Chapter 24: Earth Vein
The Great Tang Midnight Palace was in chaos. Many bathers thought there had been a natural gas explosion in the bathhouse and were quite scared. They rushed out wearing yukatas and towels, standing by the side of the road. In less than twenty minutes, reporters arrived with cameras, using the pretext of reporting to film the male bodies on the street from various angles.
Jiang Hong had Chen Shun's arm draped over his shoulder, stumbling out. While he was looking around for Yang Fei Yao, she appeared on her own.
"Let me take a look, what happened to him?" Yang Fei Yao helped Jiang Hong move Chen Shun to an alley across the street and asked, "How is that centipede demon?"
Jiang Hong explained what had happened, and Yang Fei Yao was quite frustrated that they had let it escape in the end. She was wearing a dress, and it seemed like she hadn't taken a bath. Jiang Hong asked, "Where were you just now?"
Yang Fei Yao replied, "I was looking for that artifact we needed to reclaim."
She opened her handbag, took out a blister pack of medicine, tore open the foil, and gave one to Chen Shun. Jiang Hong said, "Let me help him get dressed first."
Yang Fei Yao turned around, and Jiang Hong began to dress Chen Shun. Yang Fei Yao added, "He Lan Shan is the natural enemy of the centipede. He should be able to capture it."
"Did you find the artifact?" Jiang Hong asked.
"Yes, I did." Yang Fei Yao took out a bronze ring from her bag and showed it to Jiang Hong. "See?"
Perhaps because Yang Fei Yao was an exorcist, Jiang Hong felt quite comfortable around her, and Yang Fei Yao didn't avoid him either because he was brought by Lu Xiu.
However, Jiang Hong didn't dare to take the artifact casually, fearing he might do something wrong. He just glanced at it in the dim light. The artifact was named "Dragon Escape Chrysanthemum," but it didn't look anything like a "chrysanthemum" or "stake." It was covered in seal characters.
"Can it burrow underground?" Jiang Hong asked curiously.
Yang Fei Yao replied, "Yes, once Chen Shun feels better, we can go look for them together. With this artifact, going underground will be much easier."
Chen Shun's complexion had improved significantly. Yang Fei Yao didn't pay much attention to him and was quickly sending messages in the dark alley.
"Our colleagues from Xi'an's Exorcist Association said they headed towards the Big Wild Goose Pagoda," Yang Fei Yao said. "Chen Shun, are you feeling better?"
Chen Shun got up, and he seemed to be back to normal. He nodded and said, "Much better."
Yang Fei Yao said, "Let's go then."
Jiang Hong hesitated for a few seconds about whether to go with them, but since there were two exorcists, and he could summon Lu Xiu if needed, there shouldn't be any danger. This was a chance to witness how exorcists captured demons, which would be beneficial for his studies. Lu Xiu had brought him here with this in mind.
So, the two exorcists each scanned a shared electric scooter and drove towards the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Jiang Hong rode a shared electric scooter and complained from behind, "They're already capturing demons. Why can't they just fly over?"
"We don't have flying artifacts, and we're not like your teacher, Lu," Yang Fei Yao replied, glancing back. "How would we fly?"
Yang Fei Yao said, "Flying in the city's airspace would result in disciplinary action. If too many people see us, it would be hard to explain."
Riding halfway, he had to stop and wait for the traffic light, and Jiang Hong thought it was quite annoying.
"So, big sister, what should we do about the bathhouse?" Jiang Hong asked again.
"Their exorcist colleagues from Xi'an have gone to deal with it," Yang Fei Yao replied with a smile. "What year are you in? You look quite handsome. I'm your senior from the same university."
"Freshman," Jiang Hong happily replied. "No senior is as handsome as you."
Yang Fei Yao smirked and said, "That's true."
Chen Shun scowled and looked Jiang Hong up and down, his expression seemed to say: "How can you know nothing?"
Jiang Hong knew that Chen Shun was not pleased that he hadn't done anything in the bathhouse, but hey, I saved your life! If it weren't for me, you'd be without a head right now.
"After graduating from Cang University, I interned at the Xi'an Exorcist Association for half a year before coming to Beijing," Yang Fei Yao continued. "Have you been to Xi'an Exorcist Association?"
Jiang Hong replied, "No, I haven't. It's probably not open to outsiders, right? But I've been to the Chongqing Exorcist Association, it's amazing!"
Yang Fei Yao winked mysteriously and said, "I'll tell you a secret, ride a shared bicycle, start from Anyuan Gate, and the 147th brick on the city wall is the door's secret code. When you have free time, you can come to Xi'an Exorcist Association to play, right? Chen Shun?"
Jiang Hong asked, "What's there to play?"
Yang Fei Yao said, "There's a shop at the entrance that sells magical artifacts, and occasionally, there's an internal calligraphy and painting exhibition. Our director is a great chess player, known as the Chess Sage. If you can beat him, you might win one of his prizes."
Jiang Hong replied, "Well, I'm pretty sure I won't win against him."
While passing the red light, Yang Fei Yao said again, "Later, I'll treat you all to supper as a thank you. Let's go for skewers."
Jiang Hong replied, "Sure!"
When they arrived outside the Big Wild Goose Pagoda on their electric bikes, Yang Fei Yao bent down slightly, as if carefully examining the ground for traces. Chen Shun said, "They went towards the garden behind."
Jiang Hong had been following closely behind Yang Fei Yao. It was already eleven at night, and the lights in the square had been turned off, leaving only a few young people playing skateboards.
A whistle sounded not far away, and He Lanshan and Lu Xiu, hiding in the darkness, revealed themselves.
