Yu Ci was truly vexed.

According to the theories imparted by Old Master Zhu, using a Talisman in actual combat was most effective when the number of Heavenly Prowess, that is, thirty-six key points or fewer, was adhered to. It was much like the talismans on the "Heavenly Flying Stars," where an excess would lead to overly complex strokes and a significant increase in the consumption of Primordial Qi, rendering them impractical for use. Certain especially intricate and profound talismans, which were not in strong demand for combat, could have a slightly higher count. However, if they exceeded the number of Earthly Fiend, which is seventy-two key points, their value would diminish. As for those surpassing the combined count of Heavenly Gang and Earthly Sha, totaling one hundred and eight key points, they would be deemed utterly worthless in terms of a talisman's practicality!

The talisman with Ninety-Two Apertures that Yu Ci had crafted was just that—an endeavor that fell short of the mark and barely scraped by. During its creation, he had realized that if he didn't prepare in advance and attempted to draw the talisman directly in battle, there was at least a sixty percent chance that his current level of cultivation would leave him drained to the bone, rendering it virtually useless. What particularly irked him was the discovery, only upon the talisman's completion, that there had been an error in the handling of a fractal structure early on, leading to a series of subsequent missteps and a convoluted path taken...

Then he heard Xia Shuanghe's exclamation: "Ninety-Two Apertures!"

Ah, what? Yu Ci's reaction was swift, immediately sensing something amiss. By this time, Xia Shuanghe had already turned to Zhai Que'er and inquired, "Miss Que'er, the scroll you've produced must be a Class B Scroll from the 'Heavenly Seal Society,' right? How many key points does it have?"

Zhai Que'er responded with a smile that reached her eyes, "Over two hundred and seventy forms, with a total of one thousand two hundred key points."

"An even distribution across five orifices is considered standard, across nine orifices is cutting-edge, twelve orifices is the mark of excellence, and surpassing fifteen orifices is truly top-notch!" Xia Shuanghe, enumerating with the ease of someone listing cherished possessions, concluded with a clap of his hands, "Judging by this, our Daoist friend Soul Chaser has an average of around thirteen orifices penetrated, undoubtedly an excellent choice, living up to his reputation as an Eminent Expert capable of 'One Breath Piercing the Heavy Heavens' with his extraordinary actions!"

"The Heavenly Seal Society? A Class B Scroll?" Yu Ci inquired upon hearing these new terms.

Xia Shuanghe then explained, "The Heavenly Seal Society is the largest assembly of Talisman Cultivators in the Cultivation World. Legend has it that it was founded by a Symbol Technique Grandmaster from the Eight Scenery Palace, with grand ambition, not discriminating by origin but solely by the proficiency in talismanic arts, to gather talents and engage in discourse. Though it was established at the beginning of this calamitous period, over a hundred years, it has become a gathering of the wise and is considered the most authoritative in the field of talismanic cultivation practice. As for the Class B Scroll, it is a set of problems created annually by top Symbol Technique Grandmasters, specifically for the 'Layered Orifice Combination' method, divided into Class A and B."

Yu Ci was hearing about the Heavenly Seal Society for the first time and thought of Old Master Zhu, whose knowledge of talismans was as deep as the ocean. It was likely that he had been involved in such an assembly, but realizing it was established at the beginning of the current calamitous period, he understood why the Old Master, having failed to transcend calamity and with his sect in ruins, confined himself to the Lichen Sect and thus had not participated.

After pondering, he asked, "What's the difference between the Class A and Class B Scrolls?"

Xia Shuanghe glanced at Zhai Que'er before replying, "The difference lies in their function. The Class-A Scroll is used internally by the Talisman Cultivators of the Heavenly Seal Society for exchanging skills and competing, while the Class B Scroll serves as one of the standards for external recruitment of talents. Moreover, given the authority of the Heavenly Seal Society, sometimes both types of Scrolls are also used as tools in Talisman Battles."

"That marks a distinction of rank."

It was clear that the cultivators absorbed into the inner sanctum of the society were generally superior to outsiders. Yu Ci's deduction was quite ordinary, but Xia Shuanghe overthought it and hastily chuckled, "To be highly rated on a Class B Scroll is to be among the elite. I imagine even handling a Class-A Scroll would be well within Daoist friend's capabilities..."

"It just took a bit too long," Boss third He interjected in a low voice, evidently determined to lock horns with Yu Ci today.

Xia Shuanghe shook his head, "They say slow and steady work produces fine results. With the ability to master all thirteen key points, Soul Chaser Daoist friend's skill is self-evident; there's no need to be bound by the hour. Keep in mind that while talisman battles are timed, the Heavenly Seal Society's selection is not constrained by time. Moreover, we hadn't clarified this to Daoist friend beforehand."

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

The current situation was quite intriguing. Boss third He pressed hard, while Xia Shuanghe was full of praise. They seemed to be at odds, yet from another perspective, the two appeared to be performing a duet, each playing their part in a 'Meeting the Virtuous' play, their dialogue ebbing and flowing with dramatic tension that resonated deeply.

Zhai Que'er observed everything with an unchanged smile on her pretty face. Straightening her waist, she sprang up with a burst of energy and said to Yu Ci, "Regardless, being able to create a talisman is quite impressive. May I have a look?"

