Leo finished speaking, took the red lacquer on the long table, and lit it. He bowed to the four directions, east, south, west, and north.
This gesture informed the spirits in all directions that a ritual was taking place, and they were not to disturb it.
After the bowing, Leo inserted the incense into the censer and picked up the wolf-hair brush from the table. After dipping it in vermilion ink, he started to paint on the yellow paper.
Once the talisman was complete, Leo muttered a few words, then threw it into the basin of chicken blood. The talisman landed perfectly in the basin with a crisp sound, and at that moment, the basin ignited, flames engulfing Fay’s head.
Onlookers gasped in shock, mouths wide open. Some children even screamed, quickly silenced by the adults covering their mouths.
Georgia, on the side, was even more frightened. If not for the person beside her holding her back, she would have rushed forward.
Then, a miraculous scene unfolded.
Normally, a living person’s head would first have their hair burned off when exposed to such flames. Subsequently, their skin and clothes would catch fire, emitting a smell of burning flesh.
However, none of this happened. Fay’s head appeared in the flames, as if the fire had no heat at all.
Everyone fell silent, watching this mysterious scene with widened eyes.
Leo walked around Fay, performing strange steps and chanting an obscure incantation.
As the incantation ended, the flames in the basin suddenly extinguished.
Fay, who had been hanging upside down, opened his eyes. However, his eyes were completely pitch black, and a jet-black mass covered his forehead, making him look eerie.
Fay’s body started to shake, as if something inside him was struggling. He opened his mouth and let out a scream.
It was a bizarre scream, unlike anything a human could produce. The piercing sound seemed capable of tearing eardrums apart, and the onlookers covered their ears, though it seemed to offer little relief.
The screams had already caused harm to the crowd. Seeing this, Leo grabbed a Bagua mirror, bit his index finger, dropped a drop of blood onto the mirror, and then aimed the mirror at Fay.
A yellow light shot out from the Bagua mirror, shining on Fay. His body stopped trembling, and the screams ceased.
Although his eyes remained pitch black, he stared directly at Leo, a strange and resentful smile appearing on his face.
Sweat beads appeared on Leo’s forehead. Reciting another spell from an unnamed Feng Shui ancient text, he drove away evil spirits.
The black color in Fay’s eyes slowly faded away.
Leo put away the Bagua mirror, then picked up the dead rooster from the table and placed it on the ground.
Another magical scene unfolded; the thoroughly dead rooster stood up and limped toward the basin of blood.
Arriving at the basin, the rooster dipped its head into the blood, opening its beak to consume the blood.
A minute later, the blood in the basin was entirely consumed by the rooster, not a drop left. Suddenly, the rooster extended its neck and fell straight to the ground.
“Georgia, your son’s affliction has been expelled. You can release him now; he’ll wake up shortly. Also, take this dead rooster to the west entrance of the village and bury it somewhere, with the chicken head pointing west,” Leo instructed.
After finishing, Leo sighed, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and the onlookers began to discuss.
“Who is this guy? Could he be a magician Georgia hired from the city?” a casually dressed young man remarked.
An old lady next to him gave him a clip on the head, saying, “Kid, don’t talk nonsense. Didn’t you see the master perform just now? This master is a person with real skills!”
“That scene just now was so magical. I’ve never seen anything like it in all my life. Could he be a god in human form? Georgia really found an expert!” a young woman next to the old lady echoed.
Applause erupted from the crowd.
“What a great master! The method of dispelling evil was truly splendid. I have met many Feng Shui masters, but a young one like you with real skills is the first!” A man in his fifties wearing a retro suit and a wide-brimmed hat stepped out from the crowd.
His hearty voice immediately caught Leo’s attention.
Following him were three young people, two men and a woman.
The man approached Leo, extending his hand. “Hello, I’m Elroy Orlando. I saw you saving someone just now, and I have an invitation. Are you interested?”
Elroy Orlando was a renowned archaeology professor at a university. He, along with his three students, came here for an archaeological mission.
Upon entering the village, Professor Orlando and his team saw many people heading to Georgia’s house. Driven by curiosity, they followed and witnessed Leo saving someone.
Archaeology is a meticulous profession, and practitioners often have some knowledge of Feng Shui. Although they may not be as proficient as specialized Feng Shui experts, when conducting archaeology on large tombs, archaeologists usually invite Feng Shui experts for assistance.
This is actually a straightforward matter-no one wants to be disturbed after death, whether you’re a tomb raider or an archaeologist, especially ancient emperors and generals.
Inside ancient tombs, besides traps, some graves even have Feng Shui formations. Those unfamiliar with Feng Shui entering would find it hard to come out alive; the inevitable outcome is being trapped to death.
