Four Shadow Fiends

When Qiu Yan returned to Qingchang County, he cast a divination for himself, but the divination was interpreted in three different ways.

One interpretation of Wang Yong's expedition foreshadows his journey north to the Eastern Capital; the other two interpretations are one ominous and one auspicious.

That ominous sign was precisely the ninth line of the third Li Trigram.

According to Qiu Yan Chen Jing existed for at least a thousand years, which fits the description of "great old age". However, the spirit within it is tenacious and indestructible. The Chen Household has sent people to investigate and search many times, but they have not been able to make the spirit dissipate.

However, Qiu Yan has only just arrived, yet he has already sensed the impending demise of the spirit within, and it is even connected to his own Fortune. No matter how you look at it, this is no ordinary thing.

"It's as if there's a visible hand controlling things, but since it involves transferring the goods and I have to choose a place to enter the forest, I might as well do it all at once."

Despite his doubts, Qiu Yan was alert and made a quick decision without hesitation. He looked up at Chen Jing and asked, "Brother Chen, have you prepared the pen and ink?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Jing immediately understood his meaning and his face lit up with joy. "Brother Qiu, you have finally made a decision, excellent!"

As he spoke, he turned to look at Chen Yun, who understood. With a flick of his sleeve, something shot out, expanded and changed, and landed on the ground in front of the altar, transforming into a table and chairs, on which were placed writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones.

The table and chairs were placed right next to the clay altar sculpture, so the candlelight could not reach them; they were all covered in shadow.

"Brother Qiu, please!" Chen Jing gestured, and Qiu Yan nodded and walked over to the table.

The table exuded a fragrance, its surface a deep reddish hue, and a warm aura emanated from it as one approached, which amazed Qiu Yan.

This Sage Worthies Hall is located underground, where it is perpetually dark and damp. The warm, damp air emanating from the tables and chairs creates a contrast between heat and cold, gradually condensing into a layer of mist around it.

"These tables and chairs are made of the finest Warmwood!"

Qiu Yan was somewhat surprised to recognize the material of the table and chairs. This Warmwood grows on the southernmost island of Great Rui, where it can only survive in the year-round spring-like environment. When made into furniture, it can release heat, warming the body and mind, calming the spirit, and is extremely beneficial for reading and writing.

Because of its single production location, the output is extremely low. As the saying goes, scarcity makes things valuable, and even wealthy families would find it difficult to buy Warmwood furniture. Unexpectedly, Chen Yun used Dao Arts to store it in his sleeve and carry it with him at all times.

Thinking to himself, Qiu Yan straightened his clothes and sat down, instantly feeling warm all over. Then, he picked up a pen and dipped the tip in ink.

The pen's handle was rounded and smooth; though cool to the touch, it sent a chill through one's body. Clearly, it was no ordinary pen; the ink emitted a delicate fragrance, giving one a sense of tranquility and joy, instantly elevating Qiu Yan's spirit to its peak.

"These are all fine items. Masterpieces of the scholar's study." He couldn't help but exclaim.

"These were all carefully prepared," Chen Jing, walking to the side and grinding his inkstone. "If it weren't for Brother Qiu's appearance, I would have had to ask my friends for help. However, among my friends, apart from Bai Zhaoyuan, there is no other person Literary Path Creation. If I want to bring more people into the forest at once, I can only rely on external aids. These items are one part of that, and it has cost a considerable amount to raise them."

Qiu Yan nodded, knowing that Chen Jing was telling the truth. At the same time, he also noticed the water stains in the inkstone, which became increasingly fragrant as Chen Jing ground the ink.

At this moment, Chen Jing added, "Since ancient times, fine swords have been paired with heroes. If Brother Qiu likes them, you can give them to him afterwards, so they won't go to waste."

Qiu Yan shook his head and said, "I can't accept a reward without merit. This time, entering the forest is just a matter of mutual benefit."

"Very well." Despite Qiu Yan's direct refusal, Chen Jing's smile remained unchanged. He stopped what he was doing, flicked his wrist, and handed over the four bracelets. "Everyone, since Brother Qiu has made his decision, let's not delay any longer. Please put on the bracelets."

As they spoke, the three bracelets floated out lightly, like three feathers, moving with the breath, and slowly landed in front of Qiu Yan, Daoist Lu, and Tao Ying.

"The Linked-Water Bracelet can temporarily connect our Karma, so that we suffer together and prosper together. I, Chen Jing, dare not boast, but I do have some status in the Chen Household. Brother Tao can attest to this. The Chen Household will not allow my life Fortune to be in danger. Connecting us with the bracelet is to show our sincerity."

He picked up the bracelet in front of him, feeling the shimmering light on it. Qiu Yan's senses extended to it, capturing a continuous artistic conception and a powerful Essence Blood within it.

With a quick thought, he immediately understood that the bracelet's purpose was not only to protect and nourish the flesh and blood, but most importantly, to demonstrate his attitude and sincerity.

Sure enough, Chen Jing continued, "These four bracelets are all Low-Tier Magical Treasure. Although they cannot gather Spiritual Qi on their own, the Spiritual Qi stored inside can still last for three months. In three months, we would all have returned to our physical bodies. During this time, these bracelets can not only withstand attacks, but also replenish the physical body's consumption, maintain Qi and Blood, and prevent the body from withering."

"They produced four magical Law Treasure in one go?" Qiu Yan gained a deeper understanding of the Chen Household's wealth.