Yu Ci uttered a word of shame and tossed over the Jade Talisman. Zhai Que'er caught it deftly, glanced at it briefly, then with a forceful press of her fingers, she crushed the Jade Talisman. Divine Light swirled around her fingertips, and then transformed into a beam of light that shone upon the open ground. At that moment, everyone could see clearly as a small object took shape from the Divine Light, tumbled onto the ground, and revealed itself, accompanied by a very faint sound:

"Meow!"

The group was momentarily stunned, watching as a small cat with sleek black fur rolled out of the light beam, standing there with its tail slowly swaying. Next, it swept its eyes, glowing with a jade light, towards Zhai Que'er, sending a strange fluctuation through the air. Zhai Que'er let out a soft exclamation as her form began to blur.

At this, Xia Shuanghe understood: "So the Scroll is based on the Nine Lives Phantom Nimbus Talisman... This is Talisman-Intent Transformation!"

He looked at Yu Ci, momentarily lost in thought.

Among the community of Talisman Cultivators, the Nine Lives Phantom Nimbus Talisman was a novel and well-known talisman. It was created by a highly renowned Talisman Art Master from the south. Once activated, the talisman could conceal one's form and aura, as well as bestow a peculiar poison that could damage the Meridian Channels, making it extremely formidable.

However, the widespread fame and popularity of such a talisman were not due to these two features. The master crafter of the talisman was a woman who, in her lifetime, had a particular fondness for Nimbus Cats, among others. This talisman was originally designed to mimic a "Dark Luster Phantom Cat" from this realm, with the essence of its power lying in "transformation," capable of conjuring a Dark Luster Phantom Cat out of thin air, allowing it to exist in the world for a period, serving both ornamental and practical purposes, thereby becoming a sensation for a time.

In a world where both aesthetic appreciation and practical use were paramount, the Nimbus Cat conjured by the talisman was far from merely cute. It was imbued with a profound spirituality, acting as an extension of the caster's very being. This was an accomplishment beyond the reach of the vast majority, who could at best summon a mist filled with the Invisibility Nimbus Wave and Vein-Damaging Strange Poison, to either protect themselves or assail their enemies. The difference between the two methods was as vast as the heavens and the earth.

Xia Shuanghe had witnessed both types of summoning. Those who only knew how to play with light and mist were not worth considering. The sole successful instance he had seen was that of an Early-Stage Golden Elixir Cultivator who, by some incredible stroke of luck, had acquired a Jade Talisman housing a complete Nine Lives Phantom Nimbus Talisman. In a moment of crisis, the cultivator released it and out came a pitch-black Nimbus Cat, like a Flying Soul Illusion, flickering in and out of existence, appearing and disappearing at will. It not only perfectly bestowed upon its master the Invisibility Nimbus Wave and Vein-Damaging Strange Poison but also launched physical attacks, significantly enhancing its master's combat prowess and ultimately slaying an opponent a rank higher. The marvel of that talisman left a profound impression on Xia Shuanghe, one that had not faded to this day.

And now, he was witnessing the formation of that very Nimbus Cat from thin air, and by someone who had only just come into contact with the talisman, someone who had merely glimpsed its Fractal Structure—what was he to say?

"Ha, it actually worked!"

Zhai Que'er clapped her hands with a laugh, her lips curving into a perfect arc of light purple, making a "meow meow" sound, beckoning the cat over. In that moment, she truly resembled an innocent young girl, but regrettably, the black cat showed no reaction.

Yu Ci scratched his head as he observed the successfully formed black cat. Having devoted years to the pursuit of the Seed True Talisman, he had developed an almost instinctual sense of spirituality in grasping the divine essence of talismans. Understanding the true meaning of this one was not difficult for him, but the structural flaws were now unmistakably apparent. Even with a grasp of its true meaning, he had not managed to fully unleash its potential.

The cat stood there, its only signs of life being the swaying of its tail and the basic blessings it conferred upon Zhai Que'er—beyond that, there was no livelier change. Its eyes lacked spirit, merely holding the form—it was evident that something had gone amiss.

Seeing the cat's lack of response, Zhai Que'er appeared somewhat disappointed, but her smile quickly returned as she gave Yu Ci a thumbs-up: "That's truly impressive. I think we're ready to discuss a major deal."

The word "deal" came from her with the poise of a young girl, like a child's boast, yet no one present doubted her. Under such circumstances, although Yu Ci remained dissatisfied with many aspects of his creation, he promptly stepped out of his "Scholar" persona and said:

"As long as the price is right, I am willing to serve Miss Que'er."

He still held some reservations, but even Boss third He, who had always stood in opposition, held back his skepticism. Yu Ci had earned the right to speak thus with his mastery of Talismans, and the stark reality of the North Wilderness World was reflected in this very moment.

"Then let's head to Abundant Capital City together..." Zhai Que'er was not the least bit concerned about the issue of compensation; she had the credentials to make such a statement.

Yet Yu Ci had not anticipated that their paths would converge towards Abundant Capital City. He was still contemplating the affair of the Mysterious Water Gleaming Rock Vein and wanted to discuss it with Zhai Que'er. It was at this moment that the ground beneath them surged like waves, a familiar tremor of the earth's layers roaring through more violently and clearly than ever before.

Then, a scream pierced through the earth's strata, barely reaching them before it was crushed into oblivion by a more powerful sonic wave.

*******

I have also posted the following more chapters [All free]: https://www.readgates.com/article/74a39e