At noon, the sunlight poured in through the gaps between the trees, and the mountain breeze blew by, bringing a refreshing coolness.

But at this moment, the young man in black who was walking hurriedly on the mountain road was completely unable to have his anger calmed by the breeze.

He looked at the end of the mountain road and frowned, "When I passed Qiantang County three years ago, I also climbed this mountain, but I didn't see any Ziyang Taoist Temple. Brother Bai, are you sure there are hidden masters here?"

The scholar in white clothes beside him chuckled and said, "If you don't believe it, just go down the mountain. Why ask?"

Zhan Zhao frowned, then turned his head away and stopped arguing with Bai Yutang.

The two walked side by side and soon reached the halfway point of the mountain.

Bai Yutang jumped onto the tree, looked up, and then said with a smile: "Look, it's right in front of us!"

Zhan Zhao was cheered up and quickly jumped to Bai Yutang's side. He looked up but saw nothing.

He frowned and asked again: "Brother Bai, are you sure there is something there?"

This time, it was Bai Yuting's turn to be stunned.

He looked at the Taoist temple shrouded in clouds and mist in front of him, then looked at Zhan Zhao beside him, whose expression did not seem to be pretending, and touched his chin thoughtfully.

"Could it be... a trick?"

Thinking of this, Bai Yutang couldn't help but cast his eyes on the finger-sized jade gourd on his waist.

That was the gift that Brother Xu gave to him on behalf of his master when he visited Zi Yang Temple last time.

Bai Yuting didn't think much about it at the time, but now it seems that this gift-giving has a deeper meaning.

After a little thought, Bai Yuting took off the jade gourd from his waist, raised his hand and hung it on the treetop, then turned his head and found that the Taoist temple that was originally looming in the clouds and mist had indeed disappeared.

"I see!"

Bai Yutang smiled, then took off the jade gourd and threw it to Zhan Zhao.

"Brother Zhan, go on!"

“…”

Zhan Zhao reached out to take it, looked at the jade gourd in his hand with some confusion, and then looked up again.

"Huh?!" Zhan Zhao's pupils shrank, and he looked at the Taoist temple that suddenly appeared in front of him with a look of astonishment, "What's going on?"

Bai Yuting laughed heartily, feeling extremely satisfied with Zhan Zhao's reaction and expression.

He raised his hand to take back the jade gourd, hung it around his waist, and then said calmly in front of Zhan Zhao's surprised gaze: "I told you a long time ago that the person you and I are going to meet today is a true hidden master in this world."

"Since you are a hermit master, you naturally cannot be easily disturbed by the outside world..."

Zhan Zhao understood and said thoughtfully, "You mean, there is a strange formation here to conceal the Taoist temple?"

Bai Yutang nodded and said, "That's right. This jade gourd is the qualification for visiting and the proof of breaking through the formation. To put it bluntly, if I hadn't brought you here today, even if you got the address from me, you probably wouldn't be able to see the Taoist priest!"

Hearing Bai Yuting's words, Zhan Zhao felt both emotional and fortunate.

His expression straightened up, and he immediately bowed to Bai Yutang on the tree to thank him for being willing to put aside their past grudges and lead the way for him.

Bai Yutang shook his head and said calmly, "I am willing to be the person who recommends you because Bao Gong is honest and upright, and he is a great judge who truly works for the people. If you are truly grateful, you don't have to thank me, but thank the people and the people of the world!"

After saying that, Bai Yutang took a step forward and landed lightly on the mountain road.

"Follow closely. If you are confused by the formation, don't blame me for not warning you..."

Zhan Zhao looked deeply at Bai Yutang's back, then jumped up and followed him.

Soon, the two reached the top of the mountain. In Bai Yuting's eyes, the place was surrounded by pine and cypress trees and the scenery was very beautiful. There was an open space in the forest, in which stood the Ziyang Taoist Temple, which he had visited many times before.

But in Zhan Zhao's eyes, this place was full of pine and cypress trees, and was shrouded in clouds and mist. Once you entered, the clouds and mist became thicker, and the visible area was no more than three steps. There was no open space in the forest at all, let alone any courtyard walls or Taoist temples.

However, with his previous experience, Zhan Zhao was not confused and just followed Bai Yuting closely.

After passing through the clouds and mist, Bai Yutang suddenly stopped, looked up and said, "This is it!"

Zhan Zhao followed his gaze, but could only see tall trees.

Bai Yutang didn't pay attention to Zhan Zhao's behavior. He immediately walked forward and knocked on the door gently.

“…Here it comes!”

A slightly childish voice was heard, as if it came from outer space, yet as if it was right in front of us.

Zhan Zhao was startled for a moment, then his eyes became blurred and his expression was dazed. When he came to his senses, he couldn't help but take a step back, staring with wide eyes at the brown wooden door that suddenly appeared in front of him with surprise.

Bai Yutang noticed his expression and asked curiously, "Brother Zhan, can you see it?"

Zhan Zhao nodded subconsciously, his eyes of surprise still fixed on the door that was so close.

He couldn't understand why he couldn't see the gate when it was so close to him.

