The Art of the Talisman
“Now, we shall move on to a first-tier high-grade talisman. This is the Spirit-Gathering Talisman. It is a talisman that draws the surrounding spiritual energy into one point for a short period. As the talismanic script becomes denser, the manipulation of spiritual energy becomes correspondingly more difficult.”
Talisman Artisan Yeon hung a new sheet of paper beside the platform and explained it calmly. As his brush rose and hovered over the paper, the gazes of the cultivators gathered in the hall converged onto the platform in unison. The density of the spiritual energy flowing from the tip of his brush became significantly thicker. The script was so dense that it could hardly be compared to the Cleansing Talisman or the Quick-Step Talisman. The number of strokes had doubled, and smaller, intricate scripts were neatly inscribed within the larger ones. As he placed the final dot, a bluish spiritual energy was sucked into the talisman, revealing the gravitational force that pulled the surrounding energy into a single point.
“...Now, try to follow along and draw it as best as you can.”
Talisman Artisan Yeon gave a subtle warning. While the number of cultivators keeping their seats had dwindled significantly, the remaining ones were busy unfolding their talisman paper and gathering spiritual energy at the tips of their brushes. Jin Wi also picked up his brush again, his expression cautious. His posture, as he examined the first stroke of the script, was quite earnest. However, the flow eventually faltered at the point where the spiritual energy had to transition into the smaller script inside the main pattern. His brush trembled minutely on the paper, and as too much spiritual energy was injected into one corner of the script, the entire pattern scattered.
“Haa...”
Jin Wi sighed in regret and set his brush down on the side. Even with his Heavenly Spiritual Root aptitude, the first-tier high-grade script remained out of his reach.
“I suppose this is as far as I go.”
Jin Wi looked at Baek Cheong with a look of disappointment. While he acknowledged his own limits, the frustration of a young child was faintly buried in his expression.
“It’s enough that you managed to draw up to a first-tier mid-grade talisman on your first try, Brother Jin.”
“Young Miss Baek... just how far are you intending to go?”
“Who knows?”
Baek Cheong answered nonchalantly, though she neatly aligned the tip of her brush. Seeing her like that, Jin Wi’s mind became complicated. However, considering her past record of handling multiple spells early on, he wondered if such versatility was only natural. Soon, he looked at Baek Cheong, thought of the term ‘a person of many talents,’ and rose from his seat.
Before long, there were only three cultivators left in their seats. A Foundation Establishment cultivator from the outside dressed as an artisan, a Foundation Establishment cultivator who proudly held his ground as an inner disciple of the Biun Sect, and Baek Cheong, who was the youngest and merely at the Qi Refining stage. Intriguing gazes gathered inside the pavilion. The sight of a young child among them drew eyes from all around. Cultivators watching from one side of the courtyard whispered among themselves.
“Ho, I don’t know which family that child belongs to, but she seems to have a deep aptitude for talismans.”
“The one who will likely remain until the end is that artisan in the blue robes over there. His skill in drawing a first-tier high-grade talisman on his first attempt was no small feat.”
“Well, I, for one, think the young child will go further.”
“Ahem, how can you compare a mere child at the Qi Refining stage? Her limit must be the first-tier high-grade.”
At the edge of the courtyard, the cultivators who had mocked Baek Cheong were also awkwardly mixed in. Meanwhile, Talisman Artisan Yeon on the platform glanced at the three remaining in their seats, his gaze lingering on the youngest child for a long time.
“...Now, it is time to move on to the second-tier talismans.”
Talisman Artisan Yeon withdrew his gaze and proceeded with the lesson. An unknown tension permeated the atmosphere, which had been somewhat relaxed until now.
“Second-tier talismans have much denser scripts, and the manipulation of spiritual energy is so difficult that it cannot be compared to the first-tier high-grade. Even in our sect, it takes a couple of years of dedication after one can cleanly draw a first-tier high-grade talisman before one can barely get the hang of it.”
Soon, he hung a new sheet of paper beside the platform and spread both hands lightly, causing a thick brush to slowly rise. The murmuring inside the pavilion subsided at the sight of the spiritual energy gathering densely at the tip of the brush.
“First, I will demonstrate. The name is the Fire-Breaking Talisman. It is a talisman with a different nature than the Raging-Fire Talisman; it is used to dispel evil spirits or sinister monsters with fire energy, and it is the first step in learning second-tier talismans in our sect.”
The script was twice as dense as the first-tier high-grade talisman. Smaller scripts were divided into several branches inside the main pattern, and it was a talisman where the thickness of the spiritual energy at the brush tip had to change constantly at every section for the script to come alive. As he placed the final dot, a deep, clear blue fire energy surged and rippled over the talisman. The sight of the talisman spreading fire energy in all directions and scattering even the dark, gloomy aura was clearly visible to the cultivators gathered there.
“...Now, try to follow along and draw it. Do not overexert yourselves; just try to follow as far as your hands can reach.”
