One Person: Revitalize the Sword Sect, Start with the Sword Challenge of the Ten Lords

After flipping through several volumes of ancient texts, Ye Lin finally found a description of Hualuocao in a yellowed herbal anthology: "This herb grows in secluded valleys, remains evergreen year-round, and when its flowers fade, its leaves fall, hence the name Hualuocao. Its mild nature, its ability to harmonize yin and yang, and stabilize supernatural powers, makes it a rare elixir."

Closing the book, Ye Lin's lips curled up into a smile. "Biyou Village, here I come."

Back in his room, Ye Lin opened his phone and quickly browsed through flight information near Biyou Village. With a flick of his finger, a flight for three days later was booked. He figured those three days would be perfect for gathering necessary supplies and learning more about Biyou Village.

"Xiaolong, do you think there is anything special about Biyou Village? Why do flowers and grass only grow there?" Ye Lin was packing his backpack while communicating with Xiaolong in his mind.

"Biyou Village is surrounded by a secret natural wonderland unspoiled by the outside world. It's said that spiritual energy abounds there, and many exotic flowers and plants grow there. The Hualuo grass is nourished by the essence of heaven and earth, which is why it has such miraculous effects."

Xiaolong's explanation made Ye Lin look forward to this journey more.

......

Late at night, the city's neon lights dotted the night sky like stars, a world separated by only a doorway between hustle and bustle and tranquility. Young Taoist priest Wang Ye wandered through this whimsical landscape, finally stopping in front of an unassuming hotel.

The sign outside the hotel swayed gently in the breeze, making a squeaking sound, as if whispering the secrets of the city.

As he entered the hotel, a scent of old wood and cigarette smoke hit him. Wang Ye frowned slightly, but then relaxed. The lights at the front desk were dim, and the proprietress leaned lazily against her chair, her eyes shrewdly observing him, as if she could see through people's hearts.

"Stay for one night." Wang Ye said concisely, taking out a few banknotes from his pocket and putting them on the table.

The proprietress took the money and curled up a mysterious smile: "Room 303, go up the stairs and turn left at the end. It's at the end." Her eyes looked particularly deep in the dim light, as if hiding countless stories.

Wang Ye ascended the narrow staircase, the creaking of old wooden planks accompaniment with each step, until he reached Room 303. Pushing the door open, he was greeted by a stale yet clean atmosphere. Though small, the room was fully furnished. A solitary desk lamp cast a soft glow, adding a touch of warmth to the humble space.

Just as he was about to close the door, the proprietress's teasing voice came from outside: "Young man, it's not easy to be alone outside, right? We also have 'special services' here, do you want to try it?" Along with the words, there was a frivolous laugh, which seemed to be able to penetrate the crack in the door and directly touch Wang Ye's heart.

A flicker of embarrassment crossed Wang Ye's face, followed by a wry smile. He quickly closed the door, leaned against it, and took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heartbeat. This scene was undoubtedly a novel and subtle experience for him, a young Taoist who was devoted to Taoism.

"A life of seclusion suits me best," Wang Ye muttered to himself as he walked towards the bed. The faint scent of soap from the bedding relaxed his tense nerves a little. He gently lay down on the bed and closed his eyes, but the proprietress's meaningful smile kept echoing in his mind.

Wang Ye's dream was torn apart by a sudden ringing sound. He sat up suddenly and fumbled for his phone in panic. The light from the screen was particularly dazzling in the darkness.

The caller ID showed an unfamiliar number, and his anger was instantly ignited. His voice was tinged with lingering sleepiness and dissatisfaction: "Who is it? In the middle of the night!"

A mechanical and formulaic female voice came from the other end of the phone: "Hello, this is Wuyou Insurance Company. We provide comprehensive insurance services, including but not limited to..."

"Do you have any sense of time?" Wang Ye interrupted, his voice filled with anger. "Calling in the middle of the night just to sell insurance? Let me tell you, I, Wang Ye, am devoted to the Tao. I have no desires or demands. Life and death are determined by fate, and wealth and honor are in the hands of God. I don't need worldly people like you!"

"Sir, please understand,"

The other party seemed unaffected by Wang Ye's anger, maintaining his professional gentleness. "Life is unpredictable. Whether you are a cultivator or a secular person, it is difficult to escape the cycle of birth, old age, sickness and death. Having an insurance policy is not only a responsibility to yourself, but also a love for your family..."

"like?"

Wang Ye sneered and interrupted him, "If anything were to happen to me, my fellow disciples would take care of me. There's no need for these false guarantees. Besides, those who practice Taoism believe in following nature and obeying fate. Your so-called insurance, in my opinion, is nothing more than a product of fear and greed."

"Mr. Wang, we just..."

"Alright, alright, stop talking!" Wang Ye completely lost his patience and ended the call with a sharp swipe of his finger. In the darkness, he was breathing heavily, his chest heaving, clearly extremely upset by the call.

He lay down again, put his hands behind his head, staring at the mottled light and shadows on the ceiling, feeling mixed emotions.

The anger he'd felt earlier gradually subsided, replaced by an inexplicable sense of loneliness. Though the path of monasticism was his chosen path, in the stillness of the night, a sense of detachment from the world came uninvited.

“Everyone in the world suffers, but practitioners find joy in suffering.”

Wang Ye muttered to himself, his thoughts drifting away. As he was thinking, a subtle sound in the corner of the room caught his attention. He sat up alertly and listened carefully. The sound seemed to come from the window.

He got out of bed quietly and approached the window cautiously. In the faint moonlight, he found a wounded little fox curled up under the windowsill, looking at him helplessly with its crystal clear eyes.

"Huh? Where did this little guy come from?"

Wang Ye murmured softly, his irritability swept away, replaced by a kind of tenderness and compassion. He gently picked up the little fox and carefully examined its wound.

"Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you. Let's treat your wound first."

Just like that, Wang Ye's late night became extraordinary because of this unexpected little life. He found some ointment and carefully bandaged the little fox's wound. The little fox seemed to sense Wang Ye's kindness and obediently let him do what he wanted, occasionally looking up at Wang Ye with grateful eyes.

"Okay, little guy, just rest here and recuperate for the time being. Maybe this is fate." Wang Ye gently stroked the little fox's fur with a gentle smile on his face.

"But where are you from? And why are you injured?" As soon as Wang Ye finished speaking, the little fox seemed to understand. A strange light flashed in its eyes, and then it let out a low cry, as if answering, but it was elusive.