Big Data Cultivation-Chapter 1948 - 1950: Entering the Competition (2nd Update)
Faced with the little Taoist’s threat, the other party hesitated for a moment and ultimately chose not to purchase the repentance incense.
He wasn’t doubting the other’s divine power, but since his crooked mouth couldn’t be cured, how much worse could it get?
Moreover, even if there were divine powers, would they respond to every request?
The young Taoist informed Zhang Dongyuan of the situation, and it happened that Feng Jun visited again that night, so Zhang informed him of the situation.
Feng Jun found it amusing, "Even your little Taoist can boss me around now."
"That’s not what I mean," Zhang Dongyuan quickly waved his hand, "This is just a minor conflict, not punishing is normal, I’m not petty. It’s just that the Daoist Temple is building its reputation; being strict helps deter the riffraff."
"So basically I’m working for free," Feng Jun shook his head. He actually had some impression of Eric, "That guy has a bad temper; he could use some discipline."
The next day when Eric woke up, he was surprised to find that not only was his mouth crooked, but half his body was numb.
"Shit," he realized the problem, sighed, reluctantly moved out of the room, and shouted to his neighbor, "Ferry, I need a favor from you...take me to the Daoist Temple, yes, that damned temple!"
The next moment, he began to review his mistakes, seemingly talking to himself, yet as if facing some void, "Alright, sorry, ’damned’ is just my vernacular... I’m a rough person, not meant to offend."
Afraid to even curse behind the temple, it shows that "deterring riffraff" is quite effective.
In fact, Eric was genuinely scared this time; he burned incense for three consecutive days, and the paralysis in half his body finally subsided. Then on the fourth day, he went again to burn incense, continuing for nineteen consecutive days.
On the twentieth day, when he went to burn incense again, as he was leaving, the young Taoist told him, "You can take a break now."
The next day, Eric was surprised to find that his crooked mouth was almost half better. Without saying a word, he ran back to the temple, burned an incense stick, and quickly left to find temporary work.
Stopping burning incense because the other side said to pause would indeed be foolish, but he had already sold his only watch to continue burning incense, he had to earn money first...
The development of the Qingcheng Mountain Branch proceeded smoothly, while the domestic Daoist Sects began preparing for this year’s grand event—the Dragon Gate Conference, hosted by Wudang.
Such conferences generally held little interest for Luohua, but inside the Xiuzhen Courtyard, discussions were lively because many were participating, and someone asked Dean Mei who would represent Luohua this time.
Good Feng Jing would not participate in such competitions. Although she ranks low in Luohua, she is a Qi-Refining Practitioner, and with Feng Jun’s stockpile of talismans, pills, and magic artifacts, she could easily clinch first place; Shen Qingyi might not be able to stop her.
However, even during the first Dragon Gate Conference, only Chen Shengwang from the Qi Refining realm made appearances, winning first place without any danger.
People took pity on him for being Fanghu Daoism’s only heir, not making a big fuss, and since the first Dragon Gate Conference without even a Qi Refining realm participant would seem unworthy of the name "Dragon Gate."
In other words, if Luohua’s entire Qi Refining realm participated, sweeping the top four would be no problem—even if Kunlun’s Qi Refining realm joined, Luohua still has two individuals mastering Martial Enlightenment.
So Teacher Mei indicated: Luohua might not have participants this time. Those who can fight have all entered Qi Refinement realm; those who haven’t are not much good at fighting, showing a distinct middle gap.
Good Feng Jing merely mentioned this, resulting in the news being taken back to the mountain by the Wudang disciple.
Upon hearing this news, Wudang Director Daoist Master Wenxu couldn’t sit still. He brought Elder Guo and hurried to Luohua.
The director of Wudang is a Middle-Stage Martial Master, in his sixties but looks less than fifty. In recent years, he has focused on handling work affairs—and greetings.
He had only been to Luohua once before, during Zhang Caixin’s advancement to Qi Refinement realm; he wanted to attend the four Qi Refinement celebrations this time but couldn’t due to an important meeting in the Imperial Capital.
The purpose of his visit was to request Luohua to send someone—no Luohua participants in the Dragon Gate Conference would render the event unworthy of its name, "Dragon Gate."
However, Feng Jun’s thoughts align with Teacher Mei; sending Luohua’s Qi Refining out is purely bullying, below Qi Refining realm is not much for fighting, better to see everyone’s performance.
But Director Wenxu earnestly pleaded that participation is key, and said if all else fails, send a Qi Refining participant, since a Qi Refining one appeared before—actually, I think Fellow Gao Qiang would be good.
Send a Qi Refining participant from Luohua? Feng Jun wouldn’t dignify that, he’s not shameless like Chen Shengwang, but Gao Qiang isn’t suitable either, "Last time Gao Qiang was maintaining order, is it appropriate for him to participate this time?"
"Suitable, what’s unsuitable?" Director Wenxu answered without hesitation, "According to Luohua’s secret technique, I think in a year or two, Fellow Daoist Gao might also advance to the Innate realm, and after entering the Innate realm, it would be inconvenient to participate in the Dragon Gate Assembly."
