Chapter 77: Initiation (Part One)

Daoist Zhao left, taking his young apprentice with him, and departed from Guobei County.

Life settled into a profound stillness, without the slightest ripple, as though he were far removed from the noise and turmoil of the world. Yet this tranquility left him somewhat uneasy; with no one to converse with, he passed the days gathering herbs in the mountains and devoted his surplus energy to cultivation. He even recopied the “Little Talisman Secret Manual,” placing it within the temple to enrich his own foundation.

One day, as he meditated, a sudden neigh of a horse sounded from outside, followed by a knock at the door. Chen Lan opened it, revealing a young Daoist carrying a sword case, accompanied by a Daoist nun wearing a bamboo hat and a light veil.

“Zhuge Liuyun?”

Yi Fan, delighted, rose to greet him, smiling, “Brother Zhuge, what wind brings you here? It’s been so long since we last met. How have you been?”

Zhuge Liuyun was unchanged, as familiar as ever. He accepted the tea Chen Lan brought, took a sip, and said, “Good? Hardly! I’ve been busy day after day, rushing everywhere to put out fires. I’m exhausted—look, I’ve even lost weight. Come on, bring out that fine wine you’ve been hiding. Let me have a few jars to satisfy my craving.”

Yi Fan laughed heartily, tapped him lightly and said, “You really are a wine-lover. No fine wine, but I do have a few jars of aged liquor. Would you like some?”

“Fine wine, aged wine—it’s all the same to me. Stop talking nonsense and bring it out. After days on the road, my mouth is dry as a desert,” Zhuge Liuyun replied impatiently.

Yi Fan chuckled, shaking his head, and instructed Chen Lan to fetch a jar of aged liquor from the room. This was a gift from Fish-Eye years ago, before chaos descended upon the world and before the Chen family was wiped out. He had kept it all this time.

The wine was a simple aged blend, brewed from sorghum and rice. It burned fiercely upon drinking, but after years of storage, it had become mellow and fragrant—good wine indeed.

Zhuge Liuyun opened the jar, sniffed it, and said, “How can we have wine without dishes? Quickly, bring out a few side dishes—I haven’t even eaten yet.”

Hearing this, Chen Lan went straight to the kitchen, leaving the three of them to sit together. Yi Fan glanced at the Daoist nun and asked, “And who might this fellow traveler be?”

“Oh, I forgot to introduce her. She’s my junior niece. She’s out traveling the world and happened to cross paths with me, so I brought her along. She’ll stay here for a day as a guest,” Zhuge Liuyun explained.

The Daoist nun removed her bamboo hat, revealing a delicate face. She clasped her hands and said, “Fifth generation disciple of the Shu Mountain Sword Sect, Liu Yu. Greetings, fellow Daoist.”

Yi Fan quickly rose and returned the courtesy, “I am but a wandering cultivator of the mountains, Yi Fan. No need for formalities.”

“All right, all right, enough of this ceremony. It’s so cloying—why be so formal?” Zhuge Liuyun impatiently interrupted, then said to Liu Yu, “He’s my best friend. Don’t be fooled by his status as a wandering cultivator; his strength is not to be underestimated.”

Suddenly, he set down the wine jar and looked at Yi Fan with surprise, “Wait, wait. When I came in, I sensed it—your cultivation seems to have risen again?”

Yi Fan smiled softly and, after a moment’s thought, replied, “A slight advancement, nothing worth mentioning.”

Shaking his head, Zhuge Liuyun formed a hand seal, brushed it across his eyes, and gazed at Yi Fan. He felt a clear spiritual radiance and an indistinct pressure that startled him, dissolving his spell. He exclaimed, “Spiritual radiance freed, soul out of the body—you’ve actually ascended to the Divine Unity realm?”

Yi Fan said nothing, merely raising his teacup and taking a sip.

Seeing his expression, Zhuge Liuyun marveled, “It’s only been a few years, yet you’ve reached such a height. I recall when last we met, you were just at the first level of Dao Foundation. Now you’ve entered a higher plane entirely. Tell me, what secret method did you use?”

Liu Yu coughed lightly, “Uncle Zhuge, mind your words.”

Chastened, Zhuge Liuyun rubbed his nose and smiled wryly, “I thought that advancing to the second level of Dao Foundation within a year was fast, but you’re even quicker—there’s simply no comparison.”

He asked no further about Yi Fan’s advancement. Every cultivator has their own fateful encounters and opportunities, sometimes tied to their core secrets—which cannot be shared with outsiders.

Since Zhuge Liuyun did not press the matter, Yi Fan offered no explanation. The three chatted, and soon Chen Lan brought in food. Liu Yu ate, while Zhuge Liuyun and Yi Fan drank.

It turned out that Zhuge Liuyun had not come to Skyward Temple by chance, nor specifically to visit Yi Fan, but was merely passing through on his way elsewhere. As he explained, he set down his wine cup, his face troubled, “Since the world fell into chaos, all sorts of demons and monsters have emerged. The great sects have sent disciples down from the mountains, not to interfere in mortal affairs, but to slay evil and protect the innocent.”

“But the world is vast and disorder reigns. Even with disciples descending, it’s never enough—we’re just rushing from one emergency to the next. I just received a task from my sect to deal with affairs in the Nanjing area, and Liu Yu happens to be headed the same way, so we’re traveling together. You mentioned your temple is here, so it was easy to find.”

No wonder they both looked so travel-worn—they had covered many miles.

Zhuge Liuyun paused, glanced at Yi Fan, and said, “Actually, I have two matters for which I’d like your help.”

“Oh?” Yi Fan was surprised—given the immense power of the Shu Mountain Sword Sect, would they need his assistance? He replied, “Brother Zhuge, there’s no need for ceremony. Whatever you need, just say the word. If I can help, I certainly will.”

“Don’t worry, you’re absolutely able to help.” Relieved by Yi Fan’s promise, Zhuge Liuyun continued, “I’ve long known you excel in talisman-making, especially the ‘Lesser Evil-Expelling Talisman’—a true masterpiece. Even those from the Supreme Purity Sect can hardly compare.”

He paused, then added, “You know, our Shu Mountain Sword Sect relies mainly on the sword, not talismans. Though we’re not without them, the task in Nanjing is urgent—I haven’t had time to gather supplies. I’d like you to spare some talismans for me.”

“So that’s it—nothing difficult. I have some stored in the temple, made during idle days. If you don’t mind, please take them,” Yi Fan said, then went to the secret chamber and brought out several pouches, handing them over.

Zhuge Liuyun eagerly took them, opened one, and pulled out a ‘Lesser Evil-Expelling Talisman,’ exclaiming, “Brother Yi, your talisman-making skill is extraordinary. Such superior talismans—even ordinary disciples of major sects would struggle to produce them.”

He checked the other pouches and grew more astonished, even hesitant, “I thought you wouldn’t have many, but they’re all top-quality. It feels wrong to just accept them.”

Inside were nearly a hundred ‘Lesser Evil-Expelling Talismans,’ each of the highest grade. Even demons with Dao Foundation cultivation would suffer from one. To have so many—few even among core disciples of major sects could match it.

After some thought, Zhuge Liuyun took out a secret manual, “I can’t take your talismans for nothing. This secret method is your reward—don’t refuse. It’s not for my own benefit, but for the sect’s affairs, so consider it compensation from the sect.”

Yi Fan initially wished to decline, but hearing this, he accepted with a gentle smile, not even glancing at the contents, and handed it to Chen Ni’er to store in the secret chamber.