What caught Yu Ci's attention was the square plate Meng Wei had just handed over. At first glance, it was perfectly square, slightly larger than a palm, with meticulously carved concentric trenches, arranged with utmost precision. Its corners subtly curved, creating an intriguing impression of a circle within a square.
Such a unique design, Yu Ci had only seen on a Talisman Plate. Moreover, it seemed incredibly familiar. Hesitating, he ventured a guess:
"Could it be the Shooting Star Plate?"
The "Shooting Star Plate" he referred to was the Talisman Plate he had acquired in Sky Rift Valley during the initial stages of the Blood Monk conspiracy, right under Monk Zheng Yan's watchful eye. Back then, the plate was buried underground by Hu Ke of the Thousands Spirits Sect, in a failed attempt to trap Ghost Beasts. When Yu Ci got hold of it, the Shooting Star Plate was severely distorted, with complex Rune Patterns etched onto it, losing its original purpose as a Talisman Plate. Later, Elder Jie Liang took it back to the Sect's Mountain Gate, promising to restore it to its original state.
However, Meng Wei shook her head. Yu Ci was taken aback: "It's not?"
"I'm not sure. The master instructed me to get it from Uncle Lu De." On saying this, she turned to Old Master Zhu: "Uncle Lu De has gone to the outer realms, and this Talisman Plate was retrieved from the Six Yin True Water Pool by Senior Brother, following Uncle Lu De's instructions."
"That must be it."
Old Master Zhu stroked his beard, laughing: "I don't know the origin of this Talisman Plate either, but Elder Jie Liang entrusted it to me to give to you. Whatever you call it, that's what it is."
With that, he handed over the Talisman Plate.
It must indeed be the Shooting Star Plate. Yu Ci took the Talisman Plate, feeling both a familiar and unfamiliar sensation. The plate was no longer distorted as it was when he first got it. The grooves were more orderly, and most importantly, the intricate Rune Patterns had been wiped clean, leaving no trace.
According to Elder Jie Liang, this was the true appearance of a Talisman Plate, an excellent tool and weapon for quickly condensing Talismans in battle.
While Yu Ci was examining it, the Old Daoist encouraged him with a smile: "Why not give it a try?"
"Give it a try?"
Yu Ci remembered that back in the Still Heart Temple, Elder Jie Liang had taught the Circulation Plate Technique, stating that to truly operate a Talisman Plate, one needed to understand the true meaning of Talismans and the Nature-Connecting drawing technique. Of these two, Yu Ci had not used the former since that lesson and had forgotten most of it. As for the latter, he thought about it, decided it was best not to embarrass himself, and shook his head.
"I've never used a Talisman Plate, my hands are inexperienced with Talismans.”
This statement is humble, but also true. He is skilled with Talismans, but the ones he uses are not of a high level. Except for some special objects, it's hard to say he could defeat an enemy with one strike. Especially after the foundation of the Primordial Root Qi Method, Talismans, cultivation, and Refinement are integrated, inseparable. He has spent less time studying Talismans, instead using Refinement or meditation as a substitute.
Old Master Zhu was taken aback at his words, "What do you use if not Talismans when facing enemies?"
"I naturally use a sword." Li You answered for Yu Ci, laughing heartily, "Sir, you may not know, but Junior Brother Yu's Foggy Sword Divine is so profound that it is second to none in the Sect. Ah, that night he dueled with Senior Brother Zhang Yan and actually won."
As he was boasting, he suddenly saw Old Master Zhu's expression change and his tongue tied, unable to continue speaking.
Old Master Zhu silenced Li You with a glance, his brow furrowed, and he asked Yu Ci directly, "Do you use the sword more, or Talismans?"
Yu Ci exchanged glances with Li You and Meng Wei, finally answering truthfully, "Mostly the sword."
"By how much?"
"Uh..."
As he hesitated, Old Master Zhu fixed his gaze on him. Yu Ci found it strange, but didn't want to hide anything, and said, "Recently, when facing enemies, I've mostly used the sword."
"Oh, the sword..."
Old Master Zhu's expression was indescribable. When he spoke again, his clear and elegant face was still calm, "Since you use a sword, show me your sword."
Yu Ci obediently handed over his sword. Old Master Zhu drew out half of it, sneered coldly, but said nothing. He then placed the sword on the table, and asked, "Besides the sword, what other Magical Instruments do you frequently use?"
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This was like exposing his secrets. Not only Yu Ci, but Meng Wei and Li You were also confused. Yu Ci thought for a while, and began to bring out his items. However, he had only brought out two items, the Tao Scripture Master Three Treasure Seal and the red gauze carrying the Obscure Method of God Slaying Sting, when Old Master Zhu stopped him.
"Just tell me, how many Magical Instruments above the Thirty-layer Refinement or Five Heavens Refinement do you have?"
Yu Ci was speechless. Not to mention Five Heavens Refinement, he didn't even have one of the third or second heavens!
He had three to five Magical Instruments that he could use, all of which were not insignificant, but as he had acquired them recently and they were complex, their Refinement levels were not impressive: the Palace Tassel transformed from the Double-hook Rope had two layers of Refinement, the Tao Scripture Master Three Treasure Seal had four layers, and the red gauze in his hand had six layers, which were urgently acquired for the Treasure Exchange Banquet.
