**Tiao Da Shen (跳大神):** This is a central piece of Chinese folk religion, particularly in Northeast China. It’s a ritual where a medium (the Lead Spirit, 大神) and their assistant (the Second Spirit, 二神) use drumming, singing, and incantations to invite a spirit or deity to possess the Second Spirit’s body. The purpose is usually to diagnose and cure illnesses caused by spiritual affliction, to exorcise malevolent entities, or to ask for guidance. The “god” or “immortal” is often a respected ancestor or a powerful spirit like a fox (狐仙) or weasel (黄仙). In the context of the Dao-Twisted World, the ritual is depicted with a remarkable sense of gritty authenticity—the smoke, the drum, the shivering, the *hiccups*—all of which are classic signs of a successful invocation or mediumistic trance.
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Definition
**Tiao Da Shen (跳大神):** This is a central piece of Chinese folk religion, particularly in Northeast China. It’s a ritual where a medium (the Lead Spirit, 大神) and their assistant (the Second Spirit, 二神) use drumming, singing, and incantations to invite a spirit or deity to possess the Second Spirit’s body. The purpose is usually to diagnose and cure illnesses caused by spiritual affliction, to exorcise malevolent entities, or to ask for guidance. The “god” or “immortal” is often a respected ancestor or a powerful spirit like a fox (狐仙) or weasel (黄仙). In the context of the Dao-Twisted World, the ritual is depicted with a remarkable sense of gritty authenticity—the smoke, the drum, the shivering, the *hiccups*—all of which are classic signs of a successful invocation or mediumistic trance.
Story context
Welcome to the Spirit Calling, fellow Daoists! Chapter 60 throws us headfirst into a genuine piece of Chinese folk horror: the *tiao dashen* ritual. Our favorite pragmatic madman, Li Huowang, gets a front-row seat to Li Zhi’s actual skills as the group stumbles into a village and discovers that their local “scandal” is, in fact, a full-blown possession crisis. This chapter is a masterclass in atmosphere—the transition from a mundane, gossipy village to the edge of the supernatural is seamless, and the ritual itself is described with loving, visceral detail. We get to see Li Zhi in his element, and the scene sets up a crucial test: is this guy the real deal, or just another fraud in a world full of them? Buckle up; the drums are beating.
Why it matters
This chapter is a fantastic character moment for Li Zhi. Up until now, he’s been the loud, gluttonous, and slightly annoying comic relief. But “The Spirit Calling” shows us his *professional* face. The transformation from a gossip-hungry village idiot into a focused, chanting ritualist is unsettling and impressive. For Li Huowang, this is a critical observation point. He’s evaluating Li Zhi’s power, and his decision to stay back and watch instead of interfering is very telling of his new, pragmatic, and calculating nature. The horror here isn’t just the contorting woman; it’s the normalcy of the supernatural. This is a village that *knows* what bad luck feels like and can only hope that a wandering spirit-dancer passes through. The chapter’s greatest strength is how it grounds the cosmic horror in a very real, very human desperation.
Quick facts
Source novel
Dao Gui Yi Xian
First appearance
The Spirit Calling
Chapter references
1
Type hints
dao gui yi xian, li huowang, li zhi
Guide tags
tiao da shen, Spirit Calling, Li Zhi’s strength
Appears in chapters
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