Shui Miao glanced back at the scattered rocks and weeds behind him, his emotions a tangled mix. He truly felt he had encountered a benefactor this time. Unlike the thousand-year-old female ghost and the spirit commander, who had left him confused and used him as a pawn, this middle-aged Confucian scholar was sincere and straightforward. He had explained the entire situation in detail, provided Shui Miao with five cultivation steps and a dragon-seeking ruler, all without attaching any conditions.
The five cultivation steps were imprinted directly into Shui Miao’s mental realm.
Although the middle-aged Confucian scholar had taken on the appearance of an old monk, there was no denying that his method of appearing was far more approachable.
Moreover, Shui Miao believed the scholar was a good person. Back on the mountain ridge, he could have easily ignored the safety of Ma Fu, Liu Neng, and the others. Yet not only had he taught them life-preserving techniques and given them money, but he had also asked the underworld spirits to bless the descendants of those three families. This showed the scholar was both righteous and compassionate—undoubtedly a good man.
Shui Miao closed his eyes and swiftly entered his mental realm. There, he beheld five enormous cyan stone tablets. Four of them were blank, but one was fully inscribed with the complete principles of feng shui. The content was profound and the essence crystal clear. After reading it, Shui Miao was profoundly shaken—this knowledge was enough to enrich him for a lifetime.
Mastering feng shui within ten years and internalizing it completely seemed no easy task.
Shui Miao swiftly retreated from his mental realm. Although the knowledge was now firmly etched in his memory, mastering its application would prove to be a formidable challenge.
Just then, the van came to a stop.
Huo Yuanliang got out and asked, puzzled, “Little brother, why are you here? Where’s Huo Qiang?”
“It’s nothing. He had something to attend to and went back first. Since there’s no hurry, let’s just go together,” Shui Miao replied briefly. The van was filled with various items, so everyone quickly rearranged things to make space, and Shui Miao squeezed in.
After exchanging a few casual words during the journey, Shui Miao lowered his head and sank into deep thought. The middle-aged Confucian scholar had left in a hurry, and many questions remained unanswered. For instance, could Shui Miao return to Zhonghai City? What if he encountered the thousand-year-old female ghost again? While the immortal realm was off-limits, what if they tracked him down? There were countless details to consider. After pondering for a while, Shui Miao sighed inwardly. The scholar had already taught him so much. If he needed guidance on every minor detail, wouldn’t that make him a puppet or a fool?
Life itself was a practice, a journey of tempering. Only through cultivation and experience could one truly grow.
With this realization, Shui Miao straightened up and examined the dragon-seeking ruler.
It was about sixty centimeters long and two fingers wide, entirely cyan-green. When Shui Miao first received it, it was half-open. Upon fully extending it, he saw it was made of two seemingly ordinary pieces of wood, with a transparent sphere embedded at one end containing clear water. Unlike the metal dragon-seeking rulers used by ordinary feng shui masters, this one struck Shui Miao as quite peculiar. After examining it for a moment, he closed the ruler—only for it to vanish instantly! Startled, Shui Miao frantically searched around but found nothing. The middle-aged scholar was an extraordinary master, and the dragon-seeking ruler he had given Shui Miao was surely a treasure. Suddenly, an idea struck Shui Miao. He closed his eyes and focused his intent, only to discover the ruler had somehow found its way into his mental realm.
But how could he retrieve it?
Shui Miao attempted to control it with his mind and reached out his hand. Sure enough, the dragon-seeking ruler reappeared in his grasp.
“This ruler is truly a treasure—so convenient to carry!” Shui Miao couldn’t help but murmur excitedly.
To the Huo family, however, his actions were baffling. They couldn’t see the ruler at all. From their perspective, Shui Miao had been gesturing aimlessly since getting into the van and was now talking to himself. They began to suspect he might be mentally unwell.
“Little brother, are… are you okay?” Huo Yuanliang asked uncomfortably, gently tugging at Shui Miao’s arm and forcing an awkward smile. “There’s nothing there. What are you looking at?”
“…” Shui Miao was taken aback. He looked at Huo Yuanliang, then at Huo Xiang and her mother, and understood from their expressions what they were thinking.
“Heh… hehe!” Shui Miao quickly closed the dragon-seeking ruler, scratched his head, and laughed awkwardly. “It’s nothing, I was just lost in thought.”
“Stop the car…” Huo Xiang, who was in the passenger seat, suddenly asked to stop. She switched places with Huo Yuanliang and sat in the back with Shui Miao. She wanted to use this opportunity to talk to him and determine whether he was actually mentally unstable or even insane. During her school days, Huo Xiang’s deskmate had been fond of reading feng shui books, and she had borrowed a couple to read herself. Thus, she had some basic knowledge of feng shui. Having just heard Shui Miao mention the dragon-seeking ruler, she decided to test him.
Huo Yuanliang and his wife exchanged puzzled glances, unsure what their precious daughter was up to.
