Chapter 57: Talisman Making Class with the Young Lady!

Before long, the Fourth Elder arrived in the courtyard.

Her hair, streaked with silver, was elegantly styled, and she wore a brownish-blue dress that made her look like a dignified lady.

“Grandmother.”

“Great Aunt.”

Lu Changsheng and Lu Miaoge immediately bowed tt the Fourth Elder.

“No need for formalities, sit down.”

The Fourth Elder’s expression was gentle and kind as she waved her hand.

Then she looked at the two and said, “Changsheng, Miaoge, show me the talismans you’ve been practicing recently.”

Upon hearing this, both took out their talisman-making tools and began to draw talismans.

Lu Changsheng was still drawing the Fire Cloud Talisman he had revealed before.

After all, when he first showed his First-Tier mid-grade Talisman Master skills, his success rate was only about ten to twenty percent; naturally, he still needed practice.

The Fourth Elder glanced at the talismans they were drawing, noticing Lu Changsheng’s steady hand as he drew the Fire Cloud Talisman, showing some surprise.

Then, under her gaze, Lu Changsheng successfully completed the Fire Cloud Talisman.

“Changsheng, you should have a six or seven percent success rate with the Fire Cloud Talisman by now?”

The Fourth Elder expressed her delight after watching his process.

Lu Miaoge, who was drawing a alisman beside him, couldn’t help but falter at his words, causing her talisman to fail. She then looked at Lu Changsheng with surprise.

Her face, as graceful as snow, showed astonishment.

She knew that Lu Changsheng had become a First-Tier mid-grade Talisman Master just two months ago.

In only two months, he had raised the success rate of the Fire Cloud Talisman to sixty or seventy percent.

Such talent in talisman making was terrifying.

She couldn’t help but recall three years ago when Lu Changsheng became a talisman apprentice, and she had accompanied Uncle Fu to assess him.

Back then, she noticed Lu Changsheng had a higher talent for talisman making than herself.

But she never imagined his talent would exceed her expectations by so much.

Without anyone’s guidance, he became a mid-grade Talisman Master in just over three years.

Now, under the Fourth Elder’s guidance, his success rate for the Fire Cloud Talisman, initially only twenty percent, increased to sixty or seventy percent in a month.

Such progress was simply frightening!

Even though she always maintained a calm demeanor and was already attempting higher-tier talismans, she felt a sense of disappointment and setback in front of Lu Changsheng.

She pursed her lips, overcame her disappointment, and picked up a talisman paper to continue drawing.

“Thanks to Grandmother’s guidance last time, I’ve been diligently practicing at home to achieve this success rate.”

Lu Changsheng nodded as he spoke.

He had no idea that his actions made Lu Miaoge feel defeated..

This display of talent with the Fire Cloud Talisman was pre-planned.

Under the guise of receiving guidance from the Fourth Elder, he intended to reveal his talent in talisman making more quickly.

“Very good, Grandmother can see your Fire Cloud Talisman is almost free of problems.”

“It’s just the energy flow isn’t very smooth when forming the curves.”

“However, with more practice, you’ll become proficient.”

The Fourth Elder praised Lu Changsheng warmly.

She then said, “Today, I’ll teach you the Wind Talisman.”

The Wind Talisman, like the Fire Cloud Talisman, is also a First-Tier mid-grade talisman.

In terms of difficulty, it’s a bit more challenging than the Fire Cloud Talisman.

“Thank you, Grandmother.”

Lu Changsheng replied respectfully.

He didn’t mind learning any talisman; he followed the Fourth Elder’s arrangements.

One reason was indifference; moreover, it was a condition of the Lu Family Spirit Contract.

He was to learn and practice the designated talismans as per the Lu Family’s arrangements.

“The Wind Talisman differs from the Fire Cloud Talisman, emphasizing softness. Not only the strokes but the energy output should be gentle and smooth.”

“A crucial aspect of the Wind Talisman is maintaining fluid strokes and a continuous energy flow with a touch of resilience at every curve…”

The Fourth Elder explained the key points of the Wind Talisman to Lu Changsheng.

She then drew a Wind Talisman on the spot for Lu Changsheng to sense the energy fluctuations and follow its strokes.

“Yes, Grandmother.”

Lu Changsheng nodded and started practicing the strokes on a stack of white paper first.

For new talismans, it’s common to familiarize oneself with the strokes on paper before attempting them on talisman paper.

