Scripture of Days Past

Chu Qiguang offered incense and prayed before the Demon Vanquishing Talisman, but the talisman showed no reaction.

Has the talisman's power been exhausted? Jiang Longyu wondered with a puzzled expression.

The other trainees were thinking along similar lines. After all, in their eyes, it was practically impossible for someone in this day and age to have progressed so far in both martial arts and Dao arts cultivation while being a non-believer.

Zhao Lingxiao stepped forward to examine the Demon Vanquishing Talisman. When he turned back to look at Chu Qiguang again, there was heavy disapproval in his eyes.

"Try again," he instructed.

Chu Qiguang could only repeat the process, but he knew it wasn't going to work because he didn't believe in the Profound Origin Dao Lord at all.

In particular, after seeing those strange tentacles emerge from the Demon Vanquishing Talisman, it had become even harder for him to believe in the Profound Origin Dao Lord.

The only saving grace is that this is the Demon Vanquishing Department, not the Heavenly Master Religion, so being a non-believer isn't some unforgivable crime. Still, this will most likely affect the Demon Vanquishing Department's appraisal of me. It might even ruin my chances of receiving one of the four orthodox arts.

Jiang Longyu's eyes widened in astonishment as he exclaimed, "Chu Qiguang! You don't believe in the Profound Origin Dao Lord?!"

Li He was also completely bewildered.

He's a third-state martial artist and a third-state Dao artist, yet he doesn't believe in the Profound Origin Dao Lord? He could succumb to demonification at any moment!

With that in mind, a hint of sympathy appeared in his eyes.

In contrast, Chi Shude was glowering at Chu Qiguang with angry resentment in his eyes. He was acting so earnest and devout just now! I can't believe I ever saw him as a rival! A non-believer like him will surely fall prey to demonic tainting long before he reaches his full potential!

Huang Xiangyu had been trying to ride on Chu Qiguang's coattails, so he was also astonished. Never had he expected Chu Qiguang to be a non-believer.

The first thing Huang Xiangyu thought of wasn't the risk of demonification. Instead, it was Chu Qiguang's political future.

Everyone in the imperial court believes in the Profound Origin Dao Lord. If he's a non-believer, then he's surely going to be discriminated against by everyone! This is an even bigger problem than making an enemy out of the Vast Heavens Faction. At the very least, there are other factions to turn to outside of the Vast Heavens Faction, but if you don't believe in the Profound Origin Dao Lord...

Meanwhile, Zhao Lingxiao was glaring intently at Chu Qiguang. The more he thought about the earnest display Chu Qiguang had put on earlier, the more infuriated he became. However, at the same time, he couldn't bring himself to give up on someone with such exceptional talent.

It's a real shame that such a brilliant prodigy doesn't believe in the Profound Origin Dao Lord. As a disciple of the Heavenly Master Religion, I was sent to Jade Face Mountain to spread our religion within the Demon Vanquishing Department. Those who are strong in their faith, such as Chi Shude and Jiang Longyu, are most certainly worthy of my guidance, but does that mean I should abandon ignorant non-believers like Chu Qiguang?

No. On the contrary, those who already believe no longer require much guidance from me. Misguided youths are the ones I must put more effort into. Perhaps this is a test that the Profound Origin Dao Lord has set for me.

With that in mind, Zhao Lingxiao's expression softened a little. He pulled Chu Qiguang to the side and said, "The Profound Origin Dao Lord has blessed you with exceptional talents, but if you do not believe in Him, your chances of succumbing to demonification will greatly increase. Right now, you are the only non-believer among the thirty-two trainees. Do you understand what that means?"

Chu Qiguang was struck by the urge to roll his eyes in exasperation, but outwardly, he put on a frantic expression and replied, "I truly want to believe in the Profound Origin Dao Lord. I don't know why the Demon Vanquishing Talisman didn't react!"

Zhao Lingxiao was quite pleased with Chu Qiguang's attitude. It seemed that he wasn't beyond saving.

"If you want to reach your full potential, then you must build a strong foundation of faith," Zhao Lingxiao said. "Otherwise, all of your talents will go to waste. From this day forth, you will read Daoist scriptures with me every day. I refuse to allow you to stray any further down the path of blasphemy!"

Fuck! Chu Qiguang cursed inwardly.

Wasting time reading Daoist scriptures was the last thing that he wanted to do, but he could tell from Zhao Lingxiao's stern expression that he was in no position to refuse, so he could only agree. Zhao Lingxiao was very pleased to see that Chu Qiguang was eager to make amends.

Meanwhile, Chu Qiguang's mind was racing as he considered how he could turn this into an opportunity.

He certainly didn't want to have to waste a large chunk of the coming year reading Daoist scriptures with Zhao Lingxiao. He knew himself better than anyone else, and he knew there was no way he could believe in any deity. For someone like him, who had been taught basic science from a young age, it was far too difficult to believe in any religion.

Furthermore, he had already seen the unsettling secret hidden within the Demon Vanquishing Talisman through his Dao pursuer eyes, and that only made it even more difficult for him to believe.

Hold on a second... There are a huge number of scriptures in the Heavenly Master Religion, so this could be an opportunity for me!

With that in mind, he put on a forlorn expression and said, "I grew up in a really secluded village, and my family didn't have much money to offer to the Daoist temple, so I rarely got to visit the Daoist temple. I never had the chance to read any Daoist scriptures to learn about the Profound Origin Dao Lord's wisdom. That must be why my faith is lacking."

Zhao Lingxiao was immediately convinced by this excuse.

I have to make him read Daoist scriptures. Once he sees the brilliance of the Profound Origin Dao Lord, he will surely believe.

Having made up his mind, Zhao Lingxiao instructed the other trainees to recite Daoist scriptures on their own for the time being, while he took Chu Qiguang to the study behind the Daoist temple.

"From today onward, you will be reading Daoist scripture here every day. If you see anything you don't understand, you can come and ask me."

As soon as Chu Qiguang stepped into the study, he immediately felt his Ring of Ignorance begin to heat up.

I knew it! The Ring of Ignorance is drawn to the knowledge of other major religions and sects, so it must be drawn to the knowledge of the Heavenly Master Religion as well!