Chapter 36: The Old Daoist Watching a Short Drama

Gu Zhao stared at the old Daoist in shock.

He never imagined he’d encounter a human in the modern world who could trigger the Five Thunder Talisman—after all, while spiritual energy still lingered in today’s air, it was like a nearly dry pipe dripping drop by drop.

Gu Zhao had once tried cultivating in the modern world; the speed of absorbing spiritual energy was utterly despairing. “Could there really be someone who succeeds in cultivating today?”

The old Daoist carefully studied Gu Zhao.

His perception, of course, differed from Gu Zhao’s—he felt only a light, ethereal presence on the young man, the same subtle resonance he himself experienced during his most immersive morning cultivation.

The old Daoist knew well: this was the sign of having cultivated internal qi. To draw in the boundless spiritual energy of heaven and earth was no feat for an ordinary person. “What path does this kid follow—Dao, Buddha, or worldly?”

Beside them, Jiang Shishi and Xiao Ya continued their quiet chatter.

“That old Daoist who played the bell while binge-watching dramas recently—wasn’t he at the Tai Shang Lao Jun Pavilion? Could it be him?”

“I heard someone online said his audio was too loud.”

“Didn’t he just put on headphones?”

“Hehehe…”

Aside from the video’s subject, countless netizens—including Jiang Shishi and Xiao Ya—had no complaints; everyone found the old Daoist oddly endearing, spontaneous and carefree, embodying the true spirit of Daoism.

“You burn incense to worship the gods, not the Daoist—why shouldn’t he watch his drama?”

“They use the Buddhist prayer gesture; the old Daoist not hitting them with his bell is already generous!”

“You worship the gods, and he helps summon them down—but you ignore the gods and focus on him?”

Not just netizens—even the Qingcheng Mountain Scenic Area Administration and the Daojiaoxie Society didn’t treat this as an issue. Daoism is naturally easygoing, but if you provoke it, Daoism won’t tolerate it.

This feeling of self-cultivation, spontaneity, and following the Dao of nature is precisely why many admire Daoism—but Gu Zhao doubted they’d guess that someone truly could cultivate in the modern world.

Gu Zhao suppressed the fluttering of the thunder seed in his mind and received a message from the Five Thunder Talisman.

This was the first time he’d ever received a message from the Five Thunder Talisman; previous functions had always felt like innate knowledge, offering no feedback—the thunder seed’s reaction was meant to convey this.

The message wasn’t text or sound, yet it directly informed him: before him stood a mortal with a pure soul, righteous qi, and cultivation potential—someone who could accept the thunder seed formed from the Talisman’s absorbed malevolent energy.

By bestowing the thunder seed upon him, Gu Zhao could claim him as a subordinate, activate his primordial qi, propel him to rapid cultivation, and grant him a future path toward immortality.

Moreover, any merit the man gained from good deeds or exorcising demons would grant Gu Zhao a share.

Gu Zhao was stunned. He hadn’t known the Five Thunder Talisman could form and bestow thunder seeds—this… was he playing Three Kingdoms? Had it truly become a game?

He instinctively focused his spiritual sense—and indeed, he sensed something unusual in the old Daoist. Though faint, there was unmistakably magic power within him.

As Gu Zhao probed deeper, the old Daoist’s awareness sharpened—he could now sense Gu Zhao’s scrutiny.

The next moment, as the queue reached Gu Zhao and the others, and the three knelt together before Tai Shang Lao Jun, the old Daoist suddenly rose—startling Jiang Shishi and Xiao Ya.

“We didn’t mean to!” Jiang Shishi raised both hands.

“We didn’t mean anything by it!” Xiao Ya instinctively clasped her hands, whispering in apology.

The old Daoist followed their gaze to the short drama playing on his phone—“Billionaire Falls in Love with Me”—and grinned. “Actually, this drama’s pretty good. Watching it’s relaxing, eases stress.”

“Exactly!”

“That’s right!”

