After having breakfast outside, they could see the streets filled with people, mostly heading in the direction of the West Market, distinctly opposite from the direction of the grading field.

Chen Tang asked, "What are these people going to do?"

Mei Yingxue laughed, "They're all going to the Profound Celestial Temple in the West Market to burn incense and pray for blessings, hoping to be blessed and succeed in the grading field."

Chen Tang smiled.

Whatever your strength is, that's what it is. If you can't draw the Three-Stone Bow, can burning incense and praying for blessings make it possible?

Mei Nianzhi seemed to notice Chen Tang's disdain and explained, "In fact, it doesn't have any practical use for the grading. It's just that people are devoted to the Profound Celestial Sect, looking for consolation and seeking a good omen."

"We'll go over and have a look later. In the Profound Celestial Temple, besides burning incense and praying for blessings, you can also test your destiny with the Profound Sect. If you get recognized by the Profound Sect, you'll have the chance to join the Profound Celestial Temple and learn the Profound Sect's techniques, which is much more powerful than martial arts."

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Tang became somewhat interested.

What are these Profound Sect's Techniques?

In his previous life, he had heard some talk about techniques, some were alchemy, and some were elusive longevity techniques, things that fooled the Emperor.

Are the Profound Sect's techniques more powerful than martial arts here?

Chen Tang asked, "Has Hall Master Mei ever seen the Profound Sect's techniques?"

"No."

Mei Nianzhi shook his head slightly and said, "I've stayed in Changze County for years, where would I have had the chance to see such immortal techniques, but there are many legends about techniques among the people."

Chen Tang asked again, "What does testing destiny with the Profound Sect mean? Can such a thing be tested?"

"It can."

Mei Nianzhi said, "After the age of ten, anyone can go to the Profound Celestial Temple for testing. It's fifty taels per person to pick up a piece of the Profound Sect's spirit stone, and if there's a reaction within ten breaths, then you are destined with the Profound Sect."

Chen Tang clicked his tongue.

Daylight robbery!

Just testing costs fifty taels.

The chubby old man sneered, "What a load of crap about destiny, it's just nonsense to fool people."

His words changed the expressions not only of Mei Nianzhi and others but also drew curious and angry glances from the surrounding passersby.

In Qian Country, the Profound Celestial Sect holds the highest status.

Many people have deep faith in it.

Even if some are dissatisfied with the Profound Celestial Sect, they only complain in private; who would dare say it publicly?

The chubby old man said, "It's just a thing to test aptitude. If there is a reaction, then you have the talent to cultivate the Profound Sect's techniques. If not, naturally, you can't cultivate."

"Just like a person born with a defective dantian can't cultivate inner qi."

Mei Nianzhi said, "That may be true, but in the entire world, those with the talent to cultivate the Profound Sect's techniques are extremely rare, one in a million. If there's a chance to join the Profound Sect, it would be a supreme opportunity."

"Everyone has their strengths, those alchemists, warlocks..."

The chubby old man still wanted to say something, but Qingmu tugged at his sleeve under the table to interrupt him, shaking her head slightly.

Many people were looking their way; there was no need to create extra trouble.

The chubby old man pouted and flicked his sleeves, "You all go, I'm not interested."

Qingmu looked at Chen Tang and said, "You and Zhiwei haven't been tested, it's good to test it."

Chen Tang was indeed a bit curious about this, so he nodded in agreement.

Everyone followed the crowd toward the Profound Celestial Temple.

After a while, they turned a corner and saw the Profound Celestial Temple at first glance.

In the Profound Celestial Temple, an ancient and elegant tower stood tall, with intricate carvings and a grand appearance, much more imposing than the County Government Office, and considered the tallest building in Wu'an County.

Besides Wu'an County, people from surrounding towns and counties also gathered here today.

A long line had formed at the entrance from afar.

Everyone entering the Profound Celestial Temple had to buy three sticks of incense from the disciples at the entrance.

There was some dispute at the front; it seemed someone tried to bring incense from outside into the Profound Celestial Temple but was chased away by the disciples at the entrance.

