Two Realms: Modern Invasion of Cultivation

Night falls, and the stars twinkle.

Inside the Dragon and Tiger Palace.

Zhang Jingchu, Zhang Yuxuan, and Yun Qingsong were sitting upright, drinking water and tea.

"Senior brother, you've gone too far these past two days."

Zhang Yuxuan, dressed in an elegant long robe, was forty years old but looked as young as thirty, with a healthy and rosy complexion. He raised his eyes and said in a deep voice, "Walking with your feet barely touching the ground, are you afraid no one will notice you have magical powers?"

Yun Qingsong, whose white hair had also turned black, sat lazily in his Taoist robe and said, "Not bad, senior brother, you're getting more and more arrogant. Look at you now, you don't have any of the composure of a Celestial Master."

Zhang Jingchu was tall and didn't look over fifty at all. He chuckled and said, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. Besides, I'm cultivating. Now that I have true qi, I can't keep it hidden forever."

Zhang Yuxuan nodded and said, "So, since we can't hide it forever, how should we explain it?"

Yun Qingsong pondered, "Should we talk to the people outside?"

As the president of the Taoist Association, Zhang Jing is certainly capable of finding someone of sufficient influence to talk to.

only...

Zhang Jing slowly said, "We should talk about it. However, as you have all realized, cultivation still depends on personal opportunities and talent, and it is not suitable for widespread promotion."

"Without the guidance of the patriarch, with my aptitude, I would probably never have been able to cultivate any magical power in my entire life, and you would not have been able to even enter the gate."

"Cultivating oneself in this world is too difficult."

Yes, it's too difficult.

Zhang Yuxuan and Yun Qingsong both agreed.

To this day, both of them still only have the teachings passed down from their ancestor, and the "Cloud Qi Soaring to the Sky Method," which allows them to absorb the energy of clouds every morning and evening, but they still haven't been able to open up their spiritual sea.

The Daoist essence is still being nurtured, and the true Qi in the dantian has not yet appeared.

It could be said that he had only stepped halfway into the door of cultivation.

However, it's not like there's no progress at all.

With the "Cloud Qi Soaring to the Sky Method," they felt that it would take less than a hundred days, at most a month, to open up their spiritual sea, successfully nurture the Daoist essence, and possess the true Qi of their dantian.

If it's this difficult for them with their years of cultivation and talent, what about others?

What about everyone else besides Yun Su, who has extraordinary talent?

It's probably impossible.

Unless one has the opportunity to receive guidance from the patriarch like them, there is absolutely no way to open the door to spiritual cultivation.

Let's set a ten-year timeframe.

Zhang Jingchu smiled and said, "Ten years from now will be the 2,000th birthday of our ancestor. At that time, we will need to hold a grand Taoist ritual."

"Let's see how far we can go in the next ten years."

"As for talking to people outside..."

"You don't need to worry about it. Just focus on your cultivation. I'll take care of these mundane matters."

"By the way, you should keep things like the ancestral master's miraculous appearance a secret. Don't let everyone know about it. It's superstitious and not good for social stability and harmony."

"We should tell the outside world that there is no such thing as cultivating immortality, and that we should believe in science."

Makes sense.

Yun Qingsong nodded and said, "I'll talk to my disciples and tell them to keep their mouths shut."

"Speaking of which, three of my five disciples had an epiphany yesterday and gained a sense of the Dao."

"Hehe, that girl Yun Su is even more amazing. She received a divine intervention from the Patriarch and was enlightened and taught by him. Not only did she gain true Qi in her dantian, but she also gained a spiritual sea."

"Senior brother, you must cultivate diligently, lest you end up being inferior to even my disciple."

Upon hearing this...

Zhang Yuxuan exclaimed in surprise, "Yun Su is that amazing?"

Yun Qingsong said with a hint of pride, "Hehe, I saw at a glance that that girl had extraordinary talent, which is why I took her as my last disciple. Look at her now, even the patriarch has manifested himself one after another to bestow great fortune upon her. He really spoils that girl too much."

Zhang Jingchu said thoughtfully, "Speaking of which, your Yunlai Temple is indeed quite extraordinary. It was the first to receive the manifestation of the Patriarch. Logically speaking, my Longhu Palace is the true lineage. If the Patriarch were to manifest, it should be my Longhu Palace."

Zhang Yuxuan nodded and said, "Something is definitely not right. So, senior brother, should we go and take a look?"

Zhang Jingchu smiled and said, "I have to go and take a look. I'll go tomorrow."

Yun Qingsong immediately became wary and said, "You can go, but Yun Su is my disciple, don't even think about taking her."

Zhang Yuxuan coughed and said, "Junior brother, what are you saying? We are not that kind of people."

Zhang Jing smiled and said, "That's right, we won't rob you, don't worry."

