True to what Hua Cheng had told him. His back and broken bones were healed within three days. He had a lot to think about, especially about cultivating a demonic core. If there is one thing he knows about himself is that he took the YungmiangJiang sects lotto very seriously. To achieve the impossible. He was in no hurry. He allowed himself to heal properly. So after a week, he took suibian and started to slowly go through his sword forms. Yes, he had seen and felt the barrier in front of the cave, letting him know that was to keep the ghosts and most of the resentful energy out. Another thing he had observed was that every morning as he woke up their would be fresh fruits. Three bowls of congee. Fresh water and even chili sauce. He also found blank talisman paper and cinnabar. Wei Ying was grateful to Hua Cheng, and he started to wished that he could sometimes come by just so that Wei Ying could thank him once again. But he holds on to the man's words that maybe some day they will meet again.
His days revolved around meditating. Strengthen his mind and body one day at a time. When he felt he was ready, he walked out of the cave. The barrier shivered as he walked through. He could feel the strength of it. There is one thing that had been bothering him for a while now. There is always this butterfly, flying around. Sometimes sitting on his head, or on his shoulder and sometimes on his nose and forehead. Sometimes, it would sit on his hand when he stretched it out. But he long come to the conclusion that it is harmless and knowing by now that their are no butterflies in the burial mounds than this one must be special.
As he stepped outside, he looked around, and all he could see was darkness as the resentful energy swirls around the place. Voices calling out for justice. Revenge and blood. Wei Ying pressed his hands over his ears as the voices became louder and moved closer. Some excited because there were someone for them to torture at last. But soon, instead of just one wrath butterfly, more appears out of thin air. The voices slowly started to fade away, and Wei Ying took his hands away from his ears when he did not hear the voices anymore. He looked around and was amazed at seeing more butterflies. Holding his hand out, they all swarm around his hand and finally sat down. "Where did you come from. But I'm glad at least I have some company even though you can't talk back". He said with a smile. "Ohk, let's begin. What do you think?Will this work? I personally do not know if it would, but I would not know if I don't give it a try right". He spoke to the butterflies who flattered up from his hand and started to swirl around his body.
Wei Ying smiles and lowers his body into lotus position. He thought for a while about how he had formed his golden core. Drawing on the spiritual energy around him. Maybe it works the same way. He must draw from the resentful energy around him. Cautioning himself not to draw too much at one time. He closed his eyes and took a few deep breaths. His hands on his knees in an upward position, his thumbs and middle fingers touching lightly. Using his senses, he slowly started to pull small amounts of resentful energy towards him. Circulate it slowly inside him. He could feel the resentful energy even though it is just a small amount circling his golden core as if seizing it up.
He could feel it trying to attack his golden core, so he circulated his golden core slowly and let his spiritual energy just a small amount out. The two energies pull and tuck. The one trying to overpower the other. The resentful energy was more aggressive, but Wei Ying did not waver, pushing it with his spiritual energy. The two energies fought long and hard trying to dominate over the other. He did not know how long he was sitting there, but eventually, his body grew tired, and he opened his eyes slowly. He could still feel the resentful energy inside him circling around. He took another few deep breaths before stood up. He looked around him, and all he could see was darkness of the resentful energy. He heard growling and howling wondering what horrors are hiding in the dark mist. The butterflies fly all around him, and Wei Ying could not help but smile. Wondering once again where they had come from.
He did not even realise that its because of them that the resentful energy, ghosts, and corpses weren't attacking him. He turned around and walked towards the cave. He walked through the barrier and made his way over to the stone table. He sat down and took his talisman paper and cinnabar and started to work on making different kinds of talismans. As time passes and Wei Ying drowns himself in his work the butterflies started to swarm in front of his face making it difficult for him to see. He put the cinnabar down and looked at them.
"Ah what do you want. Can't you see i am busy". He picked the cinnabar up and just as he wanted to start working again the butterflies once again obscure his vision. He swat them away gently but they persist. Finally he gave up and look at them.
"What do you want mmm. Tell me". A few of the butterflies flew towards the other side of the cave and Wei Ying's eyes followed them until the sat on the food that was standing on stone bed.
"Oh you want me to eat". He said with a smile on his and the butterflies flapped their little wings as in saying yes.
"Ohk if that will make you stopped disturbing me. I will eat something. You are worse than shijie". He said without thinking and a sadness came over him thinking about his sister. He miss them but it's for the best right.
"Do you think they miss me? Do you think they would have looked for me? I wonder what Lan Zhan is doing right now. I miss pestering him. Miss hearing him say. Ridiculous or shameless every time I say or do something. You know I really like him. He is so different not like the other masters. You know he is the only one who calls me on my given name and I am the only one calling him on his. I wonder if he knew what had happened to me. Ah what am I talking about. How could he? He do not even like me. He tolerate me at best. But you know what I still see him as my friend". Wei Ying looked at the butterflies and said. "You do not even know what I am going on about". He chuckled to himself as he made his way over to the food and picked it up and walked back to the stone table. Clearing it with his one hand he put the bowl down walked back and picked up a jar with water and a cup. He walked back to the stone table and sat the jar down and then sat down himself.
He looked at the butterflies that are now sitting on the table.
