According to family stories passed from one generation to the next, the three brothers had been learning sorcery separately, taught to them by Tuo Xie since they were twelve years old. At the end of 10 years, they would reunite to receive Tuo Xie’s evaluation on their training. The three brothers were clever and hardworking, each making great strides in their training. Tuo Xie was proud and elated over this but that happiness was cut short. On the night of his ‘escape by thunder’, he disappeared and was never heard from again. The descendants of the three brothers have since passed down the tradition of the tenth-year final examination, one generation to the next.
Over the years, the descendants of Wen, Miao, and Luo each passed on their sorcery practices, but nobody could the achieve the level of power described in the stories. Gradually, recordings of Grand Master Tuo Xie were regarded as exaggerated tales. It wasn’t until Wen Leyang was born and the extent of his power surface, that people started to believe in Grand Master Tuo Xie again, wielder of God-like power and had no equal.
However, the disciples of this God-like figure did receive any such praise.
Wen Leyang suddenly understood! The Grand Master was not incapable nor was he a bad teacher, but he had only just laid the foundation for his three disciples when he had to ‘escape by thunder’.
Tuo Xie’s speech slowed, his tone emphasizing each word. “The descendants of my three disciples could not attain these magical powers. Even if they lived for over a thousand years, all would be in vain. Only the true disciples of the Dark Arts would be able to wield this power . If they were to come together in numbers, they perhaps would have the chance to glimpse the intricacies of the Arts and become aware of the power to transfer energy. Only then, they may unlock the witch jade and inherit my legacy!
The power left behind by Tuo Xie within the jade talisman had formed a dimension of its own and was sealed off. If one wished to enter this witchcraft dimension, the ‘Red Mark’ was the only key. You also needed a huge amount of magical energy. It was just like Tuo Xie to leave behind such a enormous treasure vault. The door of the vault was forged by the finest metal and weighed ten thousand grams. The Red Mark may be the key that unlocked the vault door, but without sufficient magical energy, one who have not been able to push it open.
Tuo Xie knew that none of his disciples would have been able to achieve any great feats if they passed on their practices the way they do. This would only be achievable by the disciples of the Dark Arts, if they were to gather their forces and realize the power of energy transference. Only then would they have the chance of entering this witchcraft dimension.
As little Chi Maojiu sat and listened, beads of cold sweat gathered on his forehead. He muttered, “Your disciples were stupid…” Miao Bujiao had been passing down their art for more than two thousand years. No one had thought it was possible to lend and borrow magical energy. If it weren’t for the demon lady, Jingpo, who had failed not long ago, even a thousand years from now, the Qing Miao might not even be able to activate the jade talisman.
“My Master may have only reached the age of sixty but he was filled with divine wisdom. He had a keen sense of awareness and by thirty and had taken Lue Luo, Mi Xu, and I as his apprentice, each learning Qi manipulation, necromancy and the venomancy, the three lines of sorcery.” Wen Leyang tried to suppressed his shock. He breathed in deeply. He had always thought that the master of Tuo Xie were gods, who had came down to Earth, or a ghost of the ground, who had turned into a spirit. He did not expect the master to be a mortal, who only at the age of sixty, had achieved such a great level of sorcery and produced these teachings.
“When my Master ascended to Heaven, he passed down his legacy to me. It’s a rule that only I could pass down to my descendants the three arts.” Due to these restrictions, Ni Xu and Lue Luo could not help in training his disciples. That was why Tuo Xie had extracted the power out of himself and created the jade talisman back on Black and White Island and gave it to the enlightened person Tian Yin, trusting him to find his disciples and pass the jade talisman to them.
“The divine art of the master can be said to be achieved only when it is led by the use of venomancy, followed by Qi manipulation and necromancy. That was why Tuo Xie was chosen to inherit the Master’s legacy. You should never belittle yourself. Venomancy, Qi manipulation, and necromancy were born of the same root and aids one another in its use. If the power of poison increases, then the others would follow suit.” The only one who was suppose to enter this witchcraft dimension was to be a disciple of sorcery. When Tuo Xie left his message, he had only wanted to speak to the disciples of sorcery. He did not foresee the presence of the cat demon and Wen Leyang.
