Chapter Twelve: The Kind People of the Qian Residence

At this moment, beyond the walls of Tianhe City.

Night had deepened, and the city gates were long since shut tight.

Unlike the bustling, prosperous ancient city of the day, Tianhe City by night resembled a ghost town.

From outside the city, one could see the entire sky above Tianhe enshrouded in thick, roiling black mists, surging and churning as if they might break free from the ancient city at any moment.

“It’s begun.”

On a distant mountain, several dozen cultivators in the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment stages gazed toward Tianhe City, speaking in low tones.

“The once-a-century Night of Souls has come with the awakening of a Heaven’s Chosen. At last, we get to witness it with our own eyes,” one young man said, excitement lighting his face.

“Xu Zhe is the last to awaken among the Chosen; this Night of Souls may well be the final one,” someone murmured.

“That’s not certain,” another said, shaking his head, a grave expression on his face. “My master once told me, there are things suppressed beneath the Valley of the Chosen, with Tianhe City as the eye of the formation. The arrival of a hundred Chosen shakes the seal; with each awakening, the seal weakens, and what is sealed below surges forth to assault the formation’s core, only to be suppressed again—hence, the Night of Souls. Yet, there’s another theory: these hundred Chosen exist solely to sustain the seal. The suppression can only last a hundred years; with each century, a Chosen awakens to rekindle the seal’s power and maintain it. Now, with the last Chosen awakened, no one knows what will happen a hundred years from now when there are no more.”

“So that’s how it is. I didn’t expect you to know so much.”

Some among them looked enlightened.

They, too, were cultivators, but information about the Valley of the Chosen was scarce across the Four Continents, shrouded in secrecy, with much remaining unknown.

“No wonder the Valley of the Chosen is so heavily restricted—even the Omnispirit Web can’t cover it.”

“Exactly! My Omnispirit Tablet’s been silent all day; I’m not used to it.”

“Fortunately, the recording function still works. The people from the Dao of Fate installed tablets all over Tianhe City yesterday.”

“Bah, they’re nothing but busybodies—claiming everyone has a right to know, yet recording others’ secrets and making people pay to view them on the Omnispirit Web.”

“Shh, quiet—you’ll get us in trouble. The Dao of Fate answers to Daoist Wang Jianguo; best to show some respect.”

“What’s there to fear? Swordmaster Li once openly called Daoist Wang a paparazzi and shameless.”

“That’s only because Daoist Wang posted on the Omnispirit Web that Swordmaster Li’s athlete’s foot was fiercer than his sword aura.”

At this, many struggled to stifle their laughter, not daring to let it out.

Someone quickly sobered, warning, “Enough, let’s not forget—speaking ill of the Chosen behind their backs is a grave taboo.”

“If we’re talking taboos, then I’m suddenly wide awake.”

“One of the five great taboos of Azure Gift Continent is the Valley of the Chosen.”

“It’s not so bad, really. Before the Night of Souls, you can’t mention any related terms, not even by innuendo, or you’ll be erased by an unknown force. But as long as you don’t, you’ll be fine.”

“That’s not all. After dark, except for newly awakened Chosen and mortals living in Tianhe City, all cultivators must leave the city—otherwise, death awaits.”

“Well, obviously! Why else would we be hiding out here?”

“Alas, these are all lessons paid for with the lives of those before us.”

With that, the group resumed their lively conversation.

…

Meanwhile, at the border of the Valley of the Chosen and West Kun Continent.

A streak of light descended from the heavens, landing atop a soaring mountain.

As the radiance faded, a figure took shape—it was Qu Hongxiu.

“Sage Lin, why block my path? What is your business with me?” she said, somewhat annoyed, glaring ahead.

Whoosh!

No sooner had she spoken than a figure appeared before her—it was Lin Keyi’s avatar, recently departed from Tianhe City.

Her elegant brows were furrowed in thought, as if troubled by some question. Without glancing at Qu Hongxiu, she said softly, “Contact your master for me—I have something to discuss with her.”

“You have an Omnispirit Tablet, and this is already West Kun territory, the web is available—you can contact her yourself.” Qu Hongxiu pouted.

Only then did Lin Keyi look up, her face expressionless. “I tried. She didn’t answer.”

“That means she’s busy. I’m leaving,” Qu Hongxiu replied, preparing to take to the air.

Lin Keyi took a step forward, the ground rippling beneath her feet as she drifted toward Qu Hongxiu.

“You—how can the dignified Lady of the Jade Pool bully someone younger?” Qu Hongxiu shouted in outrage, swiftly retreating.

At the same time, she produced a square jade tablet, channeling a wisp of spiritual energy around it.

Immediately, the tablet glowed brightly.

“Master, the Sage Lin has sent an avatar to kill me—you must stand up for me!” Qu Hongxiu wailed into the glowing tablet.

A voice answered instantly, “Lin Keyi, what do you mean by bullying my disciple?”

“I tried to contact you earlier; you ignored me,” Lin Keyi replied calmly.

“I’m busy—some great demons at the border have come courting death again. If you so much as harm my disciple, I’ll lead the Vermilion Bird Army to flatten your Jade Pool,” the voice snapped, its lilting tone belying a ferocious temper.

Lin Keyi’s brows knit tighter. “Chu Xiaotong, I haven’t touched your disciple. There’s no need for this.”

