Chapter 286: Chapter 286: Win-win Means I Win Twice
White Cloud Temple, a major Daoist sect.
There are hundreds of direct lineage Daoists, although most find it difficult to achieve longevity, they all have the gift of cultivation. The elders can live over a hundred years and achieve Dao practice of four to five hundred years.
Moreover, every generation has disciples with exceptional talent, surpassing mortal lifespans, crossing the threshold of five hundred years of Dao practice, able to ride clouds and drive mists, refine Qi, and achieve longevity.
It is said that the back mountain of White Cloud Mountain houses dozens of such Daoist True Men in seclusion. The elders even personally experienced the founding of Emperor Jing’s dynasty, possessing thousands of years of Dao practice. This is the foundation that enables White Cloud Temple to be renowned throughout the world.
As an outer disciple layman of White Cloud Sub-temple, Lu Zheng was brought to the chief temple by Daoist Mingzhang to be recorded in the Daoist registry mainly for two reasons: his exceptionally fast cultivation speed and his mastery of the Body-Freezing Curse.
Many geniuses are dazzling in the early stages, but progress slowly in later stages. However, with the Body-Freezing Curse, it is quite special.
Even among the dozens of True Men in the back mountain, not everyone knows the Body-Freezing Curse.
So, under Daoist Mingzhang’s guidance, Lu Zheng was recorded in the Daoist registry and then went to meet the current Temple Master of White Cloud Temple, Master Mingyu.
Master Mingyu then personally taught him the core cultivation technique of White Cloud Temple, the "Innate Cloud Transformation Qi Method Scripture," replacing Lu Zheng’s previous study of the "White Cloud’s Common Refining Qi Scripture."
Thus, Lu Zheng was able to fully learn the core cultivation techniques available at White Cloud Temple.
Daoist Mingzhang advised, "Now that you have learned the ’True Scripture of Qi Technique,’ you must devote yourself even more diligently to your cultivation. Remember, your cultivation speed cannot remain this fast forever.
Even Master Qing Song, when he first entered the Daoist sect and started cultivating, gained two hundred years of Dao practice in just one year, but it took him ten years to break through to a thousand years of Dao practice. It will only get slower afterward."
Lu Zheng nodded, indicating his understanding.
Both cultivation and learning are like this; even the accumulation of years in cultivation and Dao practice does not increase linearly. Eventually, when Dao practice stops growing and lifespan runs out, it is the time for the physical body to perish and the soul to return to heaven and earth.
"By the way, you said you prepared some gifts for the temple. I will not go with you. Let Yuan Jing take you to the back hall to find Senior Brother Ming Guang, who is in charge of logistics for the temple."
Daoist Mingzhang felt it was inappropriate to bring Lu Zheng to deliver gifts to the temple, so even though Lu Zheng mentioned on the way that he had prepared some gifts for the White Cloud Chief Temple, Daoist Mingzhang took Lu Zheng to complete the registration and passing-on of techniques from the Temple Master first before instructing Yuan Jing to take Lu Zheng to deliver the gifts.
"Yuan Jing knows where my courtyard in the temple is located, you can wander around. Remember to return before the evening lesson. I will take you to the evening lesson together."
After giving instructions to the two, Daoist Mingzhang went off on his own.
Yuan Jing led Lu Zheng towards the back hall, asking in a low voice on the way, "What did you prepare for the temple? Is it these Cloud Pattern Swords?"
Yuan Jing patted the long sword hanging from his waist, which was also a gift from Lu Zheng.
Every time Yuan Jing got injured, Lu Zheng prepared to give White Cloud Chief Temple a batch of these swords, naturally not neglecting his senior brother. So, he gave Yuan Jing one by the end of the year.
"Exactly," Lu Zheng laughed, "and some wine as well. Although they’re mortal items, they represent my sincerity."
Lu Zheng was planning to use fine wine to network with the powerful figures of this world, so he naturally wanted to offer some to his own sect first.
Yuan Jing glanced enviously at the gourd hanging from Lu Zheng’s waist, "Having a Dharma artifact that stores vast treasures within a small space is really convenient!"
Along the way, Lu Zheng took out various food and wine from the gourd. Daoist Mingzhang and Yuan Jing had long been aware of Lu Zheng’s gourd.
