I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Chapter 79: The True Form Talisman

At Senior Sister Zhang’s courtyard...

“A small reward?” Sun Daoyu echoed incredulously, repeating Senior Sister Zhang’s description. “Senior Sister, your Talisman Foundation Establishment technique is hailed as the fastest method in the Hundred Immortals Alliance. And that’s just a small reward?”

Senior Sister Zhang glanced at him coolly.

“That ancestor is unpredictable and eccentric, yet his status is exceptional. Even Nascent Soul cultivators must tread carefully around him. If he’s displeased, you won’t even catch a glimpse of the true treasure on the Ninth Mountain. A Foundation Establishment technique is nothing in comparison.”

“And Junior Brother Zheng...?”

“I don’t think he’s a good person,” Senior Sister Zhang said calmly.

“Hmm?”

“Which is exactly the type the Jiushan Ancestor loves.”

“Too easy?” The Jiushan Ancestor’s expression turned indignant at Zheng Fa’s comment.

Zheng Fa had never imagined Senior Sister Zhang’s face could look so close to throwing a tantrum.

“Do you know how much effort it took me to design this? I spent a thousand years perfecting it!” the ancestor shouted. “And you say it’s too easy?”

He looked as if Zheng Fa had personally insulted him.

“I didn’t mean the walkway lacked creativity. It’s just... there’s room for improvement,” Zheng Fa replied with practiced composure.

“Oh?” The ancestor squinted suspiciously, as if doubting Zheng Fa could offer anything worthwhile.

“Go on, then.”

“Ancestor, may I ask what reward that previous disciple received?” Zheng Fa asked, hoping to gauge the stakes.

“Her? She had ambition and requested a Talisman Foundation Establishment technique,” the ancestor said with a trace of admiration. “I created that technique in my early years, though it’s far from perfect.”

Knowing Senior Sister Zhang’s discerning taste, Zheng Fa immediately knew the technique was extraordinary. Resolving to capitalize on the opportunity, he replied,

“I think the walkways are too stable!”

“Stable?” The Jiushan Ancestor glanced back at the swaying walkways, confusion etched across his face.

“I mean they’re too predictable. What if they moved dynamically? Perhaps oscillating up and down, or swaying side to side? Oh, and adding a countdown to show how much time is left before the walkway disappears would be perfect,” Zheng Fa suggested.

Psychological warfare? Easy enough to escalate.

“Hmm, interesting. Anything else?” The ancestor’s interest was piqued.

“I feel the mountain winds are too... plain. A little rain, lightning, snow, or hail—even a simulated earthquake—could reflect the natural order better,” Zheng Fa added.

“...” The Jiushan Ancestor eyed him intently, then prompted, “Go on.”

With the ancestor’s gaze on him, Zheng Fa hesitated briefly before apologizing silently to future participants.

“I think the biggest problem with these walkways is that they aren’t realistic enough.”

“Realistic?”

“The greatest danger to Immortal Sect disciples isn’t the environment, but other people,” Zheng Fa said, gesturing toward the walkways.

“Why not let the paths intersect?”

“Let them fight for the paths?” The Jiushan Ancestor’s eyes lit up with excitement.

“Tell me more!”

Zheng Fa tightened his lips, feigning reluctance.

The ancestor, perceptive as ever, placed a jade slip in front of him.

“Talisman Foundation Establishment technique!”

Zheng Fa’s lips loosened immediately.

“For example, two disciples could be assigned the same target diagram, but there’s only one path leading to it.”

“Continue!”

“Draw a boundary, perhaps a circle. If they don’t reach it within the allotted time, they’re all eliminated,” Zheng Fa said.

“This is brilliant!” The Jiushan Ancestor clapped his hands in delight. “They’ll be forced to compete—hesitation will cost them everything! You have a devious mind. I like it!”

“...” That’s... unsettling.

As the ancestor laughed, his appearance began to shift until he mirrored Zheng Fa perfectly.

“?”

“The last disciple suggested using transparent walkways, and I thought she was a genius!” The ancestor explained with glee. “I took on her likeness so future participants would know it was her brilliance that improved the trial. Now I think this honor should belong to you!”

You’re stealing my face for this? Does Senior Sister Zhang know about this?!

“An immortalized legacy?” Zheng Fa forced a smile. “I was merely offering minor suggestions. I dare not take credit!”

The Jiushan Ancestor stared deeply at Zheng Fa, then remarked,

“With your temperament, you belong in Jiushan Sect.”

“?” A sense of foreboding washed over Zheng Fa.

“Are there many people like me in Jiushan Sect?”

“Not many. Most were beaten to death,” the ancestor replied cheerfully.

“Come, let me show you something interesting.”

Following the Jiushan Ancestor up the mountain, Zheng Fa’s curiosity grew. They didn’t travel far before stopping on a snowy slope on the Ninth Peak, away from the view of others.

“Look up,” the ancestor instructed.

Confused, Zheng Fa raised his gaze to the mountaintop. Amidst the pristine snow, a golden glow shimmered under the sunlight.

Golden glow?

Peering closer, he saw four intricate symbols etched into the snow—neither words nor pure talisman diagrams, but a fusion of both.

“What is that?” Zheng Fa asked.

“My original form,” the ancestor replied.

“The True Form Talisman of Mountains and Rivers.”

“A talisman can become a Dao?” Zheng Fa’s understanding was shaken.

“Do you know how Jiushan Sect came to be?” the ancestor asked, seemingly changing the subject.

“Nine mountains?” Zheng Fa ventured.

“Not entirely. I was once a spiritual vein, but uniquely gifted by nature. The flow of spiritual energy within me formed a profound talisman—the True Form Talisman of Mountains and Rivers.”

“Over time, I gained intelligence from this talisman and eventually transformed into nine spiritual mountains. Jiushan Sect owes its name to these mountains, but also to me.”

“I’m not sure whether I’m the spiritual vein, the talisman, or the mountains,” the ancestor admitted.

“But I do know this talisman contains the ultimate truths of the world. Without it, I would’ve remained an ordinary spiritual vein.”

Zheng Fa stared at the enigmatic symbols, awe coursing through him.

The mysteries of the Xuanyi Realm were boundless. A single talisman had birthed sentience, created a Nascent Soul sect, and altered the course of history.

“For my entire life, I’ve relied on instinct to wield the True Form Talisman. It feels like a part of me, yet I’ve never comprehended even a fraction of its secrets,” the ancestor confessed.

“Then, Ancestor, what are you now?” Zheng Fa asked.

“I told you—I am Jiushan, the spiritual vein, but no longer the True Form Talisman,” the ancestor replied cryptically. “That old man... he’s gone mad.”

“Hmm?”

The ancestor waved dismissively, gesturing to the talisman.

“When he approached his end, he refused to accept death. He split himself into two. A small part became me, the mountains and the spiritual vein. The larger part resides within the True Form Talisman, absorbing the insights of Jiushan Sect disciples to merge with the talisman entirely. He discarded me, hoping to rebuild his foundation and achieve rebirth through the talisman.”

“Inside the talisman lies his treasure, his abilities, and even a fragment of himself. If you can comprehend it, you’ll inherit them all.”

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