Who knows a daughter's thoughts?

  Liu Zhi knew that Miao territory had a witchcraft technique, but he didn't know what it was about. For some reason, he trusted Ali very much, possibly because Ali was extremely beautiful and made people not believe that such a girl would do anything bad. At the same time, he was also very curious about the witchcraft technique. His cultivation standard was accidental, and no one guided him. Although the reputation of the witchcraft technique was not good, it should also be considered as a kind of cultivation technique. He wanted to learn some things related to cultivation from Ali.

  Two people headed towards the Wasp Nest, along the way, they asked each other questions. Liu Zhi knew about his own practice of Taoist magic and told him about this time Li Yi was chasing to kill him without reservation. When Ah Li heard that he had unintentionally entered the inner world, she couldn't help but laugh: "Brother, your luck is too good! I've heard Auntie say before that when you reach a certain stage of practice, there's a pass where you communicate with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. After passing this pass, you can borrow the power of the heavenly spirits to truly enter the door. Your situation is similar to our Miao family's enlightenment, now you are considered a true practitioner!"

  Liu Zhi suddenly realized that he had inadvertently entered the gate of cultivation and couldn't help but ask: "Then after entering, what kind of realm is there, and how do you cultivate?"

  "You Han people call it Xiu Dao. As for the specifics, I'm not too clear either. Let me simply tell you that the practice of Wu Gu and its realms are like this." Ah Li smiled.

  Ali began to talk about the practice of witchcraft, which was developed by the ancestors of the Miao people in order to survive in the warm and humid climate of the south, where various poisonous insects were rampant. The characteristics of this witchcraft are to raise Gu for one's own use, divided into two types: popular transmission and secret transmission. What ordinary people hear and talk about is the common transmission of witchcraft, the simple process is as follows:

  Before raising the Gu, the main hall must be swept clean, and all family members must take a bath. Sincerely and respectfully burn incense and light candles in front of the ancestors' altar, silently praying to heaven, earth, and spirits. Then, dig a large pit in the center of the main hall and bury a large jar, choosing one with a small mouth and a large belly, making it easier to cover. The smaller the mouth, the less visible the contents inside, the more likely people will feel terrorized, and thus develop reverence. The jar's mouth must be leveled with the ground.

  On the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar (Dragon Boat Festival), go to the fields and catch twelve kinds of crawling insects (those caught on other days cannot be raised as Gu). Place them in the jar and cover it with a lid. These insects are usually venomous snakes, eels, centipedes, frogs, scorpions, earthworms, green caterpillars, mantises... In short, flying creatures and four-legged animals that can run are not allowed; only poisonous crawling insects are used.

  After the twelve insects are placed in the jar, the entire family must pray once every night before sleep and once every morning before getting out of bed. Pray continuously for a year without missing a single day. Moreover, when raising Gu and praying, it is absolutely forbidden to let outsiders know. If outsiders find out, the Gu being raised will be taken away by sorcerers using magic spells, and the entire family will die.

  Even if the Gu is not taken away, once it has matured, it will still harm its owner.

  In a year, those worms in the jar devour each other, with the more toxic ones eating the less toxic ones, and the stronger ones eating the weaker ones. In the end, only one is left, which has changed its shape and color after eating eleven others. According to legend, there are many kinds of such creatures. The two main types are: One is called "Dragon Worm", similar in shape to a dragon, roughly transformed from long snakes, centipedes and other elongated worms. Another is called "Qilin Worm", similar in shape to a Qilin, roughly transformed from frogs, lizards and other short-bodied worms.

