Volume One: When Youths Meet in Humble Times Chapter Eighteen: Let All the Winds of the Earth Dance Freely
Li Yu had suffered bullying since childhood, but he was never one to accept it passively.
At the age of two, he had already begun to engage in battles of wits and courage with other children learning alongside him. Once, a clansman, simply displeased with him, used him as a punching bag, venting anger with fists and kicks. At a time when his strength was insufficient, he knew he could not confront them directly, but he could use their force against them.
What do students fear most? Naturally, they fear the teacher. Though he was born with knowledge, he understood the art of concealing his abilities even better. The homework left by the teacher was not some great cultivation method, but it laid the foundation for understanding cultivation.
One day, the teacher announced that whoever completed their homework best would have a chance to personally command a spirit under his guidance. Everyone was eager to compete, but Li Yu saw this as an opportunity for revenge.
For the first time, Li Yu carefully completed two identical sets of homework and managed to submit them separately to two boys who often bullied him. As expected, the next day in class, the teacher punished both boys with a hundred strikes each from the disciplinary ruler, not only hurting their bodies but striking at their pride.
Li Yu watched coldly, without satisfaction or pleasure, as if witnessing the punishment of strangers. Such incidents were frequent during his time among the Li clan at Yun Tomb. His motive for retaliation was simply to seek fairness, not vengeance.
But this time was different.
This time, the Mountain God and the Phantom Demon had colluded, shattering the peaceful and happy life he could have had. He wanted revenge; more than that, he sought justice through his own strength.
When he heard the Daoist say there was a method to increase his chances, for the first time he revealed urgency and asked, “What method is it? Please, teach me.”
Yes, he used the word “please.”
The Daoist understood and, without further suspense, continued, “I possess a technique called Spirit Summoning. This art can awaken the true spirit of living beings from slumber.”
Before Li Yu could ask, the Daoist explained, “The earth’s true energy here has been seized by the Mountain God, but the true spirit remains. The dragon vein beneath Red Spring Mountain has had its dragon energy absorbed, but its true spirit is still present. This place has been corrupted by them; if these spirits can be summoned and freed from their bonds, they can lend you their strength. How much they can do depends on their resolve for vengeance and the power you can provide.”
The Daoist mused, “But I suspect their resolve for vengeance will not be weaker than yours—perhaps even stronger. The Mountain God and the Phantom Demon have destroyed all life here, incurring the wrath of all spirits. That dragon vein, when the drought demon finishes absorbing its energy, will see its true spirit dissipate. The earth’s true spirit here, though not completely destroyed, is gravely wounded, harming the very roots of the Dao.”
He finished, his gaze deep as he looked at Li Yu. “So, how much power they can unleash depends on how much strength you can offer them.”
Li Yu asked, “How can I provide them with the greatest strength?”
The Daoist replied solemnly, “Summon the spirits with your blood, sacrifice your soul to the Dao.”
“What does that mean?”
Unhurried, the Daoist explained, “Use the blood from your heart as a guide for the ritual. Merge your soul with the earth’s true spirit and the spirit of the dragon vein. In this way, they will receive your greatest power. Perhaps, you can fully free them from their chains, and then they will fight with all they have.”
Li Yu asked no more, simply saying, “I can do it. Please, teach me.”
“There is always a price. Do you not wish to know what it will cost?”
Li Yu answered calmly, “I don’t need to know. I only need to know that this method gives me the best chance to resolve them.”
The Daoist shook his head, seemingly helpless yet not surprised, and upon closer look, with an inquisitive expression.
“I will tell you the price regardless. Whether you accept it is your choice.”
“Because you have not cultivated, if you use this technique, your body will die and your soul will be scattered, leaving you no chance even to become a ghost or mountain spirit.”
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Li Yu remained as calm as ever. “Alright, that’s fine.”
The Daoist wanted to say more but reconsidered; perhaps Li Yu already understood what soul-scattering meant.
Since he had made his choice, it was his own fate.
