27: Chapter 27 Debate in the Dharma Transmission Hall

The Hall of Dharma Transmission was located on the east side of the Tianshi Mansion, a hall capable of holding a hundred people.

At the third quarter of the Hour of the Rabbit, before the lingering resonance of the morning bell had faded, Lu Mingyuan stood outside the hall holding his jade plaque. Daoists arrived one after another on the bluestone-paved square, mostly young faces wearing green or gray Daoist robes, walking briskly and discussing today's lessons in low voices.

"A new face?" A round-faced Daoist sized up Lu Mingyuan. "Is the Junior here to listen to the lecture?"

"Indeed." Lu Mingyuan showed his jade plaque.

The round-faced Daoist glanced at the jade plaque and smiled. "So it was specially permitted by Grand-Uncle Master Yu Shu. Go on in, there are still seats in the front row—newcomers all sit in the front so they can hear clearly."

Lu Mingyuan thanked him and went inside.

The hall was spacious and bright, with the twenty-eight lunar mansions painted on the dome. The stars were adorned with silver powder, faintly shimmering in the morning light. Directly in front was a three-foot-high podium, with a taiji diagram hanging behind it, the Yin and Yang fish slowly rotating—not as decoration, but as a real Formation projection.

Dozens of futons were neatly arranged below the podium, with twenty or thirty people already seated. Lu Mingyuan followed the advice and found a spot in the front row, sitting cross-legged. The surrounding Daoists cast curious glances, but no one spoke; they all closed their eyes to rest and wait for the lecture to begin.

Exactly at the Hour of the Dragon, a middle-aged Daoist stepped into the hall.

He had a tall, straight posture and a serious expression, wearing a deep blue Daoist robe with silver cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs. He held no scrolls, only an ebony ruler. Standing on the podium, his gaze swept across the room, lingering briefly on Lu Mingyuan before he spoke:

"Today, we shall discuss the 'Principles of Talisman Formation Connection'."

His voice was not loud, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly. The Daoist introduced himself as "Ming Xin," one of the five lecturers at the Hall of Dharma Transmission, specializing in Talisman Formations.

"A Talisman Formation is a combination of multiple Talismans, connected to form a momentum." Daoist Ming Xin traced the air with his ruler, and a faint golden light appeared, forming a simple triangular pattern. "The most basic is the Three Talents Array. The Heaven, Earth, and Man Talismans each occupy their positions, with spiritual energy flowing like a ring."

He explained in detail the spiritual energy connection nodes, flow directions, and master-servant relationships between the three Talismans. Lu Mingyuan listened intently, cross-referencing this with the "Three Talisman Ring Formation" he had read in the Talisman Scripture Pavilion yesterday, gaining a deeper level of understanding.

"However, Formations are not dead things." Daoist Ming Xin shifted the topic. "In the same Three Talents Array, if the primary Talisman differs, the effects vary vastly. With 'Heart-Clearing' as the primary, it becomes a Spirit-Tranquilizing Formation; with 'Evil-Expelling' as the primary, it becomes an Evil-Warding Formation; with 'Body-Protecting' as the primary, it becomes a Defensive Formation."

He demonstrated on the spot, using spiritual energy to outline three Three Talents Arrays with different primary Talismans in the air. The moment the Formations took shape, the Spiritual Qi in the hall fluctuated accordingly—the Spirit-Tranquilizing Formation made one's mind peaceful, the Evil-Warding Formation emitted a stern Noble Spirit, and the Defensive Formation was like an invisible barrier being built.

"Wonderful..." a Disciple praised in a low voice.

Lu Mingyuan was also filled with admiration. Daoist Ming Xin's understanding of Talisman Formations had reached the Transcendent level; every casual gesture contained profound knowledge.

After two hours of theoretical explanation, they entered the practical phase.

"Each person will take three blank Talisman papers and draw the 'Heart-Clearing', 'Evil-Expelling', and 'Body-Protecting' Talismans, then attempt to form a Three Talents Array." Daoist Ming Xin instructed the Daoist boys to distribute the Materials. "Those who successfully activate the Formation and maintain it for ten breaths will receive a 'B-grade' evaluation; if one can change the primary Talisman and adjust the Formation's effect, they will receive an 'A-grade'."

The atmosphere in the hall immediately became tense. The young Daoists picked up their brushes; some were full of confidence, while others frowned deeply.

Lu Mingyuan spread out the Talisman paper but was in no hurry to start. He closed his eyes and concentrated, recalling the feeling of drawing the three Talismans yesterday and the key connection points Daoist Ming Xin had just explained.

After three breaths, he opened his eyes and lifted his brush.

Heart-Clearing Talisman—the tip of the brush flowed like a gurgling stream. This time, he deliberately controlled the "evenness," "continuity," and "vitality" of the spiritual energy injection, making every stroke natural and smooth. When the Talisman was finished, it glowed with a gentle white light; it was actually a "High Grade" spiritual glow.

There were faint gasps of surprise from around him.

