Chapter 11: News
Li Qingfeng downed three cups of wine in a row before finally letting out a heavy, turbid breath.
The pallor on his face gave way to a faint flush.
What had just occurred far exceeded his understanding of the world.
He had only ever heard of ghosts and spirits from tales and folktales.
Back when he read storybooks or listened to storytelling, he felt fear but it was nothing compared to the visceral impact of actually seeing one with his own eyes.
He had nearly died.
Truly, it was a brush with the gates of Hell.
Looking again at the painting hanging on the wall, all the previous fascination and obsession had long since faded.
Though it had been painted by the renowned master Xu Ziming of the previous dynasty, it was, after all, just an ordinary piece of art.
Casting his gaze to the four friends still unconscious on the ground, Li Qingfeng felt only relief.
Thankfully, he had become a Qi Refining cultivator, and had the divine artifact Revered Soul Banner in his possession. Otherwise, he likely would not have survived this ordeal.
Fortunately, he had regained consciousness just in time, managing to save his four friends from death.
What he did not know, however, was that had he not become a cultivator, had his spirit not been awakened, he never would have attracted the attention of the demonic ghsot within the painting.
As they say, every sip and every bite is preordained.
What lingered most in his mind, though, was the green-faced ghost that leapt out from the Revered Soul Banner.
That ghost was towering in stature, exuding an overwhelming aura.
Its fierce energy surged forth, and its eyes blazed like torches.
Li Qingfeng couldn’t shake the feeling that the ghost’s brief glance at him carried a deep, hidden meaning but the moment was too fleeting and no communication could be made.
Back then, he had been so frightened that he dropped the Revered Soul Banner. Now, he picked it up once more.
He carefully examined the small banner in his hands.
The Revered Soul Banner was now fully unfurled, its surface etched with the image of a ferocious, malevolent ghost.
Yet he couldn't help but worry.
According to the Blood Fiend Grand Method, the ghosts within the banner could turn on their master.
If one’s strength was insufficient, one should never wield a banner stronger than oneself.
So he feared, what if that glance had been a precursor to the ghost's backlash?
The ghost inside the banner had effortlessly captured the monkey-like creature with not the slightest resistance.
If it chose to turn on him, could he survive?
He could not.
Li Qingfeng knew his limits.
He had already panicked in the face of the demonic ghost earlier and could only rely on the divine artifact to survive.
If the ghost within the artifact turned on him, death would be certain.
Still, Li Qingfeng didn’t believe the Revered Soul Banner would harm him.
At least, not yet.
If it were going to, it wouldn't have warned him beforehand.
Moreover, judging from the ghost’s ruthless and decisive nature, it wasn’t one to leave unfinished business, had it intended to attack, it would’ve done so already.
Li Qingfeng wrapped up the Revered Soul Banner and tucked it into his robe. “When the cart reaches the mountain, there will be a way through. When the boat gets to the bridgehead, it will straighten itself out. Worrying is useless, better to focus on improving my strength.”
There was no point in continuing the literary gathering. Once his four friends awoke, he would send them on their way.
As the sun dipped toward the horizon…
The four unconscious companions finally stirred awake.
They held no suspicion toward each other, such episodes of passing out drunk were not uncommon during these gatherings.
They only felt slightly unsatisfied, their bodies heavy and uneasy.
Li Qingfeng didn’t elaborate. The truth was often too cruel and unbelievable. He let them chalk it up to the discomfort of a drunken stupor.
Even ordinary people, when exposed to ghosts for too long, would be affected, let alone those who had been bewitched into unconsciousness.
Liu Chuang packed up the painting, but none of them were in the mood anymore.
Li Qingfeng initially wanted to persuade Liu Chuang to burn the painting, but he couldn't find a convincing explanation.
Since the ghost within had already been eliminated, the alluring painting was now just an ordinary scroll. Let Liu Chuang take it home.
The friends exchanged pleasantries.
With twilight setting in, they dispersed quickly.
