Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 25 Temple Name Lanruo

After the matter in Baihe Village came to an end, Zhou Ning returned to Lanruo Temple to rest for three days.

In these three days, in addition to his daily cultivation, he had an extra task.

Study the Corpse King's inner core.

Yan Chixia told him that to completely purify this inner core, he needed a pure yang power called "Nine Yang True Fire".

With Zhou Ning's current cultivation level, he is not yet able to activate this power, so he can only seal the inner core for now and deal with it after his cultivation level improves.

"Keep it safe."

Yan Chixia handed Zhou Ning a wooden box engraved with runes:

"This wooden box is made of thousand-year-old peach wood, which can isolate yin energy. Placing the inner core inside will not cause any problems in the short term."

Zhou Ning took the wooden box, carefully placed the inner core inside, and then affixed a "talisman to ward off evil" before feeling at ease.

"Master, there is something I do not understand," he asked.

"Why did the Corpse King appear in Baihe Village? And why did the man in black robes want to create the Corpse King?"

Yan Chixia was silent for a moment, then said:

"This matter involves a great deal of issues. With your current level of cultivation, knowing too much is not a good thing."

"Just remember, the Black Mountain Demon's power is expanding. They are searching everywhere for the remains of powerful people, using evil magic to create corpse kings and ghost generals for their own use."

"The Corpse King of Baihe Village is just one of their many plans."

He paused, then continued:

"You severely injured that man in black robes last time, and the Black Mountain forces will definitely hold a grudge. You must be extra careful when you travel the world in the future."

Zhou Ning's heart tightened, and he solemnly said, "This disciple has remembered."

"And..." Yan Chixia continued:

"Your skill in manipulating objects is progressing too slowly. From today onwards, add one hour to your practice each day. Only when you can make the Azure Edge Sword fly stably in the air for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, can you be considered to have mastered the basics."

Zhou Ning smiled wryly: "This disciple understands."

The art of manipulating objects is indeed his weakest point.

After months of arduous training, the Qingfeng Sword could now fly three feet off the ground, but its trajectory was erratic and it was impossible to use it for attacking.

He secretly resolved to break through this bottleneck as soon as possible.

The days passed by.

Zhou Ning's life returned to its usual routine.

He practiced swordsmanship at dawn, meditated at dusk, drew talismans at noon, practiced controlling objects at 1-3 pm, studied classics at 5 pm, and continued meditating at 7 pm.

Day after day, rain or shine.

On this day, Yan Chixia summoned him to the main hall.

"You have been training under my tutelage for over a year," Yan Chixia said.

"The foundation is solid; it's time to go out and gain some experience."

Zhou Ning was overjoyed: "Master means..."

Yan Chixia took a letter from his sleeve and handed it to him:

"This was sent by Manager Zhao from Qingshan Town. He said that a strange thing has recently happened in Guobei County, which is near Qingshan Town, and asked me to send someone to take a look."

Zhou Ning took the letter, unfolded it, and read it.

The contents of the letter were very simple.

Several young women have gone missing in Guobei County, with no trace of them, neither alive nor dead.

The authorities investigated for months without any leads.

There are rumors that it is the work of a mountain monster.

"Guobei County..." Zhou Ning murmured the name.

"Master, how far is it from Lanruo Temple?"

"About a hundred li," Yan Chixia said.

"At your current pace, you can get there in two days."

He stood up, hands behind his back, and paced back and forth:

"Remember these three things when you go to Guobei County this time."

Zhou Ning respectfully said, "Please enlighten me, Master."

"First, act according to your ability. If you encounter a monster you can't handle, don't fight it head-on; go back and get reinforcements."

"Second, do not reveal your identity. You are my disciple, Yan Chixia. This identity is a talisman in some places, but a death warrant in others."

"Third, and most importantly..." Yan Chixia turned around, his gaze piercing:

"No matter what you encounter, you must guard your true self. The path of cultivation is full of temptations; once you lose your way, there is no turning back."

Zhou Ning solemnly replied, "This disciple will remember."

He returned to his lodgings and packed his bags.

This time, he brought more things than ever before.

