Tian Yuan

Chapter 2196: Chatting over Tea, See You Again

Chen Qingyuan said: "That's not necessary."

"You are a guest when you enter, and this is the way it should be."

After saying that, the little Taoist boy turned around and went to prepare.

After sitting down, Chen Qingyuan and An Xiruo carefully looked at the surrounding environment, their hearts gradually filled with waves, and their thoughts spread to the vicissitudes of the past.

Da da da!

The little Taoist boy came slowly over, carrying a pot of hot tea. He poured two cups of tea and bowed, saying, "We are in the mountains, so we can only offer you simple tea. I hope you two laymen will not mind."

"Master, you are so polite. Mountain tea is simple and contains the beauty of nature. It has a unique charm."

Chen Qingyuan took a sip and smiled slightly.

The little Taoist boy stood aside and said: "As long as the layman doesn't mind."

More than thirty people live in this simple Taoist temple.

Most of them are in meditation and cannot see it.

Today it was the little Taoist boy's turn to clean the front yard, so he was in charge of entertaining the guests. Even if the others knew about it, they were too lazy to come forward and just followed their own will.

As long as the visitors do not cause trouble, the Taoists will be busy with their own things and will not show up.

"Excuse me, Taoist Priest, I remember there was a big ginkgo tree in the Taoist temple. Why is it gone?"

Chen Qingyuan asked doubtfully.

"Mr. Chen actually knew about that ginkgo tree."

The little Taoist boy looked surprised when he heard this question.

According to legend, more than 300,000 years ago, the Taoist master got a spiritual ginkgo tree from somewhere and planted it in the backyard of the Taoist temple. After years of spiritual nourishment, it grew into a towering tree. Staying under the tree for meditation can achieve twice the result with half the effort, and it has had a profound impact on the Taoist temple.

"Of course I know."

Chen Qingyuan not only knew about it, but he also took great pains to get the ginkgo tree from some ancient secret realm. Later, he could not resist the Taoist Master's constant persuasion and gave it away with a painful heart.

Being able to know something that happened so long ago, I think this person really has some connection with the Taoist temple.

Although the little Taoist boy was still wary, his eyes softened as he looked at Chen Qingyuan. He sighed softly, "It is said that ten thousand years ago, the Taoist temple was invaded by many powerful warriors. After a fierce battle, the temple suffered heavy losses. Fortunately, the ginkgo tree came to our aid at a critical moment, and we were able to repel the powerful enemy and protect the Taoist temple."

The young Taoist boy learned about that period of history from his elders. He wasn't very clear on the specific details, so he could only give a rough account of what happened: "Due to the accident, the ginkgo tree's roots were damaged. The Taoist temple tried its best to save it, but to no avail. It eventually withered and died."

After saying this, the little Taoist boy said sadly: "Alas!"

The ginkgo tree has existed at the Taoist temple for over 300,000 years and holds great significance. Its withering seems to foreshadow the temple's decline.

After the bloodbath, many people died in the Taoist temple. It was a time of prosperity, but the temple lacked any talented individuals to step forward and compete, leading to the loss of many opportunities and making the situation even worse.

As of today, the strongest person in the Taoist temple is only a cultivator who has just crossed the tribulation stage, and is still a long way from reaching the Mahayana stage.

The glory of the past is like the flowing river.

"Blame me for not coming over to take a look earlier."

Chen Qingyuan blamed himself.

Many years ago, although Chen Qingyuan traveled extensively and visited many of his hometowns, he still missed some places. After all, his energy was limited and his time was precious, so he couldn't possibly go through the same journey again.

The little Taoist boy smiled politely and didn't take the words to heart. In his opinion, even if Chen Qingyuan really had a good karma with the Taoist temple, it couldn't change the trend of the Taoist temple's decline.

"Is there anyone coming here to burn incense and pray for blessings now?"

After suppressing the sadness that was surging in his eyes, Chen Qingyuan asked again.

"rare."

