I'm The Only True Immortal In The World.

Chapter Twenty-Two: Curing Illnesses with Talismanic Water?

The next day, a light drizzle fell.

He took the early bus to Suzhou.

The two places weren't too far apart, only an hour and a half's drive.

After arriving, Fang Yi first checked into a budget hotel near the station.

It was quite expensive; a small room cost 298 yuan.

He rested for a while, and after having brunch to digest, he began his cultivation for the day.

In the room,

Fang Yi cleared his mind of distractions, sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and tapped his teeth nine times, reciting the mantra in his mind: "Fire is taken from the Southern Phoenix Marrow, water is sought from the Northern Sea Black Turtle Essence, therefore, at the second stage, yang is nourished, allowing the light of the heart fire to reach below…

spirit and qi are in harmony. "

Because of the white jade, he felt his body gradually warming up when he first closed his breath.

That feeling was extremely comfortable, more intoxicating than any s****l intercourse.

But as he reached the fifth stage, extreme heat spread throughout his body.

Fang Yi knew that the elixir qi was circulating within his body, and dared not have any distracting thoughts, continuing his cultivation of qi circulation and breath retention.

Finally, the ninth stage was completed.

He felt a warmth in his heart, his four senses at ease, and his mind stirred. A surge of heat descended to his dantian, and his golden core, while growing stronger, radiated a dazzling light.

"Hoo."

He slowly finished his practice, glancing with satisfaction at the white jade in his palm. "Since acquiring this piece of jade, my cultivation has greatly increased these past two days. I think in another seven or eight days, I will be able to complete the second stage. At that time, I won't need to count to nine breaths, and then I will slowly enter the third stage."

He cut a slice of ginseng to make tea, and drank it when the tea was warm.

Fang Yi waited until the vital energy was absorbed before standing up, thinking to himself, "I'll go out for a stroll and see if I can encounter any opportunities."

Because he had been to Suzhou before, Fang Yi was quite familiar with it.

He purposefully went to the Xuanmiao Temple first, wandering around for half a day without hearing any strange tales or theories.

Then Fang Yi went to Hanshan Temple, still finding nothing.

It was around four o'clock in the afternoon.

Seeing that he hadn't gained anything, Fang Yi was preparing to return to the hotel near the station to rest for the night before heading to Jiaxing the next day.