Tuo Xie was himself a practitioner of venomancy, but according to his words, if one wanted their art to improve, one must rely on the other two arts. In addition to the increased power of poison, one would also reap the benefits of the other two techniques.
“I had cultivated the art of venomancy in order to attain a saint’s body, hoping for a body that was indestructible even if Heaven and Earth were destroyed.” As he said this, he laughed lamely as if to buy time. He seemed to realize that that was too much of an exaggeration as he diverted the topic and continued drily, “Disciples of Tuo Xie, remember the rule of our teachings.”
Wen Leyang suddenly became very busy, rummaging through his pockets. The object he pulled out was not a carrot but a cell phone. He then let out a sigh of relief as he turned on the recording function. Every word of Grand Master Tuo Xie was precious. He was worried that he would not be able to remember all of it by heart. Thank goodness for modern technology.
“Lay the foundation with Faulty Punch, destroy your Qi points, let poison accumulate and flood through your body, call on death’s door. Sustain the soul using Qi, and control the body through necromancy, extend your life. Return to your body after a hundred days and initiate the Faulty Punch once more!” Tuo Xie’s voice suddenly boomed out, every word a blast that shook the earth. These instructions did not sound very complicated or difficult but every word was like glass, cutting through to the bottom of Wen Leyang and little Chi Maojiu’s heart!
Then, Tuo Xie uttered after a brief pause, “When the three arts become one, run wild and free over the earth!”
Wen Leyang felt like his head was throbbing but his heart was clear. He recalled a person he had once admired known as Wen Lazi, a strange person with unsurpassable talent among the Wen ancestors. He himself had found and learned the basis of Tuo Xie’s sorcery methods, where one would destroy one’s Qi points and cultivate poison in the body.
However, in following Tuo Xie’s method of practice, after destroying the Qi points, the other two arts of Qi manipulation and necromancy was needed to support and keep the body alive, as well as to enhance the power of the poison. Wen Lazi had only relied on one art, thus died regretfully as a result.
Tuo Xie seemed to know his descendants, upon hearing this, would be shocked, He relaxed his tone and spoke softly and in a friendly tone. “I’ll give you time, as much time as it takes to burn one joss stick. Think about what I have said so far carefully.”
Wen Leyang did not want to waste any time. He did not wait for little Chi Maojiu to ask before answering, “These instructions, the first part refers to the method of practice learnt in the art of venomancy.” He then proceeded to explain the finer details in the instructions. Chi Maojiu had heard of Wen Leyang’s experience, it was no wonder that he would have no difficulty understanding it.
According to the instructions, firstly, a Wen family disciple would have to be laid on the ground, their Qi points severed. The poison in his body would accumulate and grow, running rampant in his body. This person would cross over Death’s door at any minute.
They had to ponder upon the latter of the instructions. ‘Sustain the soul using Qi, and control the body through necromancy, extend your life. Return to your body after a hundred days and initiate the Faulty Punch once more!”‘ This was the part that the three powers truly combined and intertwined with each other.
They were not expecting it as Tuo Xie spoke once more. It was not even the length of time to burn a joss stick. In fact, if they had really done so, they reckoned that the ashes would only measure up to an inch in length. Tuo Xie said dryly, “Hmmm… How silly of me. How could I expect you to know how to execute the three arts on your own. You had better listen to what I say next and remember it.”
The strings of Wen Leyang and Chi Maojiu’s hearts tightened. They sat down and straightened their backs, faces screwed up tight in concentration. When Tuo Xie opened his mouth to speak, the two brothers found themselves disheartened. Tuo Xie first explained in detail the first part of the instructions. A huge portion of Chi Maojiu’s power had to have been spent, according to Wen Leyang’s calculations. Starting from the arm-breaking Play of Sorcery, the complicated and thorough accounts regarding Black and White Island’s ice cone nail, and now the explanation of the first-half of the instructions.
Grand Master Tuo Xie rambled on while little Chi Maojiu started sweating bullets.
Wen Leyang’s expression slowly turned into one of anxiousness. As he sat listening, a thought crossed his mind, as if there was something crucial missing.