That being said.

But if that girl wants to go with them on her own initiative, then they can't blame them.

Zhang Jingchu and Zhang Yuxuan exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with smiles.

Yun Qingsong looked at the two of them with unease, somewhat regretting showing off his disciples.

"Oh, right."

He quickly changed the subject, saying, "If we're going, we can stop by and visit other fellow Daoists to see if the patriarchs of Quanzhen and Maoshan have shown their power."

Zhang Jingchu and Zhang Yuxuan nodded to each other.

This matter definitely needs to be confirmed in person.

Before the patriarch manifested his power, there were no supernatural beings in this world, whether it was their Dragon Tiger Palace or other Taoist sects.

They are all just the inheritance of cultural heritage.

But things are different now. What if the real Lu Zu or the Taoist Master Wei from Maoshan also manifest their power?

Since we're going to talk to people outside, we definitely need to figure these things out.

They were discussing it here.

the other side.

As night falls, the vibrant nightlife of Yuncheng is just beginning.

Inside the Zhou family mansion.

After lying in bed for a month, Zhou Mingze woke up and was able to move around without any problems. After washing up, he sat down in the living room.

"Dad, that's all..."

Zhou Yuqian sat up straight and said, "That liar, no, that master wasn't lying. You're really awake. Our family's feng shui is truly too strong."

Zhou Mingze remained calm and pondered, then said, "Tell me again about the unusual behavior of those two Taoist priests and masters just now."

Zhou Yuqian quickly recounted the story, ending with an excited statement: "It's true, Dad! The Taoist priest and the master really did have golden light on them back then. I'm absolutely not mistaken."

After listening, Zhou Mingze exclaimed, "I've lived for so many years, and I never imagined that there really are immortals in this world."

Zhou Yuqian said breathlessly, "I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, Dad, I want to cultivate immortality."

Zhou Mingze looked at his son and smiled, "Okay, you must repair it. I must support you in this matter. If you can actually repair something, it will be a blessing for our Zhou family."

Zhou Yuqian was relieved.

"but."

Zhou Mingze changed the subject, saying, "These things can't be rushed. Just follow my arrangements."

Zhou Yuqian nodded in agreement.

He'd do anything as long as he could cultivate immortality.

"Oh, right."

He suddenly remembered something and quickly said, "Dad, when Mom and I flew back yesterday, we also encountered immortals."

"There was a thundercloud at the time, and there was also golden light inside..."

In conversation.

He took out his phone and searched, quickly finding a video, which he showed, saying, "This video is exactly the same as what I saw. It must have been filmed and posted by someone on the plane."

Zhou Mingze took the phone and checked it.

In the video footage.

A thunderstorm cloud came into view, with lightning flashing and thunder roaring, golden light flashing by from time to time, and faint dragon roars.

Judging from the comments, most of them say it was made by AI and is fake.

There are also those who use internet memes.

After watching the video, Zhou Mingze seemed to be deep in thought.

"dad."

Zhou Yuqian couldn't help but ask, "You mean that immortal who underwent tribulation, is he the same... swindler, Mr. Song, who kidnapped my mother?"

Zhou Mingze remained noncommittal, put down his phone, and said, "It's hard to say. Let's go to Yunlai to watch tomorrow."

"Son, you must keep these things a secret and not reveal a single word to anyone, understand?"

Zhou Yuqian said firmly, "Yes, Dad, don't worry, I would never tell anyone, even if you beat me to death."

Zhou Mingze was relieved.

At this juncture.

Zhou Yutang helped Yun Zhi, and together with Monk Baoguang and his disciple Chengchen, they walked over.

Zhou Mingze immediately stood up, beaming, and said, "Master, Taoist priest, please have a seat."

"Yu Tang, what's wrong with the Daoist Master?"

Zhou Yuqian also quickly got up to greet him.

"fine."

Yun Zhi's face was no longer as pale as before, but she still looked somewhat weak. She smiled and said, "It's just that I've consumed a lot of energy."

The monk Baoguang calmly said, "Young Taoist priest, you were doing this to help the benefactor by giving him acupuncture to calm his pulse. It took a lot of effort, but you will naturally feel better after resting for a while."

That's good.

Zhou Mingze was relieved. He helped the young Taoist priest to sit down, personally poured tea for the Taoist priest and the monk, and said solemnly, "I was able to wake up today thanks to the two esteemed masters. I have no way to repay them, so please accept my bow."

Yun Zhi quickly waved her hand and said, "President Zhou, you don't need to be so polite."

Monk Baoguang raised his hand to accept the tea and said, "This time, it is this humble monk who should thank President Zhou."

After some polite exchanges...

Then everyone officially took their seats.

As Yun Zhi sat down, leaning against the woman beside him, his expression and demeanor were quite unnatural.

