When there was no longer any sign of movement or the clatter of hooves, the alluring man in the red robe turned around and carefully examined the plaque of the City God Temple. Then he looked at the spot where the old Taoist in the green robe had stood and said, "Who exactly is that old Taoist in the green robe? He knows so many little-known things about the Spirit Dragon Continent. Clearly, he knows far more than just these."

"The true dragon emerges from the sea, the spiritual realm is unified, the phoenix rises from the ashes, reborn from the flames, life is death, and death is life."

"Peach blossoms adorn the small shop, their pink petals gleaming; willows line the street, their branches swaying like green smoke," the man murmured to himself.

"Judging by that figure and demeanor, isn't that the arrogant masked man from Wanjiao Pavilion? So he's none other than Mei Zhixuan, the Third Prince of Dongning Kingdom, who is both scholarly and martial, and the most valiant warrior, yet usually appears so gentle and refined. No wonder he dared to speak so disrespectfully to me in Wanjiao Pavilion. Hmph... How dare you deceive my maid! I'll settle this score with you properly someday. Just you wait!" He then turned and glanced at the departing figures of the two men, muttering to himself before lifting the hem of his robe, stepping onto the stone steps, and entering the City God Temple.

The temple at night, with its ancient pagoda and stars, is tranquil and serene, where all things return to silence.

Only the bronze bells on the eaves of the palace, accompanied by the evening breeze in this quiet night, occasionally drift out with a deep, weathered sound, as if to wash away the worldly dust and cleanse the grime from every lonely soul fallen into the earth.

Suddenly, the figure of a young novice monk appeared in the silence, gradually blending into the background of the Zen temple.

He carried a dim blue lamp in his hand and walked with light steps slowly toward a brightly lit hall.

"Young Master, please wait!" After re-entering the room, the man in the red robe followed the direction the old Taoist in the green robe had gone and found himself in front of the temple gate, only to find the courtyard completely silent. As he searched around, he suddenly spotted the young novice and hurriedly stopped him.

Upon hearing the voice, the young novice immediately stopped. Since it was inconvenient to carry the lamp in one hand, he respectfully bowed to the monk with one hand and said, "Amitabha, may I ask what business you have with me, benefactor?"

The man in the red robe hurriedly stepped forward and greeted him politely before asking, "Young master, did you see an old Taoist priest in a green robe come here just now?"

Upon hearing this, the young novice immediately raised his head, his large, bright eyes staring blankly at him.

The man in the red robe thought his description wasn't clear enough, so he gestured and added, "Oh... that old Taoist priest in the blue robe, carrying a cloth bag, nearly sixty years old, with a full white beard, holding a 'fortune-telling and divination' banner in one hand and a copper bell in the other, he was just here..."

Before the man in red could finish speaking, the young novice bowed to him again with one hand and hurriedly interrupted him, saying, "Amitabha, benefactor, the City God Temple is a pure land of Buddhism. How could a Taoist priest be here? Presumably, you have misjudged him!"

The man in the red robe was extremely puzzled by the young monk's words. He had been busy searching for the girl who had fallen off a cliff and drowned, and he had kept himself perfectly sober and had not touched a drop of alcohol. How could he have misjudged her or been hallucinating?

So he raised his voice and retorted, "That's impossible! I clearly saw with my own eyes that old Taoist priest in the green robe talking to the Third Prince of Dongning in the front yard... Could it be that he didn't?"

The young novice monk, still feigning composure, said, "Yes or no. 'A monk never lies.' If you have nothing else to say, I have other matters to attend to, so I will not keep you company any longer. It is late, so you should go back and rest early."

The young novice monk turned and left, leaving the man in red robes alone in the courtyard. He seemed still in shock, repeatedly muttering, "This is impossible... impossible... impossible..."

After entering the main hall, the young novice extinguished the lamp in his hand and placed it on a corner, then stepped into the inner hall.

Inside the inner hall, a bald old monk was adjusting his robes. A young novice approached and bowed happily, then offered to help, saying, "Master is finally back! These past few days, the temple has been overflowing with worshippers; everyone's been incredibly busy. Especially that Princess Qin from the Qin Prince's mansion in the east of the city—she's quite the grand lady, very particular about her appearance. But she's certainly made a fortune in donations to the temple; truly befitting the wealthy Princess Yongle of Dongning Kingdom."

The old monk simply smiled faintly upon hearing this and did not say anything further.

Suddenly, the young novice seemed to remember something. He quickly wiped the smile from his face, touched his bald head, and asked the old monk, "By the way, Master, that female benefactor insisted on seeing you. Later, she heard from me that you had gone on a journey across the world and had no return date in sight. So she asked me to ask you a question... 'Since the tide was born, why were the clouds born?' That benefactor is going back to the palace early tomorrow morning. Should Master see her?"

