Chapter 053: Qingjin Enters the Daoist Temple

Qinghu copied all the Dao techniques and secret arts from the library into her mind. Once she returned, she planned to study the mysteries of Dao techniques in this world thoroughly, and then develop a unique artifact cultivation method for her little companions.

“Honored Dao Master, may I enter the library?” Ying Yu’s eyes widened as she gazed at the library.

“Discuss it with Jin Yuanzi,” Qinghu replied immediately.

“Yes, you can talk to me,” Jin Zhuzi piped up at once. Though a bead, Jin Zhuzi was perfectly capable of speaking the Eastern Wilderness dialect by vibrating the air.

“Honored Dao Master, several friends of mine have finished their seclusion, and they’d like to pay their respects to you as well.”

“Very well, schedule a time. I’ll be leaving soon,” Qinghu replied. “By the way, tell Qingjin he is now the tenth direct disciple of the Dao Master of our Longevity Hall.”

“Why the tenth?” Jin Yuanzi asked in confusion.

“If I say he’s the first, it would be too obvious, wouldn’t it? Just say there are nine direct disciples above him,” Qinghu merrily fabricated.

“Alright, I’ll keep an eye on Ying Yu,” Jin Yuanzi promised. Though small, the bead was especially shrewd. In the Dao domain, only those belonging to the Dao Master were truly on its side. As for Ying Yu, she was just a guest.

Ying Yu rolled her eyes in exasperation.

“Stop calling me Ying Yu, my name is Ying Qing.”

“Alright, I’ll call you Ying Qing from now on. Ying Qing, you can return to your own courtyard and cultivate. I’ve already activated the Spirit Gathering Array for you.”

“Oh, thank you, thank you!” Ying Qing replied happily, conjuring a gust of demon wind as she hurried away.

Once Ying Qing left, Jin Yuanzi’s tone became obsequious and deferential. “Master, don’t worry, I’ll keep a close watch on her.”

“Mm, we still have use for her right now, so there’s no need to burn bridges. As long as she doesn’t act against us, we’ll leave her be. As for her friends, you can observe them secretly. If any troublesome ones appear, let me know.”

“Rest assured, Master. I’ll handle it,” Jin Yuanzi said.

Qinghu nodded. Among these little trinkets, Jin Yuanzi was undoubtedly the most solid and spiritually attuned, followed by Di Yuanzi. Qingyan was a bit lacking.

After Jin Yuanzi transported her back to her room, Qinghu quietly took the opportunity to merge with her avatar while it was in the privy. Absorbing its memories, Qingjin learned that the golden light under the lake had surged to the surface, lingering for a long while before dissipating.

The commotion startled not only those within the territory but also the Daoist troops monitoring from outside.

They didn’t enter the mountain pass but stopped at the entrance to ask Qingjin and the others what had happened.

The problem was, Qingjin didn’t know either, nor did he dare go underwater to check. That would be courting death—there were too many unknown things beneath the water. Without an invitation, he wouldn’t dare go down.

Since they didn’t get any answers, the envoys left with frosty expressions.

Qingjin didn’t care. He had no intention of going underwater anyway.

Fortunately, the disturbances below the water settled down soon after.

By then, everyone had more or less figured it out: the mysterious Dao domain was built beneath the lake, and for some reason, Qingjin had caught its attention.

Maybe it was just his face.

The next morning, Ying Qing arrived bright and early, appearing directly before Qingjin. “Come with me. I’ll take you to meet our Dao Master.”

After a quick tidy-up, Qingjin followed Ying Qing beneath the lake.

The water was dim, visibility low, but many gigantic creatures drifted around them, nodding and swaying as they passed by. Their large eyes glowed green like lanterns, sending chills down Qingjin’s spine.

“Why do I feel like they’re all staring at me?” Qingjin asked in surprise.

“They’re probably curious. You’re the first living human to come down here. The others were all corpses,” Ying Qing replied, all business.

Qingjin had a vague sense she didn’t much like him.

They went deeper, and soon Qingjin saw a wall of dazzling golden light—so bright it was almost impossible to look at directly. The closer they got, the clearer the massive structures within became: enormous buildings, filled with all manner of aquatic spirit creatures, spirit herbs, and spiritual corals.

He’d heard that many human Dao domains were elegant, with pavilions linked by winding stone corridors, evoking a sense of secluded tranquility. But only now did he realize a Dao domain could be so magnificent, so spectacularly radiant.

It truly was a wall of crystal—he saw entire facades decorated with enormous spirit stones or carved spiritual crystals.

The reliefs depicted all sorts of rare sea beasts.

But why embed spirit stones and spiritual crystals into the walls? What a waste!

When Qingjin finally stepped foot inside the Dao domain, he gasped several more times. Even the floor was paved with slabs of carved spirit stone. Such extravagance!

If you have so many spirit stones you don’t want them, give them to me. I need them!

“Are these floor tiles all made of spirit stone?” Qingjin asked.

“There’s nothing else to use. The place is too bare, and there’s nothing better to lay down. We have to make do,” Jin Zhuzi flickered and appeared before Qingjin. “I’ll take it from here, Ying Qing. You may go.”

Jin Zhuzi spoke—come see the monster!

Qingjin stared at Jin Zhuzi in astonishment. “Senior, you are...?”

“My name is Jin Yuanzi. Just call me that. I am the artifact spirit of this entire Dao domain, as well as its chief steward. If you need anything, come to me. Now, let me show you to your residence.

Our sect is called the Longevity Hall, and you are now its disciple.”

The personal disciple’s courtyard was quite large—far grander than the little rundown village from his own territory. Qingjin’s hands itched, tempted to pry a few spiritual crystals from the walls.

“This is your personal disciple’s token. Next time you want to enter, just channel your mana into the token to activate the array and you’ll be transported back. I’ve set your teleportation point in your room, but you can set up several more. As long as you’re within the Dao domain, you can configure them in your token.

Here, this jade cocoon contains detailed instructions on how to use your token. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask me. Your disciple’s robes are in the wardrobe in your room—take them at your leisure. The Dao Master is in seclusion and has no time to see you at the moment.

You can use the library, artifact hall, pill hall, and such with your token. But if you want to conduct transactions, you’ll need merit points. Go to the mission hall for details on how to earn them.

Also, you can’t bring anyone into the Dao domain without my permission.”

Qingjin nodded. “Alright.”