บท 152: Chapter 152: The Reappearance of Zi Xun
(Despite using conventional names like Golden Core stage, Nascent Soul stage, and Integration stage, the internal structures in this story are rooted in orthodox Daoist principles. These include the formation of the Original Golden Core, Pure Yang Qi, achieving the Yang Spirit, and the Yin and Yang Spirits transforming into the Primordial Spirit. These concepts are derived from ancient Daoist texts I found during my research. Some might dispute these due to different Daoist schools, but they are undoubtedly from authentic Daoist scriptures. For instance, the Original Golden Core, the Purple Mansion, and Pure Yang Qi are all mentioned in ancient Daoist books. Just a note for readers, and a humble request for monthly votes!)
Ten days later, Hong Niu finally woke up and achieved a breakthrough. He had reached the Golden Core stage. Hong Niu felt an indescribable comfort envelop his entire body. At the Golden Core stage, all his acupoints had harmonized into one, forming his Original Golden Core. At this moment, Hong Niu felt an overwhelming urge to roar into the sky.
The sensation of reaching the Golden Core stage was exhilarating. Just as he was about to open his mouth and let out a triumphant roar, Hong Niu stopped abruptly. Once again, he saw that vexing sight.
It was Zhong Shan, always Zhong Shan. The moment Hong Niu opened his eyes, he saw Zhong Shan casually pouring four Rebirth Pills from a small bottle and tossing them into his mouth as if it were nothing.
Hong Niu's initial excitement deflated instantly. How could Zhong Shan have so many Rebirth Pills? And what kind of constitution did he have? It had been days, how many Rebirth Pills had he consumed? These pills could create countless Golden Core stage experts, yet he squandered them like this. What kind of body did he have to require so many?
Zhong Shan himself was equally frustrated. He had consumed Rebirth Pill after Rebirth Pill, but his innate potential was so poor that he had become almost immune to them. Initially, they had some effect, but the more he took, the weaker the effect became. His acupoints were continuously connecting, but in the end, he was still slightly short.
The Shen Jiang acupoint, located near the heart, was a crucial one. Now, Zhong Shan needed to expel all the true essence within this acupoint, allowing the 360 acupoints' true essence to transform through the unity of Primordial Qi into a higher energy stored within.
The Shen Jiang acupoint, situated near the heart, after reaching the Golden Core stage, would unify all acupoints' true essence into one. The final transformation would channel a stream of Pure Yang Qi into the Shen Jiang acupoint.
Pure Yang Qi, purple in color, would be stored in the Shen Jiang acupoint, also known as the Purple Mansion.
The Pure Yang Qi in the Purple Mansion is the source of magical power, crucial for casting spells post-Golden Core stage. Various spell seals and hand seals are released through this Pure Yang Qi.
In the Golden Core stage, much of the cultivation involves accumulating Pure Yang Qi. Zhong Shan had already expelled the true essence from within, making his acupoints profoundly mysterious. Now, he needed to compress the true essence from his 360 acupoints through the unity of Primordial Qi into Pure Yang Qi.
But every time, he fell just a tiny bit short.
After consuming countless Rebirth Pills, Zhong Shan finally abandoned the unrealistic hope. No more Rebirth Pills.
Gently, Zhong Shan took out an exquisitely crafted purple-patterned small bottle.
Not far away, Hong Niu's eyes widened as he saw Zhong Shan take out another small bottle. When the bottle was opened, a pill that was not a Rebirth Pill rolled out.
Despite the distance, Hong Niu could sense the immense spiritual energy contained within the pill. The aura it emitted even caused the surrounding spiritual tide to retreat slightly.
What on earth is that?
Hong Niu's eyes bulged, but the pill had already been swallowed by Zhong Shan.
The Heavenly Yuan Divine Pill, Zhong Shan finally decided to use it. As for what to do when he reached the Nascent Soul stage, that would be a problem for the future. If he couldn't even reach the Golden Core stage, how could he talk about the Nascent Soul stage?
The Heavenly Yuan Divine Pill dissolved instantly in his stomach, transforming into a unique energy. In an instant, his internal true essence became exceptionally smooth, merging into one unified stream. Soon, a violet mist-like Qi began to flow into the Purple Mansion.
The Pure Yang Aura, it was finally achieved. An immense amount of true essence poured into his meridians. Zhong Shan continuously harnessed this Pure Yang Qi, and soon his true essence felt nearly depleted. Fortunately, the abundant spiritual tides in the cave quickly replenished him. Large amounts of Pure Yang Qi flowed into his Purple Mansion, which soon became shrouded in a hazy glow. However, as the Pure Yang Qi increased to a certain level, it seemed to reach saturation, causing some of it to return to the various acupoints. Surprisingly, this small amount of Pure Yang Qi transformed into a large quantity of true essence, rapidly filling the acupoints.
Aside from the Purple Mansion, each of the 360 acupoints formed a small vortex of true essence, continuously gathering and compressing true essence, connecting with each other, and supplementing the Purple Mansion with Pure Yang Qi. The stronger the Pure Yang Qi, the greater the power.
Now that he was saturated, Zhong Shan's task was to continuously compress the Pure Yang Qi, gather it again, and compress it further until eventually, the Pure Yang Qi could be condensed into a Nascent Soul.
