Chapter 448 - 447: Yuxian Sect
Compared to the few old Daoists who had appeared before, Taoist Qingwei was arguably one of the most familiar figures from the Taoist Sects to netizens. Many of his previous interviews and performances were still posted online.
This performance was recorded by a professional camera crew, and with countless tourists watching and taking pictures nearby, it was immediately spread across the internet.
Netizens finally got to witness the power of an Extraordinary Being from the Taoist Sects up close. Since Taoist Qingwei was already so familiar to them, there was a particular sense of relatability.
And so...
Zhenwu Mountain experienced another tourism boom!
As the premier tourist destination among contemporary Taoist mountains, Zhenwu Mountain was already nearly at capacity. The Sanfeng Sect, in particular, grew even more secular and commercial, opening martial arts halls and wellness centers that were instantly swamped with people.
However, just as the clamoring crowds were hoping to run into Taoist Qingwei again, they discovered that not only was the man himself nowhere to be found, but even his three most famous disciples had disappeared.
...
Of course, Taoist Qingwei had taken Master Hai Taoist, Master Shima, and Master Shiyu back through to the Daluo Palace in the Otherworld. First, he familiarized them with the Quanzhen Sect’s Inner Alchemy Technique and the Zhengyi Dao’s Eight Divine Curses. Then, he distributed Magical Treasures and led them down the mountain for Exorcising Demons and Evil Spirits.
As for Gu Zhao, he had arrived in Yu Province.
Yu Xian Palace. The name was grand, and it was located in the suburbs of Luodu. It had flourished several hundred years ago as the Ancestral Court of the Yuxian Sect, founded by Ma Yu, the head of the Quanzhen Seven Elders.
However, as the Yuxian Sect gradually declined, Yu Xian Palace also fell into disrepair.
But recently, with the appearance of the Extraordinary and the manifestation of true masters, the Taoist Sects had become wildly popular. Yu Xian Palace rode this wave of popularity, and as the Ancestral Court of the Yuxian Sect, both government funding and incense-burning tourists had increased.
"Looks like the Yuxian Sect won’t be dying out after all."
In the back courtyard of Yu Xian Palace, an old Daoist and a middle-aged Daoist listened to the clamor of voices from the front courtyard. Seeing the noticeable increase in young Daoists in the back, smiles spread across both their faces.
"Even without all this, the Yuxian Sect wouldn’t die out," the middle-aged Daoist said with a smile. "Brother Fa Ren from Dan Yang Temple to the south is also a True Cultivator of the Quanzhen. I hear his disciple is more than capable of carrying on his legacy."
The old Daoist shot the middle-aged one a glare. "That’s a credit to Fa Ren’s judgment and skill. What are you so happy about?"
The middle-aged Daoist poured the old man a cup of tea. "I’m just trying to put your mind at ease. Dan Yang Master was humble and open-minded, magnanimous and unrestrained. You’re his direct successor, you can’t be so petty."
The old Daoist rolled his eyes, picked up his teacup, and drained it in one gulp. "If I were petty, you never would have been accepted into the sect!"
"Yes, yes, of course!" the middle-aged Daoist agreed readily, then refilled the old man’s cup.
Just then, they saw a young man stroll in, a smile in his eyes as he looked at them.
The middle-aged Daoist stood and performed a Daoist salute. "Hello, this is the back of the Taoist House. We don’t receive tourists here."
Gu Zhao returned the salute. "I’ve heard that Taoist He Xin has a fiery temperament and despises evil, while Taoist Fa Li is kind-hearted, loyal, and filial. I have come specifically to invite you to discuss a matter of great importance."
"A matter of great importance?" Taoist He Xin looked at Gu Zhao. "What great matter?"
"Punishing the wicked and eliminating evil, and Demon Suppression," Gu Zhao said seriously.
Taoist He Xin was taken aback. Taoist Fa Li asked curiously, "And you are...?"
Gu Zhao continued, "I will provide the platform for you two. You will be the ones to act, and we’ll split the rewards seventy-thirty."
The two Daoists instantly understood.
Taoist He Xin laughed loudly. "If you want to punish the wicked, I suggest you report them to the police station next door. As for Demon Suppression, you’ve got the wrong person. This old Daoist has no such skill!"
Taoist Fa Li said coolly, "My master and I have no intention of making a public spectacle of ourselves. You have indeed come to the wrong person."
