Chapter 46: Invocation of the Thundercloud 2 (2/2)
”To become a disciple of the Qingwei Sect, you don't have to come from any particular family background, but you do need to obtain the recognition of the founder of our sect.” Most of the time, Zu Zhichong was a careless and casual man, but when it came to recruiting talents for his sect, he seemed to be fully aware of what he was supposed to do.
Zu Zhichong fished a piece of yellow Fu (Fu is a piece of rectangular paper on which magical figures are drawn by Taoist priests to invoke or expel spirits and bring good or ill fortune), which had been folded into a small triangle, out of his pocket and handed it to He Zheng.
”You have to do what I tell you to. You haven't been instructed in gathering spiritual energy or drawning Fu, but you still remember the incantation that you recited, I suppose?”
He Zheng nodded.
Zu Zhichong informed him, ”This is an Elementary Lightning Fu of Qingwei Sect. You have to incant the spell and at the same time guide the spiritual energy inside you from your Dantian to this Fu. If the Elementary Lightning Fu burns, it means that the founder of Qingwei Sect gives his consent to your entry into Qingwei Sect, and I'll take you to see my sect-uncle.”
”What if it doesn't burn?”
”If it doesn't burn, Chief would surely light it for you with a lighter,” replied Zu Zhichong with his tongue in his cheek.
He Zheng disregarded the ridicule in the words of Zu Zhichong. Recalling what Zu Zhichong did on the plane that day, with the Elementary Lightning Fu between his index finger and middle finger, he closed his eyes and recited the spell that he had heard Zu Zhichong recite once.
”The four enlightened realms, the infinite heaven and earth, all gods bow before you, thunder is your servant. Ghosts and demons recoil, monsters and bogeys cower. Lend me your power. Bring evil to its end.”
The little golden ball inside his Dantian turned into rays of golden light and streamed from his lower abdomen to his right arm. He Zheng, whose eyes were closed, did not know that when he was reciting the incantation, streams of faint golden light flashed across his right hand where the Fu was.
He Zheng was reciting the incantation at a moderate speed. All of a sudden, scorching heat was felt in his palm and his fingers quivered. He opened his eyes only to find that the yellow Fu in his hand had already burnt to ashes. As if having been drained of energy, He Zheng panted for a few moments, exhausted.
Zu Zhichong exhaled deeply in relief. ”It seems that you've gained the recognition of the sect founder! Congratulations, cutie!”
He Zheng's shoulders twitched involuntarily with uneasiness.
Li Zong held He Zheng's fingertips that had reddened somewhat from the heat and gently kneaded them. In a bland tone of voice tinged with pleasure, he informed He Zheng, ”The next time you do this, remember to keep your eyes open. And you may throw the Fu away when the spelll is finished.”
”Okay,” He Zheng replied in an unconcerned voice.
Li Zong flicked a glance at Zu Zhichong, who hurriedly promised, ”I'll send a message to my master shifu right now!”
”All right.”
He Zheng withdrew his hand from that of Li Zong only to find that the burns on his fingertips were gone.
The three of them waited at the doorway of the elevator, planning to leave the rooftop. Right at the moment when the door of the elevator opened, a small, yellowish cloud, as if having come out of thin air, appeared in the spacious sky above the building.
He Zheng, who was the first to notice it, gave Li Zong a gentle push.
”What is that?”
Zu Zhichong and Li Zong twisted their heads around at the same time. A clap of thunder was heard. It lasted only a fleeting instant and then died away, but even so, Zu Zhichong was still stunned.
He stared fixedly at He Zheng, a vacant look in his eyes, as if there were a flower on his face. ”You...You invoked the Thundercloud!!!”