Chapter 18 - Not Accepted

Chapter 18 - Not Accepted.

Su Qing didn't pay much mind to the old tortoise's words.

Whether she succeeded or not was up to fate and the Old Mother.

Knowing how to get to the Old Mother's Hall, Su Qing didn't linger.

After a brief word of thanks, she set off again.

Although the area around Mount Li was still sparsely populated, it was close to Xianyang and not entirely devoid of people.

Therefore, Su Qing had to avoid villages and pedestrians.

Her progress was naturally hindered somewhat.

Su Qing hid by day and traveled by night, avoiding mortals.

Although her speed was affected, after about ten days of travel, she finally arrived outside the Old Mother's Hall.

As a demon, Su Qing's unannounced arrival at the Old Mother's Hall could be considered trespassing.

Naturally, the people inside would not be unaware.

The moment Su Qing arrived, a young girl attendant emerged.

The girl was exquisitely beautiful, like a jade carving, and wore a simple and elegant light-green Daoist robe.

She sized up Su Qing and seemed to discern something about her, her attitude not unfriendly.

The girl formed a Daoist hand seal and said:

"Great green snake, why have you come to the Old Mother's Hall instead of cultivating in the mountains? This is not a place you can just come to!"

Su Qing flicked her tongue and said, "I wish to become a disciple."

"Become a disciple?"

Hearing this, the girl seemed to find it amusing:

"My master hasn't accepted a disciple in over three hundred years! You should leave."

"But aren't you just a little child?" Su Qing said instinctively.

The girl chuckled. "I am merely an attendant. Although I also call the Old Mother 'Master,' I am not a disciple."

"Then I'll be an attendant too. As long as I can learn something..."

"This..."

The girl was silent for a few seconds, then said:

"Very well, the Old Mother is not resting right now, so I will help you. But I cannot guarantee whether she will accept you."

"Thank you, little friend."

Hearing this, Su Qing was quite grateful.

Whether she succeeded or not, Su Qing would surely remember this kindness.

The girl said no more, turned, and vanished from outside the hall. Read at Novels Haven (novelshaven.com)

Clearly, this girl's power was not simple...

Seeing this, Su Qing couldn't help but sigh in admiration...

Even an attendant at the Old Mother's Hall was stronger than her.

Truly worthy of being the temple of an ancient, powerful being.

It was certainly an eye-opening experience.

However, even though the girl went to announce her, Su Qing didn't hold out much hope.

It was better to let go of her expectations first; that way, any outcome would be easier to accept.

Su Qing did not wait long...

The girl reappeared.

"The Old Mother has ordered me to bring you in," the girl said slowly.

"Does this mean the Old Mother has agreed to take me as her disciple?"

"I don't know... The Old Mother only told me to bring you in and said nothing else," the girl shook her head.

"I see..."

Su Qing nodded her serpentine head and thanked the girl again.

The girl paid it no mind and led Su Qing into the Old Mother's Hall.

Inside the hall, smoke swirled and the scent of incense was strong...

Here, Su Qing could feel it even more clearly.

The difference between this place and the temples and monasteries she had passed on her journey was immense...

The other places simply couldn't compare.

The girl led Su Qing before the statue of Li Shan Lao Mu and gestured for her to coil up properly and not break anything.

Su Qing did as she was told.

Before long...

The statue of Li Shan Lao Mu opened one eye and stared at Su Qing for a moment.

"Little snake... what is it that you seek?"

"I ask the Old Mother to accept me as a disciple and teach me the way to long life."

A light chuckle followed.

"I see... Little snake, you should return! I will not accept you as my disciple!"

"Then I do not seek long life, only a method of cultivation."

However, Li Shan Lao Mu continued:

"It is not that I am unwilling to teach you the way to long life... it is simply that you are not suited to be my disciple. I have nothing that I can teach you." Read at Novels Haven (novelshaven.com)

"Furthermore, I cannot take you as an attendant either. As a great green snake, you wouldn't be of much help even as an attendant."

"This..."

Although Su Qing had anticipated this, she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

She thought for a moment and said, "In that case, I wish to cultivate myself. Might I ask the Old Mother to point me toward a clear path?"

Hearing this, the Old Mother chuckled lightly and said:

"Since I have refused you, pointing you toward a path is not a problem."

"You must go west... After you reach Xi He Niu Zhou, look for a woodcutter leading a green ox."

"When you see him, be respectful. Then ask him where the Cave of the Three Stars is!"

"If he feels you are fated, he will tell you!"

"Then you can go to the Cave of the Three Stars and seek out Patriarch Bodhi..."

Su Qing was stunned, staring blankly at the statue of the Old Mother for a long time.

She didn't know if it was a coincidence that the Old Mother told her to find Patriarch Bodhi...

But she had indeed planned to seek out Patriarch Bodhi after being rejected here.

As for the Old Mother's hint...

...and the woodcutter leading a green ox.

Su Qing wasn't actually sure who that was.

But since it was a hint from the Old Mother, Su Qing committed it to memory.

"Thank you for your guidance, Old Mother!" Su Qing bowed clumsily.

"No need to thank me..." Li Shan Lao Mu said faintly.

"Then how do I get to Xi He Niu Zhou?"

"Just go west!" A wisp of green smoke blew from the statue's mouth, entered Su Qing's mind, and a voice said, "I give you this map."

"Thank you, Old Mother!"

"It is nothing... nothing." The Old Mother spoke, closing her eye. "If there is nothing else, you should return. It will be dawn soon. If you remain here, you might frighten the mortals."

Su Qing nodded at her words.

She followed the girl out of the Old Mother's Hall.

On the way, the attendant looked at Su Qing and said, "Actually, I felt that the Old Mother was somewhat inclined to accept you as a disciple at first."

"Why do you say that?"

"She allowed you into the hall."

"Then why didn't she accept me in the end?"

"That I don't know. Perhaps she truly felt it wasn't a good fit?" Read at Novels Haven (novelshaven.com)

The girl and the green snake exchanged a few simple words along the way.

They soon arrived outside the hall.

"I can only escort you this far..." the girl said. "The journey to Xi He Niu Zhou is long... I wish you a safe trip."

"I'll take your good wishes, little sister," Su Qing nodded.

Without lingering, she turned and left.

She had hit a wall here, but she had also received guidance. The next step was to head toward Xi He Niu Zhou.

As for whether she could find Patriarch Bodhi...

That would depend on whether she had the fate for it.

"What if I hit a wall with Patriarch Bodhi too?"

Su Qing flicked her tongue and shook her head.

If she was rejected there as well, then she would just find another way!

As they say, all roads lead to Rome.

If one path is blocked, you just take another.

Su Qing was not a snake who was easily discouraged.

After Su Qing left, the girl returned to the Old Mother's Hall.

She asked the Old Mother, somewhat puzzled, "Old Mother, why didn't you accept that green snake as your disciple? I thought you seemed quite pleased with her."

"It's not that I'm unwilling to teach her, but I feel that learning from me is truly not as good as seeking out Patriarch Bodhi."

"But will that Bodhi... accept her?"

"He will."

"Why?"

"It is a heavenly secret." The Old Mother chuckled lightly. "Little girl, don't ask so many questions... That little snake possesses great destiny."

The girl nodded, not quite understanding.

She only felt that the world of adults was so complicated...