Chen Shun asked, "Did you catch it?"
He Lanshan's hair was still slightly damp, and he was discussing something with Lu Xiu. When the three of them arrived, they fell silent. He Lanshan replied, "It escaped, but before burrowing underground, I added a marker. Should we continue the pursuit or let it go?"
Lu Xiu waved his hand, indicating for Jiang Hong to come over and checked him for injuries. He found none.
Yang Fei Yao hesitated for a very short moment and said, "It's been living underground for a long time and may have some information related to the chaotic underground veins... Before coming here, the Exorcist Association asked me to try to bring it back for questioning."
Lu Xiu placed a hand on Jiang Hong's shoulder and didn't say anything, just observing.
Chen Shun said, "On our side, we're just here to support Fei Yao."
He Lanshan asked, "If we go deeper, we'll need the Dragon Escape Bamboo. Did you find it?"
Yang Fei Yao immediately opened her handbag and handed the artifact to He Lanshan.
He Lanshan exchanged a look with Lu Xiu, who then looked at Jiang Hong, pointed to the ground, raised an eyebrow, and indicated, "Are you willing to go?"
Jiang Hong said, "Of course! Wherever you go, I'll follow!"
He Lanshan carefully examined the magical artifact, then raised his hand and chanted a few incantations in a peculiar dialect, reminiscent of ancient Chinese official speech.
With a hum, the bronze ring above their heads expanded, enveloping them, and then descended like an observation elevator, emitting a faint light, encasing them in a cylindrical barrier.
Jiang Hong looked down in amazement, feeling as if he were sinking in an elevator.
In an instant, the ground became transparent, as if entering a submarine, revealing another world pulsating with light below them, filled with rivers and streams.
Jiang Hong exclaimed, "Wow!"
Lu Xiu also looked surprised, and all five of them gazed down at their feet.
Yang Feiyao, extremely astonished, said, "This is my first time seeing this too."
He Lanshan commented, "With Anjie obtaining this artifact, research progress should be swift."
Lu Xiu explained to Jiang Hong, "The light beneath your feet represents the planet's veins, known as earth veins. Earth veins usually run about three thousand meters below us."
"That deep!" Jiang Hong wondered if mining in the real world could accidentally disturb these earth veins.
Lu Xiu added, "However, earth veins occasionally converge near the surface at certain points, known as 'nodes,' also referred to as Feng Shui dragon veins."
He Lanshan joked, "Is this an off-campus practical teaching lesson by Professor Lu?"
Jiang Hong laughed, while Lu Xiu remained expressionless.
"The flow of earth veins isn't linear but winding, and their depth varies."
As the Dunlong Zhu continued to descend, Lu Xiu further explained in the tranquility, "Like rivers bending, occasionally they will..."
Jiang Hong interjected, "Cause an overflow of spiritual energy!"
Lu Xiu nodded in agreement, and Jiang Hong said, "So these places are Feng Shui treasures, suitable for cultivation."
Lu Xiu: "Correct."
He Lanshan added, "The nearest node to here is the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda."
Jiang Hong said, "I'm amazed that the earth is transparent, just like seawater."
Looking up again, the real world above with its colorful cityscape had receded into the distance, leaving behind a structure resembling a CAD blueprint of foundations and rivers.
"This is the effect of the magical artifact," Yang Feiyao explained, "Even mystical beasts with the power to traverse underground don't have this ability."
The ceaseless flow of underground energy drew closer, and He Lanshan raised two fingers, pointing westward.
"It has fled five kilometers away," He Lanshan stated, "The marker has disappeared. We can only track it this far."
Lu Xiu: "Let's find a suitable place to land first."
He Lanshan expanded the Dunlong Zhu, making the surrounding space recede. Jiang Hong stepped onto the uneven ground again as they landed on the bank of an underground river of energy, bathed in dazzling light.
The "river" emitted a soft blue-white glow, which became gentle after getting used to it. He Lanshan then handed the Dunlong Zhu back to Yang Feiyao.
"Let's follow this path," He Lanshan said, "Wu Xiaoen has already stopped."
Surrounded by silence, Jiang Hong was very curious about the river next to them. He looked at Lu Xiu, seemingly wanting to ask a question, and Lu Xiu signaled him to go ahead.
"What is inside this?" Jiang Hong asked.
"Energy," Lu Xiu replied, "the planet's lifeblood."
Jiang Hong asked, "I mean, what kind of energy? Electrical? Chemical?"
"That's difficult to answer," He Lanshan responded for Lu Xiu, "It's a focus of research. The magnetic field can contain it. Exorcists believe that the same type of particle flows through the earth's veins, temporarily referred to as 'Aether'."
Seeing Jiang Hong's confusion, Lu Xiu reassured, "Touching it won't harm you."
Jiang Hong really wanted to try reaching his hand in, but then thought better of it, deciding not to. After all, Lu Xiu was a dragon, and even if he was electrocuted, he probably wouldn't feel it. A human touching a high-voltage wire would be fatal.
Chen Shun said, "Fei Yao, let's go ahead and scout the path first."
Yang Feiyao nodded, and the two proceeded forward. Lu Xiu, taking care to accommodate Jiang Hong, walked slowly, and He Lanshan kept pace with them.
"Is cultivation just about absorbing it?" Jiang Hong asked curiously.
"You can't cultivate directly with it," Lu Xiu explained. "You would be overwhelmed, just like electrolytes need to be diluted before consumption. For most beasts, the energy from the earth's veins that seeps to the surface is already sufficient."
