Chapter 1

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In the hazy morning, layers of green mist shrouded the mountains.

Suddenly, a high-pitched rooster's crow, like a skyrocket, exploded, and Jia Shan Village seemed to wake up from the embrace of the mountains, wailing like a baby.

Voices, barking dogs, and mooing cows echoed throughout the village. The cowherds drove their cattle up the mountain, the farmers carried their hoes to the fields, and more than a dozen students, with their schoolbags and lunches, walked to the school in the eastern part of the village. All of this broke through the green mist that enveloped the mountains, and under the sunlight that rose from the valley, the green mist dissipated like dust.

In the Laojun Temple at the eastern end of the village, a young Taoist sat on a mat, performing his morning prayers.

"… Men are clear, women are turbid; men are active, women are passive. The fundamental descends, the derivative flows, and all things are born. Clarity is the source of turbidity, activity is the foundation of passivity. If one can always remain clear and tranquil, heaven and earth will return to their original state…"

This Taoist's secular name is Jia Kedao, and his Taoist name is Mingyang. He was abandoned in a mountain ravine as an infant and was found and raised by the old abbot of Laojun Temple. After the old abbot passed away three years ago, Jia Kedao became the abbot and the only Taoist of Laojun Temple. Although he is young, he has been raised by the old abbot and is extremely mature in his actions, earning the respect of the villagers in Jia Shan Village, who call him Daoist Mingyang.

After finishing his morning prayers, Jia Kedao drank a bowl of thin porridge, ate two steamed buns, and used his chopsticks to pick at the pickled vegetables in the dish, sighing lightly, "Why has no one in the village been seriously ill recently?"

If the villagers heard this, the already dilapidated Laojun Temple and the black-hearted Taoist would probably be reduced to ruins by countless bricks in no time.

Of course, it's not Jia Kedao's fault for saying such heartless words. Even Taoists need clothes and food. Where does the money come from?

For famous mountains and large temples, the merit money from tourists alone is enough to make the Taoists laugh with joy. But under Daoist Mingyang's leadership, Laojun Temple doesn't even have merit money, let alone incense offerings, as few villagers are willing to burn incense.

The most fundamental reason is that Jia Shan Village is too poor.

Moreover, the few acres of thin land belonging to Laojun Temple are mountain slopes, suitable for growing small vegetables and radishes, but not enough to feed anyone.

Therefore, Jia Kedao can only turn to the sick for help.

If someone has a cold, fever, or persistent cough, Jia Kedao can draw a Clear Water Talisman, and the patient's nose will clear, and their headache will disappear. The patient's family will naturally send a few old hens to Laojun Temple.

If someone is seriously injured in a fight and is on the brink of death, a Spring Rain Talisman left by the old abbot can be burned into talisman water, which, when drunk, will immediately make the patient feel comfortable, and the wounds will heal in a short while.

Wouldn't the patient's family give a piece of pork to Laojun Temple?

If the old abbot were still alive, he would not have accepted these, but Jia Kedao is a young and strong Taoist. Without meat, he lacks the energy to walk.

"Alas, if it weren't for my master's insistence on my taking over this dilapidated temple and not leaving, I would have long gone to a big city to enjoy a life of luxury!"

Thinking of this, Jia Kedao sighed again.

Indeed, with just his Clear Water Talisman, Jia Kedao could be welcomed as a distinguished guest by coal bosses, nouveau riche, and tycoons.

However, in this era, true Taoists endure poverty, while fake Taoists indulge in endless feasts. This is the rule of bad money driving out good.

Moreover, Jia Kedao's cultivation is limited to this.

This is the end of the Dharma era. After Liu Bowen, the old immortal, severed the dragon veins of China, the spiritual energy on the Chinese land has become increasingly weak.

In the past, any Taoist who entered the path could cultivate, but today, most Taoists can only practice boxing and exercise to keep fit.

Someone like Jia Kedao, who can use one or two entry-level talismans, is already a combination of talent and luck.

A bowl of thin porridge, two steamed buns, and a little pickled vegetables, with no oil, soon made Jia Kedao's stomach rumble as he swept the main hall.

"Grandfather Laojun, if you can see, please change my place. I don't ask for a feast, but at least let me fill my stomach."

Jia Kedao tightened his belt, took a nearly bald duster, and dusted the statue of Laojun, muttering to himself.

Soon, a thunderclap outside the main hall shook Jia Kedao, making him tremble and drop the duster. Then a strong wind and a heavy rain began, accompanied by thunder.

Jia Kedao was a bit guilty. He was not an atheist but had been raised with a belief in deities since childhood.

Just a few words, and Grandfather Laojun got angry? Impossible, right?

After sweeping the main hall, Jia Kedao didn't dare to go outside, fearing a lightning strike, so he returned to his small room.

He pulled the light switch, but it didn't turn on.

Jia Kedao, who was used to it, lit a candle and sighed, "Old Zhang is too much. Just because I haven't paid the electricity bill for two months, he has to cut the power? That's a desecration of the divine."

At this moment, Jia Kedao didn't realize that what he said in the main hall was more serious than cutting the power.

Lying in bed, Jia Kedao took a nearly worn-out scripture, the "Tao Te Ching," a handwritten copy left by the old abbot. It is said that since the establishment of Laojun Temple, every generation of abbots has treasured it and read it daily.

Jia Kedao pursed his lips. It's almost falling apart, and they still call it a treasure. If it weren't for his master's instructions, he would have thrown it into the stove long ago.

Tossing the "Tao Te Ching" aside, Jia Kedao lay in bed, trying to fall asleep to avoid the discomfort in his stomach.

Soon, he fell asleep to the sound of his rumbling stomach.

Being hungry is not a problem that can be solved by sleeping.

After an unknown amount of time, Jia Kedao was finally awakened by hunger.

"Fine, I'll go drink some more porridge." Jia Kedao rubbed his drowsy eyes and prepared to get out of bed. But at that moment, he froze.

He was still in bed, but a deep, black light ball appeared in the room.

The black light ball was about the size of a palm, floating in the air.

What is this?

Jia Kedao's body stiffened, and a chill ran down his back.

To say that Jia Kedao's courage is great in a place like Jia Shan Village, where even birds don't defecate.

Strength brings courage. Jia Kedao has practiced Taoism for nearly twenty years. Although the spiritual energy in the world is almost nonexistent, he has still reached the level of transforming essence into qi.

His physical strength and agility are comparable to those of martial arts experts, though a real match would be uncertain.

With such skills, Jia Kedao is not afraid to walk on mountain paths at night.

However, the mysterious black light ball in front of him made his scalp tingle.