Chapter 235: Chapter 234: Preparing for a Saintly Manifestation

"I understand. Fortunately, we can still appeal. There’s no use rushing this. I’ll think about it. Wait for my word." Taoist Ming Yu told Taoist Zhi Qing before hanging up.

Although Taoist Ming Yu hadn’t put the call on speaker, everyone’s cultivation was so profound that they heard his entire conversation with Taoist Zhi Qing.

"Changyi is inexperienced. I’m afraid I’ve made a fool of myself in front of you all." Taoist Ming Yu shook his head.

Taoist Shen Hao comforted him, "Don’t say that. Changyi helped his classmate exorcise a demon, and he didn’t make wild accusations without evidence. It shows he has a righteous heart, a clear mind, and a kind character. He’s a rare and outstanding young man."

"Exactly. We were all young once." Taoist Yan Song added with a comforting smile. "With a successor like him, you should be secretly pleased."

Taoist Ming Yu sighed with emotion. "It’s a good thing we have the Sect Leader. Otherwise, this whole affair with Changyi would be quite a mess."

The Celestial Master’s Mansion was not to be trifled with. There weren’t many Daoists in the country who had cultivated Inner Breath True Qi, and the Celestial Master’s Mansion was the leader of the Southern Taoist Sect. If they asked the authorities to intervene, Changyi would most likely be fine, but it would certainly come at a steep price.

"What do you intend to do, Senior Brother?" Taoist Yi Hong asked.

"I’ll finish up my business tomorrow first. If push comes to shove, I’ll make a trip to Huaqi Country myself," Taoist Ming Yu said, waving a hand dismissively.

’This might have been a hassle in the past, but not anymore.’ He just needed to find Eric. Whether he summoned a Celestial Warrior or cast a single Palm Thunder, it would be more than enough to make the man yield.

The other old Daoists all chuckled at his words, their worries completely gone.

Taoist Yi Hong, however, gave it some thought before turning to Gu Zhao. "Sect Leader, what are your thoughts on this?"

Gu Zhao blinked. "What do I think?"

Taoist Shen Hao’s white eyebrows shot up as he understood Taoist Yi Hong’s implication. "What Brother Yi Hong means is, should we use this opportunity to make a statement?"

Gu Zhao’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Storm Huaqi Country? A public display of our powers?"

Taoist Yi Hong stroked his beard, pondering. "But that would mean willingly exposing ourselves. Those with ulterior motives would come knocking."

"So what if we’re exposed? What can they do about it?" Taoist Jing Feng let out a strange laugh. "Anyone who comes looking for us isn’t an innocent we’re slaughtering. They’re just asking to die."

Members of the Taoist Sect cultivated both the Dao and the heart, so indiscriminately killing the innocent was forbidden. However, they wouldn’t take abuse lying down either. If some clueless mortal crossed them, whether they administered a light punishment or annihilated both body and soul, their Dao Heart would remain untarnished.

Taoist Shen Hao’s white brows knitted together. He added, "But if we make a public display of our powers, even if few people believe it, the impact would likely be significant. It might even spark a cultivation craze back home."

Taoist Yan Song chuckled. "That’s not a big deal. We’re going to be exposed sooner or later anyway, so it doesn’t matter if it’s a little early. Besides, the internet is already full of all kinds of weird, supernatural-looking videos. Once we reveal ourselves, they can stop holding their breath."

Taoist Shen Hao asked, perplexed, "Why is it inevitable that we’ll be exposed?"

Gu Zhao explained, "Because as we accumulate more and more Thunder Seeds, we’ll eventually be able to bring all the Daoists in the country who’ve cultivated Inner Breath True Qi with us. But our country’s population is massive. There are surely many other talented people who have never even started cultivating."

Taoist Shen Hao understood. "So we need new recruits. If a public display of power can attract talented people to the path of cultivation, it would actually be a good thing for us."

Taoist Yan Song nodded. "Precisely. Anyone who can cultivate True Qi where the Spiritual Qi is so thin must be exceptionally talented. And with the Thunder Seed to vet their character, we’ll have nothing to worry about."

Taoist Qingyuan voiced his concern. "But there are downsides to exposure. What if these people have no morals? Couldn’t they target our friends and family?"

Taoist Yi Hong’s eyes narrowed, a flash of Evil Qi glinting within them. "Then we’ll just have to see if they have the nerve."

