Shushan Earthly Immortal

Chapter 426 Refining Demon Cores, Aiming for Embryo Formation

Xu Shiren's magic net was forged from three types of Heavenly Gang and nine types of Flying Mercury, making it extremely light and agile. Initially, he used it to capture elixirs that escaped after the furnace was opened, but later he refined it into a magic weapon to protect himself.

This magical artifact has two wonderful uses: one is to have a purifying effect on magical artifacts such as elixirs and pearls, and the other is to isolate the elixir pearl in the net from the energy flow of the outside world.

A month ago, when discussing how to kill Hu Hailong, Xu Shiren said that Hu Hailong liked to show off his power with his inner alchemy, and volunteered to propose that he would use a hand furnace to blast the alchemy and use a magic weapon to capture it.

This idea was risky, akin to inflicting heavy losses on both sides, and both Zou Shizheng and Cheng Xinzhan disagreed. However, Xu Shiren insisted on doing it. He knew that this might be the only chance to lure Hu Hailong out, and only this time could they launch a surprise attack; future opportunities would be even fewer. Zou Shizheng and Cheng Xinzhan could understand Xu Shiren's urgency and the risk involved, because the leader of Yangtai Mountain, Xu Shiren's mentor, had been killed by the demon Hu Hailong.

After their attempts to dissuade him failed, Zou Shizheng and Cheng Xinzhan began to support Xu Shiren's idea. Zou Shizheng took out a "Substitute Death Talisman" treasured from Mount Luofu, which could be used to transfer the backlash caused by the damage to the fetal organ and to deal with the sudden attack of the demon's inner core. Cheng Xinzhan, on the other hand, refined a thick stack of Rock Thunder Talismans and stuffed them into his hand warmer. This Rock Thunder was something he had comprehended from the "Purple Heaven Nine-Nine Rock Thunder Tribulation" during the fourth purification of the Golden Core, and it was extremely rare in the world.

Cheng Xinzhan also contributed to Xu Shiren's magic net, incorporating the "Heavy Clouds Covering the Sky" technique and refining it with immortal fire to remove impurities and further enhance the magic weapon's spirituality and ability to isolate internal and external forces.

Looking back at the results, Xu Shiren's legal skills were solid, and Cheng Xinzhan's refinement was also useful. Together with the dragon rope, they captured Hu Hailong's inner core without giving the demon a chance to destroy it.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Wutong Mountain, the summit of Fengqi Mountain, and the bottom of Lihu Lake.

Under Cheng Xinzhan's control, the silver magic net tightly wrapped around the surface of the dragon rope gradually loosened and grew larger, eventually transforming into a spherical net cage large enough to accommodate a person sitting cross-legged.

Cheng Xinzhan used the "Heavenly Light Transformation Rainbow Technique," his body transforming into a ball of fire. He stepped into the net of law, sat down cross-legged, and then returned to human form.

Just in case, he activated the protective array of Wutong Mountain and summoned the "Eight Treasures Cloud Light Cloth," which transformed into a hazy shimmering light that enveloped the outer edge of the magic net, doing everything possible to prevent the demon from connecting with its inner core. Only after making these preparations did he release the dragon rope, revealing the demon's inner core.

To be honest, this was the first time he had observed the inner core of a fourth-realm demon so closely.

Although the inner core had severed its connection with the demons, it still possessed sentience. Sensing the unfamiliar aura surrounding it, it naturally tried to escape and struggled violently. However, the inner core was firmly held in the dragon's claws, and no matter how hard it tried, it could not break free.

Cheng Xinzhan looked at the inner core, thinking about how to make use of this spiritual object.

After the battle, Xu Shiren left immediately after saying that he would handle the matter of the demon core, without even taking back the net of law for the time being. The implication was clear: he was giving up the only spoils of this battle.

