With a flick of his wrist, Wang Ruohan's umbrella snapped open with a soft swish. The blood from moments before had vanished, its surface once again a flawless moon-white, as if the thunderous slaughter had been nothing but a dream.
He gave the handle a gentle turn, and the bone-chilling frost permeating the air was drawn back into the umbrella like tired birds returning to their nest. The ice encasing the puppets rapidly melted, steaming in the damp air. Freed from the Pact-Initiator's control, they collapsed, unconscious.
Throughout it all, Wang Ruohan's gaze never lingered on Lin Rui. It was as if he had merely swept away a few bothersome insects that had crossed his path.
"I notified the Celestial Law Division before I arrived," he said, his voice flat, devoid of emotion. "They will be here soon. Stay put and keep any curious folk away."
Before the last word faded, he turned and vanished into the bamboo shadows.
Lin Baobao let out a long sigh of relief.
"Gods... that guy is way too strong," he muttered. "And that umbrella... is it a magical artifact or some kind of treasure?"
Xu Yu's eyes gleamed with contemplation. "The technique was likely a variation of the Wang family's core lineage [Frigid Plum Sword Art], using the umbrella as a conduit to turn qi into ice. And his movement technique... some kind of flash-step secret art. That level of speed is beyond most cultivators."
Qu Youyan, however, stared in the direction Wang Ruohan had disappeared, her fingertips tapping lightly on her arm. "That final strike," she said softly, "his spiritual energy was condensed to its absolute limit, almost no leakage. That level of control... I doubt even someone at the initial stage of Heart Incantation could manage it."
Lin Rui ignored their discussion. Wang Ruohan's power was shocking, but there were more important things to do. He strode over to the headless corpse, his gaze sharp as he scanned for clues. The rune-embroidered robe, the bone dagger, the black stone basin—any of them could hold the key.
He crouched and carefully examined the robe. The fabric was coarse, but the inner lining was sewn with a smooth layer of leather. His eyes narrowed. Tucked into a hidden pocket, he found a thin, ragged-edged piece of beast hide. On it, a series of twisted symbols were drawn in some dark red pigment. Besides the symbols, a few names were scrawled in a crooked, foreign script.
Lin Rui's brow furrowed. "This is..." It looked like some kind of roster.
Meanwhile, Xu Yu had moved to the black stone basin. Its inner walls were smooth, but a layer of grayish-white powder had settled at the bottom, mixed with charred plant residue.
"Lin Rui, look." Xu Yu used a bamboo stick to poke at the sediment. "This looks like powdered animal bone, and this ash... the smell is peculiar. A cold, malevolent feel. Could this be the medium they used to form the 'Mortal Spirit-Pact'?"
Qu Youyan, for her part, circled the altar. Her gaze finally landed on a damaged formation node at the edge. There, a broken, inch-long section of jet-black bamboo lay on the ground. It still carried a faint, cold aura, identical to the one the Pact-Initiator had radiated.
Qu Youyan picked up the broken tube and handed it to Lin Rui. "This bamboo... it's similar to the 'Yin-Sinking Bamboo' the puppets wore, but more refined. It could have been an instrument the Pact-Initiator used to guide or strengthen the contract's power."
The three exchanged a grave look.
Lin Rui carefully stored the beast-hide roster. Xu Yu wrapped a sample of the basin's sediment in oil paper, and Qu Youyan put away the broken bamboo tube. They couldn't trust the Celestial Law Division to handle things properly; they needed to keep their own set of evidence.
Just as they finished, footsteps approached. Several clerks in Celestial Law Division uniforms arrived, escorting an arrogant-looking young cultivator.
The cultivator glanced at the corpse and the unconscious mortals, his brow wrinkling. "What happened here? Who reported it?"
"We did," Lin Rui said calmly, stepping forward. "This 'Pact-Initiator' was performing a malevolent ritual, controlling these people. We submitted a report about the mortal anomalies days ago. Why was no action taken?"
The young cultivator shot Lin Rui an impatient look. "The Celestial Law Division has its procedures. Your report will be processed in due course. What are you doing here? And why did you engage a heretic?"
Lin Baobao couldn't hold back. "Processed in due course? By the time you finished processing, they'd all be dead! If it wasn't for Young Master... Young Master Wang stepping in, we would've been done for, too!"
The cultivator's face darkened. "Insolence! Is it your place to question our methods? We will investigate this thoroughly. Now, tell us everything that happened."