"What's wrong with incense from outside? Isn't it the same?"

"Hmph, the incense in your hand hasn't been consecrated by the Observatory Master; bringing it into the Profound Celestial Temple would be desecrating the Immortal Master. Since your heart isn't sincere, why bother praying for blessings at the Profound Celestial Temple?"

"Sincerity leads to efficacy; insincerity brings disaster!"

The two disciples spoke bluntly.

Mei Nianzhi quietly explained, "To burn incense here, you have to buy it inside the Profound Celestial Temple."

Chen Tang snickered, "I suppose the incense inside is much more expensive than outside."

He was very familiar with this kind of practice.

Mei Nianzhi nodded, "Naturally, as the incense inside has been consecrated by the Observatory Master. If affluent families could also buy flowers, lamps, water, and fruits along with incense for the five offerings, it's said to be more effective."

Chen Tang remained unimpressed.

His attention was focused on the two disciples at the entrance of the Profound Celestial Temple.

These two disciples were quite skilled, very strong, seemingly possessing the strength of the Ninth Grade.

Just the two gatekeeping disciples of the Profound Celestial Temple had such strength, indicating the temple's formidable power, no wonder Li Boxiong was so apprehensive about them.

At the entrance, they inquired and found out that one stick of incense cost ten taels.

Chen Tang, not wanting to bicker, bought three sticks of incense to go in.

As for burning incense and praying for blessings, he didn't bother, instead wandering around the Profound Celestial Temple.

The most noticeable structure in the Profound Celestial Temple was the five-story Profound Celestial Tower, located in the rear hall, where outsiders were not allowed; it was said the Observatory Master resided on its top floor, overseeing the entire Wu'an County.

After Qingmu and Zhiwei finished burning incense, Chen Tang joined them in lining up at the side hall for testing destiny with the Profound Sect.

The line here was even longer.

Lu Shizong and his family had come all the way from Changze County, hoping for their child's success in grading; unexpectedly, on the way, they got caught up by Gou Ying, ran into a disastrous star, and Lu Ziqi's wrist was broken.

This grading was definitely hopeless for their child.

His wife was publicly humiliated, losing face.

They narrowly escaped disaster from Snow Thieves on the way; it was a journey filled with fear.

This visit to the Profound Celestial Temple was partly to pray for peace and partly to have Lu Ziqi tested to see if he could join the Profound Sect.

Finally, it was their turn.

Lu Shizong took Lu Clan and Lu Ziqi, paid fifty taels, and entered the main hall.

They saw a very handsome Daoist Child in a robe sitting at the center of the main hall, with a tall disciple of the Profound Celestial Temple standing beside him.

"Lu Shizong of Changze County, along with Lu Clan and Lu Ziqi, greet the Immortal Master."

Lu Shizong hurriedly led Lu Clan and their child forward to bow and salute.

This person was not the Observatory Master of the Profound Celestial Temple.

With their status, they couldn't possibly meet the Observatory Master.

But still, anyone responsible for testing destiny with the Profound Sect in the main hall wouldn't hold a low status in the temple, so addressing him as Immortal Master wasn't wrong.

The Daoist Child seemed very young, not yet twenty, fair-skinned, he only nodded slightly and pointed to a fist-sized stone on the table before him, saying, "Whoever wants to test, pick up this stone, calm your mind, and wait ten breaths."

Lu Clan quickly pushed Lu Ziqi forward, instructing, "Don't be nervous, relax, your father and mother's future pride depends on you."

Lu Ziqi, being inexperienced in such matters, inevitably felt nervous, trembling as he raised his hand to grab the stone.

Lu Shizong, standing nearby, was also extremely nervous.

At this close distance, he couldn't help but glance again at the Daoist Child, feeling a peculiar sense of familiarity.

This Daoist Child seemed somewhat familiar, as if he'd seen him somewhere before.

"Darling, look at him, doesn't he look like Xu Feng's..."

Lu Shizong tugged at Lu Clan, speaking softly.

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