This humble Taoist priest, Qianhe, begins his quest for immortality by slaying demons and monsters.

Chapter 203 Night Visit to Lanruo Temple, Encounter with Nie Xiaoqian

Despite his complaints, Zhong Bai didn't stop absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Heaven knows what kind of terrifying world they have arrived in. Just by looking at the spiritual energy of heaven and earth around them, Zhong Bai knew that this world was absolutely unfathomable. It was very likely that Golden Core True Monarchs were as common as dogs and Nascent Soul Dao Monarchs were everywhere. Such a description may be a bit exaggerated, but Zhong Bai knew that this world was definitely not lacking in Nascent Soul Dao Monarchs!
Streams of spiritual energy from heaven and earth surged into his dantian. Although sparse, the abundance of spiritual energy in this world allowed Zhong Bai's true essence to be slowly replenished.

Time passes bit by bit.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Zhang Zhiwei, who had fallen into a coma beside Zhong Bai, finally woke up.

Opening his eyes and looking at the unfamiliar surroundings, Zhang Zhiwei didn't panic. After all, Zhong Bai was right beside him. If the sky fell, someone taller would hold it up. Coincidentally, Zhong Bai was currently that taller person.

"Fellow Daoist Qianhe, where are we?"

Zhong Bai turned slightly to look at Zhang Zhiwei, then smiled and said, "Let's recover our true energy first before talking about anything else."

Upon hearing Zhong Bai's words, Zhang Zhiwei immediately realized what was happening and followed suit. The surrounding spiritual energy surged into Zhang Zhiwei's body like a tidal wave, and the impact of the rushing water made Zhang Zhiwei's eyes widen.

"This...this!"

In such an environment, I am confident that I can directly break through to the Golden Core stage!

After Zhang Zhiwei finished speaking, he did not actually choose to attempt to break through to the Golden Core True Monarch realm now, but he was clearly shocked by the richness of the spiritual energy in this place.

As the temperature around them gradually dropped, the people of Guobei County, who had been watching the spectacle for a long time, finally began to approach the deep pit where Zhong Bai and his group were.

Upon arriving at the deep pit, the crowd of people were utterly disappointed when they looked down and saw Zhong Bai and Zhang Zhiwei. They had thought some rare treasure had fallen from the sky, but instead, they found two living people, and Taoist priests at that.

In the deep pit, Zhong Bai opened his eyes and looked at the people of Guobei County surrounding the pit. He slowly got up, and with a gentle push of his toes, Zhong Bai flew out of the pit.

He clasped his hands in greeting and asked, "Fellow laymen, may I ask the name of this place?"

Upon hearing Zhong Bai's question, several bolder villagers laughed and shouted, "It's within the territory of Guobei County!"

"Guobei County?"

Zhong Bai softly murmured the name, feeling that it was somewhat familiar, but he just couldn't remember it.

At this moment, Zhang Zhiwei, who was below, had fully recovered his true energy and flew to Zhong Bai's side.

"Fellow Daoist Qianhe, have you found out where we have come from?"

Zhong Bai nodded after being interrupted by Zhang Zhiwei's thought.

"This place is called Guobei County, but I don't know the specifics yet. However, the ordinary people here all speak Chinese, which makes things easier."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhiwei nodded.

Indeed, it's already quite an achievement if they can understand written language; who knows what kind of absurd world they might randomly find themselves in.

Thump thump thump…

Just then, the crowd of onlookers knelt down and kowtowed to Zhong Bai and Zhang Zhiwei.

"Two real people!"

"Please have pity on the people of Guobei County! We are willing to offer money, hoping that you two immortals can slay the demons for our Guobei County!"

Hearing the pleas coming one after another, Zhong Bai did not agree immediately. He did not know the specific situation of this world, so it would be quite risky for him to go and kill the evil spirits directly.

"Please rise, fellow laymen. We two have come from afar and know nothing about Guo Bei County. We wonder where the demons you speak of are, and what their situation is?"

Zhong Bai's words prompted some people to stand up, but some, believing that sincerity would bring results, remained kneeling and refused to rise.

“Master, the demon we are talking about is a temple located thirty miles east of Guobei County!”
Its name is Lanruo Temple!

Upon hearing the words "Lanruo Temple," Zhong Bai was immediately shaken.

"Guobei County...Lanruo Temple, Nie Xiaoqian..."

Images from movies and TV shows that Zhong Bai had watched before flashed through his mind.

It took Zhong Bai about half a day to regain his composure.

"I am aware of Lanruo Temple, fellow laymen. The evil spirits in Lanruo Temple are not simple. We cannot go there lightly without a foolproof plan. However, I can assure you that good will prevail over evil. I will take action against the evil spirits in Lanruo Temple."

Zhong Bai's words stunned the people. Of course, they hadn't really held out any hope. Over the years, many so-called experts who claimed to be exorcising demons and protecting the righteous had come to Guobei County, but without exception, they all died at Lanruo Temple. They thought that Zhong Bai and Zhang Zhiwei were probably the same.

As the crowd gradually dispersed, Zhong Bai and Zhang Zhiwei were finally able to catch their breath.

"Fellow Daoist Qianhe, shall we go and wipe out Lanruo Temple now?"

Upon hearing Zhang Zhiwei's words, Zhong Bai couldn't help but roll his eyes. Did he really think Lanruo Temple was something that Xiao Kalami could manipulate at will?

Zhong Bai shook his head.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, do not be anxious. We do not know the depths of this world. How could a demon that has been able to occupy this place for decades without being eradicated be an ordinary person?"

Zhang Zhiwei thought this made sense, and he became a little anxious.