Just then, another set of footsteps arrived. Granny Su, accompanied by several Lin family guards, hurried over. Her expression turned grim when she saw the people scattered on the ground.
"Amitabha, what a sin." She rushed forward to check on a mortal, then looked up at the squad. Her gaze held a hint of inquiry and... approval? "Young Master Rui, was this... all your doing?"
Lin Rui shook his head. "We only stopped the ritual. The one who truly solved the problem was Wang Ruohan. Granny Su, these people..."
"We'll take them to the medical hall," she said decisively, directing the guards to carry the unconscious townsfolk away.
As the last one was carried off, her gaze shifted, landing on the blackened wound on Qu Youyan's shoulder and the gash on Lin Rui's arm. Her brow furrowed. Without a word, she formed an orchid-like hand seal. As she muttered an incantation, the vital energy of the surrounding bamboo forest gathered, transforming into points of emerald light that flowed into their wounds.
Where the light touched, the black energy on Qu Youyan's shoulder visibly dissipated. The bleeding from Lin Rui's arm stopped, the flesh already beginning to mend.
Granny Su produced two small jade bottles and poured out a fragrant pill from each. "'Azure-Vein Pills.' Take them now to stabilize your qi and blood," she said, handing them over. "Come to the medical hall later for a proper examination. The foul energy affecting those mortals is strange. I must get back to them."
With that, she and the guards hurried away.
Lin Baobao sidled up to Qu Youyan, his face full of guilt as he looked at her much-improved wound. "Youyan, this is all my fault. If you hadn't protected me..."
Qu Youyan waved a hand, her tone calm. "It's nothing. We're companions. Besides, flesh wounds are part of a cultivator's daily meal."
Lin Baobao slapped his chest. "That won't do! When this is over, I'm treating everyone! Drunken Immortal Tavern, on me! A feast to calm the nerves!"
Lin Rui turned to the waiting clerks and briefly recounted the events. They scribbled a few notes and, seeing no profit to be made, gave a perfunctory farewell and left.
The Bamboo-Whisper Prayer Festival had long since ended. The crowds had dispersed, leaving behind a mess and the faint fragrance of bamboo. Wang Ting stretched lazily, ready to head home. He turned and saw Wang Ruohan standing not far off, his moon-white robe without a single wrinkle.
"Well now, Cousin Ruohan," Wang Ting sauntered over, a smirk playing on his lips. "The ceremony was so lively. Where'd you run off to? Find somewhere fun?"
Wang Ruohan didn't even lift his eyelids. "The privy."
The smile on Wang Ting's face froze. His mouth twitched. This little brat. Who does he think he's fooling? What latrine for miles around would be fit for someone of his status? He cursed inwardly. He's getting less and less likable. Needs to be taught a lesson.
That afternoon, Lin Rui and Qu Youyan, accompanied by Xu Yu and Lin Baobao, went straight to the Lin family's medical hall.
The hall was brightly lit, the air thick with the smell of medicinal herbs and a faint scent of blood. Granny Su was methodically directing several apprentices, settling the rescued townsfolk onto rows of temporary straw mats.
"Wu'er, grind three qian of Mind-Clearing Grass, mix it with rootless water, and apply the paste to their shenting acupoints."
"Sanqi, fetch the 'Soul-Soothing Incense.' Light three sticks, and don't let the wind snuff them out."
"The rest of you, feed them this 'Hundred-Herb Decoction.' Be gentle. Don't let them choke."
Her speech wasn't fast, but it carried an unquestionable authority. The apprentices moved quickly and efficiently. Some cleaned the filth from the mortals' bodies while others brewed a medicinal liquid that gave off a strange aroma. Faint spiritual light flickered at their fingertips as they chanted simple, soothing incantations.
Granny Su saw the group enter and nodded. "You two, follow me to the back courtyard."
The courtyard was quiet, with a stone table and stools set beneath an old pagoda tree. She gestured for Lin Rui and Qu Youyan to sit while she stood before them, forming a complex hand seal.
"By the Azurewood's spring light, let foulness be cleansed," she chanted in a low voice. "Let qi and blood return to source, let meridians be cleared."
A soft, greenish light bloomed at her fingertips. She touched it to their foreheads and wounds. The light seeped into them like a spring rain, cool and refreshing.
