Chereads / Rise of the Sword Sect's Outcast / Chapter 7 - chapter 7: A Monster in the Making

Chapter 7 - chapter 7: A Monster in the Making

Yang Ye's thoughts raced as he stood in awe of Bao'er's abilities. Talismans, treasures, and the ability to inscribe techniques – all of these were extraordinary, things he had never even heard of before, let alone encountered. The thought that Bao'er could inscribe profound techniques onto weapons and armor, activating them with mere Profound Energy, left him speechless. However, he had never seen such a treasure firsthand, and his imagination struggled to grasp the full extent of her capabilities.

He had only ever met one Talisman Master in his life – Bao'er. The reason these individuals held such distinguished statuses was not just due to the rare power of their craft, but because of how few they were. In a city as large as Southpeace, with nearly a million people, there wasn't a single other Talisman Master. And now, standing before him, was one of the rarest talents in the world.

Yang Ye sighed softly, his heart a little pained. He couldn't help but wonder how much those precious talismans would sell for. If he could sell just one, he could live a life of luxury without ever worrying about gold again.

Suddenly, Bao'er's voice broke his reverie. "Why didn't you run just now?"

Yang Ye blinked, taken aback. "What do you mean?"

Bao'er's little face became serious as she continued, "I'm talking about earlier. You're clearly so weak, so why didn't you run? Instead, you chose to fight that little snake."

Yang Ye chuckled, scratching his head. "If I ran, then you would've ended up in its belly," he joked. At that moment, the thought of running had crossed his mind, but seeing Bao'er fight so fiercely despite her size and strength had ignited something within him. It wasn't just about fleeing – it was about standing beside her. Running away would've made him lose respect for himself.

Bao'er stared at him for a moment, her eyes searching his face, before she broke into a smile. "In the past, many people tried to curry favor with me, but I could tell they were after something. They wanted to impress Grandpa or gain some benefit. But you... you don't know who I am, yet you risked your life to save me. Let's be friends! I'm Bao'er, what about you?"

Yang Ye's heart warmed at her words. She reminded him so much of his younger sister, both in her cute appearance and the innocence that radiated from her. With a sincere smile, he introduced himself, "Yang Ye."

Bao'er's smile widened as she jumped to her feet. But then, her expression turned serious as she shifted the conversation. "Right, aren't all Talisman Masters supposed to be extremely strong? Why are you...?"

Bao'er's cheeks flushed red at his question, and for a moment, she became bashful. She stammered, "I... I may be at the eighth rank of the Mortal Realm and have Profound Energy of the five elements, but... my Profound Energy is of the wood element, and that's the weakest in terms of combat strength. Besides... I've never fought anyone before, so... so I don't know how to fight at all." Her face turned even redder as she finished speaking.

Yang Ye was stunned. The eighth rank of the Mortal Realm at 14 years old? She was a monstrous talent, and yet she was confessing that she didn't know how to fight? The sheer contradiction was almost too much to process. How could someone with such remarkable potential lack the most basic combat knowledge?

Seeing his confused expression, Bao'er scowled playfully at him. "What's with that look? Is it weird that I don't know how to fight? I've always relied on my talismans!"

Yang Ye snapped back to reality, blinking. "No, it's just... you're so talented, and yet..."

Before he could finish, Bao'er changed the topic, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Right, your five element Profound Energy is of the gold element. That's supposed to mean you should be able to cultivate at a really fast rate, but why are you only at the fourth rank of the Mortal Realm?"

Yang Ye was stunned once more. "Five element Profound Energy? Gold Profound Energy?" He had heard of Profound Energy, of course, but these terms were new to him. He had no idea what they meant.

Bao'er didn't offer an explanation. Instead, she pushed on with her questions. "You know Talisman Masters are highly regarded, right?"

Yang Ye nodded, his mind still reeling from the conversation. "Of course. They have an extraordinary reputation. I've heard of them before, but I've never met one. I don't think there's ever been one born in Southpeace City."

Bao'er's eyes flickered with curiosity, but she didn't say anything more. It was clear that she had more to say, but for now, she seemed content with letting Yang Ye absorb all that had just been revealed.

