Chapter 14: Entering Their Respective Courtyards, A First Glimpse into the Way of Talismans

"The twelve halls of Taixuan cover a vast range, each with its own strengths. The division is not a matter of hierarchy, but rather of teaching students in accordance with their aptitude.

When the jade slips reveal your names shortly, remember this: choosing a hall is like choosing a tool—if it fits, it is beneficial; if it clashes, it is harmful."

As the words fell, the immortal scroll expanded several times over, and the names of the disciples leaped onto its surface.

Everyone held their breath, suppressing their nervousness as they craned their necks in anticipation.

Those assigned to the Upper Five Halls could hardly contain their joy.

"Wonderful! It’s the Alchemy Hall. I’ve heard that those who enter the Alchemy Hall and perform well not only receive medicinal pills as rewards but also have the chance to study the Dao of Alchemy. Haha!"

Those assigned to the Lower Three Halls lamented.

"Alas! It’s the Discipline Division. That’s such a bitter chore... Not only is there no way to learn the true teachings, but it’s also easy to offend people."

"I’ve been assigned to the Refectory. Hmm... that’s alright, I hear the food for the disciples there is quite good."

Jiang Youling focused her gaze and, seeing her name clearly listed under the "Talisman Hall," couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

However, she heard Xu Ke beside her let out a wail like a slaughtered pig. "Ahhh!! I’ve been assigned to the Spirit Beast Hall, no, please don't!!"

Jiang Youling glanced at the immortal scroll and, sure enough, saw the name "Xu Ke" listed under the Spirit Beast Hall.

She couldn't help but ask curiously, "Didn't you say the Spirit Beast Hall belongs to the 'Middle Four Halls'? Why are you like this?"

Xu Ke’s face turned deathly pale. "You only know the surface, not the reality. Although the Spirit Beast Hall is one of the 'Middle Four Halls,' the disciples selected for it are tasked with cleaning filth and scrubbing stables.

In short, it means cleaning up spirit beast excrement, ahhh!!!"

Hearing this, Jiang Youling felt a surge of sympathy for Xu Ke, yet she remained puzzled.

"If entering the Spirit Beast Hall requires cleaning up excrement, then why is it still classified as one of the 'Middle Four Halls'?"

Xu Ke said listlessly, "Because the excrement of certain spirit beasts can be used to fertilize spirit fields. If you take on this chore, it counts as extra income. But I would rather not have this income!"

Xu Ke wore a mournful expression. "I have aspirations to become a Sword Immortal in the future. If I spend every day covered in the stench of spirit beast excrement, how can I ever become a Sword Immortal?"

Jiang Youling chuckled at his words.

"In the past, before Patriarch Lü attained the Dao, he sold oil in the marketplace for three years, the scent of smoke and fire soaking into his sleeves.

Before the Three-Smile Immortal ascended, he carried water and chopped wood on Mount Lu, sweat stains soaking through his green robes.

The nobility of a Sword Immortal lies not in clean clothes, but in a clear heart.

Your bowing down to sweep away filth today is just like sharpening a blade on a whetstone. Senior Brother, you must not let this dampen your spirits!"

Xu Ke fell silent, and after a long while, he straightened his posture and bowed to Jiang Youling.

"Junior Sister Jiang is absolutely right. It was I who thought about it the wrong way!"

Pleased that Xu Ke had come to his senses so quickly, Jiang Youling corrected his address. "I am the top scorer of the Grand Examination; you should address me as Senior Sister."

Xu Ke, however, would not listen. "I am older than you and entered Taixuan three days before you, so I should be the Senior Brother."

Just as Jiang Youling was about to argue further, she heard the Immortal Elder at the head of the hall speak.

"Today’s division of halls is like young sprouts choosing the soil in which to grow. It is not a divergence of paths, but a return to the same destination. I hope you all hold your resolve like a rock and find the true essence of the Great Dao while carrying clouds and boiling stones.

Very well, the induction ceremony ends here. After you finish your morning meal, remember to report to your respective halls."

"Yes, we will keep the Elder's teachings in mind."

The disciples scattered.

