[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele":3,"chapter-the-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele-the-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele-chapter-208":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Invincible Female Ghost Is A Bit Of A Hopeless Romantic",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1706396,2180,"Chapter 208: Who Still Dares to Beat Song Yan at Tianlong Temple??","the-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele-chapter-208",208,"\u003Cp>The scene before them formed a stark contrast with Zhenlong Temple’s quiet, secluded simplicity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Straight ahead rose a towering, majestic mountain whose main peak pierced the clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain rolled and undulated like a sleeping giant dragon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And upon that dragon-like massif, from the foot up to the mid-slope and near the cloud-wreathed summit, densely packed—rows upon rows, so close they almost covered the entire face of the mountain—were countless halls, pavilions, towers, terraces, and corridors built along the slopes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not one or two buildings but an entire complex that seemed fused with the mountain itself, a scale so enormous it took the breath away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Red walls, golden tiles, upturned eaves, and dougong brackets reflected a solemn, resplendent sheen even under the pale winter morning light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between the lofty halls, broad mountain paths paved with bluestone wound sinuously like tendons across a dragon’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those paths bound the buildings into a single organic whole. Further away, suspension bridges spanned deep ravines and plank walkways clung to cliffs, extending the complex’s reach into ever more perilous and awe-inspiring places.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first impression of Tianlong Temple was simple: vast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhenlong Temple had its main buildings centered on Sanqing Hall, but it was only a small cluster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All living and cultivation areas clustered tightly around it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tianlong Temple, by contrast, was like a fully functional, magnificent city built on a mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just the visible main halls, subsidiary halls, scripture towers, pill rooms, guesthouses, and dining halls... probably numbered well over a hundred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention the many more structures half-hidden among trees and rocks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan was not naive. Especially since his transmigration, he had often traveled south and north with the old man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, Lu Yuan had been to more places than most Taoists.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as he’d followed the old man, they mostly went into secluded spots or mountains; he hadn’t visited Fengtian City much, and this level of top-tier spectacle was a first for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It really was stunning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only was Zhenlong Temple no match for Tianlong Temple, even Baiyun Temple near Fengtian couldn’t compare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond scale, what impressed Lu Yuan even more were the pilgrims coming here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was the freezing late winter and shaded parts of the mountain still held unmelted snow, the plaza before Tianlong Temple’s mountain gate was already teeming with people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wide square was filled with all kinds of carriages and sedan chairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pilgrims in cotton robes and fur-lined coats pressed shoulder to shoulder, supporting elders and carrying children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They climbed the long, seemingly endless bluestone steps slowly and reverently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Men and women, old and young, rich and poor, most wore solemn or expectant expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air was heavy with the aroma of incense, mixed with people’s breath and noisy voices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scale of worship here verged on the astonishing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhenlong Temple had indeed gained more pilgrims since the incident in Fengtian City—festivals had become livelier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But compared to this market-like crowd, Zhenlong Temple’s traffic was a trickle before the ocean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder some xianxia novels always mention \"foundation\" as an important thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had not fully understood before, but now he did.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Zhenlong Temple was expanding; Aunt Qiao’er and Aunt Qin had found people to help, and in a few years it would naturally grow stronger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether it could ever catch Tianlong Temple was another matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A complex this vast and this many devoted pilgrims couldn’t be built in a day, or even a year or two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan led Hu Yangyang and Hu Tutu down from the donkey cart, thanked Old Chen, and followed the crowd toward the grand mountain gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Up close, the exquisite—and extravagant—details of Tianlong Temple became even clearer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gate rose many zhang high, constructed entirely from giant slabs of white stone carved with intricate cloud-and-dragon motifs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three gilded characters reading \"Tianlong Temple\" blazed under the snowy light, the brushwork vigorous as thunder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two enormous stone guardian sculptures flanked the gate, eyes glaring, claws pressing stone spheres that seemed to shimmer with a faint spiritual glow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Passing through the gate, the bluestone path beneath their feet was broad and even, wide enough for several carriages abreast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The balustrades were carved from choice bluestone; every few steps a stone lantern stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though unlit at midday, their shapes were elegant and refined, far from