As for even higher-tier Talismans, one would need to use a higher level of the Cloud Seal Celestial Book to create them.

The Cloud Seal Celestial Book is itself composed of Runes, originating from Ancient Times. Legend has it that it was passed down to the world by an Outer World True Immortal.

The basic Runes used today are simplified versions that evolved from the Cloud Seal Celestial Book.

The book describes the Cloud Seal Celestial Book as follows:

First, at the initial separation of Yin and Yang, the qi of the Three Primes, Five Virtues, and Eight Convergences formed the Book of Flying Heaven, later compiled into the Chapter of the Eight-Dragon Cloud-Seal Bright Light.

Then came the Chapter of the Eight-Dragon Cloud-Seal Bright Light, formed as the natural qi of flying profundity coalesced in the void to become script. Its characters, each a zhang square, originated within the heavens and gave rise to all of creation.

The book of the Three Primes and Eight Convergences is the ancestor of all texts. The Eight-Dragon Cloud-Seal is the root and origin, the very beginning of the written word.

Basically, it meant that the Cloud Seal Celestial Book was a Celestial Book formed when heaven and earth first separated, the progenitor of all writing in the cosmos.

Only these kinds of Runes were capable of bearing the Divine Power and Techniques of the Golden Core Realm and beyond.

...

In the remainder of the first stage of the test, Jiang Xu made two more basic mistakes, both of them minor issues with the details.

Fortunately, thanks to Jiang Xu’s subsequent caution, no further problems arose. He finally completed the fifteen basic Talismans and passed the first stage of the test.

The disciple administering the test nodded and said:

"You made quite a few small mistakes, but I’d say you’re Skilled enough. You’ve passed the first stage.

The second stage is to create finished Talismans on the spot. You need to successfully create two different kinds of ungraded Talismans.

You have twenty sheets of Talisman Paper. If you run out before you’re done, you fail!"

Jiang Xu didn’t dare to delay. He quickly picked up the Talisman Paper and began.

First up was the Dust-removal Talisman.

This Talisman was very simple. Although his Skill Level for it was still at the Beginner Stage, Jiang Xu was confident he could successfully create one within five sheets of Talisman Paper.

However, Jiang Xu still pretended to ’accidentally’ fail seven times, only succeeding on his eighth attempt.

After successfully creating the Dust-removal Talisman, Jiang Xu heaved a long sigh of relief. He wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve before handing the Talisman to the disciple.

The disciple took the Dust-removal Talisman and looked it over, seeming satisfied.

"Alright, not bad. I’ll count this first one as a pass."

He then failed another nine times, only succeeding in creating the Silence Talisman on his tenth try.

"Very good. You’ve passed the second stage. And by passing the second stage, you’ve successfully joined our Talisman Pavilion.

However, for now, you only count as an ungraded Talisman Maker, placing you at the very bottom of our Talisman Pavilion. Do you want to challenge the third stage?"

Seeing that Jiang Xu had passed the second stage and could now join the Talisman Pavilion, the disciple’s tone softened.

"The third stage?"

"That’s right. The third stage tests Tier One Lower Grade Talismans. Want to give it a try?"

Jiang Xu thought for a moment, then agreed.

The third stage required creating any two Tier One Lower Grade Talismans within twenty sheets of Talisman Paper.

Jiang Xu chose the Fireball Talisman, the simplest of the Tier One Lower Grade Talismans, which only had sixteen Runes.

He then began the arduous task of creating the Talismans, but failed to produce a single successful one, down to the very last sheet.

The disciple beside him looked on with considerable regret and tried to console Jiang Xu:

"What a shame, Junior Brother Jiang. One of those Fireball Talismans was just about to succeed. Once you’re in the Talisman Pavilion, maybe in a year or so, you’ll be able to join the ranks of the Tier One Talisman Makers."

"Senior Sister, you don’t have to say it. I know I’m still a long way from being a Tier One Talisman Maker, but I’m confident I can get there soon!"

Seeing that Jiang Xu wasn’t discouraged and was instead filled with fighting spirit, the disciple’s impression of him improved slightly.

"Well, well, Junior Sister Yu. Hitting on the new junior brothers again, are we?"

Just then, a clear, pleasant voice drifted over from nearby. Jiang Xu looked toward the source of the sound.

He saw a small girl who looked to be about 1.4 meters tall.

Her face was exquisitely beautiful, with bright, misty eyes like autumn pools. Her nose was delicate and elegant, and her skin was as fair and smooth as fine white jade. A cascade of black hair flowed down her back like a waterfall. She looked just like an Elf.

Yet this Elf-like girl stood there like a grim mountain peak, radiating a chillingly aloof aura that kept everyone at a distance.

The moment Jiang Xu met her gaze, he felt a bone-chilling north wind slice across his Divine Soul, forcing him to quickly look away, not daring to meet her eyes again.

"Senior Sister Leng, this is a Pavilion assignment. I have not overstepped my bounds in any way!"

Yu Wenfeng first offered a formal salute before replying coldly. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Hmph. Who’s to say."

The little girl known as Senior Sister Leng scoffed, shot Jiang Xu a deep look, and then walked away.

After Senior Sister Leng had left, Yu Wenfeng forced herself to smile.

"Junior Brother Jiang, please don’t take offense. Senior Sister Leng is... old, so her temper is a bit peculiar. Don’t take anything she says to heart."

After that interruption, Yu Wenfeng was no longer in the mood for pleasantries. She simply had Jiang Xu stand behind her and resumed the examinations.

Standing behind Yu Wenfeng, Jiang Xu was wondering to himself.

’Old?’

’But she looks like she’s only fourteen or fifteen.’

’She couldn’t have been born unable to grow up, could she?’

A sharp glint flashed in Jiang Xu’s eyes.

’Could it be that this Senior Sister is practicing some kind of Secret Technique that increases one’s lifespan?’

’Or maybe a Secret Technique that preserves her youthful appearance?’

’If that’s the case, perhaps I should find a chance to get closer to her in the future.’

’Although, she seems incredibly difficult to approach.’

...

During the subsequent tests, Yu Wenfeng seemed to be in a very bad mood. She nitpicked at every disciple’s performance, as if venting her frustration.

By the end of the examinations, she had only accepted a total of five disciples.

After letting off steam, Yu Wenfeng returned to her normal self, a faint, alluring charm about her as she led the five of them to the Talisman Pavilion.

From her own introduction, Jiang Xu learned that this Senior Sister’s name was Yu Wenfeng. She was an Inner Sect Disciple and a Tier One Middle Grade Talisman Maker.

Although Jiang Xu was curious about Senior Sister Leng, he wasn’t stupid enough to ask.

The Talisman Pavilion was located within the Inner Sect’s grounds, and its exterior looked extraordinarily grand.

Yu Wenfeng gave them a detailed tour of the Talisman Pavilion’s interior, explaining all the restricted areas and various rules one by one.

"I know many of you want to know the criteria for becoming an Inner Sect Disciple. For disciples of the Talisman Pavilion, the Cultivation requirement is lowered to the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer, but you must also be a Tier One Middle Grade Talisman Maker."

Hearing this, the disciples broke into an uproar, all feeling that the requirements were far too strict.

"Silence!"

Yu Wenfeng snapped.

"Did you think it was easy to become an Inner Sect Disciple? A mere Tier One Lower Grade Talisman Maker hoping to enter the Inner Sect? Dream on!

Do you have any idea how many Tier One Lower Grade Talisman Makers there are in the Talisman Pavilion?

If they could all enter the Inner Sect, the title of Inner Sect Disciple would have been worthless long ago!"