Karmic Fire
“Kill them.”
Chen Ci’s ice-cold voice sounded like a venomous snake in the dark. Shen Yunsheng’s face instantly drained of all color; the worst-case scenario had already happened, and they could no longer run away.
Gu Shi burst into laughter, his spiritual power bursting forth without reservation, instantly casting a barrier to tightly wrap Shen Yunsheng inside. This was one of the outcomes he had anticipated. He was truly not afraid of death, except that he was going to break his promise.
Shen Yunsheng was nearly driven mad with anxiety. “Gu Shi, what are you doing?”
Gu Shi looked at him. Male lead, I hope you will not let me down.
“Shen Yunsheng, if your cultivation achieves great success in the future, go to the Western Continent Secret Realm for me and rescue a person named Feng Yingbai. Tell him…”
“I won’t do it, I am not going!” Listening to his last-words-like speech, Shen Yunsheng was on the verge of losing his mind, forcefully interrupting him as if doing so could prevent their tragic ending. Yet trapped within the barrier, even his struggle appeared powerless.
At this moment, the little red bird that had hurried over upon hearing the commotion looked at Gu Shi upon hearing his words, something extra flashing within its gaze. But it did not move, merely watching quietly without taking action.
Gu Shi exerted all his strength to push the barrier wrapping Shen Yunsheng further away. At the same time, the attacks of Ta Xinghe and Xue Yunzi arrived right before him. The strike of two Nascent Soul grand experts; Gu Shi’s resistance was no different from a praying mantis trying to stop a chariot. Yet they did not deliver a fatal blow at once; instead, they slowly tortured him, destroying his spiritual mansion and cultivation, watching him writhe in agony within the bloody mire. Only in this way could they vent the pent-up frustration in their chests.
Gu Shi trembled all over from the pain. His mind grew chaotic; for a moment he saw Feng Yingbai smiling at him, and for a moment he saw his home in the modern world.
Was this abnormal change that started because of him destined to end because of him?
After some unknown amount of time, Chen Ci’s voice sounded once more: “Kill him.”
As soon as the words fell, a biting sword qi pierced straight toward Gu Shi. Just when everyone thought he was undoubtedly dead, an eye-piercing red light suddenly flared. The little red bird that had been watching the commotion all along suddenly rushed forward, taking that attack for him with its bare body. Its round, chubby figure suddenly grew larger, its short, stubby wings elongated to blot out the sky, its magnificent feathers shimmering with vibrant colors, and its entire body burning with raging flames that illuminated the dark night as bright as day.
Gu Shi did not see it. His vision was a sea of blood, interweaving with the bright flames so that he could no longer tell whether it was blood or fire.
Everyone present was stunned by this sudden turn of events. Chen Ci was the first to snap back to his senses, laughing aloud, “It truly is a treasure!” With that, he beckoned to the little red bird. “Come over here. I am your master.”
The little red bird spat a ball of raging flames at him. Chen Ci was burned into retreating repeatedly, the expression on his face instantly turning ferocious. “A toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Catch it!”
Everyone struck together. With a single hit, the little red bird plummeted from midair, plunging straight into Gu Shi’s blood-soaked embrace. Numbed to the point of insensibility, his fingertips brushed against a familiar softness. Gu Shi felt a pang of deep sorrow in his heart, shedding two lines of bloody tears. He was dying, and his voice was faint, yet it clearly reached the little red bird’s ears.
He said, “You fool, run.”
The moment the words fell, the little red bird completely vanished. At the same time, tens of thousands of miles away in the Western Continent Secret Realm, Feng Yingbai, who was still stacking spirit stones, looked at the wispy trace of spiritual consciousness that suddenly appeared before him. The next moment, the spiritual consciousness entered his mind, and the memories carried within it poured in like floodgates opening wide.
Chen Ci cursed furiously in anger, and in the end could only take it out on Gu Shi, lunging forward with his sword to stab him. Just as the tip of the sword was about to touch Gu Shi, it was bounced away by an extremely majestic force. Chen Ci retreated several steps, violently coughing up a mouthful of blood. Immediately afterward, Gu Shi’s body was swept up by a beam of white light, disappearing from everyone’s sight at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Chen Ci was dumbfounded. “What was that?”
Even Ta Xinghe and Xue Yunzi, the strongest cultivators in this world, wore grave expressions, uttering only a single sentence: “This person’s cultivation is unfathomable. The two of us didn’t even have a chance to strike in front of him.”
Chen Ci’s expression grew heavier and heavier. Did the Yuandao Sect truly possess such fortuitous luck? Could it be that heaven intended to destroy his Wuxiang Sect? No, there was still a chance. “What about Shen Yunsheng? He must have been intercepted, right?”
Just as the words fell, a subordinate disciple hurried over to report: “Elder, Shen Yunsheng has been rescued by someone.”
Chen Ci was on the verge of going mad. “Rescued by whom?”
The disciple replied tremblingly, “Unknown.”
