Starting from the Tiger Demon Yaksha, the demon immortality

Chapter 198, Section 197: Trapped
"I found this golden lotus decades ago."

"At that time, I was looking for the Seven Treasures Lotus, but after many years of searching, I still had no news of it."

"However, this item is, after all, a seventh-tier rare treasure; it can be considered both a spiritual herb and a spiritual material."

"It can be used for both weapon crafting and alchemy."

"However, you are about to open a miraculous scripture, and your true form will not be far off."

"This golden lotus can protect the mind, cleanse the body of impurities, and replenish true energy, enough to support the cultivation of the entire True Form Realm, almost eliminating the need for elixirs."

"Therefore, it is most suitable for you to use it."

On Pingdingshan Mountain, the two masters and their apprentice slowly climbed the steps, and the thatched hut at the summit was already in sight.

As Taiyi Zhenren recounted his story, Li Cunxiao felt not only joy but also deep emotion.

However, he always believed that actions speak louder than words, and all his words could only be left for future repayment.

"Thank you, Master."

Taiyi's lips curled slightly as he glanced at Qici with a hint of arrogance. The latter smiled without being annoyed, knowing that the old Taoist was showing off his wealth.

In the end, it all just benefits my apprentice, doesn't it?

No, that's not right. They're our apprentices now.

'There's no need to join the Taoist sect; things are fine as they are now.'

"My senior brother has been sending messages frequently; the imperial court has embroiled the Louguan sect in a power struggle, and I fear a major battle is imminent."

'This bald thief has no sect, which is perfect for him—he's all clean.'

'I would be content if I could simply pass on my alchemy skills.'

Taiyi Zhenren quietly observed the young man beside him, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

Li Cunxiao, unaware of his two masters' thoughts, went straight to the summit and, guided by Taiyi, entered the underground cave.

However, after they went inside, neither of them went to see the golden lotus. Instead, they went to Li Qingtong's grave to pay their respects.

This action softened the old Taoist's expression even more.

Qi Ci's actions were purely out of respect for the deceased; he never judged people based on their own status.

Li Cunxiao knew that Taiyi's favoritism towards him was inseparable from the early death of Qing Tongjun.

Even though the old Taoist priest no longer treats him as a substitute for his deceased son after he has become his disciple, the favor he received was real, and he cannot fail to express his gratitude.

"rise."

Taiyi made a sword-finger gesture, causing the water in the icy pool to part, and a cold mist rose and swirled, revealing a lotus flower within that radiated golden light like crystal.

This lotus flower is as large as a washbasin, with its branches and leaves spread out. The lotus seeds inside are as distinct as white jade, warm and lustrous.

"Truly a treasure," Qi Ci couldn't help but exclaim.

The lotus is considered a rare and precious object in both Buddhism and Taoism.

The Taoist scriptures say, "The jade liquid in the Huachi Pool gives birth to lotuses, which irrigate the dantian and restore youthful appearance."

"Before heaven and earth were separated, it was shaped like a chicken egg, with a lotus flower inside, from which the Three Pure Ones were born."

Buddhist scriptures say, "Those who hold lotus flowers represent the pure Bodhi mind inherent in all sentient beings."

Both believe that the lotus is a pure and undefiled treasure, and also possesses the wonder of creation and liberation.

"The Amitabha Sutra says that in the Land of Ultimate Bliss, there are seven jeweled ponds filled with water possessing eight merits. The bottom of the ponds is paved with pure gold sand, and the steps on all four sides are made of gold, silver, lapis lazuli, and crystal. The pavilions on top are also decorated with gold, silver, lapis lazuli, crystal, tridacna shell, red pearl, and agate."

“The lotus flowers in the pond are as large as cartwheels, with blue light, yellow light, red light, and white light, and are delicately fragrant and pure.”

"Brother Dao, this golden lotus, though not a complete Seven Treasures Lotus, is still extremely rare."

Upon hearing Qici's sentiments, Taiyi couldn't help but feel a little smug.

"Of course. Nothing I set my sights on is ordinary."

"The world's elixirs are no more than the ninth grade, and even rare and precious materials do not exceed this limit."

"Legend has it that the Seven Treasures Lotus can bring the dead back to life, heal flesh and bone, and even revive the dying. If one could use it to refine elixirs, who knows what kind of divine pills could be made?"

The old Taoist priest looked longingly at the lotus, and without delay, he waved his hand, and the golden lotus automatically detached from its stem. The part left in the pool quickly dried up and withered until it turned into dust.

The golden lotus flew out and landed in Li Cunxiao's outstretched palms.

"Disciple, let's refine it here."

"Yes," Li Cunxiao immediately sat cross-legged. As for the method of refining, Taiyi had already told him on the way here.

The lotus flower, as big as a washbasin, has a very subtle feel to the touch, like a dandelion, light and weightless, yet undeniably present.

