26: Chapter 26 Enlightenment in the Talisman Pavilion

The moment he stepped into the first floor of the Talisman Scripture Pavilion, Lu Mingyuan felt the surrounding air stagnate slightly.

It wasn't a physical obstruction, but an invisible "field"—a special environment formed by the intertwining of space-expansion Formations and protective Formations. The concentration of Spiritual Qi here was thirty percent higher than outside, and it was exceptionally docile, flowing quietly between the bookshelves like a tamed domestic dog.

He took a deep breath, steadied his mind, and walked toward the nearest bookshelf.

The bookshelf label read "Basic Talisman Theory: Jia." Hundreds of classics were neatly arranged on it, made of various materials: ancient bamboo slips, exquisite silk scrolls, heavy leather rolls, and even a few Jade Slips emitting a faint glow.

Lu Mingyuan casually picked up a roll of bamboo slips. Carved on the slips was "A Brief Discussion on the Origin of Talismans," with the author's signature "Annotated by Zhang Heng, the seventh-generation descendant of Zhang Daoling." The opening read: "The beginning of Talismans originates from the sacrificial patterns of ancient shamans. At that time, there was no writing; the ancestors observed the phenomena of heaven and earth, imitated the traces of birds and beasts, and carved them on bone armor and stone walls to communicate with the spirits..."

This was a research-oriented classic tracing the origins of Talismans. Lu Mingyuan browsed quickly, having already made up his mind—with limited time, he couldn't read broadly and had to be focused.

He put the bamboo slips back, his gaze scanning the bookshelf labels: "Research on Talisman Origins," "Analysis of Talisman History," "Preliminary Exploration of Talisman Principles"... These were all foundational theoretical works; important, but not urgent.

He turned and walked toward the second bookshelf: "Basic Talisman Techniques: Yi." This was where the practical classics were. "Twelve Methods of Cinnabar Preparation," "Key Secrets of Talisman Brush Maintenance," "Subtleties of Talisman Paper Material Identification"... He pulled out a book titled "Three Essentials of Spiritual Power Injection" and flipped through it quickly while standing.

"In Spiritual Power injection, the first priority is 'Evenness.' Like spring rain moisturizing things, fine and silent; the second is 'Continuity.' Like a river rushing, completed in one breath; the third is 'Vitality.' Like the growth of plants and trees, having its own rhythm..."

Just three hundred words, yet they made Lu Mingyuan see the light. When he was drawing Talismans this morning, although he grasped the principle of "conforming to the riverbed," there were still many crude points regarding the three words "Evenness," "Continuity," and "Vitality" of Spiritual Power.

He closed his eyes to recall the feeling of drawing Talismans, comparing it with the descriptions in the book, and gradually gained enlightenment in his heart. Spiritual Power injection is not "pouring," nor is it "releasing," but "guiding"—guiding Spiritual Power to flow naturally like living water, the precise measure of which lies within the heart.

Putting the book back, he continued forward.

The third shelf: "Basic Talisman Formations: Bing." This area began to involve Talisman Formation combinations. "Three-Talisman Linked Formation," "Five Elements House-Protecting Formation," "Nine Palaces Evil-Expelling Formation"... Lu Mingyuan's gaze fell on a yellowed leather roll: "Detailed Explanation of the Linkage of Heart-Clearing, Evil-Expelling, and Body-Protecting Talismans."

This was exactly what he needed.

Unrolling the leather, he saw fine lines depicting the placement positions, Spiritual Power connection methods, and activation sequence of the three Talismans. Beside them were dense annotations: "Heart-Clearing as the Foundation, Evil-Expelling as the edge, Body-Protecting as the shield. The linkage of the three Talismans can form a simple Dao-protecting Formation to resist the intrusion of ordinary evil filth..."

Lu Mingyuan was absorbed. A single Talisman has limited power, but if combined into a Formation, its efficacy multiplies. This is the subtlety of the Dao of Talismans—individuals are limited, but combinations are infinite.

He memorized the key points of the Formation and carefully put the leather roll back.

Half an hour had already passed.

Lu Mingyuan quickened his pace, weaving between the bookshelves. The fourth shelf, "Talismanic Incantations and True Words"; the fifth shelf, "Talisman Seals and Hand Gestures"; the sixth shelf, "Talismans and Feng Shui"... Each shelf represented a branch of the Dao of Talismans, as vast as the sea and dizzying to behold.

He finally understood the meaning of Zhang Qingyuan's words, "Do not be overly ambitious." In two hours, even finishing one shelf was a stretch, let alone grasping the essence.

"I must make a choice." He stopped in front of the seventh shelf, "Special Talisman Techniques: Ding."

There were significantly fewer classics on this shelf, only about thirty rolls. But every roll emitted a unique fluctuation of Spiritual Power, clearly not ordinary items.

