My words have become law; I truly have no desire to display my divine power before others.

Beside the mountain road, a faded "tea" flag swayed lazily in the breeze.

This simple teahouse, with just a few square tables and benches, has become an oasis for travelers to rest and catch their breath.

Ye Qingfeng's figure seemed to solidify out of thin air, taking a single step from the end of the official road.

Although the gray-blue Taoist robe was somewhat old, it was spotless. As he stopped, it fell down silently.

"Phew... After walking for fifteen minutes, we've finally left this mountain forest!"

After leaving Xiahe Village, Ye Qingfeng walked for a quarter of an hour before finding the official road.

We only saw some signs of human habitation on the road.

It's important to know that Ye Qingfeng hasn't stopped using his Shrinking Earth technique during this period.

Given Ye Qingfeng's current influence, taking on the supernatural ability of shrinking the earth to an inch is not too much of a burden.

As long as you don't take too far in one step, it's fine.

By using the Shrinking Earth technique continuously for a quarter of an hour, Ye Qingfeng covered a distance that would take an ordinary person a day to complete.

"There's a teahouse up ahead. Let's go get a bowl of water first. Did the Wang family beat the salt seller to death? Why is the salted fish so salty? My throat is still so dry!"

Ye Qingfeng muttered something as he walked toward the teahouse. The distance wasn't far, so he didn't bother using the Shrinking Earth Technique.

However, the previous languid demeanor suddenly disappeared, replaced by a calm and composed air.

If someone is influential, then naturally they must maintain the image of a superior person.

"May the Heavenly Venerable grant you boundless blessings." Ye Qingfeng walked down from the shed, his voice not loud, yet carrying a strange penetrating power.

The buzzing conversations inside the shed were slightly suppressed.

He bowed to the shopkeeper, a dark-skinned old man of about fifty years old, who was busy at the stove.

"This humble Taoist priest is thirsty while traveling; could the innkeeper spare a bowl of water?"

The shopkeeper looked up and saw a young Taoist priest. Although he was dressed simply, his composure was genuine. He quickly wiped his hands on his apron and smiled.

"You're too kind, Taoist priest. Plenty of water is available!"

As he spoke, he scooped a large bowl of clear, cool water from the clean earthenware jar and handed it to the pottery jar with both hands.

Ye Qingfeng accepted the drink, thanked him, and slowly finished it.

As the clear water entered his throat, washing away the dust, a hint of contentment appeared on his face.

Seeing that he looked travel-worn, the shopkeeper felt sorry for him and turned around to scoop a chopstickful of noodles from the boiling pot.

It was served with a clear soy sauce broth and a sprinkle of bright green scallions.

"Master, we live in the mountains and have nothing of value here. Please make do with this bowl of plain noodles."

"How can this be?" Ye Qingfeng asked, slightly surprised.

He hadn't finished those two salted fish, and now he was only about half full.

"Sure, sure!" the shopkeeper chuckled.

"You seem to have come from a long way. A bowl of noodles is nothing, but you'll be able to continue your journey if you eat your fill."

Ye Qingfeng no longer declined and bowed again, saying, "Then thank you for your kindness, shopkeeper."

He sat down, his movements relaxed and natural, as if he had his own little world even in this humble shed.

While eating noodles, he remained elegant and did not wolf down his food, but he ate at a considerable pace, clearly indicating that he had a good appetite.

The hot soup noodles warmed my stomach and comforted my rumbling hunger.

Inside the shed, there were two or three tables of customers, mostly dressed as merchants and porters, gathered together and talking in hushed tones, their voices filled with surprise and mystery.

"Have you heard? Something strange has happened at Old Chen's house in Liulin Village ahead!" a peddler with a weathered face said in a low voice.

"How come I haven't heard of it! Chen Dazhu was a perfectly fine person, but a few days ago he suddenly went mad, his eyes turned bloodshot, and he would pounce on any living thing he saw!"

He killed all of his dozen or so chickens overnight, leaving the ground covered in feathers and blood... I heard he even tried to attack his wife and child, but luckily the neighbors managed to restrain him!

"Tsk, could it be possessed by a ghost? Or has it gone mad?"

"It's really weird! Once you tie him up, he's incredibly strong. Several people can't hold him down. He's screaming all the time, and it doesn't even sound like a human voice..."

We consulted a doctor, but they couldn't find the problem, and even pouring talisman water on the wound didn't help.

"The village elders say it's possible they've offended something unclean..."

Ye Qingfeng paused slightly with his chopsticks, then continued eating his noodles as if nothing had happened, though a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes.

In Liulin Village, a sudden onset of madness, bloodlust and agitation... This doesn't sound like an ordinary disease; it seems more like the work of a demon or evil spirit.

He already had a plan in mind.

After finishing the last bite of noodles and drinking the soup, Ye Qingfeng stood up, walked to the shopkeeper, and solemnly said...

"Many thanks to the innkeeper for the kindness of a meal and a drink, which relieved my weariness. Since we met by chance, I have nothing to repay you with, so I will offer you this item for self-defense."

The shopkeeper waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Master, you flatter me. It's just a bowl of noodles..."

Ye Qingfeng smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping across the shed. Seeing that everyone was looking over curiously, he spoke.

