"This Exorcism Talisman is somewhat like a Protective Talisman for personal safety, or maybe a Magical Artifact for protecting one's home," Zhao Yuan commented. He had wanted to try making an Exorcism Talisman to see its effects, but unfortunately, he didn't have the necessary Five Elements Coin. He had to give up on the idea and started making Soul-Stabilizing Incense instead.
A little over two hours later, countless Incense Threads covered the entire room. All they needed was to dry before he could pack them in a box and send them to Fang Yi.
After packing up, Zhao Yuan left his rental unit. He saw his neighbors standing in the hallway taking deep breaths and couldn't help but feel puzzled.
'What's going on? Working out in the middle of the night? Are they crazy?'
How could he have known that his neighbors hadn't run into the hallway in the middle of the night to work out, but to inhale a bit more of the Soul-Stabilizing Incense's scent?
For the past few days, the neighbors had searched everywhere for the source of the Soul-Stabilizing Incense but found no trace of it, forcing them to give up. However, every time the scent wafted out, they would run into the hallway to take a few whiffs. In the past, the scent would be gone after a few breaths, but today was different. Because Zhao Yuan had made such a large batch, the aroma was thick and did not disperse; they couldn't seem to breathe it all in. That was why Zhao Yuan had witnessed such a bizarre scene when he came out.
Shaking his head, Zhao Yuan left.
Watching his retreating figure, the neighbors also shook their heads.
"He really doesn't know how to appreciate it!"
"Isn't that the truth? Usually, the magical scent is gone in a couple of breaths. It's rare for there to be so much today, but he didn't even take a sniff and just left. I really don't know what he was thinking."
"Just you watch, he'll definitely regret it!"
The neighbors whispered amongst themselves.
If they knew that Zhao Yuan was the one who had concocted this magical scent, one could only wonder what they would think.
Back at the dorm, it was already time for lights-out.
For once, Liu Zhu wasn't on his computer. He was on his phone, chatting on WeChat. Seeing Zhao Yuan return, he asked curiously, "Where'd you go? How come you're back so late? You even missed today's training."
"Sorry, something came up and I got held back."
Zhao Yuan didn't mention helping the police catch drug dealers because he was never the type of person who liked to show off.
Liu Zhu didn't press him. He had seen how hard Zhao Yuan had been training and how rapidly he was improving these past few days. Missing one or two days was no big deal.
As they spoke, a bell rang, and the dorm lights went out. Zhao Yuan fumbled his way to the balcony in the dark to quickly wash his face and feet. He then returned to his room, lit a stick of Soul-Stabilizing Incense, and lay down on his bed. Immersed in the refreshing, soul-soothing fragrance, he activated his Concentration Technique and began studying the final two major sections of Traditional Chinese Medical Theory on the Information Leaf...
γSoon, it was noon the next day.γ
It was a Saturday, and his three dorm brothers had all gone out early that morning.
In recent days, Liu Zhu and Wang Rongfeng had gotten quite serious with Qi Xia and Luo Dan from Lin Xue's dorm. Now that it was the weekend, the two new couples naturally went out to spend some quality time together. As for Wu Yan, even though he'd struck out with Yang Zi, he lived up to his reputation as the "Casanova of 301." He had immediately switched targets and was now seeing a girl from the art school, so he was out on a date too. That left Zhao Yuan alone in the dorm. He gladly welcomed the peace and quiet, lighting some Soul-Stabilizing Incense, activating his Concentration Technique, and studying at a leisurely pace.
Suddenly, his phone rang. He picked it up and saw it was a call from Fang Yi.
"Brother Fang, what's up?" Zhao Yuan asked after answering the call.
"Didn't you ask me to look into the Spiritual Snake Nine Probing Needle Technique yesterday? I have news," Fang Yi said. "A famous doctor in Jing City, He Chengwei, knows this Acupuncture Technique. It's said to be a family heirloom of the He Family. But..."
"But what?"
"But part of the Acupuncture Technique has been lost. It's said that He Chengwei only knows four of the 'probes'."
Zhao Yuan frowned and asked, "Do you know which four probes they are?"
'To treat Corpse Heart Syndrome, I don't need all nine probes, just the two moves 'Spiritual Snake Probing the Moon' and 'Spiritual Snake Sea Exploration'. I just don't know if the four probes He Chengwei knows include these two.'
"I'm not sure about that. He Chengwei hasn't used the Spiritual Snake Nine Probing Needle Technique in many years."
This answer was a little disappointing to Zhao Yuan. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Brother Fang, could you please text me Dr. He's specific address?"
'I've made up my mind. Regardless of which four probes He Chengwei knows, I'll take Yu Ke to see him first and we'll figure it out from there.'
"Alright," Fang Yi agreed. After hanging up, he immediately sent He Chengwei's specific address.
Zhao Yuan then called Yu Ke.
The call connected, and Yu Ke's voice came through. "What is it?"
Zhao Yuan said, "Teacher Yu, I had a friend do some digging, and he found a doctor in Jing City with the surname He who knows the Spiritual Snake Nine Probing Needle Technique. Are you free today? We could take a trip and ask him to treat your Corpse Heart Syndrome."
Yu Ke replied, "I'm in the anatomy building; I still have a little work to do. How about this: if you're not busy, come wait for me here. I'll leave as soon as I'm done."
"Okay," Zhao Yuan agreed. After hanging up, he headed to the anatomy building. It was a good chance to change the White Cat's dressing anyway.
Just like before, when the White Cat came to have its dressing changed, it brought Zhao Yuan a 'consultation fee'. This time, it was carrying a poor little turtle in its mouth. Who knew where it came from, but it was so scared that all four limbs were retracted into its shell. And just as always, Zhao Yuan had the White Cat release it.
By the time Zhao Yuan finished changing the White Cat's dressing, Yu Ke had also finished her work. She walked over, stroked the White Cat's head, and asked, "Shall we go now?"
"Let's go," Zhao Yuan nodded.
"Wait for me at the west gate. I'll go get the car," said Yu Ke.
"Okay," Zhao Yuan agreed, then said to the White Cat, "Go on, come back tomorrow to get your dressing changed."
Usually, after hearing these words from Zhao Yuan, the White Cat would obediently leave. But today, it didn't go. Instead, it just cried "MEOW MEOW" at Zhao Yuan. Zhao Yuan didn't understand what it wanted and paid it no mind, turning to leave. To his surprise, it followed closely behind him.
"It doesn't want to come with us, does it?" Yu Ke glanced at the White Cat and said, "Why don't we just take it with us?"
"That's probably not a good idea..." Before Zhao Yuan could finish his sentence, the White Cat leaped up and landed directly on his shoulder, refusing to leave.
"Looks like it's latched onto you. Now you have to take it," Yu Ke said, unable to hold back a laugh.
Resigned, Zhao Yuan could only bring the White Cat along. He couldn't help but wonder, 'The last time the White Cat acted strangely, it led me to discover that Teacher Yu's Evil Qi hadn't diminished but had actually gotten worse. Now it's acting strangely again. Does this mean something else is about to happen?'
But he quickly shook his head, dismissing his own speculation. 'I'm overthinking it. Last time was probably just a coincidence...'