Finally, Tuo Xie ended his explanation of the first half of the instructions. Tuo Xie started on the latter half of the instructions. “When the disciples of Poison has severed his Qi points, the disciples of Qi should cast their spells immediately, using their Ben Ming, to keep the soul of the disciple of Poison alive.”
Chia Maojiu gulped, his face taking on a look of confusion. The Miao Bujiao elites had relied on their Ben Mings, which was indeed related to soul power. When the four elders had risked their lives to send the letter to Nine Peaks Mountain from the village of Miao, they had been ambushed and killed. However, using Ben Ming, they managed to get to Nine Peaks Mountain. These ‘corpse messengers’ used Ben Ming to preserve the last remnants of the body’s soul and used the corpse to carry out the host body’s final wish.
However, Ben Ming could only keep one alive for a matter of days, mechanically carrying out one task out of instinct. At that moment, the person would already be dead and could not possibly be revived. If this was already the case for using it on one’s self, what more upon using it on another?
However, Tuo Xie had stated only this fact, he did not explain any further. Little Chi Maojiu’s mind raced. After some pondering, he came to sudden realization. The Ben Ming mentioned by Tuo Xie was not the Ben Ming cultivated by the Miao Bujiao!
Although, Miao Bujiao’s practice was inherited from Grand Master Tuo Xie himself. There was only one possible explanation. Little Chi Maojiu gave out a heavy sigh. The years must have distorted the practice of the Dark Arts which Grand Master Tuo Xie had left behind.
The Miao Bujiao had propagated and developed the art for two thousand years. There were some talented people in every generation. When they picked up the practice, they naturally did not stick to old ways, instead researched and developed the art tirelessly. After two thousand years, although they were known as the disciples of Tuo Xie, the sorcery practiced now bore little to no resemblance of the original. Take Ben Ming for example, the Ben Ming which Tuo Xie had taught his disciple was intended to be used in bringing the three arts together. It’s primary focus was on prolonging one’s life and sustaining their soul. However, the elites of Miao Bujiao had researched for generations, continuously adding other forms of magic and spells into it. Now, Ben Ming has turned into a destructive power, costing the user their life and bringing their foes down along with them.
When they fought against the Jingpo demon lady, Grand Elder Chi Shuilie had used his Ben Ming to activate Slanting Shadow Spell, Second Mother had used her Ben Ming to activate Stinging of the Golden Blood Spell. Not too long ago, Chi Maojiu had risked his life with Wen Leyang, destroying his Ben Ming to summon countless Spell Bugs. These forms of Ben Ming were indeed powerful, but they were not what Tuo Xie had initially left behind.
Wen Leyang finally understood, after little Chi Maojiu shared his sudden realization.
Similar to the Miao Bujiao, the Inner Disciples of the Wen Bucao had also happily distorted the venomancy left behind by the Grand Master.
When Tuo Xie was at the first half, he was only talking about how to lay the foundations with Poison Hand. The recipe for the poison medicine which they were to soak themselves in was inherited from Tuo Xie as well. After that had successfully learned the Poison Hand, the toxins within their bodies would have reached an equilibrium.
Mastering this would take ten years of strenuous training. First, it was to cultivate the poison of the medicinal wine in the body, only after successfully mastering the Faulty Punch, but one could not cultivate the poison into the body until they have learned the position of one’s Qi points. However, the Wen Bucao had cultivated the poison into their body according to the Five Elements. Although this resulted in a temporary increase in power, the toxins in their bodies were no longer balanced. Even with one element out of sync, it would greatly affect the outcome when combining the three arts.
Wen Leyang and little Chi Maojiu looked at each other and laughed. They pondered together upon how had the Si Buliao, Luo family, had distorted the art of necromancy. If Tuo Xie had known that the teachings he had passed down were ‘fostered and enhanced’ by his descendants, his tone now might not have been as friendly.
