The Condor Heroes: The Quanzhen Sect has produced a vengeful master!

Upon hearing the voice, the young Taoist turned around and bowed respectfully.

Wang Jiuling looked up and saw a middle-aged Taoist priest in his thirties or forties, dressed in a gray robe. He was thin, had a cold face, and droopy eyelids as if he hadn't woken up yet.

He is walking over with his hands behind his back.

Ma Guangzuo jumped up, clutching his forehead. "Hey! And you say we made things difficult for him? I was so close, and he didn't even say a word when he closed the door. I almost got hit on the head with the door panel!"

The middle-aged Taoist priest frowned slightly, glanced at the young Taoist beside him, and then looked at Wang Jiuling.

The two looked at each other, their auras subtly shifting, and neither spoke.

After a long silence, the middle-aged Taoist priest cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, his voice devoid of joy or sorrow. "Where do you come from, fellow Taoist?"

Wang Jiuling returned the greeting. "This humble Taoist, Qingyangzi of the Quanzhen School, has come to pay my respects!"

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged Taoist priest's droopy eyes widened and regained their luster. He looked Wang Jiuling up and down, somewhat surprised.

"Qingyangzi? The Qingyangzi who became famous at the Heroes' Gathering at Dasheng Pass?"

Wang Jiuling nodded with a smile. "Exactly!"

The middle-aged Taoist priest suddenly realized what was happening, nodded, and cupped his hands in greeting again, this time with a more solemn tone.

"So it is Fellow Daoist Qingyang in person. This humble Daoist is Wang Zhongli."

Wang Jiuling's eyes lit up. "Fellow Daoist, are you perhaps the True Person Renjing Chunsu?"

Wang Zhongli nodded, and Wang Jiuling knew that he had found the true master of this Taoist temple.

This person is no ordinary person; he is a "True Man" bestowed by Emperor Lizong of Song, Zhao Yun, and is the person he is looking for on this trip.

"Fellow Daoist, please come in. It's windy outside." Wang Zhongli invited Wang Jiuling and the others inside and arranged for their hospitality.

But all they had was tea and some common snacks.

It's clear that despite his distinguished status, Wang Zhongli lives a simple and unassuming life.

"Fellow Daoist, you have come from afar as a guest. Our Daoist temple has not been hospitable enough. Please forgive us!"

The surprise in Wang Zhongli's eyes had disappeared, and his eyes returned to their listless state.

"Master Wang, you're too kind!"

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Wang Zhongli rolled up the sleeves of his Taoist robe.

"I see you've brought a disciple? Is there something important?"

Wang Jiuling nodded with a smile.

"The Daoist practices of the North and South are originally one family. I have come here on the orders of the headmaster of Danyang to search for the lost commentaries on the 'Wuzhen Pian' by the True Man Ziyang."

As he spoke, Wang Jiuling looked at Lu Qingdu behind him, and Lu Qingdu quickly handed over the things he had prepared in advance to Wang Jiuling.

Wang Jiuling took it and looked at Wang Zhongli. "This is a secret manual of alchemy annotated by the True Man Chongyang of our sect. It can also be shared with you, fellow Daoist."

Wang Zhongli looked up at Wang Jiuling, then at the scroll in Wang Jiuling's hand, pondered for a moment, but did not take it.

"Fellow Daoist, you've come under the guise of seeking the Dharma, but your true intention is to spread the Northern Dao southward, and you wish to have me act as your intermediary?"

"I've heard that the Quanzhen Sect is currently in the north, and their situation isn't looking good."

Wang Zhongli reacted quickly and directly. Wang Jiuling was slightly taken aback, but did not deny it and nodded.

"Fellow Daoist is right, our sect intends to move south."

Unexpectedly, Wang Zhongli shook his head directly. "If that's the case, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."

"I cannot help you."

Upon hearing this, Li Daoxuan and the others behind Wang Jiuling all looked at Wang Jiuling.

Wang Zhongli refused so directly.

Wang Jiuling's expression remained unchanged. He put down his teacup, his tone still as gentle as flowing water.

"The Golden Elixir Sect can thus spread its teachings throughout the world. Why wouldn't you, fellow Daoist, be willing?"

