Daoist Master, I'm really not an evil cultivator.

Chapter 4: I am destined to be with you; I will impart the true scriptures to you.

Just then, the sound of horseshoes striking the stone steps came from outside the temple gate, slow and steady, yet exceptionally clear.

What followed was a hoarse, dry voice, drawn out in a long tone, much like the wheezing of a broken bellows when an old donkey brays:

"Master Xuming, the 'goods' you requested have been delivered to your door."

Xu Changqing's face darkened, and as his memories surged, a nickname surfaced: "Donkey Tooth".

"Damn it," he cursed inwardly, gritting his teeth. "How many 'surprises' has Xu Ming been saving up for me? How many times has this happened? Why does every day seem to bring such filthy things into my life?!"

This person was not a cultivator, but in his early years he obtained the evil technique of transforming people into donkeys from the "Livestock Creation Method". He often used magic to transform the people he captured into donkeys and mules, and sold them to various evil cultivators as materials or slaves. Because of his unique voice, he was given this nickname in the martial arts world.

The original owner of this body did have dealings with him, purchasing "yin-life" women from him several times to nourish the lotus flowers in the pond. However, this particular "goods" was not pre-ordered by the original owner...

In the blink of an eye, the murderous intent in Xu Changqing's eyes surged and then subsided, and his face regained its gentle and otherworldly demeanor as he slowly walked towards the front courtyard.

Pushing open the gate, one sees a man and a "donkey" standing at the bottom of the stone steps.

The man was short and thin, wearing a greasy, shiny gray cloth robe and a tattered felt hat with the brim pulled down so low that only half of his withered, sallow face was visible.

His lips were unusually thick and turned outwards, revealing yellowed incisors when he spoke. As his Adam's apple bobbed, a hoarse braying sound escaped his lips: "Master, it's been a long time. You look even better now."

The donkey he was leading was a gray donkey with mottled fur. It was not large, but its eyes were unusually cloudy with red rims. When it stared at Xu Changqing, it vaguely revealed a hint of human pleading and fear.

The donkey carried two bulging burlap sacks on its back, the openings of which were tied tightly with straw ropes and were wriggling slightly.

"You scoundrel," Xu Changqing stood at the threshold, not allowing him to enter, and asked indifferently, "I haven't placed any orders recently, why have you come here so suddenly?"

Donkey Tooth grinned, his thick lips parting to make him look even more like a donkey: "Is the real sir forgetful? Didn't you mention last month that you wanted to find a pair of 'Yin-Yang Twins,' preferably sisters with conflicting yet compatible destinies? Our family went to great lengths, traveling to three counties, and finally found a pair in Nanshan Valley. The elder sister was born at noon, the yang energy of the day, while the younger sister was born at midnight, the yin energy of the day of the night. Their birth charts are perfectly matched, making them excellent materials for refining the 'Mother and Child Vengeful Soul Banner.'"

As he spoke, he patted the sack on the donkey's back, and a faint whimper immediately came from inside the sack, as if the mouth had been gagged.

Xu Changqing understood immediately. The original owner had indeed mentioned it casually, but had not seriously entrusted it. This Donkey Tooth was probably short of "goods" lately, and knowing that the original owner was always "quick" in making money, he wanted to take the opportunity to sell the stolen goods.

His gaze swept over the gray donkey.

Animals created through the art of animal creation retain their souls, their consciousness trapped in their beastly bodies, often suffering torment day and night. The pleading look in the donkey's eyes suggests that the person in the bag may have once looked just like it.

"Fellow Daoist, you are well-informed." Xu Changqing's tone was calm, revealing no emotion.

Donkey Tooth's smile froze, his small eyes hidden under the brim of his hat darted around, and he suddenly lowered his voice, taking half a step forward: "Sir, I know your rules. But this batch of goods... is truly rare. Why don't you take a look at its quality first?"

Xu Changqing remained calm, his gaze sweeping over the fawning face of the donkey, then landing on the pleading gray donkey and the wriggling sack beside him.

A gentle mountain breeze stirred, causing the sleeves of his Taoist robe to flutter slightly. Suddenly, a smile played on his lips as he said softly, "No need, I'll take them all."

The original owner needed this person to provide manpower long-term, but Xu Changqing did not, which meant...

Upon hearing this, Donkey Tooth was overjoyed, his yellowed incisors bared even wider, and he hurriedly bowed, saying, "You're truly generous! As for the money..."

The two words, "No," fell to the ground as lightly as a feather, yet resounded like a thunderclap.