With nostrils flared, one may not be able to smell anything, but one's spirit feels as if it has been near a clear spring, naturally giving rise to a refreshing feeling.

Extending his right hand and making a sweeping motion with his left fingers, a crack appeared in his palm, and pure blood was drawn into threads by the Flame Demon True Qi, wrapping around the golden lotus.

The next moment, the golden lotus melted visibly, like snow in spring, and then flowed into Li Cunxiao's body along the threads of blood and true energy.

This golden lotus is a natural elixir, and the spiritual energy it contains is so abundant that it cannot be digested in a quarter of an hour or a day or two.

Instead, it must be absorbed into the body through special means, and then, while walking, sitting, lying down, practicing martial arts, the golden lotus will naturally take effect.

This item can replace elixirs to enhance one's power, and it also has a healing effect. According to Taiyi's estimation, it is sufficient to support Li Cunxiao until he reaches the peak of his true form and breaks through the Heavenly Ladder.

Seeing the golden lotus petals gradually merging into his blood and true energy, like flowing refined gold, Qi knew that the refining process was complete; all that remained was to wait patiently. He then transmitted his voice to Taiyi:
"Brother Dao just mentioned that you once searched for the Seven Treasures Lotus Flower, but there was no news of it?"

"What do you want to say?"

Taiyi was in a good mood and was about to make a joke when he saw the big monk take out a golden dragon.

"Li Cunxiao told me what he saw at the bottom of the pool that day."

Then, Qi Ci explained his guess about what he thought might be a hidden paradise. The old Taoist priest listened and looked thoughtful.

"I won't lie to you. After you left that day, I went to check again, but I found nothing."

"You and I are already martial arts immortals, at the Grandmaster level, but it was Li Cunxiao, who was only at the fourth level, who discovered the clues."

"Otherwise, as mentioned before, only innate objects like spiritual treasures, which are in harmony with the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth, can disappear without a trace."

"Or perhaps, it is a terrestrial immortal or grandmaster whose realm is above ours who deliberately shielded their senses."

Qi Ci picked up the conversation, "No matter which one it is, there are probably secrets hidden under this flat-topped mountain."

"Do you think that Emperor Yang's dragon boat treasure is really here?"

Both of them fell silent for a moment, their eyes filled with speculation and a hint of passion, but not to the point of being overly excited.

After all, the Zhou Dynasty had been extinct for over seven hundred years. When the rumor of Emperor Yang's sudden death first came out, Emperor Taizong Wen, who was then the Prince of Qin, along with the princes and the crown prince, all wanted to obtain the Dragon Boat Treasure.

It can be said that most of the world's essence is contained within that treasure trove. Divine martial arts, rare and precious materials, divine weapons and elixirs—whatever one desires, it has it all.

Even the dragon boat itself is very likely a spiritual treasure, a precious artifact upon which the imperial court and sacred sects rely for their survival.

However, since no one has been able to find it for hundreds of years, the fact that some clues have now surfaced makes us even more cautious.

"Oh? It's almost finished refining?"

Their gazes were simultaneously drawn to the side, where they saw that the last petal of the golden lotus had been absorbed into the silk-like blood and true energy, and even on Li Cunxiao's skin, a golden line was visibly appearing.

It spreads from the palm to the forearm, upper arm, and chest, and finally descends to the dantian.

Hair-like golden threads intertwined and wrapped around, outlining a luminous golden lotus mark on Li Cunxiao's lower abdomen.

Inside his body, the golden lotus that was originally the size of a washbasin had shrunk several times and appeared beneath Nezha, above the fire snake, the wooden dragon, and the black dragon.

It seems both real and unreal, both true and illusory, like a creation of true energy, yet also like a tangible object.

Nezha sits cross-legged on a lotus flower, carrying his silver wheel to suppress the poisonous dragon, exuding an even greater sense of holiness and tranquility.

At the same time, a gentle spiritual energy emanated from the lotus flower, and as the true energy circulated through the twelve meridians, it permeated the limbs, bones, and internal organs.

The whole process was a bit slow, but it went very smoothly.

As Li Cunxiao felt the essence emanating from the golden lotus, he felt his mind become clear and his true energy began to stir. He was deeply moved.

"As expected of a seventh-tier spiritual object, even without actively refining it, simply having it in one's body is very beneficial."

"With this item on my person, I'm afraid I won't need the stone marrow. With such abundant spiritual energy, even if it were to flow through the eight extraordinary meridians, it probably wouldn't even consume a quarter of it."

Thinking about this, Li Cunxiao felt a little itchy.

With two masters protecting him, he simply mobilized his inner energy and tried to open the extraordinary meridians.

Carefully channeling the Flaming True Qi, within his dantian, it was as if a pool of flames gathered, slowly lifting the golden lotus and the Nezha figure on the lotus seat.