Wang Zhongli sighed. "Several years ago, Emperor Zhao issued an edict appointing Zhang Tianshi of Longhu Mountain as the head of the Three Mountains Talismans, overseeing Longhu Mountain, Maoshan Sect, and Lingbao Sect."

"He was personally appointed by the imperial court as the head of the Southern Taoist sects."

Wang Zhongli pointed to the door, and Wang Jiuling and the others turned their heads to look in the direction he was pointing.

There were only five or six young Taoist priests in the temple, and the incense burner was not full of ash, making it seem deserted.

"Our Golden Core Sect doesn't participate in the imperial court, and our incense offerings are meager. Even if we are family, how can we help you?"

When Wang Zhongli mentioned that Emperor Zhao had bestowed the title of the head of the Taoist sects upon Longhu Mountain, his tone was clearly tinged with sarcasm.

"Besides, your Quanzhen Sect has no foundation here, how can you spread your teachings?"

They might not welcome you!

Wang Jiuling shook his head.

"Fellow Daoist, what if I could 'borrow' this power?"

These words startled Wang Zhongli, causing him to pause, his hand holding the teacup still. "Leveraging influence? What do you mean, fellow Daoist?"

Li Daoxuan and the others looked at each other, not understanding what Wang Jiuling meant.

Just as Wang Jiuling was about to speak, he was interrupted.

A young Taoist priest came and whispered something in Wang Zhongli's ear. Wang Zhongli's expression changed, and he instructed the young priest:

"Go and greet the guests."

He then cupped his hands in greeting to Wang Jiuling. "Fellow Daoist, please wait a moment. We have an important guest at the Daoist temple."

He paused for a moment. "It's getting late, and there's a religious ceremony at the Taoist temple today. Why don't you all stay here for the night?"

"Of course, you can also come and watch the religious ceremony."

Having nothing better to do, Wang Jiuling decided to follow along and see what was happening. Ma Guangzuo and Yang Guo were even more interested.

It turned out that the so-called distinguished guest was actually a member of the imperial court.

"The Emperor Zhao sent people to search for Taoist sects throughout the land to refine elixirs of immortality."

"Although my Golden Elixir Sect is in decline, it has still caught the eye of the imperial court."

Wang Zhongli explained to Wang Jiuling.

In the front hall, a young Taoist priest was accompanying several people on a walk.

Judging from their attire, it was clear that these people were of extraordinary status. The leader greeted Wang Zhongli with a cupped-hand salute.

"Master Wang, the time is perfect, shall we begin the ritual?"

Wang Zhongli nodded.

A hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes, but he quickly suppressed it.

"Right here, sir, you may wait here."

A young Taoist priest brought over a rattan chair, and the leader, dressed as a middle-aged scholar, plopped down on it.

He opened his folding fan. "Let's begin!"

Wang Zhongli ordered someone to bring over the alchemy furnace and sat down cross-legged on the spot. "Light the fire," he instructed the young Taoist beside him.

Just then, Wang Jiuling led a few people out from the back corridor.

Hearing footsteps, the scholar turned around and immediately stood up.

When Wang Jiuling saw his face, he stopped and his eyes narrowed involuntarily.

Wu Yong.

He was a subordinate of the current prime minister, Shi Songzhi, and an old acquaintance.

After the Heroes' Gathering at Dasheng Pass, that old dog Shi Songzhi sent Wu Yong to steal the fruits of others' labor, hoping to win over the heroes to his side.

As a result, Wang Jiuling gave him a good scolding, and he left in anger.

I never expected to run into you here today.

Wang Jiuling then remembered that Tiantai Mountain was located in Liangzhe East Road, which was the territory of the Shi family.

Wu Yong was also full of surprise, but soon his expression turned cold.

"It's you?!"

Wu Yong suddenly looked at Wang Zhongli. "Master Wang! What is this person doing at your Taoist temple?"

At this moment, Wang Zhongli stood up, somewhat surprised.

"Mr. Wu, Fellow Daoist Qingyang is my guest. Do you know him?"

Wu Yong snapped the folding fan shut.

"You've gone beyond just knowing him! Master Wang, let me give you a heads-up: you'd better get rid of him immediately! Cut all ties with him!"

(This book is in a critical phase, reaching 50 words. Please don't let it sit idle, otherwise the completion rate will be too low and the book will die. The author is working hard to revise the outline these past few days and will continue to add more chapters later. I mean it!)