The return of my master was incredibly moving.
His manner of appearance was beyond anything I could have anticipated.
At this moment, everyone’s emotions finally settled.
After the master and his martial uncle embraced, the latter spoke to the former:
“You old fool, what the hell are you doing, showing up and pulling Xiao Qin’s soul out.”
Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at the master, their faces etched with confusion.
The master turned back to me and said:
“The battle against the demons in the mortal realm this time, the Underworld is aware of it.
However, Yin and Yang have their order, each cycle linked to the next.
The calamities of the mortal realm must be resolved by the mortal realm itself.
If the Underworld interferes too much, it will lead to chaos between Yin and Yang, disrupting much of the karmic flow.
But, there are several malevolent souls being sought by the Underworld who are causing trouble within it.
In that case, the Underworld cannot simply stand by.
I have come up this time under the King’s command, to apprehend these wanted souls.”
As these words were spoken, my heart tightened suddenly.
Qing Dai, standing beside me, also frowned slightly.
Not only that, but even the Western Han Ghost Cavalry surrounding us tensed up.
They all raised their spears, and a cold aura instantly covered this area, with killing intent permeating the air.
The spectral horses whinnied, making “hoo hoo hoo” sounds.
To these ghost cavalry, they held no regard for my master.
If my master and the ghost messengers before them dared to harm Qing Dai, they would fight to the death with my master and the others.
The atmosphere grew heavy in an instant.
“Master…”
I spoke softly.
But my master raised his hand, signaling me to remain silent.
Then, he looked at Qing Dai next to me:
“However, your name is not on the list of wanted souls I am here to apprehend.”
Hearing this, I looked at my master with a rather peculiar expression.
Though he did not state it explicitly, it was obvious.
My master had come up this time to help us.
He was here to deal with the demonic cult, and he would turn a blind eye to Qing Dai, who was also being sought.
Upon hearing this, the killing intent emanating from the ghost soldiers gradually subsided.
However, they still regarded my master and the ghost messengers beside him with wariness.
Then, my master continued:
“At the same time, I cannot have contact with the members of the Daoist Alliance in the mortal realm. But, I, having been favored by the King below, received his permission to visit my family once.
Therefore, I orchestrated this, deliberately drawing out Qin’s soul.
Firstly, my master and disciple could meet and catch up.
Secondly, it allowed me to avoid the attention of many Daoist cultivators.
Thirdly, I brought some local specialties from below, but things from the Underworld are only for spirits to receive; the living cannot take them.”
After speaking, he spread his hands.
In his palm, a pure white and holy-looking strange flower appeared.
The flower had no leaves and floated in my master’s palm. The moment it appeared, it exuded an extremely potent aura of sanctity.
Everyone present widened their eyes upon seeing this flower.
Feeling that sacred aura was like bathing in a spring breeze.
“What is this?”
“Such powerful sanctity.”
“Did this flower truly bloom in the Netherworld?”
“…”
Everyone was surprised, unable to believe it.
The Netherworld was a place of cold and gloom, how could such a flower exist?
My master smiled without speaking.
The ghost messengers grinned, curling their lips into smiles.
But only Qing Dai, after observing for a moment, exclaimed in surprise:
“This, Mandarava?”
Upon hearing the four words, “Mandarava,” everyone gasped.
Only Old Mo, confused, asked:
“Martial Uncle, what kind of flower is Mandarava? Is there anything special about it?”
Xia Qiu Xi looked at his words, her eyes fixed, saying:
“Do you know the Other Shore flower? A white Other Shore flower is called Mandarava.”
“The, the Other Shore flower? Isn’t it said that Other Shore flowers are all red, growing by the Yellow Springs Road to greet ghosts? How can there be white ones too?”
Old Mo continued to question.
But this time, Qing Dai spoke:
“The red ones are called Manjushaka, flowers tainted by resentment. They are sown by Bodhisattvas by the Sanzu River to guide departed souls.
But its original color was white…”
As Qing Dai finished, my master also nodded and said:
“That’s right, this is the Underworld’s unique Other Shore flower. Only when it sheds its resentment and malice can it become Mandarava.
Therefore, among the myriad flowers in the Underworld, this flower is very rare.
The King bestowed this flower as a reward to me.
And I, in turn, treat this as a local specialty from the Underworld, and now present it to my only disciple in the human world, Qin Ze.”
Hearing this, everyone present changed their expressions.
My master did not say it directly, but there were implied meanings in his words.
In his first statement, my master said the Underworld knew of the mortal realm’s battle between good and evil, but the Underworld could not intervene.
Then he said he was favored by the King and was ordered to come to the mortal realm to apprehend wanted evil spirits.
But Qing Dai was not on the list.
Furthermore, the King gave him the unique Underworld Mandarava and allowed him to visit his family.
Then, my master presented this flower to me under the guise of a local specialty?
As long as one wasn't utterly foolish, it was clear that the Underworld wanted to use my master to give this to me.
For a moment, everyone looked at me.
My master then gently pushed the Mandarava in his hand forward.
The floating white Mandarava drifted directly towards me.
I looked at the approaching flower and was about to reach out to catch it.
But I found that the moment the flower touched my hand, it actually merged into my three souls and seven spirits.
For a moment, a peculiar energy began to flow within my body.
Following that, it felt as if my soul had expanded.
My body suddenly felt uncomfortable.
My entire body emitted a faint luminescence.
“Ah! Mas… Master, what, what is this?”
My master looked at me and said:
“This flower is of no use to the dead. Only souls with unfulfilled lifespans can absorb it.
Relax your mind, do not resist, and try to guide it to integrate with you.”