  One year later, the Gu has grown up, and the master will dig out this jar and place it in a secret room that is not ventilated and does not transmit light. The Gu likes to eat things like fried eggs with lard, rice, etc. After being raised for three or four years, the Gu is about one zhang long, and the master chooses an auspicious day to open the lid of the jar and let the Gu fly out by itself. After the Gu leaves home, it can sometimes transform into a ball of fire and hover in the mountains and forests, and sometimes it can transform into a black shadow and move back and forth between houses in the village. The Gu's magical power is strongest at dusk. Each time the Gu returns home, it still lives in the jar. At this time, the master can borrow the Gu to perform magic spells, of course, there are complete sets of rituals and incantations for various controls.

  By the above method, the success rate is not high and the danger is great. However, this was often done by tribes formerly known as Black Miao. After the new government was established, there were several movements, and it has been rarely done since then. The White Miao and Black Miao have long been mixed together and are no longer distinguishable.

  Another is the secret transmission of the art of raising Gu between a few people, which starts similarly to the common transmission, but the person who raises Gu learns to quiet their mind and cultivate their intention before raising Gu. There is a complete set of methods for this, during which they also learn various pharmaceutical techniques, decocting herbs that can be considered witchcraft medicine. Additionally, there is a complete set of incantations used to cultivate oneself. After successfully opening one's spirit, one can communicate with the spirits of heaven and earth, then build a Gu jar, prepare witchcraft medicine, combine it with incantations, and every seven days pour a bowl of cooled witchcraft medicine into the jar. One year later, only one Gu worm remains. However, this is not the end. Afterwards, every day take a drop of middle finger blood (a type of heart blood), mix it into the witchcraft medicine, feed it to the Gu worm, and use intention to communicate with it. It can often be controlled at will. Forty-nine days later, use a ceramic pot to dry it into ash, then drink it into one's belly using symbolic water, and use intention to re-condense the Gu worm's virtual image in one's belly. As the cultivation of Gu deepens, it eventually becomes like a real substance, but has similarities with the Daoist practice of condensing the primordial infant.

  Once the work is done, this Gu can be visible or invisible, flying without a trace, and its power can reach deep into the soul. From thousands of miles away, it can take someone's life. This is the true secret transmission of Miaojiang witchcraft. A person can cultivate multiple Gu, but only one is the Benming Gu (the primary Gu). If the Benming Gu is injured, a person's cultivation will also be greatly damaged.

  A'li only gave a general idea, without going into details about the specific operations, what incantations to use, and how to awaken the spirit. Although Liu Zhi knew, he thought it was impossible to refine it himself. After A'li finished speaking, she looked at Liu Zhi with a hint of a smile, as if observing whether he had any unusual reactions. If he were an ordinary person, hearing about this process would have likely made him feel disgusted towards A'li. However, Liu Zhi's nerves were quite thick, and he didn't show any unusual behavior. In fact, when Liu Zhi first learned the Five Ghosts Technique, it wasn't much better than this; he had to dig up graves to take the skulls of the dead, starting from the 49th day, and spend every day with five white skeletons. Although Liu Zhi hadn't gone through that process himself, he was very clear about the entire ritual process of Miaojiang's spirit refinement. He didn't feel repulsed by it in his heart, and at this stage, his hands were also stained with fresh blood, making him somewhat numb.

  A Li saw Liu Zhi didn't show any disgust, but instead looked very interested, and her heart felt a little relieved, with a kind of delight.

  People think that the Gu women in Miaojiang have a high status, but in fact it is just the opposite. If someone who raises Gu lets others know, even the Miao people will be respectful from afar and fear them more than respect them. If a woman is thought to raise Gu, it's hard for her to find a husband, as no one wants to marry a woman who can put a curse on them at any time. In reality, many beautiful Miao women, once thought to raise Gu, often flee to other places and marry Han men, which is also the origin of the legend among Han people that Miao women can release Gu.

  Ali's family is not in the village, and it is also related to this. Although Ali and her mother deny raising Gu, as soon as others have rumors, no Miao young man dares to deal with Ali, and Ali can only move her home out of the Wugou Village.

