Chongming Xianzong

Chapter 605 The Sect Leader's Rage Revitalizes the Spirit and the Third Master's Pill: A Perfect Proof

After Kuai En left, all the cultivators of Chongming Sect had mixed feelings.

What kind of predicament did this Earl of Feng'en face in Tanggu County back then? Which of Chongming's highly experienced disciples wouldn't know?

While spiritual cultivation is indeed highly dependent on aptitude, seeing how easily an old friend, who was far inferior to them back then, had attained advanced cultivation and become a noble relative, made everyone feel a mix of indescribable thoughts.

Sect Leader Kang was well aware of the matter, but he didn't discuss it with each of the cultivators. Instead, he summoned Kang Rongquan, whose eyes had turned somewhat gloomy, to his side and personally instructed him.

"Well, Kuai En received a lot of help from you back then. Have I given you a generous gift this time?!"

Kang Dabao's teasing remark did little to change Kang Rongquan's expression. The latter, head bowed, looked utterly dejected, as if too ashamed to raise his head. After a moment of hesitation, he took out something and softly replied:
"To be honest, my great-uncle, this time Marquis Kuai Feng'en gave me a Snow Forest Pill, saying that if I wanted to take advantage of the situation, given my aptitude, I could become a fake pill within one cycle and enjoy it for three hundred years."

"Heh, after seeing the world, he's become quite generous," Sect Leader Kang laughed for a while, because as Kang Rongquan said, the Snow Forest Pill given by Kuai En was indeed rare and precious, and even ordinary cultivators would have to spend a lot of resources and energy to find one.

But for Kuai En, this rising star of the Immortal Dynasty, it might not be so painful as to give it away to an old friend at will.

“They are born with the innate talent of ‘Mingxing Xuanshu Body’. Not only are you juniors hard-working people unable to catch up with them, but even I, after a hundred years of hard work, am left behind.”

Kang Dabao expressed his feelings, and seeing that Kang Rongquan's complexion had improved slightly, he then spoke up to comfort him:
"Being fast for a while doesn't necessarily mean you can stay fast forever. Since I started cultivating, I've seen many geniuses, but I can't count many who have truly lived longer and far surpassed me in the end."

Kang Dabao's fingertips traced the rim of the teacup, his gaze sweeping over the sacred wood outside the hall, his tone slow yet firm:

"Do you think Kuai En is so successful now? Perhaps you haven't figured it out yet. This 'Mingxing Xuanshu Body' is a gift from heaven. According to what I've heard from those big shots, he is still just a rough diamond. If everything goes smoothly, it wouldn't be surprising if he reached the Nascent Soul stage in two or three hundred years."

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed across Kang Rongquan's eyes, followed by a thoughtful expression.

"So what? Does that mean we're definitely no match for him?! Even now, can he, a Nascent Soul disciple and son-in-law of the imperial clan, truly surpass me, his great-uncle?!"

Kang Dabao tapped the table with his knuckles, the sound particularly clear in the quiet hall. His gaze fell on Kang Rongquan's face, carrying a sharp, questioning tone:
"In this world, some people can rely on the blessings of their ancestors and have countless resources; others can rely on the protection of the Dao Ancestor and have outstanding talents. If you want to complain about injustice, list out all the virtuous talents of the Immortal Dynasty. Even if you list one a day, it will be enough for you to complain for ten or twenty years."

Kuai En gave you this elixir, perhaps out of old friendship, or perhaps because he saw you were downcast and wanted to help you. But don't be greedy for comfort, lest you ruin your will.

“I understand that principle,” Kang Rongquan said with a wry smile, then explained, “My great-uncle was a man of extraordinary talent and ability, who single-handedly brought the sect to such a state, yet we are all unworthy.”

He paused here, glanced again at the Snow Forest Pill in his hand, and hesitated for a moment before speaking:
"My grandson originally thought that he was only at the Green Leaf Dao Foundation stage, and had no idea how to talk about alchemy, let alone reach the Core Formation stage. To be honest, it was a very slim chance."

