Chapter 10, Pure Melody

In the Qingxu Temple, the river clam bounced back to Master Rongchen's bedroom, holding three passion fruits. Master Rongchen was still asleep, and his sleeping posture was quite rigid, lying flat with his hands crossed over his abdomen. If the river clam did not cause any disturbance, this sleeping position would remain unchanged throughout the night.

The clam is not very concerned about the matters of the pond: "Rong Chenzi, are you really going to wait for Qingsu to return before dealing with Fuya?"

Qingyun could not afford to search for her magic bell any longer: "This is the talisman bestowed by my master. My skills are lacking, and if I encounter a formidable demon, I fear there may be danger. It is better to return to the temple first and inform the senior brother before making further plans"

Fuya nodded: "That's fine, but you go ahead. I'm a bit scared. Isn't Qingxu Temple a Taoist temple? How could there be monsters nearby?"

Rong Chenzi dismissed him and began to groom himself, casually asking the river clam, "What are you going to do in the back mountain again?"

It was as if summer had made a fleeting return; the weather suddenly became hot in mid-September. Rong Chenzi had not slept all night and was now using a piece of counterfeit "immortal meat" to distract the river clam, and was just falling into a deep sleep.

Fuyah's smile was radiant: "Perhaps it is near the training ground at the back mountain"

Master Rong Chen has adjusted his appearance and is ready to go out. Upon hearing the words, he merely replied calmly: "If that is truly the case, it is indeed due to my lack of proficiency in the Dao and my skills being inferior to others, and I have nothing more to say. However, if one acts preemptively without investigating the true evidence, that is absolutely unacceptable"

Qingyun is indeed ahead of others; he is not scheming at all. Upon hearing the words, he replied: "My master has a unique constitution, and every year there are reckless monsters coming to provoke him."

"You are keeping me, are you not also waiting for solid evidence?" She rarely engaged in deep thought for a moment, and suddenly became excited again, "Hmm, there will be a wonderful show to watch tonight, remember to bring some snacks! Fuya, you must not let me down..."

The clam rolls on the bed: "But it's so hot, so hot, so hot!"

The clam finished eating the fruit and was looking around for something to wipe its hands. Rong Chenzi was truly afraid of her, so he casually wrung out the towel in his hand and handed it over. "It's hot, I want to soak in water," the clam said as it wiped its hands with his towel, and after finishing, returned it unchanged.

As soon as she appeared, Fuya stopped in her tracks, gritting her teeth in anger. Although Qingyun did not favor her, she dared not offend her again and could only respond with a word, leading her back to the dining hall to fetch passion fruit. In the dining hall, all her food supplies were recorded in the account of Zhi Guan's expenditures. Rong Chenzi remained silent, and everyone indulged her, giving her whatever she wanted to eat and however much she desired.

In the scorching summer, the cicadas chirp incessantly, and even the several pots of orchids in the Qingxu Temple droop their leaves, lacking vitality. Not a single shadow of a person can be seen in the temple.

Fuya chuckled lightly, and the tip of her staff suddenly shot out a three-inch gleaming blade without a sound. She swiftly raised her hand to stab at Qingyun's back, and just as the cold blade was about to pierce flesh, Qingyun let out a startled cry and fell to the ground, landing heavily, causing the stab to miss.

Qingyun followed her forward, where a row of willow stakes emerged from the ground, protruding three inches. It was unclear who had set them up, forming a peculiar pattern on the ground. Qingyun did not think much of it and began to search around under the trees, estimating that Fuya might have left something behind while resting there.

Originally, the eyeballs of the deceased are the best... Fuyah clapped her hands, feeling somewhat resentful. She knew that Rong Chenzi was suspicious of her, but what did it matter? Everything that needed to be arranged had been properly set, and it was only for this one night.

The river clam sat on the couch, gnawing on three passion fruits. Master Rongchen did not like her eating on the couch, but he could do nothing about it. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to dissuade her, he ceased to speak on the matter. Just as she was enjoying her meal, Qingyun came to report that a large river clam had been discovered on the back mountain

The river clam was soaking in a wooden tub, its hem dampened by the water, black hair swaying like seaweed, skin as smooth and lustrous as jade. Rong Chenzi merely glanced at it and did not look again. He was a true gentleman, harboring no lewd thoughts, not even considering what the library might imagine. The river clam played with the water: "Aren't you afraid she is prepared to deal with you?"