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "Senior brother, go to the back mountain and ask an elder if he can give you one."
Yuan Jing waved his hand repeatedly, "Don’t joke around, even Master doesn’t have one, where would I get the courage to ask for one!"
The two arrived at the back hall and found Daoist Ming Guang, who was busy with his work.
Although Daoist Ming Guang belonged to the Ming generation, his cultivation seemed not very high, perhaps due to a lack of talent, so he was in charge of logistics.
"Master Ming Guang!"
Yuan Jing and Lu Zheng greeted Daoist Ming Guang and then explained their purpose for coming.
Daoist Ming Guang couldn’t help but laugh, "You are thoughtful. However, White Cloud Temple is large and prosperous; we lack nothing. Cultivation is not easy, you should keep it for yourself."
Lu Zheng blinked without saying a word, but Yuan Jing chuckled, "Master Ming Guang, don’t underestimate. My junior brother here is no ordinary person. Do you think he’s just giving away some money or things?"
Daoist Ming Guang stroked his beard, glancing up and down at the two, "Is that not the case? Did you bring a convoy from Yizhou?"
Yuan Jing snorted and untied the sword at his waist, handing it to Daoist Ming Guang, "Uncle, how does this sword look?"
"Oh?" Daoist Ming Guang accepted the sword and casually drew it.
"Clang!"
A light sound echoed, a flash of cold light shone in the hall, catching the attention of several White Cloud Temple disciples still at work.
"A fine sword!"
Daoist Ming Guang’s eyes brightened, "Could it be that Nephew Yuan Zheng prepared several such fine swords?"
Daoist Ming Guang was interested. A good sword is important for exorcising demons. Every generation at White Cloud Temple has young disciples who have died at the hands of demons. A good sword for self-defense would reduce such incidents significantly.
Yuan Jing looked at Lu Zheng. He truly did not know how many swords Lu Zheng had prepared. Such impeccably refined swords, one is worth three thousand coins, so Lu Zheng probably couldn’t prepare many, right?
Lu Zheng smiled slightly, looking intriguingly at Daoist Ming Guang, "Should I place them here?"
Daoist Ming Guang looked at the large table in front of him and then back at Lu Zheng, not understanding what Lu Zheng meant.
You prepared swords in Daoist Mingzhang’s courtyard, right? Do you want me to go with you to fetch them?
Before Daoist Ming Guang could speak, Lu Zheng reached for the gourd at his waist, opened the lid, and said, "Release."
In the next moment, thirty long swords flew out one by one from the gourd’s mouth, growing long in the wind, and landed on the table before Daoist Ming Guang.
A large pile was formed!
Daoist Ming Guang was stunned, not expecting Lu Zheng to have a storage Dharma artifact.
Of course, what shocked him even more was the quantity of these top-quality swords.
"Thirty!"
Lu Zheng curled his lips quietly; he had secretly set aside seventy. He originally prepared a full hundred.
But thinking that too much of a good thing would make it lose value, and it was also a bit too astounding, he temporarily kept seventy.
Nonetheless, it was already impressive enough.
Daoist Ming Guang looked at the thirty long swords on the table, each with a leather sheath, brass guard, and meticulous cloud pattern engravings. They appeared exquisite.
Casually drawing a long sword, he saw a flicker of cold light, a sharp blade, and elegant cloud patterns, no less impressive than Yuan Jing’s sword.
Daoist Ming Guang’s eyes were wide with shock!
Such a good sword, the market price would be at least three thousand coins!
White Cloud Temple was not short of money but wouldn’t spend three thousand coins on a mortal longsword. Moreover, such swords were not always available for purchase.
"Good, good, good! You are thoughtful," Daoist Ming Guang exclaimed in delight. "With these swords, our White Cloud Temple disciples will have more means to protect their Dao journey while traveling the world! I must report this to the Temple Master, you will be credited!"
"Buzz!" The Jade Seal began to condense.
Lu Zheng also looked pleased because the gain of over a hundred eighty strands of the Light of Fortune was indeed a considerable income.
Gifting to White Cloud Temple not only gained their gratitude but also earned the Light of Fortune, truly a win-win situation!