Chapter 329: Mists Over Mingsha City

“What’s wrong, Master?”

Seeing You Gong like this, Wu Ming grew anxious as well.

In his mind, his own Master and Daoist Master Cangshan were old friends, so he expected to feel joy upon hearing news of Cangshan’s arrival in Mingsha City.

“What’s wrong? I’ve known him for decades. I know him too well—when Cangshan returns, he’ll stir up non-stop commotion at Wuzhuang Temple! By then, our Biyou Palace will be completely outshined!”

You Gong began pacing back and forth.

There were things he couldn’t divulge to his disciple; he merely warned that once that potted plant took root, conditions at Wuzhuang Temple would change overnight.

Not even visions of floating clouds or cranes in graceful flight would compare in front of Wuzhuang Temple.

“This…”

Wu Ming was taken aback.

At present, one major reason for Biyou Palace’s thriving incense was the uproar at the International Magic Competition. If Wuzhuang Temple created too much noise… “W-what are we to do? Haven’t you met Daoist Master Cangshan?”

After a long pause…

Wu Ming, coming to his senses, whispered.

“Of course we’ll meet him! But not tonight. When he returns, he’ll first see the City Master, offer some vague suggestions, and then he and your senior brother will start planning. Tomorrow morning, they’ll come to Mingsha Fudi to lay out their demands.”

You Gong stroked his beard and replied with unmistakable certainty.

“Lay out demands to you?”

Wu Ming was momentarily stunned.

“Naturally! He’ll surely start by accusing me of being ungracious.”

At that, You Gong’s voice softened considerably.

“Uh…”

It must be said—You Gong and Cangshan shared decades of close ties.

Xianxia Zone, Wuzhuang Temple

Cangshan and Canghai escorted Xu Hao to the main gate.

Though it was late into the night, Wuzhuang Temple shone brilliantly with all lights on for the first time, evoking the aura of a celestial palace in the dark.

“Honored Daoists, are you sure tonight is the night to stay at Wuzhuang Temple?”

Turning around,

Xu Hao looked at Cangshan and his apprentice, Canghai.

Just two hours earlier, he had met these two in the office of the Mingsha Labor CEO. After pleasantries and lengthy discussions about Wuzhuang Temple, Mingsha Fudi, and You Gong, they had come together to Wuzhuang Temple.

Now, Wuzhuang Temple was completely under the command of Daoist Master Cangshan.

During this period, Daoist Master Cangshan even made a minor suggestion: the west outer wall of Wuzhuang Temple, with the nearby Demon-Locking Tower, looked mismatched. He hoped to manage the entire 500-meter area around the temple so that Wuzhuang Temple could blend perfectly with the Demon-Locking Tower.

Xu Hao didn’t hesitate; he circled the area on the plan without a second thought.

In the Xianxia Zone, the largest architectural district was Nanzhao Ancient City.

Apart from Nanzhao Ancient City, there was only the Demon-Locking Tower and Lanruo Temple—and they were spaced far apart. Plus, the landscaping wasn’t as refined as that at Mingsha Fudi, rendering them somewhat out of place.

Integrating the entire area would be ideal!

“City Master, we aren’t suited to venture elsewhere. Besides, we need to settle in the goods we brought back.”

Daoist Cangshan waved his hand dismissively.

“Alright. If any issues arise, we’ll communicate. As for when to open Wuzhuang Temple to visitors, leave that to you.”

Glancing at his watch, Xu Hao remarked,

“Open Wuzhuang Temple? City Master, could we at least promote it a bit before opening? After all, Mingsha Fudi already boasts a thriving Biyou Palace.”

Cangshan paused and then hurriedly asked,

“Promotion? That’s no problem! Besides, we probably aren’t shooting any TV dramas around here anymore.”

After a brief moment of thought, Xu Hao replied.

Biyou Palace’s flourishing patronage, in a way, affected Wuzhuang Temple.

With both located in Mingsha City, balance is essential.

“Understood, City Master!”

After a few more pleasantries, Xu Hao left Wuzhuang Temple first, and as soon as he departed, Han Xiaoqing made several phone calls.

Once the main gate closed and they reached the backyard, noticing the solitude, Canghai couldn’t hold back any longer and finally said, “Phew! Brother, this City Master is something else.”

“Nothing less! I never expected him to completely master those two books in such a short time, and on top of that, to build Wuzhuang Temple flawlessly. The most striking part is the unprecedented pressure and mighty aura I felt from him—last time, it was completely absent.”

“His future truly has no limits. Placing Wuzhuang Temple in Mingsha City was a brilliant move.”

Mentioning Xu Hao,

Daoist Cangshan halted, his face a mix of awe and admiration, as he glanced at the distant bonsai.

“No wonder You Gong moved the dojo to Mingsha City.”

After a brief silence,

Canghai continued,

“Honestly, if he were in You Gong’s position, he’d probably decide the same way under these circumstances.”

“Speaking of You Gong, we need to put our heads together. You Gong has done so much for Mingsha City—running an entertainment city, assisting with Lanruo Temple—and we can’t fall behind.”