"What you say makes sense, fellow Daoist. It's better to understand the situation clearly before making a decision."

“Indeed, Fellow Daoist Zhang can break through to the Golden Core realm first. As for Lanruo Temple, I will leave it to you to investigate.”

"good!"

Night fell.

Zhong Bai rode his sword through the night, covering a distance of only thirty miles, a distance that would be covered in a mere moment for him.

With his aura concealed and his blood and qi sealed, Zhong Bai appeared like a true mortal.

Unless there is a Nascent Soul Dao Lord, no one can see through Zhong Bai's true situation.

After passing through a dense forest, Zhong Bai arrived at a deserted temple. All that remained of the temple were ruins, but the fallen plaque still faintly revealed a few large gilded characters: Lanruo Temple!
Taking a deep breath, Zhong Bai stepped inside.

Before meeting the Tree Demon Granny or any film or television character, Zhong Bai couldn't be sure if it was real or fake.

After patrolling the dilapidated temple for a while, Zhong Bai only found a few mummified corpses that had turned into zombies, which were not even comparable to jumping zombies. Zhong Bai did not see any others, let alone Yan Chixia.

Just as I was wondering, I heard a melodious and gentle piano tune coming from afar.

Zhong Bai gave a sarcastic smile.

"In this desolate wilderness, to hear such melodious music, those ordinary people who were fooled truly deserve this calamity..."

After making a comment, Zhong Bai followed the direction of the music.

Before long, they arrived at a cluster of pavilions and terraces.

"Interesting, the environment..."

Everything around him was an illusion, which ordinary people couldn't see. Zhong Bai naturally pretended not to know and stepped into it.

From several dozen meters away, Zhong Bai saw a woman in a plain long dress sitting quietly playing the zither.

"The music is melancholic; young lady, you seem to have something on your mind..."

Zhong Bai approached with an awkward smile.

Nie Xiaoqian, who was playing the zither, looked up at her prey and was surprised to see Zhong Bai's deep eyes and naturally handsome features. When did Guo Bei County have such a man?

"Xiaoqian greets you, young master!"

Nie Xiaoqian stopped playing the zither, slowly rose, and bowed to Zhong Bai in greeting. Hmm, he was indeed from an official family and a scholarly household in his lifetime.

"No need to be polite, Miss Xiaoqian. The night is long, I wonder why you are playing the zither here alone?"
I've heard rumors that demons roam near Lanruo Temple. Although it's just gossip from the people of Guobei County and shouldn't be taken seriously, in this desolate place, with such a beautiful young woman, it could be quite troublesome if she unfortunately encounters evil people.”

Zhong Bai had already said all that, but Nie Xiaoqian, being so clueless, still seemed to think that Zhong Bai was an ordinary person and hadn't discovered her true identity.

"Young master, there's no need to worry. Xiaoqian learned some swordsmanship in her younger days. Although she can't travel the martial world, she's perfect for dealing with those filthy men!"

As they were talking, Zhong Bai had already arrived in front of Nie Xiaoqian.

With a bright smile, he almost pressed himself against Nie Xiaoqian, gently exhaling a breath of warm air onto her earlobe.

"What if... I am one of the filthy men that Miss Xiaoqian is talking about?"
"Are you planning to tear me to pieces?"

In an instant, Nie Xiaoqian felt her body tremble, and her pale face, which had been that of a ghost, turned rosy.

"you you……"

Just then, Zhong Bai reached out and wrapped his arms around Nie Xiaoqian's waist.

Feeling Nie Xiaoqian's icy touch, Zhong Bai couldn't help but feel a surge of lust.

"Girl, how am I?"

For a moment, Nie Xiaoqian was stunned.

Just as Nie Xiaoqian was debating whether to notify the Tree Demon Granny to come and absorb her yang energy, she heard Zhong Bai, who had been teasing her, suddenly change his tone!
"Miss Xiaoqian, do you want to summon that tree demon to feed on your yang energy? Tsk, am I truly making you feel annoyed, rather than tempted?"

In an instant, Nie Xiaoqian's expression changed drastically, and she looked at Zhong Bai with an incredulous gaze.

But at this moment, Zhong Bai no longer concealed his intentions. He picked Nie Xiaoqian up and sat her on his lap, saying, "Miss Xiaoqian, there's no need to be nervous. That's right, I already knew your identity, but I haven't looked down on you..."

As Zhong Bai spoke, he brought his face close to Nie Xiaoqian's somewhat embarrassed and indignant face.

"Hmm, even as a ghost. You're truly something else!"

Zhong Bai wasn't acting at this moment. Before becoming a disciple of Maoshan, Zhong Bai only wanted to live. After becoming a disciple of Maoshan, Zhong Bai had an enormous burden on his shoulders.

Zhong Bai understood that he was different from the immortals and mortals among the spring flowers and summer lotuses, and the flower spirits were even more different in status. As for the others, Zhong Bai really didn't think there were any good women, not even Ren Tingting who possessed great power.

Later, he became the Taoist Master of Maoshan, destined to be the next leader, so it was even less likely that Zhong Bai would have any desires.

Now that Zhong Bai has come to this world, he no longer holds the title of leader of Maoshan. He is simply a Taoist priest of the Zhengyi sect, a Taoist who can have normal desires.

Coincidentally, Zhong Bai found Nie Xiaoqian quite attractive...

"Bah, gangster!"

Despite her complaints, Nie Xiaoqian's initial struggles were quietly disappearing.

Zhong Bai, on the other hand, wore a faint smile and seemed to be in a good mood.

(End of this chapter)