mundane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, the halls—main and side—were built with top-quality beams and pillars, lacquered a glossed vermilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roofs were covered with heavy glazed tiles that shone brilliantly against the snow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bronze bells hung from eaves, chiming softly in the wind with clear, distant tones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Window and door panels were carved with elaborate Taoist talismans, crane-and-cloud motifs, their craftsmanship lifelike and exquisite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air no longer smelled of mountain freshness but of fine sandalwood, lacquer, stone, and the concentrated presence of countless pilgrims—a unique, dignified, slightly oppressive atmosphere belonging to a grand complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the temple boys sweeping the grounds wore crisply laundered blue robes, the fabric plainly finer than the coarse cloth at Zhenlong Temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they walked and observed, Lu Yuan felt a rush of mixed emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder when He Xun Master Uncle had visited Zhenlong Temple last time he’d looked down his nose at everything; now Lu Yuan understood his scorn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, Lu Yuan remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhenlong Temple had its virtues: tranquil, free, fewer rules and less strife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither the old man nor he ever sought pomp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the current task—cleaning up the residual poison of the Liu family—was broad in scope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only a powerful, deeply rooted, and resource-rich \"super temple\" like Tianlong Temple could head such an operation, stabilize the situation, and marshal sufficient manpower and resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s go up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan withdrew his gaze and glanced at Hu Yangyang and Hu Tutu, both stunned by the grandeur but trying to keep outward calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a deep breath and began climbing the seemingly endless stone stairs toward the summit main halls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Tutu followed with wide blinking eyes, taking in the unfamiliar splendor and ornate buildings, whispering in awe:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Daoist Priest, this place is so big and pretty... busier than the market back in town!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly the two little ones had seen little of the world and usually stayed in mountain nooks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hu Yangyang walked quietly beside Lu Yuan, her eyes sweeping the finely dressed pilgrims and the imposing halls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glanced down at her faded old cotton jacket and patched bundle, pursed her lips, bowed her head a little more, but kept stride close behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan noticed that fleeting unease in Hu Yangyang and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew that from now on, the new world they would face and adapt to would be far more complicated than this magnificent temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three blended into the bustling stream of worshippers and climbed the seemingly endless bluestone steps, step by step toward the cloud-wreathed summit and towering halls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They followed the crowd for a good half hour before finally reaching the main-hall area at the mountaintop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here the buildings were even more majestic, imbued with solemnity and gravitas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A vast square paved with mirror-smooth white marble stretched out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the center stood a grand main hall more than ten zhang high, with multi-eaved roofs, vermilion walls, and golden tiles, an awe-inspiring sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A huge bronze censer before the hall sent incense spiraling into the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around it clustered several slightly smaller yet exquisitely ornate subsidiary halls, scripture towers, and bell-and-drum towers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although pilgrims still filled the square, order prevailed; everyone held their breath and spoke softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only devout prayers and the faint clink of ritual instruments from within the halls could be heard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan led silent Hu Yangyang and Hu Tutu across the square to a relatively quiet side hall corridor with a couple of Taoists on duty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This area was where Tianlong Temple’s internal disciples handled affairs and received visitors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two young Taoists in their early twenties stood guard, blue robes crisply laundered, faces neat, eyes clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their cultivation wasn’t extremely high, but their presence was steady—clearly well trained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Lu Yuan with two simply dressed little girls, they showed no overt reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One stepped forward, bowed, and asked politely:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fellow Daoist, are you here to offer incense at Tianlong Temple?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Incense offerings should go to the main hall square; this is an internal access lane. Unrelated people may not enter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan straightened his ill-fitting, half-worn cotton coat, returned the bow with a calm tone and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Two brothers, my respects.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am Lu Yuan, a disciple of Zhenlong Temple.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am not here to offer incense. I have an urgent matter and wish to see your Brother Song, Brother Song Yan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please do me the favor of passing that along.