Shaman Runes

"It's finally here!"

Duanmu Ren stared at the six simple words for a long time, then let out a long breath.

Although the message was sent by Li Jiabao, Duanmu Ren knew that someone else definitely wanted to see him.

It's either Li Chengxuan or Hua Chunning.

As a victim of this incident, Duanmu Ren has every reason to harbor resentment towards Li Chengxuan and Hua Chunning.

However, Duanmu Ren was a deep and experienced professional bureaucrat who had long since developed a logical framework that was quite different from that of ordinary people.

The deed is done, so there's no point in arguing about who was right, who was wrong, who was innocent, or who deserved it.

I don't want to be remotely controlled by Master Li again.

To avoid investigation, he resorted to some extreme measures, offending many people in the process.

While it was very effective in the short term, it has endless long-term consequences, at least severing the connections with the upper and middle levels of the province and city.

In the foreseeable future, I am unlikely to be promoted or given important responsibilities again.

unless...

"Unless a powerful third party intervenes and elevates me to power!" Duanmu Ren's eyes gleamed, and he immediately got up and set off.

As a bureaucrat who climbed his way up from the bottom, Duanmu Ren was acutely aware of the importance of connections and powerful backers.

The bureaucratic systems at both the provincial and municipal levels are now excluding them.

Then don't blame me for joining a new faction and then coming back to subvert the enemy!

Duanmu Ren drove to Supreme Mystery Sub-Courtyard.

On the way, Duanmu Ren kept rehearsing his posture and words when they met.

If only Li Chengxuan were present, he wouldn't be able to use his cunning, and could only honestly offer his loyalty. After all, this immortal master seemed to have the ability to read people's minds and was extremely ruthless.

If only Hua Chunning were present, there would be considerable room for maneuver.

You can try playing the victim, flattering others, and all sorts of other tactics.

The Supreme Mystery Sub-Courtyard suffered a death, and was also involved in collusion between officials and businessmen and organized crime, completely ruining its reputation and leading to its closure.

Duanmu Ren entered through the side door and walked towards the core area.

Along the way, the vegetation was withered, the flowers faded, and the leaves fell.

Duanmu Ren had no time to spare. After searching around but not finding Li Chengxuan or Hua Chunning, he could only send a message to Li Jiabao: "I've arrived."

Li Jiabao did not reply.

Duanmu Ren frowned, found a high place to look around, and saw a person standing motionless by the pond to the east, like a statue.

Duanmu Ren walked over and couldn't help but chuckle, "So he's just a fisherman."

Sure enough, the fisherman will randomly spawn at any location.

Duanmu Ren stopped and took out his phone to call Li Jiabao when he saw the fisherman turn around and nod to him, "County Magistrate Duanmu."

After all, he had served in Stone Ridge for many years. Although he had embezzled a lot, he had also done a lot of practical work. It was normal for someone to recognize him.

As Duanmu Ren thought to himself, the fake smile of a mid-level bureaucrat greeting the masses almost instinctively appeared on his face. He was about to say some polite words to show his approachability when he was suddenly startled and carefully looked at the fisherman.

He arrived at Supreme Mystery Sub-Courtyard as agreed, but found no one around. However, he unexpectedly spotted a fisherman.

It seems... Master Li has a disciple, the fisherman.

Duanmu Ren's mind raced, and he cautiously asked, "Excuse me, is your surname Liu?"

"Good morning, County Chief Duanmu." Liu Zhijian smiled and nodded. "I am Liu Zhijian."

"So it's Master Li's esteemed disciple!" Duanmu Ren's heart stirred upon hearing this. He tentatively inquired, "Where are Master Li and Fairy Hua?!"

Liu Zhijian, being of a gentle nature, replied, "Master has gone to visit his family. Junior Sister Hua is currently in seclusion and has no time to come here."

"I see." Seeing that Li Chengxuan and Junior Sister Hua were not around, Duanmu Ren relaxed considerably and tried to ingratiate himself with a smile, "I heard from Immortal Master Li that Immortal Master Liu... is from Beihu Province?! That's a wonderful place! I even went there for training at Beihu University."

"That's absolutely true." Liu Zhijian chuckled and replied earnestly, "I was fortunate enough to meet my master here, which led me to embark on the path of cultivation."

Seeing that Liu Zhijian answered all his questions, Duanmu Ren felt reassured.

