Chapter 7: The Talisman Sage (Part 2)

A faint smile appeared on Kuumu’s rigid face as he said, “Don’t worry about your weak strength. Use all your abilities and skills without holding back. I need to know your level before I can plan your training schedule.”
Guo Shier said, “Alright, Master, be careful.” He was about ten meters away from Kuumu. As soon as he spoke, two golden threads shot straight at Kuumu at lightning speed—typical ambush tactics.
Kuumu was startled; it was the first time he had encountered an attack originating from the eyes. He moved slightly and teleported to the side in an instant. Guo Shier smiled bitterly inwardly. With Master possessing teleportation talismans, fighting became difficult. Fortunately, Kuumu didn’t counterattack but only dodged.
Guo Shier relied on the power of his soul to drive his life talisman sphere, which in turn powered the talismans. This method not only was highly effective but also extremely fast.
The sword talisman was powerful, but Guo Shier hadn’t fully tapped into its potential, relying instead on instinct, which made his attacks seem somewhat sluggish and lacking agility, especially when switching attacks.
Kuumu was astonished. He hadn’t expected Guo Shier’s attacks to be so fierce. When he saw the golden threads transform into massive blades of light, he was even more shocked. He couldn’t figure out what kind of talisman this was, given its astonishing power.
Guo Shier felt somewhat helpless. Kuumu didn’t even touch the flying blades, merely moving around in the testing area. He steadied his mind and suddenly emitted countless sparks, which instantly turned into seven or eight firebirds, trying to surround Kuumu.
Kuumu exclaimed, “Good! Using two talismans at once!”
Guo Shier tried every trick he knew, but still couldn’t overcome Kuumu. Soon, he began to feel overwhelmed. Kuumu seized the opportunity, punching apart the blades of light, and the firebirds scattered instantly into countless sparks. Kuumu said, “That’s enough. Your strength is quite good.”
Guo Shier smiled bitterly inwardly. His strongest attacks, with the most concentrated blade assaults, had been shattered by a single punch from Kuumu. He didn’t understand how Kuumu could use a punch—such a technique was reserved for grand talisman martial artists. Could it be that the master would need to learn those skills after advancing further?
Kuumu was extremely pleased. He saw Guo Shier’s potential. This child was truly extraordinary. After all, he was only ten years old and had only been using talismans for two years. Although his attack methods were still immature, his strength was already quite high thanks to two decent talismans—something he hadn’t expected. The more he watched, the more satisfied he became.

Guo Shier was a bit disappointed. He thought his most powerful attack had been easily broken by his master, which made him feel uneasy.
Kumu noticed Guo Shier’s discomfort and said, “Shier, your strength is already quite good. Even in the Chenxiao Sect, it’s considered quite impressive. But you still lack a lot of knowledge and spells, which is why you’re so vulnerable. There’s still much for you to learn.”
Guo Shier’s expression became determined. He said, “Master, I will study hard.”
Kumu nodded. “Don’t worry. Since you’re my only disciple, I will teach you wholeheartedly. But you must be able to endure hardship. No matter how talented you are, if you don’t work hard, you won’t become strong.”
Guo Shier knew his master was speaking wise words. He nodded and said, “Master, I will try my best.” In this world, if one didn’t work hard, they would either die naturally and have their soul reincarnated, or be killed by others. To survive, one had to strive to improve their strength. Once they reached the pinnacle of the spellcraft world, no one could threaten them anymore.
Kumu was very satisfied. He felt that the greatest gain from this trip was taking Guo Shier as his disciple. He had thought Guo Shier might resist, but the boy turned out to be obedient and easy to train, which relieved him greatly. After all, he wasn’t good at communicating with people. If Guo Shier had resisted, his only option would have been to use force, which had significant drawbacks.
Guo Shier was curious about the Chenxiao Sect’s classification of professions. He asked, “Master, how are professions classified here? What’s the difference from where I come from?”
Kumu replied, “Shier, I don’t know how professions are classified where you are. Tell me first.”
Guo Shier thought for a moment and said, “Where I’m from, there are four types of professions: Spell Warriors, Spellsmen, Caster, and Spellcrafters. Each has its own system. For example, Spell Warriors start as apprentices, then progress to Spell Warriors, then to Spell Masters, and finally to Great Spell Masters, reaching the top of the profession.”
Kumu showed a surprised expression and said, “This way of classifying professions is quite novel. Separating spellcraft into two distinct professions is somewhat understandable, but dividing spells into separate categories seems a bit odd. Well, never mind… Shier, our Chenxiao Sect’s classification of professions is different from yours. Yours isn’t a proper professional system.”

