The talisman paper burned out, and Xue Cuo scratched the back of his head, then looked up at the sky.
He didn’t sense any feedback from his wish’s power. That shouldn’t be the case aaa. Even if his father and mother didn’t respond, the direction was so clear. Why hadn’t Her Ladyship reacted?
Xue Cuo held the quill in his mouth, feeling troubled.
Maybe… summon a few more? When he was enlightened, he had seen the Golden Crow Sun Wheel, which seemed connected to Ren Shu-gege. It was a pity he didn’t know Ren Shu-gege’s Dao name, or else he could have tried inviting him.
Such a shame.
Xue Cuo pondered, resting his chin on his hand and secretly glancing to the side.
Bai Luoluo’s sword dance was nearly over, and the green smoke from the incense burner rose straighter and straighter. Everyone could clearly feel that her body was in an extremely mysterious state.
The cultivators whispered among themselves.
“Bai Luoluo truly deserves her title as senior shijie of the sect. Her mastery of the Dao is profound!”
“Just look how many years she’s had to cultivate. Xue Cuo is only six years old. Logically, he’s a match for her in Dao, even if he won.”
“Pei, what a joke. He can’t match senior shijie in Dao, so he uses his age as an excuse! What about when he was arrogant, calling the incense foul and insulting her? Nobody said he was just a child then.”
“Exactly! You lot have praised his Dao as if it’s unparalleled. Now that we’re actually competing, you start whining about age and rank? You talk all the talk, but we end up taking all the crap!”
“Utter nonsense and sophistry!”
Wen Renyi was also very nervous, clenching his fists and peering around. “Why has shixiong stopped moving? Little Daoist Kong Yun, can you tell what he’s doing?”
Kong Yun folded his arms, looking up with a serious expression. “Don’t worry. You probably aren’t as skilled in talisman craft as Xue Cuo. You have to trust him. Though he’s mischievous by nature, he can be steady when it counts.”
Wen Renyi’s face twisted with bitterness as he sighed. “Talisman cultivation is far too difficult. I’m switching to sword cultivation!”
Meanwhile, Xue Cuo waved his little hand and simply wrote another talisman!
He picked up the quill and was about to begin when suddenly a divine sensation struck him, making his whole body jolt.
A divine thought descended.
The images and sounds before him slowly faded. A mist surged before Xue Cuo’s eyes, growing thicker until it completely obscured his sight.
A deity… has descended?
But I was drawing a protective talisman. Wait, which deity is arriving? Xue Cuo took a sharp breath, rested his chin on his hand, and nervously whispered, “My Lady?”
The fog thickened.
Xue Cuo knew this was a vision of his true spirit, not his physical body.
Yet, the thought only made him more afraid.
His face changed repeatedly as he forced himself forward, groping step by step through the mist. Suddenly, he saw an immense feather spread across the ground like a flowing stream.
He froze for a moment, his neck creaking as he craned upwards.
Through the swirling mist, a magnificent, enormous divine bird gazed down at him. Its feathers sparkled like stars and moons, surrounded by countless emerald flames. The bird looked at Xue Cuo as if he were a tiny soybean.
Xue Cuo’s tongue tangled.
[His Lordship the Southern Peacock!]
He realised this was most likely Xiao Yun’s ancestor, but why would a protective talisman summon such a majestic divine presence?
His heart roiled, yet his face remained still, his large, watery eyes staring blankly at the divine bird.
Suddenly, a strong wind blew.
Countless paper charms fluttered like a snowstorm.
The emerald flames around the divine bird flickered uncertainly. It let out a clear cry, flapped its wings, and rose into the air, transforming into a gleaming feather that sped towards the paper charms.
Xue Cuo wiped the sweat from his small hand.
Two streaks of light chased each other in the sky like stars and moons, the emerald flames falling alongside the paper charms.
After a moment, the flames vanished, leaving only the paper charms softly fluttering, gradually condensing into an immense yet ethereal statue.
Xue Cuo could only see the statue’s skirt; the rest was hidden in thick clouds.
He lowered his eyebrows, shyly wiping imaginary dust from the statue’s hem with his sleeve. He also blew gently on it, his large eyes sparkling as he gazed at the statue.
