Seeing Lu Zheng's nonchalant and humble expression, and then looking at Si Lingxi's indifferent demeanor, Dongyangzi finally noticed the similarity between the two: they both didn't care about others' opinions.

This state of mind was quite normal for Si Lingxi, and also for Zen Master Dejie and himself because they stood at the peak of this world, indifferent to fame and fortune, free from desires, naturally possessing a mindset untouched by external things.

But such a mindset, he truly hadn't encountered in a young person like Lu Zheng.

"Quite remarkable, no wonder you have such Dao Practice. Even back when Qingsong was here, he didn't possess such a mindset," Dongyangzi praised.

These words, however, slightly embarrassed Lu Zheng, who quickly replied modestly, "Master Ancestor overpraises me, disciple is unworthy."

"Worthy, indeed." Dongyangzi sipped his tea, thinking to himself that Lu Zheng had even tamed a three-thousand-year-old Fire Phoenix. What couldn't he be worthy of?

Si Lingxi looked at Dongyangzi, "Friend, instead of watching over White Cloud Mountain, why are you interested in coming down to heal and help people?"

The way the three addressed each other was intriguing: Lu Zheng called Dongyangzi Master Ancestor, Si Lingxi called him Friend, and the two were married, each calling as they saw fit, without a hint of awkwardness.

Dongyangzi smiled slightly, "Sanjiang Dao converges three rivers, a key location. Li Muran from the Observatory and Tie Yi from the Anomaly Suppression Bureau are personally stationed. Naturally, the old man saw no need to stay at White Cloud Mountain. Just emerging from seclusion, it's good to get out a bit."

"Never heard of them, how is their Dao Practice?" Si Lingxi asked, intrigued by the names coming from Dongyangzi.

"They are rising stars. Though the two of them together might pose a challenge, even for the old man," Dongyangzi replied with a gentle smile.

Even Lu Zheng noticed that Dongyangzi wasn't entirely sincere; clearly, even if those two joined forces, they would not be a match for Dongyangzi.

At this point, Lu Zheng couldn't help reflecting on his good fortune, finding such solid backing merely by seeking a teacher at White Cloud Temple.

Sanjiang Dao is located southeast of Zhongjing, with three rivers connected by tributary waterways, convenient transportation, flourishing commerce, and vibrant communities. Jizhou, where White Cloud Temple resides, is an important state capital of Sanjiang Dao, and White Cloud Temple is among the leading Central Plains Daoist Sects. Dongyangzi himself witnessed Emperor Jing's founding.

As a disciple of White Cloud Temple, Lu Zheng could command respect wherever he went, and even in his weaker days, leveraging this advantage brought him many benefits.

Nowadays, of course, it's mutually advantageous. For example, even the old beggar Liu Zong of the Celestial Escape Sect began to see Lu Zheng as a symbol of White Cloud Temple's unending fortune, somewhat regretting his past oversight of Lu Zheng.

"Sanjiang Dao lies at the core of the Central Plains; surely no one dares to cause trouble here, right?" Lu Zheng couldn't help but ask.

Causing some chaos in Chuandong Dao, Lingbei Dao, or Yinan Dao might be understandable, going further south past one path leads to the Southern Border and the Hundred Thousand Mountains. But arriving at Guanglin Dao, Zhongyang Dao, or Sanjiang Dao means penetrating deeply into the Central Plains, too close to Zhongjing. Doesn't one fear being blocked by the Court and the major powers?

"Better safe than sorry. If something happens in Sanjiang Dao, it affects the downstream Jiangdong Dao, Yinan Dao, and Wushan Dao," Dongyangzi shook his head.

Jiangdong Dao is to the east of Sanjiang Dao, Yinan Dao to the south, Wushan Dao southeast, further downstream of Yinan Dao.

Despite the Great Jing being in its prime, a mishap causing a natural disaster affecting the entire Central Plains could severely harm its Primordial Qi, taking years to recover.

Lu Zheng nodded, understanding that this was an unavoidable issue in an agricultural society, where wealth accumulation is relatively slow.

"Speaking of which, I know a formidable fellow who's thinking about stirring chaos in Great Jing." Lu Zheng recounted the matter of the Southern Border Black Fish.

"Divine Monarch Xuan Ruo..." Dongyangzi nodded, "This poisonous fish is no easy opponent."

The Southern Border Black Fish, of poison and water attributes, stirs storms during floods and natural disasters, even capitalizing on its home ground. Under its vast poisonous waters, even Dongyangzi finds it tricky.

"But there have been no signs of its subordinates in Sanjiang Dao," Dongyangzi shook his head.

Si Lingxi coolly remarked, "He doesn't dare venture into the Central Plains, though he paid quite a price to wreak havoc in Lingbei Dao. With his greedy and vicious nature, he must gain something to be content."

Dongyangzi raised his brow, contemplatively saying, "Since Yuan Zheng knows, the Court should have preparations."

Si Lingxi nodded, "We'll see whether the Great Jing Court or Xuan Ruo has the upper hand."

At this point, it was noon, and Hua Yixing and the five women had prepared porridge, steamed buns, and pickles to distribute among the village people.

Dongyangzi smiled, "You all are quite eager. Truth is, the village isn't heavily affected, and every household has food stored."

"Life for the people is hard; each household's food reserves are somewhat depleted. The grain I prepared is abundant; we help where we can."

Just as Lu Zheng finished speaking, villagers were seen bringing vegetables and eggs, with one family even killing a chicken to make chicken soup, offering it to Liu Qingyan, the women, and Lu Zheng.

Seeing children with sincere faces but unable to resist swallowing at the food, Lu Zheng couldn't help but chuckle. With a tap on his gourd, a batch of chocolates and other candies, along with pork jerky and snacks, appeared on the table.

"Come, little ones, Uncle has tasty treats here. Line up nicely, one by one," Lu Zheng laughed.

The children, unafraid of strangers or perhaps naturally drawn to Lu Zheng under Dongyangzi and Liu Qingyan's influence, eagerly cheered as they received the treats.

"So delicious!"

"So sweet!"

"Mom, you have to try this, it's so tasty!"

"Old Yue?"

"Here!"

"Go into the mountains and hunt a wild boar, give the villagers a treat."

"Alright!"

Dongyangzi watched Yue Honghai leave, shaking his head with an amused smile, then nodded in approval, seeing Lu Zheng, though having reached a thousand-year Dao Practice within a few years, hadn't forgotten his original intent and still possessed a kind heart. Excellent.

"Just now, Miss Liu arrived, saving the old man some trouble. With nothing to do this afternoon, you can explain the 'Innate Cloud Transformation Qi Method Scripture' and the 'Taiqing Crossing Profound Qi Cloud Secret Scripture' to the old man, and let's see if your understanding of the Cultivation Technique has stalled amidst your rapid cultivation progress."

Lu Zheng's eyes lit up, and he quickly bowed in gratitude.

...

At noon, Lu Zheng wasn't given any special treatment; he just had porridge, ate some buns with chicken soup, and then he and Yuanlin started discussing the White Cloud Temple Cultivation Techniques beside Dongyangzi.

Dongyangzi did not keep Si Lingxi at bay, though she tactfully left with Shen Ying to help in the village.

By afternoon, when Yue Honghai returned with two big wild boars, the evening meal became lavish...