Wielding the Thunders Across Two Worlds-Chapter 36: The Old Daoist Watching Short Dramas
Gu Zhao stared at the old Daoist in shock.
He never would have dreamed of meeting a human in the modern world who could make the Five Thunders Order react. One had to understand that while there was Spiritual Qi in the modern air, it was like a pipe that was almost out of water, dripping down one or two drops at a time.
Gu Zhao had once tried to practice Cultivation in the modern world, but the speed at which he absorbed Spiritual Qi was utterly despair-inducing. ’There’s actually someone who managed to successfully cultivate in the modern era?’
The old Daoist carefully sized up Gu Zhao.
His experience was, of course, different from Gu Zhao’s. From the young man across from him, he simply sensed the same ethereal presence that he himself could only feel from the world when he was at his most immersed in his morning Cultivation.
The old Daoist knew very well that this was a sign of having cultivated Inner Breath True Qi. And absorbing the mystical Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi into one’s body was not something an ordinary person could do. ’Is this little fellow a practitioner of the Daoist, Buddhist, or a secular path?’
Meanwhile, Jiang Shishi and Xiao Ya were whispering to each other nearby.
"That old Daoist who was binge-watching a drama while striking a chime a while back... I think he was at the Supreme Lord Pavilion. It couldn’t be him, could it?"
"I heard some people online said his volume was a little too loud."
"Well, isn’t he wearing headphones now?"
"Hee hee hee..."
Aside from the person who actually filmed the video, most netizens, including Jiang Shishi and Xiao Ya, had no problem with it. Everyone just found the old Daoist to be inexplicably cute, going with the flow and doing as he pleased. This was the true spirit of the Taoist Family.
"You burn incense to worship the gods, not the Daoists. Why shouldn’t he be allowed to watch his shows?"
"They used the Buddhist Family’s prayer gesture. It’s a wonder the old Daoist didn’t whack them!"
"You’re here to worship a god, and the man is helping you call the god down. But instead of focusing on the god, you’re focused on the man?"
Never mind the netizens; even the Qingcheng Mountain Scenic Area Administration and the Taoism Association didn’t make a big deal out of it. The Taoist Family is easygoing by nature, but if you go looking for trouble, they won’t put up with it.
This feeling of self-cultivation, of following one’s heart and nature, of Natural Daoist Law, was precisely why many people admired the Taoist Family. But Gu Zhao guessed they would never imagine that someone could actually practice Cultivation in the modern world!
Gu Zhao suppressed the stirring of the Thunder Seed in his mind and simultaneously received a message from the Five Thunders Order.
This was the first time he had ever received a message from the Five Thunders Order. It was as if its previous functions were things he was supposed to know innately, offering no feedback whatsoever. Only the reaction of the Thunder Seed was something that needed to be communicated to him.
The message was not in words or sounds, but it mysteriously informed him that before him stood a mortal with a pure Divine Soul, an upright air, and a talent for Cultivation, who was capable of receiving a Thunder Seed formed from the Evil Qi absorbed by the Five Thunders Order.
By bestowing the Thunder Seed upon him, Gu Zhao could take him on as a subordinate, activate his Innate Qi, and allow him to ascend to the heavens in a single step, cultivating rapidly and even having the hope of becoming an Immortal in the future.
Not only that, but he would also receive a share of the credit and rewards from the other party’s Doing Good Deeds and Accumulating Virtue, as well as their Exorcising Demons and Evil Spirits.
Gu Zhao was dumbfounded. He hadn’t expected the Five Thunders Order to also have the function of condensing a Thunder Seed and bestowing it upon others. ’Is this... Romance of the Three Kingdoms? It’s really turning into a game, isn’t it?’
So, he subconsciously extended his senses to probe more carefully. Indeed, he could sense something different about the old Daoist. Although it was very faint and subtle, there was definitely Magical Power within his body.
And as Gu Zhao probed more carefully, the old Daoist’s feeling grew even stronger. He could even sense that Gu Zhao was investigating him.
The next moment, just as the line reached Gu Zhao’s group and the three of them were kneeling side-by-side to worship Taishang Laojun, the old Daoist abruptly stood up, startling Jiang Shishi and Xiao Ya.
"We didn’t do it on purpose!" Jiang Shishi raised her hands.
"We didn’t mean it!" Xiao Ya subconsciously pressed her palms together, begging for mercy in a small voice.
The old Daoist followed their gaze to the short drama playing on his phone—"The Overbearing CEO Falls in Love With Me"—and couldn’t help but grin. In a thick Sichuan accent, he said, "Actually, ’dis show is pretty good. It’s relaxin’ to watch, helps ya de-stress and unwind."
"Right, right, right!"
"Exactly, exactly!"
