Chapter 114: Gathering Herbs for the Cauldron

Several months later.
South of the Eastern Mi Prefecture, Yang Mountain.
Early summer was already halfway through.
Under the scorching summer heat, the vegetation in the mountains appeared lush and flourishing. The crevices of the rocks, baked by the sun, were searing to the touch; faint wisps of white steam occasionally escaped, only to be swept away by the breeze and vanish without a trace.

In the quiet chamber deep within the mountain, Chen Heng sat cross-legged on a rush cushion. His wide sleeves hung naturally from his knees, and his hands were formed into a seal, utilizing a Qi-refining method to grind away the final bit of vital essence remaining in the porcelain bottle from Huaiwu Cave.

This was the essence left behind by a beast comparable to a second-stage Foundation Establishment entity, obtained by Qin Xian and the other disciples of the Blood Lotus Sect. In terms of grade, it surpassed the Gu Diao he had personally slain. Yet, because its grade was so high, Chen Heng had no choice but to use a slow, meticulous "water-grinding" process to dissolve the outer shell of this essence, crushing it bit by bit into the purest元 essence to be absorbed into his energy meridians.

Even with the guidance of the "Thunderous Sound Induction Technique," the entire process was not the work of a single day; it was repetitive, exhausting, and incredibly complex. The thunderous sound originated in the brain, harmonized with the six viscera and five palaces, cleansed the bones and blood of his entire body, and unified his strength to continuously vibrate and wear down the essence. This alternation between movement and stillness, intensity and silence, was exactly like the application and transformation of Yin and Yang energies. Heaven and man worked in unison to harvest the medicine and return it to the cauldron.

Two days later, in the quiet chamber, the surging thunderous roar finally ceased, receding like a tide until it was no longer audible. Chen Heng relaxed his fingers from the seal and rested them lightly on his knees. He felt as if his body had become light and buoyant the moment the essence was finally dissolved. A gentle flow of spiritual breath merged into his body, circulating leisurely through his limbs and bones, causing his blood and energy to surge before merging with his original fetal breath. The two became one, internal and external perfectly integrated, significantly strengthened as if they had originated from the same source. His mind felt incomparably comfortable, as if he were gathered around a bonfire in the depths of winter, and he unconsciously sank into this warmth. By the time he came to his senses, half an hour had passed. Outside, the birds chirped crisply in the mountains.

"Seventh level of Qi Refining. I am only a hair's breadth away from the next stage."

Chen Heng shook his head and looked at the small, three-inch-tall porcelain bottle on the table nearby, now completely empty. He sighed inwardly: "A pity. Whether it is vital essence or talisman coins, I have used them all up..."

Had he not deliberately purchased some treasures for repelling ghosts and dispelling Yin, as well as some Small White Sun Pills for his journey to the Earth Abyss, he should have reached the eighth level of Qi Refining by now. He would have been only one step away from the Great Completion of the Nine Returns of Qi Refining.

"After the Nine Returns of Qi Refining, one must manifest the phenomenon of the 'Three Appearances of Yang Clarity.' Only then is the foundation of Qi refining sufficient to proceed with Foundation Establishment."

Chen Heng stood up and paced back and forth, his brows slightly furrowed.

The first stage of Foundation Establishment—the Birth and Transformation of the Qi Sea.
This stage involves refining one's cultivated fetal breath into True Qi, elevating the rank of the cultivator's spiritual essence, tempering their natural aptitude, and establishing a solid Daoist foundation to make the cultivator's physical form more receptive to the Dao. This is why the sages of antiquity named this stage "Foundation Establishment."

This stage does not merely require transforming fetal breath into True Qi; one's previously wandering energy meridians must also be anchored below the navel, converging through the portals to be refined and gathered into a "Qi Sea." Once this profound accomplishment is achieved, every gesture and movement, bolstered by the "Qi Sea," will possess immense power. Unless one is like Chen Heng—having studied superior Qi-refining techniques with an exceptionally high quality of fetal breath—one could never hope to contend against such power.

Moreover, the first stage of Foundation Establishment—the Birth and Transformation of the Qi Sea—has no particular bottlenecks or secret tricks; it can be said to be the easiest major realm to achieve in orthodox immortal cultivation. As long as one's Qi-refining work is sufficient and the Nine Returns state is reached, one can plant the profound root and refine the Qi Sea.

"The first stage of Foundation Establishment is not difficult. The second stage, 'Size as Desired,' is also just a matter of grinding work, requiring the fine polishing of True Qi. For others, this stage might consume great effort and waste time, but with the Golden Cicada in my hand—where 'one day in the mundane world is ten days in the Dharma Realm'—I have no such worries."

Chen Heng stopped pacing, thinking to himself.

Although that was the case, his talisman coins were now exhausted. Furthermore, the words of Patriarch Fucan before they parted clearly implied he should not rush into Foundation Establishment, but first exhaust his spiritual potential on the "Tai Su Jade Body."

