“This creature has the advantage of being easy to cultivate and possessing some intelligence,” Zhang Shisan explained. “The downside is that although it follows orders, it cannot truly connect with one’s spirit, much like a small child who knows nothing of the world. If you capture it, don’t hesitate—simply overpower it with force. Once you suppress its spiritual blood, it can even work for you.” Knowing his apprentice lacked experience, Zhang Shisan seized every opportunity to pass on his knowledge.
Mei Qing nodded thoughtfully. Things easily obtained can just as easily be exploited. This Liu Ling is simple to create, but if someone turns the tables, it becomes their tool instead. No wonder Zhang Shisan said it was only good for scaring people.
“Hehe, so according to what you’re saying, Master must have a way to make it help us find the location of the cult leader,” Mei Qing said with a grin.
“Exactly. Let’s go!” Zhang Shisan made a hand sign and blew a stream of true energy onto the wooden figure. Immediately, it shot into the air, emitting a hazy green mist before transforming into the green-robed woman they had seen before.
The woman appeared dazed at first, seemingly unaware of what had happened. After a moment, she slowly turned and began flying back in the direction they had come from.
Without hesitation, Mei Qing and the others followed closely behind, heading southeast.
Though the Liu Ling flew, it hovered only a few feet above the ground, trailing a misty vapor beneath it. Its pace wasn’t slow, but to Zhang Shisan and the others, it seemed almost like crawling. After a short while, they reached the edge of the Minghai Sea. The Liu Ling flew directly over the water, and Zhang Shisan quickly took out a talisman. Chanting a spell, he released a cloud that enveloped Mei Qing and Hou Shen, carrying them effortlessly across the sea.
Master Ku, with his high cultivation, naturally had no need to ride with Zhang Shisan. As he approached the water, he simply stepped forward as if walking on land, leaving ripples behind him. Under the faint moonlight, these ripples shimmered with a soft glow.
Mei Qing watched in admiration. Compared to his own exhausting attempts with the Spirit Crane Talisman, which left him wobbling unsteadily in the air, this was a completely different level. True mastery of magic wasn’t just about being able to cast a spell—it was about doing so effortlessly, as if it were second nature.
Zhang Shisan’s Cloud Talisman and Master Ku’s Weaving Reed technique, though different in form, both demonstrated a relaxed and graceful mastery. Such skill wasn’t only a matter of deep cultivation, but also of precise control and extensive practice. Mei Qing, still a novice, had made rapid progress in learning, but in terms of application, he still had much to improve.
The Liu Ling flew straight ahead, heading directly toward the Fishbone Temple. Mei Qing had long suspected that the sudden miracles at the temple and the spread of rumors must have some hidden agenda. After Tian Niu’s death, he had considered investigating, but then he met Zhang Shisan and became his apprentice, so the matter was postponed. Now was the perfect chance to uncover the truth.
However, the yellow-faced man who had performed tricks that night had not been seen since. Mei Qing wondered if he was connected to the incense cult. Zhang Shisan was certain that Tian Niu’s death had nothing to do with him, though Mei Qing had never asked why Zhang was so sure.
Lost in thought, Mei Qing looked up and saw that the Liu Ling was nearing the Fishbone Temple. Zhang Shisan raised his hand and recalled the figure into his sleeve. The group slowed their pace, the cloud became thinner and more transparent, and they gradually approached the small temple.
The temple wasn’t large and didn’t follow the usual layout of seven offerings. Entering through the front gate led directly into a large hall. In the courtyard, a dozen men in cult robes stood at various positions—these were the same people Mei Qing had seen performing rituals in the village. Inside the hall, a few groups of people sat around small fires, the flames casting red shadows on their faces.
In the center of the hall stood the Sea Goddess, usually serene and kind, but now her expression seemed to shift between light and shadow in the flickering firelight. Someone had removed the curtain in front of her statue, and even the incense burner had been moved elsewhere.
