《The Talisman Immortal》


 The Ceremony.

    Willowy Mountain Range, Thunder province, Nascent Cloud Land.


    Darkness receded while hints of blue mixed in the sky. Stars hid away as the sun rose over the horizon, casting it in a golden hue. The realm turned into a tapestry of colors, a blend of black, gold and azure.


    A cluster of massive clouds drifted with winds as they stood out like white spots in the colorful sky. They casted giant shadows on the lands they passed by while traversing the heavens.


    Sun¡¯s rays parsed through these clouds, when they drifted above an enormous mountain range. These tall mountains were steep, filled with canyons, cliffs and ridges with dense foliage covering them.


    There was no traversable terrain in sight as fog blanketed the mountain range.


    The mountains seemed to come alive with all its inhabitants from snub nosed monkeys sitting on the branches to lions crouching under the willow trees.


    Red crested ibises in their nest, turtles and fishes in lakes and ponds, to small creatures such as rats and squirrels simultaneously cultivated under the Yang Qi.


    Foliage covering the mountains seemed to blossom while they gently swayed under the sun. The mountains exuded a calm and heavy presence for a moment.


    A breeze weaved between mountains as it carried the fragrance from willows groves. It traveled deep within the fog reaching a large city, which lay nestled on the midsection of Mount Willow.


    The breeze traversed the city swaying grasses and shrubs dotting the city, when it reached a particularly tall willow tree. It swayed its branches, laden with bright orange leaves that were dropping down like an open umbrella.


    There was a small stone table beneath it with a palm sized parchment placed in the center. An ink stick and grinding stone were placed on the left side of the parchment, while a talisman brush and an unadorned wooden box was on the right.


    A man sat cross legged in front of the table. His eyes were closed while his relaxed back faced the brownish-silver tree trunk. He took long and deep breaths in a strange rhythm. His blue robes shimmered a mix of red and purple as Yang Qi flooded in through his pores.


    The cultivator opened his steel-gray eyes, when the moment of spirituality passed and the sun rose higher. His breathing returned to normal and the glow died down. He lightly waved his left hand and dew drops collected on the leaves floated down in the indent of the grinding stone.


    He picked up bluish-black ink stick and pushed it against the grinding stone''s surface as he started grinding back and forth. It sounded like a pestle against mortar but softer. The willow''s sweet fragrance refreshed his mind while the rhythmic grinding calmed his spirit.


    His lips tugged upwards and his graying mustache was uplifted. He stopped grinding and put away the ink stick when ink on the stone became as viscous as honey. He grabbed the wooden handle of the talisman brush with left hand and dipped the silvery fur tip into the dark-blue ink.


    Qi concentrated on the tip as it traveled through the brush''s handle lighting up a silvery crisscrossed spiral pattern etched on it. The brush was like a silver dragon spitting white flames.


    The man straightened his back as his eyes fixated on the talisman paper. He positioned his hand holding the brush steadily above parchment and then his hand turned into a blur as he drew with one swift and uninterrupted stroke. Squiggly lines, circles and incomprehensible symbols appeared on the talisman as it glowed dark blue.


    The wind swaying cultivators long lusterless gray hair stopped flowing when it entered space around the talisman. For a moment there was a weight to the talisman and then, the wind resumed flowing as the patterns settled in the parchment. The inscriptions lost their glow and it seemed like they were part of the parchment since its existence.


    He caressed his slight stubble, satisfied with his work. He placed the now unassuming brush in his right sleeve and opened the wooden box on the right.


    There was a red velvet cloth placed in it, he took the talisman and carefully placed it on the red cloth. He put back the lid and transferred some Qi to it, activating the locking enchantment placed on the box.


    The ink stick, grinding stone and now sealed box vanished from the table as they were placed in the dark-purple spatial bag hanging on his waist belt.


    ¡°Let''s head to the ceremony hall, Indra¡± he said to the teenager sitting right beside him.


    Indra nodded as they both stood up and started to walk barefoot on grass that was abundant in the backyard. The grass''s rustling was the only sound on this silent walk.


