Hiding in the sand, splitting into many places, starting with Arkham

For Zhang Chulan, it would be a great thing if Zhang Lingyu could be eliminated now, even directly representing the completion of his purpose in coming to Mount Longhu this time.

A look of hesitation appeared on Zhang Lingyu's face. He looked at Zhang Chulan, then at Shimizu, and said:

“Professor Zhuo, would you choose to accept the position of Celestial Master?”

“What do you think?”

Shimizu did not directly answer Zhang Lingyu.

Zhang Lingyu is simple-minded and has a pure heart, but that doesn't mean that the Little Uncle-Master of Mount Longhu is stupid and can't see through some things.

He is just inexperienced. He doesn't know how to do many things, or he can't bring himself to do them.

“I don’t think so. For you, the position of heir to the Celestial Master is dispensable. You and most of the others who came here to participate in the Luotian Dajiao have the same purpose, which is for Senior Lu’s Tongtian Lu. So, once you give up the qualification of heir to the Celestial Master, then…”

Zhang Lingyu turned his gaze to Zhang Chulan, recalling the embarrassing incident in front of everyone the night before.

“The millennium reputation of Mount Longhu, I’m afraid…”

Zhang Lingyu pursed his lips and didn't continue.

Zhang Chulan on the stand suddenly showed a constipated expression:

“Does this guy think it’s embarrassing for me to become the heir to the Celestial Master?”

A smile appeared on Xu Si's face:

“If you, in your current state, were to become the director of Nadou Tong, I would also find it embarrassing and would submit my resignation to the board of directors that day.”

Zhang Chulan lowered his head slightly.

“Fourth Brother, do you think I have a chance of winning against Zhang Lingyu's strength just now?”

“Seventy percent. This is the injured Zhang Lingyu now. If he were in perfect condition, you would only have a 30% chance at most. This is still considering that you know all his abilities, and he doesn't know what cards you have in your hand.”

Zhang Chulan scratched his head irritably.

He just wanted to know the truth of what happened back then from the Old Celestial Master, not to make it like this.

At this time, Zhang Zhiwei also withdrew some of his attention from Zhang Chulan.

With his strength to overwhelm all the different people of the world, he can hear the conversation on Zhang Chulan's side if he wants to.

I'm sorry, Lingyu, the position of Celestial Master, the previous generation of Celestial Master, originally intended to pass the position to that big-eared thief…

Just as Zhang Lingyu stood up tremblingly, intending to continue fighting, the Old Celestial Master also stood up from his seat.

“Alright, Lingyu, stop messing around.”

A golden thread condensed into substance popped out from Zhang Zhiwei's fingertips, tying Zhang Lingyu up firmly.

“Professor Zhuo won this competition. He and Chulan will enter the finals.”

“Master!”

Zhang Lingyu knelt down to Zhang Zhiwei, lowering his head.

“Disciple is incompetent and has disappointed you.”

“Then later, wait until tomorrow…”

“Grandmaster!”

Zhang Chulan suddenly stood up from his seat.

“No need to wait until tomorrow. I admit defeat in this final. I am no match for Professor Zhuo.”

“Chulan, are you sure?”

“As you know, we came to participate in the Luotian Dajiao for the prize of Old Man Lu. The position of heir to the Celestial Master is not something that people from Mount Longhu can sit on comfortably.

But I was thinking about whether this reward could be exchanged for something else. Don’t worry, I just want you to help me with a small favor later, nothing difficult.”

Zhang Zhiwei nodded lightly, quite happy in his heart, and naturally agreed to Shimizu's condition.

Seventy years ago, during the Jiashen Rebellion, he, Tian Jinzhong, and the previous generation of Celestial Master Zhang Jingqing wanted to protect Zhang Huaiyi, who was one of the Thirty-Six Thieves. The method they thought of was to bring Zhang Huaiyi back to Mount Longhu and let him sit on the position of heir to the Celestial Master.

In this way, whoever wanted to move Zhang Huaiyi would be against the entire Mount Longhu.

At that time, Zuo Ruotong had already passed away because of Wu Gensheng and Li Muxuan's disturbance in the Sanyi Sect. Zhang Jingqing was the pinnacle of the alien world at that time, and Zhang Zhiwei was also in his thirties. Even if he had not yet become the pinnacle, he had at least the strength of the two heroes of today. Zhang Huaiyi himself possessed the Qi Body Source Stream and was also terribly strong.

In addition, Mount Longhu was the leader of the Taoist sect, and the position of Celestial Master had a special significance. Mount Longhu really had the confidence to protect Zhang Huaiyi.

The Celestial Master heir originally chosen by Zhang Jingqing was Zhang Huaiyi. Zhang Zhiwei was just an insurance—because this Bao Ying brother really didn't need the Celestial Master Degree to become the pinnacle. The position of Celestial Master and the Celestial Master Degree were just a restraint for Lao Zhang, who exceeded the upper limit of the world.

