Chapter 458: The Great Law of Daily Routine Reincarnation

The fifth day of the sixth lunar month.

There are three days left until the Vice Sect Master's inauguration ceremony, but Yuding Ancient Town at the foot of the mountain has already been closed and is no longer open to the public. Tourists can still enter, but almost all the inns are no longer accepting guests, as they are being used to accommodate those attending the inauguration ceremony.

At the same time, guests have already arrived at Yuding Mountain.

After all, the inauguration ceremony only lasts for one day, but this is a rare opportunity to meet many big shots and peers; that is the real benefit.

For other top-tier sects, it is a good time for building relationships, commercial exchanges, and even arranging fights.

For other major sects and business or political elites, it is the perfect chance to climb the social ladder. The Spirit Sect is not like some other sects that are so poor they rely on real estate to eat; the Spirit Sect has both massive industries and a continuous output of high-level talent and high-tech, so getting on good terms with the Spirit Sect's big shots is almost synonymous with wealth and fame.

Coupled with other disciples returning to the sect, the mountain has clearly become much livelier these past few days.

Even the core Yuding Mountain is no longer as tranquil as it used to be, and the human presence has become much heavier. Chen Shu always encounters unfamiliar faces while walking on the road, and these people are especially fond of greeting others, which is quite troublesome.

Chen Shu has also started receiving guests.

However, the Spirit Sect did not let those miscellaneous people disturb his cultivation, but only let him receive the top geniuses of his own generation.

Like that group of idiots in the group chat.

The first to arrive were the big shots from Yuan'an Temple and Xinzheng Temple. Due to the unique relationship between the Daoist and Buddhist sects, and the fact that the ancestral courts of both major religions are located around Yujing, both sides arrived at Yuding Mountain basically at the same time.

Chen Shu followed Vice Sect Master Zhuhuan and a group of Spirit Sect big shots to welcome them. This process was a bit boring, so to pass the time, he brought Taozi along.

From afar, only two patches of auspicious clouds could be seen flying over.

The auspicious clouds entered the Spirit Sect's grand formation, landed slowly, and then quietly dissipated, revealing the figures within the clouds.

One side consisted of a dozen Daoists, dressed in simple, moon-white Daoist robes, with long hair and an ethereal, immortal air. The other side consisted of a dozen monks; except for one young monk wearing yellow robes, the rest were all in red, with heads shining brightly.

Both sides addressed each other as fellow disciples.

Paired with the red carpet and fresh flowers on the ground, and the reporters holding cameras on the side, it felt a bit strange.

Chen Shu glanced around while following the big shots to greet them.

Everyone naturally divided into two sides.

Vice Sect Master Zhuhuan led the group of Spirit Sect big shots to meet the high-ranking Venerables of the Daoist and Buddhist sects, while Chen Shu led Taozi to meet the little Daoist and the little monk. The "click-click-click" sound of cameras from the reporters on the side rang out incessantly, most aimed at the big shots, though a few were spared for them.

"Master Xuanzhen, Dharma Master Tongdeng, welcome to the Spirit Sect."

"Donor Qingcai, haven't seen you for two months, you've grown even more handsome," Little Master Xuanzhen smiled slightly. "It seems the spiritual energy of Yuding Mountain is truly nourishing."

"Master Xuanzhen is worthy of being a high-ranking disciple of the Daoist sect; you have a certain level of knowledge in Buddhism, Heavenly Human, and Secret Sect matters. Your eyes are as sharp as torches."

"Amitabha, greetings, Donor Qingcai." Dharma Master Tongdeng pressed his palms together, bowed slightly toward Chen Shu, then turned to face the ground at Chen Shu's feet, performing a bow with the exact same posture. "And greetings, Donor Taozi."

"Oh, oh!"

Master Xuanzhen then remembered, lowered his head as well, and smiled at Taozi, who was sitting upright at Chen Shu's feet: "Donor Taozi has also become more and more adorable."

"Woof~"

Taozi also mimicked Dharma Master Tongdeng's movements, raised its two front paws, pressed its little meat pads together, and looked up at this Daoist and this monk.

However, there was one thing it couldn't figure out: these two humans looked gentle and were both smiling, seemingly more polite than its own Chen Shu, but why did they call it a pig every time they met?

"Did Dharma Master Tongdeng not notice that I've grown more handsome?"

"Amitabha, those of the Buddhist sect do not speak untruths."

"..."

At this moment, the few of them turned their heads to look to the side.

Vice Sect Master Zhuhuan and the group of Spirit Sect big shots had already exchanged pleasantries with the big shots of the Daoist and Buddhist sects and were preparing to lead them to their accommodations. Master Xuanzhen said to Chen Shu and Dharma Master Tongdeng: "The group leader and the others will be here soon. Why don't we wait for them here, and go pay our respects to the Spirit Saint later?"

"I don't mind."

"Woof~"

"Very well, allow this little monk to go inform the Venerables."

"I will also go tell the Vice Sect Master."

"Donor Taozi is exceptionally well-behaved today."

"Hehe..."

Chen Shu couldn't help but show a smug smile.

Actually, when he wanted to bring Taozi out today, it was extremely unwilling; whenever it had to choose between Chen Shu and Ning Qing, it always chose without hesitation. But today, Chen Shu told it very solemnly that today's matter was very important and he really needed its help, so it agreed very sensibly, to the point that it was very proactive when helping to receive Master Xuanzhen and Dharma Master Tongdeng just now.

Manipulating a child's psychology is what Chen Shu is best at.

Not long after, the big shots headed toward the top of the mountain.

