Chapter 217: The First Batch of Malevolent Deity Offering Grounds

Lu Yuan's mind was now full of nothing but question marks.

There was absolutely no way anyone outside could know about Gu Qingwan's matter.

The Hu Family of Continuing the Lamp knew because of those omnipresent, unstoppable gods beyond the Great Wall.

Then...

Then Shen Jizhou...

Could it be that Wuqing Temple also had gods??

How did Shen Jizhou find out?

Shen Jizhou looked down from his elevated position at Lu Yuan's dumbstruck expression. The corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.

It was a look mixed with smug satisfaction and an expression of "just as I thought."

"What's wrong?"

"Does the head disciple want me to personally deliver it to your doorstep?"

Lu Yuan snapped back to reality and quickly cupped his fists, his voice somewhat hoarse:

"Master Uncle... how... how did you know..."

Shen Jizhou looked down at Lu Yuan's expression, as if he'd seen a ghost, and spoke with a tone of arrogance and matter-of-factness:

"What? Is that strange?"

Shen Jizhou's voice wasn't loud, but every word struck like a hammer, smashing into Lu Yuan's heart:

"Do you think my Wuqing Temple earned the title 'Number One Temple Beyond the Great Wall' for nothing?"

"If even the Hu Family of Continuing the Lamp knows about it, why shouldn't Wuqing Temple?"

Lu Yuan was left speechless by this rebuttal.

He realized he might have underestimated Wuqing Temple's foundations once again.

Wuqing Temple's reach was far wider than he had imagined.

Since the Hu Family of Continuing the Lamp had interfered in the Fengtian City incident, the news would naturally reach Wuqing Temple's ears.

"As for this piece of wood..."

Seeing Lu Yuan's discomfort, Shen Jizhou seemed in a better mood. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, the morning wind billowing his wide Daoist robe, making it rustle loudly.

"From the day I took it out and saw your expression—clearly wanting it but forcing yourself to hold back—I guessed about seventy to eighty percent."

He paused, his gaze deepening, his tone losing some of its coldness and gaining a barely perceptible warmth:

"Lu Yuan, I may be an old man, but I'm not unreasonable."

"I never truly blamed you for what happened in Fengtian City last time."

"Each side serves their own master, each relies on their own skills. You did nothing wrong."

Shen Jizhou's gaze passed over Lu Yuan, looking into the distant, mist-shrouded mountains. His voice drifted away with the wind:

"The Daoist path is one family."

"From now on, if something comes up, say it directly."

"There's no need to beat around the bush like you did that day."

"Take your things and go."

With that, he stopped looking at Lu Yuan, turned around, flicked his wide Daoist robe, and his figure vanished into the swirling mist at the cliff's edge.

Only a lingering voice echoed in the morning wind.

Lu Yuan clutched the brocade bundle in his arms, feeling the dragon aura and chill that still sent shivers through his heart even through the fabric. A myriad of emotions swirled within him.

He looked up toward the direction Shen Jizhou had disappeared, and after a long moment, bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Master Uncle."

This thanks was not only for the priceless "Dragon-Swallowing Wood."

But also for Shen Jizhou's words about "the Daoist path is one family."

Shen Shulan stood beside Lu Yuan, her pristine white sleeves fluttering slightly in the morning mist.

She looked at the bundle in Lu Yuan's arms, then at the direction her father had vanished. A trace of subtle, yet genuine, warmth flickered in her clear, cold eyes.

"Junior Uncle,"

Shen Shulan spoke softly, breaking the silence.

"It's getting late. We should set off too."

Lu Yuan took a deep breath, suppressing all his gratitude and turmoil deep within his heart. He nodded firmly.

"Good!"

Lu Yuan lowered his head and carefully tucked the brocade bundle close to his body, as if holding the most precious treasure in the world.

"Let's go!"

Lu Yuan vaulted onto his horse and gave a sharp tug on the reins. The black-maned steed reared up, letting out a neigh.

