Immortal Cultivation: Starting from a Pharmacy Apprentice

Chapter 261: Chapter 261: God-Summoning Wooden Casket

Bai Mo took the package wrapped in black cloth and unfurled it, revealing a wooden case.

The wooden case was carved into the rough shape of a fish. It was cool to the touch.

He stroked the wood grain; it wasn’t rough, but quite smooth.

"This is..."

Bai Mo was a little puzzled. The quality of the wooden case was excellent, and he could tell at a glance that it was an object that had been steeped in the fragrance of incense offerings for many years.

But as for its specific purpose, Bai Mo couldn’t figure it out.

Just as he was about to speak, the case shifted in his hand. Bai Mo suddenly caught sight of markings on it, looking like they were drawn with thick, heavy ink.

Looking closely, he saw they were characters with complex strokes. Bai Mo narrowed his eyes slightly, and his mind suddenly jolted.

"Hey! Junior Brother, don’t look!"

A powerful warning flared in his mind. Bai Mo snapped his head up, his world feeling like it was shaking, and he couldn’t help but stagger back.

The disciple from Divine Dao Mountain steadied him and said with a wry smile:

"My apologies, I didn’t warn you in time."

"Are you alright, Junior Brother?"

Bai Mo shook his head. He didn’t feel any particular discomfort, so he said:

"I’m fine. Is there some mystery to this fish talisman?"

"What you just experienced has nothing to do with the talisman itself, but is an effect of the text written on it."

The senior brother from Divine Dao Mountain said, "There is great power within the secret script. Even disciples of my lineage don’t dare look at it for long."

Bai Mo shook his head and let out a laugh.

"I never imagined the mysteries here ran so deep."

The two chatted for a bit, and Bai Mo learned that the man’s surname was Zhang.

"Brother Zhang, you’ve come from afar and must be tired from your journey. Let’s eat and talk."

With that, he had Wei An prepare some tea and food.

During the wait, Bai Mo asked, "So, what is this fish talisman used for?"

Brother Zhang smiled.

"This item is a token for summoning the gods worshiped by my Divine Dao Mountain."

Bai Mo was surprised. The fish talisman in his hand suddenly felt heavy.

"It’s that precious?"

"Of course," Brother Zhang nodded.

"Any being who receives worship from my Divine Dao Mountain and hears your prayer can descend with their great power to shield you from disaster and calamity."

"Since you’re not from Divine Dao Mountain, Junior Brother, you don’t know the costs of using it. I’ll take this opportunity to explain it to you."

BANG!

As he spoke, he moved his stool closer to Bai Mo.

"You may not be aware of the true might of my Divine Dao Mountain’s celestial armies, Junior Brother, so I won’t even get into all the ways you can borrow their power."

"If it’s a matter of life and death, the celestial armies can travel through the void, covering ten thousand miles in a day. For short distances, they can arrive in just a moment."

Bai Mo was stunned. ’If that’s true, then this fish talisman could really be a lifesaver at a critical moment!’

’But it’s also obvious that the restrictions on this method must be immense. Otherwise, Divine Dao Mountain would probably occupy most of the top hundred spots among the inner and outer Sect Disciples.’

"Ahem!"

Brother Zhang cleared his throat.

"The Mad Gods and Dharma Protectors on the mountain also live by consuming the smoke of incense offerings."

"Every time you use it, Junior Brother, remember to offer a stick of incense or a sacrificial animal in return afterward."

"As for how valuable the return offering should be, that is entirely up to you."

He leaned in and lowered his voice:

"Some Dharma Protectors are extremely stingy. They’ll demand a huge amount of incense just for lifting a finger. If they’re not happy, they might even play a trick or two on you."

The costs of using the fish talisman varied, and there were many taboos involved.

Bai Mo didn’t dare be careless, and he spoke in detail with this senior brother for a long time.

He was repeatedly warned about the points that required special attention.

"There are some Dharma Protectors on the mountain whose worship has not been fully completed. They are rebellious and untamed, and they can easily turn on you."

"But these Dharma Protectors often possess unique and powerful skills. Should you ever have a day where you truly need to summon one, you must be extremely careful."

"Also, some Dharma Protectors, or Mad Gods, have their own taboos—things they cannot see or hear. You must be cautious, Junior Brother..."

These instructions continued for half an incense stick’s time before finally stopping.

Bai Mo felt that Brother Zhang was being a bit long-winded, and overly cautious.