A gaze, tangible as if real, fell upon him. Though silent, the statue trembled, and the paper charms scattered wildly in the sky.
Xue Cuo instinctively covered his behind.
Wen Renyi saw Xue Cuo’s closed eyes and rich expression. At first, he looked shocked, then peered around nervously, finally his face scrunching into a sour grimace.
“What is shixiong doing?” Wen Renyi asked.
Kong Yun slowly lowered his folded arms. “That boy… he wouldn’t dare invite several gods, would he…”
Wen Renyi laughed. “Eh, who would do such a thing? Not if they valued their life.”
Kong Yun smiled in relief. “That’s true.”
In the Grand Hall Guangming, His Lordship Huode Junshang, Gongming Tiansi, rose lazily to his feet.
He wore a red brocade robe embroidered with myriad spirits, blue cloud-patterned boots, and his muscular frame was crowned by a radiant moon halo. Green ribbons floated about him, and flames danced with each step.
In his hand was a long, black dragon-scale whip, known as the God Beating Whip.
Immortals nearby served tea and smiled. “Grandpa Tiansi, the victim still refuses to admit fault and plans to report this.”
Gongming Tiansi sipped his tea and asked curiously, “How many mines does the family own? Who dares to complain to my Guangming Grand Hall?”
The immortal replied, “But we accepted tribute from the accused…”
Gongming Tiansi laughed loudly. “That’s fine, accept it, accept all. Whoever offers the most is the victim, and whoever offers less is the offender.”
The immortals nodded in agreement. Gongming Tiansi glanced at the water clock. “Ah, it’s late. This immortal has business to attend to.”
The immortal asked, “Will you require the use of the artefact?”
Gongming Tiansi nodded. “Yes.”
Bai Luoluo’s sword dance had concluded. She looked solemn, her gaze clear. “I respectfully pray for the Dao to be honoured, the divine manner to be bright and clear, the blessing to be pure and abundant. I boldly invite Huode Junshang, Gongming Tiansi to descend.”
“He commands the Heavenly Prison and aids the golden body in purity and righteousness. I offer black ox, white horse, and green pig with utmost sincerity. Inviting Your Lordship to descend!”
She touched her sword to the talisman paper on the table, setting it alight. The paper burned away, transforming into an invisible blue memorial that rose with the green smoke.
The memorial first flew to the Zhibiao Hall, then onward to the Guangming Hall of Huode Junshang. It landed on a table, where over a hundred immortals sorted it before delivering it to the chief steward. The chief steward then handed it to the Lord of Literature, who, after review, presented it to His Lordship Gongming Tiansi for approval.
This official letter had been marked and connected beforehand. Upon receipt, it was immediately forwarded to Lord of Literature of the Grand Guangming Hall.
Gongming Tiansi stroked his beard and, satisfied with the memorial, prepared to descend in divine form to enjoy the offerings from the immortal sect.
Over ten little immortals followed, riding clouds and carrying a massive severed hand. The hand was bloodstained, veins bulging, muscles knotted, gripping an ancient, elegant stone sword.
Though ten thousand years had passed, it had been refined into a magic artefact. It still held a trace of Xianghuo power, showing that it was still worshipped in the mortal realm.
Gongming Tiansi governed all worldly prisons and legal cases. When delivering heavenly punishment, he needed to use this severed hand.
He soared above the Wendao Palace, parted the clouds, and looked down.
At a glance, he saw two altars.
He scanned one side, pleased, then glared heavily at the other. “Disrespect to the gods! Damnable!”
Xue Cuo’s true spirit twitched and he lay on the goddess’s shoe, wiping away tears. His behind was swollen, and the giant hand of paper money scattered.
Beneath the Great Loch, the goddess’s stone statue relaxed its brow. Its Dao rhyme showed neither sorrow nor joy, neither resentment nor anger.
Suddenly,
The paper money formed a pale hand that gently stroked Xue Cuo’s spiritual platform.
The golden pool shimmered, and several lotus flowers bloomed.
Though Xue Cuo paid the price of a swollen backside true spirit, the benefit was that his Dao foundation, once unstable due to rapid advancement, was now firmly strengthened.
