Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

Gu Fuzi turned around and led Chen Jiao and the other three to the second floor.

The two guests who remained downstairs exchanged a glance, both looking surprised.

It was truly a rare occurrence in Tongyou City for the eccentric and arrogant Gu Fuzi to personally lead the way upstairs and treat them with such courtesy.

The atmosphere changed completely the moment you stepped onto the second floor.

A few antique lamps cast a soft glow, illuminating the surroundings with a gentle tranquility.

The scent in the air, a mixture of aged spirit paper, top-quality spirit ink, and refreshing wood, seemed to have become even stronger.

The furnishings are far more refined and elegant than those on the first floor.

Only a few exquisitely crafted ebony or warm jade display shelves were scattered about, displaying pens, inkstones, paperweights, talisman knives, and other items in various categories.

The number of objects is small, but each one is full of ingenuity, and its shimmering light reveals a profound mystery.

As soon as Song Yanfang stepped in, he felt his energy being drawn by the pure spiritual energy, and his breath hitched slightly.

He quickly circulated his inner energy to steady his mind, and as his gaze swept over the magical artifacts, he couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.

None of these items are ordinary.

Gu Fuzi walked into the building and stood with his hands behind his back.

"The Way of Talismans has countless methods, but its foundation is nothing more than the combination of spirit, intention, and vessel."

The items here, though not to be called peerless, are the result of my years of accumulation, some acquired by chance, others personally prepared, all for the sake of suitability.

Since you, sir, are seeking a smooth and enjoyable experience, you may wish to observe and see if there is anything that catches your eye and pleases your heart.

Chen Jiao nodded slightly and strolled over to a shelf specifically for displaying inkstones.

Unlike the inkstones and spirit ink sold separately downstairs, the dozen or so inkstones on this shelf are simple in shape and made of different materials, including green jade, black stone and ancient pottery.

Even more mysteriously, within each inkstone, spiritual ink spontaneously arises, flowing and shimmering with a precious light.

It can draw upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to create talisman ink without the need for external ink sticks.

Although Chen Jiao was very knowledgeable, he couldn't help but marvel at this and stopped to observe it closely.

Within a white jade inkstone, several snow-white carp leisurely swam in the naturally formed pool of pale ink, their tails swaying. With each circling motion, the ink in the inkstone became richer and more mellow.

Within a dark stone inkstone is an old ox, its head bowed as if drinking water. Whenever energy flows through it, the surface of the inkstone gleams with a warm, moist sheen.

Even more remarkably, above a square, antique-style yellow jade inkstone, faint yellow clouds swirl, transforming into a yellow crane that flutters around the inkstone, exuding a delicate fragrance of ink.

All these supernatural qualities stem from the inherent beauty and elegance of the material itself, coupled with the exquisite craftsmanship of the carver, which imbues it with the mystical power to absorb spiritual energy and transform it into ink.

Gu Fuzi strolled to Chen Jiao's side and, seeing his gaze lingering on the inkstone, calmly reminded him:

"Among all the tools used in talismanic arts, the most important ones fall into four categories: talisman brush, spirit inkstone, paperweight, and magic seal."

"The talisman brush is a bridge, connecting the divine will of the person who draws the talisman with the spiritual energy of the four directions of heaven and earth."

The sharpness, hardness, shape, and spiritual attribute of the talisman lines all relate to the direction of the talisman lines and the reception of spiritual power.

The inkstone generates ink, which not only serves as a brush dipped in ink but also nourishes the talisman's core, nurturing a spark of true spirit within it.

When drawing a talisman, the spirit is in motion, and it is inevitable that there will be external interference or fluctuations in internal energy.

A suitable paperweight can calm disorder, stabilize the mind, and prevent the brushstrokes from wavering.

The seal serves as proof, the signature signifies authenticity, connecting the principles of heaven and earth. Its value lies in the harmony of the inscription and the material's embodiment of the divine intent; it is the end of a talisman, and also the beginning of its connection to the unseen realm.

Gu Fuzi looked at Chen Jiao and warned him:

"Therefore, if these four elements can be closely related in spirit and energy, and then be in harmony with the spirit and intention of the person drawing the talisman, and their energy can be intertwined, then the writing will be as if divinely aided."

Otherwise, no matter how good the tools are, they are still inanimate objects, and may even hinder each other, resulting in less than half the effort for twice the work.

Chen Jiao remained calm and did not immediately respond, but pondered the matter carefully in his mind.

The four essentials of talisman making are the harmony of instrument and intention. These concise statements highlight the fundamental principles of talisman making.

It is not merely about relying on the advantages of tools, but about the profound balance between mind and tool, heaven and earth.