As the car started moving again, Huo Xiang turned to Shui Miao with a smile and said, “Brother Shui Miao, you mentioned the dragon-seeking ruler earlier. I know it’s also called the earth energy ruler or dragon detection needle—a traditional tool for detecting underground water sources, with a history spanning thousands of years. Moreover, it can locate true dragon lairs. Of course, ‘dragon’ here refers to dragon vein energy, an intangible force said to bring good fortune. There’s even a belief that burying ancestors in such a spot can bring prosperity to descendants, perhaps even helping them gain power. Of course, that’s just legend. But I’m curious—how does the dragon-seeking ruler actually work? Books say all natural objects carry static electricity, and since the ruler is metal, it can detect that electricity. But I’m a bit skeptical. Perhaps you know the answer, Brother Shui Miao?”
Huo Xiang spoke knowledgeably and coherently.
Huo Yuanliang and his wife were astonished, unaware their daughter knew so much.
Shui Miao was also surprised, but her question wasn’t difficult to answer.
“Well, not entirely,” Shui Miao replied, as information about the dragon-seeking ruler surfaced in his mind. “Human senses are incapable of perceiving many phenomena in the universe. For example, we can only see light within the seven colors of the spectrum—infrared and ultraviolet light are invisible to us. Similarly, radiation waves, electromagnetic waves, and other forces are known to exist, even if we can’t see or touch them. So, we cannot dismiss their existence simply because they are imperceptible. Ordinary dragon-seeking rulers do rely on electrical currents to detect objects. Experts using such rulers can not only locate underground water sources, mineral veins, and ancient sites but also interpret the unique signals emitted by the ruler to identify various types of earth veins. Those with powerful spiritual energy are called dragon veins. A good dragon vein can indeed help alter the fate of individuals whose destiny aligns with the vein’s properties.”
“For instance, ancient feng shui masters would find a dragon vein and bury their ancestors’ remains there. Influenced by the vein’s strong spiritual energy, the ancestors’ spirits would undergo changes. If the spirits’ attributes were compatible with the dragon vein, they would grow stronger. Benefiting from their descendants, they would naturally protect their lineage in return. Of course, there are also cases where families suffered disasters and deaths after burying their ancestors in a dragon vein—this happened because their attributes clashed with the vein’s energy, and the powerful spirituality brought them misfortune. I mention this to emphasize that the world contains not just currents, magnetic fields, earth veins, and minerals, but also many spiritually charged objects. Ordinary dragon-seeking rulers have limited uses, such as locating water sources or mineral deposits. Specialized rulers, however, can not only find what ordinary ones do but also locate dragon lairs and even more mysterious existences in the universe.”
Shui Miao explained most of this but held back a small part.
The cyan dragon-seeking ruler in his possession could not only locate dragon veins but also detect saintly energy—an extremely rare force that, once found, could grant one unparalleled fortune across ages.
These were secrets known only to extraordinary masters, and revealing them would likely make him sound increasingly far-fetched to others. So, Shui Miao decided to keep quiet about it.
“So that’s how it is…” Huo Xiang no longer questioned Shui Miao’s sanity after his thorough explanation. Instead, his clear and accessible account ignited an even deeper fascination with feng shui within her. Eager to delve further, she hesitated before posing another question: “Brother Shui Miao, my classmate’s father is a feng shui master. I’ve heard him mention many potent feng shui tools—like feng shui swords, Bagua mirrors, ancient vases, stone lions, Wenchang pens, Wenchang pagodas, large copper coins, wind chimes, fish tanks, and koi fish. Do these items truly have the power to alter people’s fortunes and attract good luck?”
“That’s more intricate…” Shui Miao moistened his lips and began to arrange his thoughts. “Humans are extraordinarily complex and wondrously advanced beings. Our brains possess numerous unique capabilities, one of which is the power of belief. This force is both potent and enigmatic. Picture our scattered thoughts as loose chopsticks. Many individuals who are physically frail or mentally fragile, though not haunted or afflicted by negative energies, often succumb over time to their own fears and suspicions, leading to mental disorders and illness. Then, many turn to Christianity and miraculously recover. They attribute this to divine intervention, but in reality, it’s the power of belief at work. Their chaotic thoughts are diluted by faith, while their core beliefs are strengthened—like gathering scattered chopsticks into a tight bundle. With unwavering faith, their thoughts become unshakable, freeing them from fear and paranoia, thus allowing natural recovery. Not dwelling on fears prevents them from taking hold—this is the power of human belief. Similarly, why do city dwellers and optimistic people rarely suffer from hysterical illnesses? It’s not just because cities are bustling with energy but also because urbanites are preoccupied with work and social interactions, leaving no time for idle worries. Without overthinking, how can they fall ill?”
“Religion was essentially invented by rulers as a tool to make subjects virtuous, obedient, and compliant with authority.”
“However, due to the power of faith and devotion, it has indeed helped some cultivators achieve enlightenment.”
“But these cultivators have journeyed far beyond and neither can nor would have the time to return to the mortal world to heal countless ordinary people.”
“Thus, those who believe they were saved by a deity were actually saved by their own belief.”
“I say all this to emphasize that many things in this world do possess spiritual energy and can help alter fortunes, but not all objects have such mystical capabilities. Ninety-nine percent of the feng shui items people encounter are ineffective. People buy these items, place them in their homes, and derive psychological comfort from them, which helps focus their minds and reduce anxiety. This, in turn, creates the illusion of miraculous effects.”
Shui Miao spoke eloquently, revealing many truths.
Huo Xiang felt as if a veil had been lifted from her eyes, everything suddenly becoming clear.
