68: Chapter 68 Celestial Master's Mansion, Abbot, Talismans

"We will collaborate with the Special Resources Management and Recycling Department, the Academy of Sciences, and the Religious Affairs Bureau to recruit relevant researchers."

"On one hand, we will learn from this 'Daoist Anran' how to draw this type of talisman; on the other hand, the Academy of Sciences must find a way to figure out the specific principles of these talisman runes, whether they can be applied in other directions, and whether it is possible to draw talismans with other functions."

"Finally, the Special Resources Management and Recycling Department must purchase in large quantities the [Taiyin Spirit-Nurturing Talisman] drawn by Daoist Anran. We must secure the majority of its production, with only a small portion flowing into the public domain."

"Specific details regarding how to cooperate and other related matters will be discussed further later on."

"..."

Wang An was currently unaware of exactly what the state's plans were.

However, he had already prepared himself when he decided to sell the Yun Shen Talisman and have it officially certified.

Just like last time, the one who went to the authorities to certify the effects of the Yun Shen Talisman was not his true self, but rather a clone disguised under the identity of An Ran.

After careful consideration, he decided to use the Yun Shen Talisman as a stepping stone for cooperation with the authorities.

This was because he had conducted a detailed study, and the small amount of remaining principles in the talisman inheritance of the Longhu Mountain Tianshi Mansion could not escape his perception.

He could basically judge that a small number of Taoist sages were able to draw talismans that contained a bit of principle.

In other words, a small number of special geniuses could, through contemplation and study, learn the basics of drawing Wang An's Yun Shen Talisman.

This type of talisman was not like Feng Shui energy fields or Heaven and Earth Qi, which were creations from nothing.

Instead, it followed the inheritance of the sages and was not so shocking; others would only think that with such an inheritance, they could do it too.

In this way, Wang An's role shifted from a pioneer of a new path back to a successor of an existing tradition.

Continuing the lost teachings of the sages—this was something that most people could understand.

Moreover, the Yun Shen Talisman was a thing that could be considered both important and unimportant.

Even without the Yun Shen Talisman, the whole world would not be affected in any significant way, and the global situation would remain the same.

Feng Shui energy fields and Heaven and Earth Qi were things that had never been discovered, or rather, could not be understood and verified with current knowledge.

Using this kind of knowledge would produce effects like those in the Forbidden Zone, as well as the terrifying black and red energy that could be birthed from the sacrificial rituals of those cult organizations.

All of this indicated that this was profound knowledge capable of changing the global landscape or even transforming the world; without sufficient strength, this knowledge could only be used by Wang An himself.

It was foreseeable that the large-scale production of the Yun Shen Talisman would inevitably be something the state would have to consider.

Relying solely on Wang An's personal output would be far from enough.

Therefore, once a large number of people capable of drawing this Yun Shen Talisman appeared, Wang An's importance and the attention he received would be greatly reduced; having obtained certain benefits, he would also have sufficient ability to protect himself.

This would be enough for him to extricate himself from this vortex and continue to pursue his future path.

Today, Wang An had an appointment with Daoist Priest Zhang Mingqing to visit their Tianshi Mansion and obtain their talisman inheritance.

This arrival was a low-key visit by Wang An under the identity of An Ran.

According to the Tianshi Mansion's original thoughts, a practitioner like Wang An, who could draw talismans with miraculous runes, would have been called a Perfected Person in ancient times, requiring the sect leader and high-ranking elders to come out and welcome him.

However, Wang An did not want to become famous now, be photographed and posted online, and attract the attention of various forces.

Therefore, he specifically instructed Daoist Priest Zhang Mingqing that he was just coming to view their talisman inheritance.

Accompanied by Daoist Priest Zhang Mingqing, Wang An entered the Longhu Mountain Tianshi Mansion. As he led the way, he explained the history of the surrounding buildings to Wang An.

