The Old Taoist Watching Short Dramas

Gu Zhao looked at the old Taoist priest in shock.

He never dreamed he'd meet someone in modern times who could make the Five Thunder Token react. It was known that while there was spiritual energy in the modern air, it was like a dripping faucet in a dried-up pipe, just a drop or two here and there.

Gu Zhao had tried cultivating in modern times before; the speed at which he absorbed spiritual energy was despair-inducing. "There are actually people who can achieve success in cultivation nowadays?"

The old Taoist priest carefully examined Gu Zhao.

His experience was naturally different from Gu Zhao's. He only felt a sense of lightness and clarity from the young man opposite him, a feeling he could only sense from the heavens and earth when he was most immersed in his morning cultivation.

The old Taoist priest knew very well that this was a sign of having cultivated Internal Breath True Qi. Absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into one's body was not something an ordinary person could do. "Is this young fellow cultivating the Dao, Buddhism, or something else?"

Meanwhile, Jiang Shishi and Xiao Ya were still chatting softly beside him.

"That old Taoist priest who was watching dramas and striking a chime a while back, wasn't he at the Taishang Laojun Pavilion? Could it be him?"

"I heard some people online saying he was being a bit loud."

"So we put on headphones, didn't we?"

"Hee hee hee..."

Aside from the person filming, many netizens, including Jiang Shishi and Xiao Ya, had no complaints. They all found the old Taoist priest inexplicably endearing, acting according to his nature, which they felt was the true spirit of Taoism.

"We burn incense to worship the gods, not the Taoist priests. Why can't he watch his dramas?"

"They used the Buddhist prayer gesture, and the old Taoist priest didn't hit them with the chime, so that's good enough!"

"You're worshipping the gods, and he's helping you summon them. Instead of focusing on the gods, you're focusing on him?"

Never mind the netizens; even the Qingcheng Mountain Scenic Area Administration and the Taoist Association didn't take it too seriously. Taoists were naturally easygoing, but if you caused trouble, they wouldn't tolerate it.

This kind of self-cultivation, following one's heart and nature, and embodying the principle of "Daoist magic is natural" was precisely why many people admired Taoism. However, Gu Zhao guessed they wouldn't have imagined that someone could actually cultivate in modern times!

Gu Zhao suppressed the throbbing of the Thunder Seed in his mind and simultaneously received a message from the Five Thunder Token.

This was the first time he had received a message from the Five Thunder Token. It felt as if its previous functions were merely things he was meant to know, offering no feedback, and it was the Thunder Seed's reaction that should have informed him.

The message wasn't in text or sound, but it somehow conveyed to him that the person before him was a mortal with a pure spirit, full of righteousness, and possessing cultivation talent, capable of accepting the Thunder Seed condensed from the Five Thunder Token's absorption of Malevolent Qi.

As long as he bestowed the Thunder Seed upon him, he could take him as a subordinate, activate his Innate Qi, help him ascend to the heavens in one step, cultivate rapidly, and even have the hope of becoming an immortal in the future.

Not only that, but Gu Zhao would also be able to share in a portion of his merits and rewards from performing good deeds and vanquishing demons.

Gu Zhao was stunned. He never expected the Five Thunder Token to have the function of condensing a Thunder Seed and bestowing it upon others. This... was he playing Romance of the Three Kingdoms? Had it really become a game?

So, he subconsciously sensed more carefully. He did indeed detect something different about the old Taoist priest. Although it was faint, he definitely had Mana within him.

As Gu Zhao focused his senses, the old Taoist priest felt it even more strongly. He could even sense Gu Zhao probing him.

The next moment, just as it was Gu Zhao's turn to queue up and the three of them were kneeling side-by-side to worship Taishang Laojun, the old Taoist priest suddenly stood up, startling Jiang Shishi and Xiao Ya.

"We didn't mean to!" Jiang Shishi raised her hands.

"We didn't mean anything by it!" Xiao Ya instinctively clasped her hands together, begging softly.

The old Taoist priest followed their gaze to the short drama about a domineering CEO falling in love with someone playing on his phone in front of him. He grinned and said in a Sichuan accent, "Actually, that short drama is quite good. It's relaxing and relieves fatigue."

"Right, right!"

"Exactly!"

Xiao Ya and Jiang Shishi nodded repeatedly, and the people around them also chuckled kindly. Everyone came here to pray for good fortune, seeking peace of mind and happiness. Coming here to get angry would be missing the point, wouldn't it?

