The Great Dao had existed forever, but it was difficult to seek it.
Even if one stepped onto the path of cultivation, it would be extremely difficult to succeed.
How could there be an inactive immortal in this world?
They were all just cultivators who struggled bitterly to obtain a chance to live forever.
The path of cultivation was dangerous. If one did not have the power to protect their Dao, they would not be able to go far.
Swordsmanship, Dao techniques, talismans, arrays, pills, and magic tools were the protective cultivation methods of immortal cultivators.
If one did not cultivate enough Dao protection techniques, they would definitely die halfway.
On the other hand, if one cultivated their Dao protection techniques to a high level, it seemed that they could snatch other people's resources and Dao.
Cultivation in the world was ultimately a closed loop.
In Zhang Li's opinion, martial arts cultivation was just a way to protect his Dao.
If one could not achieve immortality in martial arts, what was the use of cultivating to a higher level?
Perhaps the seniors who founded the path of martial arts did not live long enough to comprehend the path to immortality?
Should he study martial arts when he was free, then?
There was no rush. There was plenty of time, anyway.
After reading a few books on talisman cultivation, Zhang Li put away the jade slip. He calmed himself and took out a stack of pale-yellow talisman papers.
Each paper was eight inches long and three inches wide. They were made of spirit herbs from the cultivation world, and they could bear the power of talismans.
Zhang Li had stored the blank talisman papers in a storage bag that was 10 cubic meters in size.
Anyway, this was a very cheap item in the cultivation world.
The papers became precious when high-grade talismans were drawn on them.
Zhang Li also had a talisman brush made of green jade and Wind Spirit Wolf's fur. One could consider it an ordinary talisman brush.
There was a large bundle of these talisman brushes.
The better talisman brushes were stored in boxes and did not need to be tied up.
Ordinary ink that was used to draw talismans consisted of cinnabar mixed with the blood of Wind Spirit Wolves.
There were several barrels of this ink in his storage bag.
The best cinnabar was used in jade boxes.
Zhang Li spread out the talisman paper on the table and got into a stance. He dipped the talisman brush in the prepared ink and closed his eyes slightly as he began to recall the talisman scripture he had just read.
Talismans utilized one's True Essence as a guide to seal the power of a half-formed Dao technique into the talisman paper.
This was a job that consumed a lot of spirit energy, which Zhang Li did not lack.
As he searched his memories, the ink brush landed decisively on the blank talisman paper.
True Essence flowed through his meridians and poured along the green jade brush until it reached the tip.
Zhang Li could sense his True Essence being divided and transformed by the power of the cinnabar ink and printed on the talisman paper.
This was similar to casting.
The tip of the brush moved, and the True Essence in his meridians surged.
Soon, a talisman slowly took shape.
Sizzle...
The tip of the brush trembled slightly, and his True Essence dissipated. The talisman paper before burst into faint flames and burned to ashes.
His drawing was ruined.
"I knew it. It's not that easy."
Zhang Li was not annoyed by the destruction of the talisman. In fact, he felt much better.
The introductory books all said that one had to attempt drawing at least 1,000 talismans before there was a possibility of obtaining a finished product.
He was only on the first one. How could he succeed?
If he was truly that talented, would it not be a waste to come to the mortal world?
He gently took another talisman paper and dipped the brush in cinnabar ink again to draw some simple runes.
He was full of enthusiasm.
When he saw Zhu Yunshan the next day, Zhang Li handed him a talisman with a smile.
"A talisman?"
Zhu Yunshan reached out to take the talisman and examine it.
"The strokes are messy, too messy.
"The True Essence isn't weak, but it's wasted when the person doesn't know how to start and finish the drawing.
"Also, look at how thick the ink is. How wasteful.
"Hey, look at the use of the brush here. This is a failure of a talisman. This person doesn't even know how to use the 'flying white' technique."
Zhu Yunshan shook off the talisman paper in his hand and complained bitterly. He did not notice that Zhang Li's expression was getting darker.