Yet, this only fueled her curiosity about mystical phenomena. “Then, Brother Shui Miao, if I want to use feng shui to change my fortune, what should I do? Feng shui knowledge is so complex and hard to grasp. Do you have a simple yet effective method you could teach me?”
“Let me think about that…” Shui Miao paused, reviewing the memories of feng shui principles in his mind, then nodded. “Yes, there is a method. It’s not difficult and can be used by anyone, but you must grasp the essentials.”
The five cultivation steps were now stored within Shui Miao’s inner realm.
Although the middle-aged scholar had taken the form of an old monk, it was undeniable that this appearance was easier for people to accept.
Another reason Shui Miao believed the scholar was a good person was because, back then, he could have easily ignored the safety of Ma Fu, Liu Neng, and their families. Instead, he had not only taught them life-saving techniques, but also given them money and even sent his Yin spirit to protect their descendants. This clearly showed the scholar’s kindness and righteousness.
Shui Miao closed his eyes and quickly entered his inner realm. There, he saw five huge green stone tablets. Four of them were blank, but one was inscribed with the complete text of Feng Shui Dao. The content was rich, precise, and deeply moving. After reading it, Shui Miao was deeply impressed—this knowledge could last him a lifetime.
It would take ten years to fully master Feng Shui Dao and internalize it, which clearly wouldn’t be easy.
Shui Miao quickly withdrew from his inner realm. He already remembered the content without needing to reread it, but mastering and applying it effectively would still be a challenge.
At that moment, the minivan had already stopped.
Huo Yuanliang got out and asked in confusion, “Young brother, why are you here? Where’s that kid Huo Qiang?”
“Nothing much, he had something to take care of and went back first. Anyway, there’s no rush. We can go together now.” Shui Miao didn’t say much. The van was already full of stuff, so everyone quickly tidied up and Shui Miao squeezed inside.
Shui Miao glanced back at the chaotic rocks and weeds behind him, his emotions somewhat complicated. It truly felt like he had encountered a benefactor this time. Unlike the thousand-year-old female ghost and the spirit commander who had left him confused and used him as a pawn, this middle-aged Confucian scholar appeared sincere and straightforward. He had explained the entire situation in detail, provided Shui Miao with five cultivation steps and a dragon-seeking ruler, all without attaching any conditions.
The five cultivation steps were imprinted directly into Shui Miao’s mental realm.
Although the middle-aged Confucian scholar had taken on the appearance of an old monk, there was no denying that his method of appearing was far more approachable.
Moreover, Shui Miao believed the middle-aged Confucian scholar was a good person. Back on the mountain ridge, he could have easily ignored the safety of Ma Fu, Liu Neng, and the others. Yet, not only did he teach them life-preserving techniques and give them money, but he also had his Yin spirit bless the descendants of those three families. This clearly showed the scholar was a man of principle and integrity—undoubtedly a good person.
Shui Miao shut his eyes and swiftly delved into his mental realm. Within, he beheld five colossal green stone tablets. Four of them were devoid of any markings, yet one bore the complete inscription of the “Way of Feng Shui.” The content was profound and the essence lucid. After perusing it, Shui Miao was profoundly awestruck—this wisdom was sufficient to enrich him for a lifetime.
Mastering the Way of Feng Shui and internalizing it within ten years seemed no easy task.
Shui Miao swiftly retreated from his mental realm. Although the knowledge was already embedded in his memory, mastering its application would prove to be a formidable challenge.
Just then, the van came to a stop.
Huo Yuanliang got out of the vehicle and asked with confusion, “Little brother, why are you here? Where’s Huo Qiang?”
“It’s nothing, he had something to attend to and went back first. Since there’s no hurry, let’s just go together now,” Shui Miao replied briefly. The van was filled with various items, so everyone quickly rearranged things to make space, and Shui Miao squeezed in.
After exchanging a few casual words during the journey, Shui Miao lowered his head and sank into deep thought. The middle-aged Confucian scholar had left in a hurry, and many questions remained unanswered—like whether Shui Miao could return to Zhonghai City, what to do if he encountered the thousand-year-old female ghost again, or what would happen if the immortal realm tracked him down despite being advised not to go there. So many details were left unclear. After pondering for a while, Shui Miao sighed inwardly. The middle-aged Confucian scholar had already taught him so much. If he needed guidance on every minor detail, wouldn’t that make him a puppet or a fool?
Life itself is a practice, a trial. Only through cultivation and experience can one truly grow.
With this realization, Shui Miao straightened up and examined the dragon-seeking ruler.
It was about sixty centimeters long and two fingers wide, entirely greenish-blue in color. When Shui Miao first received it, it was half-open. Upon opening it fully, he saw that it was made of two seemingly ordinary pieces of wood, with a transparent sphere embedded at one end containing clear water. It looked nothing like the metal dragon-seeking rulers commonly used by feng shui masters, which intrigued Shui Miao. After examining it for a moment, he closed the ruler. To his surprise, the moment it shut, it vanished! Startled, Shui Miao frantically searched around but couldn’t find it anywhere. The middle-aged Confucian scholar was an extraordinary master, so the dragon-seeking ruler he gave must be a treasure. Suddenly, an idea struck Shui Miao. He closed his eyes and focused his intent, only to discover that the ruler had somehow found its way into his mental realm.
But how could he retrieve it?