The Green Edge Sword, talismans, cinnabar, yellow paper, several pills, and the Corpse King's inner core were sealed in a wooden box, but Zhou Ning dared not leave them on the mountain. If something went wrong, the consequences would be unimaginable.

With everything prepared, he bowed deeply to Yan Chixia and then went down the mountain.

The journey from Lanruo Temple to Guobei County is about 100 li (50 kilometers) of mountain road.

Zhou Ning used his lightness technique to move with incredible speed.

He stopped to inquire about information in several villages and towns along the way, but he obtained very few clues.

Some say that the missing women all disappear at night.

Some say that he visited Lanruo Temple outside the city before he disappeared.

Some people say they saw a woman in white in the mountains, as beautiful as a fairy, but she disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Lanruo Temple?

Zhou Ning's heart skipped a beat.

The name is the same as the temple where he practiced in Qingyun Mountain, but this Lanruo Temple is not the same as that Lanruo Temple.

"It seems that there's more to this Lanruo Temple in Guobei County than meets the eye."

He quickened his pace and arrived in Guobei County on the afternoon of the second day.

Guobei County is a medium-sized county town with towering city walls, wide streets, and a bustling market.

Compared to Qingshan Town, this place is more lively, but also more chaotic.

Zhou Ning did not rush to Lanruo Temple, but instead found an inn to stay at first.

The innkeeper was a middle-aged man in his forties, surnamed Chen, with a kind face and a gentle manner.

After paying for the room, Zhou Ning inquired about the missing persons case.

Manager Chen's expression changed slightly, and he lowered his voice, saying:

"Sir, you must be from out of town. You'd better not ask about this."

Zhou Ning said, "I am a cultivator, perhaps I can be of help."

Manager Chen sized him up and down, and seeing that Zhou Ning, though young, possessed a composed demeanor and didn't seem to be boasting, he sighed and said:

"Since you are a cultivator, then I will not hide it from you."

He lowered his voice and recounted the entire story of the disappearance.

It turns out that the disappearance case began three months ago.

The first to go missing was the daughter of the owner of the silk shop in the east of the city. She was eighteen years old and had a beautiful face.

One night, she went out to visit a relative and never returned.

The family searched the entire city and reported it to the authorities, but the government investigated for half a month and found nothing.

Then there was the daughter-in-law of the grain shop in the west of the city, who was only twenty years old and also disappeared after going out at night.

Later, it was the daughter of a blacksmith in the south of the city, and the daughter of a pharmacist in the north of the city...

Over the course of three months, seven young women went missing, all after going out at night. They were never seen alive or dead.

"The authorities have been investigating for so long, but they haven't found a single clue." Manager Chen shook his head and sighed.

"Some say it's the work of a mountain demon. Others say it's the work of a ghost from Lanruo Temple outside the city."

"Lanruo Temple?" Zhou Ning asked. "What kind of place is that?"

Shopkeeper Chen said, "Lanruo Temple is located on a mountain ten miles north of the city. It used to be a very popular temple, but it fell into disrepair and became abandoned. I heard that the temple is haunted, so no one dares to go there."

Zhou Ning seemed to be deep in thought:

"Did all the missing women visit Lanruo Temple?"

Shopkeeper Chen shook his head: "That's not necessarily true. But some people say they've seen them near Lanruo Temple."

Zhou Ning nodded, then asked:

"Manager Chen, have you ever seen that Lanruo Temple?"

Manager Chen's expression changed slightly:

"I've seen it. Years ago, I went up the mountain to chop firewood and passed by there. The temple was dilapidated and eerily quiet; it was clearly not a safe place. Sir, you must not go there."

Zhou Ning smiled and said, "I was just asking."

He returned to his room, put down his luggage, and sat on the edge of the bed in deep thought.

Lanruo Temple, the missing woman, the woman in white...

These clues all subtly point in the same direction.

He decided to go to Lanruo Temple tonight to find out what was going on.

Night falls.

Zhou Ning changed into a black night outfit, slung his Qingfeng sword across his back, and hung a talisman pouch at his waist before quietly leaving the inn.

Ten miles north of the city, on a mountain, stands a dilapidated temple.

The pale moonlight cast eerie shadows on the ruins.