Seeking Fortune And Avoiding Calamity, Starting From The Heavenly Master's Mansion Chapter 19: Choosing a Signature Spell - Novel Cool

Chapter 19: Choosing a Signature Spell

Chapter 19: Choosing a Signature Spell

Usually gentle and relaxed, Yuan Mobai was strict and meticulous when it came to teaching. Now that he was instructing Lei Jun in the ways of spirit talismans, he started with the basics.

So, following his mentor's guidance, Lei Jun first bathed and changed into clean clothes. He then purified his heart, hands, and mouth, setting up an offering of incense, candles, fruits, and tea. He prayed to the heavens and the earth, and then proceeded to bless the water and ink, as well as the brush and paper. Only then was he ready to begin inscribing the spirit talisman.

Yuan Mobai first gave a simple introduction, then demonstrated the process himself. After that, he provided detailed guidance while Lei Jun tried his hand at crafting the talisman under his watchful eye.

Lei Jun straightened his clothes and stood before the offering table.

The incense in the burner sent tendrils of blue smoke curling upward, enveloping the table.

Lei Jun dipped the talisman brush into cinnabar ink and hovered the tip over the yellow talisman paper.

"With the first stroke, the world trembles," he intoned, and made the first stroke.

"With the second stroke, the founder's sword..." Continuing his incantation, Lei Jun circled the offering table, pausing with each step to make the next stroke.

"With the third stroke, evil spirits are banished a thousand miles away!" He circled the table again, pausing and making a stroke with each step.

Thus, with three pauses and three strokes, he completed the talisman's head.

Threads of spiritual energy emanated from the yellow paper.

Lei Jun's gaze remained focused, his mind concentrated. His brush strokes were smooth and fluid as he swiftly added several more strokes, completing the talisman's core and other sections.

Finally, he wrote the tail, and the spirit talisman was complete.

But the process wasn't over yet.

Lei Jun turned the brush tip upward and tapped it against the paper three times.

"Chi!" he said, pointing at the talisman.

The talisman was complete. Without any wind, the blue smoke gathered and dispersed.

Lei Jun had just circled the offering table and returned to his starting position. He stood still for a moment before carefully putting down the brush and arranging it neatly on the table.

Then, holding the talisman, he circled the incense burner three times.

On the yellow paper with its red inscriptions, a faint glow seemed to appear.

Lei Jun extended his finger, channeling his spiritual power.

The power gathered at his fingertip, faintly forming the shape of a seal.

He pressed this "seal" onto the yellow paper with its red inscriptions, and the talisman's radiance dimmed, its true power now hidden.

Only then did Lei Jun breathe a sigh of relief and smile.

At the same time, he felt that the spiritual power he had just refined was almost completely depleted, and even his mental energy was somewhat lacking.

But he had successfully created his first talisman!

"To create a talisman on your first try is impressive, Lei Jun. You have a talent for the talismanic arts of our sect," Yuan Mobai said with a smile.

"It's all thanks to your guidance," Lei Jun replied.

Following Yuan Mobai's instructions, he sat down to meditate and recover his spent spiritual, physical, and mental energy.

Given his current cultivation level, Lei Jun decided to limit himself to crafting no more than three talismans per day, at least for the time being.

As his cultivation deepened and his reserves of energy grew, he would gradually increase the number of talismans he crafted each day.

Interestingly, while his first talisman had been a success, he had also experienced failures along the way. Fortunately, his overall success rate was gradually increasing.

The process of crafting talismans in the Daoist Talismanic Sect was not a simple one, especially for cultivators who were still at a relatively low level and had only recently formed their spiritual power.

However, talismans were in tune with the natural world, borrowing power from the heavens and the earth. With the right preparation, a talisman could bestow power beyond the cultivator's current level.

Moreover, as long as one had sufficient materials, spiritual power, energy, and time, it was possible to create multiple talismans for future use.

After some time, Lei Jun became familiar with most of the basic talismans used in the Celestial Master's Mansion. One evening, during a lesson, Yuan Mobai said, "Not just in our sect, but in all the cultivation paths of the world, cultivators can choose to develop their own signature spells.

Here in our sect, disciples choose one or more talismans to serve as their signature spells."

The talismanic scriptures of the Celestial Master's Mansion recorded a vast array of talismans, and disciples could learn as many as their capacity and time allowed. Choosing one or several talismans as their signature spell didn't restrict them from learning to craft other talismans. Instead, it meant that crafting their chosen signature talismans would be faster, more convenient, more powerful, less draining, and more reliable.

This principle of choosing a signature spell was consistent across the various cultivation methods in the world, including the Daoist Talismanic Sect.

