Departure

Daoist Qu's expression remained calm, his demeanor not changing in the slightest as he simply said, "Very well. I shall now impart the incantations of the Spirit Descent Technique to you..."

As he spoke, he casually summoned a green-faced Ghost Servant that resembled an old man and began to explain the key points in detail while demonstrating them.

Zheng Que stood to the side, watching with bated breath and focused attention.

Cultivating the Spirit Descent Technique required a foundation in the Ghost Controlling Technique.

The strength of the Spirit Descent Technique depended on the strength of one's own Ghost Servant. The higher the Ghost Servant's cultivation, the greater the boost to defense, strength, and speed after the technique was cast.

His current cultivation was at the first level of Qi Refining, but the cultivation of his Ghost Servant, Qing Li, had already reached the fourth level of Tongue-Pulling Hell. After using the Spirit Descent Technique, the improvements to his various attributes would far exceed the effects of the other two techniques!

The only risk was that during the casting of the technique, if one were backlashed by the Ghost Servant, there was almost no possibility of survival...

Of course, to him, this drawback was as good as non-existent.

Yin Energy overflowed within the dilapidated temple, and the already dim room seemed to be veiled in a layer of dusty gauze.

Daoist Qu flicked his robe sleeves, having already cast the final hand seal.

In an instant, his exposed skin was covered in cyan-black patterns. These dense markings, resembling the roots of an old tree, dug deep into his flesh. A strange, extra head appeared on Daoist Qu's neck. This head had a cyan complexion and resembled an old man—it was the green-faced Ghost Servant summoned earlier.

At this moment, the green-faced Ghost Servant's expression was ferocious and nearly distorted. It opened its mouth wide, revealing sharp canines, as if trying desperately to break free from Daoist Qu's body. However, no matter how hard it struggled, it remained suppressed by a powerful force, forced to let out waves of unwilling roars.

Roar, roar, roar...

The ghostly howling echoed through the dilapidated temple. At a glance, Daoist Qu looked more like a malevolent ghost than the ghost itself!

Zheng Que took a deep breath. Even though he knew his master's cultivation was profound, being stared at fixedly by that malicious, green-faced head still made his heart race and a chill rise up his spine.

At this moment, Daoist Qu spoke indifferently, "This is the Spirit Descent Technique."

As he spoke, he cast another hand seal. The solid dirt floor immediately sprouted mounds of various sizes. The next moment, the mounds split open, and a tide of Corpse Puppets crawled out.

Just as these Corpse Puppets stood up and steadied themselves, the extra green-faced head on Daoist Qu's body suddenly opened its mouth and let out a sharp screech.

The screech was incredibly piercing, like a sharp blade stabbing fiercely into the mind.

Zheng Que was instantly dazed and dizzy, hurriedly reaching out to cover his ears tightly.

Bang, bang, bang...

A series of muffled sounds erupted. The heads of the surrounding Corpse Puppets were shattered one after another, exploding like fireworks of red blood and white matter, splattering all over the ground.

A thick, bloody stench filled the room in the blink of an eye, and the headless corpses collapsed limply into pools of blood.

Soon, the screeching stopped. Before Zheng Que could recover his senses, he heard Daoist Qu's voice beside his ear, "This technique can not only save your life, but it also integrates offense and defense. However, once you learn this technique, whether you live or die in the future will depend on your own fortune."

Hearing this, Zheng Que felt his dizzy head clear up significantly. He looked up at the lifeless remains of the Corpse Puppets scattered across the floor and immediately understood that his master had just been demonstrating the power of the Spirit Descent Technique, but because his own cultivation was too low, he had nearly been knocked unconscious by the shockwave!

Coming to his senses, Zheng Que immediately bowed respectfully: "Thank you for your guidance, Master!"

Daoist Qu nodded slightly and cast a spell, dispelling the Spirit Descent Technique.

The dense, dark green patterns covering his exposed skin vanished instantly like snow under the sun. At the same time, the green-faced head growing from the side of his neck rolled off, transforming into the green-faced Ghost Servant in mid-air. After manifesting briefly, it faded into invisibility once more.

Following this, Daoist Qu rose to his full height and walked toward the outside of the temple.

Watching this scene, Zheng Que realized at once that the forty-nine hours were up; his master was leaving the town.

He hurriedly chased after Daoist Qu, saying respectfully: "Master, you did not despise your disciple's ignorance and taught me the Daoist arts. I have nothing of value to repay you with, but I am willing to serve by your side and offer my humble services!"

Daoist Qu continued walking outward while shaking his head slightly, saying calmly: "If you can survive, there will be a chance for us to meet again in the future."

Hearing this, Zheng Que's heart stirred. He knew his master would not take him away from this town, so he immediately added: "Master, I do not have a suitable weapon right now. I beg for your guidance!"

Daoist Qu did not stop his pace, replying calmly: "Your cultivation is only at the first level of Qi Refining. No weapon is as useful as your own Ghost Servant."

Zheng Que immediately said again: "My current cultivation speed is too slow. I beg Master to bestow upon me some pills to improve my cultivation."

Daoist Qu scoffed: "Your cultivation speed is already quite fast."

"Cultivation gained through external objects will only undermine the stability of your foundation."

Seeing that his master refused to give him anything, Zheng Que couldn't help but frown. Just as he wanted to say more, Daoist Qu's large sleeves fluttered as he walked out of the dilapidated temple.

Zheng Que followed him out immediately, only to see that the area was empty. There was nothing there; Daoist Qu had vanished into thin air, his whereabouts unknown.

"Master!"

"Master!!"

Zheng Que shouted loudly, chasing forward at the same time.

Clack, clack, clack...

Rapid footsteps echoed on the bluestone path as the houses on both sides retreated quickly. Zheng Que chased all the way to the entrance of the town. A stone tablet a zhang high stood here, inscribed with the three characters "Changfu Town." The handwriting was ancient and weathered, already dilapidated by the passage of time. The incomplete characters, missing strokes here and there, were composed of tiny talismans, and their broken strokes shimmered in the daylight.

The five willow trees nearby, each thick enough for a person to hug, had long since withered completely. The five-colored silk ribbons tied to the treetops had faded, and as they fluttered in the wind, the cinnabar-drawn patterns on them blurred into clumps, with only a few scattered talismans barely recognizable.

Zheng Que finally stopped beside the stone tablet, staring at the wilderness ahead with a deep frown.

The fields were desolate, the long wind howled, and the world was silent.

Master had left...

On this final day, he had only learned one technique...

After a long while, he gradually calmed down, turned around, and returned to the dilapidated temple.

The dilapidated temple was the same as it had always been. With its withered trees, overgrown weeds, and a structure that had collapsed halfway, the shrine's curtains hung low and the offering table stood empty. However, the grey-robed figure was no longer on the prayer mat, and the coffin that had once rested in the shadows behind the door had also vanished.

Zheng Que walked through the door and scanned his surroundings. Finding that his master had not left anything behind, he walked over to the prayer mat and sat down cross-legged.

Immediately afterward, he suddenly spoke up: "Qing Li, I am about to cultivate a life-preservation technique, and I need your cooperation."

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