BOOK 2: CHAPTER 414: THE ESSENCE OF TALISMAN PATH, RESPECTING THE HUMBLE

Vol 2 Chapter 414 The Essence of Talisman Path, Respecting the Humble

"Three-Sub-Talisman?"

In the Jiushan Realm, Senior Sister Zhang looked at the spirit message Zheng Fa sent through the Tongjian with some surprise.

She was in Xuanwu Dormitory, inside a classroom of Jiushan University’s Artifact Forging Academy.

Besides Madam Xuanhua and Shi Nandang, there were also a group of outstanding students from the Artifact Forging Academy present.

This was the Haori Artifact Forging Technology Organizing Team.

The secret forging techniques from Haori Mountain that Zheng Fa had transmitted back were numerous and powerful;

for the Jiushan Realm, this was a vast treasure.

But knowledge in books was dead;

only knowledge truly mastered was useful.

Therefore, Senior Sister Zhang and Madam Xuanhua had selected a group of disciples these days.

Their task was to first sort and classify the various secret techniques, then familiarize themselves, and integrate them into Jiushan Sect’s own artifact forging methods.

The ultimate goal was to use Jiushan Sect’s industrial mindset to upgrade and transform these techniques, reducing cost and increasing efficiency.

Although it had just begun, Senior Sister Zhang and Madam Xuanhua had already realized that these techniques were incredibly profound and extensive.

Unexpectedly, Zheng Fa had delivered another surprise to them from Haori Mountain.

Madam Xuanhua also looked at the message in the Tongjian, her expression unusual:

"The storage pouch is related to the Three-Sub-Talisman theory? Could it be that Sect Leader, you already know what the third part of the Sub-Talisman does?"

Zheng Fa stood in Shi Nandang’s residence, looking at Madam Xuanhua’s question. After thinking for a moment, he replied:

"I should say I have discovered the error in the Three-Sub-Talisman theory."

The Three-Sub-Talisman theory appeared quite early.

At first, Zheng Fa and the others discovered the Five-Elemental Sub-Talismans.

Later, they also discovered the Divine Name Sub-Talismans.

But what the other parts of the talismanic diagrams meant, whether in modern studies or in Jiushan Realm’s research, was completely unclear and difficult to interpret.

Zheng Fa shared his thoughts: "To be precise, the Three-Sub-Talisman is actually divided into two parts. The simple part is the already deciphered Five-Elemental Sub-Talismans and Divine Name Sub-Talismans. The other part is extremely complex and remains undeciphered."

"These Sub-Talismans might have different functions;

only because we don’t understand their meanings are they viewed as one entity."

Senior Sister Zhang replied: "Then what does this have to do with the storage pouch?"

"I studied many forging methods for storage pouches in the Scripture Hall of Haori Mountain and found a problem—the material of the storage pouch is not its essence. Its essence lies in the talismanic diagram on the storage pouch."

"Senior Sister, I believe you can also see that the talismanic diagrams on the storage pouch contain complete Five-Elemental Sub-Talismans, but the undeciphered Sub-Talismans are relatively simple." Ꞧ₳ℕổ𝔟ËŚ

At this point, Zheng Fa took a storage pouch from his sleeve, his gaze deep as he gently caressed it.

Jiushan Sect had been researching storage pouches for some time.

Objectively speaking, progress had been limited.

But they had compiled statistics on the talismanic diagrams on these storage pouches.

Before Senior Sister could respond, Zheng Fa continued: "The simplicity of the undeciphered Sub-Talismans, in my view, corresponds to the simplicity of the storage pouch’s function."

Senior Sister Zhang seemed to understand a little: "Storing and retrieving? You mean the third part of the Sub-Talisman relates to the function of the talismanic diagram?"

"Exactly!" Zheng Fa replied with a smile, "Senior Sister, let’s hypothesize: if encoding is used to implement storing and retrieving, what functions would be needed?"

Senior Sister Zhang’s research in computer science was far superior to Zheng Fa’s;

she immediately responded: "Ultimately, just two parts: allocating storage space size and determining storage space location."

Zheng Fa replied: "I think this is the essence of the storage pouch!"

.......

In the Jiushan Realm, Senior Sister Zhang was stunned.

She lowered her head in deep thought, seemingly enlightened.

Beside her, Shi Nandang and Madam Xuanhua, lacking much understanding of computer language, listened in confusion.

Neither dared to speak and could only exchange glances.

Seeing each other’s puzzled faces, they involuntarily smiled a little, sharing a sense of mutual sympathy.

"If we understand the talismanic diagram like this..." Senior Sister Zhang was silent for a long time, her eyes growing brighter as if ignited with endless inspiration.