Shui Miao attempted to control it with his intent, and as he reached out, the dragon-seeking ruler materialized in his hand.
“This dragon-seeking ruler is truly a treasure—so convenient to carry!” Shui Miao couldn’t help but murmur excitedly.
To the Huo family, however, his actions seemed bizarre. They couldn’t see the dragon-seeking ruler at all. From their perspective, Shui Miao had been gesturing oddly since getting into the van and was now talking to himself. They began to suspect he might be mentally unwell.
“Little brother, are… are you okay?” Huo Yuanliang couldn’t take it anymore. He gently tugged at Shui Miao’s arm and asked with an awkward smile, “There’s nothing there—what are you looking at?”
“…” Shui Miao was taken aback. He looked at Huo Yuanliang, then at Huo Xiang and her mother, and understood from their expressions what they were thinking.
“Heh… hehe!” Shui Miao quickly closed the dragon-seeking ruler, scratched his head, and laughed awkwardly. “No, it’s nothing. I was just thinking.”
“Stop the car…” Huo Xiang, who was sitting in the passenger seat, suddenly asked the driver to pull over. She switched seats with Huo Yuanliang and sat in the back with Shui Miao. She wanted to take this opportunity to talk to him and figure out if there was something wrong with his mind—if he was truly a madman. During her school days, Huo Xiang’s deskmate was a boy who loved reading feng shui books, and she had borrowed a couple to read herself. So, she knew a thing or two about feng shui. Having just heard Shui Miao mention the dragon-seeking ruler, she decided to test his knowledge.
Huo Yuanliang and his wife exchanged puzzled glances, unsure what their precious daughter was up to.
As the car started moving again, Huo Xiang turned to Shui Miao with a smile and said, “Brother Shui Miao, you mentioned the dragon-seeking ruler earlier. I know it’s also called the earth energy ruler or dragon probe—a traditional tool used for detecting underground water sources, with a history spanning thousands of years. Moreover, it can locate true dragon lairs. Of course, ‘dragon’ here refers to dragon vein energy—an invisible, intangible force said to bring good fortune. There’s even a belief that burying ancestors in such a spot can bring prosperity to descendants, perhaps even helping them gain power. Of course, that’s just legend. But what I want to know is, how does the dragon-seeking ruler actually work? Books say all natural objects carry static electricity, and since the ruler is made of metal, it can detect that static. But I’m a bit skeptical. Perhaps you know the answer, Brother Shui Miao?”
Huo Xiang spoke knowledgeably and logically.
Huo Yuanliang and his wife were astonished, unaware their daughter knew so much.
Shui Miao was also surprised, but her question wasn’t difficult to answer.
“Well, not entirely,” Shui Miao replied, as information about the dragon-seeking ruler surfaced naturally in his mind. “Human senses are incapable of perceiving many phenomena in the universe. For example, humans can only see light of seven colors—infrared, ultraviolet, and others are invisible. Similarly, radiation waves, electromagnetic waves, etc., are known to exist even if they can’t be seen or touched. So, we cannot dismiss their existence simply because they are imperceptible. Ordinary dragon-seeking rulers do rely on electrical currents to detect objects. Experts who use them can not only locate underground water sources, mineral veins, and ancient sites but also interpret the special signals emitted by the ruler to identify various types of earth veins. Among these, earth veins with powerful spiritual energy are called dragon veins. A good dragon vein can indeed help alter the fate of individuals whose destiny aligns with the vein’s properties.”
“For instance, in ancient times, a feng shui master might find a dragon vein and bury an ancestor’s remains there. Influenced by the vein’s strong spiritual energy, the ancestor’s spirit would undergo changes. If the spirit’s attributes were compatible with the dragon vein, it would grow stronger. Benefiting from its descendants, it would naturally protect them in return. Of course, there are also cases where families suffered disasters and deaths after burying their ancestors in a dragon vein—this happens when their attributes clash with the vein’s energy, causing them to suffer misfortune due to the powerful spiritual influence. I mention this to emphasize that the world isn’t just about electric currents, magnetic fields, earth veins, and mineral deposits. There are many objects with spiritual energy. Ordinary dragon-seeking rulers have limited uses, like finding water sources or minerals. Special ones, however, can not only locate what ordinary rulers can but also find dragon lairs and even more mysterious existences in the universe.”
Shui Miao explained most of it but held back a small part.
The green dragon-seeking ruler in his possession could not only locate dragon veins but also divine energy—a extremely rare force that, once found, could grant one immense, timeless fortune.
These were secrets known only to extraordinary masters, and revealing them would likely make him sound increasingly unbelievable. So, Shui Miao decided to keep quiet about it.
“So that’s how it is…” Huo Xiang no longer doubted Shui Miao’s sanity after hearing his coherent explanation. Instead, his clear and accessible account sparked an even greater interest in feng shui within her. Eager to learn more, she paused briefly before asking another question: “Brother Shui Miao, one of my classmates has a father who is a feng shui master. I’ve heard him talk about many powerful feng shui tools—like feng shui swords, Bagua mirrors, ancient vases, stone lions, Wenchang brushes, Wenchang pagodas, large copper coins, as well as copper wind chimes, fish tanks, and carp. Do these things really help change one’s fortune and bring good luck?”
