"Well then, I won't tease you any further, little one. Let's begin the Talisman Granting Ceremony right now!"
With that, Ming Wanqian took the lead in bowing and offering incense to the statue of the Three Mao Patriarchs, and then it was Zhong Bai's turn to step forward alone.
"Disciple Zhong Bai, entered the mountain three years ago. Now three years have passed, and during this time your disciple has strictly observed the sect rules and disciplinary precepts. Today I take the Taoist name Chian He, and hope the Patriarchs grant permission!"
As he spoke, Zhong Bai offered his incense into the burner, and the next second, pale blue smoke rose straight into the clouds. Inside the statue of the Three Mao Patriarchs, a ray of spiritual light instantly merged into Zhong Bai's body.
"The Patriarchs have granted permission, Zhong Bai. That ray of spiritual light is a reward from the Patriarchs; ordinary disciples undergoing the Talisman Granting Ceremony don't get this kind of treatment, so you must cherish it well!"
Ming Wanqian was not speaking falsely. During the Talisman Granting Ceremony, the probability of the Mount Mao Patriarch statues giving a reward was very low.
Sometimes it was a ball of pure spiritual qi used to elevate cultivation.
Sometimes it was divine ability arts, and sometimes it was a reward like Marrow Cleansing and Bone Forging. What one obtained depended entirely on chance.
And disciples who could receive rewards from the Patriarch statues almost without exception successfully achieved Foundation Establishment in the end and were promoted to elders.
Among the crowd of elders present, quite a few had the experience of receiving rewards.
Therefore, their gazes toward Zhong Bai became even friendlier.
Being able to receive the Patriarchs' blessing meant that there was a high probability of stepping into the Foundation Establishment realm in the future.
And the Foundation Establishment realm—even for a major Taoist sect like Mount Mao—was considered a formidable presence nowadays. No one would be foolish enough to offend a future Foundation Establishment True Person, especially one from the same sect.
The Talisman Granting Ceremony ended quickly. On the way back to the Law Enforcement Hall, True Immortal Qianyuan walked leisurely at the front, while Zhong Bai at his side maintained a normal expression.
"Master, now that my Talisman Granting Ceremony is over, does this mean I am going to start carrying out some routine missions...?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Zhong Bai's previous calm demeanor vanished completely, replaced by excitement and joy.
Having arrived at Mount Mao for a full three years, Zhong Bai had not forgotten the reason why he chose to apprentice at Mount Mao in the first place.
It was demons!
Therefore, Zhong Bai held an extraordinary enthusiasm for going down the mountain to execute missions.
Hearing this, True Immortal Qianyuan furrowed his brows slightly. He really hadn't expected his own disciple to proactively bring up this issue.
Disciples of other halls, in order to squeeze out more time for cultivation, avoided going down the mountain on missions whenever possible. But Zhong Bai...
However, thinking of Zhong Bai's special background, True Immortal Qianyuan could also understand his disciple's mindset.
"As for carrying out missions, if you want to, arrangements can be made at any time. Coincidentally, there is a village that requires our Law Enforcement Hall to dispatch disciples to make a trip.
As master has been quite idle lately, it would be good to take you along to gain some worldly experience. Blind cultivation is truly not the way; without witnessing the cruelty of malevolent entities, who can muster twelve-point spirit?"
Well, True Immortal Qianyuan spoke lightly, but goodness knew how many years it had been since he last left the Law Enforcement Hall or Mount Mao.
Ever since he became an elder, unless a Foundation Establishment realm great demon or ghost general appeared in the mortal world.
Otherwise, it was simply impossible for True Immortal Qianyuan to take the initiative to leave the mountain.
Regarding this, Zhong Bai also possessed a clear understanding, so a few more layers of complex emotion filled his gaze toward his master.
"This disciple understands, Master. Your disciple has no way to repay this in this lifetime. Within twenty years I shall enter the Foundation Establishment realm—I will work hard!"
Uttering words of gratitude seemed empty to his master, so Zhong Bai could only use such a promise to make his master's heart somewhat more at ease.
"Hahaha, kid, you needn't be like this. Mount Mao values heritage; a hundred years ago, your grand-master treated your master the exact same way.
However...
If you can truly attain the Foundation Establishment realm in twenty years, for the Law Enforcement Hall and Mount Mao, it really is a fortunate blessing. Even for all living beings under heaven, it is the same!"
When saying this, True Immortal Qianyuan's gaze became somewhat burning. Only he knew to what extent the deterrence capability of a Foundation Establishment True Person who practiced thunder magic reached against the demons of the world.
