This is what an immortal should be like

Chapter 234 The Small Taoist Temple That Others Look Down On

It was already 10 p.m., but Xiong Xuguang still made the decisive call to his teacher.

Generally speaking, older people tend to go to bed early, but although Duan Kang is not young, as the current director of the Imperial Observatory, he has too many things to do every day, so it is impossible for him to go to bed early.

Moreover, Duan Kang indeed carried a heavy burden.

Compared to those below in the Bureau of Investigation, those at higher levels feel a greater sense of urgency.

Especially after the last appearance of the monster on Old Locust Mountain, this sense of urgency has become even stronger. People below may not be aware of this, but at Duan Kang's level, not to mention anything else, ministerial meetings have been held more than a dozen times recently.

This frequency is alarmingly high, and the higher authorities are constantly analyzing and correcting strategies, including but not limited to the country's internal development direction and assessments of international relations.

However, one thing has already been unanimously confirmed by the upper echelons of the Great Yan Dynasty: the great calamity of heaven and earth prophesied by the Xuan Turtle Shell will definitely come, which, to put it simply, is the end of the world.

Furthermore, unlike some movies and TV shows that nominally call it the end of the world but are actually just the end of humanity, the end of the universe and all things is clearly the real end of the world.

The being who left behind the Xuan Turtle Shell might be an immortal, but they were also ancestors of the Great Yan Dynasty. They would never play such a joke on their descendants.

At this moment, Duan Kang was still in the ancient building of the Imperial Observatory, in the public office near the Xuan Tian Yi (a type of astronomical instrument), arranging a new training program with some people. Among those participating were people from the original Imperial Observatory, experts from other disciplines, and bigwigs from the military.

"Our firepower may be decent, but as humans, as mortals, we are too fragile. The soldiers' willpower is stronger than that of ordinary people, yet they cannot overcome their fear of demons."

"So it's actually not strong enough! What's that on-site commander's name? Qian Xiangjun, right? He overcame it!"

“Everyone’s situation is different. In addition to strengthening targeted training and providing psychological counseling, we also need to consider metaphysical aspects. We need more professionals. The Bureau of Extraordinary Investigations is too short-staffed!”

"What about Xiong Xuguang? He's a true reincarnation of a celestial cultivator!"

"Xiong Xuguang is just one person; even if you cut him into several pieces, it wouldn't be enough to go around!"

"So it's not that we need him to train them directly, but we hope he can provide a reasonable training plan, so that at least our best warriors will have more ways to deal with demons, and at least be able to overcome some of the mental impact!"

"Yes, one trains ten, ten train a hundred, the lesser train the more, the experienced train the new – this is an excellent tradition of our army!"

These people were having a heated discussion, also about venues and resources needed. At this point, Duan Kang realized that all these people were actually asking him for manpower.

To be precise, I want Xiong Xuguang!

Duan Kang was also troubled. His student had become a hot commodity, but there was nothing he could do about it; after all, his student was special.

"I'll talk to Xuguang, but he's been too tired lately. The awakening of his past life memories is abnormally affecting his rest. It's like there are two lives constantly alternating within his body. In severe cases, it could lead to schizophrenia!"

"He still needs to rest more."

"Yes, Comrade Xiong's existence is invaluable to us, second only to the Xuan Turtle Shell and the Xuan Tian Instrument."

"Dean Duan, among the religious groups surveyed so far, which ones are somewhat unique?"

"It's very rare, to say the least."

Duan Kang gave a conservative answer: In reality, most of them are charlatans. The rest may not be charlatans in themselves, but they just believe it themselves. The actual effect cannot be verified, or rather, it has no effect. It only has a psychological effect.

"Dili li li li."

Duan Kang's personal cell phone suddenly rang. Looking at the caller ID, he saw that it was Xiong Xuguang.

"Xuguang Phone!"

The office fell silent at that sentence. Everyone remembered what Xiong Xuguang was doing, so it seemed that he might have made a breakthrough!

"Hey, Xuguang, calling me so late, is there some good news?"

Duan Kang couldn't help but ask, he was really looking forward to good news, and Xiong Xuguang on the other end of the phone was obviously extremely excited, and the message he conveyed was exactly what everyone was waiting for.

"Dean! I won't say anything yet, please download the video file I sent!"

There was a computer in the office, so Duan Kang didn't hang up the phone. While listening to Xiong Xuguang speak, he opened his internal email to download files.

