Chapter 29: The Deity Summoning Art, Fang Qinglan’s Heart Begins to Stir

The

Yellow Court Classic

recorded a great many spells. However, only a handful were both easy to learn and suitable for Li Yanchu’s current level.

After all, he was still only at the early stage of Qi cultivation, and his spirit power was far from abundant. Especially at this stage, Daoist spells didn’t carry much offensive power. While they might seem mysterious and impressive, in actual combat their effectiveness was still inferior to Li Yanchu simply wielding the Jiaoslayer.

“Aha! This is it!” Li Yanchu’s eyes lit up.

The spell that had caught his attention was the Deity Summoning Art. Among the common folk, this technique was also known as

divine-summoning.

But this version came from the Zhengyi Daoism tradition, not illegitimate teachings nor heretical practices, and allowed one to invoke a legitimate deity from the Celestial Court.

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

“Isn’t this just like what Daoist Master Simu did?”

Li Yanchu thought of the movie

Mr. Vampire IV

[1] and Daoist Master Simu[2] stamping the ground to invite the ancestor spirit to possess him, then going on to thrash a zombie that no one else could handle. This was a spell that could temporarily boost combat strength.

Li Yanchu studied the cultivation method of the Deity Summoning Art in detail, and quickly committed it to memory. According to the

Yellow Court Classic

, however, legitimate gods of the Celestial Court did not possess human bodies. That kind of possession was something only illegitimate gods and demonic entities engaged in.

This Deity Summoning Art was about invoking divine power, not divine possession. The greater the cultivator’s Daoist cultivation, the greater the divine power they could call down.

But divine power was a heavy burden, and not something easily borne by just anyone. It placed great demands on one’s mental state and moral character. Those with impure hearts or selfish intentions could not invoke the power of legitimate gods at all.

As he read on, Li Yanchu suddenly thought of a question,

Does this world also have a Celestial Court and an Underworld

?

That was how it was described in the

Yellow Court Classic

, but whether such realms truly existed, Li Yanchu wasn’t entirely sure. Perhaps it was just a traditional way of naming certain cultivation methods.

In this life, the nation Li Yanchu lived in was called the Kingdom of Qian. It didn’t match any dynasty he’d previously known, and its cultural background, history, customs, and social atmosphere were all different.

However, the differences weren’t extreme either. It felt more like a composite of elements from several historical periods. Some of the myths and legends also bore striking similarities to ones he’d heard before.

Li Yanchu shifted his focus back to the Deity Summoning Art, carefully reviewing its cultivation method and limitations.

“Talented individuals can master the basics in as little as five days? While others may need three to five years?” Li Yanchu muttered thoughtfully.

Here, “mastering the basics“ didn’t just mean memorizing the spell and performing it correctly. It also meant being able to sense a trace of Divine Dao aura. This was something mystical and elusive, yet absolutely essential. Sensing Divine Dao aura was the foundation, and it was the threshold for cultivating the Deity Summoning Art.

Once he had memorized the technique in full, Li Yanchu began his first attempt at cultivation. He followed the method step by step, circulating spirit qi through his body while silently chanting the incantation.

The technique didn’t demand much in terms of spirit qi. What it emphasized was one’s ability to sense Divine Dao aura, and the purity of one’s heart and mind. For Li Yanchu’s current level, it was perfectly suited.

When the chant came to an end, his inner spirit qi also completed a full circulation cycle. Then, from the depths of the void above, a beam of golden light seemed to descend and landed softly on Li Yanchu’s body.

A gentle warmth spread through him, an indescribable feeling of comfort. His heart filled with a sense of uprightness, righteousness, and bold determination to press ever forward.

Feeling this aura, which matched the description in the text almost exactly, Li Yanchu was left utterly stunned.

This was the Divine Dao aura!

“Didn't it say that the fastest a gifted person could get started was five days? And I’ve already succeeded?” Li Yanchu was a little stunned.

It felt as though something incredible had happened to him. Had his comprehension stat been maxed out or something?

Even back when he was cultivating martial arts, it had always felt like he was guided by divine inspiration. He’d learned the basics quickly, and would often fall into states of sudden insight that most martial artists could only dream of attaining in a lifetime.

Li Yanchu’s lips curled into a wide smile; he was delighted, and he immediately continued cultivating.

