50: Chapter 50 The Secrets of the Treasure Pavilion

Jiang Miaoyi also sensed something was wrong.

She knew this Senior Brother very well.

Born into a family of the Dao of Talismans, he held a Talisman brush at seven, could draw profound Talismans at twelve, became an Earth Talisman Master at one hundred, and advanced to a Heaven Talisman Master at three hundred; he was truly a Genius in the Dao of Talismans.

His Heart-Nature had always been steady, and he rarely revealed his emotions like this.

However, she didn't speak, instead imitating True Monarch Haori by staring intently at the Talisman paper on the jade table.

The third line, the fourth line, the fifth line...

Chu Feng's hand holding the brush was as steady as a rock, and the pale cyan spiritual energy gathered at the tip of the brush did not tremble in the slightest.

With every stroke that landed, a winding pattern appeared on the Talisman paper, connecting seamlessly with the previous lines, with the flow of spiritual energy completely unobstructed.

The pavilion was so quiet that one could hear breathing; the spiritual tea in the cups gradually grew cold, and the rising white steam dissipated completely.

By now, the twenty special spiritual patterns on the Talisman paper were complete, connected end-to-end to weave a palm-sized bronze pattern. A faint, low cry of an ancient beast drifted from within the lines; though weak, it was very distinct.

Chu Feng stopped his brush. As soon as the tip left the paper, the pattern suddenly lit up with a bronze radiance, flashing for three full breaths before slowly fading, finally solidifying into a complete "Fire Feather Pattern" Talisman, lying quietly on the Talisman paper.

He let out a breath of relief, a hint of joy on his face. He turned and bowed respectfully to True Monarch Haori, performing the Disciple's salute: "True Monarch Haori, this Disciple's skills are shallow. If there are any deficiencies, I ask for your guidance."

True Monarch Haori raised his hand in a gesture to help him up, his shock gradually subsiding.

He beckoned, and the Talisman paper floated lightly into his palm. It felt slightly warm to the touch, still retaining the lingering traces of spiritual energy flow.

After examining it carefully for a moment, he asked with a gentle smile: "True Disciple Chu, have you tried drawing special spiritual patterns before?"

"This Disciple has indeed tried," Chu Feng answered honestly.

True Monarch Haori nodded, then pondered and asked: "Then before this, have you studied any other Talisman scriptures?"

"I have not."

Chu Feng shook his head: "This Disciple is a Loose Cultivator, and resources were scarce. Before Foundation Establishment, I had never encountered a complete Talisman scripture, having only bought a few basic Talisman diagrams to look at."

"You understood the first volume of the 'Heavenly Talisman Scripture'?" True Monarch Haori asked again, his gaze sharp as a torch.

"This Disciple understood it."

Chu Feng thought for a moment and added: "I dare not say I have fully comprehended it, but for the Beast Spirit Talismans recorded in the book, I can clearly see their forms and understand the meaning represented by the patterns."

As soon as these words fell, True Monarch Haori's eyes suddenly lit up, and he asked word by word: "Then... True Disciple Chu, have you tried making a Beast Spirit Talisman?"

"I have tried."

"Did it succeed?"

"It succeeded." Chu Feng took a Talisman from his Storage Pouch and handed it over: "This is the Fire Crow Talisman that this Disciple made previously."

True Monarch Haori took the Talisman and suddenly began to laugh, though his smile carried a slight tremor.

It was the excitement of discovering an unpolished jade of peerless quality, and the shock of witnessing a miracle.

The assessment standard for the "Heavenly Talisman Scripture" given to newly promoted True Disciple Talisman Masters by the Duobao Pavilion was originally to draw a Beast Spirit Talisman within ten years.

But the youth before him was only at the second level of Foundation Establishment, and had just achieved the Foundation Establishment Breakthrough during the headquarters assessment.

Even if he had truly studied the Dao of Talismans before, given his age and cultivation level, he could be considered a Genius rarely seen in the Dao of Talismans in a thousand years!

"True Disciple Chu." True Monarch Haori restrained his smile, his expression becoming solemn: "This True Monarch asks you, are you willing to..."

"Senior Brother." Jiang Miaoyi suddenly stepped forward, interrupting him: "Senior Brother Haori, the hour is late. We shall visit again another day to disturb you."

"Wait!"

True Monarch Haori instantly released his Nascent Soul power, silently enveloping the entire long pavilion. His elegant face rarely showed a hint of urgency: "Junior Sister Miaoyi, you are proficient in the methods of combat, but in the Dao of Talismans, after all..."

"Senior Brother."

