Chapter 414: Mountain Village Ritual

"Ba people's salt-boiling field?"

Li Yan frowned after hearing this.

"That's right."

"Fast Boat Zhang" nodded, "There are many such places. Along the Yangtze River in Badong and Wushan, especially in Wuxi, they can be seen everywhere, and you can also see the hanging coffins of the ancient Ba people."

"There is nothing strange inside. Occasionally you can find some broken pottery and ironware, none of which are valuable, so no one cares."

"This matter is not strange."

Wang Daoxuan looked around and stroked his beard, "This place is where the ancient Ba State was located. Near Wuxi, it is very likely the Wuxian State rumored in the Classic of Mountains and Seas."

"The Ba State obtained its salt, without plowing or weaving, it was clothing; without farming or harvesting, it was food. They relied on selling salt to have no worries about food and drink, so salt is called 'Yanba', and they were later destroyed because of this."

"The nest of the 'Guest in the Fog' is in the salt field. I think its roots are mostly related to the ancient Ba State..."

As he spoke, he looked at Li Yan.

No need to say it clearly, Li Yan immediately knew what he meant.

The most terrible thing in this world is time. If you don't ascend to divinity, it will eventually be a vanity, even for those monsters and ghosts.

From the prehistoric era to the present, still able to survive...

Definitely not an ordinary ghost!

"This matter cannot be careless."

Li Yan pondered slightly and said, "First help the Zhang family get through this disaster, and wait until we figure out the roots of that thing before making plans."

Zhang Sibei was a bit disappointed. According to his idea, since they were experts, they should just kill the evil spirits directly. Why be so cautious?

But seeing "Fast Boat Zhang" obeying Li Yan, he couldn't say anything more, and let people re-bury the grave and return.

As for that snake spirit, it seemed to be scared out of its wits, not daring to enter the village even if it died, and slipped into the grass, running away without a trace.

Returning to Jinyang Terrace, it was already afternoon.

Looking at the knife mountain already set up outside the door, Li Yan pondered for a while, then stepped forward, cupped his hands to Xie Chengzu and said, "Senior, we found some things..."

This Xie Chengzu can be considered a local warlock. Being able to insist on staying, although there was an element of fighting spirit, it was also well-intentioned.

To prevent accidents, Li Yan didn't hide it.

"Old salt field?"

Xie Chengzu frowned even tighter after hearing this, "What the 'Guest in the Fog' is, I don't know either. The only thing I can do is communicate with it tonight and try to find out its roots."

"If something happens again tonight, you'd better persuade the Zhang family to move away early. Whether it's Qingcheng or Wudang, as long as you live at the foot of the mountain, that thing shouldn't go to harass you."

"Senior is right."

Li Yan smiled slightly and tried to ask, "Senior, I think your cloth for covering the gods is good, I wonder if you can part with it?"

Xie Chengzu raised his eyebrows, his eyes full of suspicion, "That thing, I also found it by accident, and it's very handy to use."

"If you really want it, then... then give two thousand taels!"

Trading magic tools is not a big deal. He gritted his teeth and reported a not-so-small number, thinking that he would have to bargain.

Who knew, Li Yan reached out directly, "Deal!"

"Old Sha, give the money!"

"Ah?"

Xie Chengzu was a bit stunned, hesitated for a moment, nodded and said, "Good, that thing belongs to you. And that 'Duhuo Divine Coffin', it's not a good thing. Once taken out, it's useless. It's better to destroy it early."

Li Yan was so generous, he felt that he had suffered a loss.

But he couldn't understand this thing, it was of little use in his hands, and it was better to exchange it for some silver to renovate the ancestral altar...

Returning to the Zhang family, everyone immediately started to get busy.

Wang Daoxuan took the compass, wandered around the front and back of the house, occasionally inserted a few red sticks, wrapped them with red rope, and tied them with victory coins.

Lu San pulled out the increasingly fat Mouse One and Mouse Two. With an order, all the house mice in Jinyang Terrace began to stir, running in all directions to monitor.

Sha Lifei and Wu Ba prepared their weapons respectively.

As for Li Yan, he came to the box containing the "Duhuo Divine Coffin" and grabbed the dirty red cloth without saying a word.

Instantly, a force poured into the Great Luo Dala Dala Fa Shen.

Li Yan closed his eyes slightly and observed internally.

He saw that the texture on the Great Luo Dala Dala Fa Shen changed again.

Originally, this treasure was of broken bluestone quality, later repaired and enhanced, and had become like ceramic.

And now, light golden patterns appeared on it, outlining on the lotus platform below, seemingly trying to depict the outline.

Unfortunately, the fortune contained in the cloth for covering the gods was too little, only outlining two lotus petals, and it had no effect.

Still increasing strength!

Li Yan felt inexplicably disappointed.

It's not that it's bad, but there is no new change.

The Great Luo Dala Dala Fa Shen now has three changes.

