Chapter 106: Proxy Testers
Normally, Brushweavers focused on the movement of their Qi, adjusting it as they inscribed to ensure the runes and the entire talisman were in harmony. It was like pill-refining, where the alchemist monitored the situation within the furnace the entire time, but without the physical aspect of it.
For seasoned masters, it was fine once they got used to it. They made adjustments to ensure the runes were properly aligned. However, they neglected the effects a consistent stroke could have. It was just like prepping ingredients for Li Lang’s mass-production method. It kept variables low, but this time, the drawbacks were minimal.
Li Lang suspected the only reason typical Brushweavers hadn’t realized this yet was because it required precision down to the millimeter. They didn’t have a habit of taking precise measurements of their work, and it was hard to observe with the naked eye. Their tradition had always focused on the Qi techniques, as they mistakenly thought the physical aspects were only used to carry the Qi.
It was only after analyzing his own talisman within Ruby multiple times that Li Lang began to notice the pattern. If one were able to masterfully control their brush strokes, it would lower the difficulty of balancing the different Qi energies of varying runes. It was like setting up lanes so the traffic wouldn’t collide.
With that theory explained to Li Lang’s two pupils, he moved on to the next step.
“Now I know it isn’t proper for me to examine your techniques, but I would like to examine the properties of your Qi itself. With permission from each of you, of course.”
“Sure.”
Sima Xue quickly affirmed while Tang Yulian stared silently at Li Lang for a few moments. She only nodded when Sima Xue pulled on her sleeve.
She wasn’t too stringent on it, as analyzing Qi wasn’t something that intrusive. Numerous cultivators left traces of their energy as they interacted with the world. In fact, the blood divination that Tai Xilin wanted to use was a type of Qi analysis. It allowed one to read the trace amounts of energy left in biological tissue for various purposes.
It wasn’t hard to obtain if the cultivators didn’t have special techniques that eliminated all their traces.
With their consent, Li Lang drew closer to the two girls. Sima Xue immediately reached out a hand to him, but Li Lang simply ignored her gesture. He went straight for their inkstones and dipped a finger into the pool of ink.
Li Lang’s Qi sense swiftly examined the samples in question. He was able to get a feel for what he was dealing with right away. Tang Yulian’s Qi was especially hard to manipulate. It was dense and brimming with energy. In comparison, Sima Xue’s was a lot more malleable.