—

The survival show would face the public—one careless move could expose the existence of the Xuanxue World. Xu Yuxiang personally called the nine members of the Xuanxue Class before him, specifically laying out the mission's guiding principle: stay low-key, stay careful.

"We've coordinated with the Program Team. The Overall Director will have the staff try to keep you off camera as much as possible. Performances and such can be skipped. Keep a low profile—don't let the other trainees figure out who you really are," Xu Yuxiang repeated two or three times. "The Program Team will give you freedom where they can. For safety, only a few people on the Program Team know your identities. If you have problems, go to those people."

Jiang Luo took the name list. The Program Team's top brass were all on it.

Simply put, they were going to be invisible people—solve the Paranormal Incident, then retire without a trace.

Jiang Luo looked at the variety show's name: Next Stop, Idol.

The name looked familiar.

He thought for a moment, then it hit him—wasn't this the survival show Bai Qiu had been trying so hard to get him onto?

Two months ago, he and Chi You, disguised as Senior Brother Qiao, had helped A-list actress Bai Qiu break the Harmony Talisman her manager had placed on her. Afterward, Bai Qiu and Jiang Luo had exchanged contact information. Bai Qiu had been relentless in pushing Jiang Luo to enter the Entertainment Industry, wanting to sign him under her Workshop, and had even drawn up a debut plan for him, with Next Stop, Idol as the first stop.

Jiang Luo had refused without hesitation every time, but who'd have thought—after all the twists and turns, this variety show had appeared before him again.

Thinking of Bai Qiu brought back her manager. Jiang Luo took out his Mobile Phone and searched for the follow-up news.

Bai Qiu moved fast. A week after waking from the Harmony Talisman, her manager He Meng was sent to prison on multiple charges, the most serious being drug use and extortion against Bai Qiu.

Each charge was extremely heavy—enough to keep He Meng behind bars for the rest of his life.

Jiang Luo watched with deep admiration. One had to admit—when women got ruthless, there was basically nothing left for men to contribute.

Next Stop, Idol was a boy group survival show. Zhuo Zhongqiu stood beside the Dean, gloating as she asked her companions, "So who's going?"

Xu Yuxiang stroked his white beard. "You've hit the nail on the head."

For a survival show, looks naturally mattered.

Xu Yuxiang looked over each of his students, troubled: they were all good-looking—how to choose?

School missions accumulated credits. Credits were for graduation, or for School rewards, or could be exchanged for money. The Six Great Families also picked high-credit students from the School to be their Direct Lineage disciples. So every mission was both crisis and opportunity at once.

Xu Yuxiang couldn't decide, so he said, "How about this—you vote."

When the votes were counted, Jiang Luo sat conspicuously in first place. Second and third were Qi Ye and Lu You. The Dean confirmed the three of them and instructed, "Someone will come pick you up the day after tomorrow. Be at the School by eight in the morning. That's all—dismissed."

Walking out of the Dean's Office, Jiang Luo asked in a dark voice, "Who voted for me?"

Eight hands rose in unison.

Wenren Lian flipped his curls, smiling. "That face of yours—keeping it off screen would be a crime. I'm used to women's clothes, so I'm out. Ge Zhu is a Daoist, he can't either. Kuang Zheng is too bulky, he can't. Ye Xun has to carry Little Pink around all the time—the Program Team probably won't allow stuffed animals? As for Sailor..."

He looked at the blonde curly-haired boy with dark circles under his eyes, looking kidney-deficient. "...let's give him time to catch up on sleep."

"Counting it all up, only you three are left."

Jiang Luo narrowed his eyes and swept his gaze over them. The matter was settled—he accepted it. He touched his own face. Jiang Luo had always been good-looking and knew it. If this face drew attention, his future life would be trouble.

To avoid being mobbed when he went out in the future, Jiang Luo would spare no effort to stay low-key.

After afternoon classes, Jiang Luo was called back to Tianshi Manor by Feng Li.

Coincidentally, Zhuo Zhongqiu and Qi Ye had also been called back by the Zhuo Clan and Qi Family.

