As the sound reached him, the skeletal hand restraining Xuan Qinghong froze in place, neither retracting nor extending.
Upon seeing Bai Ran, Xuan Qinghong yelled, “Run—!”
“It’s too dangerous here! Hurry down the mountain!”
The gloomy environment, the chilling air that swept over them, and the thick, indistinct mist.
Everything tensed Jing Yuanming’s nerves to the limit, his heart pounding wildly, “Miss…”
“Is he your master?”
Half an hour prior, Bai Ran had a flash of inspiration. She feigned sorrow, her face etched with a resemblance of a weeping pear blossom.
“Senior Brother Jing, it’s not that this disciple doesn’t want to attend classes.”
“It’s just that my master went up the mountain to investigate a strange occurrence and has been missing for half a day.”
Jing Yuanming’s eyes instantly grew heavy, “Master? Your master went up the mountain?”
Bai Ran nodded, tears glistening in her eyes, ready to fall. Coupled with her exquisite beauty, it was hard not to believe her.
“Senior Brother Jing, could you please help?”
If the Valley Master’s eldest disciple led the way, the guards at the foot of the mountain would also be more accommodating.
Moreover, strange occurrences had been happening on the mountain. Bai Ran was unsure if there were any isolation formations or protective arrays on the mountain.
If she barged in rashly, she might trigger a sensitive area.
“Miss, don’t rush. I’ll notify my master.” As he spoke, Jing Yuanming took out his communication jade pendant, preparing to channel spiritual energy.
Notify the Valley Master? Bai Ran’s thoughts raced as she dashed straight towards the foot of the mountain.
“Miss!” Jing Yuanming started, quickly pocketing his jade pendant and chasing after her, “You can’t go alone!”
The disciples guarding the foot of the mountain saw the senior disciple chasing after a woman and mistakenly assumed she had committed an offense, so they detained Bai Ran.
“She hasn’t committed any offense. Let her go.”
Jing Yuanming sighed softly. The moment the disciples released their grip, he saw Bai Ran sprint straight up the mountain.
“Miss!”
Such strange steps. This woman was clearly not fast, yet Jing Yuanming couldn’t catch up at all…
Bai Ran’s brows were tightly furrowed. As soon as she entered the mountain, she sensed a dense aura of resentment, as if the entire area were a graveyard.
The living died with hatred, and their souls, transformed into vengeful spirits, refused to reincarnate, thus generating powerful ghostly energy.
Powerful ghostly energy would surround the place where the vengeful spirits dwelled, transforming into resentment.
Ordinary people who stayed in a place filled with resentment for too long would go mad, suffer mental breakdowns, as if possessed by a ghost.
Bai Ran glanced back at Jing Yuanming. He was only a few steps away. If any hidden formation were encountered, he would surely cry out.
So Bai Ran deliberately slowed her pace, keeping Jing Yuanming at a safe distance behind her.
The scene shifted back. Currently, Bai Ran’s eyes were sharp as she stared directly at the skeletal arms.
For some reason, the skeletal hands were stiff and unmoving, appearing somewhat awkward…
“What is this?” Jing Yuanming looked at the black vortex, his face filled with confusion, “A gate?”
Xuan Qinghong’s expression was urgent, constantly urging Bai Ran to leave quickly.
The Ghost Mansion Gate. Inside were vengeful spirits who refused to leave the mortal world. If they were dragged in, the consequences would be unimaginable.
“I knew it. No wonder the resentment in this mountain is so thick.”
Bai Ran narrowed her eyes, a smile curving her lips, “So that’s how it is.”
Many dead with lingering dissatisfaction and unfulfilled regrets would accumulate here.
Forming a gateway connecting the human world and the ghost realm, thus seeking revenge on humans.
Bai Ran merely squinted her eyes, and the skeletal hands quickly released Xuan Qinghong, retracting into the gate.
Xuan Qinghong stumbled a few steps, staring at the gate with lingering fear. However, why had they suddenly let go?
“Master, have you seen the Valley Master?”
At some unknown time, the surrounding mist gradually dispersed, and the path began to become clearly visible.
Xuan Qinghong was called back to his senses by the address, “Yes, he’s as wicked as ever!”
Instantly, Jing Yuanming’s expression became displeased.
“Disciple, although I don’t know what grievances you have with the Valley Master, such insults are unfair.”
Xuan Qinghong glanced at him, “Do you know who I am? And what he has done?”
Jing Yuanming shook his head but maintained a righteous stance, “This disciple does not know, but I do not wish to hear such a diligent Valley Master insulted.”
“Diligent?” Xuan Qinghong snorted, his eyes filled with sarcasm, “He is committing a greater sin!”
He turned and left with Bai Ran. Jing Yuanming clenched his fists and followed.
Seeing that their direction was towards the palace, Jing Yuanming anxiously blocked them, “Stop! You cannot step any further!”
“The Valley Master’s residence is ahead, and one cannot enter without being summoned!”
Their entry into the mountain was already the greatest concession. Now, they absolutely must not disturb the Valley Master!
“Move aside.” Xuan Qinghong’s face was extremely grim and somber.
If it weren’t for his disciple, he would never have been willing to return to this filthy place.
“These are the rules of the valley. I hope senior will abide by them!”
Xuan Qinghong and Jing Yuanming were at a standoff, while Bai Ran had already reached the palace gates and knocked a few times.
The knocking sound startled Jing Yuanming. He looked back in disbelief, having not detected the girl’s movements at all!
“Creak—”
An old man slowly emerged, his beard and hair as white as snow. His features bore some resemblance to Xuan Qinghong.
“You are the Valley Master of Medicine Valley, aren’t you?” Bai Ran asked him with a smile.
Xuan Hongsheng examined Bai Ran closely. A strange face, a new disciple perhaps?
“And if I am?”
“I’ve come to ask for the prescription of the Three-Pattern Clear Spirit Pill.”
As soon as she finished speaking, a collective gasp echoed.
Jing Yuanming rushed forward in a panic, apologizing repeatedly, “I’m sorry, Master! It’s my fault for not restraining these two!”
Xuan Hongsheng paused for a moment, then noticed Xuan Qinghong standing beside him.
So that’s how it is…
A smile played on Xuan Hongsheng’s lips. He had already found it strange that Qinghong had left home for so many years only to return now.
It was all because of this little girl…
“What is your relationship with Qinghong?” Xuan Hongsheng’s eyes were kind, as if he intended to ruffle Bai Ran’s head.
But she subtly dodged him. Bai Ran said with a forced smile, “Master-disciple relationship. Didn’t you hear everything on the communication jade pendant?”
Xuan Qinghong secretly retracted his hand, his expression becoming affectionate, “Little one, by seniority, you should call me Grand-Master.”
Grand-Master…?
Grand-Master?
Jing Yuanming felt like his brain had been struck by lightning. He felt a moment of mental dislocation.
This girl called the Valley Master Grand-Master, and the senior this and that… so that senior was the Valley Master’s son?
Was that person the Young Valley Master of Medicine Valley???
Jing Yuanming’s jaw nearly dropped. The Valley Master had lived in seclusion for many years, with only Aunt Xue by his side.
But the senior’s age was clearly older than Aunt Xue appeared!
Aunt Xue was Xuan Hongsheng’s concubine.