The Tianyun Continent spans nine states, four barbarian lands, three overseas islands, ten major countries, and hundreds of millions of people. Yet the most dazzling figures are not those with imperial power or fame but the legendary cultivators and Taoist practitioners. In these times, demons and monsters abound. People suffer frequent disasters, and even the courts of various countries are powerless to help. Only practitioners can restrain these threats. Thus, each country enshrines a group of practitioners to fight the demons and monsters that appear from time to time.
Fengwu City was part of the Ming Dynasty's territory. The Ming Dynasty occupied the entire Yunzhou area, one of the nine states, and supported many practitioners. Xuanhu Temple served as the patron saint of Fengwu City. When the owner of Fengwu City met with Taoist Master Qingfeng, he was deeply respectful and dared not show any neglect.
Wei Yun had loved martial arts since childhood, but how could human martial arts compare to the art of immortality?
Wei Xiao planned to send Wei Yun to Xuanhu Temple to learn these skills. However, he knew the temple had extremely strict requirements for accepting disciples. Each year, Xuanhu Temple accepted only one disciple, carefully selected from tens of millions of people. Autumn had already begun, and the apprenticeship ceremony was about to start. Wei Xiao wanted to seize this opportunity and have Wei Yun accepted at Xuanhu Temple.
Fengwu City and its villages had a population of millions, yet Xuanhu Temple would select only one person. Whether Wei Yun could stand out among a million people and catch Taoist Master Qingfeng's eye remained uncertain.
Still, Wei Xiao was well prepared and confident.
"Yun'er, let's go." Wei Xiao walked out of the gate and called to Wei Yun, who sat in the courtyard reading.
"All right."
Wei Yun tucked the novel "Gods, Demons, and Monsters" into his pocket and followed his father out.
Since meeting the vixen that day, Wei Yun had been carrying a copy of "Gods, Demons and Monsters" everywhere. He wanted to learn more about such creatures so he wouldn't be caught off guard if he encountered them again. The jade pendant never left his side.
Wei Yun's jade pendant served two purposes: it was both a clue for finding his biological parents and a charm to ward off evil spirits.
He had known this since childhood, but what he didn't realise was that the pendant had limits. Once its spiritual power was depleted, it would lose its protective effect.
A sturdy carriage stood at the door, where the old servant Fuber waited.
Father and son climbed into the carriage. Wei Yun said goodbye to his adoptive mother, You, at the door. Then Fuber cracked his whip, the horse's hooves struck the ground, and they headed towards the edge of the city.
Wei Yun sat in the carriage. The buildings in the city flashed past the window. His adoptive father's instructions reached his ears, but his mind was elsewhere, thinking about his encounter with the vixen that day. He had been truly shocked. Fortunately, there was no real danger, and he had even enjoyed himself. After some fun, his body had now recovered... It was just a pity about Brother He!
Before he realised it, the carriage stopped. They had arrived at Xuanhu Temple.
Wei Xiao gave a few instructions, and Wei Yun followed his father out of the carriage and into the Taoist temple.
A large square stretched before the Taoist temple, already overcrowded. It was full of people from Fengwu City and the surrounding areas. They had brought their children to become apprentices. Unfortunately, the notice posted by Taoist Master Qingfeng made it very clear: only one person would be accepted!
Amidst the sound of firecrackers, Wei Yun entered the main hall. A tall golden statue of a Taoist priest stood in the centre, incense smoke filling the air. Many believers were burning incense and worshipping.
For some reason, Wei Yun felt slightly dizzy when he saw the statue.
Wei Xiao held a small cloth bag in his hand. He pulled Wei Yun forward to offer incense and worship the statue. Then they entered the apse, Taoist Master Qingfeng's residence. No one else was allowed inside, but Wei Xiao was a frequent visitor, so an exception was made.
In the apse, they found Taoist Master Qingfeng. Dressed in black Taoist robes, he had an otherworldly presence. Though over fifty years old, he looked remarkably vigorous, no older than forty.
Taoist Master Qingfeng was instructing his disciples. When he saw Wei Xiao and his son, he brushed his hands on his robe, walked over to greet them, and said calmly, "It turns out to be Brother Wei. I wonder what brings Brother Wei here this time?"
Wei Xiao replied hurriedly, "Thank you, Taoist Master, for your help last time. I heard that you were accepting disciples again. My son is quite devoted to cultivation, so I brought him to try his luck. If he's chosen, excellent. If not, there's always next year."
Taoist Master Qingfeng glanced at Wei Yun and smiled slightly. "Nephew Yun wishes to enter the Tao? That is a wonderful thing. When I look at Nephew Yun, his qualities are excellent in all aspects. His prospects are great. There are three tests ahead. Be sure to do your best."
Wei Xiao smiled and nudged Wei Yun forward.
Wei Yun quickly knelt down and called out, "Since my uncle has ordered it, I will give my all."
Taoist Master Qingfeng smiled politely. As he was about to see them off, Wei Xiao suddenly pressed the cloth bag into his hand and said softly, "A small token—please don't refuse it, Taoist Master."
Taoist Master Qingfeng didn't take it. He frowned slightly. "Brother Wei, what is the meaning of this?"
Wei Xiao replied, "A few days ago, I travelled to the Ming capital to purchase goods. I happened upon a down-and-out Taoist selling this item. Though I had no need for it myself, I thought the Taoist Master might find it useful, so I bought it." He opened the cloth bag.
When Taoist Master Qingfeng saw what lay inside, he was slightly startled. "Is this actually—?" His heart skipped a beat. Inside the bag were several spell-like objects, yellow in colour and octagonal in shape, with mysterious patterns etched upon them. Ordinary people couldn't discern their nature, but from his perspective, he could see a faint yellow glow emanating from them.
Mortals may not recognise it, but Taoist Master Qingfeng, as master of Xuanhu Temple, knows exactly what this is: talisman money, commonly used in the cultivation world.
In Tianyun Continent, the gold and silver used by mortals holds little value for true practitioners. At most, it serves as auxiliary material for refining weapons. Among practitioners, talisman money is the standard currency, an ancient tradition handed down through generations. Only the three religions and seven sects possess the ability and authority to create it. Making talisman money requires both cultivation and secret techniques. The process is as complex as forging a magical weapon, far beyond the reach of ordinary practitioners.
Talisman money is divided into six grades, corresponding to cultivation realms. First grade is the lowest.