The grand procession set off once more, cutting through the morning mist, crossing the mountain ridges, and galloping toward Zhenlong Temple.

And on that high cliff, Shen Jizhou stood with his hands behind his back, watching the procession disappear at the end of the mountain path.

...

Five days later, at dusk, the setting sun painted the mountains beyond the Great Wall a magnificent gold and crimson.

Lu Yuan reined in his horse, standing at a turn in the mountain path, and looked up into the depths of the valley.

There, a majestic yet somewhat ancient and weathered Daoist temple stood quietly on a platform halfway up the mountain.

That was Zhenlong Temple.

Completely different from Wuqing Temple's ethereal coolness or Tianlong Temple's golden splendor.

The current Zhenlong Temple radiated a wild, thriving energy and bustling activity.

The once-secluded mountain path was now crowded with pilgrims and visitors.

Not only were there ordinary devout men and women, but also many people in various Daoist robes, some even carrying weapons.

The original market had been in the town below, but now temporary markets had formed on both sides of the town.

Vendors selling incense, candles, and mountain goods cried out to one another, turning the once-peaceful temple into a noisy temple fair.

However, what drew the most attention wasn't the pilgrims, but the dramatic changes happening to Zhenlong Temple itself.

The original, somewhat dilapidated temple walls had been mostly torn down, replaced by the more magnificent stone and brick foundations currently under construction.

Scaffolding stood like a forest. Hundreds of craftsmen were hammering away, carrying massive logs and stones.

Dust flew, voices clamored—a scene of bustling construction.

"That's the foundation for the new Demon Suppression Hall..." Lu Yuan pointed at a concrete area being poured on the left side of the mountain gate, a traditional mixture of glutinous rice paste and gravel, speaking to Shen Shulan beside him.

"And that's the expansion for the 'Guest Reception Pavilion'..."

"And that's..."

Shen Shulan was visiting Zhenlong Temple for the first time. Lu Yuan had wanted to introduce her to the place.

But...

Now, Lu Yuan himself couldn't even explain it all.

In the end, Lu Yuan could only dismount, toss the reins to an approaching acolyte, and make a "please" gesture to Shen Shulan.

Lu Yuan led Shen Shulan and the other Wuqing Temple disciples up the newly laid stone steps.

The further in they went, the more the noisy, bustling waves of sound washed over them.

Lu Yuan, with Shen Shulan and the Wuqing Temple disciples, passed through the bustling crowd and entered the mountain gate of Zhenlong Temple.

As soon as they entered, the sight before him made Lu Yuan pause in surprise.

The square in front of Sanqing Hall was packed with people, far more than when Lu Yuan had left.

Besides the devout men and women offering incense, there were even more cultivators in various Daoist robes.

Lu Yuan swept his gaze across them and immediately recognized a few familiar faces—disciples of Tianlong Temple.

They wore moon-white robes with gold trim, exuding an extraordinary aura.

Gathered in small groups in the shadows under the eaves, they spoke in low voices. Though they didn't flaunt their status, the composed demeanor of a great sect was undeniable.

These Tianlong Temple disciples must have come to help, Lu Yuan thought, not finding it particularly surprising.

However, what truly surprised Lu Yuan was another group.

It was a group of about forty or fifty young people in indigo-blue Daoist robes.

They were scattered around the square. Some were sweeping fallen leaves, some were carrying incense and candles, and others were sitting upright under the eaves, reciting scriptures.

At first glance, their Daoist robes looked identical to those of Zhenlong Temple's orthodox disciples.

But upon closer inspection, whether it was the quality of the fabric or the embroidered pattern of the "True Dragon Spits Pearl" on the cuffs, everything seemed much rougher.

More importantly, Lu Yuan didn't recognize a single face among them!

Lu Yuan frowned, instinctively stopping in his tracks.

