For ten years I practiced Gu poison in Southeast Asia; all living beings revered me as a deity.

Before the rooster crowed, Luo Feng had successfully completed his mission of "stealing food from seven households" and returned safely.

However, when he returned, he was scolded by the old man, Putao.

"I told you to steal food from seven households, but you went and stole the food offered at the shrine in front of their houses."

The old monk also had a look on his face that said, "I don't know whether to laugh or cry."

"This disciple is guilty."

Luo Feng quickly apologized.

He asked again, puzzled, "How do you know about this?"

"I've sent my own informants to follow you," Putaon sighed.

—The whispering ghost, also known as the Paigeshi, is a type of wandering spirit often dispatched by wizards.

Although the Paigeshi are weak, they are good at running around and gathering intelligence. However, these wandering ghosts are quite weak and timid, so they are often unreliable.

When the temple held its trials, neither Putaon nor Alichaya sent out any of the whispering ghosts because the ancient temple was shrouded in a powerful force, and the whispering ghosts dared not approach it.

"But after searching for a long time, I couldn't find anything to eat. I had no choice but to resort to this."

He then whispered, "Could it be that taking this food violates some taboo? Or does it mean that this doesn't fulfill the rule of 'stealing food from seven households'?"

"It's not taboo."

The old monk smiled wryly: "You've fulfilled that rule... The household gods and village gods worshipped by villagers are mostly fictitious, and some are wandering ghosts, not worth mentioning... But they are still offerings to the shrine. Don't you think your behavior is strange?"

"..."

Luo Feng frowned. He was initially puzzled, but then a thought suddenly struck him, and he understood why Putaon would say such a thing.

He was born in China and received an education that instilled in him a lack of respect for gods and ghosts. Even if he knew that supernatural phenomena existed in the world, he only felt fear rather than awe for their existence.

Unlike in China, the divine right in Thailand has always been controlled by the ruling class. Throughout history, rulers have tried their best to portray themselves as incarnations of gods and Buddhas.

In this country, since ancient times, people have regarded monks of royal and noble birth as "gods and Buddhas," believing that they were gods sent to the human world by the Buddha. They also believed that after death, these two types of people would go to "Mount Sumeru," live in different levels of "heavenly realms" on the mountain, and be reborn as celestial beings.

One example is that when ancient royal family members and nobles died, their funerals did not emphasize non-harm, but rather highlighted the merits accumulated by the deceased, holding various entertainment activities and playing various kinds of music to artificially create the joy and happiness of heaven.

As the saying goes, what the superiors do, the inferiors follow. In such an environment, people are influenced by what they see and hear, and develop a deep-seated respect and awe for the supernatural.

"Never mind, it's not a big deal."

Master Putaoon shook his head: "Find some time tomorrow to return the stolen offerings... Ati, one should always maintain a sense of awe towards certain things."

"I see."

Luo Feng nodded humbly.

He felt he needed to be more careful about his words and actions.

At least in this segment of the cycle, those whose words and actions are too out of step with the times will inevitably become the target of criticism.

"Alright, through my blessing with the Lanna shamanic 'Five-Headed Ganesha Seal,' the Seven-Tiger Seal has been planted in your 'body' and 'life.' For the next period of time, you will need to chant scriptures day and night, receive blessings through mantra practices, and also receive further guidance and learning from Alichaya."

Master Putaoon added, "There is one more thing I need to inform you. Another trial will be held soon, and you will likely have four more junior brothers."

"OK."

Luo Feng lowered his head and rolled his eyes.

He didn't have much of an opinion about having more junior brothers, because it was now clear that Putaon and Alichaya were treating him differently and showing him special favor for some reason, obviously prioritizing his training.

But what exactly is the reason behind this?

Luo Feng looked at the old monk's face again, wondering what secrets were hidden beneath that kind face.

To be honest, he couldn't see through it at all.

……

……

Although the Seven-Section Tiger Seal can be considered complete, this is only the beginning.

According to the Lanna shamanistic practice, this is only the first step.

