Two Techniques

Early morning.

The sun had just risen when Zheng Que immediately left his home and headed toward the dilapidated temple.

Qing Li drifted along, her semi-transparent figure hovering in the air as she followed closely behind.

Clack, clack, clack...

On the bluestone path, permeated by a light morning mist, the solitary sound of footsteps made the surroundings seem exceptionally quiet.

The doors and windows of every household were tightly shut, the vegetable patches in their courtyards lay barren, and the sounds of chickens crowing or dogs barking were thin and feeble. This town was becoming increasingly devoid of life... Lost in thought, Zheng Que had already passed through the streets and arrived at the entrance of the dilapidated temple.

He stopped in front of the courtyard gate, tidied his clothes slightly, and then strode directly inside.

Everything in the courtyard remained as it was, except that the figure of the Hanging Ghost was no longer in the shadow of the withered old tree.

Zheng Que continued along the overgrown path further inside. This time, Qing Li did not follow; instead, she clung to the base of the wall and slowly moved into the shade of the withered tree, seemingly terrified of the presence inside the temple.

Creak.

He pushed open the ajar temple door. Daylight spilled into the temple, dust motes dancing silently in the air. A figure in a grey robe waited quietly.

Daoist Qu was sitting cross-legged on a straw mat just as he had been yesterday, eyes closed in meditation. Behind him, the curtains of the shrine hung low, deep and obscure.

Zheng Que stepped forward and bowed: "Disciple pays respects to Master."

Daoist Qu nodded slightly, opened his eyes, and looked out toward the courtyard.

After a long while, he spoke indifferently: "It seems to have gained sentience, yet not quite; it seems to have been enlightened, yet not quite."

"That Ghost Servant of yours must have encountered some kind of fortuitous opportunity."

Zheng Que immediately replied respectfully: "Master's discerning eyes are infallible!"

"After I returned last night, I began to cultivate immediately. Once I finished, the Female Hanging Ghost turned into what she is now."

Whether it was the Life and Death Book or the existence of the Underworld, these were secrets of the highest order!

Yet, he, the one who held these secrets, was currently nothing more than a fledgling cultivator who had just entered the path.

If even the slightest trace were leaked, he would surely be doomed beyond redemption!

Therefore, until he truly grew strong enough, he would not let anyone know about this.

Not even those closest to him!

Thinking of this, Zheng Que added: "If Master is interested, I shall go and ask the Female Hanging Ghost later."

Daoist Qu shook his head with a calm expression and said indifferently: "No need."

"All phenomena are impermanent; birth and death are governed by karma."

"This karma between you and that Female Hanging Ghost has nothing to do with me."

As he spoke, his gaze fell upon Zheng Que. He did not continue the topic, but instead brought up the business of the day. "You have already learned the Ghost Controlling Technique."

"Today, I shall impart two techniques to you. The first is called the Yin Gathering Technique."

"The incantation for this technique is..."

Daoist Qu spoke while forming hand seals, demonstrating every detail for Zheng Que.

Zheng Que listened with rapt attention. The purpose of the Yin Gathering Technique was to gather yin clouds within a certain range to block out sunlight, allowing a Ghost Servant to operate during the day without being affected.

Compared to the Ghost Controlling Technique, the Yin Gathering Technique was much simpler; after all, it was merely an auxiliary technique.

Soon, Daoist Qu finished explaining the Yin Gathering Technique and continued, "The second is called the Spirit Eye Technique."

"This technique must not be used frequently. Otherwise, yin energy will accumulate in your eyes, leading to failing eyesight or even blindness."

"The incantation is..."

Zheng Que carefully observed Daoist Qu demonstrating the Spirit Eye Technique.

Like the Yin Gathering Technique, the Spirit Eye Technique was also an auxiliary technique and was not difficult to cultivate.

This technique involved gathering spiritual energy within the body into the eyes, allowing one to see things invisible to the naked eye.

Furthermore, the Spirit Eye Technique could discern the aura of other cultivators or ghosts, allowing one to judge the strength of an opponent.

Of course, if the opponent's cultivation level was far higher than one's own, the Spirit Eye Technique would be unable to see through them.

A moment later, Daoist Qu finished explaining both techniques and gave a direct order: "Practice these two techniques well."

"Come back tomorrow, and I will check your progress."

Zheng Que immediately stood up and bowed: "Yes!"

After taking his leave from his master, he walked out of the dilapidated temple. He immediately saw Qing Li hanging herself from the dead tree once again. Her pale skirts hung in layers, fluttering in the wind, and her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, obscuring her face. Amidst her lifelessness, she exuded a sense of desolate tranquility.

Zheng Que waved at Qing Li and then walked out of the courtyard.

Just as he stepped outside, he saw an acquaintance. The man was wearing a blue tunic, his face full of worry, pacing back and forth in a nearby clearing with his hands tucked into his sleeves. It was Zhao the Second.

Zhao the Second looked dazed, as if he hadn't rested in a long time. Upon seeing Zheng Que, he froze for a moment before coming back to his senses. He immediately hurried over and asked with some agitation: "Zheng Que, are you already a disciple of the immortal master?"

Hearing this, Zheng Que nodded. It was no secret that Daoist Qu had come to this remote town to take on a disciple. Coupled with the fact that he had been visiting the temple every day, anyone paying the slightest bit of attention could deduce that he had successfully become an apprentice.

Thinking of this, Zheng Que asked: "Brother Zhao, is something the matter?"

Seeing that Zheng Que had truly become a disciple of an immortal master, Zhao the Second clearly breathed a sigh of relief. He then asked with a hint of nervousness, "So, can you use magic now?"

Magic?

Zheng Que glanced at Zhao the Second, immediately recalling the argument he had overheard when passing by the man's house the other day.

It was no surprise; Zhao the Second had likely come to find him today because of that very matter.

As he pondered, Zheng Que nodded and said, "I've just learned a little."

Upon hearing that Zheng Que could truly use magic, Zhao the Second's expression relaxed significantly. He immediately walked to the side, picked up a basket from the grass filled with eggs, and handed it to Zheng Que, whispering, "Zheng Que, I suspect that the wife I married is not human!"

"But my mother refuses to believe me and insists that I continue living with her."

"From the day we were married until now, I haven't been able to close my eyes for a single moment."

"We've been neighbors for years; you have to help me!"

As he spoke, Zhao the Second shoved the basket into Zheng Que's hands with great effort.

Looking at the basket of eggs still stained with dust and chicken droppings, Zheng Que remained calm. In this world, which lacked the prosperity and abundance of his past life, eggs were a very precious food for ordinary families. Under normal circumstances, they were only eaten during illness, childbirth, or while nursing.

However, he was now a cultivator; his need for food was no longer as critical as it was for ordinary people.

After a moment of thought, Zheng Que said, "Brother Zhao, I have some things to attend to right now. I will come by your house to take a look later this evening."

[Note] "All phenomena are impermanent; birth and death are cause and effect." Adapted from the Shurangama Sutra verses (Tang Dynasty): "All phenomena are impermanent, the nature of thought is originally birth and death, cause and effect now have distinct sensations, how can one attain perfect penetration?"

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