Liu Zhuang Xian

After the little blue bird finished speaking, it flopped down on the desk as if about to take a nap. The bird’s master probably wasn’t very skilled in soul condensation technique, as the little blue bird quickly disappeared.

The man lifted his brush and recorded his day’s cultivation practice on the bamboo scroll.

For several consecutive days, a blue bird would fly in, chirp away about various matters, then dissipate and vanish.

On the seventh night, just as the man sat down at his desk in the quiet room, a little blue bird flew in with unsteady wings, landing directly in his inkstone. When it hopped up, it left a row of small inky footprints.

“Master – it turns out this plague had spread in Linzhou before… Someone discovered a cure, which uses the blood of the Jiaosi spirit bird as a catalyst to eliminate the disease! Previously, these spirit birds were abundant in Linzhou’s mountains, but since the last plague, they’ve become increasingly rare! My senior brother and I plan to enter Linzhou’s mountains to search for these spirit birds!”

After reporting the important matters, the little blue bird began chatting about random things.

“Master, Master, did you know Linzhou used to be famous for candy balls! And they came in all kinds of flavors! There were fruit-flavored ones! And licorice-flavored ones! I heard there were even ginger-flavored ones! But ginger-flavored candy balls… wouldn’t that be strange? Wouldn’t it burn your tongue?”

The man lifted his scroll to prevent the bird’s feet from leaving more prints. Just as he was about to wave his hand to dispel the soul condensation technique on the bird, it dissipated on its own.

The scroll remained suspended in mid-air as the man stared at where the bird had disappeared, then lowered his eyes and continued recording his day’s cultivation as if nothing had happened.

On this pitch-black night where one couldn’t see their own fingers, Lu Xiaochan walked through the forest, munching on roasted soybeans while holding onto Kunwu’s belt.

When the wind blew, rustling sounds came from everywhere, and the swaying tree shadows looked like countless withered demon claws ready to grab them.

“Senior Brother… why didn’t you look for spirit birds during the day? Aren’t you afraid we’ll encounter evil spirits instead of spirit birds in the middle of the night?”

Lu Xiaochan continued crunching on roasted soybeans as Kunwu frowned and said, “According to the medical texts, Jiaosi spirit birds forage at night. How would you find them during the day?”

“Oh.”

“Can you stop eating soybeans! Do you know how many times you’ve passed gas along the way? Even if there were any Jiaosi birds, you would have suffocated them all!”

Kunwu tried to smack Lu Xiaochan’s head in disgust. Lu Xiaochan instinctively backed away, but forgot his hand was still on Kunwu’s belt, accidentally undoing it.

Fortunately, there was almost no moonlight and the starlight was dim, but this didn’t prevent Lu Xiaochan from clearly seeing Kunwu’s anger.

“Lu Xiaochan – I’m going to kill you!”

“Senior Brother! Senior Brother! Your pants are falling! Your pants are falling! Don’t hit me! Don’t hit me!”

Unexpectedly, Lu Xiaochan suddenly lost his footing and tumbled down with a crash.

This frightened Kunwu, who slid down to look for Lu Xiaochan.

“Little bastard? Where are you?”

A moment later, Kunwu heard the crunching sound of roasted soybeans.

Kunwu immediately bristled, his teeth itching with anger. “You still have the mood to eat soybeans!”

However, Lu Xiaochan made a shushing sound and created a small spirit light.

Only then did Kunwu discover that next to Lu Xiaochan was a small bird with sparse feathers. The bird had three long white tail feathers and phosphorescent blue eyes – it was a baby Jiaosi spirit bird!

It seemed to have gone without food for a long time, pecking at the soybeans Lu Xiaochan had scattered.

“What’s going on here? Jiaosi birds are very protective of their young. It looks like it hasn’t eaten in a long time. Where are its parents?”

Kunwu stood still nearby, carefully examining the baby Jiaosi bird, when suddenly they heard the sound of horse hooves.

They saw four or five people holding immortal swords, with their horses carrying over a dozen Jiaosi spirit birds – all with their phosphorescent blue eyes devoid of light… their necks had been wrung.