Two of them planned to stay overnight at the Music Pavilion, even urging the others to join.
But Li Qingfeng had no such inclination, he needed to return and cultivate.
This battle had made him deeply aware of how weak he still was.
He couldn't afford to collapse from exhaustion after merely waving the Revered Soul Banner once.
In those storybooks and strange tales he used to read, he’d always scold the hindering side characters as foolish and burdensome, venting his frustration.
He couldn’t allow himself to become the very kind of person he despised.
One missed opportunity could cost a life.
Tu Shanjun, meanwhile, was unaware of Li Qingfeng’s thoughts.
He was just overjoyed that he had finally found a bridge to communicate with the banner's master.
The little Ghost's skill was Dream Infiltration, entering and shaping dreams.
Now that Tu Shanjun had mastered this technique, he could connect to the banner master's dreams through the Revered Soul Banner.
This way, he could communicate when the master was still weak, unable to summon him into the world for long.
Even if he couldn't yet teach him martial techniques, he could at least offer guidance on how to advance the Revered Soul Banner.
Wubao didn’t know why his young master looked so preoccupied after leaving the Music Pavilion, so he simply followed quietly.
Now was not the time to disturb him.
Back home, however, he was informed that the master and madam were waiting in the main hall.
Li Qingfeng didn’t have time to think too much and hurried over.
His parents had clearly been waiting for a while.
“My son, you’re finally home,” said his father, rising with a beaming face. His slightly plump figure seemed even shinier under the light.
“There’s great news!”
Li Qingfeng frowned. “What is it, Father?”
“Three days ago, the Governor of Eight Directions City posted a notice: the gentry from the city and surrounding four counties can send children between eight and twenty years old to the governor’s mansion for evaluation.”
“The Immortal Master guarding Eight Directions county has completed his term. When he departs, he will take with him children who possess spiritual roots to join the Immortal Sect.”
“My son, you’re the only one in our family who meets the criteria.”
“I’ve already secured a spot for your test.”
These words struck Li Qingfeng like a bolt of thunder.
He was stunned.
He hadn’t expected the elusive Immortal Master, who for so many years had remained hidden, to suddenly hold a public selection.
Only after pressing for details did he learn that each Immortal Master guarded the county for many years, and upon departure, they would select a batch of candidates.
The term this time was apparently ten years.
Yet he felt no joy.
Had he not obtained the Blood Fiend Grand Method and the Revered Soul Banner, he would’ve leapt at the chance.
But now, he had already reached first layer Qi Refinement and his cultivation path was of the demonic kind.
There was no telling if the righteous cultivators would take the opportunity to kill him under the pretext of “eliminating evil.”
Sometimes, words fail. In the end, only strength speaks.
Tu Shanjun listened carefully, yet also couldn’t decide what to do.
Judging by Hou Boxu’s attitude toward heretical cultivators and demonic sects, he was the kind to kill first and ask questions never.
Utterly ruthless.
During combat, every strike was lethal, even risking mutual destruction.
He found it shameful to retreat into the Revered Soul Banner to survive, he’d rather be obliterated than fall into the demonic path.
A true madman!
Tu Shanjun could never be that resolute.
If all righteous cultivators were like that, Li Qingfeng would likely be cut down the moment he showed up.
Tu Shanjun, a transmigrator, didn’t care much about the righteous-demonic divide, nor did he harbor any particular hatred toward ghosts or monsters.
All he sought was survival.
But who could say whether the righteous cultivators shared this view?
Li Qingfeng, too, was weighing the risks.
Righteous zealots were terrifying enough and when it came to the righteous and the demonic, they were natural enemies. The best-case scenario was that they crippled his cultivation and made him start over.
And with his five-element spiritual root, would he even be allowed into the Immortal Sect?
He doubted it.
Five-root constitutions were considered the worst.
Even three months to sense spiritual energy was already the upper limit.
He had only managed to enter Qi Refinement in one month because he ate meat every day and the first layer was relatively easy.
“Father, I… will think about it.”
(Chapter End)