in his mouth.As soon as he saw me, he smiled and said, "Finally you can speak! I almost suffocated from holding it in."This old geezer, does he think words are more important than lifeI managed a str..."Achoo!"

A large duster swept across my face, causing me to sneeze.

The sneeze echoed, and I was stunned.

The owner of the dust whisk was also stunned.

Am I... in the Qinghua Great Emperor's Hall of the Qingyu Taoist Temple

Isn't this refined and aloof old Taoist priest in front of me Lingxuzi Daochang

It's rather strange, in recent years the rumors of Lingxuzi Daochang have become more prevalent. He is a recluse Taoist priest, revered as a distinguished elder and inheritor of a lineage. He lives simply, shunning fame and fortune.

So rumors about him often circulated that he was near death, ascended to immortality, or even that he had already died.

Sometimes I'm also in the dark. He doesn't have a phone or computer, and I wouldn't go out of my way to bother him just because of rumors. Besides, he's senior to me, so he naturally wouldn't seek me out for no reason.

If anything unexpected were to happen to him, senior disciples within the sect would naturally notify fellow practitioners.

How long has it been since I last saw him... I remember that after the zombie incident, he was seriously injured and seemed to need help to stand up.

Even in my mind, for a moment I was a little dazed—was he still alive

The thought flashed past like lightning, awakening me with a jolt.

Isn't my mother's existence like this too

Ethereal and dreamlike, a semblance of reality but not quite.

"Little friend" Ling Xuzi, the Daoist priest, showed a slight surprise before a knowing smile appeared in his eyes, followed by a slight bow.

I hurriedly returned the greeting. Jiang Qiyun's gaze swept around, then raised an eyebrow and said, "This old Taoist is quite devout."

Indeed devout, Lingxuzi Daochang, how old is he In this grand hall, only he was seen praying and reciting scriptures, even using a whisk to sweep the altar.

"Ahem... excuse me." I felt a little embarrassed. This great hall is one of the earthly domains of the Great Taiyi deity, and also one of his practices.

"Little friend, our meeting was destined by fate. Come and go as you please, there's no need to be disturbed." Lingxuzi greeted me politely with a few words, then went straight to the point: "Why are you here alone, little friend Where is your older brother"

My brother is more popular than me because people know he's not someone to mess with, so everyone is willing to get along with him.

“…He, some things, are being handled.” I replied quietly.

Ling Xuzi sighed softly: "The red dust and worldly affairs are indeed troublesome... Now that the time of the Demon Examination has come, it's best to be cautious in words and deeds and retreat to seclusion. Brother Long is a man of high standing with many important matters to attend to, and as a younger friend, I should also advise him."

I'm almost tempted to take the demonic exam with him...

Jiang Qiyundao: "This old Taoist seems to have something to say to you. Why not stay here for half a day and rest before leaving"

"Huh Aren't you in a hurry to go back" I was a bit worried about the situation at the Shen family.

Jiang Qiyun glanced at Ling Xuzi, the Daoist priest. Ling Xuzi gazed at him with a calm and collected expression, seemingly unaware of Jiang Qiyun's presence.

Even if you couldn't see it, you should have felt it, right

"Senior, seeing as I'm a bit disheveled, would it be possible for me to borrow a private room to freshen up and change my clothes It would be very convenient."

Well, this is me speaking out of turn, but the incense at Qingyu Taoist Temple is very strong. And they’re all high-ranking officials and wealthy patrons who come here. I've even been assigned to manage that top-of-the-line "Number One Heavenly" room, which costs a fortune.

The errand-running Taoist was very clever, and brought me a set of civilian clothes.

"Do you still have civilian clothes here" I curiously opened the bag and looked, while the Taoist priest, two zhang away from me, answered with a bow: "Pilgrims who come here like to change into Dao robes, but sometimes when they go back, their civilian clothes are not dry yet, it's inconvenient to wear Dao robes down the mountain, so the guesthouse has a special shop to facilitate pilgrims."

