Immortal Travel of Longevity

Undercurrents surged through Shangjing City.

With the Investiture of Immortals Assembly approaching, the crowds had swelled. Travelers gathered from all corners of the world, with demons mingling among them alongside a few rather unusual humans.

A Daoist priest sat by the roadside, unhooking the water skin from his waist to take a swig. The weather during this Huaixu season was oppressively hot, forcing him to drink constantly.

If Chen Changsheng were here, he would undoubtedly recognize the man.

It was Daoist Wuwei, whom he had encountered at the Temple Fair long ago.

Today, he seemed changed. His face remained the same, but his aura had grown deeply restrained, no longer radiating the sharp edge it once had.

Daoist Wuwei gazed out at the bustling street, noting the demons mingled among the crowds.

He had seen much along his journey, yet he rarely intervened.

During his years of silence, he had indeed figured out many of the world's truths.

Lately, the incense at the City God Temple had been especially flourishing.

This was mostly due to the sheer number of bizarre incidents occurring recently. Farmers found their chickens and ducks inexplicably drained of blood, cows were reduced to bare skeletons overnight, and children lost their souls. Such strange events had become all too common.

There were always wicked demons and evil spirits causing trouble.

When Daoist Wuwei stepped into the temple, he saw quite a few underworld deputies hurrying out the doors with Binding Chains. They emanated a murderous aura; perhaps something had happened in Shangjing City.

Daoist Wuwei gathered his thoughts and finally walked inside.

He took three sticks of merit incense, knelt, and bowed his head in the City God Temple to show his sincerity. He then recited the name of Qingxian Temple to respectfully announce his visit.

After three kowtows, he slowly stood up.

Just as he was about to leave, his gaze shifted, catching sight of a woman in the side hall. Only half of her face was visible.

Daoist Wuwei froze for a moment, then furrowed his brows.

"A ghost?"

The woman sensed his stare.

She turned her head, and the man and the ghost locked eyes.

The woman paused, then quickly shrank back into the shadows.

By the time Daoist Wuwei hurried into the side hall, the female ghost was already gone.

Daoist Wuwei pondered for a moment, seemingly realizing something.

He walked briskly up to the City God Idol.

He met the idol's painted eyes.

"Wuwei of Qingxian Temple requests the City God proper deity to reveal himself for a meeting."

As his words fell, a figure walked out from behind the idol.

Only Wuwei, who had opened his Dharma Eye, could see this figure.

The Shangjing City God stepped forward and looked at Wuwei. "There are many pilgrims in the temple. Let us speak outside."

Daoist Wuwei nodded and turned to head out.

They found a tea house and chose a secluded spot.

Daoist Wuwei and the City God sat across from each other at the table.

The tea house waiter came over to pour tea, then took his leave.

Daoist Wuwei was just about to speak.

But the City God spoke first, "I know exactly what you wish to ask, Priest, but this matter is deeply significant. It is better that you remain unaware."

Hearing this, Daoist Wuwei replied, "City God Lord, you misunderstand. My Dao Cultivation is meager, and I have no power to intervene. I was simply confused as to why a female ghost is allowed to roam freely within the City God Temple. According to the rules of the Netherworld Bureau, shouldn't all wandering spirits and ghosts be sent into Reincarnation, or face punishment in the Netherworld Bureau?"

The City God said, "That is true, but that Young Lady holds a truly special status. Even I am powerless to restrict her freedom."

Daoist Wuwei's expression remained calm as he asked, "What kind of status? Or rather, who has vouched for her, rendering even the City God Lord helpless?"

The City God Lord merely smiled and shook his head, offering no explanation whatsoever.

Daoist Wuwei understood. It seemed he really wouldn't get any answers out of him.

He dropped the subject, changing the topic instead. "Let us speak no more of it. By the way, when I entered the temple earlier to offer incense, I saw quite a few underworld deputies rushing out with Binding Chains and Long Sabers. Has something happened?"

The City God replied, "It hasn't stopped lately. Because of the Investiture of Immortals Assembly, the number of demons in Shangjing City has multiplied. Some among them keep causing trouble, so the underworld deputies have been working from dawn to dusk, and yet they still can't catch them all."

"So that's how it is..."

Daoist Wuwei nodded; this was exactly as he had expected.

He then added, "Although my Dao Cultivation is meager, I can still be of some help. If the City God Lord doesn't mind, I would be willing to assist from the sidelines."

The City God smiled. "Priest, you are highly righteous. However, the underworld deputies have enough manpower, and there's no need for you to take action against a few minor demons. But if we run into real trouble, I will definitely ask for your help."

"City God Lord, you praise me too highly."

"Not at all. I have long heard that the immortals of Green Mountain emerge together in extraordinary splendor. Seeing you today, it is indeed quite remarkable."

Daoist Wuwei smiled warmly and drank tea with him.

But in his heart, he was still wondering exactly who that female ghost could be.

Even the City God Lord couldn't control her.

Moreover, from that brief glimpse in the temple earlier, Daoist Wuwei could tell that she was no ordinary lingering spirit. Instead, she seemed more like a practitioner of ghost cultivation, cultivating with a spectral body.

Those who practiced ghost cultivation were rare, let alone one practicing right inside the City God Temple.

Just what was that female ghost's status?

They chatted idly in the tea house for a long while, but the City God didn't have much free time. He hastily bid his farewells and departed. Qingxian Temple was a Daoist Gate faction personally conferred by the Human Sovereign; as a City God, he couldn't afford to deny them face.

Daoist Wuwei exited the tea house, parting ways with the City God.

Next, he needed to find a place to stay.

People of the Daoist Gate were all quite poor. Although the name of Qingxian Temple resonated throughout the world, its mountain disciples only focused on quiet Cultivation. Where would they get any wealth? Most of them were completely penniless.

Daoist Wuwei was no exception.

However, he had arrived a bit too late. There were no longer any places to stay, either inside or outside Shangjing City. Everything was completely packed with travelers from all corners of the world.

Earlier, before entering the city, he had seen many people of the jianghu resting on the ground by the roadside. So, Daoist Wuwei's final choice was also the ground by the roadside.

He didn't want to join the lively crowds outside the city—there were too many people and too many demons. Instead, he simply found a secluded alley inside the city, sat down, and closed his eyes in Cultivation.

Actually, the streets were quite nice: spacious and not damp. But after nightfall, that wouldn't do. Shangjing City had recently implemented a curfew.

This was largely because there were too many demons and ghosts about; the measure had been taken for the safety of the common people.

"Phew..."

Daoist Wuwei took a deep breath, just about to rest.

Suddenly, he heard a noise.

He looked up to see a figure abruptly appear on the City Wall.

It carried a hint of demonic aura, yet it didn't make Wuwei feel repulsed.

Daoist Wuwei looked over, freezing for a moment.

Lihua, perched on the wall, also spotted Wuwei and immediately spoke up. "Lihua was just wondering why this scent was so familiar."

"Priest, we meet again."

Daoist Wuwei naturally recognized this Mao'er; he would recognize it even if it were turned to ash.

He stood up from the ground.

As their eyes met...

Daoist Wuwei offered a small bow and said with a calm, even voice, "Long time no see."

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