Chapter 126 - 126 One hundred twenty-six

Words : 1503 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

126: One hundred twenty-six. Cultural Friendship Exchange Meeting 126: One hundred twenty-six. Cultural Friendship Exchange Meeting Jinlongyu Mountain was named after the Jinlongyu Taoist temple, which took its name from the mountain for it resembled a horizontal golden dragon fish. The topography of Jinlongyu Mountain was low, even lower than Tiger Head Mountain. Therefore, there were no long stone stairs, not even a proper road, just a narrow dirt path through the woods that barely allowed two cars to pass, leading to the Jinlongyu Taoist temple. The civilian houses vanished behind the undulating hills, and the vast farmlands appeared dark green under the gloomy clouds, with a lush forest in the distance. “We should be near.” As they entered the woodland path, the old Taoist leaned forward, craning his neck to look ahead. The Jinlongyu Mountain was really too low, which meant that all that came into view were trees, with no trace of man-made structures visible. “We’ve found it.” Lu Li replied, looking forward. Near the foot of the mountain where the Jinlongyu Taoist temple was situated, two banners with red background and white words hung on either side of the woodland path. [Lingling City Exorcists Cultural Exchange Meeting Welcomes You] [This exchange meeting is exclusively sponsored by Jinlongyu Taoist temple] The wind stirred the treetops, and the banners fluttered with it. Continuing a few hundred meters ahead, a clearing in the woods appeared in sight. This was still not the Jinlongyu Taoist temple, as the neglected clearing was being used as a parking lot. Now, dozens of different vehicles were parked around the edges. There were coaches, vans, sports cars, off-road vehicles, as well as scattered horses and cattle tied to trees along the road, grazing on the grass with bowed heads. “Times have changed. Back then, even the fat and wealthy monks from Jinhua Temple mostly traveled on foot or by horse-drawn carriage.” Old Taoist Lu sighed, unsure whether to feel joy or sorrow. Finding an open spot, Lu Li parked the car and stopped. Just as he got out of the car, the sound of an engine approached from the path. A black luxury car drove through the woods. The old man was shocked, covered his face with his sleeves, and turned to leave, still shouting as he went. “Hurry! Don’t let them see me getting out of this wreck!” “Do you know them?” Lu Li locked the car door and followed behind him. “Don’t know them, it’s just embarrassing.” He quickened his pace to get away from the clearing, then slowed down with a look of disdain, “If it’s still this wreck next year, I’m not going with you, kid.” Lu Li’s dark eyes lowered slightly, and after a few breaths, he looked up again, his expression back to normal. “If I’m still alive by then.” The incessantly chattering old man paused, muttered something, and fell silent. Occasionally, he glanced back, where a few black dots were visible in the distance, their attire indiscernible. The sky was overcast, and without the sunlight, it was impossible to see if their foreheads shone. After walking for several minutes, the faint sound of commotion came from up ahead, and the gate of Jinlongyu Taoist temple emerged. “Don’t be nervous later, everyone is really approachable, just follow me.” Old Taoist Lu advised, cleared his throat to compose himself, took a feather duster out of his robe and draped it over his arm, then strolled out. Two young Taoists stood next to the temple gate, who gave Lu Li a few extra glances, didn’t ask questions, nor did they request an invitation, and simply let the two of them enter. Entering the Taoist temple, the area in front of the main hall was bustling and lively, with dozens of dining tables set up and numerous Taoists and monks gathering in groups of three or five, either catching up or arguing. “Ah, Daoist Friend, Daoist Friend! Daoist Friend, Daoist Friend—Daoist Friend...” Old Taoist Lu greeted everyone he met as ‘Daoist Friend,’ and those Taoists and monks, even if they didn’t know him, would courteously respond with a ‘Daoist Friend.’ In an instant, the term “Daoist Friend” buzzed around him. Old Taoist Lu made his way toward a corner of the open space while calling on fellow Daoists to pave the way. The corner was deserted with a table full of fruits and vegetables. Old Taoist Lu’s eyes lit up; he pounced to claim a seat and then called back to Lu Li. Lu Li walked over and sat down, quietly observing the surroundings. Reason told him that this scene was not quite what he had imagined. Though they were called a rabble, most of them were Exorcists and righteous people dedicated to vanquishing demons. To say they were righteous people, their assembly was like an online community meet-up offline—anyone could attend, as long as they remembered to pay the bill. They hid away in a peripheral corner, ignored like a peach garden out of this world, far from the center. “Stop looking. Those you’re searching for won’t have notes on their faces declaring who they are,” Old Taoist Lu said as he picked and chose from the fruit plate, snatching a fuzzy peach and biting into it, mumbling his words. Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the area near the main hall. Some female and male Taoists began to argue and were on the verge of coming to blows. “That’s why I’ve dragged you to hide in this corner,” Old Taoist Lu explained. “Just wait patiently; all those from Kun Tao are pure men who can’t stand the dilly-dallying of those from Qian Tao. There’s always a fuss each time.” “Why is that?” Lu Li asked back. Already, a female Taoist had rushed forward to grab a male Taoist’s beard, and the man retaliated by tearing at her clothes. It was a scene of utter chaos. “What else could it be but to hurry up and begin the spiritual trials? Once the trial is over, everyone can go their separate ways. The conference is so... straightforward, thanks to their contribution.” Lu Li fell silent for a moment, then suddenly posed a question unrelated to the current situation: “You didn’t have an invitation, and no invitations are needed to get in here, right?” “Eh heh...” Old Taoist Lu scratched his head and laughed foolishly like a monkey. Lu Li didn’t mind being deceived and continued to ask, “Wouldn’t this allow ordinary people to wander in by mistake?” Old Taoist Lu bit into a sour part of the peach, spat it out, and reached for a second one: “There should be, but I’m just here for the bustle and the food, not really knowing what comes after. Probably no harm. According to the traditional sayings of our Taoist and Buddhist sects, it’s fate, ineffable. “So, what should I do to get noticed by them?” “Them? Is that how you describe them? They usually call themselves Cleaners... nevermind, not important. It’s easy to get their attention and be absorbed; just reveal during the trial that you’ve come into contact with the sect. But I think if you’ve seen them, they probably have seen you too. You were likely spotted the moment you appeared here. Maybe they’re hiding somewhere, secretly watching you.” Lu Li maintained his composure, not looking around to see if anyone was observing them: “So I must participate in the trials?” “Yeah, unless you don’t want to find them.” “What does the trial consist of?” “It used to be fighting, but they changed it, now it’s like little games. Last year they sent a group of youths to a desolate village, filled with ghosts masquerading as villagers, and told them to survive.” “Does anyone die?” “How could that be? It’s all illusion, but those young initiates don’t know that. I’m telling you because you’re not part of the inner circle; knowing won’t affect anything.” “Won’t they be suspicious?” Lu Li didn’t think this ruse would deceive for long. “Heh heh heh... those young ones won’t have a choice but to believe when the time comes,” Old Taoist Lu chuckled mischievously, with ill-intent. “Once the trial starts, we, the adults, will sit outside, eating and drinking, and watch your ordeals inside, as if watching a movie, enjoying every moment.” “How do you watch, some sort of magic?” “It’s the twenty-first century, who’s still using that old, crummy, mirror-image like trash?” Old Taoist Lu scoffed with laughter, chiding Lu Li for his old-fashioned thoughts. “Just set up some surveillance cameras and conceal them with spells.” As their conversation ended, the commotion in front of the main hall also concluded, and the results of the discussions were announced. The conference would skip a bunch of tedious ceremonies and start the spiritual trials directly.

Chapter 126 - 126 One hundred twenty-six

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