Jiang Miaoyi looked straight at him and transmitted her voice: "If he takes you as his Master, once he arrives at the headquarters, how many resources can you give him?"

"Although you are an Elder, you are only a Xuan-Grade Elder at Duobao Peak."

"But with talent like Chu Feng's, once he enters the vision of the headquarters, he will at least start as an Earth-Grade True Disciple. By then, those fighting over him will be the Peak Masters of various peaks, or even the Grand Elder in seclusion."

True Monarch Haori was startled. After coming to his senses, his face showed helplessness: "Junior Sister Miaoyi, it is I who was impatient."

"You are right. With this child's talent, I am truly... not qualified to be his Master. It is a pity, after all, we are not fated to be Master and Disciple."

He let out a long sigh, his expression returning to its elegant and gentle state: "But in these three months, I am at least his guide in the Dao of Talismans. Since that is the case, I will teach him everything I know, which can be considered not failing this fate."

Jiang Miaoyi bowed solemnly: "Thank you, Senior Brother Haori. No matter what the future holds, I will remember this favor."

After the two finished their voice transmission, the atmosphere in the pavilion gradually eased. "Chu Feng, let's go."

Jiang Miaoyi called out and took Chu Feng away from the No. 1 Courtyard.

On the way, Chu Feng couldn't help but ask: "Immortal Master Miaoyi, earlier in the pavilion, did True Monarch Haori want to take me as his Disciple?"

Jiang Miaoyi nodded, speaking frankly: "He did indeed have that intention. But taking a Master is no small matter, and now is not the time."

She paused and explained: "The rules of the Duobao Pavilion headquarters are special. Newly promoted True Disciples should not hastily take a Master before the first round of assessment."

"Wait until you go to the headquarters in ten years and your True Disciple level is re-determined. By then, the resources and connections of various peaks will be clear, and it won't be too late to take a Master."

Chu Feng was just having a sudden realization when Jiang Miaoyi's voice transmission suddenly sounded in his ears: "True Monarch Haori has the grace of guidance toward you; you must keep that in your heart."

"But the situation among the various peaks at the Duobao Pavilion headquarters is complex, especially among True Disciples, where the entanglements of interests are extremely deep."

"I didn't expect your talent in the Dao of Talismans to be so high, and you also have a high-level Bloodline—once re-evaluated, you will have the opportunity to challenge for the Earth-Grade True Disciple status."

She paused and asked again: "Do you remember the Treasure-Grade resources I mentioned to you before?"

Chu Feng nodded: "I remember. Immortal Master said that Duobao Pavilion resources are divided into four grades, and Treasure-Grade resources can only be exchanged by Earth-Grade True Disciples."

"That's correct."

Jiang Miaoyi's eyes were bright: "More accurately, only Earth-Grade True Disciples and above are qualified to touch true Treasure-Grade resources."

"Some of those resources are produced in ancient Secret Realms, some are refined by Soul Transformation Cultivators, and others involve the Legacy of great powers."

"Yellow-Grade and Xuan-Grade True Disciples can only access second-rate resources. It seems like only a one-grade difference, but in reality, it is a world of difference."

Speaking of this, she looked at Chu Feng, her tone serious: "Although both are True Disciples, the gap is like heaven and earth. Yellow-Grade and Xuan-Grade True Disciples are merely elites cultivated by the branches."

"Only Earth-Grade True Disciples and above are the Geniuses that the Duobao Pavilion cultivates with the power of the entire pavilion."

"If you want to challenge for the Earth-Grade True Disciple status, your current level is far from enough. Talent in the Dao of Talismans is only one aspect; your cultivation Realm, combat ability, and mission contributions must all meet the standard. Therefore, these ten years are crucial."

Chu Feng bowed, his expression solemn: "Chu Feng understands! I will definitely cultivate diligently and not disappoint Immortal Master's expectations."

Jiang Miaoyi nodded with gratification: "But don't be too worried. With your talent in the Dao of Talismans, as long as you cultivate step-by-step and comprehend the first volume of the 'Heavenly Talisman Scripture' during the Foundation Establishment Stage, you should have a seventy percent chance of challenging for the Earth-Grade True Disciple status. As for your cultivation..."

She looked at Chu Feng with a smile that wasn't quite a smile: "With your Dao Companions around, your path to the Golden Core might be much smoother than others."

Suddenly, Jiang Miaoyi's expression turned cold, and her tone became grave: "By the way, be careful recently. Ancestor Chusheng has already advanced to the Soul Transformation stage; I fear the sky over Nanshan Prefecture is about to change."