Taihu Lake, stretching over eight hundred miles, is teeming with fish and shrimp. In recent years, due to the vigorous development by the tourism department, this lake, which has nurtured countless generations, has become a tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors each year. Around Taihu Lake and on some larger islands, once obscure temples and Daoist temples have come to life, their incense offerings rivaling even those of larger establishments. However, many people are unaware that on a small island in the middle of the lake, there is a Daoist temple named 'Jade Void Temple.' Compared to the increasingly magnificent temples nearby, bustling with tourists and income, this one feels like it's from another world.
The dilapidated entrance, the crooked sign, the weathered bricks and tiles eroded by rain and wind, and the partially collapsed walls—all create an image of decay. If one were to liken it to a person at different stages of life, Jade Void Temple would be an old man, flickering like a dying candle.
Creak! The door of the Daoist temple opened just a crack. A listless Husky squeezed through the gap, looked up at the sun, yawned, and lazily lay down on the ground.
"Ai…" A long sigh echoed from within the temple, filled with ennui and helplessness. The Husky glanced back, got up, shook itself off, and disdainfully walked away.
"Ai…" Another long sigh followed.
Cao Yi, dressed in a blue Daoist robe and wearing a Zhuangzi cap, stepped out lightly, his face clouded with worry. Four months ago, feeling unfulfilled in his work and with no attachments, he learned that the largest Daoist temple in Suzhou, the Mysterious Temple, was hiring, offering a decent salary. He signed up, confident in his knowledge of Daoist texts and good academic credentials. He was smoothly selected but somehow ended up as a disciple under Cheng Yanqing Daoist Priest.
A month ago, Cheng Yanqing Daoist Priest fell ill and ascended to immortality. As the only disciple, Cao Yi naturally inherited this humble temple.
Inheriting a Daoist temple should be considered fortunate, but it was too desolate here—day in and day out, there wasn't a single person to talk to.
"Believe it if you want, leave if you don't. Don't delay my ascension. Haha, in such a remote place, even if someone wanted to delay me, it would be impossible." Cao Yi looked up at the sky, a hint of bitterness at the corner of his mouth.
Suddenly, something hard slipped from his pocket, making a crisp sound.
The Transmission Certificate fell! The Transmission Certificate is a sign that a disciple of the Zhengyi Sect has formally entered the Daoist practice, equivalent to a student ID.
Cao Yi bent down to pick it up, glancing at his Dao Name on it, Cao Jinhong, with an odd expression.
The greatest advantage of being a disciple of Cheng Yanqing Daoist Priest was the high status—Mysterious Temple's abbot belonged to the 'golden generation.' Remembering how, just a few days ago, at Mysterious Temple, a group of middle-aged Daoists surrounded him, calling him "Shishu" (uncle), Cao Yi couldn't help but smile.
He closed the brand-new Transmission Certificate and rubbed it a few times, recalling the conversation he had with his master months ago.
"Master, what did you say? I'm of the golden generation!"
"Zhongzheng Yan Jinke, I'm of the 'Yan' generation, so you're certainly of the golden generation."
"I remember the abbot of Mysterious Temple also has a 'Jin' in his Dao Name."
"Yuan Jin Sheng, you all belong to the current generation."
"What's my Dao Name?"
"I've thought it out long ago: Cao Jinhong. Not bad, right?"
"Not bad. What about the Dao Title?"
"Dao Title is whatever you want!"
"Dao Title can be whatever?"
"It's always been casual, and you can have as many as you want."
"How about Yujingzi?"
"You really know how to pick; that's the Dao Title of the 14th generation leader of the Wudang Xuanwu Sect, You Xuande Daoist Priest. Change it."
"What about Qingweizi?"
"Are you doing this on purpose? That's the Dao Title of the 14th generation leader of the Wudang Sanfeng Sect, Zhong Yunlong Daoist Priest."
"..."
"Naming a Dao Title is such a hassle; let's just call you Xuanxin."
"Uh, okay. Should I refer to myself as Xuanxin or Cao Jinhong in the future?"
*Cough cough* "Silly disciple, of course, it's Cao Jinhong. Who calls themselves by their Dao Title? Dao Title is what others call you."
"Uh, I made a fool of myself."
