The village chief suddenly transformed into a massive rat spirit, sending the villagers into chaos.
Screams tore through the air. Many dropped to their knees, trembling; some collapsed entirely, their fear so great they wet themselves.
Gao Yang cast one detached glance their way before turning toward the carriage. "Let's go."
The steward looked into the depths of the forest, a thin smile twisting his wooden lips. "Such a small village—and yet so many spirits. How amusing."
Seventh Senior Sister snorted. "Two filthy rats, nothing more."
The steward chuckled. "Where there's one rat, there's always a nest."
He remembered when he'd been nothing but a coffin board, buried deep underground, gnawed on by rodents breeding litter after litter without end. A fitting memory, he thought, for Chai Village.
Still, this was none of Gao Yang's concern, and the steward couldn't care less.
"Hyah!" he barked, snapping the reins. The carriage jolted forward, hooves clattering as they left the cursed village behind.
When they passed the old tree, Gao Yang's pulse quickened. The air there still stank faintly of blood and decay.
The steward noticed his glance and smirked. "It's handled. Don't worry. It won't attack us again."
Indeed, the corpses once hanging from the branches were fewer now, and many limbs were broken. Whatever the steward had done, it had been brutal—and effective.
By midday, the three of them reached the Azure Mountain Sect without incident.
Gao Yang had barely stepped from the carriage when he saw First Senior Brother and Twelfth Sister waiting at the gate.
One towered over two meters tall, thin as bone; the other barely reached his chest, a small figure with a blade nearly twice her height strapped to her back. Standing side by side, they looked almost… endearing.
Gao Yang rubbed his forehead. Maybe the sect had twisted his sense of beauty.
First Senior Brother spoke. "Master has returned."
Gao Yang's heart gave a single hard thump.
The words were a warning—mind your tongue.
He smiled faintly, understanding. "That's wonderful. I have something to ask her."
Twelfth Sister added quietly, "She came back alone."
Relief washed over him. He had feared the Immortal Mistress might bring that alchemist, Daoist Dan Yang, back with her—and toss him straight into a furnace.
Gao Yang and Seventh Senior Sister went to greet their master.
The Immortal Mistress sat in her chamber, radiant and full of energy. "Mission complete?" she asked with a smile.
"Completed," said Seventh Senior Sister. "Thirteenth Brother killed Xiao Man himself."
"Oh?" The Immortal Mistress's gaze sharpened, settling on Gao Yang. Then her smile widened. "Good. To cut ties cleanly—that's the mark of a promising disciple."
Gao Yang bowed. "Your praise honors me, Master. But I have a question."
"Ask."
He raised his hand, forming a seal, and exhaled. A flame of pure black erupted from his mouth, cold as winter's breath.
The Immortal Mistress's eyes gleamed. She stepped forward, grasping his wrist, and pressed her qi into him. Gao Yang felt her energy slide through his veins, probing deeply.
Her expression softened into delight. "No wonder you advanced so quickly in the Seven Fiends Night Prowl. You're a Natural Yin Body."
"A what?" Gao Yang asked.
"It means you died once," she explained, voice low and reverent, "and fate dragged you back. A living body infused with death's essence. Your yin energy is stronger than any mortal's, and your spirit aligns perfectly with death and shadow." She tilted her head. "Do you remember when it happened?"
Gao Yang did.
He had, indeed, died once.
But the memory of that well—and the voice that had whispered from the depths—was not something he would share. He lied smoothly. "It must have been when I was very young. I don't remember."
The Immortal Mistress laid a hand on his shoulder. "Third Brother shares your nature. You two should speak more."
"Third Brother?" Gao Yang repeated blankly, until realization dawned—the blind Liu Sheng.
The Immortal Mistress's smile dimmed. "His talent once surpassed yours. But heaven is cruel. He lost his eyes and damaged his mind. His Dao heart wavered, and his path may end here."
"I understand, Master," Gao Yang said quietly.
"Good." Her tone shifted, weary now. "Go rest. Seventh, stay. I have questions for you."
Gao Yang inclined his head and left, guessing she meant to question his companion about him. But he'd been careful. There were no loose threads.
Back in his quarters, Gao Yang sat cross-legged to cultivate. Every breath was steady, his focus unbroken.
He needed strength—more than ever. The journey had been a reminder: there were always greater monsters.
He'd thought his Seven Fiends and Bai Family art made him strong enough to survive outside. But the world beyond the sect had teeth sharper than his. Even the slightest scent of the Immortal Pill inside him could draw every demon in the mountains to his blood.
Rustle.
Footsteps outside—soft, human.
Two minutes later, a timid knock.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
"Come in," Gao Yang said.
A young girl entered, perhaps eleven or twelve—fragile, pale, trembling. She knelt immediately. "This servant greets the master. My name is Xiao Yun. The steward sent me to attend you."
"Look up," Gao Yang said.
She obeyed, but kept her eyes tightly shut.
She was younger than Xiao Man, her face delicate and colorless, her frame almost skeletal.
"Open your eyes," he said gently.
Her lashes quivered. Slowly, she forced her eyes open just enough to peek. The sight of the tall, sharp-faced man before her made her flinch.
"Am I that terrifying?" Gao Yang asked.
"N-no," she stammered, voice barely a whisper. "I just… didn't want to offend you, Master."
A flicker of melancholy touched him. For a moment, he thought of Xiao Man. Where was she now? Had she met demons on the road? Could she fight—or run?
He pushed the thought aside. "Don't be afraid. I don't eat people or beat them. Just do as the steward instructed."
"Yes, Master," she said, biting her lip.
He closed his eyes and resumed meditation. "Go on. Do your work. Ignore me."
Xiao Yun moved quietly, picking up his Daoist robe from the corner.
The moment she saw the dark bloodstains, she gasped.
Gao Yang opened his eyes, displeased. "What is it?"
She dropped to her knees instantly, trembling. "Forgive me, Master! Please don't kill me!"
He stared, curiosity replacing irritation. "Tell me, what do you think of the Azure Mountain Sect—and of us, the Immortal Attendants?"
Her voice shook. "The sect… is beautiful. The Immortal Attendants are strong… and kind."
A practiced answer. Too perfect.
"Speak the truth," Gao Yang said, his tone darkening. "If you lie again, I'll eat you."
The girl's body convulsed. Tears welled in her eyes. "They say… they say you go up the mountain walking, and come down lying in a coffin. That Immortal Attendants beat and eat people… that the Immortal Mistress uses us in her alchemy…"