Then Mount Longhu would have two pinnacles at that time.

It was a pity that Zhang Huaiyi did not accept.

At that time, it was a special period. Zhang Huaiyi did not want to involve his sect, nor did he want his reasons to cause conflicts between Mount Longhu and other forces in the alien world, affecting the battlefield. He also did not want his mentor to use the Celestial Master Degree because of him, so he silently hid his name and hid everywhere for sixty years.

And this time, Zhang Zhiwei didn't want to leave any regrets.

He failed to protect his junior brother Zhang Huaiyi back then, and now he can't fail to protect the descendants of Zhang Huaiyi for the same reason.

This time, there are no foreign enemies!

He is over a hundred years old. If he still can't protect his junior brother's descendants, then wouldn't he be a lonely pinnacle in this alien world?

Shimizu doesn't want the position of heir to the Celestial Master, so naturally Zhang Chulan, who is second, will take over.

“Hahaha, Lao Lu, now is the time for you to fulfill your promise, right?”

Zhang Zhiwei patted Lu Jin's shoulder with a smile.

“I don't need you, you old bastard, to remind me.”

Lu Jin took out a box, opened it, and placed it in front of Shimizu.

A black, thick booklet, no bigger than a palm, with gold foil on the edges, appeared in front of Shimizu.

“This Tongtian Lu was passed down from my friend Zheng Zibu of the Shangqing School of Maoshan. I am ashamed to have received it, and I am not proficient in talismans, so I rarely use it and have failed to carry it forward. Professor Zhuo, you are a great scientist and a top intelligent person. I hope that this Tongtian Lu can play a greater role in your hands.”

“Then thank you Senior Lu.”

Shimizu took the Tongtian Lu from Lu Jin's hands, and then looked at Zhang Zhiwei with a smile.

“Old Celestial Master, you should have guessed what my small condition is now, right?”

Zhang Zhiwei also stroked his long white beard with a smile.

“It seems that Professor Zhuo has already calculated it, but I, Lao Dao, still want to confirm it again. What you want is my Mount Longhu's talisman magic?”

“That's right.”

Shimizu nodded slightly to Zhang Zhiwei.

The Celestial Master's Mansion of Mount Longhu, the Shangqing School of Maoshan, and the Lingbao School of Gezao Mountain are known as the Three Sects of Talismans and belong to the major Taoist sects proficient in talismans.

The most famous is of course the Shangqing Lu of Maoshan, but the Zhengyi Lu of Mount Longhu is not far behind.

If you want to obtain the talisman magic inheritance of the Zhengyi Lu of Mount Longhu without becoming a disciple, you must obtain the approval of the Celestial Master.

“Okay, after this is over, you come with me.”

Zhang Zhiwei agreed.

In the evening, after dinner.

Shimizu followed Zhang Zhiwei into the Celestial Master Hall of Longhu Mountain.

Yue Qian guarded the door, where Zhang Chulan was also waiting.

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The space inside the hall was not small, with five enshrined statues.

In the very center, the statue of Zhang Daoling, the founding Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain, sat solemnly with a sword.

In front of him were the statues of two smaller attendant real people, Wang Chang and Zhao Sheng, two accomplished disciples of Zhang Daoling.

The remaining two statues were of Zhang Jixian, the thirtieth generation Celestial Master, and Zhang Yuchu, the forty-third generation Celestial Master, both relatively famous among the Celestial Masters of Longhu Mountain.

“The inheritance of talisman techniques in Longhu Mountain is ancient, arising in the Han Dynasty, and forming a complete system around the transition between the Northern and Southern Song Dynasties.

Over thousands of years, it has accumulated the efforts of generations of Celestial Master Mansion disciples.

If you want to learn, you still need to offer incense to several patriarchs.”

Zhang Zhiwei, dressed in simple white clothes, said to Shimizu.

“As it should be.”

Shimizu took the incense, lit it, and bowed before the statues.

Only then did Zhang Zhiwei take a box from the table and present it to Shimizu.

“You are not a member of my Taoist sect, so there is no need to be conferred a title.

I won’t give you a golden badge or certificate, but there are some things that I, the old Taoist, must explain to you first.

First, tell me, what previous contact have you had with talisman techniques?”

“Um… does watching Lin Zhengying’s movies count?”

As soon as Shimizu said this, Zhang Zhiwei understood.

He had absolutely no understanding at all.

“Talismans have grades, which are closely related to the titles conferred upon Taoists.

The one in your hand is the 'Supreme Three-Five Capital Merit Scripture Register' of my Zhengyi sect.

Receiving this register allows one to enter the Heavenly Court and receive a rank of six or seven.

This Capital Merit Register in your hand, in addition to the petition words, general edict, cloud horse, Capital Merit petition slip, recommendation form, and other items, also contains sixty-four talisman techniques, but the highest is only six to seven ranks.

It’s not that I’m unwilling to give you talismans above the fifth rank, but that talismans above the fifth rank are dangerous for you.”

