Leaving the backyard, he came to the Hall of the Three Pure Ones.
Before he started cleaning, he must first worship the ancestral master.
First, he cleared the spider webs around the base of the wall, then swept away the dust, and finally lit an incense.
"Today, as the disciple who is taking over the responsibility of the Qingping temple, I ask for the blessing of the ancestral master," he said.
Xuanqing lit an incicant and then kowtowed in front of the Three Pure Ones statue.
Interestingly, many people often confuse 'kowtow and salute.'
Kowtowing is a form of kneeling worship, and moreover, it is the highest of the 'nine bows'. When one kneels and bends down to the ground, the forehead must touch the ground, and one must pause for a moment before continuing to the next bow.
After completing the ritual.
Next, it was time for the grand cleaning of the entire Taoist temple.
Of course.
Before that, he had to go to town to buy some daily necessities.
...
A week passed.
From the front yard to the back, from the side hall to the guest room, the entire Taoist temple was entirely renovated thanks to Xuanqing's efforts.
During this time, he cleaned, disinfected the well, repaired the roof, checked electrical lines, replaced light bulbs, and bought a new small diesel generator.
Notably.
He also took the time to go to the county to set up an internet connection at the business hall. Originally, they refused to set up the internet, but after the Provincial Religious Affairs Bureau made a call to the county, it was finally sorted out.
These days, even setting up an internet connection needs connections, tsk tsk~
"Huff!"
"I can finally rest!" Xuanqing leaned on the wooden bed and wiped the sweat off his forehead.
A week of intense work left him with a sore back and waist, and an aching body.
Xuanqing took out his phone.
He opened a chat group in his WeChat called 'Immortal Cultivation and Everlasting Youth Group.'
There were not many group members. Including Xuanqing, there were only twelve people in total - all of them newly graduated Daoists who had become monastery masters right after their graduation.
"Sigh, this place is so remote. There's not even a bird here."
"Daoist Friends, I must have had the worst luck in my eight previous lives. There isn't even running water in this deserted place."
"Same here, look at the photos I am sending...jpg"
"Regret, should have waited longer for more options."
"Immeasurable Longevity and Fortune, +1"
...
Looking at the date, these messages were sent seven days ago.
Clearly, the remoteness of the assigned Taoist temples exceeded everyone's expectations, and they all complained in the group chat.
Going further back.
The 'new Temple Masters' started sharing their labor achievements, like before and after cleaning photos.
Looking at these messages.
Xuanqing's mouth curled up slightly, then he took a few photos and typed in the input bar, "Although the place is somewhat remote, it's also a good place for cultivation."
Just as he was about to press send and share his accomplishments with his Daoist friends.
Suddenly.
Ding~
The mobile screen began to disobey him.
A bright red pop-up box emerged.
[The Immortal Cultivation Game has begun. Would you like to choose a faction?]
???
Xuanqing was slightly stunned.
As an ascetic Taoist, he had not browsed any unusual websites, nor had he installed any risky software. So, why would his phone be infected with a virus?
He carefully searched the screen but could not find any 'cancel' signs.
Closing the screen had no effect....even the power button was not working!
"Hm.. this is odd."
Looking at the two options 'Yes? No?' on his mobile screen.
Xuanqing was silent for a moment.
He casually pressed 'No', but there was still no reaction.
Eventually.
Xuanqing, left with no choice, reluctantly clicked 'Yes'
Goodness, the moment he clicked, the phone immediately responded.
Turns out, these so-called 'Yes' or 'No' options, in reality, only have 'Yes' as the only option.
Swipe~
A dazzling light flashes across the screen, then splits into two. Half of the screen displays a Taoist figure, while the other half shows a bald monk.
Without a doubt.
Being a newly graduated Taoist, of course, he would choose the Taoist camp.
Xuanqing decisively tapped the Taoist figure, curious to see what shenanigans this phone had gotten into, that even switching it off didn't work.
He selected the 'Taoist' icon.
[Please enter the game name!]
"Xuanqing!"
After entering the name.
The next moment.
After a moment of dizziness, he faints outright.
.....
When Xuanqing comes to.
He finds himself in an unfamiliar place.
The amazing thing is, he merely took a breath and instantly felt a refreshing feeling engulfing his heart, as if coming from the depths of his soul.
"Where is this?"
Xuanqing looks somewhat confused.
Something's off... He had just contracted a game virus on his phone, was forced to click randomly on the screen, and then he seemed to have passed out. Upon waking, he found himself here.
Sizing up his surroundings.
This moment.
Xuanqing realizes he's at the foot of a huge mountain range.
It's just.. The mountain range is a little odd.
The whole mountain body is completely bare, except for the soil and rocks, surprisingly no vegetation grows.
Its peak is fork-shaped, even divided into four prongs, vaguely resembling five fingers.
At this moment.
A mechanical prompt resounds in his mind.
[Welcome to the Immortal Cultivation World, please refer to the manual for detailed information. Do you want to activate the tutorial for newcomers?]
"Game... Could it be... Did I enter the game world?" Xuanqing is stunned.
[Does the player want to activate the tutorial for newcomers?]
The prompt in his mind continues to repeat mechanically.
Xuanqing steadies himself and tentatively says 'Activate'
A projection screen appears out of the blue in his mind, detailing the various features of this Immortal Cultivation Game.
[The player can enter the game using willpower.]
[Upon character death, the backpack equipment would not be dropped, can resurrect on the spot, return to the city and resurrect, or random resurrection (recharge required).]
[Can use the AFK option when exiting the game (recharge required).]
"If this truly is a game, then isn't this game world environment too realistic?" Xuanqing is internally shocked.
....
Time slowly passes.
Half an hour goes by unconsciously.
Just as Xuanqing was focusing on exploring the game.
He did not notice that every time he breathes, some mysterious energy from the surrounding space, would enter his body along with his breath.
Finally.
Hum~
A cool sensation comes from his lower abdomen.
"Eh.. What is this?"
Xuanqing then comes to his senses and then focuses his attention on his Dantian in his lower abdomen.
He feels as if an indescribable gas appeared in his Dantian and, as long as he concentrates, he can control its movement along with his mind.
Suddenly.
"Could this be Qi Introduction?" Xuanqing widens his eyes, inhales a deep breath.
Just when he first entered the Taoist Academy, the first lesson was 'Qi Introduction'. This was a special kind of breathing technique, rumoured to absorb the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth.
At the beginning, they were extremely excited, but no matter how much they practiced, at most they would find some tranquillity and feel more energized.
As time passed, they had never heard of anyone actually cultivating the so-called 'Qi', hence they stopped believing it.