This object felt cool and smooth in the hand. It was a jade pendant, finely carved with a palace and decorated with auspicious clouds and immortal cranes nearby. It had the air of a celestial palace, the kind of treasure you could recognize at a glance.
"Little Friend Jiang, remember: no matter what happens, you must come here to see me after nightfall tomorrow. Otherwise, all the people of the world will be in grave danger." Ling Xiaozi warned him again.
"Mm—"
As soon as he finished speaking, Ling Xiaozi's face changed dramatically, and his whole body began to tremble. Blood bubbled at the corner of his mouth. "Little Friend, leave quickly! If you stay here, you may awaken this evil thing early. Also, tomorrow... tomorrow at dawn, do not enter this Sanqing Temple under any circumstances. Though this evil thing is suppressed, its influence still reaches the area around the temple. I'm afraid I might harm you all!"
"Take care, Daoist!" Jiang Cheng didn't waste any more words. He clasped his hands toward Ling Xiaozi, then left with the Fatty and Ye Qiutang.
Compared with before, the journey back was very quiet. The three walked cautiously, afraid that the monks who had vanished might ambush them.
Though the distance wasn't great, it took them a full half hour to return to the West Wing. Just as they approached the courtyard gate, the Fatty suddenly stopped. Blood stained the bluestone slabs on the ground.
The blood looked fresh, and a trail led all the way through the courtyard gate.
Looking through the gate, they saw that the door to the West Wing was shut tight. The candles inside, which had been burning earlier, had gone out at some point.
"Something's wrong. Wait outside while I climb over the wall and