CHAPTER 555: 217 ZI BU YU: STRANGE POWERS AND GODS_3

Looking back at Liu Runxi’s grades since childhood, she was always second place.

She didn’t believe Liu Runxi lacked the ability to come in first.

His smartest trait was controlling his own intelligence.

People only remember the first person to land on the moon. What about the second?

Similarly, the everlasting second place—the spotlight is always drawn away by the one who came first.

She didn’t know whether Liu Runxi was too foolish or too wise.

Compared to fools who think themselves clever, she preferred interacting with truly intelligent people.

Arriving at the foot of Qingxia Mountain, there were plenty of visitors, all drawn here by its reputation.

Qingxia Mountain after the snow—that is truly a spectacle of earthly beauty.

Sun Wei went to retrieve the tickets; the group had their tickets checked and entered the scenic area, beginning the hike up the mountain.

Liu Runxi walked ahead, never once looking back.

Yu Ruohuan grew up in the Yu family, but she wasn’t some delicate young lady who couldn’t carry a load. This mountain trail didn’t faze her.

It was Jing Zhan, on the other hand, who ran out of stamina not long into the climb, clutching the railing and gasping heavily.

"Runxi-ge, wait for me!"

The youth stretched his long legs, effortlessly crossing two steps in a single stride, his slender figure disappearing into the mountain mist, exuding a certain ethereal grace.

Yu Ruohuan climbed swiftly, soon leaving Jing Zhan and Jing Huan far behind.

The three bodyguards were absolutely vigilant, refusing to leave their master’s side.

Two hours later, Liu Runxi arrived at a pavilion halfway up the mountain. Looking down from here, clouds and mist shrouded the scene, resembling a dreamlike fairyland.

Yu Ruohuan walked up to him. "Not bad stamina—climbing for so long without showing a trace of fatigue."

She spoke while catching her breath, a thin layer of sweat glistening on her forehead.

In contrast, Liu Runxi appeared entirely refreshed.

"If you can’t keep going, you can take the cable car."

He took out his phone and aimed it toward the distant clouds and mist, snapping a photo.

"Want me to take one for you?"

Putting his phone away, Liu Runxi turned and continued climbing.

Yu Ruohuan raised an eyebrow and followed closely behind him.

It took another two hours to reach the summit, where clusters of Taoist temples came into view.

The snow-clear skies revealed swirling mists, while the golden rooftops of the temples sparkled in the sunlight. It was a breathtaking scene, resembling a divine realm between the sea and the sky.

Yu Ruohuan gazed at the summit’s beauty and nodded in satisfaction.

Spending four hours to climb the mountain—this scenery justified the effort. It was worth it.

The centerpiece of the temple complex was the magnificent Daoist Building, which housed statues of the Taoist Three Pure Ones surrounded by colorful murals, all steeped in a strong Taoist atmosphere.

Inside, Liu Runxi respectfully knelt and bowed. Not far off in a side hall stood a long table, where an elderly Taoist in a worn robe, with coiled hair and a long beard, looked every bit the part of an immortal sage.

A steady stream of people came to ask for divinations. Afterward, the Taoist tirelessly explained their meanings, mostly offering auspicious words to give a sense of peace, sending them away beaming with joy.

Yu Ruohuan shook her head—she never believed in any of this.

"A charlatan," she muttered.

Unexpectedly, a passing junior Taoist overheard and frowned, speaking up: "How can you speak recklessly in the presence of the Master Ancestor?"

Yu Ruohuan curled her lips. "Confucius said not to talk about ghosts, spirits, and the supernatural."

"You are mistaken," the young Taoist replied earnestly. "While the Saint indeed said not to discuss such matters, don’t forget the next line: ’Respect the ghosts and spirits but keep your distance.’ A gentleman focuses on righteous thoughts. If you don’t let upright principles guide you and instead venerate spirits, you will eventually be controlled by them."

From behind the long table, the elder Taoist stroked his beard and spoke leisurely.

The pilgrims within the hall all turned disapproving gazes toward Yu Ruohuan.

If you don’t believe in spirits, why come to worship?

Liu Runxi placed his right hand over his left, bent at the waist, and offered a bow.

Elegantly refined, he embodied the demeanor of a true gentleman, warm and pure as jade.

"Mr. Zhang, my friend is ignorant and doesn’t understand proper etiquette. She has offended you. I offer my sincerest apologies on her behalf and beg for your forgiveness."

Mr. Zhang squinted as he studied Liu Runxi, his gaze lingering on the youth’s hand gesture.

"Every visitor who comes to see me makes the same mistake. No one does it correctly. The hearts of people today are simply too restless."

Liu Runxi spoke with reverence: "The Tao Te Ching says, ’A gentleman favors the left; soldiers, the right.’ Using soldiers is inauspicious."

Yu Ruohuan looked at Liu Runxi. The young man stood calmly, radiating serenity, his presence faintly luminous—so dazzling.

A gentleman shines without competing, well-learned and understanding.

He was the epitome of a true gentleman.

Mr. Zhang squinted, studying him for a while, then suddenly laughed.

"I examined your face. Your ears are high-set, your brows sharp like swords, your lips full and well-formed—a face of extraordinary fortune. Your forehead is round and your jaw square, indicating noble destiny—a life of immense wealth and happiness without worries."

Yu Ruohuan gave Liu Runxi a complicated look.

The elder Taoist stroked his beard again, deliberately adding an air of mystery. "But... alas, alas..."

Yu Ruohuan immediately pressed him: "Alas for what?"

The elder Taoist let out a cold snort. "Confucius said not to talk about ghosts, spirits, and the supernatural."