Chapter 93: On Talisman Discussion Day

In the eye of the Yin fish was naturally him from the modern era.

The eye of the Yang fish was currently empty; he estimated that when he was in the modern era, his current appearance would appear within it.

Besides this single memory, this jade pendant also contained some residual images and information.

In the images, someone rode the wind and controlled a sword, soaring straight up to the nine heavens.

Next, blood rain fell from the sky, the sun and moon shook and plummeted, mountains collapsed and the earth split across the continents, ghosts and gods wept, as if the entire world were about to shatter.

Yet in the end, only a long, leisurely sigh drifted down from the nine heavens, and heaven and earth returned to tranquility.

Only this Yin-Yang fish jade pendant drifted slowly down from the sky, vanishing into the dust.

In another image, he saw himself and an extremely similar figure intertwining within the jade pendant.

Their bodies and souls gradually merged into one; the figure from the present world seemed to have lost all attachment to life, allowing his will to gradually take dominance, leaving only a single memory preserved within the Yin-Yang fish.

In his Niwan Palace, the Yin and Yang fish on the jade pendant chased each other's tails, rotating slowly.

Zheng Fa's mind stirred slightly, and the rotation speed of the Yin-Yang fish increased just a little.

It was only now, because he had cultivated Qi, that he could glimpse the true form of this jade pendant.

This Yin-Yang fish jade pendant was undoubtedly a supreme treasure, but since he had only just entered the Qi Refining stage, he had probably not yet discovered even one ten-thousandth of its mysteries.

However, he was not entirely powerless—just as before, he could control the time interval of his transmigration by regulating the speed of the Yin-Yang fish's rotation.

In his perception, he could currently remain in the Xuanwei Realm for at most one month before returning to the modern era.

The reverse was not possible; this was likely related to the difference in Qi between the two realms.

... Somewhat useful, but not by much.

Its greatest function was probably that he would not be interrupted while secluding himself to cultivate in this world.

But for the current Zheng Fa, this held no particular significance.

Yet when he opened his eyes, he discovered the true benefit this jade pendant brought him—the world before him had suddenly changed.

Or rather, it seemed he was no longer using his eyes, but using "sensation" to view the world.

He saw those talisman diagrams filling the void once again.

Divine Sense!

According to the "Crimson Sky Art," upon first entering the Qi Refining stage, one would awaken Divine Sense, but this sense could only extend one foot from the body—roughly enough to outline the human form.

But by Zheng Fa's estimation, his Divine Sense could extend about one zhang from his body, even passing through this room to "see" the furnishings in the next room.

According to the records in the "Crimson Sky Art," this intensity of Divine Sense was something only possessed at the Foundation Establishment stage.

This could not be attributed solely to the fusion of two souls; it was more likely the effect of that Yin-Yang fish jade pendant.

Han Qi was leading two lackeys toward Zheng Fa's home.

"Senior Brother, why does your face look so terrible?" the tall and thin one asked him.

"I had thought that if we could catch Sister Zhang's eye, it would be fine for the three of us to stay in the Jiushan Sect," Han Qi sighed.

"Then..."

"Sister Zhang looks down on everyone; it was my foolish delusion..." Han Qi shook his head, his tone showing a hint of relief: "In a few days, after this matter with Zheng Fa is settled, we will pack up and return to the mortal world."

The two lackeys behind him exchanged glances; they both knew their senior brother was still somewhat reluctant to leave the Jiushan Sect, or rather, reluctant to abandon the path of cultivation.

"How about we just pledge allegiance to Zheng Fa?" the tall and thin one suggested: "Isn't he a decent person?"

"No ambition! How could we be people who dwell beneath others forever?" Han Qi scolded.

"... Haven't we been dwelling beneath others for decades already?" the shorter lackey muttered.

"..." Han Qi choked slightly, then spoke honestly: "It's not that I haven't considered it, but this person has only just entered the Jiushan Sect, and he is merely a dual spirit root cultivator. Even if he forms a Jin Dan, it will take over a hundred years—by the time he establishes his power, grass will already be growing on our graves."

"We don't need him to be that powerful; aren't we just trying to borrow Sister Zhang's background through him?"

"That is precisely the problem." Han Qi's face was filled with despair: "I heard that the senior brothers in the Talisman Method Pavilion are very dissatisfied with Zheng Fa receiving so many resources immediately upon entering the sect..."

"But Zheng Shidi has Sister Zhang backing him; would they dare to bully him?" the tall and thin one asked, puzzled.

"Exactly, they wouldn't dare to truly offend Zheng Shidi too severely." Han Qi glanced at him, his tone despairing: "But if we pledge allegiance to Zheng Shidi, it will be different; we would be perfect targets for them to vent their frustration."

"?"

"If they don't dare to hit Zheng Shidi, would they not dare to hit us?"

"..."

"Zheng Shidi, today is the Talisman Discussion Day held once every ten days in the Talisman Method Pavilion; shall we go together?"

"Thank you, Han Shixiong."

Zheng Fa cupped his hands in salute; although this was arranged by Sister Zhang, this person was indeed diligent, having waited at his door since early morning.

Presumably for convenient transportation, the Talisman Method Pavilion was located in the very center of the valley.

Though called a pavilion, it actually resembled more of an academy.

Walking through the courtyard gate, on the left were two rows of houses that looked like classrooms, while on the right was an open space; at the far end of this space stood a high platform, with rows of meditation cushions arranged below it.

"Senior Brother, do we listen to the senior brothers discuss talismans here?"

Talisman Discussion Day was essentially like an open lecture, where senior brothers with deeper cultivation in the Talisman Dao explained the art of drawing talismans to them.

"That platform is only used when a True Person of the Jin Dan stage comes to preach the Dao; for instance, only when Sister Zhang arrives would so many people gather to listen." Han Qi pulled Zheng Fa toward the two rows of classrooms: "On ordinary Talisman Discussion Days, it is Foundation Establishment senior brothers who teach us, and that happens inside here."

"Junior Brother, remember this well: the front row of houses belongs to our lineage, while the back row belongs to the lineage of True Person Pang."

"... Since we are both in the Talisman Dao, isn't what is taught essentially the same?"

"Actually, the fundamentals are mostly identical, but our two lineages have long had disputes; especially those Foundation Establishment senior brothers, who tend to argue whenever they meet, so we simply hold separate classes."

Zheng Fa nodded and followed Han Qi and the other two into one of the rooms.

There were not many people inside the room; thirty or forty low tables were arranged within, with one low table placed at the very front, behind which a man sat facing the others.

He wore a green Confucian robe, sat rigidly upright, and possessed a solemn demeanor.

Because of this air about him, the room remained quite quiet.

When Liu Yidao walked in, that senior brother lifted his eyes to glance at him, as if recalling something.

"Liu Yidao?"

"Yes."

"You sit there." That senior brother pointed to a low table in the front corner.

Liu Yidao could see that this low table differed from the others.

The other low tables held talisman paper and other materials for drawing talismans.

But this low table held none.

Seeming to notice his gaze, the man glanced at him, then looked at the others in the room whose expressions varied, and spoke:

"Zhang Shijie has already given you talisman paper and spiritual ink each month; though I do not agree, that is her quota, and I have no say in it." He looked at Liu Yidao and said, "But spiritual materials are precious; you may not use them here, or it would be unfair to the others. If you feel I am targeting you, feel free to report it to Zhang Shijie. If she asks, just tell her my surname is Zhuang."

Hearing this, Liu Yidao glanced at Senior Brother Zhuang, seeing his expression stern and his eyes fixed on him.

He cupped his hands toward the other and said, "This junior brother understands."