Da Zaojun

Chapter 188 Daoist Lin Fajing

Although the spoils from raiding homes are plentiful, they are not enough to substantially increase one's cultivation. However, as the Taichang Realm grows stronger overall, the people become stronger, and the more people Song Wuji helps to spread the flame, isn't that another form of stable growth?

A few days later, Master Hu, who had been calculating the birth charts of children, selected several whose destinies contained the Ten Spiritual Days, the Canopy Star, the Child Star, the Taiji Nobleman, and the Heavenly Nobleman.

These were the standards for accepting disciples at the Iron Pillar Palace. Seeing that there was nothing else to do, Song Wuji went there himself, leading them to the Iron Pillar Palace, intending to also pick up some Buddhist ritual implements and see if the Taoists of the Iron Pillar Palace would take them back.

Even Master Hu needs to learn; otherwise, with only divination skills and no internal cultivation, he won't live long.

Huang Qiaoyun wove a carriage out of bamboo strips and rattan, which was pulled by tamed wild dogs. Twelve wild dogs were operated by a disciple of the Beggar Clan to move the carriage.

The space inside the carriage is three times larger than the original space, equivalent to a bedroom, and is large enough to accommodate Song Wuji, Hu Banxian, and eight spirit children.

None of these eight children were over twelve years old, which is a requirement for Iron Pillar Palace to accept disciples.

In addition, some Taoist apprenticeship gifts were prepared, but Song Wuji had no idea what kind of rules they were.

In addition, each person was given a stick of incense. When they became disciples, they were to remember to offer incense to the ancestral master. Song Wuji didn't have much of this incense either.

Upon arriving at the foot of Xiaoyao Mountain, they saw that there were already ten thousand families, as well as some hired craftsmen, building a manor.

The difference between Zhuangzi and ordinary villages is that it has walls. The Wan family demolished the abandoned village, took some useful materials from it, and made plans in advance.

Song Wuji only glanced around briefly and did not get out of the car. In this area, apart from the possibility of demons and monsters that might have become powerful underwater in Luohu Lake, there were at most only demons of the ninth rank or so on land, which were actually quite easy to deal with.

But it's hard to say. If, like the nights before when the sun and moon were full, the Emperor's Dew would fall, then the current spiritual energy revival is only at a "primary" stage, and those demons and monsters will grow rapidly.

Upon arriving at the mountain gate, Song Wuji took Hu Banxian to formally become his disciple.

The sheds that used to be in front of the mountain gate have all been demolished, and Tiezhu Palace no longer opens its mountain gate to ordinary people for missions.

The gatekeeper and the guest master, who were skilled in observing qi, arrived early and said to Song Wuji, "A few days ago, we saw the qi flowing freely and the laws being set up, so we knew it was the work of a realm master."

Song Wuji said, "Now that the Six Paths are out of order, the wilderness seems to have become the territory of the Demon Path and the Netherworld Path. So we have spent some effort to occupy some land and expand outward to the Human Path."

"These eight children were carefully selected from the realm, their destinies imbued with the Dao, and we hope they can become disciples of the Iron Pillar Palace."

"As for this Half-Immortal Hu, I don't need to become his disciple or learn any minor techniques or secret formulas."

Song Wuji didn't waste any words and went straight to his purpose.

The Taoist priest said, "The matter of becoming a disciple is not my responsibility. However, since the Lord of the Realm has come again, I would like to invite you to have a cup of tea. It just so happens that it is Qingming Festival recently. The palace has picked a batch of pre-Qingming tea, which is almost ready. Although it has not yet lost its heat, it is still worth a taste."

"That would be disrespectful."

Tea leaves are also a good thing. We can harvest some when the time comes. If all else fails, we can ask if there are any tea seedlings and cultivate a couple. When we go to the underworld, we'll have to feast the ghosts and gods.

The Taoist priest led Song Wuji, Hu Banxian, and eight spirit children into the Taoist palace.

Instead of heading towards the worship hall, one should turn left. At the end of the left-hand corridor lies the Taoist quarters, the inner courtyard, and the dining hall, which are the living areas for the Taoists.

However, even though it was a Taoist temple, Song Wuji still saw a small shrine.

Is this a local earth god temple?

“Indeed, this is the Jintan Earth God Temple.” The Taoist priest said, “There are several kinds of Earth Gods. The Earth God of our Taoist mountain gate is the Jintan Earth God. He is in charge of the affairs of the temple and also assists Taoists in issuing documents and sending gold and silver, etc.”

“There is a mantra: Golden Altar Earth God, the most divine, ascends to heaven and reaches earth, emerges from the netherworld and enters the underworld.”

“The land outside, of course, also includes the land of silver altars, but these are not the gates of the orthodox Taoist temples and monasteries built by imperial decree. They are the altars set up by ordinary Taoist temples and monasteries.”

“The land in those villages, communities, and towns outside is ordinary land.”

"Don't underestimate this small local temple. As the local deity of Xiaoyao Mountain, he is a seventh-rank official! He is on par with the City God."

"Why is the Lord of the Realm so curious about this local deity?"

Song Wuji immediately told them about his appointment as the land deity of the eastern part of the city, which he did not hide. He also wanted to ask whether Taoist temples or Buddhist temples generally offer services for inviting gods to perform consecration ceremonies.

Although the old physician Li had attained a divine position, he did not yet have a statue of him and needed to sculpt one from clay. Song Wuji wanted to ask if there were any ready-made statues here, and whether the Iron Pillar Palace could also make some shrines or similar structures.

"I see." The Taoist priest stroked his beard, looking enlightened, and then said, "My founder of the Iron Pillar Palace was also a Celestial Master, with the ability to bestow titles upon deities."