Once the elders left, the three of them circled to a place without reporters and were immediately restored to their true forms—

Chen Shu, in his gorgeous ancient costume, scratched his hair and squinted at the sun. Little Master Xuanzhen and Dharma Master Tongdeng squatted by the side of the road, lowering their heads to talk to Taozi. Dharma Master Tongdeng even plucked a foxtail grass from the side, waving it in front of Taozi like a cat teaser, while Little Master Xuanzhen's Daoist robe dragged on the ground.

"What kind of cat is Donor Taozi?"

"Woof (You're the pig)!"

"Why does Donor Taozi always bark?"

"Woof (You're the pig)!"

"Amitabha, in this poor monk's opinion, Donor Taozi likely grew up with puppies when it was young."

"Woof (You're the pig)!"

This conversation continued for a long time. People from various major sects kept coming by; when people were around, they would restrain themselves a bit, but as soon as someone left, they would immediately squat down and continue teasing the cat, having a great time.

Until Vice Sect Master Zhuhuan arrived again.

A row of small black dots appeared on the distant horizon, rapidly growing larger, turning into a fleet of luxurious flying cars.

The three of them immediately regained their composure and walked back to the mountain gate.

Taozi also sat upright on the ground, very earnestly fulfilling its very important responsibility.

"Bang, bang..."

First, a squad of guards covered in silver-white Power Armor jumped down from the armed flying cars, their heavy armor slamming into the ground with a deafening sound. After a while, several flying cars slowly descended and opened their doors.

The current Emperor, accompanied by the two generations of direct Imperial Family descendants below him, the Royal Court bigwigs, several Government bigwigs, and those who hitched a ride, stepped down from the flying vehicle.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

"No need for formalities."

Chen Shu, along with Master Xuanzhen and Dharma Master Tongdeng, naturally stepped forward to pay their respects as well; during this process, many in the Imperial Family and Government were sizing him up.

Then, the three of them glanced at the several young people following behind the Imperial Family bigwigs.

The Group Leader and Brother Meng were naturally there.

Wu Eiwei was a Royal Court descendant, so he was naturally among them; Yan Keling, as the sole seedling of the Imperial Sect, was now a person of the Imperial Family, and the Imperial Family had brought her along as well.

Unexpectedly, Brother Jiang was among them too; it seems he has latched onto a powerful backer.

There was also a husky surnamed Zhang who had hitched a ride.

The younger generation had met up once again.

Upon meeting, Chen Shu asked, "Have I become more handsome?"

The Group Leader looked him over seriously: "It seems not."

Meng Chunqiu: "Brother Chen, please do not say such things again; your strengths are your talent and cultivation, as for your appearance, no matter what, you cannot catch up to me."

Zhang Suannai: "Still the same dog-like appearance."

Yan Keling: "Senior Brother Chen is still as handsome as ever!"

"His Majesty is right here, and you are actually using foul language!" Chen Shu chided, then shook his head repeatedly at them, "It seems your judgment is lacking; when you have time, you could learn from Master Xuanzhen and study the essence of the Daoist, Buddhist, and Heavenly Human System; this can help you possess a pair of eyes that see through the truth of the world."

"Ugly dog!"

"I can't be bothered to deal with you..."

Chen Shu swept his gaze over the few of them and moved it away, but suddenly turned it back, carefully observing them, especially Brother Meng and Yan Keling, then looked at Master Xuanzhen and Dharma Master Tongdeng: "Why does it feel like your states are all a bit poor? Am I seeing things?"

Chen Shu blinked his eyes.

Judging by their faces, indeed nothing could be seen; their skin was still delicate and lustrous, and their eyes were still bright and spirited, but for some reason, he just felt a sense of fatigue about them.

"They have been quite diligent in their Daily Cultivation recently," the Group Leader said indifferently, then glanced at the Buddhist-Daoist duo, "How is the cultivation of you two?"

"Not yet Eighth Stage, incomparable to the Crown Princess."

"This humble monk is the same, but it is close."

"Hmm?" Chen Shu discovered a keen point, "Group Leader, you are Eighth Stage?"

"Just entered it."

"Congratulations..."

Chen Shu calculated rapidly in his mind.

He himself entered the Seventh Stage last April and the Eighth Stage this March; the Group Leader seems to have entered the Seventh Stage last July, and it is currently just June.

The time is about the same as his own, but faster than Zhang Suannai.

"There is nothing to congratulate; our Imperial Spirit Method is inherently fast to cultivate, and this speed is just barely on par with yours," the Group Leader shook her head, "It is the progress of the others that is worth marveling at."

"Could it be..."

Chen Shu glanced at the group: "You all used the legendary Rest and Recovery Cycle Great Method?"

"Amitabha, benefactor, you are awesome."

"In order to catch up to you, we had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure..."

"Me too..."

Everyone sighed; cultivation is not easy.

Speaking of this Rest and Recovery Cycle Great Method, one must return to the principles of Daily Cultivation.

Daily Cultivation takes about four hours, some longer and some shorter, but the gap is very small; the recovery time is around eighteen or nineteen hours, which should actually be counted as part of one's cultivation talent, though the impact is not very large; except for the few whose Daily Cultivation plus recovery time exceeds 24 hours, which would lead to reduced cultivation efficiency, the rest of the people, even if they cultivate for four hours and recover for eighteen, in order to ensure a regular schedule, all do it once at a fixed time every day.

The Rest and Recovery Cycle Great Method lies right here.

For example, if someone's cultivation plus recovery is 22 hours, then they cultivate at eight o'clock tonight, six o'clock tomorrow night, and four o'clock the day after tomorrow afternoon; the daily cultivation time is two hours earlier than the previous day, and in the long run, it has the effect of rapid cultivation and entering the Samsara early.