Drawing Talismans

Geralt's brows furrowed tightly; he had never heard of practicing the manufacture of one type of potion to increase the success rate of another.

He couldn't help but feel a bit suspicious, wondering if the other party was trying to fish for his formulas.

Having lived two lifetimes, Kraun was quick-witted. Seeing the Witcher's hesitation, he smiled and said, "I can purchase the supernatural potion formulas in your possession, sir."

If he purchased the formulas, it would be a business transaction between them, and he would certainly have to charge some fees for brewing the Grasses Potion.

The Witcher understood this logic as well. He quickly made a decision and said, "Why talk about buying? I'll give you all the potion formulas I have; we're friends, aren't we?"

"Of course," Kraun nodded with a smile.

"The ones I have on me."

"Let's eat first, we can talk after. I'm starving; it's been seven or eight hours since lunch," the Witcher's words were interrupted by little Alan.

Accompanying his words was the loud, rumbling growl of his stomach, and the Witcher's expression turned somewhat awkward.

"It's been so long, no wonder you're eating so much tonight," Kraun teased as he began to serve the food.

Although this was Kraun's third meal since the afternoon, he ate no less than Alan, perhaps even more.

After quickly filling his stomach, Geralt asked for paper and a pen and began to write down the potion formulas he knew.

The Witcher soon filled several pages: "I don't know many formulas. Witchers mostly consume the raw, original medicinal herbs."

"Many thanks. I have quite a talent for alchemy, and I believe it won't be long before I can brew the potions I need," Kraun said solemnly as he put the papers away.

"I'll wait for your good news."

Kraun said nothing more; he took out the talisman paper intended for the Heart-Clearing Talisman and placed it in the backyard to bathe in the moonlight.

After a short rest, he and Geralt stood in the open space of the backyard.

"You have become a supernatural being. Have you sensed the Seed of Life?"

He shook his head: "No. After the promotion, the priest sent me back, and he didn't mention anything about the path forward. I have no concept of what the Seed of Life actually is. Do you know how to sense it, sir?"

"A Knight's Seed of Life attaches to the heart and is about the size of a soybean in its initial state. As you continue to train and improve, this little thing will sprout like a seed and eventually wrap completely around the heart. It is said that the Seed of Life can continuously refine a Knight's blood. As for how to sense it, I can't explain it clearly either; the Church will certainly teach you that kind of knowledge."

"Then let's wait until tomorrow to learn about it. Today, I should be able to make you exert more of your strength in our spar," Kraun said, stepping forward to attack the Witcher.

"Young man, you are still young," Geralt said, his white hair flying as he looked invigorated. "The strength of a Witcher who has undergone two mutations is not something a rookie who has just entered the supernatural world can imagine."

Two hours later, the Witcher left, feeling satisfied. As he was leaving, he didn't forget to taunt: "You still have a long way to go if you want to defeat me!"

Kraun bared his teeth and shouted defiantly: "It won't take long!"

He rubbed his bruised arm and gasped in pain.

Basic Swordsmanship: 4906/5000; Tier 3
Cross Sword: 1998/2000; Tier 2

My swordsmanship will both level up tomorrow, and then you'll see.

Clenching his fists, Kraun took out the Tiger Bone Ointment and applied it to his injuries.

A cooling sensation spread out, and the burning pain in his wounds immediately felt much better.

After resting for a moment, he walked into the courtyard and collected the talisman paper.

The Moon Dew stored in the crystal ball within his sea of consciousness was about to overflow, and he planned to practice making Heart-Clearing Talismans over the next few days.

Kraun cut the talisman paper into palm-sized rectangles and then cut a large amount of scrap paper to the same dimensions.

He couldn't waste the Moon Dew; practicing with ink on scrap paper was just right.

He lit all the oil lamps in the room, spread out the scrap paper, and stood still. He picked up his homemade brush with his right hand, adjusted his sleeves with his left in a pretentious manner, and began to copy the Heart-Clearing Talisman.

The creation of a Daoist talisman requires a single continuous stroke; it cannot be broken in the middle, or it becomes a waste and cannot be activated.

He wielded the brush with vigor, immediately drawing a talisman.

God, that's ugly. Did I really draw that?

Kraun covered his face and threw the scrap paper away to start over.

After drawing a dozen or so casually to get a feel for the brush, he began to take it seriously.

He pondered the flow of the strokes and the technique of handling the brush.

After practicing another forty or fifty sheets, the talismans he drew still had a significant gap compared to a real Heart-Clearing Talisman.

Completing even a small Daoist talisman with care required a great deal of mental effort, and Kraun felt more exhausted than he did after half an hour of combat.

He regretted not studying more when he had the chance. Kraun dejectedly threw the brush aside and sat in his chair, scratching his head.

He had never heard that drawing talismans required practicing calligraphy.

He stood up, paced the room for a while, drank some water to dispel his frustration, and returned to the desk.

Grind it out. Give me a starting point, and I can outwork the entire universe.

Silently shouting his slogan to give himself a fresh boost of motivation, Kraun began a new round of practice.

Two hours later, scrap paper was scattered all over the floor. He stared at the talisman under his brush with vacant eyes, wanting to cry but having no tears.

He had used up about three hundred sheets of paper, and the talismans he drew were only eighty percent accurate.

People say that some are born with talent, so do I really not have even a shred of talent for calligraphy and painting?

Refusing to accept this, he summoned the golden wall. He scanned it from top to bottom and bottom to top, yet he failed to find any new skills formed.

Damn it, keep going. I refuse to believe I can't even reach the entry level of talisman drawing.

Kraun steeled his heart, splashed some water on his face, sat cross-legged on the bed, and meditated on the Golden Light Incantation.

After three major cycles, he stood up and walked over to the table.

The first-tier Golden Light Incantation was surprisingly effective at clearing away distracting thoughts and restoring mental energy; he was once again filled with fighting spirit and brimming with confidence.

Keep grinding.

Quickly cutting the draft paper to the standard size, Kraun picked up the brush and threw himself heart and soul into drawing the talisman.

Start the stroke—hmm, no problem. This turning point is a bit stiff, and this part is drawn too sharply; it's not rounded enough.

Time spent in focus always passes quickly, and Kraun drew faster and more accurately with each attempt.

As he finished another talisman and lifted his brush, a warm current spread from his heart to his limbs, and a faint sense of joy permeated his entire body.

Kraun understood what had happened. He closed his eyes, breathed gently, and savored the fleeting moment of delight.

The golden wall appeared, and a new line of small green text emerged among the skills.

[Talisman Drawing: 1/2000; First Tier] (I have to say, your talent for talisman drawing is 'astonishing,' but you have finally entered the door.)

Damn, I'm being mocked by my own cheat!

Kraun grumbled in his heart, but it didn't dampen his good mood in the slightest.

Having learned quite a few skills already, he had managed to summarize a small pattern.