All Heavens: Dual Cultivation of Magic and Martial Arts Starting from the Republic of China

Chapter 83 Examining the Law and Questioning the Mind: The Shangqing Sect Altar

After entering the Maoshan Sect's mountain gate, Lu Shouzhen first led Fu Ze to a guest courtyard.

The guesthouse is small, with only a few wooden houses with blue tiles, two pine trees planted in front of the door, and a clear spring drawn down from the mountain next to it.

The spring water flows through the stone trough, and is crystal clear.

As soon as Fu Ze put Tangyuan on the ground, it circled the yard once.

It first burrowed into the grass under the pine tree, then jumped onto the stone trough, and stared at the spring water for a long time.

After confirming that there were no fish inside, it was visibly disappointed.

Lu Shouzhen found it amusing.

"Young friend Fu, the little demon you picked up seems to be particularly obsessed with fish."

Fu Ze smiled.

"Maybe that's how it fattened itself up."

Tangyuan heard someone talking about her and turned around, meowing in dissatisfaction. It was as if she were saying: Don't talk bad about cats behind their backs!

Lu Shouzhen had some food brought over and then spoke to Fu Ze.

"I have already informed the sect about your situation."

""

"What you are practicing is indeed the Shangqing Orthodox Dharma, and your spiritual foundation has already met the requirements for ordination. However, ordination is not a private transmission of the Dharma, nor is it something that I alone can decide. It still depends on the sect's decision. I cannot guarantee it, but it should not be a big problem."

"After all, several elders of our sect are on good terms with Commander Chen, and the sect is aware of your situation."

This actually implies that Fu Ze has benefited greatly from his relationship with Liao Xibai and Chen Ji'an.

Fu Ze nodded.

"I see."

Since the Wenlong Rebellion, he had learned some things about the ordination process from Lu Shouzhen and Feng Xuan along the way.

The Taoist school of talismans places the utmost importance on orthodoxy and legal tradition.

The "lu" is not just a scripture that records a few spells, nor is it just a document that proves identity.

It records the legal titles, ranks, and the names of the divine officials that the recipient can summon according to the prescribed rituals. Receiving a legal register means that one's name is officially registered in the legal code, and only then can one truly have the status granted by the Taoist school when performing rituals, submitting memorials, and conducting fasting and offering ceremonies.

Although Fu Ze had already cultivated the "Shangqing Lingbao Dongshen Zhengfa", he had never been ordained by the sect altar.

In other words, he possesses the skills, but his status remains that of a rogue cultivator. He may lack some abilities when it comes to higher-level spells and incantations.

Lu Shouzhen continued.

"According to the rules, before the ordination, one must first have a lineage of masters and disciples, undergo the transmission of the ordination, and then be examined by the sect in person."

"Your situation is special. Your lineage is authentic and your foundation is pure, but you cannot say which branch your teachings came from. After discussion within the sect, it has been decided that I will recommend you to undergo the proper ordination ceremony, followed by verification of your teachings and examination of your heart."

Fu Ze asked.

"Does this mean that I will now be considered a disciple of the Shangqing Maoshan sect?"

Lu Shouzhen thought for a moment.

"The Shangqing Zhengfa is one of the core lineages of Maoshan. Your coming here to receive your ordination naturally establishes a karmic connection with Maoshan."

.

"However, the sect will not force you to become a disciple of a particular Taoist master. Following a lineage and residing in a particular temple are not entirely the same thing. If you wish, you can call yourself a disciple of the Maoshan Shangqing lineage in the future. If you do not wish to be bound by the sect, you can still cultivate outside."

The Zhengyi school of talismanic practice is inherently more free and unrestrained. Unlike the Quanzhen school, which is extremely strict, requiring disciples to join the sect for cultivation and forbidding them from practicing outside, and not recognizing or accepting independent cultivators.

Fu Ze nodded.

This suits him perfectly.

He possesses the Decree of All Heavens, so it is impossible for him to stay at any one mountain gate for long.

