Chapter 1777: Divine Thunder Seal

## The Mortal Realm

"No wonder the cultivators of this realm are skilled in the Way of Talismans, dealing with divine talismans from the very beginning of their cultivation," Qin Sang thought, sighing inwardly.

A ritual seal, as it is called, uses a divine talisman as its foundation. Each type of ritual seal corresponds to a different divine talisman; the one Qin Sang currently possesses corresponds to the Jade Purity Thunder Summoning Talisman!

This divine talisman is the basis for the existence of the ritual seal and the foundation for forging the altar. After receiving their ritual seal, disciples of the Thunder Left Prefecture gradually comprehend this talisman as their cultivation improves, slowly perfecting their ritual altar.

The Jade Purity Thunder Summoning Talisman is extremely complex. Such intricate divine talismans are all composed of multiple seal forms assembled according to specific procedures; the parts that make up the divine talisman are also known as component forms. When drawn, each component form has distinct patterns, divine inscriptions, structures, spiritual apertures, and incantations, allowing no room for error. Some component forms are even divine talismans in themselves.

When all the component forms converge and combine into a whole, the divine talisman is complete. This step is called assembly or combination. To learn talismans, one must first understand how to "read" them, dissecting each component form from the entire seal form, fully comprehending them, and then reassembling them into a complex combined form to truly master the art.

There are many types of structural forms for divine talismans. Simpler ones are formed by combining several component forms on a single plane, making their structural form easy to discern. However, complex grand talismans are often created by the aggregation, overlapping, and layering of various component forms, rendering the individual component forms invisible. This requires cultivators to expend great mental effort to slowly comprehend them; only those with tenacious perseverance and profound attainment can succeed. And this is just the beginning; how to simplify complexity and use divine talismans with ease is also a profound discipline.

The Jade Purity Thunder Summoning Talisman is one such complex grand talisman, at least for Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment cultivators. However, the ritual seal has already clearly broken down the seal form; otherwise, disciples initially granted a ritual seal wouldn't even be able to dissect the component forms, let alone forge the altar.

When forging the altar, the seal form can be regarded as the framework of the ritual altar. As long as a cultivator comprehends the first component form of the Jade Purity Thunder Summoning Talisman, they can begin forging the altar. This can be likened to building a house: the first component form is equivalent to laying the foundation, and then stacking bricks and tiles layer by layer. In this way, a sturdy ritual altar is gradually built.

Before this, Qin Sang had not diligently studied the Way of Talismans and rarely had the opportunity to draw talismans himself. However, he had used spiritual talismans extensively and had some understanding of the core principles of the Way of Talismans. Moreover, the Jade Purity Thunder Summoning Talisman is not excessively profound; even if he knew nothing about the Way of Talismans, comprehending it wouldn't be difficult.

Without much effort, Qin Sang comprehended the first component form. He opened his eyes, pondered for a moment, then raised a finger and moved it gently. Spiritual light pulsed from his fingertip, leaving a brilliant trail in the air, and the first component form was complete.

Gazing at the component form, Qin Sang showed a thoughtful expression. The component form hung in mid-air, spiritual light flowing like water, with faint, subtle lightning flashes, resembling a mysterious talisman script. Drawing talismans naturally follows principles; just as mortals use characters to write essays, the Way of Talismans also has its special talisman scripts. Talisman scripts are characters, component forms are paragraphs, and assembled forms are essays.

A single component form might be a unique talisman script, or it could be composed of countless talisman scripts. The origins of talisman scripts often stem from cultivators profoundly observing the heavens and earth, contemplating myriad phenomena, drawing inspiration from the movements of clouds, objects, and stars, or mimicking the patterns of insects and birds, among others. Talisman cultivators, based on differences in function and origin, categorize talisman scripts into types such as Divine Mansion Jade Scripts, Jade Palace Spiritual Scripts, Cloud Seal Thunder Patterns, Dragon Splendor Phoenix Chapters, and so on, an inexhaustible list. Various talisman scripts can form talismans individually, or they can be combined to create different divine talismans with varying powers.

The component form before Qin Sang was composed of thunder patterns. The Supreme Divine Firmament Ritual Seal venerates the Thunder Ancestor and cultivates thunder methods, so the Jade Purity Thunder Summoning Talisman is fundamentally composed of thunder patterns.

