muyu had to maintain regular contact with the cultivation world. He couldn’t just shut his doors, could he?
But his stance was clear: I don’t have the final say at Longhu Mountain. Begging me is useless.
I’m just an employee. Can I really make decisions for the boss?
Anyway, Zhang Yangqing was playing the role of the bad guy all by himself now.
No one else held any real power. Asking them was pointless.
If you’re short on resources, Su Muyu, having received favors from you in the past, would naturally repay you twofold.
But if you want to squeeze people in, there’s nothing I can do.
In the end, these old men had no choice but to take their disciples and leave.
That should have been the end of it. After all, the people present were all prominent figures in the cultivation world—no one wanted to spread this story.
But then a disciple from another sect, dissatisfied with Zhang Yangqing’s actions, grew angrier and angrier after going home. He posted a rant on his social media, angrily criticizing Zhang Yangqing’s approach.
Little did he know, someone in his circle who loved watching the world burn screenshot his post and shared it.
And just like that, a single piece of news ignited the entire country.
Not just the cultivation world—the mundane world was shaken too.
Su Muyu was worried it might cause trouble. But the comments were overwhelmingly positive.
Especially from ordinary people who admired the Daoist path and longed for Longhu Mountain.
Zhang Yangqing’s actions were a huge inspiration to them, strengthening their resolve to pursue the Way.
The whole country now knew what true selflessness looked like.
If you want to join Longhu Mountain, it doesn’t matter who you are—you have to pass the test.
Want to come for advanced training?
Sorry, but across the entire nation, there’s currently only one such person.
The effect was so good that Su Muyu was pleasantly surprised. He’d thought Zhang Yangqing would get criticized, but instead, we weren’t the ones being bashed.
Su Muyu glanced at Zhang Yangqing, who was sipping tea, and said, “Your luck is incredible. You’ve raised Longhu Mountain’s reputation another notch.”
Zhang Yangqing rolled his eyes. “Luck? You don’t get the bigger picture. I did this to tell everyone one thing—sucking up to others is useless. Only sucking up to me works.”
Su Muyu: “…”
You’re playing mind games, aren’t you!
Now, any smart person could see the pattern.
Ties to the Old Heavenly Master? Ties to Su Muyu? Even being a close friend? Useless.
Only Luo Hao of the Xiaoyao Sect had a direct relationship with Zhang Yangqing.
If you thought about it carefully, you’d realize that only people connected to Zhang Yangqing got any benefits.
And once they realized that, everyone would rack their brains trying to curry favor with Zhang Yangqing.
That was exactly his goal.
He wouldn’t spell it out—but he always made people subconsciously draw that conclusion.
Seeing his senior brother’s stunned expression, Zhang Yangqing just thought: You think I’m just coasting on luck all day? Even in those horror stories, wasn’t this always how I played it?
Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean I can’t do it.