"Could I borrow the shop's feather duster?"

Although puzzled, the shopkeeper still took out the commonly used feather duster from behind the counter. The bamboo handle was shiny, and the feathers were somewhat sparse.

Ye Qingfeng took it, held it in his left hand, raised his right hand, and brought his index and middle fingers together in a sword gesture.

His expression turned solemn, and his originally gentle temperament suddenly gained a sense of awe and inviolability.

The shed fell silent without anyone noticing, and even the merchants who had been discussing the strange events looked over with bated breath.

Ye Qingfeng stared at the duster, his sword pointing in the air as he drew a line, not just making random gestures.

Instead, it carries a unique rhythm and trajectory, as if it is being guided by an invisible current.

His lips moved slightly, as if he were reciting something silently; his voice was low but seemed to vibrate the air.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the roof, and a few rays fell on him, casting a faint glow on his gray-blue Taoist robe.

Dust danced in the beam of light, making him appear as if he had stepped out of a painting.

"The righteous energy of heaven and earth attaches itself to this mortal thing; evil spirits cannot invade, and malice is dispelled."

Ye Qingfeng murmured a soft chant, then flicked his sword at the head before ending the movement.

That imposing aura also subsided, returning to its gentle and peaceful state.

He handed the feather duster back to the shopkeeper, his tone calm yet carrying a convincing power.

"Shopkeeper, please keep this safe. If you encounter malicious people or feel any unclean or evil spirits approaching you in the future, there is no need to be afraid."

Simply remove this item and continue patting and shooing it away as usual. An ordinary object might provide temporary peace of mind.

The feather duster looked exactly the same; it was still an old duster.

The shopkeeper accepted it, not noticing anything different, and simply took it as a token of gratitude from the Taoist priest, so he smiled and nodded.

"Thank you for your kind words, Taoist priest. I will keep it safe." He was about to put the duster back in its place.

Ye Qingfeng knew that he did not fully believe him, so he did not say much. Instead, he turned his gaze to the hillside not far from the teahouse, where a mountain spring was flowing down.

Just then, the shopkeeper picked up a bucket of water and said to Ye Qingfeng, "Please sit down, Daoist Master. I'll go fetch some spring water to make tea."

"Why go to such trouble?" Ye Qingfeng suddenly smiled, casually flicking his sleeves towards the hillside.

There was no chanting, no hand gestures, just a casual wave of the hand.

The next moment, everyone in the shed was astonished to see a stream of clear water, like a transparent, thin dragon, flying through the air from the spring on the hillside!

The water flowed gently, traversing a distance of dozens of meters, drawing a graceful arc, and falling precisely into the large water tank inside the teahouse.

With a gurgling sound and without splashing, the water tank was filled to more than half full in the blink of an eye. The water was crystal clear and even carried the unique sweet aroma of mountain spring water.

The entire teahouse was completely silent.

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the overflowing water vat and then at the young Taoist priest standing with his hands behind his back and a faint smile on his face.

Beckoning to draw water, soaring through the air!

This is no ordinary magic trick; it is truly divine skill!

The shopkeeper's hand holding the feather duster trembled violently, and he instantly understood!

This is no ordinary wandering Taoist priest; he is clearly a reclusive master who enjoys the pleasures of the world!

What he said before was absolutely true!

"Immortal Master! This old man was blind and did not recognize your greatness!" The shopkeeper's voice trembled with excitement, and he was about to kneel down with a thud.

Ye Qingfeng flicked his sleeve, and a gentle, invisible force supported the shopkeeper, preventing him from kneeling.

"No need for such formalities, shopkeeper. I will forever remember your kindness in providing this meal. This item..."

He pointed to the feather duster, which had become incredibly valuable in the shopkeeper's eyes, and said, "Keep it safe; you might really need it someday."

Having said that, he didn't linger. He nodded slightly to the crowd and said loudly, "Thank you all. We'll meet again someday. I'll take my leave now."

Before he finished speaking, he took a step forward.

Everyone felt a blur before their eyes, and the gray-blue figure seemed to merge into the flowing light and shadow at the end of the official road.

In the blink of an eye, it was already dozens of feet away. With another step, it turned into a blurry little dot at the edge of the field of vision and disappeared.

Only the vat of clear water inside the shed, reflecting the shimmering sunlight, proved that what had just happened was not an illusion.

The shopkeeper clutched the feather duster tightly, as if it were a priceless treasure, his face flushed with excitement.

Just then, a golden light flashed across the feather duster, a sight witnessed by everyone present.

The other merchants nearby had already gathered around, their eyes filled with envy.

"Brother! Are you selling this duster? I'll offer twenty taels of silver!"

"I'll offer thirty taels!"

"Fifty taels! In cash!"

The shopkeeper shook his head vigorously, carefully wrapping the duster in a clean cloth.

"No, no, not for sale! This treasure bestowed by the immortal is priceless! It's a blessing that protects our family!"

He had already made up his mind to go back and enshrine the duster.

The merchants standing nearby looked a little disappointed, but none of them dared to come up and snatch it.

This is something given by the gods; they wouldn't dare to do it without permission, not even if they had a hundred lives!