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In other words, as long as the runes you wrote fell within the bounds recognized by heaven and earth, you were free to improvise. It was like a calligrapher writing the character for "eternity": if people could recognize it, the attempt was a success. How you made the strokes dance like ghosts and spirits was a minor detail. Talisman paper and cinnabar were merely tools talisman masters used to hold spiritual patterns in place, not necessities. In theory, then, Barehanded Talisman Drawing was possible.

But it demanded a talisman-drawing speed pushed to the absolute limit. Bian Chunchou could barely remember how he had done it in one flowing motion onstage, but... that was fine. He would just have to work himself harder.

Who was afraid of a little competition? Everyone at Yonglu Mountain worked themselves to the bone. One more would make no difference.

He sprang back to life at once, even finding the energy to nudge Chen Zui beside him. "...The art of conversation runs deep. I don't think you can handle it. Best not wade in."

But Chen Zui pulled out his little booklet, its pages already curled and frayed from use. "Can't I turn it into a booklet?"

Wen Xu coughed softly twice. "There's no need."

"What?"

"You want to learn how to talk so you can spar with people, don't you?"

Chen Zui nodded. "Yeah. Why else would I learn it?"

"Then there's no need. With someone who actually wants to spar, you only have to draw your blade and take your stance. With someone who doesn't, anything you say will just annoy them." Have mercy. Wen Xu still wanted to accumulate some virtue before returning to the Mortal Realm for revenge. Judging by the state of that booklet, he had good reason to suspect Chen