The biggest reason he hesitated to become Li Chengxuan's disciple was his fear that it was a dark world of cultivation, where he would be subjected to soul extraction and bloodletting to be refined into pills.

Now that Liu Zhijian has returned from his cultivation journey, he is the best person to dispel any doubts.

Duanmu Ren was very cautious, spending three-tenths of his time investigating the cultivation world and seven-tenths inquiring about Liu Zhijian's experiences.

Liu Zhijian chuckled inwardly and answered questions about details of his hometown, his childhood experiences, and so on.

Regarding matters concerning the cultivation world, speak what can be spoken, and remain silent with a smile if it cannot be spoken.

A full hour later, Duanmu Ren finally felt relieved and confirmed that the fisherman in front of him was indeed an Earthling who had returned from cultivating immortality, and not a demon or monster impersonating him.

This path to immortality is possible, worthwhile, and essential!

If only I had learned some divine skills, I wouldn't have been in such a sorry state during that previous ordeal!

Duanmu Ren could already imagine how he would thrive in the officialdom after returning from his cultivation journey.

Ha, we were all colleagues, I never intended to use such a low-level attack!

A moment later, Li Chengxuan slowly approached.

Liu Zhijian ignored Duanmu Ren's enthusiastic probing and respectfully said, "Master."

"Hmm." Li Chengxuan nodded slightly, then looked at Duanmu Ren: "County Magistrate Duanmu, it's been a long time."

Duanmu Ren took a deep breath and suddenly knelt down on both knees. "In the past, Duanmu Ren was blind and mistreated the immortal. Now I have repented and beg the immortal master to forgive my past grievances and accept me as his disciple!"

After speaking, he touched his forehead to the ground as a sign of respect.

Duanmu Ren had no worries whatsoever about whether he could successfully become an apprentice.

From the moment he saw Liu Zhijian, Duanmu Ren knew that his attempt to become Liu's apprentice would be successful.

Liu Zhijian's appearance was like the best recruitment advertisement.

If Duanmu Ren doesn't become an apprentice, he might be ungrateful and face a dire outcome.

"Get up." Li Chengxuan chuckled and said, "Now you are Registered Disciple of Supreme Mystery Mountain, ranking after Liu Zhijian and Hua Chunning."

Duanmu Ren, having come from an official background, was extremely sensitive to rank and position. He inwardly sighed, realizing he had been overly cautious and had ended up ranked behind Hua Chunning. However, he dared not say anything at the moment and rose respectfully, saying, "Disciple Duanmu Ren greets Master..."

"Shut up!" Li Chengxuan interrupted, correcting him, "You must now address me as Sect Leader. Only after you Qi Ingestion the Dao and are accepted as a disciple will you be accepted as a True Disciple."

Duanmu Ren was very docile and obedient. "Disciple Duanmu Ren greets the Sect Leader!"

Li Chengxuan glanced at Duanmu Ren and sighed inwardly.

Having spent half his life navigating the officialdom, Duanmu Ren had long since become cautious, shrewd, and ruthless.

They are particularly adept at reading people's expressions and at disguising their true intentions.

If it weren't for the impending upheaval in the Southern Edge Continent and the severe shortage of capable people at Supreme Mystery Mountain, Li Chengxuan wouldn't have so easily accepted Duanmu Ren into his ranks.

After all, Li Chengxuan had previously considered giving up on him.

"However, his recent ordeal has only intensified his Manifestation as a [High Shaman]."

"Besides [Drink the People's Blood], it seems there's also the Manifestation of [Do Not Investigate Me]."

"Liu Zhijian has also obtained a [Resentment of the Myriad People] from the [High Shaman] lineage, which is perfect for him to use when he enters the path."

Is it a coincidence, or fate?

After expressing his feelings, Li Chengxuan gave Duanmu Ren a general explanation of the cultivation methods of the [High Shaman] lineage.

For the specific details, Duanmu Ren had to read the Daoist scriptures himself.

Having spent half his life as an official, Duanmu Ren understood the importance of trusting professionals and had no objections to Li Chengxuan's arrangements. However, his focus was rather peculiar. "Sect Leader, is the first step in cultivating the High Shaman tradition to inscribe Shaman Runes on the body?"

Li Chengxuan nodded. "That's true."

"Huh?!" Duanmu Ren looked troubled upon hearing this, and hesitated before saying, "I'm a civil servant, I can't have tattoos."