As winter approached, heavy snow arrived as scheduled.
Jingxu Temple was also covered in皑皑white snow, appearing ethereal amidst a thin mist.
In front of the temple gate, the incense burner was wreathed in smoke, accompanied by the melodious sound of copper bells.
From time to time, women in azure embroidered robes would come out with brooms, diligently sweeping the snow in front of the gate. Occasionally, pilgrims would visit, all giving the women a curious look before departing.
Standing at the temple gate and gazing out, one could take in the entire scenery of Jingxu Temple. Layer upon layer of palaces and pavilions were capped with white snow. The mountain ranges rose and fell in a measured manner, like steps.
In the distance, the golden hall shimmered, as dazzling as the rising sun amidst the heavy snow. Particularly striking was the locust tree, tens of meters tall, its verdant canopy covering a large area of the palaces and pavilions.
Further away, one could see a towering tree rising from the ground, like a Tower of Babel, its top out of sight.
It was said by the disciples in the temple that the tree was Jingxu Temple's sacred tree. Without the abbess's permission, no one was allowed to approach it easily.
Of course, there were always those who ignored the warnings, trying every means to see the sacred tree. However, none of them managed to get close, and they would inexplicably find themselves back at the temple gate. This became a well-known tale of Jingxu Temple, arousing curiosity in many.
"Wow! What big snow!" A white-haired woman, wrapped in a cloak, frolicked in the snow with several stunningly beautiful girls. They were all wearing the robes of Jingxu Temple, and the pilgrims immediately recognized their identities.
Most of those who came here to worship and seek blessings knew that Jingxu Temple had three wonders.
The first wonder was the sacred tree, the second was the environment, and the third, of course, was the disciples in the temple.
Beautiful girls, rarely seen in ordinary big cities, were everywhere in this temple.
Not only were they beautiful, but they were also mostly innocent and lively. They didn't have the aloofness of ordinary beauties. If anyone had difficulties and sought their help, they would enthusiastically offer assistance. However, despite their enthusiasm, they were not foolish. If anyone tried to deceive them for their affection, they would find no way in. It was as if these girls had some kind of divine power, knowing clearly what others were thinking.
This was also the reason why Jingxu Temple's incense offerings were becoming increasingly prosperous. After all, there were too many beautiful girls, and even just seeing them made people feel satisfied.
Meanwhile, in the inner courtyard of the temple, where outsiders could not set foot.
Yan Gongli was lying on a couch, with a hot stove beside her. She was comfortably nestled in her blankets, eating snacks and watching TV, looking leisurely and enjoying herself.
Occasionally, a little fox would rush in, but she would remain calm and unhurried.
Sure enough, she hadn't even finished her TV show when the door to her room was pushed open. A young girl in blue ancient robes rushed in, looking at Yan Gongli on the couch with teary eyes and saying, "Elder Yan, when will our clan leader return? There are still many things in the clan waiting for her to handle."
Yan Gongli glanced at the girl, then put down her teacup. After pressing the pause button, she shifted her body slightly and looked at the girl leisurely, saying, "What's the rush? Your clan leader went out with the abbess, and nothing major will happen. Just wait a little longer."
"But! But it's already snowing. Our clan should be holding the Heavenly Fox Ceremony. If the clan leader doesn't return soon, the time for the ceremony will probably pass," the girl said anxiously, unable to control her body. Not only did her tail emerge from behind her, but even the ears on her head couldn't be hidden.
Yan Gongli looked at her like this and couldn't help but sigh. She just finished eating the snacks in her hand, clapped her little hands, and said, "In the end, I'm not an elder or guest elder of this Jingxu Temple, so why am I always doing these trivial things? Alright, don't worry. Let me contact the abbess and ask about their situation. Maybe they're having too much fun outside and have abandoned you little foxes."
"Ah! No! That kind of thing, absolutely not! Even if you don't bring the other sisters in the clan, at least, at least you have to bring me!" The girl cried out aggrievedly upon hearing this. Yan Gongli's ears hurt, and she wondered how Bai Jing could stand the chattering of these three thousand little foxes.
She had only been gone for half a month, and she was already annoyed to death by these little foxes who only knew how to whine.
Currently, in Jingxu Temple, besides the young Mo Xiang and Shu Xiang sisters who were formal Jingxu disciples, the others were not formal disciples of Jingxu Temple in name.
Although there were many little foxes, they still lacked a formal status. Usually, when they encountered something, they would ask Bai Jing to solve it. Now that Bai Jing was gone, they would come to her when they encountered trouble.
After all, Mo Xiang was young and couldn't make decisions, and Zi Yun was too aloof, so the little foxes didn't dare to provoke her. With both Bai Jing and the abbess gone, she was the only one left who could take charge.
Walking along the corridor, one could often see the lively and playful little foxes.
Although the little foxes were noisy, they really added a bit of domesticity to this temple.
Quietness in the midst of noise, this was also the appearance that Yan Gongli liked very much.
After passing through the cloister, she heard the deep sound of the bell outside. Yan Gongli seemed to have thought of something, so she asked the girl behind her, "Have there been more pilgrims these past few days?"
"Yes, ever since the abbess displayed her Dharma form a few days ago, many more people have come to the temple to offer incense. There are also many young people asking if our temple accepts disciples and if they can pay to become disciples," the girl quickly nodded in response.
"It's not a strange thing, who told them to make such a big commotion," Yan Gongli's tender and lovely face showed a smile.
Recalling the situation that day, even she felt surprised.
That kind of grand scene was probably close to the realm of a sage. Even if she recovered to her full strength, she might not be a match for the abbess who had displayed her Dharma form.
In the words of the internet, it was truly terrifying.
This matter could also be considered major news, after all, so many people saw it. Although many experts and scholars came out to popularize science and cover it up, they couldn't hide it from those who had seen it.
Yan Gongli saw countless videos about that commotion while surfing the internet these past few days.
What was it called in the words of the people of this world? It seemed to be called spiritual energy recovery.
Speaking of spiritual energy recovery, the spiritual energy of this world was indeed somewhat fluctuating. Perhaps there would be even more times in the future?
Yan Gongli was somewhat looking forward to the situation in the future. She walked into the Sanqing Temple in the inner courtyard, bowed to the three Daoist ancestor statues, and then took out a mirror.
She used the mirror to conjure an image, and then the figures of Jiang Wen and others appeared.
"Abbott, are you well?" Yan Gongli said with a smile.