"Initial Understanding of Lightning Talismans," "Essentials of Fire Talismans," "Circulation of Water Talismans," "Condensation of Earth Talismans"... Each of the Five Elements Talisman techniques occupied a few rolls. Lu Mingyuan's gaze, however, was drawn to a dark purple Jade Slip in the corner.

The surface of the Jade Slip had no words, but under the Eye of Clarity, he could see pale gold runes flowing inside the slip like swimming fish. He reached out to touch it—

Buzz!

The Jade Slip vibrated slightly, and a piece of information flooded directly into his mind:

"miscellaneous discourse on heart talismans," author anonymous. The opening sentence: "Talismans are the patterns of the heart. Where the thought reaches, the Talisman pattern naturally forms. To be constrained by form and trace is to fall into the inferior."

Lu Mingyuan's mind was deeply shaken.

This was completely opposite to the "precise sketching" emphasized in the "essentials of basic talismans"! But for some reason, this sentence touched him deeply. He remembered his insight when drawing the Heart-Clearing Talisman—letting the Spiritual Power "flow" into a rune, rather than "pouring" it in.

He continued to "read" on.

The content in the Jade Slip was scattered and jumping, like the fragments of thoughts recorded casually by some Great Master of the Dao of Talismans:

"Today I saw a Junior drawing a Lightning Talisman; they must first bathe and fast, set up an altar and perform rituals, which is extremely tedious. However, the true meaning of Lightning techniques lies in the four words 'fierce, powerful, swift, and fast.' With the intent of thunder in the heart, a Talisman can be formed in the Void Realm; why is there a need for cinnabar and yellow paper?"

"The Dao of Talismans is in decline, not because the techniques are lost, but because the Mind-Cultivation Technique is obscured. People of the world value 'form' over 'intent,' and 'technique' over 'Dao.' It is lamentable."

"Attempting to incorporate poetry into Talismans. Du Gongbu's 'Stars hang low over the vast wild plain' was drawn into a 'Starry Field Talisman,' which actually had the miraculous effect of expanding one's vision. Could it be that the path of literature and the Dao of Talismans share the same source?"

This last sentence made Lu Mingyuan's breath hitch.

Incorporating poetry into Talismans! The path of literature and the Dao of Talismans share the same source!

Isn't this the path of Fusion he had been thinking about? Confucianism cultivates Noble Spirit, while Daoism practices quietude and nature. If one could incorporate the Concept of poetry and prose into Talismans, using Noble Spirit as ink...

He excitedly continued to "flip through," but the content later in the Jade Slip became even more fragmented, mostly records of failed experiments: "Incorporating 'In the vast desert, a lone plume of smoke rises straight' into a Talisman; the smoke shape was difficult to condense, failure." "'Over the long river, the setting sun is round'; the intent of the setting sun was too heavy, the Talisman paper couldn't carry it and self-combusted."

Clearly, this Senior had walked a lonely and difficult path.

At the end of the Jade Slip was a sigh of emotion: "My path is lonely. My colleagues in the Dao of Talismans all call me a rebel, and my Confucian friends laugh at me for not attending to my proper duties. However, where the Dao lies, though thousands of people oppose me, I shall go forth. I leave this miscellaneous discourse for a destined person."

The information ended there.

Lu Mingyuan withdrew his hand, and the Jade Slip returned to tranquility. He stood before the bookshelf, unmoving for a long time.

The words of this anonymous Senior were like a thunderclap clearing the mist in his heart. The Dao of Talismans should not just be following books or mechanical imitation. The true Dao of Talismans should be an extension of one's thoughts, a manifestation of one's understanding of the "Dao."

And he himself, wasn't he walking a similar path? Merging the three teachings, drawing from many sources—it seemed like a rebellion, but in reality... perhaps it was the Righteous Path?

"An hour has passed," he murmured.

There was still half a bookshelf he hadn't seen, but it was no longer important. The value of this "miscellaneous discourse on heart talismans" exceeded the sum of all other classics. It gave Lu Mingyuan a direction, a possibility.

He did not continue browsing but instead walked to the reading area—there were a few futons and low tables there. He sat cross-legged and closed his eyes to digest what he had just gained.

In his mind, fragments of the "miscellaneous discourse on heart talismans" and the theories of the "essentials of basic talismans" collided and merged. The orthodox Dao of Talismans emphasized "accuracy of form," while the Heart Talisman philosophy emphasized "truth of intent." The two seemed contradictory, but in reality... could both be achieved?

Lu Mingyuan opened his eyes and took out Talisman paper and a Talisman brush.

He didn't draw any known runes but instead held the brush suspended in the air, silently reciting the famous line from Mencius in his heart: "I am good at nourishing my Noble Spirit."

The brush tip descended.

There was no fixed rune, no cinnabar trail; he simply followed the intent of "nobility," "uprightness," and "filling heaven and earth" in his heart, letting the brush tip wander freely. Spiritual Power surged from his Dantian, flowed through his arm, and was injected into the brush tip, leaving a pale gold trace on the yellow paper.

That was not a rune, but a flow of "intent."

