studiobondurri Chapter 133: A flash of inspiration
Chapter 133: A flash of inspiration
Chapter 133: A flash of inspiration
After examining the black incense with his divine consciousness, Yuan Ming found that it still had no spiritual power fluctuations. Just like his previous research, there should be no spiritual materials in the ingredients. Even so, there were countless types of mundane objects in the world, how could he be certain?
He carefully recalled every detail of the two previous instances when he had lit the incense and possessed a body.
Yuan Ming sat quietly, not eating or drinking, as if he had lost his mind.
One day, two days, three days.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.
Dragging his weary body, Yuan Ming got up to open the door. Wu Sang walked in and happily said, "I have identified another ingredient this time, it’s very similar to pine wood powder."
"Similar to pine wood powder? I see, thank you for your hard work, Mr. Wu Sang." Yuan Ming nodded, but there was no joy on his face.
In his previous hundreds of attempts, he had already added pine wood powder.
Even if it was pine wood powder, what difference would it make?
"Yuan, forgive my frankness, this black incense may seem ordinary at first glance, but after my exploration, I believe it’s extraordinary. As long as you put more thought and time into it, you will eventually succeed. Don’t be too anxious." Wu Sang comforted.
If he had been helping Yuan Ming purely for money before, at this moment, he had truly developed a strong interest in the mysterious black incense. The appearance of the black incense had reignited his desire to win.
Yuan Ming forced a smile. His time away from the sect was limited, and he couldn’t stay in Jiuli Temple for long.
Once he returned to the sect, it would be almost impossible to purchase countless incense-making materials for experiments. Plus, he had many other things to do, so there was no hope of successfully replicating the incense in the short term.
Forget it, forget it, it’s time to return to the sect.
"My friend, heed my advice. You seem a bit impatient. Incense making is a slow and meticulous process. Why not go out and clear your mind, then come back when you’re calm? Today is the annual Dog Tooth God Festival in the temple, you can go and pay your respects." Seeing Yuan Ming silent, Wu Sang hesitated before speaking.
Yuan Ming was not interested in these mundane worships of gods and spirits, and did not believe they truly existed.
He shook his head, about to refuse, but then swallowed his words.
To the common people, wasn’t he, a cultivator, also considered a god in the legends?
"The Dog Tooth God resides in the Cloud Palace and can observe everything. If you pray sincerely, perhaps he can cast his gaze upon you and help you with your incense making." Seeing Yuan Ming wavering, Wu Sang added, "Can the Dog Tooth God help me?" Yuan Ming asked with a hint of mockery.
"Sincerity is the key, why not give it a try?" Wu Sang said with a smile.
"Hehe, I’ve been staying in the temple for several days, it’s only right that I offer some incense." Yuan Ming also laughed. He had indeed been somewhat obsessed with incense making these past few days, almost to the point of madness. Watching their superstitious rituals might help him clear his mind and calm his emotions.
So, under Wu Sang’s guidance, he came to the main hall and found that there were noticeably more people offering incense today than usual.
In front of the statue of the Dog Tooth God, a ritual platform had been set up. A temple priest wearing a ceremonial robe and a tiger head mask was dancing on it. Sometimes he waved his hands, sometimes he stomped his feet, and sometimes he knelt down to worship the statue of the Dog Tooth God.
Yuan Ming knew that this was a dance to honor the gods in the Southern Border, only performed during grand celebrations or festivals.
"The ceremony is currently in progress." Wu Sang explained softly.
Yuan Ming nodded slightly and joined the crowd offering incense.
Yuan Ming looked in the direction of the sound and saw a tall figure wearing a dog-headed mask and a ragged robe stitched with various colored strips. He was holding a brass bell in one hand and a delicate brass sword in the other, hopping and jumping his way over from outside.
"Brother Ga Long is about to perform the exorcism dance, make way for him." Wu Sang said, pulling Yuan Ming aside to avoid him.
The people in the temple also scattered to the sides, leaving the central area open.
The masked Ga Long hopped into the center of the square, chanting unintelligible prayers while dancing and ringing the bell.
Yuan Ming understood the language of the Southern Border, but he couldn’t understand the unique rhythm and tone of the prayers. However, the slow ringing of the bell struck his heart one after another.
It reminded him of the Bi Luo Cave and the soul-captivating silver bell.
After watching for a while, Yuan Ming was about to leave, but was stopped by Wu Sang.
"Once you start watching the exorcism dance, you must watch it to the end. This is a rare moment when the Canine Tooth God descends. Leaving now is taboo and will bring bad luck." Wu Sang said seriously.
"I don’t believe it." Yuan Ming said.
Would a gambler who had already bet his soul truly have a devout heart?
Thinking of this, Yuan Ming couldn’t help but chuckle.
Amid the rhythm of the prayers and the bell, Yuan Ming slowly focused his gaze on the incense burner on the altar.
The long incense sticks inside were slowly emitting smoke, and the burnt incense ash was slowly falling, settling in the incense burner. The incense burner on the altar had accumulated nearly a hundred years of incense ash!
He couldn’t help but clench his fist, feeling the incense ash that had just touched his skin.
At this moment, a flash of insight seemed to pass through Yuan Ming’s mind like electricity.
That insight completely controlled Yuan Ming’s thoughts and dominated his body. The next moment, he stepped forward, his body moving like a swimming fish, passing by the dancing Ga Long. Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, he arrived at the side of the incense table.
Ga Long also stopped his dance involuntarily, while Wu Sang was too stunned to react.
Ignoring the reactions of others, Yuan Ming inserted a finger into the incense burner. The storage ring on his finger shone brightly as he collected some incense ash, then he turned and ran out of the square, disappearing from everyone’s sight in a puff of smoke.
The hall was silent for a moment, then erupted into chaos.
The worshippers had various expressions, some were confused, some were angry and accusatory, some knelt down to pray, begging for the gods’ forgiveness.
Everyone was puzzled by what the young man had done and why he had suddenly acted this way. Some people began to curse in low voices.
Ga Long had never seen such a situation before, he was stiff, not knowing whether to continue dancing or not.
Wu Sang, not wanting his benefactor to be expelled, temporarily put aside his devotion to the gods and stepped forward to say loudly:
"Everyone, don’t panic. He may have been guided by the gods. This is the blessing of the Canine Tooth God, descending once again."
Upon hearing this, the crowd stopped their anger and began to kneel and pray. Ga Long breathed a sigh of relief, continued to shake the brass bell in his hand, and began to dance again, chanting under his breath.