The Funding Problem Was Solved

As Gu Zhao explained, Daoist Yansong came to understand his own situation.

"This is a New World brimming with spiritual energy."

"This world still had a commandery-and-county system resembling the centralized imperial rule of ancient emperors, but the Imperial Court's power was now in decline."

"There are Demonic Beasts and ghosts here, as well as human mages. It is a supernatural world."

"All the cultivation methods we Daoists practice... Spirit Cultivation and qi refinement, internally harmonizing the dragon and tiger, drawing talismans and chanting incantations, forming hand seals and treading the Big Dipper... they can all be used?"

"The souls of evil demons, monsters, ghosts, and gods carry Baleful Intent. As long as we slay demons and subdue devils, we can eradicate evil and accumulate merit, absorb Killing Intent to advance our cultivation, and even condense new Thunder Seeds to help our fellow Daoists?"

"Then what else is there to say?" Daoist Yansong immediately rolled up his sleeves. "Roll up our sleeves and get to work!"

Gu Zhao stared at him blankly. "Why are you even more radical than I am?"

With a sweep of his sleeve, Daoist Yansong said, "Demons run rampant in this world, ghosts wreak havoc, the Imperial Court is declining, and the people are suffering. This is precisely the perfect opportunity for people like us to expand our territory and spread the glory of the Three Pure Ones and the majesty of the Jade Emperor throughout the world!"

Gu Zhao was speechless. "You've watched too many domineering-boss short dramas..."

"But you do have a point." His tone shifted, and Gu Zhao's expression turned solemn. "As disciples of the Three Pure Ones, it is our bounden duty to spread the Daoist faith!"

The big and little fox exchanged a smile. Everything was understood without a word.

Next, Gu Zhao and Daoist Yansong discussed the identities and forms of address they would use while traveling this world in the future.

First came their background. They were from a reclusive sect. Though Gu Zhao was young, he was the newly installed young Sect Leader, and his status was exalted.

As for how they addressed one another, Gu Zhao would call Daoist Yansong Martial Uncle, while Daoist Yansong would call Gu Zhao Sect Leader. Both status and seniority were accounted for.

"I'll take you to the village first so you can get familiar with the place. There'll be something I need your help with later." Gu Zhao led Daoist Yansong toward the village.

"What is it?"

"I want to build a lumber mill in the village." Gu Zhao pointed around them. "These are all Small-leaf Sandalwood, something rarely seen on Blue Star. They'll be worth a fortune once shipped back. After making money, we can also support our development over here."

Daoist Yansong's eyes lit up. "If that's the case, why not build a Daoist temple here as our base? Otherwise, we can't exactly cross worlds through the woods every time. It wouldn't be good if someone happened to see us."

"With Small-leaf Sandalwood?"

"The lumber can be Small-leaf Sandalwood, but the main structure should obviously be reinforced concrete!" Daoist Yansong chuckled. "We're in the mountains. It would be a shame if it got burned down in a wildfire."

Gu Zhao raised his brows with a smile. "I can tell you haven't gotten used to your current identity. If there's a wildfire, you can use a rain-summoning incantation!"

Daoist Yansong, "..."

"This old Daoist came from the Quanzhen Sect. I condensed the Three Flowers and Five Qi, harmonized the dragon and tiger, yin and yang, but I never learned these talismanic arts and incantations!" Daoist Yansong said helplessly. "Historically, the Daoists who set up altars to perform rituals, praying for rain or clear skies, were basically all from Zhengyi Dao."

Gu Zhao blinked. He had not considered that, but it did not matter. "With Mana in your body, wouldn't learning those things be a piece of cake?"

"I'll give it a try." Daoist Yansong nodded. "Quanzhen Sect Daoists traveling the world to slay demons and subdue devils relied entirely on their own inner elixir and true qi. We did not have as many methods as Zhengyi Dao. Now that we're in another world with demons, monsters, ghosts, and strange beings, I truly need to learn more."

