CHAPTER 413: CHAPTER 413: DAOIST MINGZHANG SOARS ON CLOUDS

The late-night feast lasted all night, and the next day, Lu Zheng spent half the day enjoying the snowy scenery with Shen Ying before returning to the county town after lunch.

On the way, he passed the Liu Family and found that only Liu Qingquan was at home, being pressed to study by Madam Liu, while Liu Qingyan had gone with her father to Renxin Hall early in the morning.

While consulting patients, she continued teaching Du Yueyao medical skills.

Having planned to visit the Five Beauties Manor in ten days, Lu Zheng carried some wine and tea leaves and headed up Shaotong Mountain to White Cloud Temple.

Daoist Yuting had already left, and Yuan Jing and Daoist Ming Jun had gone to Lin County to exorcise ghosts, leaving only Daoist Ming Zhang on the mountain.

"Tsk tsk, to have camaraderie with the Southern Border Great Demon, that’s impressive!"

The two sat in a pavilion on the hill behind White Cloud Temple, and Lu Zheng brewed tea and poured a cup for both himself and Daoist Ming Zhang.

Daoist Ming Zhang drank the hot tea, exhaling a white breath that transformed into a small cloud-covered white crane, circling the pavilion twice before slowly dissipating.

"I never expected Hu Zhou to have such an identity," Lu Zheng laughed.

"Luckily, that Tiger Demon isn’t one to kill indiscriminately, otherwise our little White Cloud Sub-temple would not be enough to serve him,"

Lu Zheng chuckled upon hearing this, "If Brother Hu were such a demon, Hu Zhou wouldn’t have been born."

"Indeed," Daoist Ming Zhang sipped the hot tea again, smacking his lips, "This tea has a light fragrance; is it from Lingnan Dao?"

"It’s a tea from the Hundred Thousand Mountains called Feixian Green, which I bought in Yongzhou."

"Good tea! Even among Southern Teas, few mortal teas can compare," Daoist Ming Zhang laughed, "You’re thoughtful!"

Lu Zheng smiled faintly and said lightly, "As long as it suits you, Master."

Traveling between two realms, modern wine was good, but the tea was strong in ancient times.

The Great Jing Dynasty already had the technique of frying tea leaves, possibly due to the favorable natural environment and a subtle Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. So although it’s all mortal tea leaves, the quality of ancient tea is far superior to modern tea.

Though unaware of those special tea supply available only in limited quantities each year, anyway, even the most expensive tea Lu Zheng purchased in the market couldn’t compare to ancient fragrant tea.

It’s a pity Lu Zheng didn’t enter the system; otherwise, just relying on this unique tea, he could probably connect with many big shots.

Thus, this excellent ancient tea, he only brought some home. The rest he enjoyed himself over here.

"You attended a wedding in the Southern Border, and your teacher benefited from it," Daoist Ming Zhang laughed.

Today, ascending the mountain, Lu Zheng brought besides good Southern tea, a packet of dried mushrooms, two exquisite jade tokens, and three rolls of beast hide.

"Gifts from Southern friends which I couldn’t use all," Lu Zheng laughed.

Daoist Ming Zhang laughed heartily, then while appreciating the snowy scenery, he examined Lu Zheng’s understanding of the Innate Cloud Transformation Qi Method Scripture and the Taiqing Crossing Profound Qi Cloud Secret Scripture’s cultivation.

...

"Not bad, not bad,"

Daoist Ming Zhang nodded repeatedly. At Lu Zheng’s current cultivation level, he’s already very skilled in Qi Technique cultivation and various usable Cloud Techniques.

"With your progress, you’ll soon be able to cultivate to the subsequent realms mentioned in the books. Plus, since you don’t listen to teachings every day at White Cloud Temple, let me explain it to you first."

"Yes!"

Then Daoist Ming Zhang explained the nuances of manipulation, transformation, and simultaneous application in the Cloud Techniques, followed by a discussion on various precautions for subsequent cultivation.

Of course, besides the White Cloud Swordsmanship and various spells in Cloud Walking Technique, there are also some methods like the White Cloud Hand Seal, Clouds and Rain, and Cloud Riding and Mist Driving.

Lu Zheng blinked, curious but didn’t interrupt, just listening intently while silently remembering.

Half a day passed, they drank tea and ate pastries, and dusk was approaching.

Daoist Ming Zhang stopped talking, "Hmm, it’s getting late, you should head back."

Lu Zheng helped tidy up the teapot and teacups, "I’ll accompany Master down the mountain."

Daoist Ming Zhang shook his head and smiled, "I’ll send you down the mountain."

"Eh?"

Lu Zheng was puzzled upon hearing this, ready to refuse when he felt his feet lighten.

A white cloud formed out of thin air and gathered into a mass, appearing under both himself and Daoist Ming Zhang’s feet.

In the next moment, the white cloud lifted them both up, floated out of the pavilion, and started slowly flying down the mountain.

Cloud Riding and Mist Driving!

"Master! You can fly?" Lu Zheng asked in surprise.

Daoist Ming Zhang waved his hand, his tone light, "Just a more convenient way to travel, not worth mentioning."

Lu Zheng, "..."

In no time, Daoist Ming Zhang had taken Lu Zheng to land at the foot of Shaotong Mountain, not far from the main road.

"Alright, I won’t see you off any further, head back to the town soon."

"Yes, Master."

Lu Zheng bowed in farewell to Daoist Ming Zhang, who nodded, then the cloud under his feet rose again and flew back up the mountain.

Free and effortlessly, flying with elegance, truly enviable.

"Whoa! I’m jealous... Work hard! Diligence! Go for it!"

Lu Zheng clenched his fist, encouraging himself, "Jade Seal, upgrade!"

"Buzz!"

"After all, I can draw worldly luck from the Heavenly Dao, give it some power! Once the cooldown ends, we’ll upgrade, striving to fly next year!"

Jade Seal, "..."

...

Returning to Tonglin County, Lu Zheng crossed over to his modern rented apartment, donned new clothes, and returned to his spacious condominium.

Speaking of which, he and Liu Qingyan were out for almost a month, but it wasn’t like they’d utterly vanished.

Earlier, they traveled close to the Southern Border, naturally not taking steps away, hence the difficulty in crossing realms.

But once at Dingfeng Mountain, after Liu Qingyan toured around with Wang Yuzhi, Lu Zheng had moments to sneak back to the modern realm.

Had phone calls with his parents, accompanied Lin Wan shopping, ate lunch, and even managed to have a cozy weekend.

Time was well balanced, with nothing delayed on either side.

Thus, to Lin Wan, Lu Zheng merely resumed his irregular daily routine, without long-term absence.

Opening the door, Lin Wan peered out from the gym upon hearing movement.

"You’re back!" Lin Wan’s eyes lit up, and she welcomed him.

With a single ponytail, wearing a crop top exposing her midriff, and tight-fitting shorts, her feet in running shoes.

Evidently, Lin Wan was exercising in her home’s gym.

"Back." Lu Zheng nodded, removing his coat and hanging it on the rack.

"Have you eaten?" Lin Wan asked.

"Not eaten." Lu Zheng shook his head.

"Should I make you a bowl of noodles?" Lin Wan asked.

"Don’t want to," Lu Zheng shook his head, "Not in the mood for noodles."

"What do you want to eat then?" Lin Wan blinked, "There’s some sauce you made in the fridge, the noodles are convenient and tasty."

Lu Zheng kicked off his shoes, embraced Lin Wan, and stepped back into the gym, "I want to eat you."

"Ah!"

"No, I’m all sweaty!"

"Let me rinse off first, really, just two minutes, ah—"