Man in the heavens, wins by lying down to prove the truth

Chapter 316: Five Thousand Words, True Fire Refines True Gold
When the sage passed through Hangu Pass, he stayed there for three months and three days.

These three months and three days are the time given to Zhou Cheng to master the external alchemy method.

For ordinary people, it is difficult to master the alchemy method.

Not to mention March 3rd, even thirty-three years would not be too long.

In a courtyard inside the pass, Zhou Cheng and Laojun stood in front of a cauldron. There were small cauldrons around them, which contained bezoar, buffalo horn, musk, pearls, cinnabar, realgar... and other medicinal stones.

Zhou Cheng took a quick look and saw a total of eleven medicinal herbs, which were clearly the ingredients of the Angong Niuhuang Pills that have been passed down through the ages.

"My friend, this alchemy method is the same for both internal and external use, but it is slightly different. It requires six steps: setting up the cauldron, collecting herbs, controlling the fire, cooking, warming and nurturing, and mating. Only after the yin and yang are in balance, and the dragon and the tiger are in harmony, can the elixir be formed."

"I will teach you the magic of the Seven-Step Alchemy Dao."

As Laojun spoke, the sound of chanting rang in Zhou Cheng's ears, describing the wonders contained in each step.

To set up the tripod is to sense the rhythm of the Tao of heaven and earth and to absorb the "Qi of nothingness" into the tripod.

The so-called Qi of nothingness is the same principle as the achievement of heavenly beings. It is not a certain kind of energy or matter, but the spiritual essence of Tao that is beyond touch.

The second step is to collect herbs, which is the step of refining the medicinal stones and transforming them into essence and real Qi.

Different medicinal stones naturally have different properties and principles. If an ordinary person is at this stage, he or she will need to be taught by the elders, or practice more, before he or she can obtain the essence and refine the real medicine.

But those who understand the mysteries of the principles of herbs, wood, and medicinal stones can see through illusions and realize the truth. Naturally, they can know how to collect herbs at a glance.

After completing this step, the virtual and the real cannot be combined. The so-called harmony of yin and yang is the last step.

Now we are just collecting herbs, but we still need to refine them into pill embryos, and then nurture the spirit of the pill embryos, only then can we make pills.

These two steps contain infinite mysteries and variables.

As for the so-called fire temperature, it is actually the art of controlling fire.

It is said that golden elixir requires golden fire. This golden fire means the fire of the Great Dao. It is achieved by using the perception of fire to perform the fire of the Dao. According to the attributes of different medicinal stones, it is interwoven with various other spiritual essences of the Great Dao to derive different fires of the Dao, which are in harmony with the essence of the medicinal stones.

In short, the whole process of alchemy is to cultivate one's understanding of the nature of heaven and earth, which is extremely mysterious.

If one could understand all the mysteries of Taoism like Zhou Cheng, then practicing alchemy would be like taking something out of a bag and observing the patterns on the palm of one's hand.

"Since you know the method of making an elixir, why don't you start refining the elixir as soon as possible?"

"That's how it should be."

Zhou Cheng slapped the cauldron, and the cauldron shook and hung high in the air, which was called standing cauldron.

The spiritual essence of the great way of heaven and earth began to gather, and entered into the big cauldron while Zhou Cheng was thinking, which was the Qi of nothingness.

Then Zhou Cheng threw the eleven medicinal stones into the cauldron together. With a bang, fire rose up and began to melt and differentiate in an instant.

The flame on each kind of medicine has different properties, some are water-based fire, some are wood-generated fire, some are yang extreme fire, and so on. Some are scorching hot, some are bone-chillingly cold, and some are like a spring breeze, and so on.

But in the blink of an eye, all the herbs were collected, and the virtual and real Qi floated freely in the big cauldron and began to be cooked in various Taoist fires.

This process also has many mysteries.

In just a cup of tea, the virtual and real qi condensed and transformed into pill embryos with sparkling spiritual light and long-lasting Taoist charm.