He Lanshan added, "Excessively pure energy can cause irreversible mutations in the bodies of the demon race."
Jiang Hong nodded, understanding. His own chakras were fractured, making cultivation impossible for him; his question was purely out of curiosity.
"Teacher Lu?" He Lanshan suddenly spoke up again.
Lu Xiu responded with a questioning look.
He Lanshan said, "If I'm not mistaken, Yang Feiyao isn't one of An Jie's confidants."
Lu Xiu replied indifferently, "I'm not concerned with the internal affairs of your demon-hunting committee."
After thinking for a moment, He Lanshan said, "She should have been transferred from Dou Kuan's division to An Jie's department."
Lu Xiu remained silent, and He Lanshan, as if talking to himself, continued, "In recent years, the rivalry between Dou Kuan and An Jie has been intense. An Jie clearly dislikes the Cangqiong faction, especially Cao Bin..."
Lu Xiu stayed silent, and Jiang Hong, not understanding He Lanshan's point, just listened quietly.
"I heard," He Lanshan continued, "that An Jie competed with Cao Bin for the position of vice-chancellor at Cangqiong University. An Jie lost, and that's led to his strong prejudice against this side..."
Before the words had fully left his mouth, a sharp scream echoed from afar, prompting all three to look up simultaneously.
Recognizing the voice, He Lanshan called out loudly, "Feiyao?!"
With no response, He Lanshan hurried forward, Jiang Hong filled with worry followed suit, while Lu Xiu kept a steady pace, insisting Jiang Hong stay by his side.
"Are you tired?" Lu Xiu noted Jiang Hong's fatigue.
Jiang Hong replied, "Yeah... a bit."
It was already two in the morning, and Jiang Hong was struggling to stay awake, yet he persevered.
Lu Xiu offered, "I could transform into a dragon and carry you."
Jiang Hong objected, "The cave is too small, you might get stuck. Let's just walk."
Lu Xiu didn't insist, knowing that a dragon crawling around in a cave wasn't only unsightly but also likely to cause Jiang Hong to bump his head.
Suddenly energized, Jiang Hong curiously asked, "Every time you transform into a dragon, it lasts only a few minutes. Can you take a breath and transform again immediately after?"
Lu Xiu was silent.
Sometimes Lu Xiu really didn't know where Jiang Hong came up with such peculiar questions.
"No," Lu Xiu replied coolly. "After a full five minutes of transformation, I must wait twelve hours. Otherwise, what's the point of this seal?"
Jiang Hong inquired, "Who sealed you?"
Lu Xiu didn't answer.
Jiang Hong asked, "Why were you sealed?"
Lu Xiu casually remarked, "They feared I would destroy the world."
Jiang Hong burst into laughter, "Hahaha—"
Lu Xiu asked, "You think I wouldn't do it?"
Jiang Hong hesitated, "Uh... you're not that bored, right?"
Lu Xiu said, "It depends on my mood."
Jiang Hong commented, "You're a gentle dragon."
Lu Xiu remained silent.
Jiang Hong attempted to climb again, but the cave's entrance was too low. He almost hit his head when he jumped up and decided to give up. After walking a short distance, the terrain gradually flattened and then descended, prompting Jiang Hong to quicken his pace.
A breeze blew in, revealing a massive underground cavern with stalactites. An underground stream flowed into the area, pouring into a deep pit, significantly dimming the light.
"What is this place?" Jiang Hong exclaimed in shock.
Before them was a strange underground temple, built of stone. Ancient tile bowls and jars were scattered around, as if someone had lived here. The main entrance was sealed with rubble.
Lu Xiu surveyed the surroundings. Yang Feiyao sat on a rock, rubbing her ankle, while Chen Shun kept her company. He Lan Shan's hands glowed as he circled to the back of the temple, starting to explore it.
"Sorry, I accidentally sprained my ankle just now," Yang Feiyao said, a bit embarrassed.
Lu Xiu waved his hand to indicate it was okay. He Lan Shan asked, "Teacher Lu, what do you think this is?"
Lu Xiu stepped forward, and He Lan Shan pushed open the temple's rear door. Jiang Hong followed, peeking around.
"Is it very unusual?" Jiang Hong noticed Lu Xiu's grave expression.
"Extremely unusual," He Lan Shan muttered. "A reverse geothermal well three thousand meters underground, and a temple too?"
Yang Feiyao added, "And there were people living here."
Lu Xiu kicked open the temple door and stepped inside. In the central courtyard, nine coffins were arranged haphazardly.
Jiang Hong: "........................."
Jiang Hong, upon seeing the coffins, immediately felt his hair stand on end.
He Lan Shan walked up to a coffin and was about to push the lid open when Jiang Hong bristled and said, "Can... can we not open it? It's so scary!"
Lu Xiu: "I'll accompany you outside."
"No... no need," Jiang Hong replied, "You stay here, I'll go find them."
Without daring to look back, Jiang Hong walked straight out of the temple, clutching an amulet tightly in his hand.
Just then, he suddenly heard Chen Shun and Yang Feiyao talking outside the temple. Jiang Hong exited through the temple's back door and was just around the corner from them – out of sight, but within earshot.
"Don't mess with Lu Xiu," Chen Shun said, "We're not his match right now."
Jiang Hong was about to turn the corner when he heard this conversation and instinctively felt something was amiss, stopping in his tracks.
Yang Feiyao suggested, "Maybe we could try something with that He family kid."
Chen Shun: "Forget it, we've already completed our task today. Let's not complicate things further."
Jiang Hong's heart started racing. What were they talking about?
