A master of metaphysics is farming.

Chapter 138 Dharma Conference

On February 15th, at the Huode Zhenjun Temple Dharma Assembly, Xiang He only brought the Mirror Flower Water Moon and Bamboo Nan.

The two demons had a heart for Tao and were not afraid before the statue of the True Lord.

Xiang He also specially gave them a talisman, which not only protected them but also reduced their demonic aura, making them more human-like.

So as not to be seen by the people in the temple, who might mistakenly think that some evil demon had been captured.

The image of a flower in a mirror and the moon in the water was already charming and beautiful. When the people who were worshipping it in front of the temple saw it, they covered their mouths and whispered among themselves.

They didn't mind at all; they simply stood in the temple, hands clasped together in devout prayer, silently reciting the mantra for purifying the mind.

The Taoist priests had already prepared an incense table with several prayer cushions inside. They beckoned to He Chao and the others, saying, "Come over here."

Everyone stood outside the hall, slightly closer to the door, trying to make room for the people.

The temple fell silent. The abbot, dressed in a Taoist robe, came out, when suddenly someone shouted, "The princess has arrived!"

Everyone looked towards the outside of the temple. Qin Fuhua, dressed in plain clothes, appeared outside the door. Xiang He frowned. Although the little rabbit beside her had its head down, they could feel the tension in her body.

This girl actually followed us to this important Taoist site.

Xiang He turned and slipped out of the crowd, composed herself, and smiled, "Greetings, Princess. I didn't expect you to attend the Dharma Assembly."

Qin Fuhua was equally surprised, "Miss Xiang is here too, what a coincidence."

She walked towards the temple. Xiang He was half a step behind. When Shuang'er saw Xiang He, her nervous expression turned to surprise and delight, and she immediately stepped close to Xiang He's side.

Something was stuffed into her hand, and she immediately clutched it tightly.

As Shuang'er took the talisman, Xiang He's eyes were fixed on the main hall. A man in a Taoist robe had a solemn look in his eyes. His gaze swept over the group of people before he frowned.

The man turned out to be the same one I had met yesterday. I hadn't thought anything of it at the time, but I never expected him to be a Taoist priest.

Just now, there was a moment when I sensed the demonic aura. Although Shuang'er was only a minor demon, she hadn't cultivated much and didn't know how to hide her demonic aura, which is why the Taoist priest caught her for a moment.

Fortunately, Xianghe acted in time.

Why didn't Young Master He come along?

Hearing a question from beside her, Xiang He took a step forward and said, "I just came to check on him. He has his own things to do."

"I thought you two were inseparable, so I assumed you went out together."

"You flatter me, Princess."

The two chatted as they went inside. Xiang He stopped at the door and said, "Princess, please go in. I'll stay here."

Qin Fuhua was slightly surprised, "Together? You can hear it more clearly inside."

"Thank you for your kindness, Princess. I'll be fine here."

Seeing that she repeatedly refused, Qin Fuhua didn't say anything more. After all, the Dharma assembly was about to begin, and it couldn't be delayed because of her.

"Alright, I won't force you."

"How could that happen?"

Seeing Qin Fuhua go in alone, Xiang He stood to the side. Shuang'er was not far in front of her, but she did not follow her in.

As she looked down, she glanced at Xiang He, her eyes filled with gratitude.

She probably never thought she would come here, but since her master wanted to come, she had no choice but to comply.

The abbot's voice came from inside. Jinghua Shuiyue peeked in, but Xiang He blocked her view and whispered, "Listen with your head down, don't look in anymore."

Although I don't know why, I can only do as instructed, lest they be taken away later.

After the ceremony concluded, the man who had spoken yesterday personally delivered a sermon, and the hall became very quiet.

Xiang He listened attentively; he was quite skilled at preaching, and perhaps he could discuss things with this person.

The moment the thought crossed her mind, the sounds inside the hall abruptly ceased.

A gust of wind suddenly rose beside her, and Xiang He immediately looked up. She saw the Taoist priest running out with a peach wood sword in his hand, and her heart was immediately filled with unease.

"You two stay here."

Shuiyue grabbed Jinghua tightly, her eyes filled with anxiety as she watched the direction the Taoist priest had left. "W-Will he be alright?"

"Don't worry, the girl is here."

