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

From their conversation, it's not hard to deduce their identities. The elderly man in the bright red robe should be the abbot of Puji Temple. And the middle-aged man, if Wang is not mistaken, should be Chen Shanren.

Wang Zhenhuan slowed his pace, pondering how to determine the abbot's cultivation level. Although his eyes could see the colors of spiritual energy, it still required someone else to control it.

Seeing that he was about to miss the two men, Wang Huanzhen came up with a plan. He lowered his head, pretending to be deep in thought. In reality, he secretly stretched out his foot and nudged the waiter next to him.

Fearing the abbot would discover that Wang Zhenhuan hadn't used spiritual energy in his kick, the waiter never expected Wang Zhenhuan to trip him. Without noticing, he stepped on Wang Zhenhuan's instep.

The stomp landed squarely, and because he hadn't used any spiritual energy to protect himself, the pain brought tears to his eyes. The waiter, caught off guard, suddenly lost his balance.

He stepped on Wang Zhenhuan's foot, which gave way, and cried out in surprise, falling to the side. Chen Shanren had his back to the two of them, so he didn't see what happened.

But the abbot did the exact opposite. Seeing the waiter fall towards Chen Shanren, he instinctively reached out to help him up. Wang Zhenhuan, however, kept his head down, observing carefully from the corner of his eye.

A flash of red light appeared on the abbot's body, and he caught the waiter with one hand. The waiter stood up and hurriedly apologized to the two of them. Wang Zhenhuan, fearing that the abbot would discover him, also quickly stepped forward.

"Look at you, what's wrong with you? You're not careful walking, you almost bumped into the master and this gentleman. I'm so sorry, master and this gentleman. I apologize to you both on behalf of Xiao Liu Zi, are you alright?"

The waiter, hearing Wang Zhenhuan's words, was puzzled but didn't ask. Instead, he and Wang Zhenhuan bowed to the two abbots, looking embarrassed.

"Amitabha Buddha, it's alright. Just be careful next time you walk. Please go now."

Chen Shanren, who was standing next to the abbot, was about to get angry, but seeing what the abbot said, he frowned, waved his hand, and remained silent. Only then did Wang Huanzhen get a clear look at Chen Shanren's face.

Indeed, he did bear a resemblance to Chen Ruoruo. Moreover, his face was thin, with gaunt cheeks. He didn't look like a kind person; instead, he exuded the shrewdness of a businessman.

Wang Zhenhuan pulled Xiao Er behind him and bowed apologetically to the two men. Then, he led Xiao Liuzi into the main hall. The whole process took only a few words.

Wang Zhenhuan had a clear view of when the abbot made his move. The abbot's spiritual energy was a bright red color. This meant that he must have been at the True Realm cultivation level, only slightly higher than Wang Zhenhuan.

This level is already quite impressive in the eyes of ordinary people. Master Xuan Yangzi had previously told him that the lower three stages are a process of strengthening the body. Seeking Truth is the entry point; it can sharpen hearing and vision, and strengthen the body.

The next level of cultivation, beyond Seeking Truth, is to strengthen muscles and bones and transform them into vital energy. This can be seen from the fact that the abbot just now supported Xiao Liuzi with one hand. Even though Xiao Liuzi is thin, he still weighs over 100 pounds.

Wang Zhenhuan admitted that he couldn't do that, at least not now. Xiao Liuzi, who was standing to the side, was about to ask why Wang Zhenhuan had suddenly stuck out his foot to trip him, but seeing that he had lowered his head and remained silent, he hesitated.

Realizing that he was thinking things through, he put aside his doubts and remained silent. Although he didn't know why Wang Huanzhen was doing this, he understood that there must be a reason behind it.

Otherwise, Wang Zhenhuan, a Taoist priest, wouldn't have come to Puji Temple so early in the morning just to see the abbot. It must be said that the waiter was quite adept at reading people.

At this moment, Wang Zhenhuan was pondering the matter of the lower cave dwelling. Since the abbot was at the True Realm cultivation level, according to his previous guess, Ao Shuang's cultivation level should also be around the True Realm level.

At most, he's only one realm below him. If that's the case, then this trip to the immortal's cave can succeed. With only a one-level difference in cultivation, Wang Zhen is confident he can escape unscathed should anything happen.

His confidence stemmed not from anything else, but from the confidence bestowed upon him by the *Primordial Dao Qi True Scripture*. He had already estimated it during his meditation last night. In another day, he would break through to the True Realm!

With something on his mind, Wang Zhenhuan lost interest in strolling around. After a quick look around the main hall with Xiao Liuzi, they prepared to head down the mountain back to the inn. On their way down, they happened to run into the abbot returning.

Seeing the two in such a hurry, the abbot became suspicious and couldn't help but ask, "Amitabha, are you going down the mountain already? The temple provides vegetarian meals; you can eat before you leave."

"No, I have important matters to attend to at home. I've come to pray to the Bodhisattva for peace, and now I must return. I'll visit the abbot another day," Wang Zhenhuan said with a smile, waving his hand in refusal.

"Amitabha Buddha." Upon hearing this, the abbot shouted the Buddha's name and then fell silent.

After bidding farewell to the abbot, Wang Zhen was eager to return home. He left the gates of Puji Temple and headed down the mountain. In the bamboo grove beside Puji Temple, a white figure flashed past after watching him descend the mountain.

Wang Zhenhuan didn't linger any longer on the way, and in less than half an hour, he saw the houses near Xiayi. By the time he returned to his room at the inn, it was already past 11:00 AM.

The appointed time with Ao Shuang was less than half a day away. The waiter refilled the teacup and, as he was leaving, suddenly asked at the door, "Sir, you seemed quite uneasy on your journey. Are you going to do something dangerous?"

Wang Huanzhen felt a warmth in his heart upon hearing this. He looked up at him and replied with a smile, "Why do you ask? Oh, right, I accidentally tripped you at Puji Temple, and I haven't apologized to you yet."

"These are minor matters. I know you're going to Puji Temple with a purpose in mind, sir. However, sir, things are chaotic right now. There are not only bandits outside but also Jurchens. You must be careful when you go out," Xiao Liuzi advised.

"Of course, I will certainly take your words to heart. Don't worry, you were possessed by evil spirits yesterday, so you should rest well today to recover your yang energy. Thank you for accompanying me on this trip," Wang Zhenhuan said with a smile.

Hearing Wang Zhenhuan's words, Xiao Liuzi breathed a sigh of relief, and a smile returned to his face. He waved his hand and said to Wang Zhenhuan, "It's alright, sir. Young people have plenty of yang energy; I slept well last night and I feel much better today."

After saying that, he was about to close the door and leave. Suddenly, a noisy sound came from outside the window. Wang Zhenhuan and Xiao Liuzi exchanged a glance and went to the window at the same time.

On the opposite bank of the river, outside the gate of the Chen residence, a group of commoners and yamen runners had already surrounded it. In the center of the crowd, separated by the yamen runners, lay a pale-faced middle-aged man.

This man was none other than Chen Shanren, whom Wang Zhenhuan had met at Puji Temple!