In the sacred and solemn hall, the people were engaged in earnest conversation, seemingly discussing something of great importance. The young Taoist who had brought Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu to the hall straightened his robes at the door and respectfully announced, “Master, and all the revered elders, I am Chang Jian, and I have been tasked with bringing these two children…”
Before he could finish, a chilling, blood-curdling scream suddenly echoed through the hallowed hall, interrupting him: “Ghosts! Evil ghosts! Ghosts!”
Chang Jian was startled, but Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu were even more shocked. Though the voice was shrill and unpleasant, it was eerily familiar.
Ignoring the formality, Zhang Xiaofan rushed into the hall, shouting, “Uncle Wang, Uncle Wang, is that you?”
His urgency betrayed both anxiety and a hint of grief, tugging at the heartstrings of those present.
In a corner of the hall, behind the gathered crowd, was a middle-aged man dressed as a woodcutter, crouching with his hands over his head, trembling violently. From the gaps between his fingers, he muttered, “Ghosts, ghosts…”
Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu, who had followed, immediately recognized the man as a kind-hearted woodcutter from their village, known as Uncle Wang. He was always cheerful and treated the children well, often sharing wild fruits from the mountains with them.
Without a second thought, Zhang Xiaofan rushed over, grabbed Uncle Wang’s shoulders, and demanded, “Uncle Wang, what happened? Why did everyone in the village… Why did they all die? And my mother? My father? What about them? Tell me!”
Hearing Zhang Xiaofan’s urgent questions, Uncle Wang seemed to snap out of his trance, slowly lifting his head to look at the boy before him.
The hall fell silent, and even those seated rose to their feet, watching the scene unfold.
Uncle Wang’s eyes were red-rimmed, filled with terror and confusion. He stared at Zhang Xiaofan for a long moment but said nothing, his brows furrowed in deep thought.
Someone from the Azure Ethereal Conclave stepped forward, but was subtly held back by another.
Seeing no response, Zhang Xiaofan grew increasingly anxious and shouted, “Uncle Wang, what’s wrong with you?”
But the shout caused Uncle Wang to tremble, his face contorted with fear. He scrambled away, clutching his head and screaming, “Ghosts, ghosts, ghosts!”
Sighs of disappointment filled the hall. The hope on the faces of the Azure Ethereal Conclave members turned to despair. Those who had stood sat back down. Zhang Xiaofan, still desperate for answers, was held back by Lin Jingyu.
Zhang Xiaofan, bewildered, saw tears in Lin Jingyu’s eyes as he said, “It’s no use. He’s gone mad!”
Zhang Xiaofan’s mind reeled, leaving him speechless.
Lin Jingyu, a year older and more perceptive, scanned the hall. Most wore the robes of the Azure Ethereal Conclave, carrying weapons, mostly swords. Among them, six figures sitting in chairs stood out, exuding an extraordinary aura. Three were monks, three were laymen, and the one in the center, clad in dark green, with a regal demeanor and sharp, luminous eyes, was none other than the renowned Master Dao Xuan, the leader of the Azure Ethereal Conclave.
Without further ado, Lin Jingyu pulled Zhang Xiaofan to the front and knelt before Master Dao Xuan, kowtowing repeatedly.
Master Dao Xuan looked at the two boys, sighed, and said, “Poor children, rise now.”
Lin Jingyu remained on his knees, looking up at the sage-like figure, and pleaded, “Master, we are young and ignorant. We’ve faced such a calamity, and we don’t know what to do. You, with your vast powers and knowledge, please help us!”
Zhang Xiaofan, not as articulate, added, “Yes, Master, please help us!”
The crowd couldn’t help but smile at the innocent plea. Master Dao Xuan, seeing the potential in Lin Jingyu, smiled and said, “I cannot see the past or future, but since you live at the foot of our mountain, we will not abandon you. I have a few questions for you. Please answer them carefully.”
Lin Jingyu nodded, “Of course, Master. Please ask.”
“How did you survive this calamity?” Master Dao Xuan asked.
Lin Jingyu hesitated, “Master, I remember sleeping in my bed last night, but when I woke up, I was lying under a pine tree with Xiaofan. I don’t know how we got there. When Xiaofan woke me, we ran back to the village and found… that scene, and we fainted.”
