Chapter 443: "After Ascension, the Physical Body Returns to the Sect

Chapter 443: Chapter 443: "After Ascension, the Physical Body Returns to the Sect

The old Daoist was about to reach for it, but Professor Xu stopped him. "Gloves, put on gloves. This is over a thousand years old!"

The old Daoist froze for a moment but obediently took the gloves Professor Xu handed him, put them on, and opened the envelope.

Professor Xu quickly took pictures of the writing on the envelope with his camera to preserve it.

When the old Daoist saw the contents, he gasped.

Mr. Zhao moved closer to look, and the others tried to crowd in as well.

The old Daoist took a few steps back to prevent anyone from touching Yuan Cheng’s body.

"To the worthy one who finds this letter: If this body has decayed, then I have passed on peacefully. If this body is incorrupt, then I have ascended. The scriptures are gifted to you; my body is to be returned to the Maoshan Sect."

Upon reading this, Mr. Zhao immediately clutched the rosewood box. "Senior Brother, the senior has allowed us to take the scriptures, but we must protect his incorruptible body and return it to the sect."

"Junior Brother Zhao is right," the old Daoist said in a deep voice. "Professor Xu, if you want to conduct your archaeological survey, please take your pictures now. Do not touch or move anything here. Everyone else, step back. Do not disturb the senior."

The military personnel had just confirmed that he was indeed dead. Their scans also confirmed it was a corpse, but they couldn’t understand why it hadn’t decomposed.

Professor Xu took pictures rapidly, not missing a single frame.

The images here depicted scenes from before and after the ascension, leaving everyone stunned.

Almost no one could understand why it hadn’t decayed.

And another thing: had he really ascended?

That was becoming an immortal, the stuff of legends!

Yao Ziqian was a local. He quickly sourced some sandalwood and had someone build a large case to place Yuan Cheng’s body inside in a seated position.

Professor Xu said, "You can’t just take it away like this. We still need to study why it hasn’t decomposed."

"How would you study it? Are you going to cut our predecessor into pieces?" the old Daoist asked. "If so, my Maoshan Sect will not allow it."

Professor Xu was taken aback. "But we have to verify if this person is really Senior Yuan Cheng, don’t we? And if he’s really from the Tang Dynasty?"

The old Daoist thought for a moment, then faced Yuan Cheng’s corpse and clasped his hands together. "Senior, forgive my offense."

The old Daoist snipped a lock of hair and a corner from the Daoist robe. "I know that you archaeologists have carbon-14 dating. This should be enough. You will get nothing more."

Professor Xu quickly added, "Those scriptures must also be shared. I need to photograph them. Otherwise, this is a historical site of Shencheng, and you can’t take them away."

Professor Xu knew his place and didn’t dare ask for the originals. Otherwise, these Daoists would surely turn on him and snatch everything away in the dead of night.

The old Daoist considered this. "In that case, you must also give us a copy of all the documentation and materials from here."

"Deal. Once it’s all compiled, we’ll give you a copy," Professor Xu agreed. ’Besides, culture is meant to be shared.’

Professor Xu did not refuse this request.

And so, they amicably reached an agreement. The military also requested a copy of the Taoist Body Refinement scriptures.

Yao Ziqian found a moment to speak with Han Xiaorui. "Sister Xiao Rui, I have to escort the senior back to the sect. Could you let Lingling know for me?"

Han Xiaorui was taken aback. "Yao Ziqian, will you be coming back after this?"

"Of course I’ll be back." Yao Ziqian couldn’t help but laugh. "You don’t think I’d abandon everything just to cultivate, do you?"

Han Xiaorui nodded. "Well, I was a little worried. After all, peaceful passing and ascension sound very tempting. I just saw those Daoists trembling with excitement."

Yao Ziqian smiled. "Of course they’re excited. The Taoist Sect’s scriptures will be complete, and besides, they’ve seen the hope of ascension. But my worldly ties are not yet severed; I’m still attached to the mortal realm. When I have no more attachments, perhaps then I’ll return to the sect for good."