Of course, Tuo Xie could not foresee the thoughts of these two children. He continued inn a calm voice, “The flesh of the disciple of Poison may be dead but his soul still remains. The disciple of Death should then take control of his body within an hour and continuously perform the Corpse Dance for a hundred days.” After a brief paused, he continued. “At this moment, within the body of the disciple of Poison, a hundred types of poison are within but they are all the Poison of Life of this world, the Corpse Dance can absorb this cold Death Energy. Yin and Yang meet, Life and Death entangle… A hundred days later, a poison body will be formed. The disciple of Qi should use their Ben Ming to return the soul into the poison body. Now, the process is near completion. The disciple of Poison must then cultivate the poison within his body using the Faulty Punch and it will be done. The disciples of the Qi manipulation and necromancy have now come together, combining their power of Qi and of death with poison.”
Wen Leyang had received his confirmation and was listening happily. Although the process was not entirely the same, the theory still remained. Wen Leyang had already ingested Yin Chi’s Poison of Life and Death while Tuo Xie wanted his arbiters to cultivate the poison body through the Copse Dance. The final result would be different somehow, but it was still based on the same principle. Yang supporting Yin while Yin nourishes Yang. To put it simply, Wen Leyang has replaced the life-preserving Ben Ming with the fruits of the Origin herd and replaced the Corpse Dance which was to absorb the Death Energy with Yin’s Chi’s Poison of Life and Death. His experience matched up with Tuo Xie’s method of practice, but the process was much simpler and more effective. No matter how great the Corpse Dance was, it could never surpass that of Yin Chi’s Poison of Life and Death. The poison power within Wen Leyang’s body was even more chaotic than the one produced if following Grand Master’s instructions, but it was also purer. However, with Tuo Xie’s instructions, the power of the disciples of Qi and necromancy would also increase greatly. It was unknown whether it was because Tuo Xie had thought too highly of his successors or that his pure talk of theory in which the method of execution was unimportant, that was why he spoke only so lightly, just barely skimming the surface.
The disciples of Qi and necromancy were both to help the user of Poison to cultivate the poison into their bodies, and upon having accomplished that, all three of them would improve greatly in their arts. At the same time, due to the disciple of Poison having to go through the two processes of Qi Manipulation and necromancy, hence, after they have risen from the dead, the power of the other two arts would be transferred onto them as well. Neither of the two descendants present knew anything about the practice of necromancy plus their own practices have been distorted. They could not hope to understand the instructions just by mulling over them. They could only wait until they’ve have a chance to consult the records and verified them.
Wen Leyang was perplexed after hearing all this information, he understood that the root of the problem was that they had distorted the Grand Master’s arts. If the ones standing inside this witchcraft dimension right now were the ancestors of the three families, they would have no problem understanding it and would happily mastered it thoroughly.
This unique practice of the Dark Arts, which Tuo Xie’s master had created, ultimately was based in venomancy. That was perhaps the foremost reason the legacy eventually fell onto Tuo Xie’s shoulders. If Tuo Xie had not disappeared, then the ancestors of the three families would have been like Lue Luo, Mi Xu, and Tuo Xie, having no equal in Qi manipulation and necromancy. The disciple of Poison who have been the one to inherit all three powers. After they have had achieved the goal of the Dark Arts, they would find another three disciples and pass down the legacy.
The ancestor’s practice methods of old have finally been passed down. Even if there were some complications and incomprehensible turns, as long as they knew the main essence of the arts was for the three to become one, they would eventually realize the ultimate goal. However, these methods were of no use to Wen Leyang now. The ones who would benefit from this would be the other disciples of the three families.
Tuo Xie had been going on for half a day now at this point and seemed to grow annoyed with himself. He puffed heavily twice and changed the topic, “To understand the execution, look no further than the instructions. Then, just follow your heart and the circumstances around you. The outcome of your practice will be determined by your personal fortune and luck, but the end result should not vary much. After you have complete the process, I wouldn’t say you would be indestructible, but you definitely will not have to worry when facing the average magic user. However, if you are in grave danger and in need of help…” As he said this, Tuo Xie’s tone turned slightly bashful as he chuckled, “If you are in need of help and can see no way forward, you can make your way to Zhanyan Peak of Mount Emei and seek help from Chang Li.”
