Chapter 183: Chapter 182: True Martial Zhang Qingyuan

Gu Zhao had no intention of doing that.

The Buddhist Sect emphasizes karma and destiny, while the Taoist Sect emphasizes the Natural Daoist Law.

He had indeed come to Zhenwu Mountain to find someone, but if he could find them, it was fated. If not, there was no need to force it.

The three of them had lunch on the Golden Summit and took a group photo in Taihe Palace. Instead of going back the way they came, they took a cable car down to Qiongtaizhong Temple. After a brief tour, they continued down the mountain by vehicle.

...

"The last time we came, we didn’t get off here," Xiao Ya said, looking at the small Taoist Temple.

"This is less of a tourist spot and more of a village," Jiang Shishi said, looking around. There were houses, rice paddies, a village hall, and even a small village school.

Although the buildings were all new and modern, it really did look like an actual village rather than a tourist attraction.

Of course, there was indeed a Taoist Temple here: Eight Immortals Temple.

"Might as well go in and pay our respects," Gu Zhao said with a smile. "We’re already here."

The three of them first went to pay their respects at Eight Immortals Temple. After coming out and walking around a bit, they learned that this was Zhenwu Mountain’s base for growing Daoist tea. The scenic area had set up a shuttle bus stop here specifically so tourists could buy tea.

They even offered a complete tea experience package. For a price, visitors could even go into the fields to experience the joy of tea-picking themselves.

However...

"But it’s winter, isn’t it?" Gu Zhao asked.

"We have greenhouses," the shopping guide said with a smile. "You can still pick them in the winter."

Gu Zhao stared, dumbfounded.

Just then, a few tea farmers walked over, carrying farm tools and chatting and laughing. They passed by the group, seemingly on their way to work in the fields.

"Hm?"

The Five Thunders Order in his Sea of Consciousness trembled slightly. Gu Zhao’s eyes shifted, and he turned to look, following its guidance.

He saw that one of them, a bearded elder, was walking with the others and also carrying a hoe, but he was dressed in a traditional Daoist fashion: a short, blue-gray robe, leg wrappings, cloth shoes, and a hairpin in his topknot.

Gu Zhao looked at the old Daoist, and the old Daoist noticed his gaze.

Gu Zhao smiled and nodded, and the old Daoist nodded back in acknowledgment.

"Daoist, are you the abbot of Eight Immortals Temple?" Gu Zhao asked suddenly.

"No," the old Daoist said, shaking his head, about to leave with the others.

"May I ask for your Daoist name?" Gu Zhao asked again. "Are you, by chance, a successor of the Sanfeng Sect?"

Although the old Daoist was a little curious, he still cupped his hands politely. "Zhang Qingyuan of the Sanfeng Sect."

Gu Zhao raised an eyebrow. ’He’s from the "Qing" generation, as expected.’

He didn’t keep him in suspense. Circulating the Taoist True Qi in his body, he was instantly enveloped in a Daoist aura. He bowed with his hands clasped and said, "Gu Zhao of Lingnan. Greetings, Taoist Qingyuan."

Sensing the True Qi Gu Zhao was circulating, Zhang Qingyuan immediately understood why the young man had stopped him. Moreover, the rich Daoist aura surrounding the other man was a clear sign that his Cultivation was higher than his own.

After all, he hadn’t sensed anything special about the young man, but the young man had sensed that he, too, had developed Inner Breath.

"Greetings, fellow Daoist." Zhang Qingyuan put down his hoe and broke into a simple, rustic smile, looking just like an old farmer. If not for the clear guidance of the Five Thunders Order, no one would have ever guessed he was also a Daoist Quanzhen.

"Taoist Qingyuan, your Dao Practice is profound, yet you still toil in the fields. This is truly the embodiment of the Natural Daoist Law," Gu Zhao praised.

Zhang Qingyuan shook his head. "I’ve been a farmer my whole life. It’s all I know how to do."

"Oh?" Gu Zhao was curious and couldn’t help but ask probingly, "Zhenwu Mountain is thriving and prosperous now. Hasn’t Taoist Qingwei asked you to come out of seclusion and teach disciples?"

"Senior Brother Zhong has profound Inner Power, and his disciples are all very formidable. They don’t need me." Zhang Qingyuan’s eyes showed admiration as he continued, "Besides, life is so good now. Even if you work hard to develop Inner Power, it’s not really that useful."

