The sky was dim, and the west wind bit fiercely.
Weeds grew thick across the empty wasteland.
A solitary grave stood in silence, its ashen tombstone more than half concealed by tall grass.
"Caw... caw... caw-caw..."
A few shrill, grating cries rang out as black shapes swept across the sky and landed on a small tree that had been dead for who knew how long, making the scene all the more ominous.
The west wind blew again, stirring the grass and trees.
The last light of day slowly faded. Stars and moon rose one after another, casting frost and snow across the ground.
Insects and owls and mice, creatures of the night, began to rustle and scurry.
Suddenly, every sound vanished. In an instant, all was silent.
Above the solitary grave, an arm abruptly thrust out from the yellow earth.
Then came a second hand, a third, a fourth...
The loose earth was quickly pushed aside. Pei Ling, Li Lieyue, Yan Minghua, "Xi," and "Ti" climbed out of the grave one after another.
As soon as Pei Ling found his footing, he spat out a mouthful of blood with a "wah."
Li Lieyue and Yan Minghua immediately moved to either side of him, shielding him.
"Junior Brother Pei, where are you hurt?"
"Fellow Daoist Pei, are you all right?"
The two women spoke at the same time. Before Pei Ling could answer, they both swiftly took out Healing Pills and offered them to him.
Pei Ling accepted the pills and swallowed them all without even looking.
Then he circulated his cultivation method. As the medicinal effects spread, his pallid complexion began to recover.
His chaotic aura also gradually steadied.
Just then, "Xi" and "Ti" stepped forward as well and bowed respectfully. "Master, are you all right?"
Master?
Hearing this, Pei