125: Chapter 125 Making a Batch of Amulets

The third day of the flower blooming.

Chen Zhen opened his eyes from his Cultivate session; the flower was still glowing, but the withered yellow on the edges of its petals had expanded by another ring.

At this rate, it would completely wither in about four more days.

He stood up and walked to the flower. The seed at the center was twice as large as yesterday, and its dark blue light was even more intense. The seed was slowly ripening.

Once it ripens, the flower will wither.

After eating the fruit, one can open or close the Heavenly Road at will.

That's what Original Body said.

He turned and walked to the window. The sun outside was bright; it was an ordinary Tuesday morning.

His phone vibrated once with a message from Chen Hao: "Are you free after school today? Xiaoxue wants to see you."

Chen Zhen replied: "I'm free."

"Then see you at the school gate after school."

He put away his phone, pushed the door open, and went out.

At seven o'clock, Chen Zhen stepped into the classroom.

Zhang Meng was in the back row catching up on homework, and as usual, he cried for help when he saw him.

Chen Zhen threw his homework notebook over and walked to his seat to sit down.

Su Xiaoya, who sat in front of him, turned her head: "Chen Zhen, where did you go this weekend? You didn't reply to any of my messages."

"I was busy."

Su Xiaoya stared at him for a few seconds: "You've been acting mysterious lately. But never mind, I'm sure you have your reasons for not saying anything." She pulled a small box from her pocket and handed it over, "My mom made these osmanthus cakes. She said to thank you for those talismans."

Chen Zhen took the box and opened it. Inside, eight osmanthus cakes were neatly arranged. They were still warm and exuded a sweet fragrance.

He picked one up and took a bite. It was soft, sticky, and sweet, with a strong osmanthus flavor.

"Isn't it delicious?" Su Xiaoya smiled, "My mom is very skilled."

"Yeah." Chen Zhen put the box away, "Thank your aunt for me."

Su Xiaoya turned back around.

In the last row, Zhou Rui looked up at him, then lowered his head to read again.

During the last study hall period in the afternoon, Chen Zhen packed his schoolbag in advance.

As soon as the bell rang, he stood up and walked out.

Zhang Meng shouted from behind: "Where are you going? Aren't you waiting for me?" He didn't turn back, just waved his hand.

At the school gate, Chen Hao was already waiting.

He was wearing his school uniform, carrying his schoolbag, and looking at something on his phone.

Seeing Chen Zhen, he put his phone away: "Let's go, my house isn't far."

The two walked side by side on the road.

Chen Hao was silent for a moment before speaking: "Xiaoxue hasn't been doing well these past few days."

Chen Zhen looked at him.

Chen Hao continued: "She's seeing more and more things. Not just shadows, but sounds too. She says those shadows are talking, buzzing like bees. She can't sleep well and has no energy during the day. My mom is worried sick and took her to the hospital, but the doctor said there was nothing wrong."

He stopped and looked at Chen Zhen: "Chen Zhen, tell me the truth, what is actually wrong with her?"

Chen Zhen looked at him and was silent for a few seconds: "The things she sees are real."

Chen Hao froze.

"Those shadows are things from the other side. They are watching this side."

Chen Hao opened his mouth: "The other side?"

"The other side of the Heavenly Road." Chen Zhen continued to walk forward, "You'll know later."

Chen Hao stood there stunned for a long time, then hurried to catch up: "Who... who exactly are you?"

Chen Zhen didn't answer.

Chen Hao's home was still the same—a desk piled with books, walls covered with award certificates, an old sofa, and an old coffee table.

Chen Hao's mother wasn't home; she had left a note on the table: "Haohao, Mom went to the vegetable market. Dinner is in the pot."

Chen Hao flipped the note over and wrote on the back: "Mom, I brought a classmate home."

Pushing open Xiaoxue's room door, the curtains were drawn tightly, and only the bedside lamp was on.

Xiaoxue was curled up in the quilt, with only her head exposed.

She saw Chen Zhen, and her eyes lit up: "Big Brother."