He decided to have dinner before going back to the hotel. Fang Yi went to a noodle shop next to the Hanshan Temple South Bus Station. Since starting his second stage of cultivation, his appetite had decreased significantly, but he still hadn't reached the state of abstaining from grains; perhaps his cultivation level wasn't high enough. Perhaps he could achieve abstaining from grains after completing the second or third stage; Fang Yi didn't know yet, as he had no guidance in his cultivation and had to rely entirely on self-exploration. Perhaps because it wasn't yet time to go to a restaurant, the noodle shop was relatively empty. He ordered a bowl of vegetarian noodles and started eating. Suddenly, a man and a woman walked in. The man, in his forties, raised his hand and called out, "Boss, one bowl of braised pork noodles, one bowl of eel noodles." The woman, in her thirties with short hair, didn't say anything, but simply found a table and sat down. Fang Yi glanced at them upon hearing the voices, but didn't pay much attention to them. However, their subsequent conversation caught his attention. "Little Zhao, if you want to burn incense, come in the morning. Who comes to burn incense in the afternoon?" The man shook his head and sat down. The woman sighed, "I didn't want this either, but my son is sick, and the hospital can't find anything wrong. I heard that Hanshan Temple is quite effective, so I came all this way. If all else fails, we can stay in a hotel tonight and go to Hanshan Temple to burn incense tomorrow morning." The man frowned and said, "If they just can't find anything wrong, I recommend you take your son to see Master Zhu." The woman was taken aback. "Master Zhu?" Fang Yi, who had been quietly eating his noodles, also became interested and listened intently. The man grunted and said, "I've heard that Master Zhu's ancestors were Taoist priests of the Zhengyi sect, apprenticed to Zhang Daoxiu, a legendary figure from the Ming Dynasty. It's said that Master Zhu's ancestor not only saved lives with talismanic water, but also possessed the ability to foresee the future and summon wind and rain. Although hundreds of years have passed, due to war and other reasons, Master Zhu's family's secret arts have been lost, and he can no longer summon wind and rain like his ancestors. But it's said that the talismanic water is exceptional; many sick people have recovered after drinking it." The woman exclaimed with delight, "Really?" The man said, "Why would I lie to you? If you're interested, I can tell you the address." "Interested, interested," the woman nodded hurriedly, "Tell me the address quickly." The man gave her the address. Talismanic water for healing? Fang Yi chuckled. How could anyone still believe in such things in this day and age? Actually, orthodox Taoism is relatively straightforward, because early Taoism spread its teachings through medicine. Many Taoist priests had studied medicine and could naturally understand the pathology and prescribe medicine accordingly; they just used talismanic water as a form. For example, the *Taishang Zhuyou Ke* (*****), which appeared in the Song Dynasty, is a comprehensive compilation of Taoist incantation techniques. This book, in six volumes, details various talismans for treating illnesses, presenting a grand and systematic overview, and is divided into clinical departments. The book is divided into thirteen departments, including Dafangmai Ke (****), Feng Ke (**), and Maternity Ke (OBM*), each with dozens of specialized talismans and incantations, one talisman and one incantation per ailment. These talismans, categorized by disease, are accompanied by talismanic characters or diagrams of varying shapes, and each talisman has a five-, six-, seven-, nine-, or even ten-character incantation, along with instructions on how to use the talisman and its contraindications. Its main characteristic is the combination of talisman, incantation, and medicine. For example, the talisman for treating dysentery in the Dafangmai Ke department has the incantation: "Duo Chi Na Dou Zha She, Wu Bu Guang Ming Zhen She." The method of using the talisman is: Red dysentery with licorice root (bottom), white dysentery with dried ginger soup (bottom), red and white prune soup (bottom), and dysentery with pomegranate peel decoction (bottom). At this point, it becomes clear that it is not the talismanic water that cures the disease, but the medicine. Fang Yi shook his head, thinking the woman was most likely being scammed by the "master." But then a thought struck him: "Since Master Zhu's ancestors were Taoists, maybe he's passed down some magic? Didn't this man say Master Zhu's ancestors could summon wind and rain?" Yes! He could go and find out. Fang Yi quietly memorized the address the man gave him, then leisurely finished his noodles, paid the bill, and headed towards the address. ... It wasn't far, just nearby. Fang Yi, familiar with the route, arrived in about ten minutes on foot. Perhaps because it was close to Hanshan Temple, it attracted more superstitious people seeking fortune telling and healing. Before him was a shop with a sign that read "Fortune Telling, Exorcism." It was decorated in a classical, antique style; perhaps to avoid being investigated, the sign outside didn't mention healing. Fang Yi didn't rush in, but instead looked around inside. Although it was already four or five in the afternoon, the store was doing brisk business, with a dozen or so people of all ages sitting on both sides waiting. A middle-aged man in his fifties, with a long beard and a rather venerable appearance, was reading an old woman's palm and talking to her. Fang Yi walked in without making a sound.

He had intended to just find a stool to sit on.

Unexpectedly, a rather pretty young woman in her twenties approached him with a smile, saying, "Young man, what brings you here, Master Zhu?"

Fang Yi couldn't very well say he was there to seek advice, so he made up an excuse, "Oh, I'd like to have my fortune told."

"Okay, please sit down for a while. I'll get you some water."

The woman immediately turned to pour water; she looked a bit like a customer service representative.

Fang Yi couldn't help but sweat a little, thinking to himself, "Are fortune-telling scammers this powerful these days? They even have customer service?"

He casually sat down on a stool near the door and listened intently to Master Zhu's fortune-telling.

"...You must have accidentally encountered an evil spirit and been frightened. It's alright. Go home, get a needle, breathe on it, and then put it in a bowl of water. If the bottom of the needle rusts, it means you're fine." Master Zhu said kindly, "Alright, ma'am, if there's nothing else, you should go home early."

"Thank you, thank you, Master Zhu." The old lady said gratefully, "By the way, how much do I owe you?"

Master Zhu waved his hand and said, "No money needed. You should go home quickly so your family won't worry."

