Chapter 004: Encountering a Renowned Teacher
Although the five types of talismans and spells we practice daily are also categorized into five systems, they differ from the five elements. You, however, are the only person in ten thousand years to possess all five elements since Zhang Tianshi. Practicing spells that belong to a single system will naturally yield no results; it is merely a futile endeavor.
The so-called Five Elements refer to Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. These five elements generate and restrain each other, relying on one another. Yin and Yang represent the ultimate principles of all things in heaven and earth; everything in the universe possesses Yin and Yang. These concepts are profound theories passed down by Zhang Tianshi. Without being a disciple of authentic lineage, one would be utterly unable to comprehend them. The Yin-Yang Five Elements talisman technique is the foundation of the talisman arts inherited from Zhang Tianshi. It is said that ten thousand years ago, a deity of joy from the heavenly realm descended to the earthly realm to cause mischief. Zhang Tianshi invoked the Nine Thunderbolts using the Yin-Yang Five Elements talisman technique, shattering the malevolent deity's spirit. Before his ascension, Zhang Tianshi stated that to practice this Yin-Yang Five Elements talisman technique, one must possess all five elements. Over the past ten thousand years, there has been no record of anyone possessing all five elements; thus, this Yin-Yang Five Elements talisman technique has been lost for millennia.
The young man studies his craft solely to serve his mother. If he can make the Wen family pay a price, that would be ideal; if not, as long as he can ensure his mother lives a stable life, he will be content. Wen Zifu bowed his head and respectfully replied.
What does it matter if all five elements are present? Did the master not say that the Yin-Yang Five Elements talisman technique has been lost for thousands of years? Even if a disciple wishes to practice that Yin-Yang Five Elements talisman technique, they cannot find the way in.
"I come to ask you, what is your true purpose in seeking a master to learn the craft?" The old man neither stopped him from kneeling nor reached out to help him up; he simply posed this question.
"Are you awake? First, have some porridge!" An elderly man pushed the door open, holding a wooden bowl in his hand, from which steam was rising. Who else could it be but the old man who saved Wenzi Fu.
The reason the Yin-Yang Five Elements talisman method has been lost is that there has never been a person who embodies all five elements. Now that you possess all five elements, you can naturally practice the Yin-Yang Five Elements talisman method. I, your master, am a legitimate heir of the Celestial Master Dao, and I happen to have a fragment of the Yin-Yang Five Elements talisman method in my possession, which is perfect for you to learn. " Lu Zhongdao chuckled, rummaging through his belongings until he finally pulled out an ancient book that was somewhat tattered and worn. He spread it open in his hands and held it out in front of Wenzi Fu, grinning as he asked, " So, what do you think? Do you want to learn? "
Strong warriors harness their entire spiritual energy to wield weapons, and those who achieve mastery can split the heavens and crack the earth. Divine striking involves using one's full spiritual energy to nourish the body and invite deities to possess it. Exorcists seal the spiritual energy of others with their own, commanding malevolent spirits to serve them. Talismans are merely for healing and saving lives. All these practices of talisman cultivation cannot escape the realm of the five categories of spiritual incantations, which you are also unable to cultivate.
Upon suddenly opening his eyes, a small wooden structure appeared before him. He raised his head and surveyed the surroundings of the room, noticing that it was furnished with a stone table and stone chairs, and the wall was adorned with a portrait of the esteemed ancestor, Zhang Tianshi. Wenzi Fu sat up and realized that he was actually sleeping on a wooden bed, covered by a thick layer of bedding.
Listening to the sound of waves crashing against the shore, Wen Zifu gradually regained consciousness. Without yet opening his eyes, he sighed inwardly, realizing that this old master was truly resolute in not taking on disciples. He had already fainted on the beach, yet upon waking, he found himself still in the same place. However, Wen Zifu soon noticed something was amiss; at this moment, he felt warm all over, completely devoid of the cold and hunger he had experienced before fainting.
It is regrettable that despite the master's good intentions, the disciple is unable to practice the art of talismans. To avoid tarnishing the master's reputation, I must ask the master to expel me from the sect. Since the world's top silver-level talisman master has already declared his inability to practice the art of talismans, Wen Zifu no longer holds any hope for cultivation. Although Lu Zhongdao feels pity for himself and wishes to take him as a disciple, he cannot bring shame to the master's name.
Wenzi shook his head to indicate his lack of knowledge, and then listened to Lu Zhongdao speak: "According to the Celestial Master himself, he ascended to this world, and no one in this world has ever appeared with all five elements. Therefore, no one can practice the Celestial Master's teachings on the Yin-Yang and Five Elements talismans."
After expressing his gratitude, Wenzi Fu took the wooden bowl handed to him by the elder with both hands. He tilted his head back and drank the steaming porridge in a few gulps, wiped his mouth with his hand, then turned over and got up on his knees on the bed, pleading: "Please, senior, accept me as your disciple!"
"Is it true that the disciple possesses all five elements? If I cannot cultivate talismanic spells, can I practice the Divine Combat Technique, or exorcism and ghost control, or perhaps healing talismans?" Finally understanding why he could not practice thunder-based spells, Wenzi was concerned about whether he could cultivate at all, and thus hurriedly asked.
"When have I ever said that you cannot practice the art of talismans?" Lu Zhongdao feigned surprise as he asked.
Lu Zhongdao feigned anger and glared, blowing on his beard as he said, "Is there still any doubt? Who in this world would dare to use my Eastern Emperor's name? You really are asking for a beating!" As he spoke, he raised his hand and waved, indicating that he might actually strike someone.
