【18 years old: The little disciples have been studying more diligently, and their relationships with the other disciples have noticeably improved.
Occasionally, you can see them playing together. “Hey hey hey—why are you fighting now! Don’t hit faces! Show some morality!” The overall virtue has increased slightly!
A few days later, your mother hands you a letter. You’re somewhat surprised; the Baotie is from Qianxing Cave, sent by a disciple who graduated three years ago.
Recalling that disciple’s terrible handwriting—like a dog crawling on paper—you can’t help but reminisce about those glorious past days.
Opening the letter, a powerful and majestic cursive script leaps into your eyes.
The disciple knows you have severe nearsightedness and deliberately wrote in extra-large characters. You feel the student’s respect and smile faintly.
“Master! Hurry here! There’s treasure to present!”
You shake your head and laugh, like all teachers do: “This child, respect the teacher by all means, but no need to bring treasure! It’s the thought that counts!”
Your mother nods in agreement nearby.
In the blink of an eye, you have packed your travel gear, looking spirited. “It’s been a long time since I last saw him—I really miss him!”
Mother:
Mother never scolds you; quickly thank the mother who spoils you!
***
The scholar is surrounded by a group of ghostly creatures. The pitch-black Ancient Great Ghost stands aloof to the side, its writhing tentacles occasionally parting to try and pounce on the scholar’s children.
These kids are orphans the scholar has picked up over the years in the forest, boys and girls alike. The little rascals stand in a row, from tall to short, pleading to go outside in unison.
They look both innocent and carefree.
The scholar leans on his cane, smiling as he refuses. He knows these little troublemakers too well; they hang out with the rebellious Hong Jia Niang’s group and cause the most mischief.
He needs to find one who doesn’t cause trouble. Casually pointing, the scholar says, “Cong Xin! Come, accompany your master on a trip to broaden your horizons and meet your accomplished Shixiong! More connections are useful when you go out in the future!”
Hong Jia Niang was just about to rejoice, but Cong Xin immediately jumped three feet high: “Master, I’m here! I’ll pack my things right away!”
The ghostly creatures all cast sinister glances, but Cong Xin isn’t bothered. After these days together, he’s come to see through them—all are afraid of the master and wouldn’t dare act up in front of him!
Cong Xin supports the scholar, carefully avoiding the forest’s scattered stones.
The scholar walks comfortably. The past disciples were all good, but mostly cold and gloomy, making the scholar feel uneasy. This time there’s a disciple full of Yang energy—how delightful!
Noticing Cong Xin’s distracted mind, the scholar assumes he’s worried about the long journey and calmly reassures him, “Your Shixiong lives quite close to us. It should take about an hour.”
Cong Xin doesn’t respond to his master. He stares blankly upward, mouth agape, as eight Spirit Horses pull a carriage through the dark clouds.
The carriage is topped with gems and glazed windows; the horses exude immense Yin energy, which only makes the golden light of the carriage more dazzling.
Cong Xin swallows hard. The scholar shades his eyes with his hand and sighs, “Today’s sun is fierce indeed!”
“Master, your eyes…”
Cong Xin falls silent, his expression serious.
“This carriage… no matter how you look at it, something’s off! If it’s taking someone to the Underworld, can it really return?”
Cong Xin instinctively tightens the gear pack at his waist.
The eight Spirit Horses, each adorned with ghostly horns, quietly land. The horses neigh loudly, clearly very close to the scholar, who laughs heartily at their approach: “How have you been lately?”
One horse snorts arrogantly and lifts its head high!
The scholar reaches out to pat the horse but suddenly feels his little disciple tugging on his sleeve. He turns in puzzlement.
Cong Xin trembles: “M-Master, come behind me!”
The scholar blinks; in his blurry vision, a few horses appear to be smiling broadly. He can’t help but feel a little helpless and somewhat moved by his timid but grateful disciple!
The children have clearly experienced those fiercely kicking horses before and bear the psychological scars.
“Don’t worry, I’m very familiar with these horses! They won’t kick you! Look, Yinxing and the others are smiling at you!”
The scholar embraces Cong Xin, smiling warmly. “They’re disciples who have already graduated. This one is Shixiong Tayue. Come on, say something sweet! Call him Shixiong! By the way, do you want to touch them?”
Staring at the horses baring their fangs, Cong Xin shakes his head vigorously and quickly refuses: “No, no! Good morning, Shixiong! Good noon, Shixiong! Good evening, Shixiong!”
He’s certain if he dares to reach out, his hand will be bitten off the next moment!
Cong Xin trembles, listening to his master speak with the horse Tayue. He secretly frets over his master’s carefree nerves. Haven’t you ever wondered why these animals talk?
These horses are obviously spirits! How can you accept horses as disciples? This really is “teaching without distinction!”
No, when you think about it, all sorts of ghostly creatures live in the forest, all your disciples. Horses becoming spirits is not even unusual.
Wait, wait, Master! Why are you teaching a horse how to saddle up? Won’t it just toss you off?
***
【18 years old: Your disciples worry about you in secret, but you remain completely unaware, happily catching up with an old friend you haven’t seen in a long time.
In some ways, you’re quite the homebody. Tayue, the horse disciple captivated by your charm, hasn’t seen you for ages and is overjoyed, even wanting to take a long detour.
Unfortunately, having caused too many incidents, you quickly see through it and Tayue disgruntledly snorts.
You finally manage to pick up some useful knowledge from someone you haven’t taught before, slightly increasing your abilities—though not thanks to Tayue.
Your little disciple listens in stunned silence, silently grateful for your presence!
