The Earth Shatters, Heaven Turns

pot of ten-complete nourishing soup, so I fed you some, replenishing your qi and blood. Who knew I’d still be misunderstood as harming you Hmph...I don’t even know who you are, why would I harm you”He...Beyond this wall lies a gray world, seemingly a natural "living tomb".

I climbed the tree in the yard, hoping to see a sliver of an escape route, but I saw with my own eyes two people attacking each other on the ditch not far from the wall.

One of them was hit on the head with a stick and immediately fell to his knees, convulsing and vomiting.

In broad daylight, everything around was eerily silent, as if the sun were merely a backdrop, its rays unable to reach these people.

If I run out on my own and am killed by these strange and evil people, I might be reduced to bones without anyone coming to save me.

These are all the abandoned people.

From Xue's previous generation, "business" has been a natural refuge and burial ground.

A glossy black crow flew onto the treetops and cawed a few harsh notes. I saw the side door open, and Mrs. Xue walked out.

She crouched beside the person who lay unconscious on the ground. She placed a piece of paper talisman and fed them something unknown. The unconscious person straightened up and walked stiffly towards their small courtyard.

“What kind of magic is this” I furrowed my brow. If my mother’s bloodline really was someone who escaped from a magical sect four generations ago, then they must have some special abilities.

I strained to climb higher up the branches, wanting to get a better view of the village.

"...Still climbing! You little beast, I'll break your legs right now!" A raspy, aged voice boomed from under the eaves.

As I turned around, the elderly woman, who looked like a walking corpse, was glaring at me angrily.

"Old hag, who are you talking about!" I asked, clutching a tree trunk.

"Hmph, what rules Who taught you to climb trees!" She narrowed her eyes and scolded.

"Can't we just go look at the scenery It's so boring staying in this courtyard! You won't let me out, and you won't even let me see" I whispered in protest.

The old woman sneered: "You ignorant little wretch… After a few days, you better get out. You're so noisy and dare to talk back You've been spoiled rotten!"

What the heck, this old hag is just baffling. If she doesn't like me, why not just let me go home

She took a few steps, not going under the sun, but hiding in the shadow of the eaves, as if she were watching over me until I came down.

Unable to help myself, I let out a cold snort and, hugging the trunk of the tree, prepared to slide down.

Suddenly, the trunk seemed to "shake", and I almost lost my grip!

What's going on Did the tree become a spirit

I just wanted to ask, but then I felt a little "wobbly"!

This strange swaying feeling is hard to describe, like being in a swimming pool and getting pushed by the ripples someone created.

I didn't dare stay up in the tree any longer. I scrambled down the trunk immediately, and the moment my toes touched the ground, I was hit by that strange swaying feeling again.

"Did you cast a spell on me" I looked at the old woman standing in the shadows with suspicion.

The old woman didn't answer, wearing a look of utter disinterest. But her lips twitched into a strange smile nonetheless.

"What is destined will always come, whether a thousand years or ten thousand years. Even heaven and earth, the sun and moon cannot escape this law, who can escape it Hmph, hmph..."

I'm completely lost. What kind of trick is this old hag playing

Just now, I really felt my legs go weak and I felt dizzy for a moment.

I shook my head and looked up to see Ms. Xue walk in from the side door, her arms crossed after finishing business outside.

She also saw me, squinting at me with a mysterious smile.

What on earth is going on...

I was full of suspicion. These two witches, big and small, were unwilling to tell me the truth.

And Ms. Xue left soon after, packing a backpack, the contents of which remained a mystery to me—were they mystical artifacts or incantations Before leaving, she told me, "You can climb higher up the walls and observe those bizarre and sinister people outside. They likely won't dare to run away on their own accord. The ones seeking to capture you are also looking for an opportunity. If you step out of here, you're putting yourself directly into their hands. Take care of yourself."

"Where are you going" I didn't answer her directly.

"Heh heh, I'm going to check something out. Be back soon." She flashed me a smile, slung her pack on and opened the gate.

Her magic was fixed in place and required formations and talismans, so it wasn't something she could just pull out of thin air, but that was already convenient enough.

After Ms. Xue left, the old woman seemed to follow me everywhere, always lurking in shadows or corners, staring at me with such intensity that it made me extremely uncomfortable.

"I said, since you escaped from the Fa Men, you must have some special skills, right Did you ever fight with the Dragon King Was he stronger or were you" I was so bored, I had to try and chat with her.

By the way, I'd also like to have a chat and see if there's any way out of here.

The old woman narrowed her eyes into a slit and let out two dry, crooked smiles: "We are people of the same era, it's hard to tell who is superior. But… I have left the world of the Fa Men for many years, while the Dragon King old rogue is still immersed in the world of voodoo and poisonous insects. We could fight back then, but now... This old woman is no longer your opponent..."

"So you've been hiding out in this house ever since you heard about the Dragon King's return" I said, with a sneer.

She laughed and said, "It's not so bad to wait for death here..."

"But I don't want to stay here! You're locking me up like this, for how long My family must be going crazy with worry!"

"Hee hee hee, in a hurry There will be other times for you to worry about…"

I'm so frustrated, how long are we going to keep doing this

Under the clear blue sky, I'll still try to see if I can escape!

Although this old woman is incredibly strong, I can't beat her. But if I'm careful, I should be able to climb over the wall and get out...

I circled around the kitchen, the old woman following me from afar, making sure I was always in her sight.

The kitchen was piled high with firewood. I really did think about setting the house on fire, but I'm not that evil. If I were to actually burn the house down, this old lady wouldn't be able to get out in time and would be burned to death. Then I'd be committing a terrible sin.

They dawdled until dusk, when the clouds on the horizon began to look strange.

I've never seen clouds like that before - pink.

As the sun set in the west, the clouds on the horizon gradually transformed into faint fish scales, expanding and covering the skyline.

When there are celestial omens, there must be extraordinary events.

What on earth happened

A dense rustling of wings came from afar, growing louder and closer, pulling me back to the present.

A dark, oppressive thing swept across the sky. I looked down from the branches of a tree and saw it, like a black cloud, moving quickly towards us.

"Old witch, did you hear anything" I looked down at the old woman under the corridor.

She was still leisurely embroidering when she heard the question. She raised her head and narrowed her eyes at me: "What sound"

"Listen, something's flying over there from afar, making such a loud noise. Can't you hear it" I pointed to the sky.

Upon hearing this, she put down the bandage in her hand—this old woman's eyes were blurred yet she still embroidered flowers, truly~ full of life.

“It’s a raven!” she cocked her ear and asked me uncertainly, “What color is it Which way did it fly from”ade of water Where does all that tears come from" A wicked voice chuckled."...you, uh...cough cough..." I calmed myself down, took a breath, and asked, "Who are you...what should I call you"I will def...