Fang Yi was quite surprised. He originally thought Master Zhu was a charlatan, but who knew he wouldn't accept money.

The old lady wouldn't leave. "Master Zhu, you've been looking after me for so long, how can you not pay me?"

Master Zhu chuckled and said, "I never charge money here if I don't give you a talisman. You don't need one for such a minor situation."

The old lady still wouldn't leave. "Then give me a talisman."

Despite Master Zhu's persuasion, the old lady insisted on having a talisman.

Finally, Zhu Daxian had no choice but to turn to the old woman and say, "Xiaoli, bring me the calming talisman and the Guipi pills."

The girl who had previously greeted Fang Yi immediately replied, "Yes, Master, I'll go get them right away."

She went inside.

A short while later, Xiaoli came out with a small porcelain bottle and a yellow talisman.

Zhu Daxian took it and looked at it, then handed it to the old woman while saying, "Place the yellow talisman under your pillow when you sleep tonight. As for the Guipi pills, take one before bed."

The old woman asked, "How much?"

Zhu Daxian said, "Thirty."

Fang Yi almost fainted. He knew about Guipi pills, of course; they were traditional Chinese medicine and did indeed have a certain therapeutic effect on insomnia caused by fright. However, these kinds of medicines usually cost between twenty and fifty yuan when mass-produced by manufacturers. Zhu Daxian's private preparation cost was even higher, yet he only charged thirty yuan?

To put it bluntly, he was probably only charging the cost price.

Fang Yi was truly confused. Was Zhu Daxian not a fraud?

Then he truly witnessed Zhu Daxian's real "skills."

It has to be said that this person is practically a polymath; fortune-telling and healing are second nature to him.

Of course, he only treats minor ailments.

And this Master Zhu is very principled; he doesn't charge a penny for treatments he can't cure.

Finally, after waiting for an hour or two, it was Fang Yi's turn.

Perhaps because it was late, Master Zhu conveniently said to the people queuing behind him, "It's very late. Young man, you're done here. Come back tomorrow."

"Okay."

"Come back tomorrow."

Seven or eight people stood up and left.

Fang Yi sat at the "consultation table," watching with great interest.

After everyone left, Master Zhu looked over and asked, "Young man, you seem strong and healthy. You're not here for medical treatment, are you? Are you here for exorcism or fortune telling?"

Xiao Li, who was sweeping, interjected, "He's fortune telling."

Fang Yi nodded, "Fortune telling."

Master Zhu didn't think much of it. "Alright, tell me your birth date and time."

Fang Yi truthfully replied, "My name is Fang Yi, Fang as in 'four directions,' Yi as in 'resolute.' My birth year is Wu Yin, month is Ding Si, day is Ji Mao, and hour is Ji Si."

Master Zhu looked at him with surprise and smiled, "Young man, you know a little about birth dates and times?"

Fang Yi calmly replied, "Yes."

"Wait a moment, let me calculate."

Master Zhu opened a tattered book and started searching, asking, "Are you asking about marriage or something else?"

Fang Yi calmly replied, "Lifespan."

"Hehe, someone your age who calculates lifespans is..."

Zhu Daxian only got halfway through his sentence before suddenly raising his head and staring at Fang Yi with suspicion for a long while. Then, puzzled, he lowered his head again and continued searching through the book.

Xiao Li seemed to notice her master's unusual behavior and stopped sweeping to look at him.

Zhu Daxian was like a madman, frantically flipping through the book, beads of sweat dripping from his forehead. He even took out six copper coins and shook them in his hand. With each coin that appeared, his brows furrowed even more. When all six coins had appeared and were arranged in a row, he kept muttering, "Impossible! How could this be!"

Fang Yi blinked and asked, "What's wrong?"

Zhu Daxian, covered in sweat, looked up and frowned, saying, "Young man, are you playing a trick on me?"

Fang Yi chuckled and said, "I don't understand what you mean."

Zhu Daxian said angrily, "The name and birth date you gave me, when analyzed together, clearly belong to a dead person. What else could it be but a trick on me? Are you sure you're not here to cause trouble?"

Something seems to be going on!

Fang Yi became interested and wanted to continue testing Zhu Daxian's abilities to confirm if he was the person he was looking for.