When I woke up, it was already early the next morning.
The houses around had long since vanished.
What remained were overgrown weeds and tattered paper figures.
At this moment, I was lying quietly on a large bluestone.
A banana leaf was still covering me.
However, seeing this, I felt no fear or trepidation.
Because when I came here,
I already knew that everything I saw last night was just a reflection, an illusion, not reality.
Now awake, I pushed aside the banana leaf covering me and took a deep breath.
I glanced around and stretched.
I found that despite sleeping outdoors all night, I was unharmed and felt incredibly energetic.
I felt a boundless supply of strength coursing through me.
The Yin Gathering Pearl was still on my person.
I checked the time; there were still half an hour until work.
So, I spoke to my surroundings:
"Qingdai, thank you for the wonderful tea last night.
I’m off to work.
Once Mo Ting’s soul-snatching curse is lifted,
I’ll return the Yin Gathering Pearl.
See you again."
Saying this, I waved towards the valley.
But as I turned, I faintly heard Qingdai’s voice echo in my ear:
"Yes, see you again!"
I smiled faintly and continued on my way out of the mountains.
Spending my first night in a Yin dwelling felt incredibly strange.
Of course, I was also keenly aware that
I was a living person who had cultivated Taoist magic.
Occasional visits to Yin dwellings wouldn’t be a major issue.
But if I were to frequent such places regularly,
or sleep in them, my vital Yang energy would gradually diminish.
It could even lead to Yin energy invading my body, causing illness.
Afterward, I walked along the mountain stream towards the exit.
However, on my way out, I no longer saw the neat stone-slab path.
There were only piles of scattered rocks, and the beautiful wildflowers were gone.
But the nameless large tree I saw last night still stood tall at the mouth of the valley.
I passed the tree and followed the mountain depression outwards.
The Old Yellow Mountain during the day was teeming with birds and beasts.
Birds chirped, and small animals roamed.
Along the way, I even spotted the tracks of squirrels and a fox.
This showed how good the ecological environment of Old Yellow Mountain and our area was.
I wasn't in a hurry, strolling leisurely.
I walked and stopped along the way,
pondering the Qiankun True Method my master had taught me last night, and the matters Qingdai had told me.
Secrets like the Netherworld Sect and remnants of the new dynasty.
I realized that the deeper I delved into this line of work, the more I learned, and the more my Taoist magic gradually improved.
This seemingly simple profession was becoming increasingly complex and perilous.
In the eyes of outsiders, Bai Puzi Feng Shui Hall was just a place to check land, tell fortunes, and sell incense and paper money.
At most, they’d go to someone's house, draw a few magical talismans, take their money, and leave…
But after getting involved, I discovered it was far from that simple.
Beyond the aforementioned, one also had to deal with spectral beings.
They could be ghosts, demons, or even zombies.
It was only now that I realized those were minor issues.
The truly frightening aspect was the presence of a group of Taoist sorcerers within this profession.
In their eyes, human lives were as insignificant as grass.
They fed on wandering souls and spirits like livestock.
In the shadowy underbelly of the city, they engaged in heinous acts.
And we, besides knowing how to survive, also had to battle these malevolent practitioners.
A moment's carelessness could cost one their life.
The level of danger was unimaginable…
Thinking of this, I took a deep breath.
But I also had a philosophical outlook.
Because I had chosen this path myself, and in this profession, I had found my own value.
It was infinitely better than my previous life working in the factory, going through the motions day after day, unaware of anything deeper.
Moreover, my salary was three to four times what I used to earn.
Now, all I wanted was to quickly enhance my own strength.
Firstly, for myself, to avoid perishing due to the issue with the lamp oil.
To strive to find a way,
to completely resolve the need to wear ghost coins constantly.
To resolve the issue of needing to continuously contend for ghost coins.
Secondly, I also wanted to help Qingdai, to resolve our karmic ties and debts from our past lives.
Thirdly, perhaps like Old Mo,
to become a ghost hunter walking in the shadows of the city, doing what little I could.
My intentions were simple, but they were all predicated on my cultivation.
Without cultivation, everything was in vain.
I knew my path was still long, and I had to keep striving.
Lost in thought, I had already walked out of Old Yellow Mountain.
Along the street, I returned to the shop.
I found that my master hadn't opened the shop yet this morning.
It seemed he had stayed up very late last night and was still asleep.
But I had the key to the shop door.
So, I opened it and went straight inside.
"Master!"
I called out into the shop.
My master replied lazily:
"En! Just manage it for a bit this morning, I’m going to sleep a little longer."
Afterward, there was no more movement from the inner room.
I glanced inside from the doorway. I had intended to tell him about the soul-snatching curse and the Netherworld Sect.
But seeing how soundly he was sleeping, I abandoned the idea.
I decided to tell him after he woke up.
After opening the shop, I arranged the wreaths and such.
I sent Mo a message, asking if he was at Wanshou Hall.
He replied that he was.
Seeing that he was there, I took the Yin Gathering Pearl and went directly to Wanshou Hall.
After all, Daoist Priest Tang possessed true skill.
With this Yin Gathering Pearl,
Mo's soul-snatching curse should also be easily dispelled…