Chen Ci cursed angrily, “Are you all useless trash? Couldn’t you capture a single person even with three thousand people surrounding him?”
The disciple hurriedly answered, “We did capture him. The Sect Master even crippled his cultivation and was about to kill him when suddenly a blinding white light struck. Everyone present was severely injured, and Shen Yunsheng was rescued as well.”
Chen Ci’s face was as dark as pitch. Without even showing their face, they had injured thousands of their people with a single move. Why couldn’t such a powerful figure come to his Wuxiang Sect instead?
“Investigate! You must thoroughly investigate the origins of this person.”
The subordinate disciples looked at each other in dismay. They hadn’t even seen a shadow of a person, how were they supposed to investigate? Yet at a time like this, no one dared to touch upon bad luck, so they could only accept the order.
Chen Ci thought of something. “Focus your efforts on the Western Continent, and specially investigate a person named Feng Yingbai.”
The subordinate disciples acknowledged, “Yes.”
Gu Shi never expected that he would wake up again. Opening his eyes to look at the familiar cave dwelling, he sat up abruptly, discovering that the injuries on his body had actually all healed. Upon seeing Feng Yingbai sitting on the ground playing with spirit stones, the corners of his eyes suddenly turned red, and he called out aggrievedly, “Senior.”
Feng Yingbai was dressed in a suit of fiery red feathered robes, making his skin appear even fairer than snow. Hearing his voice, he straightened his upper body and raised his gaze to look at him. “Come here.”
Gu Shi hurried to get up and walked over to him, sitting down before him. Feng Yingbai raised his hand and slapped toward his face.
A wave of fragrance washed over him, but the anticipated pain never arrived. Gu Shi did not know what Feng Yingbai was angry about, but in any case, it was his fault. “I am sorry.”
Feng Yingbai’s palm paused a fraction of an inch away from Gu Shi’s cheek, ultimately failing to come down.
Looking at Feng Yingbai, Gu Shi felt a strange sensation in his heart. Feng Yingbai was different; he was like someone who had grown from a clueless child into an adult overnight.
He thought that he must have read a lot of books and finally understood worldly ways.
Feng Yingbai said indifferently, “Your cultivation has been destroyed.”
Gu Shi lowered his head. “I know.”
Feng Yingbai continued, “Heartbroken?”
Gu Shi answered honestly, “A little.”
After all, it was Nascent Soul cultivation; in the entire cultivation world, he was only the third person to reach the Nascent Soul realm, and to have it all wiped out overnight, he indeed felt reluctant to let it go. However, since he had survived, he would definitely be able to cultivate back up.
Feng Yingbai lazily propped up his chin. “Then cry.”
Gu Shi was somewhat bewildered. “Ah?”
Feng Yingbai asked him, “Are you heartbroken and not crying?”
Gu Shi let out two dry wails. Feng Yingbai was amused by him and lazily interrupted, “Alright.”
Gu Shi stopped wailing. Feng Yingbai said, “You are an anomaly; the Heavenly Dao does not tolerate you. Besides, your previous cultivation can be considered forcing the shoots to grow; there was too much moisture and your foundation was unstable, so having it destroyed is not necessarily a bad thing.”
Gu Shi was stunned. His premonition was correct; Feng Yingbai really had changed. He even knew about forcing shoots to grow.
Feng Yingbai glared at him unpleasantly. “What kind of expression is that?”
Naturally, Gu Shi wouldn’t say that he seemed to have suddenly become an adult, and only said, “Please enlighten me, Senior.”
Feng Yingbai continued, “The Heavenly Dao is intolerant; one can only cultivate the Great Dao.”
Uncomprehending, Gu Shi repeated the phrase: “Please enlighten me, Senior.”
Feng Yingbai said, “There are three thousand Great Daos. When boiled down to the root, what one cultivates is merit and luck. The spiritual Qi of this realm is thin; relying solely on spiritual Qi for cultivation makes it difficult to achieve anything great.”
Gu Shi was completely dumbfounded. Had Feng Yingbai unblocked his Ren and Du meridians or something? This was simply too powerful.
“Please save this junior one more time, Senior.”
Feng Yingbai opened his palm, a wisp of leaping flame dancing in the center of his hand. Gu Shi looked at the ball of fire in his palm; it wasn’t ordinary scorching heat, but a scorching heat that made one’s soul tremble, the exact same kind that had burned inside the cave dwelling last time. He knew it was no mortal item, but he truly didn’t know what it was.
“This junior is dull and cannot tell.”
Feng Yingbai said, “Karmic fire.”
Gu Shi frowned. “Is that the karmic fire used in hell to execute the punishment of burning bones and refining souls upon those who have committed countless evils?”
Feng Yingbai nodded. Gu Shi asked, “Can I go to hell to cultivate?” It wasn’t that he didn’t want to go, but could he even go?
Feng Yingbai said, “Karmic fire also exists in the mortal realm.”
Knowing nothing about these matters, Gu Shi did not interrupt, quietly waiting for Feng Yingbai to continue.
