When Grandpa Li spoke, Xu Feng had no reason to refuse.
Even the longest ruler had its limits, and the shortest inch had its uses. Witchcraft and Gu had a long history, had spread across the land, and had endured for ages.
Naturally, it had its strengths.
Many forms of Witchcraft and Gu excelled at secret attacks. They were hidden, insidious, and hard to guard against.
Most lurked in the shadows.
Once exposed, they lost their veil of mystery.
And with it, their greatest advantage.
Mr. Li stood beside Xu Feng and guided him. First, he told him to purify the vat.
Purifying the vat meant taking a sheet of Yellow Prayer Paper, lighting it, holding it between two fingers, and circling it around the rim.
Then he circled it once inside the great vat.
Perhaps he was supposed to chant something, but Mr. Li did not mention it, so Xu Feng did not. When he finished, he released the blank sheet of Yellow Prayer Paper and let it fall to the bottom of the vat, where it burned to ash.
Grandpa Li motioned for Xu Feng to find a bamboo pole. To his surprise, as soon as he stepped out of the shed, an Earthbreaking Master waiting outside handed him one, as though he had expected it. Xu Feng carried it back in, and Grandpa Li began to chant.
He told Xu Feng to repeat after him.
The incantation sounded as lovely as a song.
"Don't worry about memorizing the words. Just copy me."
Grandpa Li told Xu Feng that, then began to chant: "Gusu zhuo, moye zhuo. I know the Gu poison sprouts four horns. Its father is Qionglong Qiong, its mother is Sheye Nü. Its kin number in the millions. Now I know you all. Mahasattva, mahasattva."