Chapter 1546: Chapter 1546: Silent Subtlety
Feng Zhizhang refused the request of the foreign adherent.
He expressed his difficulty: Those I have recommended have all taken refuge in Xuande Cave Heaven, and you are no exception.
The foreign adherent still wanted to move forward quickly because he was already in the late stages of cancer—other places had been ineffective in healing, so he came to Huaxia for a last-ditch effort.
Feng Zhizhang told him that if he could build a Daoist temple in his hometown and promote some Daoist ideas, and if there was an opportunity later, he would mention it to the people at Luohua, perhaps a spot could open up there.
This was a bit of a bluff, the possibility he was talking about did exist, but based on Feng Jun’s impression of foreigners, the probability of this happening was infinitesimally close to zero.
However, Feng Zhizhang believed that a moderate amount of comfort was also important for a cancer patient—you first needed to see hope to live on.
So the patient went back to his hometown to build a Daoist temple, and even invited a Taoist from Mount Taibai to accompany him, not only to guide the construction but also to share some Daoist thoughts.
As Feng Zhizhang said, Feng Jun’s ability to treat cancer actually greatly promoted the external promotion of the Daoist sects.
Daoist influence abroad was really minimal; the occasional places devoted to worshipping Laozi or the Three Pure Ones were just small, one or two-room setups, with no major halls, and the smoky atmosphere made it look like an underground Shoe Cult.
When this person was building the Daoist temple, someone asked, what kind of church are you planning to establish, and what doctrines does it have?
The philosophy of the Daoist sects is actually quite peaceful, aside from the "defying fate" which comes across a bit sharp, other concepts have little to do with mundane society, focusing on self-cultivation rather than external matters.
Especially since the Daoist sects do not exclude other beliefs, which is quite rare in the Western world. In their experience, most religions they know about are monotheistic, and they are curious how Huaxia’s religions could be so inclusive.
Strictly speaking, in ancient India or Africa, there were some religions that were not completely exclusive, but because of their origins, such non-exclusivity is viewed as a label of ignorance and backwardness.
However, modern Huaxia, although its per capita wealth is still quite low, no one can regard it as a backward country, so the eclectic nature of Daoism offers a novel experience for them.
Of course, the most crucial point is that the Daoist sects do not actively develop followers and hold no prejudices against non-believers, lacking any aggressiveness, a behavior that some may see as cowardly, while others view the endurance of a non-extreme religion for over two thousand years as having its reasons.
This patient, upon returning to his country for a week, developed more than a dozen people interested in Daoist sects, among whom some intended to take refuge.
He happily called Feng Zhizhang to inform him, but Feng Zhizhang responded by saying that taking refuge should not be rushed, and they should first thoroughly understand the principles of the Daoist sects—perhaps by buying a copy of the Tao Te Ching and studying it.
Upon hearing this, this group of people was quite surprised—aren’t you supposed to gladly accept us who are willing to be baptized? What do you mean by excluding us?
In the past, Feng Zhizhang would have accepted them without hesitation, but since debating the civilization conflict with Feng Jun, he also realized how the Daoist sects should proceed outwardly.
Anyway, at this stage, there’s really no need for the Daoist sects to seriously operate overseas; maybe in the future, when the per capita and historical averages go up, some attention could be given to overseas Daoism, but only just attention.
What Feng Zhizhang did not anticipate was that his refusal actually sparked a stronger curiosity in this group of people.
There are many overseas translations of the Tao Te Ching; its sales aren’t as legendary as they say, but they aren’t too bad either, with many people reading it as a philosophical work.
Philosophical works are bound to be niche cultures, especially in the West; although there are relatively more elites, most people read philosophical works just to prove that they belong to the elite class and can join conversations.
Simply put, in the eyes of Westerners, even among philosophical works, the Tao Te Ching is very niche, with not many studying it.
However, if someone is willing to delve into it, and look at some annotations by famous scholars, they can feel the Eastern wisdom it contains.
Most people have never delved into it before, so once they start contemplating, they find this book offers quite a different perspective.
But the unfortunate thing is, there are too many translations of the Tao Te Ching, and the so-called annotations by famous scholars are quite contradictory, leaving them puzzled, so they sought out a girl studying in Huaxia to get a more authoritative answer.
However, the girl’s answer was strange, saying that this book could have many interpretations, and each one might be authoritative.
So, not long after, three more people formed a group and went to Mount Taibai in Huaxia, hoping to take refuge—since you don’t care about overseas Daoist temples, surely we can reach out directly?
In Western affluent circles, this kind of thing is not uncommon; many people have plenty of leisure time, leading to many hobbies such as skiing or diving clubs.
So, taking refuge in a non-exclusive religion can also be cultivated as an interest—its doctrines are very philosophical.
Shortly after these three took refuge, others gradually followed suit, and Feng Zhizhang eventually simply let ten foreigners take refuge together.
Of the thirteen people who later took refuge, only one had a family member with cancer, and the other twelve had nothing to do with cancer—including the girl who was studying in China.
