Night Lodging at a Ruined Temple

The sky was so dark and oppressive, it felt as if the entire cloud layer was within reach. Rain poured down diagonally in the fierce wind, rushing down like a waterfall with a continuous, dazzling flash of lightning, followed by thunder that sounded as if it were rumbling less than ten meters above the ground.

Shi Xuan walked slowly through the pitch-black darkness, his pack on his back. Although he had cast the Rain Evasion Art and the Dark Night Vision Spell on himself, and his profound internal energy made his Qinggong more advanced and sustainable, the harsh environment still made his progress difficult.

Ever since departing from Xia'an Prefecture, Shi Xuan had first traveled south to the great river. Then, he went upstream, preparing to head to the nearest Tongxuan Mountain in Chuzhou. Along the way, Shi Xuan maintained a relatively leisurely mindset, as if he were traveling in his past life. Especially when standing alone by the river and witnessing the magnificent sight of the rolling Yangtze River coming from the west with immense momentum, he felt a sense of vastness in the world and his own freedom. It wasn't that Shi Xuan hadn't seen the Yangtze River in his past life; it was just that this river was at least twice as wide now, majestic and magnificent, captivating the heart.

For Shi Xuan, the pursuit of cultivation was about seeking immortality and freedom. Since he had to travel everywhere in search of the immortal path anyway, no matter how he rushed, it would only save him a few days. Why not make himself more carefree and at ease? Cultivation, after all, wasn't about becoming a stone.

Originally, Shi Xuan had planned to travel to Chuzhou by boat, enjoying the river breeze at the bow and eating river fish in the cabin. However, while traveling, sightseeing, and inquiring about legends of immortals, he arrived at Linshui Prefecture on the great river in June. He encountered the first torrential rain of the year, causing the river to swell considerably. Boats on the river were hesitant to travel upstream, so Shi Xuan had no choice but to wait in the city. He stayed for several days, with the rain stopping and starting, and the water level never dropping. Shi Xuan grew tired of the rain and didn't want to wait any longer. When the weather cleared up for a day, he shouldered his pack and set off for Chuzhou by land.

Although Shi Xuan was traveling by land, he was still following the great river upstream, preparing to switch to a boat if the torrential rain completely stopped. He hadn't expected that when he set out that day, there was only a light breeze and no rain. By evening, Shi Xuan found himself far from any settlement and prepared to spend the night outdoors as he had done a few times before. Suddenly, a fierce wind arose, and the rain poured down. Shi Xuan didn't want to sleep outdoors like this. Even with his Daoist arts, it wouldn't be comfortable. So, he pushed forward through the rain. After walking for a long time without seeing any sign of human habitation, Shi Xuan began to doubt if he had taken the wrong path. This was the tragic consequence of not being able to buy a map, as maps were highly classified items in similar eras.

As Shi Xuan traveled through the darkness, thanks to his Daoist arts, he could clearly see the puddles and mud pits ahead, easily navigating around them. If anyone were watching him at that moment, they would surely be astonished by his ghost-like movements and his effortless ease, as if it were broad daylight. Shi Xuan continued for another half hour and finally saw a flickering firelight in the distance ahead, and his heart couldn't help but relax.

With a destination in sight, Shi Xuan naturally accelerated towards the firelight. Upon reaching it, he discovered it was a dilapidated temple. The firelight inside indicated that other travelers caught in the rain were already seeking shelter there. Well, fellow travelers caught in the rain.

However, the existence of a dilapidated temple reminded Shi Xuan of countless martial arts and ghost stories. Were there Grandmaster experts waiting to take him as a disciple, or was Miss Nie Xiaoqian waiting for him to save her? Lost in thought, Shi Xuan stepped onto the stairs and pushed open the half-closed door.

Inside the dilapidated temple were two groups of people, discernible by the distance between their respective bonfires. One bonfire, located far from the broken Buddha statue, had only two people sitting around it: a handsome young gentleman in a cyan robe and a boy in a stone-blue robe beside him, who looked like his attendant. Below the Buddha statue were three bonfires placed very close together, with nearly twenty people sitting around them, all wearing neat, uniform grey outfits. Beside the Buddha statue leaned several flags inscribed with "My Might Spreads Far" and "Yangwei Escort Agency," indicating that this group was from an escort agency.

As soon as Shi Xuan entered, the people from the escort agency turned their watchful eyes towards him. Seeing that he was a very young Daoist priest, they relaxed slightly, but they still scrutinized him for a long time before looking away. However, from Shi Xuan's perception, they hadn't let down their guard at all. But this was understandable; they were from an escort agency, so a high level of vigilance was a good thing. The cyan-robed young master on the other side paid no attention to Shi Xuan at all, merely watching his attendant dry their rations. It was unclear whether he had heard Shi Xuan's footsteps approaching the temple long ago or if he was simply arrogant and disdained others.

However, since there were already people here, Shi Xuan decided to express some goodwill. He cupped his fists and said, "Greetings, everyone. This humble Daoist priest was caught in the torrential rain and had no choice but to stop here. I apologize for the intrusion."

