Shaoshan School Daoists seldom appear in the secular world, preferring seclusion to diligently cultivate and attain enlightenment. As a result, few understand their lineage, adding to their air of mystery.
At this moment, the ground trembled twice, a powerful aura striking the five of them.
“This is… Dragon Vein Aura!” Kakusin exclaimed.
Kakusei wondered, “What’s happened to the dragon vein beneath the site to cause such intense ripples?”
“Master Orientian geomancy master’s yin energy attack must have damaged the dragon vein. Rest here while I handle this,” said Leo, turning and walking towards the site’s center.
Dragon veins are spiritually vital; their presence greatly influences the prosperity of a place. Imperial tombs in ancient times were often sited on dragon veins due to their geomantic benefits. Even a branch dragon vein can protect and improve an area’s geomancy.
However, damage to a dragon vein can turn its nourishing aura into destructive wrath, severely harming local geomancy. In the past, a village above a damaged dragon vein was struck by a plague that nearly wiped out its inhabitants.
Having dealt with the Orientian geomancy master, it would be futile not to address the dragon vein damage. Using spiritual convocations, Leo prepared the ritual table, incense burner, high incense, yellow paper, and all other materials.
Leo lit three high incense sticks, respectfully bowing in four directions before placing them in the incense burner. Then, brandishing the Divine Dragon Sword, he plunged it into the ground before the ritual table.
Forming seals with both hands, Leo cast one sigil after another towards the Divine Dragon Sword. The sigils did not enter the sword but circled it, forming a ring of golden light. The sword emitted a hum, glowing yellow, releasing a powerful aura.
The previously chaotic Dragon Vein Aura, upon contact with the sword’s aura, resonated, gradually calming down.
The ten sigils surrounding the Divine Dragon Sword spun rapidly, creating a golden halo. With a solemn expression, Leo released a long breath, then formed a special hand sign with his left thumb and index finger circling, the right hand covering it, channeling spiritual power from his dantian to his hands.
Injecting his focused spiritual sense underground, he released an immense aura to envelop the sword. The rotating sigil ring contracted, eventually merging into the sword.
The Divine Dragon Sword turned a dull yellow as an aura of the same hue, visible to the naked eye in concentric rings, rippled outward from its hilt. When these yellow rings expanded to a diameter of about nine meters, they began to descend toward the ground.
The earth tremors ceased, and the unsettling pulses of the Dragon Vein Aura gradually faded away, bringing a sense of peace and tranquility to the construction site.
Meanwhile, in a suite at a five-star hotel:
“Uncle, the lunar eclipse is over. How are things?” Hideaki asked into his phone.
A slightly shrill male voice responded, “Just as you anticipated, Kazuhiko has fallen in battle.”
“The Fujiwara family has long been lording their geomancy prowess over our Masao family. The old coot’s death is overdue!” Hideaki felt a sense of smug satisfaction at the news of Kazuhiko’s death.
The man’s voice remained emotionally neutral. “Hideaki, you handled this matter well.”
The Redday Tower project, a five-year endeavor, had been entirely conceived and overseen by Hideaki.
Because the project secretly involved laying a geomantic formation in Atraria’s Deepmere City, it had garnered the emperor’s tacit approval and support.
Initially, the geomantic formation was to be executed by the Masao family’s geomancy master, with the emperor planning to grant them the Stormcloud Sword to aid in setting up the formation in Atraria.
Before the operation, Hideaki had a night-long discussion with his father Takeshi, who then secretly met with the emperor.
Eventually, a collaboration was brokered by the emperor between the Masao family and the renowned Fujiwara geomancy family from Orientia.
Though outward appearances suggested that the two families were drawing closer by working together on the Atraria project, reality was different. Hideaki had other aims.
The geomantic formation at Redday Tower’s foundation was not Hideaki’s true objective; his real goal was to leverage the Atrarian people to eliminate Kazuhiko.
Eliminating Kazuhiko would be a significant blow to the Fujiwara family.
“Uncle, what about the Stormcloud Sword?” Hideaki suddenly recalled the crucial item.
“The Stormcloud Sword should be in the hands of that Atrarian youth.”
“The Stormcloud Sword is a national treasure of Orientia; it can’t fall into Atrarian hands. Uncle, maybe you…”
Before Hideaki could finish, the voice on the phone interrupted, “Anyone capable of killing Kazuhiko would be difficult for even me to recover the Stormcloud Sword from.”
“The sword was lost under Kazuhiko’s watch; others are likely more concerned about this than we are. With Kazuhiko’s death in Atraria, the Fujiwara family won’t let this lie. It’s best if we observe from the sidelines.”
“Uncle, your wisdom is unmatched.” Hideaki flattered.
Back at the construction site, the work to restore the Dragon Vein neared completion.
“Kakumei, that someone could single-handedly repair a damaged Dragon Vein is truly fearsome,” Kakusei marveled.
That night had been the most fraught with tension in Kakusei’s life, witnessing events that defied his comprehension.
A powerful Orientian geomancy master, whom even Kakumei couldn’t defeat, had been bested and slain by a young man.