Luo Ling recalled the past as if she were telling the story of an insignificant person.
Through Luo Ling's narration, Shen Qing and Qing Qing seemed to be back on that night in the blood - filled village.
Before their eyes were several demonic cultivators rampaging among the villagers, and Luo Ling, helpless and desperate.
What concerned Shen Qing and Qing Qing more was that Luo Ling had obviously awakened an ability at the last moment.
A young girl who had never been systematically trained and didn't know how to circulate spiritual power had taken out several demonic cultivators in an instant.
According to Luo Ling, demonic cultivators who needed to devour souls to improve their demonic arts should at least be at the Golden Core stage.
"What happened later? What else happened to the village?"
Luo Ling drained the tea in her hand to hide the trembling of her fingertips.
"Later, the villagers both loved and hated me. They were afraid of my ability but also worried that the demonic cultivators would come again."
"So they imprisoned me here. I only had the ghost wolf for company."
"I was only allowed to speak when they asked me for blessings. Otherwise, I had to wear a special mask when I went out..."
Before Luo Ling could finish her words, they heard the tinkling of bells in the distance.
The sound was urgent, causing Luo Ling to tremble instinctively.
"Big sister, I have to go out."
Saying so, Luo Ling stood up in a hurry and started looking for something.
Shen Qing quickly asked, "Can we go with you?"
Luo Ling found an iron mask in the cabinet and skillfully put it on.
She nodded, signaling Shen Qing to follow.
After they crawled out of the wooden house, they ran towards the direction of the bells.
Qing Qing tugged at Shen Qing and whispered, "In the story Luo Ling just told, there were several demonic cultivators. Could the bullies in Heyu be those demonic cultivators?"
"She also put on a mask, which corresponds to the timeline after the demonic cultivators' rampage when the villagers asked her to wear an iron mask."
"But she didn't finish the story. We still don't know what to do."
"Moreover, the ability Luo Ling awakened... seems a bit off."
Shen Qing had the same doubts, but for now, they could only take things one step at a time.
When they arrived, Shen Qing finally understood the purpose of the small bells outside the villagers' wooden houses.
As soon as the bells rang, Luo Ling had to immediately appear at the house of the person ringing the bell.
As for what Luo Ling was supposed to do, it depended on the request of the family ringing the bell.
This time, a woman in the family had just given birth, and they needed Luo Ling to give a blessing.
But the baby in the swaddle was already blue - purple, clearly dead.
Luo Ling glanced at the baby. A flicker of reluctance flashed in her eyes. She took off the iron mask, frowned, and said to the baby, "May the Heavenly Dao bless you. May you have a smooth life without illness or disaster in the future."
After she said this, the blue - purple - faced baby in the swaddle immediately turned rosy and began to cry loudly.
In contrast, Luo Ling's face visibly paled, and her spirit wilted.
Seeing that Luo Ling could bring the dead baby back to life with just a few words, the villagers' looks towards Luo Ling became eager again.
Subsequently, the bells rang one after another. Luo Ling quickly put on the iron mask and rushed towards the houses where the sounds came from.
Just as Shen Qing wanted to stop Luo Ling, a group of villagers blocked her way. The leading villager had the word "Village Head" on his head.
"Village Head?"
The Village Head squinted his small eyes, sized Shen Qing up and down, and then said, "Two fairies, if you want to take Luo Ling away, please come to my house first. Maybe... you'll change your minds."
Shen Qing and Qing Qing exchanged a look. Seeing the group of villagers looking like they wouldn't let them leave if they didn't go, they had no choice but to follow the Village Head.
The Village Head's house was the biggest in the village. Shen Qing and Qing Qing didn't even need to lower their heads to enter.
Several villagers followed them in, while the rest guarded the door and the surroundings of the house.
Shen Qing sneered, "Village Head, you've got quite a show. What are you up to?"
The Village Head chuckled and snapped his fingers.
A villager beside him immediately carried out a large box and placed it in front of Shen Qing and Qing Qing.
"Two fairies, you know that now the bullies are running wild. Fortunately, we have Luo Ling in the village, or we would all have been killed by the bullies."
"Now you want to take Luo Ling to the immortal mountain to cultivate and become an immortal. You have to ask the villagers first. After all, we saved Luo Ling and her parents."
Seeing the Village Head's attitude of regarding Luo Ling as the village's private property, Shen Qing felt irritated.
"Back then, when the demons... the bullies were running wild, Luo Ling's parents hid in your village. They used the jade pendant to protect you for a while and finally died together with the bullies to save you."
"You know exactly how you've treated Luo Ling over the years. If there's a debt of gratitude for saving lives, Luo Ling has already repaid it. She's a free person."
"If we want to take her away, we only need to ask for her opinion. Why should we care about you?"
The Village Head wasn't angry at Shen Qing's retort. He just showed a self - satisfied look.
"Look, this is what the cultivators say. Isn't the purpose of your cultivation to pursue the Great Dao and protect all living beings in the world?"
"We're also living beings in this world, the ones you're supposed to protect. The bullies are running wild. In the end, it's the incompetence of your cultivation world!!"
"Alright, I invited the two fairies here not to argue about who's right or wrong. As for whether Luo Ling will stay or go, you should take a look at these first and then make a decision."
The Village Head motioned for the villager to open the box.
After the box was opened, Shen Qing saw that it was filled with top - grade magical artifacts and countless high - grade spirit stones.
The rich spiritual power from the spirit stones rushed towards them. The contents of the whole box could probably buy seven or eight Five - Element Dao Sects, not to mention the Qingyun Sword Sect.
"Village Head, what do you mean?"
The Village Head was very satisfied with the shocked expressions on Shen Qing and Qing Qing's faces. He stroked his beard, looking as if he were being very generous.
"Exchange these for Luo Ling to stay. You won't lose, right?"
"Yes, it's really not a bad deal..." Shen Qing glanced at the box of treasures, paused for a moment, and then continued,
"But I, Shen Qing, never make such deals!"
Shen Qing finally understood why Luo Ling had shown such an expression when she said she refused the cultivators who wanted to take her away.
It turned out that she didn't really want to stay in the village but couldn't leave.
Those cultivators from the sects were probably bribed by the Village Head to keep Luo Ling here.
Even the special mask on Luo Ling's head and the immortal - binding rope that bound He Yu were left by those sect cultivators.
"Village Head, I finally understand how your small village managed to survive when the demons were running wild and how everyone is well - fed and wearing gold and silver."
"The things in these boxes don't belong to you at all. You got them by killing people and seizing treasures!"
"Luo Ling's awakened ability is that her words become law. You're the real bullies!!"