In this way, the refining is considered successful, and the pill embryo has been produced. The next step is to nurture it.

The term "nurturing", as the name suggests, requires time.

"Follow my command, the stars will change in an instant!"

Zhou Cheng pinched his fingers and shouted softly, ordering the years to pass.

The so-called "time changes in an instant" is a literary version of time acceleration.

In just a breath, 49 days passed by in a flash in an area about ten feet around Zhou Cheng.

The old man who had been paying attention to this scene shook his head and laughed and scolded: "You are evil, it's fine if you do it in a hurry, but you have no intention to make the elixir like this."

"Mr. Boyang's teaching is correct."

While Zhou Cheng was speaking, the big cauldron roared, and then a brilliant spiritual light rose into the sky. The wind and cloud Qi between heaven and earth were inspired and evolved into the appearance of a dragon and a tiger.

This strange phenomenon naturally alarmed many people in Hangu Pass. For a moment, many people were dumbfounded and frightened, not knowing what had happened.

Outside the courtyard, Guan Linggong, who had just received the medicine, was still wondering when the elixir would be ready. Then he saw this strange sight, and an incredible guess emerged in his mind.

Just at this moment, Zhou Cheng's voice came from the courtyard.

"Master Guan, why don't you go into the hospital and get the elixir?"

Hearing this, Guan Linggong hurriedly pushed the door open and saw a dark red pill floating in front of Zhou Cheng, with faint dragon and tiger light lingering on it.

Immediately, Guan Linggong bowed and saluted: "Thank you very much, Saint, for the gift of the elixir. I wonder how to use it?"

"Mr. Boyang has long said that if we throw it into a river, the medicinal properties will spread throughout the nine provinces and last for thirty-three years. Anyone who drinks this water will be cured of all diseases."

Guan Linggong was greatly shocked. Just one small pill could turn all the water in the nine provinces into supreme elixir that could cure all diseases. It was truly a mysterious and wonderful method.

"Gentleman, please come forward. This is the method of refining Niuhuang Wan. It can clear away heat and detoxify, calm the nerves and open the mind. It can be used for fever, evil entering the pericardium, high fever convulsions, coma and delirium. It should be passed down for generations."

This is when Laojun spoke, and while he was speaking, a scroll of bamboo slips appeared in his palm and fell in front of Guan Linggong.

"Thank you, Saint, for giving me the secret recipe of the miraculous medicine." Guan Linggong bowed again.

"It's not a miracle drug. Go away." Laojun smiled and stroked his beard.

Guan Linggong did not delay any longer and quickly ordered his men to throw the pill into the Yellow River. In an instant, all kinds of spirituality seeped into the water and soil and spread throughout the land of Kyushu.

Not only in the water areas, but also in the thirty-three years, any grains grown in the nine provinces will have all kinds of magical properties.

This will also lead to the proliferation of alchemists in the world, and the number of external alchemists and qigong practitioners will increase dramatically in a short period of time. By the end of the Warring States period, it will be so rampant that it will affect the general trend of humanity and bring disaster to the people.

Zhou Cheng just refined one pill, but it had such an impact.

If it is true as Qingniu said, using great magic power to wipe out the epidemic and show the sainthood in the Nine Provinces, it will be a devastating blow to the human spirit.

The causal chaos caused by throwing the elixir into the water this time would end in the hands of the First Emperor hundreds of years later.

However, its actual influence has spread to later generations for thousands of years.

Thousands of years later, I don’t know how many practitioners miss the ancient pre-Qin period, when they only collected herbs and made elixirs. After taking them, they could obtain the two kinds of Qi, the real and the virtual, and cultivate supernatural powers, understand the mystery of cause and effect, and achieve the status of heaven.

Many people are unclear about the reason and have speculated that in ancient times the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was rich, but has declined now, so it is no longer possible to achieve immortality through other means of alchemy.

Including the finished pills that circulated during this period, they were all hailed as ancient elixirs and sought after by countless people.