The Divine Bronze Mirror was somewhat better, refined through the "one object, one method" approach, tirelessly, day after day. However, it likely hovered around fifteen or sixteen layers. Taking into account the combined refinement layers of several magical instruments, it barely met the standard set by Old Master Zhu.
Speaking of which, the Hundred Spirits Transforming Radiance Veil, originating from the same source as the red silk in his hand, was nearly a three-layer magical instrument. However, it was refined by Yan Chu during her lifetime. After Yu Ci obtained it, he merely refined it hastily to the sixth layer, hardly unleashing its full potential.
Upon reviewing his assets, Yu Ci couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. Old Master Zhu had long seen through him and said indifferently:
"If you're preparing to go to the Sword Garden, let's discuss the preparations you need to make. Regardless of individual cultivators or small sects, the magical instruments of cultivators at the Nature-Connecting Upper Stage of major sects are at least thirty-layer refined, with the Six Heavens being the norm. Golden Elixir cultivators use magical instruments of the seventh or eighth layer as their main equipment. If you're going to the Sword Garden, you'll inevitably have to deal with such people. How will you cope if a real fight breaks out? With your broken sword, or other pieces of junk that can't even reach three-layer refinement?"
Actually, Yu Ci wanted to say that some things don't entirely rely on refinement levels, but only a fool would argue with Old Master Zhu now. Moreover, everything the old man said was reasonable.
So how should he respond? He looked at Meng Wei and Li You. The female cultivator showed a helpless expression, while Li You simply turned his face away, feigning ignorance.
Yu Ci hadn't faced such an awkward situation in a long time, yet he couldn't muster any anger. He could only respond with a bitter smile: "I'll just have to adapt as things come!"
With a loud "bang", the old man slammed the table, cutting off Li You's words: "The young man is unteachable!"
Seeing the old man's glaring eyes and puffed cheeks, Yu Ci rolled his eyes inwardly. He remembered the last time he met this old gentleman, the appraisal he received was exactly the opposite.
"Where is your 'Shangqing Star Secret Talisman Book'? This Talisman Book, compiled by the great Mr. Wei of the Shangqing Sect, is one of the volumes in the 'Shangqing Unlimited Canon'. It contains 1,454 representative talismans personally selected by Mr. Wei. Studying it systematically can yield twice the result with half the effort. With this Talisman Book and your practice of the Primordial Root Qi Method, they complement each other perfectly. One day of cultivation is worth ten days for others. But look at what you've done!"
Although Old Master Zhu was of a slight build, he was brimming with vitality at this moment. His voice was resonant, and in the tranquil library, it was particularly striking. For a moment, the cultivators engrossed in their books looked up in surprise, wondering why this usually genial old gentleman was so angry.
Yu Ci was not easily swayed by words, but he felt guilty for having damaged a book earlier. He knew Old Master Zhu meant no harm and could only listen quietly.
Yet, Old Master Zhu's scolding did not seem to alleviate his anger. Unexpectedly, he took out a scroll and brought it down on Yu Ci's head. The scroll held no internal energy, but the humiliation was unbearable. Especially when all the cultivators' eyes fell on him, their expressions a mix of shock and amusement. Yu Ci had never experienced such a situation in his life, and he felt extremely awkward. Unable to retaliate, he could only protect his head and dodge, his face a picture of gloom.
Fortunately, after a few hits, Meng Wei and Li You stepped forward to stop the old man. They persuaded him continuously. Old Master Zhu, who appeared to have a low level of cultivation, struggled a few times without success and then angrily said, "Let me go, I won't stoop to his level!"
Meng Wei was the first to let go, and Li You chuckled awkwardly, half-guiding the old man to sit on the grandmaster chair behind the table before he finally released him. They then retreated as far as possible.
After this incident, Old Master Zhu seemed to calm down a bit. He sat in the chair and said solemnly, "I believe that your swordsmanship far surpasses your peers and is the best choice against enemies. However, you are not a sword cultivator after all. No matter how good your swordsmanship is, can it gather the evil spirits and return to the origin, giving birth to a sword fetus? Your destiny lies in the path of the Golden Elixir. Your sword won't bring you the Golden Elixir, but your Talisman skills can!
"I have heard Elder Jie Liang mention that you have an extraordinary will and a heart set on the path of immortality. So, you must understand what I'm saying. You've just been blinded by the power in front of you and forgotten these principles, haven't you?"
Regardless of what Yu Ci was thinking, he could only nod in agreement at this moment. Meng Wei and Li You both gave bitter smiles. They were also sword cultivators, and Old Master Zhu's words had knocked them down a peg.
Old Master Zhu didn't push it further. He waved his hand, "If you want to go to the Sword Garden, I won't stop you. But those bits of metal are of no use. Refinement isn't achieved overnight. How about this, for a while, you come here for two hours every day. Even if your Yin Spirit arrives, I will teach you the Heavenly Flying Stars Talisman."
Yu Ci was taken aback. He hadn't expected such a good thing to fall into his lap. Not only him, but Meng Wei and Li You were also stunned, not expecting the situation to turn around like this. Fortunately, Yu Ci was the most astute of them all and immediately bowed in gratitude.
Old Master Zhu glanced at him, "That's enough. Just practice diligently in the future. Know this, the subtlety of sword intent may not necessarily be stronger than the Nature-Connecting of the Talisman!"
The younger ones looked at each other, suddenly realizing: had they inadvertently hurt the self-esteem of this old gentleman?
...