18: Chapter 18 Bai Shu, the things you asked me to buy have arrived.

The back mountain of Laojun Temple.

Ji Yebai stopped and looked up.

This back mountain was even higher than the peak where Laojun Temple was located.

As the saying goes, 'Deep in the clouds, one knows not where,' which perfectly described this scenery.

"It’s so quiet!"

Ji Yebai smiled slightly and walked up slowly.

Although the back mountain was only separated from the front mountain by a single ridge, it was not an open tourist attraction.

Therefore, no tourists came here, making it much quieter than the front mountain.

And that wasn't all.

Ji Yebai had been quietly observing for half an hour. Not only had he eaten more than half of the sweet potatoes, but he had also confirmed that this was the cultivation site for the Daoist masters of Laojun Temple.

Within this half hour.

Two young Daoists went up and down the mountain.

The two Daoists were thin, but their expressions were exceptionally full of energy, and there was a unique rhythm to their walk.

To an ordinary person, it might not look like anything.

But in the eyes of someone like Ji Yebai, who had practiced martial arts for many years, it was easily distinguishable.

Reaching halfway up the mountain.

He happened to encounter a Daoist.

He wasn't old but had a small mustache.

"Please stop, Layman. This is the back mountain of the scenic area, not an open area. Visitors are not allowed!"

The Daoist's tone was kind and his attitude gentle, but he quietly shifted his steps to stand in front of Ji Yebai, preventing him from passing.

Ji Yebai glanced at him and smiled slightly. "I'm looking for Bai Zhu!"

"Junior Brother Bai!?"

The Daoist was momentarily stunned, then laughed. "I wonder what business you have with Junior Brother Bai, Layman? The back mountain is a place of peace and quiet; people are not easily allowed up!"

Bai Zhu was a Genius Disciple of the Daoist temple, and most importantly, he was the Temple Master's Disciple.

Whether in terms of talent or status, he was recognized by most people in the temple.

He was no exception.

When Ji Yebai mentioned Bai Zhu's name, he immediately mistook him for Bai Zhu's friend.

Moreover.

In the past, friends from down the mountain had come to the back mountain to find Bai Zhu.

"Everything Bai Zhu asked me to buy has been purchased. He told me to deliver them to the back mountain!"

Ji Yebai raised the remaining half bag of sweet potatoes in his hand.

Each sweet potato was in a paper bag, and the outside was a red plastic bag, so for a moment, it was impossible to see what was inside.

"Items?!"

The Daoist looked at the items and then stepped aside. "Since you are delivering something to Junior Brother Bai, then this poor Daoist will lead you up the mountain! There is a martial arts practice going on, so as to prevent you from taking the wrong path."

"Thank you!"

Ji Yebai smiled and nodded, then followed behind the Daoist.

...

Halfway up the back mountain.

Outside the main hall.

Daoist Taixu's gaze swept over the scene below, immediately showing a satisfied expression.

Over a dozen figures held long swords, practicing martial arts in unison.

Each had a Daoist bun on their head, a handsome posture, and the long swords in their hands shimmered with light, giving off a sense of Immortal Qi.

"Senior Brother, look at these Disciples; every one of them is growing very quickly!"

Daoist Taixuan stroked his goatee and said with great satisfaction.

Hearing this.

Taixu's expression was also full of smiles.

As the years accumulated, he increasingly enjoyed watching the growth of the younger generation.

Perhaps it was because he was getting older and inevitably felt the weight of twilight, while the vigorous vitality of the young could dispel some of that gloom.

Thinking this, his gaze subconsciously fell on a young man below.

It was a quite handsome young man with a gentle yet determined expression.

Bai Zhu.

Watching Bai Zhu's practice, Daoist Taixu couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.

He was now seventy-three years old.

In this life, besides his own cultivation, he was most satisfied with Bai Zhu.

Ever since he picked up Bai Zhu over twenty years ago, Daoist Taixu had treated him as his own, pouring all his heart and soul into raising him.

And Bai Zhu had lived up to expectations.

"Senior Brother, I see that this practice is very proficient. There are no problems at all. I think Senior Kunlun Saint would be very gratified to see the performance of these juniors."