To build a foundation with "Tai Shi Yuan Zhen"—would that invite some unknown calamity? There seemed to be treacherous undercurrents hidden within. Moreover, Chen Heng had a vague, ominous premonition. The prospect of joining the Flower God Mansion to cultivate the Dao might not be as smooth as he had anticipated.

"As things stand, every step I take feels like rowing a boat against the current."

He remained silent for a moment. With a flicker of his gaze, he adjusted the mechanism, moved the large stone blocking the cave entrance, and walked out of the quiet chamber. He looked up at the sky; it was noon. Sunlight spilled through the gaps in the trees, so brilliant it was blinding, shimmering like cascading waterfalls of flowing gold. Chen Heng took a few steps and stopped. Near the cave wall lay a dense layer of dead flies and mosquitoes, a gruesome sight.

In the midst of the piles of dead insects, several green geckos the size of a palm also lay limp and dead. Chen Heng looked at them, seeing the black, congealed blood leaking from their mouths and noses; they had clearly been dead for a long time.

"It seems the Thunderous Sound Induction Technique is quite formidable when in use, though it has pointlessly crushed these small lives."

The ground was covered with the remains of flies, mosquitoes, and geckos, all shattered by the intense, alternating vibrations of the sonic technique. Chen Heng lowered his gaze, no longer looking at them, and gazed out at the lush green mountains, lost in thought.

In terms of cultivation, he was now at the seventh level of Qi Refining, and his supplies of essence and talisman coins were exhausted. Even if he wanted to continue his secluded cultivation to advance his progress, he was powerless to do so. It was a case of a clever housewife struggling to cook without rice.

As for Daoist arts and profound techniques, over these past few months, he had carved out eighty-one "Golden Chuan Spirit Chambers" and visualized the true forms of the "Primordial Flame Light Illuminating Spirit Lord" within each. He had pushed the "Primordial Great Sun Divine Light" technique to the minor completion stage. As for advancing it to the medium or great completion stages, he currently lacked the strength; it was certainly not something that could be achieved by a few more months of hard work. As for others, such as the "Small Red Dragon Sword Scripture," the "Dispelling Scenery and Concealing Form Technique," or the "Aurora Great Escape," they were either lacking in progress or required specific materials as a catalyst, leaving him unable to even enter the door.

Further secluded cultivation would yield no more gains, and the journey to the Earth Abyss was fast approaching. With this in mind, Chen Heng decided to leave. He recited a mantra to communicate with Tushan Ge through their mental contract, and in an instant, a beam of divine light shot down from the sky, enveloping his body.

"It seems Daoist Tushan's divine golden body is nearly healed?"

Chen Heng smiled slightly and did not resist the guiding intention conveyed within the light. He straightened his robes, and his figure vanished.

At that moment, within the divine domain of Yang Mountain, Tushan Ge, sitting cross-legged, hurriedly clapped his hands to retract the three-foot-high divine fire from his crown and went to meet him. Within that divine fire was a fist-sized white-tally wandering-spirit golden body, tumbling up and down, being smelted into droplets of nectar that were poured into Tushan Ge’s physical shell, intended to merge with the divine golden body that had been cracked by the Yang Mountain Daoist. He hastily retracted this as well, along with the divine fire, into his body.

"Master!"

Just as Tushan Ge stepped over the threshold, he saw a young Daoist standing under the pear blossoms, his clothes as white as snow, hands behind his back, admiring the flowers. The divine aura surrounding him had not yet dissipated, showing he had not been brought here long ago. With a breeze, the mist rose and swirled, set against the backdrop of falling pear blossoms like snow, truly a figure of immortal grace.

"Daoist Tushan, well done."

Hearing the call, Chen Heng turned around, bowed, and smiled slightly: "It seems the divine golden body that was shattered years ago is nearly healed? Such a method of grabbing people and objects from across the void is something I cannot match. I have yet to congratulate you on your great progress."

"Master, you flatter me! If not for your painstaking efforts in bringing me this piece of the white-tally wandering-spirit golden body from Fuyu Pool, I would not know how many years or months I would have had to wait to heal my golden body, only able to endure slowly."

Tushan Ge bowed deeply, his face filled with irrepressible joy: "The Divine Dao and the Immortal Dao each have their own wonders. As for this void-shifting ability, it is truly not worth mentioning! Not worth mentioning! I originally treated Yang Mountain as the foundation for establishing my Dao, and I have planted Dharma seals in every rock and corner here, which is why I can do this so easily. If it were any other mountain, I would only be able to stare helplessly."

Chen Heng exchanged a few pleasantries with him, was invited into the main hall to sit, and was served tea. Seeing that Tushan Ge remained overjoyed from start to finish, Chen Heng could not help but shake his head.

