A tall, thin figure clad in a yellow robe sat on the stone bench, a middle-aged Daoist with three strands of long beard under his chin, possessing a somewhat ethereal aura.

His eyes were especially spirited, as if containing the stars within. Upon seeing Chen Xing, he chuckled:

"A rare guest! I invite you often, but you never come. Today, you seem quite leisurely, thinking to pay a visit?"

Chen Xing cupped his hands in salute. Faced with a Daoist Official of high rank, it was like a common man seeing an official; one must kneel respectfully.

Yet Chen Xing was seated firmly as the head of the Martial Arts Society in Yihai Prefecture, his status not low; coupled with being a Four Cultivation Grandmaster, and having some friendship with Xuanji Taoist, thus he need not adhere to the common rites.

"I am a mediocre man trapped in the mundane world, afraid to dirty the Daoist's pure space."

Chen Xing lightly smiled, his voice resonant, stepping boldly into Zhengyi Pavilion, sitting opposite.

"No one visits the Three Treasures Hall for no reason. Speak plainly, what favor do you seek again? Your stepson Chen Ye, he's weak and suffering from Qi blood deficiency, entering the Daoist School as an acolyte, it's really hard to convince people, and this poor Daoist must consider carefully."

Xuanji Taoist squinted his eyes, looking rather amiable.

"A meteor descended over the Nu Yun River, causing quite a commotion. Has Daoist Xuanji heard of this strange event?"

Chen Xing placed his hands on his knees, asking calmly.

"What breeze or grass moves within the Yihai Prefecture could escape this poor Daoist's notice? Last night, the Mountain and River Treasure Mirror at Zhi Xin Temple suddenly vibrated. With a calculation, it was discovered to be caused by the shifting of Earth energy, likely someone broke a mountain's foundation and moved a small hill.

Afterward, news of flames descending from the sky at Nu Yun River Mouth reached me.

Master Chen, your disciple is quite troublesome."

Xuanji Taoist's expression was ambiguous, yet meaningful.

"Was it truly done by Hai Chan?"

Chen Xing's expression turned surprised, then a trace of pain appeared in his eyes, which was noted by Xuanji Taoist. His lips slightly raised, shaking his head:

"Why are you stuck in a difficult position between your disciple and stepchild? Ninghai Zen has gone as far as expelling his mentor, this rebellious act evidently does not regard you as his master.

The master-disciple relationship has become so thin, almost like strangers, and yet you've given him the Tongwen Hall signboard and the Sect Leader's Seal."

Chen Xing showed a bitter smile:

"After all, he is my disciple, cannot clear him out ... moreover, I am no longer a match for Hai Chan."

Xuanji Taoist's eyes sparkled:

"Ten years ago, he single-handedly wiped out four clans, causing upheaval in Yihai Prefecture. The previous Daoist Official at Zhi Xin Temple nearly reported to the Dragon Court, asking Celestial Water Prefecture to issue a decree labeling him a rebel to be eliminated.

If it wasn't for you negotiating, agreeing with Pai Bang's Hong Jie to have Ninghai Zen step back, how would he have survived? Unfortunately, he didn't understand his master's hardships and instead accused you of colluding with the Thirteenth Branch, bowing to wealth and name."

Chen Xing's face darkened as though evoking an uncomfortable past. Xuanji Taoist didn't care about these matters, seated as the Daoist Official of Yihai Prefecture, covering the sky with a raise of his hand, even a prominent Four Cultivation Grandmaster must bow.

"As a master, you cannot bear to see your disciple causing trouble. Besides, it is thanks to Hai Chan that Tongwen Hall stands firm in the County City."

Chen Xing only seemed capable of bitter smiles, seeing the amused Xuanji Taoist halt, returning to the main topic:

"After circling around for so long, what is your purpose in seeking me?"

"I wish for Daoist to host a Water and Land Dharma Assembly for Zhao'Er, recite 'The Heavenly Lord's Sutra on Delivering from Suffering and Extracting Sins', to ease my wife's heart."

Xuanji Taoist's mouth curved into a smile:

"You indeed show deep emotion. Even when the direct offspring of the Thirteenth Branch dies, and those grand masters request, I may not grant face."

Chen Xing lowered his head, slightly bowed:

"I know Daoist requires much Gold-Element Mica Spiritual Sand for cultivation. As Celestial Fiend Day approaches and the Turbid Tide rises, I am willing to delve a thousand miles into Fulong Mountain, seeking ten pieces of Gold-Element Mica Spiritual Sand for Daoist."

Xuanji Taoist lifted his eyelids, finally agreeing:

"You, a dignified Fourth-Practice Expert, lowering yourself to do such searching tasks for a poor Daoist … Ninghai Zen was right. Chen Xing, you are trapped by emotions."

Chen Xing's face remained calm, his tone indifferent:

"All things are done willingly, I have no regrets."

Xuanji Taoist laughed softly:

"Since it is so, I accept."

He did not understand how someone like Chen Xing, who could step into Four Cultivation Circulation Qi Collection of Martial Dao, would develop true feelings for a widow with a burdensome child, treating the stepson as his own, running around endlessly.

She isn't even a remarkable woman … truly laughable!

"Thank you, Daoist."

