Arc 3: Part 41
In the world of cultivation, there is a distinction between a teacher and a master.
A cultivator can acknowledge several teachers, but one can only have one master.
A teacher is someone who imparts knowledge, teaches skills, and resolves doubts. Anyone who has provided guidance in any form – be it a piece of advice about cultivation techniques, swordsmanship, formations, alchemy, artifact refining, or taming beasts – even a casual tip, can be called a teacher.
On the other hand, "A master for a day, a father for life" goes beyond just instructing in cultivation; it also involves teaching etiquette, morals, and how to conduct oneself in society. Once your name is recorded in the clan’s genealogy, an ethical bond is established, and you become a member of the master's lineage.
For instance, when Tian Xuanzi took the young Bai Tong back to the mountain, technically, he could have taken Bai Tong as his disciple, but he did not. Instead, he recruited the disciple on behalf of his master, who had passed away hundreds of years earlier, listing Bai Tong under the name of his late master and thus making her his junior sister.
Although Tian Xuanzi taught Bai Tong as a master would, once the lineage was ethically set, a junior sister remains a junior sister, belonging to the same generation.
Therefore, practices like dual cultivation or becoming Dao companions are all within ethical norms and nobody can object to them.
Tong Su herself found it somewhat peculiar.
It would have been normal for her to become junior sister to Tian Xuanzi if, having developed feelings for him after arriving in this world, she subsequently entered Ziwei Palace.
However, he had taken on a junior sister at a time when she wasn't yet a part of this world.
If he had any ulterior motives when he took the original body into the mountain gate, it was only to offer protection and shelter, raising her as a normal child. The number of times I've met with him since is more than the original body met with Tian Xuanzi over a span of more than a decade!
If he acted without any hidden intentions — then since Tian Xuanzi took the original body back with him, why didn't he simply take her as his disciple, especially when he went to such lengths to recruit her on behalf of his master despite the elders' opposition in the sect?
Is it all a coincidence, or...
Tong Su dared not speculate further; her eyes flickered as she momentarily set aside her questions and looked at Tian Xuanzi with a smile, saying, "Senior Brother, I'll be heading over first."
Tian Xuanzi nodded, poured himself a cup of tea with a smile, and said, "I'll wait for you here."
They were at a tea house by the roadside where Wen Qing and Xuan Yan had reserved a large private room. Tian Xuanzi followed suit and booked the adjacent room for himself.
The high-ranking cultivators in the city, unlike the aloof inhabitants of the Ziwei Heavenly Palace, were more approachable. Even revered ones like Grandmaster Wen Qing and Ancestor Xuan Yan didn't put on airs. They would enter a roadside tea house without any reservations and didn't even bother to clear the place of other patrons.
Downstairs, the tea house was packed with independent cultivators, all curious and eager to observe the excitement!
Tong Su said goodbye to Tian Xuanzi for a moment and gently knocked on the neighboring room's door, which quickly opened. Yue Yuan was there; he nodded and smiled at her, stepping aside to let her in.
Inside the private room sat several men and women, clearly divided into two camps—likely from the Artifact Forge or the Alchemy Tower. There were old and young, men and women. Each person, whether they had a kindly demeanor or a stern presence, watched her intently as she entered.
The air was filled with the pressure of powerful cultivators, and many young disciples were gathered around, holding their breath and looking on with great tension.
However, Tong Su didn't show any signs of fear. Calm and collected, she walked in, bowed respectfully, and greeted, "Senior members."
In the center of the room, there was a small table with a bottle of elixir and a box of magical items —both of which Tong Su had sent to the Alchemy Tower and the Artifact Forge three years ago. The table radiated spiritual energy, revealing that these items had been continuously studied and nurtured during the past three years.
All the powerful figures present looked at Tong Su with great interest.
Even in the city, Li Huo was extremely rare, let alone high-quality flames such as Golden Crow Fire, which had never been seen before. Naturally, everyone was envious.
As a result, almost all the top powerhouse cultivators from the Alchemy Tower and the Artifact Forge, who were not on seclusion or away, had gathered here.
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