Mount Zhongnan, behind White Cloud Temple.
Zhang Xuanqing put down the web novel he had criticized as a complete fabrication, "I'm a Big Shot in the Cultivation World."
He shook his head helplessly.
The "cultivation of immortality" in the book, which involves moving mountains and filling seas, is utter nonsense.
In his view, it is far less authentic and credible than the "health preservation," "guiding exercises," and "internal alchemy" recorded in the classic texts of the patriarchs.
However... although he was a direct descendant of the White Cloud Temple and had been well-versed in the Tao Te Ching and the Yellow Court Classic since childhood, he also knew that they were methods for self-cultivation.
It's completely different from what's depicted in the novel.
"It's a bit far-fetched... but if it were really possible to cultivate immortality... wouldn't that be wonderful?"
The thought popped into Zhang Xuanqing's head, and he himself found it somewhat absurd.
"Are you crazy? What are you thinking?"
"Still cultivating immortality..."
"Never mind, let's just feed the chickens."
He muttered a couple of things to himself, then patted the bits of grass off his Daoist robe.
As soon as I stood up, I heard an unusual buzzing sound coming from the sky.
As it approached, the sound quickly became deafening.
"Um?"
Zhang Xuanqing ran out of the hut in surprise and looked up at the sky.
A dark green military helicopter was seen kicking up clouds of dust as it slowly landed on the small open space in front of the temple.
The strong airflow made his Daoist robe flutter loudly, and he could barely open his eyes.
The helicopter door opened, and a team of soldiers with stern expressions and efficient movements quickly disembarked and walked straight toward him.
The leading officer flashed his badge, exuding authority.
"Master Zhang Xuanqing? Please come with us immediately."
"Go with you? To... where to?"
Zhang Xuanqing was completely dumbfounded.
Soldiers and Daoist priests? They seem completely out of sync!
Besides, he had hardly ever left the mountain in his life, let alone dealt with the military.
"This is a top-secret national mission. Details will be explained to you upon arrival at your destination."
"Now, please make your choice: whether to participate voluntarily or not. Regardless of your participation, everything you see and hear on this trip must be kept confidential for life."
The officer's words were concise and clear.
Zhang Xuanqing's mind went blank. Top secret mission? Secret mission?
He murmured unconsciously, "I... I need to think about it..."
"Sure, you can consider it on the way."
The officer seemed to have expected this and gestured for them to proceed.
Almost reluctantly, Zhang Xuanqing was "invited" onto the helicopter.
Just as he was feeling unsettled and trying to sort out his thoughts...
Two identical helicopters are flying towards the Celestial Master's Mansion on Mount Longhu and Louguan Terrace on Mount Zhongnan, respectively!
Several hours later, when the helicopter landed on the massive base hidden inside the mountain, Zhang Xuanqing's shock reached its peak.
He was led into a quiet room where two elderly men were already sitting.
A Daoist priest dressed in a purple robe, with white hair and a youthful face, exuding an imposing presence, came from the Celestial Master's Mansion of Mount Longhu.
The other was dressed in a simple blue Daoist robe, with a thin face and deep eyes; he was the abbot of Louguan Terrace.
These two are towering figures in the Taoism community!
Zhang Xuanqing immediately bowed respectfully.
At this moment, the officer reappeared, his gaze sweeping over the three Daoist priests with different expressions.
The confidentiality requirement was repeated on the spot, and then...
He dropped a bombshell that nearly caused the Human Dao to lose their resolve:
"Three Daoist masters, we have invited you here today in the hope that your profound understanding of Daoist classics will help the nation verify a hypothesis concerning the future of civilization."
He paused, then said, word by word:
"The things we'll be exploring and researching next..."
"It may be directly related to the 'ultimate goal' that your Taoism scriptures have been pursuing for thousands of years."
The words "ultimate goal" exploded like thunder in the hearts of the three!
What is the ultimate goal of Taoism?
Is it immortality? Or ascension to heaven?
Is it about Heaven-Piercing? Or about exploring the origin of the Great Dao?
Zhang Xuanqing instantly recalled the records of his ancestors that he considered "literary exaggeration".
I recalled the description of "the spirit of the valley never dies" in the Tao Te Ching, and the mysterious texts about "Niwan" and " Dantian " in the Yellow Court Classic...
Could it be that those weren't entirely the imaginations of the ancients?
He exchanged a glance with the two elderly Daoist priests.
They both saw the undisguised shock and unprecedented fervor in each other's eyes.
Without the slightest hesitation!
Zhang Xuanqing took a deep breath, suppressing his surging Qi and Blood.
He spoke at the same time as the two old Daoist priests, his voice trembling, yet unusually firm:
" Boundless Heaven blessings and longevity!"
"This humble Daoist... is willing to serve the country and seek this path!"
Bureau 749 Underground Base, Command Center.
Li Yuanchao sat in the main seat, with a huge electronic screen in front of him displaying real-time images of several ready-to-go test rooms.
He listened solemnly to his subordinates' final report.
"Reporting to Director Li, all verification targets are in place, and background checks are complete."
"The first group, Lu Dahai, Liu Xiulan, and Lu Yao, have been successfully transferred to the medical area without any suspicion."
" The Spirit-Testing Stone has been disguised as a 'new type of health scanner,' and the auxiliary Spiritual Power guidance and monitoring equipment are in place and ready to be activated at any time."
"The second group consists of Xu Mu, Wang Lei, and Li Zhuang. All three are elite soldiers with over eight years of military service, with firm political stances and unquestionable loyalty."
"A top-level confidentiality agreement has been signed, and compliance with arrangements will be guaranteed regardless of the test results."
"The third group, Taoism..."
The reporter paused for a moment, then pulled up the relevant documents.
"Master Zhang Zhiqing of Mount Longhu is 107 years old, and Master Li Jingxiu of Louguan Terrace is 105 years old."
"Both of you have profound knowledge of Daoist classics and internal alchemy theories, and your advanced age and virtuous character are themselves a miracle of life."
"Their historical background is clean, and their sect repeatedly came down from the mountain to provide assistance during the War of Resistance against Japan, demonstrating a deep sense of patriotism. Both of them devoted their lives to the pursuit of the Great Way, single-mindedly pursuing it."
"Finally, there is Zhang Xuanqing of White Cloud Temple... twenty-three years old, the last disciple of the previous abbot, an orphan adopted by the abbot during his travels, who grew up in the temple from a young age, with a pure foundation."
"He has a simple and honest character, and has a record of several acts of bravery in rescuing tourists in distress. He is a reliable person."
"Although young, his understanding of classics such as the Tao Te Ching and the Huang Ting Jing is, according to assessment, no less than that of the two senior Daoist masters."
Li Yuanchao listened attentively to each report, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest.
Every step has been carefully considered, and the candidates have undergone rigorous screening.
He raised his head, his sharp gaze sweeping over every staff member in the lobby before finally settling on the surveillance footage.
This first attempt, which concerns the fate of the nation and the direction of civilization, cannot afford to fail.
He took a deep breath, no longer hesitated, and spoke into the communicator in a deep voice the long-awaited command:
"Attention all units, this is Li Yuanchao."
"I hereby order... the Southern Heavenly Gate Immortal Ascension Plan, Phase One: Spirit Root Survey..."
"Let's begin!"