Returning to Zhong Family Village, Seeking Vengeance for Parents

One hundred li from Maoshan.

Above the treetops in the mountain forest, a streak of lightning moved at incredible speed, covering tens of meters in the blink of an eye, the visible velocity causing leaves to rustle and fall.

Feeling the swift, lightning-fast pace, Zhong Bai couldn't help but marvel at how truly effective the Thunder Escape Technique was!

He gave it full marks, but soon Zhong Bai stopped in an open clearing.

Though the Thunder Escape Technique was excellent, it consumed a significant amount of True Essence. Using it for long-distance travel was still a bit extravagant for Zhong Bai, who was at the peak of the third level of Qi Condensation.

His cyan Daoist robe was quite loose, and as the slightly cool mountain breeze swept through the fringe on Zhong Bai's brow, a chilling coldness gradually permeated his core.

"My parents, Zhong Bai has been away from Zhong Family Village for five years. Back then, Zhong Bai swore before your graves that he would avenge you. Now, Zhong Bai has returned!"

Taking a deep breath to conceal his killing intent, Zhong Bai looked ominously in the direction of Zhong Family Village.

"In three more days, I'll be home. Wolf Demon, are you ready?"

With that, Zhong Bai continued forward, walking against the wind.

Three days later, Zhong Family Village.

Standing at the village entrance, Zhong Bai looked at the deserted village, a little stunned. The Zhong Family Village in his memory, even after the Wolf Demon's incursion, had never been so dilapidated.

Could something else have happened to Zhong Family Village after I left?

Confusion filled Zhong Bai's heart. With a feeling of trepidation, Zhong Bai entered the village.

Everywhere he looked, there were only dilapidated thatched huts, decaying logs, and collapsed mud walls.

Everything spoke of the desolation and decay of the place.

The closer he got to his parents' graves, the gloomier Zhong Bai's mood became, until he reached the center of the village.

Along with a weak, aged voice asking a question, Zhong Bai's brow immediately furrowed.

"Are you... the Zhong family boy?"

Hearing that the emaciated old man in front of him actually recognized him, Zhong Bai couldn't help but scrutinize him.

"Old Village Chief!"

Upon hearing Zhong Bai's response, the already frail Old Village Chief of Zhong Family Village burst into tears of old age.

"It really is you! Zhong family boy!

But... you left the village five years ago, why are you back now?

If it's just to pay respects to the Zhong family couple, then quickly pay your respects and leave early.

The village now is no longer the Zhong Family Village it once was. If you stay, it's dangerous!"

The Old Village Chief spoke with sincere emotion. Although his gaze towards Zhong Bai was cloudy and weak, it warmed Zhong Bai's heart.

Zhong Bai knew that the Old Village Chief, such a kind person, would never speak without reason. Zhong Family Village had very likely undergone changes beyond his imagination.

"Old Village Chief, Zhong Bai is indeed here to pay respects to his parents, but besides that, Zhong Bai also intends to avenge the villagers who died in Zhong Family Village five years ago!

That Wolf Demon from West Mountain, it's time for it to pay the price!"

Zhong Bai's eyes held overwhelming hatred. However, upon hearing this, the Old Village Chief began coughing incessantly.

No matter how weak he was, he had to stop this one of the few survivors of Zhong Family Village standing before him.

"Child, don't be foolish. Since Zhong Family Village suffered that great calamity five years ago, the surviving villagers have all moved away with their families.

Only an old man like myself couldn't bear to leave this place where my ancestors lived for generations, willing to stay here and wait for death.

You are still young, and this old man knows you are strong and robust, but that is a demon, not something an ordinary person can deal with. It's better to finish your respects early and leave the village!"

The Old Village Chief wanted to continue persuading him, but Zhong Bai calmly shook his head.

"Old Village Chief, there's no need to persuade me further. Zhong Bai became a disciple of Maoshan five years ago precisely so that one day he could avenge his parents. Now that he has completed his studies and returned, how could he be afraid?

My methods are no weaker than that Wolf Demon's!"

With that, streaks of purple lightning surged from Zhong Bai's body, landing around them. The crackling sounds left the Old Village Chief speechless for a moment.

