Immortal Creation.

Chapter 715 "Elementary Book Talks"

When Ning Zhuo arrived at the summit of Dianmo Peak, Chu Xuangui finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But instead of starting the test, he filled the blank spaces on the Xuan paper in front of him with ink.

Having mastered the paper, he slowly raised his head, faced the dozens of cultivators at the summit, and solemnly announced, "The time has come; the test shall begin."

He pointed to the sky, and his magical power condensed into test questions—using his talisman-making skills, he created "Elementary Children's Book Talks".

Upon hearing this question, the cultivators in the room exchanged bewildered glances.

How weird!

The question style is completely different from previous years!
The exam question was quite bizarre; it required students to write a Confucian classic using the techniques of talisman-making.

"Mengtong Shutan" is not profound at all; on the contrary, its content is quite simple. The term "Mengtong" means enlightenment for children, and it refers to books for early childhood education.

It is an introductory book to calligraphy, mainly covering four of the five major script styles: clerical script, regular script, running script, and cursive script. As for seal script, it was deliberately omitted because it is too difficult.

The five major scripts, which are the main content of calligraphy, are based on various Confucian works.

The art of talisman making emphasizes the spells, the details of each stroke and pause of the talisman brush, the selection of talisman paper and ink, and the cultivator's understanding of the spells.

Stroke style?

It has never been investigated.

As long as the talisman works, it is considered a success.

Why use the strokes of talisman-making to write Confucian texts?

"What exactly does Mr. Chu Xuangui want to investigate?"

"What is the script used for making talismans? I have been cultivating for decades and have never thought about this question."

These are two unrelated things. The cultivators couldn't understand why Chu Xuan Gui wanted to link them together.

Bai Jiyun is a representative figure among Foundation Establishment Confucian cultivators in the contemporary Feiyun Kingdom. He enjoys traveling around and admiring beautiful scenery, and can be considered quite knowledgeable.

He was also puzzled at this moment: "According to legend, when Cang Zu created characters, he referenced talismans as the standard, and thus created seal script. But Meng Tong Shu Tan excludes seal script.

Liu Fushu admired Chu Xuangui greatly, thinking to himself, "Mr. Chu's actions must have a profound meaning, but I am too dull to understand it for the time being."

Chu Xuangui scanned the crowd, taking in the puzzled looks on their faces.

This situation was exactly what he had expected.

It's normal to not understand.

The real purpose behind Chu Xuangui's design of this strange question was to promote Ning Zhuo.

Before anyone could think, Chu Xuangui took out a calligraphy brush from his sleeve.

He channeled his magic power, suspending the brush in the air to show it to everyone.

"The winner of this Xingyun trial will receive this 'meaningful brush'."

Ning Zhuo raised an eyebrow slightly: "A magic weapon level?"

He was quite surprised, never expecting that such a significant reward would be given in a mere trial of Xingyun.

The cultivators around him suddenly erupted into an even more intense exchange.

"My God! I'm not seeing things, am I? It really is a pictographic brush?!"

"What's going on with this small test today? Why did Mr. Chu offer such a reward?"

"It's not easy to create a writing brush with comprehension. To obtain the main material for the brush handle, Heluo Jade, one must endure a lightning tribulation."

"More than that. This pen is a magic weapon, meaning it must withstand at least three tribulations."

"The main material is usually Heluo Jade. Surviving the lightning tribulation means surviving the heavenly tribulation. But the earthly tribulation and the human tribulation must also be overcome. Otherwise, it is impossible to achieve this level!"

Ning Zhu remained silent.

Hearing the discussions among the cultivators, he immediately realized that he had underestimated the importance of this pen.

Bai Jiyun narrowed his eyes, realizing: "This trial of Xingyun is extraordinary. The fact that he can produce the 'Understanding Brush' will probably make those Golden Core stage seniors regret their actions."

Xingyun has conducted numerous small-scale trials. Historically, the Confucian cultivation group has had a relatively weak presence within the Wanxiang Sect, and the rewards offered have never been so substantial.

"It is conceivable that once this test is over, the news of this small test will spread like wildfire throughout the Myriad Manifestations Sect."

Liu Fushu was the most excited.

He stared intently at the ideographic brush in mid-air, clenching his fists, his breathing becoming heavy, and his eyes showing a few streaks of blood: "It is said that the number of ideographic brushes is limited."

"Because when cultivators use this precious brush to copy calligraphy, they can understand the author's profound meaning from the works and calligraphy models. Over time, this accumulation can elevate their level of attainment in a certain area!"

"This kind of precious brush is truly a treasure for cultivation. The one before us is not a magic tool, but a magic treasure. For most cultivators, it can be used for almost their entire lives!"

"It is precisely because this kind of magic weapon can enhance one's cultivation level and quickly cultivate experts that it goes against the natural order."

