How did the Ancient Divine People manage to bring things from the Material Realm into the Spiritual World, and what methods did they use?
Zhang Chen picked up the jade brick from the ground, only to see it transform into a rune. He then casually discarded the rune and watched as it transformed back into a jade brick.
"Could it be related to the Talismanic Technique?" Zhang Chen pondered with a hint of contemplation in his eyes.
Perhaps this is the only explanation that makes sense.
"There must be a way to bring the Celestial Demon into the Spiritual World. It’s just that I currently possess too few techniques and have limited understanding of the mysterious." Zhang Chen’s mind flickered with thoughts, and he continued to meditate and cultivate, enhancing his own magical power.
The days passed one by one, and the seven days quickly flew by. Xie Lingyun came once again.
At this moment, Xie Lingyun had changed from a bright red robe to a white garment, and even standing quietly, she exuded an unparalleled solitary grace.
"Little Daoist, how goes the Celestial Demon’s indoctrination?" Xie Lingyun stood at the doorway, watching Zhang Chen as he drew talismans, and asked with a smile.
Now, Xie Lingyun seemed like a neighborly elder sister, without a trace of the arrogance typically associated with nobility.
"Greetings, noble lady." Zhang Chen quickly stood up and bowed to Xie Lingyun.
"You know how tricky that beast’s methods are, subduing it isn’t so easy." Zhang Chen replied.
Xie Lingyun gently smiled upon hearing this, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with Zhang Chen’s words, and her eyes scanned the room: "Where is your little senior sister?"
"She’s gone to sleep!" Zhang Chen replied.
Xie Lingyun was taken aback: "What is she doing sleeping in broad daylight?"
"That girl keeps clamoring that she has a mental illness, and she’s taken a bunch of medicine. I couldn’t dissuade her, and now she spends all her time soaking in medicinal baths." Zhang Chen said with a mix of laughter and helplessness.
Xie Lingyun was stunned: "That shouldn’t be the case. I see her soul is quite normal, how could she be ill?"
"Who knows." Zhang Chen replied with irritation.
Xie Lingyun suddenly remembered something, a smirk forming at the corner of her mouth: "Previously, your little senior sister said you had a mental illness and got you medicine from the Herbal Hall. Why is she the one consuming it now?"
Zhang Chen, not being foolish, caught onto Xie Lingyun’s words, and his mind raced to recall the time Xiaodouding had tricked him into taking medicine. Logically, after more than a month of consuming it, his body showed no change, nowhere near a Martial Dao Foundation Establishment transformation.
In contrast, Xiaodouding, since declaring herself mentally ill, stopped giving him the medicine, consuming it all herself. Zhang Chen was utterly speechless: ’Was I tricked by this girl? Did she treat me as if I had a mental illness?’
Remembering Chengyu’s various past antics and deceitful words, Zhang Chen felt an urge to punch something.
"I came this time to bring you something." Xie Lingyun, unaware of Zhang Chen’s inner thoughts, pulled out an ancient book emitting a mysterious aura from her bosom:
"This book was unearthed from a great tomb by the Inspection and Supervision Department. It contains records of three hundred and sixty-five talismans. Previously, no one could decipher their purpose, and people thought the Talismanic Technique was a fraudulent art, used by ancients to confuse their descendants. This book has long been gathering dust in the warehouse, and I managed to borrow it for you to study for a month, relying on your own skills to comprehend as many talismans as possible."
As she spoke, Xie Lingyun winked at Zhang Chen, who immediately understood her intentions of offering him a month to copy it. However, Xie Lingyun wouldn’t know that Zhang Chen insisted on the original for mastering the skill.
Moreover, in the art of talismans, even the slightest line or width cannot vary, as a mistake could lead him to ruin.
"What a treasure! This is indeed a true treasure." Zhang Chen’s face lit up with joy.
Three hundred and sixty-five talismans? It’s like a feast offered on a silver platter! Zhang Chen, after a painstaking effort to assist Xie Lingyun, finally reaped his reward.
Xie Lingyun casually tossed the book toward him, which Zhang Chen caught clumsily, joy evident in his eyes.
With the Dharma Eye open, Zhang Chen clearly saw the book enveloped in the glow of mutton fat jade, indicating it was no ordinary object.
"Does the Inspection and Supervision Department have such treasures?" Zhang Chen, somewhat incredulous, flipped through the ancient book. It appeared simple, in a pale yellow hue, of an unknown material, and felt inexplicably cool to the touch.
"The Northern Land Inspection and Supervision Department has excavated eight great tombs over the years, unearthing more treasures than you can imagine. For instance, the Celestial Demon affecting me was due to a mysterious artifact extracted from such a tomb, leading to my predicament."
Xie Lingyun emphasized: "This book of talismans was excavated together with the artifact that housed the Celestial Demon."
Hearing this, Zhang Chen’s demeanor grew more solemn, carefully tucking the book into his robes: "Thank you, noble lady. I am at a loss for words to express my gratitude. You need only command, and I shall never refuse."
Xie Lingyun smiled brightly: "I value your intention. Our relationship transcends identity and gender, so there’s no need for formalities."
"I came to seek your guidance on the Talisman Drawing Technique as well as the Qi Cultivation Technique." Xie Lingyun, with her radiant smile, expressed her request unabashedly.
"If the noble lady has any inquiries, please feel free to ask. I shall speak candidly and thoroughly." Zhang Chen replied.