Because the Mo family's house was located at the foot of the mountain, on the very edge of the village, no one noticed what was happening. At that moment, Chen Niang, halfway up the mountain, was gazing at the Mo family's house when suddenly his pupils contracted in disbelief. He glanced at his sister, who was diligently gathering twigs, then composed himself.
"Immortal, immortal immortal, what brings you here?" Mo Qingshan was terrified, but he still stepped forward, shielding his wife and children behind him, and stammered as he asked.
The whole family was on tenterhooks, walking on thin ice.
"My Daoist name is Jiuyao. I have come here to find my destined disciple." Jiuyao scanned the crowd, pointed with his whisk, and said, "It is you."
"Xiao Li!"
"Little sister!"
Everyone was both happy and worried. They were happy that their daughter (the younger sister) had been chosen, but they didn't know what kind of person the Taoist priest was, whether he was good or bad, and they were also worried that they would be taken away after being chosen. In an instant, everyone's mind was filled with many thoughts.
Seeing that her family was terrified, Xiao Li secretly glared at Jiu Yao, telling him not to go too far.
"Ahem, this is my clone, coming from across the border." Jiu Yao stroked his long beard.
He continued, "My true self resides in the Azure Sky Realm. After I impart the cultivation techniques to my disciple, this avatar will dissipate on its own. Would you be willing to become my disciple?"
Xiao Li glanced at her parents and brother, who all looked delighted and were clearly very happy.
"I do."
Xiao Li walked up to Jiu Yao, knelt down and kowtowed, "Master, please accept my bow."
Xiao Li truly wanted to kneel down in worship. Although Xiao Jiu was her spirit pet, it was indeed he who taught her the cultivation techniques, making him practically her master.
She couldn't bow once, because Jiu Yao used magic to support Xiao Li's body. How could they let their master kneel? Once was already too much. If it weren't for acting, even this bow wouldn't have been allowed.
"Please rise, disciple." Jiu Yao seemed quite satisfied. He took out a purse and a jade pendant from his sleeve and handed them to Xiao Li. Xiao Li took them and stood up with the help of magic.
Jiuyao pointed at Xiaoli's head, and a beam of light shot into Xiaoli's head. "I have already taught you the cultivation method. As the saying goes, the master leads you to the door, but the cultivation is up to you. You should cultivate well. There are resources I gave you in this pouch, as well as this communication jade talisman. If you don't understand anything, you can ask me for details via voice transmission."
Jiuyao glanced at everyone, "I don't want anyone else to know about this, so none of you are to spread it." The Mo family members all covered their mouths and nodded vigorously.
Jiuyao nodded and transformed into starlight, disappearing before everyone's eyes. In reality, he had used an illusion to enter the space.
The Mo family members stopped working and all gathered around Xiao Li to watch the spectacle. If it weren't for the jade pendant and purse still being there, everyone would have thought they were dreaming.
"There really are immortals in this world. I've never seen an immortal in my life. My ancestors must be incredibly lucky," Mo Qingshan muttered to himself.
The couple exchanged a glance, and the whole family went into the main room.
"This matter must not be spread. If others find out, it will be terrible. Do you hear me? Not only will the immortals be angry, but I will not forgive him either." Yun Yuniang looked at the two children and said very seriously.
"I heard you, Mother." Mo Yunxiao nodded quickly.
"This is an immortal! Xiaoli, you don't need to do housework anymore, just focus on learning immortal arts. Our Mo family is going to produce an immortal! No, I have to hurry up and offer incense to our ancestors to tell them this good news." Mo Qingshan was talking in a mystical way, and Xiaoli was dumbfounded. She felt so guilty. She didn't expect this to happen and didn't want to work hard.
Yun Yuniang couldn't bear to watch any longer. She grabbed Mo Qingshan's ear and said, "Let's talk about Xiaoli first, then we'll go offer incense later."
Mo Qingshan then came to his senses, "Yes, yes, no one else can know about Xiaoli's matter. Everyone must keep quiet. If the higher-ups find out, it will be terrible. Xiaoli will definitely be arrested."
"Being arrested isn't enough; it could lead to the destruction of families and even death, so everyone must be careful," Yun Yuniang added.
"The Chen siblings must also be sent away; they can't stay." He finished speaking with a reluctant expression, clearly very reluctant to part with them, but what could he not bear to part with for his daughter's sake?
Xiao Li was starting to regret it. She wished she hadn't told her parents; she hadn't realized how serious things were. Yes, this was feudal times, where imperial power was supreme and immortality was the ultimate temptation. She was still so weak and powerless to protect her family.
It's too late to regret it now.
Around noon, Chen Niang and his sister returned. Seeing the whole family sitting neatly in the main room, something seemed amiss. Chen Niang immediately understood.
"Xiao Niang, Xiao Jiu'er, come here quickly. Sit down and have some tea to rest." Yun Yu Niang called to the two siblings, pouring tea and bringing it over.
After the two siblings had rested, Yun Yu Niang spoke up.
“Xiao Niang, a while ago, Uncle Mo Dashi from the village wanted to adopt you and Xiao Jiu’er. The couple had no children and were very kind people. Your Uncle Qingshan and I felt that we couldn’t let you suffer. After you have your parents’ love, we will still be relatives. Isn’t that good? What do you think? Are you willing?”
Chen Niang knew this wasn't a question, and he couldn't be ungrateful. But did he really have to leave his benefactor's house? He still wanted to repay his benefactor.
"Aunt, I don't want to go to Uncle's house. I want to stay here and be Sister Li's little maid." Little Jiu'er burst into tears and ran over to hug Yun Yuniang's leg, crying pitifully.
Yun Yu Niang's heart softened immediately, but what could she do? This matter was too dangerous. Living together, they would eventually discover something amiss. They would grow up, get married, and people's hearts were unpredictable. She couldn't put Xiao Li in danger.
Seeing that his sister had made a choice, Chen Niang silently made a decision in his heart.
"Aunt, my sister and I are willing to sell ourselves into slavery. Our minds are made up, please don't refuse." Chen Niang knelt down with his sister, their expressions resolute. He had made up his mind; he couldn't pose any threat to his benefactor. It would only be better for him to be away from his sister in the future. He and his sister had nothing; why wait to cling to this powerful figure now?
From the moment he learned this secret, he knew he would be bound to the Mo family from now on. Fortunately, he had always considered himself a servant of the Mo family and had never forgotten the great kindness of his benefactors, so accepting this identity wasn't difficult. What could be more reassuring than handing over a contract of servitude to the other party?
Of course there are, it's just that I haven't thought of them yet.
"Get up quickly. You know we all treat you as family. Don't talk about selling yourself into slavery anymore. Actually, sending you away is for your own good." Yun Yu Niang tried to pull the two siblings up, but Chen Niang insisted on remaining a slave.
The situation reached a stalemate, and they could only discuss it again later.
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