C11 Teach Jiang Yuanhong

"Master, I've brought the person who taught me to inscribe the Spirit-drawing Talisman!" Qin Yuxuan exclaimed with a hint of pride as she approached Jiang Yuanhong in the tranquil courtyard.

Xiao Yu observed from the side, noting the contrast between Qin Yuxuan's vivacious demeanor and her sharp, decisive manner when dealing with Wang Fei earlier—it was as though she was a completely different person.

Jiang Yuanhong, the master in question, appeared to be in his forties, exuding an air of scholarly elegance. His deep gaze conveyed a sense of composure.

"Oh? Is this the young man who instructed you in the art of inscribing Spirit-drawing Talismans?" Jiang Yuanhong's gaze brightened as he turned his attention to Xiao Yu.

Surprise flickered across his face. Although he was aware that Qin Yuxuan's mentor was a young individual, Xiao Yu looked even younger than he had anticipated, seemingly only seventeen or eighteen.

"May I ask your name, young friend?" Jiang Yuanhong's demeanor remained humble despite his prestigious position, his tone warm and inviting.

"I am Xiao Yu," he replied honestly, having gleaned from his earlier conversation with Qin Yuxuan that her master was the Pavilion Master of Tianming Pavilion.

"Hehe, please take a seat, young friend Xiao," Jiang Yuanhong graciously gestured towards a stone table nearby.

Xiao Yu took the invitation in stride, seating himself confidently across from Jiang Yuanhong.

Jiang Yuanhong observed Xiao Yu's comportment with approval. Given his own stature, even the city's most notable figures tended to be somewhat restrained in his presence. Yet, here was a young man who sat before him, utterly at ease, without a trace of intimidation. His gaze was steady, treating Jiang as though he were just another person.

To Jiang Yuanhong, such poise might be misconstrued as arrogance in an average youth, but in someone of genuine skill, it signified a commendable blend of bravery and self-assurance.

"Yu Xuan mentioned your guidance in successfully inscribing a Spirit-drawing Talisman. It appears you are a practitioner of the Talisman Dao as well. I'm curious, who was your teacher?" Jiang Yuanhong's interest was piqued. He wondered what kind of Talisman Master could have trained such a young individual capable of inscribing a Spirit-drawing Talisman.

"Sect? If I must classify it, I belong to none." Xiao Yu pondered for a moment before responding.

In his previous life, he had ascended from a mere mortal to a supreme being through sheer effort. Although he had received guidance from many predecessors, he truly had no sect to speak of.

Jiang Yuanhong's brow furrowed slightly, a hint of displeasure crossing his face. He suspected Xiao Yu was reluctant to disclose his background, but to claim oneself as unaffiliated was, in a way, disrespectful to one's own lineage.

To deny one's heritage was akin to saying it was a source of shame. Typically, if someone wished to keep their sect a secret, they would do so subtly rather than outright claiming to be without one.

Xiao Yu was young, yet he possessed formidable Talisman Dao skills. Jiang Yuanhong found it hard to believe that he had no mentor.

"Since you claim no affiliation, may I ask how you embarked on the path of the Talisman Dao? And how did you come to understand the method of inscribing the Spirit-drawing Talisman?" Jiang Yuanhong asked, his tone growing colder.

"The Talisman Dao, though complex, is not entirely elusive. I have simply dedicated myself to its study!" Xiao Yu spoke the truth; in his past life, he had expended untold effort to reach the pinnacle of the Talisman Dao.

He knew Jiang Yuanhong might be skeptical, but there was no simple explanation for his knowledge.

"Oh, really?" Jiang Yuanhong's voice took on an even chillier edge. Xiao Yu's words came across as rather bold, suggesting that with enough self-reliance, one could become a master of the Talisman Dao.

"Then, young friend, tell me, what are the three most crucial elements of the Talisman Dao? Namely, the Talisman Stone, Talisman Imprint, and Beast Blood. What is their significance?"

Jiang Yuanhong was deliberately challenging Xiao Yu, aiming to enlighten him on the profound mysteries of the Talisman Dao. This probing question was meant to test Xiao Yu's depth of understanding.

"The Talisman Stone is typically found deep underground. Every Talisman Stone has the unique property of absorbing the various energies of the Earth's veins over time. The Talisman Imprint, on the other hand, is a manifestation of the Great Dao Power. The Great Dao is formless, and the Talisman Imprint makes this power tangible, condensing it into a seal with unfathomable capabilities."

