Ning An's Wild Wish System

Following these words, a middle-aged Daoist walked in from the doorway.

He appeared to be in his forties, dressed in religious robes, with a serene and ethereal countenance, his posture as upright as a pine tree. As he strolled through the human world, he exuded the essence of an Immortal with every gesture.

Among those present, there were many Quanzhen Daoist Masters older than him, but they all stood up respectfully, nodding slightly.

This person was none other than Xu Qinglai, the Temple Master of Baiyun Temple, holding the highest authority among the Quanzhen.

Moreover, whether in Quanzhen or Zhengyi, he was the number one in Cultivation Level here!

Even Zhang Yuanyi, skilled in cultivation, could not surpass him due to age-related reasons.

Xu Qinglai was an apprentice chosen by the old Temple Master of Baiyun Temple after more than ten years of search.

Upon seeing Xu Qinglai for the first time, the old Temple Master laughed heartily and said straightforwardly: With this disciple, our Baiyun Temple shall flourish.

After being taken to Baiyun Temple by the old Temple Master, he immediately became the Temple Master’s direct disciple, naturally talented and with exceptional foundations.

The Cultivation Technique he practiced was the "Supreme Jade Emperor Heart Seal Scripture", the most exquisite Inner Alchemy Method of the Quanzhen Sect.

It emphasizes Embrace the Essence and Guard Unity, being Calm as Still Water, Vomiting the Old and Absorbing the New, The Great Dao Can Be Achieved!

It is said, Cultivating Meditation, Guardian Yellow; Life-extending Medicine, Soul Reviving Potion.

Swallow a Golden Core into your belly, revert to childhood and extend your life; no matter how many techniques, they all turn fanatic without this.

From generations of Immortals, ascend to heaven, depart from earthly troubles; get the key formula of Golden Core Medicine, extend your life and dwell in the world forever.

This cultivation paves a path to longevity, repaying the teacher’s kindness and thanking the heavens!

The cultivation of this technique can benefit health and mind at the least, and at most prove the Dao and ascend to true enlightenment.

Persist in reciting and holding, not only can it open mystical insights, gradually comprehend the true meaning, but also impress upon high saints for support in Dao power.

Though the technique is profound, it also depends on the practitioner’s innate talent.

If a fool attempts to cultivate, even if given a Celestial Book, he won’t understand it.

It’s like in Journey to the West, why didn’t the Great Saint teach his mystical techniques to his disciples?

The reason is simple, those monkeys couldn’t understand it at all, let alone enter the path.

This is why the path of cultivation values aptitude above all.

For a prodigy like Xu Qinglai, to say his aptitude is unparalleled in the world wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

His cultivation speed is the fastest, coupled with Baiyun Temple’s transcendent status, he vaguely became the leader among everyone in this Daoist School.

Hearing this, the Zhengyi Sect members fumed inwardly and were about to retort when they heard a cold snort from the door:

"Humph, hypocrisy is hypocrisy!"

"With the phrase ’Natural Daoist Skill’, can you Quanzhen, who go against human habits, truly comprehend it?"

After these words, four people walked in from outside the door.

They were Zhang Yuanyi and others just returned from the meditation session, and it was naturally the younger, hot-tempered Lin Nanbei who just spoke angrily.

Zhang Yuanyi had yet to speak when Song Liang couldn’t hold back any longer, directly confronting Xu Qinglai:

"Even if you don’t kill chickens and ducks, what use is feeding them? Not killing cattle and horses, how do you obtain leather? Not killing pigs and sheep, what do you have for sacrifice? If advocating no killing, should we not cut bamboo and wood, where would we get firewood? Not felling trees, where would we build houses, isn’t it absurd?"

"Not harming their eggs, not injuring their young, not wasting them in vain; when needed, take the grown ones and kill them, how is this killing? Horses have merits in assisting dynasties, cattle have the virtue of nourishing people, they die naturally when old, why must we kill them? How can we lack bamboo and wood? Do not pluck grass seedlings when they are growing, cut them timely, how can it be useless?"

Zhang Yuanyi now slowly spoke: "Junior brother, you’ve learned too much, perhaps you’ve forgotten our Daoist fundamentals."

"Absurd! Our Daoist fundamentals, Quanzhen has its own explanation, humph!"

Before Xu Qinglai could rebut, an elder Daoist Master from Quanzhen Sect stood up to argue on his behalf.

And Xu Qinglai, with a calm expression, looked at the few who entered without any sign of anger.

