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

"Human greed lies in wanting to possess things that one should not have, or is unworthy of. Desire can make people lose their reason, give rise to evil thoughts, and ultimately commit grave mistakes," Wang Huanzhen sighed.

"What the Taoist priest said is absolutely right. Everyone knows that one should not be greedy, but how easy is it to let go? As the saying goes, it is easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality. Ever since the River God came to my house, my father seems to have become a different person."

All her former gentleness and kindness have vanished, replaced by stubbornness, irritability, and a violent temper. "My mother and I tried to advise her many times before I died, but the result is as you see now, Daoist," Chen Ruoruo said sadly.

"Everything in this world has its advantages and disadvantages. To reap the benefits, one must also bear the drawbacks. Only when yin and yang are in balance can one achieve clarity of mind. I saw you enter through the gate of the Chen residence earlier. I wonder if you found the tortoise treasure?" Wang Zhenhuan asked.

"If I had found it, I wouldn't have bothered you so late at night, Master. The formation set up by the Master of Puji Temple just disappeared today. I wanted to retrieve the tortoise treasure, but I didn't find it when I went inside."

Therefore, I suspect that the tortoise treasure was hidden by my father in some way. Although the river god of the Huai River is peaceful by nature, he is not of the same kind as us.

If he discovers that Guibao is missing, he might become furious and harm my family. That's why I've come here tonight specifically to ask for your help, Daoist Master," Chen Ruoruo pleaded.

Wang Huanzhen pondered for a moment, then looked up at Chen Ruoruo and said, "Although the story is quite convoluted, and I deeply sympathize with your plight, young lady, we are, after all, just strangers who met by chance..."

Wang Zhen didn't continue speaking, but his meaning was clear. He was just a passerby, and his encounter with Chen Ruoruo was merely a fleeting one. He had no reason or need to get involved in other people's family affairs.

"Since you are a monk, why did you stand by and watch? If you want money, I can ask my mother in a dream and have her give it to you," Chen Ruoruo said.

"It's not that I'm unwilling, but I'm simply unable to do it. Not to mention that I've only been a Taoist for half a year and my strength is meager. Moreover, this matter concerns the River God of the Huai River..." Wang Zhenhuan shook his head and explained.

He really didn't want to get involved; this was originally a family matter for the Chen family. Moreover, from what the young lady of the Chen family had just said, it wasn't hard to deduce that the river god of the Huai River was clearly a powerful demon in human form.

Although Chen Ruoruo said the river god was peaceful, he had never actually met him. If he were to get involved, and suddenly a Taoist priest with cultivation appeared, wouldn't the river god become wary?

When he finds the tortoise treasure, it's a small matter if he antagonizes the Chen family, but a big problem is that the River God of Huai River will misunderstand him. He'll be caught in the middle, pleasing neither side. And there's no benefit to be gained anyway, so why bother getting into this mess?

He is currently wanted by Qinglong Manor and also carries out Xuan Yangzi's entrustment. There is no need, nor time, to waste on these matters that are irrelevant to him.

After breaking through his cultivation realm, Wang Zhenhuan maintained a clear understanding of himself. He was merely a newcomer to cultivation, and his strength was far from being sufficient for him to act arbitrarily.

Therefore, he would think things through carefully before making any decision. If he would agree to something that originally had nothing to do with him, then why did he refuse the waiter's request in the first place?

Upon hearing Wang Zhenhuan's words, the light in Chen Ruoruo's eyes dimmed instantly. She nodded, curtsied to Wang Zhenhuan, and said:

"In any case, I thank you, Daoist Master, for being willing to listen to my story. I have never been here before tonight, and I apologize for disturbing you." After saying this, she turned around and prepared to leave.

Although Wang Zhenhuan felt reluctant, he did not try to persuade him to stay. While refusing is difficult, learning how to refuse is an essential part of growing up.

Just as Chen Ruoruo turned to leave, a man's voice rang out from outside the door: "May I ask, Master, if I am willing, and if a generous gift is to be given upon completion of the matter, I wonder if you would change your mind?"

As soon as the voice finished speaking, a man dressed in a python robe pushed open the door and walked in. His eyes were bright and his face was dignified and imposing. He exuded an air of grandeur, clearly a scion of a prominent family.

After entering, the man bowed to Wang Huanzhen and said, "I am Ao Shuang, the River God of the Huai River. Greetings, Daoist Master!"

Upon seeing this man, Chen Ruoruo's previously dejected expression suddenly brightened. She floated to his side and took his hand. The man named Ao Shuang patted her arm, and then Chen Ruoruo turned into a wisp of green smoke and disappeared.

Wang Zhenhuan saw all of this. He stood up and returned the greeting, saying, "May the Heavenly Venerable grant you boundless blessings. I am Wang Zhenhuan, and I greet the River God."

Upon hearing Wang Zhenhuan's words, Ao Shuang was taken aback and looked at him, asking, "Please forgive my poor eyesight, but may I ask if you are a True Person in cultivation?"

Wang Zhenzhen hadn't expected such a question, and, puzzled, shook his head, replying, "Of course not, why would the River God ask such a question?"

"Haha, then the Taoist priest must not have been practicing Taoism for very long, right?" Ao Shuang said with a smile as she sat down at the table and addressed Wang Huanzhen.

"How did the River God know? I am indeed a self-taught Taoist, having only been practicing for half a year," Wang Zhenhuan said, half puzzled and half ashamed.

"That's it. It seems no one has told Daoist Master about this. Only the Purple Qi True Man who has survived the Heavenly Tribulation can proclaim the Dao. The same applies to Buddhism. Daoist Master, please don't forget this in the future." Ao Shuang smiled and waved to Wang Zhenhuan.

Upon hearing his explanation, Wang Zhenhuan was immediately taken aback, then lowered his head in shame. He, a half-baked Taoist priest, had indeed given himself away as soon as he met a knowledgeable person.

Thinking of this, he suddenly recalled a Taoist priest from the Shangqing sect that he and Lin Qingyan had met in a dilapidated temple when they traveled south. When the priest greeted him, he seemed to have said "May you have boundless blessings."

At the time, he thought that "福生无量" (boundless blessings) was like the Buddhist chant "Amitabha," a kind of colloquial expression. He was surprised to learn that it contained such profound meaning; no one had ever told him this, and Wang Zhenzhen probably would never have known it in his entire life.

Recalling the time when Daoist Xuan Yangzi met Yin Xinghai, it was indeed Qi Xuan who sang. It turns out that this was not only a blessing, but also a symbol of status.

"May you be blessed with good fortune, thank you for your guidance, River God. May I ask, River God, what brings you here tonight? To be honest, River God, I have been entrusted by someone to deliver something to the south, and I will be setting off tomorrow," Wang Zhenhuan asked, blushing.

"Young Taoist priest, don't be in a hurry. Listen to what I have to say before deciding whether to set off." Ao Shuang smiled and poured Wang Zhenhuan a cup of tea.

"Please speak frankly, River God." Wang Zhenhuan did not relent.

"I wonder if the elder is interested in that immortal's cave?"