Is your master authentic?

"..."

Zhang Wei didn't know how much exaggeration there was in those words, but judging from the way the monks outside were being mocked by the old Taoist priest and didn't dare to utter a word, only able to vent their anger on the lunchboxes, he knew that this guy was absolutely ridiculously strong!

Although he didn't understand how such a powerful figure had appeared in this newbie silhouette, just like Zhang Wei couldn't understand why there were so many demons and monsters in his newbie silhouette.

If you can't figure it out, then don't try to think about it.

Leaving aside the more convoluted details, and focusing solely on the old Taoist's now heartfelt words, Zhang Wei couldn't afford to be ungrateful and continue pretending:

"I'm just worried that the bond between master and disciple is too weak, after all, I wasn't born into this world..."

Zhang Wei's words were forcibly swallowed back down his throat halfway through.

There were no suspicious subtitles popping up in front of him, but he really couldn't open his mouth or speak. He didn't know if the old Taoist had heard his previous words, but through this experience, Zhang Wei had managed to test out one of the underlying rules of the [Silhouette].

"Not born into this world? Or possessed innate wisdom? The incense smoke from the Kitchen God is too strong, and you're so fierce and vengeful; I didn't see that at all!"

Master Yiming's eyebrows shifted several times as he mentally provided the answer: "Pre-existing wisdom is a good thing, but having decades of extra memories can easily lead to cognitive obstacles. However, it doesn't matter. I still have two cycles of lifespan left, enough to watch you grow up!"

"Although this old Taoist priest has taken a liking to you, I still need to ask the patriarch to examine you before I can be at ease."

Zhang Wei was somewhat helpless about the old Taoist priest mistaking his identity as a person from a later life for that of a person from a previous life, but there was nothing he could do to change it.

They could only watch helplessly as the old Taoist priest walked around the tent a few times, then hurriedly pulled out a bunch of incense burners, talismans, yellow paper, and other items from a cloth bundle in the corner, and then wrote a full sheet of paper with great effort.

Pulling Zhang Wei to kneel down in the center of the tent, facing the ancestral deity tablet hastily made by the old Taoist priest, he lit incense, burned paper money, and kowtowed three times.

As the third head kowtowed, a sudden gust of wind arose, causing the once tranquil tent to shake violently as if blown by a gale. Zhang Wei could see the three incense sticks descending at a visible speed.

Master Yiming, standing beside him, also stood up: "Alright, I've already asked the Patriarch, and He has agreed to let you join His sect, but not now. It's a bit too hasty right now. We'll talk about it next time we meet!"

Zhang Wei's mouth dropped open in astonishment.

No, you've already asked the patriarch?

Why can't he see anything here?

As the traveler in the silhouette, Zhang Wei should trigger a subtitle prompt whenever he sees any sentient sculpture or statue, but he really didn't see anything just now. And isn't the difficulty of summoning the gods a bit too low?

Did he enter the wrong [silhouette], or is there a problem with the [Three Realms]?

However, none of these things had as much impact on Zhang Wei as the words "see you next time".

In that moment of eye contact, Zhang Wei vaguely felt that the old Taoist priest was a completely different person. If the old Taoist priest was like a decaying volcano that was brewing and settling before, then now he was like the blazing summer sun, always carrying a vigorous and violent aura.

Is the same Daoist Yiming as before?

Zhang Wei couldn't say, nor dared he guess. He simply obediently followed the old Taoist's instructions, watching as the other party wrote and compiled a book called "The Five Arts of Shenxiao" for him on the spot:

"If you wish to acknowledge me as your master and become my disciple, then take this book. You can use the Divine Firmament in the future, but you will not have to abide by its laws... If you do not acknowledge me, or have any doubts, then it is because we are not destined to be together. Consider this my compensation for the trouble I have caused. Farewell, and I will never see you again."

recognize?

You don't acknowledge it?

It seems there's not much of a choice left now.

Zhang Wei was never one to waver or be indecisive. The moment he entered the tent with Master Yiming, it meant he was already tempted. Master Yiming's subsequent introduction was just an attempt to escalate the situation.

The words "see you next time" solidified his resolve.

Therefore, Zhang Wei naturally put away the Five Divine Firmament Techniques and placed them in front of him.

Seeing this, the old Taoist's relaxed face beamed with an even more genuine smile: "The Qi Refining Method is a good foundation, but it's a bit outdated. If it were during the Song or Yuan dynasty, you could have made a name for yourself with this, but now that other methods are obscured and the environment has changed, even the fundamental method needs to be adapted!"

"Since you have a treasure that absorbs the essence of the sun and moon, then my modified Sun and Moon Qi Condensation Technique from the Five Arts is just right. You can circulate it at will, whether sitting or lying down, and with the replenishment of the sun and moon's essence, your foundation of Yin and Yang harmony isn't too bad. Of course, we have ways to improve it later. For now, with the current conditions, just make do with what you have. Take a look and try to learn it to build a solid foundation. If you don't understand anything, feel free to ask. I'm going to find that idiot and refine the things you brought up the mountain. We have a lot to do tonight, so we need to hurry!"

"yes!"

