Chapter 215: Chapter 214: Recruiting 2 More Fighters... Er, True Cultivators

Gu Zhao, Taoist Shen Hao, and Taoist Yu Zhang sat on a stone bench under a tree.

Although Taoist Han Zheng was the abbot of Wanfu Palace, he could only stand to the side. Taoist Han Xuan and another Daoist named Zhan Qing stood behind him, their eyes flickering with unease.

"May I ask the names of you two Taoists?" Gu Zhao asked, clasping his hands in a salute.

"Shen Hao of the Shangqing Sect. It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir," Taoist Shen Hao replied, returning the salute.

"Yu Zhang of the Northern Emperor Sect. A pleasure to meet you, sir!" Taoist Yu Zhang said with a slight bow.

"The Northern Emperor Sect?" Gu Zhao was surprised to find that Taoist Yu Zhang was a successor of the Northern Emperor Sect. "Is the lineage of the Northern Emperor Sect also on Sanmao Mountain?"

"I came to visit my martial brother, Shen Hao. I currently practice at Xuansu Palace on Feiyun Mountain, so I am not from Sanmao Mountain," Taoist Yu Zhang said, taking a deep breath to slowly compose himself before speaking with a serious expression.

The Spiritual Qi that had just erupted was pure and profound. The Daoist rhythm it exuded had faintly stirred the True Qi within his own body. Then there was the feat of stopping the rain, forming a rainbow, and gathering auspicious clouds. By any measure, this was a True Cultivator whose Magical Power rivaled that of an Immortal.

Then, hearing Gu Zhao mention that he knew Taoist Yi Hong and Taoist Ming Yu, and confirming he was from Yangcheng with a simple "Indeed," sparked an incredible theory in Taoist Yu Zhang’s mind.

Seeing Gu Zhao’s surprise upon hearing of his lineage, Taoist Yu Zhang couldn’t help but feel anxious. ’He must have come specifically for a successor of the Shangqing Sect,’ he thought. ’Now that he knows the truth, I wonder if I’ll miss out on some great opportunity.’

But Taoist Yu Zhang was not one to lie or dissemble. Within the space of that short sentence, he had already calmed his mind.

Then, he saw Gu Zhao’s face break into a smile as he clapped his hands and said, "Excellent, excellent! I have long heard that the Celestial Pig Great Curse of the Northern Emperor Sect is immensely powerful. To meet you today is truly fortuitous."

Taoist Yu Zhang gave a wry smile. "You praise me too much, sir. My Magical Power is too weak to perform the Celestial Pig Great Curse. I’m afraid I will have to disappoint you."

Gu Zhao smiled faintly and shook his head. "I’m not disappointed. I’m sure I’ll see it sooner or later."

At this point, Gu Zhao looked at the two of them. "I won’t beat around the bush. Forgive my bluntness, but the reason I’ve appeared today is to invite you both to join the Yangcheng Taoist Research Institute."

Although he knew Gu Zhao’s Magical Power was profound, hearing the name "Taoist Research Institute" again still made Taoist Shen Hao raise a white eyebrow. "This research institute... is it for studying Taoist Skills?"

"Yes and no." Gu Zhao first nodded, then shook his head. "Besides researching Magic, it also aids in Cultivation, allowing everyone who has already developed their Taoist Inner Breath True Qi to practice more quickly."

Stirred, Taoist Yu Zhang couldn’t help but ask, "The Luofu Mountain Grotto Heaven?"

Gu Zhao couldn’t help but chuckle. ’This old Daoist certainly has a vivid imagination!’

"Not quite." Gu Zhao shook his head, then said meaningfully, "But as long as you two work hard, while I can’t promise immortality or Ascension, Calling the Wind and Summoning the Rain and extending your lifespan are certainly achievable."

"Call the Wind and Summon the Rain..." The Taoists’ eyes flickered as they all seemed to realize something. "So, what just happened was..."

Gu Zhao nodded. "Just a simple Curse Technique to gather the clouds, rain, wind, and thunder."

’Just? Simple?’

Taoist Shen Hao was old and shrewd. Though he was excited, he still detected the hidden meaning in Gu Zhao’s words. "You said ’as long as we work hard,’ but I wonder, what kind of hard work do you mean?"

