Chapter 38

When everyone had calmed down, Old Zheng instructed people to rearrange the place. The bodyguards, security personnel, and club staff who had rushed over upon hearing the cries for help and the thunder were amazed at the scene in the hall, which looked as if a typhoon had just passed through. However, they did not dare to ask many questions and quickly set about cleaning up.

Soon, Chen Fan and the others moved to the courtyard, where a table had already been set up. Chen Fan took the seat of honor without hesitation, and although there were many wealthy people present, everyone felt it was only right.

At this point, Chen Fan asked Han Yun, “Do you know me?”

He had been surprised earlier that Han Yun could immediately identify his background and seemed very familiar with him. After Chen Fan displayed his power, she was the first to approach and speak to him.

Han Yun smiled charmingly and said, “I grew up with Feifei and Ranran. I can be considered their older sister.”

Chen Fan nodded. “Since you are Feifei’s good sister, sit next to me.”

Old Zheng was delighted upon hearing this and quickly gave Han Yun a meaningful look. Han Yun understood and sat down on Chen Fan’s left side with a radiant smile. She was already very beautiful, and her professional attire added to her allure.

The other wealthy people present were inwardly cursing.

‘Old Zheng, you sly fox, actually using the “beauty trap.”’

Some were already thinking about whether they had any pretty daughters or nieces. Chen Master looked to be only sixteen or seventeen, a young man in the prime of his life, who would be most susceptible to such tactics.

However, Chen Fan wasn’t thinking so much. He was just showing favor to Han Yun for Xu Rongfei’s sake.

After everyone was seated, Chen Fan turned to Master Qi.

“Master Qi, you mentioned earlier that Master Wu had ‘entered the Dao.’ Could you explain what ‘entering the Dao’ means?”

Master Qi was deeply respectful upon hearing this.

“Chen Master, you flatter me. In front of you, how dare I call myself a ‘master’?”

He had been disheartened by Master Wu’s ghost-banishing techniques but was even more impressed by Chen Fan’s control of thunder, which had defeated Master Wu in a fit of anger. He now regarded Chen Fan as a divine being.

Moreover, Master Qi was already half a step into the cultivation circle and knew that while Master Wu’s techniques were formidable, they were ultimately minor. Chen Fan’s control of lightning and his ability to command the elements were truly powerful, far surpassing Master Wu’s!

He bowed and explained, “‘Entering the Dao’ is a term used in our cultivation circle. It means that one has cultivated to the point of generating magical power and can use various spells and magical tools, no longer being an ordinary person.”

“In Daoism, it is called ‘refining essence into qi.’ In Buddhism, it is called ‘Zen meditation and the womb of the Tathagata.’ For martial artists, it means transitioning from external to internal cultivation, achieving inner strength.”

“Each school and lineage has its own terms, but the core principles are the same.”

As Master Qi spoke, he was puzzled. Chen Master was clearly a cultivator who had ‘entered the Dao,’ and his cultivation was far superior to Master Wu’s. His ability to control thunder and summon rain was already on par with the ancient immortals described in Daoist texts. How could he not know such basic concepts?

Although he was puzzled, he did not dare to ask. To question Chen Fan would be a grave offense.

“Oh, I see.” Chen Fan nodded, understanding.

This so-called ‘entering the Dao’ or ‘refining essence into qi’ or ‘inner strength’ should all be part of the ‘foundation-building stage’ for cultivators. However, the cultivation methods in China varied, and the external techniques were vastly different, leading to a variety of terms.

“It seems there are many schools of cultivation on Earth. Unfortunately, from Master Wu, Old Wei, and even that Lin Bao, it appears they have only grasped fragments of the true path of cultivation, far from the real thing.”

Thinking about this, Chen Fan shook his head.

Master Wu, who looked to be in his sixties or seventies, had only reached the middle stage of foundation-building. Master Qi was even worse, having lived for several decades and only barely entered the path, not even reaching the initial stage of foundation-building.

From this, it seemed that the Daoist traditions on Earth would be hard-pressed to produce even a few who had reached the ‘spiritual transformation stage,’ let alone the ‘divine sea stage’ or the ‘innate stage.’

He suddenly frowned and asked, “What did Master Wu mean by ‘Celestial Master’s Thunder Technique’?”

“The Celestial Master’s lineage from Dragon Tiger Mountain?”

Chen Fan was puzzled. When Master Wu saw his Demon-Exorcising Thunder, he shouted about the Celestial Master’s Thunder Technique. The first thing Chen Fan thought of was the Zhang family of Dragon Tiger Mountain, who had passed down their lineage for two thousand years.

But like the Kong family, he had always thought it was just a deception in his previous life. Could the Zhang family really have some magical powers?