Seeing Zhang Wei obediently pick up the Five Arts, whose ink wasn't completely dry, and turn to the Qi Condensation Technique to start reading, Old Daoist Yiming, who was already quite fond of Zhang Wei's talent, became even happier. He was talented and knew how to seize opportunities; now all that was missing was the ability to distinguish right from wrong and comprehension. He would arrange something for him later, and if Zhang Wei could pass both of those tests, then this trip wouldn't have been a complete loss.

Hey, who would have thought that what was originally intended as just coming down to give this foolish disciple and his followers a good slap, would turn out to be some promising young talents that someone else had taken a liking to?

Although he hasn't had time to examine the seedlings closely yet, those that catch his eye are bound to be of good quality. The purpose of this trip is simply to see if they are suitable and worthwhile!

Master Yiming left in a hurry, while Zhang Wei, who was left alone in the tent, breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the simple divine post inscribed with the name of the Divine Firmament Ancestor not far in front of him with some emotion.

This is because at this moment, the divine post belatedly revealed its appearance.

[The Divine Firmament Patriarch's Postscript Amidst the Smoke of Incense]

The crude method of invoking the gods and the violent technique of burning away life force broke the barrier, inviting an additional divine spirit into the complete realm.

Restrictions on sacrificial rites: None.

Note: The practitioner does not meet the qualifications for worshipping this deity, and this deity does not fall under the category of deities whose images should be preserved. (This is a partial sentence and doesn't need a direct translation.)

Upon seeing those familiar, erratic subtitles, Zhang Wei finally understood.

No need to think about it, it's another big shot who, like the patriarch's attention, can modify the underlying logic of the game itself, including the [Silhouette] and even the [Three Realms].

Whether it's a matter of rank or not, Zhang Wei can't even make out the hem of someone else's clothes right now.

Although he didn't know what he had done to deserve being chosen by two powerful figures behind the scenes, Zhang Wei, who had been through the ups and downs of society for a while, knew very well that opportunities are often fleeting, and if you don't seize them, you'll never have any hope of turning your life around.

Having figured this out, he flipped to the chapter on the Condensing Qi Technique almost without thinking and began reading it word by word.

Perhaps because the Condensing Qi Technique originated from the Refining Qi Technique, the content was largely the same but more specialized and detailed, allowing Zhang Wei to quickly grasp the basics. He swallowed the essence of the sun and moon that he had accumulated over a day and a half ago, feeling the warm current flowing in his stomach, and began to concentrate.

In a daze, the surrounding environment seemed to be changing.

He was no longer a person, but seemed to have become a tree, a blade of grass, witnessing the changing of the sun and moon on a sunny hillside, watching the flow of yin and yang, the changing of the seasons, and the alternation of hot and cold. He felt as if he had taken root under his feet, and a faint but continuous flow of energy surged from his legs into his torso and circulated throughout his body.

Sprouting and budding, branches stretching out...

In a corner he wasn't paying attention to, the already reddish color of [Ancestral Master's Attention] was rapidly becoming more vibrant, and even subtly turning orange.

Before he knew it, Zhang Wei, who was sitting cross-legged, suddenly opened his eyes.

Master Yiming, who had left earlier, had returned to his tent and was now cooking his harvest from Xiakou Village in a large pot he had borrowed from somewhere, with firewood burning in it.

Judging from the tender meat and rich broth in the pot, I must have been immersed in it for quite some time.

I briefly assessed my own condition.

He is now like a forged iron blank, concentrated and blazing.

Although Zhang Wei didn't know how the specific cultivation realm differed from that in the novel, the immense power in his every move gave him the feeling that he could directly smash the wild boar king from the day before.

This was Zhang Wei's gain and enlightenment from a single practice session after modifying the fundamental law.

Although it was only a foundational method, focusing excessively on strengthening the fundamentals, he could feel that the essence of the sun and moon had not been fully absorbed by his body, but had settled deep within him, waiting for the right time to fully erupt and propel him forward.

Seeing Zhang Wei open his eyes, Daoist Yiming calmly poured a bowl of meat porridge from the pot, which had become so thick it was almost like porridge: "You're awake? Then come and eat. Although it's not anything special, it can still help repair your foundation."

"Master... could you wait a little longer? I feel a bit full right now!"

He didn't eat much for dinner, but the essence of the sun and moon, and even the refinement of Qi, filled Zhang Wei's spirit. The abundance of Qi gave him a false sense of fullness.

"Are you really holding on? But you look so empty." His slightly narrowed eyes and meaningful gaze seemed to see more than just Zhang Wei's current body.

Seeing this, Zhang Wei stopped refusing.

Despite feeling quite full, Zhang Wei swallowed the meat and medicinal soup, which had been reduced to half a pot, bones and all. He stood up, looked at his swaying belly, and let out a slightly uncomfortable burp.

"You've eaten, so let's go and digest. This is all I can do for you here. Who knows when we'll meet again? You'll have to walk this road alone from now on!"

Master Yiming pulled Zhang Wei along.

Under the moonlight, an old man and a young man walked ahead and followed behind, their agile and mysterious steps making them seem like a gentle breeze as they strolled through the camp without disturbing anyone.

A short while later, the two arrived at the pit.

Squinting at the deep cave, Master Yiming turned back and said, "This place was originally a place of spiritual energy, but alas, this little devil has acted inhumanly, his Yin energy veins, flesh, and corpses have mingled together to create this scourge!"