"Qingluan..."
Gu Xu was still impressed by this code name.
He remembered that "Qingluan" was also a Talisman Master who was once defeated by him in the "Realm of Discussing the Tao" and was now ranked fourth in the ranking of monks in the second realm.
To be honest, looking at the young talents in the entire Da Qi Dynasty, "Qingluan" can be regarded as one of the best - she has accurately mastered the painting methods of dozens of different types of talisman seals, and can turn the complicated runes in books into The exact reproduction is enough to help her deal with most situations she encounters in battle.
It's a pity that she happened to bump into Gu Xu in the "Realm of Taoism", and was defeated by Gu Xu using almost the same method.
This undoubtedly deeply affected her self-confidence and made her feel frustrated.
Seemingly seeing that Gu Xu did not respond immediately, "Qingluan" continued to send a message using the "Magic Token"——
[Qingluan: Of course, I will not ask fellow Taoist for help for no reason. I know some latest information about the Laoshan ruins and the Yishan Snow Girl, which I can share with fellow Taoists. 】
[Suzaku: No problem. I stayed in the first room on the left side of the stairs on the second floor of Tongfu Inn. If it is convenient for you now, you can come to me directly. 】
Because of the upcoming crisis in Yishui County, and in order to be more prepared for the next trip to Laoshan.
Gu Xu really wants to know the information in the hands of "Qingluan".
At the same time, Gu Xu also began to feel a little curious about the identity of "Qingluan".
…………
Boom, boom, boom!
A few minutes later, Gu Xu heard a knock on the door.
"Friend Zhuque, I am Qingluan!" A girl's voice came from outside the door, sounding a little reserved.
"Please come in, fellow Taoist Qingluan!" Gu Xu said calmly.
At the same time, he waved his hand, and the door lock of the room automatically opened.
Then, a young girl cautiously walked in from the door.
She is slightly chubby, has a round face, small eyes and faint freckles. She wears the black robe of the Exorcist Department.
Perhaps to make things easier, she tied the wide sleeves of her robe with a rope.
She did not wear a hairpin on her head, but simply wrapped her hair with a scarf like a man.
It can be seen that this "Qingluan" is a girl who is obsessed with spiritual practice and doesn't like to dress up.
Gu Xu was observing "Qingluan", and "Qingluan" was also sizing up Gu Xu.
Although in "Qingluan's" concept, she has always believed that "men in the world are superficial and boring creatures" and "pursuing the inscrutable knowledge of talismans is the true meaning of life."
But when she clearly saw the appearance of the young man in the room, she was inevitably stunned for a moment, and her steps couldn't help but stop on the spot.
"Qingluan" once thought that poems like "A gentleman is unique in the world" and "Bright as a jade tree in front of the wind" were all exaggerations.
All living beings in the world have grown up eating whole grains in the fireworks of the world.
How could there be such a handsome man?
However, at this moment, she had to admit that there was nothing exaggerated in these poems, it was just that she had not seen enough before.
"I...I am Du Jingjing, the chief official of the Exorcism Department of Qingzhou Prefecture," she nodded slightly and introduced herself to Gu Xu, "My teacher is Tao Qian, the guest minister of Qingzhou Prefecture. May I ask your surname?"
"Dianbo" is an eighth-grade official title, a civilian official responsible for managing official documents and files in the exorcism department's yamen.
"I worked with Gu Xu in the Exorcism Department of Xia Yishui County." Gu Xu also introduced with a smile.
"Gu Xu, Yishui County..."
"Qingluan" Du Jingjing remembered that she had heard this name from her teacher Tao Qian.
At that time, the teacher's expression was one of admiration and envy, and he repeatedly sighed, "The younger generation is to be feared, the younger generation is to be feared." Du Jingjing was deeply impressed.
"It turns out that Fellow Taoist is Gu Xingcheng, the heir of 'Jinghong Bi'!" She opened her eyes wide and exclaimed, "It's such a famous name that I have admired for a long time!"
"I don't dare to take it, I don't take it," Gu Xu smiled and shook his head, "Fellow Daoist Du praises me too much."
"Fellow Daoist Gu, I was extremely impressed by your Taoist attainments in the previous battle in the 'Realm of Taoism'," I heard Du Jingjing continue to say, "Even my teacher cannot draw such a powerful one." Fu Zhuan.
"So, I'm curious, do you have any unknown skills in the process of drawing talismans?"