She held the Tongjian and spoke rapidly:

"In that case, the third part of the Sub-Talisman in the storage pouch’s talismanic diagram should define the size and location of the storage space?"

"The storage pouch’s space is not exclusive but connected to a strange dimension?"

Hearing this, Madam Xuanhua and Shi Nandang understood.

Zheng Fa from Haori Mountain replied:

"Senior Sister, your understanding is close to mine."

If explained with real-world analogies, Zheng Fa’s current guess was that the storage pouch was like a locker in a supermarket.

The talismanic diagram is equivalent to a barcode, containing information about your locker’s size and position.

Only this locker can be carried with you, opened and closed at will, to store and retrieve items anytime.

The key point is not the talismanic diagram but where the space actually is.

"What about the other talismanic diagrams? Is the essence of the talisman path a function?"

Senior Sister Zhang suddenly asked a question.

Zheng Fa could not help but laugh.

In terms of thinking synchronization, no one in the Xuanyi Realm was more in tune with him than Senior Sister Zhang.

Deciphering the secret of the talismanic diagram on the storage pouch was far more than just understanding the pouch or even the space!

This would be another major breakthrough for the Jiushan talisman path—they had confirmed the function of the third part of the Sub-Talisman, at least partially.

"Senior Sister, I now feel that the Three-Sub-Talisman is somewhat like a function in computer theory."

"The third part of the Sub-Talisman is the computation and functional implementation of the function, like the storage pouch’s function, which can almost be equated to data storage—only instead of calling hardware space, we call an actual extra-dimensional space."

"As for the Five-Elemental Sub-Talismans..." Zheng Fa thought for a moment and made a somewhat bold guess, "they are the output types of the function."

In other words,

if spiritual energy is regarded as the physical laws of another world,

then the talismanic diagram’s function is to call upon the rules of a certain world—matter and even space. This part is very complex and that is why Zheng Fa and others had never been able to understand the third part of the Sub-Talisman.

Cross-dimensional invocation of rules changes the matter in the cultivator’s world and causes abnormal physical phenomena.

The final result manifests as changes in matter’s form, which corresponds to the changes of the Five Elements.

Zheng Fa added: "As for the Divine Name Sub-Talismans, maybe they are function names? Or world coordinates? I cannot confirm yet."

In the Jiushan Realm, Senior Sister Zhang seemed inspired and enthusiastically discussed with Zheng Fa, jointly refining this new talisman path theory.

Shi Nandang and Madam Xuanhua exchanged glances.

What was this?

Weren’t they talking about storage pouches?

How did it come to the essence of the talisman path?

But the gleam in Senior Sister Zhang’s eyes and the smile at her lips told them that Zheng Fa’s words made a lot of sense!

At least Senior Sister Zhang approved!

They looked at the Tongjian, then at Senior Sister Zhang, feeling as if although in the same classroom, they were separated by worlds.

......

After finishing the discussion with Senior Sister Zhang about the talisman path theory, Zheng Fa thought for a moment and then walked toward the door.

The Three-Sub-Talisman theory—or now called the Function Talisman Diagram theory—was a new explanatory framework for the talisman path for both Jiushan Realm and Zheng Fa.

From the perspective of the relationship between spiritual energy and talismanic diagrams, to clarify the truth behind the decline of spiritual energy would ultimately rely on the talisman path as well.

The problem was that even understanding the nature of the third part of the Sub-Talisman, analyzing its essence remained extremely difficult.

There was no rush.

With many thoughts turning in his head, he flew toward another mountain peak.

Haori Mountain had fourteen peaks;

besides the three palaces and the main peak where the Nine Luminaries Heaven resided, there was one more important peak—the Thousand Cauldron Peak.

This mountain was exclusively for Haori disciples to forge artifacts.

There were over ten treasured cauldrons on the peak, all rare artifact forging treasures in the Xuanyi Realm, including two spirit treasure-level cauldrons, showing Haori Mountain’s vast wealth.

From the city, looking at Thousand Cauldron Peak, sparks of fire often flickered, never extinguishing day or night.

Zheng Fa landed outside a cave dwelling, deliberately making some noise with his footsteps.

The flickering furnace fire inside paused slightly, and a Nascent Soul cultivator with a cautious expression came out. Upon seeing Zheng Fa outside, he quickly cupped his hands and said:

"Greetings, Right Elder!"

From his expression, it was clear he was puzzled why Shi Nandang, this exceptional figure, sought him out, a mere Nascent Soul cultivator.

"I heard you are very skilled in forging the Spirit Fire Mirror?"

