On a desolate mountain path, a youth walked downwards along the mountain road. Despite walking against the wind, he moved with great speed, as if he had practiced a lightness skill, covering at least forty to fifty feet in just a few steps.
This youth appeared to be around thirteen or fourteen years old, dressed in a faded Taoist robe and carrying a small bundle. Even on the rugged mountain path, he walked as if on level ground, his body showing no signs of imbalance. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
His name was Ji Yuan, a registered Taoist of the Great Yu Dynasty in Shuiyunzhou, who had apprenticed under the Xuan Tian Guan in Qianyu City, Luoxia County. He was currently returning from performing several rituals.
As the sun began to set, he stopped and looked up at the sky, a hint of helplessness appearing on his face.
Estimating that his speed would not allow him to return to Qianyu City before the curfew tonight, Ji Yuan slowed his pace, finally having the time to appreciate the scenery along the way.
However, "appreciating scenery" in this desolate wilderness at dusk offered little to behold. He merely glanced around casually.
Most of the time, Ji Yuan was busy contemplating his experiences and gains from this trip.
The rituals of exorcising ghosts and spirits were uneventful. The income was less than satisfactory. Perhaps because he was alone and young, the employers paid him less than originally promised.
On the other hand, the few bottles of elixirs he had refined and the talismans he had drawn over the past two months sold for a remarkably good price in a small town over a hundred miles away. The premium was a full twenty percent higher than in Qianyu City, so it wasn't a wasted trip after all.
"Eh? Such heavy Yin energy!"
After walking for just over a mile, Ji Yuan stopped, frowning and looking towards the mountains in the distance.
In the lingering glow of the setting sun, wisps of grayish-white Yin energy rose from the earth, unhindered by the residual sunlight, coiling around a hillside nestled between the mountains.
As the sky gradually darkened, this Yin energy even stirred up gusts of wind, causing the grass and trees on the hillside to sway. Finally, after the sun had completely set, a layer of grayish-white mist enveloped the small hillside.
After observing for a while from afar, Ji Yuan was certain that malevolent spirits were breeding here. Otherwise, such a phenomenon would not occur. Not only did the Yin energy defy the setting sun's rays, but it also seemed to possess a trace of sentience, gathering into wind and condensing into mist.
However, the distance was too great, and the Yin energy mist had begun to converge, obscuring his view of the hillside. He could only vaguely discern a bamboo forest within which, it seemed, a few houses were faintly visible.
Having spent years exorcising ghosts and spirits, he immediately recognized the seriousness of the situation. He quickly took out a map of the area within three hundred miles of Qianyu City from his small bundle.
Ji Yuan's gaze swept across the map. He soon located his current position and, based on directions and other cues, his sight finally landed on a place called 'Luohun Slope' (Soul Landing Slope).
This area had been surveyed by the Great Yu Dynasty and confirmed as a convergence point of heaven and earth's Yin energy. It was surrounded by towering mountains, with only one side receiving the lingering sunlight at sunset, which suppressed the overly dense Yin energy.
Although the proliferation of Yin energy could easily lead to the emergence of malevolent spirits and ghosts, if handled properly, it could also be a blessed place for cultivation. For Qi cultivators who practiced extreme Yin and cold arts, it was a rare and invaluable fortunate land.
Ji Yuan recalled that there was a cultivation sect here. Although not a major sect, it was somewhat renowned in the vicinity of Qianyu City. Its founder had once rendered meritorious service to the Great Yu Dynasty, which allowed him to establish a sect here.
However, judging by the current situation, the sect had likely encountered a mishap. The Yin energy-shrouded hillside had clearly bred malevolent spirits and ghosts, otherwise, the Yin energy here would not be fearless of the setting sun's rays.
After weighing the pros and cons, he put away the map and walked two to three miles further along the mountain road, eventually appearing on the small path outside 'Luohun Slope'.
Ji Yuan carefully observed the rising Yin energy from the ground, his expression gradually growing grim.
The ascent of Yang energy and the descent of Yin energy in the world were unchangeable principles. Yet, the Yin energy on this small hillside was rising like Yang energy, not only breaking free from the earth's embrace but also gathering into a thick mist.
He casually took out a 'Yin Wind Spirit Seeking Talisman' and tossed it into the air before him. As a trickle of essence was infused into it, the yellow paper talisman silently fragmented into tiny pieces, conjuring a swirl of Yin wind that carried the fragments into the grayish-white mist.
Seeing this, Ji Yuan's brow furrowed. This 'Yin Wind Spirit Seeking Talisman' was not of great value; three or four could be bought for one or two silver taels, and even cheaper if he drew them himself.
The talisman had only one function: to use the faint Yin energy contained within it to form a barely perceptible Yin wind, which would seek out hidden spirits, ghosts, and the like by tracking elusive traces.
If the Yin wind circled in place for several rounds and then slowly dissipated, it would prove that there were no traces of malevolent spirits or ghosts in the vicinity. Conversely, it would indicate the presence of demons or evil spirits.
The current situation was clear. There must be malevolent spirits and ghosts present in Luohun Slope, and not just one or two. Otherwise, given the talisman's limited sensing range of about ten feet, it would not have reacted.
"I should quickly return to Qianyu City and inform the county yamen of this matter."
After staring at the grayish-white mist for a long time, Ji Yuan slowly withdrew his gaze and murmured to himself. Although he had the urge to go in and investigate, he suppressed this thought.
The situation was already evident. The cultivation sect that had established itself here must have undergone some change, leading to the uncontrolled suppression of Yin energy and its occupation by born malevolent spirits and ghosts.
Judging by the circumstances, the malevolent spirits and ghosts within the mist had likely gained considerable power. Even the sect members themselves were probably in grave danger. If he were to step in alone, let alone investigate the reality of the situation, it was uncertain if he could even leave safely.
It was hard to say whether he would be the one to wield his sword and vanquish demons, or if he would become the prey of the local demons, his flesh and spirit devoured.
It should be known that for such malevolent spirits and ghosts that thrived in Yin energy, ordinary mortals' flesh and blood were a rare delicacy. Not to mention a Qi cultivator, who contained vital essence; not only would they taste exquisite but also enhance their cultivation.
After making his decision, Ji Yuan turned and left resolutely. As he departed, the image of a figure flashed in his mind: a young Taoist a few years his senior, a disciple of the sect in this area.
He wondered if that young Taoist could escape the disaster here safely, without becoming a meal for the demons.
With this thought, he shook his head vigorously, temporarily suppressing the杂乱 thoughts in his mind. Now, with a little moonlight, as a Qi cultivator, he did not need firelight to illuminate his path. He darted along the mountain path, covering seven or eight miles in the blink of an eye.
Suddenly, Ji Yuan stopped. In his line of sight, a group of five people was rapidly approaching his direction, with a flickering torchlight hovering in the air before them.