Ghosts? In broad daylight? Where would ghosts even come from?
“But the black aura filling the courtyard… that really is a sign of a haunting… Could it be that there really are ghosts in Shihe Town?”
I poured a glass of water for Xiaoyue.
“Tell me what happened, slowly.”
……
It all started when Qilin Temple was forcibly demolished.
When the temple was torn down, Xiaoyue was deeply impressed by the girl who unleashed a Five Thunder Spell.
Its astonishing power filled her with hope for the future.
“So the spells Master spoke of were real after all! If that’s the case, then after all these years of cultivation— living cleanly, keeping desires at bay, and maintaining my pure Yin body— could I also unleash the Five Thunder Spell?”
She hurriedly pulled out her family’s old Daoist manuals and began to study and practice them according to the texts.
And somehow… she actually managed to cast it!
Even though it was just the tiniest spark— barely a foot in length— it was enough to thrill Xiaoyue to no end.
“You religious association types ostracized Qilin Temple, refused to recognize us as a legitimate sect, forcing me to stand outside a mental hospital just to beg for donations…
Today I’ll show you all! Qilin Temple’s teachings are the true orthodox Daoist arts!”
And so, full of passion and determination, the young girl set off.
Her destination was Shihe Town, where— according to the religious association’s schedule— a ghost-expelling event was about to take place.
Her plan was flawless.
She’d descend dramatically during the exorcism, overwhelm everyone with the Five Thunder True Spell, and make them all recognize her power.
Unfortunately… Everyone had underestimated just how powerful the ghost at the event really was.
It was absurdly strong— one blow sent all the Daoist exorcists flying.
Xiaoyue was ecstatic— Five Thunder was a ghost’s nemesis! This was the perfect opportunity to shine!
So, while everyone else was scrambling away in panic, she calmly stepped forward, face composed, the faint smile of a master playing at her lips, and began walking toward the haunted building.
Sure enough, every Daoist nearby stared in shock.
Since when was Xiaoyue this fearless?
Could she be… the hidden master of legend?!
She lightly flicked her sleeve and formed a hand seal, casually casting forward:
“Immortal Spell: Shenxiao Five Thunder True Technique!”
Poof↑~
Nothing happened.
In that instant, Xiaoyue’s face turned ghostly pale.
That can’t be right! She had clearly managed to use it before— why not now? Did she get the hand seal or incantation wrong?
One more try!
“Shenxiao Five Thunder True Spell: Heavenly Thunder Incantation!”
Poof↑~
Still nothing.
As the pitch-black ghost loomed just a step away, Xiaoyue finally realized how serious things were:
“…Just not the face, okay?”
……
So Xiaoyue really did get beat up by a ghost?
Are there really ghosts?
“Ever since the return of spiritual energy, a bunch of mischievous and violent spirits have come with it… and the ghosts found in cities are one kind of such violent spirits, categorized as ‘ghost-type violent spirits.’”
“The Daoist Association has always seen driving away such spirits as its duty. This ghost-type spirit also falls under their jurisdiction,” Xiaoyue explained.
“I see… So what methods does the Daoist Association actually use to exorcise them? Do they really know Daoist spells and talismans?”
“Of course not. Their exorcisms are just ordinary battles using spiritual power,” Xiaoyue sighed. “Real Daoist arts have long been lost. Other than you, I’ve never seen anyone else use the Five Thunder True Spell. As for what I cast before… Maybe that was just a hallucination. Looks like I really do need to see a doctor.”
No, the Five Thunder Spell that Xiaoyue cast wasn’t a hallucination.
Though it’s unclear where these Daoist techniques and spells originated, they’re indeed usable by cultivators.
The problem is that the most essential cultivation methods— the techniques for tempering the meridians— have long been lost. Without those, Daoists can’t generate spiritual energy within themselves, so naturally they can’t perform any true spells.
The only reason Xiaoyue was able to cast the Five Thunder Spell before was because I had used it earlier, leaving behind some lightning-element spiritual energy in the area.
Some of that energy had clung to her, which is what allowed her to release the lightning.
But over time, that spiritual energy dispersed or was used up… so of course, she couldn’t cast it again.
“Didn’t expect a psychologist to do something so reckless.”
Thinking back to Xiaoyue’s normally calm and gentle demeanor, and then picturing how badly things blew up this time, I couldn’t help but chuckle a little.
“Psychologists are people too, aren’t they? People have emotions… Besides, those Daoist Association guys are so annoying! Just because my spirit companion doesn’t fit their idea of Daoist ‘aesthetics,’ they won’t let me join. It’s outrageous!”
“What’s your spirit companion?” I asked, curious.
Surely it couldn’t be worse than the poop-scooping treasure.
“It’s a very common little ghost. Technically ghost-type, but not a violent spirit.”
Xiaoyue summoned her little ghost.
It looked just like a stereotypical flying white bedsheet ghost, with two pink blushes dotted on its cheeks.
Xiao Qilin curiously burrowed under the bedsheet, poking its head in to see what was inside… which only made the blush grow deeper.
Embarrassed, the ghost curled up and hid behind Xiaoyue.
The pen on the table suddenly stood up by itself, trembling as it moved across the newspaper, pausing to pick out three characters.
[Pervert!]
“The Daoist Association said my spirit had too much Yin energy, and went on and on about ‘the divide between the living and the dead,’ how humans and spirits shouldn’t be together for long… A bunch of useless jerks who love to make a fuss,” Xiaoyue grumbled, her rising anger pulling on the bruise at the corner of her mouth, making her wince in pain.
“And just because of that, they cut funding to Qilin Temple and won’t let me register as a member.
But without the Association’s support, how’s a tiny place like Qilin Temple supposed to survive? Bleeding gums aside, I haven’t had a bite of meat in three months!”
I could feel Xiaoyue’s resentment pouring out.
And now even Qilin Temple, her last little sanctuary, had been flattened by a bulldozer.
It was desperation that led to this impulsive act.
“Aren’t you a first-class psychological therapist? Why not open your own practice?”
“Too competitive,” Xiaoyue sighed, flopping down, exhausted. “The streets are full of fake and real doctors— who’d come to me? I can barely scrape by as it is. If I opened a clinic, I’d starve in no time.”
That’s… pretty rough.
“Xiao Luo Xian, help your big sis out, yeah?”
Xiaoyue tugged pitifully on my sleeve, her tattered robes revealing a generous figure and a helpless expression.
“You help me deal with that ghost, and once I get the funding to rebuild Qilin Temple, I’ll be your full-time personal doctor!”
Fine.
Dealing with a ghost was no big deal— might as well lend a hand.
I gave a little nod.
“Gogogo! Let’s go!” The moment she got my approval, Xiaoyue sprang back to life at full strength:
“Let those stuffy Daoists see what real immortal combat looks like!”
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