Zhou Yutang saw this and smiled. She personally served tea and water, not minding the slightly ambiguous, yet intimate, distance between them.

"The master has come from afar."

Zhou Mingze smiled and said, "You've helped me treat my illness, so you must be tired. I think you should stay here tonight, and this young Taoist priest can stay with you too. You can leave tomorrow."

Monk Baoguang nodded and said, "Very well, thank you for your trouble, benefactor."

Zhou Mingze waved his hand and said, "Master, you don't need to be so polite about saving my life."

Yunzhi hesitated and said, "I won't stay here. I have to go back to the temple, which isn't far away."

Zhou Mingze smiled and said, "Young Taoist priest, there's no need to rush. Stay here tonight, and I'll go to Yunlai Temple to pay my respects tomorrow. I can go back with you then."

Zhou Yutang said calmly, "Chief Yun, you are too weak right now. You should rest here for the night. Besides, it's not safe to drive at night."

Yun Zhi remained hesitant.

Zhou Yuqian noticed his sister's meaningful look and, as if struck by a sudden inspiration, stood up and said, "Daoist Master, Master, I'll go arrange rooms for you to sleep in."

After saying that, he quickly left.

Seeing this, Chengchen also went to help.

"I would also like to visit Yunlai Temple tomorrow."

The monk Baoguang smiled kindly and said, "Young Taoist priest, please stay here. We'll go together tomorrow."

"You've expended a lot of energy this time, you definitely need to rest well."

He could see that a thread of fate had become entangled between the young Taoist priest and the female benefactor beside him.

It is a good thing to help others achieve their goals.

in this way.

Yun Zhichi had no choice but to agree and took out his phone to report to his senior brother.

See here.

Zhou Mingze was relieved and looked at his daughter with satisfaction and relief. Then, his expression turned serious as he looked at the old monk and said, "Master, to be honest, I was actually awake at noon, but I felt like I was being paralyzed by a ghost and couldn't get up."

"Thanks to you all, I was able to wake up."

"To be honest, the methods the master and the young Taoist priest used to save me... were indeed extraordinary..."

No hiding.

The monk Baoguang said gently, "A monk does not lie. If you believe, it is true; if you do not believe, it is not."

Zhou Mingze nodded and said, "Could you please ask how long the master has been practicing Buddhism?"

Monk Baoguang took a sip of tea and calmly said, "I took refuge in Buddhism when I was eighteen years old, and sixty years have passed since then."

I'm seventy-eight.

You wouldn't guess it; he looks to be in his fifties or sixties at most.

Zhou Mingze sighed, "Sixty years... Master's cultivation must be profound; he has long since transcended worldly concerns."

Yunzhi glanced at the old monk and thought of her master.

Zhou Yutang asked curiously, "Master, are there many highly skilled people like you in this world?"

Monk Baoguang shook his head slightly and said, "To be honest, before receiving the Bodhisattva's divine intervention today, I was just an ordinary monk in Buddhism, a mortal in the secular world."

"When you're out in the world, all you rely on is a relic left by your ancestor, which can barely soothe the mind and body of others."

"Most other cultivators in this world are like this; there is nothing of great significance or wonder about them."

In other words.

Cultivators do not exist.

Zhou Mingze pondered deeply, lost in thought.

Zhou Yutang blinked and asked, "Now that the Master has received the Bodhisattva's divine intervention and been granted great fortune, what changes have occurred?"

Monk Baoguang smiled and said, "It's just a trace of Buddhist power. It can barely use some Buddhist methods without relying on the relics of the patriarch, but the power is still very limited and doesn't amount to much."

He was so frank because, in his view, it was all due to fate.

The fact that the Zhou family was able to witness all of this shows that they have a connection with the spiritual community.

Moreover, in his view, there is indeed no such thing as a great supernatural power in this world, nor any cultivator who can fly or enter the earth.

His supernatural abilities are really nothing special; unless you see it with your own eyes, no one would believe you no matter what he says.

So there's nothing that can't be said.

"Master, my wife has always been a Buddhist."

Zhou Mingze asked sincerely, "I wonder if there's any chance I'll receive a miracle from the Bodhisattva?"

Monk Baoguang nodded and said, "The Buddha's compassion resides in the hearts of all people, and the Bodhisattva resides in everyone's heart. If you have a deep affinity with the Buddha, I believe there will be a day when you receive the Bodhisattva's divine intervention."

The two talked for a long time.

Until one point, Zhou Yuqian came back.

Immediately.

Zhou Mingze ended the conversation and asked his son and daughter to take the Taoist priest and the master to rest.

He went up to the second-floor open-air balcony and sat down, lost in thought for a long time.

It's an opportunity no matter what, and we must seize it.