Qin Sang's gaze shifted to a special aperture within the component form, which is another crucial element of a divine talisman—the spiritual aperture! As the saying goes:

*Drawing a talisman without knowing the aperture only makes ghosts and gods laugh.**Drawing a talisman knowing the aperture makes ghosts and gods scream!*

This aperture is no ordinary aperture; heaven and earth combine to form it, named the Divine Qi Point. Like the Qi apertures in the human body, Qi is infused into it, permeating the seal form, connecting heaven and earth, and gathering divine will, truly the talisman core. The assembly of component forms is not a simple superposition; only with overlapping apertures, interconnected spiritual apertures, and unobstructed circulation of intent and Qi can a true talisman be formed.

The more complex a divine talisman, the more spiritual apertures it has. The first component form of the Jade Purity Thunder Summoning Talisman has only one spiritual aperture, the one Qin Sang was looking at. Once the ritual altar is forged, the ritual seal resides within this spiritual aperture. Each subsequent overlapping of apertures and combination of forms will be based on this spiritual aperture.

Qin Sang's thoughts stirred slightly, and several streams of light flew out from his Thousand Jun Ring, landing before him. Among them were two bottles of golden blood: one gleaming brightly, the other slightly dimmer. There was also a section of withered wood constantly emitting azure lightning, and a spiritual herb with leaves covered in lightning-like patterns. The withered wood was a root of the Azure Firmament Tree, and the spiritual herb was called Thunder Responsive Grass. Both bottles of blood were collected by Qin Sang when he infiltrated the Thunder Hawk Demon Kingdom and was working for the Thunder Left Prefecture; they were all essence blood of Golden-winged Thunder Hawks, one from a royal lineage, the other ordinary.

All four spiritual items were prepared for forging the altar. The Golden Seal Altar and the Military Formation Altar: one is a physical altar, the other a spiritual altar. The Military Formation Altar requires coordinating and connecting the Qi of the military forces under one's command to collectively achieve the seal form. When cultivation is high enough, generals and commanders can even be stationed in other spiritual apertures. Forging the Golden Seal Altar, on the other hand, involves refining spiritual items to construct the seal form.

The grade of spiritual items used for forging the altar will have some influence on the ritual altar and divine talismans, but higher grades are not always better. For a mere first component form, choosing extremely high-grade spiritual items, whose contained power is too strong, might instead damage the spiritual aperture, leading to the collapse of the seal form.

Qin Sang's gaze swept over the four spiritual items. He first took out a drop of essence blood from a royal Golden-winged Thunder Hawk, and after a brief attempt, it indeed failed. He didn't force it, instead taking out the ordinary essence blood again, drawing out a drop, and suspending it above his palm. Newly initiated talisman practitioners lack the ability to refine spiritual items; as long as they can construct the ritual altar using impure essence blood or medicinal power and prevent it from collapsing, they can slowly refine it later. Qin Sang, of course, didn't need to do this. With a slight circulation of his True Essence, he refined away all impurities from the essence blood, retaining only the purest bloodline power.

Only a trace of pure bloodline thunder force remained from the drop of essence blood. Then Qin Sang flicked his finger, integrating it into the component form. Visibly, a point of thunder light moved through the component form, thunder force acting as ink, tracing thunder patterns, completing it in one go! The component form transformed into a thunder talisman, its spiritual glow pulsating, responding to the spiritual aperture.

Qin Sang's mind stirred slightly, and the ritual seal shot into the spiritual aperture. In an instant, the altar was complete!

"This is my ritual altar," Qin Sang murmured. He gazed intently at the ritual altar.

The altar was divided into three tiers, with four pillars symbolizing heaven, earth, sun, and moon, and featured eight gates and ten directions, consistent with the ritual altars he had seen before. As it was a Golden Seal Altar, it appeared less grand and imposing compared to the Military Formation Altars of the Dao Court's immortal officials.

Because only one component form had been completed, the ritual altar resembled an illusory outline. Within this outline, several strands of lightning intertwined, encircling the central spiritual aperture, forming the altar's skeletal structure. At this moment, a seal hovered within the spiritual aperture. The seal read: Supreme Divine Firmament! This seal was the true form of the ritual seal, precisely the renowned Divine Firmament Thunder Seal of Jushan Zhi!