After a moment, Granny Su released the seal, a smile on her face. "Mm, nothing serious now. Young Master Rui's wound has healed, and the yin-sha energy on Miss Youyan's shoulder has been mostly cleansed. But the Pact-Initiator's dagger was coated in a yin-toxin. You two should eat lightly for a few days and get a daily dose of 'Cleansing Decoction' from me. The residual poison should be purged in three to five days."
Xu Yu, who had been holding his breath, finally relaxed and bowed. "Thank you, Granny Su. And the mortals...?"
The smile on her face faded. She sighed softly. "Their lives are saved, and their minds will recover. But... that 'Mortal Spirit-Pact' is too tyrannical. It forcibly extracted their source vitality. Even with the best care, these individuals will likely only have eight to ten years of life left. Their bodies will be significantly weaker. I'm afraid they won't be able to do any heavy labor."
Lin Baobao's face turned pale. "Eight or ten years? That's too..."
Lin Rui's brow was furrowed. "Granny Su, this 'Mortal Spirit-Pact'... what is it, exactly? Who would invent such a malicious technique?"
Granny Su shook her head. "It is a taboo among taboos. Legend says it was a crooked path devised in ancient times, either by desperate mortals or heretical cultivators with wicked hearts, all in pursuit of a single burst of great power. It violates the harmony of nature, forcibly creating a distorted connection between a mortal and the Spirit Web. The price is immense. As for who created it, the era is too distant, and the records have been lost. I have only seen it mentioned in a few ancient medical texts, where it was called 'the art of drinking poison to quench thirst.'"
Lin Rui nodded thoughtfully. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he gathered the others closer. "...the symbols on that roster," he whispered, "...and the dregs from the stone basin..."
Granny Su watched the four of them huddled together, a hint of a smile in her eyes. These children, she thought, they certainly have a sense of responsibility. And a sharp wit about them.
After a moment, they seemed to reach a consensus. Lin Rui took out the beast-hide roster, the oil-paper packet of sediment from Xu Yu, and the broken bamboo tube from Qu Youyan, presenting them all to Granny Su.
"Granny Su, we found these at the altar," he said. "You are wise and have seen much. We were hoping you could take a look. Perhaps you can find some clues."
Granny Su took the items.
She picked up the bamboo tube first, carefully examining the residual runes on its surface. Her brow gradually furrowed. Then, she took a pinch of the grayish-white powder, held it to her nose, and sniffed lightly.
Her expression changed instantly.
"These runes... they're ancient, and they carry an aura of... netherworldly foulness," she said, her voice heavy. "And the material of this basin is abnormally cold. It seems to gather yin energy. Could it be the legendary 'Soul-Gathering Stone'? This, combined with the runes, looks like the work of a heretical sect from Gloomy Spring Prefecture. A sect that worshipped yin-ascribed powers and vanished long ago."
Lin Rui's heart skipped a beat. "Gloomy Spring Prefecture?"
Granny Su nodded, her expression grave. "That's right. I'm afraid this is not just some wandering heretic causing trouble. It's highly likely that an organized sect is involved. For them to go to such lengths, their goal is certainly not simple. Perhaps they are harvesting life force to cultivate some malevolent art. Or perhaps they intend to create chaos in Zhuyun Town... it might even be related to external powers attempting to infiltrate our Qingluo Prefecture."
She carefully put away the evidence.
"I will report these findings to the Patriarch immediately. This matter must be handled with the utmost seriousness." She looked at the four of them, a hint of approval in her eyes. "You all did very well. You not only saved those mortals but also uncovered a vital clue. You have courage and ingenuity. Truly a fine son and daughter of our Lin family."
The aftershocks of the incident rippled through Zhuyun Town. All who had participated in stopping the ritual were bathed in the generous, positive feedback of the Spirit Web.
In an unremarkable forge in the market, the furnace burned brightly.
Qin Lang was bare-chested, sweat rolling down his bronze skin as he hammered a piece of red-hot metal with a rhythmic beat. New in town, he had taken up short-term blacksmithing work to earn spirit stones and gather information.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Finished with his work, he wiped away the sweat and stepped out of the stuffy workshop, planning to grab a bite at a familiar food stall. The cultivators at the next table were speaking in low voices, but they couldn't escape his sharp ears.
"Did you hear? The abandoned altar east of town was pure chaos yesterday."
"You're telling me! Some heretic's wicked scheme, using living people as sacrifices. Tsk, tsk... gives me the creeps just thinking about it."
"But then the Wang family's eldest young master stepped in and annihilated the fiend in a single move! So powerful!"