One could say that unless another god worthy of the Dao name was willing to bear the cause and effect, sacrifice divinity, and personally forge a genius, it would be difficult to find a more solid Dao foundation than this.
As Her Ladyship gently rested her bare hand on Xue Cuo’s head, a new passage suddenly entered his mind. The text was exceedingly obscure and ancient, steeped in profound Daoist resonance.
For cultivators who lacked broad knowledge and specialised in ancient divine scripts, it would be very difficult to interpret.
The fortunate thing was that Xue Cuo was unparalleled in reading and literacy. Not only could he not recognise a single character, he could not even tell the top from the bottom of these archaic characters, so he approached them without bias or preconceived notions, avoiding misinterpretation.
This also made Her Ladyship’s gentle touch and imparting of Dao all the more pure.
Xue Cuo was astonished to find that although he could not recognise a single word, he nonetheless understood the meaning.
The Book of Divine Descent
Oh, what does it mean?
He read slowly: “In the ancient wilderness… this is the orthodox method to summon gods, along with incantations. Could it really be so effective?”
Wiping his tears away, the scene suddenly flickered and his true spirit snapped back to his body. The view before him changed again to the Dao Discussion Platform.
The wind howled all around. Golden clouds were beginning to gather in the sky, rolling fiery red vapours. Through the golden haze, one could faintly glimpse vast mountains and rivers, and countless celestial palaces.
Summon the gods!
Had Bai Luoluo almost succeeded?
Xue Cuo patted his forehead, noticing Kong Yun’s fierce expression as he tried to climb the platform, only to be pulled back by Wen Renyi, whose face was filled with distress. Judging by his lip movements, Kong Yun was probably shouting: “You’re crazy! Do you want to die?!”
Hurriedly, Xue Cuo grasped his quill and began drawing ancient talismans.
He grasped the method swiftly. The meaning of each talisman was instantly clear to him, so he drew with great speed, almost in one continuous flow.
Bai Luoluo couldn’t help but laugh: “Xiao shidi, don’t waste your effort. Your Dao is fake.”
Even in this moment, she was not above striking at his confidence.
But Xue Cuo paid her no mind, methodically arranging talisman papers and burning incense step by step.
Bai Luoluo sneered pitifully: “I’ve long heard your parents took an outsider as their personal disciple. With your talent, if I were them, I certainly wouldn’t waste time on a useless wretch like you. You think you deserve to reach my Dao?”
Xue Cuo pressed his fingers together and commanded: “Ignite!”
The talisman papers flared and burned fiercely, turning suddenly to ash that puffed onto Bai Luoluo’s face.
Furious, she almost spoke out sharply, but recalling she was under divine presence, she forcibly restrained herself: “I’ll wait for you to disable your own cultivation!”
Xue Cuo looked up as an invisible official letter soared into the sky.
The immortals in the Zhibiao Hall were busy all day, but suddenly an immortal who had been bent over a desk stood up in alarm: “A red-headed official letter!”
“What?!” another immortal exclaimed.
Whispers passed among the immortals, all saying in unison: “Go deliver it at once!”
The little immortal hastily rose and handed it to the chief steward, who was equally shocked. A red-headed letter was equivalent to an imperial edict. It was no trivial matter at all. Mishandling it could mean purge!
His face changed drastically as he hurried off to find Gongming Tiansi, who was out on official business.
Gongming Tiansi pushed aside clouds and mist, revealing his fiery Dao image in the sky, clearly visible to everyone at Wendao Palace!
That image was unmistakably on Bai Luoluo’s side. He had been summoned by Bai-senior shijie!
His Lordship Gongming Tiansi!
The disciples were thrilled. The divine visage of Gongming Tiansi appeared amidst colourful clouds, as if the heavens had opened their eyes. The image transformed into a wisp of divine thought, then an ethereal and majestic shadow, riding the clouds.
Rosy light showered down, petals fluttered, and immortal music floated gently.
It was Bai Luoluo’s first time summoning a true god, and she was overjoyed, kneeling with utmost reverence. Her voice was pure and clear as a yellow oriole singing from a mountain valley: “Respectful welcome to Huode Hunshang—Your Lordship Gongming Tiansi!”