"Brother Zhang, you’ve already said that. I’ve committed it to memory."

"I just... still don’t know how to use this item."

Bai Mo found a gap in the conversation and quickly interjected.

"Oh? I almost forgot to tell you."

"It’s not difficult, actually. When you want to use it, place the fish talisman in your palm, drip a drop of blood onto it, clench your fist, and call out with a sincere heart."

Bai Mo nodded.

"Alright, I’ll remember that."

Seeing that Bai Mo’s expression wasn’t feigned, Brother Zhang marveled at his good memory.

’I must have mentioned at least twenty-eight different taboos. An ordinary person would have to spend a long time just to memorize them all.’

The methods of worship were extremely particular, and these were all necessary precautions.

Then he looked a bit sheepish.

"Um, in the future, if you need to summon a god, Junior Brother, Nai Daoist is a good choice. Feel free to call on him."

"He doesn’t ask for much in return, and he’s quite thorough in his work."

Bai Mo showed a knowing smile.

"I’ve heard that the disciples of Divine Dao Mountain also have many branches, and that some of the lower-level Dharma Protectors and divine generals are only worshipped by a few, or perhaps a dozen, people."

"Is this Nai Daoist the one you worship, Brother Zhang?"

But Brother Zhang shook his head.

"Not exactly. In life, he followed my ancestor. My ancestor, that old man, was also a very influential figure in the sect."

"Nai Daoist isn’t of the Human Race. He was a Nai beast, and he lived a very long life."

"Because he died late, he didn’t get a good position on Divine Dao Mountain, so his status isn’t high."

Brother Zhang shook his head.

"His abilities are immense. If you have a request for him, Junior Brother, perhaps you can help him out a bit in return."

"He doesn’t ask for much afterward. Just preparing plenty of meat will do."

Only then did Bai Mo understand the history behind it all. Just as Wei An served the tea and meat dishes, Bai Mo invited Brother Zhang to start eating.

"Brother Zhang, I will take your heartfelt words to heart."

"Come. I successfully refined a pill today, so it is a time for me to reflect on my insights, which makes it unsuitable for drinking alcohol. Please, let me toast you with tea in place of wine."

Brother Zhang responded with a smile.

"Congratulations are in order for you too, Junior Brother. The Jade Flower Pill is no ordinary Pill."

"Once you take it, you’ll understand its wonders."

After a quick meal at Bai Mo’s place, he took his leave, not even stopping by Mountain View Tower.

This was a private matter, and he was in a hurry to return to the mountain to report, so he couldn’t delay.

Bai Mo saw him off and heard Brother Zhang’s parting words:

"Junior Brother, you found the seventh great Mad God for our Divine Dao Mountain. That position has been empty for many years."

"This is a great favor. Remember to visit often in the future."

With that, he blended into the crowd and gradually disappeared into the distance.

When Bai Mo returned to the courtyard, Wei An was very curious.

"Shopkeeper, is that piece of wood the return gift from your sect?"

"What’s so miraculous about it? Can I take a look?"

Bai Mo glanced at him.

"The mysteries within are greater than you can imagine."

"But it can’t be used lightly. I’ll only dare to use it at a critical moment."

After saying this, Bai Mo told Wei An to watch the shop, washed up a bit himself, and then headed to Mountain View Tower.

As soon as he saw An Caiwei, she, from behind a tall stack of documents on her desk, covered her nose, pushed her chair back repeatedly, and frowned.

"What is that smell on you?"

"The Demon Beasts in Celestial Barrier Mountain wouldn’t even need seasoning to eat you!"

Bai Mo raised his hand to sniff himself. ’How embarrassing,’ he thought.

"It’s the smell of the Azurewater Jadeflower. I haven’t found a way to get rid of it yet."

An Caiwei’s eyes lit up.

"You succeeded?"

Bai Mo took out a brocade box and opened it. Inside, five thumb-sized Pills lay quietly.

The Pills were tricolored: a white base dotted with light blue and green patterns. Their round, plump shape was quite delightful.

"I was only able to make this Pill thanks to the Pill Formula and the Azurewater Jadeflower you gave me, Senior Sister."

Bai Mo said, "These three are for you, Senior Sister."

"Alright. It can be your turn to take the lion’s share next time."

An Caiwei didn’t refuse. She took one Pill and tossed it into her mouth before Bai Mo could even try to stop her.

The flavor of the Jade Flower Pill spread through her mouth, and her eyebrows immediately arched in pleasure.

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