Lu Xiaochan and Kunwu were stunned. Kunwu had never seen such cruel treatment of spirit birds and was about to charge forward when Lu Xiaochan grabbed him.

“Senior Brother… let’s figure out what’s going on first!”

Those few people were disciples of an immortal sect, their expressions arrogant, wielding immortal swords with a look of superiority.

“Senior Brother Gao! Look! There are two kids here! They’re probably also looking for spirit birds! Haha!”

“Hmph, if ordinary people could find spirit birds, what would be the point of us?” The leading Senior Brother Gao replied haughtily.

“How did you catch so many spirit birds?” Lu Xiaochan asked.

Senior Brother Gao looked down at Lu Xiaochan with a malicious smile. “What a cute little one. Why don’t you come serve this Immortal Lord, and I’ll tell you!”

Kunwu clenched his fist, about to punch the man’s face, but Lu Xiaochan held him back again and continued questioning this “Immortal Lord Gao.”

“May I ask where the Immortal Lord’s mansion is located?” Lu Xiaochan asked respectfully.

The man lifted his sword hilt to tip Lu Xiaochan’s chin, his smile carrying an uncomfortable undertone.

“Our immortal mansion is on Zhuxu Mountain, just one peak away from here. If you come, spend one night with this Immortal Lord, and I’ll give you a spirit bird!”

His fellow disciples behind him all jeered together, their smiles making Lu Xiaochan feel slightly nauseated.

“You’re catching these spirit birds to cure the plague! Just cutting their ankles for a little blood would suffice, why take their lives?” Kunwu demanded.

“Who said we wanted their blood? The plague is spreading throughout Linzhou, and many immortal sect disciples have fallen ill! Do you know how many magical tools we can trade these birds for? These birds are fierce – how else would you get their blood without killing them?”

“You…”

Kunwu gritted his teeth, but Lu Xiaochan held him back as they watched the group ride away on horseback.

“Why did you stop me? Let me cast a medical spell and give them stomach cramps!”

“Senior Brother, we’re disciples of the Tailing Pavilion, respected as orthodox by all immortal sects in four directions – we have a certain status. Tomorrow we’ll personally visit Zhuxu Mountain and hear how their sect master explains this!”

Kunwu thought about it and agreed. Let’s see how their sect master answers for their disciples’ brutality!

If this was done under the sect master’s orders, they would report it to the Sword Master of the Nanli Jingtian, and let them deal with these people!

“What about the baby bird?”

Only then did Kunwu remember that if the Zhuxu Mountain people discovered this baby bird, its life would be in danger.

“It’s right here!” Lu Xiaochan pointed to his soybean bag, where the baby Jiaosi bird had eaten itself into a stupor.

They returned to the inn, washed the dust and mud off the baby bird, and Kunwu cast a medical spell to heal its injured claws.

Lu Xiaochan hummed an off-key tune while weaving a small basket from dry grass, where they could hide the baby bird from view without suffocating it.

Lu Xiaochan poked the baby bird’s forehead. “Look at you, why do you like roasted soybeans so much! I might as well call you ‘Little Soybean’!”

Hearing the word “soybean,” the baby bird immediately started cooing.

Lu Xiaochan picked up the baby bird and placed it in the grass basket. “Let me tell you, the plague is spreading throughout Linzhou, the soybean farmers are sick, the soybean roasters are sick, and the soybean sellers have gone home! You won’t be getting any more soybeans! Be good and stay put!”

After he finished speaking, the baby bird’s tail feathers suddenly lifted, and it passed gas. When Lu Xiaochan caught a whiff, he nearly fainted!

“How dare you fart! You eat my food! Drink my water! And you dare fart at me!” Lu Xiaochan deliberately lowered the basket’s lid as if to hit the bird’s head, and it immediately ducked down.

Kunwu held a medicine pouch to his nose, looking disgusted. “Truly, like master like bird! Do you know that last night’s blanket was so badly scented by you that I couldn’t sleep!”

“Are you blaming me for this? I offered to share my roasted soybeans with you, but you refused! If we both made the blankets smelly, wouldn’t we be even? Then neither of us could complain about the other!”

“Get out! Get out! Get out!” Kunwu opened the window for fresh air.