One is repair, two is enhancement, three is absorbing divine gang energy, increasing the power and length of the soul-hooking thunder rope.

Perhaps, only by further improving the Great Luo Dala Dala Fa Shen can new changes appear...

The cloth for covering the gods had no effect, and the aura of the "Duhuo" was revealed again. This time it was felt more clearly, seemingly fragrant, but it carried a coldness that made people uncomfortable.

Li Yan was thoughtful and put his hand on it again.

This kind of precious herb also belongs to Heavenly Treasure.

But precious herbs are more suitable for curing diseases and refining medicine. For example, the precious herb Yanlingcao they found was refined into pills by Wang Jingxiu. Once taken, it could immediately stop bleeding and heal wounds.

At critical moments, it could save lives.

He has the Great Luo Dala Dala Fa Shen, but other companions can use it.

And destroying this one directly is a pity.

This was the first time Li Yan absorbed a precious herb. According to speculation, this kind of thing with strong vitality can usually be used to repair the Dala Dala Fa Shen.

Sure enough, a stream of fortune poured in, and the Great Luo Dala Dala Fa Shen, which was already perfect, had no change at all.

Li Yan frowned, stopped immediately, took out a soul-breaking flying knife, and cut open the coffin-shaped Duhuo directly.

Accompanied by a cold stench, a stream of black pus flowed out.

Flowing out with the black pus was a strange insect, a bit like a cicada, but with a centipede body, stiff all over, and already dead.

Others also ran over to watch.

Seeing this, they shook their heads one after another, and no one recognized this thing.

And Li Yan looked at this insect, inexplicably thinking of the Liu Gang couple, who prepared an Earth Immortal body for themselves.

This thing was a body prepared by the ghost-god for himself.

Could it be the same path...

Although this strange insect was dead, it was stinking all over, emitting an unsettling smell, obviously not a good thing.

"Wait."

Li Yan was about to use the thunder method to destroy it, but Wang Daoxuan suddenly opened his mouth and shook his head, "I have gained some insights recently, I can use the 'Seven Arrows Secret Curse' to make this thing into a trap. Even if it doesn't curse the evil thing to death, it can find where the other party is."

Sha Lifei on the side laughed, "Daoist, your curse method is so talented, why keep hiding it, just change your profession..."

Wang Daoxuan smiled bitterly and shook his head, not knowing what to say.

Jokes aside, the Daoist didn't hesitate at all, quickly found a straw man, pinched the magic formula while writing the talisman, and finally stuffed the insect into the straw man and tied it with red thread.

The Wang Daoxuan altar was set up in the backyard, and the front yard was Hall Opera. Li Yan also walked out of the courtyard, and after inserting all the Five Directions Luo Feng Flags, he was completely ready.

He looked into the distance, killing intent hidden in his eyes.

With so many preparations, even if the other party is a mountain god, he will have to peel off a layer of skin if he comes.

Their strength is no longer what it used to be...

…………

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Night fell, and the sound of gongs and drums rang out.

The entire Zhang family mansion was brightly lit, while the other common people in Jinyang Terrace closed their doors and windows, and hung peach branches and charcoal at the door to ward off evil.

The village is remote. In the past, when someone came to sing opera, even the worst opera troupe, they would run to join in the fun.

But now, no one dares to approach.

Walking in the mountains all year round, they are more taboo about these things.

The Zhang family has money, so they naturally won't be stingy with funerals, but many servants have run away, and even the invited chefs have left early.

!.

Therefore, the food is really not good.

Meatballs, tofu, winter melon, cabbage, cured meat, stewed in a large pot, soaked with dead flour cakes, can fill the stomach.

Li Yan, Sha Lifei, and Wu Ba each took a large bowl and squatted on the steps of the front yard, eating while watching the opera.

That "Yellow Baby" comes to hook souls, mostly at midnight.

It's still early, and they have already made preparations, so naturally they have the leisure to watch the opera.

This opera troupe is also particular. Even if there are only a few of them, they still open the opera properly.

Clang clang clang!

A rush of gongs and drums is the opening music.

Soon, a girl dressed as a young maid appeared, moving with small steps, holding four characters in her hand, singing while hanging them in the four directions of east, west, north, and south.

They were written respectively: Fortune, Prosperity, Longevity, Happiness.

Soon, a clown ran out with clappers, shaking his head and singing, "In the first month, it's the New Year, firecrackers sound through the New Year. The spring breeze in the second month is like scissors, cutting out willow leaves that are fine and clever..."

This is the board book "Twelve Months", which is almost everywhere in the country. Added to the previous sending of characters, in some opera troupes, it is called "Setting the Stage".

After "Setting the Stage", the main play begins.

They use the local dialect, and the singing style is similar to folk songs, with a mountain village flavor, which is completely different from Qin Opera and Chu Opera.

