Chapter 222: When Did Flowing Cloud Temple Become So Lively

After entering the Taoist Temple, Xian Yue saw Moyuan in black robes sitting under a withered tree.

Moyuan and Hong Jin both looked at her together.

“It’s you!!”

Hong Jin pointed at Xian Yue and cried out loudly.

Xian Yue looked toward Hong Jin, clasped her hands and said, “Xian Yue greets Red Fish.”

Hong Jin walked closer and spoke, “Y-you you, how did you find this place?”

“Physician Tong told me.”

“Who is that?” Hong Jin paused in confusion.

Moyuan reached out and tapped her head, saying, “That’s someone who received teachings from the master. Not like you, a fake disciple.”

“Fake disciple?” Xian Yue seemed puzzled.

Moyuan lifted Hong Jin by her collar, explaining, “She’s been using Mr. Chen’s name to show off and cheat people everywhere, even daring to trick the Second Prince of the Dragon Palace. Later, I caught her.”

Hong Jin waved her tiny hands, thrashing dramatically. “Let go of me! Hurry and let go!”

Moyuan set her down. “Even I am just a gatekeeper. Mr. Chen’s disciples wouldn’t act like you.”

Yu Hongjin protested indignantly, “What’s wrong with me? Am I weaker than you? You talk all day like a flowing river—annoying to death! If I were Mr. Chen, I’d have beaten you dead with one swing.”

Chenghuang chuckled upon hearing this—he actually agreed with Yu Hongjin this time.

Moyuan glared. “You’ve grown some nerve lately, daring to yell at me?”

“N-no, that’s not it…”

Yu Hongjin gulped and forced a dry laugh. “What are you talking about? I’m just a little red fish. Don’t bother with someone like me.”

“Shoulder rub.”

“Coming, coming!”

Xian Yue watched this large and small pair, momentarily confused by the situation. Even so, the scene brought her joy.

Are all those close to Mr. Chen so… unusual?

Moyuan kept talking, chatting freely with Xian Yue once she sat down.

“How did Miss Xian Yue meet Mr. Chen? When was that?”

“So when did you die?”

“How long have you been dead?”

“Have you eaten?”

“Oh, a princess! That means you must have lots of treasures! What kind of treasures do you… Ah! How rude of me. Forgot you’re already dead.”

After his rapid stream of questions, Xian Yue found she couldn’t keep up with his talking speed.

He really talks too much…

Yu Hongjin diligently kneaded Moyuan’s shoulders. She’d grown used to such days, her pressure perfectly measured.

It was simple—just practice.

“Quite a few people have come lately,” Chenghuang murmured.

With all the coming and going, the temple had grown much livelier.

Moyuan turned to him, smiling. “Probably because the master is coming back.”

Chenghuang had heard this before from Moyuan. The master rarely stayed in the Mortal World, usually returning to the temple every three years for a brief visit.

“More people might arrive,” Chenghuang said.

“Who?” Moyuan asked.

“A group came looking for Mr. Chen when you weren’t here. Unfortunately, the master was away then. I told them to come back in two years, around summer’s start.”

Chenghuang added, “They were from Qingyuan Yun Manor.”

Hearing this, Moyuan’s eyes lit up as he straightened.

“Who did you say!?”

“Qingyuan Yun Manor.”

Seeing the spark in Moyuan’s eyes, Chenghuang knew that look all too well.

This guy was definitely scheming something unkind.

Moyuan grinned. “I really like Yun Manor.”

Hearing his laughter, Hong Jin instantly understood.

Though she didn’t know what Qingyuan Yun Manor was, she knew they were about to have bad luck.

Outside the temple…

Yun Li took a deep breath but abruptly paused at the sound drifting from within—

‘I really like Yun Manor…’

He froze mid-step. He’d recognize that voice even turned to ashes.

It was that black dragon who took advantage when they were down, swindling their Yun Manor disciples out of over two thousand years of Merit!

Yun Li hesitated, suddenly reconsidering entering.

Patriarch Yun Ze noticed his hesitation. “What’s wrong?”

Yun Li smacked his lips. “Patriarch, how about… we come another day?”

“Why?”

“Because—”

Before Yun Li could finish, the temple gate slammed open with a bang.

“Bang!”

Moyuan burst out the gate. Spotting the two visitors, his eyes gleamed. “Just talked about you and you’re already here! Come in, come in!”

Yun Ze stiffened, falling silent.

When he glanced at Yun Li, his eyes silently questioned—why didn’t you warn me?

“Ahem…”

Yun Li coughed helplessly.

They tentatively stepped forward twice. Moyuan simply watched them with a grin.

Once inside Flowing Cloud Temple, Moyuan asked, “In now?”

“Ah, yes.” Yun Li nodded.

Moyuan stretched out his palm. “Entrance fee. Pay up—one hundred years of Merit each.”

“I knew it…”

Yun Li mentally cursed him eight hundred times but forced calm. “Well… a hundred years seems steep. Could we possibly—”

Moyuan stroked his chin. “True, in business, bargaining’s normal.”

“Yeah, yeah…”

Yun Li laughed dryly, thinking the guy had developed a conscience. The next words dashed his hopes instantly.

Moyuan cheerfully suggested, “But if we switch to robbing you, does bargaining even matter?”

“…”

Yun Li went silent. Patriarch Yun Ze fell equally silent.

They truly couldn’t understand how that Elder Chen could tolerate this black dragon.

…

Xinglong eighth year, fifth month, nineteenth day.

Over the past three years, Chen Changsheng—using books borrowed from Zhong Zhengyuan—had thoroughly studied Divine Sense and the task of forging a Mortal Body.

After repeated calculations, he’d gained ninety percent confidence in body-refining.

Once the External Incarnation was complete, he’d send it to the Spirit Cage in his place. There, he might uncover clues about the Sutra of Rebirth.

A cool breeze brushed across the fields.

Chen Changsheng opened his eyes again to see rice paddies outside Autumn Moon Market.

He raised his hand to calculate.

“Time flies—already the Xinglong eighth year…”

Chen Changsheng sighed softly. Taking a swig from his wine gourd, he turned toward Flowing Cloud Temple.

He wondered what the temple looked like now.

Climbing its stone steps, he noticed both sides cleared of weeds, appearing much fresher.

Probably Chenghuang’s doing—Moyuan definitely lacked the patience.

At the temple gate…

Chen Changsheng pushed open the door and entered.

He had barely stepped one foot inside when he froze.

Immortals, dragons, ghosts, and monsters gathered together—all eyes turned toward Chen Changsheng.

A gentle breeze drifted through the hall.

Chen Changsheng stood bewildered.

“When did all this commotion begin here?”