Why are the Talismans I Drawn Banned Again?!

Gu Dongsheng’s expression was kindly.

“Please sit, please sit.”

Gu Dongsheng invited Jiang Cheng to the seat of honor.

Gan Zhong personally poured the tea.

Gu Dongsheng smiled and said, “Young friend, there’s no need to refuse in haste. We come with utmost sincerity, so whatever conditions you have, feel free to state them.”

Zeng Shi’an also said, “This is our President Gu from Capital University, a Nascent Soul early stage cultivator. His promises are as solid as gold. Jiang Cheng, you can rest assured.”

Jiang Cheng could tell by Linlan Sect’s stance that if he didn’t agree today, he might not be able to return home.

Dealing with Zeng Shi’an and the others, Jiang Cheng wasn’t afraid.

After all, he had been missing for so long that not just Tongtian Sect, but even Taixu Sect would have to actively seek him out.

But the issue was that he had just promised Liu Qing he would return home soon.

If he went back on his word immediately, knowing the nature of snakes, she would probably be upset again.

Faced with a choice between Nascent Soul and Mahayana, Jiang Cheng could still tell which was lighter and which heavier.

Although Jiang Cheng could agree to draw a talisman, there was something he still couldn’t understand.

“Elder Gu, there is something I don’t understand.”

“Speak up, don’t hesitate to ask.”

“President Zeng’s skills in drawing talismans far exceed mine. If you wish to have a talisman drawn, why not ask President Zeng directly?”

“Ah…

Gu Dongsheng did not know how to respond, as he couldn’t very well tell the truth, could he?

“It’s because I’ve tested President Zeng’s talismans, and they can’t win,” Liang Qing said.

Gu Dongsheng: There are still too many good people in this world.

Zeng Shi’an’s expression was awkward. “Is it possible that the inability to win is not an issue with the talismans, but with the person?”

“Alright, alright, all of that is unimportant. Liang Qing, just tell Jiang directly what your requirements are for the talisman.”

Gu Dongsheng stepped in to smooth things over.

He couldn’t just sit back and let Zeng Shi’an and Liang Qing get into a quarrel, providing Jiang Cheng with the entertainment of witnessing Linlan Sect’s farce, could he?

“I don’t have many requirements,” said Liang Qing. “Just help me draw a talisman that’s stronger than the one Li Qing has. Forget it, that might sound a bit complicated. In short, I want to defeat Li Qing, do you understand?”

“I don’t understand,” Jiang Cheng said straightforwardly.

Liang Qing asked, puzzled, “I’ve made it very clear, what don’t you understand?”

“I don’t understand who Li Qing is.”

“That’s easy to fix,” said Gan Zhong, taking out the Memory Sphere and starting the playback in front of everyone.

The Memory Sphere was originally prepared for Liang Qing to review his battles, but it ended up recording only scenes of Liang Qing getting thrashed.

The scenes of the battle between Liang Qing and Li Qing were clearly visible on the screen above the Memory Sphere.

People watched in silence as “Liang Qing Captured Seven Times” played out.

“How about it? Do you have a way to defeat Li Qing now?” asked Liang Qing.

Jiang Cheng analyzed seriously, “Li Qing’s combat skills are very strong. Even if you have an advantage in magical treasures and talismans, it’s normal to be defeated if your combat skills are inferior to hers. You need a type of talisman that is extremely simple to use, has a very high hit rate, and can determine the outcome of the battle instantly upon being deployed.”

Upon hearing Jiang Cheng’s analysis, Liang Qing felt like he had found a kindred spirit in his high expectations.

Jiang Cheng understood him so well!

Truly worthy of being the person recommended by Li Qing!

“See, this is professionalism.”

Gan Zhong was used to Liang Qing’s deceitful and sly ways.

Zeng Shi’an was used to Jiang Cheng’s startling remarks.

Only Gu Dongsheng obstinately said, “If there really was such a talisman, then why would our Traditional Cultivation Academy bother teaching combat at all? Wouldn’t it be enough to just buy talismans from a talisman master?”

Jiang Cheng responded, “Elder Gu, your statement is flawed. You can buy talismans, and so can your opponent. If both sides buy talismans, you’d still have to rely on combat prowess in the end. Therefore, we can’t neglect the development of cutting-edge talismans, nor can we forsake strengthening our own power. This is about doing two things at once and being tough on both fronts.”

Gu Dongsheng, not understanding, said, “But if everyone buys talismans, doesn’t that just benefit the talisman masters?”

“Exactly, I am a Talisman Master. The talismans I draw, of course, should benefit the industry of talismans,” Jiang Cheng declared matter-of-factly.

“I think Jiang Cheng makes a lot of sense,” Zeng Shi’an interjected.

Since it concerned the talisman industry, Zeng Shi’an felt obliged to back Jiang Cheng up.

