As night fell, the disciples of the Vientiane Academy gathered once again in the temporary residence of the Wen Mansion. The flickering candlelight cast shadows on their worried faces.
Except for Shen Cuiyu and a few others, the rest of the disciples were unaware of what had happened in Mother Wen's courtyard that day. They only vaguely heard that Wen Zimo intended to invite another celestial master.
It had been more than two days since they arrived in Linyu City. Although they had discovered some clues, they still hadn't cleared up the matter.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the room turned rather gloomy.
Everyone fell silent, knowing that if they were driven out by Wen Zimo like this, it would not only be difficult to explain to Mr. Yan, but would also surely bring shame to the Vientiane Academy and make them the laughingstock of the entire Xuanmen!
Some members of Liu Ruyan's group couldn't help but start complaining, hinting pointedly:
"Some people have no real skills but still dare to take on such a difficult task! Now it's good. They've dragged everyone down. It's really a disgrace to the Vientiane Academy..."
"Before we're kicked out, our group might as well withdraw first. This wasn't originally our task anyway!"
"Exactly! Why should we accompany their group and be embarrassed together?"
For a moment, the room was filled with discussions, and the disciples' complaints were all aimed at Shen Cuiyu, either directly or indirectly.
Liu Ruyan looked at Shen Cuiyu mockingly, with a half - smile on her face. "You're the first celestial master to be driven out by the person who asks for help."
"Did we invite you?" Zhong Shengwan sneered, her words hitting the mark. "Why didn't you act like this before? You thought you could get a share of the benefits, so you came. Now that the situation is bad, you want to withdraw. Is this the so - called fellow - student friendship you talk about?"
Those people blushed at Zhong Shengwan's words but still retorted defiantly.
Most of these disciples were seventeen or eighteen years old, at an age when they were high - spirited and refused to yield to each other.
The room was in an uproar, and it seemed that talismans and magic tools would fly everywhere in the next moment.
Shen Cuiyu gently raised her eyes and coldly glanced at Liu Ruyan not far away. Her gaze was so indifferent that it was as if she were looking at an insignificant person.
She spoke. Her voice wasn't very loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.
"Those who want to withdraw can leave now."
Pei Yu was sitting beside Shen Cuiyu, lazily playing with the teacup in his hand without even raising his eyelids:
"The academy's carriage is parked at the gate of the Wen Mansion. Don't expect us to see you off."
Everyone was stunned. They had thought that Shen Cuiyu would give in and ask everyone to stay and help, but they didn't expect her to be so determined.
Those who had been so aggressive just now subconsciously looked at Liu Ruyan. They saw that she was looking at Shen Cuiyu thoughtfully, with a complex expression, but she showed no sign of leaving.
So those people sat back dejectedly, muttering, "We'll just watch and see how you're kicked out!"
...
Midnight was approaching. The desolate moonlight shone on the shadowy courtyard of the Wen Mansion, making it look even more eerie.
Shen Cuiyu knew that her series of investigations had already aroused Wen Zimo's suspicion. She estimated that early the next morning, he would find an excuse to force them to leave.
Li Jinghuai's physical condition was extremely urgent. By then, if she faced Wen Zimo alone, she might be in even greater danger. So tonight was their last chance.
It was still unknown whether An Huai was an enemy or a friend, so Dong Fangxiao had already taken a defensive stance, fearing that An Huai might suddenly go out of control.
Sound - insulation talismans had been pasted all over the Wen Mansion. Shen Cuiyu and the others stood in front of the locust tree, ready to summon the spirit.
The other disciples also came to the courtyard, with a bit of mockery in their hearts, wanting to see what Shen Cuiyu was going to do.
"What is she up to now?"
"She's probably struggling in the last moment."
Shen Cuiyu took a step forward. Her light - blue disciple's robe seemed a bit ethereal under the moonlight. Her long black hair was scattered on her shoulders, and her skin was very fair. Only her pair of inky eyes were astonishingly bright in the dim light.
She didn't set up a complicated altar. She only held a soul - guiding lamp in her left hand.
The lamp was exquisitely shaped and looked quite ancient. Its wick seemed a bit shorter than usual. At this moment, the bean - sized flame was flickering uneasily, as if it would be blown out by the wind at any time.
Shen Cuiyu looked calm as she stood against the wind. She made a hand seal with her right hand, and ancient and ethereal incantations spilled from her mouth. Each syllable carried an invisible pressure that made everyone present shiver!
Even those who didn't believe in her the most were involuntarily intimidated by that momentum and didn't dare to breathe loudly.
As the incantation became more and more urgent, the flame danced wildly, and everyone's hearts were in their throats!
Whoosh -
A gust of cold wind blew, and the soul - guiding lamp suddenly went out!
At the same time, not far away under the locust tree, a red and blurry figure slowly emerged!
The ghost girl stared directly at Shen Cuiyu with a pair of resentful and empty eyes. She stepped forward step by step, getting so close that the disciples could almost smell the unique bloody smell on the fierce ghost.
Everyone subconsciously took a step back, but only Shen Cuiyu remained standing there, quietly looking back at her.
"An Huai."
Shen Cuiyu spoke softly, calling the ghost girl by her earthly name.
The ghost girl's steps faltered. A trace of sadness appeared on her resentful face. She slowly nodded, as if responding to Shen Cuiyu.
Shen Cuiyu frowned slightly. In the dream last time, An Huai had remained silent and only used actions to hint at the ghost fetus in Li Jinghuai's belly. Now that she had been summoned, she still didn't say a word. This was really strange!
"Can't you... speak?"
An Huai shook her head and suddenly opened her mouth - there was nothing inside. No tongue.
Everyone gasped in horror!
The next moment, the disciples looked at each other, looking very embarrassed.
They had finally summoned a ghost, but it couldn't speak!
The so - called "questioning the spirit" meant that the celestial master and the spirit should have a question - and - answer session to resolve the spirit's obsession.
What should they do now?
Shen Cuiyu thought for a moment and said softly to An Huai, "Is your body here?"
An Huai nodded, and great sorrow welled up in her eyes.
"If you can't speak, then show us the way."
An Huai looked deeply at Shen Cuiyu, nodded, and the next moment, the red figure in front of them disappeared. It reappeared outside the courtyard, silently staring at everyone, and really started to show them the way!
The disciples' doubts had reached their peak... They had never seen such an obedient ghost!
An Huai moved like the wind, so fast that the disciples could hardly keep up with her!
But due to the restriction of the spell, her soul couldn't go too far away from the Wen Mansion. So after they left the Wen Mansion, it was the phantom of An Huai's soul that led the way for them. The farther they got from the Wen Mansion, the fainter the soul shadow became, almost disappearing in the night.
Finally, An Huai's soul shadow stopped on a desolate slope. She used her last bit of strength to point at a small mound and then disappeared.
Everyone looked at the unremarkable mound, knowing that this must be the place where An Huai was buried.
But...
Everyone looked at each other, looking hesitant.
"Are we going to... dig up the grave?"