Chapter 53: Refining Paste with Green Reeds, Forming Talismans with Crane Feathers

The man took the initiative to speak to Jiang Youling and introduced himself, "My name is Yue Youping. I am somewhat older than you; you may simply address me as Senior Brother Yue."

Jiang Youling responded readily, "Senior Brother Yue."

Yue Youping nodded with a smile. "I will first take Junior Sister to observe the production process of the Spirit Summoning Talisman."

As he spoke, he walked toward the Yunjian Pavilion.

The Yunjian Pavilion was vast, divided into various sections depending on the type of talisman paper being produced.

Yue Youping led Jiang Youling into the area dedicated to making Spirit Summoning Talismans and introduced the process with patience.

"The Spirit Summoning Talisman is different from ordinary talismans. It does not require us to draw on the paper with talisman ink; instead, it requires a Talisman Soul."

"A Talisman Soul?" Jiang Youling was somewhat surprised.

"Correct."

Yue Youping nodded and pointed to a disciple nearby who was currently making talisman paper. "In truth, this Talisman Soul is not refined; it is invited. Our Taixuan Sect once possessed a Crane Spirit. In life, it had cultivated to the Nascent Soul stage, and after death, its soul did not dissipate, instead cultivating thousands of incarnations. When we summon this Talisman Soul, we are inviting an incarnation of that Crane Spirit."

Jiang Youling fell into thought. She watched as the disciple making the talisman muttered incantations and pointed at a blank piece of talisman paper before him. The paper seemed to come alive, moving without wind and automatically folding itself into a paper whistle.

"If the quality of the talisman paper is poor, if the practitioner's technique is not standard enough, or if the Great Crane Spirit is in a bad mood, the talisman will fail to form."

Just as he finished speaking, Jiang Youling noticed a blank piece of talisman paper in a corner. It had folded halfway when it suddenly lost its spiritual vitality and fell to the ground.

"Then what kind of material is used to make the paper for the Spirit Summoning Talisman?"

"The main ingredient is green reed pulp, and the auxiliary ingredient is crane feathers. Not much crane feather is used; a single feather, processed with special techniques and supplemented with other materials, can be used to refine dozens of sheets of talisman paper."

Yue Youping added, "There is a specific way to collect these feathers. From a single immortal crane, one cannot take too many at once, nor can one take newly grown feathers, lest the spiritual crane be harmed... In short, there are many taboos. Does Junior Sister wish to start learning from the feather collection step, or from the production of the green reed pulp?"

Jiang Youling thought for a moment. "I will follow whatever Senior Brother Yue arranges."

Yue Youping breathed a sigh of relief. Having been entrusted by Senior Sister Ruan, he was truly afraid that this Junior Sister might make some difficult demands.

"Then I shall first teach Junior Sister how to make the green reed pulp."

As he spoke, he walked toward the outside. "There is a lake ahead, surrounded by lush green reeds. We take fresh green reeds and crush them directly into pulp."

When the two arrived at the lakeshore, Yue Youping personally selected a green reed of appropriate thickness. After peeling away the outer skin, he took only a small portion of the middle section and placed it in a stone mortar to crush it into pulp.

The pulp was initially green, but after being thoroughly crushed, it actually turned as white as rice paste and emitted a faint, fresh scent of vegetation.

"Once it reaches this consistency, we can add the crane feathers."

Yue Youping called over a disciple, requested a portion of finely ground crane feather powder, and then slowly mixed the two together.

As the crane feather powder came into contact with the green reed pulp, the mixture began to bubble with "gurgling" sounds, and a large amount of white steam rose from it.

Yue Youping's movements quickened. He stirred it eighty-one times, and once the powder and pulp were thoroughly blended, he poured the mixture into a nearby mold.

"At this step, we must wait for three days. Only when the pulp is completely dried can we proceed."

After finishing his explanation, Yue Youping took some talisman paper that other disciples had already air-dried to show Jiang Youling.