However, if one achieves a false elixir too early, even if the path to enlightenment is severed, one can still provide some assistance to the elders for the next two hundred years, and can share many burdens with their teachers.
My grandson committed a foolish act years ago, and even a hundred deaths could not undo the slightest mistake. I thought it impossible to be so old and frail as to finally achieve a false core and sacrifice my remaining life for the sect.

After Kang Rongquan finished speaking, he noticed that although the Grand Master Kang's face was expressionless, his eyes were filled with coldness, which made him tremble slightly.

"Bastard thing!!"

Kang Dabao slammed his hand on the table, the celadon teacup vibrating and making a humming sound. A few drops of tea splashed onto his black brocade robe, but this did nothing to diminish the coldness in his eyes.

"What utter nonsense are you spouting! What do you mean by 'the path to enlightenment is severed'? What do you mean by 'sacrificing one's crippled body'?! When have I, my Chongming Sect, my Chongming Kang Family ever taught you spineless bastards such principles?!"

Kang Rongquan was so angry that he dared not utter a word, and could only lower his head and silently endure the scolding.

Sect Leader Kang, still not satisfied, pointed his finger and cursed, "Go ahead and fight, don't panic or be afraid. The path of cultivation should always be one of advancement and no retreat. If you really reach the end of your rope and still think about clinging to life and trying to obtain fake pills, I, the Daoist, will have no objections!"

"But how old are you now?! Have you already wasted your ambition on those spiritual soil crops?! Is this how your master taught you back then?!"

Kang Dabao's Golden Core wrath was truly unbearable for ordinary cultivators. Even though he did not show any malice towards Kang Rongquan, the undisguised and rampant spread of his spiritual power was enough to make the latter unable to lift his head.

Kang Rongquan's eyes were bloodshot, and the veins on his neck were bulging and throbbing, yet he still managed to say with all his might, "My late master never taught me like this!"

"Ha, so you can't even speak fluently anymore?!"

"My late teacher! My late teacher never taught me like this!!!"

Kang Rongquan said fiercely, gathering his spiritual power into the Laogong point in his palm, intending to crush the Xue Lin Dan, which was overflowing with the fragrance of pills, in one fell swoop to show his determination.

However, in the eyes of Master Kang, his actions were too extravagant, and thus unlikely to be carried out. Upon seeing this, the latter's expression changed slightly, and with a flick of his fingertip, a ray of spiritual light leaped into Kang Rongquan's palm, tightly protecting the jade bottle.

"Phew," Kang Dabao let out a long breath, whether because Kang Rongquan had suddenly realized his mistake or because the pill had not been lost. He then waved his hand, summoning pure energy, and handed the jade bottle to Ye Zhengwen, who had been listening quietly from the side.

Sect Leader Kang gave another instruction: "Old Ye, this Snow Forest Pill will be converted into merit points for this kid. If he regrets it later and wants to take it back, don't stop him."

"Yes, Sect Leader." Ye Zhengwen, having just recovered from the spectacle, responded in a low voice.

Only after Kang Dabao completely suppressed his spiritual power was Kang Rongquan able to catch his breath again.

The latter raised his head but completely ignored the breakthrough pill that had just fallen into Ye Zhengwen's hand. He only glanced at Headmaster Kang again, then bowed again: "Grand Uncle, I will never forget your teachings today."

Seeing that Kang Dabao's expression was not satisfied, Kang Rongquan said again, "After I go downstairs, I will tell all my fellow disciples about what happened in the hall today, to set the record straight."

Even at this point, Headmaster Kang still hadn't spoken, and Kang Rongquan was still full of self-reproach. It was Yuan Jin, who had remained silent all along, who tried to smooth things over.

This elder, who was usually unusually good-tempered, simply smiled and pushed Kang Rongquan out the door, offering kind words of comfort:

"Senior Brother Sect Leader is just being overly concerned. Don't take it to heart. Go back and think carefully about what you just said, and don't get stuck on it."

