In short.
A [register] was like an exclusive mailbox with a direct line to the Jade Emperor.
Talismans were letters sent to the Heavenly Court.
Once the Jade Emperor had reviewed them, he would assign the appropriate immortals to provide aid according to the matter at hand.
—This!
Was the core essence of talismans.
What Lu Chen had previously wanted to assess—the register rank—strictly speaking, was not his actual register rank.
He merely wanted to see which tier of ritual master his current merit and cultivation could rival.
This was also the foundation of cultivation for their lineage.
What they pursued was merit and cultivation.
Daoist register ranks were further divided into five tiers, each with its own regulations. From lowest to highest, they were:
—Dugong Register: one could only conduct basic rites for blessings, disaster relief, and minor exorcisms. One could not preside over high-standard rituals such as guiding the dead across or thunder rites.
There was no need to even mention this tier. With Lu Chen's current merit and cultivation, he had probably long since securely surpassed it, riding on the benefits of transmigration.
Otherwise, how could he have held a Well Dragon King Offering Rite and even performed Consecration for the Kitchen God?
The second tier:
—Alliance Prestige Register: one could preside over regular fasting and offering rites, guide the dead across, cure illnesses, and gain the authority to dispatch local divine officials.
—The third tier, Five Thunder Register: upon reaching this level, one could wield the Five Thunders to interrogate and summon, pray for rain and suppress demons, mobilize the Thunder Department's elite, and oversee major religious assemblies.
—The fourth tier, Great Grotto Register: this was the level commonly known as a purple-robed Daoist master.
—The final tier, and the highest: Three Grottoes Register.
This was