Given Xie Chen's performance on his first day, the Six-Platform Mountain Taoist Academy held an emergency meeting.
The headmaster sat stiffly at the front as the Taoist instructors on either side began clamoring to voice their opinions.
"I think the discipline instructor is right. This Xie Chen is very likely a spy sent by another Taoist temple. Other temples have been eyeing our prospective students for ages. Resorting to such dirty tricks now is simply a disgrace to Taoism!"
"A spy?" Another Taoist priest in purple ceremonial robes shook his head. "I doubt it! Xie Chen is highly accomplished. The Five-Thunder Orthodox Talisman alone shows that his mastery of incantations has reached extraordinary heights. He could attract a huge following just by founding his own sect. Why would he lower himself to become a spy?!"
"Then who is he?! Surely he isn't a member of some secret department established by the higher-ups?!"
At those words, silence fell over the hall.
Taoism had a long history and had produced countless masters.
Some lived in seclusion deep in the forests, while others entered the world to earn a living.
A small number also served certain departments, carrying out highly classified work.
Then there were those who strayed down dark paths...
They still could not determine which category Xie Chen belonged to, but judging by his cultivation, he was no ordinary practitioner.
On that point, almost all the instructors in the hall agreed.
After a long silence, the headmaster spoke slowly. "The Six-Platform Mountain Taoist Academy has stood for centuries. What storms haven't we weathered? How has filming one variety show suddenly frightened you all?"
"Headmaster, this isn't about whether we're filming a variety show, is it?" the discipline instructor interjected.
The headmaster stroked his white beard and looked over with a faint,