Chapter 786 - 548: Talismanic Magic!
True Treasure Temple.
The Temple Master is an elderly Taoist nearing sixty, usually keeping to himself, solely focused on spiritual cultivation.
Most of the temple’s affairs are managed by several temple stewards.
Below the Temple Master, there are five stewards in total, with Chen Wugu being one of them.
Besides them, the temple houses five or six apprentices, all relatives of the stewards, assisting daily with hopes of securing a steward position in the future.
Chen Sheng is the most recent among these apprentices, yet most likely to become a steward first!
Especially since Chen Wugu is already aging!
Time quickly passed by, and another five months flew by.
During these five months, Chen Sheng gradually mastered everything a steward should do, attending to each task meticulously.
Offering incense in the shrine, lighting candles, changing offerings, recording visitors’ names and wishes, receiving visitors, interpreting fortune slips...
Simple rituals for blessing, disaster relief, calming spirits, chanting minor sutras, burning talisman paper...
Maintaining the temple’s repairs and overseeing order during temple fairs.
He performed these duties well, earning the praise of Chen Wugu.
On this day, with clear skies and endless visitors, Chen Sheng sat beside the fortune telling table, interpreting fortune slips for a visitor.
Suddenly, he saw the Temple Master accompanying a man in a blue official uniform coming through the temple gate, recognizing him as an official from the Taoist Affairs Bureau.
Chen Sheng felt a slight stir in his heart, yet calmly completed the fortune interpretation, sent the visitor away, and slowly stood up.
Chen Wugu glanced at him, secretly giving an assuring look, gently nodded, indicating he should stay calm and not worry, as he would ensure a smooth assessment.
The official from the Taoist Affairs Bureau examined Chen Sheng attentively, speaking plainly without extra courtesies:
"Are you Xuanyang? Come with me."
Xuanyang was indeed Chen Sheng’s Taoist name. He bowed slightly and responded, "Yes!"
Then he followed the official and Chen Wugu into the temple’s study.
The study was simply furnished, with bookshelves filled with scriptures and texts, the air thick with the scent of ink and sandalwood, the table already set with writing tools and a roll of aged scripture.
"Sit down, copy this excerpt from the ’Dao De Jing’, then recite three scriptures by heart, let me hear."
The official pointed to the scriptures on the table, still stern in tone without any leniency.
Following instructions, Chen Sheng sat down, picked up the brush, dipped it in ink, and began copying stroke by stroke.
During these five months, he copied scriptures daily, becoming familiar with their content and his calligraphy increasingly neat and elegant.
Before long, he had completed the copying of the excerpted scriptures, the writings stately, the paper clean, without a single alteration.
Then, he put down the brush, closed his eyes to compose himself, and slowly recited the scriptures.
His tone was calm, each word clear, enunciated without omission, smoothly flowing through three scriptures.
Chen Wugu nodded subtly, his face showing a comforting expression, and the Taoist Affairs Bureau’s official also nodded slightly.
"Good, you passed."
Only after the official and the Temple Master departed, did Chen Sheng slowly exhale, a barely noticeable relief flashed in his eyes.
During his five months at True Treasure Temple.
He learned that qualifying for Taoist registry and obtaining a license was extremely challenging!
"To qualify for the Taoist registry, three layers of selection must be passed, each indispensable."
"First is strict official control, with rigorous assessment by the Taoist Affairs Bureau requiring chanting hundreds of scriptures, writing documents, and crafting essays..."
"Second is complex internal assessment, requiring proficiency in various rituals, precepts, offerings, proclamations, and talismans..."
"Third is the limited quota, with scarce openings, offering little chance for ordinary people."
A realization flickered in Chen Sheng’s eyes:
"However, in our small county town, the most crucial factor is the third, the quota."
"With Seventh Uncle’s backing, the internal assessment is directly passed, securing the quota, and with the Taoist Affairs Bureau connections smoothed, the official assessment difficulty is significantly reduced, only requiring literacy, as a formality to easily pass."
...
Two days later, Chen Wugu hurriedly arrived at Chen Sheng’s residence, holding a deep blue cloth bag.
In hand, the cloth bag felt heavy. As he opened it, inside was an aged Taoist license, engraved with Chen Sheng’s name, place of origin, along with the Taoist Affairs Bureau’s stamp, the writing orderly, exuding official authority.
"Sheng’er, you made it!"
Chen Wugu’s face beamed with joy, handing the license to Chen Sheng:
"Come, I’ll take you to meet the Temple Master. Once you meet him, you will officially become a steward of True Treasure Temple."
Chen Sheng took the license, stored it securely, and followed Chen Wugu to pay respects to the Temple Master.
The Temple Master sat in the great hall, his expression serene. After hearing Chen Wugu’s report, his gaze fell on Chen Sheng, nodding:
"Xuanyang, you have been in the temple for five months, diligent in your duties, and thoughtful."
"Today, I officially appoint you as a steward of True Treasure Temple, overseeing various temple affairs. Henceforth, you must adhere to the Taoist rules and continue your cultivation diligently."
"Remember the Temple Master’s teachings."
Chen Sheng bowed slightly, his tone respectful and firm.
As he bowed, the familiar light blue panel in his mind slowly appeared again.
The information there had already changed, the writing clear, emitting a faint glow:
[Name: Chen Sheng]
[Luck: Thirteen]
[Occupation: Taoist 0 Level (0/10)]
[Skills: Pharmacology Level 3, Surgery Level 1, Fortune Interpretation Level 1, Ritual Level 1]
Chen Sheng’s consciousness landed on the panel, his eyes instantly flashed with excitement, silently pondering:
"Joining the Taoist registry and becoming an official steward directly increased my Luck points, from the previous 5 points to 13 points."
"It seems this ’position’ indeed can greatly enhance one’s value and fortune."
"Most importantly, the occupation has finally been activated!"
...
Returning to his residence.
Chen Sheng fixed his gaze on the occupation section.
"Requires 10 Luck points!"
"Scatter wealth and regather it, let’s add points!"
His heart stirred as he decisively shifted the Luck points on the panel, watching the numbers instantly fluctuate and decrease.
[Luck: 3]
Simultaneously, the occupation section changed accordingly.
[Taoist Level 1 (0/100)]
Almost instantly, a line of new information emerged.
[Acquired Skill: Talismanic Magic]
"What is this?"
Chen Sheng was slightly taken aback, the next moment, a cool aura suddenly rose from his lower abdomen, spreading throughout his body, a refreshing and invigorating sensation.
Numerous insights about Talismanic Magic and application techniques flooded into his mind, distinct and vivid, as if he had studied Talismanic Magic for years.
With a thought, he casually took out a pre-prepared Talisman Paper from his bosom, placing it on the table.
His wrist moved, swiftly drawing upon the Talisman Paper.
The movements were smooth and natural, seamless, without a hitch, as the cool aura slowly seeped into the Talisman Paper.
In the next moment, a miraculous scene unfolded!
The ordinary yellow talisman suddenly ignited a pale blue flame, gently drifting like a dancing butterfly.
Chen Sheng’s eyes immediately brightened:
"The self-ignition of Talisman Paper!"
"Though phosphorus can achieve this, mine is genuine Talismanic Magic!