Apologies, he was a bit ignorant, worrying for nothing...

"Cough cough, I never thought you, Zhong family boy, could become a disciple of Maoshan. In that case, this old man will no longer try to persuade you. Whether Zhong Family Village's grievances can be avenged now depends entirely on you!"

Having said that, the Old Village Chief seemed to have exhausted all his strength. He lay back in the somewhat decayed chair, no longer speaking, but his eager gaze fixed intently on Zhong Bai.

He was too tired, already not long for this world. He had expected to leave with regret and pain, but at the last moment, he met Zhong Bai, who had returned home.

With revenge in sight, he had to hold on!

Zhong Bai also sensed that the Old Village Chief before him was on the verge of death, and he knew that his return had given the Old Village Chief hope, which was why he had suddenly rallied.

Perhaps there truly was a destiny in the unseen, allowing the Old Village Chief to persist for five whole years, finally waiting for Zhong Bai.

Night fell, and after paying respects at his parents' graves, Zhong Bai came to the Old Village Chief's home.

The Old Village Chief, his steps faltering, seemed to be experiencing a final burst of energy, a "flash in the pan." While he had looked like an old man in decline at noon, he was now flushed with excitement, looking at Zhong Bai.

"Quick, quick, Zhong Bai, eat something to fill your stomach. This old man doesn't have much left. All these years, my family's fortune has been spent on inviting Daoist priests to the mountain to subdue demons. Don't you dare dislike it."

Upon hearing this, Zhong Bai sighed softly.

The Old Village Chief had been a vibrant elder five years ago, but in a single night, his son, daughter-in-law, wife, and grandson were all killed by a Wolf Demon.

Zhong Bai could well understand why the Old Village Chief hadn't left Zhong Family Village in five years.

Perhaps the Old Village Chief's heart had already died five years ago; the five years he had lived since then were merely sustained by his obsession to avenge his loved ones.

"Old Village Chief, Zhong Bai doesn't mind. Old Village Chief, please rest assured, Zhong Bai will definitely slay that Wolf Demon!

The Zhong Family Village's revenge can be exacted!"

Hearing this, tears streamed down his face...

Late at night.

Zhong Bai walked around the village alone. Aside from slaying the Wolf Demon, Zhong Bai also wanted to see if there were any spirits in Zhong Family Village that needed salvation.

After all, the villagers of Zhong Family Village died with grievances, and after turning into ghosts, they might not be willing to go to the Underworld for reincarnation.

As it turned out, when Zhong Bai activated his Dharma Eye, he indeed found many familiar figures.

Throughout Zhong Family Village, hundreds of spirits hovered above the village, subtly showing a tendency to transform into Vengeful Ghosts.

"Sigh, the villagers are ultimately unwilling to let go. I can't blame them; who could swallow such an undeserved calamity!"

Zhong Bai shook his head, then sat cross-legged in the center of the village.

As Zhong Bai circulated his True Essence and chanted the Rebirth Incantation, the vacant eyes of the spirits in the void gradually cleared. With each spirit being saved, Zhong Bai's previously depleted Exorcism Points rapidly increased.

Half an hour later, Zhong Bai opened his eyes and looked up at the void. Indeed, half of the spirits had accepted salvation, but nearly half were unwilling to reincarnate just yet.

They were all fellow villagers; Zhong Bai truly couldn't bear to forcefully save them with lightning.

"Never mind. Once that Wolf Demon is slain, I imagine the villagers will be willing to enter reincarnation."

Shaking his head, Zhong Bai stood up. The Exorcism Points he had just gained were considerable, a full 570 points. Outside the scope of Maoshan, Zhong Bai could finally unreservedly allocate points to the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art!

"Whew!

570 Exorcism Points added to the Divine Firmament Five Thunder Art! Breaking through to Qi Condensation Fourth Layer will be almost effortless, and even Qi Condensation Fifth Layer might not be impossible!

Once my cultivation breaks through, I can go up the mountain to find that Wolf Demon..."

Slowly exhaling a turbid breath, Zhong Bai decided to strike while the iron was hot. He found an open space and began to allocate points and cultivate!