Under Bai Siyao's guidance, the group of five took a side path.
The mist remained dense, but at least the demonic creatures were no longer attacking.
"Elder sister, how did you know about this path? Even I didn't know it existed," Bai Moxing asked loudly as he walked, his innocence apparent.
Bai Siyao's face showed a flicker of embarrassment as she replied slowly, "Years ago, our father asked our great uncle for help, and he explained some foundational Daoist techniques to me. That's when I discovered this path."
Bai Moxing let out an exclamation of surprise. "Great Uncle taught you Daoist techniques? Why didn't he teach us?"
Seeing his naive expression, Bai Siyao rolled her eyes. Both she and her elder sister were exceptionally intelligent, and even their younger siblings seemed sharp. But how did their eldest brother turn out like this, as if all the brains had been given to the girls, leaving him none?
Wasn't it obvious? Their third uncle must have secretly asked their great uncle for extra lessons. What was there to question?
Bai Siyao clearly thought the same, offering a vague response without directly answering.
Yue Yunqiao listened to their conversation and exchanged a glance with her senior brother. So, even within families, siblings played little mind games, not much different from the rivalries within their sect.
Huo Chongxiao chuckled helplessly. "What's strange about that? Whether in a sect or a family, people support each other while still being competitors."
"We're here," Bai Siyao suddenly announced, stopping.
They had emerged from the side path and now stood beneath a jutting rock. On the other side lay the withered leaf cottage.
From this vantage point, the cottage was completely shrouded in mist. Under the moonlight, thick demonic energy had gathered above it, forming a dome-like barrier.
Huo Chongxiao drew a sharp breath. "He's condensing a demonic heart!"
"Senior brother, what does that mean?" Yue Yunqiao asked.
Huo Chongxiao's expression turned grave as he explained, "Just as a sword cultivator must condense a sword heart, only by condensing a demonic heart can one truly become a demonic cultivator."
The difference between a sword heart and a demonic heart lay in the golden core. When forming a core, Daoist cultivators condense a golden core, sword cultivators condense a sword heart, and demonic cultivators condense a demonic heart.
Yue Yunqiao seemed to understand. "So Bai Siyun was originally a Daoist cultivator? Is he trying to transform his golden core into a demonic heart?"
Huo Chongxiao nodded slowly. "Exactly."
Yue Yunqiao was shocked. "Wouldn't that mean shattering his core?"
Again, Huo Chongxiao nodded, unable to hide his admiration. "Yes, Bai Siyun is truly ruthless."
"Wait," Bai Siyao interrupted them. "Are you saying that my great uncle is turning to demonic cultivation?"
She didn't know this yet? Huo Chongxiao glanced at Bai Siyao for help.
Bai Siyao sighed. "Elder sister, these are all conclusions based on the current clues. As for why Great Uncle is doing this, we don't know. Perhaps he's been influenced by the demonic creatures."
Bai Siyao's face turned pale. She had been personally taught by their great uncle in her youth, so her emotional attachment was deeper than her siblings', making it harder for her to accept.
"I don't believe it. How could Great Uncle do such a thing? Is he planning to use the entire Bai family as his stepping stone?"
"We don't believe it either!" Bai Moxing shouted. "That's why we're here. If Great Uncle is really doing this, how can we just sit by?"
"…It's 'sit idly by,'" Bai Siyao corrected.
She added, "Elder sister, have you seen Third Uncle and Aunt since you woke up? And where are Uncle and Aunt? We suspect they might be inside the withered leaf cottage."
At this, Bai Siyao's face grew even more ashen, but her eyes hardened with resolve. "I need to find out for sure. What if Great Uncle has been possessed by a demonic creature and actually needs our help?"
Bai Siyao nodded approvingly. "If Great Uncle is in trouble, we must do everything we can to help." Bai Siyao, having calmed down, asked Huo Chongxiao, "What should we do? Can we stop him from becoming a demon?"
Huo Chongxiao thought for a moment. "Condensing a demonic heart is no easy task. He must endure the invasion of demonic energy during the process. That's our chance. We must interrupt him while he's shattering his core."
Just as he was about to explain further, the black barrier above them trembled, and a thick tendril of black energy stretched out. A slow, drawling voice accompanied it: "Since you're here, why haven't you greeted your elders? That's not very polite."
As the words fell, the black energy coiled around them. Even Huo Chongxiao, the strongest among them, didn't have time to draw his sword before they were all lifted off the ground.
Their vision went black, then light returned, and they crashed heavily to the ground. As they regained their senses, they realized they were inside the withered leaf cottage.
Bai Moxing groaned, rubbing his backside, while the others immediately took defensive stances, carefully surveying their surroundings.
The cottage was brightly lit, and the closer they moved toward the building, the thicker the demonic energy became.
Suddenly, Bai Siyao's pupils dilated, and she cried out, "Father! Mother! Third sister!"
The others followed her gaze and saw a circle of people standing beneath the Yellow Springs Tree, each one facing inward with their backs turned, lined up like lifeless puppets.
The sight was eerie, sending chills down their spines. Bai Siyao lifted her head and saw the Yin-Yang Umbrella, which had previously been hanging beneath the Yellow Springs Tree, now floating in the air, spinning on its own.
"Father! My father is there! And my mother!" Bai Moxing shouted.
"Don't move!" Huo Chongxiao stopped him. "Look at the ground."
Everyone looked down and saw thin grooves dug into the earth, with fresh blood slowly flowing through them, forming an enormous ritual array.
"What is this?" Yue Yunqiao gasped.
"Blood of kin," Bai Siyao whispered. "Great Uncle is using the entire Bai family as a sacrifice to complete his dark arts."
Bai Siyao was on the verge of breaking down, her tears flowing freely. "Father! Mother! Are they beyond saving?"
Huo Chongxiao, the target of her question, remained silent. The truth was cruel. Even if a few could be saved, their minds would be shattered, leaving them as empty shells.
"Great Uncle! Why?" Bai Siyao screamed toward the house. "Isn't the Bai family your family too? You're the head of the Bai clan!"
But the house remained silent, offering no reply.
Bai Siyao sobbed even harder. Unlike Bai Siyao, she had truly grown up surrounded by the love of her family. This sudden blow had shattered her entire world.
Bai Moxing's eyes filled with tears as well. For the past fifteen years, he had always relied on his parents for everything. Never had he imagined a day would come when they would die in front of him, and in such a cruel manner.
"What do we do? What do we do?" he muttered to no one in particular.
Just then, light footsteps echoed.
The group turned to see Guan Mowen approaching slowly, his scholarly demeanor intact.
"Greetings, young masters and mistresses," he said with a polite bow, a smile on his face. "The master originally intended to leave a few seeds of the Bai family, but it seems fate had other plans, and now you've all witnessed this scene. Given the circumstances, the master still wishes to honor familial ties and offer you a choice."
He gestured toward Huo Chongxiao and Yue Yunqiao. "These two are disciples of Danxia Palace, their souls pure and their power untainted. If they are sacrificed, the master will safely pass this trial. Afterward, your great uncle will still be your great uncle, and you will still be yourselves. But if you choose to ignore the bond of family, the master will have no choice but to..."
Guan Mowen paused, smiling as he asked, "So, what will your decision be?"
This story is an experiment, so there won't be much focus on level-ups and cultivation. Please keep your expectations in check.