High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 597: Chapter 266: Divination - Unlucky Prediction, Lucky Divination_1

The method of turtle shell divination is a manner of divination with a long history.

Traditional turtle shell diviners would place a polished, hole-punched beast bone or turtle shell under a spiritual flame, observing the signs burned into it by the flame in order to predict fortune and misfortune, and to discern right from wrong.

In modern times, with the rise of various wizarding theories and schools, this ancient method of divination gradually abandoned many traditional molds. For example, the turtle shell needed to be from a virgin turtle of even age found at the foot of a southern mountain, the beast bone had to be the scapular bone of an eight-foot ox born in spring. Furthermore, auspicious dates and times needed to be selected for punching holes in the oracle bones, which could only commence after bathing, fasting and offering sacrifices.

Modernly-educated wizards simply need to follow the formulae and theorems outlined in textbooks, punching a small hole of the correct depth, angle, and shape in the right position on the turtle shell - as long as you follow the standards strictly, even if you use an electric drill to make the hole, the spirits and gods will not care about your disrespectful conduct.

Of course, traditional divination readings are still necessary.

”Year of Wu Zi, month of Ren Xu, day of Bing Wu.”

”It is auspicious or inauspicious.”

”It says, it is suitable to travel, open a market, form an alliance.”

”It says, it is not suitable for worship.”

”It predicts fortune or misfortune.”

”It says, great benefit lies to the southwest, avoid Yi to the east and north.”

”It says, encountering Yin is not difficult, meeting the moon is not an enemy.”

Until a piece of turtle shell was burnt to fragments, the only words Dr. Xiao had been repeating had been leaving Xin Fat Man scratching his head in confusion.

”Can you speak human language!” the fat man cried out irritably as he tidied up the potion test tubes on his hand, ”Professor Yi never gave such cryptic answers in class... Moreover, this is a hunting ground, not a fortune-telling parlour, do you need to burn turtle shells? Where is your compass?!”

”I just wanted to prepare myself mentally before divination... After all, today has been very unlucky.” Xiao Xiao put down the turtle shell, extinguished the spiritual flame, and brushed off the charcoal dust from his hands, and said slowly, ”Moreover, if I had Professor Yi’s skills, would I still be forming a hunting team with you? If the divination is not auspicious, the divinatory is auspicious. The path of fortune and misfortune is the most complicated and obscure part of divination.”

”We don’t need to look at fortune or misfortune, I just want to know the current surroundings.” Zheng Qing wisely gave up on the divination content that couldn’t possibly have a clear conclusion, and focused on simpler, clearer aspects instead.

”That is also what I wanted to say... but before that, I would like to emphasise.” Xiao Xiao took out a Cao herb from somewhere, and carefully picked up the burnt piece of turtle shell on the ground, pointing at the cracked lines on the shell and analysing, ”As you can see, the cracks down the centerline of the turtle shell are significant, and the edges also have many irregular lines crisscrossing, the divination appearances are obvious... This means we are going to encounter many problems.”

”No doubt about that.” Xin Fat Man scoffed.

Xiao Xiao ignored him, instead he turned to look at Zheng Qing: ”If I recall correctly, Andrew Taylor had requested an alliance with us before the game. I think now would be a good opportunity.”

”Andrew? That young wolf cub?” Fat Man couldn’t help exclaiming again. ”He offended the Hunting Committee right at the start of the game. Furthermore, think about the things he has done before... Allying with him really isn’t a smart idea.”

”The hunting ground belongs to Puppet Highness!” Xiao Xiao emphasised, and glanced at Zheng Qing.

”All I want to know is our current surroundings.” Zheng Qing sidestepped Dr. Xiao’s question, instead, he opened his hand as if to emphasise his request.

Xiao Xiao sighed, flipped open his notebook to reveal several pages densely filled with formulae and calculations, and thrust it under Zheng Qing’s nose, ”I have already finished the calculations.”

”School time, two twenty-seven in the afternoon.”

”Hunting ground environment, tropical rainforest; current temperature, twenty-nine degrees Celsius, stable temperature; there is no wind and lack of sunlight, which greatly restricts wide-range magic and somewhat weakens positive-energy magic, suitable for curses, magic potions.”

”Two miles to the north, there is Demon Qi, strength 7, independent individual; 4-5 miles northeast, also an independent individual, strength 5; 7 miles southeast, strength 3; 9 miles northwest, strength between 3 and 6, probably a group of demons.”

”In summary, according to the divination results, there doesn’t seem to be much trouble.” Xiao Xiao finished and quickly added, fearing that Zheng Qing would let down his guard, ”What I said earlier only applies to those demons that have clearly identified themselves.”

”As for those demons that like to skulk in hiding, reluctant to show themselves and prone to ambush, it’s anyone’s guess.”

”That’s the hunter’s job,” Zheng Qing turned his head to look at Blue Bird.

The absolution hunter was sitting cross-legged under a tree, cradling his longsword in his arms as if resting. But after hearing Zheng Qing’s words, he nodded slightly, seeming to agree with the team captain’s opinion.

”Anyway, before the situation becomes clear, I don’t recommend the hunting team to clash with any demons or other hunting teams.” Xiao Xiao put away his notebook and concluded, ”After all, we are still in a very dangerous situation... I still recommend allying with other hunting teams to advance or retreat together.”

Zheng Qing pinched his chin, remaining silent.

”According to that puppet...” Fat Man couldn’t help but speak again.

”It’s Puppet Highness.” Xiao Xiao patiently corrected him, ”In his hunting ground, whether we like it or not, it is necessary for us to show some respect.”

After remembering the two classmates who were gnashed to death in the small chapel, Fat Man immediately corrected himself, ”...by the words of Puppet Highness, only one hunting team can emerge victorious... even if we are willing to cooperate with them, what about them? Do they share the same mindset?!”

”I believe each hunting team will have a wise diviner.” Xiao Xiao expressed his stance subtly, but firmly.

While they were talking, Zhang Ji Xin, who had earlier run to the distance for basic experiments, had already returned covered in smoke.

After handing over his note full of data to Zheng Qing, he turned to Xiao Xiao, his tone slightly agitated, ”Wise diviners? I wanted to mock you diviners back at the small chapel... None of you realised anything? I’m talking about today’s events... Didn’t you see any signs?”

”You’re a wizard too, did you see anything?” said Xiao Xiao, countering sarcastically.

”Each has his own expertise! You are the Right Aide of the hunting team, naturally you have to assume the responsibilities of the diviner!” The absolution’s main hunter immediately deflected the responsibility back.

Xiao Xiao finally gave up arguing and sighed helplessly, ”Signs are everywhere, of course, they existed... but no one expected things to go so horribly wrong.”

”Didn’t you complain about the hunting team encountering a bunch of troubles this morning? Those were the signs.”

”Being in the thick of it all, I’ve always thought that those signs were related to the outcome of our game in the hunting ground. Who could’ve imagined that all the hunting teams would be kidnapped!”

”More importantly, it’s imperative for the power capable of blocking the aid from the first college and capturing all the freshmen to possess the ability to disrupt diviners... otherwise, how could they fool the vigilant guardians of the school?!”

Dr. Xiao’s words were very reasonable. Zhang Ji Xin, after a moment of hesitation, finally had nothing to say.