Maoshan was willing to complete his legal lineage, but did not pursue the matter further, nor did they require him to stay. This kindness was already very rare!

Of course, this might just be fate.

In his own world, Fu Ze was indeed a follower of the Southern Maoshan lineage. Leaving aside the extremely strict Quanzhen lineage, even Longhu Mountain, which is also Zhengyi, wouldn't be so easily identified—

Maoshan is known for its "unorthodox" practices among the major Taoist sects, in contrast to other major Taoist sects.

Lu Shouzhen stood up.

"Young friend, please rest for a moment. I will take you to see the Three Masters of the Sect Altar."

After he finished speaking, he glanced at the glutinous rice balls again.

"As for it, it can stay in the guest courtyard or roam around nearby. However, it must not trespass into the herb garden, scripture pavilion, or spirit beast garden on the back mountain."

Tangyuan squatted by the spring, tilting its head to look at the two of them, while diligently licking its paws.

I don't know if I understood it or not.

Half an hour later, Fu Ze followed Lu Shouzhen to a Dharma Hall.

The Dharma Hall was not decorated much, with statues of the Three Pure Ones and the Three Mao True Lords enshrined in front. Several old Taoist priests sat below, their auras restrained, yet they all exuded the pure essence of the Shangqing Dharma.

The elder Taoist priest, whose Taoist name was Xuancheng, was the ordination master who conferred the ordination certificate upon Fu Ze.

Another stern-faced old Taoist priest, Fa Su, holding a ruler, served as the ordination supervisor.

Lu Shouzhen served as the recommender.

These are the "Three Masters".

In addition, several Taoist priests exuding pure magical power were observing the ceremony.

Fu Ze entered the Dharma Hall and paid his respects.

Master Xuancheng looked at Fu Ze with a gentle and warm expression.

"Shouzhen has already recounted what happened in Wenlong. Your escort of Mr. Liao, your assistance to Commander Chen in eliminating the evil spirits, and your destruction of the Japanese evil altar can be considered meritorious deeds."

"However, meritorious deeds are meritorious deeds, and legal lineage is legal lineage. Today's on-site verification must still be carried out in accordance with the rules."

Fu Zedao.

"I understand."

Master Fasu asked.

"From whom did you obtain the *Shangqing Lingbao Dongshen Zhengfa* that you practice?"

Fu Ze had already thought about this issue.

"It's a fragmented family tradition, passed down from my great-grandfather's generation. Later, a younger generation had the opportunity to complete it."

In fact, this is indeed the truth.

However, only 5% of the manuscript was passed down from his great-grandfather.

Therefore, Fu Ze's answer clearly cannot explain all the problems.

However, he could not tell the truth about the existence of the [Decree of the Heavens].

The Taoist priests in the ritual hall exchanged glances.

Lu Shouzhen had already mentioned that Fu Ze seemed to be hiding a secret.

However, which cultivator who has reached this stage has not had some fortuitous encounters?

What Maoshan needs to confirm is whether Fu Ze's lineage is pure and whether his character is upright, rather than forcing him to reveal all his secrets and tricks.

Taoist priest Xuancheng said.

"In that case, let's use the a priori method."

A bronze Dharma cup was placed in the center of the Dharma Hall.

There was no lamp oil in the lamp, only a neatly folded blank yellow talisman.

Master Xuancheng said.

"There's no need to use your most powerful spell. Just use your own magic to light this lamp."

Fu Ze walked up to the Dharma cup.

He did not take out the lightning-struck jujube wood dagger, nor did he use the talisman he had already drawn. He simply formed hand seals and mobilized the spiritual energy in his Niwan Palace.

"The Supreme Purity Cave God illuminates with thunder and fire."

A wisp of blue and white lightning emerged from his fingertips and fell into the Dharma cup.

Blank yellow talismans spontaneously combust without fire.