Donkey Tooth was stunned. His small eyes, hidden beneath his felt hat, widened in disbelief. His thick lips twitched slightly, and his hoarse voice suddenly rose in pitch: "Is the Master... joking with us?"

Xu Changqing did not answer, but slowly stepped out of the threshold.

The moment his toes touched the bluestone steps, the starlight of the Void Constellation flowed silently, and his aura suddenly turned cold.

The lotus flowers by the pond swayed gently without any wind, rustling softly, as if countless wronged souls were echoing in whispers.

Donkey Tooth's pupils contracted sharply, and he took a half step back, tightening his grip on the reins.

The gray donkey was startled and reared up, while the whimpering from the sack grew more urgent.

"That cunning Master Xuming! It seems he's deliberately planning to double-cross us today!"

"No." Xu Changqing stood on the steps, the mountain breeze ruffling his Taoist robe, the lotus flowers in the pond behind him rustling. His expression was calm, his eyes deep as pools, his voice low but each word clear.

Donkey Tooth gripped the reins tightly, the bone nail in his sleeve was icy cold, his throat bobbed, and he hissed, "What does that master intend to do?"

Xu Changqing took a step forward, his gaze fixed on the twilight mountains, his tone as casual as if he were talking about everyday matters: "I recently came across a true scripture and was looking for someone to test it on. Fellow Daoist, your delivery to my door today is a perfect opportunity."

Donkey Tooth's sallow face twitched, and he gave a dry laugh: "Really...you're joking. What true scriptures?"

"A true scripture that can lead to foundation building and immortality." Xu Changqing turned his gaze back. "I observe that your physical cultivation is complete, and your physique is strong and resilient, yet you have lingered outside the gate for many years without the guidance of this true scripture. We have traded for many years, so we can be considered destined. I wish to take you as my inner disciple and impart this true scripture to you. What do you say?"

Donkey Tooth shuddered, his small eyes widened, and his thick lips parted slightly, revealing his yellowed incisors.

Cultivation! He spent half his life scheming in evil arts, kidnapping and trafficking people, all for this day? But this Master Xuming is known for his ruthlessness, how could he possibly show kindness for no reason?

Seeing his doubtful expression, Xu Changqing smiled slightly, and a glint of starlight quietly flickered in her eyes.

The Qi of destiny silently spread, seeping into Donkey Tooth's mind and stirring up his deepest and most ardent desires—a mad obsession with transcending the mortal body and controlling life and death.

"Listen carefully." Xu Changqing stood with his hands in his sleeves, like a master instructing his students, his voice deep and resonant. "The beginning of cultivation lies in nourishing the body and tempering the spirit, exhaling and inhaling Qi. The so-called 'Qi' is the origin of all things in heaven and earth, but due to different methods, the Qi absorbed is also of a thousand kinds."

He paused, noticing that the doubt in Donkey Tooth's eyes was gradually being replaced by longing, and continued to use the illusory destiny qi to influence his mind, tempting him:

"Confucianism cultivates righteous qi, establishes a righteous mind, and is upright and honest; martial arts refine pure yang qi, which is fierce and unparalleled, but some take a different path and draw blood and evil qi to fuel their fighting spirit; Buddhism condenses diamond qi, which is firm and indestructible, and contains the power to subdue demons within its compassion."

The mountain wind picked up, and the copper bells jingled.

Donkey Tooth was breathing heavily, staring intently at Xu Changqing, not daring to miss a single word.

"In my Taoist school, Qi is also divided into various categories. Qingyang Qi draws upon the vitality of the rising sun, gentle and enduring; Wulei Qi is imbued with the power of thunder, vanquishing evil and dispelling falsehoods..." He changed the subject, looking at Donkey Tooth, "There is also Youxin Qi, originating from the dark earth of the Yellow Springs, sensing the sorrow and resentment of all things, most suited to someone like you... who has experienced the turbidity of the world and harbors deep-seated obsessions."

Donkey Tooth trembled all over and hissed, "Master...is this true?"

"Why would I deceive you?" Xu Changqing raised his hand in a gesture of deference.

The inky black water in the pool suddenly surged, and a dense, eerie aura rose like mist, within which countless distorted faces appeared, wailing and weeping.

"Look, the Qi gathered in this pond of lotus flowers can help you break through the barrier and sense the Qi entering your body."

The last trace of doubt in Donkey Tooth's eyes was overwhelmed by ecstasy.

He loosened the reins, knelt down with a thud, touched his forehead to the ground, and his voice trembled with excitement: "Disciple...disciple wishes to become the master of the True Man! I beg the Master to bestow upon me the Dharma!"