"Oh…" The pajamas with the Tai Chi Pisces design feel so good to the touch, they must be expensive. Maybe one piece costs 9 dollars.

The little Daoist was very quick-witted. As soon as he saw me looking for the sign, he immediately said: "Master has instructed that you are a distinguished guest, who should not be bothered by worldly affairs. Just open your mouth when you need anything, and your meals will be delivered shortly."

“Just taking and not giving back, is this really right”

I looked at Jiang Qiyun who was leaning against the window. He was facing away from me, looking up the mountain, I don't know what he was looking at.

After washing up quickly, I squeezed beside him and asked, "What are you looking at"

Jiang Qiyun pinched my chin, turning my face in a certain direction.

That was one side of the front mountain of Qingyu Daoist Temple.

"See that"

His fingers were ice-cold, and following his direction, I saw a wisp of gray smoke on the horizon.

Is this on fire I nervously looked at Jiang Qiyun.

He looked deep in thought, seemingly unconcerned.

"I'm going to inform the management." I turned and said, "That bluish-black smoke...could someone have started a fire in the mountains It looks very ominous—"

"Hmm" Jiang Qiyun smirked. "Learned how to sense Qi"

"Huh" Isn't *qì* a part of feng shui I may not be good at everything else, but I can at least look into feng shui—didn't you say so

"Different, that wisp of blue smoke is invisible to ordinary people," Jiang Qiyun shook his head and said: "You not only saw it, but could also immediately feel the impending danger. This means you have already achieved 'seeing with your eyes and reaching your heart', you've made great progress."

"What do we do then Let's go and see" It's a time of troubles, better not have something happen here too.

Even though Lingxuzi Daochang is so old, there aren't as many disciples in his temple as there are in the Shen family. If some demons or goblins were to appear here, I wonder if he could handle them.

No sooner had the words left my mouth than someone came to invite me.

I looked at Jiang Qiyun, it seems that Lingxuzi Daochang knows something.

"This old Taoist has practiced for many years, been devout in his pursuit of the Dao, and done a great deal of good. He is well-known among the esoteric traditions of the world. I reckon that… perhaps he could be like you one day." Jiang Qiyun casually remarked.

Like me Go to the Purple Bamboo Grove to practice cultivation

That was really amazing, I have even more admiration for Daoist Lingxu.

"Little friend, how is the scenery in front of the mountain" Lingxuzi smiled openly and asked me.

His hand trembled slightly as he poured the tea, but his mind was as clear as a mirror. Could it be that he deliberately arranged for me to go to Room No. 1 of the Heavenly Character section

From there, you can see far and wide.

"This blessed land is indeed a place of great fortune for cultivation." I answered respectfully, waiting for the elder to give his instructions.

He probably also knows that speaking to me is different from sparring with my brother. He said frankly, "I think you've also seen that there's something ominous about the front mountain. I've already ordered the mountain to be sealed for cultivation, and no disciples are allowed to go out. Therefore, it's inconvenient to send someone to handle it. I hope you will lend a helping hand. With your current status, identity, and cultivation level, it is nothing more than a flick of your sleeve."

Well, that's a tall hat...

"Senior, I won't beat around the bush. If you have something to ask of me, just say it. As long as it's within my abilities, I will definitely do my best." I replied earnestly.

The Daoist smiled and didn't stand on ceremony with me. He told his disciple to bring over a wooden box.

“This wooden box was left here by a fellow cultivator from before. The cultivator has travelled the world and their whereabouts are unknown, but the markings on it should belong to the Shen family... I showed it to Old Madam Shen before, and after much deliberation, she said that it should remain here, waiting for the right person.”

Shen's belongings

I stood up and took it. On one side of the wooden box, as expected, was the crest of the Shen family.

The Shen family is the only one in the circle, with no branches.

The feel of it in my hand made me guess some things.

This is something about my mother.rowning.Tang Yufei stood by the door, arms crossed, squinting and smiling: "… You two know each other"Damn it... Tang Yufie is such a pain in the ass."Come out here with me, I need to talk to you." I...