Chapter Sixteen: First Practice of Magic

Gu Weiyu slipped the jade ring onto her index finger and slowly closed her eyes, following the guidance of the family head to imprint her spiritual consciousness onto the ring. When she opened her eyes again, she found the jade ring had vanished without a trace, yet under her spiritual sense, she could still perceive it resting on her hand.

“It has acknowledged you as its master. Now put the jade slip inside,” Gu Jun reminded her once more. “By the way, you should stay quietly in the Emerald Bamboo Courtyard these next few days and see no one. You must not speak of today’s events to anyone.”

Gu Weiyu nodded to each instruction. With a thought, the jade slip in her palm disappeared. She sensed it had been stored within the ring. Without hesitation, she placed the other two jade slips given by the Grand Ancestor into the ring as well.

“You can go now,” said the Grand Ancestor, who had been lounging in a relaxed manner, now sitting upright with an air of dignity as he addressed Gu Weiyu.

“Yu bids farewell,” she replied, giving a respectful salute before turning to leave Taihe Residence.

Outside in the courtyard, Crescent Moon saw Gu Weiyu finally emerge and breathed a sigh of relief. She walked up to her, scrutinizing her with concern. “Miss, are you… are you alright?”

For some reason, Crescent Moon felt that her mistress was somehow different. Previously, Miss Gu had been adorably pure, but now… there seemed to be an added hint of ethereal grace.

“Sister Crescent Moon, I’m fine. Let’s go back,” Gu Weiyu said, remembering the instructions from the Grand Ancestor and the family head. She refrained from saying much to Crescent Moon. After returning to the Emerald Bamboo Courtyard, she informed her that starting tomorrow, she would not go to Yanxi Hall for the time being, and Crescent Moon should tell others she was being punished to reflect behind closed doors.

Crescent Moon was astute enough to know that some matters were not hers to probe. If her mistress wished to speak, she would listen; if not, she would pretend ignorance.

After speaking with Crescent Moon, Gu Weiyu went up to the second floor, sitting cross-legged on the meditation mat in the quiet room. She took out the jade slip given by the Grand Ancestor and pressed it to her forehead, letting her spiritual consciousness enter. Immediately, the spells within the jade slip appeared in her mind.

The slip contained a myriad of spells; Gu Weiyu first found the Dust Purification Spell, committing its method of application firmly to memory.

She opened her eyes, put away the jade slip, and eagerly began to practice the Dust Purification Spell.

The spell was indeed simple to cast. After only three or five tries, she succeeded.

“Sister Crescent Moon, stop tidying up and watch this!” Gu Weiyu came downstairs just as Crescent Moon was cleaning the table. She called her over, pinched her fingers into a spell, and a gentle breeze swept across the table, instantly removing all dust and stains.

Gu Weiyu was filled with a sense of accomplishment, straightening her small chest with an air of, “Don’t praise me, it was nothing.”

“Miss, what kind of immortal art is this? It’s truly wondrous!” Crescent Moon stared in awe at the scene before her.

“This is called the Dust Purification Spell. Sister Crescent Moon, I’ll help you clean from now on!” Gu Weiyu was exhilarated; this spell was simply too amusing.

“Eh? Where did the small bamboo tube on the table go?” Crescent Moon looked at the now empty table, realizing belatedly.

The bamboo tube? Gu Weiyu’s heart skipped a beat—could she have accidentally swept it away with the Dust Purification Spell? She met Crescent Moon’s gaze awkwardly. “If it’s gone, it’s gone. Isn’t there a spare?”

Crescent Moon: “…”

Gu Weiyu moved to the flower stand, continuing to practice the spell. After causing mischief with a vase and a small bamboo ornament, she finally mastered the Dust Purification Spell.

“Miss, supper is here,” Crescent Moon announced as she entered with a large food box.

Only then did Gu Weiyu realize the afternoon had slipped away. She sat at the table, picked up her jade chopsticks, and began to eat. “Sister Crescent Moon, did anyone come looking for me this afternoon?”

“The twelfth young master came once, bringing Liuguang along. I’ve already told him that you’re to reflect behind closed doors for the next couple of days and won’t be going to Yanxi Hall,” Crescent Moon replied truthfully.

Gu Weiyu answered calmly. After finishing her meal, she headed upstairs to the quiet room. “Sister Crescent Moon, I’m going to cultivate upstairs.”

Crescent Moon acknowledged her and began to clear the dishes.

Settling herself in the quiet room, Gu Weiyu took out the cultivation jade slip from the family head, carefully pressing it to her forehead.

A flood of words poured into her mind, five bold characters: The Eight Desolate Mountains and Seas Manual. The name alone radiated an aura of greatness. She quieted her mind and read on.

This manual contained not only cultivation techniques, but also accompanying movement arts and spells, making it a rare and superior method.

However, its requirements were stringent; only those with the Thunder Spirit Root could cultivate it.

For many years, apart from the ancestor, no one in the Gu family had possessed the Thunder Spirit Root, leaving this manual neglected and unused.

A full half hour passed before Gu Weiyu fully digested the Qi Refinement section. She then began to circulate her inner spiritual energy according to the manual.

Previously, when guiding energy into her body, the light particles would rush in chaotically. Now, as she operated the manual, the lights became docile and orderly, entering her meridians in neat succession.

Spiritual energy flowed through her veins, gradually expanding her channels. Her body tingled warmly, slowly relaxing as she entered a state of selfless cultivation…

When Gu Weiyu finally emerged from her cultivation, she had no idea how much time had passed. Rising from the mat, she felt drowsy.

“Miss, you’re finally out!” Crescent Moon had been waiting outside the quiet room. Seeing Gu Weiyu come out, she hurried over. “You’ve been cultivating for more than two hours!”

“Sister Crescent Moon, what time is it now?” Gu Weiyu asked.

“It’s already three quarters past the hour of the dog. Are you hungry? The kitchen sent over locust blossom cakes today. If you’re hungry, you can have some,” Crescent Moon said with concern, thinking her young mistress was still growing and must not go hungry.

Gu Weiyu patted her stomach, feeling a bit hungry, and nodded.

Crescent Moon went downstairs, soon returning with a plate of delicate locust blossom cakes.

Gu Weiyu ate three pieces in succession. Crescent Moon hurried to caution, “Miss, eating too much at night won’t be easy to digest.”

“Alright,” Gu Weiyu reluctantly withdrew her hand, thinking the cakes tasted truly delicious.

“It’s getting late; you should rest early, Miss.” Crescent Moon took the small plate downstairs. “I’ll keep the cakes for you to have in the morning!”

Gu Weiyu watched longingly as the cakes were carried away, grumbling as she returned to her bedroom. Lying on the spacious bamboo bed, she suddenly remembered something:

Now that she had successfully guided spiritual energy into her body, could she return to Green Mountain Village to visit Father, Mother, and Little Stone?

Excited at the prospect of going home, Gu Weiyu rolled across the bed, determined to ask Sister Crescent Moon to enquire with the Third Grandfather at dawn!