Trees towered into the clouds, their thick trunks covered in a dense layer of moss. Sunlight filtered through the overlapping leaves, casting scattered golden spots on the ground.
Ji Zhaoxi wrapped her arms around Xie Qingyan's neck and sneaked a glance at the group of ghosts in the trees staring at them.
On the bark, there was a hanging-boot ghost. It blended into the bark, its face covered in wrinkles, its wide mouth almost splitting to the back of its ears. Its long tongue was tentatively following behind them. Behind the leaves, there was also an eye-between-fingers ghost. It had no face, densely covered in eyeballs, peeking at them from the darkness.
Ji Zhaoxi buried her head in Xie Qingyan's back. Feeling her unease, Xie Qingyan comforted her, Miss Ji, do not be afraid. They will not hurt people.
Ji Zhaoxi whispered, But they look so scary.
As soon as she finished speaking, the eye-between-fingers ghost hiding behind the leaves began to shake violently. Tears constantly flowed from its pupils, and it silently covered its eyes with leaves.
Ji Zhaoxi was dumbfounded. She had not expected this ghost to be so fragile.
She immediately felt a bit guilty and whispered, I am sorry.
Xie Qingyan took off his Daoist robe and let Ji Zhaoxi sit on it.
Miss Ji, you rest here for a while. I will go find some firewood, Xie Qingyan said.
Daoist Priest Xie, I want to go with you. Ji Zhaoxi quickly followed him.
If she stayed here alone, she would definitely be scared to death, even though she knew they did not eat people.
As soon as the two left, a squirrel ghost popped out from a corner. It rummaged through Xie Qingyan's bundle, and upon seeing the contents, it was immediately startled.
It is full of talisman papers. He really is a Daoist priest. The squirrel ghost looked at the other ghosts with a straight face.
Why is that female ghost staying with a Daoist priest? Is she not afraid of death?
A fox ghost wagged its tail and snorted, Maybe that Daoist priest is her paramour. I feel like that Daoist priest is not a proper one either.
Hearing the footsteps of the two returning, the discussing ghosts immediately scattered.
The night grew darker, and the black mist in the woods became thicker. Xie Qingyan lit a fire, and the blazing white-golden flames instantly dispersed some of the ghost energy nearby.
The forest was very quiet. Apart from the sound of firewood burning, no other sounds could be heard.
Although she only had a semi-solid body, it had consumed a lot of her energy. She felt exhausted all over, and her gaze involuntarily fell on Xie Qingyan opposite her.
He had fallen asleep leaning against a tree. The flickering firelight illuminated his face, making him look exceptionally gentle.
Ji Zhaoxi stared at him eagerly. She really wanted to absorb some of Xie Qingyan's vital energy, but would that be bad? He had already expended a lot of vital energy to save her last time.
Ji Zhaoxi sat in place, struggling for a good while, before carefully standing up. Her heart was beating so fast it felt like it would jump out of her chest.
Holding her breath, her body suddenly turned transparent as she slowly floated over to Xie Qingyan.
A few ghosts were lying on the trees, staring at her.
Ji Zhaoxi kept reassuring herself, just a little bit, just a little bit will do...
Ghost energy instantly enveloped Xie Qingyan. Countless wisps of ghost energy circled around him, eagerly clinging to his exposed skin. Ji Zhaoxi buried her face in the crook of Xie Qingyan's neck, and pale golden streams of light continuously overflowed from his body.
Her originally pale face gradually took on a flush. She closed her eyes, her breathing a bit hurried. She felt her whole body burning up, wanting to escape but unable to resist absorbing more.
Cough... cough cough...
Finally, Ji Zhaoxi could not help but cough. She felt as if a fire was continuously scorching her ghost soul. This was completely different from when Xie Qingyan transferred energy to her.
Just as she was so uncomfortable she was about to cry, Xie Qingyan sighed and pulled her into his arms.
He gently patted her back and soothed, Go to sleep.
The burning sensation in her soul body suddenly disappeared, replaced by a warm and fulfilling feeling. Ji Zhaoxi buried herself in his embrace, her breathing finally steadying.
Xie Qingyan calmly looked at Ji Zhaoxi's flushed face, his eyes lowered.
She did not even know how to steal vital energy properly.
A few little ghosts were bringing their families, preparing to take a puff or two as well. But as soon as they raised their heads, they met Xie Qingyan's gaze.
The little ghosts screamed in terror and immediately ran away.
Ji Zhaoxi sensed Xie Qingyan's indulgence, and what she was best at was pushing her luck.
She clung to Xie Qingyan's side almost all day, sneaking a small sip of his energy whenever he was not paying attention.
And Xie Qingyan acted as if he had not noticed anything, treating her exactly as usual.
Miss Ji, do you prefer a human form or a ghost form? Xie Qingyan suddenly asked. A human form will consume a lot of your energy, but a ghost form will be very dangerous while staying by my side.
He was a Daoist priest, so naturally, there were many seekers of the Dao around him. If she was not careful, Ji Zhaoxi could fall into danger.
Ji Zhaoxi was sucking on the fruit in her hand. She quickly replied, I want a human form. Daoist Priest Xie, I want to stay by your side and absorb your vital energy forever.
Xie Qingyan was silent for a moment. She was certainly honest.
He nodded. Then I understand. If Miss Ji needs anything, you can tell me at any time.
Ji Zhaoxi was moved to tears.
As expected of a cultivator, his heart was simply too kind.
Ji Zhaoxi did not like walking. When she was a ghost in the past, she floated everywhere, and even floating felt tiring to her.
Now that she had a physical body, she wanted to walk even less. Almost this entire journey, Xie Qingyan had been carrying her on his back.
At first, Ji Zhaoxi felt a bit guilty, but later on, every time they set off, Xie Qingyan would very consciously crouch down in front of her, and Ji Zhaoxi completely lost her reservations.
The sky was just turning bright, and the morning woods were filled with mist.
Looking at the path ahead, Ji Zhaoxi suddenly asked curiously, Daoist Priest Xie, you said before that the Mandate of Heaven cannot be defied, otherwise one will suffer heavenly retribution.
Then, going from a ghost to my current state of being half-ghost and half-human, does this count as defying the Mandate of Heaven?
She listened to Xie Qingyan chant scriptures every day. He was always talking about this Mandate of Heaven and that Mandate of Heaven, even when speaking with Squire Zhao, he frequently mentioned it.
Ji Zhaoxi frowned slightly. Will the Mandate of Heaven kill me when the time comes? But I only want to die by your hands; I do not want to die by the hands of the Mandate of Heaven.
Xie Qingyan said calmly, Wandering souls and wild ghosts are pitiful to begin with. Having the possibility to become human is the best thing possible. What is more, Miss Ji is kind-hearted, so this can be considered a good deed.
Ji Zhaoxi looked at his side profile. Is this what the Mandate of Heaven said?
This is what I say.
Ji Zhaoxi choked on her words.
Sensing that Ji Zhaoxi was lacking energy, Xie Qingyan's voice was clear and cold, Rest assured, Miss Ji. Since I promised to take you with me, I will definitely protect you well until your soul is successfully delivered.
Ji Zhaoxi finally felt relieved.
Daoist Priest Xie, are all the Daoist priests of Taichu Temple as kind-hearted as you?
Xie Qingyan thought seriously for a moment. Miss Ji, I am not too clear on this question either. I only know that all disciples of Taichu Temple will follow the Heavenly Dao.
The way of the Dao is profoundly extraordinary, and brooks no selfish desires.