These people were mostly around fifteen or sixteen years old, with youthful faces and clear eyes full of curiosity—clearly new disciples who had just joined.

"Junior Uncle, these are..." Shen Shulan asked curiously, tilting her head slightly as her clear, cold gaze swept over the busy new disciples, her voice low.

Lu Yuan was stunned for a moment before snapping back to reality and understanding what was going on. He immediately said:

"They must be new disciples who came to join after hearing of us following the Celestial Master Grand Ceremony in Fengtian City."

Shen Shulan paused, then nodded in understanding, before saying seriously:

"Their robes don't fit properly, and their postures lack discipline. It's obvious they just joined."

Lu Yuan nodded. This would take time; they would adapt gradually.

Then Lu Yuan said to Shen Shulan:

"Sister Shulan, come with me into the hall first to rest. I'll find someone to ask about the situation."

Shen Shulan nodded slightly and followed Lu Yuan toward the "Quiet Heart Study," a side chamber behind Sanqing Hall reserved for honored guests.

However, before Lu Yuan could find someone, a familiar figure rushed out from the back hall.

The man was about forty years old, his face somewhat haggard. It was Zhou Shouzuo, Zhenlong Temple's receptionist Daoist priest.

"Senior Brother, you're back!"

Zhou Shouzuo saw Lu Yuan from afar, his eyes lighting up. He strode over in a few quick steps, a relieved expression on his face.

Lu Yuan walked up to meet him and then introduced the person beside him:

"This is Shen Shulan from Wuqing Temple. I've brought fellow Daoists from Wuqing Temple to assist."

"Sister Shulan, this is Zhou Shouzuo, our Zhenlong Temple's receptionist Daoist priest."

Shen Shulan's name was now renowned throughout the lands beyond the Great Wall, as she was the youngest Celestial Master in history.

Lu Yuan didn't specifically mention Shen Shulan's title as Celestial Master, as that would create distance.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Shouzuo was taken aback for a moment before quickly bowing to Shen Shulan and saying:

"So this is the illustrious Celestial Master Shen. I apologize for not coming to welcome you. Please forgive me."

Shen Shulan simply waved her hand slightly, looking a bit embarrassed.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Lu Yuan couldn't help but ask urgently:

"How is the old man doing?"

Zhou Shouzuo's expression darkened, his voice dropping lower:

"The temple master is still unconscious. He hasn't woken up."

"Currently, Celestial Master He Xun is overseeing the temple's affairs."

Lu Yuan's heart sank heavily.

The old man still hadn't woken up?

How long had it been?

It seemed that the matter with the Commanding Ghosts Liu Family had done far more damage to the old man's spirit than expected.

Before Lu Yuan could dwell on it further, Zhou Shouzuo delivered some good news:

"However, although the temple master hasn't regained consciousness, his condition is stable. If he rests well, he should wake up in a few days."

Hearing this, Lu Yuan felt somewhat relieved.

He had originally planned to visit the old man, but since he was still unconscious, Lu Yuan didn't feel like going.

As long as the old man was fine, Lu Yuan wasn't the sentimental type who had to see him in person.

He wasn't awake anyway, so Lu Yuan couldn't do anything. And there was still a mountain of things to deal with.

Immediately, Lu Yuan turned to Zhou Shouzuo and asked:

"Where is Celestial Master He Xun now?"

Zhou Shouzuo quickly replied:

"Celestial Master He has been in secluded cultivation at the 'Star-Gazing Terrace' on the cliff top at the back mountain for the past few days."

"He said he needed to deduce the heavenly mechanisms and sense the earth veins to prepare for the next phase of operations."

Lu Yuan nodded, making a mental note.

After a brief discussion with Zhou Shouzuo and Shen Shulan, Lu Yuan had Zhou Shouzuo go fetch Li Guanqi and Fu Yuanshan to the back mountain.

Then, he had him arrange accommodations for the Wuqing Temple disciples.