"You know I wonder how these food appears every time out of thin air. Could it be. And you where did you came from. Ah never mind atleast I am not starving to death and you guys atleast keep me company even though you do not talk back. Just like Lan Zhan". He ponders for a while longer before he starts to eat. He did not know how hungry he was until he started. He finished his bowl of noodles and some of the sweets and cakes. Wei Ying could swear that the butterflies are watching him, must be his imagination. When he was done he stood up and walked over to the stone bed. He climbed on top and lay down on his back. He put his hand on his lower daintain and closed his eyes. He concentrated on his spiritual energy and the small amount of resentful energy inside him. He was suprise to feel that somehow the two energies were not fighting anymore. It is as if the had found some common ground. He slipped into a slumber and soon he was asleep. If only Wei Ying knew how right he was about the butterflies. They were watching him. Recording everything he does. What he does not know is that they get swiped out every few days.
"Do you think he can do it San Lang?. A man's voice whispers softly.
"Yes he can Danxia. I believe in him. Even though I can't intervene. I will do everything I can to help him". Hua Cheng said softly as he looked down at the sleeping boy.
"If the others finds out what you are doing. They will not be please and you know it". Danxia said still in a soft voice.
"Do you think I care about what they have to say. If they knew his story they will agree if not than I will still do right by him". Hua Cheng said as he looked at his partner.
"I know. I will also help where I can. He has already been through so much in his young life. I feel for him". Danxia said with a sadness in his voice now also looking at the sleeping boy. He stepped forward and took the quilt and throw it over Wei Ying's sleeping body. Who just stirred slightly before continuing sleeping.
Hua Cheng stepped also forward and took Wei Ying's wrist lightly and put his finger on his pulse and closed his eyes. He concentrated and hum to himself before he gently laid Wei Ying's hand down and took a step back.
"It seems I was right. The resentful energy are compatible with his body. It's not attacking his golden core its almost as if the two are combining. This boy are indeed special". Hua Cheng said.
"So he will be able to cultivate both". Xie Lan asked.
"Yes". Hua Cheng answers as he looked at his partner and smile.
"Come let's go we will check in again". Hua Cheng said and threw his dice and they disappeared.
As the days turns into weeks than months Wei Ying had already cultivate a decent demonic core. It is not as strong yet. But it did made it self at home next to his golden core.
Being a sort of permanent resident in the burial mounds Wei Ying had no idea what was happening in the outside world. He did not know about the brewing trouble within the cultivation world. He did not know about the burning of the Cloud Recess or the attack on the Unclean Realm. Nor did he know about the indoctrination that the Wen were holding for all the sect heirs. Wei Ying at this moment lived a sheltered life. A life where he grew day by day. Where he grew a demonic core which grew stronger and stronger. He had apologized to suibian for possibly tainting him with resentful energy. So the months turns into a year and another one. Wei Ying wielding suibian with both spiritual and resentful energy. The butterflies his companions threw all these years and his visitors he knew nothing about seeing that he was always well fed. Who watch him grew into one of the strongest cultivators ever to be part of the cultivation world.
It was finally time for Wei Ying to leave the burial mounds. A few months back he had carved himself a dizi which he called Chenqing. As he looked around the cave a nostalgic smile crossed his face.
"Goodbye I will missed you. You were a home to me throughout these years". He looked at the butterflies and bow to them and said. "I will miss you the most. You were my family and my friends even though you could not talk back or answer me you were always willing to listen. I hope that I will see you again. Go well my friends". He came up from the bow and saw the butterflies flew around him before they disappeared. His eyes teared up and then he turned on his heels and walked out of the cave. The barrier vibrating as he walked through it.
He made his way down the mountain. A path opened before him as he kept walking. As soon as he reached the bottom he turns around and looked up and for just a second he thought that he saw Hua Cheng and another dress in white. But it must be his imagination he walked through the barrier holding his hand over his eyes as soon as the sun hits his face. He closed his eyes and lifts his head towards the sky and let the sun bathe his skin.
He stood there for quite awhile before he made his way towards Yiling. As soon as he walked into the market all he could see is soldiers dressed in Wen robes. He immediately hide himself wondering what is going on. Then after some thought he remembered what Hua Cheng told him. He waited until they were gone than he quickly went to a vendor that sells bamboo hats. He bought one and put it on. Then he saw a silver masked which he also bought and put it on his face. Now in disguised he made his way towards the nearest wine house. As soon as he stepped inside he scan the place making sure there's no Wen soldiers inside. He took a table at the back and ordered food and a jar of wine.
Listening in on the chattering that's going on around him. That's how he learn about the war that's currently going on between the sects and the Wen sect. The burning of the Cloud Recess and the attack on the Unclean Realm. The destruction of lotus pier and the YungmiangJiang sect. He learns that the main family and some of the disciples survived the attacked. When his food and wine arrives he thanked the waiter and ate and slowly drinks his wine.
He learn that all the sects are convening at the Unclean Realm. He listen intently wondering should he go there and offer his services. They all probably thought him dead by now. He chuckles softly to himself as he took another sip of his wine. Oh how he would love to see the look on that woman's face. His mind made up he finished his food and wine and paid then he left. Outside Yiling he mound suibian and steer him towards the Unclean Realm. Time to get reacquainted with old acquaintances.
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Oh my God I forgot about the most important thing but will rectify it in the next chapter. Can't spoil the fun to soon now can we😏🤭
