Just Turned Eighteen

The Celestial Master's office.

The heavy scent of sandalwood intertwined with the inky aroma of ancient books.

It was actually just an antique study, albeit with a few modern electrical appliances added.

Like presenting a treasure, Zhang Gonglian brought out two cans of iced Cola from the refrigerator, carefully handing one to Lin Mo first, and then the other to Han Lu.

"Please. This stuff might be seen everywhere outside, but here in our Dragon Tiger Daoist Grounds, it's a ninety-nine percent rarity."

Lin Mo didn't even look. With a casual flick of his finger, a crisp sound echoed as the pull-tab was cleanly popped open.

"What's so rare about it?"

He took a gulp, the ice-cold liquid sliding down his throat. "You've even built a hydroelectric power station here. Is it really that hard to transport a few trucks of beverages in?"

At these words, Zhang Gonglian immediately grew anxious, his face flushing slightly.

"You don't understand, those old geezers..."

"Celestial Master, please mind your words!"

Daoist Priest Gongyue took a step forward, seamlessly blocking Zhang Gonglian, then turned to Lin Mo and cupped his hands in an apologetic salute.

"Layman Lin, you may not know. The limited capacity of the passage between our grotto-heaven and the outside world is one aspect. More importantly, we cultivators should maintain a pure heart and few desires. If the disciples were to become addicted to such worldly beverages, I fear it would disturb their Dao hearts.

Therefore, there is a strict order within the Daoist Grounds that such items are only to be purchased in small quantities, merely as a slight adjustment to daily life."

"I see." Lin Mo nodded and tilted his head back to take another large gulp, his Adam's apple bobbing in a relaxed, carefree manner.

Right at that moment, a rustling sound could be heard.

While Daoist Priest Gongyue was speaking with Lin Mo, Zhang Gonglian had quietly shuffled over to the refrigerator and stealthily fished out another can.

Pssh—

The sound of the pull-tab opening was exceptionally loud in the quiet study.

Daoist Priest Gongyue snapped his head around, meeting Zhang Gonglian's guilty gaze. He let out a long sigh, his tone full of helplessness.

"Junior Brother Celestial Master, you are now the Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain. Your every word and deed sets an example. Please don't act like this anymore."

"I'm already the Celestial Master! What's wrong with drinking a can of Cola?!" Zhang Gonglian stiffened his neck, retorting self-righteously.

"No," Daoist Priest Gongyue facepalmed. "I'm not saying you can't drink it. I mean you don't have to be so sneaky about it. You can drink it openly and honestly, and no one will say anything."

This exchange caused Lin Mo and Han Lu, who were watching from the side, to exchange a glance.

Lin Mo's eyes were clearly asking: The Celestial Master of this generation of Dragon Tiger Mountain is like this?

Han Lu looked at Lin Mo helplessly, her eyes saying: Beats me.

Lin Mo's divine sense had already swept across the entire grotto-heaven blessed land.

He had discovered many interesting things and confirmed many of his thoughts.

But this Dragon Tiger Daoist Grounds, ultimately, did not exceed his expectations.

"Gulp."

Downing the last mouthful of Cola, Lin Mo casually placed the empty can on the table, making a crisp clinking sound.

"Alright then. Since I've seen this generation's Celestial Master and taken a look around here, it's about time I left."

The moment these words were spoken, the air in the study instantly froze.

Lin Mo's single sentence caused everyone's gaze to fall upon him.

Even Han Lu was dumbfounded.

You've got to be kidding? Going through so much trouble to get up the mountain, opening passages and finding the Celestial Master, all for... drinking a can of Cola and doing some sightseeing?

Conversely, Zhang Gonglian's playful expression vanished completely. With a flash, he blocked Lin Mo's path, his previously somewhat lazy posture instantly straightening.

His previous grinning face was gone, replaced by an imposing aura as steady as a mountain.

"Are you... disappointed?" His voice was deep, his gaze sharp.