If his son could cultivate immortality, his wife could become a Buddha, and his daughter could grow up with Yun Zhidao, then the Zhou family could rest easy for the next hundred or thousand years.

"Immortal..."

Zhou Mingze looked up at the night sky, his thoughts swirling for a long time before he slowly exhaled.

"Even Qin Shi Huang couldn't resist the temptation of cultivating immortality, so how could a mortal like me possibly resist?"

He chuckled to himself, took out his phone, found his wife's contact information, and after thinking for a moment, decided to make a video call.

It was already 9 p.m.

Soon, the video call connected, and his wife's face came into view.

I don't know if it's because of a beauty filter, but my wife looks even prettier.

Zhou Mingze snapped out of his daze and said, "I'm awake."

Xu Manzhu said calmly, her beautiful eyes wide, "Yes, Qian'er told me."

Zhou Mingze nodded slightly.

For some reason, the two fell silent, as if they had nothing more to say.

I don't know if it's just my imagination.

Zhou Mingze felt that his wife was much more distant from him, and there was an indescribable sense of estrangement between them.

What's even stranger is that he could sense that his wife's love and affection had faded considerably.

I don't love you as much as I used to.

He knew about his heart condition, but even though their relationship was nominal, he still deeply loved his wife. Over the years, he not only never cheated on her, but he also never had any feelings of sexual desire.

He loved his wife and cherished the mutual respect they shared.

But now, he suddenly feels that he doesn't love anymore.

This feeling left him somewhat at a loss, unsure how to face his wife.

"It's getting late."

Xu Manzhu smiled and said, "You just woke up, get some rest."

Zhou Mingze nodded.

The video call ended.

He frowned, not understanding what was wrong with him.

Why did you suddenly stop loving me?

He couldn't understand it. He slept for a month but couldn't fall asleep. He just sat there quietly, gazing at the night sky in a daze.

Meanwhile.

Yunlai Temple under the cover of night.

After dinner.

Yun Qing, Yun Xi, and Yun Le sat in meditation in front of the ancestral master's statue in the main hall, as always.

In the courtyard of the experiential learning class.

Song Yu and Xu Manzhu sat down and drank their spiritual tea.

Bai Moli and Meng Hui were playing with the Weaver Girl in their dormitory.

Yun Su went to the back mountain to cultivate.

Qin Jingshu went along too.

Beside the stone table.

Xu Manzhu put down her phone, looked at the figure sitting across the table, and said leisurely, "So, Huihui and Jasmine are both your girlfriends?"

After recovering from his afternoon exploration of the mountains and forests and his research on the opening of the cave, Song Yu looked at the beautiful woman and said, "Meng Hui is my ex-girlfriend, and Jasmine is my current girlfriend."

Xu Manzhu's beautiful eyes were like water as she softly asked, "Then what about Auntie? Is she a lover?"

Song Yu thought for a moment and said, "You and I can be considered fellow Daoists."

Xu Manzhu asked calmly, "Is it permissible for fellow Daoists to eat whatever they want?"

Song Yu laughed and said, "I won't eat it anymore."

Xu Manzhu gave a slight reproachful look, then asked with concern, "You, never mind, I won't hold this against you for now. What's wrong with your late stage?"

Song Yu said frankly, "There is indeed a late stage, but my ability to embark on cultivation is also somewhat related to the late stage. It's more of a coincidence. There's no need to worry. The late stage is no longer a threat."

The night sky after the rain seemed to have been washed clean, clear and bright.

A gentle breeze caressed me, bringing with it the scent of the mountains and forests.

"That's good."

Xu Manzhu didn't ask any more questions, but instead said, "But if you don't die, I'm afraid Huihui won't let you go."

Song Yu casually replied, "How can I, a dignified cultivator, be bullied by her so easily? We'll deal with it later."

Xu Manzhu thought of the shameful scenes she had seen on the marriage line. She took a sip of spiritual tea and exhaled softly, saying, "You talk so tough, but I'm afraid you'll have a hard time when the time comes."

She could see it very clearly: in the scenes on the marriage line, the person in front of her always lost, no match for Meng Hui at all.

That kind of shameful thing was something she didn't even dare to think about. Just looking at it made her feel like her body and mind had become much dirtier and worse.

"Aunt Pearl, did you see something?"

Song Yu asked a question with a profound meaning.

"It's nothing."

Xu Manzhu asked calmly, "You said you wanted to pass on a method to your aunt, what is it?"

Song Yu returned to the main topic, saying, "The Cloud Soaring Technique can help you open your spiritual sea..."

The Dharma is transmitted here.

in the dormitory.

"Baby, have some milk."

Bai Moli is breastfeeding her baby, overflowing with maternal love.

Meng Hui glanced at the two people sitting properly chatting in the courtyard outside the window.

He's acting so proper; there's definitely something wrong with him underneath...