Chapter 7
After the jade pendant dimmed, Heng Yu infused it with spiritual energy again, simultaneously chanting a mental formula to activate the formation on the pendant. After a few breaths, Heng Yu felt a warm current flowing from the pendant into her body. When the warm current reached her dantian, the bottleneck that had been preventing her breakthrough loosened slightly.
If this warm current lasted longer, she would definitely be able to reach the peak of Foundation Establishment.
But Heng Yu didn’t give in to the temptation. She stopped channeling spiritual energy and looked at the number on the jade pendant.
1450.
The admiration value had decreased.
In other words, the warm current was formed from admiration value.
No wonder the Hehuan Sect claimed that admiration value could be used to break through realms. It seemed to be true.
Heng Yu stared at the jade pendant, her expression gradually turning cold.
“The Dao follows nature. Cultivators should break through naturally. But now, even though I have enough spiritual energy to reach the peak of Foundation Establishment, I still need to rely on admiration value. Why?”
“Could someone have placed a restriction within me?”
Recalling her inexplicable Qi deviation before, Heng Yu suspected that this admiration value… was very likely a method the Hehuan Sect used to control its disciples.
Heng Yu cleared her mind and entered closed-door cultivation again, attempting to break through to the peak of Foundation Establishment with her own strength.
But after a month, she still failed.
If the Hehuan Sect truly wanted to control its disciples, the restrictions they placed within them were definitely not something Heng Yu could currently resolve.
Heng Yu opened her eyes, not feeling discouraged. She stood up from the meditation mat and opened the door.
A light rain drifted down from the sky. Heng Yu stood under the eaves, looking at the Wu Tong tree in the courtyard.
“I originally came here for a vacation, but it seems I’m being controlled now.”
There were only two paths before her: first, to rely on admiration value to break through; second, to continue trying to break through on her own.
After pondering for a moment, Heng Yu shrugged.
Actually, she had another option — like going to a restaurant for a delicious meal under an umbrella.
Holding her sword and an oil-paper umbrella, Heng Yu stepped out into the rain.
Passing by the ginkgo forest, she glanced at it. Ginkgo trees were sacred to Buddhism, so they were common in this town. However, only this one formed a large forest. The trees were tall and sturdy, their leaves completely golden, hanging on the branches and scattered on the ground, as if the entire world had been painted a different color.
Heng Yu was about to continue walking.
But just as she took a step, she saw a monk in green robes, holding a plain oil-paper umbrella, slowly walking through the ginkgo forest.
His steps on the fallen leaves were light, and somehow, even his gait carried a sense of reverence.
The monk had his back to her, so Heng Yu couldn’t see his face. But as he walked, she seemed to see that the prayer beads on his wrist were… black.
It took a quarter of an hour to walk from her courtyard to the largest restaurant in town.
Heng Yu went directly to the second floor. Not many people were dining at this hour, so the restaurant wasn’t crowded. Only three tables were occupied.
Heng Yu chose a table by the window.
Soon, the pastries and dishes were served. Heng Yu picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of salted duck meat, and slowly ate.
As she ate, the people at the next table were talking loudly.
“Have you heard? It seems something else has been corrupted by demonic Qi.”
“I know about that. A murder happened last night, right? I heard the victim was a kind scholar. Everyone should be careful when going out.”
“There’s a high monk from the Undying Sect in town. Couldn’t even he prevent the murder?”
“After being corrupted by demonic Qi, as long as they don’t deliberately expose themselves, no one will notice. Even if a high monk from the Undying Sect comes, what use is it?”
Someone from the Undying Sect had come to town, and a murder had occurred last night — Heng Yu caught these two key pieces of information from their conversation.
Having finished her meal, Heng Yu paid with spirit stones, walked to the next table, and inquired about the specific location of the murder.
The cultivator with a square face was at the seventh level of Qi Refining. He glanced at Heng Yu, unable to discern her cultivation level, and knew that she was stronger than him. He cupped his hands and said, “It’s in the north of the city. If Senior is interested, just ask anyone when you get there. It caused quite a commotion, and even the high monk from the Undying Sect was alerted.”
“Thank you for telling me.”
Knowing the direction, Heng Yu flew north on her sword.
Upon arriving, Heng Yu didn’t even need to ask for directions. She simply followed the crowd and reached her destination. It was a mansion with a plaque that read “Li Mansion.”
White banners hung everywhere, indicating a recent death. A light rain was still falling, and most of the onlookers held umbrellas or wore bamboo hats.
Heng Yu held her umbrella, her view completely blocked by the people in front. She looked around and saw a tall Wu Tong tree opposite the mansion. She channeled her spiritual energy and flew up to stand on the tree.
From this vantage point, her view was unobstructed. Heng Yu saw a coffin placed in front of the Li Mansion, which presumably contained the victim of the demonic attack. Beside the coffin, a delicate woman knelt in the rain, weeping.
But what truly caught Heng Yu’s attention was the young monk standing in the rain — he wore a green robe, white socks, and green cloth bandages around his feet. His demeanor was calm and otherworldly, with a cinnabar mole between his eyebrows. His left hand was held upright in front of him, and his right hand turned his black prayer beads.
He had probably finished chanting the Buddhist scriptures. He slowly opened his eyes and, seemingly sensing something, turned his head slightly, his gaze meeting Heng Yu’s through the rain.
His expression was serene, like a Buddhist statue in a temple looking down at the mortal world. He exuded an aura of Buddhism.
“Buddha-son Liaowu.”
Heng Yu smiled and said his name slowly.
There were countless Buddhist cultivators in the world, but only Liaowu possessed such an aura.
No wonder Mu Huan had told her that she would recognize Liaowu at first glance.
Liaowu lowered his gaze and continued chanting sutras for the deceased.
After a while, he lowered his hand and looked at the woman kneeling beside the coffin. “Madam, please accept my condolences.”
The woman lowered her head and wiped her tears, her voice choked with sobs. “Master, please find the murderer who killed my husband, so he can rest in peace.”
Liaowu seemed to sigh softly.
He chanted a Buddhist prayer. “This poor monk will do his best.”
Then, Liaowu looked at the Buddhist believers who had gathered for him, joined his hands together, and chanted, “Amitabha.”
The believers joined their hands in return.
When Liaowu looked up at the Wu Tong tree again, the figure was gone.
Liaowu walked down the steps and approached a young monk. The young monk looked about thirteen or fourteen years old, his face full of youthful innocence. He held an umbrella in the rain, quietly waiting for Liaowu.
Seeing Liaowu approach, the young monk asked, “Senior Brother, do we still need the umbrella?”
Liaowu said calmly, “Liaonian, we’re already wet. There’s no need.”
Liaonian nodded obediently and followed Liaowu. “Senior Brother, where are we going to investigate the murderer?”
“Let’s return to the temple first. Demonic Qi is stronger at night, making it easier to investigate.”
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