Lu Zheng personally took action and prepared a feast of a whole pig, bringing the villagers the happiest night they had in a month.

So, when the next day Lu Zheng and his companions were about to leave, the villagers, young and old, scrambled to give them eggs and vegetables.

Declining their kind offers, Lu Zheng and his group, along with Dongyangzi, left quickly.

"You're quite good." Dongyangzi nodded in praise, "Your understanding of the 'True Scripture of Qi Technique' is not far inferior to Yuanlin."

Although Daoist Yuanlin's cultivation now is weaker than Lu Zheng's, his understanding of the White Cloud Temple's cultivation technique is still above Lu Zheng.

Dongyangzi gently lifted his right hand, and a book appeared in his hand.

"Here are some annotations on the 'True Scripture of Qi Technique' by this old Daoist. Take a look, and if you have any questions, come to White Cloud Mountain. Once you've achieved something, you can cultivate the 'Innate Taiqing Rootless Cloud Qi Scripture.'

It is clear that Lu Zheng has broken through the rules of White Cloud Temple and can cultivate the sect's secret techniques as an Outer Disciple.

Lu Zheng's eyes lit up, and he reached out to take it, "Thank you, Grand Master!"

...

Walking along the country road with Dongyangzi in front and Yuanlin behind.

"During this year's New Year, did Ming Zhang mention anything about the Phoenix Palace Master?" Dongyangzi asked.

"No." Yuanlin shook his head decisively, "Master Mingzhang didn't mention it. Such a big matter, if he had, I wouldn't be unaware. He only mentioned that Miss Liu is the Tushan Celestial Fox and Yuan Zheng's absence from the mountain."

Dongyangzi nodded, "Let Ming Zhang come back once after this mountain return. His Dao Practice is quite deep now, and he can spend more time in the rear mountain in retreat, or instruct the younger disciples in the temple. Always idling in Yizhou isn't right."

Yuanlin blinked and bowed in response, "Yes."

...

Though White Cloud Temple is only in Jizhou, it is the most formidable force in Sanjiang Dao. The others, such as Wusong Temple in Hui Province, Golden Talisman Sect, Tieshan Sect in Luo State, and Lingguang Temple in Yu State, though locally renowned, are incomparable to White Cloud Temple in Great Jing.

Thus, the reputation of Lu Zheng as a disciple of White Cloud Temple in Sanjiang Dao is more significant than in Lingbei Dao, and he occasionally encounters disciples of White Cloud Temple performing exorcisms and helping the needy.

"Yuan Zheng, Junior Brother!"

"Oh, Yuan Zheng, Junior Brother, I feel even Senior Brother Yuanlin is no match for you now, right?"

"Junior Brother, you are very fortunate!"

"Miss Liu's medical skill is superb! This 'Little Yellow Dragon White Head Qianlian Decoction' works better than the 'Huangqin Antidiarrheal Powder' recorded in the temple."

"Good wine!"

"The wine Junior Brother sends to the temple every year gets taken by the elders. They're all drinkers—it's rare for us to taste a sip... Eh? Master Ming Yan? Why are you here? What, ah, I didn't say anything just now? Ah, ah, ah!"

"Junior Brother, shh, keep your voice down, don't let the sisters hear. I have a Centennial Tiger Whip I got from slaying a Tiger Demon, take it and quietly brew some wine for yourself."

"Junior Brother, you have great skills! Who would have thought you could make a fish into such a dish? I ate half of this Fish Demon a while ago, just grilling it; what a waste!"

Descending the mountain were mostly disciples of the Yuan Generation, with some elders of the Ming Generation coming and going, offering guidance and protection.

Aside from accompanying the women to see patients and distribute food, Lu Zheng also had many social engagements. He brought the women to meet the temple disciples, getting familiar and enhancing his reputation.

When they arrived at the junction of Sanjiang Dao and Yinan Dao, they sensed a faint ripple of magical power.

"An expert duel!" Lu Zheng's eyes narrowed.