    Indra locked the door leading to the backyard and then walked down the main corridor towards the main gate.


    ¡°.....Baba¡± called Indra while the man wore his shoes.


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°I will pass the test right?¡±


    The middle aged man looked at Indra who was now only a head shorter than him. He mirrored him to tee except his face held immaturity and eyes naivety befit of someone yet to be beaten down by life.


    A smile came to his somewhat wrinkled face as he said ¡°You are son of the great talisman master Bhala, no doubt, you inherited some of my peerless-ness¡±.


    Indra stared at his father for a moment, his shoulders shook slightly as he burst out laughing.


    ¡°I did,¡± mouthed Indra while he wore his black cloud-stepper shoes.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Bhala ruffled Indra¡¯s lustrous gray hair, set the black ribbon holding his hair right, as they walked out of their two story house. He activated a protective array laid in the house after closing the door.


    The spiritual moment was like a mirage as the ever going war of survival resumed. Birds twittered and chirped as they took flight to forage food. Ants set out looking to hunt and faint roaring could be heard outside the city.


    Streets came alive as children in standard academy robes and Taoist cape ran towards the academy, while cultivators unhurriedly walked to work.


    Indra and Bhala joined them as they walked down the cobblestone path under the azure sky. Sun dispelled the chill present in the air, warming up the city. Their boots didn¡¯t make a single sound as they walked down the alleyway and reached the main road.


    ¡°Greeting brother Bhala¡± saluted a burly man in earthy brown robes when they came out of the alleyway. The man had a long brown mustache, a thick dropping beard and hedgehog-like hair that he kept open without binding .


    ¡°Good morning brother Lohar; headed to the forge?¡±


    ¡°Mahim became fifteen a month ago¡± said Lohar as he pointed to an equally burly and tall teenager wearing lighter brown robes standing beside him.


    ¡°Then let us head to the ceremony together¡± said Bhala as he joined Lohar and left Indra and Mahim together walking behind them. They walked up the mountains to the ceremony hall.


    ¡°So, ready for the test Mahim?¡± questioned Indra while falling behind with Mahim.


    ¡°Nothing to prepare, either you have it or you don¡¯t¡± came Mahim¡¯s soft voice as he looked ahead.


    ¡°That¡¯s heavy¡­¡­.., just like you¡±


    ¡°At least I don''t sound like a squeaky rat,¡± said Mahim as he turned his deadpan face towards Indra.


    ¡°Eyy¡­., I don¡¯t sound like that¡±


    ¡°Pfft¡­ Sure¡± replied Mahim as he kicked away a pebble off the road.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t know you had it you¡± said Indra as they turned in the left alley.


    ¡°Have what?¡± asked Mahim while they jumped over the puddle at the alleyway''s entrance.


    ¡°Humor, you walked around the academy like world owes you money¡±


    ¡°Ever held a hammer?¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± asked Indra as they weaved through the road bustling with people.


    ¡°Figures¡± said Mahim as he nodded to the passerby.


    ¡°Hey, what do you mean by that?¡±


    ¡°Swing by the forge after the ceremony, I will show you¡± replied Mahim as his brown eagle-like eyes twinkled.


    They walked out of the alleyway reaching an open area in which was the ceremony hall. This One-story hall was built in a secluded area in the midst of a willow grove, uphill in eastern district. It had a five ridged roof with a motif of a germinating seed carved above the main gate. The hall was already bustling as parents arrived from all over the city with their children.


    ¡°Mahim, Indra lets go inside¡± called Lohar as they walked inside.


    The hall held a semi-circular stage inscribed with array patterns, built against the wall. There were wooden chairs placed around the stage with more than half the seats occupied. An elder in gray robes sat cross legged on stage meditating.


    ¡°When heavens turned inactive,


    When the Qi flowed silently,


    When Dao turned distant.


    The primordial Era passed away,


    spirit roots turned concealed¡±


    This poem was carved in the wall bordering the stage, it seemed to move and leave one lamenting.