Zheng Fa nodded and directly stated his purpose.

"I wouldn’t say skilled, only that I have some insights."

The Nascent Soul cultivator spoke modestly.

Zheng Fa cupped his hands: "Then I have some questions I wish to ask."

The Nascent Soul cultivator in front of Zheng Fa opened his mouth wide, looking at Zheng Fa cupping his hands with trembling eyes: "Ask... ask?"

Obviously, he never expected Shi Nandang, this Soul Formation Zhenren and the rumored Fourth Holy Patriarch of his sect, to ask a mere Nascent Soul for guidance.

"How could I deserve the word 'ask'?"

Zheng Fa waved his hand and said: "A wise man is a teacher."

Since he couldn’t go to Tianhe Sect anytime soon, he did not want to be idle on Haori Mountain.

Senior Sister Zhang was organizing Haori Mountain’s artifact forging secret techniques, but this was not an easy task:

The Xuanyi Realm’s atmosphere caused many cultivators to be secretive and even hide key points of their secret techniques.

Even if the secret technique was complete, from theory to practice, many difficulties arose: artifact forging was ultimately a craft,

and sometimes a word of enlightenment from an experienced master was more valuable than any secret technique.

Therefore, after stealing the scriptures in the Scripture Hall, Zheng Fa came to Thousand Cauldron Peak to continue learning from masters.

The Nascent Soul cultivator looked at Zheng Fa’s earnest expression, a hint of reluctance flashing in his eyes. After a long moment, he gritted his teeth and said: "I will speak without holding back."

Zheng Fa understood that this person was not naturally inclined to teach and did not want to expose his unique skills.

But with Zheng Fa’s current status, whether due to the difference in rank or to please him, this disciple dared not and could not refuse.

Zheng Fa smiled and probed his divine consciousness inside the Creation Jade.

Senior Sister Zhang sent two lists:

One list was filled with names of Haori Mountain disciples—mostly authors of various artifact forging secret techniques and, of course, forging masters from Shi Nandang’s memories.

The second list was of problems Jiushan Realm disciples encountered while forging the Spirit Fire Mirror.

Zheng Fa simply followed the second list, asking questions one by one.

As expected, the Nascent Soul cultivator, clearly a talent chosen by Senior Sister Zhang, had deep experience in forging the Spirit Fire Mirror. Out of ten questions, he could answer eight or nine on average, with one or two answers very insightful.

While listening to the answers, Zheng Fa transmitted them back to Jiushan Realm for Madam Xuanhua and the disciples to discuss and reference.

Madam Xuanhua and her group developed new ideas and questions.

Senior Sister Zhang summarized these and sent them back to Zheng Fa.

At first, the Nascent Soul cultivator found answering Zheng Fa’s questions quite easy.

But later, as Zheng Fa delved deeper, the cultivator’s thinking time grew longer, and he gradually had to ponder deeply to find answers.

Eventually, some questions he could not answer and had never considered, so he could only reply with guesses.

Seeing that the cultivator was almost drained, with nothing new to offer, Zheng Fa sincerely thanked him again and took his leave.

After Zheng Fa departed, the Nascent Soul cultivator sighed with a complicated expression, shook his head, and returned to the furnace to continue forging the Spirit Fire Mirror.

But as he raised his hand, he realized something was different—he had gained new insights in forging this Spirit Fire Mirror!

Many problems he had not noticed before became clear only after Zheng Fa’s questions.

By the time he finished forging, he confirmed this Spirit Fire Mirror was the best he had ever forged!

Holding the Spirit Fire Mirror, he looked toward Zheng Fa’s departing direction, his eyes mixed with suspicion and less reluctance,

......

"Master Shi is always hanging around Thousand Cauldron Peak."

On Thousand Cauldron Peak, a group of disciples whispered among themselves.

One delicate female cultivator nodded: "Yes, he seems to have asked many disciples for advice. A few days ago, he even asked me."

"Oh right, your Cold Soul Pearl forging is excellent—such a pity about your unique secret technique."

The group nodded and looked at the female cultivator with sympathy.

Another disciple said: "He’s so cunning and domineering, yet no one in the sect can stop him!"

The others dared not speak;

Master Shi was not easy to provoke, and the speaking disciple couldn’t afford to offend him either:

This person was a direct descendant of the Luo clan’s household head, talented and highly favored.

The conflict between the Luo clan and Master Shi was widely known, and they had long been aware of this disciple’s dissatisfaction with Master Shi.

But the delicate female disciple shook her head: "Pity? No, I am more than grateful."

......

"Don’t you all know?"

"What?"

"Many of those Master Shi sought out have all made some progress."