After Yuan Jin closed the door, Ye Zhengwen, who had been silent until now, looked at the pill in his hand and sighed:
"If this pill were to leak out, who knows how many lives would have to be sacrificed to obtain it? My Sect Leader Kang almost caused his own disciple to ruin his own opportunity. If word got out, people would probably think it was a fantasy."

Kang Dabao's anger was genuine and had not yet subsided. Yuan Jin, on the other hand, was in a good mood and said cheerfully, "Senior Brother Ye is right. However, what Senior Brother just said does remind me of someone."

Upon hearing this, Ye Zhengwen seemed to share the same sentiment. Before the Great Master Kang could react, the two of them uttered four words in perfect unison: "Uncle-Master Black Shoes."

"Haha, if it were sixty years ago, the words you said today, Senior Brother, would have been something Uncle Black Shoes would have told you. But today... haha, it's quite interesting... quite interesting."

"Uncle-Master Black Shoes?!" Upon hearing his two junior brothers mention it, Sect Leader Kang couldn't help but relax his tense expression.

After Kang Dabao sighed suddenly, he continued:
"Recently, there have been a series of happy events within the sect, which has made these younger members too cheerful and has made them a bit listless. Old Ye, you should keep a close eye on the Hall of Merit and quickly send out some tasks there, so that they can use their energy on the right path and not have the leisure to think nonsense."

Ye Zhengwen nodded in agreement and said, "After returning, I will instruct Xun Dao to make proper arrangements."

"Hmm," Upon hearing this, Sect Leader Kang seemed to recall Han Xundao's recent reputation and felt slightly worried. However, seeing how much Ye Zhengwen trusted him in front of him, he didn't take it to heart.

Ye Zhengwen accepted the order and left immediately. Yuan Jin claimed he had something to attend to and asked to stay a little longer. Only after Ye Zhengwen had leaped over the spiritual barrier did Yuan Jin approach Kang Dabao's side again. By this time, his earlier relaxed expression had gradually turned serious. Kang Dabao frowned, knowing there would be no formalities between him and Yuan Jin, and asked directly:

"What do you want to say this time?!"

But Yuan Jin hesitated for a moment, then seemed to have made up his mind, and said through gritted teeth, "Senior Brother, could you give me the Snow Forest Pill that Rong Quan obtained?!"

These words caused the Grand Master Kang's expression to change, and he stared at Yuan Jin for a long time without saying a word.

————Xuanwei City
Inside the quiet room of the Fei family mansion in Xuanwei City, the furnishings were extremely simple, reflecting the unpretentious style that Headmaster Kang had always advocated. There was only a wooden table and a futon. In the corner of the wall, there was a calming incense sent from the Shangqin Palace. The smoke curled around the beams, spreading a peaceful atmosphere to help Jiang Qing calm his mind.

Besides the "Sword Elixir Diagram" spread out on the table, there was also a square stone about the length of a palm lying quietly on it, which was the whetstone that Chu Yanran had given her before.

This stone is the treasure of a small Buddhist sect in the outer sea. It accompanied a sword monk in his early years of practice. The stone has a warm luster that blends sandalwood and sword energy. It was an important tool for Jiang Qing to refine his sword intent in his early years.

When he obtained this stone, he rubbed it day and night. Although it had been unused for many years, the true meaning of swordsmanship contained in the stone, "using stillness to control movement and using the sword to prove the mind," had long been integrated into every move of his practice of the "Hun Yuan Zhen Xiao Sword." However, he had not yet connected it with the principle of Core Formation and had not been able to see the deeper connection.

Master Jiang sat cross-legged on the futon, his gaze shifting between the "Sword Elixir Diagram" and the whetstone. His fingertips first touched the cool surface of the whetstone, then fell on the spiritual energy patterns in the corner of the "Sword Elixir Diagram." Fei Tianqin's words from before still echoed in his ears:

"The theory of alchemy is the path of self-realization for cultivators." "Understanding the 'Primordial Chaos' reveals that sword and elixir share the same origin."

