Xiao Yunluo thought the salt in the courtyard was strange enough, but when she entered Pei Lengxue’s bedroom, she was taken aback by the chaotic scene inside.

All the windows in the room were covered with red paper inscribed with talismans, and red beans were scattered all over the floor, leaving her with no place to step.

And Pei Lengxue?

She was currently huddled in her bed, clutching a rooster she seemed to have found from somewhere. She was trembling, with several willow branches sticking out of her hair, as if she had just flown low through a willow grove.

Xiao Yunluo stood there for a while and finally couldn’t help but ask, “Lengxue?”

“Huh?!”

Pei Lengxue shrank and quickly held the rooster tighter.

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

The rooster seemed uncomfortable and let out a loud crow. Only after seeing it was Xiao Yunluo did Pei Lengxue release her grip on the rooster.

“Is that you, Yunluo?”

Xiao Yunluo tiptoed around the red beans on the floor and approached the bed.

“What are you doing?”

“Last night, I saw a ghost not far from here, in a bamboo grove. There’s a dismembered girl buried there, and I saw her ghost.”

“…A ghost?”

“Yeah… and I accidentally stepped on her.”

?

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yunluo’s eyes squinted into narrow slits, and her features all crowded into the center of her face, making her look like an old woman as she stared at Pei Lengxue.

The term “ghost” is typically used by ordinary people who are unaware of the existence of immortals and cultivators. When a cultivator’s life is nearing its end, their elemental soul will leave their body, and their consciousness becomes very faint. Sometimes, these elemental souls might drift and end up in a mortal town. If someone happens to see them, it spreads through word of mouth and becomes a “ghost” story.

In reality, most elemental souls that leave the body pose no threat. They are like eggs without shells, delicate and easily broken. These elemental souls wandering in the mortal world are quickly absorbed by the spiritual energy of the land, which is known as “returning to the dust.”

Furthermore, the Profound Star Sect is situated on the peak of Immortal Spirit Mountain. Even if an elemental soul were to drift here, it would be promptly guided and absorbed without ever entering the sect’s grounds.

Xiao Yunluo contemplated this for a moment. Could it be that one of the disciples from the Profound Star Sect had reached the end of their lifespan and passed away last night? Perhaps Pei Lengxue coincidentally witnessed it, but what about the dismembered body? Did some major incident occur in the Profound Star Sect in the past?

After a moment of silence, she looked at the rooster in Pei Lengxue’s arms, which appeared to have gone through a rough night.

“Why are you holding a rooster?”

“My Senior Brother once told me, ‘Six spirits vanquished, souls scattered; when the golden rooster crows, spirits and ghosts are alarmed.’ Ghosts are most afraid of the crowing of roosters. When they hear a rooster crow, they panic and flee.”

“So?”

“So, I just…”

Pei Lengxue tightened her arms, and the rooster in her embrace immediately let out a mournful cry, facing the sky.

Cock-a-doodle-doo—

Xiao Yunluo sighed. “Red beans, salt, and the willow branches on your head too?”

“Yeah, I heard it from a senior sister in Hundred Lotus Sect.”

“…”

Xiao Yunluo’s furrowed her brows, but seeing Pei Lengxue’s red eyes, which indicated she hadn’t slept all night due to fear, she thought for a moment and said, “Let’s go to the place where you saw the ghost last night and try to appease it. I’ve memorized some exorcist scriptures.”

“…Alright.”

“You said there was a girl who was… dismembered?”

“Yes.” Pei Lengxue nodded vigorously.

Xiao Yunluo pondered for a while, then continued, “If it’s really like that, it must have been a long time ago. First, let’s try to appease it. After that, I’ll inform the elder of Main Peak and have some Main Peak disciples come to investigate. In case it’s related to a past murder case- that’s not a small matter!”

“Alright- I’ll go prepare some things.”

“I’ll go back and get some supplies too.”

The two quickly agreed and went to prepare the necessary items. Then, they went together to the bamboo grove where Pei Lengxue had practiced her sword last night.

Peach wood swords, red talismans, red candles, coin swords, they even brought a high-quality purple-gold incense burner, a redwood table, and a cushion.

After setting up the altar, Pei Lengxue slaughtered the rooster, sprinkling its blood throughout the bamboo grove. Xiao Yunluo sat in front of the altar, chanting a scripture for blessings and longevity.

“As the Dao field matures and almsgiving takes shape, the abbot prays devoutly, offering incense- Just as the wild geese return, the lost souls shall not return.”

After reciting this verse five times, they both bowed and paid their respects.

“Rest in peace!”

… …

After working diligently for a while, it was time for the morning class at the Profound Star Sect. Soon, many Profound Star Sect disciples, enjoying their breakfast, flew in the direction of the academy.

Pei Lengxue also intended to bring breakfast to Ye Anping and took her leave first. Due to what Pei Lengxue had mentioned the previous night, Xiao Yunluo hesitated for a moment before catching up with her.

“Lengxue… um…”

“Hmm? What’s the matter?”

“Can I… go with you to see your Senior Brother? I’ve prepared some pastries- I want to apologize to him- about the last time at the healing center…”

Upon hearing this, Pei Lengxue suddenly became alert, and her brows furrowed into a “八” shape.

Seeing her expression, Xiao Yunluo hurriedly explained, “No- no, you’ve misunderstood. I have no intentions to pursue your Senior Brother. I just want to get to know him.”

“…Just want to get to know him?”

“Yes, I promise.”

Pei Lengxue hesitated for a moment and finally nodded. “Alright, then.”

After that, the two of them left the bamboo grove to change into different clothes.

As they had just left the bamboo grove, a barefoot girl approached the altar they had set up. Her footsteps made a soft “pat-pat” sound as she reached the freshly established altar.

“…”

“…”

“…”

The girl looked at the altar and the red beans and chicken blood scattered around it. The six points on her forehead seemed to blink like LED lights, shifting from left to right.

Quack—

After a while, there was a duck quack from above.

A golden-crowned tiger-striped parrot circled above the girl’s head for a while and then flew down, perching on her shoulder. The parrot fixed its gaze on the altar in front of the girl, tilted its head, and the six points on its forehead reappeared. It opened its beak and started to talk:

“Sacrificial spirit!! Filial piety!!”

The parrot’s loud voice echoed through the bamboo grove.

The girl took a deep breath. “How rude.”

The parrot chimed in, “Rude!! Rude!!”

“You too.”

With a wave of her hand, the girl launched the parrot like a projectile into a pile of bamboo leaves not far away, leaving only a few drifting feathers on her shoulder.

Then, the girl whispered, “Go take a look.”

“Take a look!! Take a look!!”

The tiger-striped parrot hopped out of the leaf pile, shook off the leaves clinging to its body, and then spread its wings to follow Pei Lengxue and Xiao Yunluo.

After it left, the girl stared at the altar for a while, crouched down, and took a piece of rice cake from the table, munching on it.

“Chew, chew…”

She chewed it twice, paused for a moment, and then swallowed.

Then, she reached out and took another piece.