**The next morning, with the sky just beginning to brighten, clear bells rang out within Qingxu Temple, awakening the slumbering mountains and forests, as well as the disciples. After the morning lecture, the disciples did not disperse as usual to cultivate or carry out their respective tasks; instead, they were gathered in the square before the main hall. The atmosphere carried a hint of solemnity unlike any ordinary day.**
**Xiao Qi stood among the crowd, not particularly close to the front. Having returned last night, he had meditated and regulated his breath for half an hour, yet a sense of unease lingered. The Rabbit Spirit's unusual warning and that faint, elusive scent of blood in the forest were like tiny hooks, continuously tugging at his heart. Seeing that the sect seemed to have important news to announce, he couldn't help but focus his mind, waiting attentively.**
**Before long, a middle-aged cultivator dressed in a cyan Daoist robe, with a gaunt face and eyes as calm as an ancient well, slowly ascended the stone steps before the hall. This was precisely Xiao Qi's master, the Discipline Hall elder of Qingxu Temple, Daoist Xuan Lin. Daoist Xuan Lin usually spoke little, but he cared deeply for his disciples; seemingly strict, he was actually kind-hearted. Xiao Qi was grateful for the opportunity to be accepted as a disciple, even if only as a nominal one.**
**Daoist Xuan Lin's gaze slowly swept over the crowded disciples below, his eyes sharp as if they could pierce through people's hearts. The square fell utterly silent; even the most unruly disciples sensed the gravity and held their breath, utterly still.**
**"Today, I have gathered you all to deliver a serious warning," Daoist Xuan Lin's voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached each disciple's ears, carrying an air of undeniable authority. "Recently, the temple has detected unusual movements in the back mountain area. There may be unidentified outsiders secretly watching, their intentions unclear."**
**As soon as these words were spoken, a faint stir rippled through the crowd below. Disciples glanced at each other, murmuring in low voices. For most low-ranking disciples, the back mountain was already a mysterious area tinged with a sense of prohibition. Now, there were outsiders watching? This news was undoubtedly like a stone thrown into a calm lake.**
**Xiao Qi's heart skipped a beat. His master's words were like a clap of thunder, confirming that his experience last night was no illusion. The Rabbit Spirit's warning, that unusual scent of blood—they truly pointed to extraordinary danger. Subconsciously, he clenched his fist, his palm slightly damp with sweat.**
**Daoist Xuan Lin raised his hand, gesturing for silence, then continued in a solemn tone: "To ensure your safety, effective immediately, all disciples are strictly prohibited from venturing deep into the back mountain without special tasks or elders' written permission. Daily herb-gathering, mountain patrols, and other duties must also be conducted in pairs, limited to the outer safe zones; no one is to cross the boundary half a step. Anyone who disobeys this order and ventures in privately will, upon discovery, be severely punished without mercy!"**
**His tone was resolute, carrying a biting chill that made every disciple's heart tighten. No one doubted the weight of these words; a prohibition personally issued by the Discipline Hall elder was no trivial matter.**
**"You must all be vigilant. If you discover any suspicious individuals or unusual signs, report them immediately. Do not conceal anything, nor take matters into your own hands," Daoist Xuan Lin's gaze flashed like lightning as he emphasized once more. "In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken. Personal safety is minor; the stability of the sect is paramount. Do not, out of momentary curiosity or recklessness, cause a major mistake that implicates both yourself and your fellow disciples."**
**These words struck Xiao Qi's heart like heavy hammers, each syllable pounding deeply. He had originally harbored a sliver of hope, thinking he might find another opportunity to investigate once the situation calmed down—after all, the guidance of the jade pendant held immense temptation for him. But his master's warning now completely dispelled that notion.**
**"Implicates both yourself and your fellow disciples"... these six words were especially heavy. He thought of Third Senior Sister, who treated him with such kindness; the reliable and steady Eldest Senior Brother; even that Second Senior Brother who always came up with strange inventions; and the many familiar faces within Qingxu Temple. If, driven by his own selfish desires, he acted rashly and truly, as his master said, drew in outsiders or ended up in danger requiring rescue from his fellow disciples, the consequences... he dared not dwell on it.**
**Daoist Xuan Lin added a few more words about strengthening precautions and watching one's conduct, then announced the dismissal. The disciples dispersed in twos and threes, carrying complex emotions, their discussions now louder than before—clearly, everyone was shaken by this sudden news and the strict prohibition.**
**Xiao Qi stood where he was, somewhat dazed. Sunlight filtered through the leaves of the ancient trees at the edge of the square, casting mottled shadows at his feet, yet he felt little warmth.**
**"Xiao Qi." A gentle voice sounded beside him. Xiao Qi snapped back to attention and saw that Eldest Senior Brother had come to his side at some point. Eldest Senior Brother remained his usual steady self, his eyes carrying concern. "You heard Master's words, right? The back mountain has indeed been unsettled lately. If you usually go to that abandoned herb garden... you should put a stop to it for now, for safety's sake."**
**Eldest Senior Brother clearly knew about that "secret base" he shared with the Rabbit Spirit; without explicitly mentioning it, his intention to remind was unmistakable. Xiao Qi felt a warmth in his heart and nodded. "Yes, I understand, Eldest Senior Brother. I won't wander off recklessly." He paused, then couldn't help but ask softly, "Eldest Senior Brother, what exactly is in the back mountain? Are the outsiders Master mentioned very powerful?"**
**Eldest Senior Brother shook his head slightly, his gaze turning toward the direction of the back mountain, tinged with gravity. "The specifics are still being investigated by Master and the Temple Master. But for Master to issue such a solemn prohibition, it's definitely no trivial matter. Perhaps... it might be connected to the previous beast rampage. In any case, remember Master's words: don't be curious, focus on cultivation. Once the sect clarifies the situation, everything will become clear."**
**Even Eldest Senior Brother spoke this way; Xiao Qi's remaining reluctance was completely suppressed. He nodded solemnly. "I understand, thank you, Eldest Senior Brother."**
**Eldest Senior Brother patted his shoulder, said nothing more, and turned to leave.**
**Xiao Qi stood alone in the gradually emptying square, took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled. He touched his chest—the jade pendant lay quiet, no longer emitting heat. Perhaps it was because he had moved a certain distance away from the back mountain, or perhaps it was due to the change in his current state of mind.**
**His master's warning still echoed in his ears; Eldest Senior Brother's concern was close at hand. Exploring his origins and pursuing the secrets of the jade pendant were undoubtedly important, but the prerequisite was that he had to stay alive. He couldn't, because of his own impulsiveness, bring trouble and danger to the sect that had taken him in and given him warmth.**
**"Enough..." Xiao Qi said to himself in his heart. "Since Master has explicitly forbidden it, I'll put it aside for now. The most urgent task is to improve my own strength. If I am strong enough myself, what dangers should I fear?"**
**He forcibly suppressed that restless curiosity and desire to investigate, deciding to obey his master's command: he would absolutely not set foot deep into the back mountain anytime soon. He devoted more energy to cultivation, practicing the basic sword technique Eldest Senior Brother had gifted him, consolidating his mid-stage Qi Refining cultivation, and occasionally using the flat-bottomed pot to attempt refining some basic pills.**
**Yet, during deep, quiet nights, he would sometimes gaze toward the dark silhouette of the back mountain, a shadow passing through his heart.**
**His master's warning was like an alarm bell, sounding the first lesson about responsibility, discipline, and balance at the initial stage of his cultivation path. He knew that some secrets might require waiting for a more opportune time, needing greater strength before they could be touched. For now, what he needed was to settle, accumulate, and be patient.**