Unbeknownst to many, the Daoist Sects have begun to extend their influence overseas... no, that’s incorrect, it’s the spread of their culture overseas.
During these days, besides staying vigilant against the sudden influx of outsiders, Feng Jun did one more thing, which was to enhance the earth vein beside the small lake deep in the mountains of Chaoyang County.
This earth vein brought him an unexpected surprise. Through the Earth Dragon Scripture, he discovered that the strength of this earth vein was significantly superior to the one at Luohua Manor; if Luohua’s earth vein is considered a one, then this place is a four.
Moreover, this earth vein was much larger than he imagined, with most of it hidden underground, acting as a hidden vein. Even with only a slight exposure at the small lake, the spiritual energy gathered here was already much stronger than at Luohua.
Upon further consideration, Feng Jun realized that the earth vein at the Mountain Protection Array of Kunlun was not much different from here. He understood that once this earth vein was enhanced, the spiritual energy here might be denser than at Kunlun.
However, it’s apparent that Kunlun occupies a much larger area than this mountain land, and while its earth vein strength might not match here, its volume is significantly greater, reinforcing its esteemed reputation over thousands of years.
But Feng Jun was already very pleased with his choice. By luck, he leased a mountain land with such a great earth vein—perhaps there are only a few places like this throughout Huaxia?
He even considered relocating Luohua Manor here—after modifying the earth vein, its strength reached a nine.
Put it this way, Luohua has modified two earth veins, each capable of supporting a Spirit Gathering Array, allowing one cultivator at the initial stage of transcending mundane, or five at the high tier of Qi Refinement to practice, while the Chaoyang earth vein, after enhancement, can support two Spirit Gathering Arrays for the intermediate stage of transcending mundane.
In other words, four cultivators at the intermediate stage of transcending mundane could practice here simultaneously.
However, the challenges of relocating Luohua are immense. Aside from establishing a relatively stable situation around Luohua, many people depend on it for their livelihoods—whether it’s the Three Lives Wine, jade sales, rehabilitation center, or care center.
Things have already been set in order, and if relocation was considered, everything would have to be started anew. Not to mention the storage facilities at Luohua, with their varied types and large capacities, took him several years to build.
Moreover, once relocated, his parents would lose their freedom and attract significant attention, greatly increasing the risk of danger, so... Luohua can’t be moved in the short term.
Since relocation isn’t feasible and the earth vein has been enhanced, Feng Jun simply set up a relatively large defensive formation. Though not very strong, only able to withstand attacks from initial stage transcending mundane, it spans a vast area of one square kilometer.
Such a defensive formation typically consumes a lot of Spirit Stones, but thanks to the high strength index of the earth vein here, under a state of alert, one Spirit Stone can last for ten days.
After handling his affairs, Feng Jun bid farewell to his parents, saying he was leaving, to which his father replied, "This Transfer Matrix Plate hasn’t been used yet. How about... giving it a try? A trip to Luohua?"
So why not give it a try? Feng Jun could choose to leave on his own, but since his parents voiced their interest, he obviously had to accompany them.
The other part of the Transfer Matrix Plate is in the Jade Tower. It’s not suitable for cultivation there, but perfect for storage—with various high-tech surveillance and protection measures, as well as a defensive formation.
The majority of cultivation technique manuals at Luohua Manor are stored here. It’s not an exaggeration to call it a scripture tower, how could its protection be lacking?
The family of three appeared in the White Jade Capital. Zhang Junyi glanced around and was the first to react, "Isn’t this your Jade Tower? It’s the second floor, right?"
"Mom, you’re amazing," Feng Jun chuckled, giving a thumbs up.
"That’s nothing," Feng Wenhui laughed, "I remember when a handkerchief went missing from our little shop. I didn’t even notice or know who took it, yet your mother asked me about it for five whole years!"
"That’s because you would drink at every opportunity," Zhang Junyi glared at him, "I was just trying to get you to drink less!"
The three of them exited the Jade Tower, laughing and chatting, while the women practicing in the courtyard were all stunned—why are the seniors here?
"Everyone, put away your mobile phones," Feng Jun called out, and after seeing them comply, he smiled and explained.
"I’ve set up a pair of Transfer Matrix Plates between Chaoyang and Luohua. My parents came using them. If anyone wants to visit Chaoyang, just let me know, and you can be there in no time."
Sister Hong and the others who had been to the mobile phone space and heard of the Transfer Matrix Plates weren’t too surprised, but when Li Shishi heard it, her eyes widened, "Is it a Transmission Array, then? Can it only take us to Chaoyang?"
Just as she finished speaking, the walkie-talkie at her side crackled, "Li Shishi, come and get me. It’s fine if Luohua has new people, but what’s with the ’Sacred Guardian’ at the entrance?"
"Oh, it’s the Little Celestial Master," Li Shishi said with a smile, "What’s the matter?"
"I’m about to advance to Innate," Tang Wenji replied straightforwardly, "Feng Jun promised me I could find him when I’m ready."
The women all looked at Feng Jun simultaneously, their expressions strange.
(Updated till now, summoning monthly votes.)