“That’s a bit more complicated…” Shui Miao licked his lips and organized his thoughts. “Humans are incredibly complex and miraculous advanced beings. Our brains harbor many special abilities, one of which is the power of belief. This power is both strong and mystical. Think of the myriad scattered thoughts in a person’s mind as loose chopsticks. Many physically weak or mentally fragile individuals, despite not encountering ghosts or negative energies, often become paranoid due to their own psychological issues. Over time, this can lead to mental disorders and illness. Then, many turn to Christianity, and miraculously, their illnesses are cured. They attribute this to divine intervention, but in reality, it’s the power of belief at work. Various chaotic thoughts are diluted by faith, while the core belief is strengthened. It’s like gathering those loose chopsticks into a tight bundle. Because of unwavering belief, the chopsticks are bound together, making the mind resilient. In such a state, people stop being paranoid or overthinking, and thus, their illnesses naturally heal. Not thinking about fears allows the body’s own belief system to take effect. This is also why city dwellers and optimistic individuals rarely suffer from hysterical illnesses. It’s not just because cities are bustling with energy but because urbanites are busy with work and social interactions, leaving no time for overthinking. Without overthinking, how can illness arise?”
“Religion was essentially invented by rulers as a tool to make subjects virtuous, obedient, and compliant with their rule.”
“However, due to the power of faith and devotion, it has indeed helped some cultivators achieve enlightenment.”
“Yet these cultivators have ventured far beyond and neither can nor have the time to return to the mortal world to help countless ordinary people cure their illnesses.”
“So those who believe gods saved them were actually saved by their own belief.”
“I say all this to tell you that many things in this world do possess spiritual energy and can help change one’s fortune, but not everything has such magical abilities. Ninety-nine percent of the feng shui items people encounter are ineffective. People buy these items, place them in their homes, and develop a psychological reliance on them. This mental focus reduces overthinking, leading them to believe in the items’ miraculous powers.”
Shui Miao spoke eloquently, revealing many truths.
Huo Xiang felt as if a veil had been lifted from her eyes, everything suddenly becoming clear.
Yet, this only fueled her intense curiosity about mystical matters. “Then, Brother Shui Miao, if I want to use feng shui to change my fortune, what should I do? Feng shui knowledge is so complex and hard to understand. Do you have a simple yet effective method to teach me?”
“Let me think about that…” Shui Miao paused, running through his memories of the Way of Feng Shui. Then he nodded. “Yes, there is a method. It’s not difficult and can be used by anyone, but you must grasp the essentials.”
Life itself is cultivation and training; only through practice can one grow.
Suddenly, clarity filled Shui Miao’s heart, and he straightened his back to examine the Dragon-Seeking Ruler.
The ruler was about sixty centimeters long and two fingers wide, entirely greenish-blue in color. When Shui Miao first received it, it was half-open. As he unfolded it, he realized it was made of two seemingly ordinary pieces of wood. At one end was a transparent sphere filled with clear water. Unlike the usual metal Dragon-Seeking Rulers used by feng shui masters, this one was quite unusual, which intrigued Shui Miao. After a while, he closed the ruler, only to find it had vanished! Startled, he looked around frantically but couldn’t find it anywhere. The middle-aged scholar was a true master from beyond the mundane world, so this ruler must be a treasure.
Suddenly, a thought struck him. He closed his eyes and focused his mind, and found that the Dragon-Seeking Ruler had somehow entered his inner realm.
But how could he retrieve it?
Shui Miao tried to control it with his mind. He stretched out his hand, and the ruler appeared in his palm.
“This Dragon-Seeking Ruler is truly a great treasure! So convenient to carry around!” Shui Miao murmured excitedly.
But to Huo Yuanliang’s family, it was all very strange. They couldn’t see the ruler at all. To them, Shui Miao had been aimlessly gesturing since getting into the van, and now he was talking to himself. They all thought he must be mentally unstable.
“Young brother, are you okay?”
Huo Yuanliang couldn’t take it anymore. He gently tugged Shui Miao’s sleeve and smiled awkwardly, “There’s nothing there. What are you looking at?”
“…”
Shui Miao was taken aback. He looked at Huo Yuanliang, then at Huo Xiang and her mother, and from their expressions, he understood.
“Hehehe…” Shui Miao quickly closed the ruler, scratched his head, and smiled awkwardly, “No, nothing. I was just thinking.”
“Stop the car…”
Huo Xiang, sitting in the front passenger seat, suddenly asked the driver to stop. She switched seats with Huo Yuanliang and sat in the back with Shui Miao. She wanted to take this opportunity to talk with Shui Miao and find out whether he was really mentally unstable or even crazy. Back when she was in school, her male desk-mate had loved reading feng shui books, and she had borrowed a couple to read. So she had some basic knowledge of feng shui. Now, having heard Shui Miao mention the Dragon-Seeking Ruler, she wanted to test him.
Huo Yuanliang and his wife exchanged puzzled glances, unsure what their precious daughter was up to.
The car resumed moving, and Huo Xiang smiled at Shui Miao beside her.
“Big brother Shui Miao, you mentioned the Dragon-Seeking Ruler just now. I know it’s also called the Earth Spirit Ruler or Dragon-Probing Needle. It’s a traditional tool used to detect underground water sources, with a history of several thousand years. It can also locate the correct Dragon Vein—the invisible and intangible Dragon Vein energy. It’s said that burying ancestors’ remains in such a place can bring prosperity to descendants, even leading to the acquisition of an empire. Of course, that’s just legend. But I’d like to know, how exactly does the Dragon-Seeking Ruler work? Some books say it detects static electricity in nature, but I’m a bit skeptical. I think you, big brother Shui Miao, might know more about it.”
