The night was deep and dark. The wild dog daoist, who had narrowly escaped the clutches of death, lay on the ground, his wounds now bandaged. Though he still appeared weak, his breathing, though faint, was steady, and for the moment, his life was no longer in peril.
Xiaohuan, the one who had saved him, was also unconscious, but she had only overexerted herself and was not in serious danger, a fact that the two conscious individuals present understood, easing their concerns.
For Zhou Yixian, what he was truly concerned about—or rather, wary of—was the mysterious man who had just saved Xiaohuan. He had recognized this black-clad figure as the same enigmatic man he had encountered not long ago in Heyang City, at the foot of Azure Ethereal Vapors. Never had he imagined that he would meet this man again today.
Zhou Yixian sat beside his granddaughter, Xiaohuan, his gaze occasionally drifting to the black figure standing with his hands behind his back. With his experience and insight, he knew that this man’s cultivation in the Ghost Path was extraordinary. However, given that he had been an adversary before, it was unexpected that he would save Xiaohuan. On the previous occasion, they had managed to escape with the help of Ghost Li, but now, with this man’s intentions unclear, their lives were in his hands.
As Zhou Yixian pondered these thoughts, the black-clad figure, known as Mister Ghost, stood there with a confident air, though his heart was filled with uncertainty. This act of saving someone was highly uncharacteristic of him. His path in the Ghost Path was seen by the world as a dark and malevolent art, distinct from the orthodox paths of Daoism, Buddhism, and Demonkind, and the mystic arts of the Southern Tribes. Even the much-maligned Demon Sect viewed the Ghost Path with disdain, and for years, its practitioners had continued in secrecy. Mister Ghost, who had earned the respect of the Ghost King, the leader of the Demon Sect’s Ghost King Sect, was a rare exception.
It was because of this that, despite its enduring existence, the Ghost Path remained a small and secretive sect, with few knowing when it might finally die out. Normal people would hardly think of cultivating such eerie and ghostly arts.
Mister Ghost, after years of cultivation, was a top-notch practitioner, unmatched in the Ghost Path. His heart, hardened by his practices, was unexpectedly stirred when he saw Xiaohuan, a young girl, perform a profound and advanced Soul-Gathering technique of the Ghost Path. This revelation was shocking: not only did Xiaohuan, a young and beautiful woman, possess an incredible talent for the Ghost Path, but she had also performed a lost and forgotten art. This made Mister Ghost both astounded and deeply intrigued.
When Xiaohuan forcibly gathered the souls, Mister Ghost, though not skilled in the specific technique, recognized her talent and the dangers of overexertion. When she nearly succumbed to the backlash of the vengeful spirits, he, against his usual nature, stepped in to save her.
Though he did not know the Soul-Gathering technique, his expertise in the Ghost Path was more than sufficient to handle the ordinary spirits. He immediately cast a protective spell, allowing Xiaohuan to complete her task. However, after the incident, he found himself uncertain about what to do next.
The atmosphere remained tense until Xiaohuan stirred, awakening with a soft cry of “Grandfather,” and opened her eyes.
Overjoyed, Zhou Yixian helped her sit up. Though Xiaohuan was visibly exhausted, she appeared to be fine. She turned to look at the wild dog daoist, who, though injured, was breathing steadily. Relieved, Xiaohuan smiled.
She then noticed the black-clad figure, and with a start, recognized him as the mysterious man from Heyang City. Alarmed, she asked, “Grandfather, why is he here?”
Zhou Yixian helped Xiaohuan stand, whispering, “I don’t know why he appeared, but it was he who saved you and the wild dog daoist at a critical moment.”
Recalling the event, Xiaohuan realized that the mysterious black-clad man had indeed saved them. She turned to Mister Ghost and bowed, “Thank you, sir.”
Mister Ghost seemed indifferent to her gratitude, instead asking, “Young lady, I have a few questions for you. Please answer truthfully.”
