Each morning, as the sun rose over Green Willow City, Wuji made his way through the narrow, bustling streets to Zhang Jie's talisman shop. The last few weeks had become a routine for him—he would spend hours under Zhang Jie's watchful eye, practicing the preparation of talisman parchments. Over time, his movements became more precise, his understanding of the materials deepened, and his hands, which had already been skilled from his early interest in wood crafting, became even more adept.

Back in Celestial Harmony Village, Wuji had taken up wood crafting after his reincarnation. It had started as a simple pastime, something to channel his frustrations and occupy his mind after finding himself in a new world. But over time, it had become more than that. He had developed a natural talent for working with his hands, creating intricate designs and objects from wood. His attention to detail and focus on precision had made him quite skilled, even before he had begun his cultivation journey. That same precision and control were now serving him well as he prepared talisman parchments.

Zhang Jie, though a stern teacher, had noticed Wuji's rapid progress. The old talisman master watched as Wuji's hands moved with confidence, slicing the demonic beast leather with exactness, treating it with the herbs and metallic powders required to transform it into talisman parchment. Day by day, Wuji grew more adept at the process, his focus unbroken, his determination unwavering.

One day, after weeks of practice, Zhang Jie finally approached Wuji with a thoughtful expression on his face. "You're getting better at this," Zhang Jie said, nodding in approval as Wuji finished preparing another piece of parchment.

Wuji wiped the sweat from his brow and looked up at the older man, feeling a sense of pride swell within him. "Thank you, Master Zhang," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.

Zhang Jie motioned for Wuji to sit down on the straw mat opposite him. "Now that you've learned how to properly prepare the parchment, it's time to move on to the next phase of your training."

Wuji's heart skipped a beat in excitement. He had been waiting for this moment. Though he still couldn't create talismans himself without reaching the Qi Gathering Realm, he was eager to learn everything he could. Every bit of knowledge he gained was another step toward his goal.

Zhang Jie's eyes gleamed as he settled into his seat, his posture calm and authoritative. "I'm going to teach you about runes—the heart of every talisman. Without runes, a talisman is nothing more than an empty shell. They are the key to channeling and manipulating Qi. Do you know what runes are, Wuji?"

Wuji shook his head. He had some idea, but nothing concrete.

Zhang Jie began to speak, his voice measured and deliberate. "Runes in a cultivation world are powerful symbols or characters inscribed onto objects like talismans, weapons, or even directly into the air or ground. They are not just simple marks or decorations; they represent deeper meanings, often tied to the very laws and principles of the universe, also known as the Dao."

Wuji listened intently, his mind working to comprehend the magnitude of what Zhang Jie was saying. In his mind, he couldn't help but draw parallels between runes and the world of engineering and physics that he had once studied on Earth. To him, it was as if the runes were mathematical equations or blueprints, designed to guide the flow of energy, or Qi, in specific ways. But they were more than just equations—they encoded an understanding of the fundamental laws of reality itself.

As Zhang Jie continued, Wuji's thoughts drifted deeper. The runes were like circuits, and the Qi was the energy that flowed through them. Just as an engineer would design a circuit to direct the flow of electricity in a controlled and precise manner, a talisman maker used runes to control the flow of Qi. But there was a spiritual and metaphysical dimension to it as well—runes were not just about controlling energy, they were about understanding the world on a fundamental level.

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Zhang Jie's voice broke through Wuji's thoughts. "Runes require deep knowledge and insight into the Dao. Different runes resonate with different elements or aspects of reality. Some are tied to fire, others to water, earth, or wind. Only a cultivator who has attuned their Qi and mind to these forces can inscribe and activate them properly."

Wuji nodded, fully absorbed in the lesson. The concept of resonance struck him as particularly interesting. On Earth, resonance was a principle in physics where certain frequencies would naturally amplify or harmonize with one another. In the cultivation world, it seemed that certain runes harmonized with different elements or energies, allowing the talisman to control those forces.

Zhang Jie reached into his sleeve and pulled out a scroll, unfurling it on the ground between them. The scroll was filled with intricate symbols, each one different yet somehow connected. "These are basic runes," Zhang Jie explained. "You'll start by learning to draw them. Though you won't be able to infuse them with Qi until you begin cultivating, it's important that you understand the precision required to inscribe them."

Wuji stared at the runes, his analytical mind already breaking them down into their component parts. Each stroke, each curve had meaning, and he could see how the design would guide the flow of Qi, like wires in an electrical circuit.

"Inscribing the runes is a delicate and precise task," Zhang Jie said, his tone serious. "The runes act as conduits, guiding and shaping the flow of Qi. The process is as follows:

First, before drawing the runes, the cultivator must enter a meditative state and infuse their brush with their own Qi.

Second, Each rune must be drawn smoothly, without hesitation. Even the slightest mistake can disrupt the flow of Qi and render the talisman useless—or worse, dangerous.

Third, Once the runes are complete, the cultivator seals the talisman with a final burst of Qi, locking the energy within and activating its power."

Wuji nodded as he mentally aligned this with his engineering background. The act of drawing runes was like designing an electrical pathway—any mistake in the circuit would cause a malfunction, potentially short-circuiting the whole system. The idea of sealing the talisman with Qi was akin to powering up the circuit, sending energy through the completed design and bringing it to life.

Zhang Jie handed Wuji a brush and a fresh piece of parchment. "You'll begin practicing by drawing these basic runes. I don't expect you to get it right the first time. It takes years to master the precision and control required for talisman crafting. But with your background in wood crafting, I suspect you'll learn quickly."

Wuji took the brush, his hand steady as he dipped it into the ink. The brush felt familiar in his hand—similar to the carving tools he had once used to craft intricate designs in wood. He began to draw the first rune, focusing on each stroke, each curve, ensuring that the lines were smooth and precise. His concentration was absolute, his mind clear as he worked.

As he drew, he felt something deeper at play—something more than just the physical act of inscribing symbols for a moment. It was as if he was tapping into an understanding of the world that went beyond logic and reason. The rune wasn't just a design—it was a reflection of the laws that governed reality.

Hours passed as Wuji practiced, drawing rune after rune on the parchment. Some of his attempts were shaky, others too stiff, but with each one, he grew more confident. By the end of the evening, his hands moved with the same ease and precision that they had when he crafted wood, and the runes began to take shape with a sense of fluidity.

Zhang Jie observed him quietly, nodding in approval from time to time. Finally, as the sun began to set, he spoke. "You've done well for your first day. Your control and precision are admirable. Tomorrow, we will begin learning about the different types of runes and their elemental resonances."

Wuji bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you, Master Zhang. I will continue practicing tonight."

Zhang Jie gave a small smile. "Do not overwork yourself. Talisman crafting requires patience and balance, just like cultivation."

As Wuji left Zhang Jie's shop that evening, he felt a deep sense of accomplishment. Though he was still far from being able to create a true talisman, he had taken his first step into a new world of knowledge and power. The runes, with their intricate designs and hidden meanings, were now a part of his journey. And he knew that with time, patience, and practice, he would one day unlock their full potential.

For now, he would continue to hone his skills, pushing forward on his path toward cultivation. Each rune he inscribed brought him closer to understanding the mysteries of this world—and to mastering the power that lay within him.