Controlling the Five Thunders and the Two Worlds

Chapter 508 Recruiting Eight More Elders

The trip to Shangqing Palace on Huangding Mountain went without incident.

Last time, Gu Zhao recruited Daoist Zonghua of the Nanwu Sect at the Lianzhen Palace. Before heading to Yangcheng, Daoist Zonghua had already called Daoist Zongran and Daoist Zongwei, who were cultivating in the mountains.

Upon seeing Gu Zhao, the two old Taoist priests were not surprised at all. Instead, they were quite pleased and thanked Gu Zhao for the opportunity that allowed them to fight alongside Master Zonghua.

Therefore, Gu Zhao gave away all eight Thunder Seeds this time.

Master Xianyuan of the Quanzhen Huashan School.

Chen Zuhua Mountain School: Master Faran, Junior Taoist Tonghui.

Longmen Sect: Master Yun Chang.

Qingwei School: Master Hai Zhao and Master Qi Han.

Namo Sect: Master Zongran, Master Zongwei.

……

Before the old Taoist priests arrived in Guangzhou, Gu Zhao spent a few more days in the modern world with Xiao Ya and Jiang Shishi.

When he returned to the other world with eight Taoist priests, he learned that Master Yu Hua of the Northern Emperor Sect, Master Chong Xuan of the Divine Firmament Sect, Master Xining of the Huashan Sect, and Master Miao Zhen had all broken through the five-hundred-year cultivation level.

"Double happiness!"

Having just broken through their cultivation realm, the four old Taoists returned to the Great Luo Palace, preparing to cultivate in seclusion for a while. They took the opportunity to replace Master Xu Ning, who had returned with Gu Zhao, and went back to the Taoist Research Institute for a leisurely business trip.

He sent the young Taoist priest Tonghui to be mentored by Yunyang, then sent him to be accompanied by He Changyi, Yang Shuo, and others. He then had Taoist Master Xu Ning lead the other Taoist priests to familiarize themselves with the affairs of this place.

After arranging the follow-up matters, Gu Zhao went to find Zhuo Qingyan.

Then he discovered that in just three to five days, Bai Yiqi and Bai Yixuan had integrated into life at the Daluo Palace.

She was gentle and elegant, and got along well with Zhuo Qingyan and Bi Yingying.

One is lively and adorable, laughing and joking with the embroiderer, Bai Ke, and He Cailian.

"Wow, the Central Plains is so wonderful!" Bai Yixuan exclaimed as she shared a spiced roast chicken with Bai Ke. "With so many delicious foods and fun things to do, I don't want to go back!"

"Then don't go back." Bai Ke put a chicken leg in her mouth, then grabbed the bone and pulled it out, stuffing the whole chicken leg meat into her mouth.

"It's only been a few days, how many dishes have you eaten?" Bai Ke grumbled, her cheeks puffed out. "There's also braised pork, roasted pig's trotters, sweet cured pork, honey-glazed char siu..."

Bai Yixuan was taken aback when she heard this, "You can eat pig's trotters?"

Bai Ke nodded vigorously, "It's so delicious! It's so bouncy and chewy!"

Bai Yixuan blinked. "Q-bouncy, what does that mean?"

"Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, smooth and chewy, spicy and savory," Gu Zhao continued. "It's all collagen, which helps maintain the skin and has moisturizing, nourishing, brightening, and anti-wrinkle effects."

"Ok?"

All the women looked at Gu Zhao.

Gu Zhao shook his head speechlessly, "This is the effect for ordinary people. You have all achieved great success in your cultivation and your appearances have remained unchanged. Is it really necessary to care so much about a pig's trotter?"

Bi Yingying chuckled and said, "No matter how beautiful a woman is, she doesn't mind being even more beautiful."

Chen Zhi and Xu Sirou next to her nodded repeatedly.

Everyone else is either a ghost or a demon, only the two of them are human. I wonder if they can succeed in their cultivation. As they get older, they will also get wrinkles!

Gu Zhao nodded. "Then we'll have roasted pig's trotters for dinner tonight, and set off for Southern Xinjiang first thing tomorrow morning." ...

The next morning, Gu Zhao led everyone on their way.

In addition to Daoist Yanling, Daoist Yuzhang, Daoist Qingwei, and Daoist Yuanhe, because there are many demons in the Southern Frontier, they also brought Ye Ruyan, Miaoyun Ji, Hou Hao (the Fire Monkey), and Yuan Lin (the Water Ape).

