Chapter 72

Chapter 72

At the Taicang Sect, after Unity Right heard his master's ideas for promoting the sect through advertisements, he was intrigued but had to face reality and explain with a sigh, finger-counting,

"No can do, Master. Advertising is different from online promotion; it requires approval from television networks. Our content involves feudal superstition, which won't pass the cultural bureau's scrutiny. If it were possible, I would've suggested it long ago. Why would I bother with the hardships of online marketing?"

Outside the Taicang Sect, in the biting cold wind—

A lanky figure wrapped in clothes stood at a distance in a neighborhood corner, secretly observing the believers offering incense at the sect's entrance.

The scent of the incense wafted to him, causing him to sneeze. Beside him, Little Fatty held his phone, reading a Wikipedia page, "See, I told you it's not an isolated sect. The address is right there in the description."

The pockmarked face wore a look of astonishment, "This isn't just about being unisolated; it's completely unregulated! Look at Liandu Temple, it's a historic landmark, while this Taicang Sect is located in a residential area! What's going on here?!"

Little Fatty was disheartened, "I knew we were too weak to defeat such opponents. Senior Brother, your abilities seem average too. Instead of fighting them, why not report them to the police for illegal operations?"

The pockmarked face hastily intervened, "Don't mess around. Didn't you forget that we're... "

"Oh, right." Little Fatty suddenly remembered, "We're also a cult."

"Be quiet!" The lanky man's eyes turned red with fury as he interrupted his two junior disciples' conversation, gritting his teeth and growling, "How could it be... How could it actually... This is impossible..."

The Taicang Sect was actually a newly established small Taoist temple?! Moreover, according to the information they had gathered, the owner of this property was none other than Daoist Wei's father. There was not a single hint of religious affiliation in their daily lives. Each family member was engrossed in business, mahjong, or racing and clubbing. The only one who took care of the sect's affairs outside was Wei Xi, who had studied performance in college and spent quite some time in the entertainment industry after graduation. What did this imply?

That his prided clairvoyance, which spanned a thousand miles, could be broken by such a half-baked individual—this was nothing short of utter humiliation!

At this moment, even the lanky man couldn't help but doubt if his past abilities were just an illusion and if his previous accomplishments in rituals were merely coincidences. Thus, he lacked the confidence to refute his junior's claim that he was incompetent. He could only grit his teeth and say, "If it weren't for our master being severely injured from the backlash..."

"Sigh," consoled Little Fatty. "Didn't they also break Master's seal? Perhaps even Master couldn't defeat them. Don't be too upset, Senior Brother."

Tall and Lean: "..."

Tall and Lean said despairingly, "Shut up. We can't just let it slide. Our top priority now is to get hold of Daoist Guardian's genuine birthdate."

He was still furious as he spoke. Celebrities were truly all frauds; they even falsified their birthdays told to fans. How could they live up to the support and trust from their followers? Was there anything genuine left in the entertainment industry?

Little Fatty exclaimed, "Senior Brother, are you planning to stir up more trouble? Why don't we just leave? We're not skilled enough, what if we still can't defeat him?"

Tall and Lean looked at him coldly. "Don't forget, we still have Lord Underworld Messenger. At worst, we can perform a ritual inside his temple to spirit him away. If you don't trust me, do you not trust our master?"

The Underworld Messengers of the Netherworld were the most secretive network within the Daoist cultivation community. Upon hearing this, Little Fatty fell silent. He had witnessed his master joking with these grim Messengers, who skillfully lassoed their targets with chains. As civil servants of the Netherworld, their abilities were undoubtedly formidable. If not for a divine bolt of lightning from a deity in his own temple, Daoist Kuang of Liandu Temple would have fallen victim to them.

He stammered, "So, Senior Brother, what's your plan this time? If we directly perform rituals at their temple, we'll surely be chased out before we're done."

The slender figure replied gloomily, "They're so devout in their beliefs that they established a temple in their own home... Just watch, I have a way to handle it."

******

All of the disciples looked rather haggard, mainly due to being repeatedly asked for identification whenever they checked into hotels over the past few days. Given their unique identities, they were naturally fearful upon encountering such situations and thus fled every time. Eventually, they stopped staying in reputable hotels and opted for dilapidated guesthouses that didn't require registration. After several days of this, they were utterly exhausted.

Yet, for the sake of putting on a show, the lanky man patiently groomed himself and his two junior disciples, donning the most formal Taoist robes before following Wei Tianyi and the others who had left the Wei residence to the hospital.

With an intricately polished octagonal tray in hand, he stood at the entrance of the hospital, observing the couple stepping out from the car. He didn't forget to impart wisdom to his disciples: "Do you know why our Sect of Cultivating Life was once a small, marginalized sect, but now holds a firm footing in Xin Nan? Why did our Master get chosen by our Grandmaster to inherit his legacy and expand the sect, earning the respect of so many followers?"

Chuckles escaped Little Fatty's lips. "Who doesn't know? Before joining the sect, wasn't our Master involved in some sort of pyramid scheme somewhere?"

The lanky man fell silent.

The pockmarked disciple hastily intervened, "No, no. Our Master is also very talented. I heard that he learned how to command the Ancestral Master's Yin Soldiers in just a few years after joining the sect. His spells are powerful, and he's helped many believers resolve their troubles."

Little Fatty: "Yes, but I think it mostly comes down to social skills and understanding people. Otherwise, how could one possibly maintain a good relationship with the Underworld Messengers? Even our Grandmaster lacks this ability."

The lanky man couldn't endure it any longer and interrupted, "…Shut up. It's because our Master knows how to tailor teachings to each individual! He personally told me that the methods for attracting followers must not be crude or forceful; they need to vary from person to person."

