Chapter 49: The Daoist Art of Talismans, the Sparring Begins

On the training ground, after demonstrating a fiery talisman, Zheng Zibu proceeded to showcase the Five Strongmen Talisman.

He took out a talisman inscribed with the names of five plague gods from different directions: Zhang, Liu, Zhao, Zhong, and Shi.

Chanting an incantation, the talisman transformed into a cluster of pure energy, within which appeared five mighty figures hovering three zhang above the ground. Each wore a robe of a different color and held a distinct item: one wielded a ladle and a jar, another a leather pouch and a sword, the third a fan, the fourth a hammer, and the fifth a fire pot.

Zheng Zibu explained, “These are the Five Strongmen. In heaven, they are five ghosts; on earth, five plague gods. Their names are Spring Plague Zhang Yuanbo, Summer Plague Liu Yuanda, Autumn Plague Zhao Gongming, Winter Plague Zhong Shigui, and the overseer of the central plague, Shi Wenye. After setting up the altar and performing the ritual, I was able to borrow a fragment of their divine power and seal it within this talisman. When necessary, it can be directly activated!”

With his introduction complete, Zheng Zibu waved his hand and commanded, “Go!”

Instantly, the Five Strongmen streaked through the air, sweeping away a small grove with sheer force. Once their energy was exhausted, they dissolved back into pure mist.

The crowd was astounded, buzzing with excitement.

“Wow, these Five Strongmen are incredibly fierce! I don’t think I could handle even one of them, let alone that Taoist!”

“You don’t know how much effort it takes to create a Five Strongmen talisman. It probably takes several hours to prepare one in private. So it’s no wonder it’s so powerful when used.”

“By the way, the Celestial Master is here today too, right? I heard he brought along a disciple. If the Taoists of the Upper Clarity Sect are this skilled with talismans, imagine how formidable the Celestial Master’s top disciple must be, as the head of the Three Major Talisman Schools of Mount San!”

“Not sure, but today we’re definitely in for a show!”

Meanwhile, the Celestial Master’s top disciple, watching Zheng Zibu with keen interest, thought to himself:

“The strongmen summoned by this talisman aren’t mere shadows—they possess full divine forms. Zheng Zibu’s talisman must have been granted a higher status.”

Within the Taoist talisman tradition, there are five ranks of authorization granted after the initial bestowal, each representing an upgrade in power and permissions.

It’s akin to divine masks: the higher the rank, the greater the authority and strength. A talisman crafted by a high-rank Taoist far surpasses one made by a lower-rank practitioner.

When a Taoist first enters the talisman path, they receive the “Supreme Three-Five Dū Gōng Scripture Talisman,” a fifth-rank talisman. Any talisman made under this authorization is automatically fifth rank.

For example, Zhang Zhiwei’s talisman is of this fifth-rank “Supreme Three-Five Dū Gōng Scripture.”

Even though he doesn’t focus much on talisman craft, he possesses this authorization because it acts as his official identity within the Zhengyi Sect. Without it, he would be considered a rogue Taoist.

If Zhang Zhiwei were to devote more effort to refining his talisman skills, he could achieve a further bestowal, upgrading his fifth-rank Supreme Three-Five Dū Gōng Scripture talisman to a fourth-rank Supreme Zhengyi Mengwei Scripture talisman.

Then, the talismans he creates would possess fourth-rank power.

As the saying goes, once your cultivation surpasses a threshold, the difference becomes vast. Fourth-rank talismans wield far greater power than fifth-rank ones.

So, despite Lu Jin’s reputation for the Eight Odd Techniques and his knack for casting talismans like scattering beans, he is not a talisman sect Taoist. No matter how many talismans he throws, their power is mediocre at best, which is why the “Tongtian Talisman” was once considered the weakest of the Eight Odd Techniques.

If that technique were wielded by a master Taoist proficient in talisman craft, its power would increase severalfold.

After Zheng Zibu’s demonstration, the next to take the stage was a young man with a melon seed-shaped hairstyle named Liao Tianlin, from the Jiyun Society.

“Jiyun Society’s Liao Tianlin… sounds familiar. He’s supposed to be one of the future Thirty-Six Thieves, though not particularly prominent among them,” Zhang Zhiwei recalled, but couldn’t think of much else; Liao Tianlin was just a minor character whose death was unknown!

As for his sect, the Jiyun Society…

Though its name sounds like a criminal gang, it is actually an ancient troupe preserving traditional stage magic, tracing its origins back nearly 700 years to the Southern Song Dynasty.

Members of this sect are known for their cunning and varied tricks, including the “Thousand-Pound Chestnut Bind,” “Immortal’s Rope,” and the “Beheading Trick.”

At this moment, Liao Tianlin was performing an entry-level illusion called “Immortal Picking Beans.”

Despite the mystical name, it was essentially a sleight of hand trick that used concealed weapons, making them vanish and reappear unpredictably, confusing the opponent.

As for its power—he could easily pierce through tree trunks, rivaling firearms, which was quite impressive.

Because the Jiyun Society specialized in theatrical arts, Liao’s performance was less about raw power and more about spectacle. The younger crowd cheered enthusiastically, and the elders praised his technique in a wave of mutual admiration.

After all, as one of the future Thirty-Six Thieves, his skills were respectable and he ranked among the best of the younger generation in the world of extraordinary beings.

Everyone was pleased—except Old Master Lu, who struck his cane hard against the ground and said to Lu Xuan:

“Xuan, you told me last night about sparring matches and asked for my opinion. One person alone is fine, but it’s no fun. When will you arrange a sparring partner?”

The old man was eager to see his grandson take the stage.

“Uncle, please hold your tongue. If I knew you enjoyed watching the commotion, I wouldn’t have hesitated to ask you last night!” Lu Xuan replied.

He had some doubts about the talents appearing today, especially Feng Tianyang and Zheng Zibu. Worried his son might be at a disadvantage, he had yet to begin the matches. Unexpectedly, his uncle was the one growing impatient.

Grandpa Lu laughed heartily, “Seeing these young people so full of vigor makes me happy. Besides, it’s all just a game—no harm done, just a bit of fun!”

The head of the Wang family chimed in, “That’s right, Brother Lu. The Celestial Master and Chief Left Gate Elder are here; there’s nothing to fear. Come on, Jìn, show us what you’ve got!”

Lu Jin stood obediently beside Zuo Ruotong. Hearing this, he was eager to prove himself.

“Hey, it sounds like you want to find me a partner, right?”

“Of course!” Grandpa Lu looked toward the arena and laughed, “Is there a young talent here willing to spar with my Jìn?”

The arena fell silent. Lu Jin, a direct disciple of the Immortal of Great Abundance from the San Yi Sect, had just defeated one of the two top prodigies of the Lü family yesterday with exceptional skill. No one wanted to be the first to challenge him.

“Celestial Master!” Zuo Ruotong called to Zhang Jingqing.

Zhang Jingqing cleared her throat, about to summon Zhang Zhiwei.

“I’ll go!”

Suddenly, a figure dressed in red leapt into the center of the arena. It was Feng Ping, wearing a red robe and sporting horn-shaped braids.

“Feng Ping of the Fire Virtue Sect, here to back you up!” Feng Ping smiled.

He and Lu Jin were friends; just yesterday, Lu Jin had defended him fiercely against Lü Ci. Returning the favor was only natural to support Lu Jin’s performance today.