Chapter 141: Seven Steps to Form a Talisman, Tianhe Miscellaneous Scriptures

Talisman arts lie in calming the heart, in focusing the spirit, in knowing the acupoints, and in channeling it all with a single breath.

If one is a novice, or dealing with profound talismans, one must bathe and burn incense, pray for blessings and change clothes, and set up an altar to perform the rites to increase the success rate.

Chen Ci still remembers how he was almost backstabbed by an Outer Sect Disciple of Nine Springs Temple back in the day; with a True Qi cultivation not much higher than his own, that person could actually summon wind and thunder, all because he relied on a rather exquisite set of Dragon Tiger talisman arts and an altar to succeed.

That was just an Outer Sect Disciple who had been passed down through who knows how many hands; these female cultivators right now might very well be Direct Disciples of this True Person Yang, so it is hard to say just how deep their attainments in talisman arts go.

However, sigh, that is not an issue; that Chen Ci can have his current attainments in talisman arts is all thanks to... well, all thanks to his own hard work, sweat, and persistence.

"Brother Ge, your spirit in the Five Yin Evil Qi Bag will surely protect me so I can surpass these Longhu Mountain disciples, right?"

Chen Ci's face was calm as a lake, but his heart was steady as an old dog; not to boast, but even without the right time or place, he could definitely draw a Refined Soul-Fixing Talisman in three to five breaths—the advantage is mine!

"Are you ready? There is only one sheet of talisman paper, so there is no room for regret once the brush touches it."

True Person Jiao stroked his long beard and smiled: "But today, I must turn up the intensity for you all."

As he spoke, True Person Jiao produced a bronze imperial bell from somewhere and flicked it lightly with his finger, producing a deafening roar; everyone in the hall felt a sense of chest tightness and nausea, their True Qi surged and became difficult to stabilize, and their minds were filled with distracting thoughts.

Chen Ci's mind raced; he exhaled a breath of turbid air, stood up decisively, and cupped his hands in a salute: "This Apprentice has a Soul Fixing Talisman; might I trouble the True Person to offer some critique?"

This intensity is truly something; it is just that this Master Chen's cultivation is a bit shallow, and his start was more than a step slow. Being a step slow means that even if the talisman drawing succeeds, it is not outstanding—how then can one improve?

Lin Qinhu to the side frowned slightly; he had clearly seen that Chen Ci had not yet put brush to paper. Could it be that he intended to take out a talisman he had already prepared?

Soul Fixing Talisman: Proficient/11/100 (Talisman paper and cinnabar ink, one must succeed)

On the contrary, the female cultivator from Longhu Mountain who was preparing to write saw that Chen Ci had already completed his talisman; she smiled dumbly, simply put down her brush, and stopped drawing.

Although she could certainly have finished the talisman earlier if her attention hadn't been diverted, since this was an examination, there was no point if she didn't get first place. Secondly, she did not possess this skill of drawing a talisman while walking that Chen Ci had. The Soul Fixing Talisman technique itself was merely average, but the fact that someone had cultivated it to such depth was worthy of admiration.

"Oh?"

Chen Ci rose to his full height, holding the talisman in one hand and the brush in the other; his mind fell into a mysterious and subtle state. He stepped toward the upper seat, drawing a stroke with every step.

Chen Ci felt his entire body go numb in an instant; there was a moment of blankness in his mind, a loud buzzing in his ears, and he felt himself swaying left and right, as if he were in the middle of a great river tide, unable to stand steady.

Everyone else hadn't even started writing, yet someone was already handing in their work; anyone would be a little curious.

Chen Ci held up the Soul Fixing Talisman with one hand and bowed slightly without saying a word, though his face was a little pale.

With the brush moving with spirit, the talisman was formed instantly; in just seven steps, Chen Ci had reached the center of the hall, and the final stroke on the Soul Fixing Talisman in his hand had been placed—the talisman was complete.

Once these words were spoken, they attracted the gazes of all the cultivators present; not only did True Person Jiao look over, but even the Longhu Mountain female cultivator who was just about to start writing paused involuntarily, casting a glance with beautiful, puzzled eyes.

Chen Ci tried hard to calm the Nether Yin True Qi within his body; fortunately, Superior Grade True Qi was indeed extraordinary. After regulating his breath, the True Qi throughout his body slowly stabilized, and his overall state gradually recovered, though he was still some distance away from a calm heart and focused spirit.

