"Good, very good. Your casting speed has increased by about twenty percent, without the slightest loss of power. That bottle of spirit ink was well worth the expense!"
Gong Yuan's approving voice drifted over.
At that moment, Fang Qianyuan's bare arms each bore a dark red tattoo resembling a wolf totem.
Its flowing lines began at the collarbone, followed the relevant meridians connecting his torso and upper arms, and spiraled down to his elbows.
Then a long tail ran straight down, ending midway along the inside of each forearm.
All fully developed inscribed talismans were special designs that balanced appearance and effectiveness. Although Fang Qianyuan was not particularly brawny, this inscribed talisman lent him a wild, lean fierceness reminiscent of the Gale Berserker Wolf he channeled.
Fang Qianyuan turned to look at Gong Yuan. Drawing the talisman markings for so long had required little physical effort, but it had taken a considerable toll on his mind and concentration. Seeing sweat beginning to bead on his forehead, Fang Qianyuan said gratefully, "Thank you, Elder Gong."
Gong Yuan waved a hand. "There's no need to thank me for this. With spirit jade, you would have found someone to do it for you sooner or later. I merely made things a little more convenient."
That said, both Fang Qianyuan and Gong Yuan knew that he had indeed been a great help this time.
But Fang Qianyuan was his protégé, and Gong Yuan was the patron who had recognized his worth. Fang Qianyuan had placed himself under his wing to obtain resources and opportunities, while Gong Yuan hoped he would amount to something and repay him in the future. There was no need to keep accounts over such a small matter.
Fang Qianyuan said nothing more. He quietly circulated his power, experiencing the enhancement the inscribed talisman provided.
"That's wonderful. Such a large increase in casting speed, without affecting its power at all." Wei Wen and the others watched from the side, green with envy.
But even a single inscribed talisman like this cost as much as a mid-grade spirit creature. They were still at the training institute, with few ways to earn money. Whatever they managed to scrape together through hard work went straight into the bottomless pit of purchasing and raising spirit creatures. Envy was all they could afford.
"Still, there are all sorts of inscribed talismans, with different enhancements. Junior Brother Fang, why did you choose one that increases casting speed?"
Once his envy subsided, Wei Wen asked in puzzlement.
He had heard that Fang Qianyuan was getting an inscribed talisman and had come to watch, but only after seeing the finished result did he realize that its enhancement was to casting speed.
"Yes, why that enhancement?" Ding Long asked curiously as well. "Honestly, your spirit creature is already a Gale Berserker Wolf. You use the Raging Wind Slash spell for its power, don't you? Why not increase that power and aim to kill with a single strike?"
"Heh, I asked that question earlier too. But Qianyuan convinced me with his reasoning, so I let him have his way." Hearing their questions, Gong Yuan could not help smiling.
Fang Qianyuan explained, "Senior Brothers, I did choose the Gale Berserker Wolf and an inscribed talisman that increases casting speed for its power. But I'm not aiming for a one-strike kill. Instead, I want to take advantage of my physique and use it as a regular means of attack."
"With this inscribed talisman, I can strike faster. I can even try breaking it down into multiple attacks, overwhelming powerful enemies like a raging gale and a sudden downpour."
Wei Wen and the others were taken aback.
Only then did it suddenly occur to them that Fang Qianyuan was no ordinary disciple like them, but a prodigy with extraordinary gifts.
Anyone with exceptional talent had advantages of their own. His earlier repeated use of Shadow Step, moving freely amid a crowd of enemies, had already proved that.
"A genius's world really is hard to understand!" Wei Wu sighed.
"All right, since the inscribed talisman is finished, I'll be heading back. We won't be able to train in the Demon Suppression Cavern for a while, so work hard on your own cultivation. Don't slack off," Gong Yuan reminded them.
"Yes," they promptly replied.
"Oh, one more thing." Just before leaving, Gong Yuan suddenly remembered something. "It's almost November, and the qualifiers for the Sect Grand Tournament will begin soon. Qianyuan, although you're a new disciple, you can participate now that your strength is sufficient. Would you like to show your face and gain some experience?"
"Elder Gong, you mean the grand tournament?"
"Junior Brother Fang is participating too?"
"Ah, right! It really is almost time!"
Wei Wen and the others exclaimed in delight.
Cang Mountain Academy belonged to the Azure Cloud Sect and was only one of its thirty-two training institutes.
Naturally, tournaments like this were indispensable for discovering talent and encouraging exchanges.
According to established practice, each training institute held its own qualifiers in November, after which the winners traveled to the sect's Headquarters to participate in the grand tournament.
At that time, not only would elite disciples from the various training institutes come to watch, but the sect's guest elders and prominent figures from all quarters would gather there as well.
Anyone who distinguished themselves in such a tournament would undoubtedly be among the finest talents of their training institute, and would receive greater attention and support.
Each training institute had four places for contestants to advance to the grand tournament at Headquarters. With four contestants from every institute, they could form exactly eight groups of sixteen for the preliminary rounds, followed by the finals to compete for the sole title of Tournament Champion.
The Tournament Champion would receive lavish rewards, including a supreme-grade spirit creature. Others who reached the final rounds could also win high-grade spirit creatures, various inscribed talisman materials, Spirit Tamer Secret Arts, Master Craftsman's Weapons, and other prizes.
Even those who failed to distinguish themselves in the qualifiers could receive rewards from their own training institutes, and those were likewise generous.
Fang Qianyuan had heard something of this before. Upon hearing the news, he immediately said, "Then I'll participate."
Gong Yuan said, "In that case, you'll need to prepare early. I don't expect you to place particularly well, but at the very least, you must fight with spirit and vigor. You mustn't disgrace our Heavenly Hall Lineage."
Not long after Gong Yuan left, Ding Long slung an arm around Fang Qianyuan's shoulders and said with a suggestive wink, "Junior Brother Fang, this is an opportunity! A wonderful opportunity!"
"What opportunity?" Fang Qianyuan asked, bewildered.
"Heh heh." Ding Long chuckled and whispered, "I didn't dare bring it up while Elder Gong was here. But now that he's gone, there's no harm in talking privately. This tournament is a 'matchmaking gathering,' you know."
Wei Wen scolded him with a laugh. "Since when has it been a matchmaking gathering? Don't make things up."
"How am I making things up?" Ding Long argued. "If you make it to Headquarters, you'll attract plenty of attention. Some aristocratic clans and other factions might set their sights on you. It doesn't matter if you're all alone in the world. Before long, they'll be snatching you up as a son-in-law right beneath the rankings board, and you'll have a family and a career. If that isn't a matchmaking gathering, what is?"
Wei Wen laughed and scolded him again. "You make it sound so lovely. Why don't you go yourself?"
"I know my own limits," Ding Long said. "Alas, it's a pity I'm no young hero. I can't fight my way up there to show off!"
Wei Wen snorted, then turned to Fang Qianyuan. "Junior Brother Fang, he may be exaggerating, but there really are disciples who got engaged or married after attending this tournament. Fine talents have admirers wherever they go."
"But..." His tone shifted, turning serious. "If you perform poorly, or even get eliminated too early, seeing everyone else bask in glory will make the gulf between you clear. When that happens, you must be able to take the blow."