"Qingluan" Du Jingjing is, after all, a person who loves Fu Tao and is obsessed with learning.
Gu Xu's handsome and refined appearance only made her dazed for a few seconds.
After a brief hello, she couldn't wait to ask her question directly.
And with her outspoken personality, she usually asks whatever comes to mind, never thinking about whether her wording is tactful or whether it will offend the other party.
"Fellow Daoist Du, if I guess correctly, all your talismans are drawn exactly as they are in the book, right?" Gu Xu asked with a slight smile.
Hearing his words, Du Jingjing nodded and replied: "That's right. The teacher has always taught me that drawing talisman is a very rigorous matter, and there can be no mistakes - as long as you draw a wrong stroke, your previous efforts may be wasted and the result will be changed. into a useless piece of paper.
"As for improving the talisman and seal script, that is something that only a master of talismans can do. The teacher said that beginners like me should not think about this aspect yet."
At this point, she paused for a moment and then continued: "Of course, Taoist Fellow Gu is not an ordinary person. Just pretend that I didn't say this."
Gu Xu did not answer immediately.
Because he knew that the reason why he was able to improve the talisman and seal script was mostly due to his extraordinary talent and understanding.
This allows him to often see the essence through phenomena and find better solutions based on intuition.
But for others, especially novices like "Qingluan" Du Jingjing, copying the gourd may be the most correct choice.
Just like learning calligraphy or painting, you have to start by copying - blindly innovating and looking for the so-called "own style", but the gain outweighs the loss.
At present, most of the rune masters in the Daqi Dynasty can basically only be regarded as "rune carriers."
He thought for a moment and said, "Your teacher is right."
Du Jingjing was stunned for two seconds.
Are all today’s geniuses not humble at all?
I heard Gu Xu continue to say: "For beginners, meticulous imitation is indeed the best way to learn.
"But Fellow Daoist Du should also understand that whether it is a talisman or a spell, it is ultimately just a means to achieve an end.
"When drawing a talisman, you might as well think more about 'why this talisman is drawn like this' and 'is there a better way to achieve it'... This may be of great help in exploring your own 'Tao' in the future.
"As for the talisman seals I drew, they are all slightly improved on the original basis... It can be regarded as my own little exploration of the essence of talismans!"
Shouldn’t something like “Tao” be considered when becoming a saint?
Although the young man in front of him is far more talented than ordinary people, in the final analysis he is just a monk in the second realm. How could he start to think about his "own way"?
Is he thinking too far-sighted, or am I being too short-sighted?
"Qingluan" Du Jingjing was stunned again.
After Gu Xu finished speaking, he took out a "Ghost Killing Talisman" from his pocket and handed it to Du Jingjing's hand.
"This is my improved 'Tai Shang Arctic Demon Suppressing and Ghost Killing Talisman'. It can be used to deal with ghosts of the 'Wandering Soul' and 'Wild Ghost' level. It is slightly more powerful than the original version," he continued, " Maybe it’s of some reference value to you.”
What Gu Xu gave to Du Jingjing was only the second generation "Ghost Killing Talisman".
Although he had already developed the fifth generation "Ghost Killing Talisman".
But he was afraid that the talisman would be too complicated for the other party to understand.
"Fellow Daoist Gu, thank you so much!" "Qingluan" Du Jingjing took the "Ghost Killing Talisman" and thanked her sincerely.
After all, Du Jingjing is also a genius who can be selected into the reserve team of the "Shenji Camp".
She only briefly glanced at the "Ghost Killing Talisman" drawn by Gu Xu, and she felt that it was different from the one in the book - there were infinite mysteries hidden in those subtle changes, and it was worth spending a lot of time studying in the future. and explore.
"You're welcome," Gu Xu smiled lightly and continued, "Now, can you tell me the information you know about the 'Yishan Snow Girl' and the Laoshan ruins?"
Du Jingjing cleared her throat and replied: "My teacher once told me two important pieces of information.
"First, since the villages near Laoshan were mysteriously massacred in the first year of Tianxing, there has always been a kind of ghost called 'tapir (mu)? (hui)'. They wear tattered clothes and have tiger claws. The sharp claw——"
"——And he also sucks human brains? And he also likes to attack lone passers-by?" Gu Xu chuckled and interrupted her.
"Fellow Taoist, do you also know?" "Qingluan" Du Jingjing was confused for a moment.
