Ah Jin stood up while speaking, revealing his legs wearing Western-style pants and leather shoes, which made him look even more incongruous with the floral cloth. Moreover, because it was covered by Tan Xiao's mother, Ah Jin was afraid that Tan Xiao's mother would also have some big or small golden knives, so he didn't dare to shake it off.

How strange, let me take another look.

Ah Jin, with that floral cloth on his head, said aggrievedly, "Your mother also turned off the air conditioning."

He was used to having the air conditioning on all the time. Tan Chunying didn't know and thought Tan Xiao had forgotten to turn off the air conditioning, so she turned it off casually, muttering that this kid didn't know how to save electricity. This nearly suffocated Ah Jin, who was frantically trying to dissipate heat.

"...You keep it on for now." Tan Xiao was in no mood to deal with him. He just turned the air conditioning back on and then asked the peacock, "You said my mom lost one of her souls? I don't really see any abnormalities in her. Is this dangerous?"

Kong Xuan looked very leisurely, because this indeed posed no direct threat to her life. "Those who have lost their souls are often easily frightened, have drastic changes in temperament, or are sleepy all day. They are prone to being haunted by ghosts and demons. The symptoms vary from person to person. If this continues day after day, accidents will naturally occur."

Indeed, that's why there is the idiom "lose one's soul", because the symptoms of losing one's soul are just like this. Tan Xiao remembered that his mother had also suffered a concussion from a fall, which might have been due to her carelessness after losing a soul.

Now she got a concussion just from walking. What if she got into a car accident while driving?

This was what the great god Peacock meant by no direct danger, but still prone to accidents.

As for being haunted by ghosts and demons, that wasn't too scary. There was a peacock living in Tan Xiao's house now. Who would dare to provoke it...

"Should I perform a soul-summoning ritual for her? Do I need to calculate an auspicious time?" If it were any other time, Tan Xiao would have boldly tried it, but because this involved his close family member, he became flustered with concern.

He looked at Peacock and suddenly said, "Can the great god directly summon her soul? No, no, let me do it. I need to practice it myself."

Tan Xiao suddenly felt fortunate. Fortunately, he was not just a mascot. Fortunately, he did not refuse Kong Xuan. Otherwise, he would have had no idea that Tan Chunying had lost a soul.

Therefore, he suddenly had the urge to become familiar with the spiritual techniques, even stronger than the eagerness brought by the prospect of extra points on the college entrance exam.

Summoning souls can be done for the deceased or the living. Summoning souls for the deceased is like what Tan Xiao did for Lin Yang's second uncle. Summoning souls for the living is slightly different, but holding the ritual also requires some props.

"If we go now, we should still be able to buy them." Tan Xiao couldn't sit still and wanted to go out immediately. He called out loudly to Tan Chunying, "Mom, I'm going out to buy a chicken."

"Your mom ate one of my apples." Kong Xuan followed beside him, muttering in a low voice.

"..." Tan Xiao said, "Mom, I'm going out to buy a chicken and some apples."

In his opinion, the great god was easy to coax, though sometimes a bit childish... but quite cute.

Tan Xiao ran to two stores but they were both closed. Fortunately, they lived in an old town district where some people secretly raised chickens in their own yards. He knocked on a neighbor's door and bought a rooster.

Chickens are quite common in Chu shaman rituals. Many procedures involve them, from consecration and exorcism to the soul-summoning ritual he was about to perform. It is said that Chu shamans must use chickens in their magic.

Chickens are also called "yang birds". Roosters crow at sunrise, which has the effect of driving away evil. More importantly, doesn't this characteristic easily remind people of another legendary bird?

That's right! In the minds of Chu shamans, chickens are the budget version of phoenixes.

Chickens can guide souls in the underworld.

Tan Xiao brought the rooster back. Tan Chunying was already making cold dishes. The late-night dining culture is very prosperous in Nanchu, so she had no suspicion about what Tan Xiao went out to buy so late at night.

