Chapter 834 - 578: The Bead and the Bronze Gate

Time flies like a fleeting steed.

The half-year closed training at Jinshan Mansion Dao School has finally reached its conclusion.

The main hall of the Dao School is filled with lingering incense, with the smoke entwining the columns and beams inside, lingering for a long time.

Hundreds of newly ascended Cultivators stood in solemn reverence before the statue of the Supreme Celestial King, dressed uniformly in Profound Daoist Robes, their expressions respectful and solemn.

Zhang Jie stood among the crowd, as upright as a pine tree, with an inner Dao Rhyme that was subtle and unobtrusive.

After six months of day-and-night cultivation and repeated honing, he successfully condensed a Dao Talisman, formally ascending to the rank of Returning to the Profound Faith, with a Dantian filled with dense, refined True Qi, far surpassing most of his peers.

More than that, he has mastered various basic magic: Noise Reduction, Dust Cleansing, Object Seeking, Dream Transmission, and can even perform simple Spiritual Journey Dream techniques.

In the comprehensive assessment among hundreds of peers, he ranked seventh, surely a standout among his contemporaries.

With the training concluded, it was time for job assignments.

The new Cultivators were all inwardly speculating about their destinations, with most inclined towards urban community positions—easy work, a favorable environment, and steady accumulation of Daoist Merit, without the hardship of travel.

But in Zhang Jie’s heart, there was a completely different decision.

He decided to apply for a post in a remote village.

He understood that although the conditions in remote villages were harsh, the tasks were complex; yet they offered the quickest and most solid accumulation of Daoist Merit.

Only by going deeply into the grassroots, rooting oneself among the people, and solving their tangible difficulties could one harvest the purest, sincere faith and accumulate enough Daoist Merit to pave the way for future advancement.

More importantly, he wanted to quickly accumulate Daoist Merit to exchange for more Treasures that increase longevity.

Little did anyone expect that this seemingly "thankless" job was surprisingly popular.

The remote village position, though tough, offered direct contact with the purest folk beliefs, and many outstanding disciples were vying for it.

If Zhang Jie hadn’t ranked high, or had not been admired by several instructors for his steady temperament and pure filial character, and strongly recommended behind the scenes, this opportunity would never have fallen to him.

...

Huangniu Village.

Situated deep in the mountains, Huangniu Village is isolated in terms of transportation.

There is a severe loss of population in the village, with only the elderly and children left behind; almost all the young adults had left for work, leaving the village cold and desolate.

The predecessor who was stationed in the village had already prepared the accommodation for him and, in a flat tone, handed over the work:

"This village has little foundation; the people are simple and have no malice."

"I’ve stayed here for three years, made no mistakes, but also achieved nothing significant; the people probably feel that I have no presence."

"Now you have come, please be more mindful."

Zhang Jie slightly bowed, his expression solemn:

"Thank you for the reminder."

After taking on the work, Zhang Jie settled down completely.

He did not put on the airs of a Cultivator within the system, but wore a plain Daoist Robe daily, walking muddy paths between fields, visiting households, getting to know the situations one by one, patiently listening to the people’s pains, and noting down their difficulties.

To the elderly living alone and uncared-for, he visited daily, delivering rice, flour, grain, and oil, using simple Daoist Techniques to regulate their bodies, and kept them company to dispel loneliness.

When neighbors were embroiled in disputes, he patiently mediated, persuading with reason, transforming grievances with Dao, and resolving the barriers.

Even when children in the village were unsupervised, running around wildly, he took time to teach them to read Dao Scriptures, spread good thoughts, and guide them in discerning right from wrong.

Day after day, Zhang Jie’s presence permeated every corner of Huangniu Village.

The wind and sun have made his skin dark and rough, yet his smile remained gentle, and he treated others with sincerity.

The villagers took notice, remembered him, and grew more trusting.

In no time, the year-end Dao Country’s annual assessment arrived as scheduled.

The core of the assessment was the people’s mental happiness index and the level of their sincere faith in the Dao Country and its Cultivators.

The happiness index of Huangniu Village’s people significantly improved compared to last year, and the level of sincere faith soared; Zhang Jie’s first-year assessment earned him an "excellent" rating, securing considerable Daoist Merit.

Zhang Jie smiled and returned to the fields once more.

Time quietly passed, and before one knew it, five more years had gone by.

In those five years, Zhang Jie’s enthusiasm never waned, deeply rooted in Huangniu Village, diligent without slack.

He spearheaded efforts to solve the problem of population loss in the village and repaired village roads, making travel easier for villagers.

With the aid of Daoist Techniques, he improved crops, increased field production, and gradually enriched the villagers’ lives.

Due to his outstanding achievements, he received an "excellent" rating almost every year in assessments, and due to the high level of sincere faith among the people, he was twice awarded additional Daoist Merit from Dao Country.

He immediately exchanged it for Longevity Pills, sending them home and advised his parents to take them regularly.

...

The sixth year.

With years of cultivation and numerous accomplishments, Zhang Jie was exceptionally promoted to the rank of Returning to the Profound Guide, overseeing Baihe Village.

This was a leap in promotion, directly skipping the usual assessment years.

The promotion ceremony took place at the Supreme Branch Temple of Baihe Village, simple yet solemn.

After the ceremony, the first thing Zhang Jie did was head to the exclusive small temple on the southwest side of the branch temple.

This was the exclusive Dao Field for Returning to the Profound Guide, and a symbol of authority over a village.

The small temple was not large, yet it was quaint and majestic, with Dao Rhyme flowing among the green bricks and grays tiles.

On the altar stood a statue of a young man.

With a gentle countenance and clear eyes, surrounded by a faint golden glow, its aura and demeanor were exactly like his own, lifelike.

Zhang Jie stood before the altar, gazing at the statue for a long time, feeling a sudden, intense bond.

It was as if the statue was another version of himself, able to connect with his thoughts and transmit power.

Simultaneously, an immense and invisible force quietly enveloped him, and he clearly perceived that he had touched upon the Supreme Dharma Net.