"Boss, the money’s on the table."

The meal took about the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn.

After finishing his meal, Shen Bai left the money on the table and gave Amber’s rear a little kick.

Amber had been playing on the ground. It didn’t get angry after the kick; it just let out a meow and leaped into Shen Bai’s arms.

’No wonder everyone’s so obsessed with cats. It’s really therapeutic.’

Shen Bai gave Amber a few strokes, then took the cat with him and headed for the Observatory.

Every day at Dianmao, he had to engage in a little struggle with Landlord Long.

Shen Bai had expected today to be just another routine day.

But he never thought he would run into an acquaintance before even entering the Observatory.

On a nearby street, Daoist Chongling, clad in a Daoist robe, was walking toward Shen Bai, cradling a cloth-wrapped object.

It seemed he was heading for the Observatory, and Shen Bai happened to be standing right at the entrance.

Shen Bai finally recognized the Daoist and walked forward, coming face to face with him.

Before Shen Bai could say a word, Daoist Chongling spoke first.

"Greetings, Lord Shen. I trust you’ve been well."

Shen Bai looked at Daoist Chongling and nodded. "It’s been some time since we parted at Xuanxin Temple. I trust you’ve been well too, Daoist Chongling."

In his heart, Shen Bai had a great deal of admiration for the people of the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple.

Setting aside the Bloody Night incident in Fenglin State, the simple fact that the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple had always honored their former Temple Master’s dying wish was admirable enough. They had never recruited a single disciple, holding themselves back from growing their Sect.

After all, any other faction would have surely seized such a great achievement as an opportunity to revive their Sect and restore its former glory.

But the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple had done it. They had truly weathered those most arduous years.

Even now, things were still difficult, but they seemed to have long grown accustomed to it.

After they finished their pleasantries, Shen Bai’s gaze fell on the object in Daoist Chongling’s hands.

Although it was wrapped in cloth, its silhouette suggested it was a Copper Mirror.

The sight of it immediately reminded Shen Bai of their conversation at Xuanxin Temple.

"Daoist Chongling, could this be the Copper Mirror left behind by the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple’s former Temple Master?" Shen Bai asked.

He was quite curious. After all, that Temple Master had apparently foreseen his arrival, paid a heavy price for it, and even said that Shen Bai was the one who could break the curse that had long prevented the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple from taking in disciples.

Daoist Chongling had said back then that he would bring the Copper Mirror, but Shen Bai hadn’t expected it to be so soon.

Daoist Chongling nodded. "This matter is of great importance. I made a special trip back to discuss it with my fellow disciples. I only came here with it after we all reached an agreement."

They were still talking outside the Observatory. Seeing how important this Copper Mirror seemed, Shen Bai thought for a moment and decided to invite Daoist Chongling inside to speak.

"Daoist Chongling, prying ears are everywhere out here. Why don’t we continue this inside the Observatory?"

Daoist Chongling nodded, seemingly in no rush. "Of course. After you, Lord Shen."

The Celestial Purity Daoist Temple had been waiting for so long; a little more time didn’t matter. Thus, Daoist Chongling was in no hurry.

With Daoist Chongling’s agreement, Shen Bai led him into the Observatory.

First, he completed the Dianmao roll call, then headed to the office of the Ding Twenty-Third Division.

Along the way, many members of the Observatory cast sidelong glances at them.

They recognized Shen Bai, and even more so, they recognized Daoist Chongling.

After all, you could count on one hand the number of people in all of Fenglin State who didn’t know who Daoist Chongling was.

Of the nine remaining Daoists from the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple, Daoist Chongling was considered the current acting Temple Master. As such, he drew attention wherever he went in Fenglin State.

Shen Bai paid it no mind and led Daoist Chongling to the Ding Twenty-Third Division.

At that moment, Huang Guang and Kong Fang were in the middle of a loud discussion about the various goings-on at the Music Bureau.

They must have heard the footsteps, as they were startled to see Shen Bai leading Daoist Chongling inside.

Before they could speak, Shen Bai waved a hand. "You two are dismissed. The Daoist and I have matters to discuss."

’I made a promise back at Xuanxin Temple. If I can resolve this for Daoist Chongling today, I might as well get it over with.’

Huang Guang and Kong Fang exchanged a look, then cupped their fists and assented.

They didn’t waste time with words. At the Observatory, following orders was the top priority.

Soon, the two of them had left the room.

Once they were gone, Shen Bai took his time, pouring Daoist Chongling a cup of tea before finally speaking.

"Daoist Chongling, is this the Copper Mirror from your Celestial Purity Daoist Temple?"

Shen Bai got straight to the point, not wanting to waste time.

The time for pleasantries was over; it was best to ask directly.

Smart people don’t waste time.

Daoist Chongling was, of course, a smart man. After Shen Bai asked his question, he nodded. "That’s right. This is it."

He wasted no words, placing the cloth-wrapped Copper Mirror on Shen Bai’s desk. Then he picked up his teacup and took a sip.

Shen Bai set the freshly poured tea aside. He picked up the cloth-wrapped Copper Mirror from the desk, but instead of unwrapping it, he first examined its outline. Only then did he ask, "May I open it?"

Daoist Chongling nodded. "Be my guest, Lord Shen."

Receiving his assent, Shen Bai lifted a corner of the cloth wrapped around the Copper Mirror.

Shen Bai had assumed the fabric was ordinary, but as his hand touched it, he discovered rows of hidden Dao Text inscribed upon it.

’Sealing its Qi?’

Shen Bai’s Mystic Heart Spell was a Divine Power of the Daoist School. Drawing from his related knowledge, he was naturally able to discern a few things.

After a moment of careful inspection, Shen Bai could tell that this was Dao Text specifically used to seal off Qi.

Daoist Chongling remained silent, his lack of response a clear sign for Shen Bai to continue.

Though puzzled, Shen Bai continued to unwrap the cloth from the Copper Mirror.

The instant he removed the cloth, a chilling, sinister Qi emanated from the Copper Mirror.

The Copper Mirror itself looked ordinary, but the chilling Qi gave it an unusual air.

A wisp of smoke appeared before Shen Bai’s eyes.

It then condensed into a line of new text.

[Strange Copper Mirror]

[Identification Progress: 0%]

[A wisp of Evil Qi will allow for rapid identification.]