Feng Yingbai went on, “After a person dies, if their obsession fails to dissolve, they can generate karmic fire at the cost of eternal existence, burning away sinful souls.” With that, he looked at the wisp of leaping flame in his palm.
“This is the purest karmic fire, just right for igniting the origin source.”
Gu Shi hesitantly asked, “Karmic fire is one of the Great Dao origin fires. Can it be used by me?”
Feng Yingbai said, “If you can refine it, yes.”
Gu Shi nodded heavily. Having experienced so many things, he desired power with near-instinctive urge: “I can.”
Feng Yingbai said, “Use the karmic fire to temper your limbs, bones, and entire meridians, and then ignite the origin source. Afterward, your cultivation will no longer be bound by shackles. However…”
Gu Shi hurried to say, “Senior, if you have something to say, just say it.”
Feng Yingbai said, “However, this technique is exceptionally dangerous. Even though you are an anomaly, I cannot guarantee success. If you fail, the karmic fire can burn away your soul entirely. If you cultivate normally with me protecting you, the Heavenly Dao won’t do anything to you either.”
Gu Shi hesitated for only a moment before making up his mind: “I want the karmic fire.”
This actually surprised Feng Yingbai somewhat, but he didn’t say much more. “Before igniting the origin source, you cannot cultivate. Without cultivation, you also cannot see the karmic fire.”
Gu Shi could only repeat those words once more: “Please enlighten me, Senior.”
Feng Yingbai said, “I will go find it with you.”
Gu Shi was both surprised and delighted. “Senior, can you go out?”
Feng Yingbai replied, “No, but stepping out a wisp of spiritual consciousness is still fine.”
Gu Shi cupped his fists in salute. “Senior’s great kindness, this junior is endlessly grateful.”
Feng Yingbai said, “Alright, we are leaving now. You go out first.”
Before leaving, Gu Shi still had things to say. Looking at the bare cave dwelling that had nothing left except spirit stones, he asked, “Is Senior injured?”
Feng Yingbai raised an eyebrow. “Do I look like I am injured?”
Gu Shi spoke the truth: “No, I am just concerned for Senior.”
Feng Yingbai said, “I merely cannot go out, which doesn’t mean I am weak.”
Gu Shi didn’t respond. If he were weak, there would be no strong people left in this world.
“Alright, go.”
“Yes.” Gu Shi stood up, and only then did he notice a person lying inside the tunnel. Taking a closer look, it turned out to be Shen Yunsheng. He hurriedly asked, “Senior, why is Shen Yunsheng here?”
Feng Yingbai said, “Saved along the way. Just like you, his cultivation is completely gone.”
Gu Shi frowned. He had gone through so much trouble only to fail to send Shen Yunsheng out; wasn’t this all a wasted effort? As the male lead, didn’t he have any protagonist halo at all?
Feng Yingbai glanced at him indifferently, his tone bland: “I will save him.”
Gu Shi thought to himself, could this be the male lead’s fortuitous encounter? With the male lead meeting a bigshot, the world was surely safe now.
“Many thanks, Senior.”
Ignoring him, Feng Yingbai waved his hand and sent him out of the secret realm.
After sending Gu Shi away, Feng Yingbai extended his index finger to press against his glabella, extracting a wisp of fiery red, scorching spiritual consciousness. The spiritual consciousness landed and transformed into a handsome man.
The man rushed impatiently toward the cave entrance. Just as half his foot was about to cross the threshold, a powerful coercion engulfed in heavy karmic fire suddenly appeared out of nowhere, pressing down from all directions. The man violently spat out a mouthful of blood, and Feng Yingbai immediately channeled his entire body’s spiritual power to condense a protective barrier shielding him within it.
The karmic fire was like a quagmire; every step the man took required immense effort. In the span of a single breath, sweat soaked his back, only to evaporate completely the next moment. Fine cracks appeared on the surface of the barrier. Unable to withstand the heavy pressure, blood continuously spilled from the corners of the man’s mouth, yet his footing never faltered for a second as he walked forward resolutely.
Seeing that the barrier was about to shatter, Feng Yingbai let out a shout, pouring his entire body’s spiritual power into trying to repair it. However, the karmic fire abruptly backlashed, causing Feng Yingbai to spit a mouthful of blood. The next instant, the barrier shattered, and the karmic fire instantly licked across the man’s face. Disregarding the pain, the man mustered his very last breath and bolted out of the cave entrance.
The moment he stepped out of the cave entrance, that despair-inducing coercion abruptly dissipated. The air was light, and even breathing felt free. The man grinned broadly in overwhelming joy. Moving his mouth twitched the wounds on his face, sending blood dripping down drop by drop, yet he remained completely oblivious, still laughing heartily.
His laughter echoed through the empty tunnel, waking the unconscious Shen Yunsheng on the ground. Opening his eyes with difficulty, the first thing that entered his vision was a hideous, terrifying monster covered entirely in blood. Terrified out of his wits, he blurted out, “What kind of monster are you?”
