Chapter 787 - 549: Faith
"The profession is unlocked, directly bestowing extraordinary power!"
"Compared to simply adding skill points, this is far superior!"
"Fortunately, I held back and didn’t waste the air on those basic skills, otherwise, it would have been a huge loss!"
Chen Sheng had experimented with the power of ’Talismanic Magic’, feeling quite excited:
"Just as well, my body is weak, normal methods have slow recuperation effects!"
"Let’s see the extraordinary power."
Chen Sheng picked up a sheet of Yellow Talisman Paper, a bottle of cinnabar, a wolf-hair brush, and then brought over a bowl of clear well water, putting them neatly on the table.
He held his breath and focused his mind, gently turning his wrist, the brush tip dipped in cinnabar moving swiftly like a dragon on the Yellow Talisman Paper, with lines fluid yet stable.
In just a moment, a simple yet subtly extraordinary rune took shape, emitting a faint red light, quickly merging into the talisman paper.
Chen Sheng picked up the prepared talisman paper, muttering incantations, and the talisman paper turned into a wisp of red light, slowly sinking into the well water.
The originally clear water surface shimmered with a barely detectable light.
A bowl of the simplest talisman water was thus refined!
Chen Sheng lifted the porcelain bowl, looking at the calm, undisturbed water inside, his lips slightly curled:
"This talisman water can nourish the body and increase Primordial Qi, with excellent effects!"
Without hesitation, he tilted his head and drank the talisman water in one gulp.
The warm liquid slid down his throat without the slightest off-taste, leaving only a strand of warmth swiftly spreading through his meridians to his entire body.
In the next moment, a gentle, rich warmth exploded from the Dantian, flowing gently through his limbs and body, filling him with warmth, and his entire being radiant.
The weakness and fatigue in his body caused by the loss of Primordial Qi were almost instantly washed away.
But this comfort lasted only a moment before a stark emptiness emanated from the Dantian.
The series of actions - talisman making, incantation, water fusion, power conversion - had nearly depleted the pure extraordinary power in the Dantian.
The originally full sea of Qi now felt utterly empty, not a trace of breath could be captured.
Yet, Chen Sheng’s face showed no hint of panic. This power was not some fleeting air, gone forever once lost; it was like physical strength, capable of gradual recovery.
"Though exhausted today, just by calmly regulating the breath, it would be fully recharged in a day."
Chen Sheng smiled gently, slowly stretching his arms, no longer weak or powerless as before; every time he clenched his fists, he could clearly feel the long-lost strength.
He took a deep breath, his chest expanded much more, even his vision became brighter.
"The body’s deficit is replenished, truly a quick fix!"
Amidst the joy, Chen Sheng’s gaze fell on the profession level section of the panel.
[Daoist Level 1 (0/100)]
Chen Sheng’s brow slightly furrowed, falling into thought.
"The next level, a full hundred air points... this number is quite a dilemma."
Silently calculating in his heart, from the trajectory of previous air growth, the most direct and effective way to quickly accumulate remains elevating one’s identity and status.
In this society, assets and wealth are firmly tied to identity and status.
Chen Sheng paced slowly to the window.
Outside, the True Treasure Temple’s field was quiet and empty, with silent trees and vegetation. He glanced at this familiar yet small world and shook his head lightly.
"Normally, I’m now just a temple tributor of True Treasure Temple; this path has essentially reached its end."
The Temple Master has his own son, and in the future, the power of this True Treasure Temple will surely be passed to his descendants, how would it be given to an outsider?
Stepping back, even if by luck he becomes the Temple Master, what then?
Merely presiding over a small Daoist temple, with no rank or status, unworthy of the court’s eyes, unable to even touch the genuine upper-class circles.
He lifted his eyes towards the direction of Ning County in the distance, as the dusk deepened, his gaze grew steadily profound.
"This mere True Treasure Temple is too small in scope; the upward space has already reached its limit."
