The Journey of Immortal Cultivation

Qiu Niang could clearly see that the wound on his chest... had disappeared.

Something was wrong! She had indeed stabbed into his left chest, and if she remembered correctly, that was the location of the heart. But she couldn’t recall seeing this person bleed earlier, and now there wasn’t even a tear on his clothes!

What on earth was going on? Qiu Niang felt like she was about to be driven insane by these strange and bizarre objects! Mechanically, she lowered her head and saw the weapon she was holding in her hand. It turned out to be a long golden wedge, with an exceptionally sharp tip, and the base she held was inlaid with ivory.

The White Robed Girl pouted and said displeasedly, "Not happy! The closer we get to that ghost place, the stronger the Evil Qi, and these guys recover faster than that Ghost Baby from the Zeng Family!"

The handsome man stroked her hair, indulging her: "Let’s go. Facing these ugly creatures, and you can still be in a good mood." In his house, her hobbies were always special. She nodded and suddenly reached out to throw a dark object to Qiu Niang: "Wear it, and you’ll have the energy to follow us."

When received in her hand, it was a black wooden piece attached to a silk string. It didn’t look special, rather like it had been soaked in water for a long time and swollen, with several cracks in the wood core. Although Qiu Niang had doubts in her heart, there was not much time, and being always obedient, she put this strange necklace around her neck.

Sure enough, as soon as she fastened it, a new force grew inside her, instantly flowing through her limbs and bones. At that moment, the fatigue on her body was gone, and she felt in such a good state that she could run several more miles.

"Follow us," the White Robed Girl smiled at her, beckoning her to come closer. Then, a golden light curtain expanded with the three of them at its center, tightly protecting them in the middle. This layer of light had ripples and mysterious characters flashing at times, worthy of being called Divine Power, significant in both appearance and effect. The villagers who rushed into the tavern naturally couldn’t accept Qiu Niang escaping and lunged to grab her, but as soon as they touched the light curtain, they let out a wail, and the hands that touched the light curtain silently and effortlessly dissolved.

Qiu Niang’s eyes widened in disbelief.

The unlucky fellow whose hand had dissolved rolled on the ground a couple of times. Qiu Niang initially thought his arm would quickly heal like the wound on his companion’s chest. But it didn’t; the dissolved part was instead expanding, and he was like a snowman under the scorching summer sun, gradually dissolving into nothingness in front of everyone.

His wailing gradually weakened. The handsome man inside the light curtain coldly snorted, "How bold, daring to touch with dirty hands!"

"We know you’re formidable, let’s hurry and leave!" The White Robed Girl tugged at his sleeve and started walking out, easily pulling him along, with Qiu Niang naturally following closely.

The villagers blocking their path were without exception dissolved by the light curtain. The remaining people finally realized fear, reluctantly began to avoid them, their faces filled with hatred and terror.

The three left the tavern, and Qiu Niang saw that the narrow street was already tightly surrounded layer by layer. She couldn’t help but clench her teeth and shouted, "What grudge do you have with us to force us so relentlessly?"

An eleven or twelve-year-old child squeezed out from the crowd, spat at her, and screamed, "Murderer, murderer! Why don’t you just die alone?"

The White Robed Girl sneered, "They are already in an illusion, speaking nonsense; reasoning with them is useless." She softly said to Qiu Niang, "This place is not what you imagine it to be. Close your eyes, and silently recite in your heart: ’Do not confuse my eyes, do not disrupt my heart,’ then open your eyes again, and you will understand!"

With them for protection, it seemed there was no immediate danger to her life. Qiu Niang closed her eyes and recited the formula they taught her for a while before slowly opening her eyes, and her face suddenly turned pale as a sheet.

Heavens, what place was this peaceful and tranquil little village filled with the flavor of the New Year?

This time when Qiu Niang opened her eyes, she saw an abandoned village shrouded in deathly silence. The tavern behind her was already in ruins, with the cotton curtain half-torn off. The nearby house that had a year-end picture of a blind child pasted on it actually had a collapsed roof. In the distance, a house’s eaves did have a lantern hanging, but the vibrant red had faded, the side of the lantern was torn with a big hole, looking from afar like a silent, glaring blind eye socket.

It’s unknown how long this desolate village had been abandoned, as a cold wind swept over, driving countless fallen leaves with a sound as tragic as ghostly wails. No living beings dared to approach, not even scavenging wild dogs nor the owls in the sky!

How did she mistake such a haunted granary, such a terrifying place day or night, for a lively little village?

"What... is going on?!" Shaking with fear, Qiu Niang murmured under her breath.

"This is the true appearance of this place. We’ll talk more once we’re out," the White Robed Girl reassured, as the man beside her had already impatiently strode towards the village entrance.

Qiu Niang hurriedly followed.

Now, in her eyes, how did the nearby villagers look the same as before? Their skin was ashen white, most were thin to the bone, and their skin was covered with blue and purple bruises. Some were missing arms and legs, while others had their bellies rotten, only able to hold onto their spilling intestines, with maggots busily creeping in the bone seams, delighting in their task.

She couldn’t stand it any longer, her stomach churning, dry heaving twice but unable to bring anything up.

The White Robed Girl sighed gently, "Don’t look. They were once pitiful people too. After death, their corpses were dug by wild beasts, and what you see now is their post-mortem appearance."

Even though her limbs were weak with fright, Qiu Niang knew that only staying within this light curtain could ensure her safety. Any careless step outside could mean being torn to pieces. So she followed closely, tears rolling down her cheeks, feeling inexplicably sad: "Young lady, what... is going on?"

The delicate figure in front paused slightly, "Wu Family’s granary disappeared three years ago. At that time, the Plague Demon was rampant on this Continent, with deadly epidemics, and many villages didn’t have a single survivor. Here... the ground Qi was unwelcoming; those who died from the epidemic were unwilling, turning into Evil Ghosts and frequently causing trouble after death. Especially during the third to fourth days of the Lunar New Year, they repeatedly recreate the scene of Wu Family’s granary back then, luring unsuspecting mortals to their doom. In these past few years, more than a dozen unlucky ones have died in Wu Family’s granary." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read on m.qidian.com.)