"Although this kind of ghosts are somewhat rare, they are still recorded in some books," Gu Xu replied, "But it is not particularly difficult to deal with them. You only need to prepare large hot rocks in advance to defeat them. kill."
?Du Jingjing stood there, looking at the handsome young man in front of her, and was silent for a long time.
Originally, she was here to share some information with the other party.
Why did the other party give me common knowledge about ghosts and ghosts?
Also, how could such a person exist in this world?
Not only handsome and talented, but also knowledgeable?
Du Jingjing's self-confidence was once again hit hard.
You know, in the Exorcism Department of Qingzhou Prefecture, she is also a highly anticipated genius, standing out among her peers - otherwise, Tao Qian, the guest of the Yamen, would not have accepted her as his apprentice by name.
It's a pity that after entering the reserve force of the "Shenji Camp", she deeply realized that there may be a huge gap between geniuses.
"What about the second news?" At this time, Gu Xu smiled and broke the brief silence, "The one about the 'Yishan Snow Girl'?"
In fact, Gu Xu was more concerned about this news than the "tapir?" next to the Laoshan ruins.
Because Chen Jisheng once told him that the evil spirit in the Yishan area is spreading outwards, and it is likely to affect Yishui County in a month.
Chen Jisheng and Shi Xiaohan, as well as some officials and handymen who were left on duty during the New Year, are still within the boundaries of Yishui County.
The recent movements of the "Snow Girl" are undoubtedly related to their lives.
"Oh, the second news," after hearing his words, "Qingluan" Du Jingjing finally came to her senses and said with an awkward smile, "'Yishan Snow Girl' now probably has the strength of a saint.
"Moreover, a mysterious black altar has appeared within the scope of Yishan. It is likely to be the source of the recent evil spirit."
"Why do you know this?" Gu Xu narrowed his eyes slightly and grasped the key to the problem.
Logically speaking, with Du Jingjing's identity and cultivation, it should be difficult to access such information directly related to the "Yishan Snow Girl".
"Sorry, Fellow Daoist Gu, I can't tell you the source of the news at the moment." "Qingluan" Du Jingjing shook her head and refused to answer his question.
Saint-level cultivation...
The mysterious black altar...
Gu Xu fell into deep thought.
He knew that since Lu Shiyao's remnant soul returned to her true body, the strength of "Snow Girl" has been greatly improved - it is not beyond his expectation that she now has the strength of a saint.
But he didn't understand what the function of the black altar was.
Is it possible that for ghosts to advance to higher levels, they need to use the altar to perform some kind of special ritual?
But why was there no relevant information mentioned in any of the books he had read?
As for Du Jingjing’s source of information...
Gu Xu suddenly remembered that He Yiqun, the junior fellow of Da Qi Imperial Master, had said something to him when he came to his home not long ago and gave him the "Seven Styles of Burning Heaven" -
"A junior tried to deal with Snow Girl, but due to the sudden increase in Snow Girl's strength, he was seriously injured and was trapped on Mount Yi."
Could the source of this information be the daring "junior" in He Yiqun's words?
Gu Xu is unknown for the time being.
…………
After a brief conversation, "Qingluan" Du Jingjing took Gu Xu's "Ghost Killing Talisman" and left the room.
In fact, Gu Xu's guess was not wrong.
The news about the "Snow Girl" was indeed told to her teacher Tao Qian by the "junior" trapped in Yishan Mountain - Xiao Shangyuan, the eldest son of the Daqi Dynasty.
The eldest son of the emperor, Xiao Shangyuan, once hid his identity and secretly climbed to Yishan Mountain to deal with the "Snow Girl" with the royal minister Fan Cheng.
However, they did not expect that the snow girl's strength suddenly increased, causing them to stumble.
If He Yiqun hadn't arrived at Yishan Mountain in time with the magical power of "shrinking the ground into an inch" and rescued the two of them, I'm afraid they would have died on Yishan Mountain.
For a period of time after being rescued, Xiao Shangyuan, the eldest son of the emperor, recuperated from his injuries in the Yamen of the Exorcism Department of Qingzhou Prefecture.
During this period, Xiao Shangyuan once proposed extremely generous conditions in an attempt to recruit Du Jingjing's teacher Tao Qian.
Tao Qian has always been self-aware - he knew that his attainments in Talisman Dao were only mediocre within the scope of the entire Da Qi Dynasty. There were too many Talisman Masters younger and better than him, and he had no idea why he was so powerful. The prince wanted to recruit him by name.