When the final stroke was completed, no conventional spiritual light appeared on the surface of the Talisman paper; instead, a layer of gentle white light emerged, like flowing moonlight. The white light did not dissipate but grew stronger, until finally the entire Talisman paper became semi-transparent, as if condensed from light.

Lu Mingyuan picked up this "Talisman." It felt slightly warm to the touch, and a feeling of righteous awe that made it hard for evil to intrude naturally arose in his heart. This was not a Heart-Clearing Talisman, nor was it a Body-Protecting Talisman, but a completely new Talisman that carried the Concept of "Noble Spirit."

He had succeeded—his first attempt at incorporating poetry (prose) into a Talisman!

Although the specific efficacy of this Talisman was not yet clear, it proved that the path was feasible. The path of literature and the Dao of Talismans could indeed be merged!

After the excitement passed, Lu Mingyuan calmed down. The birth of this Talisman had its unique circumstances—he already had a Foundation of Noble Spirit, and his state of mind happened to align while he was comprehending the Heart Talisman philosophy. With the right time, place, and people, he had succeeded by chance. To truly master this method, there was still a long road to travel.

He carefully put away this special Talisman and glanced at the water clock in the corner—there was only fifteen minutes left.

In the final moments, he did not read anymore but instead organized his thoughts. What he gained today was mainly threefold:

First, a systematic understanding of the basic theories of the Dao of Talismans;

Second, an introduction to the Formation of three-Talisman linkage;

Third, and most importantly—the inspiration from the "Heart Talisman" philosophy.

This third point would perhaps affect his entire cultivation of the Dao of Talismans, and even his understanding of the "Dao."

When a crisp bell rang inside the tower, Lu Mingyuan stood up, took one last look at that dark purple Jade Slip, and gave a deep bow.

Although he had never met this anonymous Senior, they were already his second teacher on the path of Talismans.

Stepping out of the Talisman Scripture Pavilion, the setting sun was just right.

Zhang Qingyuan was waiting outside the door. Seeing him come out, he asked, "Did you gain anything?"

"I have benefited immensely," Lu Mingyuan said sincerely. "The vastness of Longhu Mountain's Dao of Talismans far exceeds this Junior's imagination."

"That's good." Zhang Qingyuan nodded. "The Junior Martial Uncle has instructed that starting from tomorrow, you may go to the 'Hall of Dharma Transmission' every morning to listen to lectures and practice on your own in the afternoon. This is the lecture Jade Plaque."

He handed over a green Jade Plaque with the character for "Transmission" carved on the front and the Longhu Mountain cloud pattern on the back.

"Thank you, Daoist."

The two walked back along the mountain path. The setting sun pulled their shadows very long, and the mountain breeze brought the sound of distant chanting, melodious like a song.

"Layman Lu," Zhang Qingyuan suddenly said, "In the Talisman Scripture Pavilion, did you look at the items on the 'Ding' shelf?"

Lu Mingyuan's heart stirred. "Yes."

"That roll of 'miscellaneous discourse on heart talismans'?"

"...Indeed."

Zhang Qingyuan was silent for a moment and sighed. "That was left by a brilliant Grand-Uncle Master three hundred years ago. He attempted to merge the path of literature into Talismans to create a brand-new Talisman path, but unfortunately... he suffered Qi Deviation and eventually passed away at the Cliff of Reflection in the back mountain."

Lu Mingyuan's footsteps paused.

"Before he died, the Grand-Uncle Master sealed his life's insights into a Jade Slip and placed it in the Talisman Scripture Pavilion, saying it was 'for a destined person.'" Zhang Qingyuan looked at him. "In three hundred years, no fewer than a hundred Disciples have seen that Jade Slip. Some turned up their noses at it, some gave up after failing their attempts, and some... almost followed in the Grand-Uncle Master's footsteps."

"Junior Martial Uncle Yu Shu let you into the Talisman Scripture Pavilion and specifically arranged for you to be in a position where you could see that Jade Slip; there must be a deep meaning behind it." Zhang Qingyuan's expression was complex. "Layman Lu, the Dao of Talismans is difficult, and innovation is particularly dangerous. I hope you... act within your capabilities."

Lu Mingyuan understood.

Immortal Master Yu Shu was testing him, but also guiding him. To see if he could walk his own path between the orthodox Dao of Talismans and rebellion.

"This Junior understands," he said solemnly. "Though the road is dangerous, someone must walk it. The unfinished ambitions of the predecessors should be continued by the successors."

Zhang Qingyuan gave him a deep look and said no more.

By the time they returned to the meditation house, the sky was completely dark.

Lu Mingyuan lit the oil lamp, took out that special "Haoran Talisman," looked at it for a long time, and then carefully put it away.

Tomorrow, the Hall of Dharma Transmission.

He would officially learn the orthodox Dao of Talismans of Longhu Mountain.

And the seed of the "Heart Talisman" in his heart had already quietly taken root.