"Can you distract Lu Xiu?" Yang Feiyao asked.
"Shh, keep your voice down," Chen Shun seemed to be observing the situation inside the temple and spoke in a lower tone, "In case they suddenly come out..."
Yang Feiyao: "Both of them are powerful demons. If they do come out, they'll definitely sense it. Don't worry, it's very safe."
Chen Shun interjected, "Forget it, did you forget to explain something?"
Yang Feiyao laughed, her laughter piercing in the quiet surroundings.
Jiang Hong fell silent.
Jiang Hong quickly realized the danger. At this moment, he definitely couldn't go out, or he would surely be suspected.
So, he slowly backed away, being very careful not to knock over any bottles or jars, keen to avoid the clichéd scene from movies where something clatters loudly, which would be really foolish.
As he turned around, he indeed knocked over a bottle.
Ahhhhh!!
As Jiang Hong rushed in alarm to steady it, a thunderous boom erupted from the temple! The falling bottle and the loud noise from inside the temple happened simultaneously, masking the sound Jiang Hong had made.
He immediately turned and ran towards the temple's back door. In a flash, the surrounding wall was blasted open, and Lu Xiu leaped out, scooping up Jiang Hong in his arms, flipping onto the cave wall and then leaping through the air to land safely.
He Lanshan also jumped out, almost simultaneously shouting, "Teacher Lu! Hold back! This cave could collapse! We could be buried underneath!"
Jiang Hong exclaimed, "Lu Xiu! Just now I..."
Lu Xiu interrupted, "Get to the corner!"
Before he could finish, a massive stone figure burst out of the temple, roaring furiously and charging wildly. The centipede demon reappeared, perched atop the stone figure's head, controlling it with a black iron chain in its jaws, like reins, charging towards them!
Jiang Hong dashed behind a stalagmite for cover. As the cave shook, stalactites from the ceiling fell, forcing him to dodge both the stone figure and the falling 'hidden weapons', while also keeping an eye on Yang Feiyao and Chen Shun.
He Lanshan transformed into a crane, gracefully soaring above the stone figure, then reverted to human form, grappling the centipede demon with Crane Fist, dragging it down, and flinging it against the cave wall.
Lu Xiu raised a hand, and the broken stalagmites rose from the ground, then, with a flick of his wrist, they flew towards the centipede demon like hundreds of shooting stars, encircling it to form a cage, pinning it against the wall, trapping it.
"Ahhh!" Jiang Hong screamed.
On the back of the stone figure, Jiang Hong grabbed the iron chain, nearly getting thrown off.
Lu Xiu remained silent.
Struggling to stand firm, Jiang Hong felt like he was riding a wild bull, being tossed around as he yelled, "This big guy is too hard to control!"
"How did you get up there?" Lu Xiu couldn't believe his eyes.
"I don't know!" Jiang Hong shouted back, "Get me down from here!"
Jiang Hong, dragging the iron chain and shifting to the side, seemed to be controlling it. Lu Xiu, standing in front, yelled, "On the count of three, jump!"
As Lu Xiu raised his hand, ready to unleash a dragon spell, Jiang Hong panicked and shouted, "Don't! If I fall from this height, I'll break my bones!"
In the next instant, the half-crazed stone figure, under Jiang Hong's haphazard control, charged towards Lu Xiu.
The very next moment, as the stone figure crashed into the cave wall, Lu Xiu leaped up, flipped in mid-air, grabbed Jiang Hong's collar, and yanked him off the stone figure's head.
The stone figure, reeling from the impact with a thunderous crash, turned around only to be struck by a dragon language blast from Lu Xiu, shattering into countless fragments and disintegrating.
"Phew—" Jiang Hong, who had been nearly dozing off, was now completely alert.
"I think I just tried to find a place to jump onto, but I slipped and somehow grabbed an iron chain..."
Jiang Hong was still explaining, but Lu Xiu signaled it wasn't necessary anymore, it wasn't important now.
"It was hiding in one of the coffins," He Lanshan explained to them. "It was my carelessness for not being prepared in advance."
Yang Feiyao, still nursing a slightly sprained foot, gratefully said, "Thanks to both of you, we can finally report back."
Chen Shun followed with a few claps of his hands, and Yang Feiyao took out an empty perfume bottle, aiming its mouth towards the stalagmite-constructed cage.
Her long hair fluttering, she began the demon-capturing ritual. As dazzling light was absorbed into the perfume bottle, a tiny, writhing centipede appeared within the transparent container.
Yang Feiyao capped the bottle and thanked them.
Meeting Jiang Hong's complex gaze, Yang Feiyao seemed slightly surprised. Jiang Hong quickly smiled and looked away.
"Let's head back," He Lanshan said. "It's almost dawn."
Activating the Dragon Escape Tree, everyone ascended back to the surface.
Jiang Hong remained somewhat suspicious, but he knew this wasn't the time to speak of what he had heard. He Lanshan, however, noticed Jiang Hong's silence.
"What's wrong?" He Lanshan asked.
Lu Xiu answered for Jiang Hong, "He's tired."
Jiang Hong hummed in agreement. When they returned to the surface, they were on a street about five or six kilometers from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Sanitation workers were already cleaning the streets.
Lu Xiu, too indifferent to say goodbye to the others, led Jiang Hong back to their hotel.
Jiang Hong was still observing Yang Feiyao, and seeing her looking at him, he smiled and said, "Senior, we'll have supper together next time."
Yang Feiyao, taken aback at first, then smiled and responded, "Sure, when we're back at school, I'll treat you to supper again, I remember."