Just as Longhu Mountain saw every sexagenary cycle, after the Celestial Master took office and went down the mountain to sweep away hordes of demons—from this event one could see that a Foundation Establishment True Person who practiced thunder magic was a catastrophe for demons and malevolent spirits!
After conversing all the way back to the Law Enforcement Hall, Zhong Bai returned to his own small courtyard to begin organizing everything he currently possessed.
In terms of cultivation, Qi Condensation Second Layer.
In terms of thunder magic, before reaching the third layer of Qi Condensation, Zhong Bai could not yet utilize the thunder seal within his body.
Therefore, if he truly confronted malevolent spirits, what Zhong Bai could use nowadays, aside from the thousand catties of physical strength and profound blood qi within his body, was limited to talismans and some simple magical instruments.
Zhong Bai also possessed the three-piece set of magical instruments: the Three Pure Ones Bell, a hundred-year-old Peach Wood Sword, and the Five Emperors Copper Coin Sword.
Moreover, Zhong Bai's Peach Wood Sword and Five Emperors Copper Coin Sword were nourished daily before the Kui Niu Drum. Although the might Zhong Bai could unleash was limited, it was sufficient to deal with ordinary demons.
Early the next morning.
Just as Zhong Bai finished packing his magical instruments, True Immortal Qianyuan pushed the door open and entered.
"Have you packed all your things properly?"
As True Immortal Qianyuan inquired about his progress, Zhong Bai strapped the Five Emperors Copper Coin Sword to his back and then nodded.
"Everything is fully prepared, Master!"
"Then let's set off..."
As dawn broke, master and disciple left the mountain.
"The village we are going to this time is very close to Mount Mao, merely a hundred miles away, and is named Qian Family Village.
The daughter of a tenant farmer in the village was born pretty, so she was forcibly married to the foolish son of the village landlord.
It is said that on her wedding night, this woman was given away by that foolish husband to the rogues of the village...
Alas, in the end, that landlord wanted to burn the woman alive!
On the second day of the wedding, the bride was burned alive in the bridal chamber. Perhaps harboring grievance, the bride transformed into a vengeful ghost, and the landlord's family has already been completely slaughtered.
Yet this bride seems somewhat out of control; after avenging herself, she refuses to enter reincarnation and still wants to continue hunting villagers.
Therefore, the purpose of our trip is to send this bride into the netherworld, or... execute her!"
On the way to Qian Family Village, True Immortal Qianyuan gave Zhong Bai a detailed explanation of the purpose of this trip.
Hearing this, Zhong Bai fell somewhat silent. Under the background of this era, there were far, far too many tenant farmers' daughters who suffered such fates.
And considering that the purpose of their trip might involve executing her, Zhong Bai felt a heavy tightness in his chest.
However, True Immortal Qianyuan didn't feel anything of the sort; it was very normal. A hundred years ago, when True Immortal Qianyuan executed his first mission, the situation he encountered was somewhat similar to Zhong Bai's now.
Human hearts are treacherous; sometimes ghosts really are kinder than people...
"You must not carry a burden. As cultivators, regardless of what decision we make, as long as we understand that we can have a clear conscience, that is enough."
Zhong Bai nodded. He wasn't some saintly savior; what he lamented was the era, not the individual.
After all, human lives were like grass, let alone ghost lives?
By the time they reached Qian Family Village, a whole day had already passed. There was no help for it—although Zhong Bai had sufficient physical stamina, his traveling speed was too slow.
And although True Immortal Qianyuan had cultivated traveling divine abilities, he could not gallop all the way while carrying Zhong Bai.
It happened to be noon at this moment. Upon entering the village, the village chief of Qian Family Village led people out to welcome them.
At the very first meeting, with a plop.
The elderly and frail old village chief took the lead, and the villagers behind him followed suit without hesitation, kneeling down in a chaotic clatter over a large area.
"The two immortals have been longed for day and night, and at last they have brought the immortals here.
The hundred or so people of Qian Family Village are all waiting for the immortals to save our lives!"
Zhong Bai found this difficult to stomach. How similar were this group of villagers before him to those villagers of Zhong Family Village?
Such a lowly attitude—was it not simply for the sake of staying alive?
Sadly, the times were difficult and demons ran rampant, making even staying alive—a wish that could hardly be called a wish—turn into an extravagant hope...
"You may all rise. The matter of Qian Family Village is already known to this deity. Rest assured, this deity has brought his disciple this time to grant Qian Family Village peace."
Compared to Zhong Bai, True Immortal Qianyuan was long accustomed to this. He skillfully placated the crowd and then asked Zhong Bai to help disperse the villagers.
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