Chapter 17: Loose Cultivator Trade Fair.

After looking through the comments section.

Most of them were compliments on his pleasant voice and the friendly aura just from seeing his silhouette, mixed among them were many comments from people wanting to visit the Taoist temple to offer incense.

After reading the comments.

Xuanqing felt greatly relieved.

It seemed that before long, this secluded temple would welcome its first group of incense patrons. He wondered whether he would meet some predestined people by that time, so he could garner some Human Merit.

"The video is well made; you've put in the effort!" Xuanqing nodded in approval and handed the phone back to her.

Yang Ying was overjoyed to receive Xuanqing's praise.

For her, Daoist priest Xuanqing was not only her savior but also a highly skilled master possessing genuine Taoist abilities.

"Thank you for your kind words, Sir. It's what I should do," Yang Ying smiled and shook her head, then added, "It's getting late; I need to head down the mountain!"

Xuanqing looked at the dimming sky and the slick, dewy ground, thinking it was not a good choice to go down the mountain at this time.

"Why not stay the night and leave in the morning?"

"Thank you for your kindness, Sir, but I've used up all my leave. I must go back!" Yang Ying pursed her lips as she spoke.

As an intern journalist, she had only one opportunity for leave each month. A no-show or tardiness would not only result in a pay cut but would also leave a negative mark on her record.

Seeing this.

Xuanqing did not insist any further.

After escorting Yang Ying to the temple gate and once again advising her to be careful since it was dark and the road was slippery, he closed the temple's large doors.

...

Upon returning to his bedroom.

Xuanqing looked at his game character on the phone screen, who was sitting with eyes closed in meditation, and couldn't help marveling at how useful the offline cultivation feature was.

The next moment!

"Enter the game!"

...

Journey to the West World.

Inside a cave on Black Wind Mountain.

The previously meditating Xuanqing, with eyes tightly closed, abruptly opened them and exhaled a long breath of turbid air.

"Open personal panel!"

[Name]: Xuanqing

[Grade]: Taiji Palace Chosen Scholar: Right Magistrate of the Five Thunder Court, Conjoined with Thunder Administration Affairs (9th Rank)

[Cultivation]: Qi Introduction (Intermediate)

[Cultivation Method]: Basic Breathing Method (Passive)

[Ingot]: 51

Xuanqing checked the Character Panel; starting with 60 ingots, there were now only 51 left.

Nearly ten days of cultivation, along with the assistance of elixirs, had not yet led to a breakthrough, but had significantly increased his mana.

"This offline cultivation feature is truly effective. It seems I should make more use of it in the future!" Xuanqing felt the surging mana within his Dantian and thought to himself.

While using the offline cultivation feature, his talents were fully utilized, and his cultivation speed was more than twice as fast as on a regular day.

Then.

He walked out of the stone door.

Before even reaching the outside, he smelled a blend of cumin and chili pepper from grilled meat, followed by the sight of Fat Ya roasting a rabbit at the cave entrance.

Over here.

Upon hearing the noise, Fat Ya noticed her "Sir" had exited seclusion, she hurriedly put down what she was doing, and rushed over excitedly.

"Sir, you have emerged from seclusion!"

"I was wondering why it smelled so good. It turns out Fat Ya is grilling. Have you been diligently cultivating these past few days?" Xuanqing said with a smile as he patted Fat Ya on the head.

Fat Ya bashfully stuck out her tongue, then replied, "Fat Ya hasn't been lazy. This rabbit was given by a very dark uncle, who said he is a friend of yours, Sir!"

A very dark uncle?

The first thing that came to Daoist priest Xuanqing's mind was the Black Bear Essence. On Black Wind Mountain, the only one who had such a dark complexion was the Black Bear Essence.

"Ah, so Fellow Daoist Black Bear has been here. Did he leave any message?"