"Is that so?"

"Moreover, Master Shi’s achievement in artifact forging is extraordinary. Though he calls it asking for advice, it’s more like discussion..." The female disciple added, "He understands forging the Cold Soul Pearl well. In fact, I gained more than Master Shi did."

Everyone exchanged glances, feeling it strange, but seeing the female disciple’s expression, it didn’t seem false.

"Many senior brothers and juniors are eager for Master Shi to visit."

Someone nodded: "That’s true. Before, when did we have a chance to discuss artifact forging secrets with Master Shi?"

Others also understood.

Master Shi’s talent was well known;

if ordinary disciples could discuss the path with him, they would benefit greatly.

This delicate female cultivator was living proof.

"So, Master Shi is actually teaching the disciples?"

......

Everyone fell silent for a while.

After a long time, one looked at the Luo clan’s direct descendant and said:

"Although I don’t know the details... I think the Trapping Immortal Sword matter is probably not Master Shi’s fault."

The Luo clan descendant was stunned and turned to look at others.

Most nodded in agreement.

No, the Holy Patriarch isn’t even alive yet, and you’re already judging?

....

"Winning hearts and minds!" In the Three Palaces, a Yun clan cultivator said firmly, "Shi Nandang is buying hearts and minds!"

Immortal Yun said nothing, his expression somewhat solemn, also feeling that the remark was accurate.

Shi Nandang’s ‘asking for advice’ had benefited many disciples in the sect, advancing their skills somewhat.

Even those who made no progress just felt their own aptitude was insufficient to grasp Right Elder’s teachings.

He knew many in the Yun clan were deeply grateful to Shi Nandang.

He also thought it was absurd:

A Dao Fruit seedling rushing to guide disciples!

If he is going to instruct, so be it, but to call it asking for advice and be so courteous and respectful, giving disciples face—Shi Nandang could certainly do that!

If it were him, he would also be grateful.

Thinking it over, he had only one thought—Shi Nandang was truly winning hearts to prepare for establishing the Shi clan.

Although the Three Clans were called clans, because the Haori cultivation method was unified, it was relatively easy to switch cultivation below the Soul Formation stage.

With Shi Nandang’s reputation now, it was clear how many disciples would switch to his cultivation method when he achieved Dao Fruit!

"This one’s ambition is vast..."

Immortal Yun frowned, feeling troubled.

If Shi Nandang competed with him for resources, that would be easier to handle.

But this behavior left him unsure how to respond.

"Holy Patriarch, why not have him leave Haori Mountain?"

The Yun clan cultivator suddenly suggested.

Immortal Yun’s heart stirred: "Tianhe Sect?"

"Right! Don’t give Shi Nandang a chance to sway the sect disciples." The Yun clan Soul Formation cultivator spoke confidently, "Once the Tianhe Sect matter is settled and Immortal Luo revives, we’ll watch the fight."

Immortal Yun smiled: "A good plan."

When Zheng Fa left the Three Palaces, he was also somewhat troubled:

He had stayed on Haori Mountain long enough.

The artifact forging techniques he stole back, the easier-to-analyze ones, were almost completely organized with the help of Haori disciples on Thousand Cauldron Peak.

The remainder were either of little value or too difficult;

few on Haori Mountain could understand them.

In his opinion, Haori Mountain was nearly picked clean by him.

As for competing with Immortal Yun for resources... he was not lacking.

The Western Continent trade route earned so many spirit materials and medicines that the frugal Zheng Fa was now a bit arrogant, looking down on Haori Mountain’s meager offerings.

After all, Haori Mountain’s wealth had almost been squandered by Lu Ma.

Especially now that Haori Mountain’s business was hit by Jiushan Sect, and the spirit veins were damaged, it was pitifully poor,

making Immortal Yun want to go to Tianhe Sect to extort land.

Zheng Fa also wanted to go to Tianhe Sect, but that matter still required Immortal Yun to speak.

"I will depart for Tianhe Sect soon. You will accompany me."

"Following the Patriarch’s decree!"

When sleepiness came, bring pillows—Zheng Fa quickly said.

Immortal Yun looked at Zheng Fa’s genuine joy on his face and was somewhat puzzled.

Wasn’t this person trying to win hearts and minds?

Why give up so easily?

Watching Zheng Fa leave cheerfully, Immortal Yun was silent for a long time, then suddenly said: "He... just wants to teach the sect disciples, doesn’t he?"

The Yun clan cultivator also grimaced: "Looks like it. This person seems to not have thought so much."

They fell silent for a long time, watching Zheng Fa’s back.

Both felt this back was growing larger.

They themselves felt smaller and smaller.