Starting from the Tiger Demon Yaksha, the demon immortality

Chapter 170, 169 Samadhi Fire
When refining elixirs, one is completely focused, and an hour passes in the blink of an eye.

As his true energy flowed away continuously, he realized that Yuan Can's statement that opening up the three main meridians was barely enough to refine a batch of pills was not a joke.

Even with the support of the two demons, the Wood Dragon and the Fire Serpent, and with his true energy reserves being twice that of a typical Yellow Court Meridian, Li Cunxiao still felt fatigued.

There was enough true energy for alchemy, but the continuous output, along with close monitoring of the temperature in the furnace and the changes in the form of the pills, resulted in far more mental fatigue than physical fatigue.

If he is just an ordinary beginner martial artist at the Yellow Court level, then by the time he opens the furnace, he will probably only have the strength to walk.

"finished?"

De Cong, who had been watching outside for an hour, came in with his apprentice.

Li Cunxiao was not the only one who suffered; the two of them also watched from the sidelines for an hour.

Actually, they originally thought they wouldn't have to wait that long. After all, it was Li Cunxiao's first time refining pills, and Dezheng didn't expect him to succeed on his first try. They were already prepared for the pills to explode.

That way, he can offer some guidance, instilling in Li Cunxiao a greater sense of awe towards alchemy, and motivating him to strive harder after recognizing his shortcomings. Only then can he wholeheartedly help Li Cunxiao process the materials.

I never expected that a whole hour would pass by while I was standing there.

Although he couldn't see the situation inside the alchemy furnace from a distance, De Cong could tell from Li Cunxiao's changing expression that the former had made more than one mistake in the past hour, but none of them should have been major problems, and he was eventually saved.

Otherwise, the other person's expression wouldn't be so calm right now.

"Senior Abbot Decong, Senior Brother Yuancan," Li Cunxiao withdrew his hand from the alchemy furnace, and the faint flame of true energy instantly went out.

"Let's start the furnace and see how many pills you can make on your first try."

Upon hearing this, Li Cunxiao nodded, stood up, and grabbed the red-hot alchemy furnace with his bare hands.

If this were before he was born, the high temperature might have burned him, but now, even if a red-hot iron were pressed against his body, it might not leave a mark.

However, although the Flame-Mo True Qi is of the fire element, its temperature is not high enough to melt iron and stone.

The ability to refine elixirs is mainly due to the special structure within the alchemy furnace, which enhances the heat output.

The lid of the alchemy furnace was lifted, and a wisp of smoke rose into the air. Decong only twitched his nose slightly, already knowing what was going on, but he still couldn't wait to move forward, with Yuancan following closely behind.

The three of them looked at the center of the alchemy furnace at the same time. Li Cunxiao was especially nervous. When the smoke dissipated, he saw the specially designed tray-shaped structure inside the furnace, with four red pills lying quietly in the center.

The pills are generally round, but have some slight, inconspicuous depressions and protrusions on them, making them approximately oval in shape.

"Four? You actually managed to master it?"

Yuan Shen enveloped his five fingers with his true energy, placed the four pills in the container, and examined them carefully.

De Cong was an experienced alchemist. Instead of looking at the finished pill, he craned his neck to look at the ashes in the furnace.

Li Cunxiao was a little uneasy.

That King Mu was easygoing in every way, but when it came to elixirs, he was extremely demanding.

This batch of pills, based on the amount of raw materials, should have yielded at least twenty pills.

There are only four now, which is obviously a significant loss. If that Wood Master were to see them, they would certainly be unqualified.

However, the other party's level of attainment was clearly far beyond the upper limit of Tiangu Temple, and the requirements were bound to be much higher than those of ordinary alchemists. Li Cunxiao would not take the other party's standards as the norm.

At this critical moment, whether it's acquiring more pill formulas or practicing pill refining, Li Cunxiao needs the resources of the Medicine King Academy.

If De Cong is not satisfied with the result of this first alchemy attempt and makes him do odd jobs again, then it would be a waste of time.

After all, he had done similar things too many times in his dreams. What he needed now was to practice and put what he had learned into practice.

But alchemy is a waste of money, and these raw materials are all bought with money, but he is not a legitimate disciple of De Cong.

Judging from Dezheng's words, he was being fostered at Tiangu Temple, and his adoptive master was still nowhere to be found.

In such a situation, to obtain sufficient resources, one certainly cannot take them for free. Just like when suppressing the Ming Cult, one must contribute to the Tiangu Temple.

"The quality is below average, but considering this is your first time refining pills, it's not bad."

Although De Cong was eccentric, he always spoke his mind when it came to alchemy.

Hearing this, Li Cunxiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"However, the fact that only four pills were successfully made indicates that you lacked the necessary strength during the refining process, resulting in uneven heat. The strong fire was stronger than the gentle fire, which burned the raw materials, right?"

"The chief has keen insight," Li Cunxiao nodded.

When he first started refining pills, he was able to concentrate fully and control the heat precisely.

However, after half an hour, mental fatigue becomes inevitable.

Honestly, alchemy is a truly torturous job.

