Demeanor

The mountain itself wasn't very high, and with this interruption, they were not far from the summit after a few words. Looking up, the Zhixin Temple was already visible in the distance. Turning past a giant rock along the mountain path revealed a straight flight of about a hundred steps, leading up to the main entrance of the Zhixin Temple.

Just then, Jin Huan let out a soft exclamation. Core Formation cultivators possessed keen senses, and their divine intent was even more powerful, allowing him to detect someone catching up from behind. However, given his status, he wouldn't turn around. Instead, Lu Yang glanced back, "It's that Daoist priest."

Everyone except Jin Huan turned their heads. They saw the handsome Daoist priest from before walking slowly on the mountain path. Yet, with each step, it seemed as if he were being lifted by the clouds, his feet barely touching the ground. He moved with the grace of an immortal, as if ready to ascend on clouds at any moment.

Lu Yang frowned, "It looks like a Divine Movement Talisman, but he's borrowing some of the mountain's cloud and mist to support his body and maintain this speed without expending any of his own effort. His mastery of Talisman Arts is profound."

As they spoke, the group arrived in front of the temple. With Jin Huan's cultivation, even without Lu Yang's words, he understood. Hearing this, he grunted, "There are many extraordinary individuals in the mountains, do not be disrespectful."

Yesterday, Jin Huan had already informed the people at the temple. Now, a Daoist priest wearing a blue robe was waiting in front of the main entrance of the Daoist temple. He bowed as they approached, saying, "Master Jin, please come in. The Abbot has been waiting for a long time."

This welcoming Daoist priest had a dull expression, not as radiant as the one behind him. However, Jin Huan couldn't dwell on it. He left his accompanying warriors and entered with Lu Yang and two young men.

With a slight delay at the entrance, the handsome Daoist priest also walked over, still maintaining his leisurely demeanor. It was clear he also intended to enter the temple. Seeing this, the accompanying warriors, remembering Jin Huan's instructions, stepped aside. The Daoist priest unhurriedly followed behind Jin Huan's group. He nodded to the Daoist boy sweeping the ground in front of the temple, who, startled, quickly raised his hand to return the gesture.

All of this was observed by Jin Huan and the others, further solidifying their impression of his identity.

Entering the temple gate one after another, Jin Huan's group, led by the welcoming Daoist priest, bypassed the main hall and turned right. The handsome Daoist priest, upon entering, turned left. His jade-colored robe flickered a few times between the corner of the building and the stone steps before disappearing from sight. Jin Huan said to Lu Yang, "This person is not very old, yet his cultivation is extremely profound, far surpassing Ah Chuan and Yan Qi. What's even more commendable is his composed demeanor, which is truly enviable."

Although Jin Huan was praising him, his primary intention was to inspire the two young men. Lu Yang bowed respectfully, remaining impassive. Judging by the expressions of the two young men beside him, they were clearly captivated. As for how much ambition this would ignite, it remained to be seen.

As they spoke, the welcoming Daoist priest ahead had already gone quite far and looked back with a hint of confusion. Seeing this, Jin Huan also smiled, "The dragon has nine sons, each different. There's no need to be so particular... Let's go!"

Putting the matter aside, they no longer mentioned it. The group followed the welcoming Daoist priest, passing through halls and over bridges, and soon arrived in a garden on the side. Deep within the grove, there was a pavilion with flowing water. An old Daoist sat in the pavilion, his beard and hair as white as snow, yet his face was ruddy and showed no signs of age. No one attended him. Seeing Jin Huan's group arrive, he stood up.

Jin Huan shed his usual air of authority and hurried forward, raising his hand first to bow and call out, "Senior Brother Yu." The old Daoist descended from the pavilion to greet him, calling him "Master Jin," which sounded much more formal. Jin Huan didn't mind. Lu Yang followed behind, bowing deeply with an even lower posture. The old Daoist nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the two young men behind him:

"Master Jin, are these the two children you mentioned?"