"There's no aura of a White Cloud Temple Daoist." Si Lingxi shook her head, "Not as good as Dongyang, the Little Daoist."

Lu Zheng: "..."

"Perhaps it's the Director of the Imperial Observatory or the Governor of the Anomaly Suppression Bureau?" Shen Ying also sensed the ripple, indicating the combatant's profound capabilities.

"Should we go?" Liu Qingyan asked Lu Zheng.

She and the others might not, but Lu Zheng's Dao Practice is quite strong now, and with Si Lingxi, they could participate and be a decisive force in any expert duel.

"No need."

It was Si Lingxi who spoke, not Lu Zheng, looking west towards the direction where Yi River meets, "Someone from White Cloud Temple has intervened."

"Is it the Grand Master?"

"No." Si Lingxi shook her head, "It's someone else; strong Dao Practice, White Cloud Temple is full of talents indeed."

Director of the Imperial Observatory, Governor of the Anomaly Bureau, White Cloud Temple True Man—in combat against anyone not of Si Lingxi's caliber, they'd surely submit.

"The issue is, someone dared to engage in combat in Sanjiang Dao?" Lu Zheng clicked his tongue in wonder, "Who? Surely not Divine Monarch Xuan Ruo?"

"No." Si Lingxi shook her head again, "This person is not Divine Monarch Xuan Ruo; their power is not toxic but carries a sharp and bloody edge."

Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, "Northern Domain Demon King?"

"Hard to say, why, want to take a look?" Si Lingxi asked.

"No need." Lu Zheng shook his head, "Let's head to Yinan Dao. The water disaster has entered its latter stages, and after circling Yinan Dao, we can return to Yizhou."

"This year's flood, Lady Qingyi has gained a Yellow Pine Fairy alongside her. I wonder if the Emperor will send down another plaque?" Shen Ying teased.

"Sister!" Du Yueyao felt embarrassed, as she was referred to as the Yellow Pine Fairy.

Of course, the stories also included the Five Beauties Manor ladies, Wang Xiaowan, Shen Ying, and Si Lingxi, but their prominence was not comparable to Liu Qingyan and Du Yueyao, who actively treated patients at the frontline.

As for Yue Honghai and Lu Zheng, a duo in literature and martial practice, serving as guardians for the ten fairies.

Yue Honghai: ꉂ(ˊᗜˋ*)

Lu Zheng: (▼ヘ▼#)

...

Crossing the mountain boundary between Sanjiang Dao and Yinan Dao, they entered the Earth Realm of Yinan Dao, even visiting the dilapidated temple where Lu Zheng and Du Yueyao's families first met.

The temple remained, but the Painted Wall on its walls had been scraped off.

Lu Zheng recounted the events from back then, and then smiled, "I was so amazed by that wall that could alter time."

Si Lingxi shook her head, "It's a world constructed for believers' enjoyment, requiring magical power maintenance, allowing only souls inside. The so-called time extension is merely an illusion, not enabling its users to cultivate."

Lu Zheng nodded; with a shallower cultivation back then, he never imagined it. If such fortune existed, it would have long been transformed for use by various sects, as time is far more valuable compared with the consumed magical power.

...

After circling Yinan Dao, they met two disciples of the Jinhua Sect, spending nearly a month and a half before returning to Yizhou Prefecture and Tonglin County.

This time, although Lady Qingyi's name resonated through several paths, it was the second instance, and Emperor Jing didn't personally send a letter, but issued a 'Decree of Medical Reward,' instructing all local governments to acknowledge and reward physicians involved in disaster relief.

Emperor Jing specifically ordered Prefect Du Yuru to give substantial commendations to Lady Qingyi for the published prescriptions.

Lu Zheng didn't require recognition while Si Lingxi's identity remained untraced by the Court, yet the identity of Yellow Pine Fairy, Du Yueyao, was no secret, and hence Du Yuru earned a mark on Emperor Jing's merit book, offering prospects for future promotion.