Ning An's Wild Wish System

Speaking of last night, when Ye Yunqing returned to his room, he was not in the mood to do anything else; he just frowned at the talisman.

In the world of Daoist sects, they can be divided into Quanzhen and Zhengyi.

To become a Daoist, whether Quanzhen or Zhengyi, conversion is the first step.

After conversion, one becomes a lay follower of Taoism, which is a believer, but at this point, they are not yet a Daoist.

Taoism emphasizes:

Conversion to the supreme ”Dao Treasure,” specifically to the ”Supreme Wuji Great Dao,” allows one to transcend reincarnation forever;

Conversion to the supreme ”Scripture Treasure,” specifically to the ”Thirty-Six Venerable Scriptures,” enables one to hear the right path;

Conversion to the ”Supreme Teacher Treasure,” specifically to ”Grandmaster Xuan Zhong,” ensures one doesn’t fall into wrong views.

The second step, Quanzhen and Zhengyi differ; Quanzhen involves the cap ceremony, while Zhengyi involves transmission.

In the Zhengyi Sect where Ye Yunqing belongs, the most influential are Dragon Tiger Mountain (Zhengyi Sect Altar), Maoshan (Shangqing Sect Altar), and Gezao Mountain (Lingbao Sect Altar), collectively known as the Three Mountains Talisman.

The transmission certificate from the Celestial Master’s Mansion in Dragon Tiger Mountain clearly states: all cultivators should receive transmission under the name of the Patriarch to promote the Dao and benefit the world, adhering to the path.

This aspect of transmission is somewhat akin to a modern civil servant, regarded as entering the system, gaining the qualification to ascend further.

The third step is called the layman’s certificate.

As it is said: when Taoism imparts the scriptural talisman, from the Supreme descending, since the founding of the sect by the Patriarch Celestial Master, it has become a tradition in Taoism.

After receiving the layman’s certificate, one can be called a Master, truly obtaining a place in the higher world, capable of summoning protective warriors, and performing rituals.

From then on, one has the ability to summon and expel ghosts and gods, stabilize the five directions, subdue demons, cure illnesses, and dispel disasters.

There are seven ranks of talismans, initially conferred with the ”Supreme Three-Five All-Purpose Scripture and Talisman,” abbreviated as ”All-Purpose Talisman,” belonging to the sixth and seventh rank;

The second conferment is the ”Supreme Zhengyi Alliance Authority Scripture and Talisman,” abbreviated as ”Alliance Authority Talisman,” belonging to the fourth and fifth rank;

The third conferment is the ”Shangqing Three Caves Five Thunders Scripture and Talisman,” abbreviated as ”Five Thunders Talisman,” belonging to the third rank;

The fourth advancement is the ”Shangqing Three Caves Scripture and Talisman,” abbreviated as ”Three Caves and Five Thunders Talisman,” belonging to the regular second rank;

The fifth advancement is the ”Shangqing Great Caves Scripture and Talisman,” belonging to the regular first rank, typically only conferred upon Celestial Masters and Real Persons, not to outsiders.

The contents of the talismans include many teachings; in the ancient Daoist tradition, it involved not just conferring the talisman but also scriptures, precepts, methods, and secrets.

The conferment of the talisman only speaks of its broad outlines, exemplifying other aspects too.

In ancient times, becoming a Daoist involved strict ceremonies like opening the teacher, worshiping the stars, transmission, fasting offerings, memorial submissions, and sending off the sacred.

It is naturally different now; aside from arduous cultivation of Daoist skills, there’s another way to become a legitimate Daoist, which is by offering gifts.

The more lavish the gift, the higher the rank, just like someone of Zhu Chenghou’s kind.

However, the Daoist Association also cares about face, and this kind of character at most receives a seventh-rank talisman.

After all, transmission can be managed by each sect, but the conferment of talismans must be done at the ancestral court Dragon Tiger Mountain.

Such disgrace in the ancestral court is enough; doing it again and again would make one truly think that the other masters avoid killing because they are vegetarian!

In previous years, the Dragon Tiger Mountain festival was lively but never had such a scale.

This year, with the sudden involvement of the three great Zhengyi Orthodox lineages, one could guess with minimal thought that it’s not simple.

Ye Yunqing’s mind turned slightly, feeling that only an event like the Spiritual Qi Revival could match the scale of such a festival.

”I wonder, as this grand era approaches, whether it will be good or bad.”

Ye Yunqing sat in the chair, looking at the invitation, and only after a long time did he let out a sigh.

...

Zhu Chenghou handed the invitation to Ye Yunqing and didn’t want to stay a moment longer, leaving immediately.

Ye Yunqing looked down on him, and Zhu Chenghou, in turn, had no regard for Ye Yunqing.

However, Zhu Chenghou didn’t rush back to the provincial city but instead turned his car towards Z City.

Z City has two Zhengyi Daoist Temples, specifically Dragon and Tiger Temple and Changchun Temple, but Dragon and Tiger Temple closed its doors recently.

For this festival, only one invitation was prepared for Changchun Temple, so since the two cities were along the way, Zhu Chenghou simply took on the task.

As he arrived at the entrance of Changchun Temple, Zhu Chenghou saw the back of Ning An and immediately laughed aloud, ”Daoist Ning, long time no see.”

Ning An turned his head in confusion and smiled as soon as he saw it was Zhu Chenghou.

Naturally, Ning An recognized Zhu Chenghou.

However, unlike Ye Yunqing, Ning An had quite a good impression of this man.

The reason is simple: the former owner and Zhu Chenghou’s son were former classmates with a close relationship.

Later, as the incense at Changchun Temple dwindled, it was Zhu Chenghou who secretly maneuvered to keep it going until Ning An’s crossing over.

”Uncle Zhu, what brings you here?”

Ning An was genuinely pleased, pulling Zhu Chenghou along as they walked into the temple.

Making small talk along the way, Zhu Chenghou keenly noticed some commotion in the side hall and smiled, ”Seems I’ve come at a bad time.”

”With family, let’s not speak formally. They’re just local uncles and elders with some small disagreements, no big issues. You sit, and I’ll make some tea.”

Bringing Zhu Chenghou to another side hall, Ning An boiled a pot of water, took out last year’s pre-rain Maojian, and once the hot water rolled, the hall was instantly filled with the rich aroma of tea.

”Good tea.” Holding the tea cup, with just one sip, Zhu Chenghou’s face broke into a smile.

He could naturally tell that the tea’s quality was excellent, likely the best tea in the temple.

Thinking of this, his smile grew even wider as he asked, ”Xiaoning, where’s your master? Still no news from the travels?”

”The old man is traveling, how could I keep track? Taking my junior sister to see sights, leaving me as a lonely young guy guarding the temple, ah, not worth mentioning.”