29: Chapter 29 Returning to the Source of Talismanic Arts

Seven days passed like a trickling stream.

After recuperating in the Lingquan Cave for three days, Lu Mingyuan's spirit energy and Divine Soul had both returned to their Peak state. For the remaining four days, he did not attempt to draw "Heart Talismans" again, but instead settled his heart to re-study the thirty-six basic Talisman runes recorded in the "essentials of basic talismans".

This time, he no longer pursued drawing speed or grade, but focused on understanding the "Origin meaning" of each rune unit.

The "fierceness" and "warmth" of the "Fire Talisman" unit, the "gentleness" and "purity" of the "Water Talisman" unit, the "swiftness" and "destruction" of the "Thunder Talisman" unit... He tried to strip away the physical traces of the runes to reach the "Dao Concept" they carried. This process was slow and arduous; he often sat in silence for half a day just to comprehend the subtle differences of a single rune unit.

But the harvest was immense.

On the morning of the seventh day, when he arrived at the Quiet Heart Cliff once more, his state of mind was completely different from seven days ago. The excitement and trepidation of newly comprehending a new Dao had settled, replaced by a serenity like deep pool water.

Yushu Immortal Master was still sitting in the center of the taiji diagram. Seeing him arrive, a hint of approval flashed in his eyes: "The heart is steady."

"During these seven days, this Junior has done only one thing—looking back at the fundamentals," Lu Mingyuan bowed.

"Good," Yushu Immortal Master nodded. "Which poem do you wish to try today?"

Lu Mingyuan took out a piece of paper with only five words on it:

"Walking to where the water ends."

This was a line from Wang Wei's "Villa on location." The Concept was extremely simple—just walking until the source of the water ends. No bright moon, no pine springs, no specific imagery, only a state of "walking as one pleases, following nature."

Yushu Immortal Master looked at it and, rarely, showed a trace of a smile: "Clever indeed. Simplifying the complex, returning to simplicity and truth."

"It is this Junior's humble opinion: the way of the Heart Talisman values 'true intent' rather than 'complex imagery.' Last time I was greedy for more; this time I only seek a single flavor."

"Begin then."

The Soul-Protecting Formation rose again.

Lu Mingyuan sat cross-legged and closed his eyes to concentrate. He did not construct any images in his mind, but repeatedly savored the "spontaneity" and "naturalness" in those five words.

Walking to where the water ends—not deliberately seeking, not stubbornly clinging, just walking until there is no path left. That was a state of mind of letting go, accepting, and complying.

Gradually, he felt as if he were truly walking in the mountains, not knowing the direction, not asking the purpose, just walking. The stream gurgled beside him; as he walked, the sound of water gradually weakened until it disappeared.

At the end of the water source was a peaceful clearing.

No sorrow or joy, no gain or loss.

That was the moment.

He opened his eyes and lifted his brush. This time, the tip of the brush did not outline any imagery in the air but fell directly onto the Talisman paper.

The brush tip lightly touched the paper, and spirit energy flowed naturally—not deliberately "drawing a Talisman," but letting his state of mind "flow" into traces.

One stroke, like a winding stream.

Two strokes, like a twisting mountain path.

Three strokes, like the openness at the end of the water.

There were no specific shapes, only the trajectory of "walking," the indifference of "ending," and the settling of "place."

Three strokes formed the Talisman.

A faint green glow appeared on the surface of the Talisman paper, with mountain shadows and water traces vaguely visible within the glow, yet not clearly seen. The entire Talisman emitted an aura of "being at peace with whatever comes" and "following nature." Touching it made one's heart peaceful and distracted thoughts vanished on their own.

Yushu Immortal Master withdrew the Formation and picked up the Talisman.

After a moment, he sighed: "This Talisman can be named the 'Following Heart-Calming Talisman.' Although it has no specific effect, the 'Dao of Nature' Concept contained within it is of great use for a practitioner to stabilize their state of mind and resolve obsessions. In terms of the purity of the Concept, it is a cut above the previous Talisman; in terms of spirit energy control, less than thirty percent was wasted."

