Ghosts Congeal the People's Wishes

"The Prefect has arrived?" Upon hearing the announcement, Master Zhang, Zhang Yunling, frowned slightly. "Where is he?"

The servant quickly replied, "We're already at the door, waiting."

"They've arrived at the gate? Why didn't you send someone to inform us beforehand? We could have made preparations earlier," Zhang Yunling stood up, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. "We can't keep the Prefect waiting. We'll all go and greet him together."

"That's exactly right." The others nodded in agreement and stood up as well.

Zhang Yunling then said to the servant, "Open the main gate and welcome the Prefect." The servant obeyed and left.

Zhang Yunling led the group forward, stopping at the doorway. He beckoned a servant and instructed, "Take away Mr. Qiu's calligraphy and have it framed. People come and go here; it wouldn't be good if it got scratched or bumped."

Upon hearing this, those around him cursed him under their breath, realizing that Zhang Yunling was afraid the prefect would see the words and cause further complications.

After giving their instructions, the group set off again.

Qi Jiulian's face was stiff. He got up with the others and walked stiffly, looking like a stranger who should not be approached. There was a faint chill about him.

Qiu Yan witnessed this scene and shook his head, saying, "Your handwriting is already quite good; what you lack is experience. Today's events are a good opportunity for you to learn. It's never a bad thing to gain more experience." There was a hint of guidance in his words.

To the surprise of many gentlemen, the arrogant young calligraphy master did not refute these words. Although he did not express that he had accepted the lesson, his stiff appearance softened slightly, and his previous arrogance was completely gone.

"This young calligraphy master was incredibly arrogant. But now, not only has his arrogance vanished, but even his sharp edge has been dulled. Judging from his reaction now, he is clearly convinced of Qiu Yan's superiority!"

The gentlemen muttered to themselves, unaware that when Qi Jiulian lost his composure earlier amidst the foul atmosphere of the mansion, Qiu Yan had reprimanded and enlightened him, suppressing his arrogance. How could he possibly be arrogant in front of Qiu Yan?

However, the gazes from others displeased Qi Jiulian, but he couldn't lash out because Qiu Yan was nearby.

With their own thoughts, the group walked out of the main hall, through the courtyard, and encountered Yuan Ning Wen Anguo, the prefect of Yuanning, at the gate. Sun Xingming was also with him.

The prefect's face was slightly pale, as if he had just recovered from a serious illness, but his eyes were bright and piercing, and he was full of energy, standing outside the door like a sturdy pine tree.

Earlier, after the plague in the city was quelled, Wen Anguo was the first to be afflicted by Evil Qi and fall ill. His current state amazed everyone who saw him.

"Just a few days ago, Lord Wen was bedridden and unable to attend to affairs. How come he's suddenly able to get out of bed and even visit the Zhang Residence?"

"I heard that a few days ago, the prefect first wrote a memorial resigning from his post, but later, due to his worsening condition, he changed it into a will. However, his complexion has improved now."

"We were just exorcised from Evil Qi by Qiu Yan's calligraphy, and the prefect just happened to come to our door at this time. Could it also be related to Qiu Yan?"

Many merchants and gentry secretly speculated.

At this moment, Zhang Yunling took the lead, stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Lord Wen, your arrival was too sudden. We were not prepared at all. Please forgive any rudeness." As he spoke, he was about to invite Wen Anguo into the room.

Wen Anguo waved his hand and said, "I arrived in a hurry, so it's not your fault." As he spoke, his gaze fell on Qiu Yan, and he smiled, "This must be my nephew Qiu. Thanks to the calligraphy you asked Zhongshu to bring, otherwise I'm afraid I wouldn't have made it through today. I've come here to express my gratitude."

"Oh? Is that so?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yunling and the others' expressions changed slightly, and their gazes toward Qiu Yan shifted once more.

Zhongshu was Sun Xingming's courtesy name. Qiu Yan had heard Zhang Zhen mention it before. Upon hearing this, he turned his gaze to Sun Xingming, who nodded slightly.

Qiu Yan immediately understood, realizing that Sun Xingming was doing him a favor.

"This Mr. Sun is quite adept at handling interpersonal relationships. By doing this, he has made the prefect owe me a favor, while I, in turn, owe him a great favor."

Having figured this out, Qiu Yan nodded in return, then exchanged a few words with Wen Anguo, who then decided to leave.

Zhang Yunling quickly tried to persuade him to stay.

Wen Anguo smiled and said, "My condition has just improved, and I came here only to express my gratitude. I cannot take the life-saving grace lightly. Please forgive me for not entering your home, Brother Yunling."

At this point, the prefect suddenly lowered his voice. "The Autumn Examination is approaching, and my nephew Qiu is at your residence. If I go in, I fear there will be gossip that could harm Qiu."

Having said that, Zhang Yunling couldn't persuade him any further, so she could only nod to show her understanding.

Wen Anguo nodded, then said to Qiu Yan, "Nephew, after the Autumn Examination, remember to visit my residence and sign your name on that calligraphy piece."

Before he could finish speaking, suddenly!

Boom!

A loud bang came from underground, and the entire Yuanning City shook!

"Hmm?" Wen Anguo's expression changed. "Are you going to cause trouble again?"

