The strength of the beast and plant talismans created by a Talisman Master largely depends on how well they mimic the real thing. Ordinary Talisman Masters can only replicate the shape, but capturing the sound and essence requires deeper mastery of the Talisman Path.
Leo’s beast talismans not only perfectly replicated the sound but also embodied the true spirit and aura of a fierce tiger.
“Mr. Bloomer, your Talisman Path skills are quite advanced, worthy enough to duel with me,” Gilberto said, surprise flashing across his face as he watched the flaming giant tiger approach. “However, you still cannot defeat me.”
With that, Gilberto quickly drew a talisman on a second jade token. Once completed, he grabbed the token from a distance, causing it to shatter. A long flaming vine emerged, resembling a thick python, and wrapped around the charging flaming tiger.
In an instant, the vine tightly bound the tiger’s muscular body. The tiger roared and struggled fiercely, but the vine tightened further until the tiger exploded into a shower of fire. The vine also partially shattered, leaving half of it writhing in mid-air like a snake.
At that moment, Leo’s jade token shattered, and a sharp flame sword appeared, shooting towards Gilberto. Gilberto’s brow furrowed as he changed his hand seal. The remaining half of the flaming vine lashed out like a serpent towards the flame sword. However, the sword was so sharp that it sliced through the vine effortlessly and continued towards Gilberto.
Just as the flame sword was about to strike Gilberto’s head, he dodged, causing the sword to graze past him and singe some of his hair. This unexpected turn of events drew everyone’s attention to Leo. So far, both had used two jade tokens each, with Clearwind Town’s lord having a slight edge.
This situation made Derick narrow his eyes, a cold glint flashing within them. Mike glanced at Derick’s grim expression and smirked. Seraphina’s eyes, usually calm as autumn water, showed ripples of emotion.
“Young Lord Benson, the warm-up is over. It’s time to get serious,” Leo said softly with a smile, looking at the discomfited Gilberto.
Gilberto slowly raised his head, clenched his fists tightly, and his eyes turned icy cold. “Yes, it’s time to get serious!”
For Gilberto, who took pride in his abilities, having his hair singed by Clearwind Town’s lord was an unacceptable humiliation. As he spoke, spiritual power surged from within him. He leaped into the air above the dueling platform.
Around him, talisman patterns began to appear in mid-air, forming a protective light screen. These patterns glowed with a crimson light and exuded an air of profound mystery as if embodying the principles of heaven and earth.
“This is… the Heavenly Talisman Pattern Shield!” Gracie exclaimed in surprise.
Even Willow, usually composed, couldn’t help but sigh. “His Talisman Path skills have reached the level of communicating with all talisman patterns!”
Apart from Gracie, Willow, and several elders, most disciples of Falling Blossom Palace were amazed by Gilberto’s display of power. The female disciples found the talisman patterns surrounding Gilberto to be quite beautiful.
With the talisman patterns encircling him, Gilberto’s aura significantly increased. Mike felt a sense of unease; although he didn’t understand much about the Talisman Path, he knew that communicating with all talisman patterns required extraordinary skill. In the entire Martial Dynasty, fewer than ten people could achieve this.
Derick looked at Mike and sneered. “Our Young Lord’s talent in the Talisman Path is exceptional. He could communicate with all talisman patterns two years ago. It’s laughable for a mere town lord who knows a bit about talismans to think he can compete with our Young Lord.”
“The lord will not lose!” Mike retorted fiercely.
On the dueling platform, Leo narrowed his eyes and said with surprise, “I didn’t expect you could communicate with all talisman patterns. Impressive.”
“Hmph! I’ll show you that your little tricks are nothing before me,” Gilberto sneered and raised his finger.
The crimson talisman patterns around him converged at his fingertip as he pointed at five jade tokens floating before him. As he touched each token, the patterns transferred onto them. Five bursts of crimson light erupted and then quickly subsided into the tokens.
The five jade tokens were now successfully inscribed with talismans.
“Talisman Activation Technique!” Gracie recognized Gilberto’s method.
“I never thought I’d witness the supposedly lost Talisman Activation Technique,” remarked the silver-haired elder of Falling Blossom Palace behind Gracie.
Some exceptionally gifted talisman masters could perform astonishing feats after communicating with heavenly talisman patterns. This technique allowed them to create talismans with just a touch.
“Consider yourself honored to witness my Talisman Activation Technique firsthand. Now, taste my talismans!” Gilberto said coldly as he waved his right hand.
The five crimson jade tokens shot out like streaks of light and shattered in mid-air. Five large bursts of fire emerged, each containing a giant flower bud that bloomed into five enormous red ghost faces.
The ghost faces twisted grotesquely with huge mouths and eyes burning with crimson flames as they stared at Leo.
“That’s Specterbloom!” Gracie exclaimed upon seeing the ghost faces within the petals.
Specterbloom was a plant-like demon that could move and preferred fresh flesh. It excelled in sonic attacks that could cause dizziness in humans and beasts alike.
Gracie’s expression changed as she shouted, “Everyone use spiritual power to block your hearing!”
However, her warning came too late as Specterbloom’s giant mouths opened simultaneously. Five black sound waves spread out instantly. The waves were piercingly sharp and seemed to evoke deep-seated fears within people, dragging their minds into an abyss of endless pain.