[Chapter 29: Spiritual Perception Technique]
The dark shadow seemed to sense the threat of the Exorcist's Sanctum Blade and let out a piercing cry. Objects in the room erupted into the air, forming a chaotic barrier that blocked the sword's path.
In that split second, the shadow slipped to the side.
Daniel's voice cut through the tension: "Finally caught you."
That was the last sound the dark shadow ever heard.
As Daniel lunged forward and seized the shadow's soul form, a sudden bolt of lightning erupted, striking it directly.
"Ah!"
With that final agonized scream, the dark shadow dispersed, vanishing without a trace.
[Ding! Eliminated an F-Rank ghost, gained 5,000 Karma points.]
[Ding! Eliminated an F-Rank ghost, acquired the Spiritual Perception Technique.]
[Note: The Spiritual Perception Technique allows the practitioner to sense spiritual traces within the environment and the human body, revealing disturbances, blessings, vitality, or spiritual afflictions, and enabling the discernment of fortune, misfortune, health, and corruption.
Current Rank: First Tier, upgradeable.]
...
As the voice resonated in Daniel's mind, all paranormal disturbances in the room dissipated.
The lights returned to their normal glow -- no more fumbling in the dark.
Daniel flexed his hand, and the Sanctum Blade, guided by his magical energy, leapt back into his palm. With a flick, it vanished as he sheathed it mentally.
"Lightning!"
Emma exclaimed, eyes wide in disbelief.
A tangible bolt of lightning had just sprung from Daniel's hand.
Julia stayed calm, composed. "Mr. Cross, is it... all resolved?"
Daniel nodded firmly. "All resolved. You won't have to die. Look at the marks on your chests."
Relieved beyond measure, Emma and Gella no longer hesitated but tore open their tops to check themselves.
Within moments, Emma cried out joyfully, "It's gone! It really is gone!"
Gella's face lit up with the same delight. "Mine too -- completely gone."
Julia let out a long, breathy sigh of relief.
Suddenly clutching her lower abdomen, Emma said, "I really need to use the restroom."
Without waiting, she dashed off.
"I'll go too!" Gella called, trailing after her.
Daniel looked to Julia, whose cheeks flushed lightly.
"Mr. Cross, please, have a seat." She rose awkwardly. "I'll go upstairs to get something."
She climbed the stairs with a timid gait.
...
Daniel found the moment somewhat amusing. Julia and the girls were clearly rattled by the encounter.
Thankfully, he settled the threat quickly, sparing them from panic-induced accidents.
Daniel extinguished the candle and turned his attention to the kitchen.
The ghost might have vanished, but the shards of shattered glass and broken dishes remained, cluttering the floor.
He guessed these weren't cheap china.
But those costs were Julia's to bear.
'Right, the Spiritual Perception Technique.'
Daniel's curiosity stirred, and he surveyed the house through his newfound senses.
Instantly, delicate flows of energy swirled in his vision.
While seasoned Feng Shui / Kaso / Vastu masters often needed years of experience to read an environment, Daniel detected these subtle energies effortlessly.
Household item placements, orientations, directional alignments -- all became irrelevant as Daniel's eyes tracked the energy itself.
Julia's mansion was impressive.
Though most people rarely spoke of such things, they valued atmosphere.
Here, the environment exuded a comforting, welcoming feel -- reflecting excellent energy flow.
Daniel observed smooth currents of energy sweeping across the rooms, expelling negative energy and preserving beneficial forces.
It made sense Julia had prospered so well, securing an Oscar.
If not for Emma's ill-advised dabbling in spiritual games, these tainted forces would never have stirred.
Still, the house had its flaws.
Daniel identified stagnant energy pockets in the kitchen and the mansion's southwest corner.
Since the kitchen represents fire, stagnant fire energy often invites risk of flames breaking out.
And southwest deficiencies could bring theft, marital discord, or infidelity.
Daniel recalled that back in 2025, Julia's mansion had suffered both a fire and robbery -- perfectly matching these energetic anomalies.
"Amazing," Daniel murmured. "Thankfully, the southwest flaw isn't severe enough to threaten Julia's marriage."
"Mr. Cross, what are you talking about?" Emma had just emerged from the restroom and asked curiously.
Daniel's gaze fell on her. Around her body, the energy radiated mostly bright white, though tinged with lingering patches of black-grey.
Fortunately, the black-grey was fading steadily.
Daniel smiled inwardly -- this meant Emma's health was good, and the dark energy clinging to her was vanishing now that the evil spirit was gone.
"Nothing," Daniel replied casually.
Soon Gella and Julia arrived too.
Gella's energy signature mirrored Emma's.
Julia's energy also shimmered predominantly white but less pure.
Around her abdomen, Daniel noticed two distinct clusters of warm, fleshy pink energy.
Surprised, he realized that not only could he sense pregnancy, but also twins. Given more time, he might have even discerned their genders.
Julia's energy was less vibrant than the younger girls' simply due to age. After all, Emma and Gella were in their mid-teens, while Julia was thirty-seven.
"Mr. Cross, I thought $500,000 was steep before, but now I believe you're absolutely worth it."
Julia handed over a check for the remaining $400,000.
Daniel accepted it with a chuckle. "Julia, it must have been tough -- going through all of this while pregnant with twins."
She blinked in surprise. "Did you know?"
Emma shook her head. "I didn't say anything."
Daniel grinned. "Emma didn't say a word, but I saw it."
Julia looked down at her barely showing belly. "You can see that too?"
"If my aunt hadn't hadn't said anything, no one would have guessed she was pregnant with twins."
Daniel smiled, "Naturally, I have my ways."
Thinking of Daniel's array of uncanny abilities, Julia smiled too. "You can even summon lightning, so it makes sense you'd be able to see twins before anyone else."
Emma chimed in, amazed, "It's incredible. If I hadn't seen it myself, I wouldn't have believed someone could conjure lightning."
Daniel laughed softly. "Alright, everything's settled. I should get going."
Julia's expression shifted. "Mr. Cross, you forgot -- you sent the driver away. Your car isn't here, and taxis are hard to find. Why don't you stay here tonight? Tomorrow the driver can take you back."
Daniel considered and nodded. "Alright, I'll impose for a night. Also, you can let the servants out now -- from the servant quarters."
"I'll go," Gella volunteered, eager to help while staying as a guest.
"We'll go together," Daniel said. "I need to retrieve some prayer seals as well."
"Count me in," Emma added.
...
At the servants' quarters, Daniel opened the door and retrieved the prayer seals stuck to it.
These seals hadn't yet been expended; their power was intact and could be reused.
He checked several other spots and found some seals reduced to ash.
Those had sacrificed themselves to keep the evil spirit contained earlier.
Fortunately, only three were lost -- a small tradeoff.
After gathering the remaining usable seals, Daniel asked Emma and Gella, "Where are the seals I gave you before?"
They reached into their pockets, pulling out handfuls of ash.
Their faces betrayed surprise and a lingering chill of fear.
"Mr. Cross, if we hadn't had those prayer seals, would we have been in real danger?" Emma asked anxiously.
Daniel nodded, "More or less."
The two girls' eyes sparkled a little brighter in the dark.
Later that night, Daniel lay in the guest room when a strange noise stirred him.
He propped himself up and saw the doorknob slowly turning...
*****
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