He seemed to know something, glanced at the merchants whose expressions had suddenly changed, said a few words of reassurance, then got into his sedan chair and hurriedly left with Sun Xingming.

Watching the sedan chair disappear into the distance, the people in front of the Zhang Residence exchanged glances, all seeing worry and fear in each other's eyes.

The ground was trembling slightly.

Their personal experiences these past few days have made them clearly realize that a considerable shadow looms over Yuanning Prefecture. Having just escaped from the brink of Ghost Gate Pass, they are inevitably filled with lingering fear and are even more worried about repeating the same mistake—no matter how nicely they talk, they still value their lives.

All eyes then turned back to Qiu Yan.

In times of crisis, the fear of the unknown drives them to instinctively grasp at straws.

"For now, everyone should stay at the Zhang Residence; that should ensure safety." As Qiu Yan spoke, a cold glint flashed in his eyes. He naturally knew the reason for the city's shaking and the ground's tremors.

Suddenly, Qiu Yan's expression changed slightly, revealing a look of surprise!

"Huh? What's going on! I didn't expect such an unexpected turn of events. Even my Heart Demon has been affected. But this might be an opportunity for me to truly refine my Heart Demon into a second avatar!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The soil beneath the ground is shifting.

Several figures moved swiftly through the crowd.

These people were scattered in different places, dressed in different ways, and each of them emanated a strange aura. When the soil along the way came into contact with this aura, it slid away like water.

However, despite their different locations, they all shared the same goal—

They were all heading towards the underground of the Zhang Residence.

However, just as they were about to arrive, they suddenly stopped.

A strong force of People's Wishes stood in their way!

This People's Wishes, like a giant dome, completely enveloped a large area of soil beneath the Zhang Residence.

"Such strong People's Wishes! It seems a deity has intervened. So, the Divine Path of Yuanning Prefecture haven't been completely wiped out. Hmm? These People's Wishes..."

"Solidification!"

"It actually solidified! These are all human thoughts! How did they manage that?"

Exclamations of alarm echoed from all directions underground.

The People's Wishes presented to these people did not flow or disperse; it was mixed with the soil, like water frozen into ice.

On the other side, deep within this land, shrouded in the People's Wishes.

The figure in black was blocked by the solidified People's Wishes, his Qi and Blood surging and poisonous mist drifting around him as he confronted the solidified power.

"Not simple, they actually used their Qi and Blood and blood to resist the poisonous fog!" A murky thought was transmitted through the solidified People's Wishes.

This is the thought of Penniless Hungry Ghost. At this moment, this ghost, which had just been affected by the Qi and Blood and qi and was hastily retreating, has become arrogant again.

"Solidating the People's Wishes is not something you can do on your own; you must have relied on some external force," the dark-skinned man said thoughtfully. "No wonder the Yuanning Divine Path has completely fallen. I understand now."

Just then, from the depths of the People's Wishes, a faint thought emerged, "Don't worry about this person for now. He has profound cultivation and Cultivation Method. Even with the help of a treasure, it will be difficult to subdue him quickly. Now that such a commotion has been caused, and you've used a supreme treasure, it's bound to attract attention. If that madman comes after us, things will be bad! Besides, I still have a Heart Demon within me, so I can't ignore it. Retreat first!"

This thought originated from the Wind-Eating Ghost, and it conveyed a sense of urgency.

The Penniless Hungry Ghost, however, disagreed, saying, "Since we've already made a scene and caused enough commotion, even using the power of our treasures, why not just charge in and kill that brat who ruined our plans..."

But before he could finish speaking, a series of crackling sounds came from above, followed by a few buzzing sounds, as if something was hurtling through the air!

"Two ghosts, you've made me search high and low! Now prepare to die!"

A voice, like that of a quack, came from above, shaking the frozen People's Wishes!

"Oh no! That person is here!" The Penniless Hungry Ghost's expression changed drastically, revealing a panicked look. He then raised his hand and grabbed, and a ball of emerald flame flew over and landed in his ghostly hand.

"Walk!"

Upon contact with the flames, the two ghosts said no more, transformed into two ghostly figures, and sank deeper into the depths.

No sooner had the two ghosts left than a series of crackling sounds were heard, and golden light poured down, shattering the stagnant People's Wishes along the way!

Then, the person in the darkness saw a burly man with a long beard, wearing a Daoist robe and wielding a long whip, land, his entire body shimmering with golden light.

The burly man, with his leopard-like head and piercing eyes, glared around, extending his senses, then muttered under his breath, "Damn it! They got away again!"

With that, he cracked the whip!

Snap! Snap! Snap!

With a flash of golden light, all the frozen People's Wishes around them shattered!

Then, several figures gathered from all around. Some were wearing Daoist robes, some were wearing blue shirts, and some were wearing armor. As soon as they saw the bearded man, they all bowed and addressed him as "Senior".

"Shut up!" The big man shook his head, his body sank, and he disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Deep underground, the soil gradually warmed up.

Two ghostly figures moved swiftly through the earth; one held a turquoise flame, while the other was shrouded in shadow.

However, neither ghost noticed that within the imprisoned, frozen shadows, a single Mystic Hair was faintly visible...

P. S.: Thanks to "qli2" for the donation!