The firelight flickered, casting dozens of overlapping shadows, each in a different, indescribable form.
To have forty-nine distinct figures emerge from a single person, and to possess them as if they were alive, was truly chilling.
"I'm unclean!"
Ji Hanhan wore a dejected expression as he took a hearty bite of the golden, glistening, and perfectly roasted dove in his hand.
The uncleanness he spoke of was not related to being dirty from dust and grime.
Rather, his shadows had become too bizarre, as if tainted by something foul.
He wasn't sure if it was due to absorbing the special evil shadows from the Evil Prison Shadow Kill Array, or if the roasted dove was poisoned, or perhaps it was the result of being roasted by flames for three days. Regardless, he had inexplicably ended up like this.
Ji Mo knew something was wrong with his body, but he couldn't determine if this condition was good or bad.
If he could one day control these shadows, he might be able to comprehend supreme divine abilities, the Evil Shadow Clone Technique.
However, if these shadows were to gradually grow stronger, they could very well backfire on his main body. At best, it could lead to a split personality, and at worst, he might fall into a demonic deviation, becoming an entirely different person, or even perishing.
Ji Mo, being knowledgeable, suddenly recalled some ancient texts related to such matters and fell into contemplation.
Legend had it that when a creature's physical body was too powerful and defied the heavens, the world could not tolerate it, and various strange tribulations would appear in the unseen realm.
Could this be the tribulation he was destined to face?
It made sense. His physical body was incredibly strong, he possessed immense strength, was immune to all poisons, and unafraid of lightning or flames. Perhaps even the heavens couldn't stand it anymore.
However, his body's evolution had only reached a little over ten percent, and such a bizarre phenomenon had already occurred. He feared that as his body continued to evolve, even more terrifying tribulations would arise.
"Life is too hard for me. In the end, I have to bear everything alone."
Ji Mo sighed, thinking that perhaps this was what was meant by "When Heaven is about to confer a great office on a man, it first exercises his mind with hardship."
What can relieve sorrow but feasting?
He tore into the roasted dove in his hand, simultaneously reciting the Tao Te Ching and various Buddhist scriptures.
The Chaos Bell, entwined with his hair, gently swayed, the Yin and Yang energies circulating, and the essence of chaos descending.
The shadows writhed wildly, then gradually calmed down and vanished.
Of course, they hadn't truly disappeared but had merely gone into hibernation.
After finishing the roasted meat, Ji Mo found that his shadows had returned to normal. Without overthinking it, he headed towards the Feng Hua Xue Yue Lou.
He was absolutely unwilling to go to the Chi family's place. Who knew if old women would come knocking at his door in the middle of the night again? It was too terrifying.
He found it much more comfortable to stay at the pleasure house. The young ladies were warm and generous, making him feel right at home.
"How is this possible? The one surnamed Ji is actually not dead!"
In the darkness, the Poison Hand Medicine Saint covered his mouth tightly, afraid of making any sound.
He had seen that the situation was unfavorable that day and had decisively fled the Ximen family. However, due to the Chi family's blockade, he couldn't escape Lanyu City and could only hide near the Ximen family's territory.
After all, the most dangerous places were often the safest, and he had successfully evaded the search.
Unexpectedly, he happened to see Ji Mo walking out of the ruins of the Ximen family alive, which scared him so much that he almost collapsed on the spot.
"What kind of freak is this? Even the Evil Prison Shadow Kill Array couldn't kill him?!"
The Poison Hand Medicine Saint was extremely shocked, regretting his own recklessness in daring to oppose such a being.
This was a formidable person. He couldn't be killed by the Evil Prison Shadow Kill Array, nor harmed by fire. He was unfathomable. If he continued to oppose him, he might end up like that dove, eaten without a trace.
He decided to find a way to escape Lanyu City as soon as possible, find a place to hide, and hoped that he would never encounter this jinx, Ji Mo, again in his life.
As Ji Mo stepped into the Feng Hua Xue Yue Lou, he was greeted by a familiar young lady.
The woman was utterly shocked and exclaimed, "Young Master Ji, you're not dead... you're back?"
She rubbed her eyes in disbelief, even extending her slender, white fingers to pinch Ji Mo's cheek.
Finally, she was sure she was seeing a living person, not a ghost.
"Miss Yan Zhi, if you don't let go soon, I'll pinch you back."
Ji Mo was somewhat speechless. While they were acquainted, it wasn't appropriate to be so physically forward upon meeting. What if other young ladies saw this and wanted to pinch his face too?
