Great Immortal With Boundless Mana

Chapter 19: Evil Qi

"What's going on?" Zhu, the shopkeeper, questioned sternly.

Seeing the situation was so bad, Zhu, the shopkeeper, couldn't control his anger, nor did he want to.

This area is considered the central area of Feima City. Gao Xian has only been here for a little over two months and doesn't know many people. Who would come to his house in the middle of the night to set it on fire?

Even if there were enemies, it would be better to directly attack and kill Gao Xian.

Zhu, the shopkeeper, believed that Gao Xian must have done it himself. Maybe his alchemy failed and destroyed a lot of medicinal materials, and he felt unable to explain himself.

Or maybe this kid took the successfully refined pills and secretly sold them, and that's why he set the fire to destroy the evidence?!

Gao Xian lowered his gaze, avoiding eye contact with Zhu, the shopkeeper. Years of experience in dealing with angry superiors had taught him how to handle the situation.

Avoiding eye contact shows a humble attitude and can effectively prevent conflicts from escalating.

"I don't know who threw a flame bomb here. It almost scared me to death."

Gao Xian looked innocent but also a bit frightened, his expression was very convincing.

The blazing flames illuminated the courtyard, and Zhu, the shopkeeper, could clearly see the subtle expressions on Gao Xian's face. He didn't notice anything suspicious.

This also made Zhu, the shopkeeper, doubt his own judgment. Could he have wrongly accused this kid?

After all, Gao Xian was only in his early twenties and had been studying alchemy all along. He didn't have much life experience, so he wouldn't naturally behave like someone with ulterior motives.

Gao Xian provided high-quality pills and received a lot of praise. It can be seen that he has great talent in alchemy.

For such a talented person, one shouldn't be too rough.

Zhu, the shopkeeper, became uncertain and took the opportunity of the flames to carefully observe Gao Xian once again.

The flames were strong but unstable, flickering and constantly changing. Gao Xian's face was also illuminated intermittently, giving a somewhat elusive impression.

Gao Xian remained calm. He was destroying the evidence, but he would compensate for the losses. There was nothing to be afraid of.

He said loudly, "Big Brother Zhu, regardless of who did it, I will compensate for these losses."

Zhu, the shopkeeper, shook his head with a strange expression. "No, no..."

Gao Xian was slightly surprised. How did Zhu, the shopkeeper, realize that something was wrong?

He knew that speaking too much would lead to mistakes, so without understanding Zhu, the shopkeeper's intentions, he didn't dare to interfere or explain randomly.

He pretended to be confused and looked at Zhu, the shopkeeper.

Zhu, the shopkeeper, used his observation technique, and a glimmer of light flashed in his small eyes. Upon looking at Gao Xian again, he realized that something was indeed wrong.

He took two steps back and suddenly became a little nervous. "Xiao Gao, have you encountered anything unusual recently?"

Gao Xian was a bit puzzled. Is Zhu the shopkeeper scared?

He thought for a moment and said, "Nothing unusual, just saw a shadow flash by last night. It might be the person who set the fire!"

Zhu the shopkeeper's expression became more serious. "Xiao Gao, I see that your forehead is darkened. I'm afraid you have encountered an evil spirit and been contaminated by evil energy. This is not good!"

"Ah?!"

Gao Xian was both shocked and doubtful. Did Zhu the shopkeeper really see something or was he just scaring him?

He hurriedly asked, "What should I do?"

"Everyone has their own expertise. Go find Zhou Ye, the owner of the Lingfu Hall. He is very skilled in using Shaoyang symbols and is good at removing evil energy."

Zhu the shopkeeper emphasized again, "If evil energy enters your body and is not properly dealt with, it will corrode your body and mind, and attract evil spirits. Your life will be in danger. This is no joke."

Listening to Zhu the shopkeeper's serious words, Gao Xian also became a little scared. He couldn't help but think of the fleeting shadow. Could he really have encountered something evil?

Gao Xian hesitated and asked, "What about the house?"

Taking this opportunity, he wanted to play the sympathy card, hoping that Zhu the shopkeeper would be a little lenient and reduce the amount he had to pay.

When it came to the matter of the house, Zhu the shopkeeper's expression became even more serious. "You still owe 500 Bai Lu Dan, which is equivalent to 50 spiritual stones. I won't count the other medicinal materials."

"These 50 spiritual stones will be deducted from your monthly allowance at a rate of 4 stones per month. It will take a year and a half to pay off."

Gao Xian was speechless. His monthly allowance was 5 spiritual stones, and now 4 of them would be deducted. He would have nothing left to eat or drink...

Zhu the shopkeeper was truly a qualified capitalist. Personal relationships were personal, and money was money. The two should never be mixed together.

Wait a minute, why would it take a year and a half to pay off?

"Zhu, did you make a mistake?"

Zhu the shopkeeper looked embarrassed. "The business of selling medicinal materials is small profits but quick turnover. I don't have enough spiritual stones for circulation, so I borrowed 50 spiritual stones from you. With such a long installment plan, of course, interest needs to be calculated..."

This reason was quite sufficient. Gao Xian wanted to give Zhu the shopkeeper a thumbs up. It served him right for being a boss and making money!

"It's my fault for not considering it thoroughly." Gao Xian didn't argue. He just had to pay more spiritual stones.

He had secretly sold Zhu the shopkeeper's pills without making him compensate tenfold, which was already quite generous. He had no right to be unhappy.

Besides, his relationship with Qi Niang was that of in-laws. There was no need to be too calculative with relatives.

"You are a reasonable person, brother."

