It all started with one person becoming a shaman, but the Stand user...

Can……

The boy who had started the trouble frowned and pondered for a moment, then looked at Qing Hemiao with some confusion:

"Haven't you already figured it out? Where's the problem?"

A boy nearby chimed in wittily:

"I know, isn't that a brain teaser?"

The group suddenly realized and began to think along these lines.

Qinghe Miao smiled but did not directly answer whether it was right or wrong.

"I guess so, but I can also say no. We're all probably around eighteen years old now. What happened today is just a trivial moment in the long run of life, and we'll probably forget about it soon."

His gaze swept over these young faces, brimming with future possibilities, once more, and he casually waved his hand:

"However, if any of you recall this question ten years from now and have different insights, you can reconsider the answer."

And since you happen to be back in your hometown, why not come find me and tell me your answer? I'll most likely be staying here for the rest of my life.

That's the end of this topic.

The thought of starting class was interrupted.

"Class is starting!"

"Get back to your seat!"

The students seemed to wake from a dream, and dispersed to return to their seats.

Some people, while taking out their textbooks, were also frowning in thought or writing and drawing.

They should still be working on that problem.

After school, Qinghe Miao carried her schoolbag and walked out of the school gate at a leisurely pace.

Instead of squeezing onto the bus or riding a bicycle like most day students, they went around to a quiet, deserted corner at the back of the school.

After staying a while longer, I made sure there were no pedestrians around and no cameras pointed at us.

With a slight thought, the substitute [Spicy Red Pepper] equipped in the equipment slot was activated.

Qinghe Miao's body instantly transformed into an electric current, moving along the roadside power lines at a speed that perfectly respected physics!

Almost simultaneously, they gathered under the power line pole in their own village, dozens of miles away, and reformed their forms.

He tidied himself up and, as if walking home from school as usual, strode towards his own yard.

As soon as I entered the house, I could tell that we had guests.

Qing's mother was in the main room, smiling broadly as she greeted a middle-aged woman from the village whom she knew quite well. There were melon seeds and tea on the table.

The auntie had sharp eyes; as soon as she saw Qing Hemiao come in, she immediately waved enthusiastically.

"Hey, Xiao Miao's back! I was just talking about you! Come here, come here!"

Qing's mother also greeted them with a smile:

"Xiao Miao, your Aunt Gao is here, she's praising you."

"Hello, Aunt Gao."

Qinghe Miao greeted him.

Aunt Gao looked Qing Hemiao up and down, praising him with admiration:

"Look at this child, he's getting more and more energetic! His studies are going well! My brat is about to take his college entrance exams, and all he does is play on his phone all day long. His grades are driving me crazy!"

Xiaomiao, tell Aunt Gao, how did you learn it? Any secrets? Teach my son too, help him figure it out! The university entrance exams are just around the corner, it's driving me crazy!

Qing's mother, clearly delighted by the praise, also chimed in with her own words:

"Yes, Xiao Miao, we're all from the same village. If you have any good study methods, please tell us so that we can have more college students in our village."

Qinghe Miao felt a wave of helplessness.

What's there to say? What secrets could he possibly have?

You can't say that a system's skill proficiency is practically permanent unless there's a negative status effect.

Does he only need to bring an ear to school every day?

This is obviously not something that can be said.

He could only smile and bring up the "saying" that was semi-public in the village:

"Aunt Gao, you've heard of me, haven't you? I've been training with a master since I was little. Over time, my hearing and eyesight have become exceptionally sharp, my energy is boundless, and my memory far surpasses that of ordinary people. Perhaps it's because of this advantage that my academic performance is slightly better than others."

Although this statement sounds a bit mystical, it is obviously not easy to replicate.

But Aunt Gao was still somewhat unwilling to give up, and asked with a hint of expectation:

"Xiao Miao, what about my son? Could he practice too? Maybe he could find a master or something? He doesn't need to be as good as you, just a little more energetic and with a better memory!"

Qinghe Miao smiled wryly to herself, knowing trouble was brewing, and could only try to explain tactfully:

"Aunt Gao, this skill also depends on talent and fate. Not everyone can practice it, or even achieve the desired effect."

Furthermore, to achieve the state I described, you need to dedicate the time and energy others use for studying to this practice diligently. Your child is currently in their final year of high school, time is already tight, I'm afraid…”

Hearing this, Aunt Gao knew she couldn't force it, so she could only nod with some doubt.

He then remarked to Qing's mother that "spiritual practice is good" and "your child is blessed," thus temporarily putting the topic aside.

However, she changed the subject and made a new request.

Chapter 69 Burning Incense and Worshipping Gods

"By the way, Xiaomiao, I heard your family has a statue of a deity. With your great abilities, it must be especially effective!"