Evil-Expelling Talisman—the brush strokes turned firm, like a sword leaving its sheath. He visualized the intent of "slashing through evil" in his mind, adding a hint of sharpness as he injected spiritual energy. When the Talisman was finished, a golden light shimmered; it was also High Grade.

Body-Protecting Talisman—the brush intent became thick, like a mountain standing firm. The spiritual energy was long-lasting and heavy, and when the Talisman was finished, its earthy yellow radiance was as steady as the ground.

Having finished the three Talismans, Lu Mingyuan did not pause, placing them directly according to the Three Talents positions. His left hand formed a seal while the index and middle fingers of his right hand joined together, pointing toward the Heart-Clearing Talisman—

"Formation, rise!"

The three Talisman papers lit up simultaneously, their spiritual energy connecting into a web and forming a stable triangular light Formation. The Formation covered a three-foot area, and everyone in the hall felt their minds settle, as if bathed in a spring breeze.

"It's been ten breaths!" a Disciple whispered.

Lu Mingyuan maintained the Formation, counting silently in his mind. Fifteen breaths, twenty breaths... it wasn't until thirty breaths that he slowly withdrew his power. The radiance of the three Talisman papers dimmed, but they had not lost their effect, still maintaining a faint spiritual energy resonance.

Daoist Ming Xin walked down from the podium, came to him, and picked up the three Talismans to examine them closely.

"High Grade spiritual Talismans, and the Formation was stable for thirty breaths." A flash of surprise crossed his eyes. "Have you studied Talisman Formations before?"

"I read some ancient texts in the Talisman Scripture Pavilion yesterday, and only after hearing your explanation today did I gain a superficial understanding."

"The work of a single day?" Daoist Ming Xin looked at him deeply. "Can you change the primary Talisman?"

"This Junior will try."

Lu Mingyuan reactivated the Formation, this time with the Evil-Expelling Talisman as the primary. The Formation's light turned pale gold, emitting a stern Noble Spirit; although the range shrank to two feet, its edge was even sharper. After maintaining it for ten breaths, he switched to the Body-Protecting Talisman as the primary, and the earthy yellow light shield became as solid as a buckler.

The three transitions were smooth and natural.

Daoist Ming Xin was silent for a moment before saying, "A-grade."

Low whispers broke out in the hall. An A-grade evaluation was a rare sight in the Hall of Dharma Transmission, happening perhaps once a month.

"What is your name?"

"This Junior is Lu Mingyuan."

"Lu Mingyuan..." Daoist Ming Xin noted the name. "Stay behind after class."

The morning lessons ended at noon. The Disciples left one after another, while Lu Mingyuan remained in the hall to wait.

Daoist Ming Xin packed up his teaching tools and walked over to him. "Junior Martial Uncle Yu Shu mentioned you to me. He said you have some... special ideas regarding the way of Talismans."

Lu Mingyuan felt a jolt in his heart.

"No need to be nervous." Daoist Ming Xin signaled for him to sit. "Longhu Mountain has been established for a thousand years; we have seen many Geniuses and even more detours. My Junior Martial Uncle asked me to see where your 'specialty' lies—today's Three Talisman Formation has already shown your Foundation. But that is not what he wants to see."

"What the Daoist wants to see is..."

"Your 'Heart Talisman'." Daoist Ming Xin spoke bluntly. "You read the Grand-Uncle Master's 'miscellaneous discourse on heart talismans' and realized something from it, right?"

Lu Mingyuan hesitated for a second before nodding in admission. "This Junior attempted to incorporate the Concept of poetry and literature into the Talismans."

"Did you succeed?"

"I luckily completed one, but its effect is unclear, and I don't know how to reproduce it."

Daoist Ming Xin took a Talisman paper from his sleeve—it was exactly the "Haoran Talisman" Lu Mingyuan had drawn yesterday. The paper was translucent, with a gentle white light flowing incessantly.

"My Junior Martial Uncle showed me this Talisman this morning." Daoist Ming Xin placed the Talisman on the table. "It is not a Heart-Clearing Talisman, nor a Body-Protecting Talisman, nor any known type of Talisman. But the 'upright and bright' intent it contains is so rich and pure that even I am surprised."

He paused. "Do you know what this means?"

"Please enlighten me, Daoist."

"It means you have created an entirely new type of Talisman." Daoist Ming Xin's tone was serious. "The way of Talismans has developed for thousands of years; new Talismans are born either from the improvement of old ones or from natural realization after a Breakthrough in Realm. For someone like you, with a Foundation Establishment cultivation, to innovate an entirely new Talisman intent based on a Concept... in three hundred years, you are the second."

The first, naturally, was that Grand-Uncle Master.

Lu Mingyuan's palms sweated. "This Junior just stumbled upon it by chance..."

"Could one stumble upon such a Talisman by chance?" Daoist Ming Xin shook his head. "There is no need for false modesty, nor for fear. Although Longhu Mountain has its rules, it never stifles innovation. However—" he changed his tone, "the path of innovation is fraught with peril. Do you understand the cautionary tale of the Grand-Uncle Master?"

