130: Chapter 130 The lingering sound

Monday, 6:00 AM, Chen Zhen opened his eyes on time.

Seventeen points of light were slowly rotating in his Dantian, and the golden seed in the center was floating quietly, just like yesterday, without any changes.

It was still sleeping.

He stood up and walked to the window; it was drizzling outside, and the fine rain streaks hit the glass, blurring the outline of the city.

He turned around, walked to the workbench, and took Elder Lin's notebook out of his Storage Space.

Two hundred and thirty-seven names. He turned to the first page—Li Xiuying, female, eighty-seven years old, living in the old district of the East City, able to see "unclean things."

Remarks: Lives alone, children don't believe her, haven't been in touch for years.

When delivering the Protective Talisman yesterday, someone from the community helped open the door.

The old lady took the Protective Talisman, her hands trembling, muttering, "Finally, someone believes me."

He turned to the next page—Zhang Jianshe, male, forty-five years old, living in the West City factory dormitory, able to hear "sounds that others cannot hear."

Remarks: Laid off, alcoholic, wife and children have left him.

He cursed at people yesterday, but his wife later picked up the Protective Talisman and took it back.

He turned to the third page—Lin Duoduo, female, nine years old, living near the South City primary school, able to see "colorful people."

Remarks: Treated as a monster by classmates, suspended from school.

Her mother said that on the night she received the Protective Talisman, Duoduo slept through the night for the first time.

He flipped through page after page; behind every name was a person, someone treated as a madman.

He closed the notebook and put it away.

The Protective Talisman could help them stabilize temporarily, but what could truly solve the problem was the Heavenly Road.

At 7:20, Chen Zhen stepped into the classroom.

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

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

The person in front, Su Xiaoya, turned her head, holding an insulated bag: "Pies made by my mom, chive and egg filling."

Chen Zhen took the insulated bag and opened it; inside were four pies, fried golden brown and still steaming.

He picked one up and took a bite; it was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the aroma of chives mixed with the fragrance of eggs spreading in his mouth.

Su Xiaoya watched him eat, smiling: "Is it good? My mom said—"

"No need for every day," Chen Zhen interrupted her.

Su Xiaoya laughed: "Alright then, I'll tell her to make it every other day." She turned back around.

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

Chen Hao turned his head from the front row and lowered his voice: "Xiaoxue said that the shadow from yesterday is gone."

Chen Zhen looked at him.

Chen Hao's expression was complicated, hard to tell if he was happy or scared: "She said that before the shadow left, it said thank you to her, and then it disappeared. She asked me where it went, and I said I didn't know."

Chen Zhen thought for a moment: "It went home."

Chen Hao was stunned for a moment: "Home? They have homes too?"

Chen Zhen didn't answer.

Chen Hao waited for two seconds, sighed, and turned back.

At noon after school, Chen Zhen went to the cafeteria.

He got his food and found a seat; just after taking a few bites, his phone vibrated.

Yun Xi's message: "Elder Lin's side is finished distributing. Han Lie's side is also finished. The old man at the teahouse said that the people on his side have all stabilized after using the Protective Talisman, and he told you not to worry."

Chen Zhen replied with a "Good."

Just after putting down his phone, it vibrated again—Chen Hao's message: "Xiaoxue said another shadow has left. It also said thank you before leaving. She asked me if it was your doing, and I said I didn't know."

Chen Zhen looked at this message, thought for a moment, and replied: "It wasn't me. It's that they wanted to leave on their own."

Chen Hao replied instantly: "Oh. That's good." Chen Zhen put his phone away and continued eating.

At 3:00 PM, Chen Zhen pushed open the door.

The flower had completely withered, and the stem had dried up. Shen Nian cut it off and put it into a box, with a label on it: "Flower of the Heavenly Road, withered." Beside it was the powder ground from the fallen petals, filling three large jars.

"These are enough to make many Protective Talismans."

Shen Nian pointed at the jars and said.

Chen Zhen nodded and walked to the center of the formation to sit down.

Seventeen points of light were rotating slowly, and the golden seed was floating quietly. Yun Xi leaned against the wall, watching him: "Is there any movement from the seed?"

"No."

Yun Xi was silent for a few seconds: "How much longer do you think it will take?"

Chen Zhen shook his head.

Yun Xi waited for two seconds and laughed: "That's true, no one can say for sure about this kind of thing."

Zhou Rui put down his pen and walked over, holding a stack of Protective Talismans in his hand: "Master, these were drawn today."

Chen Zhen took them and looked at them one by one.

One hundred Protective Talismans, each one reaching the level of a fine product.

The last twenty had smooth lines and stable spiritual power, already reaching the level of a top-quality product.

He nodded: "You are progressing very quickly."

Zhou Rui laughed: "I practice every day."

At 7:00 PM, Chen Zhen sat alone in the center of the formation.

Seventeen points of light were rotating slowly, and the seed was still sleeping.

He took out Elder Lin's notebook and turned to the last page—Liu Ying, female, thirty-two years old, living in Liuhe Village on the outskirts of the city.

Able to see, able to hear, able to converse. Already insane. Remarks: Situation is serious, requires close attention.

She was not insane.

She just could hear things that others could not.

He closed the notebook and put it away, stood up, and walked to the window.

The rain had stopped, a crack opened in the clouds, and moonlight leaked through the gap, spilling onto the wet streets.

He looked down at his chest; the golden seed was floating quietly.

Those things wanted to go home.

Those people who could see wanted to live quietly.

He was waiting for the seed to sprout.

The seed was also waiting. Waiting for the day it was ready.

He turned around and walked back to the center of the formation to sit cross-legged.

Seventeen points of light were rotating slowly.

No rush, there was still time.