Looking at Wu Shi's outstretched hand, I felt as if I had made up my mind, and at the same time, I extended my own hand.

I got on the rocking horse and stared blankly at the animated pictures on it.

Wu Shi casually took out a one-yuan coin and inserted it into the coin slot.

The Lazy King rocking horse started moving, and with each note of music, my heavy mood vanished.

Time passed slowly as I spaced out, and life would eventually go on.

Wu Shi and I returned to the apartment. We were no longer as reserved as before, and instead started discussing cultivation.

Wu Shi inherited his master's medical skills, but he was not good at divination.

Wu Shi once said that looking at the future would stifle its possibilities, and he didn't want to do that. He wanted his life to be full of anticipation and possibilities.

I had also considered whether to study medicine, but my master also said that if one's foundation is not solid, it is easy to be a jack of all trades and master of none.

For a Taoist disciple, being a jack-of-all-trades and master of none is the most undesirable thing.

Time flies by like a rocket...

Two months later...

After more than four months of continuous training, my physical strength has improved, and I have even increased my daily running distance from 10 kilometers in the morning and evening to 20 kilometers.

As his mental strength increased, drawing talismans became easier. Even the most difficult talisman for exorcising spirits could now be completed with a success rate of about 90%.

Since that class reunion, I have never contacted my classmates again.

There has been no further news of the evil rat.

Ever since that heretic was defeated by the master, he seemed to have vanished into thin air.

But I know he won't let this go.

During this time, I did visit Xixi a few times. Xixi was still the same as before, as lively and cheerful as ever.

Xixi and I shared some interesting stories that happened to us, and we also ate some street food. Our lives were quite fulfilling.

But this peaceful life will eventually be disrupted...

After finishing dinner as usual, I was about to go inside to study when I received a call from my master:

"Xiao Xi, take all the talismans you can use. You'll be encountering a formidable opponent today. Remember to wear the brocade pouch and bracelet I gave you!"

Hearing my master's serious tone, my heart tightened involuntarily.

To be called a formidable person by one's master, one must be incredibly strong.

Could it be a zombie or something?

There was tension, but also a hint of anticipation.

I took out the Taoist robe that my master had given me from the wardrobe.

The Taoist robe was sky blue with faint outlines of silver-white stripes, and had four loose pockets inside, making it easy to take out talismans at any time.

The back of the Taoist robe was printed with a peach tree pattern, which made it look very elegant.

After I put on my Taoist robe and went out of the room, I saw Wu Shiye coming out of his room:

"What, did your martial uncle call you over too?"

I nodded:

"Hmm, Master said he's a formidable fellow, but I wonder what he is!"

Wu Shi didn't hesitate and immediately put on his light green Taoist robe. You could even see several small medicine bottles hanging from his waist.

Wu Shi and I quickly went out, and Master's car was already waiting downstairs.

Wu Shi and I got into the car, and the master stepped on the gas and started the car.

On the way, Wu Shi asked, "Uncle-Master, what's the matter this time that you're in such a hurry?"

The master replied with a grave expression, "Yes! Someone has died!"

I was startled when I heard this in the back seat. Had someone actually died?

I quickly followed up with, "What is it this time? Is it a zombie?"

The master shook his head: "It's not clear yet. When the local authorities received the report, the person was almost scared to death, but was bleeding from all seven orifices."

"According to the information I received from my superiors, the deceased was also a Taoist priest who seemed to be somewhat famous in the area, but he had never been noticed by the Taoist Association."

"He might be a charlatan with a false reputation, but this time he's met the real deal!"

"The one who invited the Taoist priest was a woman, and she seems somewhat delirious now."

I was quite shocked to hear that someone had died such a tragic death.

What kind of opponent must that be?!

The master drove for about three hours, but did not feel tired.

However, when we arrived at a residential area in Qingpu District, the scene was very noisy. The area was surrounded by warning fences set up by the police, and inside the warning fences was an apartment building.

The residents of the apartment building were all standing in line downstairs, under the supervision of special police officers.

The master arrived at the warning fence and took out his identification:

"Hello comrade, I am Ma Tianxiong, who is in charge of investigating and handling this matter. Please inform your superior."

The police officer guarding the warning fence took a look at his master's identification and then ran to the side.

The police officer and an elderly police officer not far away were talking about something.

A short while later, the elderly policeman came over, his face solemn:

"Commander Ma, thank you very much for coming. I am Feng Yonggang, the deputy director of the Qingpu District Public Security Bureau."

"This incident is quite complex. Commander Ma, what are your plans? How do you require our cooperation?"

I was somewhat surprised. It seemed that this Director Feng was much older than my master, probably close to sixty, yet he addressed my master as "sir," which showed how much power my master wielded.

The master, however, did not pay attention to the other party's form of address:

"At present, I do not have specific information about the actual circumstances of the deceased, nor do I have the statements from the victims' relatives."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!