"Dragon Form Step, I only know a little about it. I don't know much. Am I really a disciple of the Acupoint School?"

"No wonder my steps feel much lighter."

Zhou Xuan mastered the Dragon Walking Technique and thought of Yun Ziliang.

Old Yun loves watching commotions. As long as there's a big spectacle, he has to go, no one can stop him.

But to be fair, despite all the chaotic events he attends, danger never seems to occur.

Now Zhou Xuan believed that it must have something to do with Old Yun knowing the "Dragon Walking Technique."

No matter how dangerous the place, with this technique, one can turn peril into safety.

"When you return, ask my grand master about it. I've heard that in Ganying Sect's Dragon Seeking lineage, the Dragon Walking Technique is the core among the nine techniques,

and all the other techniques are extensions of the Dragon Walking Technique."

Zhao Wuya said.

"I'll ask tonight when I go home."

Zhou Xuan and Zhao Wuya chatted idly as they walked into a brick alley, side by side. Behind them came the jingling sound of a bell.

"Make way, make way."

Zhou Xuan turned his head to look—it was a student riding a bicycle.

A sturdy steel frame bike, with a horizontal metal bar across the middle—not too friendly for those with short legs; it could easily be uncomfortable.

Of course, people with short legs can still ride it—they would just have to learn the "stride-and-step" technique, dipping one leg under the metal bar to pedal.

Zhou Xuan moved aside to let the bicycle pass, and after it had gone by, he said, "Ya Zi, this bike is interesting. If we pass a bicycle shop later, I should buy one."

Cars are fast, but not as nimble. For weaving through alleys, bicycles are the way to go.

"This bike seems interesting to me too," Zhao Wuya remarked, considering that despite being a Taoist, he was still a young man eager to follow trends.

Zhou Xuan slapped his Big Black Donkey and joked, "Send the Big Black to the incense donkey shop, surely it can trade for a bike."

Hearing talk of selling the Big Black Donkey, Zhao Wuya turned pale and howled, "What do you mean, bikes? No way my Big Black's value compares—it's priceless! No more talk of bikes, let's go."

"I meant I'll get you a bike, and you hand me the Big Black."

"Still no. I've had it for years; we've bonded deeply."

In Zhao Wuya's heart, the Big Black Donkey was like a treasure. Not even a Mei Ken would make him trade it.

...

The two jested and joked until they exited the alley. Once outside, Zhou Xuan spotted a familiar establishment—Metropolitan.

The second most popular nightclub in Mingjiang Prefecture.

"Looks like we've bumped into some familiar faces."

Zhou Xuan noticed Gu Ling and Bai Guang sitting at the street-facing corner of the Metropolitan, sipping coffee.

The corner had been turned into an outdoor coffee plaza by the nightclub, surrounded by flower-covered trellises.

Zhou Xuan and Zhao Wuya headed toward Gu Ling and Bai Guang.

As they carefully crossed the road, Gu Ling spotted them halfway through and waved a greeting.

"Mr. Gu, Star Bai."

Zhou Xuan and Zhao Wuya walked over.

"Pfft, don't call me Mr., I can't handle the respect in front of you,"

Gu Ling stood up, shook hands with Zhou Xuan and Zhao Wuya in turn, then asked, "What would you like to drink?"

"A beer for me; after walking so much, I'm feeling thirsty. A juice for him—he's a monk who avoids meat and alcohol."

Zhou Xuan pointed at Zhao Wuya.

"I want beer too—I'm a fake monk!" Zhao Wuya protested.

"Young Master."

Bai Guang also shook Zhou Xuan's hand.

Zhou Xuan smiled and asked Bai Guang how her career was going.

With her boss present, Bai Guang didn't elaborate on her situation, merely smiling politely.

Gu Ling, however, boldly declared, "Bai Guang's a top-tier star in Mingjiang Prefecture now. Every night, big bosses come out to support her.

Those bosses, who usually hang out at Bailemen, now flood our Metropolitan at night."

As she spoke, she playfully wrapped an arm around Bai Guang's neck, adding, "The boss of Bailemen is fuming green. I have to keep people guarding Bai Guang every day just to prevent attempted assassinations."

At this point, the waiter brought over their beers.

Bai Guang raised her pint and said to Zhou Xuan, "Young Master, it's thanks to your introduction that I ended up at Metropolitan and achieved this flourishing success. No need for extra words—everything is in the drink."

Her statement started formally but quickly turned casual. Considering Bai Guang was known for being socially awkward,

Zhou Xuan suspected she had spent ages rehearsing this line in her head before fumbling into this strange speech.