"Look at this finished product. It is pure white as snow, and if you hold it up to the light, you can see even fiber patterns."

He lightly flicked the surface of the paper, producing a clear, crisp sound. "This indicates that no mistakes were made in any step and that the distribution of the crane feather powder is very even."

He then pulled out a yellowish, failed product. "This one is dark in color and has scorched spots at the edges."

He folded the talisman paper, and it immediately snapped and cracked. "This is because the green reed pulp was not thoroughly crushed."

As he spoke, Yue Youping pointed to another wrinkled piece of paper. "This one was contaminated with impurities while drying, causing the spiritual essence of the crane feathers to be damaged..."

As Yue Youping took the papers and analyzed the reasons for each failure one by one, Jiang Youling felt she was gaining a wealth of knowledge.

No wonder Shen Yingshu held that Senior Sister from the Alchemy Academy in such high regard; it turned out that having a patient guide made everything so much easier.

By the end of the day, Yue Youping's throat was dry from talking, yet he continued to speak with a smile.

"As for the method of inviting the spirit, it is quite complex, so I won't teach it to Junior Sister just yet. It won't be too late to learn once you are familiar with these preceding processes."

Jiang Youling was in no hurry; there was plenty of time in the future. "Thank you, Senior Brother, for teaching me so much."

"Haha, it is my duty. Junior Sister can first observe the techniques of others while they make talisman paper. Once you feel confident, you can try it yourself. If there is anything you do not understand, you may ask me at any time."

"Alright."

Accompanied by the ringing of a bell, Jiang Youling stepped out of the Talisman Courtyard.

She had to go to Master Hong's place for class the day after tomorrow; time truly flew.

During the day, she observed and learned at the Talisman Courtyard, and she did not neglect her cultivation at night.

By the time Jiang Youling returned to Danyang Mountain, she could clearly feel that after the divergence of the Camp and Guard Qi, a void yet extremely distinct pathway had appeared within her body.

Upon arriving at Danyang Mountain, Hong Dengyuan did not conduct a lecture as usual. Instead, he led Jiang Youling away from the cave dwelling, walking all the way toward the highest peak of Danyang Mountain.

"What do you think of the scenery here on Danyang Mountain?"

Jiang Youling was truly puzzled as to why Master Hong would engage in idle chatter with her, but she nonetheless appreciated the view for a while. "Jade herbs and fine flowers adorn the jade steps; spiritual springs wash the stones with the sound of tinkling jade. Immortals cranes carry lingzhi from beyond the clouds; blue phoenixes dance in the cold celestial grottoes under the moon."

"You certainly know how to compose poetry."

Hong Dengyuan chuckled. "Three thousand years of withered bones in the deep abyss, only now does a sliver of blue sky open. Who says the path of longevity is all wind and moonlight? The Dao heart emerges from the depths of the karmic ashes. As a miscellaneous disciple, you can still hide within this sect to steal a life, but once you seek the Great Dao, a torrent of blood and wind will come rushing toward you."

Hong Dengyuan's voice grew softer. "Have you thought it through?"

Hearing this, Jiang Youling actually smiled. "Master, do not forget where my heart-lamp was awakened. If I were afraid of death, why would I seek the Dao?"

It was said that to hear the Dao in the morning and die in the evening was enough.

But Jiang Youling even felt that even if she died on the path of seeking the Dao, it would be worth it.

Hong Dengyuan laughed freely. "Very well, it was ultimately an unnecessary question on my part. Since you have decided, sit down."

Jiang Youling sat cross-legged. Following Master Hong's instructions, she continuously visualized that void pathway, making it increasingly solid.

The sky gradually darkened, and the night wind howled; the stars in the sky seemed close enough to touch.

Hong Dengyuan looked up at the Ziwei Star and the Lunar Star converging in the heavens. The moonlight was at its peak; tonight was the perfect opportunity to receive the Primordial Innate Qi.

And the place where Jiang Youling sat was precisely where the starlight was most brilliant.

(End of Chapter)