Talisman Artisan Yeon encouraged them calmly while checking the three remaining once more. However, the three remaining did not hesitate to pick up their brushes again. The outside artisan was the first to unfold his talisman paper and gather spiritual energy at the tip of his brush. Even though he knew it was impossible for his level, he proceeded with the determination to at least get the hang of it once.
His brush carefully drew the first stroke on the paper. However, the spiritual energy could not follow the constant density at the point where it transitioned into the smaller script inside the pattern. The tip of the brush trembled minutely, and as too much spiritual energy was injected into one corner of the script, the pattern became distorted. The blue fire energy flickered over the talisman for a moment before fading away.
“...Indeed, it seems this is as far as this old man’s level goes.”
The outside artisan bowed politely and set his brush down on the side. Beside him, the Biun Sect inner disciple also picked up his brush, but his hand trembled at the section where the density had to be varied, causing the spiritual energy to break. The blue fire energy on the talisman paper flickered for a moment before fading.
“...I have once again come to respect the skills of the seniors of this sect. As a student, it seems this is not a place for me to advance further, so I will take my leave.”
The Biun Sect inner disciple also bowed politely to ask for understanding and stepped back from his seat. The only person left in the seat was Baek Cheong. The cultivators who were watching shifted their gazes to Baek Cheong in unison. Moreover, Baek Cheong, who remained in her seat, was a young child who was merely at the Qi Refining stage.
“...I don’t know which family’s young child she is, but this must be her limit.”
“I heard that even the artisans of the Biun Sect find this script difficult.”
“She’s just going to waste talisman paper for nothing.”
Most agreed that it was already surprising enough that a child who had not even entered the Foundation Establishment stage had followed along up to the first-tier high-grade. On the other hand, Talisman Artisan Yeon on the platform nodded quietly toward Baek Cheong, who remained in her seat.
“Now, let’s see you draw it.”
Gazes mixed with curiosity and ridicule poured onto Baek Cheong all at once. Baek Cheong, however, unfolded another sheet of talisman paper without any particular agitation. She dipped her jade-rabbit fur brush into the inkstone once more and coated it generously with cinnabar.
‘The second-tier talisman script is a bit dense, isn’t it?’
Baek Cheong neatly tucked away Talisman Artisan Yeon’s demonstration in her mind. The fact that the spiritual energy density had to be varied for every flow of the script seemed tricky, but it was much easier than drawing complex character-patterns. However, the second-tier talisman was somewhat overwhelming for a Qi Refining stage cultivator. This was because there was a significant difference in quality from the Foundation Establishment stage spiritual energy.
After adjusting her brush, she drew the first stroke on the paper. Swish. The tip of the brush crossed the paper, drawing the main strands of the script. Soon, at the point where it transitioned into the smaller script inside the pattern, the quality of the spiritual energy dropped, causing it to tremble for a moment.
‘I’m getting blocked by a mere talisman like this?’
Baek Cheong felt an inexplicable stubbornness and rummaged through her storage pouch. She quickly took out a jade bottle and poured a Spirit-Gathering Pill into her mouth. High-purity spiritual energy surged from her Dantian through to the tip of her brush without a break. As spiritual energy was added to the lacking parts, the trembling script finally connected neatly.
“Huh...”
Talisman Artisan Yeon on the platform narrowed his eyes without realizing it. The sight of a Qi Refining stage cultivator following along and drawing a second-tier talisman after twists and turns was bizarre. The brush crossed the paper and stopped quietly at the spot where the final dot of the script was to be placed.
Tap.
It was the moment the brush left the paper. A deep, clear blue fire energy surged in all directions over the paper at once. The sight of the Fire-Breaking Talisman spreading fire energy in all directions and scattering even the dark, gloomy aura reached even those around her. The color was much deeper than Talisman Artisan Yeon’s demonstration, and the level of fire energy scattering the evil spirits was twice as fierce.
“......”
A deep silence settled inside the pavilion. Talisman Artisan Yeon set the large brush he had been carrying on his shoulder to the side. The cultivators also stared for a long time at the blue fire energy rippling over the talisman. The first person to open his mouth was Talisman Artisan Yeon.
“How on earth...”
Even second-tier artisans often scattered the script while drawing it due to the control of spiritual energy. However, the young child had drawn the Fire-Breaking Talisman on her first attempt.
“...How did you draw it?”
Talisman Artisan Yeon asked in a trembling voice. Even with the assistance of a pill, completing a second-tier talisman on the first attempt was close to impossible. Baek Cheong, however, left the talisman quietly on the side without any particular agitation.
“I just drew it, and it worked?”
Short groans flowed from all over the courtyard at the same time. The artisan standing on one side had his eyes bloodshot red. Another artisan bit his molars, and blood leaked from the corners of his mouth. One artisan covered his mouth with his palm and shook his shoulders. Unable to endure it, he eventually vomited blood and collapsed. The young child’s single remark that it was nothing special seemed to have completely negated the skills they had honed their entire lives. As a result, there were few who were not stirred by inner demons.
‘It’s still easier than formations, isn’t it?’
Baek Cheong, for her part, thought the artisans were making a fuss. If someone had heard Baek Cheong’s inner thoughts, their Dao heart would likely have been broken as well.