Guo Shier only could force a bitter smile. What else could he say? The difference between the two continents was already huge. With Kuumu’s strength, he could almost wipe out the entire Beifu Sect entirely; no one could match him, especially since he could also fly.
“The master-level experts in your place are roughly equivalent to beginners here. Well, not too bad, but not particularly strong either… Our professional system is very simple, much clearer than yours.”
“Talismans are inseparable. If forced to be split, both will become weak. As for Talisman Martial Arts, it’s a separate system. True Talisman Martial Arts power isn’t subordinate but an independent profession. At its peak, it’s no less powerful than the Talisman profession. Those who practice Talisman Martial Arts are the real warriors.”
Guo Shier thought of Qi Nanshan’s strength after he advanced—it was indeed greater than Luo Jie’s.
“Our Chenxiao Sect has only two professional systems: one is Talisman Martial Arts, and the other is the Talisman profession you’re familiar with. My master belongs to the Talisman profession. Actually, on the higher-level Talisman Continent, once one reaches an advanced profession, there’s only one profession left—Talismans. Lower-level disciples might still be divided into those of Talisman Martial Arts and Talismans, but at the advanced level, there are no such distinctions. There, Talisman masters possess as strong physiques and combat abilities as those of Talisman Martial Arts masters.”
Kuumu said, “The lower the level of the Talisman Continent, the more detailed the profession divisions. It’s a strange phenomenon.”
Guo Shier understood Chenxiao Sect’s method of profession classification, but he still didn’t know how to further improve his strength. He wanted to bring higher-level learning methods to his master Luo Jie. He didn’t feel much for Kuumu yet, but it was different with Luo Jie. Two years of living together had made him develop deep feelings for Luo Jie and the others.
“Chenxiao Sect has its own method of profession classification, as do other sects and families. Each has its own system. However, the core principles are similar. Ordinary people won’t get it wrong, and once one reaches a certain level of strength, they can tell who’s stronger or weaker. It’s hard to deceive others.”
Guo Shier asked, “Master, what level have you reached? Have you reached the top level in Chenxiao Sect?” Kuumu’s formidable strength had left a deep impression on him.
A hint of helplessness appeared on Kuumu’s stern face as he said, “I’m just one step away from reaching the top level of this region’s profession—Great Sage Master. It’s just… this step is extremely difficult.”
Guo Shier said, “Master, with your current level, you should still be considered strong even on the higher-level Talisman Continent, right?”

Kumu nodded and said, “It can only be considered fairly strong—not extremely strong, and certainly not comparable to their top experts. It’s like top professionals from the lower-level Spellcraft Continent coming here; they might have decent skills, but they’re by no means top-tier. The gap is quite obvious.”

Guo Shier sighed, “This is too complicated. Sigh, it never ends… Master, could there be an even higher-level Spellcraft Continent?”

Kumu replied, “I don’t know about that. But someone once saw an exceptionally powerful expert in a secret realm whose strength was beyond description.”

Guo Shier felt somewhat numb. He smiled bitterly and asked, “Then… how are the professional ranks divided in our Chenxiao Sect?”

Kumu explained, “It’s simple. The Spellblade professions are divided into six ranks: Spellblade Warrior, Spellblade Master, Grand Spellblade Master, Mad Warrior, Spellblade Sage, and Grand Spellblade Sage. Each rank is further divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Spellblade Warriors and Masters belong to the lower-level professions, while Grand Spellblade Masters and Mad Warriors are intermediate-level professions. The Sages and Grand Sages are high-level professions.”

Guo Shier thought to himself, “I see. Grandpa Nanshan has reached the level of Mad Warrior, but here he’s only considered an intermediate-level professional.”

Kumu continued, “As for our professions… the Spellcraft professions also have six ranks: Spellcraft Warrior, Spellcraft Master, Grand Spellcraft Master, Spellcraft Mad Master, Spellcraft Sage, and Grand Spellcraft Sage. The division into lower, intermediate, and advanced levels is the same as that of the Spellblade professions.”

Guo Shier asked, “Master, are you a Spellcraft Sage?”

Kumu replied, “Yes. I’ve been stuck at the level of Advanced Spellcraft Sage for almost fifty years. I’m just one step away from becoming a Grand Spellcraft Sage, which would allow me to truly join the ranks of top professionals. I still lack a little bit.”

Guo Shier wondered that Master Luo Jie must be at the level of Beginner Spellcraft Mad Master, but he lacked the necessary techniques to continue practicing. He needed to find books and materials on this topic and find a way to send them to his master.

He asked again, “Master, does Chenxiao Sect have any top professionals?”

Kumu said, “Yes, but almost all of them have left the sect to seek their own paths for advancement. Most have gone to the Advanced Spellcraft Continent, where they can find new ways to progress.”

Guo Shieru suddenly realized that it was just like with Master Luo Jie—if he continued to stay on the continent of low-level spells, he would remain at his current level forever, with no chance to improve his strength. Only by going to a more advanced continent could he find a way forward. Unless Guo Shieru could find relevant books and cultivation methods, it would be impossible for him to progress any further.

Dut dut! Dut dut!

A strange sound came from somewhere. Kuumu casually cast a spell, and then someone said, “Master, someone is looking for you!”

Kuumu asked, “Who is it?”

Guo Shieru immediately recognized it as the voice of Yu Jie, the butler. Yu Jie replied, “Master, it’s Miss Monier.”

Kuumu’s expression changed, and he said, “Tell them I’m not here!”

Then a voice came through, “Kuumu, keep hiding if you want! I wonder how long you can hide!” It was a woman’s voice.

Kuumu clenched his fists in anger. Guo Shieru stepped back, knowing he must not speak at this moment. He wondered secretly: Who is this woman? Why does she make Kuumu so angry?