Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Talisman of Banishment, Practicing the Shadow-Suppressing Technique Again

Within the "Dawn Talisman Arts," a total of seven basic spirit talismans are recorded.

The Household Protection Talisman, the Fetal Protection Talisman, the Exorcism Talisman, the Fortune Borrowing Talisman, the Mind-Calming Talisman, the Ghost-Banishment Talisman, and the Lightning Summoning Talisman.

Of these, the Household Protection Talisman is the simplest, composed of five rune structures.

The Fetal Protection Talisman consists of six, the Exorcism Talisman nine, the Fortune Borrowing Talisman eleven, the Mind-Calming Talisman thirteen, the Ghost-Banishment Talisman fifteen, and the Lightning Summoning Talisman nineteen... Each is more complex than the last, each more difficult to draw.

The reason Chen Yushu initially chose to draw the Household Protection Talisman first was precisely because it had the fewest runes and was the easiest to succeed with.

Now, if he wished to learn to draw a second spirit talisman, his first choice would naturally be—

"The Exorcism Talisman!

Comparatively, the Fetal Protection Talisman has fewer runes, only six, but for me, it’s utterly useless.

But the Exorcism Talisman is different.

It is a spirit talisman that truly works against ghosts and the dead, effective in banishing them.

Its effects are stronger and more direct than the Household Protection Talisman."

Of course, what truly excited him were the Ghost-Banishment and Lightning Summoning Talismans.

These two talismans could genuinely harm ghosts and spirits, their power surely considerable.

Unfortunately, with more than fifteen rune structures, and the requirement to draw them in one breath, the difficulty was far too high for him at present.

"Nine rune structures... If I try enough times, I’ll surely succeed."

Chen Yushu had already practiced these myriad rune structures thoroughly during his calligraphy exercises.

So, after a brief familiarization, he immediately laid out the talisman paper, pressed it down with the paperweight, and dipped his brush into talisman ink.

Calming his mind, he quickly entered a meditative state, then made his first stroke.

Hiss~!

In merely three breaths, his hand loosened, and the brush tip slid astray.

"Failed.

A new talisman, a new challenge.

It requires a process of reacquaintance."

Chen Yushu was not surprised.

Fortunately, with his previous experience in drawing Exorcism Talismans, he quickly completed the first rune structure, then the second, the third...

Naturally, countless failures accompanied the process.

Five times, ten times, fifteen times...

After thirty attempts.

Buzz!

With a flash of spiritual light, Chen Yushu distinctly sensed a surge of power from heaven and earth flowing into the talisman.

---

"It's done!

The Exorcism Talisman!"

Chen Yushu let out a long breath.

The repeated failures and constant depletion of his mental strength had weighed upon him.

Yet the five vicious ghosts lurking in the pharmacy made him uneasy, compelling him to persevere and hasten the creation of a new talisman.

Now, with success at last, his heart was much at ease.

At the very least, he had gained another means of defense.

Then, he turned his gaze to the attribute panel.

Talisman Crafting: Novice (2/100), Household Protection Talisman: Novice (26/100), Exorcism Talisman: Novice (1/100)

"As expected, the attribute panel now displays the Exorcism Talisman, marked as novice.

Furthermore, the experience in the Talisman Crafting skill increased by one thanks to mastering this talisman.

It seems this confirms my prior speculation.

The improvement of Talisman Crafting experience is indeed related to how many talismans I master and the level of mastery in each."

Chen Yushu analyzed and compared, but was not overly surprised.

Talisman Crafting functioned as a general skill, while the Household Protection and Exorcism Talismans were sub-skills; only when a sub-skill advanced would the general skill gain experience and improvement.

Next, Chen Yushu resumed drawing talismans.

A single talisman was insufficient; he naturally needed several as backups.

One, two, three...

After four more, he finally stopped.

First, his mental strength was depleted once again.

Second, the hour had grown late.

Midnight had passed, and he did not wish to delay his daily meditation and cultivation.

After all, for a Shadow Walker, incense cultivation was the foundation of all.

Without the corresponding incense cultivation, many techniques could not be performed at all.

An hour later.

Chen Yushu awoke from meditation, feeling his mind refreshed and restored to peak condition.

"Meditative restoration is indeed the best form of rest for me.

Ordinary people need one or two hours of deep sleep each night to maintain daily energy.

But at the meditative stage, even shallow meditation allows one to enter deep sleep at will.

Minor meditation doubles the restorative effect compared to deep sleep.

In other words, after one hour of meditative rest, I gain the equivalent of two hours—or four hours—of deep sleep.

No wonder I feel so mentally vigorous and rejuvenated."

A wave of lightness swept through Chen Yushu’s heart.

---

He glanced out the window; under the oppressive clouds, a drizzle fell, and the sky became even darker.

Chen Yushu rose and closed the window to prevent rain from blowing in, then returned to bed and closed his eyes.

He entered meditation once more.

Maintaining a measure of clarity, he swiftly drew forth in his mind the image of the White Tiger he had previously visualized.

One stood fierce and dominant, the very one he had successfully visualized before, preserved and permanent, never fading.

Beside it was another, which he had just begun to visualize; though only roughly sketched, it was already vivid, standing there with tail swaying, head circling, and steps light, exuding a sense of comfort and agility.

Immersed in visualization, Chen Yushu gradually refined and adorned the image.

He brought the White Tiger’s form into clear focus.

At last, he gave life to its eyes, imbuing it with spirit.

The expression became permanent.

White Tiger Visualization +3

Incense Cultivation +1

Chen Yushu suddenly awakened from meditation and looked at the attribute panel.

Immortal Arts Cultivation: One stick of incense (2/100)

"Incense cultivation increased!"

A smile appeared on Chen Yushu’s face.

With the growth of incense cultivation, his celestial fire burned stronger.

His mental energy naturally became more robust and full.

"I wonder if, with my current level, I can now use the Ghost-Suppressing Art, the Yin Subduing Formula?"

At this thought, Chen Yushu felt a surge of eagerness.

Since his last failed attempt, he had not tried again.

Now, seeing his cultivation rise, he could not restrain himself.

Without hesitation, Chen Yushu summoned his incense cultivation, then formed the hand seals.

Instantly, he felt a unique power rush into his hands, making them feel hot.

The hand seals transformed rapidly.

First move, second move, third move...

"It will work!"

Chen Yushu’s eyes brightened. As the final seal was completed, his incense cultivation was rapidly consumed, and simultaneously he felt a special force in the surrounding world stirred. With both hands pressing down, he drew forth that power.