A master of metaphysics is farming.

Chapter 212 Longguang Temple

A carriage was parked in front of the palace gate, with a small white flag on it, marking Longguang Temple.

The officers lifted the carriage curtain and took a look. A young Taoist priest explained the reason, and upon learning that the person was invited by the Imperial Preceptor, they immediately let them pass.

The carriage slowly passed through the palace gates and traveled through the vast palace.

Xiang He sat in the carriage, meditating peacefully. She was dressed in a black Taoist robe, holding a palm mirror in one hand and a large umbrella in the other.

Listening to the sound of the wheels turning, I also kept an eye on the movements outside.

There were orderly footsteps all around, probably palace soldiers patrolling around.

They didn't know how long they had been traveling when they heard the Taoist priest driving the carriage call out softly. He then tightened the reins, and the horse stopped, bringing the carriage to a halt as well.

"Girl, here we are."

As the carriage curtain was lifted, Xiang He slowly opened her eyes, the sunlight streaming in but not glaringly bright.

She nodded to the young Taoist priest, carefully placed the palm mirror close to her body, and then got off the carriage.

Once she had a firm footing, she looked around. The place was a wide, flat area, with more than ten stone steps in front of her, and Longguang Temple was on top of them.

The tall palace walls surround the area, suggesting that this place is located in a relatively secluded corner of the palace.

The young Taoist priest had already started walking up the stone steps. Xiang He followed, occasionally glancing back at the surroundings. There were no palace maids or eunuchs nearby, only the Taoist priest sweeping and cleaning.

She looked up and saw Xiang Ling, whom she hadn't seen for many days, with a cold expression and dissatisfaction in his eyes.

Xiang He nodded and smiled at him, which made his face darken even more.

This Xiang Ling is really hostile. I didn't expect that the principles Wu Lü taught him would actually be remembered by him. If he hadn't been so unsteady, he would have become the second Wu Lü.

Thinking of this, a thought suddenly popped into my mind: perhaps Wulu saw through his true nature, which is why he wanted Xiang He to join Wulu's sect. It would be better than Xiang Ling in front of him.

It was just a small idea, but Xiang He found it amusing.

After climbing the dozen or so stone steps in no time, Xiang He nodded and asked, "Daoist Xiang Ling, how have you been these past few days?"

"Since I'm standing right here, how could it not be good?"

"You're so resentful the moment you speak," Xiang He's face softened even more. "Didn't you sleep well last night, Daoist? You're so short-tempered."

"You!" He closed his eyes to vent his anger, waved away the little Taoist priest beside him, and turned to lead Xiang He inside. "Don't think that just because you've gained your master's favor, it's just because he thinks you have some skills."

"If I have any skills, those are my own skills."

"Heh," he said with a hint of contempt, "I don't know how you won over your master, but don't think that you'll get rich and powerful just because you've entered Longguang Temple. This is not a good place to stay."

"I will keep the Taoist priest's words in mind."

The two stopped talking and looked up at the exterior of Longguang Temple, which was indeed quite grand.

With its blue bricks and red tiles, it was more magnificent than any temple she had ever seen; truly worthy of being the Taoist temple of the emperor in the palace.

I just noticed that these Taoist priests were all dressed in brocade robes. People who can enter Longguang Temple must have some skills.

Take Xiang Ling for example, he must have good talent, otherwise he wouldn't have become Wu Lü's disciple.

Following him, we arrived at the temple. Only one gate was open, and inside, countless incense sticks and candles were burning, illuminating the main hall with its doors and windows tightly closed.

His brow furrowed slightly, but he quickly composed himself. "Why aren't the windows open? Are we not making offerings today?"

"Master has something to tell you. Please come in."

Before Xiang He could ask anything else, Xiang Ling stepped aside to let her in. As soon as he crossed the threshold, he closed the single door behind him.

The only sunlight was also shut out through the gate.

The temple was bustling with incense smoke, and the strong sandalwood scent was quite pleasant.

