Yuanfa Palace

Yuanfa Palace.

Gu Zhao accepted three free incense sticks and walked up the steps. As soon as he entered the mountain gate, he saw the Lingguan Hall.

Looking up, the altar enshrining King Lingguan was suspended high in the air, and the statue within was entirely golden.

King Lingguan was depicted with his left hand forming the Lingguan Hand Seal between his chest and abdomen, his right hand holding a golden whip raised high above his head, his three eyes glaring angrily, poised to strike. Truly, he was awe-inspiring and majestic.

Gu Zhao held the incense in his left hand, shielded it with his right, bowed, and prostrated himself three times to show his sincerity.

This was the most famous guardian general of the Daoist sect, with golden eyes and vermilion hair, and phoenix beak and silver teeth. His combat power was maxed out, and he was extremely famous during the Ming Dynasty. Wu Cheng'en himself didn't dare to let the Monkey King defeat him.

As the saying goes: "Before ascending the mountain, first pay respects to King Lingguan."

However...

Gu Zhao looked at the words "[Mystic Gate Protector, Thunder Sound Manifestation Heavenly Venerate]" written on the red and gold cloth curtains to the left and right of the statue. He then looked at the wooden couplets on the sides, which read "[One Qi Divine Lord, All Heavens Investigation Great Lingguan]" and "[Innate Commander, Three Realms Impartial Fierce Official General]."

Putting the titles for King Lingguan from the demonic novel Journey to the West together with the official titles from the orthodox Daoist scripture True Scripture of King Lingguan of the Fiery Cart felt strange.

Well, these were books from hundreds of years ago. Journey to the West, as one of the Four Great Classical Novels, had a much greater influence among the common people than the True Scripture of King Lingguan of the Fiery Cart. Following the usual practices of the Daoist sect, it was only natural to adapt it for use.

For example, the guardian generals to the left and right of King Lingguan were actually the Heng Ha Two Generals from Investiture of the Gods.

Gu Zhao: (3"∠)

He still had to pay his respects to King Lingguan, but he could skip the Heng Ha Two Generals. Even if Zheng Lun and Chen Qi came out of the book, Gu Zhao would first test their strength with Palm Thunder.

After paying his respects to King Lingguan, Gu Zhao walked past the side of the altar and entered the courtyard of Yuanfa Palace.

Yuanfa Palace was not large, only a single courtyard. After leaving the Lingguan Hall, he faced a courtyard with an incense burner in the center. Behind the incense burner was the Yuanfa Treasure Hall, which enshrined the Three Great Emperors Yao, Shun, and Yu, rather than the Three Pure Ones.

Gu Zhao lit the incense and stood before the burner. As a half-baked disciple of the Daoist sect, his grandfather hadn't taught him very detailed Taoist Rituals. He probably didn't understand them well himself, and Gu Zhao clearly didn't need them.

So, Gu Zhao simply followed the most basic etiquette, offering the incense and bowing. He first paid respects to the Three Great Emperors, then to the deities of the four directions, and finally inserted the incense into the burner.

The most important ritual was now complete.

Now, he could go find a place to buy cinnabar and yellow paper!

Gu Zhao turned and went to the nearby Dharma Logistics area. Although it wasn't large, it sold quite a variety of items.

Peace Talismans, Wealth Talismans, Love Talismans, Tai Sui Talismans, Health Talismans, Academic Talismans, House Protection Talismans...

Mass-produced industrial talismans were cheaper, while hand-written talismans on yellow paper were more expensive. Gu Zhao sensed them all, but none had any energy fluctuations.

Gu Zhao looked at the volunteer explaining the functions of the talismans and the tourists enthusiastically selecting them. He walked up and said, "Excuse me..."

"Are you looking for an Academic Talisman, a Love Talisman, or a Wealth Talisman?" The staff member looked at Gu Zhao's age and skillfully continued, "Oh, what's your zodiac sign? Do you want to get a Tai Sui Talisman?"

"None of those." Gu Zhao looked at the talismans behind the counter. "I want to draw talismans myself. I'd like to buy some cinnabar and yellow paper."

