Chapter 239: Chapter 238: Taoist Cultural Exchange Support Office

"This is delicious! This is delicious too!"

"You’re all just starving. Eat slowly."

Early morning, Yangcheng. A dim sum restaurant.

After washing up and changing into fresh clothes, Changyi and the Wang Dehai couple were brought by Gu Zhao to a dim sum restaurant not far from the Taoist Research Institute.

Changyi hadn’t eaten well in prison, and the Wang Dehai couple had lost their appetites. But now they could finally relax, and the three of them began to devour their food. Whether it was crab roe buns, shrimp dumplings, or siu mai, they polished them off in one bite. Even Changyi’s mother, despite her slightly more elegant movements, ate just as quickly.

Just before Gu Zhao had caught up with them, Taoist Ming Yu had already given them a warning. They were not to ask questions they shouldn’t ask. All they needed to know was that they had powerful backing, but they had to be careful of schemes from across the ocean in the future.

He also gave each of them a Golden Gang Bracelet for their health and protection.

Therefore, Changyi and the Wang Dehai couple didn’t ask about Gu Zhao’s background. They simply expressed their gratitude by toasting him with tea instead of wine. Changyi, seeing how young Gu Zhao was, even started chatting about his experiences in Huaqi Country.

"Those blonde babes are so open. I just treated them for irregular menstruation, and they were willing to sleep with me!"

"Just kidding! Of course, I refused!"

"People over there really love to throw parties. I’m not even talking about the rich; the poor can get hyped up with just some beer and a barbecue because their daily lives are pretty tough."

"Sounds like they’re pretty similar to black dudes, huh?"

"Hahaha, now that you mention it, that’s true," Changyi said, eating another fried spring roll. "But the rich people over there live really extravagantly, way more than they do here."

"Take that Eric, for example..."

As they were talking, they saw several cars pull up and stop at the entrance of the Taoist Research Institute. A few people got out and glanced in their direction.

Gu Zhao took out his phone and checked the time. "They’re half an hour early."

"That’s as it should be." Taoist Ming Yu stood up. "Are you sure you’re not participating?"

Gu Zhao waved his hand. "I need to maintain my mystique."

Taoist Ming Yu couldn’t help but chuckle. He then started walking over. "Senior Brother Yi Hong should already be waiting inside. I’ll go over and show them in."

Gu Zhao nodded and continued chatting with Changyi.

...

Meanwhile, seeing Taoist Ming Yu stroll over, the elderly man in the lead first glanced at Gu Zhao, then let his gaze sweep over Changyi and his parents. Only then did he form a Meridian Technique hand seal and bow. "Greetings, Taoist Ming Yu."

Taoist Ming Yu retracted the hand he had halfway extended and clasped his hands in return. "Hello. Please!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the main gate of the Taoist Research Institute swung open, and Taoist Yi Hong appeared at the entrance. "You can drive the cars in."

"There’s no need to trouble you," the old man said with a smile. "Cars are noisy. It would be disrespectful to disturb an immortal’s residence."

Taoist Yi Hong and Taoist Ming Yu shared a smile.

The two old Daoists led the way. The elderly man told his driver to wait in the car and followed with only four people.

The small courtyard was serene, with lush trees providing shade. They weren’t sure if it was just a psychological effect, but the moment they stepped through the gate, they felt they could breathe a little more easily.

The two old Daoists led the five people to a side room in the back courtyard. It was simply furnished to serve as a temporary meeting room.

The two parties sat down, host and guest. The elderly man was the first to introduce himself. "Greetings to you both, Daoists. My name is Zheng Hongsheng. I currently hold the humble position of Director of the Taoist Cultural Exchange Support Office."

"The Taoist Cultural Exchange Support Office?" Taoist Yi Hong was slightly taken aback. He was also a member of the Taoist Association, but he had never heard of this office!

Zheng Hongsheng smiled faintly. "It’s a department that was officially established three days ago."

Taoist Ming Yu couldn’t help but chuckle. This department was obviously newly created just for them.

