Chapter 2

The talisman, also known as a Daoist talisman or talismanic script, is made in a manner similar to painting, requiring brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Each one must be specially refined, and cannot be replaced by ordinary items from the mortal world.

In addition to this, the most important element is the talismanic script.

Although the talismanic script is profound and complex, it can be categorized into four main types: "characters," "seals," "incantations," and "constellations."

"Characters" are special texts written on the talisman, with each character having a specific meaning and containing a particular power;

"Seals" are "seals of binding," special marks left by the talisman maker on the talisman. Common forms include "finger seals," "hand seals," and "stamp seals." The talisman can be preserved for a long time due to the presence of these seals. To use the talisman, one must break the seal;

"Incantations" are "incantation texts," which are special incantations drawn on the talisman in a unique form. Each incantation text contains a certain power and can greatly enhance the talisman's effectiveness.

"Constellations," or "Celestial Constellation Scripts," contain the laws of the universe's evolution and are key to communicating with the elemental energies of heaven and earth. "Constellations" are the most complex, with various types such as "Taiji," "Two Instruments," "Three Talents," "Four Symbols," "Five Elements," "Hexagram," "Seven Stars," "Eight Trigrams," and "Nine Palaces." Each constellation script is a treasure passed down through generations of talisman makers who have studied and pondered the mysteries of the universe for years. One could say that the level of a talisman maker is primarily determined by how many types of constellation scripts they can master.

The enlightenment talisman that Li Muran was to create also included these four types of talismanic scripts.

Among them, a low-level enlightenment talisman only requires one character and one seal, which is relatively simple. Anyone with a bit of insight and willing to practice diligently can, after two or three years of foundational training, mostly manage to draw this one character and one seal.

A mid-level enlightenment talisman, however, requires one character, one seal, and one incantation. The additional incantation can greatly enhance the talisman's effectiveness, but it is also extremely difficult. After all, the incantation is intricate and must be completed in one continuous stroke without any mistakes. Even after years of practice, it is hard to achieve.

As for a high-level enlightenment talisman, it requires one character, one seal, one incantation, and one constellation to be drawn on the talisman paper! The constellation script needed for the enlightenment talisman, although the simplest of the Five Elements Gathering Qi constellation script, still contains extraordinary power. According to legend, the constellation script is not only complex and variable but also connected to the principles of heaven and earth, making it even more difficult to draw due to various potential constraints.

One thing is certain: the higher the quality of the enlightenment talisman, the better the enlightenment effect; and the enlightenment effect directly determines the height of a cultivator's future cultivation.

Over a thousand years, the Yuanfu Sect has had only seven disciples successfully create high-level enlightenment talismans. Of these seven, one died young, while the other six all became transcendent immortals who could ride the clouds and command the winds and rains.

Most disciples use low-level enlightenment talismans for enlightenment and to embark on their cultivation journey. Among them, those who can reach a higher realm are as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

Being able to draw a mid-level enlightenment talisman is already a remarkable achievement, making one stand out among the disciples. However, Li Muran was not satisfied with this.

"Either don't do it, or do it to the best of your ability!"

Perhaps only those who set extremely high standards for themselves can truly achieve great things.

"Among the Five Elements constellation scripts, I am most familiar with the Fire Attribute 'Bright Fire Constellation Script,' which I have practiced no less than a thousand times. This time, I will draw a high-level Fire Attribute enlightenment talisman."

Li Muran took a deep breath, took out a silver needle, and pricked his right index finger, causing a fresh red blood droplet to appear instantly.

The pain from the needle piercing the fingertip is intense, but Li Muran did not even flinch, as if he felt nothing. For today's talisman creation, Li Muran had repeatedly pricked his fingertip and written in blood on white paper, so he was already accustomed to it. Otherwise, the intense pain might distract him while drawing complex talismanic scripts, leading to failure. Li Muran, who set strict standards for himself, would not let such details interfere with his talisman creation.

Moreover, the thickness of the silver needle, the depth of the puncture, and the amount of blood flowing out are all very particular. The blood should not be too much or too little, and everything must be precise. Li Muran had tried many times to achieve this seemingly simple but perfect puncture.

Li Muran lifted his index finger and lightly touched a spot on the first talisman paper.

This touch is called the "initial stroke" or "nodding talisman," which is the first stroke of the talismanic script, akin to the finishing touch on a painting, and is of great significance.

Li Muran's touch was exactly two inches and two points from the top edge and one inch and one point from the left edge of the talisman paper, perfectly accurate. This precision was the result of years of hand, eye, and mind training.

After this initial touch, Li Muran's index finger moved swiftly across the talisman paper.

His body and arm remained as still as a mountain, while his right wrist moved with great flexibility, his finger acting as a brush to draw various strokes, lines, and circles with force.

