TRYMBPIETM 7: The Ancient Tree’s Deep Shade(1) part 1

All the guests participated in this supplementary recording, but at different times.

Everyone had completed their work over the past two days, and Chi Qingzhou was the last one.”

Lu Man chatted with him for a while, and then the makeup artist came to do his makeup.

This makeup artist was familiar with Lu Man, so he naturally would not take advantage of Chi Qingzhou. He chose a fresh style of makeup for him, which fully highlighted the advantages of his facial features.

After putting on makeup, Lu Man took Chi Qingzhou to the studio.

The director sat behind the camera, looking at Chi Qingzhou who walked in with eyes full of awe.

He whispered to the assistant director: “hey – is this the living Teacher Chi?”

The assistant director glanced at his old partner speechlessly: “Be more normal, I’m scared of you talking like that.”

The director’s eyes wandered and he slowly turned his head away.

“Chi Qingzhou is not an orthodox cultivator, but he has still entered the Cultivation world.

All five of his senses had been heightened, allowing him to hear the director’s voice clearly, no matter how soft it was.

He blinked and glanced over, curiosity piqued.

This director had a rather peculiar preference. It seemed he favored the dead half of him. It was rare to encounter someone with such discernment.

I really want to come out and say hello to the director.

The shadow swayed, lively, almost as if eager to move.

The director’s hair stood on end. He looked around in a panic and quickly shrank behind the assistant director.

He poked the assistant director in the waist. “Did you feel that? Something scary just appeared”

The assistant director rolled his eyes and moved the stool aside coldly: “I think the most scary thing here is you.”

Director: “…”

The new cameraman of the program crew ruthlessly pointed the camera at the two of them and recorded the scene completely.

Director: “…”

After the events that occurred earlier, the entire “Scenery Along the Way” program team became very cautious with Chi Qingzhou.

The questions they had prepared were very routine. Since Lu Man viewed Chi Qingzhou as his benefactor, he maintained a gentle attitude throughout, and the interview went smoothly.

After a brief Q&A session, Lu Man began to ask some questions related to the second season of “Scenery Along the Way”, such as whether there were any filming locations he was looking forward to, and what history and culture he was interested in.

He smiled and asked, “The first destination of the program is Shangling County in Qunqing Province. I wonder if Teacher Chi knows about this place?”

This was the first time Chi Qingzhou learned where the first episode of the program would be heading, and he was a little surprised.

“Is it basically Shangling County, where the Puluo tribe lives? As for this place…’ He paused to think seriously, then carefully chose what he could say. ‘The marriage and funeral customs are quite unique, right?”

As soon as this distinctive answer was given, many people felt an inexplicable chill.

Suddenly, fuzzy patches of mold appeared on the studio floor.

In the shadows, something paused, then hurriedly left.

In Chi Qingzhou’s shadow, Xing Shuangzhan opened his bloodshot eyes and watched the scene outside with interest.

The camera caught a peculiar texture in the shot, but the new cameraman, unaware, moved the lens closer to Chi Qingzhou.

Lu Man paused, maintained his professionalism and continued to ask: “It seems that Teacher Chi knows Shangling County very well. I wonder if you can give us a detailed introduction?”

Chi Qingzhou would certainly not refuse.

“The Puluo people are an ethnic minority, and their weddings are as distinctive as those of other minority groups. From the costumes to the ceremonial procedures, they embody the solemnity and romance unique to the southwestern ethnic cultures.”

But compared to the wedding, Chi Qingzhou felt that the funeral was more interesting.

He smiled brightly, his peach blossom eyes curving into a lively arc, giving him an even more vibrant presence for a moment.

“The Puluo people practice tree burials. Generally, when a tribe member passes away, the body is buried at the roots of a large tree within the tribe. A wooden or metal nameplate is then hung on the branch, which relatives honor with worship each year.”

“But there are also some tribesmen…” He tilted his head, thought for a moment, then spoke in a very respectful tone, “they hold a more special status.”

“These members of the tribe are buried in mid-air. Their bodies are placed in special coffins and transported to the tribe by designated personnel. They select tall, lush trees and, when the full moon rises to its peak in the sky, place the coffins upright on the trunks.”

“The coffin is shaped like a spindle, with pointed ends and a rounded middle. Small holes are carved at both the top and bottom, and both the interior and exterior are covered with talismans unique to the Puluo people.”

