After the three yellow talismans burned into black ash.
Master picked up a small knife, cut his finger, and let his blood drip onto the talisman ashes.
Not much—three drops.
Only then did he rise to his feet. I was about to stand as well, but Master spoke.
"Don't get up. Keep kneeling! Bow three times with the incense, then hold it and cut your middle finger. Drip another nine drops of blood into it—no more, no less."
Since Master said so, I remained still. Holding the incense, I bowed three times toward the west.
Master handed me the knife. Without hesitation, I cut my middle finger and dripped nine drops of blood onto the talisman ashes in the ashtray.
This was definitely a ritual—the ritual for invoking this seal.
At the same time, Master brought over the cinnabar brush and ink, mixed the ashes from the three yellow talismans into the cinnabar ink, and stirred it again.
Then Master spoke once more.
"Kowtow three more times to the Grandmaster and ask him to grant you a talisman. Only then can I draw the Grandmaster's spell for you. Otherwise, this seal will be difficult to form."
From what Master said, it was clear just how special this spell was.
Before drawing the spell, there was such an elaborate ritual process. I had never encountered anything like it before.
"Yes, Master!"
With that, I held three sticks of incense and spoke respectfully.
"Grandmaster above, your disciple Du'e has been corroded by the Black Lotus evil seal. This disciple is powerless to resist it. I beg the Grandmaster to bestow a talisman. May the Grandmaster's blessings endure."
After saying that, I began kowtowing to the Grandmaster. Finally, I stuck the three incense sticks into an apple.
Only then did Master pick up