Although Jiang Cheng had tricked him before, Zeng Shi’an was willing to admit that the lad was a talismanic prodigy.

Gu Dongsheng wanted to say more, but Gan Zhong quickly tugged at him, “President, the struggle for inheritance is what matters. Everything else is unimportant.”

“Alright then, Jiang, as long as you can draw the talisman that Liang Qing needs, I have no objections,” Gu Dongsheng chose to prioritize the big picture.

For Linlan Sect at this moment, nothing was more important than Liang Qing ascending the throne.

Although Liang Qing didn’t seem very capable, he was still better than Liang Hong of the Tongtian Sect taking power.

If Liang Qing and Li Qing were both at the Qi Cultivation Stage, Jiang Cheng would not hesitate to produce a “Reverse Direction Relaxation Talisman.”

The Reverse Direction Relaxation Talisman perfectly met all of Liang Qing’s requirements.

Regrettably, both Liang Qing and Li Qing were at the Foundation Establishment Stage. Foundation Establishment cultivators, having undergone the baptism of Heavenly Tribulation, were already able to strongly control their bodies and didn’t need to eat daily, only requiring Fasting Pills to sustain their lives.

The muscle control technique was useless against Foundation Establishment cultivators.

“I’ve already got an idea for the talisman, I just need to carefully consider the details,” Jiang Cheng said.

Anxious to defeat Li Qing, Liang Qing asked, “How long do you need to contemplate it?”

“Within a week.”

“Ah? That slow?”

Zeng Shi’an’s mouth twitched as he said, “Your Highness, normally we call a Talisman Master who can produce one new talisman a day a ‘beast’.”

“But Jiang Cheng is saying one week for one talisman!”

“So, he is worse than a beast! Do you know that for normal people, even given ten years, they might not be able to create a new talisman! All the Talisman Masters at Capital University combined might not be able to produce a new talisman in a week. And you complain that Jiang Cheng is slow? His pace is so fast that calling him ‘worse than a beast’ is letting him off easy! I want to curse him to death!”

Gu Dongsheng quickly held Zeng Shi’an back, “Elder Zeng, Elder Zeng, don’t be hasty, we must focus on the bigger picture.”

Having calmed down, Gu Dongsheng made the decision, “A week then, young friend Jiang, just work on your talisman.”

Jiang Cheng nodded, “Drawing the talisman is no problem, but I’d like to settle the matter of compensation in advance.”

“Of course, do you want Spirit Stones, elixirs, or to barter goods?”

“Cultivation techniques.”

Gu Dongsheng became wary, fearing that Jiang Cheng would ask for a secret cultivation technique from Linlan Sect. Not that he wasn’t willing to give it, but it was not for him to decide.

“Which cultivation technique?”

“One from the Demon Sect.”

“Ah?”

…

At Capital University, Liang Qing and Li Qing clashed frequently.

Meanwhile, at Qingxuan University, neither Liang Lu nor Lin Yao were idle.

They were far from the only first-year students who stayed on campus at Qingxuan University, but compared to the others, Liang Lu and Lin Yao’s strengths could be said to lead by a distinct margin.

In the afternoon, Liang Lu easily defeated another staying student without expending much effort.

Her way of winning was very standard—composed, graceful, and her movements were aesthetically pleasing, whether in victory or defeat, revealing at a glance she was a disciple of the Taixu Sect.

But Liang Lu felt no joy in victory because shortly after her win, Lin Yao also emerged victorious.

“You did well today,” Mo Ningdan said.

Liang Lu glanced at Lin Yao and asked, “Teacher, when can I fight against Lin Yao again?”

“Yan and I are still discussing this matter, you should go home and rest for now.”

“Yes.”

Liang Lu was unwilling to accept it, but frankly, after her consecutive defeats, she had no confidence facing Lin Yao.

But she had to fight!

She didn’t want to keep losing to Lin Yao!

Returning to Wenrui Palace, Liang Lu was received by Consort Li, who tried to cheer her up by sharing an amusing incident.

“Lu’er, let me tell you something fun,” she said.

“What is it?”

“Do you remember Prince Chu who said he was going to treat the Emperor?”

“Liang Hong? What happened to him?”

“Prince Chu somehow got a hold of a talisman, and he actually managed to see the Emperor and used it on him.”

Consort Li could hardly keep from laughing, “After it was used, the Emperor’s chamber was quiet for several days, and then today, His Majesty suddenly issued an imperial edict. He commended Prince Chu for his filial piety and bestowed upon him a fief, making him a minor lord.”

Liang Lu’s brow furrowed.

Being made a lord was not necessarily a good thing.

This meant Emperor of Liang had personally stripped Liang Hong of the possibility of succeeding the throne.

And so, the only prince left with the chance to ascend was Liang Qing.

Again, talismans.

Liang Hong, too, had lost the chance to ascend due to talismans.

Jiang Cheng, what on earth are you trying to do?