However, there are no eternal feasts in the world. Even if Ye Tiancheng felt uncomfortable, he would try his best to tell the Jiang family's child, "When we become better and better, there will be a day when we reunite. Besides, the school you're going to is one I once sponsored through charity. I'll visit you whenever I have time."
Jiang Yunsheng hugged Ye Tiancheng's leg and refused to let go, "Brother Ye, you must remember to visit me. Let's pinky promise, and swear not to change for a hundred years."
He was truly a child, doing such a childish thing. But even though the child did something childish, Ye Tiancheng still found it quite interesting.
"Alright, then let's pinky promise and swear not to change for a hundred years."
Finally, after seeing off the Jiang family's grandparents, Ye Tiancheng and Lin Xue continued their journey and soon arrived at Dashicun. As soon as they arrived, Ye Tiancheng, without even a moment to rest, rushed to investigate what had been happening recently.
The events that had occurred in Dashicun indeed lacked any clear cause. People were dying inexplicably.
Perhaps to other cultivators, the lives of these ordinary people were insignificant. But to Ye Tiancheng, every person's life was precious. Therefore, he was determined that no problems should arise, and everyone's life should be protected to the best of his ability.
After investigating, before speaking to Liu Lanying, Ye Tiancheng had to organize his thoughts. If he made things sound too hopeless, Ye Tiancheng would worry that Liu Lanying wouldn't be able to accept it.
Therefore, before that, Ye Tiancheng needed to discuss it with Lin Xue. There was nothing to hide from his disciple, and they could speak directly, which was more straightforward.
"I didn't sense any dark energy, and that's the most terrifying part. These people had no symptoms, and then they were all gone. This is unreasonable. I must have overlooked something, but my mind is a mess right now, and I can't recall anything."
"Master, don't forget, although Ouyang Xuxu has quieted down, he's not dead yet. A centipede dies but its legs still twitch. That guy might still cause trouble, so we need to be extremely careful."
The mention of Ouyang Xuxu by Lin Xue indeed made a strong impression on Ye Tiancheng. Ye Tiancheng knew this person, and he was no ordinary individual. Even if he had temporarily disappeared, it didn't mean he wouldn't choose to reappear.
Ye Tiancheng even had a premonition that this person could appear from anywhere, which was quite normal. After all, Ouyang Xuxu was a person with immense ambition and wouldn't be easily defeated.
"I know to be careful, but Xue'er, that guy is elusive, like a dragon that shows its head but not its tail. Even searching for him now is impossible. Normal people would think Ouyang Xuxu is dead. Only those who disappear from the face of the earth are impossible to find. But now I realize that might not be the case. Perhaps a powerful force has been helping him hide, which might also be the reason he could disappear like this."
Ye Tiancheng already felt that Ouyang Xuxu still existed, but for now, he couldn't find any trace of him.
"Master, I also used my spiritual energy to investigate, but frighteningly, I found nothing either. It seems we need to talk to Liu Lanying about this. Liu Lanying is the village chief after all, and she should be able to gather a lot of information."
After discussing it, the two went to talk to Liu Lanying. It was known that Liu Lanying was already terrified and had completely broken through her psychological defenses. At this moment, the only one who could help her was herself.
Ye Tiancheng, being a man, couldn't say much and could only seek help from Lin Xue with his eyes. After all, they were both women, and it would be easier to communicate. Lin Xue appeared very mature and steady.
"Don't be afraid. Try to calm down. The terrible things you imagine won't happen. All of this is just your fear. You must believe that you can overcome fear."
This was the most brilliant move. While comforting Liu Lanying, Lin Xue could also use her true energy. With this dual approach, she finally managed to soothe Liu Lanying's anxiety and unease.
"I'm alright now, I feel much better." Liu Lanying's eyes finally became calm, unlike her initial panic and confusion, filled with unknown fear.
"It's good that you can think this way, Liu Lanying. You should trust my master, your Brother Ye. He can help you solve your problems."
After finally stabilizing completely, Liu Lanying could also recount what had happened. It turned out that the people who had died in the village were an elder over 70 years old and a handsome young man. Through Ye Tiancheng's questioning, it was discovered that both of them had been to Dashan Village, that mountainous area.
It was heard that the old man had gone to visit the grave of an old friend. As for the young man, it was said that he had argued with his family and run away from home.
The departure back then was not a farewell. Both of them had returned, but soon it was discovered that they had many strange behaviors, such as not sleeping at night, showing differences from normal people.
Later, they inexplicably developed many large swellings on their bodies. Those swellings were definitely not something ordinary people would develop. They looked terrifying, as if pus was about to ooze out, making people unbearable to look at.