The Daoist extended a finger; a beam of white light shot from his fingertip into Li Yu’s brow.
Li Yu instantly closed his eyes. In his mind’s eye, the Daoist’s figure appeared, surrounded by a complex formation that gradually took shape. A voice resonated in Li Yu’s mind, reciting a formula:
“In the vast heavens, true spirits await below; the tongue god is upright, nourishing the soul; the thousand teeth god wards off evil and guards the truth; the heart god’s elixir unites me with the truth; the mind god refines essence, Dao energy endures; left altar, right granary, no reckless fright; return to the right path, cleanse inside and out; all positions secure, guarding the altar... Recite ten thousand times, the body shines with light.”
When Li Yu’s mind had finally settled, he opened his eyes, feeling dazed yet lingering in the beauty of what he had seen.
He murmured, “So this is the scenery that comes with mastering the Dao?”
The Daoist smiled lightly. “This is but a drop in the ocean to those who cultivate. Now, are you still willing to die?”
Li Yu seemed to linger in the wondrous visions, speechless for a moment. When he had finally absorbed it, he spoke slowly, “I suppose there’s no chance for me in this life.”
After a pause, he continued, “Maybe I’ll never have that chance, but I don’t regret it. Even if I could cultivate, I might never reach such heights. Since the future is uncertain, I’d rather focus on what I must do now, what I want to do, what I must do.”
The Daoist listened without further comment, only smiling enigmatically. He untied the gourd at his waist and drank leisurely.
He took a sip, smacked his lips, and murmured with a smile, “This wine is quite good. Though its strength is lacking, with more time it might become richer and more fragrant.”
After separating from Li Yu, Lu Ming and his companions rushed to Changlin City, arriving swiftly.
The three met the city lord and briefly explained the impending changes, urging him to notify all soldiers outside the city to retreat to the edges of the city’s great formation, and to evacuate all residents as quickly as possible.
Wu Shouzhong finally asked, sorrowful, “May I ask, sirs, is this place truly beyond salvation?”
Lie Yankong retorted, “Did you notify the people in Tianjing as we asked? Any response?”
Wu Shouzhong shook his head in dismay.
“So, what’s happening here is no longer mere demonic mischief. The city’s mountain-guarding formation likely won’t hold. Tonight, Red Spring Mountain will undergo a great change. If it emerges, the disaster will worsen. The plans ahead are the best we can hope for.”
Wu Shouzhong said nothing more, knowing they had conducted thorough investigation and understood more than he did. Since they had reached their conclusion, his duty was to follow their arrangements.
He quickly withdrew and methodically arranged everything at the fastest speed. Everyone was busy, exhausted and numb. Leaving their homeland was painful for all, but faced with the importance of preserving life, the sorrow of migration paled.
Shui Linglong watched everything unfolding in Changlin City and suddenly thought of the child beneath Red Spring Mountain. She couldn’t help but say, “Lu Senior Brother, if you insist on taking him with you, he’ll probably follow, won’t he?”
Lie Yankong answered for Lu Ming, “He might follow Lu Junior Brother, but his days afterwards would be unhappy. Seeing that, Lu Junior Brother would feel guilty and distressed. So, that child definitely won’t go with him.”
Though it sounded contradictory, Shui Linglong was clever and soon understood the meaning.
Both would make choices for each other’s sake. These choices might seem unwise at the moment, but in the long run, they were the best path for both.
Shui Linglong sighed with regret, “Such a remarkable child, yet unable to cultivate, and soon to die.”
Lu Ming suddenly said, “Perhaps he won’t die either.”
Shui Linglong hadn’t reacted yet, but Lie Yankong spoke first, “You mean that elder?”
Lu Ming nodded. “That elder’s strength is unfathomable. I don’t know his purpose, but appearing there cannot be mere spectating. Moreover, I sense his interest in Li Yu is greater than ours. Maybe there’s something about Li Yu we haven’t noticed, but for him, it holds strong attraction.”
Lie Yankong agreed, nodding, “Indeed, and he has repeatedly protected Li Yu. Experts of such strength never act randomly; their every move has deep meaning.”