……

That evening, when Zhou Cheng was communicating with Laojun about some of his insights into the Taichu phase, he saw Guan Linggong coming to pay him a visit in a hurry with a happy look on his face.

"Saints are above, great and virtuous gentlemen... the epidemic has been eradicated, and countless lives have been saved, all thanks to the two of you. Please accept Yin Xi's three bows."

Zhou Cheng glanced at Guan Linggong, nodded in return, and said no more.

The old man beside him said with a smile: "Mr. Yin, you are too kind. This is the welfare of all living beings. If I don't take action, others will. The prosperity of humanity is just budding, how can it be cut off?"

The contention of a hundred schools of thought is the light of civilization. The source of all later thoughts lies in the contention of a hundred schools of thought in this era, which has a far-reaching influence and a long history.

Therefore, Laojun called this era the embryonic stage of a prosperous humanity.

Only after thousands of years, countless twists and turns, and unprecedented changes will this bud bear real fruit and lead the entire human trend to its peak.

Only then will humanity be qualified to occupy the position of the three elements of heaven, earth and man. Those who pray to gods and Buddhas are not yet worthy of being on par with heaven and earth.

"The saint's magnanimity makes me admire him. I am willing to serve him as a slave. I hope the saint will not abandon my humbleness!"

Yin Xi fell to his knees and bowed deeply to Laojun.

Zhou Cheng couldn't help but laugh when he saw this: "He's a talented person. What do you think, Mr. Boyang?"

He can recognize who the big boss is and can put aside his so-called vanity and bow down to him. Such a person will definitely stand out from ordinary people no matter which dynasty or era he is in.

Laojun smiled and said, "It's not the right time yet."

Yin Xi could not hide his disappointment when he heard this, but he still became more respectful and kowtowed repeatedly: "I am a person of little virtue and have offended you. I hope the saint will forgive me."

"Today, all the countries in the world are in trouble, the people are exhausted, the emperor's power is declining, and rituals and music are in decline. All living beings do not know the destiny, and even more do not know the right path. Every time I see this, my heart is broken, and I hate that I can't do anything about it. I sigh for a long time."

"So I dare to ask the saint to give me the true words to educate all living beings, so as to enlighten the people and correct the king. I wish to use the remaining energy of my life to write a book, which will be passed down through the ages to show the saint's virtue and wisdom."

Zhou Cheng half-closed his eyes and watched the scene quietly.

Here it comes, the famous scene of the birth of the Tao Te Ching.

Tao Te Ching is recognized by generations in Zhou Cheng's hometown as the "source of Chinese culture" and is known as the "king of all classics."

"That's fine..."

Laojun sighed and murmured twice.

Suddenly, the color of the world changed.

It was originally the afterglow of evening, and in an instant the sun and the moon shone together to illuminate the world, and the stars filled the sky and reflected the four continents.

Endless purple air swept over, rolling up the thirty-three layers of the sky and covering the eighteen hells of the underworld.

In the world of Jambu, inside the ancient cave and fairy mountain, above the heavenly palace, in the howling abyss of Yama, countless sentient beings, countless immortals and Buddhas, and all kinds of gods in heaven and on earth, all felt the resonance of the Great Dao one by one.

It’s not that Laojun has never preached. He was just explaining to Zhou Cheng what the Great Beginning of All Realms is and what absolute omniscience is.

But before this, Laojun only taught Zhou Cheng.

And now, Laojun is preaching to all living beings, or rather... giving sermons!
"road……"

As soon as the voice was spoken, a thunder of tremendous force suddenly burst out, the great sound was silent, the great image was invisible, it was as if the heaven and earth were speaking.

Thousands of brilliant lights are shining, hanging down from the nine heavens; various Taoist flowers are blooming, growing from the abyss of Guixu.

Countless auspicious signs reappeared in every corner of heaven and earth.

"The Tao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name..."