These words were like a key, and the juxtaposition of the whetstone and the "Sword Elixir Diagram" was like the moment the key was inserted into the lock, causing the confusion in his mind about the formation of the elixir to suddenly loosen.

The patterns on the Sword Elixir Diagram are as fine as hair, winding and intertwining into hidden paths, which subtly correspond to the path of spiritual energy flow when he practiced the Primordial Chaos Sword.

With the whetstone pressed against his palm, the dormant sword intent within the stone seemed to be awakened by the artistic conception in the picture, slowly releasing a wisp of light spiritual energy that subtly attracted the sword intent around him.

The cultivator in the picture stands with his sword on his back. The light spots gathered at the tip of the sword seem faint, but they reveal the mystery of "condensing the elixir with the sword and nourishing the sword with the elixir". This reflects the true meaning of "unity of sword and heart" on the whetstone. It seems to condense the core mysteries of the two difficult hurdles of "sword training" and "elixir formation" in the quiet room.

“But if the sword and the elixir share the same origin,” Jiang Qing murmured softly, raising his hand to summon his sword.

The longsword hummed softly as it was drawn from its sheath, seemingly resonating with the whetstone and the "Sword Elixir Diagram." The blade reflected the sunlight filtering through the window lattice, gleaming with a cold and pure luster.

Following the patterns of the "Sword Elixir Diagram," he drew the sword intent from the whetstone into his body, slowly circulating his spiritual power. His sword moved according to his will, drawing a smooth arc in the void.

The spiritual energy originates from the dantian, flows through the meridians to the sword, and then returns to the dantian from the sword tip, forming a closed loop.

Unlike the sluggishness of the past, this time the sword intent of the whetstone was smooth and the energy flowed smoothly, and the spiritual power flowed as smoothly as a stream flowing into the sea. It was as if the sword, stone and diagram were interconnected, opening up an invisible channel in his body where the sword and the elixir were integrated.

The luminous sword ape on his shoulder jumped down and squatted on the table. Its little paws pointed to the location of the cultivator's dantian in the "Sword Elixir Diagram," then pointed to Jiang Qing's dantian, and then touched the whetstone. Its bright black eyes were lively, as if reminding him of the connection between the two.

Following its movements, Jiang Qing placed the whetstone against his dantian. The moment the sword intent within the stone touched the spiritual energy in his dantian, he suddenly understood!

The "Hun Yuan" in the "Hun Yuan Zhen Xiao Sword" means "to integrate all things and encompass Yin and Yang";
The true meaning of the whetstone is "to guard one's original heart and condense the sword's heart"; while the core of the "Sword Elixir Diagram" is "to transform the sword into elixir and to nourish the sword with elixir." The combination of these three elements constitutes the complete path for sword cultivators to form their elixir.

Master Jiang closed his eyes and pondered, abandoning all distracting thoughts, allowing the sword intent of the whetstone and the artistic conception of the "Sword Elixir Diagram" to intertwine with his own spiritual power and sword intent.

The confusion and anxiety I used to feel when talking about forming the core gradually faded away, replaced by an unprecedented clarity.

The focus during sword practice, the tranquility during sword sharpening, and the sudden enlightenment during drawing all converge into a power at this moment, slowly nourishing the dantian.

After an unknown amount of time, a warmth suddenly emanated from his dantian. This warmth was no longer scattered specks of light, but rather solid like a whetstone and orderly like the patterns on the "Sword Elixir Diagram." It slowly spread with the flow of spiritual energy, forming a perfect resonance with the sword intent surrounding his body, as if telling the ultimate connection that the sword and the elixir are one.

"Is this the true essence of my alchemical theory?" Jiang Qing opened his eyes, a gleam of enlightenment flashing within them.

He recalled the sword principles of the Rift Sky Sword Sect that Lian Xuepu had taught him: "The sword is the weapon, the intention is the soul, and the elixir is the foundation." At this moment, these principles perfectly matched the "sword heart" of the whetstone and the "elixir intent" of the Sword Elixir Diagram.