Kunwu deliberately placed a “sleeping grass” in the basket, and the baby bird immediately fell asleep.

Lu Xiaochan shouldered the grass basket. “Senior Brother, we can set out now!”

The two headed to Zhuxu Mountain, and at its gate, they saw a guard disciple sitting on the steps, holding a sword.

“Sleeping and slacking off in broad daylight – Zhuxu Mountain’s disciples are even worse than you, Senior Brother!”

Kunwu smacked Lu Xiaochan’s head again. “What nonsense are you talking about? Remember when Master told you to watch the medicine furnace? You slept so deeply you burned up thousand-year-old spirit herbs!”

Lu Xiaochan shrugged. “I don’t remember that!”

Kunwu made to hit Lu Xiaochan’s head again, and Lu Xiaochan dodged behind the guard disciple. Unexpectedly, the guard collapsed to the ground with a thud, his sword falling beside him.

Lu Xiaochan quickly backed away. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to…”

At this moment, Kunwu’s brows furrowed. He turned the guard over and checked his neck, finding no pulse or breathing.

“He’s dead?” Lu Xiaochan crouched nearby.

“Yes.”

“How did he die…”

“Can’t you tell?” Kunwu asked in return.

Lu Xiaochan followed Kunwu’s example, sending his spiritual energy into the disciple’s body to sense his internal organs. The result made him fall back onto the ground.

“He… he died from the plague! His internal organs are like they’ve melted, turning into pus inside his belly!”

“But this disciple’s face is peaceful. Those who truly contract the plague usually go through high fever, collapse, and meridian failure. From infection to death takes at least three days, at most half a month! But look at him – does he show any signs of having been weakened?”

“It’s… it’s as if he suddenly fell ill while sleeping… and immediately became terminally ill…”

Lu Xiaochan lifted his head, looking up the steps of Zhuxu Mountain’s gate.

The entire mountain was eerily quiet, without any insect or bird sounds, even the wind seemed still.

It was daytime, but the mountain peak appeared shrouded in some kind of heavy dark air, and the higher one looked, the more deathly it felt.

“Senior Brother… what should we do?”

“What else can we do? We must go up and investigate. Zhuxu Mountain is a renowned sect under Nanli Jingtian’s jurisdiction. If something’s wrong, it’s a major issue.”

“Alright then, let’s go up!”

Lu Xiaochan sniffed, adjusted his waistband, and was about to take a big step up when Kunwu grabbed him.

“Wait a moment, let me first send a message to Master via spirit bird about the situation here. In case something happens to us, at least Master will know where to look for us.”

Kunwu’s spiritual energy formed a blue bird that flew away.

Lu Xiaochan also closed his eyes and created a blue bird, silently saying, “Master, Master, I’m following Senior Brother up Zhuxu Mountain! This mountain gate looks less like an immortal gate and more like the gates of hell! If you have time, please come save me and Senior Brother!”

After speaking, his blue bird also flew away.

Kunwu walked in front, with Lu Xiaochan following behind.

As they walked, the ancient tree branches on both sides of the stone steps grew increasingly low and dense.

The originally broad daylight turned into patches of light spots, then became increasingly sparse. By the time they reached halfway up the mountain, almost no daylight could be seen.

Lu Xiaochan looked at his and Kunwu’s shadows on the ground, feeling that they didn’t look like shadows at all, but rather like a large mass of black mist following them.

Lu Xiaochan tugged at Kunwu’s clothes and whispered. “Senior Brother…”

Kunwu turned his head and asked softly, “What’s wrong?”

“Something doesn’t feel right.”

This time, Kunwu didn’t pat Lu Xiaochan’s head, but instead held his hand.

“I feel something’s wrong too. Logically, how could such a large sect as Zhuxu Mountain not have a single patrol disciple from peak to foot?”

“Why don’t we go back down the mountain and wait for Master to come before investigating further?”

Lu Xiaochan felt that if something had happened to the Zhuxu Mountain disciples, it would already be irreversible. Even if they reached the peak, they couldn’t change anything. If they ended up sacrificing themselves too, it would truly be pointless.