Jin Huan tidied his golden robe and chuckled heartily, "Indeed. Senior Brother Yu, please take a look for me and see if they are promising talents!"

Without him needing to say anything, Jin Chuan and Kuang Yanqi stepped forward and knelt, calling out, "Immortal Master Yu." The old Daoist hummed and gestured for them to rise. The two young men stood up straight again, hands clasped respectfully, presenting their most proper demeanor to the old Daoist.

"Let them cultivate in the mountains; it will be presentable."

The old Daoist's faint words were followed by silence. The two young men were slightly taken aback, but the old Daoist paid them no further attention. He led Jin Huan into the pavilion, seating them on opposite sides. As for Lu Yang, he could only wait outside the pavilion with the two young men.

As soon as Jin Huan sat down, he smiled, "If they can cultivate within the mountain gate for half a year or so, it would be a tremendous opportunity for these two lads. Your junior brother won't be greedy... Come and express your gratitude!"

Before Jin Chuan and the other could step forward, the old Daoist waved his hand, "Wait, wait. I am a person who occupies a position without contributing. I have stayed in the temple for so many years, and my only advantage is adhering to the sect's rules without personal bias. Within the mountain gate, teachings are never given lightly. Master Jin, if you wish to send these two into the mountain gate for cultivation, it will depend..."

At this point, he paused almost imperceptibly. Simultaneously, Jin Huan felt a sensation and slightly shifted his gaze. He saw the handsome Daoist priest, who had been as ethereal as a god, walking calmly from behind an arched gate on the side of the garden.

The other party also sensed their gazes and still nodded in acknowledgment. He stopped by another small bridge and flowing water in the garden. His posture suggested he was leaning against a pillar, watching the fish, leisurely and composed.

Seeing that Jin Huan and the others showed no surprise, the old Daoist assumed they were people from Bai Ri Mansion, acting as if they were at home within the temple, their dispositions differing from ordinary people. He was also a man of character and couldn't help but praise him inwardly, "How unrestrained." He intended to inquire about this person's identity, but as they were discussing a crucial matter, it was inconvenient to interrupt. Fortunately, his thoughts moved quickly, and after considering various aspects, he only allowed a brief pause in his words before continuing, "...it will depend on whether Master Jin's contributions to the mountain gate over the years have complied with the mountain gate's rules. Although it is worldly, it is also fair."

Jin Huan was confident about the so-called "mountain gate's rules." At the same time, seeing the old Daoist's reaction, he became even more certain that the handsome Daoist priest had a deep connection with the Zhixin Temple and the old Daoist. Perhaps he was a new disciple the old Daoist had taken in the past two years?

With his mind made up, he no longer paid attention to the other side. He smiled and gestured for the two young men outside the pavilion to come forward. Jin Chuan and Kuang Yanqi were both intelligent. They immediately untied their packages, revealing the stone and wooden boxes within. The two respectfully entered the pavilion, placed the boxes on the stone table inside, and then retreated with bowed heads.

Jin Huan personally opened the two boxes, revealing the items inside. First, the stone box: "Eleven Fish Dragon Grass. Though not many, accumulated over ten years, it's enough to exchange for several Cold Jade Heart Cleansing Pills. Will the remainder be enough for one person to enter the mountain for cultivation?"

The old Daoist smiled, "I calculated last year; it is sufficient."

Jin Huan then pointed to the contents of the wooden box: "I heard that a 'Seven Shines' raw stone is sought after within the mountain gate. I specifically entrusted someone to bring one from the East Sea. If this is offered, can it secure another person's entry?"

The 'Seven Shines' raw stone is an item posted by Senior Brother Wang of the mountain gate, valued at two hundred and fifty-five 'Merits'. Your esteemed mansion has the right to 'exclusive transaction.' Entry into the mountain for cultivation requires only one-tenth of the amount, which is two hundred and fifty 'Merits'. This is also sufficient.