"To truly climb higher, travel farther, it’s essential to leap out of this petty world, reaching greater depths and contacting those truly holding power."
For others, this would be dreaming.
"Being a shaman is not so easily done? Especially those in court holding power, each remarkably shrewd!"
But for Chen Sheng...
His gaze unconsciously fell upon that aspect of the panel in his mind. As his eyes paused on the words [Talismanic Magic], a few traces of profound confidence burgeoned in his heart.
During these months in the Daoist temple, he gathered much information and has yet to find extraordinary power beyond himself.
This is his greatest reliance, the foundation of his existence in this world.
"If only the golden finger were stronger, directly sweeping through this world, then there’d be no such hassle?"
Chen Sheng shook his head, continuing to ponder quietly:
"The current emperor of Great Li is at his peak, and there’s never been a rumor in court of venerating Dao, cultivation, or seeking longevity."
Thinking of this, he lightly sighed, his heart inevitably harboring a touch of regret.
If encountering a Daoist Monarch Emperor obsessed with immortality, longing for longevity, relying on the talismanic magic in his hands, he might have a chance to soar to the skies, easily seizing the high position and abundant air.
But the next moment, he said to himself:
"Yet, it’s no matter."
"Anyone in high positions, which one doesn’t fear death and crave longevity?"
"The emperor, ministers, noblemen, the more powerful they are, the more they fear calamity and covet life."
"As long as the talismanic magic I have is true, potent, and miraculous, there’s no worry about making a name in front of these big figures."
Chen Sheng’s eyes shone briefly, planning in his heart to rebrand himself as the Enlightened True Master!
If he could become a national teacher, his status and position would be entirely different, and the growth of air would naturally follow.
"The predecessors of the past left quite a few stories for reference."
Standing still, numerous tales of deceit and trickery surged in his mind.
"Fish belly book, foxes barking at night, coincidentally, my name is also Chen Sheng..."
"Talismanic water healing, winning hearts, the heavens are dead, let the yellow sky rise..."
"Maitreya descends, the wise king saves the world..."
He turned his thoughts around and gently shook his head.
"Why are they all paths to rebellion?"
Calming his heart and pondering for a moment, he suddenly chuckled and thought to himself:
"Exactly! I already possess extraordinary powers."
"Compared to being a national teacher who relies on others and watches the emperor’s mood, it truly suits my intentions better to be a ’Great Teacher of Virtue’."
"If you can be a person, why be a dog!"
But the matter of rebellion is extremely risky!
Far more difficult than conjuring spirits and seeking favor, allowing no rashness, every step must be planned carefully.
Chen Sheng turned and walked to the desk, raising his hand to pick up a wolf hair brush, his fingertips lightly touched the plain white paper.
The ink slightly blurred, his gaze was resolute, and he had already made his decision.
"As the saying goes, without investigation, there’s no right to speak."
"The urgent matter is to first conduct an investigation in Ning County!"
Understand the joys and sorrows of the people’s livelihood, the direction of popular sentiment, explore whether there is soil for rebellion and whether there are potential forces or people to utilize.
Only with a thorough understanding of all details can a prudent strategy be established, taking the crucial first step.
...
In the afternoon.
Inside the front hall of the True Treasure Temple, smoke swirled, and candlelight flickered.
The hall enshrined the statue of the Goddess Bixia, glowing with a golden body and a gentle face, the altar filled with incense and offerings of fruits.
Chen Sheng stood alone by the statue, holding a divination cylinder:
"Madam Zhou, please!"
Madam Zhou, with a prosperous household, was a frequent visitor to the temple, usually the most devout, coming on the first and fifteenth day of each month to offer incense and pray for blessings.
She held the divination cylinder, gently shaking it a few times, letting a bamboo stick slide out:
"Daoist Zhang, you really must help me interpret it well."
