Talismans were the seals of heaven and earth, the medium of spiritual qi.
The dragon was the soul, the tiger the spirit; only then could one commune with the mysteries.
Above, they could draw upon the power of the stars; below, they could gather the spiritual workings of the Earth Vein.
At the beginning, they could secure one's life and livelihood; studied deeply, they could reach the pinnacle of talismans.
In just a few opening lines, the Dragon-Tiger Talisman Scripture displayed its domineering nature to the fullest.
Among the knowledge Xu Changqing knew, the boldest claims only dared mention things like "drawing upon one's own spiritual power to command a three-foot gale," yet this scripture began by raising the scope to the level of "heaven and earth."
The Dragon-Tiger Talisman Scripture had four volumes:
Volume One
Foundations of Talismans: Drawing Qi into Talismans
Volume Two
Dragon and Tiger First Appear: Dividing Forms and Commanding Qi
Volume Three
The Talisman Dao Reaches the Mysteries: Practical Combat and Secret Teachings
Volume Four
Inheritance and Annotations
Although Xu Changqing's skill with talismanic patterns had indeed reached the pinnacle of the entire Heavenly Origin Realm, with almost no one able to stand shoulder to shoulder with him,
his knowledge of the variety of spirit talismans was, in truth, still rather limited.
The books Lao Bai had given him were only enough for Initiation. Though the Spirit Talisman Record he had bought earlier documented spirit talismans of varying grades, most merely depicted the talisman patterns and did not explain the core principles of "drawing in spirits and communicating with the mysteries." Thus, there were not many spirit talismans he could truly draw proficiently and to a masterful level.
Therefore, this complete Dragon-Tiger Talisman Scripture had come at exactly the right time.
The only thing he