As the pool water rose and fell, it washed over the crystal-clear golden lotus. Within the lotus blossoms, a faint golden light "peeled off" and merged into the true energy. Then, like flowing water, it surged into the meridians. Meanwhile, the pool water continued to rise and fall, constantly refining the medicinal power of the golden lotus little by little.

The Yangwei Meridian originates at the outer side of the heel, ascends along the outer side of the lower limb to the top of the head, and joins the Du Meridian, regulating the Qi and blood of the Yang meridians.

It passes through acupoints such as Jinmen, Yangjiao, Naoyu, Tianliao, Jianjing, Touwei, Benshen, Yangbai, Toulinqi, Muchuang, Zhengying, Chengling, Naokong, Fengchi, Fengfu, and Yamen.

The extraordinary meridians are already more hidden and harder to open. If the Violent Qi Pill is still used, the amount of energy required to open one extraordinary meridian is almost two or three times that required to open a regular meridian, and it increases as you go on.

For ordinary martial artists, the benefits of opening the extraordinary meridians are completely disproportionate to the effort, so only the geniuses of holy lands are qualified to pursue the Great Perfection realm.

The medicinal properties of the golden lotus are gentle, but not weak; on the contrary, they can even be described as strong and potent.

Its influence is subtle and pervasive, and Li Cunxiao could feel that opening the Jinmen acupoint was more difficult than before.

Each flush of the medicine stirred up a ripple in her heart, but because of the special medicinal power of the Golden Lotus, these ripples were like ripples on water, eventually settling down.

The most difficult hurdle for countless martial artists was overcome so quietly.

"It is truly an extraordinary spiritual object."

Qi Ci looked at the Bone-Illuminating Mirror in Taiyi's hand. In the mirror, as the acupoints of the Extraordinary Meridians were opened, the real Nezha sitting on the lotus platform became more and more vivid and real. His eyebrows and expression had become more similar to Li Cunxiao himself.

"The difficulty of the extraordinary meridians lies in the fact that the main meridians have already been established, and the whole body is covered with a net."

"At this point, any action would naturally have far-reaching consequences, affecting the whole body, including the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, joy, anger, worry, sorrow, fear, and shock."

"No matter how strong one's mind is, if one's emotions are disordered, one can endure it for a short time, but over the years, it will inevitably increase the risk of falling into demonic possession."

Taiyi's expression was one of self-satisfaction, after all, this was something he had cultivated for many years.

If we're being really serious, this golden lotus is good enough to be used as material for an eighth-grade elixir. Giving it directly to Li Cunxiao is actually a waste of its potential.

But the old Taoist priest didn't care about these things.

Things are meant to be used by people; they are neither valuable nor worthless, only suitable or unsuitable.

"Brother Dao is generous. I will need your help with Li Cunxiao's cultivation in the future."

With over a hundred years of shamelessness, he can openly say such things about getting something for nothing without blushing or skipping a beat, and his expression is completely natural.

"Hmph, you've really gone to the trouble of agreeing. I can agree, but, hmm?"

Their eyes suddenly narrowed as they saw that the golden dragon in Taiyi's hand was emitting a faint glow.

An unknown place, a gray sky, floating earth and rocks, like a ruin after a great battle.

The enormous dragon boat sailed through the void, its vast hull adorned with four palaces and towers, resembling a magnificent celestial palace.

But amidst the gloom and deathly silence, there was also no life here.

Suddenly, from the highest level of the palace, a tremendous whistling sound arose; if you listened carefully, it rose and fell like human breathing.

"I can smell the fine dwelling again, and the scent of golden lotus?"

His voice was filled with joy.

"Damn it, it's those monks and Taoists again."

Joy turned into resentment and rage.

"No, we can't wait any longer, my time is running out."

His voice was low and almost inaudible, as if he had made a firm decision.

boom! ! ! !

With a thunderous roar, the palace cracked open, and a towering figure, nearly a hundred meters tall, burst forth from the dust and smoke.

A shadowy mass obscured its true form. Yet, one could vaguely discern countless scarlet eyes and numerous dark blue arms.

The dragon boat trembled, and magnificent golden light transformed into a hundred-foot-long dragon, coiling and pressing towards the enormous black shadow.

In an instant, countless mournful cries filled the air, and even the enormous black shadow paused for a moment. From the two palaces on the third level of the dragon boat, two powerful auras also rose up.

"Sima Yuwen will deal with you two traitors another day."

Countless arms formed from shadows wriggled and stretched out, as if piercing into the void, tearing open the curtain that separated heaven and earth.

In an instant, the pool of water, which seemed to reflect the world, suddenly split open, revealing the scene inside the cave in front of the huge black shadow.

The old Taoist priest and the monk were shocked, their eyes instantly locking onto the suddenly cracked void.

Before anyone could react, the shadow beneath Li Cunxiao opened wide like a giant mouth and swallowed him whole!

"Disciple!"

"Saburo!"

(End of this chapter)