Dongting Immortal Clan

The main room was quiet; you could even hear the chicks pecking at rice in the yard.

Chen Chuansheng left the rough pottery teacup on the table for a long time without moving it.

Old Zhang was also deep in thought, holding his pipe in his hand as if deep in contemplation.

After a long while, Old Zhang finally spoke slowly, his voice low:

"If it's true that Shen Congyun knew about it but didn't report it... this matter is really troublesome."

He paused, then looked up at Chen Changhe:

"But we don't know whether this was his own idea or Master Zhou's idea."

Chen Chuansheng frowned. He knew very little about cultivation, and at this moment, he felt a heavy weight in his heart.

"Changhe, what exactly is this 'spiritual energy' you just mentioned?"

Chen Changhe didn't reply, but simply opened his right palm, and a silvery-white magical power rose from his palm.

As it flowed, it gradually transformed into a fist-sized, colorful halo.

The halo was a mixture of colors, exuding a restless and violent aura. Chen Changhe was just supporting himself like that, but it already made Chen Chuansheng, who was sitting nearby, feel slightly uncomfortable and instinctively wanted to lean back.

"When spiritual energy is blocked or deliberately disturbed by external forces, it becomes a spiritual evil."

Chen Changhe stared at the illusion in his palm, his voice calm:

"This substance is still formed from spiritual energy, but it has become more malevolent. If a cultivator accidentally inhales it, it will cause damage to their meridians at best, and complete destruction of their foundation at worst."

He clenched his fingers, and the halo vanished silently.

"That thing in Zhoujia Village was definitely not formed naturally."

Old Zhang finally brought his pipe to his lips, lit it by the oil lamp, and took a deep drag.

After a long silence, he slowly spoke:

"Let's find out first. Even if it was Shen Congyun who did it... with Xiao Hu'er's connection, he might not dare to go too far."

Chen Xiaohu is now an inner disciple of the Immortal Sect and is almost certain to achieve Qi Refining.

If Shen Congyun really dares to do anything to the Chen family, then Shen needs to consider whether he can withstand Chen Xiaohu's wrath in the future.

"I know."

Chen Changhe did not relax, and calmly said, "If it's just Shen Congyun's personal greed, then it's easier to handle."

"I'm afraid... this matter may also involve Zhou Yan, or other cultivators."

"If that's the case, then it's troublesome."

"alright."

Chen Chuansheng shook his head, interrupting his son, and said with a hint of calmness:

"Don't panic. Since you recognize this thing, first investigate it carefully as your godfather said."

"Perhaps... it was just an unclaimed item, a false alarm."

Chen Changhe knew that his father was not a cultivator and could not truly understand the meaning of the words "spiritual evil".

When spiritual energy accumulates, it gives rise to malevolent spirits.

If this wasn't done intentionally, it means that a spiritual eye has appeared in Zhoujia Village.

If we go any further, we can generate spiritual veins.

The spiritual energy around Dongting Lake has been scarce for a long time, mainly because the underground spiritual veins have long been depleted.

"Being careful is never a bad thing."

Old Zhang tapped his cigarette ash, his expression displaying the caution of a seasoned veteran.

"The wonders of heaven and earth do not appear in the world for no reason. Once they are discovered, they will surely attract the envy of others."

"Shen Congyun will not be coming to the village for another seven days. During these seven days, you should go and explore the vicinity of Zhoujia Village carefully."

"If it is an unclaimed item, take it if you can; if you can't... then just pretend you don't know about it."

"We'll see how things go once Shen Congyun arrives."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Chen Chuansheng beside him before quickly returning to Chen Changhe.

"Your and Dalang's arrows can now hit a willow leaf from a hundred paces away."

"With a calculated strategy, even against a cultivator at the third realm, there might still be room for maneuver."

For the next few days, Chen Changhe stopped going out during the day and instead stayed in his courtyard to meditate and practice his magic.

The previously obscure and difficult operating methods became much smoother after he developed spiritual consciousness.

The magical power within his body was like a gentle stream, carrying the scent of endless life. With just a slight thought, he could readily employ all sorts of spells.

After nightfall, he and Chen Dajiang quietly went out together.

There is a low slope outside Zhoujia Village, which is the highest point and overlooks most of the village.

The two hid in the shadows of the trees on the slope and observed quietly.

……

The night was bright and the stars were few, so both of them changed into dark-colored short-sleeved outfits.

Chen Dajiang carried a hunting bow on his back, while Chen Changhe had a short sword at his waist.

A thin mist rose over Dongting Lake not far away, creating a hazy scene where the water met the sky.

The two avoided the main road and walked for about half an hour before arriving at the earthen slope.

The houses in Zhoujia Village were dark, with only one or two households still having their lights on.

"Big brother, you keep watch for me."

Chen Changhe said in a low voice, and sat down cross-legged on a blue stone.

Chen Changhe sat down on a rock, his magical power surging as he activated a technique called "Bright Eyes Technique," which allowed him to see clearly at night and also to perceive changes in spiritual energy.

He planned to use the spirit-detecting technique to pinpoint the exact location of the evil spirit by observing the direction in which the surrounding spiritual energy was dissipating.

As the warm magical energy flowed through his brow, he opened his eyes again, and the surrounding scenery became much clearer.

At first, the village remained quiet and peaceful, just like any other day.

But as he used his spirit-detecting technique, his senses spread out like ripples, and he immediately noticed the change.

Above Zhoujia Village, a colorful "smoke column" appeared, resembling mist yet not mist, like light and haze, slowly swirling and flowing.

The aura was chaotic and restless, a clear sign of malevolent spirits.

Chen Changhe's heart trembled slightly, and he whispered:

"This phenomenon... is somewhat similar to when the 'small cauldron' absorbed the moonlight."

Chen Changhe's heart inexplicably started beating faster, and a guess arose in his mind.

"Could it be that Zhoujia Village also hides a similar 'small cauldron,' or some other treasure?"

"Is it this object that altered the flow of spiritual energy in the surrounding area, causing this spiritual evil to accumulate?"

This was something he hadn't noticed before.

After calming himself down, Chen Changhe focused his gaze and carefully observed the movement of the spiritual energy pillars, deducing the flow of spiritual energy bit by bit.

Gradually, an invisible net, seemingly formed from spiritual energy, appeared before his eyes, enveloping the entire Zhoujia Village.

"There."

Chen Changhe's pupils contracted slightly, and his voice carried a hint of nervousness:

"It really is the direction of the Zhou family's old residence."

He can't be wrong.

When he wanted to redeem the paddy fields, the Zhou family's steward and hanger-on made sarcastic remarks.

Just as Chen Changhe wanted to get closer to take a look...

The swirling column of spiritual energy suddenly shrank inward, as if startled by something.

Immediately afterwards, a cold and fierce aura suddenly erupted from the depths of the Zhou family mansion, like an invisible cold wind that swept across the entire village in an instant.

Chen Changhe felt a chill run through his body, as if someone had poured a bucket of ice water over him from head to toe.

He suddenly leaped up from the rock and said to Chen Dajiang in a low voice:

"We've been discovered."

"Let's go!"

Chen Dajiang, who had his hand on the bowstring, immediately followed him down the hillside after hearing his words.

Instead of returning home directly, the two wandered around the wilderness outside Zhoujia Village several times.

Only when the chilling feeling that felt like thorns on his back completely dissipated did Chen Changhe breathe a sigh of relief.

Only after confirming that no one was following him did he return home.

……