Daoist Mingzhang nodded.
“For a core disciple, I’d need to report to the main temple and have you recorded in the core registry, but a lay disciple is much simpler.”
Nominal disciples really aren’t taken seriously…
“I can directly accept you and record you in the branch temple’s registry, just notifying the main temple.”
So, it’s agreed?
“Greetings, Master!” Lu Zheng’s eyes gleamed, and he immediately kowtowed.
None of that modern nonsense about not kowtowing, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
“Hold on, even if it’s less formal, you’re still a nominal disciple of Baiyun Temple. In a moment, your senior brother will set up an incense altar in the Three Pure Ones Hall, and I’ll explain the precepts, register you, and pass on the teachings.”
“Yes!”
Lu Zheng stood with a smile, pushing the wooden box forward, “Perfect, this sword can serve as my apprenticeship gift.”
Daoist Mingzhang smiled, stroking his beard, though he didn’t think much of Lu Zheng’s gift, given his modest background, what kind of divine weapon could he offer?
Still, the gesture was heartfelt, and that pleased the Daoist.
“Good, then I thank you.”
He casually opened the box, glanced inside, and froze.
The black buffalo leather scabbard, with cloud patterns that seemed to flow, and intricate brass fittings, clearly the work of a master craftsman.
His eyes flashed as he lifted the sword, gripping the hilt.
“Clang!”
The cloud-patterned tempered steel dazzled his eyes.
“What a sword!”
“Buzz!”
The jade seal trembled lightly, strands of fortune’s light pouring in, Lu Zheng stared, silently counting up to twenty-nine.
“What’s going on?”
“That’s way too much!”
“Why has Master’s fortune changed so drastically?”
“No matter how great the cloud-patterned sword is, it’s just an object, surely not enough for this?”
Daoist Mingzhang plucked a hair, placed it on the blade, and blew gently.
Silently, the hair split in two.
“Sharp enough to cut a hair with a breath, Lu Zheng, where did you get such a fine sword?”
With their master-disciple bond confirmed, the Daoist began calling him by name.
“Heh, I have my sources.”
Unwilling to lie, Lu Zheng kept it vague, also testing the Daoist slightly.
After all, it was just a sword.
“Fine, I won’t pry,” Daoist Mingzhang chuckled, “but this apprenticeship gift is truly substantial. A weapon like this, if sent to the capital, would fetch at least three thousand strings of cash.”
“As long as Master likes it.”
“Good!” The Daoist nodded, pleased, “With such a fine weapon, I can rely on it for protection.”
Lu Zheng’s eyes flickered, a protective treasure…
Could this sword help Master avoid a deadly calamity in the future?
That would explain the surge of fortune’s light.
“Master, I know this sword is a divine weapon for mortals, but is it also valuable for cultivators?”
Daoist Mingzhang tested the blade’s spine, feeling its resilience and strength.
“Very valuable,” he nodded.
“Ordinary blacksmiths might never produce such steel in a lifetime.
Cultivators, though more precise in crafting, expend great mental energy and don’t make it their trade.
Most common cultivators can’t all have divine weapons for protection.”
“Of course,” his tone shifted, “such weapons are still mortal blades, forged without spiritual power, lacking supernatural abilities. Their sharpness aids common cultivators, but they’re useless to true masters, so…”
“So we can’t rely on external objects, our own cultivation must be strong.”
“Well taught!”
Lu Zheng blinked, now aware of the value of the patterned steel blades he brought from the modern world.
Even among low-to-mid-tier cultivators, they were highly prized!
In the capital, worth three thousand strings!
…
Noon, Baiyun Temple, Three Pure Ones Hall.
Offer incense!
Kowtow!
Serve tea!
Receive precepts!
Register!
Receive teachings!
Finally, as part of the Yuan generation, Lu Zheng received his Dharma name, Yuanzheng.
The grand initiation ceremony complete, besides receiving key scriptures and techniques, Lu Zheng also met all the Daoists of Tonglin County’s Baiyun Temple.
The most important, besides Daoist Mingzhang, were his junior brother, Daoist Mingjun, and a core disciple, young Daoist Yuanjing.
These three were registered with the main temple and had higher cultivation, the other seven or eight resident Daoists only held branch temple status.
Strictly speaking, their status was similar to Lu Zheng’s.
But if they advanced their cultivation, they could join the main temple’s registry, while Lu Zheng, unless he chose to reside as a Daoist, was capped at this level.
Baiyun Temple’s precepts were straightforward, adhering to 21st-century moral standards made one a good disciple.
The greatest surprise was the teachings, true to being an insider, Mingzhang gave Lu Zheng three books.
One, *Baiyun Common Refining Qi Scripture*.
One, *Five Talisman Techniques*.
One, *Cloud Mist Transport Technique*.
The first was a qi-refining scripture, far superior to the *Meridian Breathing Method*, focusing on circulating true qi, absorbing spiritual energy, enhancing physique, and strengthening the soul, with far better qi quality.
The second taught using true qi to draw talismans, including five types: peace, qi-seeking, evil-repelling, swift-travel, and breath-concealing, covering warning, tracking, combat, escape, and stealth, a complete system.
Along with the talisman techniques, Mingzhang gifted Lu Zheng a stack of yellow paper and a box of cinnabar.
The third was a minor technique for long-distance transport, allowing Baiyun disciples to move objects through cloud mist.
Next, Daoist Mingzhang explained the key points of the three books.
“Cultivation paths differ, but refining essence, qi, and spirit is fundamental. The *Baiyun Common Refining Qi Scripture* focuses on qi, with essence and spirit as auxiliaries, it’s of excellent quality. Study it well, and when your qi reaches a certain level, the temple will grant further techniques.”
“Yes!”
“Since you don’t intend to reside in the temple, come back with any questions. Even if I’m not here, your Uncle Mingjun or Brother Yuanjing can guide you.”
Lu Zheng gave a dry laugh and thanked him again.
“Alright, go home,” Mingzhang waved, “and no need for merit money in the future.”
“Yes, Master.”
Lu Zheng nodded, but while he agreed, he’d bring other gifts on future visits, mutual benefit ensures longevity.
