Chapter 858 - 536: Patriarch, Study! (Double-Length)

Chapter 858: Chapter 536: Patriarch, Study! (Double-Length)

"Go ahead and laugh, let’s see how Ancestor Gongshan treats you this time." The old Taoist gleefully said.

Zhao Sansheng was surprised and asked cautiously, "Is the Ancestor out?"

"He’s inside, go pay your respects." The old Taoist pointed to a Talisman Hall behind him, smiling lightly.

"Well, I just remembered that I forgot to harvest my family’s medicine field, maybe next time..." Zhao Sansheng turned to leave.

At this moment, a furious voice suddenly echoed from the Talisman Hall.

"You rascal, get in here quickly!"

Hearing this, Zhao Sansheng’s heart turned cold, and he gave an awkward smile to Song Changming and Li Jinyu beside him.

"Let’s go, follow me to see Ancestor Gongshan..."

Inside the Talisman Hall.

Seven old Taoists were sitting on both sides, with an even older white-haired elder with a stern face sitting in the main seat.

"Greetings to the senior brothers and the Ancestor." Zhao Sansheng greeted with a wry smile.

"Sansheng, I’ve heard you destroyed half of the Second Courtyard again and injured quite a few disciples?" An old Taoist said with a smile.

"Uh, yes." In front of these people, Zhao Sansheng dared not argue and obediently admitted.

"Hmph, once the losses are calculated, you’ll pay double, and also, Sansheng, reflect in my Hidden Dragon Array for half a month." Ancestor Gongsan Zhi instructed directly, and Zhao Sansheng could only agree reluctantly.

He dreaded the cost and feared the Ancestor’s Hidden Dragon Array, but there was no choice since he happened to get caught by the Talisman Tao Institute’s Ancestor this time.

After handling Zhao Sansheng, the old Taoists turned their attention to Song Changming and Li Jinyu beside him.

They recognized Li Jinyu, the direct disciple of the Sect Leader, but Song Changming was completely unfamiliar.

"Jinyu, why did you come to our Talisman Tao Institute today?" Gongsan Zhi asked.

"Ancestor Gongshan, this is..." Li Jinyu explained Song Changming’s purpose in detail.

He knew well that in the entire Talisman Tao Institute, this Ancestor was the most important figure.

Even if the Sect Leader came to see the Ancestor, there would be no airs.

After speaking, the old Taoists all turned their gaze towards Song Changming, thoroughly observing him.

"A truly remarkable Talisman Tao talent, but it’s a pity he practiced Martial Arts, what a pity..."

"Indeed a pity, were it not for the Martial Arts, I’d have wanted to take this young man as my disciple."

"But it’s also good, young one, you haven’t wasted your Talisman Tao talents, now reaching Level Six Talisman Master proficiency, the future is promising."

"Although that’s the case, attempting ’Sealed Star’ now might be difficult, perhaps after breaking through to Level Seven Talisman Master, you’ll see some of the true meaning of the Sealing Array."

"..."

The old Taoists whispered among themselves but didn’t approve of this matter.

They knew well that if the Ancestor in the main seat wasn’t present, they would naturally follow the Sect Leader’s arrangement to accept Song Changming.

But now that Ancestor Gongshan was out, the situation was different.

In this Talisman Tao Institute, if Ancestor Gongshan disagrees, even the Sect Leader might not be able to persuade him otherwise.

Who made Ancestor Gongshan of high seniority and importance in the mountain?

Song Changming realized that the decision-maker here was entirely the Ancestor in the main seat, so he was waiting for him to speak.

Gongsan Zhi was also carefully observing Song Changming.

"Young one, have you been to the Abyss?" Gongsan Zhi didn’t immediately agree but asked Song Changming.

"I have." Song Changming nodded.

"So you also know the significance behind this Level Ten Array?"

"Yes." Song Changming didn’t hide this aspect, as Emperor Yun himself took him to understand all of this, making him one of the few informed individuals.

The several old Taoists present exchanged glances upon hearing this.

They too were aware of the origins of this Level Ten Array, being informed parties themselves.

"In that case, what is your purpose in spending effort to study this Sealing Array?" Gongsan Zhi continued to ask.

