Chapter 2

"Three hundred taels of silver, five hundred pounds of rice and grain, twenty pounds of fresh meat, three hundred pounds of pickled meat and various fruits and vegetables, three sets of fine wide-sleeved Taoist robes, headbands, shoes, and socks, one purple copper qi-nourishing furnace..."

Zhang Yan looked at the list in his hand. Besides these items, there were some miscellaneous daily necessities not included. He sighed inwardly at Min Lou's generosity. Even if he were to eat freely, this amount of food would last him a whole year, solving his immediate needs.

To be fair, if one were to evaluate the value of the Taoist scriptures today, they would not fetch such a price. Even consulting the masters at the temple would not cost so much.

However, considering that Min Lou had deliberately included a factor of friendship, Zhang Yan did not act pretentiously and accepted everything. But he did bear the favor in mind.

After some deep thought, he wrote a letter and found a Taoist child to deliver it down the mountain when he went to buy supplies.

After arranging everything, Zhang Yan closed the door and sat in meditation. Although the "One Qi Clearing Scripture" was just an introductory practice, the path of cultivation was like rowing against the current; if you do not advance, you will retreat. He knew the importance of a solid foundation and had not relaxed even for a moment since he arrived.

The night passed without incident.

At the beginning of the second day, he went to the pavilion at Thousand-Foot Rock as usual but was surprised to find someone waiting there early.

This man was in his early thirties, with slightly gray temples and a slightly haggard look. He held a nanmu book box in his hand. Seeing Zhang Yan approach with a bamboo banner, he hurriedly came forward and bowed, saying, "Are you Senior Brother Zhang Yan?"

Zhang Yan stopped and returned the bow politely, "Yes, that's me."

"I am Zhao Yuan from De Xiu Temple. I heard that Senior Brother Zhang is skilled in interpreting esoteric texts, so I came to seek your guidance."

Zhao Yuan opened the wooden box, revealing a thin Taoist scripture. He carefully took it out and presented it to Zhang Yan with respect, "If you can resolve my doubts, I will not let you down."

Seeing how Zhao Yuan treated the book as a treasure and the carefully crafted nanmu box, Zhang Yan smiled, leaned the bamboo banner aside, and wiped his hands with a white handkerchief before taking the scripture.

Seeing Zhang Yan's actions, Zhao Yuan felt a bit more favorably towards him.

Upon receiving the book, Zhang Yan flipped through it briefly and found that it only had the upper volume and not the lower one, clearly not wanting him to see the whole thing. This was understandable, so he smiled and returned the book to Zhao Yuan.

Zhao Yuan's face changed, and he said anxiously, "Senior Brother Zhang, is there something wrong? Or..." He paused, looking at Zhang Yan suspiciously. Could it be that Min Lou exaggerated Zhang Yan's abilities, and he actually couldn't interpret the book?

Zhang Yan shook his head and smiled, "Senior Brother, don't worry, the book is already in my mind."

This half-volume scripture was only a few hundred words. His memory was getting better, and he had studied esoteric texts for years, so he could remember it after one read. Moreover, he wanted to use this to build his reputation and maintain an air of superiority.

"Really?" Zhao Yuan was surprised but still somewhat doubtful.

Zhang Yan walked into the pavilion unhurriedly, took out the writing materials from his bamboo basket, and sat down to write.

He saw that the scripture, named "Yongchuan Water Travel Book," was actually just a travelogue, which was not difficult for him. Soon, he had interpreted the half-volume scripture.

Before the ink dried, Zhao Yuan eagerly grabbed the pages and read them, initially full of hope. However, his face soon turned worse, and after reading it several times, he sighed, "I didn't believe it at first, but it turned out to be true. I wasted so much effort... Indeed, the true scriptures are not something we can easily see. I was deluded!"

Zhang Yan was surprised, "Why do you say that?"

Zhao Yuan looked bitter, "You know how difficult it is for us registered disciples to cultivate. Even those from wealthy families have to make offerings to the servants to get some methods. To be honest, a few days ago, Senior Brother Bian from the temple said that if I could find a pound of Yanchensha, he would give me a scripture. But... sigh!"

