What? Lingxi? My wife?

Did I mishear?

Dongyangzi couldn't help but blink. Despite his more than seven hundred years of lifespan and thousands of years of Dao Practice, he couldn't help but have a brief mental blank, doubting whether he had heard wrong.

Indeed, Lu Zheng was a genius, ten years of cultivation, a thousand years of Dao Practice, someone who could be recorded in the sect's history within White Cloud Temple as a legendary ancestor, a pillar of the sect.

If his talent and mindset were sufficient, he might even continue his cultivation journey without interruption, becoming a top expert of this world, with hopes of ascending to the Upper Realm and directly entering the Three Pristine Daoist Sect.

But all this takes time!

Moreover, even if Lu Zheng achieves the status of a legendary master, he would only be on par with Si Lingxi. And what kind of person is Si Lingxi? There's no need to elaborate further...

In Dongyangzi's eyes, Lu Zheng and Si Lingxi were from entirely different worlds altogether. It is said that Si Lingxi has a cold disposition and is proud and aloof, so how would she become friends with Lu Zheng?

Furthermore, Lu Zheng is a genius who hasn't fully matured yet!

So, Dongyangzi instinctively believed that Lu Zheng couldn't possibly know Si Lingxi. For Si Lingxi to be beside Lu Zheng, she certainly had a purpose. However, Lu Zheng is the genius disciple of White Cloud Temple, and Dongyangzi couldn't possibly allow Lu Zheng to be manipulated by Si Lingxi.

Thus, after greeting them, Dongyangzi immediately clarified the matter, even using a rare questioning tone when inquiring from Si Lingxi. Although Si Lingxi was formidable, Dongyangzi was certainly no pushover.

Then, he was astounded by Lu Zheng's reply, with his cultivated Dao heart being shaken threefold.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Dongyang," Si Lingxi nodded in response, "I did not conceal my Qi, only accompanied Lu Lang and Little Sister Qingyan on a journey, providing disaster relief and helping people."

"Oh... oh..." Dongyangzi blinked, nodded, suppressing his infinite curiosity, eyed Lu Zheng with a hint of wonder, then slowly asked, "Does your master know about this?"

Lu Zheng blinked, nodded, and said, "I have mentioned it to my master."

"Oh, is that so? I understand now, perhaps I haven't been paying much attention to the temple's affairs lately," reasoned Dongyangzi with a faint nod. After a few words, he regained his calm, collecting his breath, once again fitting the image of a benevolent elder Daoist. He said to Si Lingxi, "That was a misunderstanding from an old Daoist, a sudden and tactless act, I apologize, Palace Master."

He no longer continued suspecting Si Lingxi.

Si Lingxi had a noble status and a renowned reputation. If she concealed her identity to manipulate someone, it was plausible, but once she declared her identity, and especially as Lu Zheng's wife, she could never be an enemy.

The question is... how did Si Lingxi become Lu Zheng's wife? Even calling it an unlikely friendship would be easier to accept!

Like Zen Master Dejie, Dongyangzi couldn't fathom the situation, while Zen Master Dejie had prior information and was somewhat prepared; Dongyangzi was unexpectedly caught off guard by an encounter.

"No harm done," Si Lingxi nodded naturally, with no trace of awkwardness, "Lu Lang is a disciple of White Cloud Temple, and Fellow Daoist Dongyang has a heart to care for him, why would I mind?"

Dongyangzi nodded, "Lu Zheng is fortunate to have the loving favor of Palace Master."

Si Lingxi smiled softly, casting a look of affection at Lu Zheng, "Lu Lang loves me; it is also Lingxi's happiness." 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Though the words were similar to those spoken by Liu Qingyan just now, coming from Si Lingxi, they carried much more weight.

Lu Zheng looked around and noticed many curious villagers gathered around. Meeting ten or more women of celestial beauty at once wasn't something one encountered every day.