Daoist Taixuan was comforted.

"Satisfied!?"

Hearing this, Daoist Taixu sighed slightly.

"Senior Kunlun Saint is now over a hundred and forty years old. His martial arts cultivation is heavenly. He has experienced the chaos of the late Qing and early Republican periods, as well as the baptism of those eight years of dark and boundless battlefields. What hasn't he seen?"

"Since ancient times, heroes emerge from troubled times. In the late Qing and early Republican years, batch after batch of martial arts masters were born. Those with peerless talent were everywhere, and those with soaring heroic spirit were endless. Those who served the country and the people did not fear life or death!"

"Having experienced all that, can these young people today really catch his eye?!"

His tone was full of melancholy.

Kunlun Saint was a Daoist master.

His Daoist attainment was profound, and his martial arts cultivation was also shocking to both ancient and modern times.

Now, sensing his end was near, he was searching through various Daoist sects, hoping to find a successor to pass down his life's experience.

Unfortunately, with the arrival of prosperous times and technology changing the world, hearts have become unstable and unable to shoulder great responsibilities.

Just like martial arts, which was originally an instinct for fitness, it has now degenerated into dance arts, with a sense of a dance that moves the city. As long as you dance well and beautifully, you can become known.

But what is the reality?

If the heart is not steady, how can one succeed in martial arts!

In the late Qing and early Republican periods, martial arts masters emerged one after another.

Weren't the foreign strongmen, who were incredibly fierce, also defeated by these masters?

How could the way of martial arts be fake!?

Sigh!

Daoist Taixu's heart was heavy.

It was at this time that two people arrived at the plaza.

"Layman, Junior Brother Bai is over there!"

The mustached Daoist said to Ji Yebai.

Ji Yebai nodded slightly.

His gaze swept over Bai Zhu.

At this time, Bai Zhu was slightly immature, but one could vaguely see the handsome face of later generations.

However, Ji Yebai's gaze only swept past.

His attention was on the two old Daoists standing in front of the main hall.

Taixu, Taixuan.

Daoist Qingjing, Taixu, in the second year of the Spiritual Qi Recovery, forged the Xiantian Precious Body, led the Daoist religion, and was the master of the Laojun Temple Holy Land;

Daoist Chengguang, Taixuan, the overlord of First-Class Martial Artists, ranked third on the heavenly pride list, cultivated the Chengguang Sword Technique to Major Achievement, and his swordsmanship was unsurpassed in the world.

Both were no less than seventy years old, but in Ji Yebai's eyes, they didn't have the hesitation of old men at all.

Instead, their faces were ruddy and full of luster.

Ji Yebai's gaze lingered on the sword behind Daoist Taixuan.

The swordsmanship expert who would surpass the world in later generations—he wondered how much cultivation he had now.

"Junior Brother Bai Zhu, someone has brought you something!"

Just then, as Bai Zhu and the others finished their practice, the mustached Daoist suddenly shouted.

"Eh!?"

Bai Zhu, in the crowd, was momentarily stunned when he heard his name.

"Me!?"

"Delivering what?!"

Bai Zhu was puzzled and then walked over.

"Senior Brother Wang Su, who is it!? I didn't buy anything, did I!?"

Seeing Bai Zhu arrive, Wang Su pointed and said, "It's this Layman. He says it's something you asked him to buy!"

Bai Zhu looked confused.

He looked Ji Yebai up and down and said with a puzzled expression, "I don't know him!"

Ji Yebai smiled slightly. Looking at the young Bai Zhu, he said directly with a smile:

"Bai Zhu, these are the items you asked me to buy!"

Having said that.

He directly stuffed the half bag of sweet potatoes in his hand into Bai Zhu's arms.

Then...

He walked right past him and continued forward.

His direction was exactly where Daoist Taixu was.

"Sweet potatoes!?"

"I didn't buy sweet potatoes!?"

Doubts came from behind.

Ji Yebai turned a deaf ear and walked straight ahead.

As if sensing Ji Yebai's gaze, Daoist Taixu's gentle eyes fell upon Ji Yebai.