Huo Xiang spoke with confidence and clarity.
Huo Yuanliang and his wife were both surprised—they hadn’t known their daughter knew so much.
Shui Miao was also a bit surprised, but her question wasn’t hard to answer.
“Well, it’s not exactly like that,” Shui Miao began, his mind automatically recalling the ruler’s properties. “Human senses can’t perceive many phenomena in the universe. For example, we can only see seven colors of light, but not infrared or ultraviolet. Radiation waves, electromagnetic waves—we know they exist, so we can’t say something doesn’t exist just because we can’t see or touch it. Ordinary Dragon-Seeking Rulers do rely on electric currents to detect things. Some masters can use them to locate underground water sources, mineral veins, and ancient ruins. They can even interpret special signals from the ruler to identify various types of Earth Veins. Those with strong spiritual energy are called Dragon Veins. A good Dragon Vein can indeed help change the fate of people whose life force matches the vein’s nature.”
“For example, in ancient times, a feng shui master found a Dragon Vein and buried his ancestor’s remains there. Influenced by the powerful spiritual energy of the vein, the ancestor’s soul would change. If the soul’s nature harmonized with the vein, it would grow stronger and, benefiting from the descendants, would in turn protect them. Of course, there are also cases where families buried immortals’ remains in a Dragon Vein and ended up suffering great misfortunes and dying out completely. That’s because their nature clashed with the vein’s energy, so the powerful spiritual force brought them disaster instead. I’m telling you this to show that the world isn’t just about electricity and magnetism, or mineral veins and ores. There are many types of spiritual energies. Ordinary Dragon-Seeking Rulers are limited to finding ores and water sources. But special ones can do more—they can locate Dragon Veins and even uncover more mysterious cosmic energies.”
Shui Miao had explained most of it, but left a small part unsaid.
The green Dragon-Seeking Ruler in his hand could also detect Holy Spirit Energy, a rare and powerful force. Once found, it could grant someone extraordinary fortune and transformation.
But such secrets were known only to masters beyond the mundane world. If he revealed them, no one would believe him—it would only make things sound more absurd, so Shui Miao chose to keep that part to himself.
“I see…”
Shui Miao glanced back at the scattered rocks and weeds behind him, his emotions somewhat complicated. It truly felt like he had encountered a benefactor this time. Unlike the thousand-year-old female ghost and the spirit commander, who had left him confused and used him as a pawn, this middle-aged Confucian scholar appeared sincere and straightforward. He explained the entire situation in detail, provided Shui Miao with five cultivation steps and a dragon-seeking compass, all without attaching any conditions.
The five cultivation steps remained etched in Shui Miao’s consciousness.
Although the middle-aged Confucian scholar had taken on the appearance of an old monk, there was no denying that his method of appearing was far more acceptable.
Moreover, Shui Miao believed the middle-aged Confucian scholar was a good person. Back on the mountain ridge, he could have easily disregarded the safety of Ma Fu, Liu Neng, and the others. Yet not only did he teach them life-preserving techniques and provide them with money, but he also ensured that the Yin spirits would protect the descendants of these three families. This clearly demonstrated the scholar’s sense of loyalty and righteousness, proving he was undoubtedly a good man.
Shui Miao closed his eyes and swiftly entered his conscious space. There, he beheld five enormous green stone tablets. Four of them were blank, while one was fully inscribed with the complete text of the Feng Shui Dao. The content was profound and the essence crystal clear. After reading it, Shui Miao was profoundly shaken—this knowledge was enough to benefit him for a lifetime.
Mastering the Feng Shui Dao within ten years and internalizing it thoroughly seemed no easy task.
Shui Miao quickly withdrew from his conscious space. Although the knowledge was already stored in his memory, mastering and applying it would not be simple.
Just then, the van came to a stop.
Huo Yuanliang got out of the vehicle and asked with great confusion, “Little brother, why are you here? Where’s Huo Qiang?”
“It’s nothing. He had something to attend to and went back first. Since there’s no hurry, let’s just go together,” Shui Miao replied briefly. The van was filled with various items, so everyone quickly rearranged things to make space, and Shui Miao squeezed in.
After exchanging a few casual words during the journey, Shui Miao lowered his head and sank into deep thought. The middle-aged Confucian scholar had left in a hurry, and many questions remained unanswered. For instance, whether Shui Miao could return to Zhonghai City, what to do if he encountered the thousand-year-old female ghost again, and whether he could avoid detection if the immortal realm came searching for him. There were many such details to consider. After pondering for a while, Shui Miao sighed inwardly. The middle-aged Confucian scholar had already taught him so much. If he needed guidance on every minor detail, wouldn’t that make him nothing more than a puppet or a fool?
Life itself is a practice, a journey of experience. Only through cultivation and experience can one truly grow.
With this realization, Shui Miao straightened up and examined the dragon-seeking compass.
