I Can Contract Spirits

Chapter 4: The Heavenly Convergence



Three days passed in the blink of an eye...

And today, the Clear Heavens Sect was much noisier and filled with activity than usual.

The Heavenly Convergence, an event that only occurred once every decade, had finally arrived. It was a day of prestige and opportunity for the sect, where cultivators of unimaginable power gathered to share knowledge, forge alliances, and assert their dominance.

For the elders, it was a chance to elevate the sect's standing among the great powers of the Jadestone Continent. For the disciples, it was an opportunity to witness legends in the flesh.

Lin Raosheng, however, wasn't interested in any of that. With broom in hand, he shuffled across the bustling courtyard.

His expression was a blend of boredom and feigned enthusiasm. His cleaning duties had been tripled for the event, and he was beginning to think they might assign him to polish the clouds next.

"Ah, yes," he muttered under his breath while sweeping lazily. "The great Lin Raosheng, keeper of the sacred dust and banisher of cobwebs. Truly, I am a pillar of this sect."

The courtyard, now dubbed the Courtyard of Gathering for the occasion, was a spectacle of extravagance. Rows of polished chairs were arranged in perfect symmetry before the grand pavilion.

Silks of red and gold draped the structures with their embroidery depicting scenes of legendary cultivators in battle.

Elders and distinguished guests moved about with an air of authority.

Lin's broom clattered against a stone tile, drawing the annoyed glare of a passing senior disciple. "Sweep quieter, Lin," the disciple snapped. "This is an important event."

"Yes, Senior Brother," Lin replied with a mock bow. "Shall I also sweep away the clouds, or is that reserved for Senior Brothers with better robes?"

The disciple ignored him, muttering something under his breath as he strode away. Lin smirked before returning to his work with deliberate slowness.

It wasn't that he hated sweeping—it gave him time to wander the sect and think. But today, with so many eyes watching, the stakes were higher. One wrong move and the elders would have his head.

As Lin worked, his attention was drawn to the arrival of a group of esteemed guests. Their auras radiated power, creating an almost tangible pressure in the air. Among them, one man stood out.

His presence was one that commanded immediate reverence.

Lord Xu Tian.

Lin didn't need to hear the whispered reverence of the surrounding disciples to know who he was.

Dressed in pristine white robes embroidered with golden dragons, Lord Xu Tian's every movement was like the wind.

Many cultivators rushed to greet him respectfully, earning nods from him as he took steps forward.

His black hair, streaked with silver, flowed behind him like a banner of authority, and his golden eyes glinted with a sharpness that could cut through stone. He was an immortal cultivator, a legend in his own right, feared and respected across the continent.

Lin had only seen him from afar once before, and now, watching him stride into the courtyard, Lin couldn't help but feel like he was staring at a figure from a painting come to life. "Well," Lin muttered to himself, "there goes my chance of sweeping unnoticed."

As Lin resumed his work, a movement caught his eye.

It was a spirit—a new one, not one of his usual regulars. She was stunningly beautiful with long black hair that cascaded down her back and almost reached her legs.

Her bright red robes hugged her figure, accentuating her graceful curves, and a playful glint danced in her dark eyes. She was the very image of a mischievous fox and her sharp smile looked troublesome.

Lin frowned while gripping his broom tightly. He didn't recognize her, and that made him uneasy. Spirits like her didn't just appear without reason, especially not at events like this.

The spirit hovered near Lord Xu Tian, circling him like a curious child inspecting a toy. Lin blinked. It wasn't often that spirits lingered around such powerful cultivators. What was stranger still was that Lord Xu Tian didn't seem to notice her presence at all.

"Who are you?" Lin muttered under his breath while keeping his voice low enough that no one nearby could hear.

The spirit turned toward him as her playful grin widened. She brought a finger to her lips in a mock gesture of silence as her eyes twinkled with mischief.

"Xiao Lan..." she muttered her name and then...

All of a sudden, she darted toward Lin without warning.

Lin instinctively took a step back, but she didn't attack. Instead, she darted past him and tugged at the edge of a silk drape hanging from the pavilion.

The fabric slipped free, fluttering directly into Lin's path. Before he could react, his foot caught on the edge, and he stumbled forward with his arms flailing wildly.

Bam!

He collided with something—or rather, someone.

The air around him grew heavy as the pressure in the air reached an almost suffocating level.

Lin's stomach dropped as he looked up and his eyes met those of Lord Xu Tian.

He had bumped into Lord Xu Tian.

The immortal's golden gaze bore into him, sharp and unreadable.

Gasps erupted from the surrounding disciples and elders. Whispers spread like wildfire.

"That's him!" one disciple hissed.

"The Immortal Protector, Lord Xu Tian!" another whispered with a trembling tone.

Lin's blood ran cold. Of course, he had to bump into the most important guest at the event—the Immortal Protector himself, Lord Xu Tian.

A cultivator feared and revered across the continent, Xu Tian's mere presence could send armies fleeing. And now, Lin had not only bumped into him but also knocked his pristine robes slightly askew.

Lin dropped his broom and immediately bowed low. "My deepest apologies, great lord. It was my fault entirely. I am but a humble cleaner who—"

"Silence." Xu Tian's voice was calm but carried a pressure that made Lin feel like he was being pressed into the ground.

Lin froze as his forehead nearly touched the courtyard stones. He didn't dare look up, but his mind raced.

'This is it. This is how I die. Death by immortal disapproval.'

The senior disciples stepped forward with looks of horror and anger. "Punish him!" one shouted. "How dare this servant disrespect our honored guest!"

"Damn Xiao Lan..." Lin muttered the name of the new spirit girl under his breath as two disciples grabbed his arms and dragged him to his feet.

"My lord," one of the elders stepped forward, "this servant's actions are inexcusable. Allow us to deal with him appropriately."

Lin's heart pounded. He opened his mouth to plead, but no words came out. Then he felt a cold sweat break over his skin as Xu Tian raised a hand.

"I heard him mutter a name," Xu Tian's golden eyes narrowed. "What did you say?"

Lin blinked with a confused look. "A... name?"

"Yes." Xu Tian stepped closer, casting a shadow over Lin. "Repeat it."

Lin's thoughts scrambled as he remembered. "Oh, that? I was just complaining about Xiao Lan... That's all! You wouldn't understand—it's nothing important—"

Xu Tian's eyes widened slightly, and for the first time, his stoic demeanor faltered. "Xiao Lan?" his voice turned softer as he spoke.

Lin hesitated, then nodded. "Yes, Xiao Lan."

But he couldn't say more because he felt he'd look like a madman and his mother did warn him about exposing his ability to see spirits.

The surrounding disciples exchanged confused looks, but Xu Tian's expression changed—something unreadable flashed in his golden eyes.

"Describe her," he demanded.

Lin blinked again, but he obeyed seeing as he had no choice. "Uh... she looks about sixteen to eighteen. Beautiful black hair that nearly reaches her legs. Red robes..."

Xu Tian's breath hitched, and Lin noticed a flicker of emotion cross his face—something that looked suspiciously like sorrow.

"She... she has a ribbon in her hair," Lin added while pointing to his own head. "A red one."

Xu Tian's hands tightened into fists as his composure slipped further. He turned sharply to the disciples holding Lin. "Release him."

The disciples froze. "My lord?"

"Release him," Xu Tian repeated with a cold voice that made them obey instantly.

Lin rubbed his wrists as he stood, thoroughly confused. Xu Tian studied him for a long moment before speaking. "Come with me."

Lin's stomach twisted in equal parts fear and curiosity. "Uh... okay?"

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