His voice attracted both the man and Feng Yingbai, who looked over simultaneously with expressionless faces. Feng Yingbai uttered a single word to the man: “Go.” Then he sent the young man out of the secret realm.
Turning his head to see Feng Yingbai, Shen Yunsheng was temporarily stunned. He had never seen someone so breathtakingly beautiful, icy, striking, and gorgeous, like an intoxicated immortal who had accidentally strayed into the mortal world.
Noticing his gaze, Feng Yingbai swept a light glance at him. Knowing he had been impolite, Shen Yunsheng hurriedly lowered his head. “This junior was rude.” Pausing for a moment, he asked again, “This junior is Shen Yunsheng, paying respects to Senior. May I ask who Senior is?”
Feng Yingbai’s tone was lazy and breezy: “Feng Yingbai.”
Shen Yunsheng was dumbfounded. He had thought Gu Shi was just lying to let him survive; it turned out such a person truly existed.
“This junior has once heard of Senior’s great name. Does Senior happen to know Gu Shi?”
Feng Yingbai yawned. “I know him. I am his creditor. Alright, I am sleepy. Head out and go three thousand miles north; there is a cold pool, and at the bottom of the cold pool lies a piece of ice grass that can aid your cultivation. Go on your own.”
Such an obvious dismissal was naturally understood by Shen Yunsheng. With his cultivation completely ruined, receiving guidance from a master was already a supreme blessing.
“Many thanks, Senior.”
Hearing those familiar words, Feng Yingbai added one more sentence: “The ice grass is guarded by an ice dragon.” Without waiting for Shen Yunsheng to reply, he waved his hand and sent him out of the cave dwelling.
Gu Shi had been waiting for a while in the forest outside the secret realm when he saw a blood-soaked man appear out of thin air. Feeling suspicious yet stepping forward regardless, he asked, “Senior?”
The man looked at him, somewhat surprised. He hadn’t forgotten the terrified look in Shen Yunsheng’s eyes when he saw him. “Even like this, you still recognize me?”
Gu Shi thought to himself, connecting the cause and effect, if I didn’t recognize you, that would be the real ghost.
“Although Senior’s appearance has changed, your gaze hasn’t. Senior is injured; let us return to the sect to treat your injuries first.”
The man said, “Carry me.”
Gu Shi wanted to carry him, but his entire body was covered in burns; touching him, wouldn’t it cause even more pain?
Extremely displeased by his hesitation, the man frowned. “You are unwilling?”
Realizing he had misunderstood, Gu Shi hurriedly said, “I am willing, I am just afraid of hurting Senior.”
The man let out a cold snort, refusing to appreciate the gesture: “Is the number of times you have hurt me small?”
Gu Shi fell silent, stepping forward to scoop him up around the waist. “It is all my fault.”
Leaning against his chest, the man replied, “Of course it is your fault.”
Gu Shi guiltily changed the subject. “Senior, where are we going now?”
The man countered, “Are we not returning to the sect?”
Mentioning this made Gu Shi even more embarrassed. “Senior, my storage bag was blown to ashes, and I have nothing left right now. If we have to rely on our two legs to walk back, we won’t make it back even by next year.”
The man replied, “I have no spiritual power.”
Gu Shi tentatively asked, “My meaning is, can Senior temporarily lend me some spirit stones? I will have someone deliver them immediately once we return to the sect.”
The man said, “I have no spirit stones. Speak inward to him and have him give them to you.”
Gu Shi was somewhat surprised. “Aren’t you two the same person?”
The man replied, “We are the same person, but only when I die and my spiritual consciousness returns will he retain my memories.”
Gu Shi understood. It seemed this was the price of coming out. He didn’t hesitate, immediately speaking aloud into the empty air: “Senior, this junior wants to return to the sect and would like to temporarily borrow ten spirit stones from Senior as travel expenses, to be repaid immediately upon returning to the sect.”
As soon as the words fell, twenty spirit stones materialized out of thin air right in front of him. Gu Shi thanked him profusely: “Thank you, Senior! Thank you, Senior!”
With spirit stones secured, they still needed a flying vehicle. However, this place was remote, and after carrying the man for a long time until completely exhausted without making it out of the forest, Gu Shi simply gave up on walking. “Senior, do you know if there are any bird demons around here?”
The man said, “I do not know.”
Gu Shi placed the man in a shady spot, took out a spirit stone, placed it on the open ground, and waited patiently.
After the span of about an incense stick, a timid yellow sparrow flew toward the spirit stone. The very second it was about to pick up the spirit stone in its beak and fly away, Gu Shi lunged out from the bushes and grabbed it. Although his cultivation was gone, the physical fitness from years of training remained; catching a small bird was nothing more than child’s play.
Gu Shi grabbed it. “If you take us to the Yuandao Sect, I will give you ten spirit stones.”
The sparrow struggled in his hands, chirping noisily. Gu Shi said, “Stop pretending. You came all the way to steal spirit stones, so you must have already gained spiritual intelligence.”