Meanwhile, Lu Yuan and Shen Shulan headed directly to the back mountain to pay their respects to Celestial Master He Xun.

The two left the noisy square and followed a more secluded path toward Zhenlong Temple's back mountain.

The further they went, the fewer people they encountered. But the sights along the way made Lu Yuan frown once more.

On the grass beside the back mountain path, neat rows of tents had been erected.

These tents weren't the crude field tents used in military campaigns. They were made of fine materials, elegantly shaped from cowhide, and even embroidered with the emblem of Tianlong Temple.

Outside the tents, disciples of Tianlong Temple in moon-white robes gathered in small groups. Some sat in meditation, some talked in low voices, and others practiced sword techniques.

When they saw Lu Yuan and Shen Shulan approaching, many cast them appraising glances but didn't come forward to question them.

Lu Yuan understood perfectly.

Zhenlong Temple was now overflowing with people. The original guest rooms had long been filled by the workers, craftsmen, and new disciples who had come for the construction of the new halls.

Although Tianlong Temple was highly esteemed, they were ultimately "guest troops." Since the host's accommodations were limited, they couldn't very well demand the guest rooms.

So they had to set up a temporary camp in the back mountain.

Of course, Wuqing Temple would have to do the same.

Shen Shulan observed silently from the side, her clear, cold gaze sweeping over the tent camp.

She gained a more intuitive understanding of Zhenlong Temple's current prosperity and predicament.

The two bypassed the tent area and continued climbing the steep mountain path.

About the time it takes to burn a stick of incense later, the path opened up before them, revealing a flat cliff-top platform.

This was the "Star-Gazing Terrace."

At the edge of the platform, a tall, upright silhouette stood with hands behind its back, gazing into the distant, layered mountains.

It was Celestial Master He Xun.

"Disciple Lu Yuan pays respects to Master Uncle."

Lu Yuan and Shen Shulan hurried forward, stopping a few steps behind Celestial Master He Xun, and bowed.

Shen Shulan also bowed slightly and said in a clear voice:

"Shen Shulan of Wuqing Temple greets the Celestial Master."

Celestial Master He Xun slowly turned around. He didn't look at Lu Yuan but instead glanced at Shen Shulan and waved his hand slightly:

"Since you have achieved the position of Celestial Master, you have stepped into our realm. You should be treated as an equal, and there is no need to observe the formalities of a junior."

Whether these words were polite or sincere, neither Shen Shulan nor Lu Yuan knew. But Shen Shulan still bowed slightly and said:

"This junior dares not presume."

Celestial Master He Xun paused slightly but said nothing more.

Watching this scene, Lu Yuan couldn't help but curl his lip.

Right.

Just being polite.

Just as Lu Yuan was about to speak, two figures appeared on the mountain path below, walking quickly toward the Star-Gazing Terrace.

The arrivals were Li Guanqi and Fu Yuanshan.

As soon as they stepped onto the platform, they both bowed to Celestial Master He Xun:

"Celestial Master He."

Then, Li Guanqi and Fu Yuanshan turned to look at Lu Yuan and Shen Shulan.

When they saw Shen Shulan, they were momentarily startled, then simultaneously cupped their fists and said:

"Greetings, Celestial Master Shen."

Lu Yuan looked intently at Li Guanqi and Fu Yuanshan and asked directly without beating around the bush:

"Is the matter with the Commanding Ghosts Liu Family settled?"

Li Guanqi and Fu Yuanshan exchanged a glance. Then, Li Guanqi took out an oilcloth-wrapped booklet from his bosom and handed it over with both hands.

A relieved yet grave expression appeared on his face.

"We have not failed the mission,"

Li Guanqi said in a deep voice.

"The first batch of information regarding the Commanding Ghosts Liu Family's raising grounds and the related Malevolent Deity offering grounds has been fully compiled."

Hearing this, Lu Yuan was momentarily confused for a moment.

First batch?

Did that mean there would be many more batches to come?