The purpose of the talisman is to protect the physical body, but to go further, one must carefully choose a powerful evil spirit, use the method of binding it, and introduce it into one's body, then use the seven tiger talisman tattooed on the back to suppress and control it.

Ali Chaya also continued to guide him, urging him to study Pali and read Buddhist scriptures daily, and also teaching him Shan language.

In addition, this lean, dark-skinned old man was also well-versed in medicine and herbalism.

Alichaya planted a patch of herbs behind the Princess Temple, some of which were called "Wanliao," whose pollen, stems, and herbs had sacred properties and could be used to perform magic.

Every day, Luo Feng had to take different herbs, some of which were decocted into a soup, and others had to be chewed up and swallowed raw.

Taking these medicines can strengthen his "body," and the divine and spiritual properties of the herbs can also enhance his "life."

On this day, Alichaya examined him by feeling his bones.

"Not bad, not bad!"

He was quite satisfied.

"Although you are not mature enough yet, now that you have received the blessing of the 'Five-Headed Ganesha Seal' from your teacher, your mind and body have the potential for 'spiritual communication'. Teacher Putaon also said that he can now teach you some basic spells."

The old man took out something wrapped in a red cloth covered with talismans, like a baby's swaddling clothes, from his bosom and handed it to Luo Feng.

"What is this?"

Luo Feng took it with both hands and found that the red cloth package was not heavy.

"...It's a Kumanthong."

Alichaya laughed and said, "That is, 'Oman.' Almost all sorcerers who study witchcraft will have to come into contact with Oman."

Luo Feng was also somewhat surprised to hear this.

"So, this was made from an infant corpse?"

"No, no, no," Alichaya waved her hand.

"You're just a beginner. I won't hand over the Aman made from infant corpses to you yet, lest something go wrong."

The old man coughed lightly: "There are actually two kinds of Aman. One of them is the method used by General Khun Phaen in the story of Khun Chang and Khun Phaen. First, the child is cut open and taken out. Then, the infant corpse covered with gold leaf is refined with fire to make Kuman Thong."

However, the Kuman Thong created through this method possesses extreme malevolence and a violent temper, essentially resembling a cursed artifact made from vengeful spirits.

In fact, some later practitioners modified this method, replacing it with sculpted images of children. Through spirit-guiding incantations, they could draw the souls of children who had died young into these images, achieving the same effect.

Alichaya told him that he had created this Kumanthong himself, and that he did not use an infant's corpse, but rather soil from seven cemeteries, ashes from seven cremations, soil from seven villages, soil from seven caves, soil from seven rivers, ashes from seven children, placentas from seven cats, as well as talismans, temple flags, and so on.

The process of making it generally involves firing the clay into shape and then blessing it on an auspicious day according to ancient secret recipes.

"Now you can sense things, and you can also try to use your own power to control these alien beings."

Alichaya then taught him a spell and instructed him to try to activate the Kumanthong he had created.

"The Kuman Thong I make are almost like instruments of curses. Once you become familiar with them, you will gradually understand the methods of curses."

The old man instructed him to sit cross-legged and then placed the Kumanthong, wrapped in red cloth like a swaddling cloth, on his lap.

"Recite the mantras and try to activate the seven tiger seals on your body. The seals on your body contain the power planted by Master Putaoon with the 'Five-Headed Ganesha Seal'. The practice these past few days has been to allow this power to surround your body. Now, it's time to test the effects of this power."

The Five-Headed Ganesha Seal is the ultimate seal that only the founders of the Lanna Witchcraft School could master. Only by mastering the five major methods can one learn this power.

Luo Feng responded, "Yes."

He closed his eyes and silently chanted the incantation.

As Luo Feng continued chanting the incantation, he felt that the Kumanthong sitting on his lap was like an unusually cold block of ice.

A chill ran up his legs, quickly freezing the blood in his body.

At the same time, the seven tiger talismans tattooed on Luo Feng's back emitted a faint purple light, and a power began to stir.