Chapter 2

Chapter 2

My name is Qiao Moyu. I’m a freshman at Nanjiang University and the only modern-day Earth Master successor.

In ancient times, an Earth Master was also known as a feng shui master.

As the old saying goes: “First-class Earth Masters observe the stars; second-class masters seek the water’s mouth; third-class practitioners wander the earth.” Most of those walking the world today are merely ordinary feng shui masters. Those capable of mastering the arts of stargazing and aura-reading held positions in the Imperial Astronomical Bureau in ancient times, serving the imperial family.

My Qiao family ancestors served as the Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and were the hereditary Feng Sect Master.

Not long ago, I accidentally fell under a curse. Professor Zhu, who works at the Sanxingdui Ruins, told me that his cousin, Zhu Tanjian, knew of a rune that could break it.

Professor Zhu is a successor of the Zhu You Arts. As the ancient text “Zheng Yi” states: “Using words to inform the gods is called prayer; asking the gods to inflict calamity is called a curse.” In essence, the Zhu You Arts are for healing, while curses are for harm.

And a curse can only be broken by the Zhu You Arts.

To break my curse, I agreed to accompany Zhu Tanjian to Devil City to participate in a program filming.

I never expected to see such a scene upon arriving at Devil City.

The livestock in the local markets were nearly sold out. Countless influencers and streamers had claimed random corners of Devil City, broadcasting live to their audiences over skeletal remains, claiming they had discovered yet another animal devoured by a Man-eating Snake.

The experts in our Program Team were so frustrated their eyes were practically rolling back in their heads.

Professor Chen gave me a harsh glare.

“Morals are truly in decline. Young people these days will do anything for fame! There is no such thing as a Man-eating Snake with teeth in this world!”

As a biology expert specializing in the local flora and fauna, he utterly loathed this phenomenon.

I shook my head.

“From a biological perspective, Man-eating Snakes don’t exist. However, I know of something that looks very much like a snake and does indeed feast on human flesh.”

“Hahaha, Little Qiao, tell us more.”

Daxiong, the reporter, held up his microphone and pointed the camera at me.

“This is a science program, after all. We can’t have you talking nonsense.”

Zhu Tanjian cleared his throat nearby, and I could only shut my mouth sheepishly.

To distance themselves from the live-streaming influencers, the Program Team planned to head into the heart of Devil City.

Unexpectedly, something went wrong on the very first night.

The Program Team, a group of over a dozen people with several camels, found a sheltered spot to set up camp. Once the tents were pitched, everyone lit a campfire and sat together, drinking tea and chatting.

Air currents whistled back and forth between the hills, creating a series of mournful, piercing shrieks. Zhu Tanjian wrapped his blanket tighter around himself and smiled. “This atmosphere is perfect for ghost stories.”

“Qiao Moyu, don’t you know how to catch ghosts? Why don’t you tell us about your past experiences?”

“Help–ah–there’s a snake–”

A shrill scream suddenly echoed from the distance. It sounded like a young woman, her voice torn to shreds by the wind, sharp and piercing. It made everyone’s heart clench instantly.

Everyone stood up, ears straining to listen.

“Ridiculous! It must be those young streamers again. They’ve got some nerve, running out to a place like this in the middle of the night. Quick, someone go check it out!”

Zhu Tanjian stomped his feet in anxiety.

Uncle Da, the expedition expert of the team, immediately shouldered his backpack and grabbed a flashlight.

“I’ll go take a look over there.”

“I’m coming too. It’s a good chance to film them as a warning to other young people.”

The cameraman followed. I watched the direction they were heading, and for some reason, I instinctively felt something was wrong.

“Jiang Haoyan, let’s go check it out too. Teacher Zhu, the rest of you stay at the camp.”

Jiang Haoyan and I chased after them. It had only been a few minutes since they left.

But when I swept my flashlight forward, the path ahead was empty. Only the distant hills stood as massive shadows; Uncle Da and the cameraman were nowhere to be seen.