Chen Changsheng asked Yi Zuqian to help him gather news about the evil spirit.

“My daoist friend, you are so noble!”

Yi Zuqian thought Chen Changsheng sought the evil spirit for the world’s sake, making him deeply admire Chen.

But Chen Changsheng felt unworthy; he got involved only because it was useful, since meddlers rarely lived long.

That night, Yi Zuqian inquired with fellow daoist friends from Lingyue Immortal Isle and heard much about the evil spirit.

“Daoist Friend Chen, a junior brother mentioned that an evil spirit appears at the next dock, Qingyuan. They say it’s an ancient zombie. Our Lingyue Immortal Isle searched before but found nothing.”

“Zombie?” Chen Changsheng asked.

Yi Zuqian nodded. “Exactly.”

Chen Changsheng thought and said, “Then I’ll leave the sky skiff at the next dock.”

Yi Zuqian said, “And also…”

Yi Zuqian mentioned several more spots. For Lingyue Immortal Isle, such news wasn’t hard to find, mostly shared by sky skiff passengers.

The sky skiff routes spread Lingyue Immortal Isle’s network across the cultivation world, so answers came easily.

Chen Changsheng thanked him; Yi Zuqian pointed out seven or eight locations.

Having rested enough, it was time for Chen Changsheng to get busy.

Yi Zuqian said, “Qingyuan Yun Manor and Lingyue Immortal Isle are on good terms. Hold my token for assistance.”

“Qingyuan Yun Manor…” Chen Changsheng muttered. “That’s unnecessary. I think I’ve crossed paths with them before.”

“Is that so?”

Yi Zuqian said, “Then I worried for nothing.”

It made sense; a cultivator like Chen Changsheng would have connections everywhere in the cultivation world.

Chen Changsheng smiled. “Not at all. Thank you for your kindness during this journey.”

By dawn, the sky skiff reached Qingyuan.

Qingyuan resembled a bustling mortal town but brimmed with cultivators. Many rogue cultivators lived here — some on mountains, some in stalls, turning any spot into a grotto-abode.

After disembarking, Chen Changsheng wandered Qingyuan.

Truly, this place was extraordinary.

Stores sold talismans and magical artifacts, while roadside stalls offered strange curiosities.

The cultivation world differed vastly from the mortal world, yet held similar charms.

Chen Changsheng decided not to rush hunting the evil spirit alone. He first needed lodging.

What was the name of that youth who visited Flowing Cloud Temple before?

Yun Li?

That seemed right.

Chen Changsheng asked a passerby for directions. Qingyuan Yun Manor wasn’t near the market but by a distant mountain.

Chen Changsheng doubled back and finally found its gate.

He expected a regular house but gasped. Qingyuan Yun Manor’s wealth was immense — the whole mountainside belonged to it, rivaling an immortal mountain sect.

Chen Changsheng looked at the manor’s plaque and knocked.

A servant in uniform answered.

Chen Changsheng spoke, “Please inform them a cultivator from Flowing Cloud Temple seeks an audience.”

“Flowing Cloud Temple?”

The servant frowned. “Do you have an invitation?”

“I do not.”

“Never heard of it. Go away.”

He slammed the door shut.

Chen Changsheng paused but took it calmly. Fancy manors were hard to enter.

“Oh well. I’ll manage later.”

Chen Changsheng turned to leave, planning to investigate alone.

…

Back inside, the servant bumped into the manor’s manager.

The manager asked, “Who was outside?”

The servant answered, “Just someone without a reputable teacher or invitation. I turned him away.”

“No invitation?” The manager pondered. “Where was he from?”

“He said Flowing Cloud Temple.”

“Flowing Cloud Temple…”

The manager mused, the name oddly familiar.

He suddenly stiffened. “Where is he now!?”

The servant panicked. Had he rejected someone important!

“Speak! Where!?” The manager yelled.

“Outside… but he might’ve left…”

The manager glared. “I’ll deal with you later!”

He dashed out.

The servant gaped, realizing his mistake.

The manager raced through the market streets after finding the gate empty.

He stopped upon spotting a man in blue robe.

“Honored sir!” “Honored sir!”

Chen Changsheng halted upon hearing shouts behind him.

The manager bowed. “Are you the cultivator from Flowing Cloud Temple?”

Chen Changsheng nodded. “I am. You are…”

The manager said respectfully, “I’m Yun Manor’s estate manager. We offended you by mistake. On behalf of the manor, I apologize. Please enter.”

Chen Changsheng sighed. “Really, you people…”

The manager said, “Forgive us. The servant didn’t recognize Flowing Cloud Temple’s name.”

“It’s fine.”

Chen Changsheng waved. “But I’ll skip the visit. I’m already out here.”

“No, no! You must come. Please.”

Chen Changsheng declined, but the manager pulled him back firmly.

Reluctantly, Chen Changsheng agreed.

Inside, the manager seated Chen Changsheng at the main hall’s center seat.

“Someone! Bring tea!”

“Rest here, honored sir. I’ll fetch our master.”

“Wait—”

Chen Changsheng tried stopping him, but the manager swiftly vanished.

He shook his head. “What a nuisance.”

Rebuffed earlier, then dragged back by apology.

A servant served tea. Chen Changsheng sipped quietly.

He felt gazes darting his way from all directions.

Servants whispered about the blue-robed stranger sitting at the manor’s heart.

“Who is he? Never seen him before.”

“Stop staring! If the manager returns, we’re scolded.”

“I won’t look.”

Soon, the manor master arrived.

“Honored master.” “Master…”

At the main hall, the master froze upon seeing the seated figure.

“Yun Li had no idea Mr. Chen visited! His welcome was late indeed. Forgive this offense!”