"And those kids from the Lin family weren't so simple either. Heard they discovered it first and even held their own against the heretic for a while."
Qin Lang listened in silence, shoveling rice into his mouth.
This town, he thought, was peaceful on the surface, but full of filth and corruption underneath. I've only been here a few days, and I've already seen walking corpses and heretical arts. No peaceful place at all.
Deep within the Lin family compound, the atmosphere in the Azurewood Council Hall was solemn.
At the head of the hall sat Patriarch Lin Tianhua, his gaze placid. To his sides sat Lin Tianhong, Lin Tiancheng, Lin Tiande, and Lin Yunlong. Below them were more than a dozen core elders and inner-hall deacons, all with focused expressions.
An elder in charge of general affairs stroked his beard, his tone worried. "Recently, the Wang family's new artifact shops have stolen a good deal of our business. Their new batch of 'Sharp-Metal Talisman Swords,' in particular, are priced extremely low and have significantly impacted our Spirit-Wood Workshop's entry-level flying swords."
Lin Tiande snorted. "That stuff is all flash, no substance. Father, I say we have the External Affairs Hall contact the Qingluo Merchant Guild and release a batch of our new 'Cloud-Mist Spirit Sprouts' early. It would bring in capital and serve as a warning to the Wangs. Let them know who's really in charge here."
Lin Yunlong frowned. "Third Brother, this year's 'Cloud-Mist Spirit Sprout' yield wasn't high to begin with, and the Spirit Cloud Tea Garden suffered pest damage a few days ago. A large release now could affect the quality and price later on. Moreover, the water-diversion formations on the Azure Creek need repair. If we delay, the irrigation of the spirit fields will become a problem."
Lin Tiancheng spoke up at the opportune moment. "Regarding the formations Sixth Brother mentioned, I have already sent people to investigate. The damage is not severe—mainly a few core runes that have deteriorated with age, hindering the spiritual energy flow. I've drafted a repair plan. It should be completed within ten days, and the cost will be around three hundred low-grade spirit stones. It's just... with the recent instability in town, the trouble among the mortals... I worry..."
Lin Tianhua raised a hand, and the council hall fell silent.
"Regarding the mortal incident Tiancheng mentioned," he said, his gaze sweeping over the room, "Granny Su presented the evidence this morning. It was Rui'er and the other children who discovered it at the abandoned altar. A Pact-Initiator of unknown origin was using heretical arts to control mortals. His intentions were despicable."
A look of approval flashed in Lin Tiancheng's eyes. "Father, speaking of Rui'er, the boy has truly transformed since the 'ancestral manifestation.' Remarkable. Not only did he achieve Qi Induction in a short time and register as a cultivator, but his cultivation has now firmly reached Mystic Art Enlightenment. More valuable still, including this time, he has triggered several strong, positive feedback from the Spirit Web. Such fortune is rare among our younger generation."
Lin Tianhong, his face as stern as ever, spoke in a voice as cold as the jade ruler in his hand. "Hmph. Fortune is one thing, but character must be pure. One must know their place. The 'ancestral manifestation' was strange from the start. Now that he is a cultivator, he should focus on his training rather than getting involved in these unorthodox affairs. If that boy from the Wang family hadn't 'coincidentally' passed by, the consequences would have been unthinkable."
Lin Tiande's eyes darted about, a playful tone in his voice. "I disagree, First Brother. The fact that Rui'er discovered the heretic's tracks and dared to act shows rare courage. As for that Wang family boy... You think he just 'passed by'? I'd say he planned it, hoping to use this to make a name for himself. But speaking of Rui'er, if he's properly nurtured, he could become a capable hand for the family. At the very least, he's better than some who bury their heads in books at the clan school." He shot a meaningful glance at Lin Yunlong.
Lin Yunlong's expression didn't change. "Third Brother is right. However, Rui'er is still young and his cultivation shallow. His escape was partly due to his wits, but the power behind this incident is likely not simple. Granny Su said the runes bear the shadow of Gloomy Spring Prefecture. Our town cannot become a training ground for heretics."
An elder in charge of the family guard spoke gravely. "Patriarch, we must investigate thoroughly! I suggest we dispatch more patrols, especially around abandoned altars and ancient tombs. We cannot give these scoundrels another opportunity. The beacon towers must be on high alert, coordinating with our posts at Cold Pine Ridge and the Spirit Source River Valley. Any anomaly must be reported immediately."
