Chapter 002: Leaving Home

It was at that moment that he deeply understood the terror of death

"It is not him; I was just with him a moment ago," said Gu Tianming

The shaman brought three strong men and headed straight for the chief's room

Gu Tianming furrowed his brow and said, "You need not be so dejected; perhaps leaving here is not such a bad thing after all." His tone always carried a mature calmness, as if he had been inherently understanding from birth

Since then, Zhu Yuncang lived alone in the Lark Clan. He was naturally lively and disliked constraints and restrictions. Whenever he faced cold treatment, he would always think of some peculiar ways to take revenge. In the entire Lark Clan, only the son of the clan leader, Gu Tianming, was close to him. They hunted together in the woods on the small hillside behind the Lark Clan, played in the mountain spring, and even ventured into the deep forest leading to the Hongmeng Valley... However, they dared not go too far... Only the son of the clan leader, Gu Tianming, was close to him. They hunted together in the woods on the small hillside behind the Lark Clan, played in the mountain spring, and even ventured into the deep forest leading to the Hongmeng Valley... However, they dared not go too far...

At that moment, a sudden clamor erupted outside the door, with flickering flames and what seemed to be someone shouting, calling the Lark tribe to assemble

This is the Demon-Repelling Bell. Some spirits and monsters in the mountains fear the sound of this bell. If you encounter danger, it may save your life. However, it seems to be ineffective against those ferocious beasts with high levels of cultivation

After a night of searching, there were no useful discoveries. The next morning, as the first rays of sunlight fell upon the crown of the Nuwa statue, Zhu Yuncong shouldered his pack and walked into the dense forest leading out of the valley. No one came to see him off; the men, women, and children of the Bai Ling tribe gathered in the clearing before the Nuwa statue, their expressions either grave or anxious. The shaman knelt before the goddess Nuwa, singing a song that would forever remain incomprehensible to anyone.

Hmm

Zhu Yuncong shook his head and said, "Forget it, you know my abilities. Last time, I fell and hurt my backside while trying to shoot birds at https://wwwhetushu.com.com!"

Do not laugh anymore!" said Zhu Yun Cang.

"So this is what you helped me steal?" Zhu Yun Cang said with a smile

The glow of torches outside illuminated the scene, and nearly everyone from the department rushed out of the building, disregarding the autumn chill and frost, gathering towards the altar. Gu Tianming and Zhu Yuncang mingled among the crowd, and before long, they also arrived near the altar

Be extremely careful! Gu Tianming said solemnly

He is uncertain whether there are highly skilled supernatural beings in this unfathomable forest, and perhaps not many people in the Hundred Spirits Tribe are aware of the situation in this forest

The patriarch turned to the onlookers and said: "Everyone, please return to your homes for now. This matter is of great importance, and I have resorted to this desperate measure. I hope you can understand! Everything is for the safety of our clan. To demonstrate this sincerity, let the shaman first search my house!"

Gu Tianming continued, "I have checked the records in the department. Although the path out of Hongmeng Valley is extremely perilous, it has been confirmed over the past decade that three individuals have successfully passed through. They even attempted to establish contact with the Bai Ling tribe from the outside world. If you manage to leave Hongmeng Valley safely, remember to take a look at the outside world for me and tell me about it when you return"

The door was pushed open and then slowly closed, with Gu Tianming moving very gently

It is useless to say these things now. Zhu Yuncong jumped down from the bed, saying, "Perhaps I really am going to die; this little life is about to be buried in the dense forest... Sigh..." A sigh that was not befitting of his age.

"There are only three opportunities, so be sure to conserve them," Gu Tianming reminded.

On this extraordinary morning, Zhu Yuncong, having left his hometown, embarked on his own journey. Fallen leaves slid down from his face and the sides of his books, sinking into the soft earth. Beneath his feet lay a thick layer of decayed remnants, yet above him, the branches remained lush and green, as if this vast forest experienced autumn solely at his feet, while the upper parts remained untouched.

What is this?" Zhu Yuncong asked in confusion

Zhu Yuncong was not favored by his elders since childhood, as his birth was indeed too peculiar. He was born through a cesarean section after his mother's death. It is said that at that time, blood stained the entire bed, shocking and horrifying everyone present.

He has to leave early tomorrow... He leaned against the somewhat cold and hard bed, and at this moment, this place was surprisingly his warmest harbor

Alright, stop talking... stop talking... Gu Tianming was still smiling, completely overturning the image of a precocious youth

Gu Tianming cast a glance at Zhu Yuncang; although his father was walking towards him, that glance seemed to signify a farewell. In just a few hours, Zhu Yuncang would embark on the perilous path out of the valley, and all matters concerning the Hundred Spirits Department of the Hongmeng Valley would no longer be related to him.

"One must not have any great demons hiding in this cursed place; I certainly do not wish to lose my life at such a young age," Zhu Yuncong muttered to himself. Just then, he suddenly felt a shadow sweep over his head, brushing aside a few fluttering leaves.

Another magical item is a talisman paper

Perhaps only Zhu Yuncong knows that deep down, Gu Tianming harbors a certain rebellious spirit. He has always yearned to venture out and see the world beyond, but the constraints of his identity and abilities have rendered this desire nothing more than a distant dream

Gu Tianming took out one of the items, which was a small bell. When shaken, it produced a sound, though not loud.

"What happened?" Gu Tianming raised his head alertly

I sincerely apologize for today's matter said Gu Tianming, standing beside the closed door

Gu and * Tu * Shitianming could not help but chuckle, his smile adding a touch of vitality to his slightly pale yet distinctly contoured face. Had it not been for his laughter, no one would have imagined that this child possessed such an endearing side.