"The total number of 'Knowledge Brushes' existing in the world at any given time can never exceed ten thousand! Every subsequent creation of a Knowledge Brush will bring about a calamity. Only by overcoming this calamity can the treasure be successfully refined."

"And the difficulty of making each of the symbolic brushes is getting higher and higher."

Liu Fushu was skilled in calligraphy and knew all the famous brushes in the world like the back of his hand. Among the thirty-six great brushes, there was one called the "All Wonders Meeting Meaning Brush," which ranked twenty-seventh.

The so-called "Three-Six Great Spirit Brush" is the most famous treasure brush in the cultivation world throughout history, with even the lowest quality being a spirit treasure!
All the pictographic brushes in the world are made by imitating the "Mysterious Pictographic Brush". Although they are imitations, they are rare and precious, and Confucian scholars will pursue them with all their might whenever they have the chance!
Kong Ran's eyes shone brightly, his chest heaved, and his breathing became rapid: "Baby, my dear baby!"

"I made the right decision to join the Myriad Manifestations Sect this time."

"Many people say I have an affinity for Confucianism and advise me to specialize in it. Now it seems that this pen was waiting for me to come here. Is this fate's arrangement?"

Although Kong Ran is very young, he is very mature in his thinking.

Even though he was too young and had less experience than others, he still understood the political implications of the comprehension pen.

"Such magical artifacts are only used for daily cultivation, but their value far exceeds that of ordinary offensive magical artifacts."

"There is probably only one branch in the entire Myriad Manifestations Sect."

"Whoever acquires him will undoubtedly be recognized within the Confucian cultivation circle of the Myriad Manifestations Sect as a promising new talent!"

"If I get this calligraphy brush, I will have an advantage over others right from the start."

"No, it's not just a little bit better, it's many times better, many times better!"

Seeing the changing expressions on everyone's faces, all captivated by the precious treasure he had brought out, Chu Xuangui smiled inwardly.

Then, he pointed his fingers like a sword, channeling his magical power to condense eighty-eight characters of "eternity" in mid-air.

"The fastest way to copy is to cover the 'Mengtong Shutan' book that I gave you, and those that meet the standards will be the best."

"But if there is even one mistake in the process, all previous efforts will be wasted, and we will have to start writing from the very first word of the chapter."

After quickly reciting these rules, Chu Xuangui, without waiting for any questions, announced: "The preliminary test of the Qi-Xing Yun technique at Dianmo Peak shall now begin!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Ning Zhuo took the lead, activating his magic power to create characters out of thin air.

Upon seeing this, the cultivators were immediately inspired and followed suit, vying with each other to do so.

Almost everyone started from the same starting line, but after a dozen breaths, someone took the lead and the lead quickly increased.

It was written by Liu Fushu!

This young monk came from a poor family and had been practicing calligraphy diligently ever since; it was also his specialty.

He has gained considerable fame because of this outstanding quality.

The first chapter of "Mengtong Shutan" is the Song of the Eight Virtues of the Character "Yong".

Anyone who studies calligraphy must learn the character "永" (yong).

The "Eight Virtues of the Character '永'" not only elucidates the essential meaning of writing the character "永," but also promotes Confucian principles. A single dot symbolizes the initial stirring of a benevolent heart.
The two horizontal lines resemble a righteous sword pacifying the frontier.

Three vertical ceremonial staffs reach for the sky.

The four hooks, like a wise blade, return to their edge.

……

"Elementary Book Talks" is widely circulated in the world of cultivation, and almost all children study this book when they learn to write.

Liu Fushu was the first to finish writing all eighty-eight characters of the character "永" (yong), which was just a warm-up, and he wrote them very easily.

Upon seeing this, Chu Xuangui immediately extended his other finger and used his magic to write a poem in clerical script.

The entire "Elementary Children's Book Talks" contains, apart from the eighty-eight characters of the character "永" (yong), poems in clerical script, regular script, running script, and cursive script, with twenty-two poems in each style. Each poem is easy to recite, and the poems themselves serve as excellent practice books for calligraphy.

The poem written by Chu Xuangui is the third in the series of poems written in clerical script.

Exactly—

The silkworm's head opens its sharp edge to receive the sea mulberry.
The swallow's tail trails behind the clouds, its charm deeply hidden.

The stone gate opens horizontally to suppress the dragon and elephant.
Bamboo and silk scrolls have carried the teachings for a thousand years.

Liu Fushu knew this poem by heart; he only needed to glance at it before he buried himself in writing his own.

He was about to make great strides when he made a mistake on the third character, as the strokes no longer met the test requirements.

He had no choice but to start over from the very beginning of the poem.

He quickly made a mistake on the seventh word and had to start all over again.

Then, he made a mistake on the fifth character.

Three mistakes in a row caused him to linger on the first line of the poem, and he never passed.

Liu Fushu was dumbfounded, unable to believe what was happening before his eyes!
"I, what's wrong with me?"

