Controlling the Five Thunders and the Two Worlds

Chapter 214 The Old Taoist Priest of the Shangqing School

Master Shenhao is over ninety years old. He is tall and thin, with a solemn and dignified expression. He has white beard and white hair, and especially a pair of white eyebrows that droop down from both sides. Although he looks as thin as a bamboo pole, he has actually achieved success in cultivating Qi and is still vigorous.

However, the rituals required a great deal of preparation and lasted a long time. The younger generation was worried that the elders would not be able to handle it, so they did not let him preside over the rituals, but only watched from the side.

Master Shenhao was naturally happy to have some free time, especially since the Palace Master of Wanfu, who was presiding over the ritual, was his prized disciple.

“Life is better now!” Daoist Shenhao looked at Daoist Yuzhang beside him.

Master Yuzhang was his good friend, more than ten years younger than Master Shenhao. Although his hair was already gray, he had a pair of thick black eyebrows. He came to visit him and sat next to the old master to watch the Qingming Festival ritual together. Hearing this, he echoed, "He is much better."

Both of them came from hard times, and their current situation is something they could hardly have dreamed of back then.

Master Shenhao is getting old and now only enjoys blessings at Sanmao Mountain, while Master Yuzhang is at the age where he can run and jump, and has obtained a tour guide license, traveling all over the country.

"Have you been to the Celestial Master's Mansion recently?" Master Shenhao turned his head and asked. "How is Elder Mingyu?"

The three schools of Shangqing, Zhengyi, and Lingbao are all one family of talismans, which is why Daoist Shenhao and Daoist Mingyu know each other. As true Daoists who have cultivated inner energy in modern society, they admire each other.

“They’ve gone.” Master Yuzhang nodded, then shook his head. “Neither Senior Brother Mingyu nor Senior Brother Mingchong are here.”

Master Shenhao was taken aback upon hearing this, and frowned as he asked, "I don't understand why Mingchong isn't here, but why isn't Mingyu here either? Is he sick and hospitalized?"

"No, I heard they went to Guangzhou," Master Yuzhang replied.

"Yangcheng?" Master Shenhao thought for a long time but couldn't think of any famous Zhengyi Taoist temples in Yangcheng. "What would you do in Yangcheng? If you want to preside over the ordination ceremony in Hong Kong, you should go to Pengcheng instead."

"I don't know, Zhiqing didn't say." Master Yuzhang shook his head.

“I know that.” A middle-aged Taoist priest leaned over. “I went to a meeting in the province a few days ago and heard that the Taoist Association has set up a Taoist research institute in Guangzhou.”

Master Shenhao and Master Yuzhang both looked at the middle-aged Taoist priest, who said, "I heard that Master Yihong of Baiyun Temple in Yandu first proposed it, and later Master Mingyu also participated. Both of them are the directors of the research institute, so they should both be in Guangzhou."

Master Yuzhang was very curious, "I've heard of Master Yihong, but Senior Brother Mingyu probably doesn't know him, right?"

The middle-aged Taoist priest shook his head. "I don't know the specifics. I've only heard that this research institute is quite high-end. Only when Daoist Yihong and Daoist Mingyu personally invite you can you go there to cultivate."

Master Shenhao frowned. "What kind of high-end research center is this? It's all so fancy and flashy."

Master Yuzhang pressed further, "Whom did they invite?"

"I didn't pay much attention, after all, I was just listening to their gossip after dinner." The middle-aged Taoist priest recalled carefully, "It seems that there were two old Taoist priests from Qingcheng Mountain, a Taoist priest from Fengdu Temple in the mountain city, and in the end, they also called a young Taoist priest from the Baxian Palace in Qin Province to do odd jobs."

Master Shenhao was a little dissatisfied, "Why didn't you call me?"

The middle-aged Taoist priest quickly comforted him, "You are old and it is inconvenient for you to travel. Besides, this is obviously just a vanity project, so there is no need to worry about it."

Master Shenhao glanced at the middle-aged Taoist priest, somewhat puzzled. "I don't know Yihong, but Mingyu shouldn't be that kind of person."

Master Yuzhang didn't seem to care, and instead laughed, "I'll go to Guangzhou in a couple of days and see for myself, then I'll find out."

Just then, the Qingming Festival ritual was coming to an end. The two stopped chatting and watched as the presiding monk offered three incense sticks. Then, spiritual energy rose into the sky from a secluded spot behind the palace, and the drizzle instantly dissipated.

"What!?" Master Shenhao's eyes widened in surprise.

Master Yuzhang immediately stood up and looked in the direction of the rising spiritual energy. He saw the dark clouds gradually dissipate, revealing a rainbow and patches of auspicious clouds resembling cranes. At the same time, the middle-aged Taoist priest presiding over the ritual, the elderly Taoist priest assisting him, and the young Taoist priest leading the crowd at the back all turned their gazes toward the rear.

While the Taoist priests were casting their gazes toward the woods behind the palace, Gu Zhao had already been observing them with his divine sense.

"So this old Taoist priest knows Uncle Mingyu." Gu Zhao nodded. No wonder Master Mingyu suggested that he come to Sanmao Mountain.

Although the oldest Taoist priest seemed to be in good spirits, he was ultimately a dangerous person. It would be a real pity if he accidentally missed the recruitment schedule.

“They are about the same age as Daoist Yanling, so they might have something in common.”

Gu Zhao looked at Daoist Shenhao and then at Daoist Yuzhang. “This one has bright eyes and looks full of energy. We can take him with us.”

Daoist Shenhao and Daoist Yuzhang stood up and walked towards the location where the spiritual energy had erupted without hesitation.

Abbot Hanzheng of Wanfu Palace handed the petition to his assistant, signaling the end of the ritual, and walked toward Abbot Shenhao.

Master Hanxuan quickly followed, waving behind him to signal the young Taoist who was about to step forward to join him.

Several Taoist priests arrived at the woods behind the palace and saw a few scattered tourists resting and admiring the scenery, still praising the rainbow and auspicious clouds in the sky, without noticing anything unusual.

But Daoist Shenhao and Daoist Yuzhang quickly turned their attention to a young man who was smiling at them.

Under the shade of an old tree, there is a stone table and four stone benches.

Gu Zhao rose to greet them, gesturing with his hand, "Please sit down, both of you Daoist masters."

Master Shenhao stared intently at Gu Zhao, his white eyebrows trembling slightly, his heart pounding. He slowly stepped forward to stand in front of Gu Zhao, raising his hands as if to bow in respect.

"Senior, there's no need for such formalities. Please have a seat."

Gu Zhao smiled and supported Daoist Shenhao as he was about to kneel, then helped him onto the stone bench.

Feeling the powerful true qi flowing through his body, as if his body had become more than ten years younger, Master Shenhao was filled with disbelief.

"you……"

“I know Daoist Mingyu.” Gu Zhao looked at Daoist Yuzhang and invited him to sit down. “I also know Daoist Yihong.”

Then he nodded to the Taoist priests behind him and introduced himself, "Gu Zhao from Lingnan greets you Taoist priests."

“Lingnan?” Master Shenhao’s eyes flashed.

"Yangcheng?" Master Yuzhang seemed to understand something, and looked at Gu Zhao with a questioning gaze.

“Exactly.” Gu Zhao nodded with a smile.

"Hiss—" Master Yuzhang gasped.

Gu Zhao looked at Daoist Hanzheng and said, "I would like to have a chat with you two Daoists. You and these two Daoists may listen in, but everyone else, please leave."

Master Hanzheng looked serious and immediately dismissed the few Taoists who had come with him but had not yet cultivated their inner energy.

(End of this chapter)