The Qian Family Village Tragedy, First Foray Outside the Sect

"Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing you, little one. Let's begin the Talisman Granting Ceremony!"

With that, Ming Wanqian led the way, bowing and offering incense to the statues of the Three Mao Patriarchs. Then it was Zhong Bai's turn to step forward alone.

"Disciple Zhong Bai, I entered the mountain three years ago. Three years have passed, and during this time, I have observed the rules of the sect and strictly followed the precepts. Today, I take the Taoist name Qianhe. I hope the Patriarchs will grant their approval!"

As he spoke, Zhong Bai placed the incense into the censer. The next second, a plume of smoke rose straight into the sky, and within the statues of the Three Mao Patriarchs, a flash of spiritual light instantly entered Zhong Bai's body.

"The Patriarchs have approved! Zhong Bai, that spiritual light is a gift from the Patriarchs. Ordinary disciples undergoing the ceremony don't get this kind of treatment. You must cherish it!"

Ming Wanqian wasn't lying. In the Talisman Granting Ceremony, the chance of receiving a gift from the Maoshan Patriarchs' statues was very low.

Sometimes it was a ball of pure spiritual energy to boost cultivation.

Sometimes it was a divine ability or spell, and sometimes it was a gift like Marrow Cleansing and Bone Forging. What one received depended entirely on their destiny.

And almost without exception, disciples who were blessed by the Patriarchs' statues eventually succeeded in Foundation Establishment and were promoted to elders.

Among the elders present, many had received such gifts.

Therefore, their gazes towards Zhong Bai were even more friendly.

To receive the Patriarchs' blessing meant that he would likely reach the Foundation Establishment realm in the future.

And even for a major Taoist sect like Maoshan, a Foundation Establishment cultivator was a formidable presence. No one would be foolish enough to offend a future True Immortal in the Foundation Establishment realm, especially one from the same sect.

The Talisman Granting Ceremony concluded quickly. On the way back to the Law Enforcement Hall, True Immortal Qianyuan strolled leisurely ahead, with Zhong Bai walking calmly beside him.

"Master, now that my Talisman Granting Ceremony is over, does that mean I'll start taking on some daily missions...?"

As soon as he said this, Zhong Bai's previous calm demeanor vanished, replaced by excitement and joy.

Having been in Maoshan for a full three years, Zhong Bai hadn't forgotten why he chose to become a disciple of Maoshan in the first place.

It was because of demons!

Therefore, Zhong Bai had an extraordinary enthusiasm for going down the mountain on missions.

Upon hearing this, True Immortal Qianyuan frowned slightly. He hadn't expected his disciple to bring up this matter proactively.

Disciples from other halls would avoid going down the mountain for missions whenever possible, so they could squeeze out more time for cultivation. But Zhong Bai...

However, recalling Zhong Bai's unique experiences, True Immortal Qianyuan could understand his disciple's thoughts.

"As for missions, if you want to, we can arrange them anytime. As it happens, there's a village that needs a disciple from our Law Enforcement Hall to make a trip.

I've been idle lately, so I might as well take you to broaden your horizons. Cultivating blindly really isn't the way. Without experiencing the cruelty of evil spirits, who can truly give their all?"

Hmm, True Immortal Qianyuan made it sound easy. Heaven knew how many years it had been since he left the Law Enforcement Hall, since he left Maoshan.

Ever since he became an elder, unless a great demon or a ghost general in the Foundation Establishment realm appeared in the mortal world, True Immortal Qianyuan would never proactively leave the mountain.

Zhong Bai was clearly aware of this, so his gaze towards his master held a hint of complex emotion.

"Disciple understands, Master. This disciple can never repay your kindness in this life. Achieving Foundation Establishment within twenty years—this disciple will strive for it!"

Any words of gratitude would seem empty to his master, so Zhong Bai could only use such a promise to make his master feel more at ease.

"Hahaha, kid, you don't have to be like this. Maoshan values its heritage. A hundred years ago, your grandmaster treated me the same way.

However...

If you can truly achieve Foundation Establishment within twenty years, it would indeed be a blessing for the Law Enforcement Hall and Maoshan. It would even be a blessing for all living beings under heaven!"

As he spoke, True Immortal Qianyuan's gaze became somewhat fervent. Only he truly understood the immense deterrent power a Foundation Establishment True Immortal who cultivated thunder magic held against the demons of the world.

