I have a composite mirror

Chapter 21 Soul-Guiding Incense

Bai Cailing said no more and turned to walk deep into the bookshelf, where there was an inconspicuous hidden compartment.

She gently pressed her finger on the side of the bookshelf, and with a soft "click," the hidden compartment opened.

Inside were several sandalwood boxes, each with a yellow talisman pasted on it.

"Since I've agreed to supply you with resources, I'll deliver some now."

Bai Cailing took out one of the boxes, weighed it in her hand, and seemed somewhat reluctant to part with it.

"I originally intended to keep this for my own use."

She placed the box on the table and gently lifted the lid.

The box was lined with a layer of silk, and on the silk lay five slender incense sticks.

Although it was not lit, a faint fragrance wafted out.

At first, it smells like the fresh scent of grass after rain, but upon closer inspection, it carries a hint of the salty tang of the sea breeze.

Then came the fragrance of flowers, the scent of herbs, and even some indescribable, ghostly aura.

Gu Shenyan only took one sniff, and he felt countless illusions appear in his mind:

The deep sea, reefs, swimming fish, and... that faint, lingering sadness.

He abruptly took a step back, holding his breath, and forcefully dispelled the illusions.

Be careful.

Seeing this, Bai Cailing quickly closed the box lid:

"This is a soul-summoning incense; if you smell it without preparation, you will easily lose your mind."

Her tone carried a hint of solemnity:

"During the meditation class, Father Moore was able to see through your bloodline at a glance because you still had demonic energy lingering in your body."

"To be precise, it's because the merman bloodline in your body hasn't been completely refined yet."

Gu Shenyan's heart skipped a beat: "What does Senior Sister mean...?"

"You used the spirit fish to activate your bloodline, and although you succeeded, it was ultimately just an external force that triggered it."

Bai Cailing looked at the gradually darkening sky outside:

"The most taboo thing about bloodline is the word 'superficial'."

"If it is bloodline passed down from ancestors, then it is truly ingrained in the bones and engraved in the soul."

"But yours, which is activated later in life, is like..."

She thought for a moment and found a suitable analogy:

"It's like borrowed power; it always feels somewhat out of place."

"This incompatibility might not be noticeable when you are weak."

"But once your cultivation deepens, this 'demonic energy' will become a hidden danger."

She turned around and looked at Gu Shenyan seriously:

"At best, it will cause qi deviation; at worst..."

"Degenerated into a demon."

These four words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Gu Shenyan's head.

Degenerated into a demon!

He recalled the records in "The Secret Records of Demons and Monsters":

Corrupted demons are the most dangerous of all, formed from the alienation of humankind.

"But you don't need to worry too much."

Seeing his pale face, Bai Cailing comforted him:

"The demonic energy within you is very weak; there shouldn't be any major problems for now."

"As long as it is refined in time, the danger can be turned into safety."

"And the best way to refine demonic energy is..."

She pointed to the sandalwood box on the table:

"Soul-Guiding Incense"

"This incense is made by blending nine kinds of spiritual herbs, the most crucial of which is called 'Forget-River Grass'."

"This herb grows on the banks of the Yellow Springs, and it has the special ability to connect the realms of life and death."

"By lighting the Soul-Guiding Incense, one can fall into a deep dream, allowing one's consciousness to enter the depths of one's bloodline and trace back to the source."

Her voice lowered:

"You have mermaid blood in your body, although it is diluted, you have still retained some bloodline memories."

"Use the Soul-Guiding Incense to enter your dreams, and your consciousness will be able to trace back along your bloodline."

"Return to that ancient mythological era and experience the life story of the source of that bloodline."

"If you can fulfill its remaining obsession in that dream, you will be able to truly refine this bloodline into your own."

She paused:

"At that time, the mermaid bloodline will no longer be an 'external thing,' but will become a power that truly belongs to you."

Gu Shenyan's heart raced as he listened.

Tracing back to the source of one's bloodline?

Experience the life of a merman?

This sounds... like time travel, time travel, time travel.

"but……"

Bai Cailing then changed the subject:

"This method of entering dreams is extremely dangerous."