Song Yan listened intently, his gaze involuntarily falling on the "Lion Carrying a Treasure Vase" inkstone that he had noticed earlier.

This inkstone is the color of deep gold, with a powerful and vigorous carving. A majestic lion is crouching, carrying a treasure vase on its back.

A misty aura swirled around the mouth of the bottle, faintly emanating the low rumble of wind and thunder, creating a solemn atmosphere.

He sensed something and felt that the spiritual energy within the inkstone was profound, powerful, and intense, which was indeed incompatible with the pine breeze and bright moon, clear and agile Daoist charm inherited from the Songyue Sword Sect of Qingxu Mountain.

Song Yan seemed to understand something, so he bowed respectfully to Gu Fuzi and asked:

"Does the Pavilion Master mean that the person who draws the talisman should choose a magical artifact that matches their own cultivation method and even their temperament?"

Only in this way can one be like a fish in water, performing with ease and fluency.

Upon hearing this, Gu Fuzi glanced at Song Yan, nodded slightly, and softened his tone:

"Sir, you are quite perceptive; this is indeed the case."

Ritual implements possess spiritual attributes, and cultivators possess innate talents. Those who are fierce and masculine find it difficult to draw gentle talismans, while those who are gentle and yin find it difficult to bear yang evil spirits.

A forced union is merely a formality; only a meeting of minds can evoke true meaning.

This "Lion Carrying a Bottle Inkstone" features a lion, which belongs to the metal element, carrying a bottle containing clouds and water. Metal and water complement each other, and the lion's nature is both fierce and enduring, as well as turbulent and profound.

Its spiritual power is profound and majestic, mainly used to suppress evil spirits and gather vital energy; it is certainly not of the same kind as you.

If one forces it to be used, the brushstrokes will inevitably be affected by its forceful and vigorous nature, losing their fluidity and ease.

As he spoke, he pointed to an inkstone not far away.

The inkstone was the color of mutton fat, warm and white, oval in shape, with naturally undulating edges, like a clear pool.

A light mist hangs over the pond, and several inch-long, shimmering white carp appear and disappear in the fog, swaying their tails gracefully with remarkable agility.

It was the same white carp playing in the water that Chen Jiao had seen earlier.

"Observing your aura, young friend, it is clear yet not cold, upright yet not sharp, with a natural flow of vitality within its gentle warmth."

This "White Stream Cloud Carp Inkstone" is gentle and pure in nature, lively and ever-changing, and is good for drawing water-related, illusion-related, and those talismans that need to evoke the vitality of heaven and earth and are ever-changing.

The person who holds this inkstone must also have a mind as clear and agile as water, unhindered by external things.

Your practice leans towards tranquility and serenity, and while you possess a gentle and mild temperament, you lack a sharp and enterprising edge.

This inkstone may help you create lines in your calligraphy, revealing liveliness within a cool and serene style, and subtle variations within stillness.

Then, the ancient symbol pointed to its right neighbor.

The inkstone was pale blue, seemingly made from the heartwood of some ancient wood, with natural patterns resembling flowing clouds.

The inkstone pool is shaped like a shallow pond, with water that is blue-green and crystal clear.

On the edge of the pond, a small deer formed from a faint blue mist is kneeling with its head bowed, its expression serene and peaceful, as if gazing at its reflection in the water, or perhaps listening.

The inkstone exudes a sense of tranquility, clarity, and freedom from the mountains and fields.

"As for this 'Green Deer Viewing Water Inkstone'..."

Gu Fuzi's gaze fell on the dark blue wooden inkstone, and his tone became unusually gentle.

"It is made from the heartwood of a thousand-year-old tree that listens to the waves on the shore of the East China Sea. The wood is inherently gentle."

After being washed by the sea tides for thousands of years, it absorbed the essence of water and underwent a transformation. I carved a green deer on it to match the ancient style.

Its style is serene and profound, imbued with vitality and wisdom. It excels at painting wood-related elements, those representing growth and development, and even ancient symbols that require long-term nurturing and communication with nature.

Gu Fuzi turned around, looked at Song Yan, and said slowly:

"These two inkstones, though not as outwardly powerful as the lion carrying the treasure vase, possess a more lively and elegant quality."

Especially the "Green Deer Gazing at the Water" – the deer is gentle and intelligent, observing the water and remaining still, which may resonate with your current state of mind and spirit.

Of course, ultimately, you still need to rely on your own intuition to perceive the truth; even if someone else points it out, there's still a layer between you and the truth.

His words were not only directed at Song Yan, but also seemed like a casual explanation, elaborating on the subtle and profound aspects of choosing a magical artifact.

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