New Spells
Dawn.
The sun had just risen when Zheng Que left home and headed toward the dilapidated temple.
Qing Li drifted along behind him, her translucent figure floating in the air.
Tap, tap, tap.
On the bluestone path veiled in morning mist, the solitary sound of footsteps made the surroundings seem exceptionally quiet and secluded.
House after house had their doors and windows tightly shut, the vegetable plots in the courtyards lay barren, and the sounds of crowing roosters and barking dogs were sparse and feeble. This town was growing increasingly lifeless.
Lost in thought, Zheng Que had already passed through the streets and alleys and arrived at the entrance of the dilapidated temple.
He paused before the courtyard gate, straightened his attire, then strode directly inside.
Everything in the courtyard remained as before, except that within the shadow of the withered old tree, the hanging ghost was no longer there.
Zheng Que continued along the overgrown path further inside. This time Qing Li did not follow him. Instead she pressed close to the base of the wall, slowly moving into the shade of the withered tree, seemingly very fearful of whatever presence dwelt within the temple.
Creak.
Pushing open the loosely shut temple door, daylight streamed in, stirring up dust that danced silently in the air. A figure in gray robes waited quietly within.
Just like yesterday, Daoist Qu sat cross-legged on a rush cushion, eyes closed in meditation. Behind him, the curtains of the shrine hung low, deep and shadowy.
Zheng Que stepped forward and bowed. “Disciple pays respects to Master.”
Daoist Qu gave a slight nod, opened his eyes and looked out into the courtyard.
After a long while he finally spoke. “Seems awakened, yet not awakened; seems enlightened, yet not enlightened.”
“Your current ghost servant must have encountered some sort of opportunity.”
Zheng Que promptly replied with great respect, “Master’s discerning eye is infallible!”
“Last night, after returning, this disciple immediately began cultivating. After finishing, this female ghost transformed into her current appearance.”
Both the Book of Life and Death and the existence of the Underworld were immense secrets.
And yet, he who held these secrets was currently merely a novice cultivator who had just entered the Dao.
If even the slightest trace were to be revealed, he would surely face eternal damnation.
Therefore, until he had truly grown strong, he would not let anyone know of this matter.
Not even those closest to him.
Thinking this, Zheng Que continued, “If Master is interested, this disciple will ask the female ghost later.”
Daoist Qu shook his head, his voice calm and indifferent. “No need.”
“All actions are impermanent, birth and death are karma.”
“This is the karma between you and that female ghost. It has nothing to do with this master.”
As he spoke, his gaze fell upon Zheng Que. He did not continue the topic but instead addressed the main business of the day. “You have now learned the 【Ghost Taming Art】.”
“Today, this master will teach you two spells. The first is called the 【Yin Gathering Art】.”
“The incantation for this art is…”
While speaking, Daoist Qu began forming hand seals, demonstrating every detail meticulously for Zheng Que.
Zheng Que listened with rapt attention. The function of the 【Yin Gathering Art】 was to gather dark clouds within a certain area, blocking sunlight and allowing a ghost servant’s strength to remain unaffected during daylight.
Compared to the 【Ghost Taming Art】, the 【Yin Gathering Art】 was much simpler, being merely an auxiliary art.
Soon Daoist Qu finished explaining the 【Yin Gathering Art】 and continued, “The second is called the 【Spirit Eye Technique】.”
“This technique must not be used frequently. Otherwise, the Yin Qi within your body will accumulate in your eyes, leading to diminished eyesight, or even blindness.”
“Its incantation is…”
Zheng Que carefully observed Daoist Qu demonstrating the 【Spirit Eye Art】.
Like the 【Yin Gathering Art】, the 【Spirit Eye Technique】 was also an auxiliary-type and not difficult to cultivate.
This technique involved gathering the Spiritual Qi within the body into the eyes, allowing one to see things invisible to the naked eye.
In addition the 【Spirit Eye Technique】 could detect the auras of other cultivators or ghostly beings, thereby assessing an opponent’s strength.
Of course, if the opponent’s cultivation was far higher than one’s own, the 【Spirit Eye Technique】 would similarly fail to penetrate it.
After a short while Daoist Qu finished explaining both arts and straightforwardly instructed, “Practice these two spells well.”
“Come tomorrow, and I will inspect your progress.”
Zheng Que immediately stood up and bowed. “Yes!”
After taking his leave from his master, he walked out of the dilapidated temple and immediately saw Qing Li hanging herself from the withered old tree again. Her pale dress cascaded in layers, fluttering sharply in the wind, while her black hair spilled like a waterfall, obscuring her face. Amidst the lifelessness she exuded a profound, silent tranquility.
Zheng Que waved to Qing Li and walked out of the courtyard.
Just after stepping outside, he spotted a familiar figure. The man wore a blue short jacket, his face full of worry, sleeves tucked as he paced restlessly on the open ground nearby. It was Zhao Lao’er.
Zhao Lao’er appeared dazed, as if he hadn’t rested in a long time. Upon seeing Zheng Que, he paused briefly before snapping back to reality. He quickly strode forward, asking with some agitation, “Zheng Que, have you already become the Immortal Master’s disciple?”
Hearing this, Zheng Que nodded. Daoist Qu’s arrival in this remote town to recruit disciples was no secret. Moreover, Zheng Que had been visiting the dilapidated temple daily, so anyone paying a little attention could deduce he had successfully become a disciple.
Thinking this, Zheng Que asked, “Big Brother Zhao, what’s the matter?”
Seeing that Zheng Que had indeed become the Immortal Master’s disciple, Zhao Lao’er visibly relaxed, then asked nervously, “Then, do you know any magic spells?”
Magic spells?
Zheng Que glanced at Zhao Lao’er and immediately recalled the argument he had overheard outside the man’s home the other day.
No doubt, this visit was related to that incident.
As he pondered, Zheng Que nodded. “I’ve just learned a little.”
Hearing that Zheng Que truly knew magic, Zhao Lao’er’s expression softened considerably. He immediately walked to the side, retrieved a basket from the grass filled with eggs and handed it to Zheng Que, whispering, “Zheng Que, I suspect the wife I married isn’t human!”
“But my mother refuses to believe me and insists I live with that wife.”
“From the wedding day until now, I haven’t been able to sleep a wink.”
“We’ve been neighbors for years. You must help me!”
As he spoke, Zhao Lao’er forcefully pushed the basket into Zheng Que’s hands.
Looking at the basket of eggs still smudged with dust and chicken droppings, Zheng Que remained calm. This world was nothing like the prosperous one of his past life; eggs were already a very precious commodity for ordinary households, typically consumed only during illness, childbirth, or nursing.
However, he was now a cultivator, and his need for food was no longer as pressing as it was for ordinary people.
After a moment of thought, Zheng Que said, “Second Brother Zhao, I have something to attend to right now. I’ll come to your house to take a look later.”