If you're meditating and practicing Qi cultivation, an hour isn't much; in fact, it's quite comfortable because of the inherent properties of the Flame-Mo True Qi.

In a battle, Li Cunxiao has never been locked in a stalemate with anyone for so long since his debut, and he can usually resolve the situation within 15 minutes.

This was the first time he had ever stared intently at the pill, adjusting the heat accordingly. Even with his utmost care and attention, he couldn't help but make a mistake.

However, due to a moment of carelessness, the fire of true energy fluctuated, and the entire batch of pills was almost ruined.

In the end, it was only because the quality of the Flame-Magic True Qi was high enough and the raw materials were refined sufficiently that they managed to survive until the very end and produce these four medium-to-low-grade pills.

"The terms 'gentle fire' and 'vigorous fire' are just vague. In reality, because different alchemists cultivate different martial arts, the quality of their true qi fire varies, and therefore the standards also differ."

"The same firepower might be a gentle breeze for you, but for me it could be a fierce barrage."

When De Cong said this, a hint of envy appeared in his eyes.

Having practiced alchemy for decades, he could naturally see that Li Cunxiao's first batch of pills, besides the element of luck, also benefited from the higher quality of the true qi fire, which was easier to control and caused less damage to the medicinal materials, thus giving him a chance to make amends.

'If I possessed a true fire of supreme power'

The thought flashed through his mind, but De Cong didn't put on airs; he simply admonished:

"Controlling the heat is the key to alchemy; a little too much or a little too little will result in drastically different outcomes in the furnace."

"Alchemy is not like fighting with people, and medicinal herbs are far more delicate and fragile than a martial artist's body."

"Martial arts are about fighting and killing, while alchemy is about manipulating the universe. If you bring your fighting habits into alchemy, it will be difficult for you to achieve anything."

Seeing the other person's deeply moved expression, Li Cunxiao couldn't help but recall the words that Abbot Dezheng had once said.

Abbot Decong is not only a master of alchemy, but his combat strength is also among the top in Tiangu Temple.

"Alright, your cultivation level is still not high enough. This batch of pills is about enough for today. Let's continue preparing medicine this afternoon."

De Cong gave the order and then left.

At this time of day, he would usually be in the alchemy room, either studying alchemical formulas or refining pills.

Today was also Li Cunxiao's first time refining pills, which is why he took the time to come and take a look.

The results are satisfactory.

Even if we disregard others, the carefully selected ginseng was completely ruined during the first attempt at alchemy.

It took three full furnaces to refine a single low-grade Qi and Blood Pill.

It should be said that Li Cunxiao's performance, whether in terms of pharmacology and drug properties or hands-on practice, was a pleasant surprise.

"Judging from the current progress, it will probably take two or three months of training before he can start processing sixth-order materials." De Cong thought to himself. As an alchemist, sometimes it takes half a year from preparing the raw materials to opening the furnace for a batch of pills. It is not uncommon for the refining process to last for ten days or half a month.

Compared to the previously expected six months to a year, Li Cunxiao's speed is already very satisfactory.

But the latter doesn't think so.

After finishing his work for the day, Li Cunxiao returned to his study in the evening and couldn't help but frown and ponder.

"The heat, the heat."

Yuancan told him that the only way to better control the heat was to observe and practice more, accumulating experience and feel.

In addition, they practiced some specialized martial arts.

The Fire Hellfire Spear technique is quite refined in its manipulation of true energy, but ultimately, it is still a killing technique.

Compared to the methods used for alchemy, it still seems crude.

"Shouldn't the Eastern King Mu Gong have a solution?"

After dark, Li Cunxiao practiced his spear technique for two hours as usual, until late at night, before finally lying down in bed and peacefully falling asleep.

"That bald thief Qici is truly hateful! It was clearly the Rejuvenation Pill that I refined, but he took it and used it to present to Buddha."

Outside Tiangu Temple, Taiyi Zhenren felt the departing aura of the fat monk and was filled with resentment.

As the saying goes, "love me, love my dog," and aside from the fact that the Green Lion left behind at the镖局 (镖局 is a type of security escort agency), Master Taiyi has always paid close attention to all kinds of activities at the镖局.

Shi Tie's severed limbs regenerated, which naturally could not be hidden from him.

When he saw Li Cunxiao take out that pill, he recognized it at first glance. It was the Rejuvenation Pill that Qi Ci had asked him to refine.

Looking back now, I feel a sense of regret, like I've shot myself in the foot.

But that's not all that's infuriating.

When Li Cunxiao accompanied the army to suppress the Ming Cult, he actually followed behind secretly.

But before they got too close, they realized there were other experts hiding among them. At first, they thought it was one of the Dharma Kings of the Ming Cult, but it turned out that Qici was playing hide-and-seek there.

After the latter returned, perhaps having discovered something, he kept an even closer eye on Li Cunxiao.

This made it so that even during the day, Taiyi Zhenren dared not approach Tiangu Temple, and at night he could not come too early either. He could only lure people into his dreams after watching them leave.