Master, please do not deceive your disciple any longer. You have said it yourself: the techniques of strong soldiers, divine strikes, exorcising demons, and healing talismans all fall within the realm of the five elemental spells. Since I am unable to practice the thunder elemental spells due to my physical condition, I suppose I cannot practice the other four elemental spells either.
What do the Five Elements and the Yin-Yang Five Elements Symbol Method mean?" Wenzi asked curiously
Could it be that this ethereal old man is nothing but a complete lecher, eagerly tearing off the clothes of Wenzi Fu with the intention of committing an immoral act? The answer is certainly negative. The old man merely touched and pinched Wenzi Fu for a while, revealing a look of surprise on his face, and then laughed heartily, saying: "Old Master Fu, although I cannot defeat you, no matter how talented your disciples are, they will never be a match for my disciples!" After saying this, the old man hoisted Wenzi Fu onto his shoulder, and without any visible effort, he stepped onto the waves of the sea and rushed into the depths of the ocean. He laughed heartily again, repeating: "Old Master Fu, although I cannot defeat you, no matter how talented your disciples are, they will never be a match for my disciples!" After saying this, the old man hoisted Wenzi Fu onto his shoulder, and without any visible effort, he stepped onto the waves of the sea and rushed into the depths of the ocean.
Why is Zi Fu so downcast?" Lu Zhongdao chuckled, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Wen Zi Fu was disheartened due to his inability to cultivate, and asked.
"Very well!" The old man was evidently quite pleased, stroking his silvery long beard with one hand and saying, "I am Lu Zhongdao, known as the Eastern Emperor, and I am the legitimate heir of the Tianshi Dao. You should remember this." In fact, the art of talismans in this world was all passed down by Zhang Tianshi, and those with some strength often regarded their own sect as the legitimate heir of the Tianshi Dao, leading to countless disputes.
Having been struck by immense happiness, Wenzi no longer harbored any doubts and chuckled a few times. When he recalled that he could not practice the Thunder System talismans and spells, he anxiously brought up the matter. To his surprise, Lu Zhongdao, unfazed, smiled and said: "If the mere Wenzi family could allow you to practice talismans and spells, then what need would there be for the inheritance of our Celestial Masters' Dao?" The implication was that the talisman techniques of the Wenzi family were not passed down from Master Zhang.
"I don't know," Wang Zifu said, shaking his head. He felt a sense of frustration, recalling how his years of hard training seemed to have been in vain. "Please, Master, enlighten your disciple."
"Rough jade?" Could it be referring to oneself? Wen Zifuxin found it strange. He had devoted considerable effort to practicing the family’s secret thunder-type spiritual incantations, yet he had achieved nothing. He could not understand why this esteemed elder would describe him as rough jade. Immediately, upon hearing the elder's invitation to become his disciple, he was overjoyed and respectfully bowed nine times, introducing himself.
The disciple understands some of what the master has said, but is unsure how the Yin-Yang and Five Elements talismanic methods are related to him
You possess all five elements, making you the only person after Zhang Tianshi to have such a complete mastery. Are you really going to give it up so easily?" Lu Zhongdao asked with a smile, stroking his beard.
More than ten thousand years ago, humanity was still living a primitive life. Zhang Tianshi emerged, imparting to humanity the arts of etiquette, law, writing, music, and painting, among which the most precious was the art of talisman practice that has been passed down to the present day. Lu Zhongdao, with a nostalgic expression, said, "At that time, there were hundreds of disciples under Zhang Tianshi, among whom seven were the most outstanding. Two practiced the five elemental spells of thunder, fire, wind, water, and earth; two practiced the art of powerful divine strikes; two practiced the art of exorcism and ghost control; and the last one mastered the art of healing talismans. Yet none of these seven inherited Zhang Tianshi's teachings. Do you know why?"
Upon hearing Lu Zhongdao and the book's declaration that he was unable to master all the talismanic arts of the world, Wen Zifu's originally elated heart instantly turned cold. He dejectedly said, "Am I destined to be just an ordinary person, unable even to serve my mother?"
"Then where does all this resentment come from?" The old man nodded, seemingly quite satisfied with Wenzi Fu's response, and then continued to ask.
It is not that this young man has a malicious heart, but rather that there are reasons behind his actions... Wen Zifu recounted the various forms of abuse he and his mother endured at the hands of the Wen family. As he spoke with deep emotion, tears streamed down his cheeks.
Lu Zhongdao stroked his beard, revealing an expression of teachability, and asked: "Do you know how many disciples Zhang Tianshi has passed down? And who has inherited his teachings?" Upon hearing this question from his master, Wenzi Fu shook his head and quietly listened to Lu Zhongdao's explanation
"A mere century of literary lineage, what is there to speak of? I, an old man, could send them to the underworld with just a little finger." The elder comfortingly patted Wen Zifu's head and said, "A raw gem lies before you, yet you do not recognize it, which benefits me instead. Very well, very well, young man, state your name and bow to pay your respects as a disciple!"
The master is actually the second of the five great silver talisman masters in the world, the Eastern Emperor of the Great Philosopher's royal ancestors?" Faced with such a huge opportunity falling from the sky, Wenzi Talisman was both incredulous and eager for confirmation, raising his head in astonishment to ask.
"Could it be that the disciple's body has some special characteristics?" Wen Zifu, being a remarkably intelligent individual who could speak at half a year old, immediately deduced the root of the problem upon hearing the music and understanding the subtle intentions.
You need not be so formal; what I detest the most is the pretense of excessive courtesy. Be more casual. Do you know why you cannot practice the secret incantations of the literary school?