To be honest, it is difficult to enter the elegant hall, but it is also quite interesting.

Li Yan and the others couldn't understand many of them, but they could vaguely see that they were singing "Walking Horse Recommending Ge", and added many folk slang dialogues. The civil and military officials blew their beards and stared, making several people laugh.

And that Xie Chengzu sat in another room, holding wooden boards made of ox horn, burning incense and praying, shaking them with a clattering sound.

From the moment night fell, he kept divining, once every half an hour, and his face became uglier and uglier.

Finally, after his disciples finished a play, Xie Chengzu walked out directly and shouted, "Stop singing, set up the altar, start directly!"

"Women, the elderly, and those in poor health, all leave the Zhang family, no matter what you see, don't come over."

"You guys, prepare with me!"

Zhang Sibei also asked him for help to prevent accidents.

As for Li Yan and the others, they politely declined. They were here to help, and taking money would lower their status.

Two groups of people took action at the same time. Originally, it was a taboo, but the situation was complicated, so both sides used their own means to help the Zhang family overcome the disaster.

Soon, a magic altar was set up outside.

The appearance of the magic altar was similar to that of the Daoist Mystic Sect, but the god statue worshipped was a majestic white tiger.

The Tujia people believe that all things have spirits.

Some of them worship ancestral gods, such as ancient earth kings, eight-part gods, etc., and some also worship Meishan gods.

Worshipping the white tiger is because they call themselves "descendants of the white tiger".

Xie Chengzu was also ready, wearing a red magic robe, wrapped in black cloth, and wearing a ferocious Nuo mask on his face.

The incense smoke curled up on the god altar. Amidst the sound of gongs, drums, and suona, Xie Chengzu wore a Nuo mask, dancing and chanting spells, holding a handful of incense to worship the eight directions, heaven and earth, and all gods.

Although different from the Daoist Mystic Sect, Li Yan could still smell a vast force gathering from the mountain forest.

This is the mountain gang evil, carrying a trace of ferocity and solemnity.

Bai Hu God...

Li Yan vaguely guessed the identity.

This kind of vulgar god cannot be separated from incense.

The identity of the Bai Hu God is the ancient Lin Jun, the founder of the Ba State, worshipped by the Tujia people for generations, stretching for thousands of years, naturally a powerful vulgar god.

This place is where the ancient Ba State was located, and its power is even stronger.

And Xie Chengzu also entered a wonderful state. He held salt, sprinkled it everywhere, held ox horns, chanted spells, and took off his shoes.

Beside the magic altar, there were three young men, naked on their upper bodies, wrapped in black cloth, also barefoot, kowtowing to the god altar.

Whoosh~

A gust of wind blew, the salt on the ground rolled, gathering under the feet of the young man in the middle, gathering more and more.

And that young man also instantly rolled his eyes, trembling constantly, and stood up in a strange posture.

Xie Chengzu immediately stepped forward, carried the young man on his back, waved the ox horn, and walked step by step towards the knife mountain.

This knife mountain is divided into two parts, one part lies horizontally on the ground, and the other part forms a ladder, hanging high.

Seeing everyone watching intently, "Fast Boat Zhang" whispered on the side, "I've heard of this thing. There are seventy-two knives on the ground, called 'Stepping Earth Knife', and thirty-six knives on the ladder, called 'Stepping Heaven Knife'."

Wang Daoxuan said thoughtfully, "It's a bit like the Jitong method, and also has the path of Tiangang and Disha. It seems that with the fusion of Tujia and Han, the magic arts are also changing..."

"Roar!"

Coming to the earth knife, the disciple who was originally trembling suddenly changed like a different person, suddenly raised his head, let out a tiger roar, and jumped out, stepping directly on the blade.

"Hiss——!"

Seeing this, Sha Lifei gasped, feeling a chill down his spine instinctively.

Not because of fear, but an instinctive chill on his back.

The blade was sharp, shining with cold light under the torch, and the disciple landed heavily, but was unharmed.

He walked while dancing.

Xie Chengzu was also beside him, constantly waving the ox horn and chanting spells, dancing Nuo dance, seemingly cheering him on.

Whoosh~

Just after taking twelve steps, suddenly a Yin wind blew.

"It's here!"

Li Yan frowned and looked into the distance.

At this moment, the bright moon was high in the night, so everyone could see clearly that in the dark mountain forest in the distance, white fog surged like a tide, and soon submerged the entire village.

"Something's wrong!"

Li Yan suddenly felt a chill on his back, and a disgusting smell rushed into his nostrils, and it was vaguely familiar.

Guanzhong, cave, Japanese monk...

Wang Daoxuan on the side also jumped his eyebrows, his face ugly, "What 'Guest in the Fog', it is clearly a 'Sheng' god, the evil energy of heaven and earth. No wonder Lingyun Temple can only suppress it."

"Quick, make them stop the ritual!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 415 =====