Wanshou Mountain was hidden between heaven and earth, hardly visible to ordinary people, and Lin Fang surveyed the Immortal Mountain curiously.
Indeed, it had an extraordinary aura and was abundant in spiritual energy, but inexplicably, Lin Fang felt a profound aversion in his heart. This emotion came quickly and left just as swiftly, leaving Lin Fang somewhat baffled.
He stealthily concealed his own aura, and even though he was constantly within the Leakless state, theoretically he should not be discovered. But this place was, after all, the domain of Zhen Yuanzi, the Ancestor of Earth Immortals. Who knew what other means such a powerful being possessed to see through his disguise.
Fortunately, the range of Wanshou Mountain was vast, and Lin Fang, invisible in the dense forest, felt relatively safe for the time being.
He looked up at the distance; Wuzhuang Temple was situated atop the peak of Wanshou Mountain, obscured by swirling mists, revealing only the quaint corner of an ancient Daoist temple, yet one could sense the hidden Daoist charm within it.
Lin Fang did not choose to recklessly approach, as the pressure Zhen Yuanzi imposed on him was like a massive mountain that made him unwilling to face this renowned Immortal of the Three Realms directly. He waited patiently, waiting for an opportunity.
If the Journey to the West party was not delayed, they should be nearing Huangfeng Peak soon. Judging by the time, Zhen Yuanzi would soon have to travel far to the Heavenly Court, to attend Yuanshi Tianzun's lecture on the Primordial Dao Fruit.
Given his performance in rushing back to capture the Monkey and the others, this Dharma assembly would probably take place in the near future. Hence, Lin Fang preferred to wait a while longer rather than acting recklessly.
The morning bell of Wuzhuang Temple echoed throughout Wanshou Mountain, seemingly with the power to purify one's heart. Alas, Wanshou Mountain was seldom visited, devoid of monsters, and even the animal population was sparse.
Compared to the outside world's hustle and bustle, Wanshou Mountain was exceptionally silent, a quietness that Lin Fang found abnormal.
He gazed into the distance; Wuzhuang Temple's gates were closed tight, and the clouds and mist made it impossible to see clearly.
But Lin Fang had other means. He pulled out a jade pendant, blew on it gently, and the jade pendant transformed into something resembling a telescope.
The magic of Guanyin's Willow Leaf lay in its ability to change at will, able to transform into anything one could think of.
Lin Fang weighed the telescope in his hand and said, "Let's not use spells, let's use science."
He used the telescope to peer into the distance at Wuzhuang Temple; through the mists, he could clearly see the Daoist boys walking about, but he still had not seen Zhen Yuanzi's figure. Looking beyond, Lin Fang noticed a huge tree jutting out from the main hall of the temple.
Finding a comfortable position, Lin Fang slowly sat down, ready for a prolonged observation.
From there on, Lin Fang set up camp on Wanshou Mountain, routinely pulling out his telescope to watch Wuzhuang Temple's comings and goings and gradually figuring out its layout to avoid getting lost once inside.
"It's just a pity I don't know the Art of Transformation; otherwise, I could transform into something small and fly in, saving myself a lot of trouble," Lin Fang lamented. He could only hope to pull out something like the ability to perform seventy-two transformations in his next Journey to the West draw.
After waiting several days, a turn of events finally occurred. One morning, Zhen Yuanzi summoned Qingfeng and Mingyue, the two apprentices, and said, "I must rush to the Heavenly Court to listen to Yuanshi Tianzun lecture on the Primordial Dao Fruit. It's an event not to be missed. In a few days, a monk traveling on the Journey to the West will pass by this place. You should withdraw the protective Array and invite him in, and present him with two Ginsheng Fruits."
"Master, the Ginsheng Fruit is extremely precious. What kind of person is this monk to deserve such a generous offering from you?" Qingfeng asked, puzzled. His master held a transcendent status and had profound mana. The Ginsheng Fruit was also his beloved treasure, to be given to an unknown monk seemed most curious and strange.
Zhen Yuanzi stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "Though this monk is currently in a mortal body, he is the reincarnation of the Buddha's disciple, Golden Cicada. I once visited Mount Ling for a gathering, where I found his company most delightful and enjoyed two cups of excellent tea from him. Now that his reincarnate self has come here, it is only proper for me to extend the hospitality due by a host. Remember not to neglect him, but his disciples are all unruly. Be very careful with them."
Hearing Zhen Yuanzi's instructions, Qingfeng and Mingyue the two Daoist boys nodded in agreement. With their elder Daoist brothers all away, they were actually pleased to have the temple to themselves.
Lin Fang saw a splendid cloud emerge from Wuzhuang Temple and fly straight up to the sky. He thought to himself that perhaps Zhen Yuanzi had set out.
He quickly pulled out his telescope and saw indeed that only Qingfeng and Mingyue remained in Wuzhuang Temple, but he did not rush to sneak in, lest Zhen Yuanzi circle back and he stumble into his hands.
After two days, seeing no sign of Zhen Yuanzi's return, Lin Fang guessed that he must have gone up to the Heavenly Court to hear the teachings. Only then did he emerge slowly from the concealed forest, knowing that Wuzhuang Temple was probably most unguarded at the moment.
Over these days, he had thoroughly familiarized himself with the environs of Wuzhuang Temple; now, he was confident and made his way effortlessly to the temple's exterior. It was just unfortunate that Zhen Yuanzi had set up an Array around the courtyard wall, preventing him from entering. He could only wait outside.
Soon night fell, and darkness enveloped the land. Wanshou Mountain was shrouded in pitch black. Qingfeng and Mingyue, after all, were just young Daoist boys. They locked the temple gate and went to sleep.
At that moment, Lin Fang stealthily emerged from the darkness. He already knew that this gate was the only way into Wuzhuang Temple and perhaps it was due to Zhen Yuanzi's confidence—he hadn't placed any Array on his gate.