After having made a decision, the older manager told Fu Xian about a rather less-known matter "This Art has been submitted by a senior several centuries ago. When he did so, he left a message:
'This art, although seemingly a demon Gu art, is more compatible with the witchcraft of the southern mountains. At each section of performing the killing ritual, it will actually enhance – 7 times, 14 times, 21 times, 28 times, 35 times, 42 times and finally reaching the limit of heaven, 49 times.
It's best to only kill seven of each stage with this art – anything more will not be in accordance with heaven. When staying in the bounds of heaven, you will be protected from the backlash of karma and your fortune won't be damaged.
With every seven rituals, you will gain another nightmare. Until at the end, you posses seven nightmares, which allows you to kill those two stages above you, as long as you manage to make them experience seven nights of nightmares.'
Although it hasn't been proven, because no one has taken this cultivation art to the seventh stage just yet, it's likely the senior is correct about this. It's said that at that time, the library rewarded him heavily. Also, it is one of the few transcendent Gu arts, which is why it's also been tested by the ancestors before being put into the library."
Nodding, Fu Xian thanked the man "I am grateful for your message! Although I do not intend to practice this art myself, knowing the deeper laws will definitely help me comprehend it.
Haha, who knows, maybe I can refine a Nightmare Gu Talisman? If I succeed, I will make sure to come directly to you and submit it to you."
"Great blessings!" the old man said.
For him, getting such things was beyond his required quota, which means he would be rewarded for every additional unique inheritance he gained!
The two chatted for a bit before the manager turned around and took the talisman diagram back. The copy had already been taken by the formation spirit.
Once everything was confirmed, he formally handed over the two jade slips and gave a last message "This Gu art is very domineering, even if you don't cultivate it, it's best not to comprehend a second Gu art while you cultivate this. Transcendent arts are already very exclusive, but this Gu art doesn't even allow you to cultivate a second Gu before reaching a certain accomplishment.
Anyways, you will surely know how to handle things."
Fu Xian nodded and probed his spirit sense into the jade slip, pulling all the information into his mind. Once done so, the jade slip shattered. He saw how the jade dust was gathered by an invisible force.
Not caring anymore, he bid farewell and left the library, returning directly to his residence.
…
A few days passed. During this time, Fu Xian only looked into the art for a few minutes before putting it away.
The exclusivity of transcendent arts also meant that he would have difficulties understanding another art. It was like a compute using 90% of its ram to run a specific program. If you want to use another program, you have to close this program and possibly even clear cache.
Obviously, no one would give their main transcendent art to learn another, so it has been a common fact that learning a second transcendent art is not only difficult, but also very useless and doesn't benefit you much.
Finally, the time for which Fu Xian had longed for arrived – Neighbourhood Gathering!
He put on his most refined robe, a peak second grade robe, which he had once purchased when he wasn't a citizen yet, hoping to use it as a defensive artifact if he had to leave. It was white with purple cloud patterns, swirling around like eastern divine purple clouds, the symbol of enlightenment. His shoes were of similar design, and with each step, a cloud seemed to form below his feet, making his movement smoother and faster, as if he was riding clouds in the sky.
Then he took out a fan – it was like a painting, with beautiful and enchanting violet flowers depicted. With every wave of the fan, it was like violets fell from the fan, their fragrance spreading around.
It was another second-grade peak item, an auxiliary illusion-type item, initially planned to be used in conjunction with other arts to create an illusory avatar when fleeing… now it wasn't necessary anymore, fortunately though it could be used for these things.
He closed the fan and tapped the white wooden end on his hand, waiting for a few minutes.
Because of his previous life's memory, he was always punctual.
When the time to go arrived, he slowly left his courtyard, following the road down.
After a few minutes, having left his own corner, he saw more and more neighbours around. They seemed to be talking in their gardens with other neighbours, their expression one of elation and expectation.
He heard one say "Last time, I nearly comprehended a spiritual inspiration compatible with my origin light! If I can completely comprehend it this time, I might finally cross the step and form my second origin light! Haha, from then on, taking missions will be a lot safer!"
Fu Xian, who heard this, was confused. A second origin light? He seemed to have some understanding but also not. It was weird, as if he heard that the first exam after the final exam was actually the final exam all over again.
Not paying more attention, he walked a bit faster.
As discussed with senior Ruan, he arrived a little over an hour before the gathering.
Just when he stood in front of the courtyard, an invisible force opened the door, followed by a kind yet strong voice "Come in little Fu Xian!"
The neighbours closest to senior Ruan, all Spiritual Core stage cultivators, looked over with an imperceptible smile.
One of them commented "It seems we have gained another talented little guy!"
Another nodded "That's good. He's a talisman cultivator, right? I heard senior Ruan's nephew also wants to cultivate talisman. He has already entered the middle second stage… do you think senior Ruan, in consideration of this, had already made plans fifty years ago?"
"Who knows? It's likely but for senior Ruan, this was likely a casual move. Anyways, with little Fu's age at that time, he had to either become an origin light cultivator in fifty years or die of old age. Anyways, we still have enough empty space, so for senior Ruan, this casual move now gave him a connection to a true talisman cultivator!"
"That's right… alas, if senior Ruan was willing to hire a talisman cultivator, he might get one, but the talisman cultivator would never teach as unrestrained and generous as a junior neighbour."
"Hehe, you guys, it's also good for us. Let's hope he has a few good talismans!"