The piece of the white-tally wandering-spirit golden body in Tushan Ge's hand was a gift from Hao Qingyan of the Baozhai Pavilion. When Hao Qingyan came to invite Chen Heng to the banquet on behalf of Luo Zhang, he made several trips back and forth, bringing many gifts. This fragment was one of them, along with many pills and talismans. Although Luo Zhang did not say so explicitly, Chen Heng knew these items were prepared specifically for him, merely passed through the hands of Hao Qingyan. The pills and talismans were barely passable, better than nothing, but this fragment of the divine golden body was of no use to him at all, not even a chicken rib—it was just something to keep in the room for amusement. Thus, he had gifted it to Tushan Ge.

But looking at the results now, it was perhaps a bit too effective... Ever since receiving the gift, this fox had been tearfully grateful. And now that his divine golden body was healed, he was even more devoted, wishing to serve Chen Heng hand and foot.

However, Chen Heng did not come here today to listen to Tushan Ge’s flattery. After chatting for a while and explaining his destination, he took the opportunity to ask about the origins of the Earth Abyss. But Tushan Ge had nothing new to say; his words were identical to the widely circulated rumors outside. Chen Heng sat for a while longer, drank a few more cups of tea, and then rose to take his leave.

"This trip to the Earth Abyss will take at least a few months, perhaps half a year. I bid you farewell, Daoist."

He smiled and cupped his hands.

"Master is a man of great fortune, how could any ghosts or evil spirits dare approach you?"

Tushan Ge hurriedly stood up to return the salute: "I will certainly guard the four gates well for you, Master, and ensure there is no chaos."

Although he had healed his divine golden body, his combat power was still very low. If Chen Heng were to take him into the Earth Abyss, he would undoubtedly be a burden, requiring Chen Heng to expend effort to keep him safe. Therefore, when Tushan Ge mentioned it, Chen Heng shook his head and refused.

"Then I leave it to you."

Chen Heng smiled slightly.

"However, Master..."

Before he left, Tushan Ge suddenly hesitated for a moment, gritted his teeth, and spoke: "During the time you were in seclusion, a woman from the Zhu family at the foot of the mountain came to look for you several times and left many letters. She..."

"The Zhu family at the foot of the mountain? Is that woman a Qi practitioner?"

"Yes."

Tushan Ge nodded repeatedly.

"Zhu Wanzhi from White Crane Cave? Thinking about it, it must be her."

Chen Heng pondered for a moment and smiled: "She returned to Lanliang City from Fuyu Pool? That makes sense... After that demonic disaster, there shouldn't be many cultivators remaining at Fuyu Pool now."

"And what is your wish, Master?"

Tushan Ge asked cautiously.

"I have urgent matters to attend to, so I won't say more. Please convey a message to Senior Sister Zhu for me."

Chen Heng paused and said: "Wish her success in her Nine Returns and boundless fortune."

With that, he boarded the Canhe Carriage, cupped his hands, and silently recited a mantra. The carriage soared into the air, and as soon as it left the Yang Mountain Divine Domain, it vanished into the deep clouds, heading straight for the Xuanzhen Sect at Small Gan Mountain.

Within the divine domain, Tushan Ge touched his chin, watching Chen Heng depart, and felt quite a headache.

"While Master was in seclusion, that woman named Zhu Wanzhi came countless times. I kept blocking her, and I suspect she is secretly angry with me. It was only by swearing that I would pass her letters to Master that I managed to fob her off."

He gnashed his teeth, his heart skipping a beat: "But now Master didn't even bother to look at one! What am I to do? If she comes to Yang Mountain again, won't she be furious and try to fight me? My divine golden body has only just healed!"

While he was struggling with his thoughts, a chirping sound of pain came from nearby. Tushan Ge looked over to see Tushan Ningning clumsily falling from a large tree, shaking the leaves off her body with an unhappy expression.

"Ying ying?"

Seeing Tushan Ge looking at her, she opened her mouth and chirped loudly twice.

"Master has already left, just now."

Tushan Ge found it somewhat amusing and spread his hands: "Ningning, where have you been running wild again? Were you catching rabbits or chasing sparrows today?"

"Ying ying! Ying ying?"

Tushan Ningning was humiliated and angry, chirping loudly twice more.

"Didn't read the letters, how could he? Do I need to say more about Master's temperament?"

Tushan Ge rolled his eyes and sighed again: "I am only worried about that Zhu Wanzhi coming to the door. That would truly be the worst luck in eight lifetimes!"

Tushan Ningning ignored Tushan Ge's anxiety and sat obediently on the ground. Hearing this, her eyes narrowed as if smiling, and her large, fluffy tail swayed behind her, becoming almost a blur.

"Ying ying!"

She chirped happily twice more.

"Happy? Ningning, what is there to be happy about? What are you happy about?"

Tushan Ge’s mouth twitched violently, and he turned his face away, not wanting to look at this silly fox anymore.

In less than half a day, the Canhe Carriage approached a vast mountain range. Chen Heng looked out, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Could it be because of the Daoist sect examinations?"

He looked at the scene before him, a thought stirring in his mind as he whispered to himself.