Taoist Yan Song laughed. "Brother Qingyuan, you’re worrying too much. They may be evil, but they certainly aren’t stupid. Besides, our friends and family all have Golden Gang Bracelets for protection. A true idiot wouldn’t be able to hurt them anyway."

Taoist Qingyuan nodded in understanding.

Taoist Shen Hao turned to Taoist Ming Yu. "You have a meeting to attend tomorrow morning. Will twenty-four hours be enough time?"

Taoist Ming Yu nodded and quipped, "I’ll probably even have time to make it back for breakfast."

Everyone burst into laughter.

"Let me find out where Changyi is being held and where his parents are staying." Taoist Ming Yu picked up his phone again and called Taoist Zhi Qing.

"Martial Uncle?" Taoist Zhi Qing sounded surprised. ’Why is he calling back so soon?’

"Where is Changyi being held, and where are his parents?" Taoist Ming Yu asked directly.

"Changyi is being held at the Berkeley City Prison, California. Younger Brother Wang and his wife found a hotel in Berkeley."

"The specific location."

"Um... the Abek Hotel, on Seventeenth Street in Berkeley."

Gu Zhao opened the map on his phone, found both locations, and saved them with a star.

"Do you know the details on Eric’s family?" Taoist Ming Yu asked.

"I do," Taoist Zhi Qing confirmed. "Younger Brother Wang told me all about it. Eric’s full name is Eric Calvin.

"The Calvin Clan is one of the largest landowners in Northern California. Besides a food conglomerate, their main assets are in pharmaceuticals and biotech, under the name Calvin Biotechnology Group. On top of that, they have the usual foundations and investment firms."

Taoist Ming Yu snorted. "Quite an influential family. No wonder they had the gall to frame Changyi."

"That’s why the lawyer said the situation looks grim!" Taoist Zhi Qing said gravely. "Younger Brother Wang even suggested just giving in to Eric’s demands and then finding a chance to flee the country."

"Absolutely not!" Taoist Ming Yu snapped. "We cultivate the Dao and the heart. If Changyi accepts responsibility for this, he can forget about ever advancing his cultivation again."

’That’s why I didn’t agree,’ Taoist Zhi Qing had thought the same. ’I told him you were still working on a solution, and that if worst came to worst, we’d have the Taoist Association intervene. I assured him Changyi would be fine.’

"Of course Changyi will be fine." A faint smile touched Taoist Ming Yu’s lips as he said calmly, "I’m heading to Huaqi Country right now to bring Changyi and his parents back with me."

"What?" Taoist Zhi Qing was stunned.

He knew what Gu Zhao and Taoist Ming Yu were capable of. He’d personally seen Taoist Ming Yu demonstrate the Golden Light Divine Curse and had later witnessed the power of the Golden Gang Bracelet. He knew exactly how formidable Taoist Ming Yu was.

Although he still felt a sense of unease, he didn’t dare object now that Taoist Ming Yu had made up his mind. He simply asked, "Should I book a flight to San Francisco for you?"

"No need," Taoist Ming Yu refused again. "How could I make a statement by just taking a plane?"

Taoist Zhi Qing didn’t understand. "A statement?"

But Taoist Ming Yu had no intention of explaining. He just said, "Do you have the files on Eric and the Calvin Clan? If not, have Changyi’s lawyer send them to you, and then forward them to me."

"Alright!" Taoist Zhi Qing agreed.

"Quickly. I need it now." Taoist Ming Yu hung up and looked up at the others. "It’s a small matter. I can handle it on my own."

At this, Taoist Ming Yu smiled. "Trying to stay hidden might actually be the harder part. Making a statement? That’s just too easy."

The other old Daoists had no objections. They had worked together to take down the White Bone God Monarch, a being with over a thousand years of Dao Practice. If it took several of them to deal with a mere mortal family, they would be giving the family far too much credit.

"I’ll go with Martial Uncle," Gu Zhao said with a smile. "I can provide support. If we really need more hands, I can summon people from Daluo Palace."

Taoist Yan Song laughed heartily. "Excellent! In that case, we’ll head back to Daluo Palace and await your news."

Just then, Taoist Ming Yu’s phone buzzed. Taoist Zhi Qing had sent over all the files.

Gu Zhao rose to his feet. "Then let’s be on our way."