"It's also thanks to Miss Bai Guang's own talent. Opportunities aren't grabbed by everyone."

Zhou Xuan clinked his glass with hers and took a hearty sip,

while beside him, Zhao Wuya was already on his second pint, downing it in large gulps.

"Ah… Hiccup…"

Zhao Wuya expressed his satisfaction, followed by a burp and a quick wipe of the foam off his lips—a classic beer-drinking trifecta.

After a round of drinks, Zhou Xuan began discussing business with Gu Ling: "Superstar Gu, I've been planning to host storytelling sessions these past few days and am scouting for a venue. I'm not familiar with places in Mingjiang Prefecture where the crowds gather, which is why I'm seeking your advice."

"You should use Metropolitan!"

Gu Ling pointed at her nightclub and said, "Mr. Feng used to host storytelling at Bailemen; if Bailemen can do it, Metropolitan certainly can."

"It's not about whether it's possible. The problem's your high costs—ordinary folks can't afford to come."

Zhou Xuan said, "Please recommend a place with high foot traffic and affordable prices; it's more suitable for me to host storytelling there."

Zhou Xuan hosted storytelling not for profit but to foster the creation of the Will Heavenly Book, to repair the Mingjiang Prefecture's Divine Tripod.

If the Tripod isn't repaired and ultimately collapses, Zoroastrianism followers will make their move into Mingjiang.

"High costs are for usual operations. If you're here to host storytelling, listening and singing will be free."

"But ordinary folks won't just come for complimentary entertainment."

"How about offering snacks, dried fruits, and refreshments free of charge, plus beers for just fifty cents a pint? That way, they won't just sit idle."

Gu Ling added, "Of course, premium drinks, chocolates, coffee—they won't be as cheap. I can at most offer a fifty percent discount."

"Sounds like a workable plan."

"From now on, whenever you come here to host storytelling, this setup stands."

Gu Ling, committed to Zhou Xuan's Heavenly Book mission, was fully on board.

"I'll write my storytelling drafts tonight and begin tomorrow."

Zhou Xuan had secured his venue; all that remained was preparing his material.

"It's a deal then. I'll get people to prepare posters and promote tomorrow's Metropolitan special event, drawing a crowd for my Young Master."

"Thank you, Super Gu, for contributing to the Heavenly Book endeavor."

"Pfft, get out of here."

Gu Ling laughed and scolded him playfully.

...

Having finalized the venue, Zhou Xuan had completed most of his personal affairs for the day.

He and Zhao Wuya continued on their journey, one riding the donkey, the other utilizing the Dragon Walk, following the path charted by their square coins to continue their Dragon Seeking and divination quest.

On the road, Zhou Xuan asked Zhao Wuya, "Ya Zi, when Dragon Seeking gathers incense fire, is it truly all about fortune-telling?"

"Not in the slightest. Fortune-telling is nothing but a surface act. At its core, it's about resolving the karmic entanglements of people living within the Red Dust."

"Humans consume grain and by extension face calamities and hardships. These hardships arise from desires, emotions, and attachments."

"By helping people resolve these problems, their desires and emotions find release, allowing you to gain insights."

"Thus, Dragon Seeking stretches far and wide, receiving blessings from the Red Dust and attaining wisdom within it."

Zhao Wuya puffed his chest and said proudly, "This is why our Dragon Seeking lineage is noble and benevolent. The incense fire drives us to be virtuous—those causing harm won't amount to anything great."

Zhou Xuan smiled faintly without replying.

Thus far, Zhou Xuan had encountered two Dragon Seeking Taoists: Yun Ziliang and Zhao Wuya.

Yun Ziliang was a good man, beyond question.

Zhao Wuya, despite his mischievous antics, absolutely had a kind heart. Whether his donkey terrorized dogs or left droppings in shop entrances, he always paid restitution and apologized, never abusing his incense fire rank to act tyrannically.

The two walked until they arrived at a small temple—the temple of the "Seven Leaves Sovereign" that Zhao Wuya had visited previously.

Zhou Xuan teased, "Ya Zi, here's your old haunt. Shouldn't your bratty little donkey offer a prayer too?"

He cracked more jokes, but Zhao Wuya remained silent.

Zhou Xuan sensed something was off and looked to Zhao Wuya.

To his surprise, Zhao Wuya had donned an expression of solemn dignity. Suddenly bowing his head, hands joined in prayer, he said to Zhou Xuan, "Master, please divine for me."

"Have you lost your mind?" Zhou Xuan promptly declined.

"King Yan demands a divination; Master you mustn't refuse."

Zhao Wuya's eyes became glassy and bewildered, muttering cryptic words of prophecy…

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