Chen Xing got up and bowed.

"There is another matter, the previous Daoist Official of Zhi Xin Temple, Master Qingxuan, was transferred five years ago and mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

You know as well, assassinating a Daoist recognized by the Dragon Court is equivalent to rebellion. This matter alarmed the Celestial Water Prefecture and even reached the Central Hub. At that time, the current Holy Emperor was still the Crown Prince, who mobilized thirty-six Feng Shui Daoists to set up a grand formation, divining the secret of heaven, yet found no clue whatsoever."

Master Xuanji, with a solemn expression, put away his jesting manner:

"Under the heavens, all lands belong to the king. The failure of the thirty-six Feng Shui Daoists indicates something very peculiar.

The Celestial Water Prefecture submitted a memorial, delivering it to the Central Hub, requesting 'Observatory Tower,' one of the five Taoist Sects, to use the 'Holy Wisdom Pearl,' one of the Profound Mysterious Divine Soldiers, to divine the culprit.

The Holy Wisdom Pearl can compute the myriad of things under heaven, almost peering into the future, but it requires rare treasures to exchange as ritual consumption, and it won't yield a reply overnight.

Just recently, the Central Hub responded, and the Holy Wisdom Pearl gave an eight-character prophecy."

The Daoist Official, who presides over Zhi Xin Temple, was conferred by the Dragon Court, able to oversee the mountains and rivers of Yihai Prefecture. He paused before speaking in a deep voice:

"'Torch brightens the emperor's will, dispelling specters and monsters!'

Seeing Chen Xing frowning slightly, seemingly bewildered as if hearing it for the first time, Master Xuanji proactively explained:

"You may not know, but this was the slogan launched three thousand years ago by the White Sun Sect!

Since the reign of the Dragon Court, this lineage has been classified as a top-numbered treacherous bandit!

The Central Hub believes that Master Qingxuan is highly likely to have perished at the hands of the White Sun Sect remnants. Their practiced 'Three Yang Tribulation' and 'Star Atlas of No Future' skillfully obscure the heavenly secrets.

This group of lunatics emerged following the Daoist collapse, claiming that the Red County Divine Land possesses a 'Nine Heavens Star Ring' akin to a beacon tower. If it can be lit, the Four Saints could be summoned to completely eradicate the calamity of Turbid Tide."

Chen Xing chuckled:

"Sounds like a fool's dream."

Master Xuanji nodded:

"The Four Saints neither retain names, set up deities' images, nor leave behind classics, being revered of the Dao, why would they heed mortal requests? Moreover, the so-called Nine Heavens Star Ring is a fabrication by the White Sun Sect to deceive the world.

Master Qingxuan's assassination is inextricably linked to the White Sun Sect. I have long submitted ten chests of rare treasures, earnestly requesting the Observatory Tower to activate the Holy Wisdom Pearl again to divine the whereabouts of the culprit.

Can you guess where this scoundrel is hiding?"

Before Chen Xing could reply, he burst into laughter:

"In Yihai Prefecture, hiding right in the city! That's the prophecy obtained by the Holy Wisdom Pearl! Truly heaven's assistance, granting me a deed! I plan to gather twenty chests of rare treasures to conduct one of the thirteen levels of ceremonies in the Observatory Tower, the 'Mingzhen Grand Sacrifice,' to ascertain this scoundrel's identity.

When the time comes, I might even need Master Chen's help to capture the White Sun Sect's remnants with me!

The Immortal Master from the Observatory Tower has informed me that this scoundrel holds quite a status, highly likely to be akin to the Left and Right Protectors..."

Chen Xing immediately clasped his fists:

"At Daoist's command, I, Chen Mou, am at your disposal."

...

...

"It's not Chen Xing, nor his disciple. Ninghai Zen was at Black River County then, as clearly reflected by the Mountain and River Treasure Mirror."

Watching the tall elder leaving the Plum Garden, Master Xuanji's eyes flickered, and the 'True Light Jade' in his palm remained unresponsive.

According to the Immortal Master of the Observatory Tower, any member of the White Sun Sect who has practiced 'Three Yang Tribulation' or 'Star Atlas of No Future' must trigger the True Light Jade.

Given Ninghai Zen's ways, with Master Qingxuan's disappearance and inexplicable death, he is the prime suspect.

Regrettably, this person left Yihai Prefecture early, inadvertently washing away this heinous crime.

"Since none of the experts from the Thirteenth Branch, Pai Bang, or Chen Xing triggered the True Light Jade, they are all usable personnel."

Master Xuanji had no suspicion of Chen Xing, merely confirming his role to avoid the awkwardness of oversights.

"Capturing the White Sun Sect remnants, racing ahead of Yuanyang Temple, taking this matter into our hands is equivalent to seizing power.

Hence, anyone who disrespects Zhi Xin Temple might be colluding with the White Sun Sect... Yihai Prefecture, will fall under my domain!"

...

...

"'Torch brightens the emperor's will, dispelling specters and monsters...'"

Walking out of Zhi Xin Temple, Chen Xing closed his eyes and silently recited in his heart.

"White Sun Sect remnants?"

His tone was inexplicable, and instead of returning to his residence immediately, he bought a fish basket and a fishing rod, heading towards the Nu Yun River.