The Northern Song Dynasty returned south, seeking the truth of the Dao.

The old Taoist priest, with an air of self-righteousness, casually stroked his beard and turned away. But when his back was to Wang Zhenhuan, the smugness on his face was impossible to conceal.

At this moment, Wang Zhenhuan was overwhelmed with emotion. He hadn't expected that this blind Taoist he had just met was actually a master of the Purple Qi realm. Although he didn't know much about cultivation, he had the example of Taoist Master Luo Puzi.

This old Taoist priest must be quite skilled too, he thought. His heart itched unbearably, as if pawed by a cat. Since heading south, he had never been so close to cultivation.

He was only a few feet away, yet those few feet felt like an insurmountable chasm. He wanted to go in but dared not, and he was unwilling to retreat. For a moment, he stood there, stunned, not knowing what to do.

The old Taoist seemed to sense Wang Zhenhuan's hesitation, but he wasn't in a hurry. He simply sat there resting, without calling out to him. It was as if the words he had just spoken hadn't come from his own mouth.

Wang Zhenhuan had always firmly believed that someone was waiting for him somewhere, to guide him into the Dao and teach him cultivation. Therefore, before this, he had been striving to catch up and had never considered giving up.

He was never chasing after anyone else, but rather the hopeful heart within himself. He dared not, and could not, stop. Because even after the sunset's glow, a sky full of stars awaited.

Those lonely days had to go on, and Lin Qingyan was still waiting for him at Gezao Mountain. Now, finally, such an opportunity was presented to him, but he hesitated like a child afraid of losing it.

He looked up at the dust-covered statue of the City God. For some reason, he felt that the City God was looking at him with gentle eyes, as if with affection, or perhaps encouragement.

Wang Huanzhen took a deep breath. Although he had looked back frequently along the way, one must always know when to forge ahead without hesitation. And perhaps this is the right moment.

He quietly approached the old Taoist priest, pretending to add firewood, but actually feeling shy and slightly embarrassed, he asked, "Taoist priest, we've known each other for so long, and I still don't know your name."

When the old Taoist heard Wang Zhenhuan finally speak, he smiled and said, "Taoists are assigned a seniority upon entering the sect. I am from the Taiqing lineage. Taiqing Taoists can retain their secular surnames after entering the sect, taking their seniority from the middle and adding their secular names as a suffix."

My secular name was Liu Deyang, but after entering the Taoist order, I changed my name to Liu Xuanyang, and my Taoist name was Xuanyangzi.

"May I ask how old you are, Master? Do you have any plans to take on disciples?" Wang Zhenhuan saw the old Taoist priest looking at him with a smile. Knowing that his thoughts had been seen through, he simply stopped hiding and asked directly.

"The Dao does not inquire about lifespan. What? Does this young philanthropist wish to become my disciple?" The old Daoist smiled and waved his hand, asking in return.

"Why make fun of this young man, Daoist Master? It's obvious he has the intention to seek the Dao. May I ask, Daoist Master, what is the deeper meaning behind your Daoist title?" Wang Zhenhuan sat down beside him and pulled his arm to ask.

After spending more time with him, Wang Zhenhuan discovered that this blind old Taoist priest, despite his seemingly difficult appearance, was actually approachable and enjoyed playing pranks on others, displaying a rather childlike side.

"My Taiqing lineage has ten generations, named: Tixing Wuchengming, Qingjing Tongxuanhua. They are arranged according to the time of entry. You will know these after you enter the lineage," the old Taoist explained before continuing.

"The three schools of Taoism are closely related. Although they all act on behalf of Heaven, they each worship their own patriarch. My Taiqing lineage worships Taiqing Daode Tianzun, Shangqing lineage worships Shangqing Lingbao Tianzun, and Yuqing lineage worships Yuqing Yuanshi Tianzun."

Upon hearing the old Taoist's words, Wang Zhenhuan felt a pang of unease. If he remembered correctly, Gezao Mountain belonged to the Shangqing lineage. If he were to join the Taiqing sect, wouldn't it be difficult for him to see Lin Qingyan again?

Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, the old Taoist thought that he had doubts, so he asked, "Since you are willing to enter the Tao, you can ask any questions you have, and I will answer them for you one by one."

"Um... Master Xuanyang, I've been married before. I wonder if I'm still eligible to join the Dao?" Wang Zhenhuan asked the old Daoist cautiously.

"Haha, my Taiqing lineage does not prohibit marriage, so it is perfectly acceptable. The area at the foot of the sect mountain is where the relatives of those who cultivate here reside. After you join the sect, you can move your family here," the old Taoist Xuanyang said with a smile and a nod.

"Hmm...but my fiancée has a rather special status. I wonder if that will have any impact," Wang Zhenhuan asked in a low voice.

"Hmm? What's so special about it? Could it be someone of noble status? Or perhaps someone from a wealthy family who doesn't want to move south?" Master Xuan Yangzi asked without changing his expression, clearly indicating that the Taiqing lineage had encountered such a situation before.

"No, my fiancé is neither a high-ranking official nor a wealthy person. He is my childhood friend, someone I fled south with. We relied on each other for survival along the way, and that's how we got engaged," Wang Zhenhuan explained.

"This is a good thing, so why are you hesitating and not explaining it clearly?" the old Taoist asked in confusion, clearly noticing the word "once" that Wang Zhenhuan had used.

"Later on our journey, we encountered a shaman from the Jin dynasty, who surrounded us with strange gods and nearly killed us. Fortunately, we were rescued by Taoist Master Luo Puzi from Gezao Mountain."

My wife, because her injuries were too severe, went back to Gezao Mountain with the Taoist priest to heal and save her life... cough cough... and she also practiced there along the way." Wang Zhenhuan said, blushing.

Fortunately, this Daoist Xuan Yangzi was blind, otherwise he would have been too ashamed to say such things. Wanting to get married was one thing, but wanting to marry a Daoist from the Shangqing lineage was simply audacious.

"Luo Puzi, the Celestial Master of the Shangqing lineage? Why would the dignified Celestial Master of Gezao Mountain go north specifically to rescue two ordinary people like you who are fleeing?" Master Xuanyangzi quickly noticed the abnormality in Wang Zhenhuan's words.

"I've heard, I've heard... cough cough... I've only heard that my wife's father and Daoist Luo Puzi were old acquaintances. Of course, my wife and I know nothing about this; it was Daoist Luo Puzi who told us."

Wang Zhen really wanted to make what he said as close to reality as possible, but not so far-fetched. However, the old Taoist Xuan Yangzi was a shrewd man and saw through his trick immediately.

"You mean to say that Master Luo Puzi only took your wife away and promised to take her as his disciple, but didn't take you with him? That's utterly absurd!"

"Luo Puzi is the current Celestial Master of Gezao Mountain, how could he do such an absurd thing? Unless, he..." As he spoke, the old Taoist seemed to remember something and beckoned to Wang Zhenhuan.

"Stretch out your hand."

Wang Zhen didn't understand, but he obediently did as he was told. He extended his left hand and placed it in the old Taoist's palm. The old Taoist held his hand, sensing it for a moment. Suddenly, his furrowed brows relaxed.

He chuckled and patted Wang Huanzhen's hand, saying, "So that's how it is. No wonder the old Taoist divined for you; the divination showed that you and I are destined to be together..."