Zhu the shopkeeper was very satisfied with Gao Xian's obedient attitude. After thinking for a moment, he said, "The house needs to be repaired. Find a place to stay for a few days first."

"You tonight," Zhu the shopkeeper originally wanted to take Gao Xian back to the medicine shop, but then he thought that this kid had evil energy on him, so he couldn't bring him back.

"You quickly go find Zhou Ye and get rid of the evil energy," Zhu the shopkeeper said.

After speaking, Zhu the shopkeeper waved his hand repeatedly, signaling for Gao Xian to leave quickly.

Gao Xian didn't dare to delay. Although Zhu the shopkeeper was greedy for money, he was still reliable in his actions. Since the other party was so disgusted with him, it was obvious that the evil energy was not a small matter.

He packed his belongings into a bundle and carried it on his back.

Fortunately, the moon in the sky was bright, which gave Gao Xian a sense of security.

Following Zhu the shopkeeper's instructions, Gao Xian found the Lingfu Hall on the edge of the central street of Feima Market.

As the name suggests, Lingfu Hall sells talismans.

The shop was not big, with a dark red lantern hanging at the entrance. Upon closer inspection, the lantern was covered with symbols.

Gao Xian didn't have much knowledge about talismans, and after looking at them for a while, he couldn't recognize what the symbols represented. They were probably used for exorcism and purification.

He secretly sighed, "Sure enough, it's a shop that sells talismans, so rich and powerful!"

The door of Lingfu Hall was tightly closed, so Gao Xian could only knock on it forcefully.

After a while, a hoarse and old voice came from inside the door, "We're closed, come back tomorrow if you have any business."

Gao Xian quickly said, "I have an urgent matter to see Mr. Zhou,"

Afraid of being rejected, he added, "I am Gao Xian, a disciple of Xu Mingyuan from Lianyun Sect. The shopkeeper Zhu from the medicine shop sent me here. Please make an exception."

Feima Market was developed by Lianyun Sect, and all major transactions such as magical instruments, elixirs, and talismans were controlled by Lianyun Sect.

Zhou Ye naturally belonged to Lianyun Sect.

Lianyun Sect was large, but Xu Mingyuan, as a master alchemist of Lianyun Sect, had some reputation.

Shopkeeper Zhu was also a big shot in Feima Market.

By mentioning these two, Gao Xian thought that Zhou Ye should give him some face. He had actually seen Zhou Ye before, but he didn't know if the other party remembered him.

Sure enough, there was movement inside the door, and soon the door opened.

An old man in a blue robe walked out. He was not polite and used the lantern to shine on Gao Xian's face, saying, "It's you, what business do you have so late?"

The old man in the blue robe recognized Gao Xian. He was about to scold him, but before he finished speaking, he noticed something was wrong, "Your forehead is dark and you're surrounded by evil energy, you're really unlucky, kid!"

Gao Xian was still skeptical, but now that the old man in the blue robe said so, he was really starting to panic.

"Mr. Zhou, is it serious? Can I be saved?!" Gao Xian asked anxiously.

The old man in the blue robe looked Gao Xian up and down and said slowly, "Whether you can be saved or not depends on how many spirit stones you have..."

Although he had seen Gao Xian before and had some acquaintance with Xu Mingyuan, he couldn't help him for free.

Gao Xian wanted to sigh. These cultivators were even more calculating than small vendors! But since it involved his own life, he couldn't afford to be temperamental.

"The matter of spirit stones is not a problem," Gao Xian respectfully said, "Please save me first, Mr. Zhou."

"Alright," the old man in the blue robe reached out his hand, "Ten spirit stones."

Gao Xian breathed a sigh of relief. With the ten-plus spirit stones that Old Wang gave him, he had a total of fifteen spirit stones, more than enough to afford it!

Zhou Ye took the ten spirit stones and his expression improved a bit, "Come in."

As soon as he entered, there was a main hall. Two oil lamps illuminated the room brightly.

In the center was a folding screen painted with landscapes, and in front was a square table with some tea sets, apparently for receiving guests.

On the two sides of the walls were several long tables, on which were placed some talismans, Taoist books, and other items.

Gao Xian was observing the room when a woman in a blue robe emerged from behind the screen. "Father, who is it so late?"

The woman in the blue robe was in her early twenties, with curved eyebrows and charming eyes.

She had her hair in a high bun, with a golden phoenix hairpin diagonally inserted. The ruby pendant on the hairpin swayed gently with her steps, shining with a beautiful and ethereal light under the lamp, further highlighting her fair skin like snow.

The azure Daoist robe seemed to ripple with water, adding a touch of otherworldly elegance to the woman.

Gao Xian was slightly surprised. The woman was actually wearing a Daoist robe, which was why she was shimmering with spiritual light all over her body. She must be wealthy!

The woman in the blue robe didn't expect there to be a stranger in the room. When she saw Gao Xian, she couldn't help but be taken aback. She blinked her eyes and carefully examined Gao Xian, showing a look of surprise on her face.

Zhou Ye had his back to the woman, so he couldn't see her expression. He casually replied, "Xu Mingyuan's disciple, got infected with evil energy, I'm going to take a look at him."

Then he added, "Ling'er, you go back first, don't stay here, it's not good for your body to be contaminated by evil energy."

"Dad, then I'll go back first."

When the woman in the blue robe left, she took a deep look at Gao Xian. Her eyes were filled with joy and eagerness.

Gao Xian felt a little itchy in his heart. What did that look mean? Could it be that this woman also had a relationship with him?!

(End of this chapter)