In an ancient cave on Zhanyan Peak, there was a secret path through the back that could only be detected through the use of psychic powers, while the front was heavily cloaked in prohibition spells and the words ‘do not enter’ written all over.
The design of the front was mainly to deter the three disciple of the Dark Arts or his descendants who have yet to fulfill his method of practice, from being killed by the prohibition spells within. If they have fulfilled the practice, it did not matter whether they entered the ancient cave through the front or back entrance.
When the foolish Chang Li heard Tuo Xie finally mention her, joy erupted from the bottom of her heart and it showed on her delicate face, a look beautiful enough to steal anyone’s breath away. Wen Leyang and Chi Maojiu beamed, looking at her expression of joy.
Tuo Xie hastily coughed twice and said in earnest, “If it is not something of any importance, do not bother her! This young girl…. Ha! Let’s leave that till my return. The journey I am about to take could take me as long as three or five hundred years, or even as short as fifty years.”
Tuo Xie had entrusted the jade talisman to the enlightened person Tian Yin. Firstly because he did not think that two thousand years would pass before this object was returned to the hands of his disciples. Secondly, according to his tone, although the matter he had to settle was of great importance, he was was largely confident that he could return before long. The max of five hundred years had now become two thousand years.
As he spoke, Tue Xie began to laugh. His laugh was honest and warm, without the sternness of an elder. “Even though I have accomplished the ultimate goal of the Dark Arts, I had no intention of contending for the divine land, nor did I intend to brandish my power under the heavens. Instead, I wanted to search the world for my own brand of happiness, up until the moment I met Chang Li, this… this… this scoundrel!” Although he emphasized the world ‘scoundrel’, there was not a hint of blame or anger but was filled with doting and complicity.
Tuo Xie’s laughter did not stop. It turned from awkwardness to joy and slowly turned wild. He seemed to forget that every ‘ha’ was little Chi Maojiu’s sadness.
Finally, the laughter faded. There was not a single movement within the witchcraft dimension. Wen Leyang waited the length of a breathe before asking little Chi Maojiu quietly, “Is he finally done…? Ah!!” He turned as he spoke. Upon his eyes falling on Chi Maojiu, he suddenly cried out in surprise. His body was gripped by fear!
Unknown when, under little Chi Maojiu’s feet, a crooked, black, shiny vine, akin to a thick strand of hair was noiselessly wrapping itself around Chi Maojiu. It went in from one ear, exiting through the nostril and snaked into the mouth. Chi Maojiu’s expression was blank. In the corner of his eyes, a few strands of these ‘hairs’ was earnestly squeezing itself out.
Wen Leyang did not have time to think, he reached out to grab the ‘hair’. However, he had just moved forward when he felt himself being pulled away. Chang Li had came over in a flash and was pulling him away.
The usual playful look had returned to Chang Li’s face. She giggled as she looked at him. “Why do you look so alarmed? When Tuo Xie started laughing, his magical powers had started to morph into a tuft of hair. Wait and see, what happens next will be even more shocking and terrifying!” As she said this, she pulled Wen Leyang to sit down next to her. She supported her chin with one hand and looked at Chi Maojiu in earnest, like she was watching a movie.
Wen Leyang could not bear to watch. The transfer of Grand Master’s Ben Ming was not an easy sight to stomach. He turned to look at Chang Li. “What of the whereabouts of Grand Master?”
Chang Li smiled and sighed in relief. Her person became graceful and light after exhaling, seeming to have cast off a great burden. “I’m not afraid if he turns out to be wizen and old, nor am I afraid if he were dead. I was only afraid that I would not be able to find him! Now, with a way to locate him, I am overjoyed!”
Wen Leyang nodded as well, “Black and White Island, Tian Yin! I will go with you.” It was not as if no one in the world knew where Tuo Xie had gone but Tian Yin, one of the three Sword Immortals of Black and White Island knows. However, Wen Leyang felt that this was strange. “Why would Grand Master Tuo Xie not tell Lue Luo or Mi Xu where he was going but he told Tian Yin?”