The Tianshi Mansion, fully known as the Sihan Tianshi Mansion, also known as the Zhengyi Great Perfected Person Mansion, had an overall layout that was palace-style, with front palaces and rear residences, facing south, and designed according to the Bagua.

In addition to the Mansion Gate and the Ceremonial Gate they had just passed, Wang An also saw along the way.

The highest Jade Emperor Hall, which housed a 9.99-meter golden statue of the Jade Emperor, accompanied by the Golden Boy and Jade Maiden, the Twelve Heavenly Generals, as well as the Tianshi Hall, the Altar of Ten Thousand Laws, and other buildings behind it.

The two of them finally arrived at the private residence and garden to meet the leader of the Tianshi Mansion, who was the current abbot, Zhang Mingyuan.

The impression this person gave Wang An was that his forehead was full, his features were square, and his hair was tied in a Taoist bun, very similar to what he had previously seen in the murals at the Tianshi Mansion.

His entire aura was introverted, his skin was fair with a rosy tint, his eyes were bright, and his breathing was steady and powerful; he was at least at the stage of Refining Qi into Spirit.

As for whether he had reached the stage of Refining Spirit into Void, he himself had not reached that level yet, so he was currently unclear about the situation regarding that.

Daoist Priest Zhang Mingqing introduced him to Wang An.

"Daoist Friend An Ran, this is the current abbot of our Longhu Mountain Tianshi Mansion, Zhang Mingyuan."

"Abbot Senior Brother, this is Daoist Friend An Ran."

This Abbot Zhang Mingyuan did indeed possess a certain noble air in his speech and demeanor.

"Daoist Friend An Ran, the essence of the principles within the Yun Shen Talisman you draw is something that even our Tianshi Mansion has not seen for a long time."

"Please stay for a few more days to allow us to fulfill our duties as hosts, and at the same time, let us exchange our knowledge of talisman arts."

Wang An naturally and happily agreed to Abbot Zhang's polite invitation.

"Easily done, easily done."

After a few moments of conversation, Wang An proposed that he would like to view their talisman inheritance.

They had long been prepared for this and led Wang An to a side room.

On the table in the room, more than a dozen thread-bound books had already been laid out.

On the desk to the side, various books about talismans were placed.

"Daoist Friend An Ran, this is the entire inheritance regarding talismans in our Tianshi Mansion."

"If you have any other needs, you can tell me directly. I won't disturb you any further."

Wang An thanked Daoist Priest Zhang Mingqing for his hospitality, and after seeing him out, returned to the desk.

He looked at these books about various talismans.

Low-grade Peace Talismans, Protection Talismans, Wealth-Attracting Talismans, Marriage Talismans, and Wenchang Talismans.

These were also known as mortal talismans, the most common ones for ordinary people.

Their main functions were protection, praying for blessings, changing luck, and calming the spirit; these were currently sold in Taoist temples everywhere.

Most of them had lost their core principles due to frequent modifications over the generations.

Mid-grade House-Suppressing Talismans, Evil-Expelling Talismans, Curse-Breaking Talismans, House-Cleansing Talismans, and Calamity-Resolving Talismans.

These talismans basically required Refining Essence into Qi to draw, using True Qi as an energy source to expel yin evils, break filthy energy, block petty people, and resolve calamities.

High-grade talismans like the Tiangang Talisman, Taisui Talisman, Three Officials Talisman, Big Dipper Talisman, and Xuan Tan Zhao Gongming Talisman, as well as top-grade talismans like the Five Thunder Talisman, Tiangang Evil-Slaying Talisman, Doutian Talisman, and Prison-Breaking Talisman.

All required an ordained Taoist or a high-ranking elder or above to draw.

As for the abilities mentioned in the books, such as summoning righteous gods, protection by heavenly generals, slaughtering, suppressing demons, destroying evil spirits, and opening the netherworld.

They were no longer preserved in their Tianshi Mansion, and no one was capable of drawing talismans with such effects anymore.

These books only contained some talisman rune collections; there were no detailed records on how to actually draw them.