Young Noble Be Monster Slaying

Chapter 442: None Could Keep Up

At this moment, the Celestial Talisman Sect was hosting a grand apprentice acceptance ceremony.

At the very top of the high platform stood a man whose youthful appearance contrasted with the depth of experience in his eyes—he was the legendary Celestial Talisman Master.

With his own strength, he revitalized the Dao of Talisman-Making in the mortal realm, single-handedly established the Great Dao of Talismanic Script, and attained the Heavenly Origin. He was one of the three most powerful figures in the world.

In terms of founding a new school and opening up new paths, his contributions to the nine provinces made him arguably the most influential figure in the world of immortality cultivators.

The Dao of Talisman-Making today had changed drastically from a hundred years ago, and the Celestial Talisman Sect had become the place where youths of the nine provinces aspired to join.

Unfortunately, not everyone was suited for the Dao of Talisman-Making; even the most talented prodigies might fail to grasp its fundamentals and would not be accepted by the sect.

Just moments ago, a young lady in a flowing green dress had amazed everyone present.

Her dress billowed gracefully as she demonstrated a talismanic technique she had created on her own.

This caught the attention of the Celestial Talisman Master.

The Celestial Talisman Master personally descended and accepted her as his successor.

"What is your name?" the Celestial Talisman Master asked.

"Cui Yu'er," she replied with a smile.

From that day onward, the lively and energetic Cui Yu'er became a part of the Celestial Talisman Master's life, adding a touch of brightness to his otherwise solemn existence.

After ten years, the Celestial Talisman Master began to sense that something was wrong.

He realized that over the years, Cui Yu'er's feelings for him had changed, and they were no longer just those of a disciple toward her master.

What frightened him most was discovering that he, too, had unknowingly changed.

The Celestial Talisman Master had never taken a partner, and many hoped he would one day find someone to cherish and spend the rest of his life with, but that person could never be his disciple.

So, he sent Cui Yu'er down the mountain for training, unwilling to see her again. He hoped that time would dissolve the unnatural bond that had formed between them.

Yet, time didn't heal everything; instead, it deepened his suffering. Cui Yu'er returned to the mountain repeatedly, hoping to see him, but each time, he refused.

Each rejection caused unbearable pain.

Just as he began to question whether he should defy everything and give in to his feelings, terrible news arrived from the foot of the mountain—Cui Yu'er, in her eagerness to break through the seventh realm, had succumbed to qi deviation and died.

She left the world like the last whiff of fragrance and a shattered jade.

When the Celestial Talisman Master rushed to the site, all that greeted him was her cold, lifeless body, still dressed in the usual green dress.

He felt as though the heavens had collapsed.

In his life, he had endured two soul-crushing losses. The first had driven him to the brink of destroying everything; the second made him want to save everything.

For the first time in his long life dedicated to the Dao of Talisman-Making, an impossible thought crossed his mind.

The Celestial Talisman Master wanted to create a talismanic script capable of bringing people back to life.

It was then he realized how easy it was to take life, yet how difficult it was to restore it.

In the days that followed, he threw himself into researching this Talismanic Script of Life, even though deep down, he knew it was an absurd pursuit.

How could it be possible?

On a certain day a hundred years later, he suddenly noticed that the yellow leaves were falling, the mountains and the rivers appeared distant, and the world was enveloped in the fading light of dusk.

He knew then that his lifespan was nearing its end.

And in that final moment, as death approached, he finally understood the true meaning of life...

The autumn wind brought death, and soon the snow fell and melted. Only when lightning strikes in winter and snow falls in spring can one sing freely with the wind[1]. The meaning of life would remain hidden in the smallest moments. Though he could never bring his love back, as his fingers gently brushed against the leaf...

The yellow leaf sprang to life.

"This is..."

As the flow of light and energy shifted, Chu Liang slowly opened his eyes, feeling the divine insight he had just gained. He moved his fingers lightly through the air.