Zhang Yan understood. Whether it was Shan Yuan Temple, De Xiu Temple, or Tai An Temple, the true disciples were only a dozen or so. They focused on cultivation, and daily affairs were handled by the servants. These servants, though called servants, were also registered disciples. After the true disciples interpreted the scriptures, they would secretly copy them and sell them to registered disciples or wealthy families interested in cultivation, making a profit.

However, there were different levels. If you were not from a truly wealthy family, they would not treat you well and would only give you some miscellaneous books.

Most of the scriptures circulating among the three lower temples came from this.

Zhao Yuan, though from a family of generations of merchants, was still far from the nobility.

Zhang Yan had been wary of these "wealthy servants" before. They had great power and were often connected to the true disciples. Ordinary disciples could not afford to offend them, as they could easily be taken advantage of.

This time, Zhao Yuan, eager to cultivate, heard that a true disciple was looking for the Five Elements Divine Sand and was willing to offer several "authentic scriptures" for the disciples to study. He decided to take the risk, not only offering a pound of Yanchensha but also a large amount of wealth to obtain a true scripture.

Zhao Yuan thought this "scripture" would be a divine method, but when he read it, he found it was just a travelogue, even worse than ordinary qi cultivation techniques. He felt deeply regretful but was also afraid that his interpretation of the esoteric text was wrong. Over the next few months, he spent a lot of money consulting several true disciples, but the results were the same. In despair, he heard from Min Lou that Zhang Yan was skilled in interpreting esoteric texts, so he came to seek his help, hoping for a miracle.

"After six years of cultivation, this plan has failed again. I guess I have no destiny with the Dao. I might as well return home and do business."

Zhao Yuan was already thirty-eight years old. Seeing the difficulties of cultivation and the repeated setbacks, he felt disheartened and thought about leaving the mountain. He looked at the half-volume scripture and, in a fit of anger, was about to tear it in half.

Hearing this, Zhang Yan's eyes flashed, and he suddenly grabbed Zhao Yuan's wrist, "Senior Brother, wait a moment."

Zhao Yuan looked up in surprise.

Zhang Yan looked at Zhao Yuan and said solemnly, "If you trust me, can you show me the lower volume of this book?"

Zhao Yuan heard the implication in Zhang Yan's words and hesitated, "What do you mean?"

Zhang Yan said sincerely, "To be frank, esoteric texts should be read as a whole, with the front and back parts complementing each other. Reading them separately makes it hard to understand. When I read this book, I found some parts quite profound, perhaps..."

"Really?" Zhao Yuan's eyes widened, and he trembled, "Could it be..."

Zhang Yan smiled, "Do your best and leave the rest to fate."

Zhao Yuan bit his lip, stood up, and stomped his foot, "Alright, I'll show you the lower volume!" He had already given up, but Zhang Yan's words gave him a glimmer of hope, though still very faint. He couldn't bear to let it go easily.

Seeing Zhao Yuan rush off, Zhang Yan stood up and recited, "In ancient times, there was Yong Prefecture, also known as Chuan De. It has high terrain, with eight rivers converging, like a tiger lying on a hill, looking south to Dongzhou, and like a dragon about to enter the North Sea..." The more he read, the more he felt there might be a hidden meaning. He had initially thought it was just a travelogue, but Zhao Yuan's words about destiny made him recall that Daoist predecessors often used obscure language to create mental barriers. There might be something he hadn't noticed.

Less than an hour later, Zhao Yuan returned, panting. Without a word, he pulled out a book from his chest and handed it to Zhang Yan.

Zhang Yan nodded, sat down unhurriedly, and started reading. Zhao Yuan watched his face nervously, but Zhang Yan's expression remained calm, giving no hint of his thoughts.

After finishing the lower volume, Zhang Yan thought to himself, "Indeed, it is as I suspected!"

This time, he was certain. The dragon and the tiger clearly referred to the convergence of the Kan and Li trigrams, and the eight rivers represented the eight meridians. "Traveling water" meant "traveling through the meridians"!

The esoteric text used in the entire scripture was very simple, even understandable to someone with low intelligence, but the high-level method of building the foundation was written in the form of a travelogue. If not for a true cultivator with a focused mind, it would be easily overlooked. The immortal teacher had a profound intention.

However, he was now considering another issue.

Should he tell Zhao Yuan?

Logically, even if he said it was just a travelogue, Zhao Yuan couldn't do anything about it and wouldn't attract attention.