When he arrived at Tianshi Manor, it was just past noon. Tianshi Manor was as crowded as ever. Jiang Luo entered through the gate, and the registered disciple standing by the door said respectfully, "Senior Brother."

Jiang Luo nodded and walked into the inner courtyard amid many reverent gazes.

Feng Li wasn't at Tianshi Manor, but he'd sent another disciple, Wang Santan, to arrange things for Jiang Luo. Jiang Luo hadn't seen this senior brother in a while. He asked casually, "Senior Brother Santan, why weren't you at the Third Trial of the Xiangxi Competition the other day?"

He remembered that Wang Santan and another Senior Brother Zhou Wudu had clearly passed the Second Trial.

Wang Santan's face darkened. "Because I was one of the five people who ate wild mushrooms in Yunnan."

Jiang Luo: "..." Pfft.

Wang Santan sent him back to his room and said, "The Master wants you to learn five new types of Spirit Papers. At ten o'clock, he'll check your practice over video."

"Oh, and I prepared a set of clothes for you—it's in the wardrobe," Wang Santan said. "We're attending a funeral tomorrow. Remember to wear those clothes."

After Wang Santan left, with time pressing, Jiang Luo seriously practiced the Spirit Papers.

When he'd first taken Feng Li as his master, he'd intended to hide his true strength. But Feng Li seemed to have seen through him—that his bottom line was more than what he showed. The tasks assigned grew heavier each time, constantly drawing out Jiang Luo's real ability.

Now there were only three hours until ten o'clock. Learning the drawing methods of five Spirit Papers in three hours—he really had the nerve to assign that.

When focused, time always flew. At ten PM, Jiang Luo waited on time for Feng Li's video call.

On the video end, the one adjusting the computer was Feng Li's other Direct Lineage disciple, Zhou Wudu. He adjusted the angle, and Feng Li's cold-as-water face entered the frame.

Feng Li sat in a carved wooden chair, a faint displeasure on his face. His hands were folded; the dark Tang suit made his pressure overwhelming, daring no one to meet his eyes directly.

Zhou Wudu stood trembling behind Feng Li. He winked at Jiang Luo, silently mouthing: The Master's in a bad mood!

Jiang Luo thought: Unlucky.

He properly picked up his brush. "Master, I'm ready."

Feng Li gave a slight nod. "Begin."

Jiang Luo channeled his qi, focused, and put brush to paper.

His talent in Spirit Papers was the heaven-sent kind. For anyone else, Feng Li's requirement would probably have made them cry from the difficulty. But for Jiang Luo, he could do it both fast and well. In less than half an hour, five brand-new Spirit Papers lay spread across the table.

Feng Li saw his brushwork flow like clouds and water, without the slightest hesitation. His expression softened. "Wudu, you've been studying Spirit Papers for years longer than Jiang Luo, yet you can't match his progress in a single month."

Zhou Wudu watched Jiang Luo with envy and jealousy. "Master, Junior Brother is impressive."

Jiang Luo said modestly, "Senior Brother is also impressive."

They exchanged a couple of mutual compliments. Feng Li looked at Jiang Luo's complexion and suddenly said, "You haven't had dinner?"

Jiang Luo: "Came back and practiced Spirit Papers. Didn't have time to eat."

Feng Li's expression darkened again. "This is how your senior brother takes care of you? Call him over."

Wang Santan came over and was scolded by Feng Li. An eighty-kilogram man was scolded to the point of nearly crying, sniffling, "I'll go prepare food for Junior Brother right now!"

Twenty minutes later, he brought Jiang Luo a bowl of noodles and a side dish. Jiang Luo ate under Feng Li's gaze. When he was eighty percent full, Feng Li asked slowly, "During the days I've been away, has he come looking for you?"

Jiang Luo understood perfectly well who "he" was.

"No." He deliberately hesitated, then shook his head.

Feng Li's eyes went cold. "Jiang Luo. Tell the truth."

Jiang Luo's eyes reddened at once. "Master, I really can't avoid seeing him. Please—I beg you—don't hurt him. This time I went to find him on my own. I really missed him too much... Master, believe me—after I help him get revenge... I'll try hard to forget him."