Talking about this, the little Taoist boy smiled awkwardly.

Back in the day, even the mighty ones of the Divine Bridge had to queue up to visit the Taoist temple. Now, not to mention the top cultivators, even ordinary cultivators are hard to come by.

"Is life in a Taoist temple very hard?"

Chen Qingyuan felt a special feeling in his heart when he revisited his old place.

"Fortunately."

If I said it wasn't hard, I'd be lying. However, the little Taoist boy had lived here since he was little and was used to it.

"Can you tell me about the Taoist temple's recent situation?"

Chen Qingyuan didn't want to use the soul-reading technique, so if he had any questions, he could ask them normally.

Even if it doesn't hurt the little Taoist boy's soul, it's still inappropriate.

This is the Daozun's hometown, and it should be respected unless necessary.

"What aspect does Mr. Chen want to know about?"

The little Taoist boy pondered for a moment and asked back.

Chen Qingyuan always had a faint smile on his face: "It's all right, just chat casually."

As long as it didn't involve the secrets of the Taoist temple, the little Taoist boy didn't mind talking to Chen Qingyuan for a few words.

Through the little Taoist boy's narration, Chen Qingyuan learned a lot of information.

At the same time, Chen Qingyuan secretly investigated the specific conditions of the Taoist temple. The foundation and spiritual veins were damaged, and there were signs of decay everywhere.

It could barely hold up its dilapidated appearance before, but now it can’t hold up anymore.

The divine bridge is broken, order collapses, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth hides murderous intent.

Not to mention cultivation, even maintaining one's realm and not falling requires a large amount of spiritual stone resources. This is undoubtedly a double blow to the Taoist temple.

The people of the Taoist temple were all pure and self-disciplined, not vying for power or resources. They simply relied on the temple's spiritual roots to survive, living from day to day.

In recent years, people have often set their sights on the spiritual veins of Taoist temples.

Once the fundamental spiritual veins are taken away, the Taoist temple will no longer exist.

Chen Qingyuan thought to himself, "Luckily I made it in time and didn't let the situation get out of control."

We've been chatting for so long that I forgot one thing.

"I almost forgot, how to address the Taoist priest?"

From the beginning to the end, Chen Qingyuan never looked down on the little Taoist boy, and addressed him respectfully as "Master Taoist" to express his goodwill.

"The path remains quiet."

The little Taoist boy bowed slightly.

"I've remembered that. Thank you, Taoist Shoujing, for your hospitality and guidance today."

Chen Qingyuan stood up and returned the gift, expressing his gratitude.

"It's just a casual conversation over tea. You are speaking too seriously, sir."

The young Taoist boy couldn't see through the person before him. At first glance, he looked like an ordinary person in the mundane world. Then, he looked like he was shrouded in mist. The longer they spent together, the more extraordinary he felt.

It is rare to find someone with a natural eye for insight in this world.

The fact that he could see Chen Qingyuan's extraordinary mystery was enough to show the talent of the little Taoist boy.

"I won't bother you anymore, Taoist priest."

After saying that, Chen Qingyuan naturally took An Xiruo's hand and walked towards the door.

The little Taoist boy followed closely and saw him off, being very polite.

Walking out of the door, stepping on the bluestone slabs that had been ravaged by time, Chen Qingyuan looked up at the sky, a trace of sadness flashed across his brows.

"I won't send you far."

The little Taoist boy stood at the door, his young face revealing a calmness and solemnity far beyond his age.

"Master Shoujing, I hope we can meet again."

Before leaving, Chen Qingyuan looked deeply at the little Taoist boy, his eyes full of hope and a sweet smile.

"We will meet if we are destined."

At this moment, the little Taoist boy did not understand the meaning of Chen Qingyuan's goodbye words. He just regarded it as a polite remark and responded politely.

"reasonable."

Chen Qingyuan nodded.

Snap!

Chen Qingyuan said no more, turned his back to the little Taoist boy, held An Xiruo's hand tightly, and slowly walked down the mountain.