***

Meanwhile, something major had happened in Wei City. Fang Qinglan was seen chasing down a bodyguard in the street with sword in hand.

The man she pursued was a member of the Northern Changsong Escort Agency, passing through Wei City while escorting a shipment of goods. As it happened, Fang Qinglan had been patrolling the street that day, and the moment she laid eyes on him, she attacked without a word.

To the onlookers, it seemed the two barely exchanged words before the fight broke out. The bodyguard, injured, fled desperately toward the city outskirts. In the end, he was caught and slain at the city gates by Fang Qinglan.

The incident caused an uproar. It was nearing the Qingyi Festival, and many young nobles, wealthy merchants, prestigious families, and traveling martial heroes had gathered in Wei City. A public killing in broad daylight immediately stirred intense public debate.

However, it was soon confirmed by the

yamen

that the man Fang Qinglan had killed was a wanted criminal, pursued by the government. He had multiple lives on his hands and was known for his brutal and vicious nature. Plus, Fang Qinglan had been invited by Head Constable Wang to assist the county

yamen

in Wei City and was officially acting as an officer of the law.

After recognizing the wanted criminal on the street, the man had immediately tried to flee and, in desperation, attempted to take innocent civilians hostage. Fang Qinglan had no choice but to chase him down.

Once this incident was made public, the

yamen

gave her high praise and commendation, and the people of Wei City couldn’t stop singing her praises. Young and beautiful, highly skilled in martial arts, and with a heart full of righteousness, Fang Qinglan quickly became well known.

“Miss Qinglan, your sharp eyes are truly admirable,” Li Yanchu said with a tone of genuine praise.

Opposite him, Fang Qinglan sat upright and proper. Her lovely face was cold and stern, even colder than when they had first met.

“How could I compare to you,Daoist Master Yanchu?” she replied coolly.

Li Yanchu scratched his head and asked, “Did I do something recently to offend you, Miss Qinglan?”

“No.” She shook her head.

“Then why are you treating me so coldly?”

“Heh.” Fang Qinglan’s expression remained frosty, but a flash of well-concealed grievance flickered in her eyes.

Li Yanchu chuckled and said, “If I’ve done anything wrong, Miss Qinglan, please feel free to tell me.”

Her gaze softened slightly, and she looked like she was about to say something. But just then, the innkeeper of the Taiping Inn came over with a gentle smile, carrying a steaming pot of tea.

Fang Qinglan immediately reverted to her aloof demeanor, her expression once again cold and distant.

“What are you two chatting about?” the innkeeper asked sweetly, her voice like tinkling bells.

Her figure was curvaceous, her face gorgeous. Right now her complexion positively glowed, like the earth in spring, nourished by rain.

“Nothing much. I have official business to attend to,” Fang Qinglan said as she rose, iron sword in hand, and left.

Hearing this, Li Yanchu could only shake his head and smile wryly.

However, the innkeeper didn’t mind in the slightest. She took the opportunity to sit down beside Li Yanchu and began chatting with him casually.

Fang Qinglan glanced back unintentionally and saw the two of them laughing and talking as if no one else existed. A trace of bitterness flickered through her heart.

But she was, after all, a woman of the

jianghu

, and she quickly adjusted her mindset. She threw herself completely into the task of apprehending fugitives. If Li Yanchu could capture a wanted murderer like Liang Qi, then she, Fang Qinglan, had to do even better.

It was precisely this emotional drive that had led her to memorize the faces and names of the government’s most wanted criminals, and that was why she’d been able to instantly recognize that escort bodyguard in the street.

Fang Qinglan liked Li Yanchu. She hadn’t realized it clearly until she found out about the relationship between her sister and Li Yanchu. Before that, she’d assumed it was just a vague fondness, a budding crush. But the bitter taste now lingering in her chest was unfamiliar and undeniable.

1. Mr. Vampire IV, also known as Mr. Vampire Saga Four (Chinese: 殭屍叔叔) is a 1988 Hong Kong comedy horror film directed by Ricky Lau and produced by Sammo Hung and Jessica Chan. The film is the fourth of a series of five films directed by Ricky Lau in the Mr. Vampire franchise. ☜

2. Daoist Master Simu is a character in the supernatural zombie films Mr. Vampire IV, portrayed by Chen You. As a corpse-bearing Daoist, Daoist Master Simu bears the solemn duty of transporting corpses back to their hometowns. ☜