Chapter 4: To pluck the stars, one must bear the risk of falling

"To pick the stars, one must endure their downfall. An unruly talent is no different from a curse, yet the path of a Spirit Binder rests in one's heart. Even if one throws away the aid of the Talent Talisman, one can still achieve through their unwavering determination." - "On Talents"

In the library, upon finishing the last sentence, Chen Xuan closed this masterpiece written during the Qing Dynasty, feeling greatly enlightened.

This book is the first encyclopedia in Huaxia's history that systematizes and introduces 'Talent Talismans.'

Despite its outdated content, the thoughts that it contains still shine brightly today - emphasizing the importance of the individual, criticizing the 'Talent Determinism' of the time.

"According to the viewpoint in the book, for the mediocres, having an overly exceptional talent might be a curse that impedes growth," Chen Xuan thought to himself while twirling his pen.

"So, the 'Gluttonous Stomach' isn't bad enough to only be fit for farming pigs, it's because it's too outstanding that those who aren't exceptionally extraordinary cannot control it."

According to the book, Talent Talismans are divided into two categories.

One is the 'Talent Talisman of Spirit,' and the other is the 'Talent Talisman of Spirit Binder.'

From the outside, the difference is the size.

Looking at the effect, it is the difference of who it influences.

'Talent Talisman of Spirit Binder,' such as 'Favor of Thunder' and 'Venomous Hand', are small and exquisitely shaped, whose effects enhance the Spirit Binder's Talisman Skill directly.

While something like 'Gluttonous Stomach,' which is larger and coarser, affects the Spirit directly.

This also implies...

Although 'Gluttonous Stomach' can quickly enhance the strength of the Spirit, it does not help the growth of the Spirit Binder.

This is equivalent to planting a ticking time bomb.

After signing a contract, the soul of the Spirit will be separated and formed into a 'Spirit Talisman' that's nurtured in the Spirit Binder's 'Sumeru' space.

In the words of the cyberpoint, this is - real-time cloud backup of 'consciousness,' direct mechanical ascension.

As long as this Spirit Talisman is not destroyed, even if the body of the Spirit is burnt to ashes, the Spirit Binder can reconstruct their body by nurturing the 'Spirit Talisman.'

However...

The premise for reconstruction is that the level of the Spirit Binder must be equal to or higher than that of the Spirit.

If the Spirit Binder is only at the soldier level, but the Spirit has reached the officer level.

Then, their body, when destroyed, can't be reconstructed, as the energy levels between the two are mismatched.

Hence, the most common issue caused by 'Gluttonous Stomach' is that it makes the growth of the Spirit too rapid, causing the Spirit Binder to lose the passive ability to abide by the contract.

As for the Spirit Binder, the guilty party of the violated contract, although they wouldn't necessarily perish, their journey as a Spirit Binder could be considered over, progressing no further.

Therefore...

Unless while using 'Gluttonous Stomach' for rapid advancement, the Spirit Binder themselves possess extraordinary talent that allows them to match the growth of the Spirit.

Otherwise, the only remaining purpose of 'Gluttonous Stomach,' is to mass-produce Demon Spirits of lower levels than the Spirit Binder, to work in pig farms, botanical gardens, and other such places.

'Hum——'

Chen Xuan raises his hand, concentrating his mind, and a wave of energy ripples through, summoning two 'Talent Talismans.'

Apart from their size, the patterns engraved on both are exactly the same!

This is just like the jujube tree at the entrance of a certain literary master's gate - "One is 'Gluttonous Stomach', and so is the other."

"The 'Gluttonous Stomachs' recorded at present are all 'Talent Talisman of Spirit' that effect only the Spirit," Chen Xuan looked at his own Talent Talisman, a smile curling at his lips. "But my 'Gluttonous Stomach' is different, the slightly smaller one clearly belongs to the 'Talent Talisman of Spirit Binder,' which affects the Spirit Binder himself."

In other words...

The restrictions of the 'Gluttonous Stomach' recognized by convention do not apply to me.

As a Spirit Binder, I can use 'Gluttonous Stomach' with the Spirit for advancement, not having to worry about lagging in growth from the Spirit and breaking the contract.

The only thing I need to worry about is - money.

After all, the name 'Gluttonous Stomach' wasn't chosen for nothing, it clearly has something to do with eating.

Keeping on eating, eating well, eating expensive, the more you eat, the more you grow.

If I have no money, I won't be able to enhance my strength through eating. And if I can't enhance my strength, it'll be even harder to earn money to buy food.

This is a 'hungry' cycle.

'Currently, my financial problem should be resolvable. After all, under existing policies, a Spirit Binder who awakens two Talent Talismans at once can get at least a hundred thousand or above in subsidies just by cooperating with the relevant organizations for some research. They might even receive lower university entrance score requirements.'

Chen Xuan was calculating in his mind, 'And, in the past, the 'Gluttonous Stomach' could only work on the Spirit, there's no record of it taking effect on a Spirit Binder. Mine should be rarer. Maybe I can get a bit more subsidy?'

He already looked up the contact of the institution, but he planned on calling later.

Because such good news, should be shared with someone first...

'Beep...beep...beep...'

On the screen of the mobile phone, which was on the dialing screen, there was a contact marked with the word 'Bai Chuan'.

"Hello? What's up, Xiaoxuan?"

Soon, the call was connected, and a young male voice came from the other end.

"Bro, you're not busy right now, are you?"

The person on the other line was attending police school, where discipline was strict, often requiring him to be in meetings or on duty, so it wasn't always convenient to answer calls.

"I'm free, just finished some field work and was about to go get some food. By the way, you should be out of your allowance, right? I'll transfer you some money later. It's getting cooler over there, remember to layer up..."

"No need, I still have allowance."

Chen Xuan cut off his rambling, his tone concealed with a hint of pride as he got to his point: "Furthermore, if all goes well, there should be an extra deposit of at least a hundred thousand coming in after some time."

"..."

There was silence on the other side of the phone for a moment before he answered earnestly, "Although a person can survive with just one kidney, for a man, it's incomplete to have just one."

"Who do you take me for? Who would sell that?"

Chen Xuan replied helplessly, "Today, I awakened two Talent Talismans during the Spirit Awakening Ceremony. I'm planning to cooperate with the relevant organization for research and get some subsidies."

However...

Once this was said, it didn't invite the expected praises. Instead, Bai Chuan's tone suddenly became serious: "Does anyone else know about this?"

"No, why?"

Chen Xuan was startled.

"We'll talk about it when I get back. Don't mention this matter to anyone else."

"...Okay."

"I'm going to ask my tutor for leave now and try to get back today, I have to go."

"Okay, take care on the road, bro."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Xuan furrowed his brow and fell into deep thought.

Although the people who awaken two Talent Talismans at once are few, every year there are a few news reports on such incidents. It's not rare to the point where it only happens once in a hundred years.

Interviewees in the news had also mentioned that the actual content of cooperative research simply involves collecting some hair and blood samples, as well as gathering data on brainwaves for a while, nothing more than a comprehensive check-up.

It's nothing like the early sci-fi movies where they would dissect you and take organ samples.

Even those who initially awakened two Talent Talismans have achieved considerable success in their field as Spirit Binders, they are still active on various social media platforms today, there's not a trace of them disappearing off the face of the earth.

So…

Where is the problem?

Chen Xuan was confused.

But since his brother had already said so, there must be a reason for it. Besides, he wouldn't do anything that would harm me.

But this reminds me, in this world where individuals can possess great powers, the hidden danger is obviously greater.

No matter what I do in the future, I should be cautious...