My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 805 - 503: Yin Xian Gu

Just after the hour of Xu, lanterns began to light up sporadically on both sides of the street, initially just one or two, then merging into a sea of lights, immersing the town near Taihua Mountain.

The streets were bustling, people were rubbing shoulders, and suddenly the sound of gongs and drums filled the air, as a parade of flower floats passed by, followed by lion dancers, stilt walkers, and magicians, forming a long dragon-like procession.

From the window near Yin Weiyin, one could see an old man selling sugar paintings pouring malt syrup onto a white stone slab, giving a flick of his wrist to conjure a cloud-stepping Qilin, which drew children clenching their New Year money to gather eagerly.

Around the sixteenth of the first month, Taihua Mountain welcomed many visitors, either from other Daoist Temples to pay respects late in the year or wilderness wanderers seeking to establish a spiritual bond. In short, the usually indifferent Daoists gathered together, inevitably imbued with a hint of worldly atmosphere.

During this Shangyuan Festival, Taihua Mountain hosted them in Shantong City, where they dined and toasted, unlike the dull debates Wan'er had previously overheard, which made one drowsy. Instead, each person vividly recounted adventures of exploring mountains and waters.

"Sister Yin, this is much more fun than on Taihua Mountain," Wan'er said with sparkling eyes.

"Thoughtless little girl," Yin Weiyin said, tapping her head.

"Really, I'm not lying," Wan'er stared ahead and paused, saying, "Today I learned that wild ghosts attach to people asking for 'water rice,' 'family break-up, old dogs climbing roof'... all very fascinating and novel."

Yin Weiyin shook her head, saying, "You find it novel because you are just like ordinary people."

"It truly is novel,"

Wan'er pouted her lips.

Just now, Daoists were discussing various oddities: a hanging ghost meeting a scholar at night, wanting to form a bond, only to find an old monk in disguise; a Jiao Long attempting to transform into a dragon but taking the wrong water path and turning into a worm... these tales are too overwhelming for children, and Wan'er is at an age that loves fun and can't stand boredom. Yin Weiyin smiled helplessly, not everyone is born with a Taoist Heart like hers.

Seeing Yin Weiyin's indifferent demeanor, Wan'er felt both curious and displeased. She leaned closer and asked, "In Sister's eyes, do these really seem uninteresting?"

"Indeed they do."

Wan'er nodded, then pushed herself off the chair and loudly shouted towards the others:

"Hey, big and little Daoist friends, my Sister Yin finds what you say extremely dull!"

With this shout, the Daoists who were merrily chatting all turned their heads.

Yin Weiyin raised her eyebrow slightly, shooting a sidelong glance, only to see Wan'er making mischievous faces at her.

"You little girl," Yin Weiyin chuckled lightly, turned, and said, "My junior's senseless words brought everyone amusement."

The words were polite, but even so, the sudden interruption caused the previously high spirits to wane.

At this moment, a Daoist from True Martial Mountain came forward with tea and said:

"Mr. Yin, is this young Daoist speaking innocently, or are our stories truly uninteresting?"

The female crown's face was calm, she lifted her tea, pondering, the light in the cup reflecting the lanterns outside the window. The oddities the Daoists discussed, she had been listening too, her thoughts drifting to deep underground palaces seeing Tushan, then circling to the underworld, crossing Ghost Gate with a wandering soul — uninteresting wasn't an empty saying; it truthfully was uninteresting.

Yet, these words were hard to express openly. Yin Weiyin thought for a moment and smiled, "How could strange stories be uninteresting? No matter how novel, they are all past events, and they aren't as novel as those in books."

"This is clear, the world often has more talks falling into books than upon people." The Daoist paused, then shook his head and said, "For instance, this celebration has been repeated countless times, many cycles.

The female crown softly laughed: "In our Taoist rising stars, could there not be a good story tonight?"

This remark drew everyone's attention.

The banquet table draped in gauze displayed delicious food and wine, vegetables, and flowers. The golden and silver goblets shone silver light, the lamp wicks burned with rhino horn powder mixed with aloeswood, tendrils of smoke coiling and gathering.

Not lacking in opulence.

Yin Weiyin raised her tea and said, "Tea, Spiritual Tea, Immortal Tea, they are still tea."

Then she lifted the wine cup, uncovering the lid, "Wine, enchanting wine, divine wine, ultimately it is wine."

As she spoke, everyone saw her uncover the lid and pour it onto the ground, fine tea water flowing away; many were quite shocked, some nearly intervening to stop her.

"It's all just stale water."

The female crown laughed lightly:

"For Immortals, who act and desire like mortals, how could they be considered Immortals?"

"Then according to the Goddess, how can one be considered an Immortal?"

...…

The sound of gongs and drums echoed, the past turmoil had long passed, and all of Shantong City was immersed in the New Year.

"Flower float, flower float is coming!"

A flower float passed through the street, drawing cheers, lanterns hanging high as actors dressed as Gods and Buddhas danced gracefully upon the high platform, children chasing after, parents at the roadside calling them back, while under inconspicuous eaves, men and women feigned indifference, secretly clasping each other's hands.

The coming and going of people, merry and bustling.

Amidst the hustle and bustle, a woman appeared flustered, pushed around by the crowd, seemingly unable to find her way home.

This woman appeared ordinary, with average looks, her hands holding a sachet meant for her lover. But where was her lover?

She managed to reach the Shangyuan Festival, to meet her lover one night.

Yet she was separated by the crowd, unable to find him, unable to seek him.

Ren Hui's face darkened; men and women were not to touch, outside of the festival, meeting was harder than climbing to heaven; even if they managed to meet, it would be in public settings, where there can be no whispering and tenderness. She lifted her head, realizing she had no idea where she was pushed to, unfamiliar with the roads here and thinking, if tonight ends like this, who knows how many years or months she has to wait.