The Great Supreme's celestial stars, never ceasing in their transformations.
Expel evil forces, bind demonic spirits, safeguard life, and protect the body.
Wisdom bright and pure, heart-mind serene and still.
May the three Hun endure eternally,
May the po never scatter or falter.
Gu Yuze sat cross-legged, his eyes closed as he chanted the Taoist sutra clearly.
He felt a copious warm flow gush into his limbs and bones, and it seemed as if every single pore in his body opened, making him unable to refrain from emitting a sigh of comfort.
This supremely wonderful feeling was even more comfortable than soaking in a hot spring, causing his entire body to feel clear and calm.
But the next moment, the comfortable feeling vanished. Gu Yuze did not feel frustrated.
After a while, Gu Yuze opened his eyes. He looked around him at the soft blanket covering his legs, the lighted box, and the wrappers from everything he ate.
In a few minutes, it would be three days since he entered this place. If anything here was seen by others, it would cause problems for Su Hai.
This spiritual energy was still too weak for a full spell. Lifting a brow, he smiled. Gu Yuze bit his lips so hard that he drew blood; using his index finger, he collected the blood.
He paused to look at it. He had thought that the Yin in the little ghost king's blood would be heavier, but it was the same as the Yin in other Taoists born with Yin Constitution.
He stood up, gathered everything together, and drew a character on the floor. The cave was illuminated with flames, and he watched as everything was devoured by fire.
Complete darkness again. Gu Yuze headed to the door. He was planning to wait a while, as the person who was sent to open the door might take a little more time.
He had better not have forgotten. Gu Yuze would kill for a bath at this moment, and he was not joking.
The wall slowly cracked open, and sunlight crept through the gap. Gu Yuze felt like one of those vampires in TV shows, with how much he just wanted to shriek and retreat into the darkness.
Should he just let out a loud shriek and scare off the disciple that came to open the door for him?
That was not a idea. He already had a plan—to look chagrined, remorseful, and utterly changed by this experience. Best if he did not speak and took small, frightened steps.
That was the main silver lining in this punishment. It gave a reason for transformation.
Remorseful eyes lifted to meet cold, blue eyes, and the chagrined expression instantly left Gu Yuze's face.
"What are you doing here?" After a second he added, "Senior Brother Han."
"Elder Zhang Yu left me in charge of monitoring your punishment."
Gu Yuze was shocked. Was that the reason?
He opened his mouth and closed it. Senior, do you live next to this mini prison? Senior, do you have a lot of free time on your hands? Senior, No, Monitor Han, it was truly an honor to be attended so carefully by you.
"Ask."
"Eh?"
"You look like you have questions for me."
What was his muttering? "Senior Brother Han, I didn't get you?"
"It is nothing." Han Ji said, his expression changing ever so slightly. "Wait here!"
The way he spoke like he expected no resistance or counter to his words grated at Gu Yuze, but he could only take a deep breath, secretly celebrating the fact that he had gotten rid of the box before Han Ji entered inside.
Han Ji came out a few minutes later and turned to face him. "Do not cause any more trouble," Han Ji said slowly. "Practicing the Path of the Dao is like rowing a boat against the current. It requires constant effort."
How unfortunate for him, Gu Yuze thought as he nodded.
Han Ji really had a lot of time because he did not go away but continued, "You also need to work hard and pay attention in your classes. There are plenty of missions that you can take on for the sect. If you any problems, you can go to the Sect's server on Ghosts and ask your questions."
When Gu Yuze heard that, his heart suddenly thumped.
*Ghosts was a social media app created fifty years ago, and it had drastically changed the ghost exorcism community. The information about Gu Yuze, he can finally get it.
No matter how disciplined a sect wanted to be, gossip was still a part of the sect. The thought of the breakthrough made Gu Yuze smile lightly, and he nodded even more enthusiastically at whatever Han Ji was saying.
After a little more advice and taking him to the road that leads to the Punishment Hall, Han Ji gave Gu Yuze a final look before leaving.
Taoists had a better memory than most, so Gu Yuze can map out the route from the Punishment Hall to the Cafeteria and from the Cafeteria to his house.
"Hello!" He stopped in the path of two women that were chatting to each other.
The first woman glanced at him and stopped. She had bright, big eyes; her hair was coiled in a straightforward manner and smoothly extended down her back. She was pretty.
"Can you tell me the way to the Refinement Hall?" Gu Yuze changed his mind. Rather than going for a chagrined look, he had a determined expression on his face.
"Sure." She smiled at him, "Just continue on the right path; the Refinement Hall is after the Medicine Hall."
Gu Yuze cupped his fist, "Thank you, fellow disciple."
He walked away, not noting as the second woman, who had been silent all throughout their conversation, dragged her friend, her eyes wide as she hurriedly told her, "Xiao Mei. What are you doing? That is Gu Yuze."
She blinked, her green eyes furrowing in confusion. "Gu Yuze, who is that?" A second later, realization crossed her pupils, and she held her left hand to her mouth. "Gu Yuze. That's Gu Yuze? Are you sure?"
"Yes. He is my talisman class. He never speaks to anyone. , I was so shocked, I didn't react."
Xiao Mei pursed her lips. "Isn't he a little too handsome to be Gu Yuze? I mean..."
"Xiao Mei!" Her friend choked with laughter, hitting her on her back.