The compass was about sixty centimeters long and two fingers wide, with a bluish-green hue throughout. When Shui Miao first received it, it was half-open. Upon opening it fully, he discovered it was made of two seemingly ordinary pieces of wood, with a transparent glass sphere embedded at one end containing clear water. Unlike the metal compasses commonly used by Feng Shui masters, this one struck Shui Miao as quite peculiar. After examining it for a moment, he closed the compass. To his surprise, the moment it shut, it vanished! Startled, Shui Miao frantically searched around but could not find it anywhere. The middle-aged Confucian scholar was an extraordinary individual, so the compass he had given Shui Miao must be a treasure. Suddenly, an idea struck Shui Miao. He closed his eyes and focused his intent, only to discover that the compass had somehow found its way into his conscious space.
But how could he retrieve it?
Shui Miao attempted to control it with his intent. As he reached out his hand, the compass materialized in his grasp.
“This compass is truly a treasure! It’s so convenient to carry around!” Shui Miao couldn’t help but murmur excitedly.
However, the Huo family watched in bewilderment, as they could not see the compass at all. From their perspective, Shui Miao had been gesturing aimlessly since getting into the van and was now talking to himself. They all began to suspect he might be mentally unstable.
“Little brother, are… are you okay?” Huo Yuanliang asked uncomfortably, gently tugging at Shui Miao’s arm and forcing an awkward smile. “There’s nothing there. What are you looking at?”
“…”
Shui Miao was taken aback. He looked at Huo Yuanliang, then at Huo Xiang and her mother, and understood the answer from their expressions.
“Heh… hehe!” Shui Miao quickly closed the compass, scratched his head, and laughed awkwardly. “No, it’s nothing. I was just thinking.”
“Stop the car…”
Huo Xiang, who was sitting in the passenger seat, suddenly asked the driver to stop. She switched places with Huo Yuanliang and sat in the back with Shui Miao. She wanted to seize this opportunity to talk to him and determine whether he was truly mentally unstable or even insane. During her school days, Huo Xiang’s deskmate had been fond of reading Feng Shui books, and she had borrowed a couple to read herself. Thus, she had some basic knowledge of Feng Shui. Having just heard Shui Miao mention the dragon-seeking compass, she decided to test him.
Huo Yuanliang and his wife exchanged puzzled glances, unsure what their precious daughter was up to.
As the car started moving again, Huo Xiang turned to Shui Miao with a smile and said, “Brother Shui Miao, you mentioned the dragon-seeking compass earlier. I know it’s also called the earth energy ruler or dragon detection needle. It’s a traditional tool used to detect underground water sources and has a history of several thousand years. Moreover, the compass can locate true dragon lairs—though ‘dragon’ here refers to dragon vein energy, an intangible force said to bring good fortune. It’s even believed that burying ancestors in such a spot can bring prosperity to descendants, perhaps even helping them gain power. Of course, that’s just legend. But I’m curious—how does the dragon-seeking compass actually work? Books say it’s because all natural objects carry static electricity, and the metal compass can detect it. But I have my doubts. Perhaps you know the answer, Brother Shui Miao?”
Huo Xiang spoke knowledgeably and logically.
Huo Yuanliang and his wife were astonished, unaware their daughter knew so much.
Shui Miao was also surprised, but her question was not difficult to answer.
“Well, not entirely,” Shui Miao replied as information about the compass surfaced in his mind. “Human senses are incapable of perceiving many phenomena in the universe. For example, humans can only see light of seven colors—infrared and ultraviolet light are invisible to us. Similarly, radiation waves, electromagnetic waves, and other forces are known to exist, even if we can’t see or touch them. So, we cannot dismiss their existence simply because they are imperceptible. Ordinary dragon-seeking compasses do rely on electrical currents to detect objects. Experts who use them can not only locate underground water sources, mineral veins, and ancient sites but also interpret the unique signals emitted by the compass to identify various types of earth veins. Among these, earth veins with powerful spiritual energy are called dragon veins. A good dragon vein can indeed help alter the fate of individuals whose destiny aligns with the vein’s properties.”
“For instance, ancient Feng Shui masters would locate a dragon vein and bury their ancestors’ remains there. Influenced by the vein’s powerful spiritual energy, the ancestors’ spirits would undergo changes. If the spirits’ attributes were compatible with the dragon vein, they would grow stronger. Having benefited their descendants, these spirits would naturally protect their offspring in return. Of course, there are also cases where families suffered disasters and even death after burying their ancestors in a dragon vein. This happened because their attributes clashed with the dragon vein’s energy, and the powerful spiritual influence brought them misfortune. I mention this to emphasize that the world contains not just electrical currents, magnetic fields, earth veins, and mineral deposits, but also many other spiritually charged objects. Ordinary dragon-seeking compasses have limited uses, such as locating mineral deposits and water sources. Specialized compasses, however, can not only find what ordinary ones do but also locate dragon veins and even more mysterious entities in the universe.”
Shui Miao explained most of it but left out a small part.
The green dragon-seeking compass in his possession could not only locate dragon veins but also detect saintly spiritual energy—a extremely rare force that, once found, could grant one immense, timeless fortune.
These were secrets known only to extraordinary individuals, and revealing them would likely make him sound increasingly unbelievable. So, Shui Miao decided to keep quiet about it.
