13 Chapter 13: Rune Book

Being in the Spiritual Qi Realm signifies that the cultivator's Dao Method Spiritual Energy truly possesses spirituality.

What is spirituality?

It is the tangible manifestation of formerly intangible things.

As is commonly known, after cultivating Taoist Law, one can understand yin and yang and communicate with spirits and ghosts.

Ghosts and spirits, they are normally invisible and intangible, at least for ordinary people, but after cultivating Taoist Law, they become visible and tangible; this is the effect of spiritual energy.

Spirituality enhances this effect, allowing previously elusive and intangible entities to be touched and interacted with.

Once you set foot in the Spiritual Qi Realm, the most important function of Dao Method Spiritual Energy is to draw talismans, to draw various arrays on yellow paper, connecting with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to serve special purposes.

To elaborate further, can you draw talismans with regular ink and brush?

Of course, you can also draw arrays. But what drives these arrays? Where does the energy come from?

Can common ink provide such energy?

No!

Upon reaching the Spiritual Qi Realm, Dao Method Spiritual Energy acquired during cultivation possesses certain spirituality; thus, through drawing talismans, this spiritual Dao Method Energy can be permanently retained on the Dao Talisman. When used, the Array Method is activated through Dao Method Spiritual Energy, revealing all manner of incredible mysteries.

Upon entering the Spiritual Qi Realm, Xiao Mu's intention is to master the creation of Dao Talismans.

This was already planned in advance.

Unfortunately, "Xuanmen Zhenggang" only includes the basic practice of cultivation methods and does not include talisman creation.

However, this does not deter Xiao Mu, who intentionally set aside some Energy Points for this step.

If it's not included in "Xuanmen Zhenggang", then he'll simply use his Transmutation technique to create it himself.

Firstly, he needs to find a book related to 'talisman', whether it's real or fake. Once he has the book, he can use Energy Points to induce mutations in the book.

With that, he steps out.

The public buses are back in operation, though the fare is several times more expensive. Previously, it only cost one or two yuan to take the bus, but now it costs five to ten yuan. The most expensive fare has even increased to twenty yuan, similar to a short long-distance trip.

He takes a bus to the Small Commodity Market.

After a considerable time, at an old bookstall, Xiao Mu finally found a book — "Orthodox One Talisman Chant Encyclopedia".

Picking up the book, Xiao Mu asked the stall owner without changing the expression on his face, "How much is this book?"

The stall owner glanced at him, "Two hundred!"

"!!!"

Xiao Mu was taken aback on the spot.

Two hundred! Are you joking?

The price has skyrocketed. This kind of book would hardly sell for five yuan before World Mutation.

He furrowed his brows, "Isn't it too expensive? It used to cost just a few yuan."

"Ha! Don't complain about the price. It's not the old times anymore, the world has changed. This book might transform any moment now. If it transforms into a real talisman book, it will be worth more than a hundred thousand yuan, people will scramble to buy it for that price, believe it or not! If you won't buy it, there are plenty of others who will."

The stall owner was determined, showing no sign of wanting to negotiate the price.

Alright! You're right!

Xiao Mu didn't feel like arguing with the stall owner.

That being said, the stall owner does have a point. It's not certain whether this "Orthodox One Talisman Chant Encyclopedia" will mutate, but the world is indeed changing every day. Who knows when this book might just change?

Walking along the way, he saw that the market is littered with old bookstands selling all kinds of books. However, they were primarily books containing martial arts techniques.

All kinds of secret manuals from popular martial arts fiction, such as "Nine Yang Divine Skill", "18 Dragon Subduing Palms", "Yi Jin Jing", "Six Meridian Divine Sword", "Book of Nine Yin", "Tathagata Palm", "Beiming Divine Arts", "Lonely Nine Swords", and "Dragon Elephant Prajna Skill".

Even more outrageous is that it also included "Five Elements Stealth", "Bagua Mysteries", "72 Transformations", "Eight-Nine Mysteries", "One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones" and other secret manuals from folk legends and mythologies.

Without doubt, these books are fake.

But despite being fake, they sell quite well. Basically, every once in a while, a passerby customer buys a book. Some even buy in bulk, carrying away dozens of books at once.

The prices aren't too outrageous, with each book selling for one to two hundred yuan.

It's estimated that these customers don't believe the books they bought will definitely mutate. But what if they did? Won't they strike it rich if even one transforms?

Without hesitation, he pays up and buys the "Orthodox One Talisman Chant Encyclopedia".

He continues to walk forward and upon passing a stationery shop, Xiao Mu enters and buys a brush.

For drawing talismans, it's best to have a talisman brush, but if not, an ordinary brush can also substitute.

As for the ink to be used for drawing talismans, things like cinnabar are not necessary for Xiao Mu.

The real requirement for drawing a talisman is Dao Method Spiritual Energy, which, using the brush as a medium and Dao Method Spiritual Energy as ink, draws the array method on the talisman paper.

Thus, he has saved some money, providing some relief to the financially hard-pressed Xiao Mu.

He continues walking forward, searching for a vendor selling yellow paper.

In addition to the brush, drawing talismans also requires yellow paper. This is irreplaceable, and the quality of the yellow paper can to some extent influence the power of the talisman.

Xiao Mu has thought about using his Mutated Technique to mutate ordinary yellow paper before making a talisman or mutating it after drawing the talisman. After thinking about it, he decided against it.

Right now, he only has one Energy Point on hand. Such a luxurious approach is too unscientific.

Finding a stall that sells yellow paper isn't hard. After the World Mutation, it's not just books related to secret manuals experiencing increased sales—funerary items, including yellow paper, are also selling like hotcakes.

After all, post-World Mutation, the existence of souls has been confirmed, and the connections between the living and the dead have dramatically increased. Every family will burn paper for their deceased relatives.

Stall after stall, Xiao Mu wasn't impressed with their products.

The yellow paper being sold in the stalls was very rough; there was almost none that satisfied him. The quality of yellow paper for talisman creation should be high; low-quality paper really affects the power of the talisman.

One of the stall owners noticed Xiao Mu's actions, and suddenly asked him in a low voice, "Do you want high-quality yellow paper?"

"High-quality yellow paper?"

Xiao Mu's heart jolted. He stared hard at the stall owner and asked cautiously, "What are you implying?"

"Ha! Don't be nervous, I've been watching you circling around the yellow paper stalls for a while but you have yet to make a purchase. You are looking for high-quality yellow paper, am I right?"

The forty-something stall owner looked sneaky, deliberately lowering his voice, "I'm just asking you if you want it, if not, no harm done. But let me warn you beforehand, the price is going to be steep."

Xiao Mu's heart pounded a few times, also lowering his voice to ask, "You have it?"

"If you want it, I can show you. But remember, the price is going to be high and it is sold by weight, you better decide wisely whether you want it."

The middle-aged stall owner lowered his voice, but his demeanor carried a serious tone.

"Alright, show me. As long as the quality is good, the price is not a problem."

Xiao Mu made his decision.