"To stabilize the seal, optimize the array, and ultimately eliminate the apocalyptic threat!" Song Changming stated straightforwardly.

Gongsan Zhi listened and let out a few dry laughs, his face wrinkling into a knot.

"What Emperor Yuan couldn’t accomplish back then, do you think you can?" Gongsan Zhi asked back.

"Where there’s a will, there’s a way, doing the best I can!" Song Changming said without much hesitation.

Gongsan Zhi nodded, "Alright, where there’s determination, there will be success. Henceforth, you will study in the Yiziyuan, and Sansheng, bring all materials related to ’Sealed Star’ and give them to Young Friend Song for reference."

"Yes, Ancestor." Zhao Sansheng hurriedly replied.

The Ancestor had spoken, so the other old Taoists had nothing more to add.

In fact, they all had confidence in Song Changming.

To research this Level Ten Array, countless talents were needed, especially prodigies like Song Changming, who were the main force driving Talisman Tao research.

Just like that, Song Changming temporarily stayed at the Celestial Tao Academy, residing at Li Jinyu’s place.

As for all related notes on the Sealing Array, Zhao Sansheng brought over three large baskets full of them—current research by the Talisman Masters of the Celestial Tao Academy, enough to cover a long table.

Thus, over the next few days, Song Changming immediately delved into reading these insightful results.

Yet soon, he perceived the challenges within.

The old Taoists stated his Talisman Tao proficiency was insufficient, implying his comprehension of this Level Ten Array was premature, and progress would likely be hard to achieve.

And indeed, this was true.

Even though these research results were thoroughly organized with commentary insights, for those lacking in Talisman Tao proficiency, understanding and enlightenment remained elusive.

He was in this stage; the more he pored over these related notes, the more bewildered he felt.

Nonetheless, Song Changming persisted in combing through the crucial notes handed down by generations of the Celestial Tao Academy, trying to comprehend and ponder over the Sealing Array.

Finally, on the third day, he was rewarded.

[Unknown Grade·Star Sealing Array (5% Completeness): Completeness below 50%, cannot be improved, cannot be used.]

On the panel, the Star Sealing Array he desired was successfully recorded.

Unfortunately, this Array recorded was severely incomplete, unlike other arrays he had mastered.

So incomplete that it cannot be used, nor experience enhanced.

If total completeness were 100%, the current display was merely five percent, far too low.

Thus, after another two days, Song Changming had essentially gone through all the notes at the Celestial Tao Academy.

[Unknown Grade·Star Sealing Array (6% Completeness): Completeness below 50%, cannot be improved, cannot be used.]

Though he still felt lost, having understood nothing, the completeness on his panel for the Array did increase, indicating no time was genuinely wasted.

This could be considered good news.

For he confirmed that the completeness of this Talisman Array, akin to Martial Arts Experience, could indeed be improved through continued learning.

As the completeness exceeds fifty percent, he will have initially unlocked this extraordinary Sealing Array!

If he is not mistaken, it is only then that he can further study, master, enhance the Talisman Array Experience Value, and ultimately deploy and set it!

"Great..." Inside the Yiziyuan, Song Changming clenched his fists, putting down a thick note, eyes glowing with excitement.

This Unknown Grade, a super seal only Emperor Yuan could set up, he finally confirmed, one day, he too would completely master it!

Even though no one believed in him yet, his approach was correct, the direction was right!

"So, have you had any results?"

Zhao Sansheng, who was responsible for explaining to Song Changming, was chewing on a wild grass from the mountain. Despite his laid-back appearance, he was unexpectedly sharp, noticing Song Changming’s excitement right away, prompting the question.

"Yes, I feel that if I continue studying, I might actually master it." Song Changming nodded.

"Haha." Zhao Sansheng chuckled and said, "You’re something else, young one, for your ability to face difficulties head-on and maintain an optimistic and strong mindset."

Initially, Zhao Sansheng thought that after Song Changming read all the notes on the Sealing Array and achieved nothing, he might give up or even mock his own overestimation of abilities.

But Song Changming’s performance, at least in terms of willpower, was way ahead of many Talisman Masters.

...