Chapter 24: Earth Vein
The Great Tang Midnight Palace was in chaos. Many bathers thought there had been a natural gas explosion in the bathhouse and were quite scared. They rushed out wearing yukatas and towels, standing by the side of the road. In less than twenty minutes, reporters arrived with cameras, using the pretext of reporting to film the male bodies on the street from various angles.
Jiang Hong had Chen Shun's arm draped over his shoulder, stumbling out. While he was looking around for Yang Fei Yao, she appeared on her own.
"Let me take a look, what happened to him?" Yang Fei Yao helped Jiang Hong move Chen Shun to an alley across the street and asked, "How is that centipede demon?"
Jiang Hong explained what had happened, and Yang Fei Yao was quite frustrated that they had let it escape in the end. She was wearing a dress, and it seemed like she hadn't taken a bath. Jiang Hong asked, "Where were you just now?"
Yang Fei Yao replied, "I was looking for that artifact we needed to reclaim."
She opened her handbag, took out a blister pack of medicine, tore open the foil, and gave one to Chen Shun. Jiang Hong said, "Let me help him get dressed first."
Yang Fei Yao turned around, and Jiang Hong began to dress Chen Shun. Yang Fei Yao added, "He Lan Shan is the natural enemy of the centipede. He should be able to capture it."
"Did you find the artifact?" Jiang Hong asked.
"Yes, I did." Yang Fei Yao took out a bronze ring from her bag and showed it to Jiang Hong. "See?"
Perhaps because Yang Fei Yao was an exorcist, Jiang Hong felt quite comfortable around her, and Yang Fei Yao didn't avoid him either because he was brought by Lu Xiu.
However, Jiang Hong didn't dare to take the artifact casually, fearing he might do something wrong. He just glanced at it in the dim light. The artifact was named "Dragon Escape Chrysanthemum," but it didn't look anything like a "chrysanthemum" or "stake." It was covered in seal characters.
"Can it burrow underground?" Jiang Hong asked curiously.
Yang Fei Yao replied, "Yes, once Chen Shun feels better, we can go look for them together. With this artifact, going underground will be much easier."
Chen Shun's complexion had improved significantly. Yang Fei Yao didn't pay much attention to him and was quickly sending messages in the dark alley.
"Our colleagues from Xi'an's Exorcist Association said they headed towards the Big Wild Goose Pagoda," Yang Fei Yao said. "Chen Shun, are you feeling better?"
Chen Shun got up, and he seemed to be back to normal. He nodded and said, "Much better."
Yang Fei Yao said, "Let's go then."
Jiang Hong hesitated for a few seconds about whether to go with them, but since there were two exorcists, and he could summon Lu Xiu if needed, there shouldn't be any danger. This was a chance to witness how exorcists captured demons, which would be beneficial for his studies. Lu Xiu had brought him here with this in mind.
So, the two exorcists each scanned a shared electric scooter and drove towards the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
Jiang Hong rode a shared electric scooter and complained from behind, "They're already capturing demons. Why can't they just fly over?"
"We don't have flying artifacts, and we're not like your teacher, Lu," Yang Fei Yao replied, glancing back. "How would we fly?"
Yang Fei Yao said, "Flying in the city's airspace would result in disciplinary action. If too many people see us, it would be hard to explain."
Riding halfway, he had to stop and wait for the traffic light, and Jiang Hong thought it was quite annoying.
"So, big sister, what should we do about the bathhouse?" Jiang Hong asked again.
"Their exorcist colleagues from Xi'an have gone to deal with it," Yang Fei Yao replied with a smile. "What year are you in? You look quite handsome. I'm your senior from the same university."
"Freshman," Jiang Hong happily replied. "No senior is as handsome as you."
Yang Fei Yao smirked and said, "That's true."
Chen Shun scowled and looked Jiang Hong up and down, his expression seemed to say: "How can you know nothing?"
Jiang Hong knew that Chen Shun was not pleased that he hadn't done anything in the bathhouse, but hey, I saved your life! If it weren't for me, you'd be without a head right now.
"After graduating from Cang University, I interned at the Xi'an Exorcist Association for half a year before coming to Beijing," Yang Fei Yao continued. "Have you been to Xi'an Exorcist Association?"
Jiang Hong replied, "No, I haven't. It's probably not open to outsiders, right? But I've been to the Chongqing Exorcist Association, it's amazing!"
Yang Fei Yao winked mysteriously and said, "I'll tell you a secret, ride a shared bicycle, start from Anyuan Gate, and the 147th brick on the city wall is the door's secret code. When you have free time, you can come to Xi'an Exorcist Association to play, right? Chen Shun?"
Jiang Hong asked, "What's there to play?"
Yang Fei Yao said, "There's a shop at the entrance that sells magical artifacts, and occasionally, there's an internal calligraphy and painting exhibition. Our director is a great chess player, known as the Chess Sage. If you can beat him, you might win one of his prizes."
Jiang Hong replied, "Well, I'm pretty sure I won't win against him."
While passing the red light, Yang Fei Yao said again, "Later, I'll treat you all to supper as a thank you. Let's go for skewers."
Jiang Hong replied, "Sure!"
When they arrived outside the Big Wild Goose Pagoda on their electric bikes, Yang Fei Yao bent down slightly, as if carefully examining the ground for traces. Chen Shun said, "They went towards the garden behind."
Jiang Hong had been following closely behind Yang Fei Yao. It was already eleven at night, and the lights in the square had been turned off, leaving only a few young people playing skateboards.
A whistle sounded not far away, and He Lanshan and Lu Xiu, hiding in the darkness, revealed themselves.
