Zhang Fulong's stomach rumbled, and he coughed, "Now that you mention it, I'm getting hungry."

Recently, the incense has been quiet and there are no offerings. Zhang Fulong can only drink some leftover porridge every night when he gets up.

The aroma filled the backyard of the Taoist temple. Zhang Fulong held a porcelain bowl, first smelled the longevity noodles, and then praised with a smile: "It smells so good. No matter how delicious the delicacies are, they can't compare to this bowl of longevity noodles cooked by Caixia."

Caixia blinked. "Master, Senior Brother Jin Yan said that the longevity noodles made by Senior Brother are the most delicious."

"They're all delicious."

Zhang Fulong beamed with joy.

"You don't need to watch me, just eat."

Qin Luo and the others picked up their bowls to eat noodles. Zhang Fulong looked at the poached eggs in his bowl, then noticed that Qin Luo and the others didn't have poached eggs in their bowls. "Why don't you have poached eggs in your bowls?"

Caixia didn't know how to answer. She looked at Jin Yan, who looked at Qin Luo. Qin Luo smiled slightly and said, "Master, you once said that eating meat is bad for cultivation."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fulong fell silent. He looked at the poached egg in his bowl, his voice becoming hoarse with some guilt, "It's okay to eat meat occasionally, as long as we don't waste it."

“Master is right.”

Qin Luo and the others nodded with smiles.

Zhang Fulong said seriously, "Caixia is the youngest, so this fried egg is for Caixia."

Caixia's eyes were clear. She shook her head and said sweetly, "Master, you eat. The Great Protector often brings back boiled eggs from Mirror Lake Academy for us to eat."

Qin Luo and Jin Yan couldn't help but chuckle. Zhang Fulong was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Little Tuanzi is so clever, how come I didn't see her?"

"I guess they ate something nice outside."

Qin Luo joked with a smile.

Upon hearing this, everyone burst out laughing.

After finishing the longevity noodles, Zhang Fulong noticed that the Longhu Temple had been completely renovated. He had never repaired the temple because he thought he would eventually leave. He never expected to be trapped here for the rest of his life, and he was momentarily lost in thought.

Xiaodie was washing dishes in the kitchen when Caixia stood beside Zhang Fulong, tilting her head back and asking, "Master, Senior Brother said we have to keep watch tonight. Do you want to come with us?"

Zhang Fulong coughed, clenching his fist. "I still need to go into seclusion. You all keep watch tonight."

"All right."

Caixia nodded obediently.

Qin Luo led Jin Yan and the others to the main hall of the Taoist temple.

Jin Yan and Cai Xia each lit three incense sticks and placed them in the incense burner, while Qin Luo bowed deeply before the portrait of the Dao Ancestor.

Caixia tilted her head, somewhat puzzled, "Senior brother, aren't you going to offer incense?"

Qin Luo said softly, "Junior Sister, the couplet in front of the hall has already been written. As long as you are sincere, that's enough."

"Yes."

Caixia's eyes lit up. "Then we can save some money in the future. Master will definitely be happy!"

Qin Luo rubbed Caixia's head and said, "You don't need to save money on this; your senior brother has saved it for you."

Jin Yan and Cai Xia nodded emphatically.

After offering incense and praying for blessings, Qin Luo arrived outside the Taoist temple with a stack of yellow paper. Jin Yan and Cai Xia simultaneously flicked their fingers, and a wisp of flame flew out from between their fingers, illuminating the large red lanterns hanging in front of the temple and casting a festive red glow around them.

Qin Luo raised the yellow paper in his hand, and a gentle breeze swept by, causing the yellow paper to drift away into the distance.

Jin Yan and Cai Xia made the same gesture, and countless yellow papers flew into the darkness.

Xiaodie watched them quietly.

Qin Luo looked into the distance. Many years ago, there were only scattered lights in the distance, but now the mountains are brightly lit.

Upon returning to the Taoist temple, Jin Yan and Cai Xia bowed deeply to the portraits of the door gods, and Xiao Die followed suit.

Qin Luo lit a candle in the backyard of the Taoist temple. The faint light was barely enough to illuminate the area. Jin Yan took out a chessboard and asked with a smile, "Senior brother, would you like to play chess?"

"You may leave now."

Qin Luo answered with a smile.

"Junior Sister Caixia, let's play a game."

"OK."

Qin Luo sat to the side watching them play chess. Xiao Die brought them tea and melon seeds. "Master Dao, these are melon seeds left by the Great Protector."

"She's quite sensible."

When Qin Luo had nothing to do, he would eat sunflower seeds and occasionally look up at the dazzling, boundless starry sky.

Yongfeng Town, Lin Family.

Lin Xuan and his wife were busy until very late before they got home.

Lin Jia'er stood in the courtyard and saw them return. She said excitedly, "Dad, Mom, look, these are the Spring Festival couplets I wrote, and my brother made a lot of dishes."

Yao Shuang smiled with satisfaction and said gently, "Jia'er, you guys are amazing."

Lin Xuan picked up Lin Jia'er and said, "We haven't tried your brother's cooking yet. Let's go and have a taste."

"I've tried it, it's delicious."

Lin Jia'er said sweetly.

...

Baiyun Town, Zhao Family.

Zhao Qing'er personally cooked a sumptuous dinner. The Zhao family hadn't been this lively in a long time. Chu Peiran raised his wine glass and said, "Father, let me toast you first."

Zhao Fugui picked up his wine glass and said seriously, "Peiran, do you really want to stay in Baiyun Town?"

Chu Peiran said earnestly, "Of course, don't worry, we'll let you know when we're leaving."

Zhao Fugui laughed and drank it all in one gulp. He put down his glass and said seriously, "You're not young anymore. You should have children soon. I want to hold my grandson."

Chu Peiran looked at Zhao Qing'er.

Zhao Qing'er blushed and remained silent.

...

Dongjia Village.

The village, abandoned many years ago, is now brightly decorated and full of life. The villagers sit together to eat their New Year's Eve dinner. They were originally refugees from all over the Chu Kingdom, but now they are living a life with enough to eat and drink and starting anew.

"Village chief, thank you for your help."

Everyone raised their wine bowls to toast Dong Jisheng, even the children raised their bowls full of juice.

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