!"
With that, he untied the bundle, grabbed a mottled long creature, and tossed it into the pool.
I saw clearly that it was a snake and immediately shouted, "Chen Mu, are you trying to kill me?!"
Just as I was about to climb out of the pool, I saw the solemn expressions on Uncle Chen's and Master Zeng's faces. I could only suppress my fear and press myself tightly against the edge of the pool. I could clearly feel the long snake slithering around beneath my crotch and knees, making every hair on my body stand on end.
After that, Chen Mu tossed down quite a few more strange things, enough to fill the entire pool. There were both living creatures and dead objects.
The strangest of them was a material called Guanyin Clay. In truth, Guanyin Clay was made from grave soil taken from the east, south, west, and north—forty-nine graves in all—then mixed together.
The pool of clear spring water was turned completely murky by the Guanyin Clay. Even the long snake floated to the surface belly-up; for some reason, it had already lost all signs of life.
Soaking in spring water mixed with Chinese medicine, animal carcasses, and grave soil was absolutely unbearable. Several times, I wanted to climb out, but Master Zeng and Uncle Chen stopped me every time.
I could only follow their instructions and soak in it from afternoon until nightfall. It felt as though the skin on my body was about to peel off.
Above the cavern was a patch of blue sky.
Out of boredom, I stared at that patch of sky. Sometimes white clouds drifted by; sometimes birds swept past.
I saw Senior Sister's face, Master's face, and Chen Mu's face.
I wanted to live. I wanted to fight to