The meditation chamber, which should have been empty and reserved solely for Yu Lie, now inexplicably held another figure.
This person sat cross-legged in the very center of the meticulously arranged altar Yu Lie had purchased, meditating and burning spiritual incense that Yu Lie himself rarely used.
The room was filled with a faint, serene fragrance, exuding an air of profound Daoist energy.
Yu Lie frowned, but before he could demand an explanation, the figure on the altar spoke in a cold, detached voice, "You're here."
The figure was clad in a black robe, their face obscured by a mask, making it impossible to discern their identity.
The tone of their voice made Yu Lie inwardly sneer.
The way they spoke made it seem as though Yu Lie was the one intruding, when in fact, this was the Poisonous Mouth—his territory.
However, anyone who could sneak into his meditation chamber was at least a mid-level Daoist initiate.
To avoid unnecessary conflict, Yu Lie narrowed his eyes and asked, "Who are you, and why have you come unannounced?"
The masked figure chuckled mockingly, "I didn't come uninvited. Isn't it you who has been constantly inviting me?"
Yu Lie's eyelids twitched slightly as he pondered, "Could this person be…?"
Sure enough, the masked figure stood up from the meditation cushion, not even bothering to remove their shoes, and began pacing on Yu Lie's cushion and altar as if they owned the place.
They continued, "Besides, this place is still technically my territory. Did you think that after killing Du Liang, you could disregard me as well?"
A cold, hissing sound suddenly filled the room.
A bizarre, double-headed, triangular snake with a bluish-green body slithered out from the figure's shoulder.
Its two heads stared coldly at Yu Lie, exuding a faint pressure that made Yu Lie feel uneasy.
The snake's vertical pupils locked onto Yu Lie, its fangs bared as if ready to strike at any moment.
The masked figure, however, remained calm, hands behind their back, surveying the room.
Yu Lie's heart skipped a beat as he recognized the snake.
"The Green-Blue Double-Headed Venomous Snake… So, this is the master of the Poison Refining Hall, She Shuangbai!"
Suppressing his emotions, Yu Lie quickly bowed and greeted, "Yu Lie of the Poisonous Mouth pays his respects to Hall Master She. I had no idea you would visit today. My apologies for not welcoming you properly."
Seeing Yu Lie's prompt and respectful greeting, the masked figure turned their head and gave Yu Lie a proper look.
"You're quite quick to show respect. Don't think that just because you've latched onto that old fool Fang, you can act recklessly in my territory. If it weren't for the fact that you handed over Du Liang's silver after ransacking his home, the first thing I would have done upon leaving seclusion today would have been to break your limbs and kick you out of the Alchemy Hall."
Yu Lie didn't take the threat to heart, but he maintained a respectful tone, "Thank you, Hall Master, for your leniency."
Just as he was about to ask the purpose of the visit, the figure on the altar flickered and lunged toward Yu Lie.
Yu Lie's pupils contracted as he instinctively prepared to dodge, his blood and energy surging.
However, he restrained himself, pretending to be caught off guard and taking a few steps back.
In the next moment, the hissing sound grew louder in Yu Lie's ears as the double-headed snake coiled around his neck, its cold scales sending shivers down his spine.
Yu Lie could feel the snake's disgusting forked tongue flicking against his ear.
The masked figure stood before Yu Lie, coldly observing him.
"Tsk, tsk. The snake seems to like you. It seems you truly practice poison techniques. But your temperament… too timid and slippery. If you've chosen to cultivate poison techniques, why are you so afraid of everything? Pathetic!"
Though Yu Lie heard the criticism, he also noticed the disdain and arrogance in the figure's eyes.
It was clear they looked down on him, enjoying his "pitiful" state.
Yu Lie lowered his head, suppressing his emotions, and remained silent.
The masked figure continued, "I know all about your dealings with that old fool Fang. I saw how he swindled you that day. Do you remember me?"
Yu Lie recalled the incident.
It had happened during an alchemy session in the Alchemy Hall, where he had been stripped of his position in front of all the hall masters.
The other seven hall masters had been present, but they had only mocked and laughed.
Yu Lie clasped his hands and replied, "The room was dim that day, and I dared not look up, so I didn't get a clear view of your face, Hall Master."
The masked figure responded, "Don't worry. I'm here today with good news, to save your life, not to take anything from you."
They glanced around the Poisonous Mouth meditation chamber with disdain and commented, "That old fool Fang gave you such meager resources, and you accepted them? When you advance to the upper level, remember to visit him and squeeze him dry. That old fool has been a hall master for twenty to thirty years. Though he's a useless waste who hasn't even broken through to the eighth rank, his wealth is substantial."
Yu Lie's expression turned slightly odd.
The way the figure spoke, it seemed they were certain Yu Lie would easily break through to the upper-level Daoist initiate realm.
Could it be that this person was genuinely here to recruit him and offer benefits?
