Take a Gamble

An hour earlier, when Shen Luo had just returned to his quiet room, he had tried speaking to the empty wall beside his bed about the Jade Pillow. Yet the moment he opened his mouth, the same violent, piercing roar had erupted in his mind, leaving him utterly unable to say a word.

After only two attempts, Shen Luo's head felt as though it were splitting apart, and he did not dare try again.

This gave him a clearer understanding of the Jade Pillow's strangeness. From the bottom of his heart, he believed it to be a "treasure" that possessed immense power.

Yet this treasure had not only dragged him into that terrifying "nightmare" twice, but had also gravely damaged his vital energy and even affected his lifespan. This left him increasingly troubled.

"I can put aside the matter of the Jade Pillow for now. Finding a way to extend my life is what matters most." Shen Luo rose to his feet and paced around the room in thought.

Let alone Daoist Luo, even Shen Luo himself did not believe he could cultivate the Minor Transforming Yang Art, which he had only barely mastered, to perfection within two years. Besides, even if he succeeded, the temple might not permit him to cultivate the Pure Yang Sword Art.

"Relying on others is worse than relying on myself. It seems I'll have to take a gamble." Shen Luo abruptly stopped, his resolve hardening.

Several days later.

On the mountain path of Spring Autumn Temple, Shen Luo made his way down the stone steps. His brows remained faintly furrowed, as though worries lingered in his heart.

When he encountered fellow disciples along the way, he did not speak with them. He merely offered a brief salute and hurried past. As he neared the dining hall, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure and stopped.

"Senior Brother Tian..." Shen Luo called out.

Hearing his voice, Tian Tiesheng hurriedly turned around. When he saw Shen Luo, he grinned and quickly walked over.

"Junior Brother Shen, you're looking for Daoist Luo..."

Before he could finish, Shen Luo grabbed him and pulled him to a more secluded spot nearby.

"Senior Brother, I was just about to look for you. I didn't expect to run into you here," Shen Luo said first.

"Looking for me? Is something the matter?" Tian Tiesheng scratched the back of his head, looking somewhat puzzled.

"It's nothing. I'm returning home to visit my family in the next few days, so I came to bid you farewell," Shen Luo said with a smile.

"You can go down the mountain and return home? Did Daoist Luo approve it? I've been on this mountain for so many years, but Daoist Luo has never once allowed me to return home." Tian Tiesheng looked surprised, with a hint of envy.

"I spoke to Daoist Luo this morning. He gave his permission." Seeing Tian Tiesheng's reaction, Shen Luo could not help feeling a little bitter.

Indeed, Spring Autumn Temple had been closed off for many years. According to the temple's rules, disciples who had achieved nothing in cultivation were generally not permitted to leave freely.

The only reason Daoist Luo had agreed was likely because he believed Shen Luo did not have much time left and thought he wished to reunite with his family. That was why he had made an exception.

Judging by Tian Tiesheng's usual behavior, he probably would not think of that, and Shen Luo did not wish to explain.

"Have you told Junior Brother Bai that you're going home to visit your family?" Tian Tiesheng asked.

"After leaving Daoist Luo's place, I went to Senior Brother Bai's courtyard, but he wasn't there. On my way back, I also went to the place where he usually cultivates, but I still couldn't find him. He must have sneaked down the mountain again to buy wine. If you see him later, please tell him for me," Shen Luo said, shaking his head.

"All right, go home without worry. I'll tell him," Tian Tiesheng said, patting his chest in assurance.

Shen Luo nodded and took his leave.

As Tian Tiesheng watched Shen Luo's receding figure, an indescribable, strange feeling arose in his heart.

Only then did he suddenly remember that Shen Luo had interrupted him earlier, causing him to forget to ask what Daoist Luo had said about Shen Luo's condition.

Shen Luo returned to his room, removed his Spring Autumn Temple disciple robes, and changed into the clothes he had worn when he first came to Spring Autumn Temple. He gathered a few simple belongings and packed them into a bundle.

Then he turned and glanced at the Jade Pillow on his bed. After a brief consideration, he wrapped it in cotton cloth and carefully hid it in a concealed corner beneath the bed before walking over to the table.

The old books were still stacked together, but three brand-new yellow talismans had been placed on the cleared space beside them. The talismanic patterns drawn upon them were precisely those of the Minor Thunder Talisman.

Although he had successfully drawn Minor Thunder Talismans under Yu Yan's guidance in the "dream," after returning to the temple, he had still failed on twenty or thirty sheets before barely managing to produce four finished talismans. One had already been used during testing.

He picked up the three talismans one by one and tucked them into the book Records of Zhang Tianshi's Demon-Slaying Adventures. Then he placed it, along with all the silver he had left, into his bundle.

Shen Luo slung the bundle over his shoulder, locked his door, took a deep breath, and headed toward the mountain gate.

Along the way, many fellow disciples stared in surprise at his appearance. Yet not a single one showed concern or asked him anything. They did not even offer their usual greetings, and most merely gathered together to whisper among themselves after he had gone some distance away.

Shen Luo kept his eyes straight ahead and turned a deaf ear to them. Before long, he reached the mountain gate.

From afar, he saw three or four people gathered around Senior Brother Niu, the gatekeeper, saying something to him. Their fawning smiles were nauseating.

Senior Brother Niu was around forty years old, dark as a lump of charcoal, with a round birthmark between his brows. He looked like Bao Gong come to life, but in truth he was exceedingly greedy. Having grown up in the temple since childhood, his talent was average, but his seniority surpassed that of many disciples. That was how he had obtained the job of guarding the mountain gate.

Usually, whenever someone wanted to sneak down the mountain for meat or other indulgences, they could not avoid being fleeced by him. Even Bai Xiaotian, an Inner Disciple, had suffered quite a few losses at his hands, let alone everyone else.

Since they could not resist him, they could only curry favor with him. That was precisely what these people were doing now.

Seeing Shen Luo approach, they quickly straightened their expressions and assumed the appearance of disciples earnestly seeking instruction from Senior Brother Niu.

"Greetings, Senior Brothers." Shen Luo knew he could not avoid Senior Brother Niu if he wanted to leave the mountain, so he walked over and cupped his hands toward them.

"What is it?" Senior Brother Niu looked Shen Luo up and down.

"By Daoist Luo's order, I am returning home to visit my family," Shen Luo answered, straightening up.

"Our Spring Autumn Temple has been closed off for so many years. Since when have disciples been allowed to return home to visit family?" Senior Brother Niu's dark face creased into a slight frown.

The others also looked astonished.

Unhurriedly, Shen Luo took out a handwritten document bearing Daoist Luo's seal from his sleeve and handed it to Senior Brother Niu.

The latter frowned slightly and accepted it.

"So it really is for a family visit. There's even no time limit..." After examining it repeatedly, Senior Brother Niu shifted his gaze back to Shen Luo. His eyes held nothing but confusion.

"Senior Brother Niu, may I leave now?" Shen Luo asked with a faint, ambiguous smile.