Translator: Atlas Studios
Editor: Atlas Studios
Three days later in the afternoon.
The maidservant, Xiao Wu, came to the west wing and told Liu Le’er and Liu Shi that Perfected White Stone was ready to treat Liu Shi.
Under the guidance of Xiao Wu, Liu Le’er led Liu Shi through many corridors, crossed over four patio yards and a circular arch before finally arriving in the backyard of the Yu family mansion.
Liu Le’er was already amazed by the winding corridors, but when she saw the small lake full of green lotus leaves in the backyard, she finally had a better understanding of the vastness of the Yu manor.
Although she called it a small lake, it was only small in comparison to the big rivers from Liu Le’er’s memories. In fact, this lake was at least three to four thousand feet wide. Compared to the ponds in the house of ordinary rich people, there was a great difference.
“Miss Le’er, that’s where Perfected White Stone does alchemy and cultivates.” Xiao Wu raised her hand and pointed to the small island in the middle of the lake.
Liu Le’er followed the direction of Xiao Wu’s finger and saw a nine-turn bridge made of white marble, that weaved through the beautifully green lotus leaves and was connected to the island.
The area of the island was not large, but it was covered by trees and surrounded by a dense mist.
At the thought of how her ‘Brother Stone’ would be cured on the island, an excited expression appeared on her face and her thoughts ran wildly in anticipation.
“Where the Perfected One cultivates is not a place for us servants to go. Miss Le’er, you have to continue alone.” Xiao Wu saw that Liu Le’er was slightly dazed and she giggled gently.
“Thank you, Sister Xiao Wu.” Liu Le’er quickly thanked Xiao Wu when she regained her senses.
Liu Le’er’s ‘Sister’ in a sweet voice made Xiao Wu wave her hands happily and she turned around, leaving in quick succession.
Looking at the island that was shrouded by mist in the middle of the lake, the girl held the railing of the stone bridge with one hand and did not rush to get on the bridge. For some reason, a thought suddenly appeared in her mind.
If Brother Stone’s illness is cured, will he leave me?
Thinking about this, she could not help but feel worried. But when she looked at the familiar face of the tall youth, she suddenly felt at ease.
“Brother Stone, let’s go.”
The girl stepped on to the stone bridge and led Liu Shi across the bridge.
Walking past the green leaves, Liu Le’er felt more and more nervous the further they travelled. Liu Shi looked calm and was attracted by the koi under the lotus leaves from time to time, looking curiously left and right.
When they arrived on the island, Liu Le’er felt that the mist surrounding them was not as thick as when she was watching from afar. She also noticed that there were not as many birds fluttering about either, which made the island particularly quiet and still.
At the end of the stone bridge, there was a path paved with blue slate, winding all the way to the center of the island.
Liu Le’er and Liu Shi walked along the straight path. They came to a simple Daoist temple with white walls and black tiles.
Perfected White Stone stood in front of the Daoist temple. Seeing them, he only said without any expression, “Come in.” He then turned around and walked towards the rear hall of the temple.
They followed behind him and crossed three great halls before coming to the backyard of the Daoist temple, where there was a huge rockery.
Perfected White Stone walked forward and pressed on a particular stone in the rockery. A thick stone door opened slowly, revealing a cave that was as tall as a person.
After the two of them followed the elderly Daoist into the cave, the thick stone door behind them slowly closed.
The cave was man made and the space inside was not very big. It was only slightly bigger than the west wing they had been staying in and several smokeless lamps dotted the four walls.
In the center of the ground, an octagonal pattern had been carved out and it resembled the Eight Trigrams, but not completely.
There were deep marks in the pattern, not only were there strange patterns of birds, there were also some strange lines. Liu Le’er felt they looked a little familiar as they resembled some ancient characters.
On each corner of the octagon, there was a small dark triangular flag stuck on it, which also had some strange patterns drawn with gold thread.
“Why are you still standing there? Bring him over and let him sit in the middle of the array,” Perfected White Stone said coldly as he glanced at Liu Le’er, who was looking at the magic array with an odd expression.
“Yes.”
Liu Le’er quickly looked away and led the tall youth to sit in the middle of the array which was circular in shape.
“Brother Stone, you will be better. I’m here with you.” Liu Le’er stared into Liu Shi’s eyes, saying seriously. Then, she left the array reluctantly and stood close to the stone wall, looking at the elderly Daoist nervously.
“Now, stay where you are. Don’t make a sound when I’m casting my magic and don’t take any steps forward. Understand?” Perfected White Stone ordered her solemnly.
Liu Le’er nodded quickly.
Perfected White Stone then came forward. First, he joined his hands together and did a Daoist bow. Then he walked around the magic array and silently recited an incomprehensible incantation.
With the sound of his chanting, the golden lines on the eight triangular flags around the array lit up at the same time, spreading out and covered Liu Shi.
Liu Shi had been looking around carelessly when the golden light covered his body. His body suddenly shook, like an electric shock had passed through it and he sat upright.
When Liu Le’er saw this, her heart jumped, feeling worried, yet expectant.
The golden light began to flow around Liu Shi and began to gather into a strange golden pattern. At the same time, there seemed to be a little golden light in his eyes, which looked a little strange.
Perfected White Stone’s chanting suddenly stopped and the gestures of his hand seals changed. He snapped his fingers and shouted.
“Be still!”
The golden light around Liu Shi’s body suddenly coagulated, like a layer of golden paper wrapping him up.
Through the golden light, Liu Shi’s face could be seen. He was frowning and looked a little pained.
There was the sound of sizzling!
The eight little flags around the circle then turned red and grayish black fog flowed out of it, converging at the center of the circle.
When Liu Le’er saw this, her expression changed slightly. She did not know why, but the moment this grayish black fog appeared, it made her feel uncomfortable.
Suddenly, Liu Shi groaned and his face twitched.
“Ah!”
Liu Le’er could not help exclaiming, but immediately covered her mouth with her hand, her face pale.
“Shut up! If you interfere with my magic, can you bear the consequences?” Perfected White Stone’s fingers were still clasped tightly, as he chided her.
Liu Le’er’s heart trembled, and she dared not say anything more, but the panic in her eyes did not subside.
The fog was like a living thing, interweaving into tentacles, squirming and climbing up wantonly, and swallowed Liu Shi directly.
The elderly Daoist then made hand seals with a free hand and the somber incantation continued.
The grayish black fog grew more and became thicker.
The tall young man who was in the fog first showed a puzzled expression. His eyelids then drooped and he slowly closed his eyes, falling asleep.
When the elderly Daoist saw this, he had a happy expression on his face and the gestures he made changed. He opened his mouth and spewed out a little blood essence, which turned into a little blood light and it mingled with the fog.
Suddenly, from within the fog, a stream of thick blood shot out and bloody runes appeared in the air.
“Something’s not right.”
Liu Le’er’s expression changed repeatedly as soon as she saw this. Her intuition told her that something was wrong, however, due to the previous warning, she hesitated.
But at this time, with the low shout of the elderly Daoist, the temperature of the grayish black fog suddenly dropped and it turned into a huge black ice block and froze the tall youth in the middle.
“Stop, what are you doing?” Liu Le’er finally confirmed the ‘malice’ of this Perfected White Stone. She immediately shouted with a flushed face and unhesitatingly ran forward to the center of the array. With a flash of light from her hand, a rattle-drum the size of a palm appeared in her hand and she was about to use it to break the ice to save Liu Shi.