Chapter 134: Tai Xu Temple

Qingshan Village is located to the east of the Taixu Mountain Range. Since the arrival of its first inhabitants, the villagers have always lived by farming.

The village lies at the foot of the mountain, with undulating terraced fields stretching along its slopes. Above the terraced fields are lush mountain forests, thick with trees. After passing through this forest and crossing five more mountains, a square temple comes into view.

The temple, named 'Taixu Temple,' is nestled against a mountain and beside a stream. Villages far and wide across the Taixu Mountain Range come here to offer incense whenever they face difficulties.

Chen Mobai's turtle shell was obtained from this temple, and he had always wanted to return to explore if there were any hidden secrets behind this fortunate encounter.

Early in the morning, the mother and son trekked over mountains and valleys, bringing offerings to Taixu Temple. However, they found white lanterns hanging from the temple's eaves.

"Who passed away?" Tang Pancui wiped sweat from her forehead and murmured to herself. Her cultivation was average, and crossing five mountains had left her quite tired.

"I'll go ask." Chen Mobai, carrying his bag, remained calm and composed. While his mother rested, he knocked on the door.

Creak!

Soon, a young monk opened the door.

"Esteemed guests, our temple's Fire Elder passed away last night. We will be holding funeral rites for the next few days and are not open to the public. We apologize for the inconvenience." The young monk listened to their purpose for visiting, his face full of apology.

"Respect for the departed is paramount." Chen Mobai nodded, showing his understanding, and was about to leave with Tang Pancui, planning to return in a few days.

"Since we've come all this way, crossing five mountains, why not let us offer just one stick of incense?" Tang Pancui suggested casually.

The young monk hesitated after hearing this, then went back to consult the abbot. They were indeed allowed inside.

Taixu Temple was neither big nor small. Its square layout surrounded an open-air courtyard in the center. In the middle of the courtyard stood a three-meter-long bronze cauldron, filled with burnt incense ash.

Immediately upon entering, facing them was the main hall of Taixu Temple, where a statue of the True God of Taixu stood. Its origin was unknown, but it was carried by a giant stone turtle. The deity held a jade ruler in its left hand, its robes depicted a Taiji Bagua on the chest, and brilliant star rivers on its sleeves. Its face was stern and majestic.

Chen Mobai looked at the statue's empty right hand. It had originally held a turtle shell, but now it was empty.

"Esteemed guests, please stop here." After guiding them inside, the young monk pointed to the white lanterns hanging in the rear hall, indicating that was the mourning hall and they should not go there.

"Thank you." After thanking him, Chen Mobai used his phone to scan the QR code at the entrance and donated 1888 merit points.

He was now considered well-off. He had 200,000 merit points in his card, converted from spirit sands by Shen Juanxiu, and another 300,000 merit points earned from betting by Qing Nü. However, since her card had a daily transfer limit of 20,000, Chen Mobai told her not to transfer them to him for now.

Coincidentally, he had recently refined enough 'Qi-replenishing Spiritual Water' to last him three months. So, Chen Mobai instructed her to use those merit points to purchase medicinal ingredients and auxiliary materials to refine a different type of elixir, because any spiritual water or elixir has a shelf life, and the effects are better when consumed immediately after refinement. As for which elixir to refine, Chen Mobai didn't know, so he let Qing Nü decide what medicinal materials to buy for practice.

Qing Nü thought it over, considering both aspects, and chose a first-tier, high-grade 'Fire-Cleansing Elixir.' With enough Qi-replenishing Spiritual Water, it was best to focus on enhancing spiritual sense. After all, to successfully establish a foundation, one could not have any weakness in the three aspects of essence, qi, and spirit. Among these, improving spiritual sense was the most difficult. However, Danxia City had local resources to refine 'Fire-Cleansing Elixirs,' with jade parasol flowers and fruits as the main ingredient. Chen Mobai applauded her choice.

However, this type of elixir was very precious among first-tier elixirs, costing 20,000 merit points per batch to refine. Though Chen Mobai, who had just acquired some merit points, felt a pang of pain, he reasoned that the merit points in Qing Nü's card were all earned from betting. Converting them into his strength or improving Qing Nü's alchemy skills was well worth it. Moreover, if she could successfully refine the Fire-Cleansing Elixir, the Immortal Sect's official price was 5,000 merit points per pill. Each batch could yield up to ten pills, and with the spiritual essences provided by Chen Mobai, Qing Nü would quickly recoup the costs once she succeeded.

His mind was on two things at once. While his thoughts were on Qing Nü, Chen Mobai had already finished offering incense and meticulously placed the offerings he brought from his bag onto the table in front of the divine statue.

Meanwhile, the temple's abbot emerged from the mourning hall in the back and began chatting with Tang Pancui.

"I see, I never expected that one of us Taixu mountain folk could become a true dragon from one of the Four Great Dao Academies." Upon hearing Tang Pancui say that Chen Mobai had been accepted into the Martial Arts Academy, he looked visibly shocked and shared in their honor.

"It's also thanks to the blessings of this temple. We came today to fulfill a vow. However, since the temple has matters to attend to, we won't trouble you any longer." Seeing that Chen Mobai had already arranged the offerings of fruits, mulberries, and dates, and lit the incense, Tang Pancui smiled and bade the abbot farewell.

"Would it be possible to take a photo together?" The abbot was a gray-haired old man who remembered Tang Pancui and Chen Mobai, as they were the only mother and son pair who had encountered a small issue when offering incense over the years. He shamelessly pulled Chen Mobai, wanting to take a photo, intending to use it to promote Taixu Temple in the future. Chen Mobai did not refuse.

After the photo was taken, Chen Mobai hesitated but ultimately decided not to ask about the turtle shell.

"Esteemed guests, it's midday. Please have some vegetarian food before you leave." The abbot, looking at the photo on his phone with satisfaction, instructed the young monk to take the mother and son for a vegetarian meal, as he still needed to go to the mourning hall to chant scriptures.

"Thank you, Abbot." Led by the young monk, they went to the side hall on the right, which was the refectory. The three of them chatted as they ate.

"Do you know when Taixu Temple was built?"

"It's said to have a long history. Apparently, this temple was already here when our ancestors first established villages in the Taixu Mountain Range."

"I feel that the spiritual energy in this temple is quite good."

"Yes, the Taixu Mountain Range has a second-tier spiritual vein. Although it has been suppressed and incorporated by the Immortal Sect, if we apply to use it, the spiritual energy transported through pipelines incurs minimal loss due to its proximity to the vein's source. So, while we only purchase first-tier, mid-grade spiritual energy, it's actually very close to first-tier, high-grade." Chen Mobai listened to what the young monk said, used his phone to measure the spiritual energy value, and nodded slightly.

"Junior Brother, the disposal specialist will be here soon. Quickly pack up Elder Liu Lengpei's belongings. These things can't be cremated in the temple, so let them take them for disposal." Just then, an older monk called out to the young monk from the doorway, and the latter immediately put down his bowl and chopsticks.

"Please enjoy your meal, both of you. I'll go pack Elder Liu's belongings."

"Wait, the Elder who passed away in your temple today is named Liu Lengpei?" Chen Mobai, however, widened his eyes and directly called out to the young monk who was about to leave.

"Yes, esteemed guest. Do you know Elder Liu?"

"I think I saw him when I came to the temple to offer incense as a child. He even gave me a piece of candy." Chen Mobai gave a reason that left the young monk looking puzzled.

"Elder Liu was a recluse and never received visitors or pilgrims."