Chapter 31: Daoist Technology, Heritage Must Also Keep Pace with the Times (Part I)

As Yi Beidou ventured into Mount Yunlao, navigating the terrain with the aid of his Heavenly Demon senses, another group was simultaneously making rapid progress through the dense forest.

Leading the party was a middle-aged man in loose Daoist robes. His hair was tied in a high bun, and he sported a thin, handlebar mustache. A massive pack was strapped to his back. Following him were five young people—three men and two women—dressed in hiking gear. They lacked the traditional Daoist appearance, resembling researchers more than anything else. However, their agile movements and physical endurance betrayed a high level of martial cultivation; they were, at the very least, masters of internal integration.

Despite the heavy loads they carried through the primeval forest, they showed no signs of fatigue, only palpable excitement. They knew the purpose of their mission well. Not only would they witness a master who had achieved "sainthood through the flesh"—a feat rivaling their own teacher—but they were also tasked with assisting in the slaying of a "Great Dragon" connected to the ancestral veins of the Kunlun Mountains. It was the stuff of legend; few were privileged enough to witness such a spectacle. It was a story they could boast about for the rest of their lives.

"Everyone, stay alert. Our precision instruments are delicate and cannot withstand rough handling," the middle-aged man cautioned.

"Understood, Master," the group replied in unison.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, the man’s expression sharpened. He stopped dead in his tracks and held up a hand, signaling his disciples to halt. The five followers were confused, but they obeyed instantly. Seeing their master’s grave expression, they were at a loss. Mount Yunlao was notorious for its perils, but their master was Tao Zihong, a supreme master of the Maoshan Shangqing sect who had achieved sainthood through the flesh. What kind of demon or monster could possibly warrant such a reaction from him?

*Rustle, rustle.*

Just then, they heard movement from the forest behind them and turned in unison. A shadow flickered through the trees, stopping once it saw them. The group finally made out a young man wearing casual sportswear. In the tangled, rugged environment of the forest, his clothes remained remarkably clean, with only a few grass stains on his shoes. At a glance, he looked like a youth out for a morning jog in a city park.

But this was a primeval forest, infamous throughout the country for its lethality.

A chill ran down the spines of the Maoshan disciples. Who exactly had they encountered?

Tao Zihong, being a master who had achieved sainthood through the flesh, perceived much more. In his eyes, the young man’s countenance was terrifyingly malevolent, his aura thick with a natural, pervasive black mist, his very being steeped in profound demonic nature.

"A true Heavenly Demon walking the earth," Tao murmured. He was certain that the youth before him was an existence equal to his own. Yet, he knew of nearly every master who had achieved such a state in the country, and he had never heard of this individual. So young, yet possessing such deep demonic nature and a sanctified body…

Tao Zihong’s expression turned somber. He could not help but associate the youth with foreign powers. Mount Yunlao sat near the border; it was common for infiltrators to sneak in through such desolate regions.

*A Heavenly Demon walking the earth?* The Maoshan disciples felt a shudder of genuine horror. To encounter such a thing in the deep, desolate wilderness was chilling.

On the other side, Yi Beidou frowned slightly. He realized the leader was a master of his own caliber, but he could not identify him. However, based on the man’s attire and the temperament he inadvertently displayed, he doubted the group belonged to foreign interests. Seeing the wariness in the man’s eyes, Yi knew his essence had been perceived. In the wilderness, words were useless and would not be trusted; he had no way to prove his identity. Furthermore, he did not want to waste time. Masters of this level were rare, and regardless of whether this man was righteous or evil, a misunderstanding was the perfect opportunity to test his true mettle.

Without further explanation, Yi Beidou focused his will, surged his vital energy, and walked toward the group.

Instantly, his demonic aura intensified, the threat he projected feeling like a mountain collapsing or a tidal wave crashing down.

"Daoyun, keep the others on alert. Do not act rashly," Tao Zihong commanded, his eyes narrowing. He dropped his pack and reached for the sash at his waist. He unfastened it and tore off his outer robe, revealing the tight-fitting garment beneath.

His robust upper torso was clad in a black, short-sleeved shirt made of a special material. On the back, a raised square bulge was embroidered with golden threads forming a talisman. These threads spread from the center across the entire garment, giving it a blend of modern technological sleekness and ancient mystical mystery—a fusion of modern combat gear and ancient artifacts.

*New and old, ancient and modern.* Yi Beidou watched with genuine interest.

"Master!" his disciples exclaimed, their faces changing. They knew that when their master donned this "Thunder Vest," he was about to use his true power. It was a product of fusing ancient Daoist arts with modern technology, designed specifically to assist the Maoshan lightning-vein talisman techniques.

Tao Zihong had his own plans. The opponent’s strength and numbers were unknown, and with his disciples to protect, he could not afford to be careless. He had to strike with thunderous force to see if he could subdue the opponent quickly.

His aura shifted violently.

*Whoosh!*

His blood surged like a river, and the veins in his arms bulged, forming shapes that resembled talismans—lightning-like, mysterious, and majestic.

*Body of the Lightning Vein!*

*Click.*

Tao Zihong pressed a protrusion on the chest of the black vest—a switch.

*Crackle!*

Arcs of electricity erupted from the golden talisman-like threads.

*Swish!*

Tao Zihong vanished from his original spot, his speed nearly exceeding the limits of human visual perception.

*Such speed!* Even Yi Beidou felt a jolt of surprise. In less than two heartbeats, the man had crossed nearly fifty meters of jungle terrain to stand directly before him.

Now, Tao Zihong’s lightning-veined body crackled with power, his hair standing on end, his eyes flashing with the brilliance of electricity. He looked like a deity of the Thunder Department descended from the heavens. He struck out with a palm, lightning gathering in his palm, the force of the strike stirring the air with the sound of rolling thunder.