He Jingfeng propped his hands on his knees, sat on the couch, and looked up at the exhausted red ochre and stalactite core in the silver lamp, feeling a surge of emotion.

Despite the rise of the turbid tide after the loss of Dao, which once swept across the entire Red County Divine Land, not only overturning many Taoist traditions and sects causing countless inheritances to be cut off, but also worsening the cultivation environment as if returning to the wilderness.

Except for the five Taoist sects that reside permanently in the Prefecture City, other heterodox loose cultivators without a talisman granted by Dragon Court, if they lack spiritual nourishment for their Divine Soul thoughts, the possibility of falling into the ranks of evil demons greatly increases.

But there is also one benefit that is not really a benefit.

Buried entirely in the void are classic inheritances that were once treasured by major sects and clans and kept in high cabinets.

As long as you have enough courage, deep fortune, and sufficient opportunities, you often have a chance to lay hands on a bit of it.

The wild cultivators constantly searching for external objects, frequently entering mountains and marshes, have thus developed a unique new profession.

—— Donkey Daoist!

They specialize in seeking the mountain gates of major sects and clans from before the loss of Dao, then pinpoint locations, set up ceremonies, bypass or destroy the original restrictions and take everything valuable remaining such as cultivation techniques, elixirs, and spiritual essence.

Outside the County City at the Ghost Gathering Secret Workshop, proper heterodox loose cultivators gather in groups of three or five for chats. If you don't have a few skills in the art of tomb-raiding, you'll be looked down upon and considered a country bumpkin with no future, destined to starve sooner or later.

After all, without a windfall, a loose cultivator can hardly accomplish entering meditation and embracing the embryo in the Second Realm of Dao Skill this lifetime.

"I've heard from my eldest brother that among those tomb-raiding Daoists who steal chickens and dogs, there are outstanding top masters.

Especially a long time ago, a weird man named 'Donkey Daoist' successfully broke through King's Sealing Ridge, Golden Bottle Mountain, and Hundred Weapons Sect, excavating several Inner Scenic Lands, shaking the Taoist sects."

He Jingfeng spoke with a bit of longing, as the seventh young master of the Thirteenth Branch's direct descendants, he has loved listening to storytelling, reading fiction, and reading narratives since childhood, and his heart has never been without the beautiful fantasy of sword-wielding wanderings and adventures in Jianghu.

But after experiencing a few hardships of dining in the wind and sleeping in the rain, he rationally retracted the thought.

"The old servant in the Celestial Water Prefecture has also heard of this person's deeds; King's Sealing Ridge was a mountain gate of Divine Weapon Valley a thousand years ago, and Golden Bottle Mountain was the resident place of Dragon Tiger Temple. Although the clues of the whereabouts have long been explored, no one has succeeded due to layers of obstructions."

Uncle Yang squinted his eyes, taking over the conversation:

"This Donkey Daoist, mysteriously without anyone noticing, easily breaches these Inner Scenic Lands and indeed has a handful of tricks.

The most curious thing is, beside Donkey Daoist, there seems to be a puppet with an extremely high Martial Dao Fourth Training Level, and many loose cultivators who set their sights on him all meet their ends in the Yellow Springs."

He Jingfeng shook his head:

"Outside the County City, the mountain and marsh cultivators are hidden dragons and crouching tigers; no wonder my brother has repeatedly warned me not to rely on family power to casually offend people in cultivation."

Uncle Yang nodded:

"Eldest Young Master speaks with seasoned understanding."

He Jingfeng stood up, having just barely broken through to the Second Realm of Dao Skill; he felt refreshed, wondering how Brother Bai's cultivation progress compares to his own.

"This time, my brother has encountered extraordinary luck, obtaining a scroll of 'Class-A Cultivation Technique,' further promoted from Daoist School student to being granted a talisman scroll by Daoist Official is a certainty.

The He Family is destined for prosperity, and father should be reassured."

Uncle Yang clapped his hands and laughed:

"After the Eldest Young Master receives the Child Talisman, he can set out for the Celestial Water Prefecture, and then a spot will open up for a student at the Daoist School, which Young Master Seven ought to naturally fill.

The He Family boasting three outstanding talents! Making other great clans enviously jealous!"

According to Daoist School regulations, admission spots are limited.

Each spot is precious.

Even for the Thirteenth Branch's direct descendants, unless particularly favored, it is not easy to cross the threshold and hope to be listed in the Daoist registry.

"It's hard to say; an empty spot for a Daoist School student will ignite fierce competition among the Thirteenth Branch.

Every family has its connections, and there's no guarantee it'll end up with me."

