Chapter 44: Single-Handedly Fighting the Celestial Master Mansion

Unlike the Quanzhen Sect, the Celestial Masters' Mansion does not require its members to become fully ordained monastics who leave their families behind.

Therefore, their daily diet focuses on Daoist principles of longevity and wellness, favoring lighter meals. However, nobody makes a fuss if someone occasionally partakes in meat.

Yet, not being strictly ordained monastics does not mean they can eat whatever they want without restraint.

Upholding traditional Daoist culture, the Celestial Masters' Mansion has long observed the rule of the "Four Taboos," which strictly forbids the consumption of beef, dog meat, cuttlefish (blackfish), and wild geese.

The ox symbolizes "loyalty." Because of its tireless dedication in labor and its contribution to the welfare of all living beings, it must not be eaten.

The cuttlefish symbolizes "filial piety." Legend has it that young cuttlefish willingly swim into their mother's mouth to nourish her when she is weak, so it must not be eaten.

The wild goose symbolizes "fidelity." Because geese are steadfastly loyal throughout their lives and never take another mate if they lose their original one, they must not be eaten.

The dog symbolizes "righteousness." Because of its faithful devotion to guarding its master and its lack of disdain for a poor household, it must not be eaten.

As for the legendary "Celestial Master Bagua Feast," it is held only on the most solemn and grand occasions. Naturally, Zhao Zhen was still far from having the qualifications for that at the moment.

After enjoying a meal of vegetarian dishes with the members of the Celestial Masters' Mansion, Zhao Zhen found that although the flavors were somewhat light, when in Rome, do as the Romans do—partaking in Daoist vegetarian fare every once in a while had a distinct and pleasant charm of its own.

During the meal, the senior and junior brothers of the Celestial Masters' Mansion naturally brought up what Zhao Zhen had anticipated: a request for a friendly sparring match after dinner.

To this, Zhao Zhen naturally raised no objection.

Following a relatively harmonious dinner, Zhao Zhen was led by the members of the Celestial Masters' Mansion to the sect's practice ground.

This had always been the designated training area for the disciples after their morning classes. The space was extremely vast, and Zhang Zhiwei also usually chose this location when teaching arts on behalf of his master.

"Jinzhong, don't say I didn't warn you guys. Old Zhao's strength is by no means weak, so you'd better watch yourselves."

Zhang Zhiwei crossed his arms, wearing the expression of a spectator waiting for a good show as he picked the optimal viewing spot.

It was evident that the large boulder was an old partner of his; otherwise, he wouldn't have sat down upon it cross-legged with such practiced ease.

"Senior Brother, look at what you're saying. Benefactor Zhao is capable of tossing you all the way up into the sky—how could we possibly still dare to underestimate him?"

Tian Jinzhong laughed heartily and was the first to step forward.

"Since everyone is feeling a bit hesitant, I might as well go first and set the stage."

"Little Tian, can you even handle this? Should I take your place instead?"

"Senior Brother Liu, you can't do that! I've already stepped up here, so no matter what, you have to wait until I finish my match!"

"Fine, fine, fine. You go first, you go first."

After pushing back the fellow disciples who had attempted to jump the queue, Tian Jinzhong turned his gaze toward Zhao Zhen ahead.

"Benefactor Zhao, I am ready. Shall we begin?"

"Then I must ask Daoist Tian for your instruction."

Zhao Zhen smiled faintly, extending his palm toward Tian Jinzhong in a gesture inviting him to make the first move.

"Mysterious root of heaven and earth, foundation of all vital energy..."

Hum~

Accompanied by the silent recitation of the Golden Light Incantation in Tian Jinzhong's mind, successive waves of golden radiance surged from his body.

Although Tian Jinzhong's mastery of the Golden Light Incantation was considered outstanding among his peers, compared to the manifestation displayed by Zhang Zhiwei at the Lu family's birthday banquet, it fell vastly short in both quality and quantity.

It was akin to encountering a boss character right at the start of the game. Now, looking at these disciples of the Celestial Masters' Mansion, Zhao Zhen suddenly felt a sense of surreal nostalgia, as if he had been sent back to a novice village.

"Benefactor Zhao, I'm coming!"