"Oh, you even bought a live chicken. Are we eating roast rooster?" Tan Chunying was also a food lover. Roast rooster, a Sichuan-Chongqing style dish, was the most popular for late-night meals.

"...Ah, yes." Tan Xiao also entered the kitchen and glanced at Tan Chunying. Because she had lost a soul, her remaining souls would be more easily shaken. So he didn't directly tell her that he was going to summon her soul.

Tan Xiao pricked the rooster's comb to draw blood and used the blood to draw a talisman in the air. He chanted directly, "Mom, look."

Tan Chunying turned around and saw her son chanting a spell at her: "Wandering souls, where do you linger? Three souls return to the body to protect life, seven souls return to the body to ensure peace and safety!"

He pointed his finger forward and dotted the chicken blood on Tan Chunying's forehead.

The rooster also fainted on cue, its soul going to help summon Tan Chunying's soul.

These techniques were all taught to Tan Xiao by Tan Chunying. She touched her forehead in pleasant surprise, "How come it feels hot? Did you develop this yourself? What did you add? Let me guess, lime?"

Tan Xiao: "...Yes!"

Although Tan Xiao was the technical expert in the family, after partnering with her son for so many years, Tan Chunying felt that her chemical knowledge had also greatly improved.

"The moves were also very much in place. Just the voice could be strengthened a bit more on the stressed syllables to make us seem even more spiritually powerful and highlight the atmosphere." Tan Chunying shared her insights on performance, emphasizing looking good and impressive.

She then looked at the fainted rooster, "Huh, what's wrong with this chicken? Is it sick?"

"I don't know. Let's not eat it then." Tan Xiao carefully observed Tan Chunying's expression. She didn't seem to have any reaction at all. Did her soul return or not?

"Then let's just eat the cold dishes. Tomorrow, go return the chicken. How can they sell a sick chicken?" Tan Chunying had finished preparing the dishes. Since there was no roast rooster, she said they would just eat cold dishes with stir-fried pork lard noodles.

Throughout the entire cooking process, Tan Chunying still showed no abnormalities whatsoever.

But when Tan Chunying came back, she only had her post-concussion symptoms. Tan Xiao had no choice but to look at Peacock to help detect if it had worked.

"The yang bird couldn't find her soul." Kong Xuan was also a bit surprised. He walked over to the rooster and placed his hand on it, apparently giving the soul-summoning chicken a buff.

After a moment, Kong Xuan frowned, "Could it be that her soul has fallen into the Yellow Springs? How come it still can't be summoned back?"

"What do you mean, it's missing?" Tan Xiao simply snuck out of the kitchen and asked in surprise and anxiety.

"Gods don't know, ghosts are unaware." Kong Xuan recited a common saying, but coming from his mouth, it seemed to carry an additional layer of meaning. "Could it be... a new formation or new spirit in the human realm? I must break it."

He muttered the last few words in a low voice, with a hint of indignation about wanting to reclaim his position.

The human world was developing too quickly. No wonder they needed to compile a new Classic of Mountains and Seas.

Tan Xiao suddenly remembered what Mu Fei had said, "Sister Mu said that the paths in the underworld follow those in the living world. Now there are various main roads, side roads, and highways. Could it be that she got lost?"

Kong Xuan: "..."

It's also possible. In the past, summoning a soul could be done in a short time, but now... it's hard to say.

"Let me search." Kong Xuan thought to himself that he would just look around.

Kong Xuan descended to the mortal world with his true spirit, residing in the divine seat built by the shaman, and using the shaman's body to transmit his teachings. However, this did not mean that he could not act on his own. Closing his eyes, he searched around in an instant.

When he opened his eyes again, he still found nothing. However, his brows had already relaxed. Kong Xuan said, "I can't find her, but there are no signs of your mother's soul being detained, so it's not an accident..." He paused for a moment, then continued, "There is another possibility, which is that your mother was born this way. Think about it, did she show any signs of being forgetful or absent-minded?"