By the time the video file finished downloading, Xiong Xuguang on the other end of the phone had basically explained the situation, and then everyone stared at the computer screen to watch the video.

The footage is taken inside the hotel. Xiong Xuguang adjusts the camera position and moves back to show the sachet.

"This is a sachet that the Taoist priest from Taiji Temple gave me a while ago. There seems to be a peach blossom inside."

From the moment he tentatively removed the peach blossoms to when they disappeared, the time was very short, and anyone watching the video could feel Xiong Xuguang's excitement and panic at the time.

Others who watched the video felt similarly to Xiong Xuguang, even though they didn't know why the peach blossoms had vanished.

"Dean, I also asked my colleagues and the hotel receptionist. I wasn't the only one who smelled that floral fragrance; as it dissipated, everyone in the hotel smelled a faint scent, but it disappeared very quickly."

Duan Kang gripped his phone even tighter.

"Xuguang, what do you think is the reason? Do you have any ideas?"

Since Xiong Xuguang has memories of his past life as a cultivator, asking him directly is the first choice when encountering such matters.

"Have!"

Xiong Xuguang was holding the talisman in his hand on the other end.

"The old Taoist priest once said, 'A flower is not a flower, a tree is not a tree.' I think I understand what that means. The sachet doesn't contain peach blossoms at all. Or rather, it's not the peach blossoms we understand."

"what is that?"

One of the people from the Imperial Observatory couldn't help but ask, and Xiong Xuguang naturally heard it too. He had calmed down a bit by now, but his heart was still beating very fast.

"This peach blossom must be a condensation of spiritual energy, or at least something representing this kind of thing. The key to maintaining the shape of the flower and keeping the sachet fragrant is this talisman. I impulsively separated the flower from the talisman."

"But we are in the Dharma-ending Age where spiritual energy is depleted. Without the protection of talismans, it's like an osmotic pressure imbalance. The spiritual energy on this spiritual flower quickly dissipated, and the flower turned into powder and disappeared just like in the video!"

That's a very reasonable explanation; everyone can understand it!

Xiong Xuguang took a deep breath, looked up at the night sky outside the hotel window, clenched his fist, and said what was on his mind. "Dean, I think the Tai Chi Yin Yang Temple I remember must be there, or at least related to it. We've touched upon a clear clue about contemporary cultivators!"
-
Information about Taiji Temple was blocked the night Xiong Xuguang called back, and even few people within the Bureau of Investigation knew about it.

It was only at a confidential meeting held the following morning that ministers of the Great Yan Dynasty learned of this information.

Previously, when Xiong Xuguang and others pretended to visit Taiji Temple, they even took some photos with their portable film camera.

The red brick houses and mud-brick courtyards in the photo, as well as that old hall, all look so ordinary, even somewhat rudimentary, but it is very likely the place where immortal cultivators live in seclusion.

And that early-blooming peach tree is naturally the most special place.

All information about Taiji Temple was further investigated, and even the story of how all the Taoist priests of Taiji Temple went out to provide support during the Great Yan turmoil was unearthed. When they returned, there were few of them left, and the temple had also partially collapsed.

Whether these stories are true or not is unknown, but people are more willing to believe they are true because protecting one's descendants is a spirit that has been passed down from ancient times in the Great Yan Dynasty.

Even though it was basically confirmed, at this point, the Bureau of Investigation and Statistics, its subordinate units, and all government officials exercised great restraint, or rather, all those in the know were given a death order.

You are not allowed to set foot on the grounds of Taiji Temple for the time being!
Because no one knew what kind of magical power the immortal cultivators possessed, or whether Xiong Xuguang and the others had sensed that they were not ordinary tourists when they arrived.

But at least everyone can figure out that if the Taoist priests are immortal cultivators, they certainly don't like being disturbed. They are content with simple meals and have no intention of contacting the government.

At the same time, there was also some good news: several old Taoist priests were very friendly to Xiong Xuguang and the others. They could tell that Xiong Xuguang was troubled and offered him calming items.

In this situation, it would be foolish to immediately go and disturb them, as it would easily provoke resentment, so we can only wait.

The Bureau of Investigation is waiting for the right opportunity!

Xiong Xuguang was also waiting. He was directly assigned to Jingzhou, and people were sent to bring his family to Jingzhou as well.
-
Of course, although the Bureau of Investigation did not openly disturb Tai Chi Temple, it never stopped its relatively appropriate observations in secret.

