Chapter 5: The Truth Elusive on a Long, Winding Road

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Grandma Fang’s courtyard was far deeper than it appeared from the outside. Yun Yao followed closely behind her, winding along a pebble path. A chill crept up from beneath her feet; though the sun blazed high in the sky, the courtyard felt as cold and forbidding as an ice cellar. The air was thick with the pungent scent of medicinal herbs, yet it could not mask a faint hint of decay, sending a shiver down Yun Yao’s spine.

Grandma Fang settled at a stone table, motioning for Yun Yao to sit as well. Yun Yao earnestly recounted the withering of the spiritual herb in detail, her voice sincere, tinged with a plea for help. Yet Grandma Fang listened silently, her face expressionless, like an emotionless statue.

“I know, I’ve told you everything,” Yun Yao’s voice trembled, the pervasive chill filling her with inexplicable dread.

At last, Grandma Fang spoke, her hoarse, low voice scraping like dry branches rubbing together. “I can help you, but not without a price. You must first do something for me.”

Clutching at the lifeline offered, Yun Yao’s hope flickered. “Please tell me. If it’s within my power, I will do my best.”

“I want a Seven-Star Ghost Lotus. Bring it here by this time tomorrow,” Grandma Fang’s tone brooked no refusal.

The Seven-Star Ghost Lotus—an extraordinarily rare spiritual herb. Even over a year, it was nearly impossible to find, let alone in a single day.

Her heart sinking, Yun Yao nonetheless nodded without hesitation. “Very well, I promise.”

Turning away from the bamboo grove, she noticed Elder Zhao standing outside the courtyard. Watching her retreating figure, he sneered coldly, “Overestimating yourself. The Seven-Star Ghost Lotus isn’t something so easily found. Just wait for your punishment!” His fat face twisted in scorn, his voice sharp as poisoned steel.

Just as despair threatened to consume her, a timid voice whispered beside her ear: “Senior Sister Yun...” It was Xiao Die from the herb garden, clutching a piece of cloth tightly with worry and hope in her eyes. “I... I know a place that might have the Seven-Star Ghost Lotus...”

Trembling, Xiao Die handed Yun Yao the cloth, embroidered with a crude map.

At that moment, Yun Yao sensed a scorching gaze upon her. Turning, she saw Jun Mohan standing not far off, his expression complex as he watched her.

Their eyes met, and Yun Yao’s heart skipped a beat.

Following Xiao Die’s direction, Yun Yao arrived at a secluded valley shrouded in thick mist that obscured all within. A chilling aura swept over her.

“This...” Yun Yao hesitated briefly, then stepped forward.

“Be careful!” Jun Mohan’s voice suddenly called from behind.

The dense fog was like damp cotton, wrapping her tightly, visibility no more than a few feet.

The valley was eerily silent, save for the pounding of her own heart, like the relentless beat of a death drum.

Beneath her feet, slippery mud and decaying leaves creaked ominously, each step setting her nerves on edge.

The heavy mist carried an unfamiliar scent of herbs and foliage, mingled with a sharp, metallic stench that nearly made her nauseous.

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Time ticked away, draining Yun Yao’s strength. Anxiety clung to her like vines tightening around her heart.

Just as she was about to give up, a faint blue glow flickered from deep within the mist, pulsing gently as if breathing.

Reinvigorated, she parted the fog and stumbled toward the light.

The Seven-Star Ghost Lotus!

It stood quietly upon a damp rock, its seven petals radiating a faint, ethereal blue light, like stars twinkling in the night sky.

Tears of excitement threatened to spill as her trembling hand reached for the coveted herb.

Suddenly, a shadow lunged from behind the rock, accompanied by a sharp, piercing howl.

A small beast resembling a fox but with wings, baring fangs, glared fiercely at Yun Yao, guarding the Seven-Star Ghost Lotus.

Startled, she withdrew her hand and took a defensive stance.

The creature moved with lightning speed, its sharp claws slicing through the air toward her.

