Departure

Daoist Qu’s expression remained calm and unchanged as he simply said, “Very well. As your master, I shall now impart to you the incantation for the 【Spirit Descent Technique】…”

As he spoke, he casually summoned a blue-faced ghost servant resembling an old man and began meticulously explaining the key points while demonstrating.

Zheng Que stood attentively at his side, watching with bated breath.

To cultivate the 【Spirit Descent Technique】, one must first have a foundation in the 【Ghost Taming Art】.

The strength of the 【Spirit Descent Technique】 depends on the power of one’s own ghost servant. The higher the ghost servant’s cultivation, the greater the defense, strength, and speed after the spell is cast.

His current cultivation was at the first layer of Qi Refining, while his ghost servant Qing Li had already reached the fourth layer of the 【Tongue-Tearing Hell】. After using the 【Spirit Descent Technique】, his enhancements in all aspects would far surpass the effects of the other two spells!

The only risk was that during the spell’s activation, if the ghost servant were to rebel, there would be almost no chance of survival.

Of course, this drawback meant nothing to him.

Yin Qi overflowed within the dilapidated temple, and the already dim room seemed draped in another layer of dusty gauze.

With a light flick of his sleeve, Daoist Qu executed the final hand seal.

Instantly, the exposed skin on his body became covered in bluish-black patterns, dense and intricate like the roots of an ancient tree, deeply embedded in his flesh. On Daoist Qu’s neck, a bizarre extra head appeared. This head had a bluish complexion and resembled an old man. It was precisely the blue-faced ghost servant summoned earlier.

At this moment, the blue-faced ghost servant’s features were twisted and ferocious, its mouth wide open to reveal sharp canine teeth, as if struggling desperately to break free from Daoist Qu’s body. Yet no matter how hard it tried, it remained suppressed by a powerful force, only able to roar unwillingly.

Roar, roar, roar…

The ghostly roars echoed through the dilapidated temple. At a glance, Daoist Qu now appeared more demonic than an actual evil spirit.

Zheng Que took a deep breath. Though he knew his master possessed profound cultivation, being stared down by that malicious blue-faced head still sent shivers down his spine, chilling him to the bone.

At this moment, Daoist Qu spoke calmly, “This is the 【Spirit Descent Technique】.”

As he spoke, he formed another hand seal. The solid earthen ground immediately sprouted mounds of graves, large and small. In the next moment, the graves split open, and corpse puppets crawled out like a tide.

Just as these corpse puppets rose and steadied themselves, the extra blue-faced head on Daoist Qu suddenly opened its mouth and let out a piercing shriek.

The shriek was intensely penetrating, like a sharp blade thrusting deep into the mind.

Zheng Que was instantly dizzied by the shock and hurriedly covered his ears with both hands.

Thud, thud, thud…

A series of dull thuds sounded as the surrounding corpse puppets’ heads were shattered one after another, exploding like crimson fireworks, splattering everywhere.

A thick, bloody scent instantly filled the room as headless corpses slumped softly into pools of blood.

Soon, the shrieking stopped. Before Zheng Que could regain his composure, Daoist Qu’s voice reached him: “This technique not only preserves life but also integrates offense and defense. However, whether you live or die after mastering this spell will depend entirely on your own fate.”

Upon hearing this, Zheng Que felt his head clear somewhat. He looked up, glanced at the lifeless remnants of corpse puppets scattered across the ground, and immediately understood: his master had just been demonstrating the power of the 【Spirit Descent Technique】. His own cultivation was too low, and he had nearly been knocked unconscious by the residual shockwaves.

Zheng Que promptly bowed respectfully. “Thank you for your guidance, Master!”

Daoist Qu gave a slight nod and formed a hand seal to dispel the 【Spirit Descent Technique】.

The dense bluish-black patterns covering his exposed skin instantly vanished like snow melting under the sun. At the same time, the blue-faced head growing from the side of his neck immediately detached, transforming mid-air into the form of a blue-faced ghost servant. After a brief manifestation, it faded from sight.

Immediately after, Daoist Qu rose to his full height and strode toward the temple exit.

Witnessing this, Zheng Que understood: the forty-nine hours were up. His master was about to leave the town.

Thus, he hurried after Daoist Qu and spoke with a reverent expression, “Master, despite this disciple’s humble origins, you have deigned to impart the Dao’s methods. This disciple possesses nothing of value and has no means to repay your kindness. I wish to serve by your side, offering my humble efforts like a loyal hound or steed!”

Daoist Qu continued walking, shaking his head slightly as he replied calmly, “If you survive, we will have the chance to meet again in the future.”

Hearing this, Zheng Que’s heart stirred. Knowing his master would not take him away from this town, he quickly added, “Master, this disciple currently lacks a suitable weapon. I beg for your guidance!”

Daoist Qu’s steps did not falter. “Your current cultivation is only at the first layer of Qi Refining. No weapon is as useful as your own ghost servant.”

Zheng Que pressed further: “This disciple’s current cultivation speed is too slow. I beg Master to bestow a few medicinal pills that can enhance cultivation.”

Daoist Qu scoffed. “Your cultivation speed is already quite fast.”

“Relying on external aids to boost cultivation will only affect the stability of your foundation.”

Seeing that his master was unwilling to give anything, Zheng Que frowned. He wanted to say more, but Daoist Qu, his wide sleeves fluttering, had already stepped out of the dilapidated temple.

Zheng Que immediately followed him outside, only to find the view empty and desolate. Daoist Qu seemed to have vanished into thin air, his whereabouts unknown.

“Master!”

“Master!!”

Zheng Que urgently called out, simultaneously rushing forward in pursuit.

Thump, thump, thump…

The sound of hurried footsteps echoed on the bluestone pavement as the houses on both sides swiftly receded. Zheng Que chased all the way to the town’s entrance, where a zhang-high stone stele stood erected, inscribed with three characters: “Town of Lasting Fortune.” The script was ancient and weathered, worn by the passage of time. The incomplete characters, missing strokes and radicals, were composed of countless tiny talismans. Now, the incomplete brushstrokes shimmered faintly under the daylight.

Not far away, five willow trees, each thick enough to embrace, had long since withered completely. The five-colored silk ribbons tied to their branches had faded, fluttering in the wind. The cinnabar-drawn patterns on the ribbons had also blurred into indistinct blobs, with only sporadic talismans barely recognizable.

Zheng Que finally stopped beside the stone stele, his brow tightly furrowed as he gazed at the wilderness ahead.

The wildlands were bleak, a cold wind howled, and a profound silence enveloped heaven and earth.

Master was gone.

On this final day, he had only learned a single spell.

After a long while, he gradually calmed down, turned around, and made his way back to the dilapidated temple.

The dilapidated temple remained as always: withered trees, wild grass, and the half-collapsed shrine with its altar curtains hanging low, the offering table empty and bare. Yet on that meditation cushion, the figure in gray robes was nowhere to be seen, and in the shadows behind the door, the coffin had also vanished without a trace.

Zheng Que stepped inside, glanced around, and found that his master had left nothing behind. He walked over to the cushion and sat down cross-legged.

Then he spoke up: “Qing Li, I need to practice a life-preserving spell now, and I’ll require your cooperation.”

Length Measurement: A zhang is equal to 10 chi (Chinese feet). In modern standards, it is exactly equal to 3⅓ meters, approximately 10.9 feet or 3.65 yards.