Seeing these items, the old Daoist indeed made no difficulties and simply smiled, "Master Jin has truly prepared thoroughly, clearly understanding the mountain gate's merit system. It must have been quite an effort for you."

Jin Huan smiled slightly, his major concern lifted. Just as he was about to speak again, he heard a voice in his ear:

"Excuse me, how many '功' is thirteen stalks of Fish Dragon Grass worth?"

This question was not spoken by anyone around the pavilion. Amidst the astonished gazes, they followed the sound and saw the handsome Daoist priest, who had been watching the fish, had somehow descended from the bridge and was approaching the pavilion. Under everyone's intense scrutiny, his expression was calm, and his steps were unhurried as he called out loudly:

"I have thirteen stalks of Fish Dragon Grass. What is its selling price?"

The early morning sun pierced through the gaps in the trees, casting its light upon him, making him radiant.

As the handsome Daoist crossed the bridge, passed through the woods, and spoke these words, a very awkward moment suddenly descended upon the garden. Especially the old Daoist in the pavilion and Jin Huan, who simultaneously turned their gazes towards each other. In their haste, their emotions were not even concealed.

They both saw utter bewilderment in each other's eyes: "Isn't he one of yours?"

In this situation, the first to react was Steward Lu from outside the pavilion. He felt a sense of shared honor and disgrace, as if his lord's humiliation was his own death. After realizing what had happened, his face was already tinged with a layer of ashen anger, "You..."

The handsome Daoist priest who walked over was naturally Yu Ci. He had employed the deceptive techniques he learned during his time at the Twin Immortals Sect, a small test of his skills, and had managed to enter the temple.

However, he hadn't expected Jin Huan and the old Daoist to be so composed, or perhaps their reaction was slow. He had initially thought that managing to pass the temple gate was already quite good, and reaching the garden was his limit. He had prepared himself to be exposed and had even drafted his responses.

But the situation unfolded beyond his expectations. Both sides misunderstood his identity and wanted to maintain their dignity, so they pretended ignorance, allowing him to hear everything from beginning to end without any secrets. If things continued like this, it wasn't impossible for him to blend in until the two finished their discussion.

But this was not his original intention.

His primary goal in following them was to trade the Fish Dragon Grass, and he only requested a fair transaction, with nothing to hide from others. Even the minor tricks he employed were done openly. If the preceding situation continued, regardless of his true intentions, he would become entangled and lose his uprightness.

Thinking further, after witnessing the eye-opening scene last night, he didn't care about the thoughts of the Bai Ri Mansion group, but he didn't want to offend the white-haired old Daoist in the pavilion.

Therefore, he decisively spoke out, revealing his identity. He then walked towards them, meeting the gazes of the five people inside and outside the pavilion. Initially, his muscles felt a bit tense, but after walking down the small bridge, he had fully entered his role.

Yu Ci dismissed Lu Yang's shout with disdain. He stood just outside the pavilion, gazing directly at the old Daoist's aged face, his beard and eyebrows white: "I am Yu Ci, a reclusive cultivator of the mountains and wilds. I have thirteen stalks of Fish Dragon Grass that I wish to sell, but have no avenue to do so. Therefore, I followed Mansion Lord Jin here, seeking an exchange with Abbot Yu."

It was only then that the two great figures within the pavilion truly understood. The old Daoist was one thing, but a flush of crimson light flashed across Jin Huan's face. He slowly turned his gaze, his eyes like golden swords, piercing directly into Yu Ci's face.

Yu Ci's crown chakra vibrated. Suddenly, he saw a blazing red sun in the pavilion before him, burning intensely and casting out ten thousand feet of bloody light that spread across the heavens, crushing down upon him. In that instant, his spirit and soul's perception froze. He completely lost his sense of space, seeing only that blood-red sunset growing larger and larger, about to swallow him whole!

The blood that flooded a thousand mountains was still not enough, pulling the very sky down with it!

This was the Bai Ri Mansion's "Supreme Blazing Sun Method," which had intimidated Juebi City for a hundred years!