Eight experts, plus a Grand Luo Palace Master, is enough to show respect for Qingqiu Mountain.

Besides these, there are the embroiderer, Bai Ke, Bai Yiqi, and the Bai Yixuan sisters.

"set off!"

Gu Zhao condensed a cloud beneath his feet, which then solidified into a foothold, carrying everyone as they floated into the air. The cloud then transformed into a wisp of light and flew south.

Bai Yiqi felt no strong wind or forceful shoving; only a gentle breeze caressed her face, as if she were standing on flat ground.

Bai Yixuan, lacking experience, did not react, but Bai Yiqi could sense Gu Zhao's high level of cultivation, which was probably no less than that of the Qingqiu Mountain Master and that elder.

As expected of a great master who could kill Mohe Divine Lord.

Bai Yiqi's eyes flickered as she sensed Gu Zhao's calm yet dignified, gentle yet slightly cheerful demeanor. Only then did she muster the courage to approach Gu Zhao.

"The Celestial Fox lineage of Qingqiu Mountain has not set foot in the Central Plains for a long time. We never expected that the Central Plains would be more prosperous than we imagined."

"The Central Plains are vast and rich in resources, and there are many ordinary people. After all, a large population makes for a lively atmosphere," Gu Zhao said with a smile. "Qingqiu Mountain is a famous mountain in the Southern Frontier, after all. Doesn't it have many people under its command?"

Although the Southern Frontier is mountainous, it also has small plains and valleys. Even the Red Moon Valley has many ordinary people under its jurisdiction. The Heavenly Fox lineage of Qingqiu Mountain is intelligent and kind, so there should be quite a few people under its jurisdiction as well.

"Of course there are, but the largest fortified town is only similar to Xiuyue County. Most of the mountain people are scattered among the mountains and rivers, busy making a living every day, and not many of them have much education."

Bai Yiqi said quietly, "In the city, even three-year-old children have to help their parents with chores. When they have a little free time, they go up the mountain to pick fruit, chop firewood, weave bamboo, walk dogs, and feed chickens. There are so many delicious and fun things to do in the Central Plains."

"Therefore, the people in the mountains also yearn for the Central Plains."

"Actually, it's not so bad. At least we don't have to worry about survival."

“In fact, the southern Xinjiang region also has many special products, such as jewelry, jade, animal hides and herbs. If we could exchange goods with the Central Plains, our lives would definitely improve a lot.”

"The mountain roads are difficult to traverse, how can we exchange goods and resources?"

“Jiangzhou has many waters, and Shanzhou has many mountains. The Central Plains was divided into four parts by three major rivers, but it still developed in the end.” Gu Zhao said, “Even if it is just ordinary people who work hard, as long as they continue to open up mountains and build roads for many years, they can still connect with the outside world.”

The southern border of this world is just a place with many mountains, rivers, and vast forests. At most, it is similar to Annam of Tianxia. The Han Dynasty was able to control and rule over it back then, let alone in a world of cultivation.

If practitioners are determined, why would it take decades or even centuries to clear mountains and build roads?
The problem in this world is that cultivators don't have this heart. Even though most of the Heavenly Foxes of Qingqiu Mountain are Spirit Lords, they only protect the local people and ensure their safety.

As for the development of ordinary people?
That, of course, depends on them themselves.

Moreover, there are demons and monsters in the world who live forever and are superior to mortals. This would hinder the development of mortal society and encourage those who are willing to pursue spiritual cultivation.

Therefore, although this world has developed for ten thousand years, and its techniques for building houses and manufacturing tools are still remarkable, comparable to those of the Xia, Song, and Ming dynasties, it is still an ancient agricultural society overall.

Of course, this is not to say that it is bad. The ancient people of Tianxia may not have been less happy than people today, and their state of mind may even have been better. But the premise is that basic survival must be guaranteed.

But this premise is actually not difficult to achieve.

With abundant spiritual energy and fertile land, survival is not difficult as long as there are no natural or man-made disasters.

For example, in the land now belonging to the Great Luo Palace, the old Taoist priests only need to kill some demons and monsters, manage some corrupt officials, and scare away some landlords and merchants so that ordinary people can survive.

(End of this chapter)