Beast Blood, inherent in all living creatures, carries a certain vitality. Odd Beasts, adept at cultivating, draw upon the power of heaven and earth to fortify themselves, resulting in blood that is rich with life force, far surpassing that of ordinary wild beasts.

While a Talisman Stone may hold the essence of the Earth's veins, it remains inert. The Talisman Imprint represents the form of the Great Dao, but without proper control, it proves unwieldy. The role of Beast Blood extends beyond merging the Talisman Imprint's power with that of the Talisman Stone to form a cohesive whole; it also imbues the Talisman with life, allowing it to be wielded by its creator.

Aware that Jiang Yuanhong was testing him, Xiao Yu remained unfazed and confidently articulated the essence of the Talisman Dao.

"Then, I must inquire, young friend, is it possible to substitute Beast Blood with something else?" Jiang Yuanhong asked with a serious demeanor, recognizing Xiao Yu's profound grasp of Talisman crafting. The creation of the Spirit-drawing Talisman was clearly no fluke.

Now, Jiang Yuanhong's intentions had shifted from challenging Xiao Yu to engaging in a genuine exchange of knowledge.

"It's both possible and not," Xiao Yu replied. "The world contains many divine liquids with effects surpassing those of Beast Blood. Yet, even with such divine liquids, the inclusion of Beast Blood remains essential to complete the Talisman."

"Why is that?" Jiang Yuanhong's face showed his confusion.

Despite his prowess in Talisman Engraving and his knowledge of the need for Talisman Stone, Talisman Imprint, and Beast Blood, the deeper principles eluded him.

It's akin to the common knowledge that a year has four seasons and that plants wither, yet the underlying reasons remain a mystery to most.

For a Talisman Master, using a Talisman Stone as a vessel to carry the engraved Talisman Imprint, which is then empowered through the integration of Beast Blood, is not only fundamental but also critical. However, the intricate doctrines behind this practice are not universally understood.

Every Talisman Master dedicates their life to unraveling the connections between three vital elements. Should they fully grasp the underlying principles, they would ascend to unparalleled supremacy.

"As previously mentioned, the Talisman Stones used in crafting Talisman Imprints are sourced from deep within the earth, rich with the essence of its veins—this represents the earth. The Talisman Imprint's divine might is immeasurable, embodying the power of the Great Dao—this symbolizes the sky. And Beast Blood, teeming with vitality, encompasses not only the strength found within the blood but also a hint of soul force. This life force is akin to the essence of all creatures in the world. When these three elements merge, they epitomize the unity of sky, earth, and humanity—each one irreplaceable."

For Xiao Yu, a master of the Talisman Dao, these concepts were well within his grasp.

Yet, while such ideas are easily spoken, they often defy simple explanation and demand personal enlightenment. Otherwise, Talisman Masters would be a common sight.

"The unity of sky, earth, and humanity? Is there really such a concept?" Jiang Yuanhong was lost in contemplation, encountering this interpretation of the Talisman Dao for the first time.

Viewed through this lens, the path becomes infinitely more intricate, encompassing the universe and every creature within it. One could spend countless years striving to comprehend the heavens, the earth, and the myriad forms of life.

"Actually, the Stone Talisman is merely the most rudimentary form. Beyond it lie the Jade Talisman, the Heaven Talisman, and even the Blood Talisman, crafted from the desiccated blood of immortal beings," Xiao Yu reflected, his conversation with Jiang Yuanhong stirring a wealth of memories.

"The Stone Talisman is the most basic?" In that instant, Jiang Yuanhong's usual poise shattered, his expression one of profound astonishment.

Throughout his life, he had only been aware of the Stone Talisman. The most formidable Talisman Master he knew of could, according to legend, rend the very mountains and rivers with such a talisman. Yet now, Xiao Yu revealed that the Stone Talisman was but the starting point, with several higher tiers beyond.

At this moment, Jiang Yuanhong could no longer underestimate Xiao Yu. The breadth of Xiao Yu's vision and insight, as evidenced by his words, had far exceeded Jiang's own, reaching heights that Jiang could scarcely fathom, let alone attain.

Doubt? The conversation he had with Xiao Yu had profoundly impacted him, providing immense benefit. With such a deep understanding of the Talisman Dao, how could Xiao Yu possibly deceive him with mere platitudes?