“Crack—”

With a slight sound, the gate was pushed open by a pair of big hands.

Zhan Zhao came back to his senses and looked up, only to see a tall and handsome young man appear at the door. He looked at Bai Yutang and said in surprise, "Brother Bai, why are you here?" Bai Yutang smiled and said, "I was free and passed by here, so I thought of coming to see you..."

"Really?" The young man looked doubtful and glanced at the man behind Bai Yutang and asked, "Then who is he?"

Bai Yutang sighed, spread his hands helplessly and said, "Okay, you found out. You are getting harder and harder to deceive. You never doubted my words before!"

The young man rolled his eyes and said unhappily, "You're welcome. It's all thanks to Brother Bai's good training."

Bai Yutang's expression disappeared, and he said with a smile: "It's better to be deceived by your brother than to be deceived by evil people in the future!"

"Brother Xu, this is all for your own good!"

Xu Xian twitched the corner of his mouth and cast his gaze towards Zhan Zhao behind him.

"So who is he..."

Before he finished speaking, Xu Xian was slightly startled, as if he recognized the face.

"Southern Hero Zhan Zhao?!"

Zhan Zhao was startled when he heard Xu Xian's exclamation, and then he quickly bowed and said, "It's me."

Xu Xian came back to his senses, his eyes widened, and he looked at Bai Yutang and asked, "Why did you bring him here?"

Bai Yutang sighed and whispered, "It was wrong of me to bring someone here rashly, but please believe me, I have my reasons. I wonder if your master is here now?"

Hearing this, Zhan Zhao was slightly startled and quickly swallowed the words that he had not yet said.

Fortunately, fortunately, I almost thought this young man was a master. If I really said it out loud, wouldn’t Bai Yuting laugh at me?

Zhan Zhao thought with relief in his heart.

At the same time, Xu Xian looked at Zhan Zhao who looked expectant, then looked at Bai Yutang who looked serious, and frowned, "Are you here to see my master?"

Zhan Zhao nodded repeatedly: "That's right."

Xu Xian shook his head and said, "That's a pity. My master hasn't come out of retreat yet. If you two want to see him, you may have to wait for a long time."

Bai Yutang was stunned for a moment, frowned and asked: "Are you still in seclusion?"

Xu Xian nodded and said, "Yes, it has been three months."

"Ah?" Bai Yutang looked worried, "What should I do..."

Xu Xian frowned and asked, "Brother Bai, what's going on? Tell me."

Bai Yuting and Zhan Zhao looked at each other, and the latter sighed and told him everything that had happened to Bao Gong.

After Xu Xian heard this, he stood there in a daze. After a long while, he came back to his senses and asked with trembling lips, "Is it... that Bao Gong?"

Bai Yutang looked at his expression and thought there was something fishy going on, so he smiled and said, "Who else could it be?"

Xu Xian looked anxious, and immediately said: "Why didn't you tell me earlier? Since Bao Gong is in trouble, how can I just stand by and watch? Brothers, please come in and sit down first. I will go and call Master to come out!"

After saying that, Xu Xian turned around and ran without even closing the door, and disappeared in front of the two of them in a flash.

Bai Yuting and Zhan Zhao looked at each other.

After a moment, Bai Yutang sincerely sighed: "Bao Gong's reputation is still very effective!"

Zhan Zhao smiled and said softly, "Bao Gong cares about the people, and the people naturally care about Bao Gong. Brother Bai, didn't you come all the way to Kaifeng for Bao Gong and risk being arrested by me to offer advice?"

Bai Yutang glanced at him and snorted, "Don't be so proud, Lord Bao, it has nothing to do with you!"

After saying that, he took a step forward and entered the Taoist temple.

Zhan Zhao smiled slightly, followed closely, and entered the temple under the guidance of Bai Yuting.

When they arrived at the temple, Zhan Zhao followed the local customs and worshipped the Three Pure Ones together with Bai Yu. Then he looked up and suddenly discovered that this Zi Yang Temple seemed to be subtly different from other Taoist temples.

What puzzled Zhan Zhao the most was the tablet placed alongside the portraits of the Three Pure Ones.

"system?"

Zhan Zhao read out the name on the tablet and asked in confusion, "Who is this sacred person that can be ranked alongside the Three Pure Ones?"

Bai Yutang followed his gaze and said casually, "Maybe it's the founder of Ziyang Temple..."

Zhan Zhao nodded thoughtfully, feeling that Bai Yuting's guess coincided with his own.

The two men walked past the statues of the Three Pure Ones, entered the room, sat down on wooden chairs, and waited quietly for Xu Xian's actions.

Soon, two different footsteps were heard outside the door.

Zhan Zhao looked quickly and saw a tall Taoist walking into the room. He was wearing a purple Taoist robe with cloud patterns, black suede boots, and a flowing jade belt around his waist. His eyes were bright and restrained, and his temperament was extraordinary and otherworldly. He was indeed a Taoist with an immortal style.

——Zhan Zhao originally wanted to praise him like this, but when he saw the face of the Taoist priest in purple robe, he was suddenly stunned and couldn’t help but exclaimed.

“…It’s you?!”