  "Ah Li, how did you learn the art of witchcraft? Are there many people in Miao's family who know witchcraft?" Liu Zhi asked curiously. Ah Li's words opened another mysterious door for Liu Zhi.

  "I learned from Ah Po, many people in Miao territory know the skin and hair of witchcraft, but few really practice it. Except for Ah Po, I don't know anyone else who does. Originally, Ah Po liked my mother and wanted to teach her, but the news got out, and my mother was a rare beauty in these parts... she left quietly, and when she came back years later, she was carrying me. To this day, I still don't know who my father is. Later on, Ah Po taught me the art of witchcraft." A Li's emotions were somewhat subdued.

  "Ali is also the number one beauty in the surrounding ten miles!" Liu Zhi knew Ali's mood was a bit low, so he praised her.

  "Thank you, Brother, for your praise! I cultivated the Gu technique. The principal of the elementary school you're in now is a good person. I studied there and later took the entrance exam to middle school, then went to Linshan Town to attend high school, and finally got into college. My mother told me not to come back, so I found a job in another province. But before a year was up, the manager of my unit had improper thoughts about me - he's married with a wife! In a fit of anger, I cast a Gu spell on him. Who knew that guy had connections and somehow found a Taoist priest to help him dispel the curse? I took back the Gu spell in time. But after that, I couldn't stay at that unit anymore, so I came home and made a living by collecting medicinal herbs." Ah Li told her story, and Liu Zhi knew couldn't help but look at her with newfound respect.

  Then he mentioned Ah Po, and Liu Zhi Zhi finally understood why Ah Li could get the true transmission. Miao Village was not an ordinary Miao village in the past, it had a guardian god, there was a totem in the village, a large toad, which locals called "Mao Huang". In the mountains, there was a cave called Mao Huang Cave, where it was said that a toad had become a spirit and was worshiped by the villagers, also protecting the village. Ah Po was the descendant of the guardian of the toad, but after the government destroyed the old traditions, the existence of the guardian god could no longer be felt. Ah Po could be said to be the last one, originally intending to pass on her knowledge to Ah Li's mother, but since Ah Li's mother had not yet succeeded in enlightenment, she left the village and returned with Ah Li. Ah Po saw that Ah Li was clever and lively, so she passed on all her knowledge to Ah Li. During Ah Li's university years, Ah Po left this world.

  Two people chatted and laughed all the way, until late in the evening, they finally arrived at Ali's home. Ali's mother saw Ali bring back a handsome young man, also with a smile on her face.

  "Hello, I'm a volunteer teacher at Mazhai Elementary School. Last time, I came with Principal Du to buy medicine. Today, I met Ah Li on the road and had a great conversation, so I came to bother you!" Liu Zhi saw Ah Li's mother and immediately went forward to greet her elder. "Ani" is a Miao term equivalent to "auntie" in Chinese. Ah Li's mother was nearly forty but still a beautiful woman.

  "Don't be polite, I said you look familiar, it turns out you've been here before and get along with my daughter Ali?" Ali's mother said with a smile, even with the kind of gaze that a mother-in-law looks at her son-in-law. Ali's special identity made her mother worry about her lifelong happiness, and she had even arranged for Ali to work in other cities several times.

  "It's almost dark, Brother, why don't you stay here tonight and leave tomorrow?" Ah Li urged.

  Liu Zhi knew that the sun had already set, and he would have to hurry at full speed, but it would still take him half the night to get to school, so he nodded in agreement. Seeing Liu Zhi agree, the mother and daughter began preparing dinner, and Liu Zhi wanted to help, but was pushed out by Ali.

  Although dinner was prepared on short notice, it was still a sumptuous meal. After the three of them finished eating, Ali's mother skillfully inquired about the situation at Liu Zhi's home, and Liu Zhi answered truthfully. It was actually Ali who felt embarrassed and interrupted her mother's words several times.