He looked at Lu Mingyuan: "You have already solved most of the problem from seven days ago yourself."

"It is thanks to the Immortal Master's proper guidance."

"It is not this old Daoist's merit, but your own realization," Yushu Immortal Master returned the Talisman to him. "There are thousands of ways of the Talisman, but they all return to one source. That 'one' is the Talisman Master's understanding of the 'Dao.' By using poetry to enter the Talisman, you seem to be innovating, but in reality, you are exploring another form of expression for that 'one'—carrying the Dao with literature, embodying the Dao with poetry."

Lu Mingyuan's heart shook.

Carrying the Dao with literature, embodying the Dao with poetry... Wasn't this the "integration" he had been seeking?

"Do you know what the core of the Longhu Mountain Talisman arts is?" Yushu Immortal Master suddenly asked.

"Please instruct me, Immortal Master."

"It is the word 'Faith,'" Yushu Immortal Master said slowly. "Faith that heaven and earth have a Dao, faith that Talisman runes can communicate, faith that one's own heart can reach it. Without this faith, a Talisman is just ghost scribbles; with this faith, every blade of grass and every tree can become a Talisman."

He stood up, walked to the edge of the cliff, and looked at the sea of clouds: "The core of your 'Heart Talisman' way is also a single word—'Sincerity.' Sincerity to the poetic intent, sincerity to your own heart, sincerity to the Dao. Faith and sincerity seem different, but they are actually from the same source. Both are the pursuit of 'Truth.'"

Lu Mingyuan felt as if he had been enlightened.

It turned out that the new path he was exploring was connected at the highest level with the thousand-year-old tradition of Longhu Mountain.

"Thank you for your guidance, Immortal Master!" He bowed deeply.

"No need for thanks," Yushu Immortal Master turned around. "Since you have realized this level, a third protection is no longer necessary. The rest of the path you must walk yourself. However—"

He paused: "This old Daoist can give you a word of advice: Do not be obsessed with the opposition between 'innovation' and 'tradition.' All laws share the same source, and different paths lead to the same destination. Walk your path, but also see the paths of others clearly. Only then can you truly 'return to the source'."

Lu Mingyuan took it to heart solemnly.

When he left the Quiet Heart Cliff, it was already noon. Zhang Qingyuan was still waiting outside the cliff. Seeing him come out, he stepped forward and asked: "How was it?"

"Fortunately, I did not fail the mission." Lu Mingyuan took out two Heart Talismans—the Mountain Dwelling Heart-Calming Talisman and the Following Heart-Calming Talisman.

Zhang Qingyuan looked at them for a long time and sighed: "Junior Martial Uncle was right, you indeed have talent... in the way of the Talisman." He put away his sentiment, "By the way, there is a result regarding the matter at Qingsong Ridge."

"Oh?"

"Three days ago, the mountain gate sent two Golden Core Senior Brothers. They completely sealed that The Rift with the 'Nine Palaces Demon-Sealing Formation'," Zhang Qingyuan said. "They said that although your blood Talisman Seal was crude, the core was correct and bought them time. The Sect Leader specifically instructed to thank you."

Lu Mingyuan breathed a sigh of relief. The hidden danger was removed, and a weight was lifted from his heart.

"In addition," Zhang Qingyuan took out a Jade Slip, "this was given to me by Junior Martial Uncle Mingxin to hand over. Inside are three hundred annotations on the 'miscellaneous discourse on heart talismans' and his thoughts over the years. Junior Martial Uncle said... it might be useful to you."

Lu Mingyuan took it with both hands, a warm current rising in his heart. Daoist Mingxin was serious on the surface, but in reality, he had been silently watching and supporting his exploration.

"Please thank Daoist Mingxin for me."

The two returned along the mountain path. When passing the Hall of Dharma Transmission, Lu Mingyuan stopped.

A lesson was being taught inside, and Daoist Mingxin's voice could be heard faintly: "...There are thousands of Talisman arts, one must not be confined to a single path. However, all changes do not depart from the source, and that 'source' is..."

Lu Mingyuan smiled knowingly.

He did not enter the hall to disturb them and continued forward.