The debate just now was indeed an age-old conflict over the orthodoxy between Zhengyi and Quanzhen, a cliché issue that has persisted for over a thousand years without anyone yielding, but rather escalating more intensely.

"Senior brother’s Dao heart is resolute, junior brother admires."

Xu Qinglai waved his sleeve as a gesture of salute.

But as his sleeve billowed, a gentle breeze blew towards the door, in a blink of an eye, the slight breeze transformed into a howling gale, storming towards those at the door.

"Ha, junior brother flatters."

Zhang Yuanyi chuckled, not in a hurry, but raised his hand, nodding calmly.

As he lifted his hands, another inexplicable wind arose, with a strange whistling, directly dispersing the gale.

"Junior brother, it seems your practice in the Jade Emperor Skill has made great progress," Zhang Yuanyi cupped his hands as a gesture of return.

"Not at all, with just senior brother’s skill in Huajin, even if I pursued for another decade, I’m afraid I still wouldn’t catch up," Xu Qinglai replied with a smile.

"So, shall we eat? Let’s not let the other Daoists enjoy the show any longer."

"Indeed, indeed, please."

After exchanging compliments, they each took their seats, and in this scenario, the people in the dining hall found nothing amiss.

It was a common occurrence for Zhengyi and Quanzhen Sects to clash, being courteous as if nothing happened would be strange.

And earlier, Xu Qinglai and Zhang Yuanyi were the strongest forces of the two sects.

Though everyone’s thoughts were racing, nothing showed on their faces as they quietly consumed their vegetarian meals.

The dishes on the table, whether the all-vegetarian for Quanzhen or the mixed for Zhengyi, weren’t the focus. The focus was on the small bowl of corn porridge each had.

This porridge was much thicker compared to the Yang Family’s thin broth, deserving of the name porridge.

For these Daoist cultivators, Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi could barely satisfy their cultivation needs.

To speed up their cultivation, they needed these external auxiliary spiritual objects.

One could say, with or without these spiritual aids, the cultivation speed differed like heaven and earth.

Just when everyone was about to finish their meal, a young man entered the dining hall and said, "Apologies for the interruption, but could Daoist Masters Xu Qinglai, Zhang Yuanyi, Ren Shuyun, Tian Dian, and others please meet in the side hall after your meal?"

After naming nine Daoist Masters, the young man made a bow and left directly.

After his departure, though the dining hall seemed unchanged with everyone silently eating, their subtle expressions couldn’t hide their thoughts.

Within the Daoist School, besides these cultivators, there were also official personnel present.

However, having been there for days, they lived in separate areas and had no interactions.

Now, this was their first encounter with the officials.

Those Daoist Masters called by name quickly lost interest in their meal and headed to the side hall directly.

As they walked away, the dining hall buzzed with low murmurs.

"What do you think the officials want with this sudden summons?"

"Isn’t it obvious? They must be choosing the head of the school. We’ve so many people, no one submitting to another. If an issue arises, we can’t rely on the officials for suppression all the time, can we?"

A Daoist calmly continued eating while speaking.

"But isn’t it said that the head of our Daoist School has already been decided?"

"Yes, and not just the head, even the principal of the Talisman College has been determined long ago. What’s going on now?"

"Could it be that those two are unwilling to come?"

"Heh."

The Daoist put down his bowl and chopsticks, wiping his mouth with his sleeve, a faint smile playing on his lips. "It’s apparent someone thinks they’re capable, then."

"Jingye, don’t speak carelessly!"

Lin Nanbei quickly stepped forward, smoothing things over: "Those two are accustomed to the life of a recluse, and besides, we haven’t even started. They wouldn’t be able to teach us anyway."

Though the explanation was feeble, it at least provided an excuse.

For those who came here, regardless of how good their foundation is, apart from those particularly fond of cattle, the other Daoist Masters certainly weren’t lacking in emotional intelligence.

To put it bluntly, they’re all trying to make a living in the mortal world, so why pretend to be aloof?

As everyone’s attention shifted, Lin Nanbei turned back, looking frustrated at Li Jingye: "Have you gone mad? Such matters are beyond us!"

"Don’t use that tone with me."

At this moment, Li Jingye no longer had the appearance of an honest person, speaking gloomily:

"We’re all official people, whether Zhengyi or Quanzhen, they all know."

"Zhengyi naturally follows the principle of Natural Daoist Skill and leads a comfortable life, but here in Quanzhen, I’ve suffered enough cold shoulders, and not only that, I haven’t even received basic respect!"

"If an old hag from Quanzhen becomes the head, wouldn’t my future be even more tough..."