Courtyard house, inside the courtyard.

Chu Xingchen had just returned not long ago when someone came to visit, and even Li Xingtian hadn't returned yet at this time.

Li Yingling was also not in the courtyard house at the moment; she was probably still wrapping things up with Li Xingtian.

If they were to return, they would likely come back together.

"Did you arrange these matters?"

Yaoqin sat on a stone chair, sipping tea brewed by Chu Xingchen himself.

Chu Xingchen remained expressionless, "Which one are you referring to?"

Yaoqin put down the teacup, her expression serious, "The Qingfeng Sect."

Chu Xingchen sighed, "Originally, yes, but after looking into it, I realized there's no need to be deliberate. The Qingfeng Sect probably won't last much longer."

Seeing that Blood Qi Spirit Stone, Chu Xingchen understood.

The Qingfeng Sect was likely just a main course on the Evil Cultivators' table.

However, this main course had thorns—a Nascent Soul stage Grand Elder.

This forced the group of Evil Cultivators to plot slowly.

Chu Xingchen asked, "Did Zhao Wanqing show you the Blood Qi Spirit Stone she brought back?"

"I saw it," Yaoqin's expression turned serious, "We've already reported it to Central State, and someone should come to handle it in about half a month."

"This matter is too dangerous. You shouldn't get involved for now; wait for the people from Central State to handle it."

Hearing this, Chu Xingchen couldn't help but chuckle softly, saying nothing in response.

Yaoqin held her teacup, "I've also told Zhao Wanqing to stop. Her brother has passed the critical stage, and it's only a matter of time before he wakes up."

Chu Xingchen sighed, seemingly losing interest, "I understand."

Yaoqin nodded gently at the response, then looked up at the azure sky.

She said nothing, holding her teacup.

Chu Xingchen gave Yaoqin a curious glance.

She usually had the habit of leaving after speaking, so why was she quietly sitting here today, looking at the sky?

After a moment of thought, Chu Xingchen suddenly realized, "Are you craving my cooking?"

Yaoqin glanced sideways but remained silent.

She did have a bit of a craving, but that wasn't her main reason for coming here.

Yaoqin unconsciously rotated the teacup in her hand, "Are you free tonight?"

Chu Xingchen propped his head with his hand, "Tonight? I'll be free later; I promised my disciple to go to the temple fair together tonight."

"Then it's nothing."

Having received an answer, Yaoqin stood up and turned to leave.

At the door, she turned back, reminding him worriedly, "I'll pay you for Zhao Wanqing's Spirit Stone, so don't get involved in this matter anymore."

After all, when Chu Xingchen was poor, he did countless dangerous things for Spirit Stones.

If he thought there was profit to be made, who knows if he'd go off again.

The previously listless Chu Xingchen instantly perked up at her words, unable to hide his delight, "Alright! Rich lady, I promise I won't get involved."

Yaoqin frowned at his words, displeased, "What rich lady? That's so unpleasant! Don't call me that!"

Chu Xingchen argued, "What's unpleasant? Back in my hometown, everyone loves rich ladies like you, who are beautiful and generous."

"I don't care, I don't like it! Don't call me that!"

Yaoqin shot Chu Xingchen a cold glare, then turned and left with a huff.

With Yaoqin's departure, the courtyard returned to silence.

Chu Xingchen looked down at the teacup before him and suddenly drank it all in one go.

Though the situation had taken an unexpected turn, it was still within control.

"Master! I'm back~"

The door was pushed open excitedly by Li Yingling, who ran in with a shovel in hand, beaming with joy.

Li Yingling boasted, "Mission accomplished!"

Li Xingtian followed closely behind her, "Master, everything went smoothly."

Chu Xingchen applauded enthusiastically, praising, "Excellent! As expected of my beloved disciples!"

Li Yingling proudly raised her little head at his words.

After praising them, Chu Xingchen added, "But let's put those preparations on hold for now; we'll meet at the temple fair tonight!"

Li Yingling quickly asked, "Did something happen?"

Chu Xingchen shrugged, "It seems something big is going on; Yaoqin told us not to get involved."

Li Yingling sighed at the news; was all their effort for nothing?

Oh well, having Master accompany her to the temple fair wasn't bad either.

Li Xingtian nodded indifferently.

Chu Xingchen nodded in satisfaction, "Good! The sect's first team-building event is about to begin!"

——————

The temple fair was a sort of prelude to the Lantern Festival.

The venue was at the largest temple in Yuzhou City—Chanlin Temple.

To be honest, the Lantern Festival initially had little to do with temples.

At first, there wasn't even a temple fair.

After all, the Lantern Festival involves writing wishes on lanterns and letting them float down the Yuzhou River, symbolizing smooth sailing for one's wishes.

As for the wishes on the lanterns, they were nothing more than promotions, wealth, and finding a partner.

Simple and unpretentious.

But why there was a temple fair is a story of how Chanlin Temple became the top temple in Yuzhou City.

In this world, since the path of immortality clearly exists, most faith is the hope of ordinary people who cannot cultivate.

And the number of believers is just average, not many.

Which cultivator doesn't believe in "my fate is in my hands, not the heavens"?

So unlike in Chu Xingchen's previous world, where monks were exempt from taxes, here, without the bonus of faith, monks also had to pay taxes!

First, monks are people, and second, they need to eat, and eating costs money.

Building golden statues of Buddha also costs money.

Relying solely on the incense offerings from believers would only provide a meager living.

To build golden statues for Buddha and Bodhisattva was purely a dream.

As it turns out, when monks are driven to poverty, they can abandon their teachings.

The monks of Chanlin set their sights on the most popular festival in Yuzhou City—the Lantern Festival.

The original intent of lanterns is to make wishes, but wishes don't necessarily have to be made with lanterns!

Buddha works too! Spending money on lanterns is one way, offering incense is another!

Moreover, the cost of a stick of incense is much cheaper than a lantern.

In any world, there are always more poor people.

There are always those who can't afford lanterns to make wishes, but the much cheaper incense becomes an alternative.

Since then, even Buddha, who teaches people to abandon greed, began to bless people with wealth.

Moreover, there were experts among the Chanlin monks.

They specifically widened the road outside the temple and rented it to vendors, collecting venue rental fees.

As long as they didn't bring grilled skewers into the temple, Buddha could tolerate anything, attracting many vendors.

They even understood hunger marketing, only holding the event for a few days before the Lantern Festival, never more, to maintain interest.

Chanlin Temple thus made a fortune by hitching a ride on the Lantern Festival.

Buddha's golden statue grew larger and larger.