Surprised, Xiaohuan hesitated, then agreed, “What do you wish to ask, sir?”
“Ghost Path techniques are usually kept secret. Where did you learn this Ghost Path technique?” Mister Ghost inquired.
Xiaohuan looked confused, “Ghost Path? What is that?”
Zhou Yixian sighed inwardly, while Mister Ghost was surprised. Seeing Xiaohuan’s genuine bewilderment, he clarified, “The Soul-Gathering technique you used is a profound and advanced art of the Ghost Path. Did you not know this?”
Xiaohuan shook her head, “No, I didn’t know.”
“Then who taught you this technique?” Mister Ghost pressed.
Xiaohuan replied, “No one taught me. I learned it accidentally when I was playing in my grandfather’s old house and fell into a well. The technique was recorded on the wall of the well. I learned it out of curiosity, and I’ve only used it once. Why, are you interested in this technique?”
Mister Ghost was silent, then sighed, his voice filled with a melancholy resolve.
Xiaohuan and Zhou Yixian exchanged glances, unsure of the reason for his sudden despondency. After a moment, Mister Ghost asked, “Young lady, what is your name?”
Zhou Yixian frowned, but Xiaohuan answered, “My name is Xiaohuan.”
Mister Ghost nodded, “I have something to discuss with you privately. Can you come closer?”
Zhou Yixian scowled, but Xiaohuan, grateful for his earlier rescue, agreed, “Sure.”
Ignoring her grandfather’s protests, Xiaohuan approached Mister Ghost. As she drew near, Mister Ghost nodded approvingly, then said thoughtfully, “Would you be willing to study the Ghost Path techniques?”
Xiaohuan was taken aback, and Mister Ghost explained, “When you faced the countless spirits, how did you feel?”
Xiaohuan blushed, admitting, “I was afraid.”
Mister Ghost replied, “Fear is not shameful. Most fear the spirits out of ignorance. They do not realize that spirits are merely a form between death and rebirth. Fear is often self-imposed.”
He pointed to Xiaohuan, “You experienced fear during your spell, which created illusions and terrifying visions. But the spirits, like humans, are desperate for a chance to return to life. It is this desperation that makes them so angry and vengeful.”
Xiaohuan nodded, contemplating his words.
Mister Ghost continued, “I see that you dislike the reputation of the Ghost Path, yet you used its techniques to save the wild dog daoist. This shows that it is not entirely without merit. I am offering to teach you, as I see a rare talent in you. If you decide to kill me in the future, it will not matter. We in the Ghost Path do not care for such trivial matters.”
Xiaohuan flinched, but Mister Ghost handed her a thick, black-bound book. “This contains my life’s understanding of the Ghost Path. You can choose whether to learn from it.”
With that, he turned to leave. Xiaohuan called out, “Wait, sir. I don’t even know your name.”
Mister Ghost paused, then said, “It doesn’t matter if you remember me. Do as you see fit.”
He turned to leave, but Xiaohuan shouted, “You saved me and taught me. I should call you ‘Master.'”
Mister Ghost was visibly shaken, but he quickly regained his composure. Turning back, he handed her a set of seven black triangular pieces. “Consider this a gift for calling me ‘Master.'”
Xiaohuan examined the pieces, which were cold and emitted a faint, bloody scent. Behind her, Zhou Yixian recognized them as the items Mister Ghost had used to save her.
“These are Blood Jade Bone Pieces, a treasure of the Ghost Path. They can enhance your abilities significantly. Take good care of them,” Mister Ghost said, then vanished into the forest.
Xiaohuan sighed, clutching the pieces tightly. Zhou Yixian, approaching, examined them and scoffed, “These are made from the skulls of the most yin-possessed individuals, infused with the souls of the living. Beware, Xiaohuan.”
Xiaohuan, though skeptical, decided, “I will use them only for good, Grandfather.”
Zhou Yixian grumbled, but Xiaohuan smiled, following him, her new power and strange mentorship beginning a new chapter in her life.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage