The dangers in our line of work far exceeded my imagination.
Unexpectedly, even after eradicating the demon den, I had been afflicted by demonic resentment.
Master then explained the nature of this demonic resentment in detail.
He described it as a form of curse.
However, this curse was formed by the condensed resentment and hatred of monsters.
It would parasitize and devour the host's spirit.
It was fortunate that I discovered it early; removing it was sufficient.
But if left to fester for a long time, it would become extremely perilous.
I let out a sigh of relief.
Master patted my shoulder:
"It's alright. This is just how our profession is.
Danger lurks everywhere; you just need to be more cautious in the future.
Go sit outside for a bit! Dinner will be served shortly.
Oh, right, go to the refrigerator and get some beef for Xiao Mei. I bought some this morning."
Master said with a smile, telling me not to dwell on it.
However, I was still shaken.
The more I understood and experienced this line of work, the more I truly comprehended.
How arduous it was to earn a living from the spiritual realm.
I composed myself and nodded.
I went to the refrigerator, took out a piece of beef for Xiao Mei, and handed it over.
Xiao Mei sniffed it a few times, then devoured it ravenously.
After lunch.
I resumed my usual work.
Serving customers, folding paper ingots, and gluing paper figures.
Xiao Mei went to the backyard and slept under a small peach tree.
It was quiet and unobtrusive, much like a small pet.
Master then handed me several old books on Taoist magic.
He told me to read them whenever I had free time.
When I was in school, I disliked reading.
But after the experiences of the past few days, I approached the books Master gave me with an eagerness I had never felt before.
I wished he would give me even more.
Because these books contained all sorts of talismans, spells, and bizarre tales.
There was also fortune-telling and physiognomy, a wide variety of subjects.
They all pertained to Taoist magic, the supernatural, and ghosts.
If I wanted to go far in this path, then this knowledge was essential.
I read every book Master gave me with great seriousness.
Sometimes, he would even test me with questions.
And Master, who initially taught me only one Taoist talisman and one incantation,
now had me read entire books, learn from them.
He taught me three or five incantations at once.
And so, I spent another peaceful half a month at the shop.
I learned quite a bit of genuine skill and magical spells.
Xiao Mei also stayed quietly in the shop every day.
Occasionally, it would even jump into my arms, letting me pet it.
Just like a fed pet.
But the thought of Xiao Mei being able to transform into a tall, leggy maiden made me restless.
Yet, whenever customers appeared, it would hide.
It would run and hide in the old Yellow Mountain behind the shop.
My injuries had long since healed.
My own cultivation had stabilized at the peak of Qi Gathering.
During this period, besides reading, I focused on breathing exercises and cultivation.
Practicing the Qiankun True Method.
I had already mastered the "Po" (破) character spell.
I was now primarily practicing the "Chi" (敕) character spell.
Which was the art of sword control.
I dedicated time to practice every day, but this "Chi" character spell was truly difficult to master.
After practicing for over half a month, there was little progress.
I asked Master what I was doing wrong.
Master replied that I was already doing very well.
Four months into the profession, reaching the peak of Qi Gathering, mastering two demon-breaking spells, and the "Po" character spell of the Qiankun True Method.
This surpassed many of my peers.
He told me not to be too eager for quick results, that cultivation should be a gradual process.
In short, he meant that my cultivation speed was too fast.
He advised me to slow down.
One afternoon, business was slow.
As I was drawing a talisman, my phone suddenly rang.
I picked it up and saw that it was Li Shiyao calling.
She was that eighteen-line celebrity I met when celebrating Zhang Chuyue's birthday.
Aside from that encounter where we exchanged contact information, we hadn't been in touch since.
At most, I would glance at her social media posts and give her a like.
Seeing her call me so suddenly, I was somewhat surprised.
But I answered the phone.
"Qin Ze, what are you doing?"
I chuckled:
"Working! Shiyao, what made you think of calling me?"
"Did you forget? Last time you helped me, I promised that after my new movie was released, I would treat you to a movie."
Li Shiyao said sweetly, her voice very pleasant.
Hearing her say that, I finally remembered.
Last time, in the elevator, after helping Li Shiyao out of a bind, she had indeed said that as I was leaving.
"Oh! I remember. Is your movie out? What's it called?"
I asked with a smile.
Li Shiyao, however, asked if I was free tomorrow, mentioning that tomorrow evening at 8 PM, their movie was having a premiere.
It was at a cinema in the city.
Not far from where I worked.
About a twenty-minute drive.
She asked me to come and add some popularity to their premiere, and that I could bring more people along.
She also said that watching the movie would be free, and they would provide drinks and fries.
She mentioned the movie was a supernatural horror film, and she played the third-billed role.
It was called "Waiting for You for Three Lives and Three Worlds to Find Me."
I checked the time; there was no conflict. I asked for the address and agreed.
Truthfully, I wasn't very interested in the movie.
But I thought I could use this opportunity.
To take the little fox out for a stroll, let her see the human world too.