A Great Outcome

Master Mingzhang nodded.

"I still need to register and put your name in the official Taoist records. However, they won't be too particular with at-home disciples."

At-home disciples were really not that important to them.

"I can take you in directly and inform the master of the news."

So he agreed?

"Thank you, master!" Lu Zheng immediately kowtowed.

Modern people might not kowtow anymore, but when in Rome do as the Romans do.

"Don't rush it. No matter what, you are still a registered disciple of Baiyun Temple. Later, I'll ask your senior brother to set up an incense table in the Temple of Three Pristinity. I will perform a ceremony and register you as a disciple."

"Yes!"

Lu Zheng stood up with a smile and pushed the wooden box in front of him to Master Mingzhang. "Just in time. This sword will be a gift to you."

Master Mingzhang stroked his beard and smiled. In truth, he didn't take Lu Zheng's gift to heart. What kind of weapon could Lu Zheng have?

However, Lu Zheng's sincerity still pleased Master Mingzhang.

"Alright, thank you then."

Master Mingzhang casually opened the wooden box and took a look. He was stunned.

The black water buffalo leather scabbard had a flowing cloud pattern on its surface. The brass decorations were exquisite and delicate. One look and one could tell that it was carved by a skilled craftsman.

His eyes flickered. He reached out and took the sword out of the box, his right hand holding the hilt.

"Cough!"

The blade dazzled his eyes.

"Good sword!"

"Swish!"

The jade seal trembled slightly, and rays of light of providence gushed into it. Lu Zheng's eyes widened as he counted in silence, all the way until he reached 29.

"What's happening?"

"Isn't this too many?"

"Master Mingzhang, uh, why did your energy change so much?"

"No matter how good the sword is, it's only a physical object. It can't be that influential, right?"

"He looks happy, but he doesn't seem to have any epiphany."

Master Mingzhang grabbed a strand of his hair and stuck it to the blade of his sword. Then, he blew on it gently.

Without a sound, the hair was cut into two by the blade.

"The hair is cut from a blow. Lu Zheng, where did you get such a good sword?"

After confirming their master-disciple relationship, Master Mingzhang started to call Lu Zheng by his name.

"Hehe, I have my own ways."

Lu Zheng didn't want to lie, so he didn't say anything. At the same time, it was also a small test for Master Mingzhang.

After all, it was just a sword.

"Alright, I won't ask anymore." Master Mingzhang could not help but laugh. "However, your apprenticeship gift is too valuable. If such a sharp weapon were to be sent to the capital, it would be worth at least 3000 kan."

"As long as you like it. "

"Alright!" Master Mingzhang nodded in satisfaction. "You're very thoughtful. I can rely on such a sharp weapon to protect myself."

Lu Zheng's eyes flickered. A protective treasure...

Perhaps Master Mingzhang would escape death with this sword in the future?

In that case, it would make sense for such a large amount of light of providence to be extracted.

"Master, I know that this sword is indeed a divine weapon for mortals, but is it also useful for cultivators?"

Master Mingzhang stretched out his hand and bent the spine of the sword. He felt that the sword was bouncy and tough.

"It's very valuable," Master Mingzhang nodded.

"An ordinary blacksmith might never be able to temper such a knife."

Although cultivators refined weapons more meticulously than ordinary blacksmiths, it was also extremely taxing on their spiritual will. Furthermore, they would not make it their profession."

"Not all cultivators have a divine weapon to protect themselves. "

"Of course."

Master Mingzhang's tone changed. "After all, this kind of weapon is just an ordinary weapon. It doesn't have any divine power before and after it's refined. It's only useful to ordinary cultivators because of its sharpness, but it's useless to highly-skilled masters, so..."

"That's why we can't rely on external items. We still have to strengthen our own internal cultivation."

"You're a good student!"

Lu Zheng blinked. He knew the value of the sword he brought from the modern era.

Even among low-and mid-ranked cultivators, they were very valuable!

In the capital, it was worth 3000 kan!

...

At noon, Baiyun Temple, Temple of Three Pristinity.

Burn the incense!

Kowtow!

Offer the tea!

Precepts!

Registration!

Blessings!

In the end, Lu Zheng got his own Taoist name, Yuan Zheng.

After an extensive ceremony, apart from obtaining important scriptures, Lu Zheng also got to know all the Taoist priests of Baiyun Temple in Tonglin County.

The most important people, other than Master Mingzhang, were his junior, Master Mingjun, and a direct disciple of Baiyun Temple whom Master Mingzhang had taken in, the Junior Master Yuanjing.

The three of them were all registered in Baiyun Temple, and their cultivation was relatively high. The other seven or eight were also Taoists who stayed in the temple, but they had their own guide to cultivation.

Strictly speaking, their status was basically the same as Lu Zheng's.

However, if they managed to raise their level of cultivation, they would be qualified to enter the sect. If Lu Zheng did not want to stay in the temple and become a Taoist, the same condition applied to him.

There was nothing much to say about Baiyun Temple's precepts. As long as one strictly adhered to the morals of the twenty-first century, they would be considered a good disciple of Baiyun Temple.

What surprised Lu Zheng the most was the teaching of techniques. As expected, only those registered in Baiyun Temple could obtain the valuable stuff. Master Mingzhang gave Lu Zheng three books, "Baiyun's Qi Refining Scripture", "The Guide to Five Talismans", and "Cloud Moving Technique".

The Qi Refining Scripture described a technique that was of a much higher quality than the breathing technique. It talked about moving the Qi in the body, absorbing the spiritual Qi of heaven and earth, improving the physique, and training the soul. At the same time, the quality of the Qi cultivated was far better than the breathing technique.

The second book was about the method of drawing talismans using Qi. There were a total of five talismans recorded in the book, protective talismans, Qi-seeking talismans, evil-warding talismans, divine-traveling talismans, and breath-repressing talismans. The five talismans were meant for warning, tracking, fighting, escaping, and hiding. It was a complete set of talismans.

When Lu Zheng received "The Guide to Five Talismans", Master Mingzhang also gave him a stack of yellow paper and a box of cinnabar.

The book was about a technique that could transport objects over long distances. The disciples of Baiyun Temple could use the Qi of clouds as a carrier to retrieve objects from a distance.

Next, Master Mingzhang explained the difficulties of the three books to Lu Zheng.

"Although the path of cultivation is different for each sect, refining Qi and spirit is the basis. 'Baiyun's Qi Refining Scripture' focuses on refining Qi and is supplemented by strengthening your spirit. It is of high quality. You must cultivate well. When your Qi has reached a certain level, we will teach you the subsequent skills."

"Yes!"

"I don't think you have the intention to stay in the temple, so if you have any questions, you can come at any time. Even if I'm not here, your Master Mingjun and your senior Yuanjing could help you."

Lu Zheng thanked him again.

"Alright, you can go back." Master Mingzhang waved his hand. "By the way, if you come again in the future, you don't have to donate any more money."

"Yes, master,"

Lu Zheng nodded in agreement. However, even though he had agreed to it, he still had to bring some gifts in the future. He couldn't always come empty-handed.

Only by mutual benefit could their relationship last.