Perhaps because he had severely injured his enemy and felt somewhat comforted, Xu Shiren became less concerned about the spoils of war. Or perhaps because Cheng Xinzhan had given him the Flood Dragon Pearl bracelet, the Pregnancy Stabilizing Pill, and the Refined Magic Net, which filled Xu Shiren with gratitude, he reciprocated without hesitation by giving Cheng Xinzhan this rare and intact Four Realms Core.

For a fourth-realm dragon descendant's inner core of this level, simply refining and decomposing it to extract its vital energy would be a waste of its potential, like buying the box and returning the pearl. However, after careful consideration, he realized that this rare inner core was somewhat of a liability to him!
In his view, this inner elixir has only three uses.

The first method is to preserve the energy from above, build an altar, and cast a spell to curse Hu Hailong. Using the inner elixir as a guide is the most effective way to attract energy, far more effective than any method involving skin, hair, or blood.

However, this method has a major problem: the aura on it cannot be erased, and it must be used to establish a connection with Hu Hailong. So, the moment the connection is established, Cheng Xinzhan can cast a spell, but at the same time, Hu Hailong can also use this connection to detonate his inner core and destroy the altar.

Furthermore, cursing a fourth-level inner core cultivator to death would inevitably come at a high price, and there's no guarantee that it will actually work. In addition, the altar would be damaged, making this a method that harms both the user and the other party, so its feasibility is not high.

The second method is to erase the aura, repair the damage to the inner core, and then fuse it with the metal element of the Five Elements, using the inner core as the main material to refine a spirit pearl that can control water and be thrown. With the millennia-old magical power and spirituality contained in this core, plus Cheng Xinzhan's current level of weapon crafting and the flames and furnace he possesses, it is highly possible to refine a suitable embryonic vessel.

However, for him, he has the Water-based Sword to control water and the Unharmed Seal to throw it, so having an extra spirit pearl is not very useful.

The third method is to use the inner elixir as an auxiliary material. This involves first eliminating the demonic energy, then taking its solidity, yin nature, and water essence, and refining it into another magic weapon with compatible attributes to enhance the quality of the main material.

From the perspective of the Five Elements and Yin-Yang, if it were for his own use, it could only be refined into "Youdu" and "Tianyi Shengshui". However, both of these swords have now been refined into weapon spirits, reaching the level of embryonic weapons. Adding a core from the Four Elements would be somewhat useful, but not enough to push the swords to the next level. In fact, it would be somewhat wasteful for the purpose of the core.

However, upon further reflection, he realized that while this item might be useless to him, it could be of great value to others. It could be refined into a magical artifact and given as a gift, since the embryonic body was not something common.

Why not refine it into a water-elemental spirit pearl and give it to my junior sister? Since she is a descendant of dragons and cultivates water elemental magic, she will surely be able to unleash the full power of this treasure.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but smile, and summoned his magical fire to begin refining his inner core.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

half year later.

Cheng Xinzhan put away the furnace and extinguished the fire.

Before him lay a round, luminous spirit pearl, about the size of an apricot, its surface shimmering with light and emanating a spiritual aura. With a mere thought, Cheng Xinzhan caused the pearl to spin rapidly, and the undercurrents beneath Lihu Lake surged as if stirred by an invisible giant hand.

The moment he had another thought, Lihu Lake instantly calmed down again.

Cheng Xinzhan smiled slightly, took out a jade box, and carefully put away the spirit pearl. In the past six months, he had devoted a great deal of effort to this spirit pearl; however, completely erasing the demonic aura was no easy task. Fortunately, he possessed immortal fire, which saved him considerable time.

In crafting this treasure, he not only used the metal element of the Five Elements, but also incorporated two water-controlling evil spirits, "Raging Water Dragon King's Evil Spirit" and "Rushing Tide and Dispelling Clouds' Evil Spirit," along with countless restrictive talismans. Only then did the power of the spirit pearl reach his expectations.

