My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion

Qin Qingluo took the talisman, her fingertips touching the cool paper, feeling the gentle spiritual energy contained within, her expression softened slightly, and she nodded slightly.

With Chen Yi around, there’s no need to worry about this woman playing tricks.

Chen Yi also casually took it, his gaze sweeping over the talisman, then glanced at Yin Weiyin, saying nothing.

The moment the talisman was worn, its effect was immediate.

It was as if an invisible barrier formed around them, causing the previously bustling crowd to naturally and unknowingly steer clear, always maintaining the perfect distance, neither hindering their progress nor breaking the rare tranquility they had acquired.

Qin Yue rubbed her sleepy eyes, curiously observing the bustling crowd, towering trees, and the solemn Daoist temple buildings around her, her little face full of wonder.

Chen Yi raised his head, his gaze crossing over the crowd, looking towards the top of the Daoist temple’s main entrance.

There hung an ancient plaque, inscribed with three large characters in a vigorous script:

Qingming Temple.

Beyond the mountain gate, stone steps wind upwards, stretching into the verdant forest. Because it’s Cold Clothes Festival, there are many incense customers, and the stone steps are crowded, but due to the effect of the Dust Avoidance and Quiet Talisman, Chen Yi and his group were surrounded by quite a bit of tranquility, allowing them to proceed smoothly.

Along the way, ancient trees towered over them, and although it was late autumn, many trees still stubbornly retained some greenery, interspersed with large swathes of fiery red leaves and gold-like ginkgoes. The autumn wind swept over the treetops, rustling down scattered leaves.

From afar came the faint sound of temple bells, graceful and serene amidst the bustling voices, adding a touch of transcendence.

Seeing the long stone steps, Chen Yi leaned down to gently pick up the curious Qin Yue in his arm, letting her sit in his embrace. The little one seemed to enjoy this height, her view widened, her big dark eyes busy observing everywhere, her small fingers pointing around, making childish "yaya" sounds.

They slowly moved forward, Qin Qingluo following closely behind, her posture upright, walking with dignity, her gaze calmly surveying the mountain scenery as if scrutinizing the environment of Qingming Temple, but her eyes unconsciously glancing at the father and daughter ahead.

Yin Weiyin followed not too closely nor too far behind, clearly observing the scene of what seemed like a family of three ahead.

Chen Yi’s composure, Qin Yue’s joy, and Qin Qingluo’s seemingly indifferent yet somewhat lingering gaze...

She remained expressionless, only her fingers gripping the horsetail whisk slightly tighter, silently reciting the Supreme Forget Emotion Technique.

The mountain wind stirred, fluttering her modest Daoist robe sleeves.

Soon, they reached the mountain-top temple, Qin Qingluo showed the token to the gatekeeper servant, who called for a Daoist child to come out from the gate to guide them into the temple’s back courtyard through a small door. The noise of voices considerably diminished.

Yin Weiyin casually surveyed the temple scenery, though not a Cave Heaven Blessed Land, it was indeed picturesque. She certainly hadn’t forgotten that this trip was under the pretense of blessing their family of three, and now she pinched her fingers to divinate, waved her horsetail whisk, and began setting up the ritual.

These actions in Qin Qingluo’s eyes made the Princess raise her eyebrows. Previously, she agreed to let this female crown accompany them as a veiled warning, but she didn’t expect her to be so diligent, which made it hard for Qin Qingluo to maintain hostility.

Yin Weiyin’s ritual setup was smooth and fluid, carrying a mystical rhythm, and indeed had an aura of having attained the Way as an Immortal. Qin Qingluo observed, her expression still calm, but the scrutinizing look in her eyes diminished somewhat.

At this moment, Chen Yi put down Qin Yue, warmly saying, "Yue’er, walk slowly, don’t fall."

The little one, feet touching the ground, acted like a bird out of a cage, already captivated by the novelties within the temple.

She first curiously watched Yin Weiyin waving the horsetail whisk, then her gaze was drawn to the slightly open door of a majestic hall not far away. That hall was filled with swirling incense smoke, faintly visible inside were solemn statues and flickering candle flames, holding a great attraction for the child.

"Daddy, look! It’s bright inside!" Qin Yue exclaimed excitedly, and before Chen Yi could respond, she started running eagerly towards the hall.