The sparrow continued chirping. After a stalemate for a good while, Gu Shi finally believed it couldn’t speak. Well, with thin spiritual power, gaining intelligence was already one in ten thousand, and speaking or transforming into human form was even rarer. But having finally caught a bird with spiritual intelligence, Gu Shi naturally wouldn’t let it go easily. After negotiating with it for half a day, he finally reached a deal for the price of one spirit stone to help him find a great demon to take the job.
The yellow sparrow flew away extremely fast with the spirit stone in its beak, looking as if it feared being caught again. Looking at its tiny figure, Gu Shi couldn’t help but think of the little red bird. Turning his head to look at the weak man leaning against the mountain wall, he asked, “Senior, do you know if there is a kind of bird in this world that is entirely fiery red?”
The man leisurely opened his eyes, looking severely injured yet showing not a shred of pain. “What, now you want to save not just people, but birds too?”
Gu Shi pressed his lips together, his tone low: “Heaven probably won’t give me that chance anymore.”
The man grew interested. “Tell me, what kind of bird?”
Gu Shi gestured with both hands. “Usually about this big, round and chubby, with short little wings, eyes like mung beans, likes to glare at people, peck people, kick people, slap people, has a fiery temper, and is also very lecherous. When it encounters danger it gets very big, and it dies easily too, goes pop and it’s dead, leaving not even a corpse.”
He tried his best to recall the characteristics of the little red bird, failing to notice the half-smile expression on the man’s face as he stared at him with a gaze identical to an angry little red bird.
The man extended his leg and kicked Gu Shi’s firm abdomen. “Like this kick?”
Gu Shi answered honestly, “It likes to kick faces.”
The man withdrew his foot, reached out to grab Gu Shi’s collar, and pulled him close as if wanting to do something. But upon seeing his own ferocious reflection in Gu Shi’s clear pupils, he pushed him away again, his tone turning cold: “I do not know. Stop bothering me.”
Gu Shi didn’t understand why he suddenly got angry again, immediately beginning to apologize: “It is my fault, I shouldn’t keep disturbing Senior.”
The man closed his eyes again and ignored him.
The deep forest grew quiet once more. Gu Shi occasionally glanced secretly at the man; his dusty red robe had several holes burned into it, revealing bloody skin from burns, the worst of which was his face, his facial features were nearly melted together and blurred, with even his nasal bone exposed.
When he peeked for yet another time, the man suddenly opened his eyes, catching Gu Shi red-handed. “Looking at what? Scared?”
Gu Shi hurriedly shook his head. “No, I was just thinking that Senior must have suffered a lot. If I were not so useless, Senior wouldn’t have to suffer these hardships.”
The man seemed to have heard something funny, letting out a light snort. “You think too much. I wanted to come out myself. Without you, I would have come out all the same. I have no spiritual power, so you are going to protect me.”
Gu Shi hurriedly said, “I will definitely protect Senior well.”
The man yawned, his voice airy yet chilling: “Keep peeking, and I will gouge your eyeballs out.”
Gu Shi quickly turned his head away. “This junior overstepped.”
After a short half-hour, the quiet forest suddenly stirred with wind. Gu Shi looked up and saw a large-horned eagle flying over, accompanied by the small yellow sparrow from earlier.
Gu Shi stood up and waved at it. The large-horned eagle landed in front of him. Gu Shi took out ten spirit stones and handed them to it. “Half paid upfront, the rest upon arrival.”
The large-horned eagle accepted the spirit stones and crouched down on the ground on bent legs. Gu Shi carried the man and sat onto the eagle’s back. “To the Yuandao Sect.”
The large-horned eagle didn’t move. Gu Shi asked, “You do not know the way?”
The large-horned eagle nodded. Fortunately, Gu Shi had run back and forth many times and knew the route. “Head southwest.”
The large-horned eagle’s speed was not as fast as a paper crane; it flew for two full days and nights before finally reaching the Yuandao Sect.
Hearing that a demonic beast had barged into the sect, Gu Yan immediately led people charging out. Seeing the person on the back of the horned eagle, he was stunned for a good while before hurriedly waving the disciples away and guiding the horned eagle to Liji Peak with Gu Shi’s cooperation.
As they neared Liji Peak, the sorrowful sound of a zither drifted over. As the horned eagle approached, Wen Qingtang looked up and saw Gu Yan. Wiping away the tears on his cheeks, he stood up and went to greet them.
The horned eagle stopped in the courtyard. Seeing Gu Shi and the other person, Wen Qingtang’s eyes instantly turned red. Gu Shi said, “Trouble, Junior Uncle, treat Senior’s injuries first.”
Though unaware of what exactly had happened, since the person was back, they would find out sooner or later. Wen Qingtang didn’t ask further. “Carry him into the house.”
Gu Shi carried the man down from the horned eagle’s back, telling Gu Yan at the same time, “Dad, give Eagle Brother ten superior-grade spirit stones.”
Gu Yan immediately produced the spirit stones, and the horned eagle flew away upon receiving them.