Aunt Gao stated her requirements:

"Could I also offer incense? I'm not asking for anything else, I just hope that my son can get a few more points on his test."

Upon hearing this, Qing Hemiao was even more speechless.

I am willing to explain clearly what a guardian spirit is.

But the hearts of parents everywhere are truly pitiful.

For their children's future, these parents are willing to try anything.

I won't be satisfied until I burn this incense.

Moreover, Qing's mother was right there beside her.

I feel that we're all neighbors, so offering incense isn't a big deal.

They believe that it's a good thing for the family to have many descendants.

As a fellow mother, she understood Aunt Gao's feelings and, being soft-hearted, readily offered her support before Qing Hemiao could even speak:

"Oh, what's wrong with that! Sister Gao, you can offer incense if you want. My child told me that the old man Bai Xian is very compassionate!"

It's like bringing the wrong book to class; it's really not a big deal.

Since Qing's mother has said so, how could Qing Hemiao, as her son, not even give her this much face in front of acquaintances?

For rural people, saving face is the most important thing in life.

It is still quite important.

Seeing that he couldn't refuse, he had no choice but to agree.

"Yes, that's possible. But Aunt Gao, my family worships a guardian spirit, a white spirit."

There are some things Qinghe Miao needs to say in advance to avoid misunderstandings or even complaints later:

"You can go out and ask around. It mainly deals with home safety and health and longevity. If you have a lot of insects in your house, or if you want your family members to be healthy, you can look forward to it. But academic performance is really not its main responsibility, so the effect may not be obvious."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Gao was not disappointed at all; instead, she breathed a sigh of relief and smiled radiantly.

"It's all the same, it's all the same! Heart-to-heart talks, heart-to-heart talks!"

And so, led by Qing Hemiao, she arrived at the room opposite where Bai Xian's memorial tablet was placed.

Because of Qinghe Miao, an incense burner and a few simple offerings are always placed in front of the altar.

Under Qinghe Miao's guidance, Aunt Gao solemnly and symbolically lit three sticks of incense, held them in both hands, raised them above her head, and chanted some incantations.

They were just saying things like wishing their son good health, safety, and success in his exams.

He bowed respectfully three times.

Only then did he carefully insert the incense sticks into the incense burner.

As she watched the cigarette smoke rise, Aunt Gao's face showed a satisfied expression, as if she had accomplished something of great importance.

As for Qinghe Miao's perspective from the side.

It's not mealtime yet, so Grandma Bai hasn't even come over.

Afterwards, Aunt Gao chatted warmly with Qing's mother for a while before being seen off at the gate with great enthusiasm, leaving with profuse thanks.

“Mom, in the future, please don’t agree to these kinds of things so easily, and don’t brag about them outside. Also, please don’t bring up my studies with the supernatural.”

After everyone had gone far away, Qing's mother went back into the house, and Qing Heming turned around and instructed her:

"Don't be fooled by how polite and emotionally supportive people are when they come. If something goes wrong, even if I make things clear beforehand, some people will inevitably harbor resentment. I won't care then, but you'll probably be upset."

Someone might even call the police to arrest him.

Although I'm not afraid, what if it's an all-accessible tunnel?

He didn't want to deal with that group of people.

Just being tainted by pointless resentment is disgusting enough.

The effort and the risk are disproportionate.

Moreover, Qinghe Miao's identity is that of a shamanic disciple.

The immortals expect him to rely on his abilities to promote good and punish evil, and accumulate merit for both sides.

We should not cause the immortals to harbor resentment for no reason.

Qing's mother seemed to have taken some of it to heart, but she still habitually grumbled a couple of times:

"We're all from the same village, what do you think of us? Look at you, so petty!"

Qinghe Miao:

"..."

What does this have to do with being "stingy"?

Sometimes he's just genuinely curious.

What do my words sound like to my mother?

How can it be like we're speaking different languages ​​or that the meanings are misplaced?

Even though she explained things very carefully, she either seemed to completely miss the point or omitted some details.

I wonder if he was silently complaining to himself that his mother was getting her comeuppance.

That night, Qinghe Miao was fast asleep when suddenly the system notification sounded!

[A level 1 scorpion has launched a stinger attack on you. A series of checks must be performed; failure will result in abnormal conditions such as poisoning, pain, and swelling.]

[The decision was not approved!]

Almost immediately, a wave of pain gradually rose from one side of his thigh!

It's becoming clearer and clearer, and it's spreading rapidly!

"hiss--!"

Qinghe Miao was instantly wide awake. She opened her eyes, threw off the covers, and reached out to turn on the switch for the kang lamp.

In the bright light, he quickly rolled up his shirt leg, exposing the painful area.