There was a gleam in Chi Qingzhou’s eyes, and his smile actually showed a bit of tenderness.

“The Puluo people believe that after a person dies, the soul can communicate with heaven and earth in this way, allowing it to journey to a new…place.”

“They will regularly draw…patterns on the outside of the coffin until one day the patterns cover the entire outside of the coffin.”

The Puluo people have the opportunity to become ghosts or deities.

Gifted Puluo people, after death, can cultivate their souls within the coffin, causing the talismans on the outside of the coffin to gradually fade.

Redrawing the talismans ensures the smooth progress of their cultivation, and one day, when the talismans no longer fade, it signifies the person has successfully completed their practice.

Chi Qingzhou had a friend who was a member of the Puluo tribe.

He had a peculiar fate—plagued by many illnesses and lacking any obvious talent during his lifetime, it was only after his death that he gained recognition.

Chi Qingzhou attended his funeral and was deeply moved.

He spoke softly, as if afraid of disturbing a dream.

‘The Puluo people are warm and hospitable. I believe… this will be a pleasant journey.'”

…

There were no more accidents with the “Scenery Along the Way” program crew.

At 3 pm, the trailer and guest list were released on time.

Chi Xiaoyuan, also known as Mr. Xiao Chi, was sitting in the president’s office. He directly clicked on Chi Qingzhou’s part with his brows tightly furrowed.

The night before yesterday, he was called back by his father and severely scolded for not considering the overall situation.

His mother rarely spoke up for him. She only told him secretly afterwards that the smooth filming of “Scenery Along the Way” was very important to their family, and asked him to behave himself recently.

Because he targeted Chi Qingzhou a few days ago and caused the variety show to be postponed, his father had been angry several times and decided to personally inquire about the filming matters.

Chi Xiaoyuan didn’t know what Chi Qingzhou had done to make his father side with him, and he felt very alert.

As early as when his younger brother was found, he suspected that he would do anything to get the family property. Now his previous guess has been verified.

This poor guy even abandoned his adoptive parents who raised him for almost twenty years. It is obvious that he will do anything for profit.

He wanted to see what his younger brother would say during the interview.

After a short opening sequence, the main film began.

As soon as Chi Qingzhou’s face appeared, the barrage was flooded with dense curses and insults, almost completely covering the screen.

【The program crew is really inhumane. They let an illegitimate child show off in front of a legitimate child. Isn’t that shameless? 】

【I want to throw up. I feel sick just looking at Chi Pengci’^[1]s face! 】

【How come this bitch isn’t facing retribution yet? Where is the dump truck? Come and drag him away. 】

Netizens felt comfortable cursing, and the whole video was filled with chaos.

Chi Xiaoyuan raised the corner of his lips sarcastically.

So what if his father protected Chi Qingzhou? Those who should dislike Chi Qingzhou still disliked him.

If his family really wanted to get in touch with the Song family in the capital, Chi Qingzhou wasn’t the only option.

He was thinking casually when the host began to ask Chi Qingzhou if he knew about Shangling County.

Chi Qingzhou’s answer appeared on the tablet and seemed to be mixed with a strange electrical sound.

“This place… the wedding and funeral customs are very special.”

The temperature in the office suddenly dropped, and a feeling of being quietly watched spread.

Chi Xiaoyuan suddenly snapped back to his senses and looked out the window. The weather was fine, and the sun was shining brightly.

He frowned and looked back at the tablet.

The overwhelming insults and curses disappeared at some point, the barrage was empty, and only Chi Qingzhou’s figure became clear.

The camera zoomed in and gave a close-up of Chi Qingzhou’s face.

His long, curled eyelashes fluttered gently, and his hazy pupils were filled with a heart-pounding depth.

His voice was soft and tender, floating into the ears like the wind, and every word was so clear that it was almost engraved deeply into one’s mind.

It was like a mayfly born in the morning and dying in the evening, reproducing in this world for thousands of years, and finally returning to the same destination.

Chi Xiaoyuan felt inexplicably creeped out.

He wanted to turn off the video, but his limbs felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead, and he couldn’t move at all.

In the end, he could only stare at Chi Qingzhou’s face, letting the cold sweat soak through the clothes on his back.

…