Ah, disciples who have graduated are like sugarcane that’s been chewed to bits—there’s little sweetness left! You sigh in resignation.
Fortunately, Tayue, who lacks mind-reading ability, brings you safely to your destination and doesn’t abandon you halfway.
The simple horse lingers a moment at the entrance of the Shilou, nuzzling you reluctantly before departing.
The disciple who offered treasure is named Fire Star, a rough-tempered burly man living in a mountain Stone House.
He requested your brush and ink to inscribe a Plaque reading “Qianxing Cave” to hang above his door. He now calls himself “Fire Star Hermit.”
That fellow can dig tunnels; you always suspect he’s found some hidden tomb. After receiving the letter, you’re eagerly looking forward to this.
Many people are already seated inside the Shilou. As soon as you enter, you sense absolute silence. Everyone, whether sitting or standing, is quiet to the extreme, as if they don’t exist.
In contrast, the eyes secretly watching, scrutinizing, even obsessing seem almost tangible, trying to squeeze onto you.
You’re long used to your own beauty and must admit your appearance is a gift from heaven to all living beings!
Luckily, you spot an empty seat in a corner and immediately pull your little disciple over to sit.
You elegantly wave your hand. The waiter hasn’t arrived, but the guests at the table have.
Dressed in a red Daoist Robe, the newcomer silently pulls out a Bronze Bell that’s being used to reserve the seat. His dark eyes quietly fix on you.
Embarrassed, you touch your nose tip, but your beauty—though only awkward—is utterly captivating. The Daoist blushes and looks away, another poor soul bewitched by your looks!
The Daoist stiffly sits down. You signal your little disciple to socialize. The little disciple abruptly stands, attempting to pull the Daoist away.
The two tug at each other across the table. Watching their overlapping backs, you helplessly hold your forehead. At this rate, they’re bound to become enemies! Better you handle this yourself!
***
Kuixing seems trapped in the deepest dream, dragged into a bottomless abyss. His starry black eyes keep floating in and out of his mind.
He only remembers the moment that person entered the Shilou.
His brain instantly roared; the tattooed Contract Mark burned hot, and his eyes held nothing but that person’s face—their narrowed eyes, their curved mouth.
Like a fool bewitched by beauty, he followed, trying to flatter and please, even offering the Soul Summoning Bell!
Kuixing feels unbearable pain and torment, wavering on the edge of betraying his oath, just one step away.
Perhaps if that person spoke a few words, praised him a little, he’d tear open his chest and beg to show his beating heart, as if to please the God-Lord!
If that person was willing to reach out and gently touch his heart, Kuixing couldn’t wait to offer his soul.
“What! What are you doing!” A sharp scolding interrupts. A frail figure blocks his sight. Kuixing still seems sleepwalking, wanting to remove this obstacle and awaiting instructions from the other person.
The two Daoists tug at each other in the narrow space.
Cong Xin is nearly scared out of his wits. He never expected Kuixing, the direct Grand Disciple of the sect, to appear here!
Shouldn’t he be off looking for the equipment mentioned by the Mud Doll? How did they run into each other here?
Afraid his lie will be exposed, Cong Xin tries to pull Kuixing away and bluff once more. But Kuixing refuses to leave.
Anger boils inside Cong Xin; after days of torment from ghostly creatures, his violent temper flares, and he slaps Kuixing hard!
Kuixing is stunned, clutching his cheek, barely breaking free from the enchanting spell. Cold sweat soaks his back as he recalls the message transmitted by Shiye last night.
He dares not lift his head, only stealing glances at the scholar’s hem.
Last night he scoffed, thinking the so-called Ancient Great Ghost was merely a narrow-minded fool spying on the sky.
After completing the Divine Task assigned by the God-Lord, he intended to relax and maybe kill a few enemies. But now… he never imagined that a simple meeting would so deeply ensnare him!
Kuixing is terrified and restless. His heart pounds wildly! Even forcibly awakened, he can’t tell if it’s fear or excitement from approaching that ghostly creature!
It’s like sinking into a swamp; all thoughts are pulled down, and he can barely breathe through his mouth and nose, struggling to stay three parts conscious.
The scholar’s surrounding Yin energy swirls naturally. When evil spirits attack, Yin energy boils as a warning, like a beast’s threatening roar. But the scholar’s Yin energy is calm. Clearly, he hasn’t acted.
But just the residue…
Kuixing secretly observes around. All cultivators trying to snatch the equipment are instantly mesmerized like him. Their minds seem controlled!
They dare not move west if told east! They dare not chase chickens if told to catch dogs! They dare not kill if told not to light fires!
If the ghost had truly acted, even Shiye would probably be no more than a loyal dog at its side!
Such power, such strength, is truly unprecedented and terrifying!
Kuixing’s hands tremble uncontrollably, gripped by intense fear. His heart and mind shake, unable to act at all!
“Leave!”
A low command snaps Kuixing awake. His chest heaves violently like waking from a nightmare. Steeling himself, Kuixing draws an iron nail and stabs it into his abdomen!
Before him stands a young disciple in disciple robes, looking worried and anxious. All Daoists have Contract Marks.
Kuixing doesn’t need to speak to recognize this is the undercover informant Shiye mentioned. Thanks to this awakening, if he’d repeatedly fallen under the hallucination’s spell, this time he’d truly be doomed!
Just as he feels relieved, sweat breaks out on Kuixing’s forehead and his heart sinks.
The scholar’s Daoist Robe is so near, but the God-Lord’s majesty weighs heavily on his mind!
For an evil spirit of this level to appear, besides the equipment demanded by the God-Lord, what else could be worth the trouble of manifesting? He can’t leave yet!
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