Chen Zhen walked over and sat down by the bed.

Xiaoxue's complexion was worse than last week; her lips were pale, her dark circles were heavy, and her hair was messy.

She clutched the corner of the quilt, her voice very soft: "There are more and more of those shadows."

"I know."

Xiaoxue looked at him, tears in her eyes: "They keep talking, and I can't sleep."

Chen Zhen took a Calming Talisman from his pocket and handed it to her: "Put this under your pillow." Xiaoxue took the talisman, her eyes lighting up: "It's so warm." She tucked the talisman under her pillow, and her whole body relaxed.

Chen Hao stood at the doorway watching this scene, saying nothing.

Xiaoxue closed her eyes, and after a while, her breathing became steady.

She fell asleep.

Chen Hao gently closed the door and walked to the living room to sit down.

After a moment of silence, he spoke: "Chen Zhen, can you do those things too?"

"What things?"

"Talismans. And those... shadows."

Chen Zhen looked at him: "A little."

Chen Hao took a deep breath: "Can you teach me?"

Chen Zhen looked at him: "Teach you what?"

Chen Hao was silent for a few seconds: "I want to protect my sister."

It was already past six o'clock when he left Chen Hao's house.

The sunlight had softened, casting long shadows.

Chen Zhen walked on the road back, thinking about what Xiaoxue had said.

"There are more and more of those shadows."

The Heavenly Road had been open for three days, and more and more of them were waking up.

In a few more days, when the fruit ripened, he would be able to open or close the Heavenly Road.

But what about these few days?

He quickened his pace toward the Secret Base.

At half past six, Chen Zhen pushed the door open.

Zhou Rui was drawing talismans, Shen Nian was recording spiritual plants, and Yun Xi was leaning against the wall.

Everything was as usual.

The flower was still glowing, and the withered yellow on the edges of its petals had expanded by another ring.

He walked to the center of the array and sat down. Yun Xi opened her eyes and looked at him: "How is Chen Hao's sister?"

"Not very well."

Yun Xi was silent for a few seconds: "Are the things she sees increasing?"

Chen Zhen nodded.

Yun Xi walked over and sat down opposite him: "My Master said that when the Heavenly Road is open, things on both sides can see each other. Ordinary people can't see them, but those with a sensitive Physique can. Although such people are rare, there are quite a few when you add them all up worldwide."

She looked at Chen Zhen: "What do you plan to do?"

Chen Zhen thought for a moment: "Make a batch of Protective Talismans for those with a sensitive Physique."

Yun Xi paused: "Worldwide?"

"Start with those around us first."

Yun Xi stared at him for a few seconds, then smiled: "Fine. I'll help you."

Zhou Rui put down his brush and walked over: "Master, I'll help you too."

Shen Nian looked up from the pile of spiritual plants: "I'm in too."

Chen Zhen looked at the three of them: "Then let's begin."

The four of them sat around the workbench.

Chen Zhen was responsible for drawing the talismans, Zhou Rui for mixing the ink, Shen Nian for cutting the paper, and Yun Xi for packaging.

One after another, the Protective Talismans piled up on the table like a small mountain.

Drawing until midnight, Zhou Rui counted: "One hundred and twenty."

Chen Zhen nodded: "That's enough."

Yun Xi packed the talismans and divided them into three portions: "Who are these for?"

Chen Zhen thought for a moment: "One portion for Chen Hao's sister, one for Su Xiaoya's mother, and one for the old man at the teahouse. Let them help distribute them to those in need."

Yun Xi nodded: "Okay. I'll go deliver them."

She took the talismans and left.

Zhou Rui yawned, and Shen Nian was sleepy too.

Chen Zhen told them to go back and rest.

Only he and the flower were left in the base.

He walked to the flower.

The withered yellow on the edges of the petals had expanded a bit more, the seed had grown another ring larger, and the light was brighter.

He reached out and gently touched the petals; it was warm, like the spring sunshine.

He withdrew his hand and walked back to the center of the array.