“So that’s how it is…” Huo Xiang no longer doubted Shui Miao’s sanity after hearing his coherent explanation. Instead, his clear and accessible account sparked an even greater interest in Feng Shui within her. Eager to learn more, she paused for a moment before asking another question. “Brother Shui Miao, my classmate’s father is a Feng Shui master. I’ve heard him mention many powerful Feng Shui tools, like Feng Shui swords, Bagua mirrors, ancient vases, stone lions, Wenchang brushes, Wenchang pagodas, large copper coins, copper wind chimes, fish tanks, and koi fish. Do these things really help change one’s fortune and bring good luck?”
“That’s a bit more intricate…” Shui Miao moistened his lips and gathered his thoughts. “Humans are extraordinarily complex and wondrously advanced beings. Our brains possess numerous unique capabilities, one of which is the power of belief. This force is both potent and enigmatic. Picture our scattered thoughts as a bundle of loose chopsticks. Many individuals who are physically frail and mentally fragile, though not tormented by ghosts or negative energies, often fall prey to paranoia due to their own psychological issues. Over time, this can lead to mental disorders and illness. Then, many turn to Christianity, and miraculously, their ailments are healed. They attribute this to divine intervention, but in reality, it’s the power of belief at work. Their chaotic thoughts are diluted by faith, while their core beliefs are reinforced. It’s akin to gathering those loose chopsticks into a tight bundle. Because of their steadfast belief, the chopsticks are bound together, rendering their thoughts unshakable. In such a state, people no longer succumb to paranoia or wild imaginations, and thus, their illnesses naturally dissipate. Not overthinking means not fearing—this is the power of human belief. Moreover, why do city dwellers and many optimistic individuals rarely suffer from hysterical illnesses? It’s not merely because cities are vibrant with energy but also because urbanites are preoccupied with work and social engagements, leaving no room for wild fantasies. Without overthinking, how can illness arise?”
“Religion was essentially invented by rulers as a tool to make their subjects virtuous, beautiful, and obedient to their rule.”
“However, due to the power of faith and devotion, it has indeed helped some cultivators achieve greatness.”
“But these cultivators have ventured far down their paths and neither can nor have the time to return to the mortal world to help countless ordinary people cure their illnesses.”
“So those who believe gods saved them were actually saved by their own belief.”
I share all this to convey that many things in this world indeed possess spiritual energy and can aid in altering one’s fortune. However, not all objects are endowed with such mystical capabilities. In fact, ninety-nine percent of the Feng Shui items people come across are ineffective. When individuals place these items in their homes, they invest them with spiritual significance, which helps to focus their minds and alleviate excessive overthinking. As a result, they begin to perceive these objects as possessing magical powers.
Shui Miao spoke eloquently, revealing many truths.
Huo Xiang felt as if a veil had been lifted from her eyes, everything suddenly becoming clear.
However, this only fueled her intense curiosity about mystical matters. “Then, Brother Shui Miao, if I want to use Feng Shui to change my fortune, what should I do? Feng Shui knowledge is so complex and hard to understand. Do you have a simple yet effective method to teach me?”
“Let me think about that…” Shui Miao paused, reviewing the memories of the Feng Shui Dao in his mind, then nodded. “Yes, there is a method. It’s not difficult and can be used by anyone, but you must grasp the essentials.”
“That’s a bit more complicated…”
Shui Miao licked his lips and organized his thoughts. “Humans are incredibly complex and mysterious beings. Our brains possess many special abilities, one of which is the power of belief. Belief is powerful and mysterious. Let’s compare the chaotic thoughts in a person’s mind to a pile of scattered chopsticks. Many people with weak bodies or fragile minds often suffer from anxiety and paranoia, even though they’ve never encountered ghosts or been haunted by evil spirits. Their illnesses stem from their own minds. Then they turn to Christianity, and their illnesses miraculously improve. They believe it’s the gods helping them, but in reality, it’s the power of belief. Their scattered thoughts are calmed by faith, and their main focus is strengthened. It’s like bundling all those scattered chopsticks into one tight bundle. With unwavering belief, their minds become unshakable, and they stop imagining ghosts and monsters, so their illnesses naturally disappear. Not thinking about it means not fearing it—that’s the power of belief within the human body.”
“Religion, in fact, was originally a tool created by rulers to make their subjects become virtuous and obedient.”
“But because of the power of collective belief, some cultivators have indeed achieved great feats.”
“However, these cultivators have long since left the mortal world, and they neither have the time nor the will to help ordinary people recover from illness.”
“So those who believe they were saved by gods were actually saved by their own belief.”
“I’m telling you this to show that many things in the world do have spiritual energy and can help change people’s fates. But not everything has such miraculous power. The feng shui items you mentioned—99% of them are useless. People buy them and place them at home, creating a psychological anchor that focuses their minds and stops them from worrying unnecessarily. That’s why they believe these items have magical powers.”
Shui Miao spoke with clarity and insight, revealing many truths.
Huo Xiang felt as if a veil had been lifted from her mind.
But this only deepened her curiosity about the mystical. “Then, big brother Shui Miao, I want to use feng shui to improve my own fortune. What should I do? Feng shui is so complicated and hard to understand. Is there a simple yet effective method you can teach me?”
“Let me think…”
Shui Miao paused, reviewing the knowledge of Feng Shui Dao in his mind, then nodded. “Yes, there is a method. It’s not difficult, and anyone can use it—but you must understand the key principles.”
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