A cold sweat broke out on my forehead as Miles Mao's shouts and the ringing of bells grew louder and closer.
Suddenly, Miles Mao clutched his head in apparent pain, his face twisted in agony, then began rolling on the ground, writhing.
With a sudden kip-up, Miles Mao kicked his feet, flipped upright, and sat cross-legged.
"Clear the mind..." I saw him gripping a peachwood sword, murmuring under his breath.
A chorus of 'Namo Amitabha' echoed over. I saw Dalton Fang at the side of the house, eyes closed, making ritual gestures and loudly chanting Buddhist prayers.
"Everyone, be careful! This is the Soul Summoning Rite—keep your mind clear, or your soul will be taken!" Miles Mao shouted.
I hurriedly closed my eyes, but strangely, while Dalton Fang and Miles Mao looked tense, I seemed completely unaffected. So I opened my eyes and kept listening.
Suddenly, Mason Yu staggered out of the house, looking lost and dazed, and wandered onto the road.
"Hey, Mason Yu, you blockhead!" Miles Mao snapped his eyes open, raised his peachwood sword, and made a few swift gestures in the air.
"Calm your breath, focus your mind, banish stray thoughts—by law, be still!" Miles Mao said, pulling out a Spirit Charm and pressing it to Mason Yu's forehead. With a burst, the Spirit Charm ignited.
But it had no effect on Mason Yu; he kept walking forward. Miles Mao slashed his peachwood sword, pressing it against Mason Yu's chest, but the sword bent slightly and Mason Yu continued onward.
Monk, hurry up and help!
A string of prayer beads flashed with light and flew over, landing perfectly around Mason Yu's neck.
Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, when practicing deep prajnaparamita, sees that the five skandhas are all empty and thus overcomes all suffering and calamity. Shariputra, form is no different from emptiness, emptiness is no different from form; form is emptiness, emptiness is form. Sensation, perception, volition, and consciousness are also like this...
With a loud smack, Dalton Fang slapped Mason Yu on the forehead.
What happened? What's going on?
Mason Yu snapped out of it, looked around in confusion, and the sound of bells abruptly stopped.
Damn it, kid, don't you know to keep your mind clear? You almost had your soul taken!
Miles Mao cursed loudly.
Suddenly, a wild gust swept through, pressing the surrounding weeds flat. The air became chillingly cold.