But the teacher was clearly testing the method of drawing talismans on the spot; to do this in such a setting was not as simple as a reprimand—even if he were punished, he could not blame anyone else.

True Person Jiao's face showed some interest; he hooked his finger to draw the Soul Fixing Talisman over, looked at it for a moment, and commented: "The strokes are coherent, and the talisman intent is excellent. Although the Soul Fixing Talisman is not of a high grade, you have already grasped its essence. Not bad, not bad."

If one cannot even hold the brush steady, how can one draw a talisman?

Chen Ci: *****!

However, the leading female cultivator from Longhu Mountain had already closed her eyes to gather her spirit, preparing to write; clearly, her control over regulating True Qi was superior to others.

True Person Jiao put away the imperial bell and smiled without a word.

After waiting for a few breaths, seeing that the apprentices in the hall were either stopping their brushes or failing, True Person Jiao did not mind and asked with a smile: "How many years have you cultivated this talisman?"

"Begin."

"Ten years."

Chen Ci thought for a moment and decided to tell the truth; from the time his predecessor began cultivating the Soul Fixing Talisman until now, it had indeed been ten years.

"Have you cultivated any other talisman arts?"

"This Apprentice is ashamed; I have only learned this one."

"Good!"

True Person Jiao stroked his long beard and pondered for a moment. Just as he was about to speak, True Person Yang to the side suddenly smiled: "This child can cultivate the Soul Fixing Talisman to such depth; he clearly has an affinity. Why doesn't the Master bestow the talisman scripture upon him to complement his skills?"

True Person Jiao heard this and felt it was acceptable; he took a scroll of Daoist arts from his sleeve, sent it to Chen Ci's hand, and chuckled: "Your cultivation is still shallow. Although this volume of 'Tianhe Miscellaneous Collection and Wonderful Transformation Talisman Scripture' is not profound, it has many uses. You may study it in your spare time, but do not forget that Daoist cultivation is the foundation."

After a pause, True Person Jiao added: "Although it is not profound, it must not be passed on to others casually."

Tianhe Miscellaneous Collection and Wonderful Transformation Talisman Scripture?

Just hearing the name, it seemed not bad.

But Chen Ci did not want this thing. He opened his mouth, and the words 'Can one attain Longevity like this?' almost slipped out. But when it really came down to it, he dared not play these little tricks in front of two Golden Core True Persons. He could only hold the Daoist book and respectfully reply: "Yes, this Apprentice thanks the True Person for bestowing the law!"

When he returned to his seat, Chen Ci tucked the Daoist book into his robes, but felt a bit regretful: "Ah Ci, oh Ah Ci, why couldn't you be a little bolder?"

Sigh.

But don't say it, really don't say it; if one counts Lin Laohu, among the disciples of the three parties—Longhu, Tianhe, and He Mountain—it was actually the He Mountain cultivators who won two matches.

Lin Laohu was purely lying there to win; to really save face, one had to look at Master Chen—tall and hard!

It was just a small meal and wine; after examining the disciples, the two True Persons, Jiao and Yang, were the first to leave the table, and before long, everyone else took their leave one by one.

In fact, there were only two groups of 'outsiders' from Red Dragon Temple and Fuhu Altar; the Longhu Mountain cultivators might just be staying here.

It is truly unreasonable; it's a pity Lin Laohu said this Zhaiyun Mountain was a branch of the He Mountain Sect in the Liangjiang Sea Market. Boss Jiao, you really cannot forget your own kin!

Chen Ci sighed slightly and glanced resentfully at Lin Qinhu. As the group of seven left the Tianhe Daoist Temple, before they had even descended the mountain, three Daoist children hurried over, panting as they saluted: "Several Masters, please stay your steps; my Master has gifts to bestow."

?

The several He Mountain Sect cultivators stopped upon hearing this. The three Daoist children looked for a few moments, as if distinguishing them, before distributing the gifts one by one.

Lin Laohu and that Dao Foundation High Cultivator surnamed Guan from Red Dragon Temple both received a scale-shaped Dharma Tablet, with a few strokes depicting river water on one side and two unrecognizable ancient characters on the other.

"Thank you, Teacher (True Person), for the reward!"

Lin Qinhu and the cultivator surnamed Guan took the Dharma Tablets and respectfully bowed toward the Tianhe Daoist Temple.

That old Daoist Shen Gao from Red Dragon Temple received a small tripod-shaped pill vessel; if Chen Ci remembered correctly, it seemed that the Dragon Tiger Longevity Treasure Pill from the banquet just now had been contained in this object.

