Chapter 50: Qi Gong, Willow Blade Technique, Blood Curse Technique

The six sect arts were displayed one by one, examined in sequence.

Earth arts: Fire Basin Exorcism, Swallowing Wealth, Chopstick Pinch Method

Strange arts: Qi Gong · The Chart of Abstaining from Grains and Guiding Qi, Willow Blade Technique, Blood Curse Technique

First, the Earth arts.

① Fire Basin Exorcism originated from ancient folk customs; people believed the fire basin symbolized mountains of blades and seas of fire—representing hardship and obstacles—and by leaping over it, one could expel evil spirits and bad luck, a practice still common in many regions during weddings.

This method is correct, but its effect is weak, only capable of expelling minor ghosts and slight misfortunes.

Note: Must burn wormwood.

② Swallowing Wealth is a slightly sinister wealth-harming art; its exact origin is unknown. Raise a toad raised in darkness, fed human bones and corpse oil, then feed the target’s hair, nails, and other personal items to the toad; the toad will instantly die, and over the next three days, the target will lose a sum of money significant to them.

In ancient times, this was used by folk shamans to punish and intimidate those who disbelieved them.

Note: This art simultaneously diminishes your own fortune—it harms others but harms yourself more.

③ Chopstick Pinch Method, full name Red Chopstick Pinch Finger Exorcism; ancients believed fingers were intimately connected to all parts of the body and to heaven and earth, especially the middle finger, which linked human and cosmos. Red chopsticks, red in color, flat above and rounded below, symbolize yin and yang. Pinching the second joint of the middle finger severs this connection, allowing ghosts and evil spirits within to be pinched out.

This is a common folk method, used by Taoists and laypeople alike, with no inherent good or evil nature.

Note: If the possessing entity is too fierce and prepared, forcibly pinching it out may injure the possessed.

After viewing the three Earth arts, Louis stroked his chin in thought.

These three Earth arts seemed decent, especially Fire Basin Exorcism and Chopstick Pinch Method—they could actually expel possession. He remembered in many foreign horror films, once possessed, it was nearly impossible to handle; now, this was useful.

As for Swallowing Wealth, it was indeed a good way to harm others, but useless to him—he had money, and if he wanted to hurt someone, he wouldn’t risk his own fortune; it was rather redundant.

Still, these were merely appetizers.

Now, let’s see the main course.

① Qi Gong · The Chart of Abstaining from Grains and Guiding Qi

Qi Gong is a traditional exercise for health and longevity, but its origins lie in ancient Neidan Dao and primordial Qi cultivation; later modified, combined, and simplified into an excellent Foundation Establishment method.

Due to its widespread circulation and universal usefulness regardless of moral alignment, it was included in folk canons.

In modern times, after further reform, it branched into many varieties, mixed and uneven, with varying talent requirements—some emphasized external training, granting invulnerability to blades and weapons and boundless strength; others focused on Foundation Establishment, extending lifespan and suiting Dao cultivation…

This Qi Gong is the original method, a pure Foundation Establishment path, with superior results!

At entry level, it strengthens the body; at proficiency, it prevents all illness and greatly increases stamina; at mastery, internal Qi is born, and one steps onto a path unlike that of ordinary mortals.

Reading the detailed description, Louis’s eyes lit up—was this… the Fundamental Art?

No, merely a tiny fragment of the Fundamental Art.

The true Fundamental Art was far stronger.

Even so, Louis couldn’t help but smile.

Finally, finally!

Finally, something that strengthens the body!

So far, all the Earth arts given were weak—scaring ghosts, picking locks—when facing true threats, he’d only be able to run.

Oh, fire arts were somewhat useful, but using them often or strongly drained Yang Qi, even lifespan!

Now, with this, he no longer needed to fear the side effect of consuming his lifespan.

“Phew~ Finally, something core.”

Louis carefully reread this Qi Gong before turning his attention to the other two Strange arts.

② Willow Blade Technique

This is a ghost-killing art!

Willow branches have long possessed the power to strike ghosts; with special methods, willow leaves can directly kill ghosts.

Harvest fresh willow leaves from shadowed places, hold them in hand, inscribe incantation characters, blow three times; concentrate your intent during each blow. Only on the third blow, if you can make the leaf fly from your hand, does it prove your intent is strong enough—then the leaf flies out, killing the ghost or soul you target.

This art also has entry, proficiency, and mastery levels.

Entry level can be used by ordinary humans, but with relatively weak effect.

At proficiency, power increases but consumes more essence, spirit, and energy; overuse causes splitting headaches and even mental impairment.

Mastery can only be achieved after formally entering cultivation and cultivating the Yin Spirit, unlocking the art’s full power.

③ Blood Curse Technique

A terrifying, cruel, and sinister curse art.

Also originating from folk traditions, but unlike folk lineages, this art originally connected closely to sects like the White Lotus, later merging with Lingnan’s Teng arts to form this Blood Curse Technique.

This art is both a curse and a cursed artifact.

Collect vast quantities of blood to refine Blood Essence, then use a human body as a nest—living humans best, corpses second; the stronger the flesh, the better. Cover the corpse entirely with talismans inscribed with curses, seal the seven orifices of the face, let countless corpse worms inside feed on the Blood Essence, grow, gnaw, and kill each other until the corpse becomes an empty skin, and the final worm transforms into a blood-red sphere like jade.

This blood sphere is the Blood Curse Technique; it can curse-kill anything before you—the stronger the target, the more it consumes, until exhausted.

Note 1: This blood sphere cannot be replenished—only re-created; its process is so cruel that users risk demonic obsession and persecution by orthodox sects!

Note 2: Its advanced methods are recorded in the Left Path section.

…

Looking at these two arts, Louis fell silent.

The killing… is heavy.

One art kills ghosts and annihilates souls; one is a bloody curse-killing technique.

Neither is easy to handle.

Just reading their descriptions, Louis could imagine how terrifying those who used them must be.

They killed without trace.

These two arts revealed to Louis the true dangers of the Left Path.

Is this the Left Path?

No wonder it draws close to demons and heretics—some of its arts are indeed cruel and ruthless.

But I like it.

Louis’s lips curled slightly.

In this land of drug lords, murderers, and psychopaths, isn’t it perfect?

Besides, won’t any orthodox practitioners ever show up to punish me?

So what’s there to worry about?

“Earth arts and Strange arts are different—one Foundation Establishment art, one ghost-annihilating art, one curse-killing art—far stronger than Earth arts.”

“I just wonder how long it’ll take to master them.”

Looking at these three Strange arts, Louis felt he’d need to devote his focus to them for a long time ahead.

(End of Chapter)