As dusk approached, Ruyi needed to return to her own courtyard.

She wasn’t a kid anymore. With night falling, it wouldn’t be proper to linger.

“We haven’t finished talking. Ruyi will come back tomorrow to see Uncle Chen.”

“Alright.”

Ruyi nodded and stepped out of the small yard, closing the door behind her. She thought it best to find a craftsman tomorrow to fix this door properly.

Remembering the earlier events, she felt extremely embarrassed.

Chen Changsheng saw that night was near, the yard sinking into darkness now.

“Ai, forgot to buy candles.”

“Candles?” Tabby Cat asked. “Can’t you see clearly?”

Chen Changsheng smiled. “I’m human, not like Lihua who sees clearly at night.”

Lihua blinked after hearing this. “Then you aren’t very powerful.”

“Hm?” Chen Changsheng laughed saying, “True enough.”

“I’ll buy some candles in town tomorrow.”

Chen Changsheng thought for a moment. “I must head out tonight to the mountain outside the city. But the courtyard gate was accidentally broken by Ruyi today. Could I trouble Lihua to watch the yard? Just in case thieves appear. What does Lihua think?”

Tabby Cat lifted its head. “An easy thing!”

“Many thanks then, Lihua.”

“Go ahead. Lihua will guard the yard well.”

“Okay.”

Lihua saw Chen Changsheng out the door.

After he left, it climbed onto the wall, finding a comfy spot to curl up.

Cats love high places, Lihua was no different. Though cold breezes sometimes blew through the alley, Lihua‘s thick fur kept it warm enough.

As it lay there, it drifted asleep—but lightly. The slightest noise would wake it.

Though Lihua loved to play, it always did things thoroughly when asked.

Leaving Chuanfeng Alley, Chen Changsheng took a step. Instantly, the scenery changed around him. Everything settled only when his foot touched down again.

Raising his head, he found himself beneath Green Mountain.

His gaze followed the stone steps upward to a plaque above the gates – the three characters “Qingxian Taoist Temple”.

Back when various Taoist congregations gathered here, the Daoist Sect of Abyss River truly found its lineage. Later officially named by the emperor, this temple became a sacred Daoist site thriving with incense ever since.

Countless seekers of immortality journeyed here for the path of immortality.

Over decades, Qingxian Taoist Temple expanded with two new grand halls and numerous others across three peaks. It became large-scale.

“The change is significant.”

He recalled it once occupied only this single peak.

“I wonder how Zhixuan Master fares.”

He ascended the steps toward the mountain gate.

Stone steps were clean, likely swept daily by disciples.

Reaching the temple’s main entrance as night set in, he found no guard.

He approached a side door instead and knocked. Then waited quietly.

Soon a young Taoist-robed disciple came to open it. No older than fifteen or sixteen, likely brought here young.

“Young Daoist Priest,” Chen Changsheng called.

The disciple quickly responded humbly. “Don‘t call me Priest, honored Recluse. What brings you up the mountain so late?”

“I’ve come to visit Zhixuan Master. Could you kindly announce me?” 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

The disciple paused, glanced briefly at him then said: “Please wait briefly outside, honored Recluse. Our lack of preparation must cause great offense.”

“You flatter me, young Priest.”

Closing the door, the disciple went to announce.

Roughly half an incense stick later, he returned and invited Chen Changsheng inside.

The temple grounds were quiet now, disciples mostly meditating or tending their hearts since night had fallen.

“Please follow me, honored Recluse.”

The young Priest led him to a side hall.

“Our Abbot awaits inside the hall. Please, honored Recluse.”

Chen Changsheng nodded. “Thank you, young Priest.”

He entered.

Inside sat a middle-aged man in plain robe with hair tied in a Daoist bun. He held a Taoist Scriptures text while meditating.

This man wasn’t Zhixuan Master.

Chen Changsheng understood then. This was likely Zhixuan Master‘s disciple.

The Abbot placed down his scriptures upon hearing a visitor and stood to greet him. “This poor Taoist is Xuanchengzi. Honored Recluse.”

“I am Chen Changsheng. Respects to you, Abbot.”

“Please sit.”

Simple cushions and a low table furnished the hall.

Chen Changsheng knelt opposite him. Observing Xuanchengzi, he sensed uncommon depth.

Chosen as the Daoist teaching mountain, its masters surely gained rare insights.

Xuanchengzi poured tea.

Chen Changsheng spoke first. “May I ask if Zhixuan Master still lives?”

Xuanchengzi replied calmly: “My master passed away years ago. Thank you for remembering him still, honored Recluse.”

“I see…”

“Please drink, Recluse.”

“Thank you.”

Chen Changsheng took the cup and sipped lightly.

Xuanchengzi asked next: “How long has honored Recluse known my master?”

Chen Changsheng answered vaguely: “Perhaps Xinglong’s eleventh or fifteenth year? I recall little now… we became acquaintances after a fight.”

“Through fighting?” Xuanchengzi seemed puzzled.

Chen Changsheng offered: “Did he mention the Celestial Immortal Ritual Garment?”

Xuanchengzi searched his memory, then it dawned on him.

“This humble Taoist remembers now.”

He smiled warmly. “I even saw honored Recluse once myself then! Too much time has passed. Please forgive this failure to recognize you.”

Then Xuanchengzi paused thoughtfully.

“You… practice cultivation too?”

“In a way. Just a mountain wilds cultivator.”

“Understood.”

Xuanchengzi felt his deep cultivation level now. Though seeming young nearly twenty years later since Xinglong era, this man surely wasn’t ordinary.

Could he be a Celestial Immortal descended? Yet didn’t quite feel divine.

Unable to place him clearly, Xuanchengzi continued politely: “Where is Daoist Friend cultivating now?”

Chen Changsheng pondered before answering simply: “Roaming without a settled place.”

Xuanchengzi nodded slightly to himself.

Chen Changsheng shifted the conversation: “I heard Buddhist Sect has resurfaced challenging Daoist Sect. How do you see this situation?”

Xuanchengzi’s confidence showed: “Our Daoist Sect holds deep roots under sacred favor: a towering ancient tree. Buddhist Sect is just newly sprouted weeds beneath our branches. No cause for fears.”

Chen Changsheng suggested softly: “Yet weeds thrive endlessly after fire. Revived by breezes they become threats again. How to prevent growth?”

Xuanchengzi laughed lightly: “Honored Recluse thinks Buddhist Sect might win?”

“Nothing’s certain.”

Chen Changsheng warned: “But slighting any opponent invites vulnerability.”

“Impossible.”

Xuanchengzi shook his head, utterly convinced, not concerned at all.