Starting directly on talisman paper is generally considered wasteful.

This is because failure is inevitable at that point.

Of course, exceptions like Lu Changsheng exist.

However, in front of the Fourth Elder, he maintained a serious learning attitude.

The Fourth Elder then turned to Lu Miaoge, who had failed agaan while drawing a talisman.

Understanding that Lu Miaoge wasn’t yet familiarrwith the talisman, she provided guidance.

“Miaoge, the Golden Light Shield Talisman emphasizes strength complemented by softness. The stroke should be firm yet flexible, and the energy should be strong and vigorous.”

“When placing the first stroke, the touch and energy should be as if wrapped in iron. In the first bend, you should apply a ‘pull’ meaning, while the energy should ‘release’… After the ninth bend, maintain a steady energy flow…”

As the talisman grade increases, so does the complexity.

The transitions and strokes require strict adherence to standards.

The technique is complicated, with various principles like strength, and flexibility.

Currently, Lu Miaoge’s Golden Light Shieed Talisman is of the First-Tier high-grade; it’s quite complex and a significant challenge.

“Yes, Fourth Great Aunt.”

Lu Miaoge acknowledged, her ddlicate face showing focused determination as she bent over to draw the talisman.

However, halfway through, the talisman paper smoked, indicating failure again.

“Miaoge, your strokes are too forceful, conflicting with the energy, hence the failure.”

“Here, feel my energy and strength.”

The Fourth Elder pointed out the mistake.

She then held Lu Miaoge’s hand, guiding herrthrough the Golden Light Shield Talisman.

Lu Changsheng glanced over at them.

He recognized that the Fourth Elder was quite proficient with talismans.

At least, she was familiar with the Golden Light Shield Talisman.

Otherwise, she couldn’t guide someone like that.

“Miaoge, try again with this feeling.”

The Fourth Elder encouraged Lu Miaoge after completing thh talisman.

“Yes, Great Aunt.”

Lu Miaoge nodded lightly and ried again.

But failed halfway once more.

Seeing this, the Fourth Elder only encouraged her by saying, “It’s okay, practice more to become accustomed.”

For a Talisman Master, this is quite normal.

If success came easily, Talisman Mastery wouldn’t be so challenging.

After a while, the Fourth Elder saw Lu Changsheng becoming familiar with the Wind Talisman strokes.

“Come, Changsheng, draw the Wind Talisman for me to see.”

“Yes, Grandmother.”

Lu Changsheng responded and started drawing the Wind Talisman.

However, he failed about one-fifth of the way through.

He’s talented but not miraculously so.

If he succeeded in one or two tries, it would be too shocking and cause problems.

“Your hand is steady, but the energy was too rushed.”

“At this step, let your hand have ‘looseness,’ with the energy lightly ‘wrap’ the strokes…”

“Feel my energy and strength here.”

The Fourth Elder gave feedback after Lu Changsheng finished.

She then held his hand, guiding him to draw the Wind Talisman.

Despite gender customs, she saw Lu Changsheng as a junior, her grandson-in-law, so she put no emphasis on such matters.

Through her guidance, Lu Changsheng could feel the energy flow and force clearly in her hold.

“Here, let your hand be ‘loose,’ with the energy ‘wrap’ the strokes, adding ‘bounce’ with a gentle wrist ‘flick,’ continue seamlessly.”

“Try it again.”

The Fourth Elder spoke kindly before letting go.

“Alright, Grandmother.”

Lu Changsheng nodded but paused before continuing.

He took a wine Gourd from his Storage Bag, drank, then resumed drawing.

Inside was White Jade Hundred Flowers Wine, which helps restore energy and calm the mind, aiding in talisman making.

Though he doesn’t need it for focus, he does for energy restoration.

The Fourth Elder didn’t comment on this.

She was aware Lu Changsheng was only at the third Qi-layer, limiting his ability to draw many First-Tier mid-grade talismans, thus relying on spirit wine for energy recovery.

This time, under her observation, Lu Changsheng failed around the quarter mark.

“Your energy didn’t envelop the stroke; concentrate more.”

The Fourth Elder critiqued.

With her tutelage, the morning passed.

By then, neither Lu Changsheng nor Lu Miaoge had successfully drrwn a new talisman.

However, they achieved a basic understanding, grasping essential techniques to practice further on their own.