For the next half month, Lu Mingyuan's life was regular and fulfilling.

In the morning, he went to the Hall of Dharma Transmission to attend lectures and Systematically study the orthodox Talisman System of Longhu Mountain—from the Origin of Talisman runes to the combination of Talisman Formations, from Talismanic Incantation mantras to Talisman Seal hand gestures. He no longer saw "Heart Talisman" as an opposition, but understood it as a special branch, verifying it against the orthodox Talisman arts.

In the afternoon, he practiced in his residence. He integrated the "Origin meaning" of the thirty-six basic Talisman runes one by one into the drawing of regular Talismans. The same Heart-Clearing Talisman would have significantly different effects depending on the depth of the "quiet intent" integrated. Occasionally, he would also try to draw new "Heart Talismans," choosing poems that were increasingly simple and Concepts that were increasingly pure.

In the evening, he studied Daoist Mingxin's annotated Jade Slip. Those three hundred annotations were all brilliant, containing both analyses of the Grand-Uncle Master's ideas and calm assessments of the risks and limitations of the "Heart Talisman." Lu Mingyuan benefited greatly, and many vague points suddenly became clear.

His cultivation in the way of the Talisman improved at a visible speed.

One day, Lu Mingyuan was drawing a set of "Five Elements House-Protecting Talisman Formation" in the courtyard—this was a recent assignment from the Hall of Dharma Transmission, requiring the five Talismans of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth to be arranged in order of mutual generation to form a protective cycle.

Just as he finished the third Talisman, the "Water Talisman," there was a knock at the courtyard gate.

It was Zhang Qingyuan, his expression somewhat solemn.

"Resident Lu, Junior Martial Uncle requests your presence."

"What happened?"

"The The Rift in Black Water Marsh... has expanded," Zhang Qingyuan said in a low voice. "The Senior Brother guarding it sent back an urgent message saying that a True Demon-level evil creature is about to break the Seal. The mountain gate has decided to send elites to suppress it, and Junior Martial Uncle specifically named... you to go along."

Lu Mingyuan's heart skipped a beat.

True Demon-level was equivalent to a Golden Core Cultivator. With his Foundation Establishment cultivation, participating in a battle of this level was exceptionally dangerous.

But he did not hesitate: "This Junior is willing to go."

Zhang Qingyuan took a deep look at him: "This trip is out of the ordinary. Junior Martial Uncle said this is your last lesson in 'returning to the source'—Talisman arts are not just talk on paper, but also a Sharp Weapon for protecting the Dao and guarding the truth."

"This Junior understands."

After packing, Lu Mingyuan followed Zhang Qingyuan to the front hall of the Tianshi Mansion. More than ten people were already waiting in the hall, led by two middle-aged Daoists of the Golden Core Stage, their auras as heavy as mountains. The rest were all Foundation Establishment elites, including two Personal Disciples of Daoist Mingxin.

Yushu Immortal Master was not in the hall, but Lu Mingyuan felt a Divine Thought sweep over him, and then the old Daoist's voice sounded in his mind:

"On this trip to Black Water Marsh, watch more, learn more, and do not try to be a hero. Your 'Following Heart-Calming Talisman' might be useful."

"This Junior will keep it in mind."

Everyone set off, taking a Flying Boat to Black Water Marsh.

The boat traveled through the sea of clouds. Lu Mingyuan stood by the railing, looking back at the receding Longhu Mountain. The misty Peak and the outline of the Hall of Dharma Transmission were faintly visible.

A month's time had passed in a flash.

Here, he had laid the Foundation for the way of the Talisman, understood the threshold of the "Heart Talisman," and further grasped the principle of "all laws returning to the source."

Longhu Mountain, the ancestral court of Daoist Talismans, truly lived up to its reputation.

And the next stop should be Wudang Mountain.

He felt the scroll of "essentials of basic talismans" and Daoist Mingxin's annotated Jade Slip in his robe, and thought of Yushu Immortal Master's words: "All laws share the same source, and different paths lead to the same destination."

The road ahead is long and difficult.

But with light in the heart, one does not fear the darkness.

The Flying Boat broke through the clouds and headed east.