Becoming a god starting from the weasel

The Book-Wandering Ghost spoke with refined and modest manners, possessing the appearance of a fair-skinned scholar, with clear and bright eyes, a face like jade, and a rich scholarly aura surrounding him.

Ordinary people would be terrified if they encountered a strange guest who appeared out of nowhere, but this ghost did not have a trace of evil or malevolent aura. Instead, it was surrounded by a peaceful and calm atmosphere.

Chen Yang hesitated for only a moment before leaping off the eaves, landing firmly on his feet. He then pushed open the gate of the Taoist temple and gestured for guests to enter.

Seeing this, the wandering scholar returned a standard scholar's bow with his hands clasped, his robes fluttering as he slowly stepped into the Taoist temple.

As he stepped through the mountain gate, the bright moonlight shone upon him. The ground was empty, without any shadows. Chen Yang's gaze narrowed slightly as he noticed fine frost clinging to the edge of the other man's sleeve.

Chen Yang was secretly surprised and suspicious. Without a shadow, it could only be a ghost, but the scholar in front of him did not have the slightest trace of fierceness or resentment.

Noticing the surprise in Chen Yang's eyes, You Shugui softly explained.

"Master, there's no need to be so curious. My name is Wandering Book Ghost, and I naturally resent ghosts and monsters. However, I have spent my life with poetry and books, and I have collected books from all over the world."

"I used to enjoy myself in the deep mountains like the abbot, but unfortunately my fate was short. I died in the autumn rain in front of my desk and turned into this book ghost."

The Book Wanderer spoke with a hint of melancholy and regret, but his expression showed no trace of remorse.

Chen Yang observed this and nodded, then slowly said, "Sir, you jest. Only someone with such a magnanimous and unrestrained spirit can possess such a refined air; I truly admire you."

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Upon hearing this, a faint smile spread across You Shugui's fair face, as if he had found a kindred spirit.

"What you say, Abbot, is absolutely right. I have loved reading all my life. If I could be accompanied by books life after life, what difference would it make if I were not subject to reincarnation?"

Chen Yang nodded slightly and led the wandering book ghost into the Sanqing Hall. Chen Yang picked a handful of green amaranth and found two clean-looking wild radishes. He carefully washed them clean and placed a large bamboo tube in front of the wandering book ghost.

Then he went to the kitchen to boil a pot of water, working on it for a full half hour before returning to the hall with two bamboo tubes in his arms.

Add the camellia leaves and pour in boiling water; two cups of simple, coarse tea are ready in no time.

Chen Yang pushed a canister of tea toward You Shugui, who was sitting on a cushion on the steps, and spoke calmly.

"There are no treasures in the temple, so we can only serve you coarse tea."

The wandering scholar bowed respectfully, picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and slowly shook his head, saying, "Master, you are mistaken. I am discerning; you have treated me with utmost hospitality, how could I possibly be ungrateful?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Book Ghost took off the book basket from his shoulder. Inside the basket, a dark mist swirled, and the scene inside was impossible to see.

He stretched out his long, slender, fair arm and reached into the mist, taking out three Taoist scriptures.

The books all had green covers, were bound with thick thread, and were in pristine condition, showing that the owner had carefully treasured them.

With a solemn expression, You Shugui handed three books to Chen Yang. Chen Yang looked down and saw that the titles of the three books were "Xuanyuan Wuwei Zhenlu", "Chengxin Diwang Yuzhang", and "Shan'e Zhaoying Lingjian Pian".

The Book-Wandering Ghost explained in detail: "The 'True Record of the Mysterious Origin of Non-Action' is a Taoist book that emphasizes seeking the origin of heaven and earth and living in seclusion. The Master's cultivation period is still short. If he studies this book often, he can avoid the calamities of the mortal world in the future."

"The Jade Chapter on Purifying the Mind and Eliminating Delusions is used for reciting day and night to calm the mind. It can replace sleep. Frequent recitation can dispel inner demons and is most suitable for spirits and monsters to cultivate."

"The 'Records of Good and Evil' is a travelogue I wrote about the punishments and rewards I received from the good and evil deeds of the spirits and monsters I encountered on my journey over the past hundred years. I hope the abbot will not find it offensive."

After speaking, You Shugui raised his hand and scratched his temple with a slightly shy expression. Chen Yang took the scripture and couldn't help but feel happy.

Living deep in the mountains, my daily life consists only of farming and diligent cultivation. In my spare time, I can only watch the clouds and gaze at the mountains. It can only be said that the joy of reading only becomes apparent after I disconnect from my mobile phone. Naturally, I am overjoyed to have obtained three Taoist scriptures out of nowhere.