  Liu Zhi knew also turned the conversation to herbal medicine, in this regard, he was not far behind Ali. Liu Zhi humbly asked for advice, and Ali explained thoroughly, causing Liu Zhi's knowledge of herbal medicine to soar. Although he had previously come into contact with many herb collectors and tried to get close to them, not everyone was willing to teach him, and even if they did tell him things, there were still many reservations. The two talked for a long time, and it wasn't until late that Ali reluctantly arranged for Liu Zhi to rest in a room upstairs, bidding each other goodnight before she returned to her own room.

  The next day, after breakfast, Liu Zhi bought some expensive medicinal materials and bid farewell to Ali. Ali personally escorted him down the mountain. Along the way, Ali was a bit silent, but when Liu Zhi teased her, she smiled. Suddenly, she asked Liu Zhi, "Brother, do you have someone in your heart?"

  Liu Zhi suddenly fell silent, and Ah Li saw this and became somewhat flustered: "Big brother, what did little sister say wrong?"

  "None of your business!" Liu Zhiyi forced a smile.

  "Is there something you can tell me, Ah Mei?" This was not a question that Ah Li should have asked, but Ah Li had grown up in the deep mountains. Since she was young, due to rumors and gossip, normal villagers tried their best to avoid her and her mother. She had been out for a few years, but at that time it was just for survival, although she was innocent and naive, she didn't know how to speak up, nor did she understand human relationships.

  Liu Zhi knew that Ah Li's question had brought up the pain in his heart, which he thought had already faded away. Seeing Ah Li looking flustered and worried, as if she had unintentionally done something wrong, Liu Zhi felt a surge of sympathy for her. After a moment of silence, he briefly explained his situation with You Jiajia, and as soon as he spoke out, he felt a great deal lighter in his heart.

  Liu Zhi didn't live for love alone, that feeling was etched in his heart but as time passed the pain gradually subsided. Today when he spoke of it, Liu Zhi hadn't realized that he had already regarded that relationship as a thing of the past.

  The emotional distance between Liu Zhi and Ah Li did not make Ah Li alienate from Liu Zhi. Women are sometimes strange, at this time Ah Li's heart is more sympathetic to Liu Zhi, even wanting to comfort Liu Zhi herself, unknowingly taking their relationship a step further.

  "Brother, don't be sad, brother will find a better girl!"

  "Thank you, Ah Mei. If I had half of your understanding, I would be satisfied!" By a freak chance, Liu Zhi said this, and as soon as the words left his mouth, he felt something was off, but it was too late to take them back.

  Ali's face suddenly turned red, and she said in a low voice: "Does brother like Ali?" Although her voice was low, she felt a bit embarrassed herself. Before Liu Zhi knew how to answer, she suddenly raised her head, looked into his eyes without hesitation, and said: "Brother, I like you!"

  Liu Zhi knew not what to do for a moment, he had never seen such boldness from the Miao girl before. Before Liu Zhi could respond, Ah Li said: "Brother, I'll come visit you at school in a few days!" After speaking, Ah Li turned and headed up the mountain.

  Liu Zhi had an indescribable feeling, a huge happiness that was not entirely pure, but also tinged with a hint of guilt towards You Jiajia. The conflicting emotions swirled in his heart, and emotionally, Liu Zhi was still immature. But who could say for sure? Perhaps true love was just like this - if it could be rationally analyzed and chosen, would it still be considered true love?

  Liu Zhi knew returned to school, now everything is on the right track, and it's very dull. Ali sometimes comes over to pick medicine and take a look. Liu Zhi really feels that he is very happy, although sometimes he feels sorry for You Jiajia, but his feelings with Ali are getting thicker day by day.