"That’s good. They say it’s better to be lovers than immortals, so don’t just up and leave. Lingling is so wonderful; don’t let her down," Han Xiaorui said with a smile. "Oh, by the way, when you get to the sect, could you ask them if we build a Daoist Temple on the island, can it be incorporated into the Taoist Sect?"

Hearing this, Yao Ziqian replied, "Xiao Rui, to be honest, two of our senior brothers are staying behind to stand guard. Also, when we go back this time, we plan to report to the sect and propose building a Daoist Temple here. After all, there are so many Taoist murals."

"The cultural heritage department also wants to preserve the site as it is and won’t destroy these precious ancient structures. It would be best for us to build the Daoist Temple to preserve them. The murals have a lot of peach blossoms, so we’ll plant many peach trees on the island as well."

Han Xiaorui’s eyes lit up. "That’s a great idea! I’m counting on you. If that’s the case, I won’t cancel the lease contract. Once it’s developed into a scenic area, it can still attract tourists and generate income."

’This way, there’s no rush to build the water park and aquarium. We can take our time.’

"Don’t worry, my master and I will put in a good word for you," Yao Ziqian promised, then left with the others.

They rented a truck and lined the cargo bed with a thick layer of hay.

Members of the Maoshan Sect and the Taoist Association crowded around the case containing Yuan Cheng’s body, while an armed military escort guarded the perimeter.

Han Xiaorui spent the rest of the day in a daze. It had truly been an eye-opening experience.

By the time Han Xiaorui got home, it was already three in the afternoon.

She had expected the babies to be crying nonstop, but the house was surprisingly quiet.

"Sister Lian, where are the babies?" Han Xiaorui asked. "I went to the island and lost track of time."

Sister Lian smiled. "We were getting worried too. But when the babies got hungry and started crying, we gave them some formula using the hot water you boiled this morning. To our surprise, they were willing to drink it!"

Hearing this, Han Xiaorui breathed a sigh of relief. "That’s good."

"But the strange thing is, when Wu Yao used water from a different thermos to make the formula, Ningning and Zhuangzhuang wouldn’t drink it," Sister Lian added, looking puzzled. "At least they didn’t cry, though."

Han Xiaorui laughed. "As long as they’re drinking it and not going hungry, that’s all that matters. This way, I can actually leave the house if I have things to do. Otherwise, these two little ones would have me tied down at home, unable to go anywhere."

Han Xiaorui had a lot of work. Her pregnancy, childbirth, and childcare had caused her to fall behind on some things.

Even though she had help, there were many matters that required Han Xiaorui’s personal attention.

’It wasn’t that she didn’t trust her employees, but without effective oversight, they could very easily become corrupt.’

That was not something Han Xiaorui wanted to see.

Therefore, Han Xiaorui hoped to get back to work quickly instead of being stuck at home every day.

The babies were almost three months old, and as they grew, their appetites increased. Han Xiaorui’s milk supply was no longer enough.

Supplementing with formula was becoming a necessity.

When the district government learned that Han Xiaorui no longer wanted to terminate the contract and wished to continue leasing the islands with the historical sites, they let her have her way.

Since someone was willing to invest in such a scenic area, the local government was actually quite happy not to have to spend its own money.

Director Zhao from the district government paid another visit. "Ms. Han, now that you’re planning to build the Daoist Temple scenic area and the martyrs’ cemetery, are you still planning to invest in the water park and aquarium?"

Hearing this, Han Xiaorui was pleased. This was the government trying to attract investment.

’Of course, she couldn’t appear too eager. That was the only way to negotiate for better terms.’

"I would like to invest, but there’s no suitable location left here in Jinshan Bay."

Director Zhao breathed a sigh of relief when he heard this. As long as Han Xiaorui was willing to invest, everything else was negotiable.

"There’s no suitable place in Jinshan Bay, but the neighboring village has plenty of beachfront. The terrain is a bit steep, but that can be fixed."

’Han Xiaorui thought about all the preferential policies foreign investors received. As a local investor, she naturally had to fight for the best possible government support for herself.’