“The five elements give birth to all things, so the aura of the five elements is everywhere. However, due to differences in the surrounding environment, the qi of the five elements varies in strength and balance.”

He thought to himself, “If judged by common understanding, this is what is recorded in the classics as the study of feng shui.”

As for the Dao of talismans, it is about following a specific trajectory, finding a matching path, and confining the qi of the five elements of heaven and earth within it.

On this point, Franklin Foster also has records, and gives quite a few examples.

For instance, carving grooves in the ground to channel water, and the water flows along the grooves—these grooves are a kind of trajectory.

Making kettles, teacups, and basins out of metal—these shapes are also a kind of trajectory.

When water is poured into them, it changes according to the shape of the vessel.

Pour it into a round plate, and the water is round; pour it into a box, and the water is square.

These shapes are the most basic kind of trajectory, but they can also contain the qi of the five elements.

The trajectories of talismanic arts are far more mysterious, using complex paths to contain the qi of the five elements of heaven and earth, or even to confine it within.

Countless kinds of trajectories, each different, thus give rise to endless mysteries. These trajectories are called runes.

The marks that Brian Carter is to draw today can attract the wandering fire qi of heaven and earth, and are thus called fire talismans.

“A black dog is fierce by nature, and its blood wards off evil. Cinnabar is of yang nature and can also dispel evil spirits. The rune to be drawn today is a talisman of blazing fire.”

“Using the rune’s trajectory to guide the flow, fully displaying the properties of black dog’s blood and cinnabar—if the fire talisman is completed, it will contain yang fire within. Though invisible to the naked eye, it can drive away evil and startle ghosts.”

Brian Carter thought to himself, “Though I have no magical power, the fire talisman I draw cannot be called a spiritual or immortal talisman, but the strokes and trajectories of this fire talisman’s rune are inherently mysterious and unparalleled, fully displaying the properties of the two materials, so that the fire talisman contains yang fire—this is inevitable.”

“A few fire talismans and a blood blade—these should be enough to frighten off lesser spirits and monsters.”

……

The timing of drawing talismans is quite particular.

But this talisman is a fire talisman, so it must be drawn at the break of dawn.

A talisman is made in three steps: the talisman base, the talisman aperture, and the talisman foot.

Of these three, the talisman aperture is the most important, requiring the infusion of true qi, which is the spiritual essence of the talisman. But since Brian Carter has no magical power, he can take a shortcut here and only needs to draw the marks of the fire talisman.

Because the strokes and marks of this fire talisman are themselves a special method discovered by many cultivators from countless trajectories, they naturally have a unique effect.

Just like different characters have different meanings to those who can read.

Brian Carter took a deep breath, calmed his mind, and visualized the Nine-Layered Jade Tower.

After a moment, he began to write.

Talisman base, talisman aperture, talisman foot.

All three were completed in one go.

With a single stroke, without pause.

In the span of a single breath, the rune was finished.

There was no dazzling light, nor did flames burst forth—everything was plain and ordinary, just like Mr. Foster writing a festive calligraphy scroll.

This was the fire talisman.

He tossed the fire talisman toward the black dog.

The black dog suddenly shuddered, and despite its weakness, hurriedly retreated. Staring at the fire talisman before it, a trace of fear appeared in its eyes, and it let out a few mournful whimpers.

Brian Carter glanced over, quite satisfied.

To ordinary people, this talisman would seem utterly ordinary, with nothing unusual about it.

But to cultivators or monsters, it was a mass of flames.

The black dog could barely be considered a supernatural being, and its senses were relatively keen; it could just barely sense the fire nature contained within the fire talisman.

“The fire talisman is just formed, but still lacking a bit.”

Brian Carter put the fire talisman away and stuck it beside the stove.

That stove had burned for years, and though now extinguished, the fire nature remained.

The fire talisman can absorb the heat, so placing it by the stove can enhance its fiery nature.

Without hesitation, Brian Carter continued drawing talismans.

By the time the sky was fully bright, the morning sun had risen, and the rosy clouds glowed, the time had passed.

Brian Carter had made a total of nineteen fire talismans.

Because of some fatigue and unsteady hands, two were ruined.

“Nineteen… that should be enough.”

Brian Carter pondered briefly, then placed them at the mouth of the stove, intending to collect them all after the blazing midday sun.

In fact, since he has no magical power to protect himself, carrying fire talismans may not be entirely beneficial.

Because fire talismans are of fire nature—if a person carries them, it will make the qi of the heart and liver more vigorous. At best, it leads to irritability and a drastic change in temperament; at worst, it can harm the body, cause serious illness, or even endanger life.

Brian Carter is half a cultivator and knows the pros and cons well, so he is very cautious.

It is already so when fire talismans are carried on the person.

If placed in the home, one must also consider whether the five elements are balanced.

If the house’s feng shui originally lacks fire, placing a fire talisman to balance the five elements is excellent.

If the five elements are already balanced, or if there is already too much fire, adding another fire talisman will increase the fire, disrupt the feng shui, and cause great harm.

He put away Franklin Foster’s rune book and took up the long knife.

This long knife, in Grant Foster’s hands, has killed on the battlefield and is quite extraordinary.