This celestial master cultivates both physical and magical arts; why did you provoke him?

The news spread because Fang Zijian posted another message on his WeChat Moments.

This time he learned his lesson and didn't post those exaggerated photos; he only posted a short caption:

"I discovered a shocking secret today: Xia En graduated from Jiangzhou University with a degree in Applied Physics, ranking first in his class. He also earned a Master's degree in Computer Science and won an ACM gold medal."

"I asked him why he became a Taoist priest with such a high level of education, and he said: 'Life is a journey of self-cultivation; if you don't advance, you fall behind. Being a Taoist priest is easy, and I don't have to worry about losing my job.' I was speechless."

The comments section exploded for the third time.

"What?! Xia En graduated from Jiangzhou University? And he's a top student? A GPA of 3.9? First prize in the physics competition? A gold medal in ACM? Are these even humanly possible?"

"Wait, applied physics? Computer science master's degree? And then he went and became a Taoist priest? What kind of logic is that?"

"Life is a journey of self-cultivation? Being a Taoist priest is leisurely? Aren't you afraid of losing your job? This sounds like a joke, but thinking about it carefully, it seems to make sense..."

"So Xia En isn't just a celestial master, a physical cultivator, and an economist, he's also a top student? What kind of all-around genius is this?"

"What kind of people does the Celestial Master's Mansion at Longhu Mountain accept? A first-prize winner in a physics competition becomes a Taoist priest? That's ridiculous!"

"Upstairs, it's not the Celestial Master's Mansion scroll, it's the Xia En scroll. One person has scrolled through the entire Celestial Master's Mansion."

When the news reached Jiangzhou University, the professors in the Physics Department were having a meeting.

A young lecturer rushed in with his phone and showed the old professor the post on his WeChat Moments.

The old professor's surname was Chen. He was over seventy years old and his hair was completely white.

He was a leading figure in the Physics Department of Jiangzhou University.

He stared at the post on his WeChat Moments and remained silent for a long time.

"Shane..."

He murmured to himself, "I remember that name."

Everyone looked at him.

"In 2018, Jiangzhou University won the only first prize in the National Undergraduate Physics Competition. He was only a sophomore that year."

Professor Chen's eyes are a little... "I advised him to pursue a doctorate and stay in academia. He said he would think about it."

"After he graduated, I never knew where he went. It turns out... he went to Longhu Mountain to become a Taoist priest."

Silence fell over the meeting room.

A physics prodigy who won first prize in a national physics competition became a Taoist priest.

This news is a loss for the academic community.

But for that young man himself, it was a choice.

"He's right."

Professor Chen suddenly smiled, "Life is a journey of self-cultivation. Everyone has their own path."

"His path is not in the laboratory, but on Mount Longhu."

When the news reached Longhu Mountain, Zhang Jingxuan was meditating in the back hall.

Zhang Jingqing rushed in with her phone and showed him the post on her WeChat Moments.

After reading it, Zhang Jingxuan remained silent for a long time.

"This kid..."

He muttered to himself, "They never told me."

Zhang Jingqing sighed from the side.

"Master, isn't my junior brother... being too low-key?"

"First prize in the National Physics Competition, a master's degree in Computer Science, and a gold medal in the ACM International Physics Competition. Any one of these achievements would be enough for an ordinary person to brag about for a lifetime. Yet he didn't mention a single word about them."

Zhang Jingxuan thought for a moment, "He doesn't need to use these things to prove himself."

Zhang Jingqing was taken aback.

"He is a Taoist master. A Taoist master's duty is to protect people, not to flaunt academic qualifications."

Zhang Jingxuan said, "The knowledge he learned in university was not for showing off, but for understanding the world. Physics, chemistry, biology, and computer science, like Taoist magic, talismans, and thunder magic, are all ways to understand the world."

"He combined the two to become the Shane we know today."

He looked out the window at Longhu Mountain, where the sun was setting.

"He is not a Taoist master in the traditional sense. But he is a true Taoist master. A more powerful Taoist master armed with modern knowledge."

That night, Xia En received a WeChat message.

It was posted by Professor Chen.

He finally found Xia En's WeChat account and sent her a long message.

"Xia En, I heard you've become a Taoist priest."

"I was surprised, but not unexpected. You've never been a settled person. Back in college, you liked to study strange and unusual things. Others did physics experiments to publish papers and get degrees. You did physics experiments to verify whether the Taoist qi is a kind of electromagnetic wave."

