Chapter 27

"What is he going to do on the Celestial Talisman Platform?"

"Could it be that after breaking the Lesser Luo Heavenly Sword Formation, he still harbors delusions and intends to copy these twelve Celestial Talismans?"

"The Lesser Luo Heavenly Sword Formation tests martial talent. However, the twelve stone steles on this Celestial Talisman Platform are all the work of Spirit Masters. One needs supreme talent in both the soul and talisman drawing to be able to copy them, and neither can be lacking. In these ten thousand years, not a single person has been able to copy even one of the talismans—"

"I once heard my master say that to copy the Celestial Talismans left by the founding ancestor, one must have an extremely pure soul and at least the ability to imbue calligraphy with divine power. How could any Spirit Master before the Sun Tour achieve this?"

"Breaking the formation in 343 breaths, this person's sword art is truly terrifying. I don't believe his talisman art is also so extraordinary!"

As Zong Shou stepped up the stairs and onto the left stone platform, the crowd buzzed with discussion.

The gazes directed at this young man were extremely complex, but no one dared to call him overconfident before the result was clear.

Yin Yang and Chuxue also exchanged glances. Zong Shou's ability to break the Lesser Luo Heavenly Sword Formation had already left them amazed and overjoyed.

But before they could fully savor this joy, their young master had already climbed onto the Celestial Talisman Platform.

They had seen Zong Shou's sword skills three months ago and had some confidence in him.

However, they had no idea about his level in talisman art. Although he had studied for three years at the Linhai Academy, he was eventually expelled.

Chuxue suddenly felt a stirring in her heart, recalling the materials Zong Shou had been purchasing over the past three months, all of which were needed by Spirit Masters.

There was also the wind barrier array on the cloud-treading carriage during the battle with Zong Yu, which suddenly broke. She had always thought it was due to her own inadequacy in talisman cultivation, but now, upon careful reflection, it might have been the work of their young master.

But these twelve stone steles on the Celestial Talisman Platform were indeed the twelve true 'Celestial Talismans' written by the founding ancestor Lingyun before his ascension!

Even though their young master had already broken the 'Lesser Luo Heavenly Sword Formation,' which no one could break, she still had no confidence in Zong Shou.

While the people below were lost in their thoughts, Zong Shou had already stood before the first stone stele.

The stele was three zhang tall, with only the front side flattened, and no other decorations. It appeared to be made of stone, but it was actually composed of Chongjin ore from the Yellow Spirit Realm.

Legend has it that wherever there is Chongjin, there are malevolent spirits. It is also one of the best materials for Spirit Masters to write talismans.

—Made entirely of Chongjin, nothing else could bear the weight of this talisman for millions of years.

The first character on these twelve stone steles is 'Qian'!

Each stroke is like a silver hook or a scorpion's tail, like a dragon soaring through the clouds. It is also like a phoenix dancing, a lion enraged, powerful and majestic, yet graceful and light.

No matter the structure or the strokes, it does not look like the character 'Qian,' but Zong Shou's consciousness clearly knew it was a true 'Qian.'

Or rather, this thing that looks like a ghostly scribble to ordinary people should be the true form of this character.

At some point, Lin Fei had also arrived behind him. His eyes flickered as he looked at Zong Shou: "The rules here are the same as on the Bright Sword Platform. No use of any soul power or mental energy, and no assistance from spirit treasures. The consequences are on you. In ten thousand years, 46,044 people have attempted to copy the twelve Celestial Talismans, and nearly half have died from the backlash of the talismans. Be cautious—"

The old man's expression was also extremely complex. From the words of this frail young man, it was clear that he had completely given up the idea of joining the sect.

Breaking the Lesser Luo Heavenly Sword Formation was just a response to the Lingyun Sect.

He glanced sideways at Liang Miaozǐ, and Lin Fei shook his head, wondering if he had been too lenient with the Ying Hall Master in recent years. But now, no matter how much he blamed himself, it was too late.

A genius who rejects the sect will inevitably be laughed at by others after today.

If this child were to copy the twelve divine talismans after breaking the Lesser Luo Heavenly Sword Formation,

there would undoubtedly be another storm in the Danling Mountain. Everyone here, including the head seat, would be hard-pressed to avoid blame.

He couldn't help but have some improper thoughts, hoping that the Celestial Talismans drawn by the founding ancestor were truly as rumored, impossible to draw even after the Sun Tour. It would be even better if this child were to perish here. But as soon as this thought arose, Lin Fei felt immense shame.

Zong Shou paid no attention to Lin Fei's words. When he stood before the stele, his mind became clear, and he gradually stripped away all the chaotic thoughts.

The Celestial Talismans are divine, hand-drawn by a divine master. Any improper thoughts would be akin to seeking death and would also be a disgrace to the owner of the stele.

He bit his right index finger and touched the starting point of the 'Qian' character. Instantly, a loud boom echoed in his ears.

A wave of strong intent rushed into his mind, left by the person who drew the talisman, which had not faded in ten thousand years.

It resonated with his soul, carrying his consciousness into an immensely vast world. It was an endless sky where one could freely soar. There was water, wind, fire, and lightning. There were dust and sand, and various creatures floating in the air.

Zong Shou's eyes flickered. In his previous life, he had spent a year on these twelve Celestial Talismans, copying them 3,227 times over 365 days.

But he had never experienced this kind of experience. In just an instant, his understanding of the 'Qian' character reached its peak.

His right index finger moved to the right, following the engraved lines. He then felt numerous spiritual energy vortices forming around him. Various forces, either pulling or repelling, tried to make his finger deviate from the lines.

He smiled slightly, showing no sign of panic. He moved naturally, forcefully, or by borrowing force, drawing a crooked, worm-like blood trail on the stele. But he never deviated from the engraved lines.

Each stroke was done with utmost seriousness and without any hesitation. When he reached the last stroke at the bottom, a mysterious and powerful force blocked his way.

At this moment, everyone below the Celestial Talisman Platform held their breath, knowing that the copying had reached the most critical point. This stroke meant life if successful, death if failed.

Lin Fei also watched intently, not daring to look away for a moment. To successfully copy a Celestial Talisman, one must understand the true meaning within.

All characters in the world can express the great principles of the universe, and all talismans are the synthesis of these principles.

Truly, the slightest deviation can mean life or death!

Could this young man, Zong Shou, the young master of Qian Mountain, achieve it?

In the next moment, a smile appeared on Zong Shou's face.

It was a smile filled with the joy of enlightenment, without a trace of impurity. Lin Fei's pupils instantly constricted into pinpricks.

"Qian is heaven, and heaven is clear! The supreme yang rises to become heaven!"

A diagonal stroke, still crooked, but unstoppable, breaking through the unknown resistance completely.

As the blood talisman was completed, a clear energy immediately converged from the heavens. The spiritual energy in the area instantly increased a hundredfold.

At the same time, a sharp intake of breath echoed from the crowd below the Celestial Talisman Platform.

Zong Shou felt as if his body had lost its weight. A warm current entered his body, not heading to his dantian but entering his soul sea.

Without any distraction, Zong Shou's gaze shifted to the second stele on the other side—the 'Kun' character Celestial Talisman.

"Kun is earth! Earth is turbid, and the supreme yin descends to form the earth!"

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