Above the Dongling Mountain Range stood an ordinary Taoist temple, secluded and silent, its stone steps carpeted in moss.
At the temple entrance hung a weather-beaten wooden plaque.
Four charred-black characters were carved upon it.
Three Origins Taoist Temple.
"Take care, officers!" A yellow-robed Taoist called out in farewell.
Only after watching those constables disappear into the distance did he withdraw his gaze, his kindly expression turning calm.
"Of all people Xiao Bieli could have provoked, he just had to provoke a grandmaster!"
"He even got this old Taoist investigated!"
"Good thing this old Taoist was clever!"
The yellow-robed Taoist slowly shut the temple gates.
That night.
Star-Picking Tower.
The tower stood nine stories high.
It was located at the highest point in Dongling City.
Thus came the saying: the tower rose a hundred feet high, close enough to pluck the stars by hand.
At dusk.
Jiang Ning arrived a little earlier than the agreed time.
Bai Luoyu and Zhao Yulong had helped him greatly during this period, so he could hardly arrive right on time.
Clack, clack, clack—
Listening to the mechanism gears turning beside him, he carried two jars of wine in his hands.
The wine had been brewed and diluted with Emperor's Flowing Essence.
A moment later.
He stepped off the lift platform and entered the ninth floor.
Inside the private room, Bai Luoyu alone leaned against the window, gazing outside.
"Brother Bai," Jiang Ning said.
Two or three plates of dried fruit and some tea were set upon the table.
Hearing the voice behind him, Bai Luoyu turned around.
"Brother Jiang!" He smiled. "Why did you arrive so early?"
Jiang Ning raised both hands, making the wine jars sway slightly as the liquor within softly sloshed.
"I came early to prepare the fine wine I brought