Moreover, the village was enveloped by cloud-like Qi, with Spiritual Qi being richer here than the surrounding lands, and a faint medicinal aroma wafting through the air.

"Honored Ancestor, may I report, we responded to the Court's call, traveling along the route of healing and disaster assistance. We've arrived here just recently," Lu Zheng conversed randomly, "However, with the effort of the Ancestor, it seems the village's patients have already been treated."

Dongyangzi smiled faintly, shook his head, saying, "We owe much to Miss Liu. I used her Little Star Hu Four Spirits Antimalarial Soup, which is highly effective against malaria after disasters."

Even Dongyangzi, when aiding the people, employed mortal methods whenever possible, only resorting to Spiritual Qi for treatment when conventional methods failed—except, of course, for those with organ failure nearing the end of their lives.

Liu Qingyan respectfully smiled, saying, "It is my honor that the Ancestor utilized my formula."

"Miss Liu's medical skill is profound, the old Daoist greatly admires it," Dongyangzi nodded with a smile, "However, there are still some untreated patients in the village; they would need to trouble Miss Liu."

"That is naturally Qingyan's responsibility," Liu Qingyan replied with a gracious smile, then proceeded with Du Yueyao to a thatched hut at the village entrance, setting it up as a temporary clinic to begin diagnosing and prescribing.

The ladies from Five Beauties Manor along with Wang Xiaowan were distributing medicine and provisions, aiding in the efforts.

On Lu Zheng's side, he accompanied Dongyangzi chatting at the village entrance, with Shen Ying and Si Lingxi sitting on either side of him, while Yuanlin was pulled by Lu Zheng to sit nearby.

Shen Ying got to work, brewing a pot of Cyan Strange Spirit Tea, serving each of the five people present.

"Thank you," Dongyangzi expressed his gratitude, took a sip, and complimented, "Excellent tea, fully infused with Spiritual Qi; it must be a speciality from Phoenix Mountain in the Southwest, correct?"

"It's peak spirit tea from Qingqi Mountain in Chuandong Dao," Shen Ying replied.

"I see, it's Yi Yingwang's commodity," Dongyangzi nodded. He was aware of Yi Qingtian, yet hadn't tasted Qingqi Mountain's spirit tea.

However...

The phoenix is the king of birds, and a speciality from Qingqi Mountain is definitely a product of Phoenix Mountain, isn't it?

But Dongyangzi's guess was mistaken this time. The Cyan Strange Spirit Tea Lu Zheng had was inventory gifted by Yi Qingtian last time and not stock from Phoenix Mountain.

Of course, this batch of spirit tea was nearly consumed. Next meeting, if still enjoying Cyan Strange Spirit Tea, it would certainly come from Phoenix Mountain's storage.

Dongyangzi took a sip of tea, placed the cup down, quietly inquired, "Is Palace Master Si residing temporarily in the Central Plains now?"

"In Tonglin County; a few days ago, I met Zen Master Dejie," Si Lingxi nodded, the corner of her mouth slightly raised, "That monk didn't mention it to you?"

Dongyangzi raised an eyebrow, "No... Palace Master also met Zen Master Dejie?"

Si Lingxi nodded, "I defeated the monks from Celestial Dragon Temple; Zen Master Dejie came over to make an appearance."

Lu Zheng proceeded to describe the day's events, emphasizing Huihai's extreme impoliteness and his initial provocation.

"I see, then it was their fault," Dongyangzi nodded and, with a light-hearted glance, jokingly asked, "That old monk didn't offer any compensation?"

Lu Zheng blinked, "Esteemed Ancestor, Enlightened in vision, Zen Master Dejie gifted me a copy of 'Lecture on the Heart Sutra of the Buddha on the Dharma Flower Platform'."

"Ha!" Dongyangzi laughed heartily, "Quite generous indeed."

Lu Zheng nodded, without a blush, as successfully winning Si Lingxi was a testament to his own prowess.