Golden Core Stage, he had finally reached the Golden Core Stage. The acupoints around his body were now one cohesive whole, providing immense comfort. With himself as the Golden Core, his acupoints could absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, making him self-sufficient, no longer needing food.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"
Zhong Shan roared in exhilaration as he broke through. With his roar, the Pure Yang Qi infused his voice, causing the spiritual tides in the cave to tremble violently.
For ten breaths, Zhong Shan roared continuously, then finally stopped, his heart filled with satisfaction. He had reached the Golden Core Stage. Although he had consumed a Tianyuan Divine Pill, it was all worth it. As long as he moved towards immortality, any price for such elixirs was justified.
Zhong Shan felt an overwhelming sense of relief. On the other side, Hong Niu felt far from comfortable. After consuming hundreds of ascension pills without breaking through, Zhong Shan had achieved it with just one pill in half a day? What kind of pill was this?
Hong Niu's eyes widened in disbelief. Zhong Shan, noticing Hong Niu's gaze and mistaking it for being affected by his roar, cast an apologetic look.
Hong Niu could only transform his shock into frustration and nodded at Zhong Shan.
Having received Hong Niu's 'forgiveness,' Zhong Shan paid him no further mind and began practicing the technique Tian Xingzi had prepared for him, the 'Thunder Prison Pure Yang Art.' With over two months in this environment filled with spiritual tides, he hoped to make further progress.
Closing his eyes, Zhong Shan resumed his cultivation.
The Thunder Prison Pure Yang Art was an advanced technique with ten levels. After reaching the tenth level, one would step into the Nascent Soul stage. However, it was extremely difficult to cultivate, requiring one to simulate the characteristics of thunder with true essence to maximize its power. Like the 'Heaven-Slaying Sword Technique,' it was a powerful technique that had not been successfully cultivated within the Kaiyang Sect for a thousand years. Yet, Tian Xingzi did not deliberately choose a difficult technique for Zhong Shan; it was suited to his physique. Since facing the Thunder Scorpion's eggs, Zhong Shan's true essence had retained a trace of thunder, making him well-suited for this technique.
During his practice, Zhong Shan noticed a peculiar phenomenon within himself.
The Tianyuan Divine Pill had not only advanced him to the Golden Core Stage but had also brought about a comprehensive breakthrough. His Tianmo Body Refinement Technique had suddenly reached the third level!
The third level! This meant his strength could quadruple for an hour. Just thinking about it made Zhong Shan feel ecstatic.
But that wasn't the most exciting part. At his brow, the Red Luan flame had transformed into a flattened shape—no, it was the embryonic form of a lotus-shaped flame.
The fourth level of the Red Luan Heavenly Scripture?
The Red Luan Heavenly Scripture had saved him in numerous critical moments and was his most treasured technique. After a long period without breakthroughs, it had finally advanced to the fourth level thanks to the Tianyuan Divine Pill. Wouldn't this mean he could release more Red Luan Mist in the future? The most potent aphrodisiac in the world, could it now be produced in bulk?
Of course, Zhong Shan was well aware of the extraordinary aspect of the Red Luan Heavenly Scripture. It wasn't about concocting aphrodisiacs; that came later. But reaching the later stages of the Red Luan Heavenly Scripture was a necessary step now.
It had been a year since Xuan Xinzi sealed his acupoints. It was time to unseal them.
However, on this day, the Kaiyang Sect was unusually bustling. It had reached an unprecedented level of prosperity. Throughout the sect, numerous powerful individuals returned, nearly twenty Nascent Soul stage experts among them, and a staggering five hundred Golden Core stage cultivators. Many disciples of the Kaiyang Sect were recalled from all corners of the Divine Land.
The death of the Kaiyang Sect's sect master and the selection of a new one marked an immensely important day. No matter how busy or occupied one might be, they had to return.
The Kaiyang Sect flourished like never before.
Under the Kaiyang Peak, over five hundred disciples stood solemnly, even the Nascent Soul stage experts stood among them, all gazing towards the edge of the peak.
Guardians of the mountain and the sect, one on each side, stood there, their usually overlooked presence now radiating solemnity and gravity, akin to guardians of the law.
In the center were three unfamiliar faces, two men and a woman.
These three were the elders of the Kaiyang Sect summoned back from the Seven Stars Hall. The three elders stood at the forefront, solemnly observing Xuan Xinzi, who knelt in worship before them.
The coronation ceremony of Sect Master Xuan Xinzi.
Led by the three elders, witnessed by the disciples of the Kaiyang Sect.
All three elders donned purple robes. The two men had chiseled features, exuding an aura of nobility. Standing there, they exuded an inexplicable sense of superiority.
The female elder, with her soft hair tied up, possessed an extremely delicate face exuding a coldness even colder than blue silk. The numerous ribbons on her purple robe fluttered in the wind, accentuating her captivating figure, as if she embodied all the beauty of the world.
But the most captivating feature was the bare feet of the female elder, standing on the ground without any footwear. Her porcelain-like feet rested on the earth, which seemed unusually clean beneath her. These enticing feet drew the attention of most observers away from her other beautiful qualities.
If Zhong Shan were here, he would surely recognize her at a glance. Ten years ago, after the Dragon Gate Conference, he had a passionate night with her—the Violet Mist Fairy. The elder of the Kaiyang Sect, Violet Mist Fairy.
One of the male elders stood in front of the other two elders, solemnly facing Xuan Xinzi, holding the Kaiyang War Spoon given to Xuan Xinzi by Tian Xingzi—the token of the Kaiyang Sect Master.
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