Before me stood a solemn and dignified statue, two zhang tall, its golden body gleaming in the candlelight, its compassionate gaze looking down upon all living beings.

Xiang He looked up and met his gaze, as if she had grasped something in the silence.

She was a little uneasy, wondering what would happen here.

Looking around, Xiang He lit incense on the offering table, bowed three times before the altar, and then inserted the incense stick.

"I've already arrived, why hasn't the Imperial Advisor shown himself yet?"

As soon as she finished speaking, she heard light footsteps approaching. Xiang He turned her head to look at the source of the sound and saw Wu Lu, still dressed in a purple robe, respectfully offering incense with his fingertips.

After bowing three times before the statue, he murmured a few words before turning to look at He.

"I was a bit busy just now," he said, turning to pick up a handkerchief from the altar and wiping it. "Isn't this place nice?"

"It looks quite spectacular."

"This is the result of Master Bendao's five years of painstaking supervision of every detail."

With a slight raise of her eyebrows, Xiang He stood beside the precious cauldron, looking at the fragrant incense burning inside, and said, "It must have been built when the late emperor was still alive. Every carving is just right; it was truly painstaking."

"This precious cauldron alone took a year to make."

"After all, it is a temple within the palace, so it does require some effort."

Wulu gestured for him to follow, and Xianghe took a step to catch up. The two walked slowly into the temple, one after the other, and arrived at the side hall, where Xianghe offered incense again.

Rows of candles on the table flickered, and the doors and windows of the side hall were closed, with only the candlelight illuminating the interior.

Why not open the window?

Wu Lu smiled and said, “There are some things I might say to a young lady, but others might overhear them.”

"So mysterious?"

He suddenly smiled. "Since this concerns both of us, we naturally need to be careful what we say."

Before the matter was even clear, he said such things. Xiang He was full of doubt. "I heard that the Emperor is seriously ill. Shouldn't the Imperial Advisor pray for the Emperor's well-being?"

Wu Lu smiled, a glint in her eyes. "Today, I hope you can come and help as well. Praying for the Emperor is a great matter. If you can lend a helping hand, the Emperor will surely be able to dispel the evil spirits."

The smile on her lips gradually faded, and Xiang He pursed her lips. "Isn't the Imperial Advisor more capable than me?"

He didn't respond directly, but continued walking forward, saying, "Please follow me, young lady."

The two walked out of the side hall and then came to the backyard of the temple, where there was a lotus pond. The lotus flowers had not yet bloomed, and the lotus leaves floated on the water, looking very vibrant.

There is a small pavilion in the backyard, which is very clean, indicating that someone is busy working there all day long.

"The scenery here is beautiful."

"It seems the young lady likes it quite a bit."

"Liking something doesn't mean you have to stay. Would you like to hear what the Imperial Advisor has to say before deciding?"

Wu Lu walked ahead without looking back, saying, "It's alright, the girl will definitely agree to stay."

His certainty made Xiang He feel a little uneasy.

“Your Taoist robe is quite unique; I am not qualified to wear this color.”

Xiang He casually waved his hands, listening to his pointless words, occasionally responding, "This is what I do."

The black robe was worn by Xiang He, and only he was allowed to wear it in Shanqing Temple.

"Therefore, the girl is destined for great things."

"..."

Xiang He was too lazy to pay attention to these pointless words, so he just gave a casual reply and then stopped talking.

Following him through the backyard, we arrived at a two-story building. Looking up from downstairs, the doors and windows of the first and second floor corridors were all tightly closed.

Even after being asked, no one answered, and even the valiant Xiang He was having second thoughts.

The sound of a door creaking open reached Xiang He's ears. He looked at the open door and saw that it was dark inside, but there was still candlelight. The furnishings were very simple.

"Girl please."

Wu Lu had already crossed the threshold and was waiting by the door. Xiang He tightened her grip on the umbrella, steadied herself, and stepped inside.

The moment he stepped inside, Xiang He felt an overwhelming sense of oppression.

"This……"