Morning in Wongshan Village was unusually calm. The sky was clear, but the wind was still—as if something had stopped it mid-flight.
Lang Xiao had just finished teaching little An the basics of the "Spirit Gathering Talisman" when Ngo Van Tin approached with three strangers clad in black, their faces concealed, stepping boldly onto the bamboo courtyard.
"You fraud!" Tin bellowed, eyes gleaming with venom. "Deceiving children with your witchcraft and desecrating sacred sites? Did you think I'd let it slide?"
Lang Xiao frowned ever so slightly, his gaze sharp as frost.
"I only teach what is righteous and protect these villagers. If you seek conflict, bring proof."
"Proof?" Tin scoffed, lips curled in contempt. "Soon enough. But first—let them see your true face."
He gestured. One of the masked men lunged, hurling a poisoned golden needle, aimed precisely at Lang Xiao's Dantian.
Lang Xiao took three steps back. His finger traced an invisible rune through the air. A Curse Break Talisman burst into light, the needle clattering harmlessly to the ground.
"Who are you people?" he asked coldly.
"You don't need to know," Tin hissed. "Just understand this—you're not welcome here."
That evening, after Lang Xiao had scattered the attackers, he returned home to find An missing.
The scent of strange incense lingered in the air. On the floor lay a crimson paper slip:
"If you want to save your disciple, come alone. North Shrine Ruins."
Lang Xiao's heart chilled.
This was not merely a trap—it was a carefully crafted scheme, aimed at his one weakness: compassion.
At the ruined shrine, eerie whispers drifted on the stale wind. Suspended midair within a binding circle, An hung motionless. Around him lay ancient bones, cracked and twisted.
And below the shrine, an ancient Remnant Spirit began to stir.
A black mist seeped upward, forming shadowy figures—wailing, grieving, consumed by regret.
"This aura… could it be the Heaven Gate Sect's Remnant Spirit from 8,000 years ago?" Lang Xiao murmured.
Suddenly, a white silhouette descended from the sky, her presence ethereal and serene.
"Senior Brother Lang… Do you still remember me?"
Lang Xiao looked up. The moonlight graced her face—it was Diep Yun Shu, the cultivator from his past life in the Immortal Realm. The only woman he had loved in silence.
"You…" he whispered, emotions swirling in his eyes.
"I sensed the ancient spirit's reawakening and came to investigate. I never expected… to find you here, living as a mortal…" she said softly, voice tinged with old memories.
A warm flicker passed through Lang Xiao's usually indifferent gaze.
But before they could speak further, the Remnant Spirit exploded into motion. A massive, half-humanoid, half-phantom entity erupted from the ground, roaring as its presence shook the mountains.
Lang Xiao turned to her.
"Diep Yun Shu, help me save my disciple. After that... I will tell you everything."
The two moved in sync, summoning talismans, sword light, and yin-yang forces to form a White Lotus Formation across the shrine's center.
The battle had begun.