Many disciples who travel the world under the guise of branches have mixed qualities, resulting in a tarnished reputation.

But he heard Ah Qi mention that those two young Daoists from Wild Grass Mountain strictly adhere to their sect's commandments and complete their daily lessons on time.

These days, it's as rare as finding a virtuous woman in a brothel to see heterodox loose cultivators willing to uphold such precepts.

"Quickly pay your respects to your Uncle Qiu, my old friend of ten years, a true heir of the Taoist Sect, nearly ascending to immortality."

Ninghai Zen waved his hand, casually praised Qiu Changtian, elevating him before speaking further.

"I've often heard Master mention Uncle Qiu, who traveled Yihai Prefecture and Celestial Water Prefecture, shook Fulong Mountain, and became famous along Nu Yun River, a feat that was truly awe-inspiring!"

Bai Qi, skilled at discerning his master's thoughts, understood the deeper meaning in Ninghai Zen's words and quickly joined in the flattery without hesitation to lavish praise.

"This disciple of yours, his temperament... truly like a carved mold!"

This Uncle Qiu, he appears extraordinary and dignified, how did he come to mix with my master?

With a sideways glance at the amused Ninghai Zen, Qiu Changtian looked up and sighed; coming to Black River County was truly untimely, such a loss!

He pointed to the donkey outside the door:

"Bai Qilang, right? As an elder, for our first meeting, I wasn't sure what to gift.

Gold and silver are too mundane, precious materials too commercial, difficult to convey sincerity.

See that donkey? It's been with me for seventeen or eighteen years now, gradually gaining a touch of intelligence.

You can take it along, making travel easier; if you're hungry, it can become a few meals of donkey meat buns to fill your stomach."

Bai Qi turned his head, and before he could respond, the donkey took off, running far away, showing its large teeth, swearing:

"Qiu Changtian, you scoundrel! May you be struck by lightning when you go out!"

Ninghai Zen also twitched at the eye; truly stingy to the core, squeezing more benefits would be as difficult as climbing the sky.

"Thank you, Uncle Qiu, for your kindness; this donkey has such profound affection with you, how could I rob you of what you love."

Bai Qi watched the donkey, running faster than he could with the White Ape Skill, estimating it's not much slower than an eight-year-old Sister Jiao.

"Just kidding around, I, Mr. Qiu, am not like your master, who claims to be free from worldly possessions, yet is truly quite poor. Recently, I did some fortune telling and got exactly six taels of Dragon Pattern Iron Essence.

I heard you are learning blacksmithing from Old Li, and when your skills mature, this will be useful for forging a treasure weapon!"

Dragon Pattern Iron Essence?

Bai Qi's heart skipped a beat; this is good material!

When forging arms, just a little bit can enhance its spirit, nurture dragon patterns, granting it wondrous effects, thereby significantly improving sharpness, hardness, and toughness.

The favorite of any Master Craftsman!

"This... how could I possibly accept."

Bai Qi rubbed his hands, eyes eagerly fixed on Qiu Changtian.

"These are external objects, not worth mentioning."

In the presence of Ninghai Zen, Lao Dao, and Bai Qi, Qiu Changtian took off his shoe, pulled out a soft insole, and from within, took out an incredibly smooth piece of Dragon Pattern Iron Essence.

As if gilded, it glowed with dazzling brilliance, with intricate dragon patterns winding through, containing rich and extraordinary spirit.

Only... it had a slightly pungent smell.

"Indeed, companions who can share a pot with Master are nothing ordinary."

Bai Qi's face twitched; who would hide such a valuable forging material under an insole?

Doesn't it feel uncomfortable?

"I knew I didn't search thoroughly before; take off the other shoe, maybe there's more good stuff hidden!"

Ninghai Zen didn't mind, let Lao Dao take the Dragon Pattern Iron Essence, and took the opportunity to capture Qiu Changtian, patting him down again.

"Master, be gentle, don't hurt Uncle Qiu."

Bai Qi advised from the side:

"Besides the insoles, check socks, strands of hair; best to inspect thoroughly."

...

...

About half an hour later, Qiu Changtian was finally left impoverished, his meager possessions also completely raided by Ninghai Zen and disciples.

"Old Qiu, you've been declining over the years; in the past, you could gather several major pills for Four Cultivation Grandmasters, now it's all small trinkets."

Ninghai Zen counted the loot, slightly dissatisfied.

"Since Nu Yun River Water Monarch Palace stopped letting me in, the revenue streams cut more than half. Besides, you insisted on washing your hands of it; otherwise, with our skills, there'd be God of Wealth everywhere!"

Qiu Changtian complained; back then, idly wandering, without this fellow providing protection, he'd long be gone.

Thus, he comforted himself silently: money goes around, but giving it to Ninghai Zen is no different than aiding beggars!

"Promised Master to cultivate morality; besides, fighting and killing don't suit my calm and gentle nature."