The villages closest to the foot of Taiji Temple have quietly seen a number of "outsiders" renting their homes. Some are there to work in Jingzhou, some to visit relatives, and some to conduct research and prepare to contract land for starting a business. There are many reasons, but none of them are genuine.

As the days went by, the Bureau of Investigation discovered that the Taoist priests did not go down the mountain except to purchase supplies, except for the days when they went down to perform rituals. However, there were exceptions.

The Taoist priests of Taiji Temple never had such an unpredictable day when they would go down the mountain and travel a little further to the Jingzhou section of the Yangtze River. This happened for three consecutive months.

Some of the advisors at the Bureau of Investigation almost unanimously concluded that the Taoist priests at Tai Chi Temple must know about the Yangtze River Tortoise Shell. They might not know that the tortoise shell had been taken away by the government and were still trying to find it.

Even so, the Bureau of Investigation still didn't take any major action, but it finally couldn't help but make some relatively reasonable small moves.

For example, Xiong Xuguang and others brought friends to revisit Taiji Temple, citing the same reason of sightseeing, and still got along well with the Taoist priests.

The new residents of the village at the foot of the mountain also occasionally go up the mountain to burn incense, and they also bring some food and supplies for the Taoist priests.

There were no other actions taken.

And all this time, the peach trees at Taiji Temple have continued to bloom.

It was already mid-April in the Great Yan calendar. In the Taiji Temple, four Taoists finished their practice under the peach tree and got up. The main reason was that all four of them had heard footsteps coming from afar.

"Sigh, Grandmaster, they are really patient. I thought they would have lost their temper much earlier."

Xu Ming smiled.

"The current imperial court is very composed on important matters, which shows that they value us. Well, they're impatient and restless, so let's lend them a hand."
-
Half an hour later, at a small table in front of the kitchen of Taiji Temple, Xiong Xuguang and a group of "friends who were hiking" were drinking tea and chatting.

The group consisted of six people. Having become familiar with the Taoist priests, they helped clean the already relatively clean temple and brought rice, noodles, and vegetables, planning to share lunch there.

However, Master Xu Ming and two other older Taoist priests were not present today; only the younger Taoist priests were there to chat with the group.

As they chatted, the topic turned to the succession of Taoist traditions. The young Taoist priest brought it up, so Xiong Xuguang took the opportunity to ask a question.

"Master, when did you begin your Taoist practice? Taiji Temple is such a wonderful place, with beautiful mountains and clear waters and fresh air. Why don't you recruit more disciples?"

Xiong Xuguang was speaking from the heart. He had already formed a preconceived notion that this place was a sacred place for immortals, and those who had been here several times increasingly felt that the air here was exceptionally good, even having a healing effect, and that there might be the legendary spiritual energy here.

However, the young Taoist priest couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this.

"Hahaha, you're joking, everyone. Taiji Temple is indeed a nice place, but not for most people. The beautiful scenery is barely acceptable, but as for other things, the conditions inside the temple are limited. Nowadays, people's hearts are becoming more and more restless, and not many people are willing to calm down and cultivate here."

The young Taoist priest thought for a moment and then joked.

“In earlier years, our grandmaster instructed our master and uncles to take on more disciples. We even went down the mountain to look for disciples and posted notices in the villages.”

"The results of it?"

A person next to Xiong Xuguang quickly asked a question, and the young Taoist priest clapped his hands and then spread his hands.

Not a single one!

"You don't like any of them?"

The young Taoist priest smiled and shook his head.

"No, no, it's just that nobody looks up to our Taiji Temple! Those who aspire to enter the Dao have all gone to famous mountains and great rivers. Who would even glance at our dilapidated little temple? After this happened several times, our Grandmaster temporarily abandoned his plan to accept more disciples, waiting for a future opportunity!"

Holy crap! It's not that Tai Chi Temple doesn't accept disciples, but that others look down on Tai Chi Temple?

In Xiong Xuguang and the others' eyes, Taiji Temple was somewhat sacred. They were so shocked that they choked on their tea. At the same time, they realized that this was important information and wrote it all down.

And among these people, one couldn't help but ask a question.

"Master, what do you think of me? Am I capable of cultivation?"

"Hahahahahaha."

The young Taoist smiled and looked at the man meaningfully.

"People come and go for profit, people rush about for gain. Do you really want to cultivate yourself?"

At that moment, the young Taoist's eyes seemed to see right through the person asking the question, making everyone feel as if he knew who they were and what their purpose was from the very beginning. This caused the group to fall silent, merely sipping their tea with slight trepidation.
(End of this chapter)