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Months passed in the blink of an eye, and under the guidance of Daoist Xuanji, Su Mu made significant progress in both medicine and divination. However, his studies in talismans repeatedly met with obstacles.
The talismans of the Heavenly Mechanism Sect were profound and intricate, requiring not only mastery of complex drawing techniques but also the infusion of pure internal energy. When Su Mu attempted to draw talismans, he often struggled with uneven control of his strength, resulting in crooked lines and dissipated spiritual energy, rendering the talismans ineffective.
“Mu Er, drawing talismans is like flowing clouds and flowing water; it must be done in one breath without hesitation,” Daoist Xuanji instructed from the side. “You must focus your mind and calm your spirit, evenly channeling your internal energy into the brush to outline a perfect talisman.”
Su Mu tried again and again but could never meet his master’s expectations. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead, and he was filled with a sense of frustration. Once, in his impatience, his internal energy became chaotic, causing the talisman he drew to backfire. A powerful force rebounded, leaving him reeling with surging blood and qi.
“Mu Er!” Daoist Xuanji rushed forward to support him. “Do not be anxious; the path of talismans requires gradual progress. You must not rush for results.”
Taking a deep breath, Su Mu calmed the turmoil within him. He knew his master was right; his eagerness to succeed was counterproductive.
In the following days, Su Mu practiced even more diligently. He no longer pursued speed but focused on the strength and angle of each stroke, repeatedly practicing the most basic talismans. He trained day and night, developing thick calluses on his hands while his room filled with discarded talisman papers.
Daoist Xuanji watched this all unfold with mixed feelings of pride and concern. He knew Su Mu was talented, but mastering talismans was not something that could be achieved overnight; it required years of accumulation and refinement.
One evening, Su Mu was practicing drawing the "Purifying Heart Talisman," a charm that could cleanse the mind and dispel distractions. He held his breath and concentrated, slowly channeling his internal energy into the brush. The tip glided across the yellow paper; each stroke was filled with strength and spirit.
When the final stroke was completed, the entire talisman emitted a faint golden light, and a refreshing aura spread throughout the room. Su Mu felt a warm current flow through him, bringing a sense of tranquility and peace to his heart.
“I did it!” Su Mu exclaimed joyfully.
Daoist Xuanji approached, looking at the talisman in Su Mu's hand with a satisfied smile. “Mu Er, you have finally succeeded. Remember this feeling; it is the essence of the path of talismans.”
The successful drawing of the Tranquil Heart Talisman marked an important step for Su Mu on his path of talisman crafting. However, the subsequent study of alchemy presented him with an even greater challenge.
Alchemy is different from talisman crafting; it requires not only a thorough understanding of the properties of medicinal herbs but also precise control over heat and timing. A slight mistake could lead to failure in refining, or worse, an explosion of the alchemical furnace that could endanger one’s life.
Daoist Xuanji brought Su Mu to the alchemy chamber and pointed at a bronze alchemical furnace, saying, “The essence of alchemy lies in the word ‘refine.’ You must extract the essence of the herbs and blend them into a pill. Controlling the heat is crucial; too much will burn it, too little will leave it raw.”
Following his master’s instructions, Su Mu placed various herbs into the furnace in the correct proportions and ignited the flames to begin the refining process. He carefully controlled the heat, not daring to be negligent for even a moment.
However, the process of alchemy was far more complex than he had imagined. The control of heat was not a fixed measure; it required constant adjustments based on the changes in the herbs. Due to his lack of experience, Su Mu missed the optimal timing several times, resulting in failed attempts at refining.
“Don’t be discouraged; persistence is key in alchemy,” Daoist Xuanji encouraged him. “Every failure is a valuable lesson. Learn from it, and you will do better next time.”
Su Mu did not give up; he tried again and again, continually summarizing his experiences. He carefully observed the changes in the herbs and diligently grasped the subtleties of heat control, gradually mastering the techniques of alchemy.
However, an accident still occurred.
One day, Su Mu was refining a pill called “Rejuvenation Pill.” This pill could quickly restore stamina and heal injuries; it was one of the secret pills passed down by the Heavenly Mechanism Sect.
During the refining process, Su Mu became momentarily distracted and mismanaged the heat control, causing a sudden spike in temperature within the furnace.
“Oh no!” Su Mu thought to himself as he hurriedly attempted to lower the flames, but it was already too late.
With a loud bang, the furnace exploded, sending shards flying and flames shooting into the sky. Su Mu was thrown back by the shockwave of the explosion and fell heavily to the ground, suffering multiple burns on his body.
Fortunately, Daoist Xuanji arrived just in time, using his internal energy to extinguish the flames and rescue Su Mu.
"Mu Er, are you alright?" Daoist Xuanji asked anxiously.
Su Mu struggled to sit up and shook his head. "I'm fine, Master."
Looking at the destroyed alchemy chamber, Su Mu felt a surge of guilt and self-reproach. He knew he had nearly caused a disaster; if it hadn't been for his master's timely intervention, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
"The path of alchemy is fraught with peril; you must always exercise caution," Daoist Xuanji said earnestly. "Remember this lesson well."
Su Mu nodded solemnly.
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