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Shui Linglong, relieved, smiled, “Hearing you say that, my heart is at ease. I thought he would die, and felt sorry for him.”
Lie Yankong laughed, “Since you’re so interested in him, why not try bringing him into the sect?”
Shui Linglong replied, “It’s not that I don’t want to, but our sect lacks the means to turn someone without an innate aperture into a cultivator.”
Her honest words made Lie Yankong sigh with regret, “It truly is a pity. Such a child, with excellent temperament and high talent, yet lacking a fundamental requirement for cultivation. Our sect is powerless, otherwise we wouldn’t let him go so easily.”
Lu Ming didn’t respond, but they understood—his regret for Li Yu was greater than theirs.
At this thought, Shui Linglong asked, “Do you think Li Yu will succeed?”
This time, Lu Ming answered, his gaze fixed on Red Spring Mountain. “He will. For someone who disregards life and death, whatever he seeks, he will achieve.”
Night fell; the setting sun was like blood. Above Red Spring Mountain, a mass of black clouds gathered swiftly, forming a vortex that spun outward, devouring all surrounding light like a gigantic, monstrous black hole. It harbored endless bloodshed and ferocious energy, oppressing all who saw it.
Li Yu, having received the Daoist’s guidance, drew the formation in the courtyard, carefully checking it several times. Satisfied, he invited the Daoist for inspection, who nodded his approval.
Only then did Li Yu feel a measure of confidence and calm.
He entered the house, looked around, and touched every place where he and his grandmother had left memories, savoring the warmth and happiness of these two years. From now on, the little house that had given him warmth would no longer be his. Though reluctant, it was time to say goodbye.
Holding his grandmother’s ashes, Li Yu knelt before the Daoist and said, “Thank you, immortal, for teaching me. I fear I can never repay your kindness, so I offer you three bows in gratitude, wishing you a bright and boundless journey ahead.”
He completed three earnest bows. The Daoist accepted without objection.
Afterward, Li Yu looked at the urn beside him and continued, “I have one more request. I hope you can help me fulfill it.”
“You want me to bury your grandmother?”
Li Yu replied, “Yes. Though she never said so, I believe she wished to rest among peach blossoms after death. I can’t do it myself, so I ask you. Originally, I wanted her to rest where she lived for so many years, but now that I have a way to destroy the mountain demon, this place may not remain. So I entrust her ashes to you, hoping you’ll bury her.”
The Daoist simply answered, “If you die, I will help you.”
Li Yu didn’t dwell on it; the promise was enough for him, letting him leave without regret.
He went to the courtyard and lit all the sky lanterns. With each lantern, he let the flame burn his hand, as instructed by Lie Yankong before, each burn dimming the flame. When all the lanterns floated into the sky, the marks on his hand vanished.
He watched the lanterns, closed his eyes, and silently prayed, “All spirits slain by the Mountain God, please help me, lend me your strength. Let all the sky lanterns fly to the mountains and forests, let this land burn, let your resentment and anger blaze forth, let there be no more darkness here.”
The lanterns seemed almost alive, drifting to the surrounding forests with the help of the wind. Watching the distant scene, Li Yu felt comfort.
He then walked light-heartedly to the center of the Spirit Summoning formation, looked toward Red Spring Mountain, and whispered, “You destroyed my life. Now, you must pay the price.”
With that, he took the prepared knife and stabbed it hard into his chest. The sharp blade pierced flesh and reached his heart, sending a wave of agony through him, cold sweat pouring down, nearly fainting—yet he couldn’t, for there was still a crucial step to complete.
Blood gushed from his wound, soon covering the formation’s heart. He struggled to stay conscious, reciting the Daoist’s incantation, striving to finish the last step.
When he uttered the final word, his body could no longer hold on, collapsing to the ground.
Suddenly, the winds around him seemed to gain sentience, swirling about him. Before fainting, he murmured, “Winds of the earth, dance freely and extinguish all darkness.”