Fuya was taken aback, retracting the weapon from her staff. Qingyun, feeling her shoulder, got up and was only aware of seeing stars before her eyes. Looking down, she discovered that it was a large clam that had fallen from the tree, measuring about four feet long, with a dark shell. He was greatly shocked and did not notice how pale Fuya's face had become: "How could there be a clam in a tree!"

Fia's expression remained unchanged as she pointed to the wooden plaque on his chest: "What is this?"

That pair of vertical pupils seemed to instantly regain their brilliance, gazing straight at the sky with the pain and resentment of impending death

Only then did Rong Chenzi begin to wash his face: "Your eyes are still not well, do not go to the spring water in the back mountain to bathe. The initiators used in the witchcraft of the southern border are very sinister; those who drink that water will fall ill"

Fuyah felt a sense of unease, while Qingyun thought it was quite extraordinary: "Such a large creature, could it be that another monster has emerged? I must return to inform the master!"

Qingyun is the youngest disciple among the "Qing" generation of the Qingxu Temple, only fifteen years old. He is also deeply influenced by Rongchenzi and is known for his enthusiasm and righteousness. Upon hearing what Fuya said, he immediately nodded and asked, "May I inquire if the shaman remembers the location that was lost, so that I may conveniently search for it"

Rong Chenzi sighed softly and instructed the attendant outside to bring in a large wooden tub, about a person's height, filled with clear water: "You soak in this for now." He casually drew a cold ice talisman with a brush, and the spring water, warmed slightly by the blazing sun, instantly became refreshingly cool. "In the future, have Qingxuan lead some people to dig a pond and plant some lotus roots or something; at least you'll have a place to play."

The journey from Qingxu Temple's dining hall to the back mountain takes about half an hour on foot, but Qingyun, being a practitioner of the Dao, possesses excellent stamina and is well-acquainted with the route, arriving at her destination in just over a quarter of an hour

Fuyah, still dressed in her red attire, charmingly called out to Qingyun, who was tidying up the dishes in the dining hall: "My soul-calling bell is missing. Could you help me find it?"

He closed the door behind him whenever he went out, and the clam turned over, transforming back into a large clam, floating up and down in the bucket.

Fuya stood behind him, her lips moving slightly, though no sound was heard. Only the black mist emanating from the staff in her hand was visible, but as soon as the mist touched Qingyun, it immediately dissipated. A wisp of light smoke rose from the shadow wood amulet hanging on Qingyun's chest. Qingyun also sensed something: "Not good! There is something unclean in the back mountain!"

He hurriedly ran forward, but Fuya was unwilling to let the prey escape so easily, silently moving to pursue. After running three steps, the river clam transformed back into human form, and without any visible movement, stood in front of Qingyun: "Little Daoist, please get me two more passion fruits!"

In the back mountain, Fuya resentfully caught a raccoon, built a fire under a locust tree, and suspended the raccoon above the fire and a pile of books, muttering incantations. The raccoon writhed in pain, opening its mouth but unable to make a sound, its eyes wide open in terror. After about thirty minutes, the raccoon finally ceased its struggles. Once Fuya finished her incantation and opened her eyes, she curled her fingers into claws and skillfully pried out the pair of bulging eyeballs.

She took out a small bottle and poured out a grayish-white powder resembling ashes. Between a row of willow stumps on the ground, she drew a human face and placed two cat's eyes in the position of the eyes. Then she took out another small bottle, the liquid inside bright red like blood, still bubbling vigorously. As if she had seen her most cherished possession, her gaze softened, and after watching for a long time, she poured the contents over the two cat's eyes.

Only when she makes a real fuss will Rong Chenzi be unable to help but turn to the side, turning his back to her

Ignoring the sunlight outside, Qingyun responded with a sound and headed towards the training ground. Fuya followed behind him, her staff emitting a faint cold light.

In the lush forests of September, he rummaged through the nearby grass, his light blue robe blending inconspicuously among the dense trees and tangled underbrush. Fuyah tightly gripped her staff, intentionally or unintentionally moving forward: "I seem to remember having been this way before..."

Rong Chenzi adjusted his attire without hesitation: "That is only natural. If there is no solid evidence, how can one harm others at will? Moreover, cultivation is not easy; how could I, as a humble Daoist, destroy her foundation due to a momentary suspicion?"