"He did. He said that, after Sir finishes his retreat, he should visit Black Wind Cave, as there's an important matter to discuss!" Pang Ya blinked her big eyes.

"Alright, you watch over the cave mansion; I'll make a trip to the Black Wind Cave!"

Having said that, Xuanqing left the cave mansion, leaving only Pang Ya behind, pitifully biting her fingers.

...

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

Inside the Black Wind Cave.

In front of the stone table, the Black Bear Essence and Gentleman Bai She, both demons, were drinking honey wine and talking about the Loose Cultivator Trade Fair that occurred once every five years.

"Little Brother Bai She, that Friend Xuanqing has a mysterious background and profound origins. Do you think he'd be interested in our simple and humble Loose Cultivators' Trade Fair?" asked the Black Bear Essence, tilting his head back for a sip, his tone lacking confidence.

Upon hearing this, Gentleman Bai She chuckled lightly and shook his head.

"Not at all, not at all. Just a while ago, Friend Xuanqing came to my place and exchanged a piece of thunderstruck wood for..."

"In my opinion, Daoist Xuanqing's previous life must have been that of a great figure reincarnated. Though he has astonishing origins, he's starting off quite penniless in this life."

As Gentleman Bai She reached this point, he paused briefly, took a sip of the sweet honey wine, his eyes slightly squinted, and continued speaking:

"Right now is the best opportunity for us to cling to his coattails. Big brother, aren't you looking to join Buddhism and Taoism to gain a formal status? That matter... may well depend on Daoist Xuanqing!"

Hearing these words, the Black Bear Essence suddenly stood up, his eyes flashing with an uncertain gleam.

With such an analysis, it was indeed possible that Daoist Xuanqing was a reincarnated Taoist mighty figure. If one day... wouldn't he truly have the chance to receive instruction from the Taoist sect?

At this moment, suddenly, there came a knocking sound from outside the cave.

"It must be Friend Xuanqing coming out of his retreat. I'll go greet him!" mumbled the Black Bear Essence and strode quickly towards the entrance of the cave.

The White Snake Gentlemen also promptly rose to his feet, joining in to greet the newcomer.

...

Outside the Black Wind Cave.

When the two demons saw Xuanqing, their faces lit up.

In just a little over two months, they noticed that Xuanqing's cultivation had improved by a large margin, and it felt solid without a trace of superficiality.

"Ha ha, long time no see. Your cultivation has increased, Friend Xuanqing~" The Black Bear Essence said with a hearty laugh, warmly welcoming him.

Xuanqing clasped his hands together and replied, "Oh, it's nothing much. It's all thanks to the elixirs I received from Daoist Friend Bai She."

After greeting each other,

the one human and two demons entered the cave and sat at the stone table.

The Black Bear Essence added another cup, eagerly filling it with honey wine for Xuanqing, "Friend Xuanqing, please enjoy the honey wine that I've brewed!"

Xuanqing tasted it and found it to be sweet and fragrant, leaving an aftertaste that was rich and delightful.

He didn't expect the Black Bear Essence, who on the surface appeared so rough, to possess such exceptional brewing skills. Truly, looks can be deceiving when it comes to demons.

"Good wine, good wine~" Xuanqing gave a thumbs up.

The Black Bear Essence laughed heartily, "As long as Friend Xuanqing enjoys it, that's great."

After some small talk, they got to the main point.

"Friend Xuanqing, the reason I invited you here is to share some news."

"In three months, it will be time for the once-every-five-years Loose Cultivator Trade Fair. Cultivators from thousands of miles around will gather to exchange what they have. I wonder if Friend Xuanqing would like to go with us?" The Black Bear Essence asked in a deep voice.

Loose Cultivator Trade Fair?

Xuanqing was momentarily taken aback.

Indeed, it seemed like when one feels sleepy, a pillow arrives; he had been thinking about exchanging the three thunderstruck peach wood sticks in his backpack for cultivation resources, and now the trade fair was approaching.