Ming Zhitian said, "Thank you, Master..."
The monk murmured, "Shenwu and brilliance shine together, it's just a small favor."
Ming Zhitian said, "We've been traveling all day, may we rest here for a night?"
The monk nodded, "Shenwu and brilliance shine together, you are all descendants of King Shenwu. It's just a small favor, please come in, benefactors."
Entering Nan'an Temple, the monk led them to worship a golden mud statue in the temple.
The monk said, "Please, benefactors, the first thing everyone does upon arriving at Nan'an Temple is to worship King Shenwu."
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Leaving Bake outside to wait, Ming Zhitian and Xiao Linglong came before the statue of King Shenwu and knelt to worship.
The statue of King Shenwu was majestic and heroic, with bright, piercing eyes and a wide-open mouth that conveyed a sense of overwhelming power.
Hai Bubu said, "Whose lion is this? It's so cute!"
Ming Zhitian and Xiao Linglong then walked out and saw Bake baring its teeth and growling at five people.
The five people were dressed differently, three men and two women. Bake quickly ran to Ming Zhitian's side.
Hai Bubu, dressed in a purple sash and silk robes, smiled slightly, "So this little lion belongs to you?"
Ming Zhitian nodded, "That's right."
Yan Lixue, in a vibrant orange neon dress, said, "Isn't it difficult to raise a little lion? What does it usually like to eat?"
Ming Zhitian said, "It's not picky, it eats both fruits and meat pies."
Hai Bubu introduced, "Let me introduce, Yan Lixue, the man in the suit Dong Chengjiu, the one in the squid costume Xue Mingyuan, and Chen Qi in the simple brocade attire."
Xue Mingyuan and Dong Chengjiu were a little displeased, "Why just 'man in the suit' and 'squid costume'? Do you have any aesthetic sense?"
Chen Qi thought Hai Bubu's description was accurate, "I agree... Bubu."
Yan Lixue and Hai Bubu exchanged a smile. Hai Bubu said, "What about you two? We are destined to meet, so please introduce yourselves."
"Ming Zhitian, and this one is Bake."
"Xiao Linglong."
Yan Lixue took out some fruits from her storage bag, "Here, nice to meet you, Bake, eat."
Seeing Bake still looking fierce, Ming Zhitian reprimanded it, "Bake, that's enough. They just want to be friends with you. Go and take it."
With Ming Zhitian's permission, Bake slowly walked up to Yan Lixue, its steps deliberate, much like a lion hunting, which made Yan Lixue feel rather uneasy, as if it were about to pounce and hunt her down.
After taking the fruit from Yan Lixue's hand, Bake returned to Ming Zhitian's side and began to eat.
Ming Zhitian said, "Yan Lixue, is it? Thank you for the fruit."
Yan Lixue waved her hand, "It's nothing, a small gesture. Are you also passing through Nan'an Temple?"
Ming Zhitian said, "To be frank, we plan to study at a major sect. We are passing through this place and intend to rest for a night."
Dong Chengjiu said, "What a coincidence, are you also participating in the sect trials?"
Ming Zhitian was confused, "What sect trials?"
Chen Qi said, "You don't even know this? To become a disciple of a sect, you have to undergo trials to see if you are qualified to join."
Xiao Linglong's heart skipped a beat, "Trials... are they difficult?"
Xue Mingyuan chuckled dismissively, "Little sister, are you stating the obvious? Sect trials, how could they not be difficult?"
Xiao Linglong immediately felt displeased, "I was just asking."
Yan Lixue quickly smoothed things over, "Mingyuan is just blunt. Linglong sister, you shouldn't take it to heart."
Xiao Linglong said proudly, "Of course, not just any stray cat or dog is worthy of speaking to me."
"You!..." Xue Mingyuan was clearly annoyed.
Ming Zhitian gently nudged Xiao Linglong, "Xiao Linglong, are you itching for a beating?"
Xiao Linglong glared at him dismissively, "Or do you want to hit me?"
"Hmph, I don't like hitting women," Ming Zhitian said.
Xiao Linglong said with disdain, "Hypocrite!"
The monk said to a nun, "Jingyuan, please take the benefactors to the guest rooms to rest."
Nun Jingyuan, holding a Shenwu Bead, clasped her hands together and said, "Alright."