Realizing the unusual nature of this drum, Xiao Feng's eyes lit up immediately. If used properly, the potential of this drum is simply unimaginable!

Before that, what needs to be done is to test its power limit.

With this thought, a decisive look flashed in Xiao Feng's eyes. He took the drum off the stand, holding it in one hand and began to tap the drum surface with the other at an extremely fast pace.

"Boom boom boom boom boom..."

For a moment, the dense drumbeats sounded non-stop.

If Zhao Guo'an were present, he would probably mockingly say that such a fast hand speed must be owned by an eternal bachelor.

Of course, that's assuming he could withstand the effects of the drum sound.

And just as the drumbeats started, everyone present felt a buzzing sound in their heads.

Followed by a blackout in front of their eyes, then the objects in their vision began to shake, and their steps were unsteady as if drunk, unable to control their body balance.

"Ugh!"

The monk was the first to tap out, vomiting uncontrollably with tears and snot all over his face.

Not long after, Qi Xiaoman, Xiao Yalan, and Jiu Ye also followed the monk's footsteps, vomiting until the world spun around them, their heads pounding!

After the three came Lin Jiaxuan and Su Yuzhuo, who couldn't maintain their balance and fell to the ground.

The two of them were originally recovering patients, and making it this far was already commendable.

Of course, Xiao Feng, who was beating the drum, couldn't avoid being affected either. Cold sweat was pouring down his forehead at a rate visible to the naked eye, making him look as if he just washed his face and had no time to dry it in less than two minutes.

His head hurt, even to the point of feeling like he was about to have a mental breakdown, but Xiao Feng gritted his teeth and held on, continually telling himself, "Hang in there, just a little longer, then you'll see where the limit is!"

However, the intent was good, but even until he could no longer hold on and stopped the drumming, Xiao Feng couldn't test the limit of the drum's impact on people.

At this moment, not a single person present could remain standing; they all collapsed on the ground, biting their lips to stifle their painful howls.

In fact, during those few minutes of Xiao Feng's persistent drumming, someone wanted to speak up to stop him, but they simply couldn't, as if they were under a "gag order," unable to utter a sound.

Now, they could call out, but no one was willing to be the first to fall.

After persisting for about half a minute, Qi Xiaoman, Xiao Yalan, Jiu Ye, and the monk not far away couldn't help but let out painful groans.

The four were ordinary people; their physical fitness and endurance simply couldn't compare to the little girl and others.

"Huff... huff..."

Xiao Feng lay on the ground, panting heavily, his chest heaving continuously, waiting for the dizziness and pain in his head to gradually fade away.

Is it uncomfortable?

It's undoubtedly uncomfortable, almost unbearably so!

But what Xiao Feng felt, more than anything, was a thrill and excitement akin to having found a treasure.

This might be what is famously described as "painful yet joyous."

In this extremely conflicted state of mind, after spending more than ten minutes, Xiao Feng got up from the ground and helped up the little girl and the others, one by one.

No one blamed Xiao Feng; they just cast wary eyes on the modest drum, like looking at a ticking time bomb.

"What on earth is going on?" Lin Zhiyan asked incredulously, "How could the sound of this drum carry such power!"

Xiao Feng shook his head, indicating he didn't know, then turned his gaze to Jiu Ye, waiting for him to provide an answer.

After waiting a few more minutes, Jiu Ye finally recovered, pulled out a pipe from his sleeve, but after just one puff, he was seized by another violent fit of coughing, and the nausea returned.

After dry heaving a few times, Jiu Ye extinguished the tobacco, sighed, and said, "The drum skin on that drum... is made from human skin."

"What!"

Everyone's eyes widened, obviously taken aback by this statement.

Jiu Ye continued, "According to legend, the Human Skin Drum appeared as early as primitive society, used for rituals and blessings, with the High Priest conducting the ceremonies using it as a magical artifact to dispel calamities and bring blessings by drumming.

I can recognize it because I had the chance to see one in my younger years, but the sound of that drum merely made people uncomfortable to hear, nothing like this one with such a significant impact."

"Was human skin used for the drum because no other materials were available?" Lu Yao asked.

Xiao Feng shook his head and replied, "It has nothing to do with materials. There's a book called 'The Investiture of the Gods,' which features scenes of human sacrifices.

During the Shang Dynasty, ordinary people would slaughter pigs and sheep to worship their ancestors, whereas wealthy and powerful officials and merchants used more upscale items.

In imperial families, to demonstrate supreme status, they would use living humans, seen as the spirits of all things, for sacrifices, praying for eternal rule.

Furthermore, it's not just for sacrifices; in large events such as going to war or the burial of nobles, killing was commonplace. In that era, it was a very common phenomenon."

Lu Yao suddenly understood, "So, Brother Yan's meaning is that this drum was passed down from the Shang Dynasty?"

Xiao Feng chuckled and shook his head, "Certainly not, but the drum at least dates back several hundred years."

Jiu Ye agreed, "That's right, and this drum isn't complete. There should be a drumstick made of human bone or other apparatuses."

Everyone fell into silence, with Xiao Feng's explanation and Jiu Ye's supplement, causing everyone to develop different opinions.

After a while, Lin Jiaxuan spoke, "Actually, thinking so much is pointless; it's not like we're history experts. Putting aside the material and historical background, this drum is quite ordinary.

It's like how we feel uncomfortable, uneasy, or even oppressed by some song melodies. The sound of the drum just amplified that negative effect many times over."

Xiao Feng agreed with this statement, nodding, "I agree with what you said."

"Heh, do you think your statement would change my opinion of you?" Lin Jiaxuan rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, speaking with a disdainful tone.

Xiao Feng couldn't be bothered to argue with her and walked straight to the monk, asking, "How much for this drum? I'll buy it."

The monk glanced at the Human Skin Drum in Xiao Feng's hand, still feeling a chill, and said, "I don't have the authority to decide on temple items; I'll have to ask the Abbot."

"Well, go quickly and return; I'll wait here," Xiao Feng waved his hand, motioning for the monk to go consult with the Abbot.

The monk clutched his chest, leaving as if injured, with the feeling of pressure still unresolved even now.

He was also puzzled as to why there was a Human Skin Drum in the temple.

Perhaps only the Abbot knows the answer to that question.

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