Moments later, a golden talismanic script shimmered into existence.

The elder's voice echoed softly, "That is called the Talisman of Life Restoration."

...

After Ye Yongxing and Chu Liang made their choices, the remaining three took a moment to reflect before selecting their own paths.

Situ Guanhai studied the mural on the wall, pondering deeply before saying, "It seems I must follow my heart and it's telling me to choose the Door of Yin."

After a brief hesitation, Xi Miaoxian made the same choice as him.

They both sensed the stillness of death within the mural.

But Monk Pushan made a different choice.

"I'll trust Chu Liang," he said, after much deliberation, deciding on the door beneath the Talisman of Yang.

Upon entering their respective doors, none of them encountered those who had gone before. Each was led into their own meditation chamber, where they met an elder in simple robes.

The elder, smiling warmly as always, took them on a journey back through the river of time, guiding them against its current. As they traveled, each one gained a profound insight.

In the end, both Situ Guanhai and Xi Miaoxian comprehended the black Talisman of Life Destruction.

But Monk Pushan was left somewhat stunned.

"This..." He muttered to himself as he reflected on the Dao essence he had just experienced, "Is way too hard..."

Although following Chu Liang's path rarely led him astray, it wasn't always the correct choice. Compared to the black Talisman of Life Destruction, the golden Talisman of Life Restoration demanded a far deeper understanding.

Individuals who did not perceive the hidden meaning of life within the mural would not be able to understand the final talisman even if they managed to pass through the right door and enter the final stage.

While he did experience personal growth this time, he was unable to master the final talismanic script.

...

"Hmmm..." Feng Chaoyang muttered as he stared at the nine doorways in front of him and fell deep in thought.

When everyone else successfully comprehended the Talismanic Script of the Eight Trigrams, he did not. He had not been with them when they defeated Xiangliu and then entered the grand hall.

He had been by himself, silently reflecting on his own.

As the head disciple of Celestial King Sect, Feng Chaoyang was certainly no fool. In fact, he had contended with the prodigies of other immortal sects at a younger age than most, and in terms of pure talent, he surpassed many of them.

However, in this hidden realm of talismanic script, his abilities were of little use, which made him appear somewhat out of place.

Once outside, he was confident that in terms of combat power, he would not lose to anyone.

Once he understood what was required in this realm, he quickly comprehended the Talismanic Scripts of the Eight Trigrams by observing the celestial phenomena and finally made his way here.

But upon reaching the palace, the first checkpoint stopped him.

With Xiangliu already dead, he could no longer see the serpent.

Still, faced with the nine doorways, he began to ponder using what little wisdom he had.

"A serpent is drawn above..." Feng Chaoyang muttered. "When you attack a snake, you should strike it seven cun below its head, so I'll choose the seventh door."

This was the decision he made after careful consideration. With confidence, he strode through the seventh doorway.

Whoosh—

With a flash of light, he found himself standing in a crumbling, dilapidated hall.

The place was in ruins, yet oddly familiar—it was clearly the very old site of the Celestial Talisman Sect where they had been when they first arrived to enter the hidden realm.

Did I already exit the hidden realm? I must have chosen the wrong doorway...

"You're out already?" The voice of an elder from the Celestial Pivot Pavilion sounded behind him.

Feng Chaoyang turned around to see the gray-bearded elder who had been waiting there. Given the close ties between Celestial King Sect and Celestial Pivot Pavilion, they naturally knew each other. In fact, they had traveled here together.

"Yeah..." Feng Chaoyang paused, then waved his hand with a wide grin. "Fast, right? None of them can keep up with me!"

The gray-bearded elder from the Celestial Pivot Pavilion looked at him, utterly perplexed.

Is being the first to exit really something to be proud of?

1. Lightning happening in winter and snow happening in spring are things that are rare and go against the natural order. The use of these phrases expresses the idea that only through extraordinary circumstances can one experience something as grand as singing in the wind. ☜