"Not at all." Lin Mo met his gaze, his expression calm.

"Then why are you leaving?"

Zhang Gonglian stared fixedly at Lin Mo, his eyes looking as if they wanted to nail him to the spot.

Lin Mo suddenly laughed, breaking the dead silence.

"Fine, seeing how reluctant you are to see me go, I'll stay and hang around for a couple of days."

With just one sentence, the frozen air began to circulate again.

His tone was relaxed, carrying a hint of teasing. "Lest word gets out and people say I disappointed you, the Celestial Master of Dragon Tiger Mountain."

Beside them, Daoist Priest Gongyue's tense shoulders relaxed, and he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Lin Mo, acting as if he had returned to his own home, sat firmly in his chair with a commanding posture. Stretching out an arm, he unceremoniously snatched the can of iced Cola from in front of Han Lu.

"Girls shouldn't drink so many carbonated beverages; it'll make you fat."

"You..." Han Lu was speechless. She felt that this guy surnamed Lin was probably cut from the same cloth as Celestial Master Zhang opposite them—both had a screw loose in their heads. If one was crazy, this one was even crazier.

Lin Mo pulled the tab open, tilted his head back, and took a large gulp. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he let out a soft sigh of satisfaction.

Putting down the can, he turned his gaze to the opposite side and asked lazily, "Celestial Master Zhang, if I may be so bold to ask, how old are you this year?"

Zhang Gonglian hadn't yet recovered from Lin Mo's sudden change of heart and subconsciously answered, "Twenty-five."

Lin Mo's divine sense had long seen through Zhang Gonglian's bone age. He didn't find it unbelievable; he just felt it was very similar to those in novels.

An outstanding protagonist.

He nodded and began to analyze in all seriousness, "Becoming the Celestial Master at twenty-five, you must be your master's final, closed-door disciple."

"Indeed."

Before Zhang Gonglian could speak, Daoist Priest Gongyue beside him added with a touch of reverence, "Junior Brother Celestial Master's comprehension is unmatched among our peers. When our master passed the position of Celestial Master to him, all of us senior and junior brothers were sincerely convinced."

These words undoubtedly stamped a seal of approval on Zhang Gonglian's reputation as a genius.

"What about you?" Zhang Gonglian asked in return, his sharp gaze scrutinizing Lin Mo. "How old are you?"

He couldn't see through Lin Mo's bone age. This person seemed to be shrouded in a thick fog, making the Daoist eye techniques he was so proud of completely useless. Even his divine sense yielded nothing.

As for appearance, in a place like the Dragon Tiger Daoist Grounds where people skilled in maintaining their youthful looks were everywhere, it held absolutely no reference value.

Lin Mo crossed his legs and leaned back comfortably, still playing with the can of Cola in one hand.

"Me?" he dragged out his tone, a casual smile hanging on his face, pitching his voice a little. "I just turned eighteen."

"What?!"

Zhang Gonglian's voice suddenly spiked, and he almost jumped out of his chair.

Eighteen?!

His eyes acted like searchlights, sweeping back and forth over Lin Mo, as if trying to find some trace of disguise or alteration.

"You... what kind of joke are you playing!" Zhang Gonglian's tone was somewhat dry. "It's one thing to lie to me, but don't go deceiving yourself."

All along, Zhang Gonglian had lived under the halo of a genius.

Inheriting the position of Celestial Master at twenty-five—looking at any other sect, that was the mark of a genius.

Even if he were asked to reopen the passage from the Dragon Tiger Daoist Grounds to the Celestial Master's Mansion relying solely on his own strength right now, he believed he could do it.

But today, he had met another outsider who could accomplish this feat.

This wasn't much; there is always someone better, a heaven beyond heaven. He understood this principle, and there were others within the Dragon Tiger Daoist Grounds who could do it too.

But the problem was, this outsider whose skills surpassed his own was actually only eighteen years old?!