Qin Sang put away the ritual altar, carefully contemplating it for a moment, then suddenly spread his palm, and immediately a talismanic shadow appeared in his palm. A sudden clap of thunder resonated, and a bolt of lightning struck towards a corner of the cave dwelling.

It was deep night, and outside the cave dwelling, it was exceptionally quiet. Qin Sang had managed to conceal both the sound of the thunder and the power of the lightning, preventing any disturbance to the cultivators outside. What he was now unleashing was precisely the Jade Purity Thunder Summoning Talisman from his ritual seal.

Due to the special nature of the ritual seal, cultivators can unleash the corresponding divine talisman as long as they construct its first component form. Naturally, the power is weak at first, but it gradually increases as the ritual altar is built up. Most importantly, unleashing this talisman was like using his own divine ability: the talisman formed with a thought, and its power could be wielded with a wave of his hand. The lightning Qin Sang had just struck was the Jade Purity Thunder Summoning Talisman, formed by merely pointing his finger.

Spiritual apertures, component forms, assembled forms—not a single step allows for error. Although divine talismans are powerful, drawing them is extremely cumbersome, especially complex grand talismans which cannot be completed in an instant. If one were to draw a talisman in the midst of battle, the enemy would not remain idle, needlessly missing a crucial opportunity. Therefore, cultivators devise various methods to shorten the time. The most common method is to use special spiritual items to create talisman paper, talisman brushes, and cinnabar, pre-refining spiritual talismans that can be directly deployed against enemies. There are also talismanic artifacts like talisman plates; the talisman plates used by Su Zinan and Old Man Wu back then were of this kind.

There are also individuals of extraordinary talent who profoundly understand the Way of Talismans, comprehending certain divine talismans so thoroughly that they can layer spiritual apertures, simplify the seal form to its utmost, retaining only the true essence, thus achieving the ability to form talismans with a mere flick of a finger. Such geniuses are ultimately few. Moreover, most divine talismans can only serve as means of attack, and expending immense mental effort to comprehend them would not be worth the cost.

The flourishing of the Way of Talismans in this realm is not only due to its complete inheritance but precisely because ritual altars enable ordinary cultivators to form talismans with a mere flick of a finger. All cultivators of the Thunder Jade Prefecture cultivate the Supreme Divine Firmament Ritual Seal and understand the Jade Purity Thunder Summoning Talisman. This is their most commonly used and convenient divine talisman because it can be cast instantly. To some extent, the Jade Purity Thunder Summoning Talisman can be considered their natal true talisman, and after ascending in rank, they will also acquire more powerful divine talismans.

The function of the ritual altar extends beyond this. Other divine talismans, apart from the natal true talisman, will gradually form a divine talisman imprint during the process of comprehension, which is stored within the ritual altar. When casting talismans, one only needs to activate the divine talisman imprint to conjure the talisman out of thin air, greatly saving the cultivator's energy and time. Even for divine talismans not yet fully mastered, the ritual altar can increase the success rate, shorten casting time, and reduce the consumption of spiritual sense and magical power. In conflicts between cultivators, victory or defeat can be decided in an instant. If they are also Thunder Department divine talismans, they can receive the altar's blessing, enhancing their power, and the various benefits are inexpressible. The Thunder Jade Prefecture's thunder methods are unparalleled in Jushan Zhi, and they undoubtedly possess corresponding Thunder Department divine talisman inheritances. Comprehending them with the aid of the ritual altar would likely be much easier, but unfortunately, it's impossible for them to grant it to an outsider like him.

Qin Sang had little interest in these divine talismans; he received the ritual seal to restore his cultivation.

Next, Qin Sang began to recall the "Chaozhen Jade Talisman Incantation," preparing to cultivate his spirit.

*"True Firmament, True Edict, Vast Decree of Nine Heavens. Granted to me to receive, to behold the radiance... Ascend to Divine Firmament, take refuge before the Precious Throne..."*

According to the Daoist ritual for cultivating the spirit, before cultivating the spirit, one must also recite the "Pure Heart Incantation," the foremost of the Eight Great Divine Incantations, to purify body and mind, eliminate distracting thoughts, and calm the spirit. Qin Sang naturally didn't need to do all this, and it wasn't his first time engaging in spiritual contemplation. At the beginning of cultivating "Heavenly Demon Refinement," visualizing the divine beast Azure Luan was also a form of spiritual contemplation.