However, at this point, the Spirit Pearl cannot yet be considered a embryonic organ; it still retains a tail. After being handed over to his junior sister, a blood oath will be performed, and the Spirit Pearl will be activated by the dragon's blood, completing the tail of the restriction. At that time, the pearl will naturally develop sentience.

Cheng Xinzhan stood up and collected the ropes, nets, and cloths surrounding the area. He also collected the three magic swords—water, wood, and earth—that he had previously placed in the lake to enhance the power of the mountain-protecting array. This was all he could do to help Wutong Mountain; the array would ultimately have to be maintained by Wutong Mountain itself.

He leaped out of the lake and landed on the shore.

The lion, fast asleep on the shore, smelled its master's scent and woke up on its own.

Cheng Xinzhan smiled and patted the lion. When he looked around again, he found that Phoenix Perch Mountain and even the entire Wutong Mountain had changed dramatically.

The Qinghua Taoist Temple stands tall once more, gleaming in the spring sunshine. Looking out, the mountain peaks are ablaze with verdant green, like brocade. The vanished purple haze reappears, lingering on the mountainside like purple ribbons tying the mountains together. The dried-up springs flow again, like white silk ribbons hanging on the mountain walls to dry.

Just six months later, Wutong Mountain once again presented the scene of "green paulownia trees emerging from purple mist, and white springs hanging from green peaks".

After surveying the surroundings, he looked south. Not far away, less than two hundred miles away, a towering peak rose above the sea of ​​clouds, almost reaching the summit of Phoenix Perch Mountain, like two isolated islands in the same sea. Cheng Xinzhan knew that was Mount Da Mao, the highest peak on the Red Furnace Islands, where Hu Hailong used to be stationed. He wondered how the demon, whose physical body had been severely injured and whose inner core had been lost, had recovered in the past six months. And that fleeting glimpse of sword light was truly remarkable; he wondered what kind of strength Hu Haitao, who rarely made a move, possessed.

"gentlemen!"

A shout came from behind him.

Cheng Xinzhan stopped his reverie, withdrew his gaze, and turned his head. He saw a group of Taoist priests dressed in green robes emerge from Qinghua Temple and surge towards him. He had been in Yuyang for several years, staying at Yunti Mountain, Feixia Mountain, and Yangtai Mountain. He recognized many of them, knowing that these were Wutong Mountain disciples who had scattered to various places after the fall of Wutong Mountain. Now that Wutong Mountain had been recovered, these people had naturally returned to the sect and, with the help of the Haoran Alliance, rebuilt their lineage.

Unfortunately, the Taoist priest who protected Cheng Xinzhan in Baiyujing back then had already perished in the demonic tide and never witnessed this scene.

Just as Cheng Xinzhan was about to step forward to greet them, he saw the group of people suddenly kneel down, bow, kowtow, and express their gratitude, shouting in unison.

"I am deeply grateful to you, sir, for rescuing me from this calamity and allowing my lineage to continue. I will never forget this kindness and virtue!"

Cheng Xinzhan stretched out his hand, and his abundant magical power lifted everyone up. He laughed.

"The Three Pure Ones are all of the same blood and lineage. They are merely subduing demons and monsters; there is no question of any favors or kindness."

Then he asked again,

Where are Daoist Masters Shizheng and Shiren now?

The one leading the group answered.
"Reporting to you, the Taoist sect has recovered the three mountains of Luoxi. Master Zhengxuan is stationed in the center, guarding Yinhu Mountain, and Master Renxuan is guarding Meilin Mountain."

Cheng Xinzhan nodded and said,
"Very well, this arrangement is the best. With Master Zheng in charge in the center, I feel at ease. Fellow Daoists, please forgive me, I have some trivial matters to attend to and cannot stay here for long. I will take my leave now."

The Taoist priests of Wutong Mountain were momentarily in an uproar, but after a moment's thought, they all understood. Master Guangfa was not from Yuyang, and naturally couldn't stay here long. Expelling the demons and reclaiming Wutong was already a stroke of good fortune; how could they dare ask for more? Therefore, the priests bowed and clasped their hands, saying in unison,
"Congratulations, sir."