To catch up on the journey over the past two days, Gu Shi and the man had consumed almost nothing. The man had already fallen asleep, and Gu Shi helped him settle inside the house. Wen Qingtang immediately examined and treated him, while Gu Shi sat in a chair, panting heavily as he looked at Gu Yan, who wore a hesitant expression. “Dad, get some food first.”
Gu Yan went off to instruct the disciples, while Wen Qingtang took out two plates of pastries from his storage bag to let him tide over. Gu Shi ate ravenously, finishing both plates before his hunger was slightly alleviated.
Soon, Mu Qinghe and the others arrived carrying food. Seeing the terribly disfigured person lying on the bed, they all froze. “This is Senior Brother Shen?”
Gu Shi explained while shoveling rice into his mouth: “This is Senior Feng.”
Everyone was startled upon hearing this. “Feng Yingbai?”
Gu Shi was shocked. Feng Yingbai’s reputation was this resounding? “You know him?”
Gu Yan explained, “No. Ever since you all disappeared at the Wuxiang Sect a month ago, the Wuxiang Sect has dispatched people searching everywhere. Aside from looking for you two, they are specially searching for a person named Feng Yingbai.”
Hearing this, Gu Shi felt a pang of self-reproach. He had brought trouble to Senior once again.
Gu Yan looked at the person on the bed. “He is the one who saved you?”
Gu Shi nodded. “Yes.”
Listening to their conversation, Wen Qingtang furrowed his brows slightly and interjected, “However, this young master has not a single trace of spiritual power fluctuation within his body.”
Concerned with Feng Yingbai’s secrets, Gu Shi didn’t spell it out, only saying, “Senior has Senior’s plans, which I am not privy to.”
Seeing that Gu Shi didn’t intend to elaborate, the others didn’t pursue it. Gu Yan asked again, “What about Yunsheng? Why didn’t he return?”
“He…” Gu Shi thought for a moment. Without Feng Yingbai’s permission, he ultimately didn’t mention that Shen Yunsheng was in the Western Continent Secret Realm, speaking ambiguously instead: “He has another fortuitous encounter.”
Cultivators yearned most for fortuitous encounters. Learning that Shen Yunsheng was currently safe, everyone’s hearts, which had been hanging for half a month, finally landed back in place.
Gu Yan said, “The Wuxiang Sect is truly bullying us too much, but our strength is currently insufficient. You all should focus on cultivating within the sect and do not show your faces for the time being.”
Gu Shi fell silent for a moment, putting down his bowl and chopsticks with a heart full of self-blame. “I am sorry, I have brought trouble to the sect again.”
Yu Zhanxin said, “Don’t you ever say such words. I have wanted to beat them up for a long time. This time, we can also be considered to have vented some pent-up frustration. Those turtle grandchildren of the Wuxiang Sect are wary of the person behind you, so they won’t dare to come find trouble with us for the time being.”
Gu Yan nodded. “No matter how you look at it, this matter cannot be considered your fault. As long as the foundation remains, we will always have a day when we slaughter our way back. At that time, old dad will go with you, and we will definitely demand justice.”
Seeing so many people supporting him, Gu Shi felt warmth bloom in his chest. “Mn, we will definitely get justice back.”
Fearing that he would push himself too hard, Gu Yan said, “Don’t rush into this matter; get a good rest for a few days.”
After finishing his diagnosis, applying medicine, and bandaging the wounds, Wen Qingtang told Gu Shi, “The whole body suffers from severe burns; the scars will be hard to eliminate.”
Gu Shi acknowledged, “When will he roughly wake up?”
Wen Qingtang replied, “He is somewhat weak, but he will wake up shortly after taking the medicine. I will go prepare some food. Do you know what he likes to eat?”
Gu Shi replied, “Pastries, probably, lotus pastries, osmanthus cakes, mung bean cakes, and the like.”
Wen Qingtang looked at Mu Qinghe. “Go prepare them, and additionally prepare some thin porridge.”
Mu Qinghe acknowledged and went to the kitchen.
Remembering that he still owed Feng Yingbai spirit stones, Gu Shi told Gu Yan, “Dad, trouble you to prepare some more spirit stones, storybooks, clothing, accessories, and the like to be sent to the Western Continent Secret Realm.”
Gu Yan was somewhat puzzled. “Isn’t this Senior Feng the same senior you encountered in the Western Continent Secret Realm?”
Gu Shi didn’t know how to explain either. Just at that moment, the man on the bed spoke up: “Do not want red clothing.”
The moment he spoke, everyone looked over simultaneously. Gu Shi hurriedly asked, “Senior, how are you feeling?”
The man’s gaze swept across everyone present one by one. Clearly just an ordinary person without spiritual power, the others nonetheless felt an invisible coercion.
After looking them over, the man lazily opened his mouth: “Mediocre.”
Gu Yan stood up and asked, “Does Senior have any other requests? I will go prepare them together.”
The man replied, “Hungry.”