Having said that, Daoist Yansong looked rather pleased with himself again. "But now all Daoist sects under heaven are one family. Back when this old Daoist internally harmonized the dragon and tiger and balanced water and fire, I also learned some ancient Daoist secret techniques passed down from Qingcheng Mountain."

"What are they?" Gu Zhao asked.

Daoist Yansong sensed himself for a moment, then shook his head. "This old Daoist's Mana is insufficient right now. I don't know whether I can use them. Once I'm prepared in a few days, we can try them together."

Then, chatting and laughing, the two arrived at the mountain village and met Elder He, He Xiuniang, and Bai Ke.

Though Gu Zhao had already told him about it, Daoist Yansong still clicked his tongue in wonder upon seeing a white fox that could speak.

Still, he had to maintain his persona. Daoist Yansong did not show any surprise. He merely explained that he had learned of the Sect Leader's disappearance, pursued him all the way here, and finally found him.

Only then did Bai Ke "learn" that Gu Zhao was actually the Sect Leader of a sect. But recalling that Gu Zhao's Mana appeared weak, yet he could use such powerful spells and talismans, she did not doubt Daoist Yansong's words in the slightest.

Elder He was even more relieved. Fortunately, this old man had arrived a little late, and Xiuniang had already become Gu Zhao's maid. Otherwise, he would truly have worried that the old man might throw a wrench in the works.

But now it was fine. Important people like them meant what they said and would not go back on their word.

Xiuniang, on the other hand, was extremely happy. Someone from Gu Zhao's sect had arrived, and this old man was so advanced in years that he must be very formidable. Gu Zhao's safety was guaranteed now.

"Heh heh, no wonder!" Seeing the look in Xiuniang's eyes, Daoist Yansong, old enough to have become a demon, understood at once. He chuckled. "So you like the raising-a-girl-from-childhood type."

"Don't spout nonsense!" Gu Zhao sternly rebuked him.

Daoist Yansong looked at Gu Zhao. "Actually, you like them all?"

Gu Zhao fell silent. The silence was deafening.

Daoist Yansong: →_→

Daoist Yansong returned to Qingcheng Mountain, informed Taishang Laojun Pavilion, then crossed into the other world and took up residence in the mountain village.

There was no rush for the Daoist temple for now, but the lumber mill could be arranged first. Daoist Yansong discussed with Elder He about clearing an open patch in the forest behind the village, having the villagers cut down Small-leaf Sandalwood in the mountains, roughly process it, then send it to the lumber mill for payment by weight.

As the oldest and most respected person in the village, Elder He patted his chest and agreed.

Thus, over the following days, the lumber mill was built in full swing.

Gu Zhao also bid farewell to his grandfather and grandmother before returning to Guangzhou. Using Daoist Yansong's savings and his own allowance, he exchanged for a batch of silver, sent it to the other world, and melted it into silver ingots.

As for their future source of funding...

"Dad?"

"Huh?"

"Come with me."

"What the... what is this?" Gu Qi was dumbstruck. "So much Small-leaf Sandalwood? Where did you get it?"

"It was imported from overseas." Gu Zhao spoke with a perfectly straight face.

"Where are the customs declaration documents?" Gu Qi turned around.

"That will depend on you." Gu Zhao said sincerely. "I can give you a fifty-percent discount."

Gu Qi: ???

Gu Qi and Li Man were ordinary people after all, and the other world was dangerous.

So Gu Zhao did not tell them the truth. He merely brought Daoist Yansong out to wave a grand banner around. With Daoist Yansong's confirmation, Gu Qi finally believed that Gu Zhao had not encountered a scammer, and that Daoist Yansong was instead a religious colleague from overseas.

Gu Qi soon established an import-export trading company. Customs declarations, tax payments—everything went through proper channels. In the end, the money was transferred into the account Daoist Yansong provided.

A win-win situation!

With that, the funding problem was solved.