A middle-aged man with a rugged appearance stood up from the bonfire in the center of the escort agency group. His voice boomed like a bell as he said, "No trouble at all. We are all traveling on the road. If we can help each other, we should. I am He Dahai of the Yangwei Escort Agency. Young Daoist priest, no need for formalities." He then sat back down, seemingly not intending to invite Shi Xuan to share their fire.

Shi Xuan then noticed that next to the middle-aged man at the central bonfire sat a young woman. She was quite beautiful but had a very arrogant expression and was also dressed as a grey-clad escort.

The cyan-robed young master on the other side remained indifferent, as if Shi Xuan was not even worth his attention. Seeing this, Shi Xuan said no more. He found some rotten wood and straw from other parts of the dilapidated temple, then turned his back to both groups, softly chanted a spell, and conjured a bonfire. Shi Xuan hadn't brought any flint or anything similar.

After setting up his fire, he sat cross-legged beside it. The environment was not conducive to Visualization or Qi circulation, so Shi Xuan could only close his eyes to rest. However, his keen senses encompassed the entire dilapidated temple.

Although there were nearly twenty people in the escort agency, only four were sitting around the central bonfire. A fierce-looking escort leader whispered, "Chief Escort, I think that young Daoist priest is very suspicious. Coming through such heavy rain, he's only slightly wet."

Another escort leader with an ordinary appearance chuckled, "What, Xu Ying, do you think he's a Xiantian master? Even a Grandmaster in the Subtle Realm can't travel for miles in the rain without getting wet."

Xu Ying retorted angrily, "I didn't say that. I suspect this young Daoist priest was hiding nearby before."

The ordinary-looking escort leader continued to laugh, "Not necessarily. He's a Daoist priest, perhaps he has some immortal techniques? Or maybe he's a disguised ghost."

"Alright, Xiangshan, stop bickering with Ah Ying. How could such a young lad be a Xiantian master? When I was his age, I had only mastered some external martial arts," He Dahai interrupted, seeing the situation.

"Dad, that young Daoist priest doesn't look very powerful. We just need to keep an eye on him," the arrogant beautiful woman added.

"I know, I know. I'm just worried he might have accomplices. The goods we're escorting this time aren't particularly valuable. I brought your Uncle Xu and Uncle He along mainly so you could gain some experience. Yuqing, you don't necessarily have to be an escort. It would be much better to marry and raise a family. Alas, I shouldn't have let you practice martial arts back then."

"I'd never marry those kinds of people. They're either completely powerless, unable to even defeat me with one hand, or they're incredibly vulgar and disgusting," He Yuqing said, secretly glancing at the cyan-robed young master. If they were powerless but looked like that young master, she might accept it, but they were all ugly freaks.

"Uh, Yuqing girl, you've noticed something unusual about that cyan-robed young master too?" Xu Ying said happily upon seeing He Yuqing secretly looking over there. "Your perception is improving."

"Ah?" He Yuqing looked bewildered.

He Dahai saw this and explained to her, "Although the rain is loud, we couldn't hear if he used Qinggong when he arrived. But when that young master entered, I observed his steps and movements. He's definitely a martial artist."

"So, that young master might be a master as well?" He Yuqing said with some delight.

"Alas, I'm worried he's in league with that young Daoist priest. I've seen plenty of tricks like deliberately not greeting people," He Dahai said.

"No, no, that young master looks noble and upright, clearly a good person. That Daoist priest has shifty eyes and was secretly looking at me just now, I wish I could stab him with my sword," He Yuqing argued.

"Heh, Yuqing, looking noble and upright has nothing to do with being a good person. I've met flower-picking thieves who looked righteous," He Xiangshan said with a smile.

"Uncle He, that's different!"

The cyan-robed young master on the other side seemed to have arrived not long ago, at least his clothes were still dripping wet, unlike the escort agency members whose clothes were already dry. However, as the escort agency members were discussing him, he moved slightly closer to the bonfire and sat down cross-legged. Soon, white steam began to rise from his body.

He Xiangshan, the escort leader, sat up straight, saying solemnly, "Boss, I think that young master's internal energy is even deeper than yours."

He Dahai also had a grave expression. "Although I've had some fortunate encounters and have opened my Eight Extraordinary Meridians at the age of forty, making me a first-class expert in the martial world, I'm afraid I can't achieve what this young master can. This must at least mean he's opened several minor meridians. As for whether it's higher, I'm not sure."

"What, could he have started practicing martial arts in the womb?" Xu Ying exclaimed in surprise.

"Alas, those major sects and large families have children with potential who are given countless medicinal ingredients according to secret recipes from a young age, not to mention profound secret manuals. They are far superior to people like us," He Dahai sighed.

He Yuqing remained silent beside them, her eyes shining as she looked over there.

After a while, the cyan-robed young master's clothes were completely dry. He then stood up and gracefully walked towards the escort agency group.