At this moment, he quieted his mind and entered a state of tranquility, circulating the "Chaozhen Jade Talisman Incantation." What he contemplated was not the sacred image of a heavenly deity, but the inner deity within his own body. He contemplated the truth in stillness, observing inner forms and shadows. He cultivated his spirit, contemplating his body. If he were to contemplate a heavenly deity, it might take some time, but contemplating the inner truth quickly yielded a sensation. Daoist legends say there are thirty-six thousand deities within the human body.

In the ethereal depths, Qin Sang felt a trace of divine will arise in his heart aperture, drifting with his thoughts, profoundly subtle and elusive, as if drawn, flying on its own towards the ritual altar, settling within the ritual seal, using the ritual seal as its dwelling place. He didn't know how much time had passed, but Qin Sang slowly awoke, finding that trace of divine will still present, not dissipating due to his wandering thoughts.

"This is the Altar-Protecting Divine General?" Qin Sang murmured to himself, feeling a sudden sense of novelty. In fact, contemplating the sacred image of a heavenly deity does not truly invite the deity down from the celestial realm; what is visualized is also a profound and mysterious trace of divine will. The so-called Altar-Protecting Divine General is, in essence, divine will concealed within the seal, unable to truly manifest; otherwise, so many people wouldn't question Daoist legends.

However, as cultivation improves and one cultivates the spirit daily, cultivators can feel the divine will gradually growing stronger. It is this trace of divine will that protects the cultivator's consciousness, preventing it from becoming muddled. Qin Sang carefully contemplated it, primarily sensing the inner nature of the divine will. Although not very clear, he faintly perceived a subtle fluctuation of the Jade Buddha. Just like his soul imprint, being imbued with the power of the Jade Buddha, its might would undoubtedly be greatly different. Qin Sang nodded inwardly.

Next, he no longer hesitated, repeating the process of forging the altar countless times. Component forms were continuously layered into the ritual altar. Anyone witnessing Qin Sang's speed in forging the altar would have been dumbfounded. Once the ordinary essence blood was used up, Qin Sang began to use the royal essence blood. The ritual altar was nearing completion and barely usable. Soon, the ritual altar was completed in one go!

At this moment, the ritual altar displayed a power far greater than before. Within the altar, the Divine Firmament Thunder Seal slowly rotated. The thunder seal seemed to be composed of lightning, clear throughout. Bolts of lightning surrounded the thunder seal, intertwining into a complex electrical net. These lightning bolts seemed alive, their electrical radiance flickering. With a mere thought from Qin Sang, lightning would ignite and flashes would appear and disappear. Everything happened silently. These lightning bolts were manifestations of the seal form and would not detach from the altar.

Having cultivated the Supreme Orthodox One Boy Spirit Official General Ritual Seal to its extreme in one go, Qin Sang felt no fatigue. As for the divine will within the ritual seal, its growth speed was not as quick. Qin Sang would need to continuously perform the spirit cultivation technique for some time, though with his cultivation, it wouldn't take too long. He silently circulated his cultivation method, his Qi sea rotating, absorbing and refining the Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi into his body, maintaining his True Essence at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage. There was no need to suppress it with spiritual sense; his True Essence showed no signs of disorder. However, before he could be granted a higher-tier ritual seal, there were limits to both the total amount of True Essence and the speed at which he could absorb Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi.

At the same time, Qin Sang discovered another powerful function of the ritual altar: it could assist cultivators in their practice, increasing their cultivation speed! He secretly thought, "No wonder." Cultivators in this realm, from the very beginning of their cultivation, must divide their attention to comprehend seal forms and contemplate heavenly deities, both of which consume time and energy. Even with the abundant Heaven and Earth Yuan Qi in this realm, it would be too difficult. The ritual altar, to some extent, resolved these concerns for cultivators.

He had planned so much for the qualification to receive the ritual seal, yet forging the altar turned out to be so simple. Qin Sang shook his head slightly, stood up, and pushed the door open.

Outside, dawn had not yet broken. He glanced at the time, his figure flickered, and he vanished in a streak of light. Next, it was time to seek out the Flowing Gold Fire Bell Ritual Seal from the Thunder Right Prefecture.

Not long after leaving the island, Qin Sang soared away on a streak of light towards Pot Island, preparing to first pay a visit to Master Qi.