Chapter Seven, Five Thunder Stone

Yang Yuanshan nodded and said: "Your fate is quite special; I have never seen such a misfortunate fate as yours. Rest assured, I will do my best to save you. However, the matter of the turtle blood nail is the most urgent; we must resolve that before I can find time to help you. I will first draw a protective spell to suppress the malevolent energy within you, so that you can move freely. Please unbutton your shirt."

Ah?! Along with myself, Mr. Wu and Uncle Zhou, as well as several villagers present, all exclaimed in unison.

Yang Yuanshan carefully examined me from head to toe, then said: "How could you have rushed into such malevolent energy? Moreover... it is quite serious!"

Mr. Wu shook his head in embarrassment, his feelings of shame evident: "Mr. Yang truly deserves to be called a master of the Esoteric Buddhism. Just in terms of such techniques, I fear that in my entire life I could hardly reach even half of it. Mr. Yang, please proceed with your methods to break the tortoise blood nail; we will immediately retreat!"

After speaking, Yang Yuanshan raised the small cloth bag in his hand and continued: "This is the Five Thunder Stone, transformed by the Five Thunder incantation. Due to the excessive yang energy in this area, the yin malevolent energy has reached an extreme point. Therefore, I am concerned that if we attempt to refine the Five Thunder Stone here, it will disrupt the current state of this place. However, the power of the Five Thunder Stone is immense; the destructive force resulting from the collision of extreme yang and extreme yin energies is something I believe you understand. I will use the Five Thunder Finger Seal to strike the Five Thunder Stone towards the Turtle Blood Nail, and you, along with *Tu* *Shu* and the remaining individuals, must take some precautions and avoid it."

I am currently looking at Mr. Wu's head, which resembles a ripe watermelon, and I feel an urge to crack it open. It seems that I have truly reached a boiling point. I had initially thought that taking a break would suffice, but now... I immediately asked, "Mr. Yang, do you think my condition is that serious?"

Originally, I was thrilled to see the esteemed Yang Yuanshan, but at this moment, my heart suddenly felt half cold. Alas, why am I so unfortunate

Suppressing the malevolent energy within me, Yang Yuanshan turned to Uncle Zhou and said: "When I perform the ritual, the descendants of the elder in the coffin must all avoid looking and must not make any sound. Additionally, those born in the Year of the Snake, the Year of the Goat, or the Year of the Monkey must also keep their distance"

I suddenly felt a chill in my heart. What does it mean that I will be filled with malevolent energy? Haven't I already been filled with it? Last night, Yang Yuanshan also saw me. Is it only now that he realizes there is malevolent energy within my body? However, being referred to as extremely serious by this person, who is highly respected as a Master of Maoshan, means that my current condition must be quite grim

In the end, a seemingly profound statement frightened me to the point of breaking out in a cold sweat. However, recalling Yang Yuanshan's words that the talisman must not be diluted, I realized that if sweat were to wash away the talisman, it would be disastrous. I hurriedly tried to calm my agitated emotions and stood still, not daring to move again.

Fortunately, everyone had treated me as a transparent presence, and Yang Yuanshan no longer paid attention to me. Instead, Mr. Wu stepped forward excitedly and asked, "Mr. Yang, how do you plan to break this situation?"

Mr. Wu Da scratched the back of his head and said with an awkward smile: "It is quite troublesome to buy vermilion here, so... usually, we use substitutes like black dog blood or chicken blood."

Yang Yuanshan turned around and asked, "Do you have any vermilion on you?"

Yang Yuanshan smiled politely and said, "This talisman of yours should have been derived from the 'Xuan Yi Method,' right? Although its power is ordinary, this tortoise blood nail is not specially made, and its potency is not too difficult to handle. The reason I left last night was precisely to seek a way to break it."

Yang Yuanshan pondered for a moment and then spoke: "Very well!"

"What?" Yang Yuanshan's expression changed in shock. "What?" Yang Yuanshan's expression changed in shock, then he smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying: "I already checked last night. This kid was not overwhelmed by malevolent energy; rather, he was affected by 'Divine Hemp.' Divine Hemp is a type of herb that grows in dark caves. When the herb is ground into powder and sprinkled on a person, it can be quickly absorbed by the body, transforming into a narcotic energy that gathers at the body's Dan Zhong point. At this point, the person's consciousness becomes hazy, and they are unable to move for several days. If not treated in time, there is a risk of complete paralysis. Fortunately, I dispersed the Divine Hemp energy from his Dan Zhong point at that time, and he only needs to rest for a day or two to recover. I didn't expect you to think he was overwhelmed by malevolent energy from the *Tu* *Shu* and place him at the edge of the tortoise blood nail. As a result, he is now truly overwhelmed by malevolent energy."