Ninghai Zen changed the topic, unwilling to delve further:

"Quickly, get up, assess the positive and negative aspects of my disciple's fate."

Qiu Changtian put on his shoes and socks, dusted off the dirt, and tidied up his ruffled hair.

Just from appearance, this top heir from the Observatory Tower undoubtedly looks much more credible than blind fortune-tellers on the street.

He let Bai Qi sit in the central hall, and had him dip his palm in ink, then print the patterns on white paper.

Under the observation of the Void Candle Breath Dharma Eye, Qiu Changtian can skip the elaborate procedure involving Life Fragrance and Five Animals Blood.

"Hmm, the seal is correct, no different from what I just saw. It is the seal of fire forging gold."

Qiu Changtian pointed to the intricate lines on his palm. His eyes shone with a mystical brilliance, revealing the fate seal, which ordinary people couldn't perceive, clearly before him.

"Look, your gold and fire are perfectly balanced, neither more nor less, which is commendable. Many people have gold and fire attributes in their seal, but often they are either too much or too little, which is unattractive.

Gold unrefined doesn't become a tool, gathering gold without fire is just stubborn iron, and thus dull in nature; excessive fire melts the gold easily, shortening lifespan, leading to early death."

Bai Qi seemed to understand somewhat, as he was not very knowledgeable about the mysteries of fate.

But he roughly understood the meaning.

Good! Very good! Excellent!

"Uncle Qiu, is it possible for great prosperity?"

Bai Qi asked.

"Yes."

Qiu Changtian nodded.

"Is it possible for long-lasting fortune and longevity?"

Bai Qi asked again.

"Also possible."

Qiu Changtian nodded again.

"Is it possible to attain immortality and eternal life?"

Bai Qi finally asked.

"You should wash up and go to sleep early."

Qiu Changtian spat, this kid's face is as thick as his master Ninghai Zen.

Not even a thousand-year Secluded Immortal with the rebellious fate to attract Profound Mysterious Divine Soldiers, yet still dreaming of immortality?

I wouldn't dare dream this!

"Uncle Qiu, this main seal is the golden extreme fire forging wondrous seal, what about the secondary seal?"

Bai Qi cleaned the ink off his hand and asked curiously.

"There may not necessarily be one, the main seal is for use, the secondary seal for control. The former examines fate attributes, assessing one's future and fortune, the latter carries an air of mystery, reflecting future changes, and even life flourishing."

Qiu Changtian was quite serious, no longer joking, finally revealing the profound influence of the grand legacy:

"For example, the Grand General Zhao Pijiang of Celestial Water Prefecture, his main seal is Greedy Wolf, naturally destined to achieve great things.

Unfortunately, the secondary seal carries a fiery bell, implying a hint of bloodthirsty and aggressive malice.

As the saying goes, fire meets Greedy Wolf in the fate palace, granting hero status and a noble title.

Yet he is Greedy Wolf stepping on fire, it's reversed."

Bai Qi listened attentively, subconsciously asking:

"Uncle Qiu, how are the two different?"

Qiu Changtian's eyes gleamed like bright flames, exuding a mysterious aura:

"A clay pot breaks above a well, a general inevitably dies in battle. If the fiery bell suppresses Greedy Wolf's fierceness, one might enjoy old age, but with Greedy Wolf stepping on fire, the fierceness increases… Of course, predicting fate isn't without errors, there are always variables.

Like Kou Qiuyue of the Meridian Sword Sect, when I first examined his fate, it showed the strong and prosperous sign of 'Golden flame covering the lamp, shining brightly across eight poles'.

But he defected, and when we met by the Nu Yun River, his fate inexplicably changed to the sign of 'An old tree submerged by spring growth, a sick tree sinking a boat'.

Bai Qi raised an eyebrow, so fate seals can change back and forth?

Before his thoughts could wander and delve deeper, Qiu Changtian had already seen the secondary seal.

This top legacy of the Observatory Tower rarely showed a hint of puzzlement, followed by a complex and astonished expression:

"Black Water flows vigorously… your main seal carries gold and fire, the secondary seal then gathers water? Gold without water dries up, with abundant water gold sinks, like a mighty dragon temporarily trapped in a deep pool, with its fangs and claws subdued."

Ninghai Zen furrowed his brow:

"Is this good or bad?"

How could he understand Qiu Changtian's mystic mumblings?

When it comes to poisons, disguise, and assassination, he's exceptionally skilled.

But deciphering texts and understanding the way is truly frustrating.

Ninghai Zen practiced martial arts since childhood, always valuing spontaneity, felt the breakthrough when it came.

Never encountered bottlenecks or difficulties.

"A mix of good and bad."

Qiu Changtian said solemnly.

"The secondary seal being Black Water and Dragon actually elevates the status of the main seal, making it more refined and noble.

But like a dragon or snake, travels the river and water, destined to face a tribulation!

Born in Black River County, relying on the Black Water River, later heading to Yihai Prefecture and Nu Yun River.

Afraid he cannot escape, a disaster!"