Yu Zhanxin immediately chimed in, “I will go urge them right now.”
After finishing the meal, Gu Yan arranged a dwelling for the man, but the man refused: “This place is quite good. I will stay right here.”
This was Wen Qingtang’s room, but since the man was a great benefactor of the Yuandao Sect, Wen Qingtang naturally had no objections. The man continued, “It is too boring. Each of you tell a story for me to listen to.”
Gu Shi hurriedly said, “Senior, I will go get more storybooks to help you pass the time.”
The man said, “You think karmic fire is that easy to find? Tell me one by one about the unreasonable legends you have heard.”
Gu Shi thought to himself, what does karmic fire have to do with stories?
Sensing his confusion, the man explained, “Karmic fire only appears on those who commit heinous crimes. According to human habits, the deeds of such people will definitely be passed down.”
It sounded unproblematic, but Gu Shi had a question: “However, as legends deepen and age, the protagonists might have died long ago without our knowing. Searching by this method, will it actually work?”
The man said, “Then tell me about ones that do not die.”
Everyone looked at each other; no one knew what kind of legends he was actually looking for, but since he had spoken, everyone naturally cooperated.
After searching for three days, everyone finally managed to gather some bizarre legends.
Gu Shi spoke first; his legend was heard from a disciple who stoked the fire in the kitchen:
“The Old Man’s Grave, in the southeast region of Xuanzhou, when an elderly person in a family passes away, they are uniformly buried in the graveyard. If a stalk of sorghum grows from the grave mound, it means the elder is reluctant to leave and has begged the King of Hell to return to the mortal world. By eating the sorghum raw after it heads and matures, one can dig the elder out of the grave and resurrect them.”
With Gu Shi taking the lead, everyone began sharing the legends they had inquired about.
“The Nüwa River, it is said that there is an immortal mountain in the northwest region of Xuanzhou containing a Nüwa River. As long as one drinks the river water, men and women, young and old alike, can all become pregnant and give birth to children.”
“The Snail Immortal, it is said in villages in the western region of Pingzhou, on evenings with sunset glow, if one lights three sticks of incense at their doorway and the incense burns down to two short and one long, the kind Snail Immortal will come to the home to do chores and cook. However, the red eggs cooked by the Snail Immortal are for itself to eat, and mortals must under no circumstances eat them; eating them results in dying violently within seven days.”
“Grandmother Bear, it is said in villages in the southwest region of Dezhou, every family enshrines an earth spirit called Grandmother Bear. If a family has a newborn child with no one to look after it, they can make a wish to Grandmother Bear, and upon hearing it, Grandmother Bear will appear at night to care for the child. However, if the child is mischievous, Grandmother Bear will eat their fingers.”
“The Golden Grain God, children with spiritual roots are called golden grain seeds in the mortal world. It is said that as long as one worships the Golden Grain God, they can give birth to a golden grain seed, but if the heart is not sincere, the child will backlash against the mother’s body, bringing devastating disaster to the whole family.”
“The Weaver Clan, it is said that the descendants of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl have always existed, but the conditions for finding a spouse are very harsh. The clan leader, who looks like a yellow ox, pushes a small wooden cart in the middle of the night to sell feather garments that can cure all illnesses, searching for destined partners. If someone encounters him and says, ‘I do not want the feather garment, I only want a wife,’ the leader will marry off a young and beautiful maiden to him. However, the children born to the Weaver woman must be taken back to the clan by the leader; the girls will stay within the clan, and the boys can be returned only after turning two years old.”
“The Chaff Bones, people without spiritual roots are called white chaff in the mortal world. It is said that collecting the complete skeletons of nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine white chaff children under the age of twelve can catalyze the birth of a one-in-a-million golden grain seed.”
“Yu Gong Removes the Mountains, legend has it that in ancient times Yu Gong’s act of moving mountains angered the immortals in heaven, who imprisoned Yu Gong’s clan in a dead land surrounded by mountains on all sides. Only when all four mountains are completely moved away will the heavenly punishment end.”
“The Frog God at the Bottom of the Well, it is said that there is a divine well in the Great Wilderness with a golden frog god at the bottom. It has never left the bottom of the well and is extremely curious about the outside world. As long as something is thrown into the well, the frog god will grant a value corresponding to what was thrown.”
Time was tight, and everyone had inquired about many things, but these were the ones picked out. Gu Yan looked at the man. “Senior Feng, are any of these usable?”
The injuries all over the man’s body had healed for the most part, leaving only pitted scars that could not be erased. He was wearing an azure robe and sitting by the window. The breeze was gentle, blowing his ink-black hair, and the air carried a faint floral fragrance. Sitting by the window to catch the breeze these past three days was his favorite pastime.
Hearing Gu Yan’s words, the man turned back to look at him, then looked at Gu Shi. “Get ready. Let us go.”
Gu Shi asked, “Senior, what do we need to prepare?”
The man replied, “You just look and prepare.”