"Is this still me?"

"Am I too nervous?!"

Chu Xuangui took in the entire scene. A glint of shrewdness flashed in the depths of his eyes.

This was entirely within his expectations.

"Mengtong Shutan" is widely popular, and basically anyone who has the opportunity to attend school will practice it many times.

This is especially true of Liu Fushu. His exceptional skill in calligraphy must have required a tremendous amount of time and effort.

Every time he practiced "Mengtong Shutan", he would do his best to meet the requirements of each character and poem.

For him, these poems and lyrics were not only memorized perfectly, but also written fluently backwards. He could write these words with his eyes closed; it was ingrained in his very being, an instinct.

However, now, Chu Xuangui's requirements for the test questions are indeed to use the writing style of talismans to write "Mengtong Shutan".

This is very difficult for those who practice diligently!
Liu Fushu had honed the art of writing these poems to the core of his being. The stronger this instinct became, the more difficult it was to counter him now.

In particular, Chu Xuangui displayed his calligraphy brush before the exam even began.

This reward, a magical artifact, was so significant that it sparked fierce competition among Confucian cultivators, who were eager to outcompete others.

In this situation, Liu Fushu, who comes from a poor family, would inevitably become nervous and lose his composure. This would make him more prone to making mistakes.

Chu Xuangui glanced at everyone and secretly observed Ning Zhuo for a moment.

"Yes, Not Bad."

Ning Zhuo's speed is excellent, ranking among the top five.

Wen Ruanyu mentioned some information about Ning Zhuo to her fellow Confucian scholars.

Therefore, Chu Xuangui knew that Ning Zhuo was more skilled at making talismans than calligraphy. The latter knew little about Confucianism, and probably did not understand the important meaning behind the matter of the ideographic brush.

This makes it even easier for Ning Zhuo to maintain a calm and composed mindset.

Ning Zhuo needs to maintain a calm state of mind so that he can avoid revealing any flaws and allow the Confucian sect to promote him to a higher position without any suspicion.

If there is any suspicion, not only will the Confucian scholars be criticized, but more importantly, the plan to help Ning Zhuo will fail.

Therefore, the Confucian scholars did not inform Ning Zhuo of their specific plan. Firstly, they worried that Ning Zhuo was too young and might not be able to perform well, so it was better for him to act naturally. Secondly, communicating and plotting in advance would easily leave evidence.

If discovered by someone with ulterior motives, this evidence will put Ru Xiu and Ning Zhuo in huge trouble.

Since this concerns the profits of the White Paper Immortal City, many people will definitely investigate this matter.

The safest approach for the Confucian scholars was to avoid contact with Ning Zhuo and any prior communication, and instead proceed directly with the Xingyun trial.

This tests the Confucian scholars' ability to control the situation.

And this is precisely one of the strengths of Confucian scholars!

It's a fresh start again.

Liu Fushu glanced around and realized that he had fallen far behind.

"No, no, no! How could this be? I should be far ahead!" Liu Fushu became increasingly nervous, her eyes bloodshot and her expression stiff.

The top three rankings have been stable for a while now.

They are Bai Jiyun, Kong Ran, and Ning Zhuo.

“Ning Zhuo is in third place…it’s reasonable that he’s behind the top two,” Chu Xuangui thought to himself.

He knew Bai Jiyun, Kong Ran, and Liu Fushu.

During each Flying Cloud Conference, all organizations and factions within the Myriad Manifestations Sect actively recruit new members. Confucian cultivation groups are no exception.

They secretly keep an eye on outstanding young talents and invest a lot of time and energy in them.

Chu Xuangui was not anxious; everything was under his control.

The next moment, he conjured up another poem in calligraphy form out of thin air—

The gossamer threads intertwine with the mountain peaks, their lingering beauty enhanced by the dewy fragrance of the brushstrokes.

The spring rain, like a gentle cycle of dryness and moisture, continues the magnificent chapter of mountains and rivers, even as the brush breaks its strokes.

Liu Fushu was still writing his previous poems in clerical script, but this one was a poem in running script.

Many of the cultivators were slightly taken aback.

In order, clerical script is followed by regular script, regular script by running script, and finally cursive script for poetry.

Chu Xuangui suddenly skipped the regular script and went straight to the running script section.

"Alright, now it's time for what I'm good at." Bai Jiyun perked up; his favorite calligraphy style was running script. At this moment, he hadn't yet grasped the seriousness of the situation.

Sure enough, he made a mistake on the eleventh character the next moment.

He wrote so smoothly that he unconsciously developed a running script style.

Therefore, he had no choice but to redo it.

Error, error again, error once more!

Bai Jiyun seemed to be a carbon copy of Liu Fushu, making a series of mistakes, and her ranking plummeted from first place.

"How could this be?" The dashing Bai Jiyun was completely dumbfounded.

(End of this chapter)