Yang Ye, however, was deep in thought. A Grade Five Talisman Master at 14 years old. That alone was an unfathomable feat. If she didn't know how to fight, then it was only because her natural talent had manifested in her skill with talismans rather than combat. And to think she was already so powerful... it made Yang Ye's own cultivation feel paltry by comparison.

But despite everything he had learned about Bao'er, one thing was certain: her kindness and willingness to risk her life to help others was something that resonated deeply with Yang Ye. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he knew they would face them together.

Bao'er's explanation rang in Yang Ye's ears, slowly sinking in. "Talisman Masters are distinguished because they're the only ones capable of wielding five element Profound Energy, and such geniuses are extremely rare. They appear only once in every few million people. A thing is valuable because it's rare, and that's why Talisman Masters are so revered in the southern territory. Do you understand?"

Yang Ye's eyes widened in realization. "You're saying that my Profound Energy is one of the five elements?" His heart raced at the thought. The idea of becoming a Talisman Master was more than just a dream—it was a chance to attain unimaginable status. He could be revered by the likes of the Governor of Southpeace City, perhaps even surpassing the powerful Liu Clan. The implications were overwhelming.

Bao'er nodded confidently. "Yes, it should be. The gold element Profound Energy is golden in color, and your Profound Energy is also gold. So, it makes sense that you possess gold element Profound Energy. That's the most powerful of the five elements. I never expected to meet someone like you."

Yang Ye's excitement was palpable. However, doubt crept into his mind as he took a closer look at his Profound Energy. The gold he saw wasn't quite the same as the typical gold element Profound Energy—it was light gold, a color he knew had been altered by the mysterious vortex within him. His mind raced. Could it really be five element Profound Energy?

"Bao'er, you said only geniuses with five element Profound Energy can become Talisman Masters. Why is that?" Yang Ye asked, trying to piece everything together.

Bao'er explained, her voice serious. "Five element Profound Energy is different from ordinary Profound Energy. When regular Profound Energy leaves the body, it disperses and disappears unless supported by a special cultivation technique. But five element Profound Energy doesn't vanish—it can exist in the air indefinitely, as long as it isn't destroyed. That's why it's so special."

Yang Ye absorbed her words and pondered deeply. A sudden thought crossed his mind. He extended his finger and focused his Profound Energy, using it like a brush to lightly etch a line on a nearby rock. To his delight, a golden streak appeared before his eyes. Excited, he continued, writing the character "杨" (Yang) on the stone. He waited in silence, and much to his joy, the character remained on the rock, undisturbed by time.

Yang Ye's heart swelled with excitement. His Profound Energy wasn't just any ordinary type—it had the potential to be five element Profound Energy. The evidence was clear: he could use it to leave permanent marks, just as a Talisman Master would.

Bao'er watched his reaction with a knowing look. After a brief pause, she reached into her pouch and pulled out a scroll, handing it to him with a serious expression. "Little Laborer, this is the Five Element Talisman Marking Technique. It's not the same as other Five Element Talisman techniques. This one contains the knowledge and experiences of my grandfather. I already know all of it, and I'm giving it to you. But you can't let anyone else see it. Understand?"

Yang Ye was deeply moved by her gesture. The scroll in his hands was a priceless treasure, an opportunity for him to learn the path of Talisman Masters. Bao'er had shown him great trust and kindness, offering him this chance without asking for anything in return. After a moment of hesitation, he nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Bao'er. I promise I won't give it to anyone else."

Bao'er smiled in response, her expression softening. "Grandpa is currently in the Grand Qin Empire, so I can't take you to Talisman Peak yet. But when he comes back, I'll ask him to evaluate your talent as a potential Talisman Master. If it's good enough, I'll have him take you as a disciple. Even if your talent isn't as high as expected, you can still follow me around. I'm quite formidable too!"

Yang Ye felt a surge of warmth in his chest as he listened to Bao'er. Not only had she given him such a valuable scroll, but she was also preparing to introduce him to her grandfather, a Talisman Master himself. It was a gesture of true friendship, and Yang Ye was deeply touched by her sincerity. This little girl, who had risked so much for him, had truly accepted him as a friend.

