EFB Chapter 20 A first look at the Tao of Talisman
Chapter 20 A first look at the Tao of Talisman
Since returning from the initial battle in the Misty Forest, Lu Ming has worked even harder.
He clearly recognized his many shortcomings in actual combat: a lack of attack methods, unfamiliarity with coordination, and a lack of experience in fighting the enemy.
Thinking back to when he first met Daoist Xuanji, he realized that he hadn't learned anything and had even made boastful promises. He couldn't help but feel a pang of regret and gave a bitter smile.
Even now, I still know absolutely nothing about these most basic talisman formations; I haven't learned them at all...
Qin Feiyu threw himself into cultivation even more frantically. In addition to his unwavering practice of waterfall body tempering, he also began to try running with weights and striking hard wood, striving to raise his strength and speed to the limit of his current level.
He even used his remaining contribution points to ask a senior brother who was skilled in weapon crafting to help him forge a long spear, which he practiced diligently day and night.
Hu Zhen then began to practice the few low-level spells she knew incessantly, striving to shorten the casting time and increase their power.
Lu Ming, on the other hand, devoted more of his energy to the study of the Qingfeng Talisman.
The simple yet rhythmic structure of the runes seemed to open a new window for him to the path of talismans.
He was no longer satisfied with simply copying, but began to try to understand the rules contained in each stroke.
In the stillness of the night, he would often be alone in the courtyard, tracing the runes of the Gentle Breeze Talisman in the air with his fingers, feeling the flow of spiritual energy at his fingertips and the faint resonance created by the breeze in the air.
He discovered that when his mind was completely immersed in capturing the wind-attribute spiritual energy, the traces of the runes he drew became smoother, and could even cause a slight ripple in the surrounding airflow.
"Talismans are not rigid patterns, but carriers of the Dao, bridges connecting will with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth..." Lu Ming gradually came to understand.
He began to try adjusting the rhythm and intensity of the spiritual energy he infused, attempting to capture the characteristics of wind-attribute spiritual energy as much as possible.
A few days later, one afternoon, Lu Ming once again spread out the talisman paper and ground cinnabar.
He held his breath and focused intently. Then, with a slight movement of his wrist, the brush moved like a dragon and a snake, and the pale red cinnabar extended along the mysterious trajectory on the talisman paper.
This time, he felt much smoother, and the spiritual power at the tip of the pen and the runes were much more compatible than before.
As the last stroke was made, a faint blue light flashed on the talisman paper, then subsided, and a complete Qingfeng Talisman was formed!
Although its spiritual light was somewhat dim, far less solid than the one bought from the barter shop, it was indeed a successful talisman!
"Success!" Lu Ming was overjoyed.
This is not a particularly profound achievement, but it is the first step he has taken to truly enter the threshold of the Dao of Talismans through his own insights!
Just then, Qin Feiyu and Hu Zhen returned from their cultivation. They were surprised to see the talisman in Lu Ming's hand emitting a faint blue light and gathered around in surprise.
"Lu Ming, you...you drew this yourself?" Qin Feiyu's eyes widened.
Hu Zhen covered her mouth, her face full of disbelief: "It's only been a few days."
Lu Ming smiled and handed the talisman to them, sharing his insights and experiences.
To celebrate Lu Ming's entry into the Dao of Talismans and to test the effectiveness of the new talismans, the three decided to go to the outer perimeter of the Misty Forest again.
This time, they were more careful and ventured a little deeper along the same route they had taken before.
The fog in the forest seemed to be thicker, and it was quiet all around, with even the birdsong becoming much less frequent.
"Something's not right, it's too quiet." Lu Ming stopped alertly and gestured for Qin Feiyu and Hu Zhen to be careful.
Suddenly, a rapid rustling sound came from the bushes ahead, accompanied by several low roars of beasts. The three immediately became alert.
However, what rushed out was not a demonic beast, but two rather disheveled figures, namely Liu Qing, who had previously clashed with Nangong Yu, and one of his followers.