Xiao Ya and Jiang Shishi nodded vigorously; others nearby chuckled warmly. Everyone came to pray for blessings, seeking only heartfelt sincerity and joy—what’s the point if you come here angry?

The old Daoist laughed too. Though lined with wrinkles, his smile radiated joy. “You three bow to Lao Jun first—I’ll ring the bell for you.”

A minor incident—no real impact.

When Xiao Ya bowed again, her expression turned deeply reverent; she whispered prayers for her grandfather, wishing for his health to improve.

The old Daoist smiled warmly, serving them far more attentively than before. Each time the three kowtowed, he struck the bell once, murmuring softly—whispers echoing through the hall.

As the three rose, the old Daoist didn’t sit back down. He merely waved to the side, summoning a middle-aged Daoist, handed him the bell mallet, then picked up his phone and stepped out from behind the table.

The old Daoist grinned as he approached the trio, studying Gu Zhao. “Young brother, your bearing is noble, your aura majestic, your posture like a jade tree in the wind—truly a rare talent.”

Jiang Shishi: “...”

Xiao Ya: “...”

“Master, did you just see the short video of Gu Zhao saving someone?” Jiang Shishi said, pulling out her phone. “I didn’t notice anyone filming it in time—has it already trended?”

Gu Zhao knew why the old Daoist spoke this way. He smiled and bowed. “Old master, your face glows with radiant health, your spirit is vigorous, your aura fills the hall—you’re clearly a cultivated master of the highest caliber.”

The old Daoist burst into laughter, then grabbed Gu Zhao’s arm and pulled him upstairs. “Come, come—upstairs for tea. You two girls come too. Old Daoist will read your romantic fortunes.”

Jiang Shishi and Xiao Ya exchanged glances, both bewildered, but instinctively followed the old Daoist and Gu Zhao around the hall toward the stairs leading to the second floor.

Seeing this, the tourists behind them erupted.

“What’s going on? Isn’t the second floor of Tai Shang Lao Jun Pavilion off-limits to visitors?”

“Didn’t you see the old Daoist invited them up?”

“Just flatter him a bit, get him in a good mood, and you get to drink tea—and have him personally cast your fortune?”

“Huh—”

“Master, your features are noble, your brows thick, your back broad, your aura swallowing mountains and rivers—you’re clearly a supreme Daoist master!”

“Fortune slips free, fortune interpretation twenty.”

…

“Uncle!”

“Grandmaster!”

On the second floor, every Daoist who passed bowed respectfully to the old Daoist, leaving the two girls stunned. They now realized he wasn’t just of the highest seniority here—he was deeply revered. Even a tall, imposing Daoist who clearly held high status bowed to him, then regarded the trio with keen curiosity.

“Good, good!” The old Daoist waved casually, ordered a middle-aged Daoist to brew tea, then led the three to a quiet chamber on the third floor.

Incense burned, tea poured, they sat.

After greetings, Gu Zhao learned the old Daoist’s Dao name was Yan Song. Yan Song Daochang also learned Gu Zhao had studied Dao since childhood under his grandfather, and heard from Jiang Shishi about Gu Zhao’s recent rescue.

“Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun!” Yan Song Daochang looked at Gu Zhao as if he’d found a treasure—this was truly a cultivation prodigy!

Soon, they turned to Xiao Ya, learning she traveled far and wide to pray and draw lots for her grandfather.

“No wonder,” Yan Song Daochang stroked his beard. “I noticed how sincerely the girl prayed.”

Xiao Ya whispered, “So I wanted to draw a lot at Tai Shang Lao Jun Pavilion and ask for a protective talisman for my grandfather.”

Yan Song Daochang paused. “Drawing a lot I understand—but a talisman…?”

“What’s wrong with asking for a talisman?” Jiang Shishi asked.

Yan Song Daochang winked at Gu Zhao and teased, “A true immortal sits right beside you—why wander around asking for protective talismans? Just agree to be his girlfriend, have him draw you one, open its power properly, and call it a dowry.”

Gu Zhao: (๑❛ᴗ❛๑)

Xiao Ya: (๐_๐||)