Looking at the empty plate of wild vegetables, Chen Yang asked, "Would you like some more, sir?" After all, he felt a little embarrassed that he had exchanged two rather useful scriptures for just a few wild vegetables.

The Book-Wandering Ghost raised his hand and gently stroked his lower abdomen, replying, "I am willing to give the scriptures to the Abbot because I see that the Abbot is a person who cherishes books."

After speaking, he raised his hand and pointed to a scroll placed on the altar of the Three Pure Ones statue. Chen Yang smiled but did not say anything more.

The wandering scholar then spoke up, saying, "The abbot and I get along well, so there's no need to address me as 'Master'."

"The scholar's name is Chu Xiuyuan. If the abbot does not mind, we can be called close friends."

Chen Yang bowed deeply and performed a traditional greeting: "My name is Chen Yang."

Chu Xiuyuan smiled and pointed to the book basket beside him, "I just noticed that Brother Chen Yang was quite pleased with these three Daoist scriptures. I wonder if he needs any other books? I can sell them all."

Chu Xiuyuan's words stirred Chen Yang's mind. He had accumulated spiritual energy in his body, but he had no idea how to activate it to perform magic, which made him feel quite helpless.

Chen Yang immediately asked, "Brother Xiuyuan, do you have any Taoist techniques to impart?"

Chu Xiuyuan was not surprised to hear this, and gently shook his head to reply: "This thing does exist, but Brother Chen Yang's cultivation has not yet been fully formed, and his spiritual power is just some scattered spiritual energy."

"Only when spiritual energy is mellowed can one have the foundation to perform Daoist arts. Therefore, even if I were to impart this to you, it would be useless."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yang fell into thought. No wonder he couldn't control the spiritual energy in his dantian; it was just scattered and disordered spiritual energy that couldn't be used.

This also explains why the spiritual energy in the dantian is always in wisps and strands, never able to condense into a substance, and even less able to be forced out of the body and used like spiritual liquid.

Seeing Chen Yang frowning in thought, Chu Xiuyuan gently comforted him: "Brother, there's no need to worry. Although you can't cultivate the Daoist arts yet, if you persevere, you will definitely be able to in the future."

After saying that, he reached into the book basket and rummaged around for a moment, then took out an ancient book that was thicker than a dictionary. The cover had only four characters on it: "Illustrated Catalogue of Miscellaneous Items." Chu Xiuyuan handed the book over.

"Brother Dao, this is a catalog that I have compiled from various books during my hundred years of travels."

"It contains everything from farming and weapon crafting to herb gathering and astronomy. This item might be more suitable for you, fellow Daoist."

Chen Yang casually flipped through the pages of the book, and the table of contents was indeed all-encompassing, not only recording the customs and traditions of the four directions, but also detailing the basic common sense of cultivation in this world. Chen Yang couldn't help but want to pick it up and read it immediately.

Noticing Chen Yang's joyful expression, Chu Xiuyuan's expression suddenly turned solemn, and he gave him earnest instructions.

"Brother Dao, although I gave you this book, it can only be considered as borrowing it."

"Ten years from now, I will still pass by your Taoist temple. I just hope that all these books will be safe and sound by then."

Chen Yang was slightly taken aback when he saw his expression suddenly become serious, but then nodded in agreement.

"Brother Xiuyuan, please rest assured, I will take good care of these books."

Chu Xiuyuan smiled again, picked up his book basket, and once again performed the scholar's bow.

Just as Chen Yang was about to speak, a fierce, demonic wind suddenly swept in, the sand blinding him.

When Chen Yang opened his eyes and looked back, the mountain gate was wide open, and Chu Xiuyuan was nowhere to be seen in the hall.

Chen Yang hurried to the mountain gate, looked down the slope, and saw the white-robed scholar standing in the distance, waving to him. He sighed softly.

"The friendship between gentlemen is as light as water; it is indeed so."

He turned around, closed the gate of the Taoist temple, and entered the Taoist quarters with four volumes of books in his hands, preparing to calmly read and contemplate them one by one in the future.

If Chen Yang could see this, he would be astonished, because Chu Xiuyuan had already begun to write down his thoughts in *Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio*.

On June 24th, at night, I met a weasel spirit at a mountain temple. We chatted amiably and had a very pleasant conversation. I ate a few pieces of a strange green amaranth and was full. I admired its spiritual connection and we became good friends...

The Travels of Liaozhai: The Mountain Spirit Chapter, The Tale of Cultivating Fate