Kunwu, also worried about protecting Lu Xiaochan, nodded and said, “Knowing there’s a tiger in the mountain, we shouldn’t head towards it. Let’s go back…”

At the moment of turning back, Kunwu suddenly discovered a large mass of black mist swirling and surging on the path down the mountain.

And on the ancient tree branches, countless dark red light spots flickered, like numerous murderous eyes watching them.

“Is there an evil spirit here? I guess it doesn’t want us to leave.”

If it was an evil spirit’s doing, it would explain the death of that mountain guard disciple.

“If it’s an evil spirit, it must be Demon Lord Yihuang’s doing. Our Tailing Pavilion might not be skilled at dealing with other demon lords, but when it comes to Yihuang, we’re the real experts.”

After speaking, Kunwu concentrated and formed a spell, the spiritual light from the incantation rushing towards the black mist.

But when the spell dissipated, the black mist hadn’t dispersed, and the countless blood-red eyes in the trees hadn’t changed. On the contrary, they grew denser, as if about to drip blood and flood the entire Zhuxu Mountain.

“Could it not be Yihuang?” Kunwu stood there stunned.

Or was his cultivation not enough to handle this evil spirit?

Lu Xiaochan swallowed and pulled Kunwu’s arm. “Senior Brother, look, the path up the mountain hasn’t been sealed by the evil spirit. Since we’re already here… why don’t we just go up and see what happened? Maybe we can find the cause and figure out what kind of evil spirit is at work!”

“At this point, that’s all we can do.”

After speaking, Kunwu formed a medical spell and tapped it on his shoulder, instantly creating a spiritual medical talisman on the back of his clothes.

Lu Xiaochan followed suit and drew one on his own back.

This way, if evil spirits attacked them from behind, the medical spell could protect them.

They continued upward until they reached Zhuxu Mountain’s main gate, where three characters were written, though they were hard to see due to the heavy tree shadows.

Lu Xiaochan lit a torch, and in its light, the characters “Zhuxu Sect” became visible.

These three characters looked as if they had been clawed out, seemingly about to drip blood.

Kunwu knocked on the door. “I am Kunwu, disciple of Tailing Pavilion, passing by Zhuxu Mountain, requesting shelter for one night!”

Lu Xiaochan took a deep breath.

But there was no response for a long time.

Kunwu knocked again, louder this time.

Still no response.

Kunwu exhaled, looked at Lu Xiaochan, who nodded and moved to the side of the door. Kunwu placed his hand on the door, about to push it open, when it creaked open by itself.

Lu Xiaochan had already prepared a spell, ready to cast it through the door, but found no one inside.

After swallowing, Lu Xiaochan and Kunwu exchanged glances.

“Senior Brother, is this a haunted house?” Lu Xiaochan asked.

“Xiaochan, you stay outside while I…”

“Forget it. If you go in and I stay outside, we’ll both be isolated and easily defeated separately. If we go in, we go together; if we leave, we leave together.”

Kunwu nodded, and they stepped forward together into the Zhuxu Sect.

The courtyard was a large gravel area with ancient trees planted in all four corners.

In the center was a stone-paved path extending from the entrance to Zhuxu Sect’s main hall.

The moment their feet touched the ground, Lu Xiaochan seemed to hear shrill and desperate bird cries.

One after another, they merged together, flooding into Zhuxu Sect from all directions, their ears feeling as if thousands of needles were piercing their brains.

Lu Xiaochan covered his ears, but from his brain to his body, everything hurt terribly.

He glanced sideways to find Kunwu already kneeling on one knee, his shoulders shaking violently, before coughing up a mouthful of blood.

Lu Xiaochan looked up as the main hall’s door opened. All surrounding doors and windows were tightly shut, with the main seat at the furthest end, just where the light from the entrance couldn’t reach. Whether it was an illusion or not, Lu Xiaochan felt someone was sitting in the main seat, as if waiting for their arrival.

Lu Xiaochan exhaled and asked himself: Lu Xiaochan, what sensation or desire in your heart is easily controlled?

Not bloodlust.

Not greed.

Not obsession.

Not hunger.

Not even self-interest.

Since entering Zhuxu Sect, what could become the weakness that evil spirits could control?

…It was fear!