But then he thought, this was just a foundation-building scripture. Although it was rare now, compared to the long path of cultivation, it was nothing. Doing something that would block someone's path and bring no benefit was not something he would do.

Zhang Yan slowly raised his head, bowed, and smiled, "Congratulations, Brother Zhao. The 'Yongchuan Water Travel Book' is actually the 'Yongchuan Meridian Travel Method,' a rare foundation-building scripture!"

Zhao Yuan's eyes widened, and he trembled, "Really?"

Zhang Yan sighed, "If you had interpreted both volumes together, someone might have already noticed..."

Zhao Yuan shook his head, "No, Senior Brother, you are a gentleman. Others might not have told me the truth. You are truly my benefactor! Allow me to bow."

He bent down and gave a deep bow to Zhang Yan.

Zhang Yan quickly helped him up, "This predecessor used water to symbolize qi, with profound meaning. The entire method is presented clearly, which is quite rare. I would like to try it. May I practice it, Brother Zhao?"

Zhao Yuan was taken aback. Zhang Yan had clearly memorized the entire book, and even if he practiced it secretly, he couldn't do anything. But now he was still asking for permission, showing respect. He was deeply moved and said, "Not at all, Senior Brother, your virtue is beyond my ability to repay. You may practice it."

He felt the pearl bag he had prepared was not enough and thought for a moment. He took out a paper packet from his chest and handed it to Zhang Yan, "I was in a hurry today and didn't bring any treasures. This is 'Yugui Sand,' one of the Five Elements Divine Sands, worth some silver. Please accept it, and I will repay you in the future."

Zhang Yan did not refuse, accepted it calmly, and reminded, "Brother Zhao, your emotions have been up and down today, which is not suitable for cultivation." Since he was doing a good deed, he decided to do it thoroughly.

Zhao Yuan nodded gratefully, looked at Zhang Yan, hesitated, and whispered, "Senior Brother, interpreting esoteric texts is great, but it might invite jealousy..."

Hearing this, Zhang Yan's expression became more serious, "Brother Zhao, don't worry, I have my plans."

Zhao Yuan nodded, "Since we understand each other, I will stop here. If you need help, just say the word, and I will do my best." He bowed again and left.

Zhang Yan watched Zhao Yuan's back, thinking. Zhao Yuan had opened his heart to him, and he wouldn't have mentioned that if he didn't consider him a close friend.

Interpreting esoteric texts seemed ordinary, but it was actually taking food from the servants of the true disciples. They used to sell the scriptures and then the copied versions, making two profits. Now, Zhang Yan was cutting into their profits. For now, it was fine, but over time, it would cause dissatisfaction, and the consequences were unpredictable.

Zhao Yuan's concern came from this.

Now, Zhang Yan had sufficient money and food, and logically, he didn't need to rely on interpreting esoteric texts for a living.

But his plans were not that simple!

He was a cultivator and knew that cultivation was the foundation. Earning money and food was just a side benefit. His true goal was to attract the attention of the higher-ups at Shan Yuan Temple.

Zhang Yan had spent seven years in the post-apocalyptic world and even entered the core of a survivor camp. He understood that the fundamental difference between the upper and lower levels was control of resources and information.

Although these were different worlds, the principles were the same.

The Ming Cang Sect, as a major cultivation sect, had over three hundred registered disciples and a thousand Taoist children at Shan Yuan Temple, but only a dozen true disciples.

These dozen true disciples and the three masters in the temple controlled all the cultivation scriptures.

True disciples at Shan Yuan Temple usually cultivated on the sixth peak of Cangwu Mountain, Moon Catching Peak, and were not easily seen by outsiders. The masters opened the doors to teach every month, but without long-term "offerings," it was impossible to obtain the Daoist methods.

Zhang Yan was not from a wealthy family, so this path was not open to him. However, there was another way.

That was to gain fame!

With a great reputation, even if he didn't gain the favor of a master, he could still have the opportunity to connect with true disciples. Once he entered their circle, the chances of obtaining high-level methods would be much greater.

His ability to interpret esoteric texts was his stepping stone.

Before these people noticed him, he couldn't stop.

As for the possible dangers, he smiled. If it were usual, he wouldn't take such risks, but in the past few days...

He squinted and looked toward the main peak of Cangwu Mountain, Shenlai Peak. This was the perfect opportunity!

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