"The long march of ten thousand miles begins with the first step."

Cao Yi set down the ink-soaked brush, glancing at the healing talisman pressed tightly by his other hand, a knowing smile crossing his face. Creating a talisman that could communicate with the energy of heaven and earth had been his dream since becoming a Daoist.

"Who should I test it on?" he murmured to himself. Though the talisman could connect with celestial energy, its effectiveness was still unproven. He certainly wouldn't work; after his Golden Core baptism, his health was extraordinary. Howlingsky was well-fed, only wandering or sleeping, understanding wellness better than a human—how could it ever fall ill?

Who would be suitable? That person! A character from a plot suddenly came to mind, his lips curling slightly.

Gurgle… his stomach protested unexpectedly.

Cao Yi placed the now quiet healing talisman into a canvas bag adorned with a Taiji and Bagua design, left the room, and headed to the kitchen. The kitchen was small and simply arranged, with three tables—one with a gas stove, one with a cutting board, spices, spoons, and bowls, and the last with cabbage, radishes, flour... anything that wouldn't fit was stored beneath the tables, including a bucket of water.

Cao Yi rolled up his sleeves, kneaded a piece of dough the size of half a palm, rolled it into several sheets, brushed them with vegetable oil, placed them in a pot of boiling water, and turned on the gas. He washed and chopped two cabbage leaves, stir-frying them in a pan.

Once the pot boiled, he turned off the gas, took a sheet of dough, placed it on a plate, added a portion of stir-fried cabbage on top, and rolled it up—voilà, a delightful steamed bun filled with vegetables.

Taking a bite, he thought, mmm, delicious! Cao Yi devoured three and was about to eat a fourth when Howlingsky appeared at the kitchen door, staring with bright eyes as if to say, "I haven't eaten yet."

"Come eat," Cao Yi called, pulling out a plate from under the table and placing the last bun on it.

Howlingsky walked over slowly, like a distinguished guest at a restaurant, bending down to eat.

"I really don't know what use you are," Cao Yi shook his head helplessly.

Soon, Howlingsky finished. Cao Yi quickly washed the used pots and organized the kitchen before returning to his room to continue drawing talismans.

As evening approached, the last glimmer of light in the sky struggled for a moment before being buried in boundless darkness, marking the end of another day.

While finishing the talismans and preparing for the evening prayer in the shrine, Cao Yi suddenly heard the ringing of a phone and stood up to leave the shrine.

On the stone table between two jujube trees, a red mobile phone left by the rainbow (at this time known on the mainland as a "Big Brother," expensive and a symbol of wealth) rang incessantly.

Cao Yi walked over, picked it up, and answered.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Master, Big Gold Tooth has arranged for me to meet the tomb raider tonight at Paddy McGuire's in Manhattan," came Mark's voice, the legal representative for Global Mining.

"Tonight?" Cao Yi was a bit surprised. Previously, from the conversations he overheard, he thought the plot would take some time to unfold.

"You, you're Mr. Cao from Jade Void Temple—no, Daoist Priest Cao, how is it you answering the phone? Isn't Master still with you?" Mark inquired, surprised.

"This mobile phone was given to me by your Master for convenience. She left shortly after you did," Cao Yi explained.

"Did Master sign a contract with you? How much is your fee?" Mark asked again.

As the legal representative for Global Mining, everything concerning contracts fell under his purview.

"Five million dollars, no contract signed."

Cao Yi replied calmly, only to hear Mark scream on the other end.

Clearly startled.

A few seconds later.

"Daoist Priest, I sincerely apologize for disturbing you at this late hour."

Mark's tone became very polite. Clearly, someone who offers a large sum without even signing a contract is someone greatly respected by Master—someone he shouldn't provoke.

"You mentioned meeting the tomb raider tonight?"

"Yes."

"I'm very interested in the tomb raider."

"Daoist Priest, are you going too?"

"Is there a problem?"

"No problem, I'll come to pick you up."

They ended the call.

After tidying up, Cao Yi locked the Daoist temple, slinging his bag adorned with the Taiji and Bagua design over his shoulder as he stood at the entrance, waiting.

The temperature in suburban New York at night was low, and the wind blowing in from the woods felt chilling against his face.

About thirty minutes later, a car slowly approached through the darkness, stopping in front of the Daoist temple.

The door opened, and Mark, dressed in a sharp suit and exuding professionalism, stepped out with a broad smile, opening the back door.

"Daoist Priest, please get in."

"Thank you."

Cao Yi nodded and entered the car.

Mark returned to the driver's seat, maneuvering out of the wooded area surrounding the Daoist temple. Soon, they arrived at a straight highway.

Cao Yi gazed out the window; several miles passed before he spotted a house, prompting him to reflect that America was indeed much like in textbooks—besides major cities, the population was extremely sparse.

"Daoist Priest, what is the philosophy of Daoism? Many of my friends from the Heavenly Empire tell me Daoism is quite different from other religions."

With nothing to do, Mark opened up the conversation.

"Revering the Dao and valuing virtue, achieving unity between heaven and man, cherishing life and benefiting the world."

After Cao Yi finished, worried Mark might not understand, he added, "The Dao is the original power that creates and nurtures all things in the universe; virtue is noble character; unity with heaven and man means following natural laws to achieve harmony between people and nature; cherishing life and benefiting the world means respecting life and helping others."

Mark listened, puzzled. "What a strange religion! No proselytizing? No talk about going to heaven or hell after death?"

Cao Yi: "..."

Seeing Cao Yi fall silent, Mark assumed he had touched on a religious taboo and refrained from further discussion.

An hour later, the car stopped in front of Paddy McGuire's in Manhattan.

At this time, the bar was at its busiest, but there was no sound inside, clearly booked out by Global Mining.

"Daoist Priest, please."

Mark stepped out, opening the door for Cao Yi.

Compared to the original plot's treatment of the tomb raider and others, their attitudes were worlds apart.

Cao Yi thanked him and exited the vehicle.

Upon entering the bar, he immediately spotted Big Gold Tooth, with slicked-back hair and dressed in a very retro style, sitting at the bar.

"Mr. Mark, hello, um, Daoist?"

Big Gold Tooth was about to greet Mark but froze upon seeing Cao Yi in his Daoist robe.

"Daoist Priest Cao is also participating in this operation. He heard I was meeting the tomb raider tonight and was curious, so he came to take a look," Mark explained, now displaying a sense of pride not seen earlier.

Big Gold Tooth, regaining composure, sized up Cao Yi with glimmering eyes, exclaiming, "I didn't expect to see a Daoist from my hometown across the Pacific!"