As an enthusiast of mystical culture, Sifa had naturally studied Talismans in his previous life. Of course, he could not be called an expert; he only understood the bare basics.
As far as he knew, Talismans were actually divided into two distinct things: talismans and registers.
The original meaning of a register was a "thin booklet," something used for recording. Registers fell into two categories. The first recorded the names of Daoist practitioners, including the names, Daoist titles, lineages, and ranks bestowed upon priests who had received registers.
The second recorded the names, titles, functions, and so on of the clerks and assistants of the heavenly courts—the "Directory of Heavenly Gods." Only by mastering such registers could one summon gods and command generals, banish demons, and suppress evil.
Talismans, meanwhile, were characters resembling seal script. They attached divine power to prescribed written patterns in the form of "symbols," then were inscribed onto specific objects such as yellow silk, paper, wood, or stone. As commands from the gods, they could suppress demons and evil, cure illnesses, and pray for blessings.
Since "talismans" and "registers" shared many functions, they were collectively called "Talismans."
Now.
What the youth drew in the air with his hand resembled a Talisman, but not entirely. He had simplified much of it. Overall, it looked more like an abstract pattern, though Sifa could vaguely make out the character for "fire."
A "fire" character close to a pictograph!
When he finished the final stroke, the Fire Talisman flashed, then transformed into arrows condensed from Flame that shot howling toward Sifa!
Sifa could not help letting out a soft cry. It was not because the youth's fiery arrows were especially powerful, but because the youth had used an ability similar to that of a Beyonder, yet he did not seem