Her gaze flicked to Qu Hongxiu.

Qu Hongxiu immediately cried out, “She did! She’s looking at me with murderous eyes—I’m terrified, Master, save me!”

…

A moment of silence passed on the other end.

Then, with a click, the tablet’s glow winked out.

Lin Keyi’s face remained impassive as she watched Qu Hongxiu, who arched her brow and looked away, avoiding her gaze.

A moment later, Lin Keyi flicked her slender hand and produced a square jade tablet identical to Qu Hongxiu’s, its light flickering.

She tapped it, activating a soundproof shield.

Immediately, Chu Xiaotong’s voice issued from the tablet, “Speak. What do you want?”

“I saw Xu Zhe today,” Lin Keyi replied calmly.

“You dared enter that place?” Chu Xiaotong sounded skeptical.

Lin Keyi smiled slightly. “I sent in an avatar, suppressed my cultivation, disguised myself with secret arts. He recognized me, but I didn’t recognize him. Still, he was different from what I’d imagined—and different from how you described him.”

“So?” Chu Xiaotong’s voice turned cold. “You claim you’ve forgotten your past with him, so why dwell on it? You say you seek only your own path—why go provoke him?”

A frosty gleam passed through Lin Keyi’s eyes. “You have no right to question me. You asked me to write and inform him, but for me, meeting him face to face is the only true end. The path I walk allows for no flaws or hidden dangers.”

“Heh. From what I know of him, your explanation may bring you closure, but it will only cause him more pain,” Chu Xiaotong sneered.

“You’re wrong,” Lin Keyi replied coolly. “He was calm—so calm I found myself feeling a trace of admiration.”

The tablet’s glow lingered, the transmission unbroken, but Chu Xiaotong fell silent for a long moment.

At last, she spoke again. “So, is that why you contacted me? Because his change unsettled you?”

This time, her tone carried a hint of mockery.

Lin Keyi’s face remained serene. “I said I admired him, that’s all—a new understanding, nothing more. His inner strength far surpasses anything we imagined. It’s a shame…”

She paused, regret in her voice. “It’s a pity—born of mortal blood, he can only ever be mortal. Otherwise, he might have rivaled us one day.”

“You’re looking down on him? That’s as good as looking down on yourself—at least, on the you from ten thousand years ago.”

“You misunderstand. I only regret it. From the beginning, I had high hopes for him. But now, it seems that living as an ordinary man will bring him more happiness than any of us could hope for,” Lin Keyi said softly.

This time, Chu Xiaotong did not argue further.

After a silence, Lin Keyi spoke again, “By the way, soon I’ll be heading to Tiangang Pool to reforge my bloodline—that’s why I reached out.”

…

Meanwhile, within the night-shrouded Tianhe City.

In the grand Qian residence, lights blazed brightly.

Xu Zhe sat at a dining table, accompanied by the entire Qian family.

There was Lord Qian, rotund and amiable; Lady Qian, with her plump cheeks and broad smile; the graceful young lady of the house; and finally, a chubby toddler, all of two or three years, gazing at Xu Zhe with a vacant, adoring grin—the young master of the Qian family.

The table was laden with steaming dishes, all beautifully presented and fragrant, yet untouched.

It seemed the banquet had been prepared solely in Xu Zhe’s honor.

“Sir, is the food not to your liking? Why haven’t you started?” Lord Qian asked, beaming so broadly his eyes nearly vanished.

Xu Zhe hesitated.

How should he put it?

The food truly wasn’t to his taste.

At a glance, it looked like steamed ribs and braised pork—but a sweep with his divine sense revealed a writhing mass of roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, pinworms, whipworms, and caterpillars.

All alive, squirming and wriggling atop the dishes, with a faint, putrid stench.

The Qian family’s palate was… unique.

But since it was their kind gesture, he couldn’t very well refuse outright.

Should he just try a bite?

Better not.

He sighed, pulling his collar tighter.

The night was growing colder—like Lin Keyi’s heart, he thought.

But the Qian family was different.

Inviting a stranger to dinner at midnight—how considerate.

Though they were neither human nor demon, but some form of malevolent energy given shape, they’d gone to the trouble of appearing human so as not to frighten him. He was touched; his chest felt warm…

“Miss Qian, I admit the night is a bit chilly, but really, there’s no need to warm my chest for me—especially not by hand. And those nails of yours, you should trim them sometime. You’re making it look as if you want to dig out my heart.”

“And your little brother’s a bit mischievous—he’s under the table, gnawing on my foot. Do you mind?”

“Lord Qian, Lady Qian, what’s wrong? Your mouths are hanging open, gums bleeding. You should get more vitamin C, eat more vegetables.”

All the while, Xu Zhe politely moved Miss Qian’s grimy hand away.

Her fingernails were several centimeters long and blackened.

“Well now, Miss Qian, you must work out—a grip that strong is impressive. I can’t help but be intrigued.”

Holding her hand, he paused, then smiled, “How about, on this beautiful night, we arm wrestle?”

Crack!

With a sharp snap, Miss Qian’s arm broke.

Bang!

In the same instant, Xu Zhe slammed the severed limb onto the table, making plates and bowls jump with a clatter.

He lifted his gaze to meet Miss Qian’s, a smile curling his lips.

“I win.”

…