"Fellow Daoist Wei, there is something I do not understand. Why are there so many mortal servants on Mount Putuo?" Shen Luo asked.
"All guests who come to Mount Putuo share this question. After all, even when other sects need servants, the work is mostly handled by Outer Disciples. They rarely take in so many mortals," Wei Qing said without the slightest surprise.
"Yes. As far as I know, the mountain gates of most sects try to avoid too much contact with mortals. That is precisely what puzzles me." Shen Luo said this while Bai Xiaotian remained silent beside him, his expression showing deep agreement.
"The mortals who come here either yearn wholeheartedly for the Buddhist teachings, or are trapped in a sea of suffering with no escape. They come here seeking the Buddha, seeking liberation. Of course, some also harbor the hope that they might somehow catch an immortal master's eye and enter the Buddhist path to cultivate. Unfortunately, such opportunities are far too slim." The corner of Wei Qing's mouth twitched slightly as he spoke slowly.
"So that is how it is. As the saying goes, 'The human path is faint and distant, while the immortal path is vast and boundless.' That is likely the reason." Shen Luo nodded in deep agreement.
As the three chatted idly, they traveled several hundred zhang along the bluestone mountain path. After passing through a narrow passage, the terrain ahead suddenly opened up into a level mountain valley filled with rows of two-story wooden houses.
Not far from these wooden houses stood the only hall with a hip-and-gable roof, situated close to the entrance of the narrow passage.
Shen Luo and Bai Xiaotian followed Wei Qing into the hall and saw a plump middle-aged steward seated behind a desk. The moment he