He used to think that swordsmanship and alchemy were two parallel paths, and that one had to choose one to make progress, but now he has finally figured out some of the nuances.

It seems that for sword cultivators, practicing swordsmanship is the same as refining the mind, refining the mind is the same as building a foundation, and building a foundation is the same as forming a core.

The whetstone helped him solidify his sword heart, and the "Sword Elixir Diagram" guided him to understand the principles of elixir. Only when the two merged into "Primordial Chaos" could he achieve the true Golden Elixir Path belonging to sword cultivators.

For the next few months, Jiang Qing stayed indoors, immersing himself day and night in his understanding of the sword, stone, and diagram.

He used the sword intent of the whetstone to correct the deviation of spiritual power, used the patterns of the "Sword Elixir Diagram" to optimize the qi mechanism of the dantian, and then compared it with the classics given to him by Fei Tianqin to verify his theory of alchemy one by one.

The ancient sword cultivators recorded in the classics "slayed inner demons with swords and solidified their Dao foundation with elixirs," which is exactly the same as the true meaning of the whetstone "using stillness to control movement."
The core of "the fusion of sword intent and elixir power" has already transformed into a natural resonance between the sword, stone, and diagram within his body. It is as natural as breathing, requiring no deliberate effort.

That morning, as the incense in the quiet room burned down to its last wisp, the blue smoke gradually dissipated. Jiang Qing placed the whetstone against his dantian, his fingertips tracing the "Sword Elixir Diagram," and suddenly opened his eyes.

The warmth in his dantian had condensed into a rounded spiritual energy, no longer scattered specks of light, but as solid as a whetstone and as agile as a sword, pulsating gently with his breath.

He raised his hand and summoned his sword. The tip of the sword lightly touched his dantian. As his spiritual energy circulated, the sword, the whetstone, and his dantian all emitted a soft sound, as if the three of them were playing a harmonious melody of sword and dantian.

The resonant sound was steady and powerful, without the slightest hesitation, proving that the theories of sword, mind, and alchemy had been completely integrated.

Jiang Qing rose and walked to the center of the quiet room, standing with his sword in hand, the whetstone still in his palm. At this moment, the sword intent emanating from him was no longer sharp and flamboyant, nor was it simply gentle and mild, but rather, like the concept of "primordial chaos," encompassing all things.

The sword's energy swept across the books and the "Sword Elixir Diagram" on the table. The pages turned gently, but were not damaged in the slightest by the sword's energy. Only the whetstone became slightly hot, as if trembling in celebration of its perfection.

After practicing a set of sword techniques, Jiang Qing sheathed his sword and stood still, his breathing as steady as ever, and the round spiritual energy in his dantian remained stable.

He carefully put away the whetstone and the "Sword Elixir Diagram," keeping them close to his body. Then he sat down cross-legged again and carefully sorted out his insights from this successful experience.

Outside the quiet room, the sunlight gradually slanted, shining through the window lattice onto Jiang Qing, giving him a golden edge.

The luminous sword ape on his shoulder seemed to sense its master's change, woke up, nuzzled his arm, and its eyes were full of joy.

Jiang Qing closed his eyes and concentrated, the round spiritual energy in his dantian slowly circulating, absorbing the remaining spiritual energy in the quiet room, and also resonating with the whetstone in his palm.

Countless sunrises and sunsets have passed, until a ray of bright moonlight shines through the window and falls on Jiang Qing's sword, its blade gleaming with a soft luster, echoing the spiritual energy in his dantian and the whetstone in his palm.

In the quiet room, the sounds of swords clashing and stones trembling intertwined. Jiang Qing slowly opened his eyes, a sword light seemingly flowing within them. He sighed softly, "Hoo, is this the perfection of alchemy theory?!"

At this moment, there was no trace of impetuosity in his tone, only calmness and certainty.

(End of this chapter)