Chapter 69: Preparing to Open a New Map

Zhuo Qingyan threw herself down a well and died, becoming a ghost skilled in manipulating water vapor; she also possessed excellent cultivation talent, and despite having been dead only thirty years, her spiritual attainments were already formidable, able to match the Rain Consort of the Golden Wind Divine Church in combat.

While Gu Zhao and Daoist Yan Song occasionally vanished under the pretense of cultivation, Zhuo Qingyan grew increasingly close to He Xiuniang, and occasionally helped Old He teach the children around the village.

Xiuniang told Zhuo Qingyan about Gu Zhao and Daoist Yan Song, and Zhuo Qingyan in turn told Xiuniang stories from her past.

“The Young Master told me that their lineage’s cultivation is unique: performing good deeds and accumulating virtue nurtures the heart, while eliminating evil and accumulating merit cultivates the art—both aid their cultivation,” Xiuniang explained the reason for their visit to Xiuyue County.

“I see—that’s indeed a peculiar cultivation method,” Zhuo Qingyan mused. “And those who cultivate such an art must have kind hearts.”

This also explained why Gu Zhao could instantly tell she had never harmed anyone—those who uphold justice and act for heaven must possess eyes that discern good from evil.

“Yes, yes!” Xiuniang nodded eagerly. “The Young Master is so kind—he saved our entire village, brought us food and drink, and even buys timber to build an estate, giving work to many people nearby.”

“You’re a good lady too—I wonder if you could cultivate the Young Master’s art?” Xiuniang said hopefully.

Zhuo Qingyan teased, “Why don’t you cultivate yourself?”

“I’ve formed a bond with Little White—my cultivation power carries demonic energy, unsuitable for the Young Master’s method,” Xiuniang explained seriously.

Zhuo Qingyan smiled and asked Xiuniang, “What art does Young Master Gu cultivate?”

“Thunder Art!” Xiuniang said as if it were obvious.

“What about Elder Yan Song?” Zhuo Qingyan asked next.

“I heard it’s called the ‘Taiyi Huofu Secret Method’—it lets him spit wind and fire, incredibly powerful!” Xiuniang said with admiration.

“Exactly!” Zhuo Qingyan pointed to herself. “I’m a ghost—how could I cultivate thunder or fire arts?”

Xiuniang looked embarrassed. “I’m sorry—I didn’t think of that…”

“You’re both good people,” Zhuo Qingyan took Xiuniang’s hand. “It’s a pity I didn’t meet you at the right time.”

Xiuniang blinked. “Back then, we weren’t even born yet, were we?”

Zhuo Qingyan, “…”

“Chichi chi!” Bai Ke couldn’t help laughing from nearby; seeing Zhuo Qingyan turn around, she leapt off the low table. “I’ll go check if Gu Zhao and Daoist Yan Song have returned.”

But before she could run out of the small courtyard, she saw Gu Zhao and Daoist Yan Song returning together, chatting as they walked.

“I approved the initial design—it has a proper immortal flavor. I told them to refine it further and produce detailed construction blueprints, but they must use only images and numbers, no simplified characters.”

“Good, good—that way Old He can supervise the work without needing old Taoist to stay here.”

“Materials like blue stone bricks, glazed tiles, red lacquer, mortar, metal fittings, and stone carvings are all being prepared. I’ve rented another warehouse next to the furniture factory, but we’re short on manpower…”

“Don’t worry about manpower. Because the timber mill is buying small-leaf rosewood, Old He has already investigated the surrounding villages and towns, and made arrangements with local craftsmen—they can start work on the mountain anytime.”

When the villagers around learned that a master capable of exorcising ghosts and demons would establish a sect on Cuiluo Mountain, they were thrilled—even if paid nothing, they’d gladly work for free.

“We don’t need to build it all at once—we can proceed gradually,” Gu Zhao said.

“Of course. Your temple has over a hundred buildings—not just halls for deities, but living quarters too. How could it be built easily?”

Daoist Yan Song counted on his fingers. “For now, just build the mountain gate, the Lingguan Hall, a few side halls, and some residential courtyards—that’s already plenty.”

“There’s one more thing,” Daoist Yan Song changed tone. “Don’t forget that although the imperial court no longer controls Changping Prefecture, there’s still the Golden Wind Church here.”

“Even if our Daoist sect doesn’t compete for incense offerings, we still need halls for the God of Wealth, the God of Literature, the Matchmaker God, and the Medicine King—people pray to them for fortune, official rank, love, and safety.”

“The Golden Wind Divine King has hundreds of years of cultivation, especially the ability to fly. My talismans may not be enough,” Gu Zhao rubbed his chin. “Besides, Chu Da and the Rain Consort’s dark energy still isn’t dense enough to condense a new Thunder Seed.”

The Thunder Seed was a treasure capable of activating primordial qi, allowing one to ascend instantly. Without it, Daoist Yan Song would have had to restart cultivation from scratch upon crossing worlds, slowly and uncertainly—how could he have so easily overwhelmed the Rain Consort with Taiyi Wind and Fire?

“We haven’t found a second person the Five Thunder Talisman recognizes yet. Even if we condense a Thunder Seed, it’s useless,” Daoist Yan Song shook his head.

“Let’s gather one first,” Gu Zhao said. “After I’ve stored one Thunder Seed, I’ll go to Longhu Tian Shan. Should we go back to Wuhe County?”

“Are you just milking one sheep dry?” Daoist Yan Song sighed. “Didn’t Old He say Wuhe County nearly got wiped out by demons decades ago, and still hasn’t recovered?”

“True—the demons and ghosts in Wuhe County are probably even more numerous than in Xiuyue County!” Gu Zhao struck his palm. “I’ll arrange things these few days, then we’ll set out.”

Gu Zhao shook his head. “It’s starting to feel like a game—before fighting the boss, we have to grind the minions.”

“The boss isn’t just one,” Daoist Yan Song added. “There’s also Sanjue Mountain and Bi’ang Palace.”

Gu Zhao tapped his forehead. “But we only have one life.”

“Young Master!”

Seeing Xiuniang and the others approaching, Gu Zhao and Daoist Yan Song stopped talking, nodded to Zhuo Qingyan, and handed the bag to Xiuniang at the sight of Bai Ke’s hopeful gaze. “Five-spice roasted chicken.”

“Ying ying ying!”

…

After returning from the other world, Gu Zhao opened his phone and saw several unread messages.

Jiang Shishi: @Gu Zhao, Jiang and Xiao Ya passed our interviews!

Jiang Shishi: Let’s celebrate!

Xiao Ya: Are you free? Still cultivating? Can you come out?

For the first time since his parents and Zhang Hang, a girl was now actively reaching out to Gu Zhao.

Since the interviews, Jiang Shishi and Xiao Ya had been traveling around Yangcheng, sometimes inviting Gu Zhao along—if he was free, he naturally accepted to enjoy the scenery.

Though he cultivated the Dao and refined his heart, Gu Zhao was still a normal man; two beautiful girls showing interest in him, he wouldn’t be foolish enough to refuse.

Though he knew part of it stemmed from his display of supernatural power, Jiang Shishi was lively and cheerful, Xiao Ya kind and gentle—he admitted he was mostly attracted by their looks.

But what puzzled him was this: Jiang Shishi and Xiao Ya were friends, yet both showed him subtle romantic hints without clarifying anything, and neither seemed bothered by the other’s attention—why?

If it weren’t for Jiang Shishi or Xiao Ya always insisting on paying whenever they went out, Gu Zhao would have thought he was being used as a shared backup option.