48 - Dungeon Growth Log

The wind whispers softly, rustling through the leaves. In the back mountain, the spirit guards moved stiffly, their bodies drifting without guidance, tattered clothes fluttering—a scene of chaotic apparitions. The entrance to the untended tomb was overgrown with weeds. The stone steps extending underground were slick with patches of wet moss. The entrance stone was obscured by wild grass, and the lettering on it had become faint due to years of wind and rain erosion. Su Chan stood before the stele, her scarlet robes slightly damp, the golden ornament between her brows glinting faintly. She quietly gazed at the weathered stone for a long time. Eventually, she bent down slowly, and with her slender, snow-white fingers, she meticulously wiped away the dirt and moss to reveal the inscription. "Your disciples once numbered three thousand." Her voice merged softly with the wind, "How is it that in the end, not a single one remains to tend your grave?" The stele's inscriptions were so worn and ancient that they were barely readable. Yet Su Chan continued to stare at it silently for a long while. Eventually, she sighed, leaning against a tree. Verdant leaves surrounded her, and mist shrouded the mountains. From her sleeve, she pulled out a jade-white bone flute. The flute, clear and lustrous like jade, had a crimson tassel at its end. Lowering her eyes, Su Chan brought the flute to her lips and began to play gently. The red-clad girl, leaning against a green tree and playing the flute, appeared vibrant and spirited. Yet the melody she played was tinged with inexplicable sorrow. The sound of the flute was low and mellow, devoid of any demonic influence, carrying a subtle nostalgia that gradually spread and mingled with the mountain winds, drifting far away. As the numb spirit guards heard the flute, they began to move their stiff bodies slowly, cutting down trees and clearing the weeds, cleaning the stone steps. In the melancholic and melodious notes, they meticulously tidied the graves of those they were meant to protect. A single tune ended. Su Chan lowered the flute, gazing at the now pristine resting place, yet she did not feel joy. She paused, seeming to ponder, for a long moment. "I saw your disciple today; she reminds me of you." "The Lost Deer brought her to me. At first, I thought it was you returning." "But the Bone Elegy did not react." Glancing at the bone flute in her hand, Su Chan's eyes were unfathomable. "…So be it." She put away the flute and took out a sandalwood box from her sleeve. Inside, a half parchment map lay quietly. It was half a map leading to the Evil Spirit Mountain. After a moment, she chuckled softly, closing the box. She walked to the damaged stele, her slender fingers brushing over the inscriptions. Though they were nearly erased by time, the girl still softly recited the engraved words, one by one, as if engraving them into her heart. "—Holding the unrivaled soul-bound instrument, departing without a trace known to the gods." Using an instrument capable of subduing millions of evil spirits to atone for your past sins. So, you could leave with such peace of mind back then? —Departing without a trace known to the gods. "I don't know where you went," her long lashes trembled slightly, "But I certainly know how to make you come back." Her voice turned ethereal, whispering gently, “If I seize the Soul-Bound, releasing those million evil spirits, you will return, won’t you?” "You are so kind," her voice lowered, "You wouldn’t bear to see me wreak havoc upon the living, bringing ruin to the people." "I am so wicked." "So please, return... and kill me." —I miss you. —No matter what. —Just come back. = = Xia Ge felt fully satisfied, savoring the cool taste of the mint candy melting on his tongue, feeling much clearer in the head. Mao Qing glanced at Xia Ge and nudged Huo Bai with her elbow, "Any more?" Huo Bai resisted, "No more!" Mao Qing exclaimed, "Liar! I saw a few more pieces just now! Why are you so stingy?" Huo Bai, "..." In the end, Huo Bai begrudgingly handed over the candies. Mao Qing, munching on the candy, was in great spirits, her attitude switching instantaneously, "Huo Bai, you’re such a good person." Xia Ge, chewing his own candy, couldn’t help but burst into laughter. What a way to hand out a "good person" card. "Next time, I’ll treat you," Xia Ge said with a smile to Huo Bai, "Thank you." Huo Bai made a final struggle, "No need, they’re not mine." Mao Qing blinked slyly, knowingly, "Oh, we know they’re not yours. A man wouldn’t eat candy, right, hehehe." Huo Bai's face turned red again. Just as he was about to argue further, the serious voice of the Dan Feng inner sect disciple on stage interrupted, "Start the furnace!" The competition was about to begin. With the mint candies revitalizing him, Xia Ge felt a bit more steady despite his poor physical condition. Biting into his candy, he calmed himself, methodically