Bestowing the Thunder Seed

Gu Zhao didn't stay in the Taishang Laojun Pavilion to chat with Daoist Yansong. Instead, he pulled Daoist Yansong away from the pavilion and into a relatively secluded grove nearby.

"What are you doing?" Daoist Yansong asked curiously. "Can't we talk upstairs? Why do we have to come here?"

Gu Zhao said mysteriously, "Do you believe cultivation can lead to ascension? Do you believe gods exist in this world?"

Daoist Yansong: (¬‿¬)

Daoist Yansong looked at Gu Zhao as if he were looking at an idiot. "Read fewer online novels and focus more on your cultivation. Your future achievements might not be inferior to Daoist Zhang Zhishun's."

Zhang Zhishun was a legendary figure in modern Taoism. He compiled the Qi Body Source Flow by selecting the essence from Taoist classics and combining it with his own cultivation experience. He was also a master who cultivated Internal Breath True Qi, and his realm was definitely not low.

Gu Zhao hummed and continued, "Just tell me if you believe it!"

Seeing Gu Zhao's persistence, Daoist Yansong finally said, "I don't know if ascension is possible, but with complete Internal Breath and abundant True Qi, one can not only strengthen the body, walk on walls, but also cure illnesses, maintain health, and dispel malevolent spirits. In ancient times, calling oneself a terrestrial immortal wouldn't be an exaggeration."

Gu Zhao asked curiously, "Are there still malevolent spirits in modern times?"

"The heavens and earth have spiritual energy, so naturally, there is also malevolent spiritual energy. For example, places like swamps in forests that never see light, or places with insufficient life force like graves and wastelands, or battlefields where many people died."

Daoist Yansong explained, "Some superstitious practices among the folk, which seem to lack scientific basis, are actually due to these invisible and intangible energies that science cannot yet explain."

Gu Zhao understood.

However, modern times didn't have much spiritual energy, so naturally, there wouldn't be much malevolent spiritual energy either. Compared to the demons and monsters in other worlds, it was child's play.

Gu Zhao brought the topic back, "We'll talk about that later. I have something important to ask you this time, and I need your help."

Daoist Yansong became unusually serious and nodded solemnly, "Go ahead!"

"I've provoked a Fierce Ghost with several hundred years of cultivation. Although it hasn't discovered me yet, I need to prepare early, find help, and improve my cultivation," Gu Zhao said.

Daoist Yansong: "..."

"If you've really encountered a Fierce Ghost with several hundred years of cultivation, I suggest you go to the Provincial Public Security Department. The Rongcheng City Bureau might not be able to handle it," Daoist Yansong offered his advice.

Gu Zhao: "..."

"They can't help me," Gu Zhao shook his head. "Only you can help me."

Daoist Yansong asked curiously, "How can you help me?"

"Help me kill the ghost, isn't that a professional skill for us Taoists?"

"I'd like to, I'm almost eighty years old. If I could trade myself for a Fierce Ghost with several hundred years of cultivation, I wouldn't be at a loss. But I doubt I'm enough for that evil spirit to swallow."

"I can help you improve your cultivation."

"How?"

"Like this!" Gu Zhao's divine sense moved slightly, and the Thunder Seed that was circling the Five Thunder Token suddenly flew out, instantly embedding itself into the center of Daoist Yansong's brow.

Daoist Yansong's sea of consciousness was suddenly opened, and he "saw" a Thunder Seed suspended in the depths of his sea of consciousness. It transmitted waves of information, and at the same time, currents of electricity emanated from the Thunder Seed, flowing down through his meridians.

His chest vibrated, and the Innate Qi was activated.

His Dantian trembled, and the Innate Qi, mixed with the power of the Thunder Seed, condensed all the True Qi within his body and began to absorb the spiritual energy from the surrounding world.

"Whoosh—"

The mountain wind blew, causing the surrounding green pines to sway. Daoist Yansong remained silent for a long time, solely experiencing himself and the surrounding world.

"How is it?" Gu Zhao asked.

Daoist Yansong took a deep breath, like a long whale absorbing water, his lung capacity astonishingly large.

"It's incredible!" Daoist Yansong stared at Gu Zhao, his eyes filled with shock. "Thunder Seed? Magic treasure? Innate Qi? Do gods truly exist in this world? Can we really cultivate and ascend?"

