Big Data Cultivation

Chapter 578: Chapter 578 Ancestral Tablet (Seeking August Base Monthly Votes with One More Chapter) Chapter 578: Chapter 578 Ancestral Tablet (Seeking August Base Monthly Votes with One More Chapter) Seeing Daoist Ma no longer making a sound, Zhuang Haoyun extended his middle finger again, “Secondly, that ancestral tablet of your Maoshan has little to no benefit for my son. Last time I spent nearly six hundred thousand, and that was the conclusion I reached.”

Daoist Ma knew that the ritual was five hundred thousand, but there were some additional fees, so saying nearly six hundred thousand was not an exaggeration.

He really wanted to ask why, if the ancestral tablet was of no use, did you insist on borrowing it?

However, thinking of the two muffled thunders he had heard earlier, he decided to keep his mouth shut for the time being.

Zhuang Haoyun extended his ring finger, “Third, my child’s recovery will take some time, and I would like him to stay at Luohua Manor. So, borrowing your family’s ancestral tablet for a few days to let Master Feng study it… If he is pleased, then we can easily discuss my son’s issue.”

That was truly insulting; the grand ancestral tablet of Maoshan reduced to being merely studied?

Daoist Ma’s face grew darker, and after waiting for a while to see if the other man would speak again, he sneered, “This ancestral tablet represents the Daoist heritage of my Maoshan, involving the unspeakable secrets of our founder… Do you understand the transgression you’re committing?”

Zhuang Haoyun sneered back, “Unspeakable secrets? Don’t joke… Do you have a patent?”

“Do you have a patent…” These four words choked Daoist Ma to the point of speechlessness; after a long stare, he snorted coldly, “Director Zhuang, you’ve got some nerve!”

“I’m really not joking,” Zhuang Haoyun said earnestly, “I spent nearly six hundred thousand, and didn’t even hear so much as a peep. Did I say anything at the time? I let it go! Now, I’d like to discuss this a bit further with you. Can I sue you for fraud?”

“Now, I want to spend money to borrow it, to let Master Feng have a look… That’s not a big deal, right? Isn’t it all about spending money?”

Daoist Ma was quite elderly and more conservative in his conduct, not the type to profit from clever words.

But in this degenerate age, without the ability to persuade and influence others, it was impossible to be a good Taoist.

So, instead of squaring off against Zhuang Haoyun, he turned to look at Feng Jun, “You just called me a fellow cultivator; are you also someone on the cultivation path? Do you think… that you are much stronger than Maoshan?”

To be honest, it was quite a blow to him that his own rituals had failed to heal, and another had succeeded.

If word got out, what would become of the Maoshan lineage?

Feng Jun didn’t want to belittle Maoshan; they were all cultivators after all—even if the other might have already fallen to the level of shamans and charlatans.

However, this guy’s question was a bit too much! Don’t you have any self-awareness of what you are?

Just then, Gao Qiang got down from the bus with tea that had been prepared; Feng Jun picked up the teacup, took a shallow sip, and then replied indifferently, “I cured Director Zhuang’s son.”

This remark was even more infuriating, and the short, chubby Taoist cried out loudly, “Do you think you, alone, are better than Maoshan?”

“Shut up!” Feng Jun shouted fiercely, as if a bolt of thunder had struck out of a clear sky, “Is it your turn to speak?”

The short, chubby Taoist trembled and blood began flowing from his eyes, ears, mouth, and nose.

After a long silence at the scene, Daoist Ma spoke solemnly, “Junior Brother Zhang is impulsive; thank you for disciplining him on behalf of Maoshan.”

These words seemed very polite, but in reality, they were one step away from open hostility—was it his place as an outsider to discipline a disciple of Maoshan?

Feng Jun waved his hand dismissively and said in a loud voice, “No matter, I’m just saying, I healed the person.”

Daoist Ma’s face darkened, “Do you truly look down on the Maoshan lineage?”

Feng Jun took another sip of his tea and repeated the same line, “I healed the person.”

Can’t you change your script? Daoist Ma was almost driven mad and retorted, “If you look down on Maoshan so much, why are you so obsessed with our Daoist heritage?”

This time, Feng Jun didn’t even bother with his usual response, but simply pointed towards Zhuang Haoyun—let him speak.

Zhuang Haoyun spoke seriously, “Daoist Ma, it was I who caused this situation. I simply wanted to impress Master Feng. Don’t talk to me about Daoist heritage; I don’t understand it… Fifty thousand yuan for a ritual, how about five million for borrowing the ancestral tablet for ten days?”

This offer was tempting to Daoist Ma; it was not easy nowadays to find a wealthy and devout believer.

After all, the Maoshan Sect was deeply involved in worldly affairs, but in this degenerate era, without active engagement, the heritage might be lost.

So, Daoist Ma’s tone softened, “If you wanted to borrow it for Master Feng to study, you could have just spoken directly to Little Celestial Master. Maoshan is willing to support devout followers like you.”

“What should I say?” Zhuang Haoyun gave a bitter smile, “Should I tell Little Celestial Master that Maoshan couldn’t heal my son, but someone else did… and I’m borrowing your ancestral tablet to favor him?”

This was the real issue; he didn’t want to offend Little Celestial Master, but could he say it outright?

After thinking for a while, putting himself in Director Zhuang’s shoes, Daoist Ma realized that his position was forced. However, he countered, “Then take the ancestral tablet and leave a check… My Maoshan disciples shouldn’t be so upset about this.”

“Please, I’d like to leave a check,” Zhuang Haoyun grimaced, “But, although Maoshan hasn’t applied for a patent, if I leave a check, that becomes evidence of a crime… criminal evidence.”

