Chapter 722

Chapter 722: The Simplicity of Talismanry

Lan Shidao joined the three old men, and the four formed a Four Symbols Geomancy Formation, taking out measuring sticks to measure the sea of runes!

No matter how high the sky or how thick the earth, nothing could escape the scrutiny of the Great Powers from the State Study Palace! They excelled in measuring everything; no matter how complicated the formations or how rare the natural arrangements, they seemed nonexistent before them.

As the four joined forces to break Mufeng City, they saw the sea of runes stir, rising with various smoky forms, dazzling everyone’s eyes.

Seeing this scene, Lan Shidao couldn’t help but let out a cold snort and lightly said, “Trivial skills! Even if you are building on the past, gathering talisman culture into a Law Domain, this Law Domain is uncontrollable, merely a passing cloud. Trying to use it to conceal Mufeng City is laughable!”

Li Hui advised the other side, “One should not lose humility and must avoid making lofty claims. You from the State Study Palace underestimate the heroes of the world. May I ask the four of you, are you truly familiar with talisman methods? There is an old saying: ‘Divided by fields, ignorance prevails.’ Using calculations to understand talismans, isn’t it said from one comes two, from two comes three, and from three comes all things? I’m here watching to see your methods.”

“Measure the depth!”

“Measure the weight!”

“Measure the ratio!”

“Measure the changes!”

The four held their measuring sticks, and a boundless light and shadow blossomed from them. Suddenly, the vast sea of runes froze, as if it were being suppressed!

The leader among the three old men coldly huffed, “It’s not that we underestimate talisman methods; it’s that talismanry evolves from Dao Traces. Through inheritance and continuance, not seeking deep understanding, it’s already rare for even one-tenth of the runes to maintain their original form! Thus, immersing oneself in talisman methods is like walking down a path of no return. The deeper one goes, the more limitations one faces!"

The second old man nodded and said, “Indeed, our State Study Palace is a place for academia, favoring unity in diversity. Thus, whether it’s Buddhist teachings, Confucian Daoism, or talismans, as long as they benefit us, we will absorb them into the palace. The leader of the Heavenly Talisman Sect, Li Hui, isn’t it? Considering your cultivation level is difficult to achieve, I will graciously allow you to offer Mufeng City and then enter the State Study Palace as a diligent student, where you will eventually have the opportunity to develop and flourish.”

Li Hui looked at the State Study Palace with newfound respect, exclaiming, “I have seen many shameless people, but none as shameless as you two. How can you utter such words? With a grand facade, you try to rob openly, demanding people to deliver their treasures and then become your servants. Is it really necessary to be this ruthless?”

The third old man, fiery in temper, bellowed, “Impudent child! Look at your runes! Are they still there?”

As soon as he spoke, the sea of runes erupted with a “Boom!” Following that, like burning paper offerings at a grave, all the runes burned away and dissipated, even the surrounding runes exerting their utmost efforts to remedy the situation proved ineffective.

At this moment, many cultivators outside Mufeng City gave a thumbs up, praising, “Truly the State Study Palace! The four venerable experts, knowledgeable in everything, easily dismantled the petty tricks of the city lord of Mufeng City.”

Lan Shidao and the others exchanged glances, feeling quite pleased! The people of the State Study Palace hadn’t been out for a long time; today, they aimed to establish their authority with Mufeng City, letting the world know the power of the State Study Palace.

As the sea of runes began to dissipate, a victor should have been evident; however, Lan Shidao and the others suddenly frowned, their expressions becoming grave as they looked around!

The sky was filled with runes, and the earth was intricately woven; they were still within the realm of runes, and the world was painted in black and white with a barrier standing firm!

Lan Shidao faced the four directions and said, “Only yin symbols and yang symbols exist, simple to a fault! However, every eight yin-yang symbols group together, forming unique Yin-Yang transformations. Each group of symbols appears to have significance and needs more effort to measure.”

“Good! No matter how many mysteries emerge, it cannot impede the State Study Palace!” The three stubborn old men held their measuring sticks, beginning to calculate earnestly, but the more they calculated, the more they scratched their heads.

Only two types of symbols, yin symbols and yang symbols! Simple, right? The Dao is simplicity; the simpler something is, the more complicating it becomes. Within this Law Domain grew countless beings and entities, producing countless Heavenly Treasures and Earthly Treasures, even forcibly evolving into Little Thousand Worlds, followed by Middle Thousand Worlds!

“Puff…” The four of them simultaneously spat out blood.

These exceedingly simple yin symbols and yang symbols rapidly combined and transformed; despite their profound cultivation, they could not maintain their focus for long. Applying calculations to the extreme, they could not keep pace with the evolution speed of the runes; the more thoughts they poured into it, the greater the damage they received!

The three old men refused to believe the evidence, forcing themselves to continue calculating for a moment, but not only did they fail to decipher the runes, they instead spurted blood and suffered heavy injuries, their spirits immediately drooping in exhaustion and disbelief.

“Impossible! This is merely talisman methods, and the Law Domain hasn’t even taken shape; why did we fail?”

“These simple yin and yang symbols seem trivial; how could they become so intricate? Yet this Li Hui can construct worlds at will, immersing his mind within, making it hard to distinguish reality from illusion!”

“Could it be that talisman methods direct into the Dao? Is this… is this even possible? How could one calculate it completely?”

The three old men pounded their chests in frustration while Lan Shidao’s face darkened as he spoke to the surroundings, “Precisely because it is simple, thus what should have been uncontrollable symbols found themselves under control! To some extent, as long as Li Hui is in Mufeng City, he can contend with those in the Virtual Riding Realm! As scholarly figures, we are not adept in combat; we should withdraw from this place for now.”

Lan Shidao sought to plot out a way to exit Mufeng City, but Li Hui would not let them have their way. He laughed heartily and declared, “You four have traveled hard from the State Study Palace only to leave so soon? The world will say I am disrespectful! Since you have come, you shall settle here! Stay for a few days in this Yin-Yang Law Domain, and I will warmly welcome you after I finish my business.”

“Li, do you dare to Lockdown us?” The three old men glared at him furiously, for they were esteemed scholars, revered by countless cultivators. This time they entered Mufeng City to display their power to proclaim the State Study Palace’s emergence. If they were captured without success, what face would they have left?

“Leave!” The four grew extremely anxious, unwilling to linger a moment longer! Yet, as the black and white light and shadow swirled, no matter where they tried to escape, they found themselves unable to break free from the entrapment, quickly sinking deeper into the mire with no route of retreat!

Li Hui reached out with a great hand, suppressing the four within the decree of the talisman, rolling them away, bound to the highest shelf; for the State Study Palace to reclaim them, a monumental price must be paid!

Without external aid, these four found it difficult to break through the dual seals of Mufeng City and the Law Domain, no matter how high their cultivation. Moreover, given that they devoted themselves to calculations, they were not skilled in combat; once restrained, they were like chickens ready for slaughter!

As all the cultivators came to their senses, Mufeng City had long since vanished from its original location; calling it a fleeting shadow would not be an exaggeration, speeding towards the coastline!

The reputation of the State Study Palace suffered greatly, with some cultivators starting to gossip, believing that the palace’s name was mostly inflated.

Like grass that bends in the wind, the Nine Maangs Practitioners loved to do such things; whoever was strong, they revered.

Suddenly, Li Hui halted Mufeng City as if facing a great enemy. In the sky ahead appeared countless talismans, where talisman flags fluttered and artifacts hung high. Numerous cultivators arrived, their surroundings filled with runes, and their eyes glowed like torches as they cast their gaze over.