"You can use your own name privately; after all, it's just the three of us."
"Three?"
"There's also Howlingsky."
"Oh, that Husky!"
"Is there anything else?"
"Am I considered a Daoist now?"
"Do you have a Daoist Certificate issued by the state? Have you been authorized? How dare you call yourself a Daoist?"
"Uh, how long will that take?"
"Take your time. Sigh, how did I end up with a disciple who knows nothing!"
"..."
"Even the temple is mine, and I'm not even a Daoist!"
Cao Yi tucked the Transmission Certificate into his pocket and chuckled softly.
Suddenly, a thunderous boom shook the air!
"Uh, a bolt from the blue?"
Cao Yi looked up, surprised at the clear blue sky.
Suddenly, an unreasonable gust of wind blew in from the east, and the lake, once more tranquil than a maiden, erupted into turmoil, with muddy waves crashing violently against the shore, as if to overturn the small island.
The sky quickly darkened, followed by a blinding flash of white light, and the air was filled with the thunderous sound of explosions, ringing in Cao Yi's ears.
"Hiss, this is intense! I'd better get inside," Cao Yi frowned and turned to head back. He had only taken a few steps when he heard barking. Turning around, he saw Howlingsky, his master's dog, sprinting toward him in a panic. In its haste, it tripped and rolled over several times before getting back on its feet and barking aimlessly at the sky, then continuing its frantic dash toward the Daoist temple.
What a troublesome dog! Cao Yi shook his head in resignation and quickly entered the Daoist temple, crossing the courtyard to the main hall that housed the statues of the Three Pure Ones. He shut the door behind him.
"Ding! Congratulations, host, you have obtained the Daoist Sect Fortune System," a voice, devoid of emotion, echoed amidst the rumbling thunder.
Is someone talking?
Cao Yi stood frozen for a moment, then with suspicion, he opened the door a crack and squinted outside. All he could see was the deafening thunder and swirling dust kicked up by the strong winds—nothing else.
Did I mishear?
Cao Yi murmured to himself, closing the door again and turning around.
"Daoist Sect Fortune System"
"Host: Cao Yi"
"Identity: Abbot of Jade Void Temple"
"Realm: Mortal"
"Cultivation Technique: None"
Several lines of golden text appeared in midair, lingering for a few seconds before vanishing.
What the?!
The Daoist Sect Fortune System! It's real!
Cao Yi's breathing quickened, his muscles tensed, and his heart raced. It wasn't that he lacked ambition; it was just that something straight out of a novel had manifested in reality, challenging his perception of the world.
Thank goodness he didn't have a heart condition, or he might have collapsed right then and there.
Wait, the system is called the Daoist Sect Fortune System—could it be a gift from the Daoist Ancestor?
Cao Yi straightened up, his expression serious as he tidied his Daoist robe, and bowed before the statue of the Three Pure Ones.
As he bent halfway down, he suddenly snapped to attention!
In the Daoist tradition, one venerates the ancestors and values tranquility and non-action. How could a system with such a strong purpose exist?
At that moment, a message flooded into Cao Yi's mind. After a brief moment, understanding dawned on him.
The Daoist Sect Fortune System was a primordial artifact of fortune, possessing the power to seize the creations of heaven and earth. It had traveled through countless worlds, witnessing the rise and fall of civilizations.
It had suffered damage for reasons unknown, enduring numerous perils before finally descending into this world of dwindling magic. It absorbed technological information from Earth, forming its own system. Since Cao Yi was the first to encounter it, it aligned itself with his wish to rejuvenate the Daoist sect and became the Daoist Sect Fortune System.
"Ding! System functions are as follows:"
"A talisman to change the weather, summon winds and fog, pray for clear skies or rain."
Cao Yi stood up straight, his heart racing.
"Divination and fortune-telling, uncovering secrets of the heavens, seeking good fortune and avoiding calamity, altering fate."
Cao Yi's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Great magical arts, commanding the cosmos, reversing yin and yang, moving stars and changing constellations."
Cao Yi gasped for breath, overwhelmed by the possibilities.
…
Finally,
"I and the Dao are one, with no Dao, no self. The only truth transcends time and space. Boundless and infinite, eternal in an instant."
Cao Yi fell into a daze, captivated by the profound implications of the words.