The Five Thunder Token

The city of Yangcheng in May was already very hot.

Scattered white clouds drifted across the sky, unable to block the direct sunlight that streamed down. It passed through the dappled shadows of the trees, turning into specks of golden light that still dazzled the eyes.

Gu Zhao walked out of the job fair in the school's gymnasium. The effect of the air conditioning instantly vanished, and he felt only a stifling heat.

"How did it go?" a voice suddenly sounded beside him.

"Not great," Gu Zhao recognized the voice and shook his head. "It's either sales or customer service."

Zhang Hang asked with a hint of surprise, "Weren't there any companies hiring programmers?"

"There were," Gu Zhao nodded, then pouted. "But they only wanted graduate students."

"Pfft, haha!" Zhang Hang burst out laughing, then slung an arm around Gu Zhao's shoulders. "Why are you even looking for a job? Programmers work 996. Wouldn't it be better to go back and take over your dad's business?"

Gu Zhao was speechless. "My dad is still in his prime, he doesn't need me to take over yet."

"Then be a landlord!" Zhang Hang said slyly. "Play around for a few years, and then go take over!"

Gu Zhao shot Zhang Hang a sideways glance. "Can't you have some ambition?"

"I have plenty of ambition!" Zhang Hang said righteously.

Zhang Hang counted on his fingers to explain to Gu Zhao. "I'm not good at studying, so I can't find a good job. A month of hard work for three to four thousand might not even cover my medical bills if I overwork myself. If I don't work, I can spend my time eating dim sum, playing games, watching livestreams, and working out. If I'm healthy and happy, maybe I can even find a girlfriend."

Zhang Hang looked at Gu Zhao. "Tell me, isn't that much more cost-effective than working?"

Gu Zhao felt a pang of nausea. "You have a lot of property, you have a point!"

Gu Zhao and Zhang Hang had been classmates since middle school. They lived not far from each other, and their personalities were compatible, making them friends easily.

Both their families owned factories and ran businesses. However, over the years, Gu Zhao's family business had proceeded steadily, while Zhang Hang's family business had experienced a leap in growth. Therefore, Zhang Hang had accumulated more properties in Yangcheng.

"Honestly, you shouldn't look for a job. Let's make videos together, exploring restaurants in Yangcheng. If we get popular, we can get sponsorships. We can have fun and make money!" Zhang Hang urged Gu Zhao.

"I'm not filming restaurant review videos," Gu Zhao snorted. "Taking money to say things against my conscience would affect my Dao heart."

Zhang Hang was speechless. "What era is this? You're still cultivating your Dao heart? Don't monks and Taoists nowadays open martial arts schools and wellness centers to make money?"

Zhang Hang pulled out his phone, opened Doukuai, and clicked on Gu Zhao's account. "Look at the videos you've posted. The BGM and background are a bit novel, but what are you even talking about?"

Gu Zhao glanced at the screen of Zhang Hang's phone and said calmly, "The Three Lights True Qi Cultivation Method and Tiangang Talismans."

Zhang Hang: "..."

"What good is that!" Zhang Hang complained. "Are you selling cinnabar and yellow talismans on Doukuai?"

Gu Zhao couldn't be bothered to deal with him and walked straight out of the school. "Anyway, I don't take sponsorships. My grandpa taught me that to live a long and healthy life, one must have a calm and contented mind."

"It's too early to even talk about it. You need to get popular first. With just over three hundred followers, you won't get any sponsorships!"

Zhang Hang caught up to Gu Zhao and continued to offer advice. "If you want more followers, why not make skits?"

Gu Zhao asked as he walked, "What kind of skits?"

Zhang Hang smiled. "How about a hero saving the damsel? You learned some moves from your grandpa, and you fight pretty well."

"That's such an old and cliché skit!" Gu Zhao complained. "Who watches that kind of thing anymore? Nowadays, people watch skits where I go to save the damsel, only to get caught in a honey trap and have to pay them money."

"Just film it like that, it'll definitely be a hit!" Zhang Hang gave a thumbs-up. "You play the unlucky martial arts master, and I'll play the one who sets you up with the beautiful woman."

"I really thank you!" Gu Zhao was speechless.

"Huh?" Zhang Hang just then noticed that Gu Zhao wasn't heading to the school cafeteria but towards the school gate. "Aren't you going to keep submitting resumes this afternoon?"

"It's too competitive, why bother submitting anything? I'm sleeping this afternoon!" Gu Zhao said decisively.

After having lunch with Zhang Hang, Gu Zhao walked into a residential complex not far from the school and returned to his home.

This house was newly purchased by Gu Zhao's parents when he entered university, serving as a place for him to stay besides the school dormitory. He rarely used it before, only moving in this year for his internship and to write his thesis during his secluded study period.

Then Gu Zhao got used to living there. He had moved almost all his belongings from the dormitory, with only his graduation certificate left to collect from school.

He threw his backpack onto the sofa, changed into loungewear, and then went to the balcony. He sat facing the sun, habitually meditating and practicing qi.

Gu Zhao's skills were all taught by his grandfather.

According to his grandfather, their lineage had a tradition. However, they had been disconnected from the orthodox Daoist sects long ago and only circulated among the folk. What he learned was considered traditional culture, and it would be too regrettable if it were lost.

Gu Zhao's father's generation, during the era of abolishing feudal superstitions and economic reform, had no interest in cultivation or martial arts. They gave up early and plunged into the business world, achieving some success.

By Gu Zhao's generation, living standards had improved, the country had gradually become stronger, and national confidence had risen. Coupled with the boost from the internet, Gu Zhao became interested in these things.

So, under his grandfather's guidance, he began to learn, practicing for more than ten years.

Even though his grandfather had passed away, Gu Zhao had already formed the habit.

He sat cross-legged, formed the Shen seal with his hands, closed his eyes slightly, focused his mind, and breathed in and out with a long, steady rhythm.

Gu Zhao bathed in the warm sunlight, imagining the sun's true qi pouring into his body, circulating within him, and transforming into his own strength.

After about fifteen minutes of breathing, Gu Zhao finished his practice and opened his eyes, feeling his own state.

Hmm... no significant changes.

Of course, there were no major changes!

I felt clear-headed, my breathing smooth, and my spirits much higher, all the morning's gloom swept away.

Gu Zhao stretched, preparing to get up.

Just then, he suddenly felt a burning sensation on his chest.

Startled, Gu Zhao quickly pulled out the wooden pendant hanging around his neck.

It was a lightning-struck jujube wood token, about half the size of his palm, reddish-black in color. The front was carved with a divine statue and some indecipherable symbols, while the back bore a talisman inscribed with the characters "Five Thunder."

Gu Zhao called it the Five Thunder Token.

It was something his grandfather had passed down to him, said to be a token of their lineage. Legend had it that their ancestor received the teachings from an immortal in a dream. When he opened his eyes, there was a bolt of lightning that struck a jujube tree next door. The ancestor, intrigued, investigated and obtained it from there.

Gu Zhao had been wearing this token for several years. It wasn't as if he hadn't been out in the sun before, so when had it ever gotten this hot?

Staring at the Five Thunder Token in his hand, Gu Zhao suddenly felt it vibrating intermittently.

"What's going on? It's moving on its own!"

Gu Zhao was stunned, his mind going blank for a moment. He sensed an aura surrounding the token and felt a pulling sensation emanating from it.

Subconsciously, Gu Zhao brought the token closer, concentrating his senses.

The next moment, his vision went black, and then he completely vanished from the balcony, leaving only a faint "Wha..." that dissipated into the air.

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