There are indeed people who are born with a wandering soul, and a considerable portion of them even become idiots. However, Tan Chunying is still relatively normal.

If we're talking about being forgetful, it seems that she does have a bit of that. Could it be a false alarm? Tan Xiao pondered for a moment and asked doubtfully, "So she has never been able to see you either? If that's the case, will she still be easily frightened? Are there concerns about those with a wandering soul?"

"Of course, regardless of whether it's innate or acquired, it's still a case of a wandering soul. Your family has set up an altar with various spiritual tools, many of which are old objects. Generally, evil spirits won't casually provoke trouble, so there's no harm. It's just that after the Gengshen day, it's best to add some protection talismans. Didn't you say she hit her head? It might be related. Don't let her get frightened again."

Although the Peacock God can be a bit childish at times and looks down on the shamans in the jianghu, he is really reliable in these aspects, which immediately put Tan Xiao, who was a bit anxious about his mother, at ease.

That's true. Tan Xiao is no longer obsessing over his mother telling him about the lucky charm. It seems that Tan Chunying doesn't know anything either.

"Thank you, Great God." Tan Xiao was truly grateful and thought to himself that he must work hard to help the Peacock. He also pondered, "I'll make a protection talisman first."

Tan Xiao found some yellow paper and used chicken comb blood mixed with cinnabar to write in that crooked snake-foot script. According to the Chu shaman's habit, he was originally going to write "Phoenix Arrives Here" as soon as he picked up the brush.

Before he could put brush to paper, he glanced at the Peacock watching intently beside him. Tan Xiao thought to himself that it was a close call and he had almost gotten used to it. He slowly wrote: Peacock Arrives Here.

Only then did Kong Xuan show a satisfied expression. If Tan Xiao, as his shaman, still wrote "Phoenix Arrives Here", what would that look like?

Tan Xiao let the talisman paper dry, folded it up, put it in a custom-made transparent frosted card holder, and then tucked it into the card holder that Tan Chunying always carried with her. "Mom, I put a new talisman in your bag. Don't give it to anyone else."

According to the Peacock, the aftereffects of a wandering soul are usually drastic changes in personality, memory loss, slow reactions, susceptibility to evil spirits, and so on, varying from person to person. Tan Chunying had always been able to pass through safely in the past. Although there are more demons and ghosts after the Gengshen day, with the Peacock's protection, there is no need to worry too much.

"Oh, okay." Tan Chunying responded simply from the kitchen.

"She's not even asking why?" Kong Xuan said mockingly, obviously still holding a grudge against the Chu shaman's "ostentatious deception".

"What's there to ask why about trying out and showcasing new products? I've been hanging talismans on my body since I was a kid." Tan Xiao took out a roll of paper tape printed with "Phoenix Arrives Here" and happily showed the "Peacock Arrives Here". "It can also be considered a new print for our family's cultural and creative products."

Kong Xuan: "..."

Seeing the Peacock God's not-so-pleasant expression, Tan Xiao quickly retracted his head. He had gotten carried away and was showing off his family's products in front of the Great God again.

After finishing up here, Tan Xiao sent a message to Mu Fei.

[Sister Mu. What about the matter of continuing the Classic of Mountains and Seas?]

Because of Tan Chunying's matter, as well as what Kong Xuan said about changes in the mortal world's geography and spirits during the soul summoning, Tan Xiao suddenly had a deeper sense of immersion. As a native of the mortal world, perhaps he should indeed actively help to improve this new work, not just for the sake of bonus points.

Tan Chunying's near-miss made Tan Xiao's thoughts change slightly.

[We're in a meeting discussing it, haha, you're very concerned. Don't worry, if you make a huge contribution during the compilation, you'll definitely get corresponding bonus points.] Mu Fei and Tan Xiao had some private friendship after several interactions. [I also suggested that since you're still completing your studies, we need to consider that and try to achieve the best of both worlds. When the time comes, don't push yourself too hard just for the bonus points.]