"I came today, first to ask the Goddess Bixia to bless my grandson with safety and success, and to soon start his education, second to ask the Goddess to bless my tailoring shop with continuous prosperity."
"Daoist, do you think this divination will fulfill my wishes?"
Chen Sheng took the bamboo stick, engraved with "Middle Luck," with a line of small characters beside it — All desires will have their time, all thoughts will have their response, sincerity makes spirit, blessings come from the east.
He nodded slightly:
"Madam Zhou, you drew a lucky stick, a good omen."
"Madam, look at this stick text ’All desires will have their time, all thoughts will have their response,’ meaning that the matters you wish for in your heart all have hope, as long as you are sincere, they will certainly be fulfilled."
"Firstly, your grandson, this stick foretells that he is endowed with intelligence and pure character, just needs a bit of guidance to achieve academic success in the future."
Madam Zhou nodded repeatedly, a smile appeared on her face:
"Daoist speaks well, very well!"
"My grandson is indeed clever and lively, just a bit playful. I was worried he wouldn’t devote himself to studying in the future. Hearing Daoist say this completely reassures me!"
Chen Sheng continued:
"As for your tailoring shop, the stick text ’Blessings come from the east’ is a positive sign."
"Your shop has always had an excellent reputation, magnificent craftsmanship, and reliable material, which is the foundation."
"In the future, just continue to adhere to your principles, and business will naturally flourish, even grow bigger."
He paused, adding:
"However, I have a suggestion, occasionally make some well-fitting plain clothes and donate them to the surrounding poor."
"First, it’s to accumulate virtue and do good, to add blessings to your household, also to establish good relations for your grandson."
"Secondly, it allows more people to know your craftsmanship, spreading your reputation widely, naturally bringing more blessings. This is what the Goddess wishes to see."
These words brought great joy to Madam Zhou, she clapped her hands repeatedly:
"Good! Good! Daoist’s words make too much sense! How come I never thought of this angle!"
"From now on, I’ll definitely let my family make more plain clothes and give them to poor folks, as it accumulates virtue for my grandson and adds blessings and fortunes to my tailoring shop!"
Chen Sheng nodded:
"Sincerity makes spirit, as long as you harbor good thoughts and pray devoutly, the matters you wish for will certainly be fulfilled."
Madam Zhou nodded repeatedly, went to the offering table, respectfully bowed three times to the statue of Goddess Bixia Send Children, and then took out a string of copper coins from her sleeve, smilingly said:
"Daoist, please help me prepare two high incense sticks to offer to Goddess Bixia Send Children, beseeching the Goddess to bless my household with all matters smooth, and also bless Daoist with future prosperity and health."
"Rest assured, madam."
Chen Sheng took the copper coins, turned to take two high incense sticks, lit them, and firmly inserted them into the incense burner on the offering table.
Madam Zhou kept kneeling before the statue for a long time, with a devout expression, muttering prayers all for blessings, and when she looked at Chen Sheng, her eyes were filled with respect and belief.
After praying, Madam Zhou bowed to Chen Sheng, smiled and said:
"Daoist, thank you so much today, I’ll head back now. In the future, I’ll definitely come often to offer incense and listen to your divination interpretation."
"Take care, madam."
Chen Sheng nodded slightly, watching Madam Zhou leave the hall.
At this moment, the familiar light blue panel in his mind slowly surfaced, the information on it quietly changed.
[Fortune: 4]
Chen Sheng’s pupils slightly contracted, looking at the panel, he immediately understood the source of this point — Devout belief!
"Fortune isn’t only linked to wealth and status."
"As the saying goes, incense fortune! Those intangible beliefs, those followers’ awe and gratitude, are also sources of fortune!"
He was overjoyed, this meant his rebellion endeavor would proceed even more smoothly!
Next, his gaze instinctively turned towards the statue in the hall:
"However, most of this belief is absorbed by these statues, I just got a bit of residue."
"In time, I must devise a way to avoid the middleman profiting!"