Master Qi laughed and said, “The Zhang family of Dragon Tiger Mountain has been around for thousands of years, but even if they had a lineage, it would have long been broken.”

“The Celestial Master’s lineage is a major Daoist school. Although its headquarters is on Dragon Tiger Mountain, it has no connection to the Zhang family. According to my master, this lineage masters the Divine Thunder Technique, which can break through all kinds of evil spirits and demons. During the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, a great Celestial Master descended from the mountain, sweeping across the land, breaking countless sects and driving away countless evil spirits. Unfortunately, there has been no news of the Celestial Master’s lineage in recent decades.”

“Master Wu, judging by his background, is likely from the Eastern Capital region of Zhongzhou Province. The Northern Mang Mountains of the Eastern Capital are known for producing experts in ghost-banishing techniques. They are particularly afraid of the Celestial Master’s Thunder Technique, so they mistook your divine thunder for it.”

At this point, Master Qi could no longer suppress his curiosity.

“... May I ask, Chen Master, where did you learn your skills?”

“According to my master, in today’s world, Daoist techniques are in decline, and the only ones who might still know the Thunder Technique are the descendants of the Celestial Master’s lineage.”

Chen Fan shook his head and smiled lightly.

“I have been practicing with my master since childhood and know little about the cultivation circle.”

“But my lineage has no connection to the Celestial Master’s lineage.”

His Demon-Exorcising Thunder, although one of the most basic techniques in cultivation, was far superior to the fragmented traditions on Earth.

Although Master Qi still had doubts, he did not dare to ask more and nodded in praise.

“Chen Master, at such a young age, to have such astonishing cultivation, your master must be a divine being.”

“Compared to the two of you, my sixty or seventy years of life seem like a waste.”

At this point, Master Qi sighed deeply.

In Master Qi’s view, Chen Fan was likely a cultivator at a stage higher than ‘entering the Dao.’ Such a person was rare in China, like a dragon showing only its head. And the master who could teach such a disciple must be an even more remarkable being.

Chen Fan remained silent.

His master, the Azure Green Immortal, had lived for 840,000 years and was renowned even among the many Daoist immortals for his longevity. Calling him a divine being was not an exaggeration. Compared to the mortals on Earth, who could command the sun and create things out of nothing, the Azure Green Immortal was truly a divine being.

As the two conversed, the wealthy people of Chuzhou around them listened as if to a heavenly book, but did not dare to interrupt.

Before today, they absolutely did not believe that there were beings who could banish ghosts and control thunder. If someone had said this to them, they would have been dismissed as ‘fooling around’ and escorted out by security.

But now, they believed every word Chen Fan and Master Qi said.

‘It turns out that in our society, there is such a cultivation circle. This is truly eye-opening.’

More than one person was inwardly marveling.

Only Old Zheng, who had some knowledge of this, was not very surprised.

He smiled and said, “Chen Master, Master Qi.”

“You two are the great men of Chuzhou. Chen Master, at such a young age, to have such astonishing cultivation, you are a prodigy. Master Qi, with your extensive knowledge and high moral standing, there is no need to be modest.”

Old Zheng, a wealthy man with decades of business experience, praised both of them without offending either.

Although Master Qi felt guilty, he could not help but smile. He knew that while his cultivation was not advanced, his information was reliable. Otherwise, he would not have been able to identify Master Wu’s background at first glance.

“Right, Chen Master, you are still in high school, yet you can summon lightning with a word. In ten years, won’t you be a divine being?” Wei Lao San smiled and approached.

“My niece is truly fortunate to have a friend like you.”

Chen Fan gave him an exasperated look. This man was good at nothing but flattery.

Wei Lao San’s words immediately woke up the other wealthy people, who quickly followed suit. They showered Chen Fan with praise. Being surrounded by the top bosses of Chuzhou, showing him such deference, was a treatment that even the mayor would not receive.

The bodyguards and staff standing around looked at Chen Fan with envy.

He was only sixteen or seventeen, yet he had achieved so much, with a promising future. He was a surefire super stock.

Han Yun’s beautiful eyes were almost overflowing with admiration.

At this point, Old Zheng spoke again.

“Chen Master, what do you think should be done with this ‘Eight Trigram Plate’?”

PS: Thank you to Xin Shang, He Ren Zhi, Qing Cheng Mo Xue Xiao Tian Xia, Jin Jun He, Si Ke Si Wen, Xin Xin Shou, E Meng Ren Ji, Wang Zong 1120, Bu Shi Ba Mei You Le, Qing Feng Xin Yu, Shi Fei Wu Shi Sheng Fei for your support. Thank you for the recommendations, we are back on the list, very grateful for everyone’s support O(∩_∩)O

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