Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension
Chapter 74 Unique Skills

Although there were only two students for the time being, the Zhao family attached great importance to their education, providing several teachers for them.

Zhao Sheng himself took on the role of Mountain Master and was also responsible for teaching runes and talisman painting,

Zhao Keru was in charge of herb identification, alchemy, and cultivating courses.

The venerable and sage-like Zhao Jinding shared with the children his extensive knowledge on the different regions and customs of the Cultivation World, as well as information about various Cultivation Sects.

Zhao Chongwei acted much like a director of education, not only always focusing on the two children's cultivation but also responsible for correcting their outlook on life and values, to prevent them from following the same pitfalls as the two branches of the Zhao family.

In addition, several members of the Zhao Clan would occasionally come to pass on their experience.

It could be said that the Cultivation Academy embodied Zhao Sheng's beautiful hopes for the future of the Zhao family.

Poor Zhao Xuanjing and his brother were plunged into an intense educational routine at a very young age.

In the following years, as more members of the Xuan generation gradually entered the academy, most of Zhao Sheng's free time outside of cultivation and talisman painting was occupied by these heedless youngsters.

At the same time, Taifu Mountain's specialties such as Spirit Pills, talismans, Spiritual Wine, Flower Spirit Honey, and peach wood magical tools gradually made a name for themselves in the surrounding areas through the concerted efforts of the Zhao family.

Day by day, life for the Zhao family grew more and more prosperous, and the strength of Zhao's cultivators kept increasing.

...

Early this morning, Zhao Xuanjing had arrived at the academy.

Today was an opportunity not to be missed, as his Uncle Seven had uncharacteristically agreed to impart one of his signature skills.

Upon entering the academy, he found it already neatly arranged with seventeen low tables, each accompanied by a Meditation Cushion, most of which were already occupied.

Zhao Xuanjing quickly took a glance and headed towards the row of cushions in the front.

"Big brother, lend me your notes to copy; I haven't finished my coursework."

"Brother Jing, you're here! Where is the Jade Doll you promised me?"

"Big brother, can I postpone returning the Spirit Stone I borrowed from you by a few days?"

Zhao Xuanjing, while dealing with his younger brothers and sisters, made his way to the front and expertly sat down on the cushion closest to the podium in the first row.

At this time, a fair-skinned, tall young man was already seated on the cushion beside him,

This young man was handsome, his eyes shining like stars, full of vivacity and carefreeness.

In stark contrast, Zhao Xuanjing's complexion was darker and tinged with worry.

This handsome youth was none other than Zhao Xuan'an, who was now fifteen years old.

Looking at the robust and imposing Zhao Xuanjing, who resembled a small giant, Zhao Xuan'an laughed heartily and teased, "Big brother, you're playing the kind-hearted soul again. Just how many nice things have you given away over the years? When will you ever learn?"

Zhao Xuanjing scratched the back of his head, a bit sheepishly responding, "They are my younger brothers and sisters; when they come asking for help, I lend a hand if I can. It's no big deal, really!"

"Tsk, tsk, ever the soft touch. Tell me, why don't they come to ask me for help?" retorted Zhao Xuan'an with disdain.

Zhao Xuanjing chuckled guilelessly and, glancing up, happened to see a familiar figure emerging from the back hall.

He hurriedly settled into a cross-legged position and whispered a prompt, "Uncle Seven is coming!"

Zhao Xuanjing was naturally bigger than most, and his voice was much louder than that of an average person.

Even though he tried to keep it down, his whisper was as loud as someone speaking normally.

At his reminder, the academy immediately became a flurry of activity.

By the time Zhao Sheng reached the center of the podium, the seventeen members of the Zhao clan's Xuan generation had all obediently sat down.

Today, ten years down the line, Zhao Sheng was nearly forty years old.

Now, he had grown a beard, and faint lines were visible at the corners of his eyes.

Standing at the podium, Zhao Sheng's expression was grave. After scanning the room, he spoke in an even tone, "Today, I will teach you the Stacking Talisman Technique!"

The awe of the elder and the authority of the teacher brought silence to the academy instantaneously. The youngsters dared not breathe loudly and listened intently.

"Xuanjing, what are the three most important things for painting talismans?"