Ah! Tianming truly has a kind heart! Quite considerate!" Zhu Yuncong patted Gu Tianming on the shoulder and said

Gu Tianming exerted great effort to suppress his smile, his face already flushed. He took a deep breath and said: "You are leaving tomorrow. As friends, I have something to give you."

The only one willing to care for and raise Zhu Yuncang was the old clan leader, the elderly woman whom Zhu Yuncang always called "Aunt Jiu." Perhaps she was the only female clan leader of the Hundred Spirits Tribe in Hongmeng Valley, but her words carried great weight. She preserved Zhu Yuncang's life and raised him until the age of five, after which she passed away. That night, Zhu Yuncang cried until his eyes were red, yet he could not call back his "Aunt Jiu."

Since his birth, Zhu Yun Cang has had no parents. It is said that his mother was already pregnant when she fled into the valley. No one knows how she traversed the treacherous mountain paths to find this secluded paradise. When she entered the Hongmeng Valley of the Hundred Spirits tribe, she was covered in wounds and in excruciating pain. The kind-hearted old chief took her in. However, from the moment she entered the valley until her death, only a brief half month passed, during which she did not utter a single word and left nothing behind.

"It’s gone! That thing is gone!" The shaman shouted loudly beneath the statue of Nuwa, and the altar was empty, the stones bare. Just yesterday, the demon sword had been planted here, but now, there was nothing at all. All that remained was a deep crack in the ground, a clear indication that the sword had indeed existed here.

Good friend!" Zhu Yun Cang patted Gu Tian Ming on the back again

At that moment, the door was suddenly knocked on

The patriarch nodded and said, "If that is the case, it becomes even more troublesome."

The shaman nodded.

"Shaman, how many people will you bring to inspect the rooms of all the members of the Bailing tribe? There must be no omissions," said the clan leader

As night falls, the birds cry out in the dark, the autumn wind is cool and quiet, and even the bright full moon in the sky becomes shy and ambiguous, unwilling to reveal its clear light. Zhu Yuncong sits in a small and somewhat cramped room, gazing through the window at the twinkling stars and the sky veiled in a layer of white gauze. He is about to leave soon, departing from this small house where he has lived for ten years

The sunlight was fragmented by the branches and leaves, appearing exceedingly sparse. Within this limited radiance, the frail and diminutive Zhu Yuncang cautiously advanced step by step, filled with trepidation. His right hand continuously shook the demon-repelling bell given to him by Guitianming. This object indeed had some effect; when he first entered the forest, several white apes bared their teeth at Zhu Yuncang, but upon hearing the sound of the bell, they fled in terror.

"Let's go out and take a look," suggested Zhu Yuncong

What are you laughing at? My backside still hurts! You have no idea how uncomfortable it was for me to kneel and sit there during the ceremony yesterday; that's why I kept shifting around... Perhaps that's why the goddess Nüwa called me a monster... In the end, it's all because of my backside!

Zhu Yun Cang smiled and said, "Rest assured, a promise is a promise, good brother"

"I know, I know, you're even more verbose than an old woman." Zhu Yun Cang said as he wrapped the treasured artifact that Gu Tian Ming had prepared again.

However, Zhu Yun Cang always remembered the words of Gu Tian Ming: "If one encounters a ferocious beast with higher cultivation, this item will be of no use at all"

It is said that understanding life and death is the beginning of a person's maturity

Oh..." Zhu Yun Cang nodded slightly, his expression showing a hint of disappointment

It is sought after. The solitary sky and the abyss.

This item and the book are "Lightning Spell" talismans, which can be used three times to summon a bolt of lightning to attack enemies. "Gu Tianming" said.

"My house faces the altar," someone spoke up, "just now, during the night, I caught a glimpse of a dark shadow swiftly moving here. I fear there may be ominous signs, which is why I am informing the esteemed shaman..." His words were directed at the clan leader, who stood beside the shaman with a grave expression. Before he finished speaking, all eyes turned to Zhu Yun Cang, whose demeanor was fierce.

In contemplation, Zhu Yuncong had already packed his belongings; he only took a short sword used for hunting as his weapon, leaving behind nothing from the department.

The door was not closed..." Zhu Yun Cang said lazily, at this moment, besides Gu Tian Ming, who else would come back to find him

This is quite good, I like it!" Zhu Yun Cang said with a smile

The patriarch cast a glance at Gu Tianming, his expression slightly discontented, and the person who had just spoken added: "That figure should be an adult... it definitely cannot be Zhu Yuncang, I can attest to that."

What is it? Why is everyone looking at me? It's not me! Zhu Yun Cang felt a chill all over from being stared at.

Gu Tianming took out a cloth pouch from his bosom and placed it on the bed behind Zhu Yuncang. Under the dim light in the room, he opened the pouch: "Here are two magical treasures. Aside from the celestial artifacts in the Illusion Spirit Cave, these are the most useful items in the department... To be honest, although my father said I could choose any magical treasure from the department, there are hardly any that are actually usable. Even if there are, those people may not necessarily give them to you."

This humble thatched house has accompanied him for ten years, from his birth until now, and suddenly he must leave, catching him off guard

Indeed, if someone with ulterior motives were to obtain this demonic sword, the consequences would be unimaginable. However, at this moment, lingering here serves no purpose; that uninvited guest appears and disappears without a trace, exhibiting extraordinary cunning, making it impossible to track their whereabouts