Breath-Nourishing Dao.
Ancient Shu, Xituo Commandery.
Fang Daoling rode a gleam of water over a battlefield. In the shadows, lone souls and wild ghosts were being born, seeming like living people yet looking illusory as they wandered about without awareness.
"Since [Nether Warden] manifested in the world, creatures like these ghosts have become far more numerous." He sighed inwardly. Passing through what had once been Azure Departure Mountain territory, he fell even more silent.
The hundred li around Azure Departure Mountain had once been filled with mountains, but now it had become a primordial wilderness.
Apart from the occasional Miao tribesman or commoner, the original inhabitants had almost been swept away entirely.
Spirit Atmosphere tangled through heaven and earth, carrying threads of bloody light. It should have leaned toward the ghostly yin kind.
"Alas, it seems my household need not move back after all. From now on, we shall be nobles of the Esoteric Treasury." Fang Daoling shook his head and sighed.
He had heard that the previous great battle had shattered heaven and split earth. It had frightened him so badly that his heart had nearly cracked.
Fortunately, though the Secret Treasury Domain was bloody and brutal, it was stable enough that not too many innocents had been caught up in it.
Just as Fang Daoling was about to ride the water-glow back to the Esoteric Treasury, his heart stirred. He lowered his Dao light and arrived atop a hill.
A small pavilion had been built upon the hill. The ground was paved with blue jade stones, and wisps of Shide aura drifted from them.
A True Person sat within the pavilion, dressed in black robes with a precious pearl at his waist. His features were cold and stern as he brewed a pot of tea.
Each tea leaf