Ever since the Extraordinary had appeared, all sorts of creative works about Daoism had sprung up like mushrooms after the rain. There were official new movies registered with the film bureau, documentaries from state media and major platforms, and of course, online Daoists promoted by various MCN agencies.
The two of them assumed Gu Zhao was just another businessman who saw the emergence of the Extraordinary and planned to recruit some Daoists, set up a company, act as a manager, and have the Daoists perform scripted acts on stage.
Otherwise, in modern society, where would one find wicked people to punish or demons to suppress?
"I haven’t made a mistake," Gu Zhao said with a smile. "Taoist He Xin has a background as a security officer, and Taoist Fa Li was once apprehended by his master here. You are both professionals, precisely the kind of talent Daluo Palace needs."
Not to mention Taoist He Xin’s relevant professional background, Taoist Fa Li could think like a criminal, helping to find Demons and Ghosts hiding in the Otherworld. After all, when those Demons and Ghosts concealed their auras and hid their tracks, even a Thunder Seed would need to be close to sense them.
"Hm?" Taoist He Xin and Taoist Fa Li both looked up at the same time.
It wasn’t strange that he had found them, but knowing their backgrounds was anything but ordinary. After all, Taoist He Xin had taken off that uniform and joined the Taoist Sect over thirty years ago, and very few people knew about his relationship with Taoist Fa Li.
"Who are you?" Taoist Fa Li asked with a frown.
Gu Zhao let his Daoist aura emanate. "Taoist Xi Ning of West Mountain mentioned you to me. He hopes to be able to fight alongside you."
CRASH—
Taoist He Xin knocked over the teacup in his hand as he shot to his feet. "You’re the master of the New Grotto Heaven?"
"New Grotto Heaven? Master?" Gu Zhao was puzzled.
Taoist Fa Li explained, "There are many Daoists in the Taoist Sects who have cultivated Inner Breath True Qi, but because the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi is limited, none have been able to achieve Soaring Clouds and Mist or Call the Wind and Summon the Rain.
"But Taoist Xu Ning, Taoist Yuan He, Taoist Yan Qi, and others were suddenly able to reach those legendary realms. Naturally, this means they have an abundant supply of Spiritual Qi for their cultivation.
"It’s said that they all left their respective mountain sects, and before they left, they all met a certain young man."
Taoist Fa Li’s gaze on Gu Zhao was filled with a complex emotion. "Therefore, many in the Taoist Sects believe that this young man discovered a Grotto Heaven Blessed Land full of Spiritual Qi and is inviting True Cultivators to enter it and cultivate."
Gu Zhao understood. This was a theory among some insiders in the Taoist Sects, likely circulating only in small circles of the True Dao. That’s why the Taoist Office didn’t know, and why he hadn’t heard about it either.
"New Grotto Heaven? Master?" Gu Zhao shook his head with a smile. "Not a New Grotto Heaven, but a new world. And I’m not a Grotto Heaven Master; I am merely the Sect Leader of Daluo Palace."
Gu Zhao looked at the two of them. "Although the new world is full of Spiritual Qi, it is also fraught with danger. Demons and Ghosts are everywhere. Are you two willing to join, to enact justice on behalf of heaven and slay demons and evil spirits?"
Taoist He Xin slammed his hand on the table and shot up, his beard bristling with indignation. "You should have come to me first! Xi Ning is weak-willed, and Xu Ning is just a woman! I have a background as a security officer—I’m much more suitable than they are!"
Taoist Fa Li put a hand to his forehead.
Gu Zhao laughed heartily. With a flick of his finger, he sent two Thunder Seeds into the Seas of Consciousness of Taoist He Xin and Taoist Fa Li.
Once the two had activated their Innate Qi and their bodies were baptized by the Thunder Seeds, Gu Zhao transmitted Taoist He Xin’s words to Taoist Xi Ning of the Quanzhen Huashan Sect at West Mountain and Taoist Xu Ning of the Lao Mountain Pure Sect.
"From here, you can sort it out yourselves," Gu Zhao said with a smile.
Then, the voices of Taoist Xi Ning and Taoist Xu Ning echoed in Taoist He Xin’s Sea of Consciousness.
"Brother He Xin, that was low! Just you wait until you get here. We’ll see how I ’welcome’ you!"
"Brother He Xin, I have long heard of your great name. I, Xu Ning, will be waiting with tea prepared."
Taoist He Xin was speechless.