Starting Cultivation During a Trip

”Go pay your respects.”

Sui Chunsheng called everyone over to the Scripture Treasure Hall.

Master Xuanji was a senior, especially of great status among the Jiangnan Province Daoist Sect; as the younger generation, it was only proper they went to pay their respects and offer three sticks of incense.

Inside the Scripture Treasure Hall, spirit banners fluttered, and the sound of sutra chanting filled the air.

Master Xuanji’s coffin rested in the center of the great hall, dressed in his Daoist Robe, his face peaceful.

Zhang Fan and the rest of the younger generation lined up to offer incense and pay their respects.

”People... no matter how glorious they are in life, they’re all the same after death...”

Zhang Fan sighed inwardly. Suddenly, he remembered what his best buddy Li Yishan once said—live a whole life and, in the end, it all comes down to ”three kowtows, three sticks of incense, a couple drinks for the altar,” ”a grave mound and a stone tablet, some fruit platters and a pile of ash.”

”Old Li really gets it—he’s not even dead and already sees through life.”

Zhang Fan thought to himself that when he got back, he definitely had to drag Li Yishan out to treat him to a meal.

”Now that things here are wrapped up, we should head back too.”

Sui Chunsheng spoke softly and seriously. They’d originally come just to escort the Dharma Jar—now that the jar was gone and the Great Demon inside had fled, there was really no point in staying.

”Wait here, we’re going to go say goodbye.”

Sui Chunsheng and Zhan Xinyue represented the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance. Of course, they couldn’t just leave as they pleased—they had to notify people first.

”Finally, it’s over.”

Walking out of the hall, Jiang Hu let out a long sigh. To be honest, they hadn’t done much at all this time—just tagging along, really.

”Last night, the boss even called to check in.”

”Asked about what?” Zhang Fan couldn’t help but say.

”Asked when we’d be heading back...” Jiang Hu rolled his eyes. ”We’re just temporarily loaned to the Jiangnan Province Daoist Alliance... don’t tell me you actually think you’re part of the organization.”

”...”

”What was our company called again?” Zhang Fan suddenly asked.

”...”

”Night is not bright.”

”And what’s our boss’s name?”

”Bai Buran.”

Zhang Fan and Jiang Hu looked at each other and couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

”Are you crazy?”

As soon as the laughter started, Zhang Fan suddenly clamped a hand over Jiang Hu’s mouth, instinctively glancing back at the main hall. Thankfully, the deafening chanting meant no one noticed them.

”Good thing no one heard.” Zhang Fan breathed a sigh of relief.

”Fellow Daoist Zhang.”

Just then, a gentle call came from behind, pulling Zhang Fan out of his thoughts.

Zhang Fan turned around and saw a young man also exiting the main hall.

”Gu Jingqiu!?”

Zhang Fan recognized him—the little Daoist from Lao Mountain. Even though they’d only met once, he had a deep impression of him. After all, the guy came from a reputable sect.

”Fellow Daoist Zhang, disciple of Zhenwu Mountain—last night was rushed and I didn’t get a chance to get to know you,” Gu Jingqiu stepped forward, polite and proper.

”’Get to know’... ’get to know’?!”

Zhang Fan and Jiang Hu exchanged glances, both seeing something a little off in each other’s eyes.

”Maybe I’m being a bit abrupt, but may I ask for some advice?”

Gu Jingqiu’s eyes held a hint of eagerness and warmth.

A Zhenwu disciple, Transcendent Successor—this kind of identity was extraordinary. Gu Jingqiu, hailing from Lao Mountain himself, naturally couldn’t resist stirring when he found such a hidden figure among the younger generation—he just had to try to learn a thing or two.

”Advice? Here? Not really appropriate, is it?”

Zhang Fan couldn’t help but glance over—this was a funeral, people playing suona inside, and you want to spar by the door? Definitely inappropriate.

”Sorry for overstepping.” Disappointment flashed across Gu Jingqiu’s face as he spoke quietly.

Normally, he had a pride to him, but when it came to meeting skilled peers, it was only feverish excitement—he couldn’t care less about anything else.

”How about... we add each other on Chaoxin?”

Zhang Fan pulled out his phone and flashed his QR code.

”Huh?”

This caught both Jiang Hu and Gu Jingqiu a little off guard.

”We’ll have chances in the future. Stay in touch,” Zhang Fan promised him a big fat cake.

”In the future? When exactly?” Gu Jingqiu’s eyes lit up.

”Next time... when you come to Yujing City, I’ll make sure to treat you well and help you fulfill your wish.” Zhang Fan smiled.

Big promises—the most slippery filling is always ”next time” or ”let’s talk later.”

”Definitely.” Gu Jingqiu was fired up, immediately pulling out his phone to scan Zhang Fan’s Chaoxin.

Zhang Fan grinned—a friend is a path; and when that friend’s from a reputable sect, one of the Ten Great Daoist Sects, who’d say no?

”Hey, why do you have Qi Ji in your contacts?”

Jiang Hu glanced over and spotted a familiar account in Zhang Fan’s friend list. The last message was:

Next time let’s meet up in Yujing!

”You’re chattin’ with him too?!” Jiang Hu said with a weird expression.

”Last time... after that Shen Family thing, he shamelessly insisted on adding me. Said there might be a follow-up investigation...” Zhang Fan replied offhandedly.

”Didn’t I tell you?”

”...”

”Fellow Daoist Zhang, I’m heading back to Lao Mountain with my master tonight.”

Right then, Gu Jingqiu said, ”Once I’m back, I’ll go into seclusion for a while, but after that, I’ll definitely visit Yujing City to seek your guidance.”

As he spoke, Gu Jingqiu’s look was nothing but hot-blooded sincerity.

That was the Lao Mountain way—every disciple who goes out for experience has to spend some time in seclusion after returning, to process what they’ve learned.

”Alright, I’ll be waiting in Yujing City.”

”Good food, good drinks, good foot massages.” Jiang Hu chimed in.

”Foot massages?”

”Uh... that’s a popular way to cultivate and keep healthy,” Zhang Fan shot him a glare and laughed awkwardly.

”Both of you, this Observatory of Profound Mystery is now nothing but a place of trouble. If there’s nothing else, you should leave sooner rather than later,” Gu Jingqiu said quietly.