Chapter 65: The Earthly Immortal Daoist

Walking briskly, he soon reached the mountainside. Glancing around, he searched for the familiar path and followed it. Before long, he arrived near Bai Zhi’s cave. Suddenly, something caught his eye. The yellow jade on his wrist flickered, and he couldn't help but feel delighted as he looked around. From the cave darted a white figure, quickly approaching Liu Ping.

He was about to pick up the white fox, but it abruptly transformed into a young girl, about nine or ten years old—no longer a child. In just a few days, Bai Zhi had grown so much? Barely had she taken human form before she flung herself into Liu Ping's arms.

Liu Ping gently rubbed Bai Zhi’s head, inhaling her fragrance, about to speak—but she was quicker.

Bai Zhi, brimming with excitement, said, “I was just about to go see you, but you came to find me instead! What a wonderful surprise!”

Liu Ping replied, “I came here almost unconsciously, but didn’t expect you’d return just now. You’ve surprised me as well.”

Bai Zhi giggled, snuggling deeper into Liu Ping’s embrace.

This was pure affection. Liu Ping, indulgent, let her act as she pleased and asked, “Why do you seem to have grown so much?”

Bai Zhi lifted her head without answering, instead asking, “Am I beautiful?”

Liu Ping looked closely. Though her face was still youthful, her features already hinted at extraordinary beauty—delicate, bright autumn eyes, lively and spirited, a slightly upturned nose, and lips soft and inviting. She was the budding image of a future beauty.

“Adorable, indeed,” Liu Ping replied mischievously, deliberately offering an answer Bai Zhi didn’t want to hear.

“Beautiful! Pretty!” Bai Zhi protested, her tone half-angry and half-playful. Suddenly, she raised her voice, “You’re so bad, teasing me like this!”

“Alright, alright—beautiful, very beautiful, satisfied now?” Liu Ping relented, seeing her pouty expression.

“That’s too perfunctory!”

Liu Ping was speechless. When did this little girl become so difficult?

“Let me ask again—why have you changed so much?” He quickly steered the conversation back.

Bai Zhi smiled with pride. “Because I’ve passed the Yang Fire tribulation and taken a few steps forward. I’m now half a demon general—just a bit more and I’ll be a full demon general. At this stage, I can control my growth.”

“Half a demon general already? Impressive,” Liu Ping said with admiration.

“Of course! Who am I, after all? You’d better work hard, too, or you’ll fall behind!” she boasted. Suddenly, as if sensing something, Bai Zhi looked puzzled. “Wait—why can’t I sense your realm anymore?”

Liu Ping explained, “Because I’m now a Human Immortal. I’ve concealed my aura, so you can’t detect it.”

Bai Zhi stared in astonishment. “What?! You’re already a Human Immortal?!”

“Yes…”

Bai Zhi’s face fell. “Human Immortal and demon general are equivalent. How are you so amazing? You started cultivating after me, but now you’ve surpassed me. Granny Hu always said I was a once-in-a-century talent—she must have been fibbing.”

Liu Ping was about to comfort her, but her expression changed. She no longer looked disappointed, but suddenly smiled radiantly. “You’re incredible!”

Liu Ping was taken aback. “Aren’t you upset?”

“Why should I be? I’m happy for you! Just now I was a little disappointed, but now I’m thrilled—it’s a different feeling,” Bai Zhi replied, her clever eyes sparkling.

Liu Ping nodded. “That’s the right attitude.”

He was about to practice swordsmanship and inscribing talismans, but a thought struck him. “By the way, can you invite any demon generals or even demon chiefs to help?”

If reinforcements could be gathered, that evil spirit would be nothing. Insisting on facing it alone would only endanger himself and Wang Hong—it would be foolish.

Bai Zhi looked puzzled. “What do you need them for?”

Liu Ping explained the situation. The more Bai Zhi heard, the more shocked she became. “That evil spirit has probably become demonic… From your description, she should be at the peak of the demon general realm.”

Liu Ping was surprised. “Peak demon general? That’s the peak of Human Immortal, too. No wonder I felt threatened by her.”

Bai Zhi nodded. “To absorb fortune so ruthlessly, to cultivate herself—she’s probably aiming to become a demon chief.”

Liu Ping asked, “Can you bring any helpers?”

Bai Zhi shook her head. “If Granny Hu, at the demon chief level, intervened, she could easily crush it. But acting in the mortal world risks being discovered by the authorities and heavenly court, with dire consequences. If it causes a bad influence, the next heavenly tribulation would be even harsher. I doubt Granny Hu would agree.”

Liu Ping was disappointed. “Is that so?”

Bai Zhi nodded. “But don’t be discouraged. I heard Granny Hu mention that there’s a great master in Qinxian County who once saved her.”

Monsters live long lives. Anyone who rescued Granny Hu and is still alive must at least be at the Earth Immortal level.

Liu Ping brightened. “What’s his name? Where does he live?”

※※※※※※

To the west of the city lies Little Li Village. North of it stands a small Daoist temple, occupying only two acres, but behind it stretches fifteen acres of land planted with mulberry trees, their tender buds just sprouting in the spring.

Bai Zhi, now a tiny white fox, clung tightly to Liu Ping’s chest as he strode forward, arriving at the temple.

The temple boy was a young lad, dazed and dull, with snot hanging beneath his nose. He wiped it away without concern, even rubbing it on the seat of his pants. Upon seeing Liu Ping, he was startled, quickly approaching and asking, “Sir, what brings you here? Are you here to offer incense? Please, come in! We serve tea.”

Though the boy looked simple-minded, his manner was sharp—a striking contrast. Liu Ping smiled. “No, I’ve come to see the master of the temple.”

The boy paused, then shook his head. “Master isn’t in.”

“When will the master return?” Liu Ping asked.

“I don’t know. He’s gone up the mountain to gather herbs. Usually, he’ll be back in an hour or two, but sometimes not until dusk,” the boy replied.

“I’ll wait then,” Liu Ping decided.

“Then please offer incense first,” the boy suggested.

Liu Ping laughed. “Alright.” The boy was indeed clever—in this world, offering incense meant buying it, though the price was low, usually three copper coins. Compared to the wealthy monks of his previous life, these Daoists seemed much more refined.

Inside, the temple enshrined the local mountain god, whose face was hideous and fierce, yet imposing.

Liu Ping couldn’t help but feel uneasy. The temple master was an Earth Immortal, much more powerful than this small mountain god, yet their statuses were reversed—it was baffling. Still, the restraints of the divine path meant that cultivators often avoided becoming gods. But why didn’t he enshrine the Three Daoist Lords?

After offering incense and leaving a bit of silver, the temple boy’s face lit up with joy, becoming much more attentive and promptly serving tea. Liu Ping asked a few questions, and the boy answered everything candidly.

Originally, the temple honored the Daoist Lords, but due to a lack of worshippers, they switched to the mountain god. Upon learning this, Liu Ping’s expression was complex.

Afterward, he mused silently—perhaps the boy had no idea how powerful his master truly was.

After waiting an hour, the temple master finally returned.

Liu Ping quickly stood and walked outside, only to see an old Daoist with an immortal air—white hair, youthful face—approaching.