Chang Li was not as thoughtful as Wen Leyang. In fact, she did not want to overthink it. She shook her head with an easy conscience. “Whatever the case, we’ll talk after we have got ahold of that Taoist priest Tian Yin!” As she said this, she suddenly pulled on Wen Leyang’s sleeve in excitement. She pointed towards Chi Maojiu. “Look, quick! It’s changing, it’s changing!”
Wen Leyang gulped loudly. The ‘hair’ had now completely vanished. Little Chi Maojiu was lying flat on the ground. Like a flower nursery, buds bloomed all over his body, withering into ash seconds after they had reached full bloom.
Countless strange looking bugs had appeared out of nowhere and were crawling in and out of his orifices. These bugs looked queer and varied in size, but they had one common trait, they each had a human face on their bodies. Some crying, some smiling. Some were expressionless, some were even winking.
Chang Li laughed at the sight, goosebumps erupted all over Wen Leyang’s body. He could not help but ask her, “How… how long is this going to take?” As he said this, he picked up his cellphone to check the time… His phone had went dead from recording the Grand Master’s words.
Chang Li frowned as if Wen Leyang’s question was a difficult one. She said after while, “Do you mean in here… or out there?”
Wen Leyang let out an ‘ah’. Chang Li’s words did make some sense. With a bitter smile, he countered, “In here and out there, is there a difference?”
Chang Li nodded matter-of-factly, surveying Wen Leyang with beady eyes, her face turning into a frown. “This world contains great energy and obeys its own laws. Of course inside here would be different from outside there! When did you become so dumb? Before this, I would have said that you were better than him. Now, it looks like he is better… much better!”
Wen Leyang did not know whether to laugh or to cry, he just shook his head. In his heart, he knew what this was all about. He pondered if he should continue questioning her when she blustered, “Do not ask me how different they are! I do not know either. Maybe an hour in here equals to a day out there, or maybe an hour in here is but a few minutes outside. We’ll only know when we get out!”
Wen Leyang was unsatisfied, he thought hard and tried to come up with a theory. “Last time at Shanghai’s Painting Town, Leyang Tian had activated the witchcraft dimension there. The time was…”
Chang Li had heard of his experience in Painting Town before. She pouted with scorn. “How can the boy Leyang’s power be compared to him?!” As she said this, a thought seemed to cross Chang Li. She squinted her eyes and looked Wen Leyang up and down. “Boy, are you in a hurry to get out?”
Wen Leyang could hold it in no longer, he pounded the ground with his fist in frustration. “It couldn’t have taken us half a month, right?” In half a month’s time, it would be the tenth day of the fourth year according to the lunar calendar, the day of his wedding.
With a crunch, the flower stalks on little Chi Maojiu’s body fell off. The bugs had stopped, turned upside down, and died on the spot. Wen Leyang’s gaze lit up with hope when little Chi Maojiu sunk into the muddy ground, bobbing along in the mud.
Time within the witchcraft dimension seemed to stand still. Every now and then, the power that was entangled in Chi Maojiu’s body would shift and change. Various strange things started to happen, each stranger than the next, making one’s hairs stand and grit their teeth at the sight. Wen Leyang and Chang Li had no notion of the time in here. They chatted idly. When he got bored, he got up and did a round of Poison Hand. Chang Li chose to fall silent. She closed her eyes and sat cross-legged upon the ground, utilizing the time to recuperate in silence.
Light within the witchcraft dimension grew low and dark. Even with Wen Leyang’s enhanced vision, he was starting to lose his vision. In the end, he could not even make out little CHi Maojiu and Chang Li who were near to him. Finally, a darkness so absolute you could not see past your own fingers enveloped them.
Wen Leyang immediately sat cross-legged. He started counting in his heart. He had only got to the count of two, when he felt he body shudder. The witchcraft dimension, which had trapped them for who knows how long, had vanished!
Wen Leyang was overjoyed. He quickly opened his eyes. He cried out an ‘ah’ and almost fell over. An old face, almost nose to nose with him, was looking at him expectantly.
Wen Leyang had to pull back a few feet before he could recognise the person in front of him. He said, perplexed, “Gu… Gu Xiaojun? Why are you here?” Then, he grabbed the old man by the arm, “What is the date today?”
