novelraw Chapter 5 : Luoyang City
Chapter 5 : Luoyang City
Chapter 5: Luoyang City
Huiyuan’s withered lips trembled slightly. “Xu… Fu…”
His murky eyes stared fixedly at Lin Xiaowan, yet seemed to pass through her, gazing toward the distant horizon, before he swallowed his final breath.
Almost at the same moment, far beyond several regions away, halfway up Fangcun Mountain shrouded in mist—
Inside the main hall of Xizi Temple, within a side chamber that enshrined the golden statues of meritorious monks of past generations, the clay-and-gold statue belonging to “Huiyuan” suddenly emitted a faint cracking sound without warning.
“Crack.”
A fissure spread from the center of its brow, branching into fine cracks.
With a “crash,” the entire statue collapsed into fragments, scattering across the floor!
A young novice monk who had just entered to clean froze in shock, the broom slipping from his hand.
The shattered ceramic and gold leaf did not lie in random disarray. Instead, they vaguely formed two characters on the ground—Xu Fu.
The novice scrambled out of the chamber, reporting the eerie scene to those on duty in the inner hall. The news quickly reached deep into the mysterious inner sanctum, a place ordinary disciples could not enter.
After a brief silence, an aged and authoritative voice rang out, carrying a cold killing intent:
“Investigate. Dig three feet into the ground if necessary—leave nothing unchecked.”
……
Inside the ruined temple, Lin Xiaowan was completely unaware of everything that had happened afar.
She sat cross-legged beside the gradually stiffening corpse, slowly licking clean the last trace of warmth from her fingertips—that lingering “female essence,” still carrying a faint vitality.
The old monk’s primordial yang had long been exhausted. Yet the marvel of the Profound Essence Scripture · Cauldron Chapter did not lie solely in plunder, but in harmonization and transformation.
Though she had not slept all night, Lin Xiaowan’s consciousness was clearer than the day before.
At dawn, she cast one final glance at the two dried corpses on the ground, then calmly gathered the items she had searched out earlier. There was little, but it was better than setting out empty-handed.
She tied up her bundle and stepped over the threshold.
The sky brightened, and the outlines of distant mountains became clear. According to memory, Luoyang City lay in that direction—about a day’s journey.
After walking all morning, the sun grew harsh.
The mountain path was rugged. Though memories remained, this body was still delicate. By midday, she had only just reached the official road.
“So fast… it’s already gone—ah~”
Lin Xiaowan tilted the gourd, her pearly teeth faintly visible as her pink tongue reached out to catch the last few drops of water.
Her thirst eased slightly, but the gourd was empty.
The fatigue and hunger from the journey made her realize that even with spiritual roots and the qualification to cultivate, at this stage, her body was no different from that of an ordinary mortal—she still grew tired, thirsty, and could be injured.
She clenched her fist slightly. Her wrist was pale and slender. Judging her current strength, she could perhaps only handle a three-year-old child with ease.
Without the deceptive Mirage Qi, she would likely lose even against Huijue.
The events in the ruined temple had been full of coincidence and special circumstances. Now, traveling in broad daylight near populated roads, everything required caution.
Dual cultivation and killing could no longer be done as recklessly as before.
“This clothing is light and breathable, but it can’t block the harsh sun. I should rest for a while.”
Leaning against a tree trunk, Lin Xiaowan gradually calmed her mind. As her thoughts emptied, she faintly heard the sound of flowing water in the distance.
Following the sound, she parted the bushes and found a clear stream winding through the forest stones.
The water was pristine, reflecting golden sunlight filtering through the leaves.
After confirming no one was nearby, she found a secluded bend of the stream.
She removed her clothes and placed them neatly on a clean rock.
Barefoot, she stepped into the stream. Coolness wrapped around her ankles and calves, dispelling the heat of travel.
She crouched, scooped water, and splashed her face, letting out a long breath.
Her gaze fell upon the rippling surface.
The girl reflected in the water was clearly herself—yet seemed… more refined.
Her brows were like distant mountains, her eyes like flowing water, her nose straight and delicate, her lips slightly more vibrant than before.
She leaned closer.
Her lashes were longer and denser, her skin smooth like jade porcelain, her lips naturally red.
This was clearly the effect of the Profound Essence Scripture refining her physique and enhancing her feminine features.
“Good. With some disguise, I won’t have to worry about the Lin family recognizing me.”
She submerged herself, letting the cool stream wash away dust and faint traces of blood.
Her long black hair spread like water plants.
Just as she relaxed, her ears twitched.
“Sha…”
A faint sound—like a twig snapping or leaves brushing—came from across the stream.
Lin Xiaowan’s heart stirred. A familiar, absurd thought arose—this kind of scene, a girl bathing in the wild being watched… she had seen it countless times before.
Coincidence? Or deliberate?
Her thoughts raced, but her expression remained calm.
With a splash, she stood up from the water.
She draped her outer garment loosely over herself, her wet hair clinging to her shoulders, droplets sliding down her legs.
“Who’s there!” she called toward the forest, her voice clear. “Hiding like this—what kind of gentleman are you?”
Silence.
Just as she thought it might be nothing, a figure slowly emerged from behind a tree.
A boy.
About fifteen or sixteen, dressed in worn coarse clothes, slender but with defined muscles, carrying a hunting bow.
He looked embarrassed, avoiding her gaze.
“S-sorry!” he said quickly. “I didn’t mean to!”
Lin Xiaowan said nothing, simply watching him.
He grew more flustered. “I… I’ll leave!”
“Stop.”
Her voice froze him in place.
“You ‘accidentally’ saw… and kept watching?”
He stiffened. “No! I heard water, came to fetch some, saw you, and hid—I didn’t dare look more!”
Seeing her cold gaze, he lowered his head. “It’s my fault. Punish me however you want.”
Lin Xiaowan thought quickly.
Killing him? Risky.
He was strong—possibly a cultivator. And this was near the city.
She softened slightly. “Since you admit it, I won’t punish you. But you must do something for me as compensation.”
The boy nodded eagerly. “Yes!”
“My name is Zhang Fan. What’s yours?”
“Xu Fu.”
Later, after bathing—
She sat drying her hair, hunger growing.
Taking out a hard cake, she was about to eat when Zhang Fan spoke.
“You’re eating that?”
“I won’t share it.”
He laughed awkwardly. “Wait—I’ll get something better.”
Soon, he returned with a pheasant.
He skillfully prepared and roasted it.
The aroma filled the air.
He handed her a drumstick. “Here.”
She took it.
Crunchy outside, tender inside—but bland.
“How is it?” he asked.
“…A bit bad.”
He froze, dejected.
She smiled faintly. “Still better than the cake. Thank you.”
He stared, stunned by her smile.
“Are you heading to Luoyang City?” she asked.
“Yes. To find my uncle.”
They traveled together.
At dusk, Luoyang City appeared.
Massive, bustling.
Three great families ruled—Lin in the east, Li in the west, Qin in the south.
The north was chaotic.
“Where will you go?” Zhang Fan asked.
“I have no place.”
“Come with me?”
“No. That would trouble your uncle.”
She paused. “Give me your address. I may find you later.”
He agreed, handing her a note.
They parted at the gate.
She disappeared into the crowd.
He stood there, dazed.
Her scent lingered.
Her smile lingered.
“Why didn’t you follow her?” a teasing voice echoed in his mind.