lighting the furnace and checking the herbs one last time. Although Huo Bai was fuming, he said nothing more, lighting his own furnace. Whether it was from the indignation of having his candies seized or the embarrassment that followed, he glanced at Xia Wu Yin, who stood nearby, his hair disheveled. The boy’s black robes were so tattered their original form was unrecognizable, his soft black hair falling over his shoulders, missing the mandatory red headband of Dan Feng, giving him a somewhat disordered appearance. Huo Bai frowned slightly, catching a faint scent of blood, unsure if it was his imagination. As Xia Wu Yin meticulously counted the herbs, Huo Bai, intending to focus on alchemy, couldn't help but notice that when the boy shifted to weigh a piece of silver carbon on the small scale, the orange-red flame in the furnace highlighted his pale face, revealing the bloody undergarments peeking through his torn black robes. Blood-stained undergarments. Huo Bai's pupils contracted slightly. Instinctively, he glanced at the boy’s face. Xia Wu Yin had finished weighing the silver carbon and, while chewing on the candy, tilted his head in thought. The bright furnace's flames rendered a false flush to his pale cheeks. In his eyes, reflecting the fire, there was puzzlement and contemplation, but not a hint of pain or anything amiss. He was bleeding. —But does he feel nothing? The scent of blood seemed to grow stronger. Apparently aware of Huo Bai's persistent gaze, Xia Wu Yin, having finished weighing the carbon, lifted his head and met Huo Bai's concerned gaze. He blinked, touching his face with confusion, seemingly puzzled why Huo Bai was staring at him until a realization dawned on him. He brightened up, pounding a fist into his palm, his pale face breaking into a dazzling smile. "Brother Huo, don’t worry! For the favor of the candy, I’ll definitely treat you to a meal after the competition! No need to worry!" Huo Bai: "..." Huo Bai turned away, frustrated. Who wants you to treat them?! Would it cost him anything if this guy bled to death?! Not half a minute had passed before Mao Qing chimed in, "If I win the top spot, I’ll treat you too. Those candies were pretty good!" Huo Bai: "..." I told you, those weren’t mine! Keep it up and see if I don’t make you pay! Onstage, the inner sect disciple’s voice rang clear, "Alright! Preparations are complete! Begin now!" The competition started! Instantly, the entire training field buzzed with activity. All around, disciples tossed herbs into furnaces, filling the air with smoke and various techniques on display. At the eastern podium, Chu Yao, clutching her sword, frowned slightly. Xiao Qing, nearby, observed attentively. Her mistress had been staring continually at the newly appearing black-clad boy. Unable to contain herself, Xiao Qing spoke, "Miss… are you watching the one named Xia Wu Yin?" Since the appearance of Xia Wu Yin, her mistress hadn’t taken her eyes off him. Was there something special about him? Clad in blue and white sword robes, Chu Yao pressed her lips together, "Yes," her light brown eyes reflecting a faint gleam. After a long while, she added, "He shouldn’t be here." He? Who?... Xia Wu Yin? Xiao Qing pondered, "Do you mean… he lacks the talent for alchemy?" Chu Yao, a bit impatient, replied, "Who knows if he has the talent." Xiao Qing, puzzled, "Then…" Chu Yao paused, "His eyes... they don’t fit." Xiao Qing: "???" Chu Yao didn't explain further, instead recalling their previous encounter. Being deceived was anticipated; the name Xia Ge had likely been used to fool her. But that wasn’t what Chu Yao was thinking about. In their last confrontation, when Xia Wu Yin saved that child, besides anger, there had been compassion in his eyes. Because of compassion, there was anger at injustice; because of mercy, he fought for the weak. Chu Yao clutched her sword, gazing in the direction of the black-haired boy, her light brown eyes darkening. Even if he wished it. —He was destined not to spend his life in the mundane routine of alchemy. His path would lead him to fight for his compassion. Completely unaware that others already envisioned him as a hero, Xia Ge slowly and methodically followed the procedure, timing each herb addition perfectly. Beside him, Huo Bai was more casual, tossing herbs into the furnace with an unhurried demeanor, seemingly oblivious to the competition. On the other hand, Mao Qing intensely stared at her furnace, her beautiful eyes wide, cold sweat on her forehead, the epitome of tension. Xia Ge found it amusing. While tossing herbs into the furnace, he couldn't help but joke with the system, "Hey, look at them. They're like two extremes. It's really entertaining." System: "…Please be a bit more serious, thank you." "Come on, Xiao Kuai, don't you see what's happening?" Xia Ge chuckled, though his movements faltered slightly. The mint candy in his mouth had been completely crushed and swallowed, leaving