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan did not say he wanted to meet Celestial Master He Xun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, He Xun was the head of Tianlong Temple and a revered figure; these young disciples had low status and might take time to reach He Xun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It would be faster to ask to see Song Yan, a disciple easier to reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as soon as Lu Yuan finished speaking, the two duty Taoists’ expressions shifted into something... odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They exchanged a glance and appraised Lu Yuan from head to toe, especially his clearly ill-fitting, somewhat shabby cotton jacket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhenlong Temple?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there was a piece of gossip hotter than any other beyond the Great Wall recently, it was the Fengtian City matter—how he and the old man had grabbed the Celestial Master title.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they only heard the name Lu Yuan, these two might think it a namesake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But add Zhenlong Temple into the mix and there was no doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two stared curiously at Lu Yuan, puzzled that this legendary Zhenlong Temple disciple...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>would be dressed like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan did not want to waste words and was about to produce something to prove his Zhenlong Temple affiliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he had overthought it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first duty Taoist’s polite smile faded slightly; his tone turned perfunctory:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh, looking for Brother Song...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dragged out the words as if embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s... rather inconvenient.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Song... a few days ago he had a bit of trouble. Now... uh, not very convenient to receive guests.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His attitude left Lu Yuan baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan never claimed that doing remarkable things automatically demanded respect or warm treatment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet this cooling, dismissive manner felt insulting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone knew the old man and He Xun were sworn senior brothers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan was the old man’s direct disciple and called He Xun Master Uncle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That relationship alone should matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So why this attitude?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan had no time to dwell. He furrowed his brows and asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Trouble?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Was he injured?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other Taoist sneered and took over the reply with an openly casual, even gloating tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Injured?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not exactly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s more like... hehe, he got into a scuffle a few days ago, took a beating—face swollen, front tooth loose.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These days he’s hiding in his room nursing his wounds, too ashamed to show his face.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke with a teasing grin, as if recounting some trivial amusement, with no respect toward Song Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two duty Taoists’ words left Lu Yuan stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was going on?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yan was Celestial Master He Xun’s direct disciple, and Lu Yuan could tell He Xun doted on Song Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yan’s standing in He Xun’s heart was the same as Lu Yuan’s in the old man’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially if it was a fight...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan had assumed Song Yan might have quarreled with some outsider who didn’t know his identity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Yan did sometimes act obnoxiously and could provoke people; being beaten by a random opponent would be plausible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the attitude of these duty disciples suggested they weren’t surprised by Song Yan’s condition and even seemed to find it amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That implied...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could the ones who beat Song Yan...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>be Tianlong Temple disciples themselves?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hey!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who still dares to beat Song Yan inside Tianlong Temple??\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasn’t that as outrageous as someone daring to beat Lu Yuan at Zhenlong Temple?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now was not the time to investigate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there was a problem, seeing Song Yan would clear things up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan suppressed his doubts and spoke again with firmer resolve:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fellow brothers, please notify Brother Song. Say Lu Yuan of Zhenlong Temple requests an audience. Whether he sees him or not is Brother Song’s call.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yuan insisted on meeting. Despite their mocking tone, the two could not ignore him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, who Lu Yuan was was common knowledge outside the Wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention Lu Yuan’s relationship with He Xun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Lu Yuan had even dared to rough up Shen Jizhou, leaving him in no small state; angering Lu Yuan would be unwise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally one of them said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, perhaps ten-odd minutes later, a familiar, plump, somewhat impish... um...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and somewhat bruised figure appeared in the distance, bounding up and waving at Lu Yuan:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh my goodness!! Junior Brother!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When did you get here!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2162,"2026-06-06T14:45:54.834Z",1,"novelbin.me","f6cdd520f352ec59dba6ad7797a04183f04466e320192fc5d25ed9dc22d436f8","the-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele-chapter-209","the-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele-chapter-207",241,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-invincible-female-ghost-is-a-bit-of-a-hopele-cover.jpg"]