    They walked to the front row seats that were reserved for foundation establishment cultivators and their families. Shortly after, the hall was filled up and the gate closed. Blue pearls embedded on corners of the roof lit up, melting away the darkness.


    The elder on stage opened his eyes and straightened his robes as he stood up. The chattering in the hall stopped when a heavy pressure spread out from him. For a few seconds he stood there with his hands behind his back, scanning the halls with his jet black eyes. Finally satisfied with their silence and attention, he nodded as he withdrew the pressure.


    ¡°When the age of ancients passed, the Qi became sparse, which resulted in human¡¯s spirit roots hiding themselves. The sages devised methods to awaken the spirit root, while array sage Marg invented the root detection array.¡±


    ¡°Today is a momentous occasion for the cotton cloud city and our younglings. Whether they hold fate for the mortal world or will struggle on the Dao path will be determined today. I am Darshak, the array wielder presiding over today''s ceremony. I will call out your names, and you younglings will come up the stage, sit down in the center of the array and meditate as you focus inward for a tingling sensation. Last but not the least I hope you haven''t eaten anything.¡± the elder said the last part with a snicker as his voice spread throughout the hall.


    ¡° With that said, first up is youngster Quinn.¡± Darshak called out the first person for the ceremony.


    A lanky kid in green robes adorned with clouds stepped out of the back row. He walked with a slight jerk in his feet and his shoulder length hair swished left and right. He took his time ascending the stairs and finally stood in front of the array master.


    Darshak placed his tanned hand on Quinn''s shoulder and said ¡°Relax and sit down in that circle, take deep breaths, it will be over before you know it¡±.


    Quinn took a deep breath and nodded. He steadily walked to the central circle and sat down cross-legged facing the wall inscribed with the poem. He closed his eyes, relaxed his shoulders and took deep breaths.


    The elder walked up and sat behind him as he gently placed both his hands on Inn''s back. The stage glowed brightly, as array inscriptions lit up and flooded Darshak with a large quantity of nature''s Qi.


    The Qi traveled through his hand into Quinn''s body. Darshak circulated Qi as gently as he could through Quinn''s Body.


    Qi Entered his meridian channels as it traversed to the Dantian, prodding the hidden spirit root, if any, to reveal a trace. Quinn¡¯s body jolted as if a bolt of thunder had hit him. His eyes widened, red veins became visible in them. After a moment he passed out.


    ¡°Sigh¡­ this child doesn¡¯t hold fate for the Dao, but his body has received the Qi baptism. He will fear no mortal disease and live healthy till his demise.¡± said the elder as he stood up.


    Quinn¡¯s father walked up to the stage with vacant eyes. He embraced Quinn in a loose but firm embrace, as if holding a porcelain, fearing he would shatter with the slightest force.


    ¡°Send him to the mortal world within a month¡± Reminded Darshak as the man walked down the stage, there was pity in his voice.


    ¡°I-I will¡± came the man¡¯s slightly choked up reply.


    ¡°Next up is Indra,¡± called out the man. Indra, now a bit nervous, looked towards Bhala who held up an encouraging smile. He nodded and walked up the stage and sat in the array.


    ¡°Focus inwards on the Dantian¡± said Darshak, who sat behind him and started to circulate Qi through his body. Indra nodded in agreement as he focused inside.


    The familiar scene repeated as the array glowed for a few seconds and turned blue. Indra started feeling a tingling sensation in his Dantian, which suddenly became like a vortex and sucked in a trace of Qi.


    ¡°Indra holds a spirit root¡± Announced Darshak as he and Indra stood up. Indra¡¯s lips turned into a wide grin as he turned to his father.


    He was walking down the stairs when suddenly his feet lightened and the hall turned blurry. His father turned red as he split in two. After a moment everything plunged into darkness.

 Vayu.

    He was lying down in a small cramped cave. The cave was closed up and its walls were just a few inches away from Indra. He seemed to be glued to the rough stone surface and his body couldn''t move an inch.