“Drawing talismans can be dangerous?”

Shimizu asked Zhang Zhiwei.

“Otherwise, why are those high-level talismans regarded as treasures by the major sects?

If you don’t have enough merit and cultivation, recklessly drawing high-level talismans will only lead to backlash.

Therefore, when Taoists perform rituals, they often need to set up an altar, find precious talisman paper and brushes, and recite scriptures, bless the brush, bless the ink, and bless the paper.

After drawing, they also need to bless and consecrate it.

To preserve or enhance the power, it must be placed in the ancestral hall for disciples to worship at all times, troublesome to death.”

Zhang Zhiwei curled his lips in disdain.

Old Zhang doesn't need talismans at all; his slap is more effective.

“I see, then, Celestial Master, if I can learn the sixth-rank talisman, can I come to Longhu Mountain again to seek higher-level talismans?”

Shimizu put away the box and asked Zhang Zhiwei.

“The 'Supreme Orthodox Alliance Power Scripture Register' can be given.

The Five Thunder Register above the third rank can only be conferred by high-achieving individuals in my Celestial Master Mansion.

The Upper Purity Register of the first rank can only be granted by the Celestial Masters of each generation, because it is included in the Celestial Master Ordination, and it is a talisman with special functions, not for combat.”

“I see.”

Shimizu was a little disappointed.

“However…”

Zhang Zhiwei suddenly changed his tone.

“If you can agree to one condition of mine, then I can leave behind the Celestial Master’s Edict.

As long as you come to Longhu Mountain and leave a talisman of corresponding rank at the Celestial Master Mansion, then the talisman technique of the next register can be granted to you, up to the Second Rank Three Caves Five Thunder Register.”

“Then your condition is…”

“I am already over a hundred years old and don’t have many years left to live.

After I pass away, as long as you are alive, if Longhu Mountain is in trouble, I hope you can help once.”

Zhang Zhiwei’s tone seemed to imply entrusting an orphan.

On the one hand, he was indeed very old and didn’t have many years to live; on the other hand, he had already decided to pass the Celestial Master Ordination to Zhang Chulan.

Shimizu also saw this point, but didn’t say much.

This was a matter for the Celestial Master Mansion of Longhu Mountain, and it was inconvenient for him, an outsider, to interfere, not to mention that Zhang Chulan was so clever; after more than ten years of social experience, he was so cunning that he didn’t seem like a nineteen-year-old college student at all and must have already seen through many things.

“Celestial Master, I agree to this matter.”

“Well, then go out and call Chulan in.”

“Okay, by the way, Celestial Master, I wonder which experts in Longhu Mountain are good at talisman techniques that I can ask for guidance?”

“My eldest disciple Gan He, and my sixth disciple Yu Nan, one conferred the second rank and the other conferred the third rank, are both pretty good at talisman techniques, but the most powerful should be my junior brother Jin Zhong.

His legs are disabled, and he hasn’t left Longhu Mountain for decades.

In addition to meditation, he has been drawing talismans all these years, in order to leave something for future generations.

Compared to the eldest and sixth disciples, Jin Zhong has more free time; talk to him, and he will guide you.”

“In that case, then thank you, Celestial Master.”

Shimizu gave Zhang Zhiwei a Taoist cupped fist salute that he had just learned, then pushed open the door and walked out.

Shimizu looked at the sky, where a few stars were already hanging, and said:

“Chulan, the Celestial Master is calling you in.

Brother Yue, let’s rest for a while, then bring some midnight snacks and visit Old Tian.”

He estimated that Quanzhen would attack the mountain in a while.

“Professor Zhuo.”

Looking at Zhang Chulan walking into the Celestial Master Hall, Yue Qian said:

“I don’t recommend you go out tonight.

I just received news that Quanzhen people have been spotted in multiple locations in Guixi City through surveillance.

Na Doutong has temporarily transferred a group of espers from the North China and East China branches, and the Lu family’s retainers are also standing by, so something is likely to happen tonight.”

“It doesn’t matter.

After there’s movement, we’ll go find Old Tian and make Longhu Mountain owe me a big favor.”

Shimizu put his hands behind his back and walked with Yue Qian from the Celestial Master Hall to the main room, looking at the plaque with the words “Teaching and Performing Lineage Transmission” hanging above the ancestral hall statue, which had been around for hundreds of years, and said.

“Then you can’t leave my sight.”

Yue Qian replied.

With the magic item sunglasses given by Shimizu, Yue Qian’s upper limit of strength has increased by half a step.

He was confident that even if he couldn’t beat Ding嶋An, one of the strongest two heroes of Quanzhen, he could still safely retreat with Shimizu.

Not to mention the power of Shimizu’s magic puppet, which was actually stronger than him.

As long as he ensured that Shimizu wouldn’t be ambushed, then there wouldn’t be any problems unless the Celestial Master, the pinnacle of the esper world, attacked them, or a large group of experts surrounded them.