Sh-sh-sh...
The summer rain, as big as beans, pounded on the eaves of the Imperial City.
After entering the depths of the Imperial Palace, Chen Mo clearly saw the patrolling soldiers gradually decrease, but the sense of oppression grew stronger.
He pushed open a heavy vermilion door.
What greeted his eyes was a bamboo forest, the rain beating down on the bamboo leaves made the greenery even more vibrant.
There was only one path through the bamboo forest.
As Chen Mo stepped into the bamboo forest, the previous sense of oppression vanished.
What followed was unparalleled relaxation.
"Brother Hong, I feel breathing much easier after stepping into this bamboo forest," said the Little Mirror, taking a deep breath.
The two hadn't walked far.
A massive Daoist Temple appeared before Chen Mo.
The temple was entirely grey-green, covered with glazed tiles, and the ground was spotless, without a single bamboo leaf.
In front of the temple, there was an incense burner.
The incense burner was outdoors, yet its lid was openwork; amid the rain, the fire inside had not extinguished, blue smoke curling upward.
It gave the feeling of a place where a worldly master resided.
Seeing the figure inside the temple, Chen Mo led the Little Mirror forward.
In the center of the temple was a majestic palace, yet it did not enshrine any deity, serving merely as a resting place.
Chen Mo arrived, and Wang Ying and Cai'Er were already there waiting.
"Where is the Empress?" Chen Mo asked softly.
"The Empress just paid homage to the Thunder God of the Nine Heavens and the Celestial Lord of Universal Transformation; she's now praying in the Qingxin Hall," replied Wang Ying upon seeing Chen Mo, then took the food box from him and said,
"The State Preceptor said that during prayers, utmost sincerity and devotion are needed, none of us can disturb or leave the temple; since you're here, stay and wait..."
He handed the food box to Cai'Er as he spoke.
Chen Mo nodded, then thought for a moment and said, "Lord Wang, might I pay homage to the Thunder God of the Nine Heavens and the Celestial Lord of Universal Transformation? I also wish to pray for Your Majesty."
Chen Mo didn't know much about Daoism, only about the Three Pristine Ones and Laozi.
As for the Thunder God of the Nine Heavens and the Celestial Lord of Universal Transformation.
Such a long name.
He heard it for the first time.
But from the name, he could tell it was quite powerful.
Maybe he could expand into the Golden Talent from here; Chen Mo didn't want to miss this opportunity.
Wang Ying: "..."
You said you wished to pray for Your Majesty.
Can I say no?
"Keep quiet..."
Wang Ying whispered, then pointed Chen Mo in the right direction.
Chen Mo's eyes lit up, and he quickly walked over.
Strangely enough.
Such a large Daoist Temple.
Not a single Daoist in sight.
Inside the hall where the statues were enshrined, incense was placed on the altar beside them.
There were three statues inside, the center one was the largest and most dignified, about three fathoms tall, with the other two statues.
Both were a head shorter than the central statue.
Before his transmigration, Chen Mo was an atheist.
After transmigration, he arrived in a world of high martial arts.
He had to show some respect, just in case the enshrined deities truly existed in this world, and not showing proper respect might lead to trouble...
So Chen Mo burned some incense and offered his respects.
Then he kowtowed a few times, each loudly.
Whether it was right or not, his sincerity was abundant.
After finishing, Chen Mo approached the central statue.
Murmuring prayers for blessings from Laozi and the Three Pristine Ones, hoping they would aid him to expand into the Golden Talent.
Then he placed his hand on the statue.
[Ding! Golden Talent Pool has been expanded!]
Upon hearing the prompt in his mind, Chen Mo was instantly overjoyed and rushed to make another bow to the central statue, then proceeded to touch the adjacent statues.
One can never have too much talent.
Since he was here.
He might as well take it all.
But just as he was about to place his hand on it.
A crisp voice stopped Chen Mo's movements instantly.
Turning around, he saw a woman dressed in a broad Daoist robe, wearing a veil on her head, holding a Duster, walking gracefully.
Chen Mo's eyes twinkled; although he didn't know the woman, her presence at the temple indicated her status was undoubtedly higher than his, so he immediately bowed and said,
"Reporting to the Real Person, I was so admiring the Thunder God of the Nine Heavens and the Celestial Lord of Universal Transformation that I couldn't help but wish to touch its true form."
Earlier, Chen Mo learned from the Little Mirror that in this world, Daoists were all addressed as Real Persons.
"Real Person?"
Lin Su Ya slowly walked over and gave Chen Mo a deep gaze, saying, "You don't recognize me?"
"Who is the Real Person?" Chen Mo glanced at Lin Su Ya; from afar, he couldn't tell, but up close, there was an aura of transcendence.
Though her features were cold and indifferent without an astonishing effect, the longer he observed, the more one felt drawn into it.
Chen Mo hastily lowered his head.
Lin Su Ya flicked her Duster: "Disciple of the State Preceptor's master, responsible for overseeing this temple."
"So, it's an Immortal Lady." Chen Mo flattered slightly.
But upon hearing this, Lin Su Ya frowned slightly and said, "The true form of the Celestial Venerable must not be touched by others. Moreover, only the center one is the Thunder God of the Nine Heavens and the Celestial Lord of Universal Transformation."
"...Thank you for the reminder, Immortal Lady."
Chen Mo made another bow to the statue and then quickly retreated.
But just then, Lin Su Ya called upon him: "What is your name?"
"Chen Hong." Chen Mo was stunned and turned to reply.
"Chen Hong? Hong of flood?"
"Yes."
"You may go."
"Understood."
Chen Mo quickly took his leave.
Watching Chen Mo's departing figure, Lin Su Ya raised her palm, which now held a strand of hair.
She held the strand, her fingers manipulating it.
Moments later, her brows furrowed: "Strange, I calculated his lifespan was reached, yet he lives? And with such heavy Evil Qi?"
Lin Su Ya was thoroughly puzzled.
...
After returning to the main hall of the temple, Chen Mo found an unnoticed corner.
He began to simulate.
[Available talents: Unmatched Nine Heavens Jade Purity Grand Brahma Purple Micro Profound Capital Thunder Jade Scripture, Ghost-Catching Skill, Eye of Insight...]
[Please choose three talents from above and start Immortal Cultivation Simulation.]
[Unmatched Nine Heavens Jade Purity Grand Brahma Purple Micro Profound Capital Thunder Jade Scripture (Golden): Also known as Thunder Jade Scripture, Thunder acts as the nexus of Yin and Yang, the fundamental command of all things. Upon achieving Great Success, one may summon clouds and rains, slay demons and eliminate evils, command thunder, illuminate heavenly paths above and aid the netherworld below.]
[Ghost-Catching Skill (Purple): Able to capture ghostly spirits.]
[Eye of Insight (Orange): Perceive everything, analyze all, during battle, discern opponents' weaknesses.]
Chen Mo's eyes widened.
Unmatched Nine Heavens Jade Purity Grand Brahma Purple Micro Profound Capital Thunder Jade Scripture.
Does this name have to be so long?
And so tongue-twisting.
If it were an ordinary person, who could remember it?
[Day One: The Great Turmoil strikes, the Great Song Dynasty rises up from all over with the call for uprising... You died.]
[This Immortal Cultivation simulation has ended; you may permanently retain one talent and solidify it in reality.]
[Immortal Cultivation Simulation ended; this simulation lasted one day. System cooldown time: 10 minutes.]