Shen Yingshu found Jiang Youling, her face full of joy. "Youling, I’ve been assigned to the Alchemy Hall!"

Jiang Youling had indeed seen Shen Yingshu’s name under the Alchemy Hall when she was looking for her own.

She smiled slightly. "Congratulations. I’ve been assigned to the Talisman Hall."

"Hahaha, excellent, excellent! We’ve both been assigned to the 'Upper Five Halls'!"

After saying this, Shen Yingshu noticed there was someone else beside Jiang Youling. "Oh? And you are?"

"Xu Ke!"

Xu Ke gritted his teeth, suppressing his grief and indignation.

Shen Yingshu’s eyes lit up. "Wow, so you’re the third-place finisher in this Grand Examination! With such excellent results, you must have been assigned to a great place, right?"

Xu Ke closed his eyes; only his slightly trembling lips betrayed his inner turmoil.

Although he had convinced himself to accept the task of cleaning excrement, he was still too ashamed to speak of it.

Jiang Youling smiled to smooth things over. "Alright, alright, don't press him. Shall we go to the Refectory to eat first, or go back to drop off our things?"

Shen Yingshu thought for a moment. "Either is fine! How about we go eat first?"

After the three finished their meal, returned to their rooms to change into their newly issued Daoist robes, and packed their remaining supplies, they set off to report to their respective halls.

After entering the Talisman Hall, Jiang Youling was assigned to a tall Senior Sister.

The Senior Sister first led her on a tour of the entire Talisman Hall before taking her to the place where talisman paper was made.

Pointing to a forest not far away, she said indifferently.

"These are Green Elm trees. The bark of the Green Elm is one of the materials used to make low-grade talisman paper. Your task is to harvest the bark and process it into talisman paper."

Jiang Youling looked over curiously and saw that there were already many people in the forest, with quite a few climbing the trees.

Carrying baskets on their backs and holding small knives, they were meticulously and patiently cutting complete pieces of bark from the Green Elm trees.

The skilled ones could harvest a piece in just seven or eight breaths.

The inexperienced ones tried four or five times and still couldn't get the hang of it.

The Senior Sister led her through the forest to another courtyard and pointed to the people busy working inside.

"After harvesting the bark of appropriate thickness, it must undergo a process of three soakings and three dryings to be kneaded, and then the paper must be consecrated. Only then is a piece of talisman paper considered finished."

Jiang Youling carefully observed everyone’s techniques, noting down the key points the Senior Sister mentioned.

Seeing that she had taken her words to heart, the Senior Sister continued.

"Since you understand the process of making talisman paper, follow me to collect your tools. New disciples only need to submit ten complete pieces of talisman paper each month.

After three months, as you become more proficient, you will need to submit thirty pieces. For every five extra pieces submitted, you will receive one additional spirit stone in your monthly stipend.

If you fail to complete the task, there will be corresponding punishments. If you fail to complete the task for three consecutive months, it means you lack the talent for talisman making, and you will be asked to leave the Talisman Hall."

Jiang Youling pondered for a moment. "If I can guarantee that I submit the talisman paper on time, can I submit it early?"

The tall Senior Sister raised an eyebrow at her and nodded. "You may, but no earlier than noon."

She ordered someone to fetch a new set of tools and handed them to Jiang Youling. "At the beginning of your talisman making, you may observe and learn first. It won't be too late to start once you have mastered the essentials."

Jiang Youling took the tools, mimicked the appearance of the bark harvesters, put the basket on her back, and returned to the Green Elm forest to carefully observe the techniques of the others.

Upon closer inspection, Jiang Youling discovered that although the Green Elm bark was exceptionally tough, its texture was as smooth as ointment. If one’s control was unsteady, the tip of the knife would easily slip.

Once it slipped, the harvest was considered a failure.

After observing for a while and feeling confident, Jiang Youling found a Green Elm tree and began to harvest.

She tried to cut into the bark just like the others, but on her first attempt, she couldn't even break the surface.

Gritting her teeth, she increased her force. The tip of the knife pierced the bark, but it suddenly slipped, sliding uncontrollably to the left and carving a long silver line.

Even the small knife nearly flew out of her hand.

(End of chapter)