"In the dream, you are a wisp of divine consciousness. If you die in the dream, it may damage your soul, and you will have to lie in bed for several months."

"Moreover, bloodline memories are often tragic experiences."

Bai Cailing sighed:

"Memories that remain in our blood must be deeply etched with pain and resentment."

She looked at Gu Shenyan seriously: "So, you need to think this through."

"Should we take the risk now, or wait until later?"

Gu Shenyan remained silent.

He knew, of course, that Bai Cailing was not lying.

Matters involving divine consciousness and the origins of one's bloodline are always extremely dangerous.

but……

He remembered the invitation letter to the Xuanji Club that was in his arms.

He had to attend the gathering three days later.

With their current strength, they would only be supporting characters if they went there.

If I can take this opportunity to refine my bloodline even more purely, my strength will increase significantly...

At least three days later, it won't be too embarrassing.

Moreover, he already possessed the Three Elements Mirror.

If the Soul-Guiding Incense can be synthesized and upgraded, its effects will definitely be even better.

Perhaps, you might even gain some unexpected benefits.

"The students are willing to give it a try." He raised his head, his eyes firm.

Bai Cailing looked at him and nodded approvingly.

"Good, that's certainly bold."

She pushed the sandalwood box in front of Gu Shenyan:

"In that case, these five soul-guiding incense sticks are all yours."

"Five?"

Gu Shenyan thought for a moment, then tentatively asked:

"Senior, what's the price of this Soul-Guiding Incense...?"

"price?"

Bai Cailing chuckled softly:

"Each stick of the Soul-Guiding Incense costs around two hundred silver dollars."

"Five sticks, that's a thousand silver dollars."

"but……"

Her smile held a hint of heartache:

"This thing is priceless and unavailable; even if you have money, you might not be able to buy it."

"These five of my roots were obtained from a caravan from the Western Regions three years ago through a friend."

"I originally intended to use it myself, but now..."

She shook her head: "Forget it, it's just sitting there anyway, might as well give it to you, maybe it can be put to good use."

Gu Shenyan was somewhat moved.

One thousand silver dollars is an absolute fortune anywhere.

But Bai Cailing gave it to her without hesitation, without even blinking.

"Senior..."

He was about to thank her when Bai Cailing raised her hand to interrupt him:

"Stop with the empty talk."

"Come with me to Yunmengze a year from now. If you come back alive, that will be the best reward."

Upon hearing this, Gu Shenyan could only nod solemnly.

He reached for the sandalwood box, but stopped when his fingers touched it.

He looked at the five gold-edged incense sticks in the box and quickly made a decision in his mind.

Five...that's too many.

You can synthesize them yourself using a three-element mirror; only three are needed.

The remaining two are a waste to keep.

not to mention……

He looked up at Bai Cailing; this thing was also a precious item to his senior.

It would be too greedy of me to take it all.

"Senior," he said, "I only need three."

"Please keep the remaining two for your own use, senior."

Bai Cailing was taken aback: "Only three?"

"Yes." Gu Shenyan nodded: "It's my first time trying, so I don't know how effective it will be."

He spoke frankly, without a trace of affectation.

"Three are enough. If that's not enough, just ask your senior for more."

After saying that, he carefully picked out only three from the box and put them away.

Bai Cailing looked at him quietly, then suddenly smiled.

That smile was much more genuine than before.

"Gu Shenyan," she said, enunciating each word clearly, "I knew I hadn't misjudged him."

"To remain clear-headed in the face of profit, and to refrain from greed and corruption, that kind of self-control..."

She reached out and closed the box lid:

"He is a hundred times better than those hypocrites who spout benevolence and morality but are actually greedy and insatiable."

Bai Cailing put the sandalwood box away and returned it to the hidden compartment.

"If three aren't enough for you, come find me anytime."

"I said I would help you, and I will help you to the end."

Gu Shenyan bowed and said, "Thank you, senior."

"Oh, right." Bai Cailing seemed to remember something:

"When using the Soul-Guiding Incense, remember to find a quiet place, preferably with someone guarding you."

"During the dream, your body will enter a state of suspended animation. If anyone disturbs you..."

She made a throat-slitting motion.

"clear."