Staff member: ???

Surrounding tourists: ???

"Dude, are you here to cause trouble?"

Before the staff member could react, a young man frowned and asked, "These are all talismans drawn and consecrated by the Daoist priests here. Can't you just buy cinnabar and yellow paper online yourself?"

The girl next to the young man tugged at his sleeve, signaling him not to meddle.

Gu Zhao glanced at the young man. He wasn't planning to argue. He simply explained to the staff member, "I've already bought them online, but they'll take a few days to arrive. Since I need them today, I came here to ask."

Another young lady leaned in curiously and asked, "You can draw talismans yourself? Are you a Daoist priest?"

Gu Zhao turned back, and the first thing he noticed was that this young lady was very well-endowed. He couldn't help but take a subconscious step back, getting a more comprehensive view. "I've just learned a little. In terms of rituals, I'm not officially initiated yet."

"Sorry, we don't sell cinnabar or yellow paper here." The staff member finally found an opportunity to interject and politely refused.

Gu Zhao frowned slightly but could only nod helplessly. He wasn't the type to pester. Since they weren't selling, he wouldn't insist. As he said earlier, he had already bought them online; he just had to wait a few days.

He came today simply because he was excited about his initial cultivation and wanted to test it immediately. It was almost noon now, and he had calmed down considerably.

I've cultivated my mind and Dao for over ten years; it wasn't for nothing!

Gu Zhao: (.-`ω-)

Just then, a young Daoist priest who looked to be in his thirties passed by. Seeing a crowd gathered but not shopping, he came over to see what was happening and happened to overhear the last sentence.

"What's going on?" the young Daoist priest asked.

The staff member quickly explained, "Senior Brother Hui Bin, this guest wants to buy cinnabar and yellow paper, but we don't sell those items."

Hui Bin looked at Gu Zhao and saw him forming the Zi Wu Hand Seal with both hands, cupping his fists in greeting. He spoke in an archaic tone, "Greetings, Senior Brother."

This was a greeting etiquette among peers within the Daoist sect, and his posture was standard, his demeanor natural. It was clear he hadn't learned it on the spot.

Hui Bin quickly returned the greeting with a cupped fist, "Greetings, Junior Brother."

Although he didn't know the other's specific seniority, they weren't from the same mountain sect. It was appropriate to address each other as Senior Brother and Junior Brother based on age. "Junior Brother needs some cinnabar and yellow paper?"

Gu Zhao nodded. "I've encountered a situation and need to draw some talismans, so I came to Yuanfa Palace to see if I could buy some."

Hui Bin's mind was a bit jumbled. He thought, What era is this? Seeking blessings and divination is just for peace of mind. You're an insider, and you actually need to use talismans for something?

He glanced at the counter, then turned back to Gu Zhao. "May I ask what situation Junior Brother has encountered? The talismans here are all drawn and consecrated by our Senior Uncles. If Junior Brother needs them, I can give you a few."

As fellow Daoists, Hui Bin had the authority to give away a few talismans.

Gu Zhao shook his head, not mentioning what had happened to him. He simply said, "Thank you, Senior Brother, but what I want isn't any of these types of talismans."

Hui Bin subconsciously asked, "Then what kind of talisman is it?"

Gu Zhao hadn't expected Hui Bin to ask for specifics, but there was no reason not to say. So, Gu Zhao told the truth, "The Five Thunder Talisman."

Hui Bin was stunned upon hearing this. Yuanfa Palace followed the Quanzhen Longmen lineage, and they truly did not have the Five Thunder Talisman.

The surrounding tourists, however, were incredibly excited. Compared to talismans for love or health, the Five Thunder Talisman sounded much more impressive just by its name.

The young lady who had been curious earlier asked, "What is the Five Thunder Talisman used for? To subdue demons and vanquish devils?"

Gu Zhao smiled and nodded, "Yes."

The crowd exclaimed, "Wow—"

Seeing the excited looks on their faces, Hui Bin sized up Gu Zhao for a moment before letting out an "Oh." He understood.

So, this was a chuunibyou boy who feigned maturity on the outside but inwardly craved attention.