  Of course, school life is very dull, but Liu Zhi's life has not been dull at all. In the past few weeks, he has finally made some progress in his practice and gained a deeper understanding of himself. This is largely thanks to the two books in Li Yi's cloth bag. One was the Buddhist scripture "Maitreya Descends", which Liu Zhi flipped through briefly and felt was similar to other Buddhist scriptures, mainly extolling the virtues of Maitreya Buddha. It was a standard religious text, but what he didn't know was that it was actually a classic of the White Lotus Sect, not just a religious text, but also a way of practicing vows. If he had known, perhaps he would have understood that Li Yi had actually received the transmission of the White Lotus Sect.

  Another book is "Shengji Fu Lu Can Bian". Liu Zhi doesn't know its origin. In fact, the White Lotus Society combines Manichaeism, Buddhism and Taoism as one, and even has other beliefs. In ancient China, the White Lotus Society was a well-known professional rebel house. Since the Yuan Dynasty, it has been rebelling against the court without stopping, and was defined as an evil religion by the imperial court. However, the wild fire cannot be extinguished, and the spring breeze blows again. Before their uprising, they often gathered believers in the form of preaching, to make believers believe that there is a ring showing the divine power of the gods, and "Shengji Fu Lu Can Bian" is a collection of Buddhist and Taoist talismans compiled by the White Lotus Society. Later, it was passed down through generations, with many defects, known as "Can Bian".

  Li Yi got a more incomplete one, but it was much more complete than the damaged Wǔ Guī Yīn Bīng Shù at Liu Zhi's home. When he opened the cover, there was a saint sitting on a white lotus, with strange seals in his hand, which Liu Zhi did not recognize and ignored.

  The text begins with the complete talismanic ritual, and the book is divided into three parts. The first part is the theory, which explains the original meaning of the talismans. Talismans are a combination of heaven and earth, and they are used to regulate the power of the gods. It also explains the key to drawing talismans, which lies in the unity of spirit and energy, as well as understanding the head, middle, and foot of the talisman. As the saying goes: "Drawing talismans without knowing the trick will make the ghosts and spirits laugh; drawing talismans with knowledge of the trick will shock the ghosts and spirits." This is the idea. Liu Zhi saw this and couldn't help but frown. Now he believes in the existence of ghosts and spirits, but when it comes to a single talisman being able to summon them, he still doesn't believe it.

  The second part is the cultivation of one's own abilities, which includes two techniques: "Harmonizing Qi" and "Golden Light Protection". The Harmonizing Qi technique differs from ordinary cultivation methods, as it is a symbolic cultivation method. The method involves selecting an object with spiritual energy, such as an ancient tree, or even the ocean, stars, moon, and sun. Then, one circulates the qi in the lower abdomen to the fingertips, closes the air to write symbols in mid-air, exhales to complete writing the symbol, and visualizes the written symbol transforming into a light that enters one's own lower abdomen. The light is then used to write more symbols, which are called "Harmonizing Qi Symbols". Each practice involves writing 24 symbols at most, with a maximum of 49. This method is unique in that it absorbs spiritual energy from the external world and returns it to the object being cultivated, creating a mutually beneficial cultivation technique. Unbeknownst to the practitioner, this method also allows them to master symbol-writing techniques while increasing their cultivation level.

  Jin Guang Hu Ti Shu, Liu Zhi Zhi had seen it on Li Yi's body before. The third part of the book, however, is some common talismans, which can cure diseases and drive out evil spirits, as well as some talismans for attacking and plotting, and some magical objects, mainly talismans drawn on some objects, the centipede used by Li Yi that day was also this type. Liu Zhi Zhi only then understood the foundation of Li Yi's cultivation, all his skills that day came from this book.

  However, the practice of Fu Talisman is more troublesome. First, a quiet room needs to be prepared. Although there was one in Shen City's villa, it was a headache here. Secondly, a complete set of incense and ritual instruments are required. Only the Harmony Technique and Golden Light Protection Technique were not so troublesome. Liu Zhi decided to talk about it later and continued to practice according to his previous method, adding the Harmony Technique and Golden Light Technique.

  When Liu Zhi Zhi first practiced the talisman, it was unexpectedly effective.