    Ink-like fog swirled around the cave rendering it dark. His breathing grew labored when fog entered his body with air. It burnt his lungs and windpipe as it traveled through it.


    Walls were gradually closing in which made the cave even more cramped. Upper wall was just an inch short of touching his nose while the side walls were grinding against his nails. His heart was speeding up and his eyes widened up with the weight of the walls falling on his body.


    He gasped for air wanting to breathe in, even if it burnt him inside out. Alas the air seemed to have turned into a block of ice which refused to be taken in. Sounds of grinding and cracking were echoing in the cave.


    His muscles were being squished while his nose bone cracked. His skin was being grinded away and his bones were broken while his face caved in. Walls continued their relentless march, crushing him under their weight. While he just laid there in pitch black darkness, not able to even scream for his lungs lacked air.


    <hr>


    ¡°Huh hah huh hah¡­¡­huh¡± gasped Indra as he opened his eyes with cold sweat running down his back. He took rapid breaths while his heart pounded like a drum in his chest.


    A relief washed over him when the familiar wooden ceiling appeared in his view. His body felt heavy as he clenched and unclenched his palms. His heart rate returned to normal as his breathing evened out with each movement.


    He let his drenched back sink in the soft cotton bedding and closed eyes. He took deep breaths in the rhythm which calmed his mind.


    ¡°Wa cough water¡± called Indra as he slowly opened his eyes. His voice was gruff due to his parched throat. Bhala who had sat down beside him at some point, helped him sit up with one hand on his back and another holding his hand.


    Indra leaned back on the bed frame with a gray quilt still covering his body. Bhala handed him a glass of water from the jug placed on the bedside drawer.


    ¡°What happened-¡± he brushed his nose with his sleeve as he sniffled.


    ¡°What happened to me baba¡± questioned Indra, in a slightly shaky voice and drank the glass of water.


    ¡°Conflicting spirit root nature just like your mother.¡± came back the reply. His voice seemed to crack ever so slightly for a moment and then it was gone. He took the empty glass from Indra¡¯s hand and placed it back beside the jug.


    Indra leaned back on the bed with his back touching the frame while looking down at his hands. He caresses his right hand with the left, ever so softly. The tingling sensation on his wheatish skin and the small hairs on his wrist made him feel alive. For a few moments the room was silent with the only sound being the curtain rustling with the wind.


    ¡°Will this happen again?¡± Asked Indra as he looked up to Bhala sitting beside him. His voice was now steady and composed.


    ¡°This was due to the root awakening which has now gone back to being inert. Just like your mother, you hold a dual spirit root of conflicting nature. The conflict, while increasing one¡¯s Qi sensitivity and absorption ability to almost equivalent to the single root cultivator, also places heavy burden on the body.


    The conflict between spirit roots continuously increases when they fully awaken after breaking through the Qi-gathering realm until the body can¡¯t bear it. But don¡¯t you worry your father will get you a treasure to suppress them¡± he replied while ruffling Indra¡¯s hair.


    ¡°I had the city lord himself check up on you. He said that for now you just need rest and lots of food, which reminds me. Wait I will be back in a moment¡± said Bhala and walked out of the room.


    Indra smiled faintly, then shifted slightly left on bed and opened the curtains covering the bedside window. Darkness had creeped in while stars were twinkling as they surrounded the bright full moon.


    The moonlight came in through the window falling on his white robe and slightly sunken face. He looked ethereal and fragile like a Mirage.


    Indra looked down on the roads that were lit up with sun pearls embedded in lamps by the roadside. He found few pedestrians gracing the roads for most of them were either home meditating or in the night market. Which was the prime attraction of the city with cultivators from around the province flooding in like moths to flame.


    ¡°Looking for something?¡± Came Bhala¡¯s voice from behind. Indra turned back to Bhala standing near him holding a tray of food. A bowl of steaming rice, roasted chicken and mixed soup of lentils, peas and beans that whetted once Appetite just with smell sat on the wooden tray.