The flames did not burn the talisman to ashes, but instead condensed into a bright ball of thunder and fire in the ceremonial cup.

The lightning was small, but extremely stable.

Several Taoist priests in the Dharma Hall simultaneously showed slight changes in their expressions.

In his usual magical duels, Fu Ze was accustomed to pursuing practicality and power. But this time, by simply lighting the magic lamp, he was able to better demonstrate his control over magical power and the foundation of the "Shangqing Lingbao Dongshen Zhengfa".

Master Xuancheng closed his eyes and sensed for a moment.

"The Dharma is pure and the spiritual energy is refined; there is no evil or heretical influence."

Master Fasu then looked at Fu Ze's Niwan Palace.

"His magical power is abundant, and his meridians are strong. However, without the unifying power of the Heavenly Talisman, his spiritual energy is still scattered between his Niwan Palace and acupoints."

Although his tone was serious, there was a hint of surprise in his eyes.

"It is indeed rare to see someone who has cultivated the Dongshen Zhengfa to such a level without having received any ordination."

Lu Shouzhen said from the side.

"I've said it before, his foundation is much more solid than many of the formal inner core disciples in the mountains. Once he's ordained, he probably won't be too far behind us."

Master Fasu glanced at him.

"Say less."

""

Lu Shouzhen shut up.

Fu Ze found it somewhat amusing.

It seems that Lu Shouzhen has told these elders a lot about his life since returning to the mountain gate.

Master Xuancheng looked at the thunder and fire in the magic lamp and asked again.

"Shouzhen said you've also combined Shangqing magic with martial arts?"

Fu Ze nodded.

"I also have some skill in martial arts. In my early years, my magical power was insufficient and my veins were damaged. In order to be able to injure ghosts with my fists and feet, I tried to attach spiritual energy to my body. Later, I got used to it and never put it down."

Master Fasu nodded.

"Then let's try it out once."

Fu Ze walked to the center of the Dharma Hall, circulated his Qi and blood, and slowly clenched his right fist.

A faint golden light covered the surface of his fists and arms.

He didn't actually throw a punch; he just took half a step forward.

The fierce fist intent of Bajiquan and the power of Shangqing magic rose at the same time, but Fu Ze firmly controlled them around his body, without colliding with any objects in the Dharma Hall.

The old Taoist priests looked on with varying expressions.

One of the Taoist priests watching couldn't help but say something.

"The way this Golden Light Mantra is used seems somewhat similar to the methods used by the Longhu Mountain sect?"

Lu Shouzhen sighed.

"When I first saw Wenlong use it this way, that's what I thought too."

Fu Ze explained.

"This junior has not learned the Longhu Mountain magic. I just think that since golden light can suppress evil, covering fists and feet can naturally protect the body and injure enemies."

Master Xuancheng stroked his beard and smiled.

"Shangqing magic does not specify how the golden light can be used. The methods left by our predecessors are meant to provide guidance for future generations, not to discourage them from taking any further steps. Under the Zhengyi lineage, there are many sects, and their usage of the Golden Light Mantra varies."

Master Fasu remained solemn.

"The idea is not wrong. However, when you imbue your entire body with magic power, the consumption is too great, and the circulation is somewhat crude. If you encounter a truly powerful enemy, once the golden light shatters, the magic power will backfire on your meridians, making you more susceptible to injury. After all, this is not the true Golden Light Mantra of Longhu Mountain; it is merely your own rudimentary idea."

Fu Ze recalled Yan Heting's palm strike.

At that moment, the golden light covering the back of his hand shattered instantly, and his blood and spiritual energy surged simultaneously.

"I have learned a great deal."

Master Fasu nodded.

"After receiving the ordination, your magical power will be unified, and things will be better. However, you will still need to explore on your own how to truly integrate magic and martial arts. Of course, if you can obtain the Golden Light Mantra from Longhu Mountain, we will not stop you from learning it."

Master Xuancheng smiled.