Should he resist or comply?
"It's just that the Chi family has been looking for you these past few days. I thought you had met with an accident."
Yan Zhi composed herself, feigning calmness as she explained, though her heart was churning with immense surprise.
She had actually been secretly paying attention to Ji Mo's every move, even knowing that he had been captured by Granny Shi and taken to the Ximen family.
She had thought Ji Mo had perished in the Evil Prison Shadow Kill Array, but unexpectedly, he had returned alive three days later.
"Thank you for your concern, Miss Yan Zhi. I'm fine."
Ji Mo thought about sending word to the Chi family tomorrow to inform them of everything, so as to prevent Chi Qingying and the others from worrying.
"It's good that you're alright."
Yan Zhi's face lit up with joy. Then, with a blush, she raised her fair, tender face, her bright eyes like water, presenting a look of inviting affection, expecting Ji Mo to pinch her back.
Ji Hanhan couldn't take it anymore and quickly turned to leave, hurrying back to his room.
"Hey, Young Master Ji, don't go! A true man, how can you go back on your word? If you don't want to pinch my face, you can pinch other places too."
Yan Zhi deliberately shouted at Ji Mo's retreating back, scaring Ji Hanhan into running even faster.
"Hehehe..."
Yan Zhi covered her mouth and laughed, unable to comprehend why other men would flock to her like flies whenever they saw her.
Yet, there was this foolish man in the world who, when faced with her advances, was as shy as a young lady.
Afterward.
Yan Zhi hurried to the backyard and entered a secret chamber.
"Reporting to the Grand Elder, Young Master Ji has returned unharmed, and there are no injuries on his person."
Yan Zhi reported Ji Mo's situation to a middle-aged woman seated cross-legged in the room.
The power behind Feng Hua Xue Yue Lou was the Moon Sect, one of the Four Sects of the Feng Hua Xue Yue Cult. Ever since Ji Mo wrote the poem "When Will the Moon Be Bright," he had attracted the attention of the Moon Sect's Grand Elder, who then instructed Yan Zhi to approach Ji Mo and observe his every move.
"Not dead?"
The Moon Sect Grand Elder's eyes shone with a startling celestial light. She was clearly surprised, and then her face broke into a look of ecstatic joy: "His literary talent is unparalleled in the world, and his martial prowess rivals that of an Immortal Emperor. He is indeed a rare talent. I was right about him."
"Grand Elder, do you truly intend to select Young Master Ji as our Moon Sect's 'Saintess' to contend for the position of Cult Master? Young Master Ji is indeed accomplished in both literature and martial arts, but he is a man, after all. Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"
Yan Zhi couldn't help but voice her confusion.
The vast majority of the Feng Hua Xue Yue Cult's followers were women, and all previous Cult Masters had been women. It seemed absurd for Ji Mo to become the Moon Sect's 'Saintess' to compete for the Cult Master position.
The Moon Sect Grand Elder said, "I understand your concerns, but our sect's teachings do not explicitly stipulate that the Cult Master must be a woman. Moreover, I see Young Master Ji as far from an ordinary man. He looks upon you all without the slightest hint of lewdness and can interact with you as sisters."
"However, having a man as a candidate for Cult Master has never happened before. I fear the Wind, Flower, and Snow Sects will not agree."
Yan Zhi expressed her worries. She and some of the sisters in the Moon Sect had already been captivated by Ji Mo's literary talent and naturally had no objections.
But the other three sects would surely strongly oppose it.
"It has been many years since our Moon Sect produced a Cult Master. Our position within the sect is precarious, merely a name without substance. If we do not produce a Cult Master to turn the tide, I fear the Moon Sect will be annexed by the other three sects."
The Moon Sect Grand Elder sighed softly, revealing her helplessness.
If it weren't absolutely necessary, she wouldn't have taken this step.
After a moment of thought, she continued, "If the three sects strongly object, we will publicly declare that Young Master Ji is not fond of women and has a penchant for men. That should silence them."
Yan Zhi's forehead creased, but her heart skipped a beat. Could Young Master Ji truly have such peculiar preferences? Otherwise, how could a true man remain unmoved when faced with temptation?
"Yan Zhi, continue to observe Young Master Ji. Once his character is confirmed to be without issue, I will personally step forward to recruit him into our Moon Sect, bestow upon him the title of Saint Son, and have him contend for the position of Cult Master."
The Moon Sect Grand Elder finally made her final decision; she had very high hopes for Ji Mo.