By this time, Lu Huaming and Gu Hualing had also arrived at the entrance of Golden Mountain Temple. The two seemed to get along quite well and were chatting quietly about something.
When Gu Hualing saw Shen Luo approach, she immediately stopped talking and stepped aside.
"What secrets are you two whispering about?" A trace of teasing flashed across Shen Luo's face.
Gu Hualing's pretty face flushed slightly, and she shot Shen Luo a glare.
"Cough! What secrets? I was telling Fellow Daoist Gu what to watch out for on the way to Chang'an. Brother Shen, how is your recovery?" Lu Huaming coughed awkwardly and changed the subject.
"I'm mostly recovered. After returning to Chang'an, I just need to cultivate in seclusion and rest for a few days." Shen Luo did not continue teasing them.
As the three chatted, Zen Master Hai Shi, Chan'er, and Elder Zheshi emerged from Golden Mountain Temple.
Chan'er walked at the front, looking completely transformed. He wore a bright red kasaya, a Five-Buddha Crown, and carried a golden monk's staff, utterly unlike his former shabby appearance in gray robes.
"Sorry to have kept you three benefactors waiting." Chan'er raised one hand in salute.
"Master Chan'er certainly has something of the bearing of Golden Cicada's reincarnation in this attire." Lu Huaming returned the salute with a smile.
"This humble monk is also quite unaccustomed to this outfit. But Buddhist Bead said that since I have become Golden Cicada's reincarnation, I should pay attention to my appearance. I thought that made some sense, so I had no choice but to dress like this," Chan'er said solemnly.
"As the saying goes, Buddha relies on gold adornment. If you don't dress yourself more grandly, who would believe you? Golden Cicada had a brocade kasaya and a nine-ringed monk's staff