Gu Zhao had a moment of realization. "So you’ve never taken on any disciples?"

Zhang Qingyuan shook his head. "No."

Gu Zhao understood. "So you’ve been living in seclusion in this village for decades?"

Zhang Qingyuan nodded. "It’s very nice here."

Gu Zhao asked without thinking, "Does Taoist Qingwei know that you’ve developed Inner Breath True Qi?"

The question seemed to stun Zhang Qingyuan. He thought for a moment before saying, "I don’t know."

Gu Zhao blinked, momentarily at a loss for words.

Perhaps because they rarely interacted with tourists, the nearby tea farmers, seeing Gu Zhao chatting with Zhang Qingyuan, all chimed in to bolster the old Daoist’s reputation.

"Elder Zhang’s seniority on Zhenwu Mountain is very high. Even those young Daoists from the Eight Immortals Palace have to call him Martial Uncle when they see him."

"You know Taoist Zhong, right? The one who was received by a top official? He comes to visit Elder Zhang every New Year."

"Elder Zhang knows True Martial Martial Arts, too! He practices his fists every morning, and the sound goes WHOOSH WHOOSH. You young people could never make a sound like that."

Gu Zhao nodded repeatedly. "I believe you."

’Unlike the Zhengyi Dao, which focuses on Conserve Spirit and God Cultivation, the Quanzhen Dao transitioned from Outer Pills to Inner Pills, combining movement and stillness. The Sanfeng Sect, meanwhile, enters the path of tranquility through dynamic martial arts. With the boost from Inner Power, its practitioners are especially formidable fighters in an era of scarce Spiritual Qi.’

"Daoist, which scripture do you cultivate from, and what style of Martial Arts do you practice?" Gu Zhao asked.

"My master passed down the *Three Heavens Gate Enlightenment Skill* and the Dragon Gate Sect’s Inner Alchemy Technique to me." Taoist Qingyuan gave a shy smile. "As for Martial Arts... the others are nothing special. I’m only reasonably skilled with the Tai Chi Sword."

Gu Zhao’s eyes gleamed. "I also know a bit of Tai Chi Fist, but I’m not very practiced. Could I ask for some pointers from you?"

’I have to admit, Tai Chi Fist is practically standard issue for the Taoist Sect these days.’

Qingcheng Mountain was also known for its Tai Chi Sword, but that was only a recent development in the last few decades, and it was ultimately not as famous as Zhenwu Mountain’s. Thus, while Taoist Yan Song and Taoist Yan Ling knew it, they weren’t proficient.

The same was true for Gu Zhao, so when he said he wasn’t practiced, he was telling the absolute truth.

"Of course," Taoist Qingyuan chuckled.

It was rare to meet a fellow practitioner, so Taoist Qingyuan was also very happy. Still, he cautiously added a disclaimer, "I’ve never been in a real fight. I’ve only ever practiced the forms by myself."

Gu Zhao nodded with a smile. "If you were in a real fight, you’d kill someone with a single punch."

"Not at all, not at all. It wouldn’t come to that." Taoist Qingyuan waved his hands dismissively, then said, "Let’s go to my house. There’s space in the backyard."

"Great!" Gu Zhao readily agreed.

So, Taoist Qingyuan bid farewell to the other tea farmers and led Gu Zhao and the two women to his home.

The tea farmers didn’t pay it much mind. Although they knew Taoist Qingyuan was skilled, they didn’t know the truth about Inner Power. Besides, they had gotten used to it over the decades and the novelty had worn off, so they had no interest in watching the show and simply went on their way.

They arrived at Taoist Qingyuan’s house. Taoist Qingyuan put down his hoe, went out to the backyard, and stood facing Gu Zhao.

Xiao Ya and Jiang Shishi stood to the side, their gazes fixed intently on the two men.

"Go, Gu Zhao!" Jiang Shishi cheered softly.

Xiao Ya tugged on Jiang Shishi’s sleeve. "Taoist Zhang is an elder. Keep your voice down."

"It’s alright, it’s alright." Taoist Qingyuan smiled good-naturedly and waved his hands repeatedly. He then turned to Gu Zhao and extended his hands. "Shall we cross hands first?"

Gu Zhao nodded. "Alright!"