"I thought you were crazy back then. Now that I think about it, you might not have been crazy; you just saw things we couldn't. Life is a journey of self-cultivation, you're right."

"Everyone has their own path. Your path is on Mount Longhu. I wish you a smooth journey in your spiritual practice. Come back and visit when you have time; I'll make you some tea."

Xia En stared at that message for a long time.

Then he replied:

"Thank you, Teacher Chen. I'll definitely come back to visit you when I have time."

He placed his phone next to his pillow and closed his eyes.

Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a silvery-white glow on the floor.

He thought back to his university days.

I spent the whole day in the library studying advanced mathematics and quantum mechanics.

Conducting physical experiments in the laboratory to verify the principles of Taoism;

I write code in front of the computer and use machine learning algorithms to analyze the patterns on the talismans.

Those days were fulfilling and interesting.

But he knew that wasn't what he wanted.

What he wants is now.

Lying in the courtyard of Qingheju, sucking on a lollipop, waiting for the next person in need of help to come to the door.

Solve their problems, collect money, hand it over to the Celestial Master's Mansion, boost the economy, and stimulate consumption.

Life is a journey of self-cultivation, but this journey doesn't take place in universities or laboratories.

On Longhu Mountain, in every corner of Jiangzhou City, and among ordinary people troubled by evil spirits.

He turned over and buried his face in the pillow.

"Go to sleep," he said sullenly.

The next morning, Xia En was awakened by a knock on the door.

He opened the door, and there stood a young man in his early twenties, wearing glasses and carrying a backpack, who looked like a college student.

"Hello, are you Master Xia Enxia?"

"it's me."

The young man took a deep breath and then bowed.

"Master Xia, I wish to become your disciple!"

Xia En looked at him. "Who are you?"

"My name is Li Xiangyang, and I am a third-year student in the Physics Department of Jiangzhou University."

The young man's eyes sparkled. "I read the reports about you online and learned that you also graduated from Jiangnan University, and you're a senior majoring in applied physics! I want to learn Taoist magic from you!"

Xia En paused for a moment, then said, "You're a junior in physics. Instead of studying properly, you're here to learn Taoist magic? Being a Taoist priest is exhausting! There are no social security benefits! Think it through, young man."

"I've figured it out!"

Li Xiangyang said excitedly, "Life is a journey of self-cultivation! Studying physics is a form of self-cultivation, and learning Taoist magic is also a form of self-cultivation! I want to be like you, a Taoist master who cultivates both physics and Taoism!"

Xia En looked at him and suddenly smiled.

This smile wasn't a carefree, nonchalant one; it was a very gentle smile.

"Go back and finish your studies first," he said.

Li Xiangyang was stunned.

"Finished reading?"

"Yes. Come find me after you get your diploma and degree."

"But……"

"No buts."

Xia En interrupted him, "You haven't even mastered physics, how can you learn Taoist magic? Taoist magic and physics are interconnected."

"Without understanding quantum mechanics, one cannot comprehend the essence of talismans. Without understanding electromagnetism, one cannot grasp the essence of thunder magic."

"If you don't understand thermodynamics, you can't control the golden light of the Overlord Body. Go back and finish your studies first, then come find me."

Li Xiangyang opened his mouth, unable to speak for a long time.

Then he nodded heavily.

"Okay! I'll go back to my studies! I'll come find you again after I get my degree!"

He turned and ran away.

Fang Zijian poked his head out of the house. "You really want to take on apprentices?"

"No, we won't accept it."

"Then why did you make him finish his studies and come to find you?"

Xia En looked at him and smiled.

"Once he finishes his studies, he'll know what he wants to do. If he still wants to be a Taoist priest after he finishes his studies, then I'll take him in."

Fang Zijian fell silent.

Looking at Xia En's smile, he suddenly understood something.

This person is not only a Taoist priest in the Celestial Master's Mansion, but he is also influencing more people in his own way.

The ordinary people he helped.

Those young people who read his reports, those who rethink the meaning of life because of him.

He is more than just a Taoist priest.

He was also a guide.

…………

Seeking recommendations and support! This is the only folk tale about a Taoist master on Q-Read, and I'm almost out of drafts. It's tough!

Please read this every day, thank you!