I understand very well that Mr. Wu is not unable to buy vermilion; he is simply accustomed to being stingy. He usually wears a blue cloth shirt and hasn't changed into new clothes for three years. I don't know what he has been saving so many large silver dollars for, yet he still has the audacity to say such nonsense

Mr. Yang nodded slightly and said: "If it were ordinary malevolent energy, I could easily dispel it for you. However, the malevolent energy from the tortoise blood nail has already penetrated into your nine orifices. The nine orifices connect to the hundred bones and then converge in the six organs. In summary, the malevolent energy within you has taken root very deeply. Unless... unless I use my Maoshan techniques, starting from the heart to cleanse, then wash the body, and finally purify the spirit, only this method can dispel the malevolent energy within you. Otherwise, within a year, you will be slowly tormented to death by the malevolent energy inside you."

As soon as I heard that drawing a certain spell would allow me to move, I hurriedly reached out to unbutton my shirt, revealing a chest and belly as thin as ribs. Although I appeared quite frail, every child in the countryside possesses a bit of brute strength. Moreover, as an orphan who can only rely on my own hands to procure food, I believe that if I were to work in the fields alongside those skilled farmers, they would not be much stronger than I am.

Yang Yuanshan was dressed simply in a gray coarse linen garment, yet it appeared so natural and unrestrained on him. Amidst the desolation, there was no lack of a capable and composed demeanor. His appearance was unremarkable; his chiseled face was marked by calmness and determination, giving an impression that was mostly steady with a hint of nonchalance. Perhaps it was precisely for this reason that people felt he was indeed the renowned figure spoken of in legends.

As soon as Yang Yuanshan finished speaking, he immediately extended his right index finger to his lips and bit down hard. Then, he raised his left hand, forming a strange hand seal similar to the one Mr. Wu used when drawing talismans. With his left hand, he created an unusual hand gesture, while his right hand pointed directly at my chest. Simultaneously, he chanted the incantation: "Hehe Yangyang, the sun rises in the east, I now cast this spell, sweeping away all misfortune, those who encounter the spell shall perish, those who encounter the spell shall die, Heavenly Master, protect me by my side, sever evil and extinguish spirits, my body shall have spiritual light. I obey the command of the Supreme Laojun, urgent and as the law commands!"

Perhaps seeing my expression was amusing, Yang Yuanshan smiled slightly and said: "This is the protective charm of the Celestial Master, which can temporarily prevent the malevolent energy within you from acting up. However, the malevolent energy within you is too strong, and once the charm's effect diminishes, the suppressive power will still weaken..."

As I was speaking, suddenly, Yang Yuanshan's gaze fixed on me, revealing a look of considerable shock. I timidly asked, "Mr. Yang, do I... do I have any problems?"

Strangely, the pain in my body has actually diminished, and I can feel the strength returning to my arms. After a while, the pain in my body completely disappeared. I was so surprised that I jumped up, brushed off the dust from my clothes, and still couldn't believe it, my mouth agape.

As the incantation ceased, Yang Yuanshan raised a finger, and the handprint on his left hand instantly halted. His right hand immediately formed an even more peculiar handprint, which he pointed at the talisman drawn on my abdomen, tapping it three times in the air before finally standing up...

Yang Yuanshan cupped his fists in salute to Mr. Wu, then glanced once more at the coffin of Old Master Zhou. He immediately smiled and nodded, saying: "The Tianshi seal is well done. This will save me a lot of trouble. Oh..."

Mr. Yang! It is entirely my fault for not recognizing a person of your stature. We have known each other for at least a day, so we can be considered acquaintances, right? I earnestly implore you to save me!" I cried out for help, enduring the excruciating pain throughout my body and my gradually fading consciousness.

Uncle Zhou Er quickly complied and turned to walk several paces away, not looking back. Following him, four men from the village also turned their backs to the scene. I did not know my own birthday, so I was unclear about my zodiac sign. After witnessing Yang Yuanshan's remarkable spell, I felt an immense admiration for him and was even more eager to see how he would dispel the calamity at Uncle Zhou Er's home. Thus, I remained stubbornly facing away.

Mr. Wu Da also expressed his surprise, saying: "Mr. Yang, I originally intended to use the Heavenly Master Seal to suppress both the malevolent energy within Chuqii and the energy itself, but unexpectedly, this action has only intensified the malevolent energy within him. Alas!"