    ¡°Maria made this just for you. She would be feeding you if you had woken up any earlier¡± said Bhala with a slight smile while making a hand sign. The plate became transfixed between them as it floated in the air. Bhala sat down in front of him and grabbed the chopsticks.


    He took the rice with the chopsticks, blew on it a bit and started feeding him. Indra chewed the warm rice while sipping the spicy soup.


    ¡°Tell me if it''s too hot¡± said Bhala while giving him a bite of the roast chicken.


    ¡°It''s tasty baba¡±


    ¡°It better be, with how costly the spirit rice and chicken is. Not to mention the herbal lentils and beans¡± replied Bhala while giving him another bite of the crystal like rice.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    ¡°We cook with these everyday baba. But only aunt Maria can make this magical meal.¡± Said Indra as he wiped off a soup stain off his lips and crunched on the lentils.


    ¡°Thank her tomorrow when she visits you¡±


    ¡°Sure will. Maybe she will make me another one, I am sick after all¡± said Indra while he plotted for the next meal.


    ¡°Haah.. you brat. Go to sleep now¡± replied Bhala while waving his hand, which sent the empty dishes flying to the sink in the kitchen. Where the small formation would wash them up by itself.


    Indra suddenly held his sleeve when he started to stand up.


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°Tell me about her baba¡± said Indra while looking into Bhala¡¯s steel-gray eyes with his own and held onto his sleeve firmly.


    ¡°What would you like to know?¡± Asked Bhala after a moment and sat back down on a stool beside the bed.


    ¡°Everybody else just tells me she was kind and beautiful. But all I have is that one picture, while you never really told me much baba¡±


    "I guess I never did,¡± replied Bhala as he looked out of the window. He looked towards the moon, lost in thought.


    ¡°Baba?¡± Said Indra as he shook Bhala out of his reverie. Bhala turned to face him with his lips tugged up a bit and eyes sunken in slightly. A mix of grimace and smile.


    He lifted his hand as his sleeves flapped with the breeze incoming through the window. The breeze seemed to caress his face but also wake him up with the chill.


    ¡°Twenty-three years ago, I had just broken through foundation establishment. The region opening had been happening for a decade, and the sect had already stabilized the rear base in the wilderness. I was already an accomplished talisman master back then. So I joined the conscription in the logistics camp looking for opportunities to further my cultivation.¡± Described Bhala while his eyes turned vacant and mind dived into memories.


    ¡°Did you get an opportunity Baba? Teacher one-eye said that that wilderness is filled with those¡± asked Indra with a twinkle in his eye.


    Bhala lifted his palm in front of Indra and a small earthy bead was conjured up on it.


    ¡°This was my opportunity.¡±


    ¡°A pebble Baba?. Just tell me if you didn''t go out adventuring, I won''t laugh¡± said Indra with a snicker in his voice.


    ¡°What do you know, brat, this is an earthly metal bead. Only one of these can be nurtured in a large star steel mine. These beads suck in all the essence of the metal while being nurtured through Earth Qi.¡± The bead glowed dark brown while releasing a pressure akin to a mountain for a second and then retracted it.


    ¡°Only found in the wilderness since the mine would turn into dust and the land infertile as they are nurtured. No one is foolish enough to let these develop in human domains, where each resource has been accounted for and most of the land scoured.¡± said Bhala as the pebble-sized bead vanished from his hand.


    "How did you find this baba?¡± came Indra''s curious voice as he looked at the Bhala¡¯s now empty hand.


    ¡°I took missions to exterminate beasts when I was there. After all, the cultivation world holds the saying.


    Without tempering the abilities,


    The power remains illusionary,


    Without tempering the heart,


    The great Dao remains distant.¡± Bhala recited the poem with a bit of fervor.


    It was a night with a full moon just like today. I was running around the mountains, tracking down a group of ferocious mole beasts in a canyon deep within the wilderness. They were terrorizing the logistics personnel that were delivering supplies. The beast''s were tens of feet tall with blood red eyes and fur that was as dark as a moonless night.


