The world is divided into five continents—Dngying, Western Wilderness, Nanyang, Beiao, and Central Yuan. Above each of these continents, there is a divine mountain: Star Shining, Wenxuan, Celestial Revelation, Kong Yuan, and Henggao.
According to legend, the ancient world was wild and chaotic. Five thousand years ago, during the time of an invasion by celestial demons from beyond, the five Immortal Ancestors emerged, expelling the foreign demons and establishing order and the immortal way among the people on the mountain peaks. Once all beings were delivered, the five ancestors forsook ascension to heaven, choosing instead to sit in meditation on the mountains, sacrificing themselves to build a wall beyond the heavens, ensuring that the five continents would no longer be troubled by outer demons.
Thus, people came to revere the Immortal Ancestors even more, seeing the high mountains as divine mountains. To this day, the divine mountains have become the centers of their respective continents. Both sects and cities regard those on the divine mountains as supreme.
You Su, who grew up in Chuyun City in the south of Zhongyuan Continent, was under the protection of Henggao Divine Mountain. Meeting someone from the Divine Mountain Immortal Sect in such a remote place felt somewhat unreal.
Although the Spirit Treasure Sect was not as world-renowned as the first sect on Henggao Mountain, the Profound Sky Sect, it was still considered prestigious in the eyes of cultivators in Central Continent, so it was no wonder that You Su was surprised.
"How many times have you encountered those evil entities earlier?" Mr. Ling could understand, after all, a chance encounter couldn't fully allow this clever youth to lower his guard.
You Su was silent for a moment, then replied, "To answer you, sir, this is the first time."
Mr. Ling sighed quietly, "How much do you know about evil entities?"
"Please enlighten me, sir."
"Beyond the Five Continents is an endless deep sea, and in the depths of the sea lies endless filth. This filth corrodes the land, and it is the source of all evil entities." Mr. Ling had his hands behind his back, his tone calm, but every word weighed heavily, "Evil entities pollute the immortal way, mortals become their playthings, and cultivators are their coveted prey because they are infatuated with the pure profound Qi refined within cultivators."
"Some say that cultivation is a process of removing dirt and filth, and that the filth is the dust discarded by cultivators; others say that evil entities are actually the heart demons of cultivators, thus they enter the minds of people seamlessly; some even say that they are remnants of foreign demons from millennia ago, decaying this world. So far, there are many theories about their origins, and no consensus. But one thing is undeniable!"
Suddenly, Mr. Ling's voice was like a great bell, teeth clenched in fury, "Evil entities are the common mortal enemies of all living beings in the Five Continents!"
A storm surged in You Su's heart. What he knew of evil entities he had heard merely in passing from his master during childhood, as his master did not fear anything—evil entities were like insects in his eyes. Influenced by this, You Su had never taken evil entities to heart.
Only after today's experience did he realize the terror of evil entities.
Mr. Ling saw You Su dumbfounded, thinking that the young boy in swaddling clothes could not grasp the calamity of evil entities, sighed and said, "Do you feel that evil entities are too distant from you?"
Before You Su could respond, Mr. Ling, seeming to recall a sad memory, his face showing pain, said, "Do you know who the person devoured by the Lantern Ghost was?"
"It was my junior disciple! My junior disciple as dear as a brother!" Mr. Ling was heartbroken, at this moment, he was just a grieving old man, no longer the famous Immortal Master from a prestigious school with exquisite cultivation.
The Five Divine Mountains, to protect the world, established the Exorcism Bureau together. My junior and I were both members of the bureau. For dozens of years, my junior adhered to the righteous way, vanquishing countless evils. Last month, he told me he was ready to break through to the Middle Condensed Water Realm, and even prepared a Spirit Pill! But before his last mission in seclusion, he fell victim to the Lantern Ghost! I chased that evil entity for over a hundred miles, only to find that my junior had been devoured by it. He had such a promising future... How many of my fellow bureau members have died under evil entities trying to save others?"
