Mythology Returns! Starting with Folklore and Strange Tales

Experienced mentors guide newcomers.

Although this tradition exists everywhere, whether the elders take a liking to the couple or not makes a world of difference in how the newlyweds are treated!

Both sides thought they had gotten what they wanted, and the rest of the process went too smoothly.

A few minutes later, more than a dozen sheets of A4 paper, still smelling of ink, were freshly printed.

This document contains Zhang Wei's background check, an application form, and various simple self-information forms, all of which he needs to fill out in his own handwriting. This is the crucial point in determining whether the old man is willing and sincere in helping.

Jian Hongyu personally guided Zhang Wei through filling out the forms one by one.

The rest were just simple signatures and recommendations, and the application was omitted. The key part was the self-information sheet, which listed my experiences and abilities as a traveler in the first silhouette.

Jian Hongyu directly took the report from the secular side, Chi Zhen, and filled in most of it for Zhang Wei.

As for the rest, the other party told Zhang Wei that he could fill in the information or omit it, since the main purpose of the documents and files was only for application, and after the application was completed, they would mostly be left to gather dust in the archives.

But it doesn't matter if it gathers dust; the key is that as mythology revives, the worldly realm grows ever deeper, and who knows what mysterious and strange things might infiltrate it in the future. And as everyone knows, the ancient Chinese believed in knowing oneself and one's enemy to win every battle.

Before dealing with someone, everyone wants to get a resume to check, but the myths, strange tales and historical records of the Yellow Emperor are too long and profound, and similar methods are varied and bizarre, making them impossible to guard against.

Therefore, in order to prevent potential leaks, archives and data centers, like warehouses, are overseen by senior officials from the bureau. Even so, to guard against "accidental incidents," this unwritten rule has gradually emerged.

In other words, when reviewing relevant files, priority should be given to filling in information that has already been exposed or whose personal characteristics are too obvious, while information that has not been exposed or whose secrets are allowed to be concealed.

Of course, there are corresponding precautions, but those have little to do with Zhang Wei, the intern!

After all, the first six months after becoming a pilgrim are the most unpredictable. During this period, changes in mindset, random and unfounded silhouettes, and one's own flawed methods and weak cultivation level can all be fatal to a pilgrim.

This is also why the Weather Bureau asked travelers to enter the silhouette mode before the weather cools down.

Other factors are beyond our control, but while there are risks involved in taking the initiative to create silhouettes, with intelligence, our own people, and support, we can at least minimize those risks!

Once this period passes, the situation stabilizes, everything improves, and naturally, there will be follow-up...

Listening to Jian Hongyu's sincere instruction, Zhang Wei also filled in some simple information about the evil spirits, the Kitchen God, etc. in a few columns.

"Oh, it's the Kitchen God! You're lucky to have encountered a righteous deity first. As newcomers, besides choosing a spell, a cultivation method, and basic cultivation supplies, most new practitioners will have the qualification to offer sacrifices to the gods once at the end of the event, as long as they don't perform too badly in the silhouette. Our benefits also include providing a standard offering and incense to reset the cooldown time of ordinary sacrifices."

"Of course, this benefit is also one of the ways to detect whether you're lying!"

Although they are all colleagues, a respectable person with a clean background, a hoodlum, or anything else should not be confused.

After completing the forms, the three of them walked out of the cramped meeting room and took the elevator directly to the basement.

After the elevator doors opened, a vast, high-tech, cool-white space immediately came into view.

After submitting the information form at the window and receiving the receipt, Zhang Wei was led through a small door, while patrolmen Jian Hongyu and Liu Tie waited outside.

As soon as he entered, Zhang Wei felt a distinct sense of being watched.

Looking up, one sees a huge space resembling the main hall of a Taoist temple, with various statues of gods densely packed on the walls and cabinets in the middle.

What you see are statues of the orthodox Taoist Three Pure Ones, as well as the Heavenly Emperor, the Earth God, Buddha, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats. In addition, there are statues of local deities such as Mazu, the City God, the Five Immortals, and the Three Women are Ladies.

There are also specific rules regarding the placement of these statues.

Based on the four walls of the space, there are rows of tall cabinets in the middle.

The statues of deities such as the Heavenly Emperor, the Earth God, Buddha, and the Heavenly Emperor are generally quite large. They are placed on a special altar and also on the wall directly opposite the entrance, in the center of the entire space.

Bodhisattvas and Arhats, along with various celestial deities, are arranged on the left and right. The middle and rear sections of the left and right walls, as well as the wall where the entrance is located, are mostly occupied by yin spirits. Those that cannot be placed are arranged in the cabinet in the middle.

The local deities, the mounts of the children of the gods of Taoism and Buddhism, and some neutral deities mostly occupy a small shrine on the central cabinet.

Even with just a cursory glance, one could tell that there were at least 80,000 to 100,000 statues in this enormous room, some benevolent, some glaring, with all sorts of expressions and postures. The lifelike statues made you feel as if you were being interrogated by the gods every time you looked into their eyes.

After looking around several times, and seeing so many vivid statues and sculptures, Zhang Wei couldn't immediately tell where the two pairs of eyes were coming from.

But looking at so many statues of gods, Zhang Wei had a sudden thought.

He has an idea!

If he were to use the Incense Offering Mantra to bless every god and Buddha right now, how much reward would he get?

However, opening a temple is easy, but he doesn't seem to have enough offerings.

If you only open a temple without offerings, does it seem like there's not much difference between opening it and not opening it?

Just as he came to his senses, the staff member who had been staying in the room came forward at the opportune moment, asked him which deity he wanted to worship, and then turned around and typed out the information from the computer in the corner of the hall.

Within minutes, a packaged offering slowly descended from the ceiling not far away, accompanied by three golden-red incense sticks emitting a delicate fragrance.

"Zhang, during the ritual, it's best to pray sincerely. If you're not going to use the offerings immediately afterward, you can put them in the box on the tray. The specially made box can seal in the aroma of the offerings and preserve their effects. Also, please take a good look at this training manual later."

"Also, after the sacrificial ceremony, you will leave through the side door, where several official patrol officers will be waiting. As trainee patrol officers, before you become official officers, you will usually complete tasks with one or more official patrol officers and enter the silhouette stage. This is to help newcomers like you adapt more quickly."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Wei frowned: "Can't you act alone?"

Every regulation has its reason for being there. Zhang Wei doesn't necessarily want to be unconventional, but with the novice's experience as a reference, he prefers stronger autonomy.

Otherwise, if a conflict arises with others regarding choices, should one listen to the inspector or to their own opinion?

Where there are people, there will be conflict, a fact he had already experienced firsthand during his internship over the past year.

Even if he doesn't have a mentor to guide him, and things might be a bit slower at first, he doesn't want to hear any more nonsense like "it's a blessing for young people to suffer losses," "suffering losses won't kill you," or "you need to smooth out your rough edges."

More importantly, he didn't think the patrolling officers were as strong as his prospective master and patriarch. Neither his patriarch nor his master asked him to compromise, so why should others?

Although this was just his malicious speculation beforehand.

But when it comes to himself, he can fight or retreat. If he advances, he gets a reward; if he retreats, he asks his master for help. In short, he's willing to take anything but losses!

"That's possible, but it's best not to do it that way. Also, if you choose this option, you'll have to apply for the genius pathway."

Zhang Wei nodded: "Then could you please help me submit the application?"