As Yan continued walking in a certain direction, Xiao asked, "Where are we going?" He acted like he had completely forgotten what had just happened.
"To the town square," Yan replied emotionlessly, his pace now far slower than before.
Xiao remembered what Zhu had said about Yan about how his son didn't communicate much. 'Something strange is going on with that family' Xiao wondered.
As they approached the town square under the bright midday sun, Xiao noticed a dozen villagers hard at work. They wore simple, practical robes, the kind typical of a small village. Their hands moved methodically, their faces calm but focused.
In the center of the town square, a towering altar was nearly complete. Several men were carefully applying the finishing touches, etching ancient runes into its sides. Each stroke of the chisel seemed to pulse with energy, the runes faintly glowing as they were carved into the stone, enhancing the altar's spiritual power.
An elder stood nearby, watching over the workers. Every now and then, he extended his hand, and the surrounding qi surged toward the altar, reinforcing its foundation. His presence radiated authority, and the workers occasionally glanced his way for subtle approval as they continued their tasks.
Other villagers were preparing for the upcoming ceremony, placing ornate objects on long, lacquered tables draped in silk. Complex bowls etched with glowing runes were carefully positioned at each seat. At the corners of the tables, they set up incense burners, their unique shapes suggesting they were crafted to burn for days without going out. Xiao noted how the air already carried a faint, calming scent.
The final touches included cups placed beside the bowls. Compared to the intricate setup, the cups appeared ordinary, and Xiao frowned, questioning their simplicity amidst the grand preparations.
"Why am I needed here, exactly?" Xiao asked, his confusion evident.
Yan, still emotionless, pointed toward the elder overseeing the workers. "We need to speak to him."
Without another word, Yan began walking toward the elder, his pace slow and deliberate. When they arrived, the elder noticed them approaching and frowned.
"What do you need, Yan?" the elder asked, his tone stern.
"I need you to give him the paint and show him how to draw the ritual markings," Yan said, nodding toward Xiao.
The elder turned to Xiao, sizing him up with a critical eye. "My name is Fang, Yan's grandfather. You can call me whatever you wish," he said, then let out a heavy sigh as he looked back at Yan. "So, this is the one who's going to do the work?"
"Yes. No one else was willing to take on the task," Yan replied before turning away. "I'll leave you to it."
Xiao watched in mild surprise as Yan left, seemingly more talkative than before. He then turned to Fang.
"What exactly do I need to do?" Xiao asked, still uncertain.
"Wait here a moment," Fang instructed, before disappearing into one of the nearby houses. When he returned, he held a bucket with an intricate serpent design engraved on its surface and a brush that mirrored the serpent pattern.
Fang placed the bucket on the ground. "Watch carefully. This is what you'll have to do." He removed the lid, revealing a dark red, purplish liquid inside. Xiao instantly felt a surge of energy emanating from it—a beast's blood, radiating a fierce aura.
"First, be careful. If this spills or touches your skin, it'll burn fiercely," Fang warned as he dipped the brush into the blood. The moment the brush touched the liquid, it began to glow, qi swirling around it.
Fang walked over to the altar and began painting the first pedestal. His strokes were deliberate, forming a snake-like design that wrapped elegantly around the base. The air seemed to hum as the markings were applied, and Xiao realized they resembled the protective barriers he'd seen at his sect, the kind used to ward off beasts.
"Why are you painting a ritual for an anniversary?" Xiao finally asked, puzzled.
Fang chuckled but didn't offer a full explanation. "Outsiders wouldn't understand our ways," he said, his tone dismissive but not unkind.
As Fang finished the first design, he moved to another side of the altar, beginning the next set of markings. Xiao observed closely but couldn't help asking, "Why don't you just paint the entire altar yourself?"
Fang paused briefly before answering. "The blood's energy is potent. Each time the brush glows, it drains the user's strength bit by bit. If I were to do it all at once, I'd be too exhausted to oversee the rest of the preparations. And someone has to check on the others' progress."
"Who's checking on them now?" Xiao asked, glancing around.
"That would be Yan. He's over there," Fang replied, pointing toward the far side of the square, where Yan was quietly observing other villagers as they worked.
After several hours of watching and learning, Fang finally stopped, wiping sweat from his brow. "You'll take over tomorrow. It's getting dark, and there's much more to be done. Just remember what I showed you—each pedestal must be painted exactly as I did."
With that, Fang headed back toward the house. Moments later, he returned, holding a small scroll. "Here, study this tonight. It will guide you through the ritual markings for tomorrow. Just ask me tomorrow for the supplies, and I'll get them as soon as possible."
Xiao took the scroll, feeling the weight of the task ahead. The air around the altar seemed to hum with anticipation, as if the ritual itself was waiting for completion.
"Alright, you can go now. Make sure you don't stay out too late—that's when that murderer is usually out and about." Fang said with a mysterious look before walking toward where Yan was.
Now alone, Xiao started reflecting. 'Why was he making excuses about the brush?' Xiao knew Fang could have finished the painting in a day if he wanted but seemed to slow down for Xiao's benefit. There's definitely something strange about this painting and brush, Xiao thought, growing more determined. Before going to sleep, I'll become a cultivator, if only for the security.
Xiao hurried along until he arrived at the wall he had approached last time. He placed the card on it, and the wall glowed before opening. Xiao stepped through and entered the infinite hallway. Checking the room number on his card '14' he proceeded to search for the room.
Upon finding it, he held the card up to the door, which opened with a soft click. Xiao stepped inside, and the door closed behind him. He was surprised to see that the room, while familiar, was brand new—untouched, clean, as though it had just been prepared for him.