Cheng Xinzhan returned the greeting and then rode away on the lion.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Upon arriving at Plum Grove Mountain, one finds that all the plum trees on the mountain are laden with fruit.

Cheng Xinzhan approached Xu Shiren, returned the net to him, and inquired about his well-being.
"Fellow Daoist, are your injuries any better?"

During the great battle, Xu Shiren used a "substitute death talisman" to replace the injuries from the backlash of the magic weapon and the piercing wound from the demon core. However, before that, he had suffered hidden injuries from accelerating his breakthrough and fighting with Hu Hailong, which affected his nascent soul. It is unknown whether he has recovered by now.

"Thank you for your concern, Master. Thanks to the miraculous effects of the precious elixir, I am almost fully recovered."

Xu Shiren said with a smile.

Having recovered the three mountains, continued the legal system, and dealt a heavy blow to his enemies, he was in high spirits, and his recovery from injuries progressed much faster.

"The Three Mountains were rebuilt from the ruins, establishing a defensive line on the north bank of Luoxi and repelling numerous attacks by the demonic tides. Now, half a year has passed, and the Three Mountains have regained their vitality. The recapture of the Red Furnace Islands is now on the agenda. Sir, are you emerging from seclusion at this time to take charge of the overall situation?"

Xu Shiren asked.

Cheng Xinzhan shook his head upon hearing this.
"No, to be honest, I was in seclusion on Wutong Mountain. Besides looking after Wutong Mountain and dealing with the inner cores of demons, I was also cultivating my inner core. Now that my life embryo has been formed, the next step is for my divine light to take shape. I am preparing to return to the mountain for seclusion, and I am afraid that I will be unable to participate in the war for a while."

"what!"

Xu Shiren was surprised, then overjoyed.
"The lord is about to conceive! That's wonderful! That's wonderful! This is a momentous event, the lord should prioritize this matter, please make sure to prioritize this matter!"

Xu Shiren was naturally overjoyed. It could be said that in the Eastern Taoist sect today, apart from the Dragon Tiger lineage, everyone else was waiting for this person to complete his embryonic stage! This Master Guangfa had already achieved so much before completing his embryonic stage, with such remarkable civil and martial arts skills. After completing his embryonic stage, his lifespan would increase greatly, his strength would increase greatly, and he would be able to communicate with heaven and earth. What profound impact would that have on the Eastern Taoist sect?

Today, in the Eastern Taoist community, a voice is spreading wider and wider, saying that Master Guangfa will be another pillar of the Eastern Taoist community after Master Sa of the Shenxiao School and Master Liu of the Jingming School, an unparalleled genius who can both exorcise demons and cultivate the Tao, and an all-knowing and all-powerful Taoist leader!

The fact that this person was not yet seventy years old when he was born under divine guidance is extremely rare and seems to further confirm this claim.

For the Eastern Taoist sect, nothing is more important than the decision of such a person to go into seclusion and cultivate their embryonic form.

Cheng Xinzhan smiled and nodded, then stood up to take his leave.

"Very well, I shall take my leave. Fellow Daoist, you should also focus on quiet cultivation to stabilize your pregnancy and prolong your life."

"Yes, yes, I'll take you there, sir."

Xu Shiren escorted Cheng Xinzhan to the mountain gate and watched him leave, feeling a surge of joy in his heart.

"what?"

Xu Shiren let out a soft exclamation, only to see that Cheng Xinzhan was not heading north back to Yuzhang, but west, crossing the Lingdingyang. It seemed he was going to the South China Sea, in the direction of Yunti Mountain.

Didn't you say you were going back to the mountains to retreat into seclusion? Why are you going there?

He probably just went to get something.

Xu Shiren thought so.

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(End of this chapter)