The two men's robes were torn, stained with mud and a little blood, and their faces were pale and their breathing was disordered, clearly indicating that they had just experienced a fierce battle.
Upon seeing Lu Ming and his companions, Liu Qing was initially taken aback, then quickly exclaimed, "Quick, let's go! There's a pack of crazed poison porcupines behind us!"
As soon as they finished speaking, a series of whooshing sounds rang out, and dozens of stiff hairs, shimmering with a ghostly blue light and resembling short arrows, shot out from the dense forest behind them!
"Watch out!" Lu Ming shouted, instinctively slapping the Qingfeng Talisman he had just drawn onto his body, while simultaneously shoving Hu Zhen, who was beside him, backward.
A flash of blue light, and Lu Ming felt his body lighten. His movements instantly became several times more agile, narrowly avoiding most of the poisonous thorns. However, his sleeve was still torn by one of the thorns.
Qin Feiyu reacted quickly, wielding his spear to deflect the poisonous thorns aimed at him and Hu Zhen.
Liu Qing and his henchmen were not so lucky. Although they tried their best to dodge and block, they suffered several more wounds. The poisonous stinger clearly had a paralyzing effect, making their movements even slower.
Immediately afterwards, seven or eight porcupines, each the size of a small calf, with venomous quills on their backs and bloodshot eyes, roared and charged out of the forest, charging madly toward the group!
"Retreat! Retreat quickly!" Lu Ming made a decisive move, signaling Qin Feiyu and Hu Zhen to retreat while glancing at Liu Qing and the other person who were moving slowly, his brows furrowed.
"Hu Zhen, use the Vine Entangling Technique to delay them! Fei Yu, help!" Lu Ming shouted, while trying to draw the runes of the Qingfeng Talisman again. This time, he used his finger as a brush, condensed his true energy, and drew the talisman in mid-air!
Although the effect was far less than that of a complete talisman contained in a talisman paper, a faint stream of air still formed at his fingertips, swirling towards the fallen leaves and dust on the ground, disrupting the vision of the two porcupines at the front.
Hu Zhen suppressed her nervousness and used her vine-wrapping technique with all her might. This time, the casting speed was obviously faster. Several slightly solid green vines broke through the ground and wrapped around the hooves of the other two porcupines.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Qin Feiyu stepped forward and pierced the porcupine's abdomen, which was entangled in vines, with his spear. Although it was not fatal, it still caused the porcupine to let out a painful howl.
Seeing this, Liu Qing and his companion also mustered their strength and unleashed fireballs and other attack spells at the beast horde.
With the combined efforts of the group, they managed to temporarily halt the charge of the beasts.
Seeing his opportunity, Lu Ming shouted, "Let's go!"
The group abandoned their fight and turned to run wildly out of the forest.
Lu Ming, relying on the residual effect of the Breeze Talisman, was the fastest, and occasionally turned around to use the faint airflow from drawing talismans in mid-air to interfere with the pursuers.
Qin Feiyu protected Hu Zhen, and Liu Qing and the other two also desperately followed.
They ran wildly until they were completely out of the Misty Forest and confirmed that the group of poison porcupines was not chasing them. Only then did they collapse to the ground, panting heavily, still shaken.
Liu Qing's face was grim as he looked at the injuries on his body.
He then glanced at Lu Ming and the other two, who were also somewhat disheveled but had clearly offered their help, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and said in a dry voice:
"Thank you very much. I, Liu Qing, will remember this kindness."
After saying that, without waiting for Lu Ming's response, he and his followers hurriedly left with faltering steps.
"Hmph, this guy does have some conscience after all." Qin Feiyu curled his lip.
Hu Zhen looked at Lu Ming's torn sleeve with concern: "Lu Ming, are you alright?"
Lu Ming shook his head, looking in the direction Liu Qing had left, feeling little sense of pride.
This Misty Forest seems to be far more dangerous than they imagined.