Right now both of them could only be considered ordinary people, and Gu Yan was worried. “Senior, I will go with you both so there can be mutual support.”
The man refused. “Didn’t you say before that someone is looking for me? If you follow along, wouldn’t you just bring trouble with you?”
Wen Qingtang said, “I will go. I rarely show my face in public, and leaving the sect won’t draw attention.”
The man still disagreed. “No. Two people are enough.”
Seeing his resolute attitude, everyone sensibly stopped talking, merely handing Gu Shi five fully stuffed storage bags containing everything Gu Yan could possibly think of. Before leaving, they exhorted him: “The Wuxiang Sect is powerful and has a long reach. Having suffered a heavy loss this time, they will definitely not show mercy. You must be extremely cautious when traveling away from home, and it wouldn’t hurt to adopt an alias when necessary.”
This words were naturally not spoken to Gu Shi, but Gu Shi didn’t pick up on that. Thinking for a moment, he replied, “Father, rest assured, I understand. On this trip, I shall travel under the alias of Chiyu.”
After bidding farewell one by one, Gu Shi and the man boarded the paper crane and headed toward Xuanzhou to try their luck at the place where the legend of the Old Man’s Grave originated.
Along the way, the man lazily leaned against the neck of the paper crane, asking Gu Shi seemingly at random, “Why are you called Chiyu?”
Gu Shi explained, “Does Senior still remember the little red bird I mentioned?”
The man raised his brow slightly. “For a bird?”
Gu Shi looked at the clear sky, the blue skies, white clouds, and warm sunlight. “Mn. When I met it, it was also such a fine day. It crashed into the paper crane and couldn’t find its way home, so I brought it back. Actually, I wasn’t good to it, yet it risked its life to save me. I want to remember it for a little longer.”
The man said, “Dead is dead. What use is remembering longer?”
Gu Shi lowered his head and did not reply. He had no way to refute; his memory indeed wasn’t anything rare either.
The man spoke again: “In the past when I had free time, I always loved giving myself names, just worrying I had nowhere to use them. Now that you are in trouble, you can call me Ye Xunzang from now on.”
“Understood, Senior.”
The Yuandao Sect was located in the Northern Continent, a hundred and eight thousand miles away from Xuanzhou. Traveling nonstop day and night, it took five days to reach their destination.
Arriving near the southeast region of Xuanzhou based on the rumors, Gu Shi feared exposing their tracks. Therefore, after finding a village, he parked the paper crane in a forest three miles away from the village and walked over with Ye Xunzang.
Ye Xunzang was curious about everything, running and jumping around in the mountain forest while breaking off a thick, long stick to wave around randomly, playing quite happily.
The village Gu Shi found was called Doukui Village. When the two arrived, it was already pitch dark, though fortunately the moonlight was clear, allowing them to see through the moonlight that there were still quite a few figures toiling in the fields.
All the gates of the village were closed, pitch black without a single lamp, and the air was permeated with the scent of joss sticks.
Gu Shi and Ye Xunzang had roughed it out for a long time on the back of the paper crane, and now urgently needed a good night’s sleep. Gu Shi walked toward the nearest household, intending to try his luck, and raised his hand to gently knock on the door.
Knock, knock, knock. The crisp sound of knuckles rapping against the wooden panel was exceptionally clear in the silent village.
After waiting for a good while, just when Gu Shi thought no one was inside, a raspy male voice sounded from within: “Who is it?”
Gu Shi hurried to reply, “Just passing travelers wanting to lodge for the night.”
The door opened. A man in his forties or fifties with somewhat turbid eyeballs and graying hair appeared. Gu Shi found him a bit eerie, but before he could feel scared, the old man stared wide-eyed upon seeing Ye Xunzang, trembling as he backed away. “A ghost!”
Gu Shi quickly brought up the prepared excuse: “Old mister, you misunderstood. We are not ghosts; we are heading to the Wuxiang Sect to test our bone roots, and passing through this place with the hour growing late, we wished to lodge for a night.” With that, he produced two taels of silver. “We won’t stay for free; we are paying.”
The man looked at the silver in his hand, his eyes lighting up. “Alright, come on in.”
Gu Shi lifted his foot to walk inside, but Ye Xunzang stood unmoving, looking at him with displeased eyes as he asked, “Do I really look that terrifying?”
Gu Shi hurriedly said, “Not terrifying at all, not terrifying at all. Senior is forever the best-looking in my heart.”
Ye Xunzang looked away, gazing at the man who was currently biting the silver, and said coldly, “Apologize.”
Just as Gu Shi was about to smooth things over, the man obediently apologized: “I am sorry.” The piece of silver in his hand had already been bitten out with a row of teeth marks.
Only then did Ye Xunzang lift his foot and enter the house, and Gu Shi quickly followed inside.
As soon as they stepped into the courtyard, a heavy scent of joss sticks hit them full force. The main hall door, directly facing the courtyard gate, stood wide open, and lined up squarely inside were row upon row of red coffins, looking all the more bizarre under the illumination of the pale moonlight.