Gu Zhao raised an eyebrow, surprised that Taoist Shen Hao had picked up on it.

Daluo Palace had already become well-established, so things weren’t as dangerous as when he had first recruited Taoist Yan Song and Taoist Yi Hong. Because of this, he hadn’t planned on mentioning things like Exorcism or life-threatening danger.

After all, not a single Daoist he’d recruited so far had refused. In fact, after learning the truth, every one of them had been fired up with passion, eager to descend the mountain and mete out justice. They even looked at The Golden Dog of Bond Huang Yuan, whose Evil Qi hadn’t fully dissipated, with a green glint in their eyes.

But since Taoist Shen Hao had asked, he answered honestly. "Slaying demons and devils, and enacting justice on behalf of Heaven."

Everyone: ???

Seeing the utterly bewildered looks on their faces, Gu Zhao laughed heartily. He then reached out and tapped the space between the eyebrows of Taoist Shen Hao and Taoist Yu Zhang, transferring the Thunder Seed to them.

...

A moment later, when the two looked at Gu Zhao again, their shock and confusion had been replaced by deep respect and gratitude.

Taoist Shen Hao shot to his feet and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Sect Leader, for this honor. I, Shen Hao, will work hard to ensure my fellow Taoists can also receive this opportunity as soon as possible."

Gu Zhao gestured to the three men behind him. "You still have three juniors right there."

Taoist Shen Hao shook his head. "They are still far from death’s door. Let them wait."

Taoist Han Zheng and the others were first stunned beyond belief by Taoist Shen Hao’s crisp, swift movements as he stood and bowed, and by the sheer vigor in his voice. Then, they overheard the conversation between Gu Zhao and Taoist Shen Hao.

Having already formed their own suspicions and now witnessing Taoist Shen Hao’s astonishing transformation, the restless juniors couldn’t help but look at their master with a hint of reproach.

Taoist Shen Hao turned and chided them, "Brother Ming Yu joined early on, and Zhi Qing and Zhi Xiu from the Celestial Master’s Mansion are also in line. What’s your hurry?"

Gu Zhao nodded toward the three. "The Research Institute has limited spots, but none of your daily Cultivation will be wasted. My not hiding this from you today is a small test of sorts. I hope you can compose yourselves and not be affected."

Taoist Shen Hao looked at the three, his white eyebrows raised and his expression stern. "Don’t overthink things, and don’t spread idle gossip. Stay on the mountain, focus on your Cultivation, and wait for me to come get you."

Han Zheng and Han Xuan were both Taoist Shen Hao’s disciples, and Taoist Zhan Qing was his grand-disciple. Hearing the gravity in his tone, they all straightened their expressions and bowed in unison. "Yes!"

Taoist Shen Hao nodded in satisfaction.

Gu Zhao stood up and changed his form of address. "Martial Uncle Shen Hao, Martial Uncle Yu Zhang, let’s exchange contact information. Just get in touch with me when you arrive in Yangcheng."

Taoist Shen Hao nodded with a smile. "Alright!"

Taoist Yu Zhang, however, was already impatient. "I can leave right now."

Gu Zhao shook his head. "No rush. I still have to make a trip to Qin Province."

He had saved up three Thunder Seeds this time. Aside from the one each for Taoist Shen Hao and Taoist Yu Zhang, he had long since decided to save one for Yunyang’s martial uncle.

He had originally planned to have Yunyang return to the modern world and call his martial uncle. But as it turned out, Yunyang and Hu Yufei had rushed off to Bai Shi Prefecture to steal kills before the battle at Daluo Palace was even over.

However, Gu Zhao needed to return to the modern world to recruit more members anyway. Since he’d already made a trip to Sanmao Mountain, he didn’t mind making another to Eight Immortals Palace.

Besides, Yunyang had already told him about all the good food there.

Old Sun’s Steamed Bun, the viral snacks on Hui Min Street, Xiaonanmen Pork Hock Buns, Green Pepper Braised Pork Buns...

Gu Zhao couldn’t shake the feeling that something was a little off.

But Gu Zhao wasn’t too bothered. ’If Yunyang dares to set me up,’ he thought, ’I’ll just assign him as the liaison in the modern world, separating him from Hu Yufei. I’ll make them live two lifetimes apart!’

HEH HEH HEH HEH...