Dear Junior Brother, upon receiving this letter, I hope it feels as though we are meeting in person:
The atmosphere within the city is stifling, and I am feeling rather confined. Hence, I've decided to write a few letters to vent my frustrations. The rest of the letters are attached, kindly ask Bao Guang to deliver them back to the Sect's Mountain Gate via Message Hawks. If he forgets, please remind him, thank you.
I understand that you are currently practicing the Qi Leading Method, and I regret that I cannot assist you. This obscure method, if mastered, is indeed impressive; if not, it is not a great loss. However, Master Jie Xian's Primordial Root Qi Method, recognized by our Sect as a superior method, is an opportunity you should seize. You are currently at the crucial stage between the Nature-Connecting Initial Stage and the intermediate stage, transitioning from Separate Consciousness & Thoughts to Refining Yin Spirit, and from Postnatal Methodology to Primordial Method. If you can solidify your foundation at this time, you will likely have a smoother path to forming the golden core than I did.
The turmoil in the Sky Rift Valley is almost quelled, and we haven't seen any demons in Cliff City for days. However, I've heard from the elders that some demons are skilled at hiding their tracks, adapting to the valley's climate, and infiltrating the mainland. Just yesterday, a powerful demon injured Monk Yi Xin of the Pure Water Sect. I felt a brief disturbance in the city a few days ago, but it quickly passed. Although the Still Heart Temple is far from the Sky Rift Valley, its defenses are relatively weak. Since you enjoy observing cultivation, it's best to be cautious.
Have you heard any news about Nan Songzi? Logically, his Yang Spirit has not yet formed, and he has lost his physical body. His Yin Spirit can only hold on for a maximum of a hundred days before dissipating. We must be wary of his desperate actions.
How is Sister Meng's health? Although I've written to inquire, Sister Meng tends to downplay things and I believe she won't go into detail. If her injuries worsen, please inform me.
Upon reading the letter, Yu Ci couldn't help but laugh. This letter must have been written by Li You out of sheer boredom, rambling on about whatever came to mind, like a stream of consciousness. However, Yu Ci noticed that the letter mentioned Monk Yi Xin being injured by a demon.
This must be a smokescreen.
Being well aware of the situation, this was Yu Ci's first thought. However, if this monk is resorting to self-harm to deceive others, could it be that he has sensed something amiss? That would indeed be cause for celebration.
Yu Ci decided to put this matter aside for now. There's no need to dwell on things he can't intervene in at the moment. His focus is entirely on the cultivation of the Qi Leading Method, or more precisely, on the crucial points of the Talisman's "formation" and "communication."
Discovering the "eye" of the Talisman is as important to his decade-long cultivation as successfully "Separating Consciousness & Thoughts" and entering the Nature-Connecting Realm. You see, his years of cultivation have been based not only on the ordinary "Nine Houses & Moon Method" but largely on the principles from the Talisman Book, which he has slowly figured out. His cultivation foundation has long been inseparable from the Talisman.
The advancement in his Talisman Cultivation Level signified his overall progress in cultivation. This progress, originating from within, was so subtle and natural that it resembled a string of firecrackers tied together, where the ignition of one would lead to a chain reaction, unstoppable once triggered.
During this period, Yu Ci had become utterly obsessed. Talismans filled his thoughts, whether he was awake or asleep. He was completely immersed in the concept of "Drawing Talismans Requires Knowledge Aperture", continuously practicing and verifying it.
As night fell after a full day of practice, his body was extremely tired. Yet, he stretched out his hand once again, calming his mind and focusing his intention, intricately drawing the most complex talisman he knew.
At the top was a meandering bird, and at the bottom, a tiger emerging from the mountain. Both symbolized the energy of all living beings, whether they flew or roamed the earth. On either side, a Star Map was spread out, delineating the structure and position of the universe. At the center, the ancient Chinese character for "mirror" was drawn, symbolizing a mirror that reflects the vast universe.
This was the Five-orientation Telepathizing Talisman.
Yu Ci continually refreshed his understanding of Talismans. His grasp of the "aperture" was becoming increasingly profound:
The "aperture" was important, but focusing solely on it while ignoring other aspects was not advisable.
The interconnection of apertures and the gathering of energy were key to the spiritual response of a Talisman. However, the apertures within a Talisman were not created out of thin air. Instead, they were formed through intricate strokes that guided and circulated the energy, naturally creating the apertures. Otherwise, the "Qi Leading Method" would not be called as such but would simply be known as "Aperture Penetration Method". Only when the two elements of "energy distribution" and "drawing symbols" complemented each other could the true essence of Drawing Talismans be realized.
The drawing of symbols guided the energy to form apertures, allowing the energy to be distributed evenly; the energy flowed through the interconnected apertures, making the symbols spiritually responsive.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
This was the difference and connection between "forming apertures" and "connecting apertures". This realization was not an epiphany for Yu Ci, but a conclusion drawn from thousands of painstaking practices.
As the drawings of the Talisman became increasingly rich, Yu Ci felt more and more exhilarated. Within the "river channels" formed by the two principles of "forming apertures" and "connecting apertures", the Divine Intent Energy flowed like a surging river, winding and turning. With just a slight focus, apertures would naturally form, and the energy would flow through them, even more nuanced and profound than when he was fully concentrated before.