Chen Shun asked, "Did you catch it?"
He Lanshan's hair was still slightly damp, and he was discussing something with Lu Xiu. When the three of them arrived, they fell silent. He Lanshan replied, "It escaped, but before burrowing underground, I added a marker. Should we continue the pursuit or let it go?"
Lu Xiu waved his hand, indicating for Jiang Hong to come over and checked him for injuries. He found none.
Yang Fei Yao hesitated for a very short moment and said, "It's been living underground for a long time and may have some information related to the chaotic underground veins... Before coming here, the Exorcist Association asked me to try to bring it back for questioning."
Lu Xiu placed a hand on Jiang Hong's shoulder and didn't say anything, just observing.
Chen Shun said, "On our side, we're just here to support Fei Yao."
He Lanshan asked, "If we go deeper, we'll need the Dragon Escape Bamboo. Did you find it?"
Yang Fei Yao immediately opened her handbag and handed the artifact to He Lanshan.
He Lanshan exchanged a look with Lu Xiu, who then looked at Jiang Hong, pointed to the ground, raised an eyebrow, and indicated, "Are you willing to go?"
Jiang Hong said, "Of course! Wherever you go, I'll follow!"
He Lanshan carefully examined the magical artifact, then raised his hand and chanted a few incantations in a peculiar dialect, reminiscent of ancient Chinese official speech.
With a hum, the bronze ring above their heads expanded, enveloping them, and then descended like an observation elevator, emitting a faint light, encasing them in a cylindrical barrier.
Jiang Hong looked down in amazement, feeling as if he were sinking in an elevator.
In an instant, the ground became transparent, as if entering a submarine, revealing another world pulsating with light below them, filled with rivers and streams.
Jiang Hong exclaimed, "Wow!"
Lu Xiu also looked surprised, and all five of them gazed down at their feet.
Yang Feiyao, extremely astonished, said, "This is my first time seeing this too."
He Lanshan commented, "With Anjie obtaining this artifact, research progress should be swift."
Lu Xiu explained to Jiang Hong, "The light beneath your feet represents the planet's veins, known as earth veins. Earth veins usually run about three thousand meters below us."
"That deep!" Jiang Hong wondered if mining in the real world could accidentally disturb these earth veins.
Lu Xiu added, "However, earth veins occasionally converge near the surface at certain points, known as 'nodes,' also referred to as Feng Shui dragon veins."
He Lanshan joked, "Is this an off-campus practical teaching lesson by Professor Lu?"
Jiang Hong laughed, while Lu Xiu remained expressionless.
"The flow of earth veins isn't linear but winding, and their depth varies."
As the Dunlong Zhu continued to descend, Lu Xiu further explained in the tranquility, "Like rivers bending, occasionally they will..."
Jiang Hong interjected, "Cause an overflow of spiritual energy!"
Lu Xiu nodded in agreement, and Jiang Hong said, "So these places are Feng Shui treasures, suitable for cultivation."
Lu Xiu: "Correct."
He Lanshan added, "The nearest node to here is the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda."
Jiang Hong said, "I'm amazed that the earth is transparent, just like seawater."
Looking up again, the real world above with its colorful cityscape had receded into the distance, leaving behind a structure resembling a CAD blueprint of foundations and rivers.
"This is the effect of the magical artifact," Yang Feiyao explained, "Even mystical beasts with the power to traverse underground don't have this ability."
The ceaseless flow of underground energy drew closer, and He Lanshan raised two fingers, pointing westward.
"It has fled five kilometers away," He Lanshan stated, "The marker has disappeared. We can only track it this far."
Lu Xiu: "Let's find a suitable place to land first."
He Lanshan expanded the Dunlong Zhu, making the surrounding space recede. Jiang Hong stepped onto the uneven ground again as they landed on the bank of an underground river of energy, bathed in dazzling light.
The "river" emitted a soft blue-white glow, which became gentle after getting used to it. He Lanshan then handed the Dunlong Zhu back to Yang Feiyao.
"Let's follow this path," He Lanshan said, "Wu Xiaoen has already stopped."
Surrounded by silence, Jiang Hong was very curious about the river next to them. He looked at Lu Xiu, seemingly wanting to ask a question, and Lu Xiu signaled him to go ahead.
"What is inside this?" Jiang Hong asked.
"Energy," Lu Xiu replied, "the planet's lifeblood."
Jiang Hong asked, "I mean, what kind of energy? Electrical? Chemical?"
"That's difficult to answer," He Lanshan responded for Lu Xiu, "It's a focus of research. The magnetic field can contain it. Exorcists believe that the same type of particle flows through the earth's veins, temporarily referred to as 'Aether'."
Seeing Jiang Hong's confusion, Lu Xiu reassured, "Touching it won't harm you."
Jiang Hong really wanted to try reaching his hand in, but then thought better of it, deciding not to. After all, Lu Xiu was a dragon, and even if he was electrocuted, he probably wouldn't feel it. A human touching a high-voltage wire would be fatal.
Chen Shun said, "Fei Yao, let's go ahead and scout the path first."
Yang Feiyao nodded, and the two proceeded forward. Lu Xiu, taking care to accommodate Jiang Hong, walked slowly, and He Lanshan kept pace with them.
"Is cultivation just about absorbing it?" Jiang Hong asked curiously.
"You can't cultivate directly with it," Lu Xiu explained. "You would be overwhelmed, just like electrolytes need to be diluted before consumption. For most beasts, the energy from the earth's veins that seeps to the surface is already sufficient."