"At least we can confirm that he is not just reciting from the book. Although his methods are somewhat varied, his foundation has not gone astray."

Lu Shouzhen nodded as well.

"That's exactly what I meant."

Master Fasu looked at him again.

"I didn't ask you."

Lu Shouzhen shut up again.

Fu Ze felt a little closer to this serious-looking supervisor.

The other party didn't say much, but what he pointed out were the issues he really needed to pay attention to.

After verifying the method, one must examine one's own heart.

Master Xuancheng didn't ask about any profound scriptures or doctrines; he only asked Fu Ze one question.

Why do you practice Taoism?

Fu Ze remained silent for a moment.

Initially, his cultivation was simply something his grandfather allowed him to do, which in a sense could be considered "inheriting the family business."

Later, as he entered the myriad worlds, he experienced more and more things.

Zombies, evil cultivators, local evil gods, Wenlong's rebellion —

Some things he took initiative to handle, while others just happened to him.

Fu Ze spoke up.

"Initially, it was just for self-preservation."

"Later, as my skills improved, I was able to manage more things."

"This junior dares not claim that I can save everyone in the world. But since the matter has come to this, I will do what I can. I will save those who should be saved and kill those who should be killed."

The hall was quiet for a moment.

Master Xuancheng nodded gently.

"It's good that we don't speak falsehoods."

Master Fasu asked again.

"What if the perpetrator is human, and the victim is a demon?"

Fu Zedao.

"Humans and demons are simply different races. Whoever commits evil will be punished."

"What if that demon had eaten people before, but then saved even more?"

"First, examine why it ate people, then see if its act of saving people was genuine. The sins it deserves must be paid for, and the merits it deserves must be recorded. The specific course of action depends on the specific circumstances."

Fu Ze did not provide a simple answer.

Because many things in this world cannot be definitively resolved with a single sentence.

Master Fasu stared at Fu Ze for a moment, then finally nodded.

"At least you are willing to distinguish right from wrong, and you will not kill indiscriminately in the name of righteousness, nor will you condone evil in order to appear merciful."

Having examined one's conscience to this point, one can be considered to have passed the test.

"You should go back first. There are still some preparations needed for the ordination. Shouzhen will tell you when everything is ready."

However, when Fu Ze left the Dharma Hall, he suddenly noticed that the outside was unusually quiet.

The glutinous rice balls have disappeared.

"No, where's my cat? My big cat! It was just here a moment ago!"

Outside the Maoshan Spirit Beast Garden, there is a small spirit pool.

The pool is connected to a mountain spring, and is full of spiritual energy. It is home to more than a dozen spirit fish.

The smallest of those spirit fish was at least a foot long, and their scales shimmered faintly underwater.

Tangyuan squatted by the pool, her eyes glued to the view.

It had never seen such a large fish with such an enticing aura!

More importantly, there was no one by the pool.

Tangyuan looked around and then disappeared into the bushes. A moment later, it came out again, carrying a thin twig in its mouth with a blade of grass wrapped around it.

Fu Ze taught it last night.

Fishing requires bait.

Tangyuan dug around in the damp soil for a long time and finally dug out an earthworm.

Despite its disgust for the earthworm, it used its claws to push it to the end of a grass stem, then picked up a twig, squatted by the pond, and carefully put the earthworm into the water.

A spirit fish swam over.

Tangyuan lowered her body, her eyes growing brighter and brighter.

The spirit fish circled the earthworm once, then suddenly opened its mouth and bit the earthworm away.

Then he swam away without looking back.

Tangyuan stared blankly at the empty grass stalks, her little head filled with great confusion.

Why isn't this fish following the rules?!

It was so angry that it slapped the stone with its paw.

Just then, a gasp came from behind.

"Kitten, what are you doing!"

An eleven or twelve-year-old Taoist boy stood not far away, holding a wooden basin, his eyes wide open, bigger than glutinous rice balls.

Tangyuan turned to look at him.

The young Taoist priest looked again at the branch that stretched into the spirit pool.

