Chapter 56: Daoist Priest Master Yihong's Shock

Daoist Priest Yi Guan and Daoist Priest Master Yihong looked at each other in silence.

Although Su Lei had no intention of disrespecting them, her words, both spoken and implied, actually showed she did not believe in things like true qi, talismans, or consecration.

However, they did not mind; these things were not accessible to ordinary people in the first place. Daoist Priest Yi Guan had cultivated for decades yet still failed to cultivate inner breath true qi, which was why he had invited Daoist Priest Master Yihong to guide qi and perform exercises for Xiao Yanhua.

So it was normal for Su Lei to disbelieve, and if Xiao Ya had indeed encountered a fraud, then they, as elders, also bore some responsibility; after all, Xiao Ya's deep understanding of Daoist priests and Daoism was not due to their own teachings and example?

Daoist Priest Yi Guan asked, "Can you explain in detail?"

So Su Lei relayed Xiao Ya's words, roughly describing the situation that day, then said, "Xiao Ya said she originally shouldn't have told us about this, but Grandpa insisted on hanging the talisman in the study, so she had no choice but to reveal the truth."

Daoist Priest Yi Guan looked at Xiao Yanhua, "And then? Did you, Brother Xiao, agree?"

"Of course I agreed." Xiao Yanhua smiled bitterly, "Xiao Ya insisted on this for the first time; how could I go against her good intentions?"

"But every few days, Xiao Ya would ask about Dad's condition; after seeing improvement, she was convinced it was the work of that Peace Talisman." Su Lei said tactfully, "It was because of this that I discovered Xiao Ya's strange behavior."

"What is the situation with that young man?" Daoist Priest Yi Guan continued asking.

"They have only met three times!" Su Lei emphasized, "He saved her once and gave her a talisman once; I don't know what he said to Xiao Ya, but he completely bewitched her. Xiao Ya has always been a well-behaved child."

"Where is Xiao Ya?" Daoist Priest Yi Guan asked.

"She went traveling with Shishi; Shishi is Xiao Ya's university classmate and best friend." Su Lei said, "She has been quite tired recently following the folk music troupe on tour, so she went out to relax."

Daoist Priest Yi Guan looked at Daoist Priest Master Yihong.

Daoist Priest Master Yihong shook his head, "I have been to Qingcheng Mountain, but I have never met that Daoist Yan Song; however, the Qingcheng Mountain Taoist temple would not act recklessly."

Su Lei sighed, looking at Daoist Priest Yi Guan, "When Xiao Ya returns, Daoist, please help persuade her, expose that fraudster's tricks, and don't let her be deceived; after all, you are a senior of the Daoist sect, and even that fraudster would have to kowtow to you if he came."

Daoist Priest Yi Guan gave no definite answer but still said, "I will talk to her."

Daoist Priest Master Yihong seemed to remember something, "Where is the talisman drawn by that young man? Let me see it?"

"It's kept under my pillow." Xiao Yanhua said to Su Lei, "Go fetch it and show it to Senior Brother Master Yihong."

After giving the instruction, Xiao Yanhua looked at Daoist Priest Master Yihong again, "That protective talisman was drawn quite well, but I do not recognize that pattern."

Daoist Priest Master Yihong nodded and smiled, "During my trip to Yangcheng this time, I also saw a talisman; I heard it was also drawn by a young man, but that talisman was extraordinary."

"How is it extraordinary?" Daoist Priest Yi Guan asked.

Before Daoist Priest Master Yihong could speak, Su Lei brought over a yellow paper talisman folded into a triangle and handed it to Daoist Priest Master Yihong, "I looked at it; it's just ordinary yellow paper and cinnabar, probably not worth much..."

"Hmm?"

The moment he took the paper talisman, Daoist Priest Master Yihong's expression immediately changed.

When Su Lei first entered holding the paper talisman, he felt no sensation at all, but the moment he took the yellow talisman, he sensed a faint layer of spiritual power attached to its surface.

The range of this spiritual power was very small, less than one chi; a little further away, it could not be sensed at all, which explained why he had noticed nothing earlier.

"So restrained; this is..." Daoist Priest Master Yihong opened the yellow talisman and saw the runes inside.