Daoist Ma was left speechless again: you make such a good argument, I can’t think of a response.

After a long silence, he raised his head again, but this time, he wasn’t looking at Zhuang Haoyun. Instead, he faced Feng Jun, fully aware that further entanglement with Zhuang Haoyun would lead nowhere, each with his own unyielding argument. To turn the situation around decisively, he had to break through him.

As long as he could turn the situation around through Feng Jun, all the other losses could be won back.

Therefore, he asked straightforwardly, “Patron Zhuang mentioned that your Cultivation Path is profound. Would you allow us to broaden our horizons? Since we didn’t witness you curing Young Master Zhuang, let’s not talk about that.”

Show us something concrete, don’t just keep repeating that phrase – “I cured the person.” You’re not tired of saying it, but I’m about to go mad listening to it.

Feng Jun sneered contemptuously, “My Daoist Technique is beyond your understanding, isn’t it?”

He had already observed this man, who had not yet entered the realm of Martial Artists – half-step Martial Artist, what is that even supposed to mean?

They weren’t far from the sect gate, and there were quite a few people around, mostly acquaintances. He wouldn’t mind exhibiting some reasonable Daoist Techniques, but in the end, he preferred to keep a low profile.

However… I don’t seem to know what this Maoshan Ancestral Tablet is all about. Is it of any significance to be so confrontational?

He nodded towards Zhuang Haoyun, “Director Zhuang, bring out that Ancestral Tablet for me to have a look.”

Zhuang Haoyun looked around and saw that besides himself, there were three men standing next to Feng Jun, with Xiao Ge not far away, and two gatekeepers watching intently from two hundred meters away.

With so many people around, he was not afraid of the other party causing trouble, so he placed the briefcase he was carrying on the stone table and opened it.

The short, plump Taoist saw this and subconsciously wanted to lean in. Gao Qiang shifted to the side, blocking his path.

If we talk about the vigor of energy, Gao Qiang had a presence that even surpassed that of Gazi and Di Aixin.

However, the short, plump Taoist refused to give up and tried to squeeze by. Gao Qiang twisted his waist and with his back alone, pushed the man away.

Daoist Ma’s face darkened, ready to speak, but then he saw Feng Jun raise his hand, and a brown light flashed. The brown plaque from the briefcase flew into his hand from a meter away.

The plaque wasn’t big, about twelve or thirteen centimeters wide, twenty-five to twenty-six centimeters high, with a thickness of roughly one and a half centimeters. It was filled with engraved patterns and had a base at the bottom. At first glance, it looked somewhat like a Spirit Plaque from a clan hall.

This plaque was neither gold nor stone but was rather heavy, weighing more than ten pounds.

Feng Jun held it in his hand, first gauging its weight, and then knocked on it gently. The plaque made a “thud thud” sound.

His use of Levitation Object Collection to take the plaque had already impressed the four from the Maoshan Sect. They could clearly see that Feng Jun had not made physical contact with Zhuang Haoyun at all, so this was certainly not a magic trick.

However, seeing Feng Jun reaching out to tap the Ancestral Tablet, Daoist Ma felt the need to speak up, “Taoist Feng, this is the Mount Mao Ancestral Plaque. Even the Heavenly Master who controls our bloodline has to bathe before touching it; you’re going too far.”

Feng Jun, without even glancing up or appearing to have heard him, turned the tablet over and over, examining it.

Meanwhile, Gazi couldn’t help but murmur under his breath, “Sounds good in theory, but don’t you still have to use a cloth when wiping it?”

He didn’t want to get into a real argument, following Feng Jun’s rule, without permission, this wasn’t his place to speak.

Gazi was just voicing his own feelings because every year on the Ghost Festival, his parents would take out his grandparents’ Spirit Plaques, offer incense, and since these items were usually stored in boxes, they always had a layer of dust on them and needed to be wiped down.

But as he muttered to himself, Daoist Ma found the perfect opportunity to react.

He chuckled coldly, proudly stating, “Our Mount Mao Ancestral Plaque never needs wiping. It can sit for a thousand years without gathering dust.”

The people of Luohua Manor were slightly taken aback when they heard this: a thousand years without dust — Could this be a miraculous property of the Ancestral Tablet?

Buddhist and Daoist tales of supernatural phenomena are common, and even those who don’t believe in ghosts and spirits would inevitably feel a sense of awe.

Gazi’s mumble had been countered, and somewhat dismayed, yet stubbornly incredulous, he asked, “We happen to have a construction site here in the manor… Could we maybe see for ourselves?”

Daoist Ma glared at him fiercely. Did he just suggest taking the Mount Mao Ancestral Plaque to a construction site to get dusty?

To be honest, the request itself was a great disrespect to Maoshan, but Daoist Ma had great confidence in the Ancestral Tablet.

Thus, he didn’t react angrily but simply stared coldly at the brawny young man, “You want to be enlightened? Fine! But if the Ancestral Plaque indeed shows its power, how will you account for your offence against Maoshan?”

Gazi stood tall, as he was the kind to stick doggedly to an argument, “If it truly demonstrates its power, I can apologize and make amends. If you’re not satisfied, you’re welcome to make a demand.”

Daoist Ma was about to speak when Feng Jun interjected without even looking up, “Gazi doesn’t need to verify; this thing indeed has the effect of warding off evil and repelling dust. The formation is nearly worn out, but it can still hold up for a considerable time.”

Upon hearing this, Gazi immediately fell silent, while Daoist Ma looked at Feng Jun with suspicion, “Formation?”

Feng Jun continued to ignore him, focused on the Ancestral Tablet.

Daoist Ma fell silent in frustration, but an inexplicable hope began to grow in his heart.

(First update of August, summoning the base monthly tickets.)

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