Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune: Starting from the Celestial Master’s Mansion
Chapter 19: Choosing One's Life-bound Spell

Yuan Mobai was typically gentle and easygoing, but his teaching style was precise and meticulous. As he began teaching Lei Jun about Spirit Talismans, he started with the basics.

Following his instructions, Lei Jun first bathed and changed clothes, then cleared his mind, washed his hands, and cleansed his mouth. He set up offerings of incense, candles, fruits, and tea, making a reverent offering and praying to Heaven and Earth.

Next, he performed incantations on water, ink, pen, and paper, then chanted while drawing and inscribing the Spirit Talisman.

Yuan Mobai gave a simple introduction, demonstrated the steps personally, then guided Lei Jun carefully. Finally, Lei Jun practiced creating the talisman himself, with Yuan Mobai standing by for support.

Lei Jun straightened his attire and approached the incense table. The incense was burning, sending wisps of blue smoke spiraling up around the table.

He picked up the Talisman Brush, dipped it in Cinnabar Talisman Ink, and hovered the brush over the Yellow Paper.

"With the first stroke, the world trembles..." Lei Jun chanted as he laid down the first stroke.

"With the second stroke, the Ancestor's sword appears..."

He circled the incense table, taking a step, pausing, and placing a second stroke.

"With the third stroke, evil spirits flee a thousand miles away!"

Each step he took around the incense table, he paused and laid down a stroke. In three strokes, the initial head of the talisman was formed.

Tiny strands of True Energy began to emanate from the Yellow Paper.

Lei Jun's eyes were focused, his mind concentrated as he smoothly continued the next strokes, filling in the core of the talisman.

Finally, he inscribed the tail of the talisman, completing the Spirit Talisman.

However, the process wasn’t finished yet.

Lei Jun turned the brush upside down, tapped the brush tip three times on the talisman.

"Decree!"

He pressed his finger on the talisman.

The talisman shimmered, the smoke swirling around it.

At this moment, Lei Jun had completed a full circle around the incense table and returned to his starting point. He carefully placed the Talisman Brush back on the table.

Holding the talisman with both hands, he circled the incense burner three times.

A faint glimmer seemed to emerge from the Yellow Paper.

Lei Jun extended a finger, channeling his own power.

A trace of energy gathered at his fingertip, forming a subtle mark.

This “seal” was placed on the Yellow Paper, and the talisman’s light dimmed as its energy became hidden.

At last, Lei Jun let out a deep breath, a smile spreading across his face.

He felt that nearly all the power he had just gathered was now depleted, and even his mental energy was slightly drained.

But he had successfully created his first talisman!

"To succeed on the first try—Chongyun, you have a natural gift for the Talismanic Arts of our branch." Yuan Mobai smiled and nodded.

Lei Jun replied, "It’s all thanks to your guidance."

Following Yuan Mobai’s teachings, he meditated for a short while to restore some of his energy.

Based on his current cultivation level, Lei Jun could make talismans up to three times daily for now.

As his cultivation strengthened, the number of talismans he could make would gradually increase.

Although he succeeded with his first talisman, he did encounter some failures afterward. Still, his success rate was improving.

The Talismanic Branch’s method of crafting talismans was complex, especially for those with limited cultivation and newly formed power.

However, by aligning with nature, drawing from Heaven and Earth, a well-prepared talisman could wield power beyond the practitioner’s current level.

Given the materials, power, energy, and time, a capable person could even stockpile multiple talismans.

As time passed, Lei Jun became familiar with the basic Spirit Talismans in the Tianshi Mansion. During an evening lecture, Yuan Mobai explained:

"Not just in our branch, but throughout the world, cultivators often select a personal life-bound spell.

Our disciples usually choose one or more types of Spirit Talismans as their life-bound spells."

The Talismanic Scriptures of Tianshi Mansion record numerous Spirit Talismans; disciples can learn as many as they wish based on their ability and time. They select one or more to serve as their life-bound spells, which doesn’t affect their ability to make other talismans but makes crafting life-bound talismans faster, more convenient, stronger, less costly, and more successful.

Across many cultivation paths, the same rules apply to choosing a life-bound spell:

1. At each major stage, only one life-bound spell can be mastered.

For instance, a cultivator in the Third Realm can have three life-bound spells, whereas a First Realm Qi Refining cultivator can only master one.

2. The principle of "oneness between spell and self" applies; a spell must align with the cultivator's fundamental cultivation to unleash its full power. This is even more essential for life-bound spells, which must be perfectly in sync with the practitioner’s core methods.

3. A life-bound spell, once established, becomes part of one’s very essence and generally cannot be replaced.

While cultivators may initially learn a lower-level spell, their life-bound spell will evolve in power as they advance, so there’s no need to worry about obsolescence.

"This is why the principle of 'oneness between spell and self' is emphasized. It ensures the life-bound spell can grow along with its cultivator."

"Among the disciples, popular choices for life-bound talismans include the Golden Barrier Talisman, Spirit Strike Talisman, Wind Talisman, Thunder Talisman, Flame Talisman, Immobilizing Talisman, Warding Talisman, Tranquility Talisman, and Sealing Talisman."

Yuan Mobai smiled, "With your current cultivation at the Second Realm, you can choose two life-bound talismans. Have you thought about your choices?"

Lei Jun considered it, "What do you suggest, Master?"

Yuan Mobai replied, "My lineage emphasizes both physical and magical training. So, both I and your senior brother use the Spirit Strike Talisman as our first life-bound spell."

From the time they join as apprentices, the Tianshi Mansion emphasizes physical and blood energy cultivation, teaching profound Daoist martial arts.

The Spirit Strike Talisman further enhances physical strength and resilience.

If you choose it as a life-bound spell, its effects are even greater.

Lei Jun replied, "I also want the Spirit Strike Talisman as my first spell."

This would work well with the other unique techniques of the Tianshi Mansion.

Improving physical attributes would also make him more adaptable to unexpected and complex situations.

"Then let the Spirit Strike Talisman be your first spell."

Yuan Mobai smiled, "As for your second spell, that’s for you to decide. Each person has their own nature, and a life-bound spell should reflect one’s character."

Lei Jun nodded.

As he knew, among the popular talismans favored by Tianshi Mansion disciples, the Golden Barrier Talisman ranked first, chosen most often as a first, second, or third spell.

This talisman, used for defense, is among the foundational talismans yet offers formidable protection.

Disciples who choose it can often withstand multiple attacks from enemies of the same level for short periods.

It’s a true "impenetrable fortress."

Outside the Tianshi Mansion, other cultivators highly value the Golden Barrier Talisman as one of the best defensive methods for lower-level cultivators.

Even if they don’t use it themselves, they often trade it or offer it as a gift. It’s a prized basic talisman.

When journeying outside of their clan or sect, personal safety is always a priority...

As Lei Jun pondered, a glowing sphere in his mind flickered, revealing the following message:

"Choosing spells has both advantages and disadvantages; fortunes and misfortunes are hidden within. Avoid blind conformity."

Three fortune sticks floated from the sphere, with their outcomes displayed in Lei Jun’s mind:

- Upper-Moderate Omen: Choosing the Wind Talisman as your second spell, aligning with your studies, will grant a Sixth-Grade Opportunity without hidden dangers—Good.

- Moderate Omen: Choosing a talisman other than the Wind Talisman or Golden Barrier Talisman will align with your studies without any gains, losses, or hidden dangers—Neutral.

- Lower-Moderate Omen: Choosing the Golden Barrier Talisman as your second spell will align with your studies but comes with hidden risks—Bad.