Daoist Cangshan turned his gaze toward the gate of Wuzhuang Temple.

“That’s it! We’re part of Mingsha City now, so we must contribute.”

Canghai nodded in agreement.

Frankly, without the backing of a powerhouse like Mingsha City, even if they had the skills to cultivate Wuzhuang Temple, they wouldn’t have the necessary materials. In that sense, calling Xu Hao their benefactor wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

“So, what’s next?”

After a pause, Canghai inquired again.

“It’s simple. First, we generate buzz around Wuzhuang Temple, then develop a Wuzhuang Fudi. If You Gong has something, we need to have it too! And as for contributing to Mingsha City, if You Gong puts in one effort, we’ll double it.”

Daoist Cangshan narrowed his eyes slightly.

“Generate buzz?”

Canghai mused thoughtfully.

“Yeah! Today’s visitors are like that—without any hustle, no one pays attention. Besides, the City Master just said we can promote it a bit. As for You Gong, we’ll meet him first thing in the morning.”

Daoist Cangshan responded promptly,

“Alright!”

Time flew, and before they knew it it was 5 AM.

Mingsha City’s only night-time attraction had reached its closing hour, yet at that moment, a throng of visitors still gathered at the entrance of Lanruo Temple.

Somehow, watching visitors boldly enter only to be rolled their eyes and hauled out had become a favorite amusement—some even started betting on who could last a minute or half an hour.

So, visitors who came to Mingsha City were reluctant to leave early.

“Thirty-five people entered tonight, and the longest lasted forty minutes!”

“Absolutely!”

“I want to try tomorrow.”

“Sure thing!”

Creak!

As Lanruo Temple’s main gate slowly closed, the visitors turned to chatter about heading back to their guesthouses for some rest.

Wow! But barely a short distance away, the pitch-black sky began to lighten. “Huh? What’s going on?”

Surprised, the crowd quickly looked up.

“What’s happening? A meteor, perhaps?”

As the sky cleared, many were stunned while a few pulled out their phones to record. In the east, a fireball appeared and grew larger over time, seemingly hurtling toward Mingsha City.

In seconds, the fireball sped up—and soon the entire city was bathed in a red glow.

The visitors erupted into screams.

At 7 AM, with daylight fully broken, residents of the Long Kingdom began their routines, rising to wash up and prepare for another day’s work.

Some even switched on the radio or TV to catch the morning news.

“Dear viewers, our station has just received a video from an enthusiastic netizen. At 5 AM today, a massive fireball streaked across the northwestern sky, witnessed by many.

According to reports, the fireball appears to have crashed near a newly built Taoist temple in Mingsha City!

Experts say, “This is very likely an extraterrestrial meteor.”

“A meteor? In Mingsha City?”

Upon hearing the news, many residents were stunned—some brushing their teeth paused mid-motion.

Others rushed to the TV for more details.

“Damn, Mingsha City’s luck is unreal! How do they even get such fortune?”

After watching the video, many remarked that Mingsha City’s visitors were truly blessed—if they could snag that meteorite, fortune would be on their side.

No further comment.

The Long Kingdom had seen similar incidents before, which even spawned a group of ‘professionals’ making their living picking up meteorites. Whenever a similar event occurred, they would swarm in to collect ones that could fetch high prices.

“Too bad I’m not in Mingsha City; otherwise, I’d try my luck.”

As reality set in, many residents shared the same thought.

Little did they know that as soon as the news broke, the Xianxia Zone in Mingsha City was already packed to the brim.

At 5 AM, someone shouted that a meteor had fallen in the Xianxia Zone, and visitors across the city began streaming toward the area.

“Where did it fall?”

“It looks like it fell near that Taoist temple! A friend said it’s called Wuzhuang Temple!”

“Wuzhuang Temple? Since when has that been in Mingsha City? There hasn’t been a peep about it! Is it setting up a Journey to the West, or Brother Zhenyuan’s dojo?”

“That barricade has been there for ages—no one noticed until now.”

“Oh.”

“Wuzhuang Temple in Mingsha City always stirs up trouble. Do you think they might have a ginseng fruit tree like in the original tale?”

“A ginseng fruit tree? That would be impossible as a genuine tree, though a fake one might exist.”

“Alright, you can take your time watching Wuzhuang Temple. But if we miss this meteor, there won’t be another shot.”

“Makes sense!”

For a moment, the entire 12-kilometer stretch along Qing Brick Avenue to the Xianxia Zone was jam-packed with visitors, as if every guest in Mingsha City had mobilized.

Judging by the scene,

the area around Wuzhuang Temple and the Demon-Locking Tower was destined to turn into a hotspot, with crowds at every other attraction.

Meanwhile, at Mingsha Fudi,

Gazing at the empty Biyou Palace, You Gong Taoist turned his attention toward the Xianxia Zone and couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

In the past, at this hour, visitors would flock to Biyou Palace to offer incense, but today not a soul was in sight.

It was obvious exactly where the visitors had gone!

“Didn’t I say? Once Cangshan returns, trouble is sure to follow!”

Rubbing his frustrated brows, You Gong grumbled.