"Paper craftsmen? You guys are interested in them? Well... there aren't many paper craftsmen with real skills these days. Not many of them are qualified to participate in the Metaphysics Exchange Conference. After all, there aren't many opportunities for them to show their skills, so few people would whole - heartedly study this craft. Actually, I myself, as a corpse - driver, am not really qualified either. I just got in through Brother He's connection to have some fun. But I've heard of a really amazing paper craftsman. He doesn't like to communicate with us or join in the fun. He probably won't come this year."
Fan Jingjing seemed to be a walking encyclopedia of information. It felt like she knew the answer to any question you asked.
The group chatted for a while, jumping from one topic to another.
Xiaotuanzi (Year - Year) learned a great deal from Fan Jingjing.
Fan Jingjing opened up a world of metaphysics that Year - Year had never known or seen before.
For example, there were still quite a number of inheritors of folk customs.
Most of them chose to live incognito in the bustling world.
Few made a living by practicing these skills.
Another example was Taoist priests. If they wanted to make money through skills like fortune - telling, according to the proper procedure, they had to obtain a Taoist priest certificate before they could open a Taoist temple.
There was also the Taoist Association...
It was said to be a very formal organization founded by various Taoist temples. The Taoist Association often held small exchange meetings for Taoist priests to communicate with each other.
One might learn a great deal from these meetings.
It turned out that there was also metaphysics overseas, such as Tarot, divination, astrology, and witches...
Master had never mentioned these things before, and even Third Senior Brother didn't know much about them.
They chatted until the sound of gongs rang out.
The gong signaled that it was time for the lottery.
The first competition tomorrow would be about talismans.
There were quite a few participants, and they had to compete one - on - one. So, they had to draw lots in advance.
This whole process would take a few hours.
After the lottery, everyone could go back to their own places.
Shen Weixun took Year - Year to draw lots.
Their turn in the competition was quite good. They would be the third to compete in the second group, probably in the afternoon.
Year - Year carefully put the little tag with their number into her small satchel and then followed Third Senior Brother back to the guesthouse.
When they arrived at the guesthouse, her so - called cheap apprentice had been waiting at the door for a long time.
Han Changqing was carrying a lot of big and small bags, all filled with exquisitely wrapped gifts.
As soon as he saw Year - Year, he rushed up and said, "I don't know what the proper procedure is for this or what gifts to prepare. I only know that one should give gifts when seeking a master. So, I rushed to prepare these this afternoon. I don't know if they are in line with the rules. What do you think..."
Year - Year was quite startled by Han Changqing's grand gesture.
This guy was really sincere, but he was also too eager.
Year - Year felt a bit embarrassed and even a little guilty.
After all, this guy was lured here by Third Senior Brother.
There wasn't really a master - apprentice bond between them.
"There aren't many rules in our Taoist temple. Come in with us first."
Year - Year still had to talk to Abbot Qingyun about taking in an apprentice. Seeing that Year - Year was a bit tongue - tied at this first encounter, Shen Weixun quickly picked her up and walked straight into the house.
Han Changqing obediently followed behind them like a shy bride.
When they saw Abbot Qingyun, Shen Weixun briefly explained the whole thing to the master.
He asked if Year - Year could take this apprentice.
Abbot Qingyun carefully sized up Han Changqing. He started by looking at his face and then opened his yin - yang eyes to estimate whether taking in this apprentice would bring more benefits or drawbacks to Year - Year.
During this short waiting period, Han Changqing was extremely anxious.
"Can I? I think I can..."
Abbot Qingyun curled his lips and quickly interrupted him, "Tsk, why are you in such a hurry, kid? I didn't say no. But those two ghosts behind you are a bit unpredictable. I'm still a bit worried about letting Year - Year take you in as an apprentice. Over the years, those who have gotten close to you probably haven't ended up well. You should know this. So, I need you to give me a guarantee."
"What kind of guarantee?"
Han Changqing asked eagerly.
"A strand of your hair, a drop of your blood, and your fingernails."
"Okay."
Han Changqing agreed without hesitation.
But the more eager he was, the less happy Abbot Qingyun became.
"Hey, don't agree so quickly. You should know that Taoist priests have many means. If these things are in our hands, if there's even the slightest sign of something wrong in the future, you might end up vanishing into thin air along with those two ghosts behind you."
"I understand, but I really can't wait any longer. To be honest, my intention in seeking a master is not entirely pure. I just want to save my mother. This afternoon, my mother's soul was almost transparent, as if it would dissipate the next second. I... I promise I'll never do anything that's bad for you. So, I'm willing to give you these things."
There was a moment this afternoon when Han Changqing could hardly see his mother.
This had never happened before.
It made him extremely panicked.
Hearing this, both Year - Year and Abbot Qingyun frowned.
A fierce ghost wouldn't just dissipate casually.
Especially a special fierce ghost like Han Changqing's mother.
Over the years, although the female ghost's power had been gradually weakened by the male ghost due to their mutual restraint, based on her current situation, she should be able to hold on for another two or three months.
Why was her situation so unstable?
But they would deal with these things after the master - apprentice ceremony.
After getting this promise and the things he wanted, Abbot Qingyun felt that there was no need for him to stop this.
Those two ghosts were connected to Han Changqing by blood. By controlling him, they could easily control the two ghosts.
They had many means at their disposal, and they could actually do this secretly.
But both Year - Year and Abbot Qingyun were upright people. They disdained to deceive anyone or play any tricks.
It was better to lay everything out in the open.
"There aren't any messy rules in our Taoist temple. First, bow three times to the memorial tablet of our founder, then offer a cup of tea to Year - Year and bow three times. That'll be the end of the ceremony."
Abbot Qingyun stood up and moved the chair he was sitting on aside. He then picked up Year - Year and placed her on it.
Year - Year obediently took out the memorial tablet of the founder from her small satchel and placed it on the table beside her.
She rummaged for a while and took out the incense burner.
She lit three incense sticks and handed them to Han Changqing.
"Alright, bow to the founder first."