He Jingfeng had a broad view since Ninghai Zen turned Yihai Prefecture upside down, and the Thirteenth Branch has seen a significant reduction in promising martial arts seedlings. Almost all are scrambling to get into the Daoist School.

...

...

Yihai Prefecture, Martial Arts Chen Family.

The waves stirred by the death of Second Young Master Chen Zhao gradually subsided as Daoist Xuanji from Zhi Xin Temple personally hosted the Water and Land Dharma Assembly, thus settling this bizarre and strange event.

"Young Master Ye, it's time to eat. The madam has specially stewed Snow Lotus Seed Soup for you."

The maid responsible for Chen Ye's daily meals carries a tray with intricately cooked dishes and hot soup.

The meal includes the famously renowned Yellow Bud Spirit Rice from the Celestial Water Prefecture, along with one meat and two vegetables—the meat being tender and aromatic Spirit Monster Flesh and Blood, and two precious plants, Jade Earth Asparagus and Omei Fern Leaf.

The former is finely shredded and stir-fried with pork belly, while the latter is only harvested at its tender buds for a cold salad.

As for the hot soup, it is a nourishing delicacy enjoyed by dignitaries: Snow Lotus Seed.

This seemingly simple and modest meal shines like a thousand taels of silver, dazzling to anyone knowledgeable enough to see it.

Even for the legitimate son of the Thirteenth Branch, the treatment is nothing more than this.

"Put it on the table, I'll eat it later."

Chen Ye turned the wheels with both hands and slowly emerged from the house. When looking solely at his face, this eldest young master of the Chen Family had thick black eyebrows resembling an aggressive, sharp inclination.

That's if the wheelchair wasn't there.

The years of being bedridden and crippled had worn away Chen Ye's former vigor and spirit.

He leaned to one side, unshaven, his long hair unkempt and slightly greasy.

"Young Master, after you've had lunch, let Xiaoyu help you wash up and change your clothes.

Otherwise, if Madam comes by one day and sees you like this, she'll surely be heartbroken."

The maid softly said.

"Mother... she hasn't stepped into this courtyard for a long time now. Does she even remember that she has a son like me?"

Chen Ye didn't care, his lips curled into a mocking smile:

"Then again, now that Brother Zhao is gone, I'm all she has left."

The maid, Xiaoyu, remained silent like a cicada in cold weather. Ever since the accident that left the young master unable to walk, he had grown increasingly eccentric and unpredictable, disliking the company of others.

"You can leave now... Oh, by the way, Father mentioned last time about granting me a spot as a student at the Zhi Xin Temple Daoist School. When will that come through?"

Chen Ye suddenly asked.

"Madam just inquired with the steward earlier. The response was that you need to wait for a vacancy for the Daoist School student position; it's not easy to enter. You should be a little patient, Young Master Ye."

Xiaoyu replied respectfully.

"Got it."

Chen Ye impatiently waved his hand.

Once the door closed, the light inside the room dimmed all at once.

Since becoming disabled and reliant on a wheelchair, Chen Ye stopped looking in the mirror and lighting lamps.

He just wanted to hide in the darkness and cling to life.

"Daoist School student... Tongwen Hall... Ninghai Zen..."

Chen Ye murmured softly, his eyes filled with indescribably complex emotions.

He closed his eyes, his breathing barely perceptible, like an empty husk.

A Divine Soul shrouded in a cold wind suddenly emerged, as if a portal split open in the void, welcoming the eldest young master of the Chen Family inside.

...

...

The next day.

Around noon.

Bai Qi was in the flower hall talking with his brother Bai Ming about their experiences, discussing the differences upon entering the Inner Scenic Land. Just as their conversation was getting exciting, Xiaotou rushed into the residence.

"What happened now?"

Bai Qi didn't move, handed over a bowl of cold tea, letting Xiaotou catch his breath.

"You're the Third Leader of Bai's Fish Stall, my top Shrimp Soldier! Always running around in a panic, what kind of form is that?"

Xiaotou swallowed, gulping down the tea in one go, then said:

"Ah Qi, your bosom brother from the He Family, they've encountered a terrible calamity at home!"

He Jingfeng?

The He Family, one of the Thirteen Branches in Yihai Prefecture, what kind of disaster could they face?

Bai Qi raised an eyebrow:

"Explain in detail."

Xiaotou wiped the sweat from his forehead:

"In the morning, several boats from the He Family arrived, hanging big white lanterns, to bring He Jingfeng back to Yihai Prefecture.

I sensed something was off, so I inquired at the Chai Market with Song Qiying and found out that his elder brother He Jinghong and third brother He Jingyun both suffered tragic, unexpected deaths.

Rumor has it... it was the doing of the White Sun Sect!

The two Daoist Officials of the County City are furious and have launched a full-scale manhunt!"