Xiao Ya and Jiang Shishi nodded repeatedly, and good-natured laughter came from the crowd nearby. Everyone had come to pray for blessings, seeking peace of mind and happiness above all. It was about getting some good luck. If they came here just to get angry, wouldn’t that be putting the cart before the horse?
The old Daoist also chuckled at their words. Though his face was full of wrinkles, his smile was exceptionally cheerful. "You all go on and worship Laojun. This old Daoist will strike the chime for you."
It was just a small interlude that didn’t affect anything. When Xiao Ya bowed again, her expression became extremely devout as she murmured a prayer for her grandfather, wishing for his health to improve.
The old Daoist beamed, his service much more attentive than before. For every kowtow the three made, the old Daoist would strike the chime once while softly chanting, his murmurs echoing throughout the grand hall.
Seeing the three of them get up, the old Daoist didn’t sit back down. Instead, he beckoned to the side, summoning a middle-aged Daoist. He handed the chime mallet to him, then picked up his phone and walked out from behind the table.
The old Daoist came over to the trio with a wide grin, looking Gu Zhao up and down. "I see this little brother is handsome and dignified, with a heroic bearing, as graceful as a tree in the wind, and dashingly stylish. Truly a rare talent."
Jiang Shishi: "..."
Xiao Ya: "..."
"Master, did you just happen to scroll past a short video of Gu Zhao saving someone?" Jiang Shishi asked while pulling out her phone. "I don’t think I saw anyone manage to film it in time just now. Did it get on the trending list this fast?"
Gu Zhao, of course, knew why the old Daoist was saying such things about him. He smiled and clasped his hands in a fist-and-palm salute. "I see that you, old senior, have a radiant complexion and a vigorous spirit. Your Qi fills your hall, and your age is matched only by your virtue. You must be a great master of a generation who has achieved success in Cultivation."
The old Daoist burst into laughter, then grabbed Gu Zhao and started heading upstairs. "Come, come, let’s go upstairs for tea. You two little ladies can come along too. This old Daoist will read your fortunes for marriage."
Jiang Shishi and Xiao Ya exchanged a look, both completely baffled. They could only subconsciously follow the old Daoist and Gu Zhao around the main hall and toward the stairs leading to the second floor.
But when the tourists behind them saw this scene, the crowd exploded.
"What’s going on? Aren’t tourists forbidden from going to the second floor of the Supreme Lord Pavilion?"
"Didn’t you see the old Daoist invited them up?"
"So if you trade a few commercial-level compliments and make the old Daoist happy, you can go up for tea and even get him to read your fortune personally?"
"Hiss—"
"Daoist, I see you have a dignified appearance, with thick brows and large eyes, the back of a tiger and the waist of a bear, and an aura that could swallow mountains and rivers! You must be a great master of the Taoist Family!"
"Fortune sticks are free. Explanations are twenty."
...
"Martial Uncle!"
"Martial Grandmaster!"
Arriving on the second floor, every Daoist they passed greeted the old Daoist with a respectful bow. This left the two girls stunned, as they now realized that the old Daoist not only had an incredibly high seniority here but was also highly respected. Even a tall, elderly Daoist who seemed to hold a high position clasped his hands in a salute to him before looking at the three of them with curiosity.
"Yes, yes, good!" The old Daoist just waved his hand casually, then instructed a middle-aged Daoist to brew some tea before leading the three of them to a quiet room on the third floor.
Incense was lit, tea was poured, and they all sat down.
After exchanging greetings, Gu Zhao learned that the old Daoist’s title was Yan Song. Taoist Yan Song, in turn, learned that Gu Zhao had studied Daoism with his grandfather since childhood and also heard Jiang Shishi recount how Gu Zhao had saved someone just moments before.
"Blessed Infinite Celestial Venerable!" When Taoist Yan Song looked at Gu Zhao again, it was as if he were looking at a treasure. ’This boy is simply a prodigy of Cultivation!’
Then, they quickly turned the conversation to Xiao Ya, learning that she had been visiting various places to worship and draw fortune sticks, praying for her grandfather.
"No wonder. I was just thinking how devout the little lady was when she prayed," Taoist Yan Song said, stroking his beard.
Xiao Ya said in a low voice, "That’s why I was hoping to draw a fortune stick at the Supreme Lord Pavilion and also ask for a Peace Talisman for my grandfather."
Taoist Yan Song was taken aback. "Asking for a fortune stick, I can understand. But asking for a Talisman..."
"What’s wrong with asking for a Talisman?" Jiang Shishi asked.
Taoist Yan Song winked at Gu Zhao and said teasingly, "You have a real Immortal right next to you, so why are you running around asking for a Peace Talisman? Hurry up and agree to be his girlfriend, have him draw you a Peace Talisman and consecrate it properly. You can just count it as the betrothal gift."
Gu Zhao: (๑❛ᴗ❛๑)
Xiao Ya: (๐_๐||)