On the other side, Chen Jing had already put on the bracelet. Instantly, the shimmering light on the bracelet spread out, enveloping his entire body. Chen Jing then said, "Once this bracelet is on, it will be difficult for outsiders to take it off."

"I believe Chen Jing's words." Tao Ying glanced at Qiu Yan, then put on the bracelet as well. Her body immediately shimmered, and a reflection appeared in the shimmering light, which complemented the light and shadow on Chen Jing's body.

Qiu Yan could sense that the Karma between the two were vaguely connected, but not firmly; however, it was certain that if one suffered, the other would suffer as well.

After thinking for a moment, he also put the bracelet on his wrist, but at the same time, a fragment and a thought flew out from the Soul Aperture and silently merged into it.

Then, Daoist Lu smiled slightly and put it on his hand as well.

For a moment, the four of them were covered in shimmering water, the light reflecting off them and creating a subtle connection.

Chen Jing nodded, his smile fading. He solemnly picked up the Sage Paper, placed it on the table, and said to Qiu Yan, "Brother Qiu, now that you've decided to begin writing, I must clarify some details."

"Brother Chen, please speak." Qiu Yan sat up straight, showing an attitude of listening attentively.

"This Sage Paper contains the spirit of blank spaces. When a person puts pen to paper, the spirit of the characters can be integrated into the writing, reflecting back to oneself and enlightening the mind. I know that Brother Qiu's calligraphy has a divine charm, which is a rare thing in itself. The charm of the characters alone can fill the Sage Paper. However, if you want to open up the literary Scholar Forest ahead of time, this is not enough. You must use the characters to form a text and express the True Intention of the Literary Heart."

At this point, he paused for a moment, as if recalling something, before continuing, "However, to be on the safe side, Brother Qiu would be best off trying to understand and capture the spirit contained within this statue, and then using your own literary Literary Dao to interpret and describe it, thereby aligning with the Sage Spirit and ultimately inspiring them."

After listening, Qiu Yan pondered for a moment, then asked, "Does the moment one puts down the pen determine whether or not one can open the Gate of Scholar Forest?"

"Not bad." Chen Jing nodded. He noticed the thoughtful look in Qiu Yan's eyes, so he stopped talking and took two steps back to avoid disturbing Qiu Yan's thoughts.

Qiu Yan sat in the chair for a while, then closed his eyes, his brows furrowing slightly as he pondered and prepared.

The others present immediately felt angry and oppressed, and they all held their breath.

Silence fell instantly.

Time passed, and the silence lasted for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, until it was broken by the sound of Tao Ying moving her footsteps.

This person was just an ordinary person, who had not tempered his body or attained enlightenment. After standing for so long without moving, his legs had gone numb.

This movement made Tao Ying even more unsettled. He looked at Qiu Yan, who was sitting silently, and recalled a scene he had witnessed in Prosperity Capital a few days ago.

As the magistrate of Liang County, this man was not supposed to leave his post without permission. The reason he came here was because he had gone to the capital for a case. On his way back, he happened to pass through Eastern Capital, so he arranged for a substitute to leave as Chen Jing had suggested, while he himself stayed behind.

"Is Qiu Yan's scholarship truly comparable to Bai Zhaoyuan's?"

Thinking it over, Tao Ying took two more steps to Chen Jing's side and whispered, "A few days ago, I accompanied my father-in-law to the Prosperity Capital Literary Hall to watch Bai Zhaoyuan's stunning clay sculpture. Before writing, that person also had a process of closing his eyes and contemplating, but when Bai Zhaoyuan was contemplating, his momentum was surging, with an air of self-assurance that filled the entire Literary Hall, causing a stir. But Qiu Yan was also contemplating, yet it was calm and peaceful. The difference in their abilities is immediately apparent."

Chen Jing replied with a smile, "Different Literary Thought lead to different literary paths, naturally resulting in different outcomes."

Tao Ying said, "That's true, but entering the forest ahead of schedule is quite difficult. Even though Qiu Yan has some literary talent, the Apricot Altar hasn't opened yet. Relying solely on our own strength is still somewhat risky. The Sage Paper is hard to come by. If this person ruins it, then it will be difficult for you and me to enter the forest in the short term."

"Brother Qiu will not let us down," Chen Jing glanced at Tao Ying. "Brother Tao, don't take what he said to heart. Brother Qiu has a bright future ahead of him; it's better to make friends than enemies."

Tao Ying sneered, "His relationship with Ma Yang is quite close. If he enters the court, I'm afraid..."

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a loud bang. The clay sculpture on the altar suddenly trembled, and the shadow covering its upper half exploded, turning into strangely shaped shadows that howled and scattered in all directions!

These shadowy figures moved with incredible speed, arriving in an instant. Their cries were eerie; upon closer listening, one could discern four words.

"Mountain elf!"

"Charm!"

"Elf!"

"Liu!"

In an instant, shadows flew everywhere, and their presence could be found wherever there was no firelight. A small portion of them pounced on Tao Ying and the others. This sudden change startled the county magistrate, who cried out and tried to retreat, but Chen Jing suddenly reached out and pressed down on Tao Ying's shoulder, holding him firmly!

"What are you doing!" Tao Ying's expression changed instantly, and she shouted urgently!

On the other side, a large group of shadows roared out from the upper part of the clay sculpture, gathered together, and pounced on Qiu Yan. The shimmering light covering Qiu Yan's body had no effect whatsoever.

In an instant, the shadow entered my body!

P. S.: I made a slight modification to the ending of the previous image. I'll update again tomorrow evening.