Xu Feng was deeply puzzled. But after he inserted the incense, he saw its faint smoke gather once more into the shape of a dragon and a snake!
It vanished in an instant, but the message was unmistakable.
Da Wa was beside Xu Feng.
He stared at the shape, just as astonished.
He looked ready to point at the incense, then turn to Xu Feng—perhaps to ask about it, perhaps to say that River God had shown himself.
Before he could raise his finger, Xu Feng gently took hold of his hand.
Xu Feng said, "Never point at gods, Buddhas, or strange beings without good reason.
"Pointing at someone is itself an aggressive gesture. It can be misunderstood.
"You'll understand when you're older."
Da Wa only half understood, but he was obedient.
Xu Feng had told him not to point, so he didn't.
Xu Feng nodded slightly and sent Da Wa back to cleaning. In a little while, he was to return and offer incense. "I'll make today's Midday Meal and dinner. You just keep offering incense here and collect all the Incense Ash. Understood?"
Da Wa said, "Got it."
Xu Feng sent Da Wa away and stood beside the incense divination record. The instant he had seen the dragon and snake form from the smoke, understanding had struck him like a bolt of lightning!
One insight had opened the way to another!
It had made Xu Feng suddenly understand what had happened "long ago," when he had placed incense before the Life-and-Death Mystery Gate.
That terrifying incense omen had appeared.
The explanation was simple.
It had never been merely a crude warning of "fortune or misfortune concerning what you seek."
It had been a far more precise sign—one that used the power of the smoke with greater ease to