Lu Xiaochan suddenly opened his eyes and immediately formed a great spell—the Tailing True World Spell!

The spell’s spiritual light overflowed, spreading instantly, almost illuminating the entire courtyard of Zhuxu Sect. Those soul-piercing sounds instantly disappeared, and sunlight shone down from the thick mist behind them, gradually lighting up the courtyard.

Kunwu, supporting himself with his hands on the ground, took a breath. He opened his eyes and looked at Lu Xiaochan beside him.

His expression was composed and steady, not at all like a teenager.

“Senior Brother, it’s fear. We don’t know what evil spirit has invaded this place, how powerful it is, or what happened. Combined with the absence of any signs of life along the way, we assumed this journey was dangerous, so fear grew in our hearts.”

Kunwu stood up, and after a while, he said, “Junior Brother… you’re different from before…”

“No matter how different I am, you’re still my Senior Brother, and I’m still your Junior Brother! Let’s go see what’s really happening!”

Unlike before, Lu Xiaochan didn’t hide behind Kunwu, but stepped into Zhuxu Sect’s main hall.

With his first step inside, he faintly heard weak heartbeats and breathing—there were people here.

But they were extremely weak, barely alive.

Kunwu flicked his fingertip, sending spiritual energy throughout the main hall, forcing all windows open.

Instantly, sunlight poured in, brightening the main hall.

The scene before them startled both Lu Xiaochan and Kunwu.

Sitting in the main seat was none other than Zhuxu Sect’s leader, Zhu Yuting. His face was lifeless, his head tilted to one side in his seat, his hands hanging lifelessly at his sides.

On both sides of the main hall, the six people in the front positions seemed to hold certain status, unlike regular Zhuxu Sect disciples.

“Xiaochan, check their conditions! I’ll examine Sect Leader Zhu!”

Kunwu went to Zhu Yuting’s side and grabbed his wrist, while Lu Xiaochan went to check the other six people.

Lu Xiaochan examined all six and found that while their spiritual energy wasn’t exceptional, they weren’t ordinary practitioners either.

One of them was lying face-down on the table, with food and wine spilled everywhere.

Just as Lu Xiaochan moved his body, he saw a jade tablet hanging at his waist with the inscription: Shuyang Mountain’s Cheng Ziqiu.

“Senior Brother! This person is from Shuyang Mountain! He’s not from Zhuxu Sect! His name is Cheng Ziqiu!”

“Cheng Ziqiu? He’s the leader of Shuyang Mountain!”

Lu Xiaochan checked his pulse and after careful examination, found that although his pulse was weak and his elixir sea was depleting, he wasn’t dead yet. All his internal organs were infected with evil energy.

If not for this person’s considerable cultivation, he would have ended up like the mountain guard disciple with dissolved organs!

Lu Xiaochan checked the others, finding similar conditions—all barely breathing, deeply ill. If not for their cultivation sustaining them, they would likely be cold, rotting corpses by now.

Lu Xiaochan came to Kunwu’s side as he was checking Zhu Yuting’s pulse.

Suddenly, Zhu Yuting opened his eyes and grabbed for Kunwu’s wrist. Kunwu dodged quickly, but Zhu Yuting’s real target wasn’t Kunwu—it was Lu Xiaochan watching from the side.

Zhu Yuting’s grip was so strong it felt like it would crack Lu Xiaochan’s bones.

As Kunwu moved to intervene, he was struck by a spiritual energy released by Zhu Yuting.

However, this spiritual energy was tainted black with evil qi, enveloping Kunwu completely.

Trapped, Kunwu formed a medical spell to resist, unable to break free for the moment.

“What do you want… freedom from illness? Or the world’s wealth?” Zhu Yuting tilted his face, an evil smile curling his lips.

Those eyes were filled with black evil energy—how could this be anything but possession by an evil spirit?

Lu Xiaochan was about to step back when the other suddenly sat up straight. Lu Xiaochan could hear his joints cracking, the sound particularly loud in the empty main hall.

“Why don’t you answer me?”

Lu Xiaochan’s heart skipped a beat, thinking that the evil spirit’s target apparently wasn’t his Senior Brother, but him, Lu Xiaochan?

Why?