Both Little Fatty and the pockmarked face fell silent, "Huh?"

Straightening his back, the pockmarked face gazed coldly at the approaching couple in the distance, "For example, uneducated farmers who can barely read. You just need to tell them that by believing, they'll accumulate virtue and wealth, have good weather, and receive small favors. Teach them some spiritual cultivation techniques, and once they see the benefits for their health, they'll believe in us wholeheartedly. Then, for the elderly on the verge of death, if you convince them that belief can lead to a long life and a good rebirth, they'll grasp onto us like a lifeline. As for those facing troubles, whether they seek wealth or salvation, as long as we exploit their vulnerabilities, it's easy to win them over."

The pockmarked face seemed to understand and also looked at the Wei Tianyi couple, "So they belong to the category of…?"

The lanky man smiled, his refined Daoist robe enhancing his otherworldly demeanor, "They're wealthy, so naturally, they seek preservation of life. Otherwise, why would they come to the hospital together? Whether it's for treatment or check-ups, most people who come to hospitals are seeking to preserve their lives."

Indeed, many patients and their families nearby, seemingly plagued by illnesses, were secretly observing them. The pockmarked face eagerly suggested, "Should we go talk to them now?"

The lanky man glared at him, "Don't demean ourselves. Since their family chooses to worship deities at home for protection, they'll naturally notice us being here."

With his words, he immediately composed himself, adopting the air of an ascetic. In the next moment, the couple who had arrived together...

Passed right in front of them without even casting a sideways glance.

Tall and Slim: "..."

Pockmarked Face: "..."

Little Fatty: "Senior Brother, what should we do?"

Tall and Slim fell silent for a moment before saying, "Maybe there were too many people, so they didn't notice us... If the mountain won't come to me, I'll go to the mountain!"

Little Fatty was hesitant. "Won't that lower our status?"

Tall and Slim couldn't take it anymore and turned to glare at him. "What else can we do then?!"

Little Fatty: "Well, if we have to, then we will."

Wei Tianyi walked into the hospital with a cold expression, feeling like his eldest son's antics were about to make him explode on the spot. Yet, as he was walking, someone else blocked his path. He turned to see three men in Taoist robes. The sight of these symbols of superstition immediately angered him—wasn't it enough that he had one son filling their home with negativity, now he had to encounter such a special group even at the hospital?

The leader of the fraudsters approached him and said, "Sir, I see a faint aura of misfortune swirling around your brows..."

Wei Tianyi, furious, waved him away. "Scram! Don't you dare try to spook me with your tricks!"

The slender man who was pushed aside: "..."

He stared blankly at Wei Tianyi, who had briskly left with his wife as if they were avoiding ghosts after pushing him away. He thought to himself, this can't be right. He's at least a fellow believer, so why would he treat me like this?

The little fatty behind him sighed at the pockmarked face, "Ah, our senior brother's exorcism techniques aren't effective, and it seems his missionary work isn't going well either."

The slender man gritted his teeth in anger, barely holding back his rage as he whispered, "I don't think they're here for healing; it looks more like they're getting a checkup. Follow them! We'll find an opportunity!"

The little fatty fretted, "If they're not seeking treatment, how could there be any opportunities?"

The slender man sneered, "I refuse to believe that they, at their age, wouldn't have some health issues. If a problem is detected during the checkup, wouldn't that create an opportunity?"

Ironically, his words proved prophetic. As they discreetly followed Wei Tianyi and his wife, they witnessed a scene that shattered their worldview.

Wei Tianyi was no less shocked than they were. Holding the medical report, he repeatedly asked the doctor, "Is this real? My blood sugar and blood pressure have always been high, haven't they? How can these results be so normal?! I even drank alcohol at a social event yesterday!"

The doctor was equally astonished, "Yes, I'm very surprised too. I still have the previous records. But Mr. Wei, your current physical condition is excellent. Your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels are all within healthy ranges. The same goes for your wife. Both her physical and mental states are outstanding. During the last checkup, she showed signs of premature ovarian failure, indicating an early onset of menopause. However, not only has her early menopause disappeared, but her hair, which was previously thinning, is now lush and black. I'd love to ask both of you how you maintain such great health."

Wei Tianyi was stunned into silence. How could this be possible? Normally, as one reaches middle age, their health deteriorates. With his fiery temper and busy work schedule, his condition was even more pronounced. While issues like high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and liver damage weren't life-threatening, he had always been plagued by numerous minor ailments. How could they just vanish?

The doctor inquired how he managed such excellent health maintenance. He pondered deeply but could not recall any specific methods. However, a vague notion began to form in his mind.

If there were any recent changes in his lifestyle... it would have to be his eldest son's peculiar business venture at home, which involved transforming their garden into something unrecognizable. Among the strange plants that sprouted in the garden, there was an unusually named tea that visitors purchased frequently and often brewed in the yard. Occasionally, when he returned home, he was invited to sample it, finding its taste indeed extraordinary.

Yes, Shu Wanrong would also accompany guests and consume quite a bit of this tea. But this... this was just an uncommon type of tea, how could it genuinely promote longevity?

He recalled the infuriating spectacle in the garden that had caused him headaches and somehow associated it with the fact that, despite his eldest son's provocations, he hadn't fainted lately. Confused, he wondered if this could be a sign of improved health.

The slender man, who had witnessed the entire examination, was now utterly stunned. This level of perfect health seemed implausible; how was he supposed to proceed?

With envious eyes reddened by emotion, Little Fatty lamented, "How can he be so healthy... It's great. Our master has prostate issues, frequent relapses of psoriasis and corns. If not for his pre-existing poor health, he wouldn't have collapsed from a single backlash... sniff sniff..."