No wonder Mr. Ling's cry was so heart-rending when he dealt with that evil entity earlier. Affected by such emotions, You Su could only say silently:
"Please take care of yourself, sir."
Mr. Ling took a deep breath, regaining his composure. Cultivators emphasize having a clear mind, and unless overwhelmed by emotions, an elder of his level would never lose his composure like this.
"I know you're curious why, despite being blind, you can still see the evil entities, yet it doesn't surprise me?"
"To answer you, sir, indeed I am."
"Because you have seen filth far more wicked than it!" Mr. Ling suddenly exclaimed, firm and resolute, "I don't care if you've lied to me! I just want to know where you've seen it!"
Mr. Ling keenly noticed that after he said this, the youth's sword-like eyebrows furrowed a bit, and his fingers tightened slightly. Having observed people countless times, he knew this was a sign of nervousness, and his look at the youth carried some anger.
"Sir, why would you say such a thing? I... am merely blind..."
Mr. Ling seemed to have anticipated You Su's words, letting out a cold snort:
"Stubborn and unyielding! Evil entities are bizarre and different, but not without traces! According to legend, there are three secret Great Evil Gods—the Master of Flesh and Blood, Lord of Five Elements, and Master of Dreams. They stole a part of the Heavenly Dao's power and shared it with their followers, while they hide in the world's darkest corners, continuing to reproduce and plot. Therefore, most known evil entities can injure by means related to flesh and blood, the five elements, and dreams. The Lantern Ghost belongs to the Dream Master, and naturally deals in things that disturb the mind."
The strength of evil entities is also linked to how much authority they have gained. And if someone comes face to face with a stronger evil entity from a certain order and survives, then weaker ones of the same order will forever find no place to hide from their eyes! This is an iron law-like suppression of status from greater to lesser authority!"
"Those who have seen deeper darkness will naturally not be intimidated by lesser evil! Even if you're just a mortal! Even if you're blind! As long as you have consciousness, this iron law will surely be effective!"
Mr. Ling's voice grew increasingly high-pitched, as if it would tear through clouds and stones.
You Su's expression was unsteady, his fists clenched, and he remained silent. Mr. Ling could feel that You Su was plunged into deep perplexity.
"But sir, I was born blind; until today, I really haven't seen anything."
You Su's expression was struggling; he vaguely guessed at the answer to this question, but still could not believe it.
"The Lantern Ghost belongs to the Dream Master. What you've seen in dreams naturally also counts."
Mr. Ling's simple words seemed to crush the last straw of You Su, causing the young man to stagger back two steps.
Mr. Ling watched You Su's lost expression, shook his head, sighed, then took out a simple green Jade Pendant from inside his garment, upon which were engraved the words "Exorcism Order." Upon closer inspection, one could notice a faint flow of black ink beneath the bamboo green.
This Exorcism Order can sense nearby evil entities. I tested you because after I dealt with that Lantern Ghost, this ink didn't disperse. But after the test, I found that you weren't possessed by an evil entity, just recently contaminated by foul Qi. Considering your eyes, I can be sure you've definitely seen a powerful evil entity recently!"
I don't know how you escaped, perhaps that evil entity was wounded, perhaps it simply didn't care about you, or maybe it has bigger schemes! Its existence poses extreme danger, not only to you and your family, but to the entire city! Now, I need you to tell me everything you know! Only this way can you save them and save yourself!"
"Family…" You Su muttered to himself, seeming dazed.
When people are distraught, scattered images flash in their minds. But You Su, blind since childhood, apart from the strange dream this morning and the Lantern Ghost, what else could he recall?
Indeed, he remembered the smooth feel of his junior sister's cheek, remembered her exclaiming joyfully, "Happy birthday, You Su," remembered the teasing, scolding, and laughter his junior sister gave him over three years, and short exchanges with his master over eight years.
But why… why can't I forget the strange, disgusting faces of junior sister and master in the dream!