He Lanshan added, "Excessively pure energy can cause irreversible mutations in the bodies of the demon race."
Jiang Hong nodded, understanding. His own chakras were fractured, making cultivation impossible for him; his question was purely out of curiosity.
"Teacher Lu?" He Lanshan suddenly spoke up again.
Lu Xiu responded with a questioning look.
He Lanshan said, "If I'm not mistaken, Yang Feiyao isn't one of An Jie's confidants."
Lu Xiu replied indifferently, "I'm not concerned with the internal affairs of your demon-hunting committee."
After thinking for a moment, He Lanshan said, "She should have been transferred from Dou Kuan's division to An Jie's department."
Lu Xiu remained silent, and He Lanshan, as if talking to himself, continued, "In recent years, the rivalry between Dou Kuan and An Jie has been intense. An Jie clearly dislikes the Cangqiong faction, especially Cao Bin..."
Lu Xiu stayed silent, and Jiang Hong, not understanding He Lanshan's point, just listened quietly.
"I heard," He Lanshan continued, "that An Jie competed with Cao Bin for the position of vice-chancellor at Cangqiong University. An Jie lost, and that's led to his strong prejudice against this side..."
Before the words had fully left his mouth, a sharp scream echoed from afar, prompting all three to look up simultaneously.
Recognizing the voice, He Lanshan called out loudly, "Feiyao?!"
With no response, He Lanshan hurried forward, Jiang Hong filled with worry followed suit, while Lu Xiu kept a steady pace, insisting Jiang Hong stay by his side.
"Are you tired?" Lu Xiu noted Jiang Hong's fatigue.
Jiang Hong replied, "Yeah... a bit."
It was already two in the morning, and Jiang Hong was struggling to stay awake, yet he persevered.
Lu Xiu offered, "I could transform into a dragon and carry you."
Jiang Hong objected, "The cave is too small, you might get stuck. Let's just walk."
Lu Xiu didn't insist, knowing that a dragon crawling around in a cave wasn't only unsightly but also likely to cause Jiang Hong to bump his head.
Suddenly energized, Jiang Hong curiously asked, "Every time you transform into a dragon, it lasts only a few minutes. Can you take a breath and transform again immediately after?"
Lu Xiu was silent.
Sometimes Lu Xiu really didn't know where Jiang Hong came up with such peculiar questions.
"No," Lu Xiu replied coolly. "After a full five minutes of transformation, I must wait twelve hours. Otherwise, what's the point of this seal?"
Jiang Hong inquired, "Who sealed you?"
Lu Xiu didn't answer.
Jiang Hong asked, "Why were you sealed?"
Lu Xiu casually remarked, "They feared I would destroy the world."
Jiang Hong burst into laughter, "Hahaha—"
Lu Xiu asked, "You think I wouldn't do it?"
Jiang Hong hesitated, "Uh... you're not that bored, right?"
Lu Xiu said, "It depends on my mood."
Jiang Hong commented, "You're a gentle dragon."
Lu Xiu remained silent.
Jiang Hong attempted to climb again, but the cave's entrance was too low. He almost hit his head when he jumped up and decided to give up. After walking a short distance, the terrain gradually flattened and then descended, prompting Jiang Hong to quicken his pace.
A breeze blew in, revealing a massive underground cavern with stalactites. An underground stream flowed into the area, pouring into a deep pit, significantly dimming the light.
"What is this place?" Jiang Hong exclaimed in shock.
Before them was a strange underground temple, built of stone. Ancient tile bowls and jars were scattered around, as if someone had lived here. The main entrance was sealed with rubble.
Lu Xiu surveyed the surroundings. Yang Feiyao sat on a rock, rubbing her ankle, while Chen Shun kept her company. He Lan Shan's hands glowed as he circled to the back of the temple, starting to explore it.
"Sorry, I accidentally sprained my ankle just now," Yang Feiyao said, a bit embarrassed.
Lu Xiu waved his hand to indicate it was okay. He Lan Shan asked, "Teacher Lu, what do you think this is?"
Lu Xiu stepped forward, and He Lan Shan pushed open the temple's rear door. Jiang Hong followed, peeking around.
"Is it very unusual?" Jiang Hong noticed Lu Xiu's grave expression.
"Extremely unusual," He Lan Shan muttered. "A reverse geothermal well three thousand meters underground, and a temple too?"
Yang Feiyao added, "And there were people living here."
Lu Xiu kicked open the temple door and stepped inside. In the central courtyard, nine coffins were arranged haphazardly.
Jiang Hong: "........................."
Jiang Hong, upon seeing the coffins, immediately felt his hair stand on end.
He Lan Shan walked up to a coffin and was about to push the lid open when Jiang Hong bristled and said, "Can... can we not open it? It's so scary!"
Lu Xiu: "I'll accompany you outside."
"No... no need," Jiang Hong replied, "You stay here, I'll go find them."
Without daring to look back, Jiang Hong walked straight out of the temple, clutching an amulet tightly in his hand.
Just then, he suddenly heard Chen Shun and Yang Feiyao talking outside the temple. Jiang Hong exited through the temple's back door and was just around the corner from them – out of sight, but within earshot.
"Don't mess with Lu Xiu," Chen Shun said, "We're not his match right now."
Jiang Hong was about to turn the corner when he heard this conversation and instinctively felt something was amiss, stopping in his tracks.
Yang Feiyao suggested, "Maybe we could try something with that He family kid."
Chen Shun: "Forget it, we've already completed our task today. Let's not complicate things further."
Jiang Hong's heart started racing. What were they talking about?
