Chapter 423: Let Me See and I

"We must hurry to find the three National Masters and report this matter!"

The gate clerk watched Yu Lin and Yuan Tiangang's backs recede, and a thought sprouted wildly like weeds—

If I were to promptly report the arrival of this dignified "Daozhang Yu", who even Daozhang Yuan treats with respect, to the three National Masters of great divine power, wouldn't I be earning a great merit?

Promotion and wealth need not be mentioned; perhaps the National Masters would favor me, granting some Longevity methods or elixirs, allowing me to shed mortal flesh and embark on the Immortal path!

The more he thought, the more he felt the chance must not be missed, and the clerk could no longer restrain himself, neglecting his duty, turning toward the most towering and illustrious National Master's residence in the city and sprinted off!

But he failed to notice that at the very moment he turned to run, Yuan Tiangang, who was walking side by side with Yu Lin in the distance, paused slightly, turned his head, and gave him a half‑smile, half‑sneer glance toward the direction he fled.

He then withdrew his gaze and whispered to Yu Lin: "I knew that shallow‑eyed little servant couldn't hold back; he'll go before the three demons to seek credit and reward."

Yu Lin kept his pace, walking steadily, and said calmly, "No problem. If those three demons truly came because of this… considering that when they first arrived here, they indeed Summoned Wind and Rain, relieved a regional drought, saved countless people from suffering, and performed that merit."

"If they conduct themselves with some sense, pleasing to my eyes, a casual pointer here or there wouldn't be impossible."

Yuan Tiangang stroked his beard and nodded: "Daoist friend, recalling their past good deeds, you are indeed magnanimous."

"With your ability, Daoist friend, a casual guidance would already be more than enough for them. However…"

He shifted his tone, and his gaze finally fell on the Nine‑Tailed White Fox quietly lying in Yu Lin's arms, its spirit strikingly vivid, his eyes full of curiosity:

"Daoist friend Yu, forgive my dull eyes; I was only catching up with old times and forgot to ask where this auspicious spirit fox in your arms came from."

"The Nine‑Tailed Divine Fox, such a divine beast was rare even in antiquity, and now is almost extinct; truly priceless, Daoist friend, your fate is profoundly blessed!"

He had only just noticed the fox's extraordinariness, but caught up in reunion joy and endless talk, he hadn't taken the time to inquire.

Hearing that, without waiting for Yu Lin to speak, the perpetually lazy, feigning‑sleep Tu Shan Zhi suddenly lifted her head, her narrow fox eyes glanced at Yuan Tiangang, and she spoke human words, her voice crisp yet bearing a natural arrogance:

"You little Daoist, listen carefully."

"I am no ordinary spirit fox; in the ancient days, the Yu King controlled the waters, set the Cauldrons of the Nine Provinces, forged the Nine Tripod Cauldrons to stabilize the Human World's mountains and rivers' qi flow, and I am one of those cauldrons—the spirit of the Xuzhou Cauldron!"

"Since you and my master are old acquaintances, I permit you to call me 'Zhi Niangniang' and that will suffice."

Nine… Nine Tripod Cauldrons? Xuzhou Cauldron?! This Nine‑Tailed Fox is the spirit of the Xuzhou Cauldron?!

Yuan Tiangang's curiosity froze instantly, replaced by extreme astonishment and disbelief.

The Nine‑Tailed Fox is indeed rare, but ultimately it is still a divine beast of a different kind; yet what are the Nine Tripod Cauldrons? They are Holy artifacts of the Human Race, state treasures, bearing the Human Race's qi and supreme merit!

Their significance and stature are far beyond any ordinary divine beast!

After the shock, a fresh curiosity quickly climbed his heart, making him feel a bit itchy........

His eyes suddenly flashed with almost tangible divine light, staring fixedly at Tu Shan Zhi, his finger technique flicking rapidly, muttering incantations:

"You claim to be the Xuzhou Cauldron? Words alone are no proof! Let this humble Daoist invoke the facial‑reading divination method; once I see clearly, you'll know!"

However, the magical aura of his spell just touched the invisible, vast qi flow and merit golden light surrounding Tu Shan Zhi, belonging to the Nine Tripod Cauldrons—

"Puff—!"

Yuan Tiangang's complexion turned ashen instantly, as if struck in the chest by an invisible giant hammer, and he spewed a large mouthful of fresh blood!

He staggered back several steps, pointing at the still‑lying Tu Shan Zhi in Yu Lin's arms, her face showing a "none of my business" expression, his finger trembling, breath unsteady:

"You… you… you really are a Nine Tripod Cauldron!!!"

Before the words finished, his eyes rolled back, and he fell backward face‑up.

"Plop"— he hit the ground with a thud, fell unconscious, only a strand of glaring blood clinging to his mouth corner.

This sudden incident naturally drew the gazes of nearby passersby.

Seeing two Daoists and a case of spitting blood and fainting, ordinary folk dared not step forward to inquire.

They all stepped aside, only daring to watch from a distance.

Tu Shan Zhi blinked innocently, her nine tails stiffened slightly, and hurriedly looked up at Yu Lin:

"Master, this… this has nothing to do with me! He insisted on looking!"

"The cauldron's qi flow and merit have their own spirit protection; they are not something ordinary calculation can probe. His own Daoist cultivation was insufficient, leading to a backlash…"

Yu Lin sighed helplessly, reached out to rub Tu Shan Zhi's head, his tone carrying a habitual "I saw this coming" attitude: "I know, I'm not blaming you. This fellow… has always been like this."

"His curiosity is strong, relying on divination which is the pinnacle of the Human World; taking this loss isn't the first nor the second time."

Speaking, he flicked a curved finger, and a pill exuding a strong medicinal fragrance and gentle vitality materialized out of thin air, immediately turning into a strand of Golden Light elixir that precisely flowed into Yuan Tiangang's slightly open mouth.

The elixir dissolved upon entering his throat, the mighty yet gentle medicinal force instantly coursed through Yuan Tiangang's four limbs and all bones, soothing his disrupted qi blood and primordial spirit.

After only a moment, Yuan Tiangang, lying on the ground, flicked his eyelashes a few times and slowly regained consciousness.

He blinked, still a bit dazed, but quickly realized what had happened.

A carp‑like spring sprang up from the ground, deftly patting the dust from his Daoist robe's hem, then wiping the lingering blood from his mouth corner with his sleeve, his face showing a slightly embarrassed smile:

"Cough cough… you made Daoist friend Yu the laughingstock again, hahaha."

He looked at Yu Lin, then solemnly bowed to Tu Shan Zhi, his expression becoming exceedingly serious: "However, after this 'look', this humble Daoist is both inwardly and outwardly convinced!"

"Congratulations, Daoist friend Yu, to have obtained such a Holy artifact bearing the Human Race's qi as a master and companion! Such fate truly… makes me envious!"

Yu Lin gave a slight smile: "Just good luck."

"Enough talk, let's go; we still haven't found a place to rest."