The two demons tried their best to hide their figures in the crowd, and Shuang'er couldn't help but look over anxiously.

The Taoist priest had already run out the gate, and Xiang He could only watch, closing her eyes and concentrating on sensing the changes around her, her fingers moving under her sleeves.

Gradually, I shut out the noise around me and felt the unchanging atmosphere of this place. The mountain shade was cool and the breeze was refreshing. I gradually heard the hurried footsteps of a person, and as they walked further and further away, I heard rustling sounds.

Then a shout was heard, and a bloody smell entered my nostrils, accompanied by a strong demonic aura.

Suddenly opening her eyes, Xiang He found her hands being grabbed by Mirror Flower Water Moon.

Looking back at the two of them, their eyes were filled with panic; it seemed they too had sensed the demonic aura permeating the air.

Shuiyue's lips trembled as she cried, "Save...save..."

Knowing what she meant, Xiang He gave her a reassuring look, "Don't worry, she escaped."

They trusted Xiang He deeply, and their panicked eyes calmed down, feeling much more at ease. However, they still watched the gate with great concern until the Taoist priest returned with his sword, but there was nothing else in his hand, which put them at ease.

The abbot rushed out, "Senior brother, what happened?"

Xiang He was shocked by the relationship between the two, never expecting that they were fellow disciples.

The Taoist priest raised his hand to stop him from asking any more questions, and walked straight into the courtyard, his eyes fixed sharply on Xiang He, his gaze never wavering as he walked.

Xiang He hid the large umbrella behind her back, looked at him with innocent, questioning eyes, then smiled and nodded.

Seeing that his cold eyes were filled with doubt, and that he glanced around before walking into the main hall, Xiang He and the three people beside him breathed a sigh of relief.

Shuang'er immediately hid the talisman in her sleeve and turned to ask He Wusheng, "Do you know who he is?"

Judging from the shape of her mouth, Shuang'er frowned and shook her head, then looked away and lowered her head.

The sounds from inside the hall resumed, but Xiang He had no interest in listening anymore.

-

An hour later, the ceremony ended, and the abbot distributed amulets for peace and safety, which everyone lined up to receive.

Xiang He didn't take it. Just as she was about to leave with Mirror Flower Water Moon, the Taoist priest suddenly appeared in front of her.

"Young lady, I've heard about you from my junior brother. Would you mind having a private chat?"

The person before her had changed from his previous sharp demeanor, and now had a smile on his face, but Xiang He felt that the smile was not genuine.

Xiang He smiled back, while Jinghua Shuiyue walked away hand in hand, chatting and laughing.

"I'm just a carefree commoner who studies haphazardly. When I encountered strange phenomena on the road, I thought it was something weird."

"There are too many people here, shall we go upstairs and chat?"

Xiang He nodded and followed, climbing the mountain along the path and overlooking the entire temple.

"This humble Taoist priest is imposing; may I not know your name, my friend?"

"Just call me Xiang He."

Xiang Ling stood with his hands behind his back, facing the temple, but he kept an eye on Xiang He out of the corner of his eye.

"Fellow Daoist, are you strolling around the capital?"

“Yes,” Xiang He said casually, “I’ve been traveling around the capital and seen how prosperous it is. I’ve finally witnessed it all.”

"That's good. Fellow Daoist, could you please describe in detail what you saw?"

"Hmm?" Xiang He tilted his head and thought for a moment. "Well... that night, a rumble of thunder broke the night sky, and the mountains changed color. But it disappeared quickly, and when I tried to chase after it, I didn't find anything unusual."

"Where was it found?"

Near Jiayang Pass.

Xiang Ling nodded in realization, "It is indeed very far. Fellow Daoist has traveled extensively and must have a wealth of experience. I wonder if we could sit down and discuss this another day?"

"No, no, no, I just learned it randomly, but it would be nice if we sat down for tea together another day."

Xiangyun said nothing more, but politely gestured for Xianghe to go down.

He saw Xiang He off at the temple gate, exchanged a few polite words, and then returned to the temple. When Xiang He turned around, the smile in her eyes faded, and she walked down the mountain holding the large umbrella in her hand.

Xiang Ling, who was standing in the temple, turned around and watched her figure gradually disappear, and his face darkened.