Gene Unlocking: I Evolve Every Day

Chapter 119: Chapter 111: Earth Immortal

At the entrance of the City God Temple.

Lu Li was absentmindedly chatting with Lieyan Baobei.

Suddenly, three or four elderly Daoists approached him.

Lu Li glanced casually and noticed that the Daoist leading the group bore a strong resemblance to Daoist Zhen Hongyi, whom he had seen online.

He was about to step forward to ask if it was him.

Unexpectedly, that Daoist came up first, cupping his hands in greeting.

He gave a long bow and said, ”I am Zhen Hongyi, the abbot of the Modu City God Temple, meeting you, sir.”

”Zhang Hongzhong, High-Functioning Mage of the Modu City God Temple, meeting you, sir.”

”Wang Duguan, steward of the Modu City God Temple...”

The other three Daoists also cupped their hands in a long bow, using the respectful term ”sir.”

Standing beside them, Lieyan Baobei was taken aback.

Being somewhat ”superstitious,” she was quite familiar with the etiquettes and titles of both Buddhism and Daoism.

Although the term ”sir” is common in the current era, it is rarely used by monks and Daoists of their own accord.

In traditional culture, the word ”sir” is generally used for someone older or of higher status.

Anyone with eyes could see that these Daoists were definitely much older than Lu Li, even old enough to be his grandfather.

As for status, these Daoists had just revealed their identities.

Lieyan Baobei was well aware that these Daoists were considered somewhat significant figures.

But what was the current situation?

A group of Daoists of relatively high status and much older than Lu Li were actually bowing and using respectful titles of their own accord?

Lieyan Baobei was quite surprised and involuntarily looked at Lu Li.

She really didn’t quite understand. Did he have a very high status?

Lu Li, however, didn’t know much about religious culture.

He thought they called him ”sir” merely as a polite gesture.

However, upon hearing the leader indeed introduce himself as Daoist Zhen, he felt quite pleased.

Finally meeting the person himself, huh.

Lu Li quickly imitated their greetings, responding with a not-so-standard bow: ”Lu Li, meeting...”

Before he could finish, Zhen Hongyi, Zhang Hongzhong, Wang Duguan, and others jumped aside in fright, as if not daring to accept Lu Li’s bow.

Let alone Lu Li; even Lieyan Baobei, who was familiar with religious culture, was a bit puzzled by this group of Daoists’ actions.

Zhen Hongyi seemed taken aback by something.

He waved his hands repeatedly, saying, ”Sir, there’s no need for such formalities. We cannot possibly accept such a grand gesture.”

Zhang Hongzhong followed suit, saying, ”Yes, seeing you in person today is already a blessing for us. We dare not accept your bow.”

The other two old Daoists nodded in agreement with their words.

Lieyan Baobei’s eyes widened slightly.

Initially, she wasn’t sure whether these Daoists, who had some social standing, were genuinely using respectful terms.

Now that the word ”您” (a highly respectful form for ”you”) had been uttered, she naturally could confirm it.

Lieyan Baobei couldn’t help but feel secretly astonished, pondering what Lu Li’s true identity could be to make this group of Daoists so respectful?

It would be one thing for elders to use respectful language towards the younger, but not daring to accept his bow?

This certainly overturned what she knew.

Instantly, her curiosity surged, wanting to know Lu Li’s real identity.

Lu Li also hadn’t expected this group of Daoists to be so respectful towards him.

He thought these Daoists knew he was introduced by Qin Liang, hence their good attitude.

Lu Li laughed and said, ”You Daoists overestimate me. It’s perfectly fine for me, a junior, to bow, surely you deserve it.”

Zhen Hongyi smiled wryly, saying, ”Truly, we don’t dare. Mr. Lu, please don’t overwhelm us.”

Lu Li was left baffled by their words.

Seeing their insistence.

He couldn’t argue further.

Lu Li said, ”Alright, then I’ll defer to your request, Daoists.”

Only then did Zhang Hongzhong breathe a sigh of relief, slightly bending over and extending his hand inside, ”May we have the honor of inviting you for a chat inside?”

This group of people spoke so formally.

Lu Li was influenced by them as well.

He replied with a beaming smile, ”My primary purpose today was to find Daoist Zhen; with your invitation, I wouldn’t dare refuse.”

Zhen Hongyi, Zhang Hongzhong, and the others were pleasantly surprised to hear his agreement.

The Daoists hastily escorted Lu Li towards the inside of the City God Temple.

Trailing behind them, Lieyan Baobei looked bewildered.

Watching Lu Li’s back, she thought, ”Could Brother Lu have some hidden identity? Like the Dragon King or Soldier King in novels, hence the Daoists’ respect?”

...

Inside, in the guest hall.

Zhen Hongyi, Zhang Hongzhong, and others enthusiastically invited Lu Li to sit down, even pushing him to the seat of honor.

Surprisingly, Zhen Hongyi, the abbot, personally served tea and water, appearing exceptionally attentive.

Even Lieyan Baobei benefited from this, receiving tea from Zhen Hongyi, which left her somewhat flustered from being so favored.

Finally, everyone took their seats.

Zhen Hongyi cautiously asked, ”Mr. Lu, may I ask what brings you to our City God Temple today?”

Zhang Hongzhong and the others perked up their ears.

Lu Li had just had a sip of tea, and hurriedly said upon hearing the question, ”I came today to seek some advice from Daoist Zhen.”

”Not at all, not at all,” Zhen Hongyi quickly waved his hands, ”Please feel free to ask your questions, and we can discuss them together.”

Lu Li frowned and said, ”Lately, I’ve been feeling mentally drained, and as a result, I even tripped while walking yesterday afternoon. So I wanted to ask Daoist Zhen if there’s a remedy for this.”