The old Taoist priest smiled upon hearing this. Though his face was full of wrinkles, he looked exceptionally cheerful when he smiled. "You three go ahead and pay your respects to Laojun. This old Taoist will strike the chime for you."

It was a small interruption, and it didn't affect anything.

As Xiao Ya bowed again, her expression became extremely devout. She quietly prayed for her grandfather, wishing him a speedy recovery.

The old Taoist priest smiled amiably. His service was much more attentive than before. Every time the three of them kowtowed, the old Taoist priest struck the chime once, softly chanting along. His murmurs echoed within the hall.

Seeing the three of them stand up, the old Taoist priest didn't sit back down. He simply beckoned to a middle-aged Taoist priest beside him, handed him the chime hammer, and then took his phone, emerging from behind the table.

The old Taoist priest cheerfully walked over to the three of them and sized up Gu Zhao. "I see young brother has a dignified appearance, an imposing presence, the grace of a jade tree, and is handsome and dashing. Truly a rare talent."

Jiang Shishi: "..."

Xiao Ya: "..."

"Master, did you just see that short video of Gu Zhao saving someone?" Jiang Shishi asked, pulling out her phone. "I don't think anyone managed to film it in time just now. Did it already make it onto the trending list that quickly?"

Gu Zhao knew why the old Taoist priest was saying that about him. He smiled and cupped his hands. "I see Senior has a ruddy complexion, is full of vigor, his spirit fills the court, and his advanced age belies his virtue. You must be a master who has achieved success in cultivation."

The old Taoist priest burst into laughter, then grabbed Gu Zhao's arm and headed upstairs. "Come, come, let's go upstairs for some tea. You two young ladies can come too. This old Taoist will tell you about your fortunes in love."

Jiang Shishi and Xiao Ya exchanged glances, both bewildered. They instinctively followed the old Taoist priest and Gu Zhao around the main hall, heading towards the stairs leading to the second floor.

Seeing this scene, the tourists behind them erupted.

"What's going on? Aren't tourists not allowed on the second floor of the Taishang Laojun Pavilion?"

"Didn't you see that the old Taoist priest invited them up?"

"They're just exchanging pleasantries, flattering the old Taoist priest to get him happy so they can go up for tea and even have him tell their fortunes?"

"Hiss—"

"Daoist priest, I see you have a dignified appearance, thick eyebrows, big eyes, a strong physique, and a commanding presence. You must surely be a great master of the Taoist school!"

"The fortune sticks are free, but interpreting them costs twenty."

"Uncle-Master!"

"Grand-Uncle-Master!"

Upon reaching the second floor, all the passing Taoists bowed and greeted the old Taoist. The two women were stunned, realizing then that the old Taoist not only had a very high seniority here but was also highly respected. Even a tall, seemingly high-ranking old Taoist bowed to him with cupped hands, then looked at the trio with considerable curiosity.

"Good, good, good!" The old Taoist casually waved his hand, instructing a middle-aged Taoist to make tea, then led the three to a quiet room on the third floor.

Incense was lit, tea was poured, and they sat down.

After exchanging greetings, Gu Zhao learned that the old Taoist's Taoist name was Yansong. Daoist Yansong also learned that Gu Zhao had been studying the Tao with his grandfather since childhood, and he also heard from Jiang Shishi about Gu Zhao saving someone earlier.

"May Heaven Bless You Boundlessly!" Daoist Yansong looked at Gu Zhao as if he were looking at a treasure. This was simply a prodigy in cultivation!

Then, they quickly started talking about Xiao Ya, learning that she had been visiting various temples to pray for blessings for her grandfather.

"No wonder, I thought the young lady was very devout when praying for blessings," Daoist Yansong stroked his beard.

Xiao Ya whispered, "So I wanted to draw a fortune stick at the Taishang Laojun Pavilion and get a Peace Talisman for my grandfather."

Daoist Yansong couldn't help but pause. "I can understand wanting a fortune stick, but asking for a talisman..."

"What's wrong with asking for a talisman?" Jiang Shishi asked.

Daoist Yansong winked at Gu Zhao and teased with a smile, "A true immortal is right beside you, why are you going around seeking a Peace Talisman? Hurry up and agree to be his girlfriend, have him draw you a Peace Talisman, and properly consecrate it. Consider it a betrothal gift."

Gu Zhao: ()

Xiao Ya: (_||)