During this process, all the ghosts realized something. They swarmed towards Li Molin, some threatening, some pleading, their expressions varied, but all they wanted was for Li Molin to lead them to the glass corpse on the ground, so they could have this precious chance of rebirth. However, no matter what methods the numerous ghosts used, none of them could move Li Molin's heart.
Time passed slowly, and gradually, Li Molin's fingertips began to tremble, and his face grew paler and paler.
Finally, all the ghosts were absorbed by the summoning device, and the wailing that had been echoing in the cave suddenly stopped, becoming eerily quiet.
Li Molin looked up at a white shadow floating in a corner of the cave, his eyes welled up, and two lines of tears silently streamed down his face.
At that moment, the woman in white was looking at him blankly. She was expressionless, her little face devoid of any mischievous smile or cleverness, completely different from usual.
Li Molin withdrew his hand, letting the Soul-Summoning Staff float and spin above Liuli's body. He slowly stood up, intending to walk forward, but suddenly felt dizzy and stumbled, almost falling. After a moment, he shook his head, his vision cleared, and he stood up and walked step by step toward the white shadow.
His steps were unsteady and weak, yet unusually firm. Finally, he reached her and took her hand.
The ghostly figure was originally illusory, but due to the power of the summoning magic, Li Molin's grip on her hand felt as if he were holding a real one. Tears still clung to his face, yet a tender smile played on his lips. His voice was gentle and husky as he softly said, "Let's go, Liuli, I'll take you home..."
As he spoke, he took Youying's hand and led her step by step towards Liuli's body, guiding her to float between Liuli's body and the summoning incantation. Li Molin released her hand, and after reciting the final incantation, the light from the summoning incantation instantly enveloped both Youying and Liuli's bodies. Then, the light intensified and faded, the ghost vanished instantly, and Liuli's chest slowly resumed its slight rise and fall.
Li Molin, feeling utterly powerless, suddenly knelt down beside Liuli. He leaned down and slowly approached her body, feeling a slight warming sensation. Tears still welled up in his eyes, but the smile on his lips deepened, and he gradually laughed out loud.
The laughter echoed leisurely through the cave, spreading a sense of genuine joy.
--
In a small village.
The snowflakes were still falling, turning the houses and roads in the village white.
The snowflakes that drifted onto the golden ball of light were completely melted away, unable to even reach the inside of the ball.
By this time, the survivors in the village had dispersed and were silently beginning to collect the bodies of their relatives and friends, filling the village with a heavy and solemn atmosphere.
A dozen or so children remained around the ball of light, refusing to leave even after being repeatedly told by adults to leave, and continuing to curiously examine it.
More than an hour had passed since the ball of light took shape. Just then, the ball of light suddenly began to shatter and gradually dissipate, revealing the figure of a monk sitting cross-legged.
The monk was surrounded by golden light, and one could vaguely see that his body and face were still covered in blood within the golden light.
He sat cross-legged, hands clasped together, eyes closed, and seven golden relics swirled and merged into one in front of his brow, transforming into a pure white relic that disappeared into his brow.
As soon as the children saw the monk, they screamed and scattered in all directions, looking terrified.
A moment later, both the golden light from the orb and the golden light on the monk's body began to dissipate. The monk slowly opened his eyes, his eyes clear and clean like a lake, his expression wise and clear, full of vicissitudes.
“Miss Liuli…”
He spoke softly, his voice hoarse yet gentle.
After that call, the corners of his lips lifted slightly, his smile gentle. But then two lines of tears slowly streamed down his upturned lips, blurring the smile and revealing the sorrow on his face.
In the distance, dozens of surviving villagers gathered amidst the shouts of children, standing on the street watching the monk.
Shi Chan looked up and saw dozens of people pointing and whispering amongst themselves. Even from a distance, he could still see the fear and... hatred on their faces.
He slowly stood up and walked towards the group of dozens of people. However, as he approached, they retreated in panic. Helpless, he could only stop about ten feet away from them before they stopped and watched him from a distance.
At this moment, Shi Chan had already walked out of the alley and onto the street. He knelt on the ground with both knees bent, and said loudly with a face full of remorse, "This humble monk has committed a grave mistake today. This sin is so heavy that even ten thousand deaths cannot atone for it. If you all wish to avenge the dead, then please kill this humble monk. This humble monk will never dare to fight back!"
The dozens of people were discussing amongst themselves, but none of them dared to step forward. Shi Chan remained kneeling on the ground, waiting quietly.
After a long silence, an elderly man stepped forward from among the dozens of villagers and began to walk towards Shi Chan. The villagers quickly tried to stop him, but the old man pushed their hands away and insisted on walking over.
The old man approached Shi Chan, looked down at him, and sighed softly, "Young Master, you should go now."
Shi Chan paused for a moment, then shook his head and said, "But..."
"It's not your fault," the old man interrupted him, saying, "This old man can tell that the murderer just now is completely different from my master. Perhaps my master lost his mind just now?"
Shi Chan nodded, remorsefully saying, "Yes, but even if it wasn't my intention, I did kill so many innocent people. I want to atone for my sins..."
He longed for death, for only in death could he escape from the endless sorrow and follow in Liuli's footsteps to find her path of reincarnation.
"Alas," the old man shook his head and sighed, "What good would it do if we killed the young master? You should leave."
Shi Chan remained silent for a long time, then sighed helplessly. If there was one person in this world whose orders he absolutely could not disobey, it was his master. If his master did not allow him to disregard his own life, he would have no choice but to live, even though he could almost imagine how painful and torturous his future days would be.
After a long silence, Shi Chan said in a low voice, "If you are willing to spare my life, I would like to stay and do my best to help you, so as to atone for some of my sins."
The old man pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "If you want to stay, then stay."
"Yes." Shi Chan nodded, got up and followed behind the old man.
He walked slowly forward with his hands clasped together, his eyes downcast and his face full of sorrow.
He desperately wanted the villagers to kill him, to free him from the torment of remorse and to escape the agonizing regret of killing Liuli. But they spared him.
He could not disobey his master's instructions before his departure, so he would spend the rest of his life atoning for this sin, enduring all the regret and living a painful life.
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