The black-haired youth lowered his head, his voice choking. "I really will forget him. Please don't let his soul scatter."

Feng Li's face was impassive. "Where did you meet him?"

Jiang Luo closed his mouth and said nothing.

Killing intent rose in Feng Li's heart.

Just an evil ghost—and already affecting his disciple to this extent.

He'd thought that after the last confrontation with Chi You, Chi You wouldn't dare approach Jiang Luo again. But reality was different—this evil ghost was like an ulcer clinging to the bone, constantly deepening his influence on Jiang Luo.

Chi You...

He touched the Jade Toggle on his hand and said calmly, "Even if you won't tell me, I have ways to find out. Jiang Luo, I'll say this to you one last time—the living and the dead walk different paths. Next time you see him, you must notify me immediately. If you don't do as I say, I won't just make it so he can never be reborn."

Feng Li looked at Jiang Luo, coldly: "I'll also break your legs."

The smile Jiang Luo had buried in his lowered head froze. He looked up at him expressionlessly.

The black-haired youth's eye sockets were slightly red. Even without expression, there was a sorrowful air about him. Feng Li frowned. "Go wash your face."

His expression brooked no argument. Jiang Luo lowered his eyes. After a few seconds, he rose and went to the washroom.

Jiang Luo scooped two handfuls of cold water and poured them over his face. When he raised his head, the black-haired youth in the Mirror wore a slightly gloomy expression.

Jiang Luo very much disliked Feng Li's attitude.

From childhood, no one had ever restricted Jiang Luo's every move. No one had ever casually threatened him: if you do this, I'll break your legs.

His relationship with Feng Li was one of mutual exploitation. Though Feng Li didn't say it, Jiang Luo knew Feng Li had taken him as a disciple only because of his talent and strength—take him as a disciple, and he could do work for Tianshi Manor.

Feng Li was absolutely not easy to deal with. Otherwise, in the original book, he wouldn't have coldly watched the original body's clan disciple be tortured to the brink of death by Chi You, just to help Chi You get revenge.

Everyone was clear-headed. Some things only needed to be hinted at. Jiang Luo could accept Feng Li making Chi You's soul scatter, but absolutely could not accept Feng Li's control over him.

Water droplets slid from his jaw. Jiang Luo wiped them dry, composed his expression, and walked out.

Feng Li looked at his recovered appearance. The coldness around him warmed considerably.

Zhou Wudu was so frightened behind Feng Li that he was swaying. He gave Wang Santan a meaningful look. Wang Santan swallowed, then mustered his courage: "Master, it's late. You should rest."

Feng Li said lightly, "Close it."

Zhou Wudu stepped forward and closed the video.

The screen went dark. Jiang Luo sat in his seat, glanced to the side—Wang Santan was typing rapidly on his Mobile Phone.

"I'm asking why the Master was angry." Though Feng Li wasn't here, Wang Santan still didn't dare speak loudly. "Zhou Wudu says the Master ran into a crazy woman today. She rushed straight at him, shouting 'Feng Li, I want to bear the next Celestial Master with you'—almost hugged him."

Jiang Luo imagined the scene and nearly laughed out loud. His mood improved a little. "What did the Master do?"

"The Master's face went black," Wang Santan shivered. "That girl was from the Chi Clan. The Chi Clan Clan Elder was standing right there smiling—looked like they were quite happy about it."

How could they not be happy?

Feng Li had status, ability, and looks.

To those who didn't know Feng Li, he was indeed a one-in-a-thousand good husband.

But Jiang Luo could guarantee—Feng Li's future wife. If Feng Li didn't like her, fine. But if Feng Li liked her, it would definitely be the "if you dare go out, I'll break your legs" type.

Might even keep her locked in Tianshi Manor, never let her out.

Jiang Luo chatted with Wang Santan for a bit. Wang Santan yawned. "Enough, go to sleep. We have to get up early tomorrow—need to be at the destination by eight. Junior Brother, you'd better set a six o'clock alarm."

Jiang Luo: "Got it."

A peaceful night passed. Early the next morning, Jiang Luo got up, and after breakfast with Wang Santan, they went out.