Before long, the steward and supervisor of the Iron Pillar Palace arrived. They were all there to assist the abbot in managing all affairs of the Iron Pillar Palace, including personnel matters.

In particular, Song Wuji brought eight spiritual children to learn Taoism.

The abbot was a fat Taoist priest with squinty eyes and a cheerful smile, holding a wooden ruler in his hand.

The two Taoist priests were thinner, with a bitter and resentful expression, and a goat-like face. They held a bamboo ruyi in their hands. The two Taoist priests first bowed to Song Wuji, and then examined the eight children, feeling their bones and asking them some questions, such as whether their parents allowed them to cultivate Taoism and whether they could read.

Then the supervising Taoist said, "Lord, we, the Iron Pillar Palace, will accept these eight children. However, they will have to serve as children for a while. Whether they can be accepted as disciples depends on whether any senior or junior brothers are willing to take them as disciples."

He added, “In terms of aptitude for cultivation, aside from whether one has the right affinity or not, one also considers one’s destiny, physical constitution, innate capacity, and comprehension. These children have only ordinary physical constitution and innate capacity, so it depends on their comprehension. Even if they cultivate the Tao, I’m afraid they may not achieve anything great.”

Song Wuji said, "It's alright, as long as you learn a skill."

The pipeline manager nodded: "Of course. As long as they are not lazy, they will be allowed to graduate after a few years of experience."

Song Wuji laughed and said, “In my city, there is a City God Temple. Originally, there was only one temple keeper, but he was killed by the previous City God. Now it is empty and needs some Taoist priests to move in, preside over the incense offerings, and comfort the people. When they have completed their training, they can move into the City God Temple.”

Upon hearing this, the abbot was slightly tempted and exchanged a glance with the steward: "Lord of the region, how about sending a Taoist priest from our Taoist temple to be the abbot of the City God Temple?"

Song Wuji wanted a reliable Taoist priest like Uncle Jiu: "I wonder who the candidates are, and what their skills are?"

"In my Dao Palace, there are several Daoists who came from blessed lands and grotto heavens. Among them is Lin Fajing, a Daoist disciple of my Iron Pillar Palace. In terms of status, he is above ordinary high-ranking Daoists. However, he has been cultivating since childhood and has never experienced worldly affairs."

"He was skilled in the art of talismans and prayers, and was also well-versed in divination, medicine, alchemy, and crafting."

Song Wuji asked, "What is his cultivation level?"

"It's just a little bit short of being refined into a talismanic elixir." The supervising Taoist priest was somewhat pleased with himself.

Song Wuji estimated, "So it's about the seventh rank?"

“Indeed,” the supervising Taoist priest said. “What does the realm lord think?”

"May I have the honor of meeting you?"

"It's natural."

The abbot immediately summoned a young Taoist boy and asked him to invite Lin Fajing.

According to these Taoist priests, besides the main Xiaoyao Mountain, there is another blessed land called Xiaoyao Mountain, with an Iron Pillar Palace on each side.

Now, the Taoist priests outside have gone inside to cultivate in seclusion, while the Taoist priests inside have gone outside to preside over the mountain gate.

Taking advantage of this time, Song Wuji asked Hu Banxian again about whether he could learn martial arts.

"How about this, stay at our Taoist temple for three months, attend the morning and evening classes with us, and learn from these Taoist disciples. Whatever the disciples learn, Fellow Taoist Hu will learn too. As long as it doesn't involve the fundamental laws, there are no barriers to ordinary minor techniques. However, in the art of talismans, without ordination, one can only draw some unorthodox talismans and cannot borrow the power of the patriarch."

"Learning some minor skills is enough." Song Wuji's requirements were not high.

Before long, Lin Fajing arrived. He was about fifteen or sixteen years old, with delicate features and a handsome young man. He was wearing a Taoist robe, carrying two swords on his back, and had a talisman pouch at his waist.

"Nephew Abbot, what brings you here?"

Upon hearing Lin Fajing address the abbot as his junior disciple, Song Wuji almost burst out laughing. No wonder the abbot wanted to send this guy away; he was actually a generation older than him. His master must be extremely virtuous and respected, and his Taoist skills must be very profound.

“Uncle Fajing, this is the Lord of Taichang. There is a City God Temple in his territory, but it is currently unattended. Therefore, I recommended you to go there. Taichang is a place where humanity is thriving. This Lord is also capable. In just a few months, he has led the people to gain a foothold in this final calamity of demons.”

"The food smells so good!" Lin Fajing, with his childlike heart, couldn't help but sniff Song Wuji. "It smells much better than the food made by the head chef!"

His eyes darted around: "Meals included?"

Song Wuji sensed that the two swords behind him were like two dragons sealed in their sheaths. Although they were not drawn, they were still very intimidating, and must be two excellent swords.

Seeing his extraordinary talent, Song Wuji began to consider the possibility of entrusting him with the care of the city when he descended to the underworld.

Even if a powerful demon came up, even if he couldn't defeat it, he could still take down the old ones. He immediately nodded and said, "I have the duties of the Kitchen God, and I do have the aroma of food on me. If you, young Taoist priest, are willing to stay here, I will certainly welcome you with open arms and prepare a feast for you."

"The Kitchen God!" Lin Fajing's eyes lit up. "No wonder! No wonder!"

He immediately announced, "I agree!"

The supervisor was overjoyed and asked, "Should we inform the old man?"

“He is studying the Great Law with the Abbot, so there’s no need to talk to him.”

"let's go!"

His impatient manner made Song Wuji begin to doubt whether he was reliable or not.

(End of this chapter)