Master Dao Xuan turned to Zhang Xiaofan, “And you, how did you wake up?”
Zhang Xiaofan thought for a moment, “I don’t know how I got there either. When I woke up, I saw Jingyu beside me, so I woke him up.”
Master Dao Xuan and the others exchanged puzzled glances. If a high-ranking master had saved them, why only these two children?
Master Dao Xuan pondered, “So, you have no memory of what happened last night.”
Both boys confirmed, “No, Master.”
With a sigh, Master Dao Xuan called, “Song Daren.”
“Here, Master,” a tall, sturdy disciple responded, standing behind a short, stout man.
“You were the first to discover the tragedy in the village. Please recount what happened.”
Song Daren, with a rough but clear voice, recounted, “This morning, as we returned from a mission, flying above the village, I noticed over two hundred corpses. We hurried down to investigate and found these two unconscious. We then found this man in a state of delirium, muttering ‘ghosts, ghosts.'”
Lin Jingyu shuddered and asked, “Brother, have you counted the dead?”
Song Daren, with a sympathetic gaze, replied, “We found a brother familiar with the village. After counting, we confirmed that 247 people, except for you three, are dead.”
Despite the foreboding, Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiaofan were overwhelmed, almost fainting again.
Master Dao Xuan sighed and flicked his sleeve, sending a red pearl to float in front of the boys. It rolled over their foreheads and chests, bringing a cool, soothing sensation.
Their nerves, once tight, loosened, and they fell into a deep sleep.
Master Dao Xuan waved his hand, and the disciples left. Only the six elders remained.
The stout man spoke, “Master, you have calmed them, but what will you do when they wake up?”
Master Dao Xuan turned to the monk on his left, “Master Cang Song, what do you think?”
Cang Song, stern and dignified, was the master of the Dragon Head Peak. In the conclave, he was second only to Master Dao Xuan in power and influence.
Cang Song frowned, then said, “There are many unanswered questions, but we cannot ignore the orphans. I suggest we take them in.”
Master Dao Xuan nodded, “Agreed. But I have not taken disciples in years. Who among you can take them in?”
The stout man, Tian Yizhao, suggested, “Master, perhaps we should not place them together. They may remind each other of their past, and their resentment may fester. It would be better if they were separated.”
Master Dao Xuan agreed, “Tian Yizhao is right. They should be separated. Who among you can take them in?”
The five masters’ eyes, led by Cang Song, focused on Lin Jingyu, admiring his potential. No one paid attention to Zhang Xiaofan.
Qualifications were crucial in the cultivation path. A gifted disciple could surpass a century of practice. The Azure Ethereal Conclave had a deep understanding of this.
Years ago, the conclave was on the brink of extinction until a young, extraordinarily talented disciple named Qing Ye revived it. He deciphered ancient texts and brought the conclave to its current glory.
Cang Song, breaking the silence, said, “Master, let me take him in. I will ensure he becomes a worthy disciple, honoring the souls of the villagers.”
Master Dao Xuan nodded, “Very well, Cang Song. He is in your care.”
Cang Song smiled, genuinely pleased. The others, though disappointed, knew better than to argue.
Master Dao Xuan then addressed the other boy, “And the other…”
The other masters feigned disinterest, avoiding the task. Only Cang Song, with a cold smile, watched the scene.
Master Dao Xuan, feeling the awkwardness, turned to Tian Yizhao, “Tian Yizhao, since your disciple discovered the tragedy, perhaps this child has a connection with your peak. Take him in.”
Tian Yizhao, frustrated, accepted, “As you wish, Master.”
Master Dao Xuan nodded, “Very well. This matter is settled. Investigate thoroughly, understood?”
The masters nodded, and Master Dao Xuan, coughing, quickly left the hall. As he disappeared, laughter erupted in the hall.
Outside, Song Daren, waiting, saw Tian Yizhao with Zhang Xiaofan. Surprised, he asked, “Master, what’s going on?”
Tian Yizhao, irritated, snapped, “Take him, fool!”
Song Daren, still confused, took Zhang Xiaofan, who remained asleep, unaware of the turn his fate had taken.
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