The Dao of learning has three paths, and practicing sword has three mouths. It feels very powerful.
"Master, what should I learn next?"
I asked eagerly.
Master did not answer immediately, but instead asked me to kowtow to the Ancestral Master to express my gratitude.
I responded with an "Mm" and kowtowed three more times to the Ancestral Master.
"Many thanks to the Ancestral Master for bestowing the sword. This disciple will certainly cultivate diligently and not let the sect down."
Seeing that I had finished kowtowing, Master picked up the three peach wood swords that had fallen on the ground.
After examining them, he said to me:
"Xiao Qin, the Ancestral Master has bestowed three swords, each corresponding to Metal, Fire, and Wood in the Five Elements.
From now on, you will cultivate these three Dao sword techniques, along with the corresponding sword-opening talismans..."
Master began to explain in detail.
I had only recently joined the sect. Although I had read some books about the Five Elements and Bagua in the shop before, I couldn't grasp it all immediately.
By the time I heard the end, I had a general understanding.
This ritual of bowing to the Ancestral Master and receiving swords was actually a way to determine which of the Five Elements an initiate was most suited to cultivate.
When practicing sword, one would "open the sword" using talismans of that particular element.
Once a peach wood sword was opened, its effectiveness against malevolent spirits would be doubled, and its power greatly increased.
Under normal circumstances, a person would correspond to only one of the Five Elements.
Rarely, two might be present.
Therefore, for me to correspond to three elements was extremely rare.
According to Master, the more Five Element attributes one corresponded to, the broader their path of learning would be.
The Five Elements of Heaven and Earth, and their five corresponding methods.
Each attribute corresponded to a major category, with many incantations and talismans.
If one had a Water attribute, they would be unsuitable for learning talismans of the Fire attribute.
Forced use would greatly diminish the effectiveness.
Conversely, if one's constitution corresponded to a specific Five Element attribute.
Then, upon casting a talisman of the same attribute, its power would be enhanced.
The Ancestral Master bestowing three swords indicated that I corresponded to three attributes.
Thus, I could learn the sword-opening talismans of Metal, Fire, and Wood, and practice three styles of wooden sword talismans.
Once I mastered these three sword-opening talismans, my strength would undoubtedly surpass that of others at the same level.
After hearing Master's explanation, I became even more delighted.
"Master, then please teach me the three sword-opening talismans!"
As long as I could learn true skills to strengthen myself and lay a foundation for longevity, I would not miss the opportunity.
Master nodded:
"Alright, but one must eat one bite at a time.
I happen to correspond to the Fire element of the Five Elements.
Your Master will first teach you the Fire element sword-opening talisman tonight!
Once you learn it, I will teach you the other two elements."
I nodded repeatedly beside him, eager.
Master then asked me to fetch paper and brush, and placed an ordinary peach wood sword, the kind used for sale, on the table.
He said to me with a serious expression:
"Xiao Qin! The reason peach wood swords can ward off evil and stabilize households is because they are extremely rigid and possess strong Yang energy.
Any lingering Yin or spirits will avoid them.
However, to make a peach wood sword more lethal, one must use a sword-opening talisman.
Using a talisman to communicate with one's own Five Element Qi.
This process of using one's own Five Element Qi to 'imbue' the peach wood sword is called opening the sword.
Today, your Master will teach you the Fire element sword-opening talisman."
"Understood, Master."
I widened my eyes and nodded in response.
I remembered every word Master said to me.
Master picked up the brush and continued:
"Watch closely, and listen carefully."
As soon as he finished speaking, Master dipped his brush in cinnabar and began drawing a talisman on the yellow paper.
He also chanted loudly:
"Pure and clear, heart of Bing Ding.
Rightward gaze at the Southern Dipper, leftward gaze at the Seven Stars.
Golden Talisman, open and heard to act."
When Master finished chanting, the talisman in his hand was also completed.
I silently recited the incantations Master uttered while drawing the talisman, committing them firmly to memory.
Master then put down the cinnabar brush.
He picked up this sword-opening talisman and the ordinary peach wood sword beside it, and slid it across the body of the peach wood sword.
He then chanted two words, "Open Sword."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the drawn talisman ignited with a "buzz" and instantly turned to ash.
There was no visible change on the surface of the ordinary peach wood sword in Master's hand.
However, I, standing beside him, clearly felt a slight warmth.
I cautiously reached out to touch it.
Master made no move, allowing me to touch it.
But upon touching it, I discovered that this ordinary peach wood sword.
Had become warm, as if it had just been heated by fire.
I was startled and exclaimed to Master in surprise:
"It's hot!"
Master smiled and nodded:
"Precisely, this is the effect after opening the sword.
It's fine for us to touch it, but if malevolent spirits touch it, they will be instantly burned and scalded.
Once you have fully mastered the sword-opening talisman and become proficient, you will be able to form finger seals.
Then you won't need to bother drawing talismans with a brush.
Now, try it yourself."
I drew in a sharp breath, my heart surging with excitement.
I used to watch Uncle Jiu's movies and noticed how he would sometimes touch the body of a peach wood sword with his sword fingers, and its power would increase.
I had just enjoyed the spectacle then, thinking it was for dramatic effect, but I never expected there was true skill involved.
That action was precisely imbuing the peach wood sword with power...
Master's expression was calm as he set down the peach wood sword.
He gently flicked his finger.
The peach wood sword, which had been slightly warm moments ago, instantly cooled down, becoming icy cold.
Although Master had only demonstrated once, this was undeniably true skill.
I picked up the cinnabar brush and yellow paper, reviewing the key points and movements Master had just described in my mind.
Then, I began to draw the talisman...