    They ran away the moment I found them, sensing the danger I held. They growled with their long snout as their fur bristled when they were finally cornered by my earth-locking talisman array, restricting their earth escape Spell.


    All five of them lunged at me with their silvery claws elongated and teeth sharp enough to bite through steel. But they were just Qi-gathering level beasts, cut down beneath a few swings of my treasured spear.¡± Regaled Bhala.


    ¡°I had just finished exterminating the moles when she appeared. Dressed in a dark black robe with golden cuffs on her sleeves. She was half leaning on a tree trunk and her hair flew around with winds as she looked at me with her emerald green eyes¡± said Bhala as he recalled with his eyes lighting up and mouth curling up in a smile.


    The canyon we stood on held few trees and rocks to hide with and I still hadn¡¯t been able to sense her until she was standing only ten feet away from me.


    "Vayu of the scout camp,¡± she said while introducing herself with her face holding a smile that brought dimples on her cheeks. She seemed unperturbed by the spear placed on her neck. I grazed her neck with the spear when she reached towards her waist pocket.


    ¡°I am taking out the identity token. Sir?¡± She said and showed him the camp token.


    ¡°Bhala.¡±


    ¡°Hmm?¡±


    ¡°I am Bhala from the logistics camp¡± I said and withdrew my spear after confirming the token¡¯s authenticity.


    ¡°The sky is beautiful isn''t it? The full moon and the twinkling sky. Their lights frolicking around in the heavens ensnaring the soul, wishing to pull it away.¡± She said as she looked up at the sky while I looked at her.


    ¡°Her emerald eyes were covered in long black eyelashes. Her long black hair drifted around as she left them open. A few locks falling on her wheatish face. Her lips tugged upwards while her eyes filled with longing¡± described Bhala while standing in front of the window looking up at the moon.


    ¡°Shall we explore the moles'' den?¡±


    ¡°Hunh?¡±


    ¡°I found the moles hideout, would you like to explore together?¡± she said as she removed a leaf that fell on her shoulders.


    ¡°Cough, of course yeah, let''s go and see if this was worth my earth-locking talismanic array.¡± I replied and came back to my senses. In that moment while the sky was ensnaring her, she had ensnared me.


    We walked amidst the falling autumn leaves. The stars illuminated our path while we travelled to the den.


    The den¡¯s entrance was a giant hole leading down to unknown depths, it was pitch dark like an abyss. I wasn''t flustered though, since after all these were ultimately qi-gathering beasts even if one of them was at grand perfection level.


    I threw down an illumination talisman, which made everything within the hole visible. Noticing no presence down below, I scanned the entrance with spirit sense just to be sure.


    When I found nothing once again, I nodded to Vayu and took out my flying cloud. The cheapest version of flying instruments but rogue cultures weren¡¯t and aren¡¯t known for luxury.


    We both sat down on the instrument as the white clouds carrying them drifted down the expansive hole, which was big enough to accommodate five times as many people. I held a glowing pearl in my hand, which illuminated the cave.


    ¡°Very cautious lord Bhala¡± said Vayu while looking all over the cave.


    ¡°I am no lord and caution has never let me down.¡± I replied while looking at her side profile.


    ¡°Is that so?¡± said Vayu with a curious smile on her face. We started searching throughout the cave which was like a befuddling maze dug up by those damn beasts. There was no pattern to the multitudes of tunnels crisscrossing there.


    There seemed to be nothing present in the den until¡­.¡±

 Notice.

    Happy New years guys!!


    I am sorry that I have, been missing for so long. I don''t have a valid reason; I just procrastinated. Day by day i just lazed around either surfing on internet or reading other novels. But now I am back way better than ever and that is why I will have Chapters up and coming from tomorrow. There will be five Chs in a week from Thursday-Monday.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    I know i don''t really have an audience to send this apology to yet but meh i should still do it.


    So once again I sincerely apologies and see you all tomorrow (however few of you there are).