only a faint coolness on his tongue, which was no longer sufficient to ward off the creeping dizziness. The system responded half-heartedly, "Oh yes, very extreme. So impressive, so fun." Xia Ge: "…Forget it, just shut up." The dizziness grew stronger, and the sense of time seemed to blur. Xia Ge's movements became slightly sluggish. He thought for a moment, "Xiao Kuai." System: "Hmm?" "Can you activate the ticking sound of a stopwatch for me, the kind that goes 'tick-tick'?" Xia Ge finished tossing in the herbs and propped himself up on the table, feeling as if everything around him was splitting into multiple images. One became two, two became three—everything seemed to multiply. System: "…Sure." The sound of a ticking clock began at his ear, each tick distinct and spaced evenly. Xia Ge gathered his thoughts, timing his actions, took the already measured piece of glasswood, and his hand trembled slightly. "Tick." "Tick." Pausing for five seconds...it's about time. Just as Xia Ge tossed the glasswood into the furnace, his vision blacked out again. He gripped the corner of the table tightly, the sharp edge digging into his palm, using the slight pain to ground himself. For a moment, he sensed someone watching him and instinctively looked up. In his mind, he tried to remember what the next material was—half a minute... Half a minute, thirty ticks. "Tick—" "Tick..." So who had been watching him just now? Ye Ze, perhaps...? Xia Ge glanced at the northern podium. Gu Pei Jiu, dressed in Dan Feng's simple attire, sat quietly at the top. Ye Ze, beside the girl, seemed to be watching Xia Ge intently, appearing worried about her condition. Xia Ge smiled at him. ——Don't worry, I'll win. Shifting his gaze, he saw Gu Pei Jiu’s long black hair tied up with a red ribbon. She seemed to be looking in his direction but also not. Her expression was calm, her posture elegant, her demeanor serene. …Senior Sister. Even though the distance was great, and even if she wasn’t truly looking at him, Xia Ge felt as though he could see into her eyes. As he thought this, those dark eyes seemed as though they were solely meant for him. The light within them was quiet and gentle. Author's Notes: Looking back at the earlier parts, I feel that a balance between levity and plot is essential… I’ve tried to keep that balance in this chapter. Well, let’s just say I followed the outline and my instincts _(:3)∠)_. Sharing this sentiment with you all. —An old transparent figure reflecting on themselves daily (not really). = = Bai Yeerror threw a landmine at 2018-06-13 00:02:46 Raise Your Hand threw a landmine at 2018-06-13 08:42:43 Xu Feng threw a landmine at 2018-06-13 08:53:46 Se is Emptiness; Emptiness is Se threw a landmine at 2018-06-13 09:49:47 Garden’s Loquat Tree threw a hand grenade at 2018-06-13 10:41:50 Forty-Eight Year Old Plane threw a landmine at 2018-06-13 11:42:07 Thank you everyone for the landmines and hand grenades! = = Reader "Zuoeer Ai," irrigated with 10 nutritional fluids on 2018-06-13 22:23:24 Reader "By Someone Else's Side," irrigated with 20 nutritional fluids on 2018-06-13 22:15:54 Reader "Lan Xi," irrigated with 30 nutritional fluids on 2018-06-13 21:14:24 Reader "Qing Hui Yiyi," irrigated with 50 nutritional fluids on 2018-06-13 18:17:45 Reader "Ming Bu Huo," irrigated with 10 nutritional fluids on 2018-06-13 17:03:42 Reader "", irrigated with 5 nutritional fluids on 2018-06-13 14:56:59 Reader "Feng Jia," irrigated with 10 nutritional fluids on 2018-06-13 14:29:57 Reader "Winter Sunshine," irrigated with 5 nutritional fluids on 2018-06-13 13:04:19 Reader "Seeker of Her Thousand Times in Dreams," irrigated with 10 nutritional fluids on 2018-06-13 12:27:39 Reader "Ban Xia Sunshine," irrigated with 20 nutritional fluids on 2018-06-13 11:10:14 Reader "Xue Erlun," irrigated with 1 nutritional fluid on 2018-06-13 11:00:11 Reader "Wu Si," irrigated with 5 nutritional fluids on 2018-06-13 10:20:21 Reader "Yuan," irrigated with 1 nutritional fluid on 2018-06-13 08:46:17 Reader "Liu Yuxiu," irrigated with 4 nutritional fluids on 2018-06-13 08:01:54 Reader "", irrigated with 1 nutritional fluid on 2018-06-13 05:03:24 Reader "Zhu Shang," irrigated with 10 nutritional fluids on 2018-06-13 04:13:49 Reader "Depleted," irrigated with 20 nutritional fluids on 2018-06-13 02:13:13 Reader "Rabbit," irrigated with 1 nutritional fluid on 2018-06-13 02:01:31 Reader "Stylish Little Fairy," irrigated with 10 nutritional fluids on 2018-06-13 00:48:03 Reader "Aladdin," irrigated with 10 nutritional fluids on 2018-06-13 00:45:58 Reader "Darkness Will Pass," irrigated with 3 nutritional fluids on 2018-06-13 00:26:56 Reader "Xiao Liu Comrade," irrigated with 20 nutritional fluids on 2018-06-13 00:14:58 Reader "Common People," irrigated with 9 nutritional fluids on 2018-06-12 23:54:15 False irrigated with 1 nutritional fluid on 2018-06-12 23:52:46 Thank you, everyone, for the nutritional fluids! Love you all!