"The hour of incense burning is up. If you don't leave now, don't blame me for being ruthless! I'll activate the Great Array of the Fiery Furnace and turn you into ashes!"

Chongxu Zi couldn't be bothered to deal with this guy. He flicked his duster and was about to circulate his thoughts to condense his Divine Soul Form.

"I was just joking with you, Brother Daoist. Why take it seriously?"

Qiu Changtian lightly coughed twice, clasped his hands in salute, and stepped over the threshold of the main hall.

"Wait."

Chongxu Zi suddenly called out to him.

"Brother Daoist, you truly can't let go of my Red Powder Soul-Devouring Array!"

Qiu Changtian quickly turned around, his eyes full of anticipation.

"I also have a favor to ask."

Chongxu Zi lowered his voice:

"Can you stay in Yihai Prefecture a little longer and later take a trip to Zhi Xin Temple?"

Qiu Changtian immediately patted his chest and promised:

"Don't worry, Brother Daoist. I'll head over to Zhi Xin Temple and pee on its wall base, with my bad luck, I'm sure that rascal Master Xuanji will step on dog poop when he leaves!"

"Younger Brother Qiu, you're truly full of spirit! But stop visiting Yuanyang Temple so often; if anything comes up, let's communicate by letter!"

Chongxu Zi was immensely grateful, eager to shake hands with Qiu Changtian in friendliness, but feared that he himself might also step on dog poop, so he refrained.

...

...

Leaving Yuanyang Temple, Qiu Changtian led a little donkey and took a few pieces of purple talisman paper from his chest, sticking them tightly to his body.

If a cultivator skilled in watching qi looked, they would see the oppressive dark cloud-like misfortune qi instantly shrink, leaving only faint traces lingering around him to prevent harm to innocent bystanders on the street.

"The rope usually breaks at its thin part, and misfortune always finds the miserable… This unlucky thing, let's let those capable old masters bear it."

Qiu Changtian looked relaxed, walking lightly without the aura of someone near their end.

He crossed about three long and wide streets, seeing from a distance the steady stream of people and carriages visiting Zhi Xin Temple.

"Huh, I haven't even pulled up my waistband yet. Why is the evil qi so heavy, with an ominous sense of slaughter?"

Qiu Changtian raised an eyebrow, but since he always kept his word, he was determined to keep his promise to Chongxu Zi.

"This seems like someone practicing some sinister Daoist skill. Well, use your abundant wealth and good fortune to dispel my ill fortune."

He swaggered over Zhi Xin Temple's threshold, looked left and right as if he owned the place, drank a few bowls of hot tea for free, and sneaked to a wall base, following the flows of feng shui energy.

...

...

Drizzle, drizzle!

In Black River County, the first rain of spring fell. Bai Qi sat in the main hall, dining with two Maoshan Daoists he had taken in, exchanging Daoist skills and cultivation insights.

Qi Yan held a bowl of plump, distinct Jade Water Rice and marveled:

"For us heterodox loose cultivators, to eat such spirit rice, we have to work errands for the County City's wealthy or exchange for it with even better treasures and spiritual objects."

His junior brother Lv Nan was focused on eating, his cheeks puffed full, cherishing these peaceful days after wandering with his senior brother for so long.

It wasn't easy!

"Since you are distinguished disciples of Maoshan, why call yourselves loose cultivators?"

Bai Qi chewed slowly and elegantly, not deliberately putting on airs, but to aid digestion.

Generally speaking, the definition of loose cultivators is quite broad.

Without a relatively complete inheritance, or elder mentors to protect the path and pass on skills, one can only explore alone and hence be considered a loose cultivator.

In short, it means lacking specific backing!

"It's a long story. Brother Bai might not be familiar with the Maoshan lineage. Before the fall of the Dao, Maoshan branched out extensively, engaged in altar rites, Dao preaching, talismans, forbidden curses, divination, rain-calling, dream fulfillment, plague dispelling, god worship, and its heritage was rather mixed, with little talk of orthodoxy.

After the Dao's fall, much of the knowledge was lost, so we dare only call ourselves 'Wild Grass Mountain' Maoshan.

Also, in our branch, true inheritance by the robe is addressed only by Daoist titles, forsaking common names.

I have yet to acquire the Daoist title passed down through generations, so I am considered a 'loose cultivator'."

Qi Yan answered candidly, not hiding anything.

"A Daoist title?"

Bai Qi was somewhat curious.

"Indeed, in my branch, each sect leader's true heir receives the Daoist name 'Yimei'!"

Qi Yan nodded.

Daoist Yimei?

Bai Qi was slightly taken aback.