Taoist Yi Hong understood as well and nodded with a smile. "I see."

Since it was their first meeting, they didn’t rush into business. After the other few people introduced themselves, they all made small talk to build some rapport.

They were all sensible people, so there was no need to beat around the bush. Zheng Hongsheng looked at Taoist Ming Yu. "I saw Wang Changyi outside just now. Might I ask which Daoists were the ones who took action in Berkeley yesterday?"

Taoist Ming Yu smiled. "It was just me. Gu Zhao accompanied me, but he didn’t make a move."

Chen Yao, the older man sitting beside Zheng Hongsheng, interjected curiously, "But there were many people in the video."

"What you saw was probably this." Taoist Ming Yu reached into his sleeve and pulled out two paper figures. With a casual toss, the two figures flew to the side and transformed into two Celestial Warriors.

They were clad in armor, holding sabers and swords, with imposing features—majestic and powerful.

The visitors were completely stunned.

Chen Yao cried out, "What is this?"

Zheng Hongsheng swallowed hard, suppressing his shock. "Scattering Beans into Soldiers?"

"Something like that. These are Celestial Warriors formed from Magical Power and Incense and Candle Telekinesis," Taoist Ming Yu explained casually. "It comes from the *Supreme Zhengyi Alliance Authority Reading Talisman*. You can find it in the Daoist Canon."

Everyone was speechless.

Such a miraculous Magic was actually in the Daoist Canon, which is publicly available online?

"The Daoist Canon mostly contains summaries and theories. The most detailed Cultivation Techniques aren’t in there. Even if they are, they’re mixed with personal, misleading additions. Trying to successfully practice based on that is next to impossible," Taoist Ming Yu added.

Otherwise, if Gu Zhao wanted the Vajra Profound Talisman, he could have just gone online instead of needing to visit the Celestial Master’s Mansion.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. That was a relief.

Although Zheng Hongsheng really wanted to follow up on what Taoist Ming Yu said and ask about the other world, he ultimately gave up on the idea. Instead, he brought up another Magic. "The technique that struck Calvin Mansion... was that the legendary Five Thunders Technique?"

Taoist Ming Yu smiled. "Yes. It’s called the Five Directions Yang Thunder Spell. It’s still a ways off from merging the Five Thunders into one, but it was more than enough for the job."

More than enough? It was terrifying, okay!

At this moment, Chen Yao was still observing the two Celestial Warriors standing to the side. "Why aren’t they shining with golden light like in the video?"

"That’s the Golden Light Curse. I haven’t had them cast it." Taoist Ming Yu formed a hand seal and quickly recited a Spell. A faint golden light then began to emanate from the two Celestial Warriors.

Everyone stared in wide-eyed wonder.

"The Golden Light Curse... is that the same Golden Light Curse from the Eight Great Taoist Spells?" another middle-aged man asked.

"The very one. It can aid Cultivation, exorcise evil, and provide a Protective Body." Taoist Ming Yu nodded, then added after a moment of thought, "Hm, you could consider it an active and enhanced version of the Golden Gang Bracelet."

Several of the men were busy processing what Taoist Ming Yu had said, while the youngest one was scribbling down notes furiously.

The middle-aged man’s worldview seemed to be shattering. "So you mean everything the scriptures in the Daoist Canon say... is actually real?"

Taoist Yi Hong consoled him, "There’s truth and falsehood. It contains true scriptures recorded by highly accomplished Daoists, but also works added by later generations just to fill space. Not all of it is necessarily true."

Taoist Ming Yu smiled and pointed at Taoist Yi Hong. "And it’s not limited to the Daoist Canon. Senior Brother Yi Hong here practices the *Qi Body Origin Flow* and the *Eight Vajra Skills*, which were compiled by Taoist Zhang. His Magical Power is immense, and his Dao Practice is profound."

"The Eight Vajra Skills? I’m practicing that too!" another middle-aged man said, his eyes wide as he spoke his mind. "How come I can’t get any results?"