Speaking of which, Daoist Yansong, finally reacting, shook his head again. "It's still not enough. The spiritual energy is too scarce. Our Qingcheng Mountain ranks fifth among the Ten Great Grotto-Heavens, yet it's not enough for me to inhale in one go.

The world has changed, and I don't know if it's undergone some transformation. Just like in online novels, the spiritual energy tide has receded. Perhaps in ancient times, there were people who cultivated to become immortals, but this environment now is not suitable for cultivation.

However, even in this environment, my cultivation efficiency will be much faster than before, and I might even live more than ten years longer."

Daoist Yansong couldn't help but sigh, looking at Gu Zhao with a mixture of envy and pity. "You're lucky to have obtained a remarkable magic treasure, but you're also unlucky to have been born at the wrong time."

"You recovered so quickly?" Gu Zhao asked in surprise.

"I am a Taoist, after all. I've worshipped the Three Pure Ones for decades with devout faith. Not only do I wholeheartedly believe in gods, but after cultivating Internal Breath, I also believe I can live a hundred years and ascend to the immortal realm. Isn't it normal for me to recover quickly?"

Daoist Yansong stroked his beard and proudly snorted, "The Thunder Seed identified me as someone with a pure spirit, upright character, and extraordinary talent. In ancient times, I would have been a child of destiny!"

Gu Zhao chuckled, "What did the Thunder Seed tell you?"

"It told me that you are my superior, that you can bestow the Thunder Seed upon me and also take it back and expel me." Daoist Yansong tugged at his beard. Just a moment ago, he was the senior, but after agreeing to help, he had become a subordinate.

Gu Zhao smiled and cupped his hands, "I wouldn't dare, wouldn't dare. From now on..."

"Don't. Work is work, and life is life. During work hours, you are my superior," Daoist Yansong waved his hand and even bowed to Gu Zhao.

"The Thunder Seed also told me to accumulate good deeds, cultivate my Taoist heart, eliminate evil to gain merit, and assist my Taoist cultivation, but it all has to be shared with you." Daoist Yansong thought for a moment and continued, "Hmm, I can also contact you through the Thunder Seed?"

At this point, Daoist Yansong fell silent and used his divine sense to connect with the Five Thunder Token through the Thunder Seed.

The next moment, the Five Thunder Token in the depths of Gu Zhao's mind received a message from the Thunder Seed. Upon actively sensing it, he could hear Daoist Yansong's voice, "Can you hear me?"

Gu Zhao didn't open his mouth but replied through the Five Thunder Token, "I can."

"Hey, this is fun!" Daoist Yansong laughed. "This is much more convenient than a mobile phone. We can contact each other anytime."

Gu Zhao nodded. He could receive the message, but he could also choose whether to read it immediately, so it wouldn't disturb him at all times.

"Tsk tsk, I can't believe I've cultivated for decades and only now realize that the world of cultivation is far deeper than I imagined!" Daoist Yansong felt his own condition. "This time, I believe you've truly encountered a century-old Fierce Ghost.

But I only have Innate Qi now, and my Mana is completely depleted. If you want to deal with the Fierce Ghost, you'll probably have to wait for me for a while."

Speaking of which, Daoist Yansong asked Gu Zhao, "How many Thunder Seeds do you have left? Can you recruit more people? I know a few old Taoists who have cultivated Internal Breath, but I don't know if they can be recognized by the Thunder Seeds."

"Only one, and I gave it to you," Gu Zhao said. "To condense another Thunder Seed, you need to kill evil spirits, accumulate merit by eliminating evil, and condense the Thunder Seed with the Malevolent Qi from the Fierce Ghost."

Daoist Yansong nodded. "Then you'll have to wait for me for a while."

Gu Zhao shook his head. "No need. I can take you to a place filled with spiritual energy to quickly replenish your Mana."

"What place, the back mountain?" Daoist Yansong asked like a curious baby. "Could the Qingcheng Grotto-Heaven among the Ten Great Grotto-Heavens actually refer to the back mountain of Qingcheng?"

Gu Zhao's divine sense moved, enveloping Daoist Yansong, and he winked at him. "Guess?"

A moment later...

"Oh my god!"

"Did this old Taoist ascend?"

"Am I made it?"