Zhen Hongyi was stunned, in disbelief, ”With your level of cultivation, you still feel mentally drained? Could you be contemplating some profound Daoist spell?”

Lieyan Baobei was getting more confused with each passing moment.

Initially, she could understand why everyone was respectful to Lu Li.

But now Daoist spells involved?

Lieyan Baobei truly wanted to exclaim, ”What’s going on here?”

Lu Li pondered secretly, isn’t developing various skills just like comprehending spells in Xianxia novels?

He didn’t expect Daoist Zhen to truly guess his circumstances.

For a moment, he was quite moved, feeling that this Daoist truly had abilities.

In fact, Lu Li wondered whether he wasn’t the only extraordinary one and these Daoists all possessed incredible skills?

Since others have noticed, there’s no point in hiding.

Lu Li thought he had met a fellow practitioner, nodded slightly, and said, ”I’ve indeed been comprehending some powerful spells recently, does that have anything to do with it?”

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhen Hongyi, Zhang Hongzhong, and Wang Duguan were shocked.

Previously, although they felt that Lu Li’s divine aura hovered on the surface, his spirit was extraordinary, resembling a true person from Daoist scriptures, they couldn’t confirm it, hence they invited him in to talk.

Unexpectedly, Lu Li openly admitted to comprehending spells.

This instantly stirred their hearts, leaving them thoroughly shaken.

Zhen Hongyi was deeply astonished, ”Mr. Lu, according to what you just said, it could be immensely related to exhausting one’s spirit, I’m slightly curious, may I ask what realm you have cultivated to? Have you refined the Golden Core?”

Ah?

Refined the Golden Core?

Fiery Babe was taken aback.

As someone obsessed with religious culture.

She was well aware of what the Taoist concept of the Golden Core meant.

In many cultivation novels, the Golden Core might just be a mid-level realm, nothing significant.

However, in Taoist culture, the Golden Core is the highest realm in the cultivation of inner core techniques, representing having attained immortality.

Initially, Fiery Babe speculated that Lu Li’s hidden identity might be that of a Dragon King or Soldier King.

She never expected Lu Li to be a ”Cultivator”.

Moreover, in the view of the Daoists, he might already have attained immortality!

For a moment, Fiery Babe’s worldview nearly crumbled.

”What realm?” Lu Li didn’t know how to answer this question, so he described it based on reality: ”I feel as if I can see my own ’soul’, what realm is this in Taoism?”

Upon hearing this, Wang Duguan shivered.

Zhang Hongzhong’s eyes widened.

Zhen Hongyi and another elderly Daoist were left dumbfounded.

The Daoists were utterly shocked.

According to Taoist scriptures, such a state would at least be cultivating the Primordial Spirit.

Just one step away from refining the Sun God, thereby shattering the void and unifying with the Dao.

If described using the Taoist inner core technique realm system, it’s almost equivalent to the Earth Immortal realm.

Zhen Hongyi, Zhang Hongzhong, and others nearly kneeled on the spot.

However, they couldn’t fully ascertain whether what Lu Li said was true.

After all, words alone aren’t proof.

Zhen Hongyi and Zhang Hongzhong exchanged glances.

Seeing the other gently nod.

He immediately understood the meaning.

”Mr. Lu, please forgive me for making a request.”

Zhen Hongyi stood up and bowed deeply again, seemingly expressing apology.

After this act, he continued, ”Could we be fortunate enough to see you demonstrate a spell?”

Fiery Babe: ”...”

Even spells were mentioned?

She was truly bewildered on the spot.

However, Fiery Babe was indeed becoming curious.

Wondering if Lu Li was really like the Daoists said, already attained immortality.

So, after Zhen Hongyi made the request, she also tilted her head, looking towards Lu Li’s face.

Lu Li regarded them as fellow extraordinaires like himself.

Moreover, he currently sought their assistance.

After thinking for a moment, he did not refuse.

”Alright.” Lu Li agreed, ”The spells I know are not many, they might disappoint you.”

What?

Really going to demonstrate a spell?

Zhen Hongyi, Zhang Hongzhong, and others were suddenly surprised and delighted.

The delight was that after decades of cultivation, they truly had the chance to see someone demonstrate a spell.

The shock was that after decades of cultivation, they hadn’t refined even the ”True Qi” described in the Taoist scriptures.

Yet Mr. Lu, still young, was already able to demonstrate spells, truly possibly an Earth Immortal.

Making this group of Daoists feel like comparing oneself to others is infuriating.

As for not knowing many spells, might disappoint them?

Zhen Hongyi, Zhang Hongzhong, and others just wanted to say one sentence: We’ve never seen a spell before, even demonstrating one randomly would be enough to leave us thoroughly amazed, how could we possibly feel disappointed?

Of course, they wouldn’t be foolish enough to say this aloud.

Zhen Hongyi expressed anticipation, saying, ”To be fortunate enough to witness Mr. Lu’s great skill, we are already very satisfied, there won’t be any disappointment.”

Lu Li replied, ”Then I’ll show a trick.”

The Daoists quickly shut their mouths, eyes wide open, watching intently.

Fiery Babe did likewise, wide-eyed, fearing to miss the forthcoming awe-inspiring scene.

Lu Li spoke no more but directly used spiritual power to control the tea cup placed nearby, causing it to float in mid-air.

Everyone was already concentrating, naturally immediately noticing that the tea cup suddenly rose and floated three feet in front of Lu Li.

Heavens...!

The tea cup automatically floated into the air?

Zhen Hongyi was utterly shocked.

Zhang Hongzhong’s hands were already trembling.

Fiery Babe and the remaining two all involuntarily gasped.

This extraordinary skill immediately filled the room with astonishment.