"Master, how did it go?"

He approached the blind old monk excitedly.

"I lost, what the hell are you asking for!"

The blind old monk retorted, muttering, "Spent all that time and didn't earn a penny, what's the point."

"You can't say that..."

The young man chuckled and said, "To hold on so long under Li Yan's attack is enough. Didn't you hear him say? I'm still young, in a few years my swordsmanship will definitely surpass his!"

"Master, can I change my name?"

"Gousheng really doesn't sound good, not majestic at all..."

Bang!

Before he could finish his sentence, he was hit on the head with a stick.

The blind old monk, looking as if he was angry at metal not turning into steel, scolded: "Look at you, such a hopeless sight, don't you know that a humble name is easier to live with?"

"Wait until you're not afraid of being slaughtered one day, then change your name."

"Besides, that kid was just messing with you, he was using a blade technique, what good does your swordsmanship do against him!"

"Huh?!"

...

"Young Hero Li, thank you!"

Just off the mountain path, Wu Kang, the head of the Chang Chun Association, hurriedly came forward to express his gratitude, his face full of appreciation.

Li Yan shook his head slightly, "You wanted to see the martial arts, right? Sorry, if I use martial arts, I can't hold back, so I can't just do it carelessly."

"Sorry for making Young Hero Li laugh."

Wu Kang looked flustered, somewhat embarrassed.

Previously, he was only focused on pleading, but now realizes he was indeed presumptuous.

"What's this?"

Li Yan blinked, "Everyone has curiosity, if there were a more powerful duel now, I'd also desperately want to see the spectacle."

Wu Kang, hearing this, didn't bother with more nonsense.

In truth, what he wanted to say was that he was even more grateful that Li Yan treated him as a companion in the pugilistic world and did not refuse in front of everyone.

In the pugilistic world, sometimes reputation is bigger than heaven.

Just as he was preparing to go down the mountain, Li Yan suddenly turned his head and looked up the mountain, "Something happened at Lingquan Temple a few days ago, is it still open now?"

"Of course."

Wu Kang quickly nodded, saying: "The year-end temple fair is a major event, even if something happened at Lingquan Temple, they wouldn't dare stop."

"I heard they hired many craftsmen overnight to repair, and are conducting rituals by the lake, compensating the victims, displaying the Snake Demon's head to the people, all to eliminate the impact of this incident."

"The temples on the mountain have always been open. You see fewer people on this path because they went up the mountain early to burn incense."

"I see."

Li Yan nodded slightly, "Perfect, I'll go up the mountain to burn incense too, for peace."

Wu Kang hesitated for a moment, then said: "Young Hero Li, you go ahead, I have to keep an eye on the temple fair down here, just in case something goes wrong, it would be hard to explain to the association."

"Make sure you don't miss the puppet show later, I'll have someone wait for you at the foot of the mountain."

"Alright, senior, you take care."

Li Yan smiled and nodded, turning to climb the mountain with Wu Ba.

Their footsteps were swift; although Lingquan Mountain was somewhat tall, it was nothing to them, and they soon reached outside Lingquan Temple.

Compared to Guangde Temple, Lingquan Temple's gate was much smaller, but also felt more down-to-earth, with the temple doors wide open and pilgrims coming and going endlessly.

"Greetings to Benefactor Li."

Li Yan had just walked a few steps when a voice came from afar.

Turning his head, he saw it was the monk Hui Ming he had met earlier at Guangde Temple, with his left sleeve empty and his complexion looking much better.

"Greetings, Master."

Li Yan nodded slightly, "How is Master Hui Ming's recovery?"

"It's nothing anymore."

Hui Ming said: "Though after the injury my Dao has stagnated, at least I kept my life."

His expression was calm as he spoke, seemingly not minding at all.

"Master has a good disposition."

Li Yan praised him and casually asked, "Does Master plan to stay here long-term, or leave after a while?"

This was purely a conversation filler.

Hui Ming was from Changsha Xixin Zen Temple, albeit belonging to the Buddhist sect, it was a prominent temple, unlikely to reside here for long.

Sure enough, Hui Ming replied: "I'll leave after a while, bringing my brother's ashes back to the temple for burial."

Then he directly added: "Young Hero Li, you came here to see the place 'Wolf Wu' stayed, didn't you? I know that if the living Yin messenger finds the aura, they can receive a Yin Bureau task."

Li Yan's pupils suddenly contracted upon hearing this.

"Young Hero Li, don't misunderstand."