"Thank you, Bao'er," Yang Ye said, his voice filled with gratitude. "You've done so much for me already. I won't forget this."

Bao'er grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "It's nothing. We're friends, right? Besides, with your potential, you're bound to be an amazing Talisman Master someday. Who knows? Maybe you'll be even more powerful than me."

Yang Ye chuckled, feeling a bond of camaraderie forming between them. It was a rare thing, finding a friend who was both talented and trustworthy. As the scroll in his hands seemed to pulse with potential, Yang Ye knew that this was just the beginning of his journey—a journey that could take him far beyond anything he had ever imagined.

Bao'er's words echoed in Yang Ye's mind. "You mustn't neglect your cultivation just because you can become a Talisman Master." Her serious tone reminded him that while the art of talismans was powerful, his personal strength remained the foundation of his journey. As his Profound Energy grew stronger, so too would the power of the talismans he created. But for now, his current reserves were limited—he could only create a few talismans at best. Yet, this didn't discourage him. Becoming an Inner Court Disciple of the Sword Sect was still his primary goal. Only with great strength could he protect the ones he loved.

He nodded firmly, saying, "I know that. My target is to become an Inner Court Disciple!" His eyes shone with determination. Talisman Mastery was alluring, but his desire for strength to safeguard his mother and younger sister was his driving force.

Bao'er smiled at his words, her eyes filled with approval. She looked up to check the time, then pulled two white jade bottles and a talisman brush from her pouch. "This is the Blood Essence of a Darkbeast and some Spirit Herb Sap. You can practice the Five Element Talisman Marking Technique with them. I'll come and check on you soon, but I'm leaving now!" With a final wave of her hand, Bao'er turned and skipped toward the entrance of the gorge, her cheerful figure disappearing into the distance.

Yang Ye stood in place for a moment, watching Bao'er go before his gaze fell on the jade bottles and the scroll she had given him. He smiled and slowly unfurled the scroll, feeling the weight of the moment. The Five Element Talisman Marking Technique, he thought, the Dao of Talismans…

As his eyes scanned the contents of the scroll, Yang Ye felt as though an entirely new world was opening up before him. The markings, strokes, and symbols on the paper were unlike anything he had ever seen. Bao'er's grandfather's experiences were embedded within these teachings, and though Bao'er had already learned them, it was clear this scroll was no ordinary treasure. For someone like him, who was still a beginner, this was both an opportunity and a challenge.

He spread the scroll on the ground, studying the intricate talisman designs and their explanations. The Blood Essence of a Darkbeast and the Spirit Herb Sap were essential ingredients in crafting talismans—two materials that would help him begin practicing the art. With focused determination, he took the talisman brush Bao'er had given him, dipping it lightly into the Blood Essence and Spirit Herb Sap.

His first attempt was cautious, but his hand moved steadily. The brush glided across the rock's surface, tracing the symbols from the scroll. He followed each stroke carefully, imbuing his Profound Energy into the talisman's creation. It wasn't perfect, and there were some mistakes, but as the talisman started to take shape, Yang Ye could feel the power within it—raw and untapped.

The effort required to create the talisman was immense. His Profound Energy was drained quickly as he focused on the task at hand, but he didn't mind. Each stroke of the brush brought him closer to mastering the technique, and each failed attempt was a lesson in itself. The process was more than just learning a skill—it was about understanding the balance between energy and creation, the connection between his inner strength and the talisman's power.

Hours passed, and though the talisman he had created wasn't perfect, Yang Ye felt a sense of accomplishment. It was just the beginning, but already, he could see the path ahead of him. With each attempt, he would improve, and one day, he would craft talismans that could change the course of battles, perhaps even his own fate.

As the night deepened, Yang Ye stood, his body exhausted but his heart filled with a new kind of hope. The scroll in his hands, the knowledge passed down from Bao'er's grandfather, held the key to a future he had never before imagined. With his cultivation and talisman crafting in balance, Yang Ye knew that his journey was only just beginning.

Tomorrow, he would continue to practice, refine his technique, and move one step closer to becoming a Talisman Master. But for now, he allowed himself to rest, the weight of his new goal pressing lightly against his chest.