Feng Jun couldn’t help but deliberate again; is it that the assembly is lacking without us, or does Director Wenxu have other calculations?
Could it be wanting the Wudang disciples to step over Gao Qiang and reach the pinnacle?
He still has quite a bit of confidence in Gao Qiang’s strength. In purely martial cultivator battles, Gao Qiang’s chance of winning the championship exceeds forty percent—mainly because he’s not afraid of injuries, and Luohua has plenty of healing pills.
However, if he encounters someone in the Transformation Stage, it’s unclear if Gao Qiang can succeed. Dao cultivators and martial cultivators fundamentally follow different paths—even though talismans and magic artifacts are scarce in various Daoist sects now, it’s still possible some might have one or two left.
Suddenly, he thought of a possibility, "Is Kunlun also going to participate in the Dragon Gate Assembly?"
Daoist Master Wenxu was shocked upon hearing this, paused before nodding, "Yes, Kunlun intends to register, but my requirement for them is... Qi Refinement practitioners cannot participate."
Feng Jun felt somewhat displeased upon hearing that Kunlun would join, but during the celebration of the four Qi Refinement disciples recently, Kunlun also sent four gifts through Shen Qingyi; past grievances are about ready to be completely laid to rest.
Moreover, this Dragon Gate Assembly is organized by the various branches of the Daoist sects. Luohua, for convenience, announced they wouldn’t participate in the organizing work of the assembly. Now that the organizers have agreed to Kunlun’s participation, would it be too much to deny it?
Feng Jun felt slightly unhappy but couldn’t argue, and he snorted coldly, "Since Kunlun wants to send Qi Refinement practitioners, let them; Luohua has them too."
"Better not," Daoist Master Wenxu expressed with a troubled face, "If both of you send Qi Refinement practitioners, how can others compete?"
Feng Jun’s earlier comment was also instinctive, upon hearing Director Wenxu’s words, he gave the other a deep look, "Then why did you say earlier that Luohua could send Qi Refinement practitioners?"
"Luohua is certainly different from Kunlun," Director Wenxu replied proudly, "Luohua is a major sponsor of the Dragon Gate Assembly; having some distinct treatment is normal, isn’t it?"
Feng Jun couldn’t help laughing, "Director Wenxu, your Wudang is walking further down the path of secularization."
His words were a sarcastic remark on the other’s smoothness.
However, Director Wenxu remained indifferent, "Fellow Daoist Feng, if it were twenty years ago, I might have shared your view; but as you age, you have to consider the sect’s development, and secularization is also the trend for the sect’s future."
"Forget it, Luohua will send another Transformation Stage practitioner," Feng Jun sighed, "Without Kunlun, I wouldn’t be interested in winning the championship; but since Kunlun wants to participate in the Dragon Gate Assembly, we in Luohua won’t let go of that first place!"
Director Wenxu smiled upon hearing this, "Yes, that’s the way. Without Luohua and Kunlun, the Dragon Gate Assembly would be somewhat lacking in prestige; only when both of you can send practitioners below the Qi Refinement stage will it be a real spectacle."
Upon listening, Feng Jun couldn’t help but roll his eyes, "Why do I have the feeling you’re doing this on purpose?"
"Isn’t this how Daoist sects should prosper?" Director Wenxu spread his hands and replied candidly, "Everyone should be involved; otherwise, it doesn’t reflect unity!"
He didn’t want to criticize Luohua for remaining aloof; hence he drew Luohua in for deep participation—adding Gao Qiang along with a Transformation Stage practitioner, showing Luohua’s regard for the assembly.
Feng Jun acknowledged he couldn’t disagree. During the Daoist sects’ revitalization, everyone should contribute, and Luohua being too detached wasn’t quite suitable.
But then again, he wasn’t arrogant, but if he really positioned Luohua as "one of the branches of the Earth Realm Daoist sects," how could he strive hard to fight Kunhao?
In life, one shouldn’t fear low starting points but setting goals too low; clearly, a true dragon, yet choosing to mingle in a small mud pit, doesn’t that waste one’s potential?
Thus Feng Jun nodded and spoke earnestly, "Unity is essential, Luohua will register two names this time, Gao Qiang and Li Shishi."
Luohua’s core members weren’t a secret within the Daoist sects; many rated Gao Qiang highly, believing under the same cultivation level, Gazi couldn’t beat Gao Qiang, while Li Shishi used to be Luohua’s chief steward and interacted frequently with the outside world.
However, Li Shishi’s combat ability was unknown to many; they only knew she was a Dao cultivator.
Those familiar with Li Shishi’s strength, like Shen Qingyi, knew this girl was quite laid-back, and her martial arts were mediocre. She considered Gao Qiang the main competitor.
She even thought Feng Jun’s registration of Li Shishi was a reluctant choice by Luohua—there were only two Transformations Stage practitioners total; Luohua couldn’t have Director Yang participate in the Dragon Gate Assembly.
But the reality was slightly different from her assumption; after bidding farewell to Director Wenxu, Feng Jun directly summoned Li Shishi to his cultivation site, "I have a task for you: in this year’s Dragon Gate Assembly, you must bring back the championship."