"Can you distract Lu Xiu?" Yang Feiyao asked.
"Shh, keep your voice down," Chen Shun seemed to be observing the situation inside the temple and spoke in a lower tone, "In case they suddenly come out..."
Yang Feiyao: "Both of them are powerful demons. If they do come out, they'll definitely sense it. Don't worry, it's very safe."
Chen Shun interjected, "Forget it, did you forget to explain something?"
Yang Feiyao laughed, her laughter piercing in the quiet surroundings.
Jiang Hong fell silent.
Jiang Hong quickly realized the danger. At this moment, he definitely couldn't go out, or he would surely be suspected.
So, he slowly backed away, being very careful not to knock over any bottles or jars, keen to avoid the clichéd scene from movies where something clatters loudly, which would be really foolish.
As he turned around, he indeed knocked over a bottle.
Ahhhhh!!
As Jiang Hong rushed in alarm to steady it, a thunderous boom erupted from the temple! The falling bottle and the loud noise from inside the temple happened simultaneously, masking the sound Jiang Hong had made.
He immediately turned and ran towards the temple's back door. In a flash, the surrounding wall was blasted open, and Lu Xiu leaped out, scooping up Jiang Hong in his arms, flipping onto the cave wall and then leaping through the air to land safely.
He Lanshan also jumped out, almost simultaneously shouting, "Teacher Lu! Hold back! This cave could collapse! We could be buried underneath!"
Jiang Hong exclaimed, "Lu Xiu! Just now I..."
Lu Xiu interrupted, "Get to the corner!"
Before he could finish, a massive stone figure burst out of the temple, roaring furiously and charging wildly. The centipede demon reappeared, perched atop the stone figure's head, controlling it with a black iron chain in its jaws, like reins, charging towards them!
Jiang Hong dashed behind a stalagmite for cover. As the cave shook, stalactites from the ceiling fell, forcing him to dodge both the stone figure and the falling 'hidden weapons', while also keeping an eye on Yang Feiyao and Chen Shun.
He Lanshan transformed into a crane, gracefully soaring above the stone figure, then reverted to human form, grappling the centipede demon with Crane Fist, dragging it down, and flinging it against the cave wall.
Lu Xiu raised a hand, and the broken stalagmites rose from the ground, then, with a flick of his wrist, they flew towards the centipede demon like hundreds of shooting stars, encircling it to form a cage, pinning it against the wall, trapping it.
"Ahhh!" Jiang Hong screamed.
On the back of the stone figure, Jiang Hong grabbed the iron chain, nearly getting thrown off.
Lu Xiu remained silent.
Struggling to stand firm, Jiang Hong felt like he was riding a wild bull, being tossed around as he yelled, "This big guy is too hard to control!"
"How did you get up there?" Lu Xiu couldn't believe his eyes.
"I don't know!" Jiang Hong shouted back, "Get me down from here!"
Jiang Hong, dragging the iron chain and shifting to the side, seemed to be controlling it. Lu Xiu, standing in front, yelled, "On the count of three, jump!"
As Lu Xiu raised his hand, ready to unleash a dragon spell, Jiang Hong panicked and shouted, "Don't! If I fall from this height, I'll break my bones!"
In the next instant, the half-crazed stone figure, under Jiang Hong's haphazard control, charged towards Lu Xiu.
The very next moment, as the stone figure crashed into the cave wall, Lu Xiu leaped up, flipped in mid-air, grabbed Jiang Hong's collar, and yanked him off the stone figure's head.
The stone figure, reeling from the impact with a thunderous crash, turned around only to be struck by a dragon language blast from Lu Xiu, shattering into countless fragments and disintegrating.
"Phew—" Jiang Hong, who had been nearly dozing off, was now completely alert.
"I think I just tried to find a place to jump onto, but I slipped and somehow grabbed an iron chain..."
Jiang Hong was still explaining, but Lu Xiu signaled it wasn't necessary anymore, it wasn't important now.
"It was hiding in one of the coffins," He Lanshan explained to them. "It was my carelessness for not being prepared in advance."
Yang Feiyao, still nursing a slightly sprained foot, gratefully said, "Thanks to both of you, we can finally report back."
Chen Shun followed with a few claps of his hands, and Yang Feiyao took out an empty perfume bottle, aiming its mouth towards the stalagmite-constructed cage.
Her long hair fluttering, she began the demon-capturing ritual. As dazzling light was absorbed into the perfume bottle, a tiny, writhing centipede appeared within the transparent container.
Yang Feiyao capped the bottle and thanked them.
Meeting Jiang Hong's complex gaze, Yang Feiyao seemed slightly surprised. Jiang Hong quickly smiled and looked away.
"Let's head back," He Lanshan said. "It's almost dawn."
Activating the Dragon Escape Tree, everyone ascended back to the surface.
Jiang Hong remained somewhat suspicious, but he knew this wasn't the time to speak of what he had heard. He Lanshan, however, noticed Jiang Hong's silence.
"What's wrong?" He Lanshan asked.
Lu Xiu answered for Jiang Hong, "He's tired."
Jiang Hong hummed in agreement. When they returned to the surface, they were on a street about five or six kilometers from the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Sanitation workers were already cleaning the streets.
Lu Xiu, too indifferent to say goodbye to the others, led Jiang Hong back to their hotel.
Jiang Hong was still observing Yang Feiyao, and seeing her looking at him, he smiled and said, "Senior, we'll have supper together next time."
Yang Feiyao, taken aback at first, then smiled and responded, "Sure, when we're back at school, I'll treat you to supper again, I remember."