"You little cat, how dare you fish for spirit fish!"

Tangyuan seemed to sense that something was wrong, picked up a twig, and turned to run away.

"stop!"

The young Taoist boy put down the wooden basin and immediately gave chase.

Although the glutinous rice ball is plump, it runs extremely fast.

It slipped under the stone railing, leaped onto the low wall, and then, with the help of a slight breeze, jumped onto a tree branch.

The young Taoist boy chased after the tree and reached out to grab it.

Tangyuan looked down at him, a glint of light appearing in her pupils.

The young Taoist priest's movements stiffened slightly.

In just a moment, Tangyuan had already jumped onto the other side of the wall.

The young Taoist priest came to his senses and was even more shocked.

"You little kitten, you've already learned a bit of sorcery!"

The two, a human and a cat, chased each other around the spirit pool several times, both panting heavily.

Tangyuan managed to escape several times, but it could never bear to leave those spirit fish, and would only circle around them.

The young Taoist priest finally realized this.

He stopped, panting, and took out an ordinary dried fish from the wooden basin that he had originally intended to feed to the spirit beast.

"Come down, I'll give you some to eat."

Tangyuan squatted on the edge of the eaves, watching him warily.

The young Taoist priest shook the dried fish.

Tangyuan's nose twitched.

After a moment, it finally succumbed to the temptation and cautiously approached.

The young Taoist priest waited until the fish bit into the dried fish, then suddenly reached out and forcefully pulled the glutinous rice ball into his arms.

"Hahaha, I've got you!"

Tangyuan's four legs were dangling in mid-air, with a dried fish in its mouth. The cat was stunned: How could these two-legged creatures be so cunning!

When Fu Ze and Lu Shouzhen arrived, this was exactly what they saw.

The young Taoist priest, holding a bowl of glutinous rice balls, breathlessly recounted the incident.

"Uncle-Master Lu, this fat cat demon tried to steal spirit fish and even used demonic magic on me!"

When Tangyuan saw Fu Ze, it immediately struggled and made a series of pitiful meows.

It's as if I'm the one being bullied.

Fu Ze walked over, took the glutinous rice ball from the little Taoist boy's arms, and then looked at the dried fish that it refused to let go of.

"You've barely entered the mountain gate and you're already causing trouble?"

Tangyuan lowered its head.

Lu Shouzhen walked to the Spirit Pool and took a look.

"Not a single spirit fish is missing. It probably just wanted to fish for them, but didn't actually steal any."

The young Taoist priest was taken aback for a moment.

It seems so.

Lu Shouzhen suppressed a laugh and said to him.

"Mingyan, this little demon is called Tangyuan. It was brought by young friend Fu. Take it back to the guest courtyard first, so that you can get to know each other."

""

The young Taoist boy named Mingyan looked at the glutinous rice balls and his expression immediately fell.

He went through so much trouble to catch it, so why should he be responsible for taking care of it?

Tangyuan seemed to have forgotten about being chased earlier. With a dried fish in her mouth, she hopped down to Mingyan's feet and looked up at him triumphantly.

Fu Ze handed it to the young Taoist boy and then warned Tangyuan.

"You're not allowed to fish for other people's spirit fish anymore!"

Tangyuan's ears twitched, but it didn't respond.

Fu Ze suspected that it hadn't given up yet.

Lu Shouzhen said from the side.

"Your verification at the altar has been passed. Today you must bathe and fast, and quiet your mind and spirit."

"Tomorrow morning, the Maoshan School will officially open its altar to conduct the ordination ceremony for you and bestow upon you your initial sutras and registers."

Fu Ze looked up in the direction of the altar in the mountains.

Finally, it's time for the ordination ceremony!

Since arriving in this world, I have gradually progressed to where I am now, and my strength has increased more than tenfold compared to when I first arrived.

After the ordination, there will likely be a qualitative change.

Fu Ze was filled with anticipation.