When leaving Li City, it was March, and now that she’s back, April has mostly passed, nearing early summer in May. Qin Liuxi emerged from the Yin Road, standing silently before the Enlightenment Stone in the back mountain, until the sky began to lighten with the dawn before heading down to the Daoist Temple. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Returning to the Daoist Temple, the first person Qin Liuxi saw was Teng Zhao. He was meditating on the rooftop, and sensing something, he opened his eyes and floated lightly down from the rooftop, standing in front of her, lips pressed tightly, a hint of black in his eyes.

Qin Liuxi saw his clothes were drenched with dew and chided, "Meditation and cultivation can be done anywhere, but why on the rooftop? Aren’t you bothered by the heavy dew and chill? You’re still young, born with some weaknesses. It took a lot to nurse you back to health, don’t ruin it. Your bones aren’t fully grown, it’s better not to be capricious."

Teng Zhao responded with a hum.

Qin Liuxi sighed, placed her hand on his shoulder, dried the dew-soaked clothes, and led him towards the grand hall.

Before meeting her, Teng Zhao had an introverted personality, capable of playing chess all day without speaking. Since coming to her side, whether it be reciting scriptures or chanting spells, he needed to speak. Over time, he got used to it, and spoke more, although still reserved and quiet, much better than before he achieved Enlightenment.

Yet, after Wang Chuan’s disappearance, he seemed to revert to his former self, speaking less, colder in personality, losing much of his youthful vigor.

After Qin Liuxi went to Heavenly Mountain, he moved directly into the Daoist Temple, practicing cultivation, helping with drawing talismans, and during Qingming assisted in a major ceremony to communicate with God and open the Ghost Gate.

Teng Zhao often cultivated in front of the Dao Stone on the back mountain.

He’s reminding himself what Wang Chuan’s disappearance signifies, and urging himself to become stronger in another way.

Inside the grand hall, they met Qing Yuan and the old Daoist master and his disciple. Seeing Qin Liuxi’s return surprised and delighted them, they all stepped forward to greet her.

Qin Liuxi smiled and returned the gesture, looking at Sanyuan, saying, "This Taoism has made some progress?"

Sanyuan responded with some excitement, managing his expression, "There’s a small attainment."

"Very good, maintain your Dao Heart."

"Yes."

Qing Yuan sighed, "You’re finally back, had you stayed away longer, I would have sought out the temple master."

"Even without me and the master at the Daoist Temple, do you think devotees wouldn’t come?" Qin Liuxi handed over her bundle, took three incense sticks to offer heart incense before the Grandmaster, and then lit a new oil lamp for Zheng Yao, placing it under the Grandmaster’s statue.

At least people have given sincere incense oil.

After offering incense, she returned to the Daoist Room, took up her bundle, and handed over the box filled with a huge amount of silver notes to Qing Yuan.

"Take fifteen thousand taels, and under Zheng Yao’s name, perform acts of charity and almsgiving. I’ve written her title on a note inside the box. The long-burning lamp for her in the temple should not be extinguished, as for the rest, buy more grain and medicine to store, fix any parts of the Daoist Temple that need repairs."

Qing Yuan opened the box, seeing it full of silver notes, almost blinded by the gleam. He closed it, asking, "Should we keep some for emergencies?"

Qin Liuxi wanted to say no, paused, and replied, "Keep it, I’ll be refining Foundation Establishment Pill in a few days and plan to undergo an extended retreat."

Teng Zhao immediately raised his eyes.

Qing Yuan was also surprised, the retreat hasn’t happened for years, "How long is long?"

"It’s hard to say, probably over a year." Qin Liuxi replied, "No need to reconstruct the Daoist Temple extensively, just stockpile some medicine and grain."

Qing Yuan agreed, the Junior Temple Master has diligently managed to save quite a bit of incense, now Qingping Temple is different, with two or three golden statues, a golden tower, golden roof, and thriving incense, projecting a grand temple ambiance.

"By the way, there’s an abandoned City God Temple in South County that has been neglected for years. The newly appointed County Magistrate wishes to bring our old Grandmaster’s statue over for worship." Qing Yuan recalled a recent visitor from South County, stating, "They hope you’ll assist with Enlightenment."

"City God Temple wants to invite a deity?" Qin Liuxi was somewhat surprised, "What happened to the original City God’s statue?"

Qing Yuan replied, "You forgot, four years ago South County experienced a drought and pestilence which led to an uprising, the City God Temple was looted and burned, the City God’s statue was smashed by the rioters, the temple priest disappeared, turning the City God Temple into a derelict temple occupied by beggars and refugees."

South County, nestled in mountains, did experience an epidemic and uprising a few years back, causing headaches for the County Magistrate.

"Why come here to invite our deity? Doesn’t the City God’s descent involve prophetic dreams beforehand?"

Qing Yuan laughed, "Naturally, our Grandmaster’s divine power is renowned, and knowing our previous statue was taken down, they wish to invite it back for worship, hoping for divine miracles. Also, that County Magistrate has an old acquaintance with you, Junior Temple Master."

"Hmm? Who?"

"Nian Youwei," Teng Zhao answered, "He was the one who facilitated capturing Wei Xie, now transferred this spring to South County as County Magistrate."

Qin Liuxi raised an eyebrow.

Since it’s an acquaintance and a divine invitation, she offered, "If they’re sincere in their request, let them know to send someone for escort, and I’ll go assist with Enlightenment."

Qing Yuan agreed once more.

Qin Liuxi discussed some miscellaneous matters with him, noticing the sky was almost bright, she sent him to conduct morning lessons, while she instructed Teng Zhao to bring morning food, then the master and disciple descended the mountain.

Reaching Feichang Dao, they heard two ghosts arguing.

It’s Wei Xie and the Nascent Soul residing here, both bickering to the point of a fight.

Qin Liuxi glanced up at the shop’s gathering yin energy, saying, "Are you dissatisfied with peaceful days? Do you want to summon the Heavenly Master to eradicate you and cause trouble? Look at this yin energy, it’s almost overflowing."

The Nascent Soul angrily responded, "It’s this effeminate one who started it."

Wei Xie glared, "You’re distorting the truth, don’t assume you’re the only one who can complain. You tried to steal my Soul Hook Chain and Netherworld Token to commit misdeeds. My Soul Hook Chain and ghost messenger token, can this old female ghost even touch them?"

"I did not!" The Nascent Soul blushed with embarrassment.

"Hah, who said they were bored, wanting to show off a little?" Wei Xie taunted, "Last time you managed to hook the wrong soul almost, if it happens again, even my temporary ghost messenger status would be revoked, wouldn’t it? I suspect you deliberately tried to ruin my golden rice bowl!"

Qin Liuxi frowned, glanced at the Nascent Soul, offering a look suggesting explanation.

The Nascent Soul shrunk back slightly, saying, "I was just curious, it was only an accident."

"Your accident nearly caused a real fatality," Wei Xie grumbled, "Hooking the wrong soul costs a life, adding to karmic burden."

The Nascent Soul’s eyes reddened, hands clenched into fists, irate.

"If that’s the case, I support him, soul hooking is serious, you can’t toy with lives." Qin Liuxi stated, "Are you truly bored..."

Her voice paused, staring into the Void, Black Impermanence appeared with a face full of urgency, hugging her leg pleadingly, "Master, save me, my life is doomed!"