In addition, as Tao Qian got older, his character gradually became content with the status quo, and he no longer had the hard work he had when he was young - as long as he could spend the rest of his life in Qingzhou Mansion peacefully and teach his apprentices well, he would be satisfied I don't want to participate in such a high-risk matter as the prince seizing the throne.
He originally wanted to reject the emperor's eldest son's solicitation without hesitation.
It's a pity that the other party gave too much.
Therefore, although Tao Qian still had many doubts and worries in his mind, he still agreed to cooperate with the eldest son of the emperor and help him fight for the "Tai'a Sword".
It was at that time that Xiao Shangyuan told Tao Qian about the recent changes on Yishan Mountain.
Tao Qian told his apprentice Du Jingjing the news.
…………
In the next time, Gu Xu stayed quietly in his room, closing his eyes and practicing.
He had three meals a day delivered directly to his door by the boys at Tongfu Inn.
Whether it was the Snow Maiden's sanctification or the mysterious black altar, it was still difficult for him to deal with at his level.
The only thing he can do now is to practice hard and become stronger.
In addition, we can only pray that the saints of the Daqi Dynasty will be prepared for this.
Two days later.
Three bottles of "Eternal Brightness Pill" were used up.
Gu Xu successfully broke through to the realm of "The Seventh Song of Underworld".
…………
On the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month, everyone was preparing to officially set off for Laoshan.
According to Qianhu Shilei's request, they gathered at the Yamen of the Exorcism Department of Laizhou Prefecture early in the morning.
This is the first collective meeting of reserve members of the "Shenji Battalion" in reality.
Before dawn, "Bifang" Chu Wei was the first to arrive at the Yamen lobby.
Afterwards, he stood at the door of the lobby, staring intently at the young monks from the "Shenji Camp" who arrived one after another.
Whenever a female monk passes by him, he will step forward and ask for her code name.
In recent days, he has used the "Magic Token" to send countless messages to "Qilin Girl", but "Qilin" ignored him.
This made Chu Wei unconsciously wonder if he had said something wrong and annoyed the other party.
So he wanted to take advantage of today to apologize to "Qilin Girl" in person.
However, until Shi Lei announced that "everyone has arrived", Chu Wei still could not find the "Qilin Girl".
At this time, he couldn't help but ask the people around him: "Did 'Girl Qilin' temporarily withdraw? Why didn't she come here today according to the instructions of Mr. Qianhu?"
Hearing his words, "Zhulong" Chen Yanping coughed dryly and his expression became a little weird.
He was obviously trying not to laugh.
The fourth prince Xiao Shangzhen next to him walked up to him with a serious face and said, "Why do you care so much about 'Miss Qilin'? Do you have any undue thoughts about her?"
"I...I don't have any bad thoughts about her...I just want..." After hearing his words, Chu Wei suddenly hesitated and couldn't answer.
"If I'm not wrong, did you bump into her in the 'Realm of Taoism'?" Xiao Shangzhen took a step forward, her tone becoming more aggressive.
"Well...that's right..." Chu Wei lowered his head.
He himself is a reserved person with low self-esteem.
When he was questioned in such a domineering manner by the Fourth Prince Xiao Shangzhen, he was even more humble and could not hold his head up.
"Then you should have guessed that her status is very noble, and you can't reach it." Xiao Shangzhen raised her chin and continued with a arrogant attitude.
At this moment, Xiao Shangzhen has already figured out - in order to prevent his identity from being exposed, in order to prevent himself from becoming a laughing stock in the eyes of everyone, he must take action first and eliminate all hidden dangers in advance.
PS: I’ll give you a 5,200-word chapter for Chinese Valentine’s Day. Please vote for me! (Sorry, I went to the hospital during the day, so the update is a little late)
…………
Note:
(1) "Bright as a jade tree in front of the wind." - "Song of the Eight Immortals in Drinking" by Du Fu of the Tang Dynasty
(2) "There is a man in the Western Wilderness. He is as long as a human. He wears a hundred knotted clothes and has tiger claws on his hands. His name is a tapir?. He walks alone and often eats human brains. Or his tongue will stick out for more than ten feet, and people will hear the sound first. If he burns a big stone and throws it into his tongue, he will die. Otherwise, he will eat human brains." - Dongfang Shuo of the Han Dynasty, "Shenyi Jing·Xihuang Jing"
