Chapter 160: Cellmate

"Clearly, how vital the body is to cultivation," Pan Yun said. "If your body is weak, your energy must first repair it. Zhang Liuzhen and I both have innate Dao Bodies—his cultivation speed should be no slower than mine, yet look at him, at his age, still not reached First Marquis. Why?"

"It's surely because he's injured, his body is weak, all his energy goes to healing it, leaving none left for cultivation, so he's stuck like this."

"So refining the body is crucial," Pan Yun mused. "Senior Brother spends huge sums every month on us, making us soak in medicinal baths to strengthen our bodies—that's the same principle. Likewise, Cheng Lingzi hauling water by running up and down with his body strength is also for body refinement."

Pan Yun was thrilled, desperate to go help Cheng Lingzi haul water right now.

"Since we're idle, why not go help him haul water?"

Pan Xiaohei brought up the old topic again. "Aren't you afraid of heights anymore?"

Pan Yun glanced at him. "Outside the cave, I can use my Yuan force—I'll just fly back up if I fall. What's there to fear?"

So the next day, as Cheng Lingzi again carried buckets and scrambled down the cliff face, Pan Yun leaned out from the cave mouth and shouted loudly: "Senior Brother, may I help you haul water?"

Cheng Lingzi heard her, turned his head to glance at her once, then kept hauling water—ten trips straight, not acknowledging her at all.

But Pan Yun wasn't discouraged at all; whether the jerk acknowledged her or not, she kept staring at him with starry-eyed hope.

Cheng Lingzi soon arrived with jars and steamed buns. Pan Yun tossed him the empty jar from yesterday, took the new jar and buns he threw her, and gazed at him with shining eyes: "Senior Brother, may I help you carry water? I want to learn your skill of walking on air along the cliff."

Cheng Lingzi stood on his flying sword. "I'm naturally glad if you're willing to help, but… can you even get out?"

Pan Yun beamed. "As long as Senior Brother agrees, I can definitely get out."

Cheng Lingzi tilted his chin. "Try it."

Pan Yun heard him, fell into thought, glanced at the empty cave mouth, considered, then suddenly leapt downward—only for her body to be blocked by an invisible force at the cave's edge, slamming back with a thud.

Fortunately, she'd only intended to jump down, not put much force into it, so the rebound was limited.

She rose, clutching her buttocks, stunned. "A formation?"

She ran to the cave mouth, crouched, crept inch by inch, extended her hand—her hand passed through the cave mouth without any resistance whatsoever.

Pan Yun was astonished. "Is it… intelligent?"

Cheng Lingzi didn't know what she was muttering, turned, and flew away. "I advise you to behave, Sister. Today is your fifth day—you still have forty days left."

Pan Yun had found a new toy and temporarily stopped pestering Cheng Lingzi.

"This formation is incredibly intelligent—where is it set? Is the entire mountain covered?" Pan Yun began exploring the cave again, rummaging and rummaging, using both inner force and Yuan force, smashing the mountain with thuds and crashes.

"Senior Brother didn't lie—Long Hushan's talisman formations are truly the best in the world. I never saw anything like this on Mount Sanqing. No, I must study this thoroughly—good things must be learned to truly belong to you."

While Pan Yun was tormenting the mountain.

Wang Feiyin was also tormenting things below.

Just as it was time to treat Zhang Liuzhen, Wang Feiyin suddenly remembered: "Little sister has been soaking in medicinal baths for half a year—now that she's gone to Si Guo Cliff, that's cut off. No, we must continue it for her."

Master Xuanmiao: "…Senior Brother, there's no spiritual energy at Si Guo Cliff."

"Precisely because there's no spiritual energy—it's better. Extreme conditions create contrast, enhancing body refinement even more," Wang Feiyin said. "Previously, medicinal baths were every half-month. I think at Si Guo Cliff, we can increase it to every ten days."

He acted immediately, demanding the Academy permit them to send Pan Yun body-refining medicinal liquids.

Zhang Ziwang's face turned black. "She's there to reflect on her sins!"

"Of course she must reflect," Wang Feiyin said. "But cultivation can't be neglected. The medicinal baths are painful—perfect for intensifying her punishment. What a perfect fit." He added: "We won't cost you a single coin or herb—just allow my disciples to deliver the liquid up."

Wang Feiyin paused. "If you're uneasy, let Master Xuanmiao deliver it. After all, she's from your Zhang family and knows Si Guo Cliff well."

Master Xuanmiao: …

Li Qingyin immediately backed him up. "Exactly—it's not a big deal, just sending something to a disciple. You're not secretly bullying the child at Si Guo Cliff and afraid we'll find out, are you?"

Zhang Ziwang's face darkened. "Is the Academy such a place?"

Li Qingyin muttered: "Who knows? My Huai Gong is still lying in bed."

Zhang Ziwang had no reply—he was utterly silenced.

They'd fought several battles these past days; the Academy had already paid out huge sums and resources to Cui Huai Gong and Fuqing Temple—but the matter wasn't over.

Two days ago, Zhang Weiliang was brought back under guard by the Law Hall. His sister-in-law heard the news and stormed the Academy.

The Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion also sent envoys to inquire. Chaos erupted. A simple, clear ambush and mob assault case, due to the number and uniqueness of those involved, had split into five factions.