"You didn't draw this talisman, did you?" Zhu Yunshan looked at Zhang Li.
"Great. Brother Zhu, you are indeed proficient when it comes to talismans." Zhang Li changed the subject and reached out to retrieve the only memorable Wind Talisman he had drawn. Then, he stood up.
"Please help me draw some talismans."
"Draw talismans?" Zhu Yunshan was stunned, and he immediately shook his head.
"This is the mortal world. There's no spirit energy here, and the power of the talisman depends on one's True Essence."
Zhu Yunshan counted his fingers and regretfully said, "This will be a real waste of effort."
Indeed, without spirit energy, one could only rely on one's True Essence. This method of drawing talismans would wear down one's cultivation.
"Elder Brother, there's no point in maintaining your cultivation, is there?" Zhang Li pulled Zhu Yunshan over and sat him in front of the long table.
"In that case, why don't you return the spirit stones you borrowed from me first?
"I'm afraid that if I don't take advantage of these few days to make you draw me a few talismans to pay off your debts, I'll lose my spirit stones when you die out there."
His words got on Zhu Yunshan's nerves.
"Fine, I'll draw the talismans and let you see how it's done…" Zhu Yunshan paused for a moment before he rubbed his hands and said, "There are no talisman papers."
Zhang Li raised his hand and took out a stack of pale-yellow talisman papers from his sleeve and threw them on the table.
"Talisman papers made from Yunqing Grass. They're not bad, right? I got them for a cheap price in the market."
Zhu Yunshan extended his hand and carefully smoothed out the talisman papers.
The emotions in his eyes changed slightly, and he became much more serious.
"Where's the talisman brush? Don't tell me I have to use my own?
"There's also cinnabar ink. Don't tell me you don't have it."
As Zhu Yunshan spoke, Zhang Li took out the items.
Zhu Yunshan was surprised when he saw the talisman drawing tools before him.
"Tell me, did you plan this beforehand?"
Holding the green jade talisman brush in his hand, he sighed.
"The Great Dao is invisible now. My immortal path has finally come to an end…"
After all, his path had been broken and he had been banished to the mortal world.
The tip of the brush gently landed on the talisman paper. At that moment, Zhu Yunshan's aura subsided as if he had become a completely different person.
Zhang Li quietly watched as runes appeared one after another, and his face grew increasingly solemn.
"There's Dao in this world, and the brush has a spirit. What I seek when I draw talismans is that bit of spirituality.
"Don't be rigidly bound by the books. You have to comprehend the heavens and the earth.
"There are divine talismans and spirit talismans in this world that can control the heavens and the earth. They can attract wind and thunder as well as suppress mountains and rivers."
Zhu Yunshan seemed to understand Zhang Li's intentions. While he drew the talismans, he explained the method in a low voice.
Zhang Li stood behind him and moved his fingers.
He would only understand the long history of the Great Dao by experiencing this personally and observing it with his own eyes.
Half a day later, 13 talismans of various kinds were placed on the table.
Zhu Yunshan heaved a sigh of relief and straightened his back. His face was pale.
"I can't, I can't draw anymore.
"This old waist of mine can't handle it…"
Zhu Yunshan raised his head and saw Zhang Li looking at him. He waved his hand and said, "I really can't draw anymore. There aren't many Level 2 Spirit Refinement disciples in the Misty Cloud Sect who can draw 13 talismans in half a day.
"If I keep drawing, my True Essence will be exhausted and my cultivation will be entirely depleted..."
Before he could finish, he stopped.
Zhang Li was holding a spirit stone in his hand.
Zhu Yunshan took the spirit stone and grinned. "This spirit stone is only enough to recover my True Essence. I need to draw a talisman..."
Zhang Li held another spirit stone in his hand.
"Very well, Brother." Zhu Yunshan grabbed the spirit stone and laughed. "Don't worry, bring me as many talisman papers as you have. Today, I'll show you what it means to have extraordinary talent!"