Her small form was quick, darting past the blue stone path in the yard as incense customers moved in and out of the hall entrance, she slipped inside in a flash, quickly disappearing into the slightly dim light and swirling smoke within.

"Yue’er."

The Three Pure Ones Hall was crowded, with numerous candles, and Chen Yi worried his daughter might bump into something, so he quickly chased after her, his figure following closely into the solemn hall entrance.

The hall was spacious, but packed at the moment, with the faithful brushing shoulders as they bowed in prayer or gazed up at the statues, the incense smoke swirling, candlelight flickering, creating shifting shadows that added to the crowded chaos.

Chen Yi’s gaze swept around urgently, trying to catch that small figure.

However, the crowd seemed to intentionally or unintentionally become denser, with incense customers constantly crossing in front of him, obstructing his view. The direction in which Qin Yue had run was now submerged in heavy shadows of people, and the little one’s figure vanished like a stone thrown into the sea.

A hint of doubt rose in Chen Yi’s heart.

This level of crowding seemed somewhat unusual, as if an invisible force was stirring the crowd, hindering his search.

His gaze narrowed slightly, hesitating no longer, as a spark of golden emanation suddenly lit up deep within his eyes and swiftly spread outwards.

In an instant, the swirling smoke, jostling heads, and flickering candlelight — these mundane obstructions seemed to turn transparent, with their movements clearly discernible.

Chaotic and noisy human presence, the sincere power of faith, the faint spiritual power contained within the incense... all sorts of auras intertwined, yet could no longer block his sight.

His gaze pierced through layers of obstacles like a sharp sword, swiftly scanning every corner of the hall.

Finally, in the perspective of the Heavenly Eye, he locked onto the side of the tribute incense table under the towering statue of the Three Pure Ones.

Chen Yi moved his body, casually threading through seemingly impenetrable gaps in the human walls, and reached there within a few steps.

Qin Yue was standing there, her small body looking up, curiously gazing at the solemn Three Pure Ones statue, seemingly fascinated by the grand scene, temporarily forgetting to run off.

However, she wasn’t alone in front of her.

A man dressed in a gray-blue scholarly robe, wearing a square kerchief, was facing away from Chen Yi, slightly bowed, seemingly observing the statue as well. Then he lowered his head and looked at Qin Yue with gentle eyes.

To ordinary people, this person’s presence might not seem out of the ordinary, but in Chen Yi’s Heavenly Eye, his surroundings were enveloped in a layer of incense aura different from that inside, yet more pure and dense, swirling and interchanging.

Chen Yi’s gaze deepened, approaching silently.

As he neared, the scholarly-robed man seemed to notice his approach and suddenly looked back.

Chen Yi raised his eyebrows, narrowing his gaze deeper.

He walked close to Qin Yue and gently picked up the little one. Qin Yue exclaimed in surprise, then relaxed upon realizing it was her father, wrapping her arms around Chen Yi’s neck. Chen Yi patted her back, speaking out:

"Why did you run off?"

"Run, run... Yue’er didn’t run off, just looking, looking here."

Qin Yue pointed to the dignified Three Pure Ones statue and exclaimed, "Wow, so big, let’s take it home."

"This can’t be taken home." Chen Yi patted his daughter’s back, while his eyes once again glanced at the scholarly-robed man.

The latter slowly smiled and unexpectedly spoke, asking, "Is this your daughter?"

Upon hearing the abrupt question from the scholarly-robed man, Chen Yi’s caution heightened further. This man’s aura was odd, neither like a Taoist nor like those attracted by incense. His presence near Qin Yue was already suspicious, and now he took the initiative to speak, which couldn’t help but make Chen Yi wary.

He remained stoically composed, merely holding Qin Yue tighter as an acknowledgment, then he sharply looked at the man and countered:

"Indeed. May I ask who you are?"

The scholarly-robed man heard this, still wearing a gentle yet somewhat distant smile, as if he had anticipated Chen Yi’s question. He didn’t directly answer, instead slowly straightening his body, his gaze seemingly bypassing Chen Yi, looking toward the Three Pure Ones statue enveloped in swirling smoke, and as if gazing further past the hall to even more distant places.

After a brief silence, he withdrew his gaze, resting it back on Chen Yi, speaking with a voice calm yet bearing the ancient rhythm of time, slowly uttering a word:

"Qi."