One Yuan appears, two Yin and Yang follow, three talents are established, four images move, five elements operate, six harmonies open, seven stars appear, eight trigrams turn... All the ways of the world, infinite mysteries, at this moment manifest all kinds of strange phenomena, showing the boundless mystery before people.

But those who have lofty minds and supreme wisdom can attain enlightenment in seven steps and hear the fruit of Hunyuan.

The five thousand words directly point to the heart of humanity and the wonder of the way of heaven, explain the relationship between man and the Tao, and summarize the roots of man and nature.

Yin Xi, who was prostrating himself before Laojun, was completely immersed in it.

At this moment, it was as if the baby returned to the mother's womb, and he felt that the entire universe seemed to have turned into a concrete mother, wrapping him and nurturing him.

Thousands of great ways and endless mysteries all poured into Yin Xi's heart, just like a baby absorbing nutrients from its mother's body and growing healthily.

I don’t know how much time had passed, but when Yin Xi came back to his senses, he saw Laozi looking at him with a smile.

"How about it? How much can you remember?"

Facing Laozi's question, Yin Xi hurriedly recalled, and a look of shock appeared on his face.

Of the five thousand mantras, I can only remember more than three thousand now.

This, this, this, what should I do?

If Yin Xi had not been worried about being disrespectful in front of strangers, he would have beaten his chest and burst into tears.

"More than three thousand words, very good, very good."

Laojun smiled and said: "The heaven and earth are not perfect, and the scriptures are incomplete, so it is reasonable that they should be incomplete. It is beyond human power."

After saying this, Laojun looked at Yin Xi and pondered for a moment, then said, "Since you have entered the Dao, I will give you a Daoist name, Wenshi, how about that?"

"Xi...Wenshi, I bow to thank the saint for bestowing the title!" Yin Xi bowed again and again.

“Good, don’t bow all the time.” Laojun chuckled, raised his hand slightly, and the invisible spiritual energy helped the Taoist Master Wenshi up.

Wenshi Zhenren, the founder of Louguan Taoism, is the authentic descendant of Taoism.

If Longhu Mountain is the ancestral home of Taoism, then Louguan Dao is the ancestral home of Taoism.

Taoism is a religion, and Taoism is a thought and culture. The two are different.

It’s just that the inheritance of the Taoist ancestors is too complicated and the consequences are too great, so the inheritance being cut off is an inevitable result. Otherwise, the impact on humanity would be too great.

Humanity should coexist with heaven and earth. This is the general trend, and everything must give way to it.

"I hope the saint will stay in the pass for a while. I am willing to listen to the saint's teachings every day."

Seeing Yin Xi's actions, Laojun nodded and said good.

Yin Xi's idea was to take advantage of this period of time to complete the scriptures that had not been written down.

But as Laojun said, the incompleteness of the scriptures is the law of heaven and earth, and only in this way can a glimmer of hope be left.

During the following three days of March, whenever Guan Linggong came to ask for advice, Laojun would only guide him on the practice after he entered the Tao.

……

March 3rd, just passed by in a flash.

As he was about to leave the retreat, Zhou Cheng wandered around the small courtyard, his eyes half closed, sensing where Mr. Jin was.

After a moment, Zhou Chengfang slowly opened his eyes and saw Laojun smiling at him.

"How about this? Stay calm for three months, get rid of all your impatience, and you should be as calm as your heart."

Zhou Cheng bowed and said, "It is just as you said, sir. I have been deeply touched, but I have never seen Mr. Jin."

Laojun stroked his beard and smiled, "Of course it is so. True gold needs to be refined and forged by fire before it can shine."

"Now that the spirit has entered the lung palace, it will lead the heart monkey, arouse the heart fire, and use the real fire to forge real gold. Only in this way can you subdue the golden master."

"Your heart is the state of Taiyi Taichu. When the fire of your heart is ignited, everything will be burned. Therefore, I will give you another ladle of soup to help you protect yourself and forge the golden man."

(End of this chapter)