As soon as his voice fell, Tian Jinzhong's figure instantly transformed into a blur of shadows.

He concentrated all of his golden light into the palm of his hand, and in an instant, his entire right hand appeared as though it had been encased in a solid gauntlet of golden armor.

"Oh? Jinzhong must have heard me mention before that Old Zhao's Golden Escape Flowing Light can break through the defense of my Golden Light Incantation, so he's simply abandoned full-body protection and chosen instead to concentrate the golden light entirely into his right hand for an all-out offensive?"

Zhang Zhiwei stroked his chin with keen interest.

Though Tian Jinzhong's reasoning was sound, he overlooked one crucial detail: the methods at Zhao Zhen's disposal had never been limited to just the Golden Light Escape...

Facing Tian Jinzhong's aggressive and unreserved attack, Zhao Zhen showed not a flicker of panic on his face.

Treading lightly, he shifted back and forth with effortless grace, easily dodging all of Tian Jinzhong's assaults while successfully capitalizing on the opening created by Tian Jinzhong's overeager haste, thrusting a palm straight against Tian Jinzhong's chest.

Bang!

Tian Jinzhong's complexion abruptly turned pale as he stumbled back several steps.

"Such blistering speed!" Down below, one of the Celestial Masters' disciples narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Even though Little Tian was indeed a bit too impatient and exposed an opening, that palm strike was so fast that people could barely even see how it was executed!"

"No wonder he managed to make Zhiwei swallow his pride, and he didn't even need to use the Golden Light Escape or talismans that Zhiwei mentioned. Relying purely on the cultivation of his physical essence, Little Tian is no match for him whatsoever."

Unlike the solemn expressions of the other disciples, upon seeing his junior brother get bested under Zhao Zhen's hand, Zhang Zhiwei laughed brazenly without a care in the world.

"Hahahaha, how is it, Jinzhong? Have you conceded defeat?"

Tian Jinzhong rubbed his chest, retracted the golden light enveloping his exterior, and cast a rather helpless glance at Zhao Zhen.

"Thank you, Benefactor Zhao, for showing mercy."

There was no point in continuing the fight any further. Just from that single palm strike exchanged during the clash, Tian Jinzhong knew he stood no chance of defeating Zhao Zhen.

Once cultivation reaches a certain tier, things become like this: perhaps a single exchange at the very beginning is enough to clearly discern whether or not one is a match for the opponent.

The strike that had just hit his chest could easily have been a palm, but it could just as well have been a fist, or even a lethal blade.

If that had truly been the case, he probably would have sustained severe injuries by now.

"Daoist Tian flatters me."

"Senior Brother, are you happy seeing me get beaten up?"

"What about it? The other day when I heard about Old Zhao tossing me up into the sky, you were the one laughing the hardest. You mean I'm not allowed to have a laugh now?"

Tian Jinzhong shook his head. There was simply no dealing with his senior brother's incorrigible personality; nobody ever seemed to have a counter for him.

"Fine, I am indeed no match for him. The rest is up to you guys."

"Little Tian, let me try."

Just as Tian Jinzhong stepped back, an older disciple of the Celestial Masters' Mansion slowly emerged from the crowd.

"Oh? Senior Brother Li actually wants to make a move as well? That is truly a rarity."

Zhang Zhiwei raised an eyebrow, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes.

"Benefactor Zhao, I am Li Fu. I hear that you are not only skilled in the Golden Light Escape Flowing Light, but also deeply proficient in the Dao of talismans? As it happens, I also understand a thing or two about talismans, so I thought I would step up to receive your instruction."

"Daoist Li is too modest. As the ancestral court of the Zhengyi Sect, ever since the First Celestial Master Zhang Daoling in the Eastern Han Dynasty, talismans have formed the core lineage, remaining to this day the benchmark of the Zhengyi talismanic system. If a disciple of the Celestial Masters' Mansion claims to only understand talismans slightly, I'm afraid no other sect would dare claim to have studied the Dao of talismans at all."

Upon hearing Zhao Zhen's words, Zhang Zhiwei, standing nearby, silently rubbed his nose.

"Well, Old Zhao, you can't really paint everyone with the same broad brush like that..."