Just like how Longhu Mountain's Celestial Master would descend the mountain to purge demons every sixty years when a new one took office, it was clear that a Foundation Establishment True Immortal who cultivated thunder magic was a disaster for demons and evil spirits!

After chatting all the way back to the Law Enforcement Hall, Zhong Bai returned to his small courtyard to organize everything he now possessed.

In terms of cultivation, he was at Qi Condensation second level.

As for thunder magic, until he reached Qi Condensation third level, Zhong Bai couldn't yet use the Thunder Seal within his body.

So, if he were to face evil spirits, what Zhong Bai could currently use, besides his thousand-jin strength and abundant vital energy, were only talismans and some simple magical artifacts.

Zhong Bai also possessed the three basic magical artifacts: the Three Pure Ones Bell, a hundred-year-old Peach Wood Sword, and the Five Emperors Copper Coin Sword.

Moreover, Zhong Bai's Peach Wood Sword and Five Emperors Copper Coin Sword were nourished daily before the Kui Niu Drum. Although Zhong Bai's unleashed power was limited, it was sufficient to deal with ordinary demons.

The next morning.

Just as Zhong Bai finished tidying his magical artifacts, True Immortal Qianyuan pushed open the door and entered.

"Have you packed everything properly?"

As True Immortal Qianyuan asked about his progress, Zhong Bai slung the Five Emperors Copper Coin Sword onto his back, then nodded.

"Everything is ready, Master!"

"Then let's go..."

At dawn, master and disciple departed the mountain.

"The village we're going to this time is very close to Maoshan, only about a hundred li away. It's called Qian Family Village."

"The daughter of a tenant farmer in the village was beautiful, so she was forced to marry the village landlord's simple-minded son.

Rumor has it that on their wedding night, the simple-minded husband gave her to a village ruffian...

Sigh, in the end, the landlord wanted to burn the woman alive!

On the second day of her marriage, the bride was burned alive in the bridal chamber. Perhaps unwilling to accept her fate, she transformed into a Vengeful Ghost. The landlord's entire family had already been killed.

However, this bride seems to have lost control. After getting her revenge, she didn't enter the Underworld and still wants to continue hunting villagers.

So, our purpose on this trip is to send this bride to the Underworld, or... slay her!"

On the way to Qian Family Village, True Immortal Qianyuan explained the purpose of their journey in detail to Zhong Bai.

Hearing all this, Zhong Bai was somewhat silent. In that era, such fates for tenant farmers' daughters were all too common.

And the thought that their mission might involve slaying her made Zhong Bai feel heavy-hearted.

However, True Immortal Qianyuan didn't find it unusual at all. It was quite normal. A hundred years ago, when True Immortal Qianyuan first undertook a mission, the situation he encountered was somewhat similar to what Zhong Bai was experiencing now.

Human hearts can be wicked; sometimes, ghosts are truly kinder than people...

"Don't carry such a burden. As cultivators, no matter what decision we make, as long as we understand it and can act with a clear conscience, that's enough."

Zhong Bai nodded. He wasn't some saint. What he was lamenting was the era, not an individual.

After all, human lives were as trivial as weeds, let alone ghost lives?

By the time they reached Qian Family Village, a whole day had passed. There was nothing for it; although Zhong Bai had enough stamina, his travel speed was too slow.

And while True Immortal Qianyuan had cultivated a movement technique, he couldn't just rush Zhong Bai along the whole way.

It was noon when they arrived. Upon entering the village, the village chief of Qian Family Village led people out to greet them.

The moment they met, with a thud.

The old, frail village chief led the way, and the villagers behind him unhesitatingly followed suit, dropping to their knees in a widespread rustle.

"Two Immortal Elders, we've been waiting for you with bated breath, and finally, you're here.

The hundred-odd souls of Qian Family Village are all waiting for the Immortal Elders to save our lives!"

Zhong Bai felt a pang of discomfort. How similar were these villagers in front of him to those in Zhong Family Village?

Such a humble attitude, wasn't it simply for the sake of survival?

Alas, the world was harsh, and demons ran rampant. Even a desire as simple as survival became a luxury...

"Everyone, please rise. This Venerable One already knows about the matters of Qian Family Village. Rest assured, this time, I've brought my disciple, and we will bring peace to Qian Family Village."

Compared to Zhong Bai, True Immortal Qianyuan was already used to such scenes. He skillfully calmed everyone down, then had Zhong Bai help disperse the villagers.