"Well said," another elder agreed. "The peace of Zhuyun Town ultimately depends on our great families. We can't count on the Celestial Law Division."
The hall buzzed with discussion—opinions on Lin Rui, outrage at the heretics, and concerns for the family's safety all intertwined.
Lin Tianhua listened in silence. Only when the voices faded did he speak again. "The Celestial Law Division will have its judgment. But the evidence from Granny Su, especially that roster from Gloomy Spring Prefecture, is no small matter. Tiancheng, your Formations Hall must monitor the clan's formations, especially the protective wards on the Ancestral Hall and the Archive Pavilion. Tianhong, your Discipline Hall will enforce the rules strictly. Restrain the disciples. No one causes trouble at this critical juncture."
He changed the subject, his gaze turning to Lin Tiande. "Tiande, how are Yueyao's preparations for the 'Azure Tea Ancestor Worship Ceremony' in five days? This is the first time she will preside over the 'Offering of the New Sprouts' ritual as the junior officiant. It concerns the family's reputation and the fortune of the Spirit Cloud Tea Garden for the coming year. There can be no mistakes."
A proud smile spread across Lin Tiande's face.
"Rest assured, Father! Yueyao has put in a tremendous amount of effort! Besides her daily cultivation, she has painstakingly practiced the complex 'Fern-Gathering Sacrificial Dance' and the lengthy 'Ancient Prayer for Abundance.' She knows them by heart. She even reviewed a hundred years of records on the ceremony in the Archive Pavilion, striving for perfection. A few days ago, she went alone to the core 'Cloud-Top Downy-Tip' tea field in the Spirit Cloud Tea Garden. Said she wanted to communicate with the old tea trees to ensure she could pick the absolute best first-flush spring tips on the day of the ceremony. That child always wants to be the best. She's extremely strict with herself!"
Lin Tianhua nodded slightly, his face betraying no emotion.
"It is good that Yueyao has such dedication." His tone was even, yet it carried an undeniable weight. "However, for this year's ceremony, besides Yueyao, there is one other person of crucial importance."
His gaze settled on Lin Tiancheng, then slowly swept over the crowd.
"Rui'er," he announced, "because of the 'ancestral manifestation,' his very being is now linked to the fortunes of our Lin family. For this 'Azure Tea Ancestor Worship Ceremony,' he will serve as the 'Incense-Bearing Acolyte' and ascend the altar with Yueyao to perform the 'Azurewood Flame-Continuation' rite. The significance of this is extraordinary. It is not just to honor our ancestors, but to declare to all of Zhuyun Town—and even Qingluo Prefecture—that the fortune of our Lin family is not extinguished! There can be no mistakes."
The smile on Lin Tiande's face froze for an instant before he smoothly recovered, bowing. "You are right, Father. I understand. I will instruct Yueyao to cooperate fully with Cousin Rui'er to ensure the ceremony proceeds without a hitch."
In a remote courtyard of the Lin family's outer hall, the first light of dawn was breaking.
Lin Rui was bare-chested, wearing only loose black training pants, sweat pouring off him as he practiced. His bronze skin glowed with a healthy sheen in the morning light, his physique even leaner and more defined than before.
"Ha!" he grunted, executing a spinning side kick that stirred the bamboo leaves in the corner.
"Achoo!"
He let out a massive, unexpected sneeze, the force of it making him stumble.
"ACHOO—!"
Another followed immediately. He rubbed his nose. "One means a thought, two a curse, three a mention... Who's gossiping about me this early?"
The words had barely faded when Zhutao's voice came from the gate. "Young Master Lin, the Second Young Miss... Miss Yueyao is here."
Lin Rui's mouth twitched. Of course. The good omens never come true, but the bad ones always do. He wondered if his [Golden-Scaled Carp] Omen had used up all his good luck on those Spirit Web feedbacks and was now starting a run of misfortune. Lin Yueyao was a VIP who never visited without a reason. This couldn't be good.
The gate creaked open. Lin Yueyao strode in, dressed in a bright, lake-blue uniform, looking as imposing as ever. Behind her trailed five maids carrying trays and brocade boxes. They kept their heads bowed but still exuded the quiet pride of inner-hall disciples.
Her gaze swept over Lin Rui's sweat-drenched body. Her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly before her expression returned to its usual coolness.
"Lin Rui." Her voice was crisp, carrying its usual commanding tone. "The 'Azure Tea Ancestor Worship Ceremony' is in five days. From today until the ceremony is over, you and I will train together."