Boom, the entire audience was once again swept by excitement—no one had expected that a fellow whose clothes were somewhat tattered just moments earlier would donate two hundred thousand, and this young man in very modest attire would donate a million.

Lin Chen continued speaking, "On my way here, I saw that the local elementary school is still made of thatch. I hope the money we donate can be used to build better classrooms and playgrounds for the school here."

Secretary Wang was overjoyed, Tianrou County is a poverty-stricken county, especially a few schools in the mountains, where the transportation is inconvenient, classrooms are crude, and rainwater even seeps down from above when it rains.

Secretary Wang grasped the hands of Lin Chen and the young Taoist with a smile, "Thank you both, I represent the people of Tianrou to express our gratitude."

After completing the donation procedures, when quite a few reporters were blocking the exit ready to interview them, it turned out that after a long wait, neither of them came out. Later, it was discovered that the hallway window was open; the two had actually jumped out from the second-floor window and fled.

"My name is Sun Ye, representing Huannan's Tianshan Taoist Temple to participate in the Battle of Spiritual Spring," the young Taoist said cheerfully.

"My name is Lin Chen, and I am a representative from the Capital City," Lin Chen also responded with a smile.

Though the two had just met, they got along splendidly.

After meeting up with Zhao Xiaohua and Tang Bao'er, the four of them bought tickets for the scenic area and headed toward Lingxiao Temple.

The front mountain area had been developed into a scenic spot, and following the landmarks provided by the organizers, they quickly reached the back mountain.

The back mountain was different from the front, with towering stone formations and no paths to traverse.

If it were an ordinary person, crossing the mountains in this strange stone forest would be impossible.

However, the steep cliffs couldn't stop the group's advance.

Moving agilely between the rocks, Lin Chen and the others traversed the approximately two to three-kilometer distance until a stone path finally appeared ahead.

Just as they reached the mountain gate, they were stopped by two Taoists.

After checking their tokens, the Taoists let them pass through the mountain gate.

Lin Chen had just walked a few steps when he heard a middle-aged man dressed in a Taoist robe approaching from not far away.

Seeing Lin Chen, the elder Taoist bowed and asked with a smile, "May I ask if you are Mr. Lin Chen?"

Lin Chen nodded.

The elder Taoist said with a smile, "Mr. Lin, there's an important figure who wishes to meet you."

"What important figure wants to see me?" Lin Chen paused for a moment, but still followed the elder Taoist toward another mountain gate with the others.

"Please wait at the entrance for a moment, the Venerable Xu Kong has only invited Lin Chen," said the Taoist with a smile.

"What, the Venerable Xu Kong of Kunlun has also come?" Sun Ye exclaimed in surprise.

Lin Chen nodded to the three and followed the elder Taoist into a Taoist temple.

"Venerable Xu Kong, Lin Chen has been brought here," the Taoist reported respectfully to the inside.

"Let him in!" a voice like a great bell rang out from within.

Lin Chen entered the meditation chamber, where an elderly Taoist with slightly closed eyes was sitting on a cushion.

At the sound of Lin Chen's footsteps, Venerable Xu Kong's closed eyes suddenly opened.

He saw Lin Chen and showed a surprised expression, "So many years have passed, and yet you still look the same."

Lin Chen was speechless, having heard such remarks all too often.

"Venerable Xu Kong, may I know why you have summoned me?" Lin Chen asked.

After observing Lin Chen for a while, Venerable Xu Kong said indifferently, "Good, good, to reach the Innate Realm so quickly. Lin Chen, I called you here this time to ask you to agree to do something for me."

Lin Chen was stunned for a moment, "With Taoist Xukong's incredible reach and influence, does he really need to ask for my help?"

Taoist Xukong gave a wry smile, "This is something probably only you can do."

"Only I can do it?" Lin Chen was even more puzzled.

Taoist Xukong continued, "I have traveled thousands of miles from Kunlun because I hope you could become the Sect Leader of Kunlun."

"What!" Lin Chen was stunned by Taoist Xukong's words.

He had so many dear wives, and being a Taoist with a bulbous nose, reciting scriptures and eating vegetarian meals all day, was naturally not what Lin Chen was willing to do.

"Taoist Xukong, I'm poorly learned and hardly qualified; please choose someone else," Lin Chen quickly waved his hands and said.

Taoist Xukong smiled, "I believe you are the best candidate, no one can replace you."

"That, I'm truly not suitable, but if you can reveal something about my origins, I might consider it," Lin Chen blinked and suggested.

His origins had always been a mystery, and Taoist Xukong was surely one of the oldest and most cunning figures in Huaxia and certainly knew something about Lin Chen's past.

Listening to Lin Chen's words, Taoist Xukong suddenly burst into laughter, "You're trying to get information out of me without even agreeing to my condition? I can't tell you about your affairs, but if you enter the Tower of Prophecy, perhaps you can discover the truth about your origins."

"Taoist, I appreciate your kind intentions, but I have a girlfriend outside, and I'm planning to get married and have children; I really can't cultivate the Tao," Lin Chen shook his head firmly.

Taoist Xukong suddenly laughed loudly, "You can get married, you can have children, and it doesn't even matter if you have several women outside; as long as you're willing to accept my inheritance, none of these are problems."

Lin Chen listened and was utterly flabbergasted. Getting married, having children, and even fooling around with other women, was this still the life of a Taoist?

"Taoist, this is coming at me too suddenly, I think I need to consider this," Lin Chen gave an awkward smile.

Taoist Xukong nodded, "Alright, I'll wait for your response."

Lin Chen rose from the cushion, said goodbye to Taoist Xukong, and turned to leave.

Just as Lin Chen's figure had barely walked out of the great hall, a slight disturbance came from the inner gates.

"Mu Zi, no need to hide, come out!" Taoist Xukong said indifferently.

The door was pushed open, and a figure walked out from the inner gates.

"Master!" Mu Zi greeted Taoist Xukong with a fist salute.

Taoist Xukong nodded, his murky old eyes staring intently at Mu Zi.

"Do you feel resentful, perhaps even hate your master?" Taoist Xukong asked indifferently.

Mu Ziyu quickly shook his head, "Master, I respect all your decisions; I don't hate you."

Taoist Xukong smiled lightly, "I have seen the answer in your eyes, Mu Zi. I'm doing this for the future of Kunlun. Although your strength is also very strong, you are unable to help Kunlun withstand that shocking catastrophe. In the future, you will understand my intentions."

Mu Ziyu nodded, "I've said I will respect all the decisions of the master; I don't hate."

Taoist Xukong nodded, "If that's the case, then it's good."

"Master, then your disciple will take leave now to participate in the Spiritual Spring battle," Mu Ziyu said to Taoist Xukong, bowing.

"Alright, Mu Zi, try to get along with Lin Chen as much as possible in the Spiritual Spring, understand?"

Mu Ziyu nodded, "Don't worry, master, Mu Zi will remember."

After leaving the great hall, Mu Ziyu took a deep breath, yet his eyes flashed with a cold gleam.

"I, Mu Ziyu, have been practicing day and night for the chance to one day become the Sect Leader. How could I possibly just give it up? Lin Chen, since you compete with me for the position of Sect Leader, don't blame me for being ruthless."