Though the hall was technically three rooms, it wasn’t particularly large. The windows were covered with paper, but the sea breeze was cold and damp, making the hall chilly despite the fires.
In the center of the hall sat the cult leader, hunched and shivering. “It’s barely autumn,” he muttered, “and already so cold. The sea wind is brutal.”
A dwarf approached from behind. “Leader, we’ve quickly fixed up the curtain. It’s a bit worn, but it should help keep you warm.”
The leader frowned, lips moving silently for a while before finally sighing. The dwarf quickly stepped forward, wrapping him tightly in layers of cloth until he looked like a giant dumpling, awkward and bulky.
“Great Leader,” a masked man with a dark face spoke up, though his tone lacked respect. “Second Leader is quite upset about your unauthorized actions. Since this mission has failed, and you’ve had enough rest, it would be best to return with me now. Let’s not cause more trouble.”
“Why the rush?” the leader replied, clearly displeased. “I’ve made my decision. I will deal with that old man Shi and finish the altar business. If I were as timid as my younger brother, when would anything ever get done? Go tell him that tomorrow everything will be settled, and he can rest easy.”
As he spoke, he took a porcelain bowl from the dwarf. The bowl was filled with hot water, steaming in the cold hall. The leader held it shakily, blew gently on it, and sipped slowly.
The masked man remained expressionless. “Great Leader, this matter requires careful consideration. You enjoy having these people support you with rituals, and you can tour the other village altars at your leisure. But this harbor is a key location for the sect. Given the importance of this mission, it would be better if you didn’t interfere.”
The leader fell silent, his expression suddenly turning furious. With a sudden shout, he jumped up. Wrapped in layers of cloth, he looked like a mummy suddenly coming to life.
With a loud crash, he slammed the porcelain bowl to the ground, sending shards flying in all directions. Several people in the hall turned to look, but upon realizing it wasn’t their concern, quickly turned away, pretending not to see anything.
The leader’s face turned red with rage. “You bastard! Who do you think you are, trying to control me!”
He panted heavily, pointing at the masked man. “I know none of you respect me. You call me Great Leader, but in your hearts, you see me as a joke, don’t you? Don’t you? I will defeat that old man Shi and show you that what you can’t do, I, Wang San, can do!”
The masked man remained unmoved, not even blinking. “Old Shi is not only highly respected here, but also has many friends in the government. It’s said he has some unusual allies in the martial world. Though our sect isn’t afraid of him, if we create more problems now, the elders will be furious. Not even the Second Leader will be able to protect you.”
The leader glared furiously, his teeth grinding, his finger trembling as he pointed at the masked man. He opened his mouth several times but couldn’t speak.
The masked man continued, “I heard that today in the village, during your ritual, your hat caught fire strangely. The formation you brought—the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams—was personally guided by Elder Tang. How could such a strange occurrence happen? Someone must have cultivation higher than the formation itself, burning your hat without drawing attention. Also, someone tampered with your palanquin on the way back. If it weren’t for Deputy Leader Liu arriving in time to remove the talisman, our presence might have been exposed. Great Leader, breaking through the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams silently is something even I couldn’t do. If that person follows us here, I can’t guarantee your safety.”
Upon hearing this, the leader’s eyes instantly lost their fury. He shivered and blurted out, “Ah? What should I do? My—my—”
The masked man asked, “Great Leader, are you hiding something?”
The leader sat down, avoiding the masked man’s gaze, muttering, “Earlier, when I returned, I was angry and sent out the Liu Ling to scare that old man Shi…”
“What?” The masked man was shocked. In an instant, he leapt to the leader’s side, grabbing him. “When did you do this? How long ago?”
The leader trembled, stammering, “About an hour ago… the Liu Ling hasn’t returned yet…”
The masked man released him, letting him fall heavily to the ground. He formed a hand sign and chanted, “Gods and ghosts, open the heavenly eye!” His eyes shone with a strange light as he scanned the surroundings. Soon, his gaze turned toward the direction where Mei Qing and the others were hiding.
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