Back in his body, still in the carriage, Fang Xin's heart ached terribly. This mere clone of his had consumed 500 units of merit, and in an instant, his original 1200 units of merit were reduced to just 500.

  It's still profitable, but not as much as before.

  Fang Xin opened his eyes and saw that the light was a bit off, so he stuck out his head and asked: "I was a bit dizzy just now, what time is it?"

  The coachman turned his head and said with a smile: "Master, it's not very long now, it's just noon, why don't we stop for a while, let the horse eat some grass and drink some water, and then go on?"

  Fang Xin said: "Alright then, let's take a break."

  At this time, the ancient road was not ordinary. Once you left the official path, it became fields and beyond the fields were dense forests. The horse carriage had a restful atmosphere, so they looked around and came upon a Taoist temple in front of a grove of trees.

  This temple is also very elegant. Although it's early spring, the grass and flowers that have been planted are already green. The carriage driver said: "Master, let's take a look at this temple!"

  It seems close, but still has to walk for a while. Just as they were walking, a bird suddenly cried out. Fang Xin hurriedly listened and pulled open the curtain to look, only to see two Taoist boys rushing out, one holding a slingshot and the other picking up a bird.

  Fang Xin couldn't help but secretly smile, thinking: "Perhaps in the Taoist temple, they are observing a long fast, and these children are still developing, no wonder they have to sneak out to hunt birds to eat!"

  At this moment, the horse carriage passed by, and the two Taoist boys were startled. They hastily threw away the bird and the crossbow in a hidden place under a tree, tidied up their clothes, turned around and came out, smiling and asking: "Where do you gentlemen come from?"

  As they talked, it turned out that he had a bit of learning, and the master of the Taoist temple was indeed extraordinary. Fang Xin saw that although they were young, they looked dignified, if not for Fang Xin's sharp eyes, he would have really praised them several times.

  But he pretended not to know. He said: "Is the Daoist priest in? We'd like to rest for a moment in the Daoist temple."

  "The master will be out soon. You don't have to wait for long, everyone can take a rest outside, and we'll serve tea." said the Daoist boy with a bow.

  At that time, the next person to enter was the external appearance. Although this appearance is not large, it is also neat and clean inside, with three clear Taoist images. However, there is no longer the layer upon layer of clear light seen on the face of the host that day. Nevertheless, Fang Xin still performed the ritual, showing respect for the saint and the great Tao.

  Tell Lanji to get down from the carriage. Although she was veiled, she was stunningly beautiful, and the two Daoist boys, who were only eleven or twelve years old, couldn't help but stare blankly at her.

  And the horse was unhitched and left nearby to eat grass and drink water, whereupon a carter naturally came to take care of it.

  At this time, the two girls took out a basket, which had some food inside. They borrowed a pot and, as it would be somewhat impolite to cook inside the temple, they set it up outside instead. Once the water was boiling, they put in the wrapped meat, along with seasonings and spices. Before long, the aroma wafted out in all directions.

  Rice balls were also placed by the fire to roast, and soon they were hot. They were distributed to everyone, one per person, and people could also drink the meat soup.

  Of course, the two masters also had meat to eat on their journey. Being able to eat this was already not bad. At this time, Fang Xin saw that the two Taoist boys were drooling with desire.

  Fang Xin couldn't help but smile as he said: "Would you two like something to eat? Just a small token of our sincerity."

  The two Taoist boys initially didn't want to, but after a while, seeing everyone eating with relish, they couldn't help themselves and started discussing among themselves: "Master is not here now, let's just eat some."

  "Yes, it's already past noon and Master hasn't returned yet, let's eat something first."

  "Would you two like some?" Fang Xin said again.

  Before the words had fallen to the ground, the two Taoist boys came over and took the rice balls. They opened their mouths and also took a bowl of meat soup, filled it with some meat, and immediately ate with relish, savoring every bite, not satisfied yet.

  Originally, these two Taoist boys, although they had a mind to hit some birds in their daily lives, were sneaky and the taste was not good. At this time, after eating delicious food, how could they bear to give it up? They drank several bowls one after another before they were full.

  They had just received some pots and pans, and were resting for a moment. Two Taoist boys looked outside, but their faces suddenly changed, saying: "The master is back."

  Hastily washed his mouth and hands.

  As expected, a Taoist was coming over. Fang Xin went forward to take a look and found that he was wearing a Taoist robe with a hint of frost on his hair knot, with a clear and handsome figure. As he walked over, he seemed to be floating with an otherworldly air about him. He appeared to be around fifty years old. Fang Xin stepped forward, cupped his hands together in greeting: "Li Rui has seen the Taoist master. Passing through on my journey, I stopped for a rest at noon and have disturbed your quiet cultivation."