This compilation and revision of materials is definitely not a matter of a year or two. As someone who has gone through it, she also doesn't recommend neglecting one thing for the other. However, this is her idea. In ancient times, the Chu shamans all pooled the efforts of generations to complete their writings.

[Got it, that's not a problem.] Tan Xiao's mentality is different now.

[So, how's your chapter on Ah Jin coming along?] Mu Fei asked.

[I was in class before and am about to start writing.] All things are difficult at the beginning. Tan Xiao also needs time to prepare and learn. To complete such a work, he is afraid that his level is not good enough.

[Don't worry, when the time comes, we have administrative dogs on our side to help you check it.] It's very obvious that the one Mu Fei is talking about is herself...

At this time, Tan Chunying also brought out the dishes. She made century egg mashed with chili peppers, cold jellyfish salad, and two bowls of pork lard noodles.

Each strand of the boiled noodles was soaked in sauce, appearing more glossy under the light, showing a light brown color. Without any toppings, only some chopped scallions were sprinkled on top, exuding a strong and enticing aroma of pork lard.

Tan Xiao scooped a big mouthful into his mouth. That kind of intense aroma immediately filled his oral cavity. The slippery and springy noodles were coated with fragrant juice, exploding between his lips and teeth. Eating a few more pieces of sour and spicy appetizing jellyfish, he was simply too satisfied.

Kong Xuan tapped the table beside him.

Tan Xiao paused his movements, took another big bite, and mumbled, "Mom, is there any more?"

Tan Chunying was watching short videos while eating, not even raising her head, and said, "There's another pot, I was saving it for tomorrow. You can add it yourself."

"Oh." Tan Xiao ran into the kitchen to supply the Peacock God, only to see that with his true spirit body, he had actually eaten the entire pot of noodles.

How should I put it? Tan Xiao strongly suspected that the Peacock God was thinking about the matter of Tan Chunying eating the offerings...

When Tan Chunying came in and saw that the whole pot was gone in such a short time, as if he had poured it directly into his mouth without even chewing, she was surprised and said, "You've turned into a glutton?"

Tan Xiao: "..."

Tan Xiao: "I'm still growing!"

Tan Chunying couldn't help but shake her head. They say that the stomach of a teenage boy is connected to the stars and the sea. She originally thought her son's appetite was still okay, but now it seems the time just hadn't come yet.

After eating and drinking his fill, Tan Xiao went to the study and found a copy of "The Classic of Mountains and Seas" from the bookshelf.

Tan Xiao pulled out a form and, recalling the categories Mu Fei had mentioned to him, also wrote down "artifact spirit".

Then, referring to "The Classic of Mountains and Seas", he drafted the following content:
"In the Central Realm, there is a server spirit, one cabinet with five machines, containing the data of Jinjiang Literature City, drinking the emperor's essence to take form. Initially, half of its body was machine, and half was dressed in a suit, it is fond of living in cool and shaded places. Born with the ability to create illusions, it excels in data..."

"Let's go with this for now. I wonder if it has any other functions." After writing, Tan Xiao looked it over and changed a few words, then read it aloud, "Mm, not bad, right? We'll come up with a book title later."

Kong Xuan slowly nodded, somewhat proudly. The shaman he had chosen naturally had a very competent level of expertise.

Ah Jin was right beside them, listening to his own entry, and was quite satisfied. He only pointed out one thing, "Not just the title, but also the synopsis, a one-sentence introduction?"

Regarding this, Ah Jin had his own ideas and looked at Tan Xiao eagerly, "Also, can you bold and highlight that paragraph for me? Give it a big recommendation at the front?"

Tan Xiao's hand moved, and he silently added a sentence after that paragraph: "...with a mouth full of 'novelist's words'."