She knelt deeply, prostrating herself completely.
Yet after a long time, no response came. The cultivators suddenly drew a collective sharp breath.
Hiss—
Bai Luoluo was puzzled. Suddenly, she felt a poke in her arm. She timidly raised her head, only to meet a small, pale, clean face.
Xue Cuo blinked and pointed upwards: “Jiejie, stop kneeling. Huode Junshang has gone back.”
Bai Luoluo: “…”
She looked up just in time to see the glowing clouds receding, flowers floating back, and Huode Junshang’s divine spirit stepping through the heavenly gate without a backward glance before the clouds closed tightly.
Truly strange. Surely even mortal cultivators had never witnessed such a thing.
To summon a god, only for the god to come halfway and then turn back without speaking.
Bai Luoluo’s face drained of colour, and instinctively she glanced towards her mother. Bai Xianmei had also risen, standing solemnly atop the clouds, watching the golden clouds thin and the red clouds vanish.
Bai Luoluo quickly rose: “This… Mother…”
Bai Xianmei shook her head faintly, pondering for a moment, but still could not figure out the problem.
Bai Luoluo’s breathing quickened, then she suddenly understood: “His Lordship Gongming Tiansi must have urgent matters! That’s why he had to rush back home immediately!”
Xue Cuo stroked his chin: “How do you know he’s got something to do?”
Bai Luoluo sneered, hands on hips: “Isn’t it obvious? Are you really that blind?”
She clasped her fingers: “Today, Gongming Tiansi showed his Dao image but was forced to withdraw his divine power due to urgent matters and rush home. All the disciples here can witness it!”
“And you? You didn’t summon anything at all! The result is clear without argument. Xue Cuo! According to the rules, you must immediately reduce your realm! From now on, you are forbidden from openly preaching and poisoning disciples with false scriptures!”
Xue Cuo was about to protest, but Bai Luoluo jabbed him sharply on the head and pushed him: “What, are you so angry you want to go find your mother?”
“Sword Immortal’s son, such a waste!”
Xiaofeng, seeing that shijie had truly won, jumped up shouting: “A gentleman must keep his word! Support shijie in defending her good name!”
“Right, right! There is no big or small on Dao Discussion Platform! The result is decided and the Dao self-evident! Reduce his realm! Restore shijie’s honour!”
“Reduce his realm! Restore shijie’s honour!”
The disciples behind Xiaofeng were numerous and boisterous. Kong Yun’s face flushed red with rage, and he drew his sword angrily: “I’ll kill that fence-sitter first! Then that stupid useless one!”
Wen Renyi humbly knelt and hugged the little child, who was only waist-high but had much higher cultivation than him: “Dao bro, calm yourself! You must believe in Xue Cuo-shixiong!”
Kong Yun glared fiercely: “Don’t stop me!”
Just then, above Xue Cuo’s head, golden clouds suddenly gathered, red clouds rolled, and a god clad in a red robe and golden crown, wrapped in green ribbons, with a bright moon behind his head, smiled as he stepped through the clouds, riding upon them.
Compared with the pale black-and-white shadow Bai Luoluo had summoned, this Dao image was solid. So solid it was in full colour.
He headed straight for Xue Cuo.
In the clouds, he waved his sleeve and countless drops of sweet celestial rain fell. The disciples around the platform, especially those behind Xue Cuo, were bathed in spring breeze. Their spirits cleared and their cultivation surged rapidly.
After sprinkling the rain, the god sent a fairy mushroom down to Xue Cuo alone, gently patted his head, then floated away with a kindly smile. The clouds and mist dissipated, and the colourful glow faded.
Xiaofeng’s mouth hung open, his voice caught in his throat and his face purple with frustration.
Bai Luoluo staggered back a few steps, knocking over the incense on the table.
Wen Renyi’s mind was in turmoil as he caught the falling celestial rain with one hand: “Is this the infamous Gongming Tiansi, the Overseer of Prisons?”
He murmured: “… Or perhaps this is the scatterer of wealth.”