So, people knowledgeable about Feng Shui are crucial for archaeologists. Due to the spontaneous arrangement of this trip to Georgia by higher-ups, time was tight. Therefore, Professor Orlando didn’t invite a Feng Shui expert but brought along his three students.
Witnessing Leo’s skills, Professor Orlando was deeply moved. Although he only knew the surface of Feng Shui, he could tell that the young man before him was no less skilled than those master Feng Shui practitioners.
Being so proficient at a young age-impressive. Leo’s potential was noteworthy. Thus, besides the invitation, Professor Orlando also intended to make connections.
Leo, intrigued by archaeology and enticed by the compensation, agreed to Professor Orlando’s proposal. However, considering the late hour, Leo and Professor Orlando agreed to meet in two days at 9:30 AM in Georgia to head to Black Wind Mountain together.
The next day, after dropping Sophia off at work, Leo drove to the cliff at the back of the Seven Stars Sword Sect, the place where Master Grant raised the Purple Thunder Crocodile.
During the battle with Master Grant, this area suffered some damage. However, thanks to the efforts of the disciples of the Seven Stars Sword Sect, it had been restored to its original state. Two small cabins had even been added.
Leo, the honorary sect leader, gave this place a new name-Spirit Crocodile Cliff.
Upon arriving at Spirit Crocodile Cliff, Leo instructed the disciple guarding the area to leave temporarily.
Next, Leo had to do something crucial: breakthrough to the next level of the Grand Spirit Master realm!
During the cultivation process, disturbance was the last thing one needed. After entering one of the small cabins, Leo locked the door.
Placing the gourd containing honey wine and the Fragrance-Sensing Divine Jade on the floor, Leo sat cross-legged on the cushion.
For spiritual cultivators, each minor advancement in their cultivation realm significantly increased their strength. However, as one progressed further, breaking through became increasingly challenging, even for those with exceptional talent. Breaking through even a minor level required a considerable cost.
Even for the most outstanding individuals, trying to advance beyond their current level was usually impossible.
As the saying goes, a shaky foundation leads to instability. To ensure a smoother journey in the future of cultivation, a steady and methodical approach was crucial.
Leo was well aware that to breakthrough to the next level of the Grand Spirit Master realm, the two gourds of honey wine were crucial.
The honey wine, brewed by the spiritual monkeys, contained the energy of over a hundred spiritual fruits. Consuming it provided significant benefits for breaking through one’s cultivation.
Leo took one gourd, opened the lid, and guzzled down the entire contents.
The taste of this honey wine was surprisingly good-initially sweet and mellow, followed by a strong alcoholic kick, making it quite enjoyable.
After digesting it for a moment, Leo grabbed the other gourd and consumed its entire contents as well.
After downing both gourds of honey wine, Leo felt his stomach pleasantly full, and his body experienced a sensation akin to soaking in a warm spring.
Leo clasped his hands, closed his eyes, activated the Nine Heavens Star Chart, and, utilizing the abundant spiritual energy of Spirit Crocodile Cliff and the honey wine he just drank, began the process of breaking through to the next level of the Grand Spirit Master realm.
…
On the outskirts of Spirit Crocodile Cliff, the two Seven Stars Sword Sect disciples who were originally guarding the area didn’t leave when they learned that the honorary sect leader was going to cultivate here. Instead, they tacitly guarded the perimeter.
“Murphy, even though our honorary sect leader is young, their strength is off the charts. Do you know why?” a white-robed disciple asked his companion.
Murphy, giving it some thought, shook his head and replied, “No idea. Why do you think so?”
“The reason is simple. According to reliable information I’ve gathered, our honorary sect leader isn’t a martial cultivator.”
“Not a martial cultivator? Then what are they?” Murphy grew more curious.
The white-robed disciple instinctively glanced in the direction of Spirit Crocodile Cliff, then whispered three words, “A cultivator of spirit instead of martial arts.”
“A spiritual cultivator!?” Murphy couldn’t help but exclaim, his face showing an incredulous expression. “How is that possible? Aren’t they just a legend?”
“Keep your voice down. Isn’t it rare enough? I heard that during the battle with Master Grant, our honorary sect leader used talismans. Do you know what talismans are? They are something only immortal cultivators can create and use.”
After the initial shock, Murphy’s face quickly revealed an expression of anticipation. “If what you say is true, and our esteemed sect leader is an immortal cultivator, wouldn’t Seven Stars Sword Sect have the chance to become a top-notch martial sect?”
“That’s for sure. So, we should wholeheartedly follow Sect Leader Master Jennifer and our esteemed sect leader,” the white-robed disciple said with a proud look on his face.