  "It doesn't matter, being convenient to others is also being convenient to oneself. A noble person has come here, it's also fate." The Taoist said: "Please come in and talk, clear wind and bright moon, I'll go make tea!"

  As he spoke, the Taoist's gaze swept across the mouths of the two, startling the two Dao children, who hastily rushed over.

  The two of them entered the inner chamber, sitting upright in a room. It was late spring in April, and near the Taoist temple, there were also large batches of peach trees planted. These peach trees not only could drive away evil spirits but also produce fruit. Therefore, at this time, it was the peak moment for peach blossoms. A cluster of peach blossoms shone like a red haze, with bees and butterflies flying above them from time to time.

  The warm sunlight spilled over the corridor, Fang Xin smelled this fragrance, for a moment, it was as still as water, just looking far away, watching Lan Ji taking out a flute, gently blowing in the wind, floating like a heavenly girl, with a strong fairy spirit.

  "This scenery, although it is prosperous, all belongs to illusion!" The Taoist said.

  Fang Xin burst out laughing and snapped back to reality.

  "What is the noble gentleman laughing at?" The Taoist priest also didn't get angry and said.

  "You laugh at me for being a Taoist, but you deviate from the great way yourself, seeing things superficially and entering a wrong path." Fang Xin said.

  "Oh, how should I put it?"

  "Sir, I'd like to ask you, is it true that people are born to die?"

  "It is so."

  "Taoist, you ask me, this tree blooms and bears fruit year after year, yet withers away year after year, is it not 'so of itself'?"

  "Immortal, I'd like to ask you, you eat rice and dishes, but they all turn into feces in the end, isn't that so?"

  "That's right."

  "If that's the case, then knowing it will die, why bother to be born? Knowing it will wither, why bother to bloom?" Fang Xin smiled: "Let's not talk about the previous points for now, let's discuss the most important recent point. You answer me - if you know that food turns into feces, then why eat? Can you eat feces or can you not eat at all?"

  "Feces cannot be eaten, and if a person does not eat rice, he will surely starve to death." The Taoist priest felt a flash of insight, but for the moment could not see clearly, and merely murmured his reply.

  "That's right, don't you understand?" Fang Xin said with a smile, then stood up and didn't plan to reason with the Taoist anymore. But at this moment, suddenly, Fang Xin changed color - Xiao Jia's guide had arrived.

  "Right on cue, just here!" As soon as he thought that, a massive amount of energy instantly concentrated onto his body. Fang Xin didn't resist and directly activated the Karma Avatar, taking control of this body, then merged with the energy in an instant and flew back.

  The thinking Taoist was startled, and in an instant, he felt an enormous energy that was beyond imagination. The young nobleman on the other side also underwent a change.

  When he came back to his senses and looked carefully again, he couldn't see any difference. However, the young man in front of him said: "Ten taels of incense money are presented, we bid farewell!"

  After finishing speaking, the young man went out and joined the crowd, then got on the horse-drawn carriage, and a group of people left.

  The poor Taoist was full of confusion, unable to make sense of what had just happened. Later, he muttered to himself: "Could it be that the heavenly immortal knew I was seeking the Way and came especially to enlighten me?"

  On the carriage, Lan Qi and Li Rui sat together. Lan Qi felt a bit strange, feeling that the person in front of her was slightly unusual, but after careful consideration, she couldn't quite put her finger on it. She asked: "Husband, the total amount of silver for gifts from officials and gentry coming and going to the provincial city is 4,800 taels, how should we deal with it?"

  Li Rui listened, but then smiled and said: "In the past, the dowry from the Lu family, you can take it all. This time, the 30 mu of land that was awarded to me, you also took it. However, these gifts of silver must be presented to our family, so for now, let mother handle them first."

  Lan Qi immediately promised, smiling and saying: "This is what should be done, I will immediately follow husband's intentions to do it!"

  Li Rui saw this and smiled, saying: "I can tell you that although you are not the legitimate wife, but my family's eldest son is born by you, and this child will surely become a great talent."

  Lan Qi's face immediately turned crimson as she said, "Husband is teasing me again."

  "It's not a joke, it's true." Li Rui said.

  Lan Qi was stunned and asked: "Is it really so?"

  Seeing Li Rui nodding, she couldn't help but believe a little more, and a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. Which family's daughter doesn't hope to give birth to a son, and still a promising son?

  Looking out at the roadsides, I see sparse and dense, uneven but various kinds of plants, in the spring they compete to bloom, even seeing a single orchid.

  Thinking of these things, my heart is filled with hope and a hint of a smile, lost in reverie.