Yun Yao dodged swiftly, summoning a burst of spiritual energy to strike it.

The beast nimbly evaded, roaring in fury before leaping again.

A fierce battle ensued amidst the swirling mist.

Yun Yao employed the spells she had learned, agilely avoiding the beast’s attacks, searching for an opening to counter.

Though swift, the creature’s tactics were predictable, and Yun Yao gradually discerned its weakness.

Seizing a moment, she chanted a spell, ensnaring the beast in a golden cage of light.

It struggled, emitting pitiful whimpers.

Gently, Yun Yao plucked the Seven-Star Ghost Lotus, a triumphant smile illuminating her face.

Looking at the trapped beast, compassion stirred within her, and she released it.

The creature whimpered softly, its moist eyes meeting hers, as if conceding defeat.

Yun Yao stroked its small head tenderly before turning to leave the valley.

As the mist dissipated, a solitary figure stood silently beyond the valley...

“Y-You...” Yun Yao carefully cradled the Seven-Star Ghost Lotus, stepping out of the cold valley.

Sunlight bathed her warmly, filling her with relief as though she had escaped death’s grasp.

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Raising her eyes, she saw Jun Mohan standing tall and resolute like a pine tree, his gaze filled with concern.

Seeing her safe return, the tension in his face softened ever so slightly.

He stepped forward, his voice tinged with worry, “Are you alright?” His low, melodious tone, like clear water striking stone, sounded especially sweet to Yun Yao.

Her heart quickened at the gentle warmth in his gaze. She smiled faintly, a blush coloring her cheeks. “I’m fine. I succeeded—I obtained the Seven-Star Ghost Lotus.” She handed the glowing herb to Jun Mohan, its ethereal light reflecting on her radiant face, causing him to momentarily lose himself.

A subtle, tender tension hung between them, as if the very air thickened with unspoken emotion.

Snapping back to herself with a shy glance downward, Yun Yao said, “I’ll go deliver the herb to Grandma Fang.” Without waiting, she hurried away.

Jun Mohan watched her retreating figure.

When Yun Yao presented the Seven-Star Ghost Lotus to Grandma Fang, the old woman merely cast a cold glance before pocketing it without a word of thanks, as if it were a trivial trifle.

Her hoarse voice was flat and unyielding. “The root cause of the herb’s withering lies in the Black Mist Valley, a hundred miles from here. You may find the answers you seek there.”

Hearing this, a surge of anger rose within Yun Yao. After all her hardships and risking her life to obtain the impossible, Grandma Fang offered only a vague clue—clearly treating her like a fool.

Clenching her fists tightly, she demanded angrily, “Is that all you have to say? You know how hard it was to find the Seven-Star Ghost Lotus!”

Grandma Fang sneered coldly, indifferent to Yun Yao’s fury. “If you have the ability, then seek the truth yourself. If not, accept your misfortune.” Her voice was coarse and unyielding.

Around them, the gathered disciples whispered and pointed, mocking Yun Yao’s overconfidence and the way she was being toyed with, yet still parading her pride.

Chen Xuan laughed maliciously nearby, his petty glee fueling Yun Yao’s burning resentment.

Drawing a deep breath, she forced down her anger and frustration, knowing this was not the time for outbursts.

Calmly, she analyzed Grandma Fang’s words. Black Mist Valley... combined with the herb’s symptoms, she began to suspect—perhaps the withering was linked to a pest infestation!

Determined, she resolved to investigate Black Mist Valley and uncover the truth, refusing to let the hidden malefactors succeed.

With firm resolve, Yun Yao turned and left Grandma Fang’s courtyard.

Unnoticed, Chen Xuan lurked in a nearby corner, his eyes dark and venomous, a sinister smile curling at his lips.

Without pause, Yun Yao set off toward Black Mist Valley. A sharp, pungent stench assaulted her senses, churning her stomach.

She halted, gazing into the valley ahead...