Years of diligent effort paid off in this moment, and in an instant, the character "open" appeared on the talisman paper. Adding a finger seal would complete a low-level enlightenment talisman.

However, Li Muran did not stop there. After completing the character "open," he turned his wrist and immediately began drawing a very mysterious incantation around the character, with the incantation symbols resembling tadpoles, chaotic yet interconnected, full of mystery.

This is the "Fire Opening Incantation." With this incantation and a seal, it would become a mid-level Fire Attribute enlightenment talisman.

By now, a layer of fine sweat had appeared on Li Muran's forehead, and his expression showed considerable effort. This was different from his usual practice. While creating this incantation, he felt his fingers suddenly become as heavy as a thousand pounds, making it extremely difficult to use them. If not for his superior hand strength and mental fortitude, he might not have been able to complete the Fire Opening Incantation.

If other disciples had seen this, they would have cheered! Being able to create one character and one incantation on the first talisman paper, and adding a seal to make a mid-level enlightenment talisman, would have filled any other disciple with surprise and excitement.

However, Li Muran remained unperturbed, his fingers moving swiftly as he continued to draw the talisman.

Now, he was about to draw the Bright Fire Constellation Script.

The Bright Fire Constellation Script is one of the simplest of the Five Elements constellation scripts, consisting of three curves, three straight lines, and three circles, totaling nine strokes. Each stroke, however, contains boundless mystery.

Li Muran completed the first three strokes of the constellation script smoothly, but on the fourth stroke, his right hand suddenly felt as if it were made of lead, and the talisman creation was interrupted.

Talisman creation requires a continuous flow, and this pause caused all the talismanic scripts to collapse, turning into a pool of blood that soaked through the entire talisman paper.

Immediately, the talisman paper spontaneously combusted, turning into a wisp of blue smoke that disappeared before Li Muran.

Unlike ordinary paper, talisman paper has its own spirit. Once the talisman creation fails, the spirit of the paper is destroyed, and it cannot be reused.

Li Muran frowned and shook his head lightly.

The moment the talisman paper turned to smoke, his right hand returned to normal.

During practice with ordinary paper, Li Muran could draw the constellation script accurately even with a bucket of water hanging from his arm without spilling a drop. However, the difficulty of actual talisman creation far exceeded his imagination.

Li Muran was not willing to give up on creating a high-level talisman. After calming his mind and resting for half an hour, he attempted to create a high-level Fire Attribute enlightenment talisman again.

Having experienced a real talisman creation, even if it failed, he gained many valuable lessons, which gave him more confidence for his second attempt.

Li Muran pricked his right index finger again and accurately made the initial touch.

The previous failure did not affect his mood. He smoothly drew one character and one incantation and immediately began drawing the "Bright Fire Constellation Script."

Each curve, each line, each stroke, and each movement demonstrated his solid foundation. When he drew the fourth stroke of the Bright Fire Constellation Script, his right arm again felt as heavy as lead, but this time Li Muran was prepared. A surge of strength entered his arm, stabilizing his wrist, and he continued drawing the talisman.

This seemingly simple action was the result of countless hours of hard work and sweat.

Li Muran exerted all his effort, and although he had only drawn a few strokes of the constellation script, he was already drenched in sweat, his clothes soaked through. The sweat evaporated into a mist, enveloping Li Muran, and under the moonlight, it looked like a faint layer of moonlight, creating a mysterious atmosphere.

"Ah!" Li Muran suddenly felt a shock like a lightning strike, and his finger, about to draw the sixth stroke of the constellation script, involuntarily deviated slightly.

Drawing talismanic scripts must be precise; a slight deviation can lead to a significant error. This deviation immediately caused the entire talismanic script to collapse, turning into a pool of blood, and the talisman paper spontaneously combusted, turning into a wisp of blue smoke in moments.

Another failure, and the impact of the invisible force was so strong and sudden that even if he tried again, Li Muran had no confidence in handling it safely.

"Even if I manage to complete the sixth stroke of the constellation script by chance, there are still three more strokes, and the difficulties will only increase!"

Although Li Muran set high standards for himself, he also had self-awareness. With only one talisman paper left, the chance of successfully creating a high-level enlightenment talisman was slim!

The next best option was to draw a mid-level enlightenment talisman, which was the most stable choice.

For other disciples, obtaining a mid-level enlightenment talisman would be very satisfying, but Li Muran was not content.

Three years of diligent effort, all for nothing?

"Ah!" Li Muran sighed heavily, gazing at the starry sky, calming his mind.

The night was hazy, the moonlight silver, and the mountain was quiet, with only him, his shadow, and his breathing.

"Huh?" Li Muran suddenly noticed that the bronze mirror he had placed aside was now glowing with a beautiful silver light under the moonlight.