At this point, I was seriously doubting whether the dead chick really knew much at all. Otherwise, why was her solution always to fight ghosts? Apart from fighting, did she know no other way to deal with them? I barely survived dealing with that ghost fetus, and I had no intention of risking my life against Feng Lan. So, I decided to go with the second option: resolving her resentment.
The dead chick explained that the only way to resolve Feng Lan's resentment was to find her boyfriend and hand him over to her to deal with. However, even this method only had a 70% chance of success in helping her let go of her resentment and move on to reincarnation.
That sounded like no solution at all. There was no way her boyfriend would obediently surrender himself to death. What was I supposed to do—kidnap him? No matter how I looked at it, it still boiled down to fighting a ghost. With my head drooping, I asked, "If I buckle down and study for another day, how much chance would I have of taking Feng Lan down?"
The dead chick didn't hesitate for a second: "0.1%."
"Alright, I'll go prepay for a coffin now," I muttered, blinking and sniffing dramatically.
"Don't be so negative. I do have another method, but it's very taxing on a living person's body and not recommended unless absolutely necessary."
"What method? I don't mind the toll, as long as it's better than dying!" I perked up at the faint glimmer of hope.
"Spirit Communication Technique!" she said decisively. Then, she elaborated, "It's a type of technique that connects the realms of the living and the dead. With it, a living person can command ghosts via the spirit paths, or even summon ghost officials like city gods and the Black and White Guards of Impermanence to aid them. At its highest level, your eyes would be able to see not only the underworld but countless mystical worlds beyond!"
Wow. That sounded so amazing, I couldn't resist. No matter how damaging it was, I had to learn it. But then I blurted a rather inappropriate question: "Could it also see through people's clothes?"
"Bam!" My head hit the bedpost hard. The dead chick snapped at me, "This is one of the highest-level arts of Maoshan Taoism! You must approach it with reverence. Any improper thoughts will cause your meridians to rupture, leading to death!"
She explained that although the Spirit Communication Technique was a high-level art, it didn't require a foundation in Taoist practices. People with exceptional aptitude could still learn it in a short time. However, because it involved summoning ghostly energies, it would inevitably draw yin energy to the practitioner's body, making it highly taxing. As such, it was not officially included in orthodox Maoshan teachings. Luckily, I had decent aptitude. With a few days of focused practice, there was hope I could master the basics.
Having been expelled from school and left without a place to stay, I didn't even have enough money to rent a room. Finding a quiet place to train became a pressing problem. But after some thought, I came up with the perfect solution: the school's new building.
After completing my discharge from the hospital, I was left with only a few dozen yuan to my name—just enough for a box of instant noodles and a bundle of incense sticks. Beyond that, I was broke.
When I returned to the school before dark, everyone was at the dining hall for dinner, sparing me the awkwardness of running into them. Especially Xiao Xiang—after all the rumors spread, even I felt too ashamed to face her. I went back to the dorm to pack my bedding and belongings, looking like a refugee fleeing disaster.
Standing outside the dorm building where I'd lived for three years, I couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia. For a long moment, I stood there, lost in thought, before heaving a sigh and heading toward the new building.
The journey there was surprisingly uneventful, and I slipped into the dark, deserted building where I'd once narrowly escaped with my life. After all the horrifying incidents of the past few days, my courage had toughened up. Plus, with the dead chick accompanying me, the pitch-dark building didn't feel all that terrifying anymore. However, the thought of the ghost fetus's corpse still lurking upstairs did give me the chills.
Determined to put my mind at ease, I decided to deal with the ghost fetus before settling in. But when I reached the fourth floor and shone my phone's flashlight, I found the corpse gone!
The incense, red string, shards of broken glass, and remnants of the sealing talisman were still there—only the corpse was missing. Who could've cleaned up the scene? Could it have been Zhu Wantao? Regardless, I felt relieved that someone had taken care of it.
After laying out my bedding on the floor, I decided against lighting any candles. It was still early, and the sight of a lit room in the empty building might spook people into thinking it was a ghost's work. So, I lay down in the dark, reflecting on how ridiculous and dramatic life had become. Once skeptical of ghosts, I was now haunted by one. The grand dreams I had entering college had all vanished with my expulsion.
"Worried about the future?" the dead chick asked.
"You already know. Why bother asking?" I buried my face in the pillow.
"Learn the Spirit Communication Technique, and you'll never have to worry about money again. You'll be rolling in wealth," she said confidently.
"Really?" I sat up abruptly. Was this technique a moneymaker too?
"Have I ever lied to you? Once you master the technique, you'll see its wonders for yourself. Haha!"
Reassured about my future, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. After dry munching a pack of instant noodles and sipping some cold water, I urged her to start teaching me.
She had me light the incense, fashion a makeshift holder out of concrete debris, and place it facing east. After bowing to the Maoshan patriarch with three kowtows and nine prostrations, I began to learn the ritual.
The dead chick warned me that the technique, while simple to begin, was fraught with danger. Summoning spirits could lead to possession or madness if not done carefully. Thankfully, her presence within me acted as a safeguard, correcting mistakes and shielding me from potential horrors.
With her guidance, I began chanting the basic mantra while forming a specific hand seal:
"Heaven connects, Earth connects. Spirits heed my call and open the path. With the authority of Yin and Yang, spirits from all directions, come and act by decree…"
At first, my mind was restless, earning me several scoldings from the dead chick. But gradually, I entered a meditative state, my thoughts calming like still water. Eventually, I found myself immersed in darkness.
Unaware of how much time had passed, I suddenly noticed wisps of black mist curling around me, exuding an eerie, desolate aura.
Within the mist, a shadowy figure appeared—vague at first, then growing clearer. My scalp prickled with fear, and my body turned ice-cold.
I recognized the figure. It was me! My face was ghastly pale, like that of a ghost.
Had I… died?