A punch thrown casually and a punch thrown with the force channeled from a grounded stance were both punches, but the power difference between the two was vast. The difference was nothing more than a little trick!
It was not only the Spirit Talisman that had achieved enlightenment, but Yu Ci himself had also reached a new level of understanding!
In the blink of an eye, the Talisman was formed. A brilliant Divine Light rapidly expanded in a spiral, filling the small valley. It passed through the mountains and giant rocks as if they were nothing, penetrating deep within. The reactions of nearby living beings flowed back into his heart like a stream, clear and profound. Yu Ci closed his eyes and leaned back, falling onto the dry grass-covered ground.
Exhaustion surged, and he yearned for a deep sleep. However, he persisted, maintaining a semi-conscious state.
The power of the Five-orientation Telepathizing Talisman was still in effect, transmitting the activities of surrounding living beings into his heart. Unconsciously, Yu Ci's Soul Sensing activated. With him as the center, a vast "Concentric Circle" unfurled. The faint light at the center flickered, driving the outer "ring" like a lake surface after rain, expanding outward.
Inward and outward, the overlapping sensations brought about a fascinating change.
The information captured by the Five-orientation Telepathizing Talisman, after being filtered by the "lake water," appeared more distinct. Through this process, the vague sources of energy, the surrounding birds and beasts, seemed to come alive in his heart, vivid and lifelike: the hopping sparrows, the running rabbits, the soaring snow eagles. These images might be mixed with some imagination, but they were indeed an interesting experience.
The range of the "lake water," under the pull of the Five-orientation Telepathizing Talisman, quickly expanded.
Sensing itself was an active and passive process. Yu Ci's Soul Sensing had a limit, but the information he received was magnified by the Five-orientation Telepathizing Talisman. This expanded his sensing limit from another perspective. The range Yu Ci could sense suddenly expanded two or three times, and the information received increased tenfold or even dozens of times.
The more information, the richer the levels of sensing; the richer the levels, the more precise the rational judgments; the more precise the judgments, the clearer the world within the sensing range. Then, more detailed information would flow in, reenter the process, and continuously construct a perfect image of the external world in his mind, forming a highly positive feedback loop.
Yu Ci discovered a few days ago that the combination of Soul Sensing and Five-orientation Telepathizing Talisman could have such a wonderful effect, so he would always try this after each practice session to experience its mystery.
At these times, he would always think of the Divine Map.
The feelings of the two were very similar. However, the scope of the Divine Map was far broader and clearer. Yet using the Divine Map was ultimately observing with the mind and eyes, not understanding its mechanism, always separated by a layer. It was like asking a friend for help, who did an excellent job, but you didn't understand how he did it. In this way, even after hundreds of times, it was not your own capability.
When Soul Sensing and Five-orientation Telepathizing Talisman work in unison, the feedback is succinct and intuitive, allowing for more direct responses. Most importantly, this is his own ability, independent of external aid.
What if the two could be combined?
As his thoughts were soaring, an unusual sensation echoed in his heart, showcasing the acuity and directness of Soul Sensing.
His target was rapidly flying, originating from five miles away—his current limit for Soul Sensing. The moment it appeared, it was reflected in his heart. By the time it was a mile away, its general shape and outline had formed. As it approached closer, he could even vaguely discern changes in the surrounding environment, including elements like wind, rocks, birds, and beasts.
At this moment, it felt as if a simple, blurred "Divine Map" had unfolded in Yu Ci's heart. But this image was deeply rooted within him, with every change directly affecting him.
The closer the target, the clearer it became.
Previously, through the expansion of his Soul Sensing range, Yu Ci had made sufficient and clear judgments about his immediate environment, gaining more accurate control. When the target entered this clear range, the "colors" suddenly brightened.
"Evil!"
Yu Ci didn't know why he made this judgment, but before this clear thought formed in his heart, his body had already moved.
Drawing his sword, exerting force, shifting his body, leaping—Yu Ci propelled himself off the small valley wall like a wisp of smoke, instantly leaping out of the valley mouth and soaring ten feet into the air. The Half-Mountain Mirage Sword Intent was perhaps at work, as the Sword Energy pierced the air, emitting a soft hiss,
In perfect sync with his movements, a bird flying at high speed overhead passed through the area. As the Sword Energy swept past, the bird shuddered, its body instantly dropping a significant distance. Although it flapped its wings and flew away, it couldn't fly more than a mile before plummeting.
After the Sword Energy was released, the rich, colorful world of Soul Sensing shattered. Yu Ci could no longer maintain that wonderful sensation, and his five senses returned to their normal state. Then, he saw the true appearance of his target.
A crow?
Yu Ci didn't understand why he had judged it as "evil," and there was also some discrepancy between this creature and the image from his Soul Sensing.
Was his judgment incorrect?
Yu Ci, already exhausted, had rushed to the top of the valley and released his sword in mid-air. His strength was spent, and he could only watch as the crow landed on the other side of the mountain.
Landing lightly, Yu Ci looked up, considering whether to go over and take a look, but then he saw a figure flying out from the other side of the mountain. Seeing the figure's shape, he was greatly surprised:
"Master Jie?"
*******
Returning to the protagonist mode, the stage is set for Brother Fishbone's performance. An additional chapter will be released this afternoon, your support is much appreciated. Hopefully, the weekend votes and collections will be more powerful!
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I have also posted the following more chapters [All free] on: https://www.readgates.com/article/74a39e