NOVEL WEB Chapter 5: I Just Can't Forget!
Chapter 5: I Just Can’t Forget!
The world was divided into five continents – Eastern Cascade, Western Wastes, Southern Blaze, Northern Pride, and Central Realm. Above each continent was a divine mountain: Star Radiance, Mysterious Echo, Heaven’s Dawn, Void Plain and Eternal Height.
According to legend, the ancient world was chaotic and untamed. Five thousand years ago, during an invasion of demons from beyond the realms, five immortal ancestors appeared to drive out the invaders. Each of them took charge of a continent, established order among mankind, and spread the cultivation path. When their mission was complete, these five ancestors sacrificed themselves, refusing to ascend to build a barrier in the heavens that would forever protect the five continents from external threats.
As a result, the people worshipped the immortal ancestors even more and regarded the mountains as divine. To this day, the divine mountains have become the centers of their respective continents. Whether it was sects or towns, everyone looked up to those who dwelled upon the Divine Mountains.
Chuyun City, where You Su had grown up, was located in the southern part of the Central Realm Continent, under the protection of Eternal Height Divine Mountain. In such a remote place, encountering someone from a sect on Divine Mountain felt almost surreal.
Although the Spiritual Treasure Sect wasn’t as renowned as the Mystic Firmament Sect-the foremost sect on Eternal Height Mountain-it still held considerable prestige among the cultivators of Central Realm. No wonder You Su was surprised.
“The evil spirit you encountered earlier, how many times have you seen something like that?” Elder Ling understood that it wasn’t easy to build trust between strangers, especially with just a few words, no matter how perceptive the youth might be.
You Su was silent for a moment before he replied, “Elder, this was my first time.”
Elder Ling sighed softly at his response. “And what do you know about such evil spirits?”
“I humbly ask for your guidance, Elder.”
“Beyond the five continents lies an endless deep sea, and at its depths is an unending mire of filth. This filth corrupts the land-it is the source of all evil entities.” Elder Ling clasped his hands behind his back, his tone calm but heavy with meaning. “These evils taint the cultivation path. Ordinary mortals are mere playthings in their eyes, while cultivators are their coveted prey because they covet the refined essence within us!”
“Some people say that cultivation is the process of purging oneself of impurities, and the impurities are what we shed along the way. Others say that these evils are manifestations of a cultivator’s inner demons that sneak into our minds. Still others believe that they are remnants of the ancient demonic invasion that is slowly corroding this world. To this day, there is no consensus on their origin. But one truth remains undeniable!”
The elder’s voice suddenly boomed like thunder, his teeth clenched in fury. “Evil spirits are the common enemy of all living beings on the five continents!”
You Su’s heart churned like waves in a storm. As a child, he had only heard vague tales about evil spirits from his master, who feared nothing – not even the heavens. To his master, such creatures were as insignificant as insects. Growing up under his influence, You Su had never given much thought to them.
But now, after today’s encounter, he realized just how terrifying these entities truly were.
Seeing You Su’s silence, Elder Ling assumed that the young man couldn’t fully grasp the danger these ghosts posed. He sighed and asked, “Do you think evil spirits are too far away to worry about?”
Before You Su could respond, the elder seemed to recall something painful, his expression turning sorrowful. “Do you know whose body that Lantern Ghost was devouring?”
“It was my junior brother! My junior brother, who was like family to me!” The elder’s anguish was palpable. At that moment, he was no longer a distinguished cultivator from a prestigious sect, but simply an old man consumed by grief.
“In order to protect the world, the Five Divine Mountains jointly established the Exorcism Bureau. Both my junior brother and I served within it. For decades, he has upheld righteousness and vanquished countless evils. Just last month, he told me that he was ready to break through to the mid-stage of the Water Condensation Realm-he even prepared the necessary spiritual pills! Yet, during his final mission before entering seclusion, he fell victim to that Lantern Ghost. I chased the fiend for over a hundred miles, only to find my junior brother completely devoured. He had such a bright future ahead of him… How many members of our Bureau have died at the hands of these evils while saving others?”
No wonder Elder Ling had cried out so heartbreakingly when he had captured the creature earlier. Moved by the Elder’s emotions, You Su could only murmur in silence:
“Elder, please accept my condolences.”