Zhao Xuanjing promptly stood up and earnestly replied, "For talismans, the essence lies in the 'infusion of energy,' 'inscription of imagery,' and those 'that bridge the divine.'"

The energy flows naturally and possesses its own spirit, fit to become a talisman.

When every orifice connects and the spirit light shines brightly, the talisman is complete."

These three essential principles of talisman painting were all too familiar to the younger members of the Zhao Family, having been admonished from their very first day of contact with talismans to commit them to heart.

What they didn't understand, however, was why Uncle Seven had specifically pointed out these three lines today.

Zhao Sheng did not offer an explanation but continued, "Nature abides by principles in heaven and earth, which apply to all things big and small. This 'principle' is the law, the way, and also the secret. By understanding the secret, one grasps the law, and the same applies to talismans."

There was more to his words than met the eye!

Zhao Xuan'an, with his exceptional comprehension, blurted out, "The 'principle' of a talisman lies in connecting the orifices. Could it be that the Stacking Talisman Technique is a method of stacking orifices?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the younger members of the Zhao Family all turned to look at him, eyes filled with shock.

The gaze of the others mattered little to Zhao Xuan'an, but Zhao Sheng was different.

Uncle Seven held considerable influence within the entire clan, and even the Ancestor paid close attention to his words.

Zhao Xuan'an placed great importance on his standing in Uncle Seven's eyes and seized any opportunity to showcase himself.

Zhao Sheng's piercing gaze turned towards him, as sharp as a sword, seeming to penetrate to the depths of his heart.

For a moment, Zhao Xuan'an felt suffocated, but then he heard praise in his ear:

"Well said!"

Zhao Sheng's tone appeared to rise slightly but quickly evened out again.

He did not elaborate further on this but instead raised another issue, "Have you learned talisman painting over these years?"

The question was asked in an unusual manner, and even though the answer was obvious, none of the younger members dared to respond.

In the end, it was the honest-natured Zhao Xuanjing who answered.

He replied, "I can't learn it, but Xuan'an has already mastered the refinement of four types of First-Order Talismans."

Zhao Sheng's mouth twitched slightly without acknowledging Zhao Xuanjing's words, instead stating on his own, "Today, I will teach you how to paint talismans."

Having said that, he extended his hand, and his slender fingers moved across the void in a crisscrossing fashion, executing dozens of strokes.

Suddenly, the void was illuminated with spirit light, and a talisman image emitting soft radiance appeared in front of everyone, forming a simple and abstract talismanic shape.

Upon witnessing this scene, the younger members of the Zhao Family were amazed and recognized it as the Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman.

That was the first talisman they had ever crafted.

Most of the younger members of the Zhao Family had already mastered such a basic talisman.

But what happened next left them stunned and staring in wonder.

Once the talisman was formed, Zhao Sheng began anew with the Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman, but instead of painting it elsewhere, he overlaid it directly on the just completed talisman, tracing it once more.

At this point, no one could discern what was different from before.

But as Zhao Sheng confidently repeated the process over and over, twice, thrice, four times… and on to nine, ten times, until he eventually laid down his brush after eighteen iterations.

By then, the hovering Spring Breeze and Rain Talisman could no longer be considered a First-Order Talisman. The symbol, within the bright spirit light, became blurred, the dense spirit light gathering without dispersing, forming a bright halo around the talisman, making it look like a resplendent Bright Pearl suspended in the sky above the Academy.

A deathly silence pervaded the Academy.

Miraculously skillful!

Perhaps this was the only thought left in the minds of the seventeen Zhao members of the Xuan generation.

Only then did Zhao Sheng speak, "This is the Stacking Talisman Technique, a secret art unique to the Zhao Family. Simply practice as you have seen."

Practice as seen? How to practice?

The seemingly miraculous technique left everyone scratching their heads, utterly baffled.

At that moment, everyone eagerly watched him, waiting for a relative to provide further explanation.

However, Zhao Sheng replied with but a single phrase, "There are no shortcuts to this technique, practice makes perfect. Those with high comprehension may succeed in one or two years, the rest will have to wait for their next life!"

A deathly silence fell over the Academy, while Zhao Xuanjing felt a tingling in his scalp. He was one naturally endowed with extremely poor comprehension.