"Qing Tong," the familiar figure reappeared before my eyes in my dream.

Taiyi Zhenren greeted him with a smile, but before he could speak, Li Cunxiao spoke first:
“Father, I have been refining pills lately. I have enough internal energy, but I often feel that I lack control over the heat.”

"Do you have any way to teach me?"

Master Taiyi was overjoyed, thinking to himself that the other party had finally developed an interest in alchemy.

He also knew about Li Cunxiao's activities in Decong's alchemy room, and as a fellow alchemist, he could guess seven or eight parts of the latter's plans just from rumors.

It's not time to confront Qi Ci and Li Cunxiao yet. Dreams are ultimately just illusions, but having a place for alchemy in reality suits his wishes.

'I'm afraid that when De Cong first had him refine pills, he met with a resounding failure the first time he opened the furnace.'

"Very well, very well, it's time for this old Taoist to show off his skills."

Thinking this, Taiyi cleared his throat:

"The so-called 'heat control' is not a fixed number, just like the properties of medicine are not determined by the exact amount specified in the prescription."

"When to use what heat and how long depends on the properties of the medicinal herbs; I've already taught you that."

"Secondly, it depends on how finely one controls true qi. This really requires experience and cannot be done by others."

First, he poured cold water on Li Cunxiao's enthusiasm, and only after the other party showed a shameful expression due to his wishful thinking did he continue:
"However, I do have a method to enhance the control of true qi."

Upon hearing this, Li Cunxiao perked up and said, "Please give me your guidance."

"The demon inhaled and exhaled the essence of flesh and blood, transforming it into true energy, which was then transformed into true fire in the alchemy furnace."

"Your current cultivation level is not high, yet your true energy is excessively strong. It's like a child trying to wield a sledgehammer; naturally, it will wobble and lack the strength to handle it."

“You’ve reached a certain level, so you can’t back down now. But there are ways to help you hold this hammer more firmly.”

After Taiyi Zhenren finished speaking, he touched Li Cunxiao's forehead with his finger, and a short but profound secret technique flowed into his heart.

This is not a cultivation technique, nor strictly speaking, it is not a martial art, because it cannot be blessed by a demon.

But after reading it, Li Cunxiao couldn't help but show a look of joy on his face.

"Samadhi True Fire?"

The term "samadhi" originates from Sanskrit in Buddhist scriptures, specifically from the fifth chapter of the *Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra*.

"When the mind of goodness dwells in one place without wavering, this is called samadhi."

It is also said that "by following the law with one's mind, one can be free from evil and disorder, hence the name Samadhi."

Initially, Samadhi was a Buddhist practice of entering a meditative state. However, as Buddhism and Taoism learned from each other, its meaning gradually changed.

Entering a meditative state and calming the mind is the key to Zen practice, so samadhi later came to refer to the essence and true meaning of things.

The "Samadhi" in the Taoist Samadhi True Fire refers to the "Three Treasures" that guide the path of cultivation.

That is, it is the crystallization of the great mysteries of essence, qi, and spirit, and the origin of human cultivation.

This kind of Samadhi Fire is said to refine the three dantian, reaching the Niwan point above and the Yongquan point below, instantly making one an immortal.

Regardless of its effectiveness in alchemy, the information revealed by this secret technique is of paramount importance.

"The first three realms of martial arts are Qi and blood, muscles and internal organs, all of which involve cultivating the essence of blood and flesh."

"The middle three realms, Yellow Court, True Form, and Heavenly Ladder, are for cultivating true qi."

"The method of Samadhi True Fire says that the three treasures of essence, energy, and spirit are the key to becoming an immortal and attaining the Dao. So, opening the mysterious gate means cultivating the primordial spirit?"

Although Li Cunxiao had a suspicion, it was one thing to guess blindly, but it was another to have others confirm it.

However, the Samadhi True Fire that Dongwang Mugong passed down to him was not the real, or rather, the complete Samadhi True Fire.

The Samadhi Fire he learned consists of Heart Fire, Kidney Fire, and Dantian Fire.

The "fire" in Samadhi here does not refer to flames, but rather to essence.

The heart is fire, and the kidneys are water. When water and fire are in harmony, the dantian (lower abdomen) governs all, using essence and qi to guide true qi, making it easier to control.

So if we have to say what it is, Li Cunxiao's acquisition of this skill can only be described as "two essences," namely, essence and qi.

After all, he is only at the fourth realm now, and he is still far from the seventh realm. Even if he obtains the method, he will not be able to cultivate it.

However, after reading this method, some of my doubts were suddenly cleared up.

Based on his observation, Dongwang Mugong should have been cultivating the Wood Element True Skill, while De Cong had been emphasizing and pursuing the Fire Element True Qi. It seemed that the other five elements were not suitable for alchemy.

However, it seems that compared to the fire of the Five Elements, the fire of the Samadhi of Essence, Qi and Spirit is obviously more fundamental, and alchemy is naturally within its grasp.

However, since the Samadhi True Fire requires the three treasures of essence, qi, and spirit to be fully formed.

The opponent's level of cultivation is probably...
(End of this chapter)