Baiyun Temple, a major Taoist sect.
Hundreds of direct disciples, though most struggle to achieve immortality, all possess cultivation talent. The older ones have lifespans exceeding a hundred years, with four to five hundred years of practice.
Additionally, each generation has exceptionally gifted disciples who surpass mortal lifespans, crossing the threshold of five hundred years of practice. They can ride clouds and harness mists, refining qi for longevity.
It is said that dozens of such Taoist masters reside in seclusion in the back mountains of Baiyun Mountain. The eldest among them even witnessed the founding of the Jing Dynasty, boasting thousands of years of practice. This is the foundation of Baiyun Temple’s renowned reputation.
Lu Zheng, as an outer lay disciple of a Baiyun branch temple, was brought by Master Mingzhang to the main temple to be registered in the Taoist records. The two main reasons for this were his remarkably fast cultivation speed and his mastery of the Body-Fixing Charm.
While many geniuses shine brightly in their early years, their progress often slows later. However, mastering the Body-Fixing Charm makes Lu Zheng exceptional.
Even among the dozens of masters in the back mountains, not all have mastered the Body-Fixing Charm.
Thus, under Master Mingzhang’s guidance, Lu Zheng was registered in the Taoist records and went to pay respects to the current temple master, Master Mingyu.
Master Mingyu personally transmitted the core technique of Baiyun Temple, the *Innate Cloud-Transforming Qi Scripture*, replacing the *Baiyun Common Qi Refining Scripture* that Lu Zheng had previously practised.
With this, Lu Zheng had now learned all the core techniques available at Baiyun Temple.
Master Mingzhang advised, “Now that you’ve learned the *Qi Scripture*, you must cultivate diligently. Your cultivation speed won’t always remain this fast.
Even Uncle-Master Qingsong, when he first entered the Taoist sect, gained two hundred years of practice in a single year. Yet, breaking through a thousand years of practice took him ten years, and progress will only slow further.”
Lu Zheng nodded, indicating his understanding.
Cultivation and learning are similar. Even accumulated years of practice do not grow linearly. When progress stalls and lifespan is exhausted, the body perishes, and the soul returns to the heavens.
“By the way, you mentioned preparing gifts for the temple. I won’t go with you. Let Yuanjing take you to the rear hall to find Senior Brother Mingguang. He handles the temple’s logistical affairs.”
Master Mingzhang felt awkward about escorting Lu Zheng to deliver gifts to the temple. Although Lu Zheng had mentioned preparing gifts for the main temple on the way, Master Mingzhang first ensured the registration and transmission of techniques were completed before letting Yuanjing accompany Lu Zheng.
“Yuanjing knows where my courtyard is in the temple. You can explore the temple, but return before evening lessons. I’ll take you both to attend them.”
After giving these instructions, Master Mingzhang left alone.
Yuanjing led Lu Zheng to the rear hall, asking softly along the way, “What did you prepare for the temple? Is it something like this cloud-patterned sword?”
Yuanjing patted the long sword hanging at his waist, a gift from Lu Zheng.
Since Yuanjing was often injured, and Lu Zheng had prepared gifts for the main temple, he naturally wouldn’t overlook his senior brother. He had given Yuanjing a sword the previous year.
“Exactly,” Lu Zheng said with a smile. “And some wine. Though they’re mortal items, they’re a token of my sincerity.”
Lu Zheng planned to use fine wine to build connections with the great powers of this world, so he naturally offered some to his own sect first.
Yuanjing glanced enviously at the gourd hanging at Lu Zheng’s waist. “Having a magical tool that can store the universe in a mustard seed is so convenient!”
Along the way, Lu Zheng took out various foods and wines from the gourd. Master Mingzhang and Yuanjing were already aware of Lu Zheng’s gourd.
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, chuckling. “Senior Brother, why not go to the back mountains and ask one of the old ancestors for a similar tool?”
Yuanjing waved his hands repeatedly. “Don’t joke! Even Master doesn’t have one. How would I dare?”
They arrived at the rear hall and found Master Mingguang, who was busy.
Though Master Mingguang was of the Ming generation, his cultivation seemed modest, perhaps due to limited talent, so he managed logistics.
“Uncle-Master Mingguang!”
Yuanjing and Lu Zheng greeted Master Mingguang and explained their purpose.
Master Mingguang chuckled. “You’re thoughtful, but Baiyun Temple is vast and lacks nothing. Cultivation is hard, so you should keep these for yourself.”
Lu Zheng blinked but said nothing. Yuanjing, however, grinned. “Uncle-Master Mingguang, don’t underestimate my junior brother. Do you think he’s offering mere coins or trinkets?”
Master Mingguang stroked his beard, sizing them up. “Is that not the case? You came from Yizhou. Did you bring a caravan?”
Yuanjing scoffed, unfastened the sword at his waist, and handed it to Master Mingguang. “Uncle-Master, what do you think of this sword?”
“Oh?” Master Mingguang took the sword and drew it with a flourish.
*Clang!*
A soft ring echoed as a flash of cold light passed through the hall, drawing the attention of several Baiyun Temple disciples still working.
“A fine sword!”
Master Mingguang’s eyes lit up. “Did Nephew Yuanjing prepare several such fine swords?”
A good sword is vital for subduing demons and eliminating evil. Each generation, young disciples of Baiyun Temple die at the hands of demons. A fine sword for protection could reduce such incidents significantly.
Yuanjing glanced at Lu Zheng. He didn’t actually know how many swords Lu Zheng had prepared, but a finely forged sword like this, worth three thousand guan, was unlikely to be plentiful.
Lu Zheng smiled faintly, looking at Master Mingguang. “Shall I place them here?”
Master Mingguang glanced at the large table before him, then back at Lu Zheng, confused by his words.
Are your swords stored at Master Mingzhang’s courtyard? Do you expect me to go fetch them?
Before Master Mingguang could respond, Lu Zheng unfastened the gourd at his waist, opened its lid, and said, “Release.”
The next moment, thirty long swords flew out of the gourd’s mouth, growing in size as they emerged, landing one by one on the table before Master Mingguang.
They piled up impressively!
Master Mingguang was dumbfounded, stunned that Lu Zheng possessed a storage artifact.
Even more shocking was the number of top-quality swords.
“Thirty swords!”
Lu Zheng inwardly smirked. He had quietly withheld seventy more, having originally prepared a hundred.
However, he figured too many fine items might diminish their value and seem excessive, so he kept seventy back.
Even so, the display was astonishing.
Master Mingguang looked at the thirty swords on the table, all with leather scabbards, brass handguards, and cloud patterns carved on their surfaces, exquisitely crafted.
He drew one at random. The blade gleamed with cold light, razor-sharp, with elegant cloud patterns, no less impressive than Yuanjing’s sword.
Master Mingguang’s eyes widened in shock!
Such a sword was worth at least three thousand guan on the market!
While Baiyun Temple wasn’t short of funds, it wouldn’t spend three thousand guan on a mortal sword, especially since such swords weren’t always available for purchase.
“Wonderful, wonderful! You’re truly thoughtful.” Master Mingguang was overjoyed. “With these swords, our disciples will have greater protection when travelling the world! I must report this to the temple master and record your contribution!”
*Buzz!* The jade seal began to draw in energy.
Lu Zheng beamed, delighted. After all, over a hundred and eighty strands of fortune’s light was no small gain.
By gifting Baiyun Temple, he earned both their gratitude and a harvest of fortune’s light, truly a win-win!
