In the south of Hua Xia, amidst the Kunlun Mountain range, lies a place reputed to contain the highest concentration of spiritual energy.

On one rarely-trodden peak, a Taoist temple, though battered and decayed, still stands tall.

Soon, voices can be heard from within.

"Yifeng, your master has a serious matter to discuss with you today..."

The speaker is an old Taoist with a white beard. Even though he's aged, his vitality is something most elderly can't match.

Xu Yifeng unceremoniously sits on the ground, legs crossed, eyelids drooping - clearly, he didn't sleep well last night.

"Master, what serious matter could you possibly have?"

Watching his apprentice's nonchalant demeanor, the old Taoist laughs and shakes his head: "Last night, as your master was observing the heavens, I gained sudden insights into the celestial prophecy. I reckon the time to achieve Dao is not far off..."

In a flash, Xu Yifeng's drowsiness dissipates. He widens his eyes in disbelief, "Achieving... achieving Dao? Master, what do you mean?"

The old Taoist cheerfully strokes his beard, "I told you, while observing the heavens last night, I gained insights..."

Before he could finish, Xu Yifeng interrupts, "Weren't you staying up all last night watching live dance streams of pretty female hosts? How did that lead to a celestial insight?"

"Cough, cough..." The old Taoist hastily coughed, "What would you know? Your master indeed grasped the Great Dao from these worldly people. As they say, a hundred years of human life is but a long dream..."

Seeing that Xu Yifeng wanted to say something else, the old Taoist quickly continued, "Anyway, your master is about to achieve Dao. As of now, it's time for you to leave the mountain!"

Xu Yifeng's face stiffens, his expression mournful, "Master, don't leave me. I've been with you since I was young. Once I leave the mountain, I'll have no one to rely on. H...how will I survive?"

"How you'll survive is your problem now, your master cannot look after you forever. Moreover, with your current abilities, surely in this vast world, there's a way for you to make a living, isn't there?"

While speaking, the elder Taoist brought out a beautifully stitched silken pouch from his sleeve and handed it over.

"Here, you can open this after you leave the mountain. You will naturally understand your future path."

Xu Yifeng took the pouch, his face still full of confusion.

He quickly stepped forward to feel the elder's forehead. Only after confirming that he wasn't feverish did he begrudgingly ask, "Master, could it be possible that you're still half-asleep and everything you've just said is nonsense?"

The elder Taoist waved his broad sleeve, "Nonsense! Although my Taoist title is 'The Dream-Entering Taoist', how could I truly not wake up?"

After a pause, he advised earnestly, "Yifeng, after descending the mountain, worldly temptations are plenty. But remember this rule, before your cultivation is completed, you must never violate the virgin vow, otherwise your future practice will be doubly hard, not to mention the risk of demonic possession."

Xu Yifeng bowed, "I will remember your teachings, Master!"

"Right, I nearly forgot something important."

The elder Taoist slapped his forehead, showing an unusual embarrassed expression, "In this life, my actions have been upright and my conduct has been virtuous. My only regret is the debt I owe to your mistress."

Mistress?

Xu Yifeng's eyes nearly popped out.

He had never heard that he even had a mistress!

The elder Taoist sighed, "If by fate you meet your mistress after leaving the mountain, as my disciple, put an end to this karmic bond on my behalf."

Hearing this, Xu Yifeng almost choked on his own saliva, "Master, why do I have to repay the romantic debts that you have incurred? Besides, how am I supposed to repay them?"

The elder Taoist shrugged off his concerns and directly gave a firm order, "You're already a grown-up now. You should handle such matters yourself, don't ask your master about everything!"

Having said this, he pointed to the brocade pouch in Xu Yifeng's hand, wearing a sly grin on his face. "As your master, I foresaw this day coming. So as compensation, when you were young, I went ahead and arranged several marriage proposals for you..."

As for a childhood arranged marriage, Xu Yifeng had no objections. However...

Wait a second!

He just now reacted, "Master, what did you just say?"

His voice then escalated by eight degrees, "Several marriage proposals? Exactly how many are we talking about?"

The old Daoist didn't expect Xu Yifeng's reaction to be so great. However, he seriously started counting on his fingers, "If my memory serves me right, there should be nine in total!"