"Brother Ye, something happened before, and they said that I, as the village chief, should go and take a look, and perhaps send them for medical treatment outside. I took a look at the pus-filled swellings on that person's body, and they were indeed oozing pus. It scared me to death. Even now, when I recall that scene, I still get goosebumps all over."
"Alright, don't think about those memories anymore. It won't do you any good, it will only make you more distressed. So, as time passes, you'll slowly forget. It's not that difficult, you can definitely forget it."
With Lin Xue once again using her spiritual energy to comfort Liu Lanying, another potential storm was quelled.
"It seems the problem lies in that chaotic mountain. I didn't think there was anything wrong with such a mountain before, but now I understand. There must be something unspeakable hidden in the mountains of Dashicun."
Ye Tiancheng made an immediate decision and then decided to go with Lin Xue to explore that mountain. Sitting in a warm room, everything was just wishful thinking. Those who could truly achieve something were always those who acted immediately upon having an idea.
"Brother Ye, you and Miss Xue, you must be careful. The entire village is in chaos now, and there's no way to organize discipline. I'm also very helpless."
"Liu Lanying, it is precisely because the village is in chaos that we must resolve this problem more quickly. Otherwise, the longer it drags on, the less beneficial it will be for you, and the problems will become more difficult to solve."
Ye Tiancheng had made up his mind. He could not let Liu Lanying continue to be bullied. Everything was too terrible now. Someone had to be the first bird to stop all this confusion.
After speaking, Ye Tiancheng and Liu Lanying set off. Dashicun was named Dashicun because of the many naturally formed, very large stones. That mountain was very difficult to climb, so almost no one would choose to challenge the impossible, even considering it foolish.
When Ye Tiancheng and Lin Xue arrived, they both found it extremely difficult to walk. There were so many large and small stones that it was overwhelming, making the path incredibly rugged.
Fortunately, with the help of Phoenix, all the large and small stones on the path were cleared. The two walked leisurely, their speed much faster than ordinary people trying to enter this mountain.
As they walked further in, they felt a very abnormal tremor. That feeling made their hearts pound with fear.
"Master, something's wrong. It should be that thing in the great mountain. It feels our presence and is now trying to retaliate. I think the situation is really not optimistic, and we need to be careful."
After Lin Xue spoke, she quickly told Phoenix to prepare. At this moment, they could only rely on Phoenix. If something were to happen at this time, whether Ye Tiancheng or Lin Xue made a move, it would consume too much of their energy. It was best to conserve their strength and let Phoenix appear first. Phoenix was a divine beast, rare for any cultivator in ten thousand years. Even if it had been injured before, its abilities were not to be underestimated.
Now, the master and disciple were no longer leisurely. As they walked, they kept observing their surroundings, as if only this could bring them a sliver of comfort, otherwise, they couldn't hold on. They didn't know when everything would collapse.
With a rumbling sound, the master and disciple looked up simultaneously. Countless giant rocks were rolling down from the sky. The size of those rocks was astonishing. If one were hit on the head, there was no need to think; their brains would likely be smashed out.
"Phoenix, help quickly!"
Usually, a single glance was enough, but Lin Xue was truly frightened and couldn't help but shout. The Phoenix was also very capable, flapping its wings and soaring high, with golden light emanating from both sides of its wings.
As a result, those giant rocks instantly shattered into powder and were quickly blown away by the wind.
"Fortunately, Phoenix is here. Otherwise, how could we have dealt with so many large stones at once? Master, I was worried that we, master and disciple, would be crushed flat."
What she said was not an exaggeration. With so many stones of various sizes rolling down, a normal person's first reaction would be that it was over. No one would think there was still a chance to escape this calamity.
"Your Phoenix is truly wonderful. If only it could stay with us forever. If it flies away someday, I will miss it."
After escaping the disaster, the master and disciple continued to walk further in. As they moved forward, they could feel the dark energy. While they were shocked, the heavy burden in their hearts had also been lifted.
At first, they were puzzled about what kind of situation had caused two villagers in Dashicun to die tragically, yet no dark energy could be detected on them. Was something else at play? But now that the presence of dark energy had appeared, they knew that nothing else was involved; it was all the work of that dark energy.
The master and disciple immediately reached a consensus. It seemed that this matter was inseparable from Ouyang Xuxu. He truly had a tenacious life, like a cockroach that couldn't be killed. With only the last breath left, he could still linger on.
Ye Tiancheng immediately made a decision. He had to capture that scoundrel Ouyang Xuxu and ensure he could no longer come out to wreak havoc on the human world.