The clothes Wang Santan had prepared for Jiang Luo were an all-black Tang suit; he himself wore the same. Though the clothes were identical, they looked completely different on the two of them.

After getting out of the car, Wang Santan silently kept his distance from Jiang Luo.

Once they arrived, Jiang Luo learned whose funeral it was. It was the Chi Clan Side Branch Funeral for those who had died in the Xiangxi Competition.

In the mourning hall, the coffin sat in the center. The deceased's photo was on the table in front. Chi Clan people knelt on both sides of the coffin, crying far more sincerely than they had at Chi You's funeral last time.

Jiang Luo and Wang Santan offered incense, searching for Feng Li in the crowd.

Jiang Luo was somewhat distracted.

He was thinking about something.

Calculating the time—this Chi Clan Side Branch member had been dead for seven days. In August weather, a corpse rotted quickly. Why hadn't the burial happened yet?

Wang Santan suddenly quickened his pace, leading Jiang Luo through the crowd, and said respectfully, "Master, we're here."

Jiang Luo looked up—several elders stood beside Feng Li, a group chatting. Among the elders was one he had seen at Tianshi Manor before—precisely the Chi Clan elder who had sat with the Elder Celestial Master.

Feng Li nodded slightly. "Come meet the Clan Elders."

Wang Santan, as the senior brother, spoke first: "Greetings to the Clan Elders. You all look even healthier."

"Good child," one of the elders said smilingly, his gaze falling on Jiang Luo. A glint flashed in his eyes. "This is the first-place winner of the Competition? Come, let me see—let me catch some of the first-place luck."

Jiang Luo stepped forward. The elders secretly sized him up. The Zhuo Clan elder said unhurriedly, "We've also kept our child close. Zhuo Zhongqiu and the other young ones are playing in the back—let them go over too."

Wang Santan looked at Feng Li. Feng Li permitted, "Go."

The two disciples took their leave. Feng Li watched them. Tianshi Manor's Tang suits were low-key yet conspicuous in the crowd; Jiang Luo especially could not be ignored. To varying degrees, people cast sidelong glances at him—outstanding people always drew attention.

But for Feng Li, whether living or dead, romance only distracted and weakened people—like mud and dirty water. Even a flawless, dust-free exquisite heart, once touched by romance, would become turbid.

He disliked love affairs, and detested others leading his prized disciple astray.

Whether living or dead.

Feng Li withdrew his gaze and said coldly, "Do the Clan Elders know that my little disciple has a rather unusual lover?"

The Clan Elders exchanged glances, not understanding why a dignified Celestial Master would bring up such a topic with them. "Oh? What do you mean?"

Feng Li looked at the Chi Clan Clan Elder. "Speaking of which, this lover of his has some connection to the Chi Clan."

The sharp-featured Chi Clan Clan Elder suddenly had a bad premonition.

His hands behind his back trembled slightly. His face forcibly calm, he said, "Could it be some young lady of my Chi Clan?"

Feng Li laughed coldly. "Precisely your Chi Clan's long-dead Clan Head Chi You. He's become an evil ghost—and won't stop clinging to my disciple."

"Clang—"

The Chi Clan Clan Elder's eyes widened. His thermos cup fell to the ground.

*

After leaving Feng Li and the others, Jiang Luo didn't go find Zhuo Zhongqiu and the others.

He hid in a corner, scanning each funeral attendee one by one.

The first death in the Chi Clan Side Branch—Jiang Luo didn't believe Chi You wouldn't come watch this show.

That evil ghost was very likely already hidden in some corner, maliciously watching everyone's movements at the funeral.

Jiang Luo's gaze swept past the coffin again.

The crying on both sides was tragic. Several people had collapsed from weeping—truly heartbreaking to hear, moving to witness.

When Chi You—the legitimate Direct Lineage, the Chi Clan's ruler—had died, there hadn't been such a fuss.

Jiang Luo couldn't help laughing. To avoid being seen as crazy, he covered his mouth and stepped back several paces, afraid his gloating laughter would be overheard.

Stepping back like this, he backed into another person's embrace.

That person muffled a laugh and asked with interest, "What are you laughing at?"