Elder Ling took a deep breath, steadying himself. Cultivators valued emotional clarity, and if not for the depth of his feelings, a man of his cultivation level would never have lost his composure in such a manner.
“You must be wondering why you – a blind man – can see these evil spirits while I show no surprise?”
“Indeed, Elder, that is my question.”
“It is because,” Elder Ling declared with startling certainty, “you have encountered something far more sinister than this!” His voice hardened as he pressed on. “I don’t care if you lied to me! What I want to know is… where did you encounter it?!”
Elder Ling keenly noticed the subtle changes in You Su’s demeanor after his words – the slight furrowing of the youth’s brows and the faint tightening of his fingers. Having observed countless people throughout his life, the elder recognized these signs of tension. A flicker of irritation crept into his gaze.
“Why do you say such things, Elder? I… am just a blind man…”
Elder Ling had expected this reaction. With a cold snort, he replied:
“Stubborn fool! Evil beings may seem bizarre and otherworldly, but they are not without pattern! Legends tell of three hidden great evil gods – the Master of Flesh, the Master of the Five Elements, and the Master of Dreams. They stole portions of the Heavenly Dao’s authority and bestowed them upon their minions, all while hiding in the darkest corners of the world, endlessly multiplying and scheming. Thus, most of the known evils can be categorized by their methods of harm: flesh, elements, or dreams. That Lantern Ghost belongs to the Dream Master – it preys on the mind.”
“The strength of an evil entity correlates with the amount of stolen authority it wields. And if someone survives seeing a more powerful minion of one of these masters, then weaker minions of the same lineage will become visible to them forever! This is an unbreakable law-a hierarchy imposed from greater to lesser powers!”
“Anyone who has experienced deeper darkness will never again be fooled by lesser evils-even if they’re ordinary mortals! Even if they’re blind! As long as you possess consciousness, this iron rule applies!”
Elder Ling’s voice rose to a crescendo, echoing as though it might pierce through clouds and shatter stones.
You Su’s expression wavered, his hands clenched into fists, and he fell silent. Elder Ling could sense that the young man was deeply conflicted.
“But, Elder… I was born blind. Until today, I really haven’t seen anything.”
You Su’s face twisted with inner struggle. He had an inkling of what the answer might be, yet he still couldn’t bring himself to believe it.
“The Lantern Ghost belongs to the Dream Master. If you saw it in your dreams, then that counts just the same.”
Elder Ling’s calm statement hit You Su like the last straw. The youth staggered backwards and took two unsteady steps.
Watching You Su’s dazed state, Elder Ling shook his head and sighed. Then, he retrieved an ancient jade pendant from within his robes. Carved with the characters for “Evil Repelling,” the green jade bore faint traces of flowing ink beneath its bamboo-like surface.
“This Evil Repelling Token can detect nearby evil entities. When I tested you earlier, it was because the ink hadn’t faded even after I sealed away the Lantern Ghost. But after testing you, I confirmed that you’re not possessed-you’ve just recently come in contact with tainted energy. Combined with your ability to see, I’m sure you’ve recently encountered a powerful evil entity!”
“I don’t know how you managed to escape with your life. Perhaps the entity was injured, perhaps it deemed you unworthy, or perhaps it harbors greater plans! Its presence is an extreme danger-not only to you, but to your family and even to the entire population of the city! Now you must tell me everything you know! Only then can you save them and yourself!”
“Family…” You Su murmured absentmindedly, his thoughts drifting.
When people are lost in despair, fragmented images often flash through their minds. But You Su, blind since childhood, could only recall the strange dream from this morning and the Lantern Ghost. What else was there?
Yes, he remembered the soft, delicate texture of his junior sister’s cheeks when he touched her. He remembered her cheerful cry of “Happy Birthday, You Su!” He remembered every laugh, scolding, and playful interaction she’d shared with him over the past three years. And he thought of the few fleeting encounters he’d had with his master’s wife during the eight years she’d been at the sect.
But why… why couldn’t he forget the grotesque, nauseating faces of his junior sister and master’s wife from his dream?!
I just can’t forget them!