"This Junior understands the risks."

"Understanding is not enough; you must have awe." Daoist Ming Xin stood up and paced in the hall. "The greatest danger in Talisman innovation lies in 'Intent Backlash'. You inject your mind and intent into the Talisman; if the intent is unstable, conflicting, or too intense, the moment the Talisman is formed, it may backfire on yourself. At best, your Divine Soul will be damaged; at worst... your Dao Foundation will collapse."

He stopped and looked at Lu Mingyuan. "In that Talisman of yours, the intent is 'Noble Spirit'. This intent is supreme and unyielding, which is a good thing, but does your own cultivation of Noble Spirit match the 'intent' of this Talisman?"

Lu Mingyuan was stunned.

It was true. Although he had a Foundation of Noble Spirit, his cultivation was still shallow. The "Noble" Concept carried by this Talisman seemed to originate from the collective spirit of Confucian sages over a thousand years, as vast as the sea. How could a shallow pond hold the ocean without danger?

"Yesterday's successful Talisman was due to your Heart-Nature being in sync, combined with a flash of inspiration from your first realization of the 'Heart Talisman' Concept—various coincidences allowed you to avoid backlash." Daoist Ming Xin sighed. "If you do not know your limits and continue to try, you might not be so lucky next time."

Cold sweat trickled down Lu Mingyuan's forehead.

He really hadn't thought of this layer. He had been immersed in the joy of successful innovation, neglecting the hidden dangers.

"Then... what should this Junior do?"

"Two paths." Daoist Ming Xin held up two fingers. "First, temporarily set aside the exploration of 'Heart Talismans' and focus on building a solid Foundation in orthodox Talisman arts. Once your Realm has increased and your Heart-Nature is stable, you can try again."

"And the second path?"

"Try under the protection of a teacher, within limits." Daoist Ming Xin looked at him. "Junior Martial Uncle Yu Shu's meaning is that if you choose this path, he can act as your Protector three times. After three times, regardless of success or failure, you must stop and not touch 'Heart Talismans' for at least three years."

This was both protection and a test.

Lu Mingyuan was silent for a long time.

He knew the correct choice was the first path: steady progress and natural growth. But the fire in his heart... was unwilling to be extinguished.

"This Junior chooses the second path." He looked up, his eyes determined. "But please tell the Immortal Master: for these three opportunities, this Junior will be extremely cautious. I will never advance recklessly for the sake of merit."

Daoist Ming Xin looked at him deeply and finally nodded. "Very well. Three days from now, at noon, at the 'Quiet Heart Cliff' in the back mountain. My Junior Martial Uncle will be waiting for you there."

It was already afternoon when he left the Hall of Dharma Transmission.

Lu Mingyuan did not return to his quarters but went to a secluded stream in the back mountain. The water gurgled and the maple leaves were as red as fire; he sat on a large rock by the stream and took out that Haoran Talisman.

In the sunlight, the translucent texture of the Talisman paper appeared even more magnificent, its white glow as gentle as water. He felt the Concept contained within—it was indeed not just his own Noble Spirit, but also incorporated the eternal spirit of passages from Mencius and the collective will of scholars to "establish a heart for Heaven and Earth."

It was far too vast.

His current Realm truly could not carry it.

"But someone has to walk this path," he whispered to himself. "The Grand-Uncle Master walked it but did not finish. Since I have received his Legacy, I should continue walking it."

Putting away the Talisman, he took out the essentials of basic talismans and began practicing again from the most basic talismanic units. This time, he no longer sought innovation but settled his heart, stroke by stroke, to solidify his Foundation.

By sunset, among the hundred basic talismanic units he had drawn, seventy percent had reached "High Grade."

It was not a Breakthrough, but a return.

A return to the most simple practice, a return to the awe of every stroke and every line.

On the way back to his quarters, he met Zhang Qingyuan.

"Has Junior Martial Uncle Ming Xin spoken with you?" Zhang Qingyuan asked.

"Yes."

"You chose the second path?"

"Yes."

Zhang Qingyuan was silent for a moment before saying, "Three days from now, I will keep watch outside the Quiet Heart Cliff. If anything goes wrong... I will immediately inform my Junior Martial Uncle to stop."

This was extra protection. Lu Mingyuan felt a warmth in his heart. "Thank you, Daoist."

"No need to thank me." Zhang Qingyuan looked toward the distant mountain peaks. "I just... don't want to see the tragedy from three hundred years ago repeat itself."

He turned and left, his silhouette appearing somewhat lonely in the twilight.

Lu Mingyuan stood there for a long time.

The night deepened, and the evening bell echoed from the mountains.

Three days later, Quiet Heart Cliff.

That would be the most important attempt in his Talisman spiritual practice on the way of Talismans.

If he succeeded, he would open a new path; if he failed... at least, with a teacher as his Protector, he would not lose his life.

He clenched his fist, then slowly relaxed it.

Regardless of success or failure, he was set on walking this path.