"Ah Xiong, truly popular, even in Yihai Prefecture, it’s the same."

Bai Ming looked up, observing Uncle Yang preparing the carriage and horses, and the martial arts practitioners in neat attire, as well as the sword-carrying Daoist child who was about the same height as himself.

One is from the Thirteen High Gates of Yihai Prefecture, the other is the incense ties from Master...

These two are not so surprising, after all, there are some connections.

But the people from the Daoist Temple, why have they come?

Bai Ming’s little head was filled with confusion.

Soon, he admired his elder brother even more.

When Bai Qi stayed in Black River County, places like Chai Market, Fire Kiln, and various big households were constantly sending invitation cards.

Not to mention others who sought help or a way in.

Most of them were dismissed with reasons like "practicing," "busy," or "not at home."

Unexpectedly, upon arriving in Yihai Prefecture, just after stepping off the boat, several invitations were already presented.

Perhaps this is what Ah Xiong often referred to as connections?

"Master is called ’Chen Xing,’ which matches the name on the ancestral hall’s inscription."

It’s said that his Martial Arts Hall holds the top position in Yihai Prefecture.

Bai Qi’s eyes flickered, lightly glanced at the tall young man handing over the gilded invitations.

The person had thick eyebrows, a square face, was in his twenties, walking like a dragon or a tiger.

He slightly circulated his mind, eyes opened wide, perceiving meanings like "valiant," "brave," and "vigorous" from the other.

Using his ears, he judged that the man’s bones were like towering jade trees, with Qi blood rushing like a fiery furnace, surging through his entire body.

The surface of his body was covered with a faint golden light, like the heavy bronze statues in temples.

"Third Skin Refining Barrier, slightly inferior to the Hundred-Step Divine Fist of the Guan Family, but still considered a master."

Bai Qi pondered silently, suddenly having an inexplicable thought:

"If he’s really Master’s disciple, wouldn’t that make him my senior uncle?"

Although Ninghai Zen claimed ten years ago to have expelled his own master, undertaking the position of sect leader of Tongwen Hall alone.

But the incense ties between master and disciple cannot be so easily broken.

Otherwise, Bai Qi couldn’t possibly defy his own master’s will behind Ninghai Zen’s back, secretly becoming a disciple of Master Chen Xing’s Mountain Gate.

"Master has a stubborn mouth, hoping it’s not inherited from Master."

Various miscellaneous thoughts quickly cycled through, Bai Qi took two steps forward, first approaching the sword-carrying Daoist child, politely cupping his hands:

"May I ask who your Observatory Master is?"

The Daoist child puffed his chest, showing a few degrees of pride on his youthful face with rosy cheeks and white teeth:

"Chongxu, the venerable Elder of Yuanyang Temple!"

Upon hearing this, not only did Uncle Yang freeze, but even the tall young man holding the gilded invitations was stunned.

No matter how famous the Thirteen High Gates are, no matter how wealthy the main family is, they cannot escape the confines of the Six Families, compared to the top three registers, they are far inferior.

"Daoist Official... invitation?"

Uncle Yang felt it was unbelievable, no matter how big Ninghai Zen’s face is, could he possibly alarm one of the two Daoist Officials in Yihai Prefecture, Chongxu Zi?

But it’s not possible that he’s here because of Bai Qilang, right?

This sounds even more unbelievable.

"Yuanyang Temple?" 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Bai Qi also felt puzzled, when did a fisherman from Black River County have connections with a County Daoist Official?

With his mind refined into sharp spiritual sense, he picked up the complex emotions around, constantly boiling and surging.

The most obvious, undoubtedly, were surprise and shock.

It seemed everyone was astounded by Bai Qilang’s hidden depths.

So, I’m this impressive?

Do I have a backing I wasn’t aware of?

"Could it be that the playful banter with Xiaoliuzi earlier was overheard by the Daoist Official?"

Bai Qi looked at the sword-carrying little Daoist child, glancing around, noticing the elder Daoist at the dock had disappeared without a trace.

Adjusting his thoughts, gathering his spirits, he had interacted with the top rebel wanted by Dragon Court, and wouldn’t be frightened by the Daoist Official of Yihai Prefecture into a mess.

The Bai Qi of Black River County, what grand scene hasn’t he witnessed!

Comforting himself thus, Bai Qi chose his words carefully, politely declined:

"With the Daoist Official’s invitation, how could I refuse? But I have come to the County City this time to mourn, fearing the heavy and impure aura on me might taint the pure grounds of Yuanyang Temple.

Let me bathe and change clothes, then visit."

In Jianghu, caution is necessary, without understanding the intentions of the Master of Yuanyang Temple, how could he rush to attend?

"No worry, the Master will be here in the coming days, he can wait."

Qingfeng coughed twice, trying to appear dignified but couldn’t help but stare at the semi-adult child behind Bai Qi.

"Best if both young gentlemen come together."

Bai Qi keenly sensed the little Daoist child’s slight anomaly, silently thinking:

"Perhaps, it has nothing to do with me? The true person Yuanyang Temple wants to invite is Ah Di?"

Settling his mind slightly, Bai Ming’s aptitude in cultivation was outstanding, a fact Bai Qi had long recognized.

If he was an ordinary talent, how could he have attracted the Liu Deity who presides over the five hundred-mile mountain road?

It seems, this Master of Yuanyang Temple has an eye for talent.

"As long as the Daoist Official harbors no malicious intent, being a coveted person is a good thing.

Having value for others, is where one’s opportunity for prominence lies."

Bai Qi had once heard He Jingfeng talk about, the two Daoist Temples in Yihai Prefecture, Yuanyang Temple, and Zhi Xin Temple.

Below them are two Daoist Schools, specifically selecting young seedlings who meet the conditions, are of appropriate age, and possess enough qualifications.

If one cultivates to the Third Realm, passing the triennial Dao Trial, they can be conferred a "Child Talisman" by Dragon Court.

Equivalent to half a "Daoist official status."

Once reaching the Fourth Realm, they can fill positions in Prefecture City, County City, guarding the lands.

Officially changing their status from a Six Families member to a top Daoist register, making them exceedingly prestigious.