This thought made Yu Lie's heart stir with anticipation.
However, the next words from the masked figure immediately dashed his hopes.
"In at most three months, or at least two, the town will undergo a 'Grand Mobilization.' All Daoist initiates, whether upper, middle, or lower level, will be required to leave the town and patrol a thousand-mile radius.
Alchemy Hall initiates will gather herbs and refine medicines, the Artifact Hall initiates will mine ores and collect clay, and the Beast Hall initiates will hunt beasts… The lower-level initiates will have it easier, only needing to gather a few herbs to fulfill their duties.
But the middle-level initiates will be the main force in this training exercise and will not be allowed to return to the town until the very end."
Yu Lie was stunned.
"Grand Mobilization?" he blurted out.
"What's the reason for this?"
The masked figure ignored his question and continued, "You've only been a middle-level initiate for a few months. You probably haven't even figured out how to quickly digest the changes from the Copper Sinew and Iron Bone transformation. If you join this mobilization, you might not survive. I suggest you take advantage of the fact that the news hasn't spread yet and the town's prices haven't risen. Go to the black market and stock up on some talismans for self-defense. You'll need them to save your life."
Yu Lie suppressed his shock and quickly memorized the figure's advice.
Leaving the town for activities was extremely dangerous for the Daoist initiates of Blackwater Town.
Back then, Yu Lie would never have left the town to subdue demons if he hadn't been forced to.
It seemed that the figure's early warning was indeed a boon, allowing Yu Lie to prepare before most others.
Yu Lie immediately nodded, "Thank you, Hall Master, for the reminder!"
After delivering his message, the masked figure adjusted his mask, as if recalling Yu Lie's earlier question, and casually added, "The 'Grand Mobilization' is a tradition of Blackwater Town, usually occurring once every twelve years. You're lucky to be part of the batch that's destined to experience it. Originally, it was supposed to start next year, but the neighboring towns got impatient and began their mobilizations earlier this year. The Temple Master had no choice but to move up the schedule to avoid falling behind and delaying the year-end affairs."
The figure chuckled lightly, "Besides, starting early has its advantages. The 'Grand Mobilization' offers many benefits. Who knows? You might earn enough merit during this mobilization to secure the resources needed to advance to the upper level. After a year of refinement, you might even have a shot at the good fortune coming at the end of next year."
Yu Lie listened carefully and realized that he likely wouldn't be able to avoid the so-called "Grand Mobilization."
This made him inwardly lament.
He had only just managed to secure his position as a middle-level Daoist initiate and the head of the Poisonous Mouth.
After just a month or two of enjoying the perks, he was now being thrust into such a risky endeavor.
What a pity!
Yu Lie grumbled inwardly, "Why can't I just cultivate peacefully in the town? Why must I risk my life outside?"
He had no desire to compete for the so-called benefits of the mobilization.
Advancing to the upper level was something Yu Lie was confident he could achieve comfortably on his own.
However, as he pondered, Yu Lie's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Once every twelve years… I'm destined to experience it… Mobilization and training… Could this be related to the life-and-death trial for becoming a Daoist disciple?"
Just as Yu Lie was deep in thought, the masked figure suddenly asked, "What year did you become a Daoist initiate? Where are you from?"
Yu Lie instinctively replied, "In the 3,615th year of the Black Emperor's reign, from Qian County."
The masked figure nodded in satisfaction, "We're from the same year and, loosely speaking, the same hometown. In that case, I'll give you another benefit."
The figure suddenly pointed to the black myna bird that had been moved into the Poisonous Mouth meditation chamber and said, "This 'Red-Eyed Cold Myna' of yours must have taken a lot of effort to raise to the point where it exudes a bit of demonic energy. If it becomes sentient, it could indeed be quite useful and rare. I have a recipe for the 'Blood-Nurturing Beast-Taming Pill.' You can try refining it. If you succeed, you'll have an extra helper when you leave the town."
The masked figure glanced at the dead fish Yu Lie had deliberately hung around the altar and sneered, "The Strong Blood Pill isn't something you can casually refine. Be careful not to bankrupt yourself. Focus on mastering this pill recipe first. It'll come in handy immediately."
With that, the figure tossed a scroll of pill recipes onto the altar and, without waiting for Yu Lie to respond, flickered and left the Poisonous Mouth meditation chamber.
It seemed they had truly come only to fulfill an obligation and recruit Yu Lie.
Yu Lie stood at the entrance of the meditation chamber, stunned.
He waited for a long time, but the masked figure did not return.
Only then did he seal the stone door of the chamber.
Once the door was closed, Yu Lie was alone in the room.
His eyelids twitched as he pondered the masked figure's words.
"The same year?!"
"This person is from the same batch as me, from Blackwater Town!" Yu Lie nearly bit his tongue in surprise.
He glanced at the black myna bird in its cage and noticed that the bird, having eaten its fill, was now sprawled out, fast asleep…
(End of Chapter)