Fortunately, this wasn't a public trial—or he'd have exploded.

Nong Zhiyi insisted no one ordered him—it was his own action. The other three also clamped their jaws shut, refusing to implicate Zhang Weiliang. The money Nong Zhiyi received was suspicious, but no evidence proved it came from Zhang Weiliang. Without concrete proof, Wang Feiyin and Li Qingyin couldn't touch them.

In the end, Lin Jingle brought up his past bullying, and his earlier ambush of Pan Yun in the courtyard, and gave him twenty lashes, then sent him to Si Guo Cliff for three months.

Oh, he's still recovering from his injuries—he'll be sent to Si Guo Cliff tomorrow.

Zhang Weiliang never imagined he'd be punished for that courtyard incident. Everyone knew he was the one who suffered in the Fengqi Courtyard affair!

He didn't scare Pan Yun—he only tormented himself, Zhang Weigang, and Zhang Weiqin. That's fine, they were all punished with exile, but now they're back and the old case is being reopened again…

As Zhang Weiliang was carried back down to the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion, he still glared defiantly, muttering: "Just because he's treating the Heir Master, you agree to every demand he makes—would you agree if he ordered the Sanqing Temple to kill me?"

"Why? Is his Zhang Liuzhen's life worth more than mine? Are you using me to appease the Sanqing Temple? I won't accept it—I won't accept it!"

Even Lin Jingle, who never showed mercy to Zhang family disciples, couldn't help saying: "He's not wrong—without evidence, you can't say he did it."

Zhang Ziwang sneered. "So cancel the punishment?"

Lin Jingle: "Hmph. Don't need to remind me—he's been acting improperly for days. This punishment is fully justified. But Wang Feiyin wanting it heavier? Impossible."

Zhang Ziwang said nothing.

!. Read

Lin Jingle turned to leave, but Zhang Ziwang called out: "I heard that when they brought him back, the Law Hall took him to the graveyard below the mountain overnight?"

Lin Jingle turned his head. "What's the issue?"

Zhang Ziwang: "Lin Tangzhu, I hope you understand—the Academy and the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion rise and fall together, and the Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion bears the Zhang surname."

Lin Jingle sneered. "Whether Academy or Zhang Zhang Tian Shi's Mansion, both exist to preserve the Dao. Whoever harms the Dao—no matter who—is beyond my forgiveness."

Lin Jingle turned and left.

Outside, several disciples gathered around, whispering: "Master, we've searched all nearby graveyards and burial grounds—no lingering ghosts. Maybe it wasn't Zhang Weiliang who summoned them?"

Lin Jingle: "If not him, then investigate Zhang Weigang and Zhang Weiqin."

Could it be Pan Yun and her two companions? If they brought it in from outside…

Lin Jingle glanced at them and said: "Wang Feiyin isn't the type to tolerate even a speck of dust. Compared to Pan Yun, the three Zhang brothers are far less trustworthy. If you find nothing on Zhang Weigang and Zhang Weiqin, investigate Zhang Weiyi, Xue Hua, and Deng Ziyu."

This meant suspecting everyone in Fengqi Courtyard.

The disciples bowed low and replied, then, glancing at Lin Jingle's expression, dared to plead for Zhou Wangdao: "Master, Brother Zhou didn't mean it. Just look at how close he is to Pan Yun…"

"Negligence is negligence. Do you all want to go to Sigu Cliff too?"

The group fell silent at once.

Zhou Wangdao's month-long exile to Sigu Cliff arrived—late, but inevitable.

As soon as his injuries improved, he was sent to Sigu Cliff; in fact, he entered barely a step behind Pan Yun.

As soon as Lin Jingle left, the group huddled together to discuss: "Should we secretly send something to Brother Zhou?"

"I've never been to Sigu Cliff. I don't know what it's like inside."

Someone who had been there said: "It's terrible. Every day you eat coarse grain buns—three meals a day, one bun per meal, not even a single salted vegetable."

"You can't complain. If you do, your food and water for that day are taken away—you starve."

"The water ration is barely enough to drink. After a month, your body reeks, your face is caked in dust, and worst of all, your Qi constantly leaks away. All you hear is wind and water—no other sound. Especially at night. I can't even last three days, let alone a month."

Zhou Wangdao lasted a little longer—he held out five days—and now he was beginning to break.

Five days drove him to mutter to himself. When he suddenly realized what he was doing, terror flooded his mind: "I—I just talked to myself?"

"The senior disciples' notes say that when you start muttering to yourself, madness isn't far off. I won't go mad so easily, will I?"

Zhou Wangdao clapped his hand over his mouth. "Ooh—! I—I just did it again…"

While doubting his own sanity, he heard a thudding sound. He strained his ears—where was it coming from?

He'd been here five days. All he'd heard was wind and water…

Zhou Wangdao swallowed hard, stepped into the dark cave, and followed the sound. It seemed to come from within the mountain itself.

As soon as he pressed against the rock wall, there was a sudden BANG—he jumped back a step, but held his breath and listened closely. The next moment, he heard a ghostly wail—wild, mournful, distant yet right beside his ear. She shrieked: "I found~~you~~!"

Zhou Wangdao recoiled in terror, his legs buckled, and he collapsed onto the ground.

(End of Chapter)