Hui Ming calmly said in a low voice, "A monk's uncle of mine is a living Yin messenger who studied the 'Six Paths Scripture', considered a deep foundation of the sect."

So that's how it is…

Li Yan suddenly understood.

The selection of living Yin messengers, although most times they avoid disciples of the Mystic Sect, sometimes can't avoid unforeseen circumstances.

For instance, someone became a living Yin messenger and joined the Mystic Sect, after completing a few tasks and accumulating Astral Orders, they can become a trump card of the sect.

But such matters are usually carried out only by smaller sects.

Having said so much, Li Yan naturally did not hide anymore, nodding in agreement, "Indeed, I wish to seek, perhaps learn of its background."

His previous detour to Lingquan Temple was for this very purpose.

"I shall accompany Young Master Li,"

Hui Ming understood his concerns, fearing misinterpretations by the Zens of Guangde Temple, so he straightforwardly offered to guide.

"Thank you, Master!" Li Yan earnestly bowed with hands folded in salute.

"No problem."

Hui Ming nodded indifferently and led the two into the temple gate.

Upon entering the temple, Li Yan was captivated by a giant stone under a willow tree nearby, engraved with the bold characters of "Seven Springs."

"This is penned by the Dongpo Scholar."

Monk Hui Ming spoke up, "The temple was constructed during the Sui dynasty, originally named Saint Buddha Temple. It was reestablished by the Great Xuan after previous destruction in battle, hence named Lingquan."

"Since the Sui dynasty, this temple has flourished with incense offerings, attracting many scholars and literati. There is also a Lingquan Spring on the mountain, where the Dongpo Scholar left behind a poem:

Spring after spring after spring after spring after spring after spring after spring, Throughout the ages, uncountable years, The jade axe cleaves the earth marrow, The golden hook fishes the old dragon's saliva…"

Although Monk Hui Ming was a disciple of the Precepts Sect, his demeanor was not rigid, his speech soothed the listener like a spring breeze.

The temple grounds were also enveloped in ancient pines and cypress trees, dense with green foliage.

After accompanying them through simple incense offerings, Hui Ming led them through a side door to an old, dilapidated courtyard.

At the courtyard entrance stood two monks, tall and muscular like Vajra, wielding wooden sticks.

"This is Young Hero Li."

Hui Ming introduced, "He is highly valued by the temple head. I am leading him to search for clues."

Being a foreign monk, Hui Ming had previously been honored for severely injuring the snake demon, gaining respect within the temple.

The gatekeeping monks did not obstruct, allowing them passage.

Upon opening the door, the courtyard was filled with miscellaneous items, mainly hoes, farming tools, and bottles and vats.

Several simple adobe houses stood, with an old well in the yard and even a small vegetable garden.

No one would have suspected the Dragon Cult Leader to be hiding here.

Hui Ming shook his head, "That person transformed into a destitute monk and entered Lingquan Temple long ago, diligently working until he gradually took responsibility for the medicinal field cultivation."

"From here, one can directly access the outside of the temple, and beneath the house is a hidden chamber with a secret passage leading to the bamboo forest on the mountain below…"

However, Li Yan wasn't hearing him at all.

As he neared the adobe house, his Hook Paper suddenly heated up.

Li Yan felt a surge within, and the surrounding scenery drastically changed.

Still shrouded in a misty haze, as if standing within a sand table, he could see two gigantic Owl Vases ahead.

Unlike before, this time there appeared to be no one present, the large chair at a distance was empty.

Li Yan didn't bother responding, quickly passing through the Owl Vases.

As if triggering something, once he crossed the Owl Vases, the area around the chair blurred, and then emerged the familiar towering red robe figure.

This Owl Vase was indeed a Divine Artifact used by the Yin Bureau for communication!

Li Yan confirmed this truth in his heart.

Whatever the towering red robe figure did, the mist ahead suddenly dissipated, revealing a blue stone water well.

It was indeed a yin criminal!

Li Yan felt joy in his heart.

At present, a yin criminal was undoubtedly most suitable for him.

After all, possessing the Astral Order was his trump card for turning the situation around.

But just as he was preparing to investigate further, an abrupt change occurred.

Swish!

A golden light suddenly descended, hovering over the water well.

The towering red robe figure at the table was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke, "Members of the Thunder Department, this is not how things should be handled…"

Thunder Department?!

Li Yan was puzzled.

Could it be,

this matter involved unauthorized descent to the mortal realm?

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