“Those destined to meet will meet; those not destined will meet in vain. ‘The Buddha does not save those without affinity.’ Why? Because if you preach to them, they will not listen or accept it. Just like her brother just now, it’s better not to meet him. Everyone has their own path and their own tribulations. I’m afraid even if I explain, they will not understand.” The old monk said.

"So Master means... he won't see me?" the young novice asked, tilting his head.

The old monk pondered for a while and said, "'Since the tide has been born, why have the clouds been born?' Perhaps she no longer thinks that way in her heart. But in the future... 'A monk should be compassionate,' so you should convey to her on behalf of your master the following words: 'Because this exists, that exists; because this arises, that arises; because this does not exist, that does not exist; because this ceases, that ceases. All phenomena are empty, but cause and effect are not empty. What you sow, you reap; do not force anything.'"

"Because this exists, that exists; because this arises, that arises; because this does not exist, that does not exist; because this ceases, that ceases. All phenomena are empty, but cause and effect are not empty. What you sow, you reap; do not force anything." The young novice quietly repeated the words from memory.

After a while, the old monk had already strolled to the side and started reading the scriptures. The young novice also seemed to have memorized all the words his master had taught him. He poured a cup of water, held it out with both hands, and presented it to the monk, asking curiously, "Master, why do you always dress as a wandering sorcerer or a Taoist priest whenever you go out?"

"Because Master was originally a carefree wanderer, roaming the world without any ties!" The old monk swallowed a mouthful of sweet spring water and said kindly to him.

"Master was really..." Upon hearing this, the little novice stared wide-eyed at him, his mouth agape in shock, unable to utter a word.

After a long moment of shock, he finally came to his senses and finished speaking, "Heavens, this is truly unbelievable. Why has Master ended up like this, confined to this monastery for his entire life, no longer able to roam freely in the vast sky and sea?" The young novice's words were full of sorrow.

The old monk smiled and patted the young novice's bald head, then let out a long sigh, saying only, "'If I don't go to hell, who will?' Everything is unspeakable, cannot be spoken, and should not be said."

As he spoke, the old monk seemed to be immersed in a deep memory.

"By the way, Master, you really are a prophet! Sure enough, a woman came from Peach Blossom Village a few days after you left." Suddenly, the young novice's extremely admiring cry woke him up.

"Did you tell that woman what your master instructed you to do?" the old monk asked.

"'The true dragon emerges from the sea, the spiritual realm is unified, the phoenix rises from the ashes, reborn from the flames, life is death, and death is life.' This disciple has already said it," the young novice said earnestly.

"You did very well!" the old monk praised him.

"'A true dragon emerges from the sea, the spiritual realm is unified, a phoenix rises from the ashes, reborn from the flames; life is death, and death is life.' What exactly does this mean?" The young novice smiled and asked, equally puzzled.

"'True Dragon' and 'Phoenix,' they are the two who saved this land..." the old monk said quietly.

"'True Dragon,' 'Phoenix,' 'Dragon and Phoenix Bring Auspiciousness'—since ancient times, dragons and phoenixes have represented good fortune and auspiciousness, and the combination of dragons and phoenixes often signifies joyous occasions. 'Dragon and Phoenix' are titles that only emperors and empresses, the rulers of a nation, can bear. 'The true dragon emerges from the sea, unifying the spiritual realm; the phoenix rises from the ashes, reborn from the flames; life is death, and death is life… Disciple understands. Master means that an emperor and empress with the ability to unify the Spirit Dragon Continent have been reborn into the world?" The little novice muttered to himself, suddenly realizing what was happening.

After a brief pause, the young novice sighed again and continued muttering to himself, "But now there are four kingdoms on the Lingkong Continent. Which kingdom possesses such power? If the legendary guardian of Western Qin is still alive, then Western Qin would undoubtedly unify Lingkong. But now..."

"By the way, who were you talking to in the courtyard just now?" The old monk smiled, feeling quite gratified by the growth of the young novice he had personally trained, and then asked.

Upon hearing this, the young novice's face immediately showed a hint of displeasure. He said, "Just now, a man in a purplish-red robe, reeking of perfume and dressed in an extremely flamboyant manner, barged into the courtyard from somewhere. He was looking for you, Master. That's why I asked you why you always go out dressed as a Taoist."

"A man reeking of perfume, dressed in an extremely flamboyant purplish-red robe? Looking for his master?" The old monk was pondering to himself.

The young novice said anxiously, "That's right! I spent so much effort to get rid of him. I wonder if he's left yet?"

"Could he be...? Go quickly and see if he's still in the courtyard. If so, please invite him in," the old monk instructed.

"Master wants to see him? Who is he?" the young novice asked in surprise.

"It seems that there are far more distinguished guests gathered at the City God Temple tonight than I expected," the old monk said, stroking his white beard.