"There are a few important principles to keep in mind when it comes to choosing a signature spell," Yuan Mobai began to explain. "Firstly, at each major realm, you can only cultivate one innate spell. So, a cultivator at the Triple Heaven realm can have three innate spells, while someone at the First Heaven of Qi Refinement, like yourself, can only cultivate one."

"Secondly, it is said that 'one's body is paramount'. When cultivating spells, one must ensure they align with their fundamental path and foundation; otherwise, it will be challenging to unleash the spell's full power. This is even more critical for innate spells, which must be in complete harmony with the cultivator's fundamental techniques."

"Thirdly, once an innate spell is cultivated, it is bonded to one's life force, and it cannot be changed or replaced easily. While you might only be able to cultivate relatively low-level spells at a lower realm, as your cultivation improves, your innate spells will also evolve and become more powerful. That is why it is essential to ensure harmony between your body and your spells."

"Generally, when it comes to choosing an innate spell, disciples of the Celestial Master's Mansion tend to pick from the following options: the Golden Lock Talisman, the Divine Strike Talisman, the Wind-Riding Talisman, the Thunderclap Talisman, the Blazing Flame Talisman, the Binding Talisman, the Exorcism Talisman, the Calm Mind Talisman, and the Seal Talisman."

Yuan Mobai smiled and asked, "With your current cultivation at the Second Heaven, you can cultivate two innate talismans. Which ones are you considering?"

Lei Jun thought for a moment before replying, "What are your thoughts on this, Master?"

"My lineage places a greater emphasis on the combination of physical and magical combat compared to other branches of our sect. Both your senior brother and I chose the Divine Strike Talisman as our initial innate spell." Yuan Mobai explained.

"Since your induction as a Daoist acolyte, our teachings at the Celestial Master's Mansion have focused on refining your physical body and cultivating its qi and blood, as well as imparting profound Daoist martial arts."

"The Divine Strike Talisman further enhances the cultivator's physical attributes, building upon the foundation we've already established."

"If you choose the Divine Strike Talisman as your innate spell, you'll also gain additional benefits."

Lei Jun replied, "I also wish to choose the Divine Strike Talisman as my first innate spell."

Firstly, it complements the other unique arts of the Celestial Master's Mansion very well.

Secondly, improving my physical attributes and reaction capabilities will better equip me to handle unknown and complex environments and unexpected situations.

It might lack specificity, but I prefer this approach of strengthening myself and taking the initiative."

"Then the Divine Strike Talisman it is for your first spell." Yuan Mobai smiled and continued, "As for your second choice, it's up to you. Different people have different preferences, and when choosing an innate spell, you should consider not only how well it aligns with your current path of cultivation but also your personality and temperament."

Lei Jun nodded in agreement.

However, as far as he knew, the most popular talismans among the disciples of the Celestial Master's Mansion were led by the Golden Lock Talisman. Even if it wasn't their first choice, many chose it as their second or third.

This talisman was a defensive one and, despite being a basic talisman, it boasted formidable defensive capabilities.

Disciples of the Celestial Master's Mansion who chose the Golden Lock Talisman as their innate spell could even withstand the simultaneous assault of multiple enemies of the same realm for a short period.

It was truly as solid as gold and as impenetrable as a locked fortress.

Even outside the Daoist Talismanic Sect, the Golden Lock Talisman was highly revered by other cultivation lineages, considered one of the best defensive measures for low-realm cultivators.

It was the most sought-after basic talisman, whether for personal use or for trading and favors with disciples from other sects.

While it might be sufficient to remain within the safety of one's family ancestral grounds or sect's mountain gates, having that extra layer of protection for one's life was invaluable when venturing out into the world.

As Lei Jun pondered this, the glowing sphere in his mind suddenly flashed, and words appeared:

【Choosing a spell has its advantages and disadvantages. Hidden within are opportunities and dangers. Beware of blindly following the crowd.】

Then, three divination lots flew out from the sphere, and their interpretations appeared in Lei Jun's consciousness:

【Upper-Middle Lot: Choosing the Wind-Riding Talisman as your second spell is in harmony with your current path. In addition to your cultivation, you will gain a Seventh-Rank opportunity, ensuring a worry-free journey. Auspicious.】

【Middle Lot: Choosing any talisman other than the Wind-Riding or Golden Lock Talismans as your second spell is in harmony with your current path. There are no additional gains, losses, or hidden dangers. Neutral.】

【Lower-Middle Lot: Choosing the Golden Lock Talisman as your second spell is in harmony with your current path, but it harbors hidden dangers and underlying perils. Inauspicious.】

(End of Chapter)

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