Although he did not recognize this talisman, he was very clear, speaking in a deep voice, "This is a truly consecrated spiritual talisman, and with its spiritual energy so restrained, its effect lasts longer than ordinary consecrated spiritual talismans!"

"What?" Daoist Priest Yi Guan was startled.

"The person who drew this talisman is a high Daoist of the Complete Perfection school!" Daoist Priest Master Yihong exclaimed repeatedly, looking at Xiao Yanhua, "Brother Xiao, did your body start improving within the last month?"

A sense of incredulity surged within Xiao Yanhua, "Yes."

"This talisman was brought back for you by your granddaughter exactly one month ago?"

Xiao Yanhua continued nodding, "Yes."

Daoist Priest Master Yihong sighed, raising the yellow talisman in his hand, "Then you must truly thank your granddaughter; she obtained a real spiritual talisman for you. The improvement in your condition has nothing to do with rest or sunbathing; it is entirely the effect of this spiritual talisman."

"What?" Su Lei looked utterly disbelieving.

Daoist Priest Master Yihong folded the yellow talisman again and handed it to Xiao Yanhua, "Make a sachet and hang it around your neck; carrying it with you works better than keeping it under the pillow."

Xiao Yanhua took the paper talisman, his voice trembling slightly, "This... could it be..."

Su Lei did not believe this, but Xiao Yanhua and Daoist Priest Yi Guan were close friends, and he was also friends with Daoist Priest Master Yihong, so he knew to some extent that Daoist Priest Master Yihong possessed great skills; however, he was not a member of the Daoist sect himself, and he had never experienced such things before.

Daoist Priest Master Yihong spoke seriously to Xiao Yanhua and Su Lei, "That young man is not a fraudster; moreover, he is even stronger than me. I could not create a protective talisman with such restrained spiritual energy."

Daoist Priest Yi Guan was startled again, "Stronger than you?"

Daoist Priest Master Yihong nodded, sighing, "During this trip, I met many high masters, and there were even several young people who stood out, showing that our national fortune is prosperous."

Yangcheng, a hotel.

"Did you really argue with your mother?"

"Yes."

"Do you really want to stay in Yangcheng with me?"

"Yes."

Jiang Shishi's expression was complex, "My father doesn't love me, my mother doesn't love me; I can go wherever I want. You have many more concerns. Besides, I truly cannot stay in the Yan Du Folk Music Troupe, but if you want to stay, isn't it just a matter of your mother saying one word?"

Xiao Ya nodded, "We promised to be together forever."

Jiang Shishi laughed in anger, "Let's speak plainly between honest people; I came for Gu Zhao. Are you here to accompany me, or to compete with me?"

"There are so many people pursuing you in the folk music troupe, including many excellent ones." Xiao Ya bit her lower lip lightly and asked in return, "You have only met Gu Zhao three times; how could you chase him all the way to Yangcheng?"

"Because he can give me a sense of security." Jiang Shishi's eyes sparkled, "He is handsome, has a good personality, doesn't overthink, not only has a kind heart, but can also protect people at critical moments and never fails. Such treasure boys are rare; if you meet one, of course you must seize the opportunity."

Xiao Ya said gloomily, "And he also has magical abilities, different from others."

"It seems you have thought about this a lot." Jiang Shishi pouted, speaking half as a threat and half as comfort, "Don't blame me for not reminding you; think it over carefully. You lied to Auntie saying you came out traveling with me. If you don't return, be careful that Auntie comes chasing after you."

"Let her come chase; anyway, you are with me. Besides..." Xiao Ya glanced at Jiang Shishi, "At that time, you even told me to join you and go up, suck..."

"Ahhh!" Jiang Shishi completely lost her composure, pouncing on Xiao Ya, "You are usually quiet and gentle; you are the real female hooligan! I was just joking with you!"

Xiao Ya giggled, "I took it seriously. We agreed back then: good sisters, for a lifetime, never separated."

Residential area, bedroom.

Gu Zhao lay on the bed, torn between Jiang Shishi and Xiao Ya, while asking Daoist Yan Song, "How did you gather another wave of malevolent Qi? Did you go out hunting?"