As for Chen Ci and the remaining three disciples, each received a pill bottle. Chen Ci quietly opened it to take a look; it contained twelve pills. Judging by their appearance, they were quite good, at least more than a notch better than the Yellow Sprout Pill.

"Don't look; that is the Five Cart Nourishing Essence Pill. Each one is worth over two hundred gold, and they are priceless."

As if unable to stand Chen Ci's curious-baby look, Lin Qinhu's eyes narrowed slightly as he explained for him: "Mine is a Dharma invitation from Liuyun Palace; I will need this to attend the Dragon Lord's birthday banquet next year."

"Oh~"

Chen Ci hurriedly put away this pill; one pill was worth over two hundred gold, did that not mean this bottle of Spirit Pill was worth more than twenty Spirit Pearls?

How much did the wine and tea he brought cost again?

Hey, it is not important, the sentiment is what matters most!

The old Daoist Shen Gao also bowed toward the Tianhe Daoist Temple before sighing and saying, "My lifespan is not long; I came this time to tell True Person Jiao that I am resigning from the position of Temple Master and letting Junior Brother Guan take it, but I did not expect the True Person to still remember this old bag of bones and actually bestow a Treasure Pill for extending life, allowing me to linger on for a few more years. Let us go quickly, True Person Yang especially dislikes us He Mountain Sect cultivators, it is best not to stay on the mountain for long."

Chen Ci happily tucked this bottle of Five-Vehicle Nourishing Spirit Pill into his robes. Seeing the three young Daoists chasing after them, exhausted, he thought for a moment, took out a bottle of Health-Nourishing Pills, and tossed it to the leading boy: "Life on the mountain is austere; this bottle of Miscellaneous Pill can improve the taste of your meals, divide it among yourselves."

"Thank you for the reward, sir!"

The young Daoist scrambled to catch the pill bottle, his face slightly flushed. The three of them bowed to Chen Ci and then hurried back into the temple.

When descending the mountain, Lin Qinhu did not insist on taking it one step at a time. The group used their movement techniques to head straight down, and it did not take long to reach the foot of the mountain. Both sides exchanged a few polite words before parting ways, with no intention of becoming better acquainted.

"Let's go back."

Lin Laohu gave an order to Chen Ci and headed toward the Liangjiang Sea Market. Halfway there, he suddenly chuckled and asked, "What are your impressions?"

Chen Ci was still calculating the gains from this trip; his expression was calm, revealing a slight grin.

Aside from seeing a few Golden Core True Persons and gaining some experience.

There was also a slight improvement in the Condensing Pill Incantation.

And two-ninths of a Tianhe Sword Record.

And one volume of the Tianhe Miscellaneous Capture and Wonderful Transformation Talisman Scripture.

And one bottle of Five-Vehicle Nourishing Spirit Pill.

That is all.

Nothing else gained.

People, as expected, still have to rely on themselves.

"Huh?"

It was as if he had been interrupted while counting money. Chen Ci wiped his mouth, thought for a moment, and then grinned as he said, "Among us He Mountain Sect cultivators, only you, Senior Brother, are actually considered to be under True Person Jiao. As for us trying to climb the social ladder, we would only be asking for humiliation."

After coming down the mountain, Chen Ci had figured it out: while True Person Jiao was a great backer, he was not approachable, and currently, his cheap Senior Brother was more reliable.

He was like someone who had followed Lin Laohu to a high-end banquet and seen the world, but that did not mean he had integrated into the circle. Once the banquet ended, he was still a lowly Outer Transmission of the He Mountain Sect; the big shots, connections, and relationships at the banquet actually had nothing to do with him.

At least that was the case for now.

But once his cultivation was profound in the future, who could say.

"Haha, it is good that you understand."

Lin Qinhu laughed: "Aside from Master Jiao, stay far away from everyone else on the mountain. If you really go up there foolishly trying to climb the social ladder, heh, weigh it well yourself."

"Understood, Junior Brother knows."

Chen Ci nodded earnestly.

Do not look at how Chen Ci was chatting and laughing with a Golden Core True Person in the morning and drawing talismans alongside disciples of a major sect; he still had to go to the eatery to cook Spirit Rice in the afternoon, focusing on self-reliance.

But before that, he could first take a look at how this talisman scripture was.

Since it was produced by True Person Jiao, it surely could not be too bad.

(End of chapter)