"Bleurgh..."

Mei leaned over, puking all over the ground, heaving as she did so.

She rolled over and clutched her stomach, squirming in pain.

"I really have no words..." Tu Teng said. "It's a good thing I decided to check on you disciples. You'd be dead if I weren't here to kill the bacteria!"

"Urgh..." Mei groaned.

"You're very lucky you're a wood cultivator. If you practised any other elements, I would have injured your meridians in the process of saving you. Take this as an opportunity, learn to heed the words of elders!"

Okay... it was her fault. Mei admittedly it grudgingly, feeling rather embarrassed. But being lectured while in extreme pain? Today was the worst... she wished Tu Teng was more sensitive.

"Really! What were you thinking? I told you not to drink it! Was this what they meant by the rebellious phase?"

Wang Wei, who was standing on the sidelines, stared at her. She couldn't see his expression because of the helmet, but she assumed he was concerned.

"Are you okay?"

"No..." she said.

"Here, take this pill. It's good for internal injuries."

"Thanks..."

Alchemists were so useful... it was kinda unfair.

Tu Teng sighed.

"Originally, I was planning to investigate alone, after noticing the contamination in the water." the green spirit said. "The other elder spirits aren't as good as sensing life, so they haven't noticed."

"But since I can't trust you disciples not to kill yourself gouging on the water, I'm going to have to take you along with me. I wasn't planning on informing my colleagues since I didn't want to distract them from business, but just to be safe, I told them to not let Xiuying and Yingyi out of sight."

"But... Wang Wei and I aren't dumb enough to drink the water!" Liu Qiang said.

"No excuses. I can't trust any of you now." Tu Teng said.

Mei glared at the chubby boy. Urgh, she wished he could see her expression. Stupid helmet...

For hours, the disciples trudged along the stream, Tu Teng in the lead.

"I'll bring a wagon with me next time." Wang Wei said, consoling Mei.

"Mn."

She felt utterly miserable. Her stomach hurt. Her hair was soaked, and some of the water was leaking into her robes.

If only Su Qing were here to help... Mei thought to herself that she was never going to forget him ever again...

Probably.

Wait, Tu Teng was a wood spirit too! Couldn't she just ask him instead?

...Nevermind. She didn't have the face to, after doubting him.

Liu Qiang yawned.

In the distance, a waterfall grew distinct. So this was the source of the stream...

"Close your air vents and inform me if you feel unwell. The bacteria is likely airborne from the mist."

Mei and the others nodded, complying.

It was a beautiful sight, the constant sound of falling water serene. Such a shame it was infested by... tiny evil things. Honestly, even now, Mei was still somewhat sceptical they existed.

"Wait... there's someone there!" Wang Wei suddenly said.

"Huh?"

Mei and Liu Qiang looked closer. Indeed, a small figure sat directly beneath, buffeted by the might of the waterfall.

This... was this the infamous waterfall training?!

"Weird... I don't sense anyone..." Tu Teng muttered.

The disciples ran over curiously, wanting to see up close.

Under the constant waves, a thin man who looked in his twenties sat with his feet crossed, leaning against the rock behind him. His long black hair rippled along with the water that struck his head.

With how his eyes were shut, he almost looked asleep.

"I don't think we should disturb him?" Wang Wei said.

"T-this..." having caught up, Tu Teng seemed shocked.

"What's wrong?"

"This man... is dead. I don't sense his Godshard, and there's not the slightest bit of vitality in him."

Now that Mei looked closer, the man was very pale.

His body was completely motionless, without sighs of breathing. His muscles were fully relaxed, only kept upright by the rock behind him. Without a doubt, it was a dead man.

Her heart skipped a beat.

"What? He died from the bacteria?" Liu Qiang gasped.

Tu Teng said the bacteria were deadly, but actually seeing someone actually dead was quite unnerving, even without any wounds in sight.

Mei suddenly felt a bit uneasy as she stared at the dead man.

"No. He is the source of the contamination!" Tu Teng said. "Show yourself, plague spirit!"

Seconds passed.

Finally, the corpse opened its eyes.

It slowly stood up, its motions stiff and puppet-like. Its eyes were motionless, staring into thin air.

"Ah. So you sensed me," it spoke in soulsense.

"I've seen many plague spirits, but never one brazen enough to refine corpse puppets." Tu Teng said.

"Corpse puppet. That I am not." the corpse said, walking slowly towards them.

As it took step by step, it was evident the body lacked any sense of balance. If not for spirit sense keeping it from falling, it would have toppled instantly.

The disciples had never seen someone walk so unnaturally, so much like a puppet. They backed away quickly.

"Hu Teng. That was his name. This corpse I did not tamper with. I was born from the bacteria in his gut, that remained alive hundreds of years after his death. This body. It belongs to me. I inherited it."

"Indeed, as you mentioned... this is not a corpse puppet. My mistake." Tu Teng mused.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Liu Qiang shouted. "No one wants their body to turn into a jiangshi after their death, animated by freaky bacteria! This body doesn't belong to you!"

The two spirits ignored him.

"And why are you spreading your disease into the waters? I know for a fact you plague spirits have full control of your cells."

"I keep the mushrooms safe. It was at their request. Fungi... that I do not infect." the corpse said. "The pathogens in the water. They can't compete against me."

"Ah."

Mei had no idea what they were talking about or what a plague spirit was. But from what she got... this man was a water filter?!