Yuan Kemin's eyes lit up: "Indeed. If he can go, so can you!"
After dinner, Ye Tian called Ren Ping to inquire about the situation at Wandao Sword Palace. Wandao Sword Palace had indeed produced many geniuses and once led the martial world during the Ming Dynasty, but later its sword dao inheritance was severed, and its status in the jianghu declined day by day.
After the meal, the group set off for Wudang. The distance was over five hundred kilometers. After more than four hours of driving, they arrived near Wudang Mountain.
The peak where Wandao Sword Palace was located did not have road access, so the group had to walk up the mountain. By the time they reached Wandao Sword Palace, it was dusk.
Wandao Sword Palace consisted of one hundred and eight palaces, covering over a thousand mu, built over seventeen generations of palace masters. The earliest palace was constructed during the Eastern Han Dynasty, with a history of nearly a thousand years.
Wandao Sword Palace had limited contact with the secular world, but some distinguished pilgrims visited. As Ye Tian and his group appeared at the main gate, the attendant boy on duty smiled and asked, "Are you here to offer incense?"
Ye Tian smiled and said, "I have long heard of Wandao Sword Palace's fame. I have come to donate some incense money."
The boy's eyes lit up upon hearing this, recognizing them as distinguished guests. He quickly said, "Please follow me, benefactors."
The group followed the Daoist boy up the mountain and arrived before a grand hall. A middle-aged Daoist priest quickly descended and bowed slightly to Ye Tian. "Benefactor, I am the abbot of this Laojun Hall. May I ask where you come from?"
Ye Tian replied, "From the capital."
The Daoist priest smiled, "So you are distinguished guests from the capital. Behind Laojun Hall, there is a Daoist courtyard. Please rest there first and try the Sword Palace's tea."
Ye Tian said, "Thank you for your trouble."
At this moment, Hisa Tamaki took out a check and handed it to the Daoist priest with both hands.
Upon seeing the check for one million, the Daoist priest quickly exclaimed, "Wuliang Tianzun, may Laojun bless you with more fortune and longevity."
Ye Tian first went to Laojun Hall to offer incense to Laojun, and then followed the Daoist priest to the Daoist courtyard.
The courtyard was very serene. In the center stood a Ginkgo tree hundreds of years old, its canopy like a vast umbrella, blocking the sunlight.
The Daoist priest personally brought tea and sat down to chat with them, inquiring about Ye Tian's identity. Upon learning that he was the owner of Baozhi Company and Hisa Tamaki was the leader of a major Japanese conglomerate, he became even more respectful.
Ye Tian seized the opportunity to ask, "Daoist priest, I heard that your Wandao Sword Palace has an ancient stone wall that is very mystical. Is this true?"
The Daoist priest was slightly startled. The Jade Wall housed the Ten Thousand Swords Stele, a fact known only to those in the jianghu. How did this person know about it? However, Ye Tian was a distinguished guest who had donated a million in incense money, so how could he dare to offend him? He immediately replied, "There is indeed such a place. How did you find out, benefactor?"
Ye Tian said, "A friend from the capital told me. He is an archaeology expert. I happen to be researching ancient inscriptions and would like to see it. Is it convenient?"
The Daoist priest smiled, "Of course. Please have some tea first, and I will arrange it."
Ye Tian nodded, "Thank you for your trouble."
After speaking, he placed another check on the table and said, "A thousand-year-old temple needs proper maintenance. This five million is my personal token of appreciation."
The Daoist priest was overjoyed, having not expected Ye Tian to give another five million. "Thank you, benefactor!"
Ye Tian replied, "You are too kind, Daoist priest. From now on, Baozhi Company will donate five million to your palace every month."
The Daoist priest stood up happily and said, "That would be wonderful. Do not laugh at me, benefactor, but Wandao Sword Palace has been operating at a loss these past few years."
Ye Tian smiled, "You are too polite. Speaking of which, I am also the abbot of the Jade Emperor Temple in the capital. We are all fellow practitioners."
The Daoist priest was surprised, "You are the abbot of the Jade Emperor Temple? Oh my, a fellow Daoist has arrived!" He immediately bowed again.
Ye Tian returned the bow, "You are too kind, fellow Daoist."