Starting from the Tiger Demon Yaksha, the demon immortality

Chapter 202 201 The Zheng Family of Xingyang, the Four Extraordinary Meridians (6,000 today)

"The One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones, which is an external manifestation."

"My clone is inside."

"No, rather than a clone, it's more like an external hard drive containing the demon?"

The two masters grinned foolishly on the side, while Li Cunxiao carefully sensed the changes in his body.

The Seven Treasures Lotus Seeds are nourished by the Golden Lotus, sprouting, flowering, and bearing fruit, thus becoming the lotus root.

Countless illusory roots and veins throughout the body merge and intersect, becoming one.

At first glance, it looks like countless white jade corridors converging towards the lotus palace in the dantian.

However, after a short while, this strange phenomenon disappeared, but a faint glow covered the flesh and meridians, flowing between gold, blue, red and white.

"Now, including the Burning Wood Blade, all the demons I cultivate in my martial arts have entered my Lotus Incarnation."

"My cultivation is still intact, and the Eight Wonders brought about by the Celestial Being's Transformation have not been affected."

"It operates without any lag, as if it were compatible with another hardware system."

Trying to circulate true energy, this time, the crimson flame true energy was no longer inhaled and exhaled by the demon, but flowed directly towards the lotus incarnation, and then flowed down from the green lotus leaf.

The true energy obtained in this way can be refined and restored at a speed that is nearly 50% faster than before, and it is also much purer.

With a thought, Li Cunxiao did not channel his true energy into his dantian, but instead left it within his lotus incarnation.

Before long, you can see a faint red tinge appearing on the white lotus root.

"In other words, an avatar is actually equivalent to a dantian, and at the same time, it is also a set of internal organs and meridians."

"The true energy I refine on a daily basis can be stored in my avatar, which means I have double the true energy."

"Now that Nezha himself has moved into the lotus pod, my dantian and nine orifices are empty."

"If you then cultivate another fundamental method, there will be no conflict."

To put it simply, Li Cunxiao's physical body is the hardware, while his lotus incarnation is the software. By switching software, he can use different functions.

In addition to these benefits, Li Cunxiao also noticed that on the top of the golden lotus incarnation's head, between the stems and leaves, there were three lotus root figures the size of a little finger.

According to the Seven Treasures and Four Lotuses theory, does this mean that one can manifest three different deities?
"The only downside is that it consumes too many resources to cultivate the Seven Treasures Lotus."

"Master Taiyi has been cultivating the golden lotus for nearly ten years, so there's no point in thinking about it for me these past few years."

"Without the medicinal power of the Golden Lotus, we will have to rely on the Stone Marrow to open up the Eight Extraordinary Meridians step by step."

The old Taoist priest and the senior monk were whispering among themselves when they saw that Li Cunxiao had sorted out his thoughts, so they came over to ask what had happened.

Being caught up in the secret realm this time was an undeserved disaster; without the two masters, there would have been no lotus incarnation.

Therefore, the latter did not conceal anything and explained everything.

"So that's how it is. The Seven Treasures Lotus Seed is an incarnation within the body. Yang Ying captured Cunxiao and then specially brought out this lotus seed. I'm afraid he wants to take over the nest."

The senior monk seemed lost in thought, while the old Taoist priest's expression was sinister.
"After this person fell into demonic possession, he was instead controlled by the spiritual treasure, trapped in the secret realm, unable to escape."

"But if one could enter the lotus seed with one's true form and, relying on the strength of one's primordial spirit, seize Sanlang's physical body, then not only could one escape the predicament, but one could also cleanse the demonic energy, rebuild one's martial arts, and regain control of the dragon boat."

"He truly is a foolish and tyrannical ruler!"

Can you still play like this?
Li Cunxiao felt a wave of fear wash over him, and once again felt fortunate to have clung to those two powerful figures.
But listening to their conversation, he was also somewhat puzzled.

"Master, what are these spiritual treasures and secret realms all about? How could Yang Ying, his subordinates Yuwen Jian and Sima Fufeng, have lived for so long?"

"Secret realms are born from spiritual treasures, or rather, the greatest value of spiritual treasures is actually the secret realms within them."

“Lingbao is the essence of nature, which is given form after birth. Its innate nature is located in the secret realm of the cave within it.”

Master Taiyi quickly took over the conversation, saying, "And within the secret realm, the passage of time is different from that in the outside world."

"The so-called 'watching chess until the axe handle rots' and 'the dream of the Yellow Millet' may only mean that ten years have passed for those in the secret realm, but twenty or thirty years have passed for the outside world."

"Yang Ying once possessed the power of a nation and was exceptionally talented, making him a true prodigy of his generation."

"When Daxing was destroyed, it was rumored that he had already broken through to the Grandmaster realm and lived to be four Jiazi."

"However, judging from today's exchange, this person's realm has already declined. Although Yuwen Jian and the others still have their Dharma forms, their strength is probably only half of what it was at its peak."

Taiyi Zhenren unconsciously stroked his beard, seemingly lost in thought. Qici, standing beside him, bluntly pointed out his thoughts:

"Don't worry about spiritual treasures and secret realms. Even if they have secret realms to save their lives, Yang Ying and the others don't have much time left. They are the ones who should be worried."

"What do you say about your disciple's cultivation?"

"Of course, Li Cunxiao should also cultivate the true skills of Taoism!"

Taiyi answered without hesitation, but Li Cunxiao couldn't help but say:
"Master, if we do this, won't the Louguan Sect..."

"Practice with confidence! Within the sect, below the sect leader, I'm the one who calls the shots!"

"With the alchemy furnace in my hand, even the peak masters of the various peaks have to give me some face."

"Once the deed is done, I don't believe he'll still turn away a prodigy like you!"

"Well done, fellow Daoist!"

Qi Ci smiled with narrowed eyes and rubbed his hands together.

"If that's the case, then what resources will Li Cunxiao have for his future cultivation?"

"I'll take it all."

"Oh, fellow Daoist! I regret not having met you sooner!"

Li Cunxiao looked at the monk and the Taoist priest with a strange expression, never expecting that Qici, who hated evil so much, would have such a slick side.

However, after enjoying the compliments for a while, Taiyi didn't lose his head:
“Hey, you bald thief, since I’m the one paying the bulk of the bill, shouldn’t Li Cunxiao call me Master and you Second Master from now on?”

"No, I was here first, there's no room for negotiation."

Qi Ci's change of attitude was as swift as turning the pages of a book, and his next sentence was so offensive that it made Taiyi's hair stand on end:

"Moreover, Li Cunxiao cannot cultivate the true skills of the Daoist sect until he breaks through to the true form."

"I'll fucking kill you."

What would happen if someone cultivated two true forms at the same time?

The old Taoist priest was immediately speechless.

"Even with the Seven Treasures Lotus protecting you, fellow Daoist, you should know that those predecessors who practiced both cultivation methods all fell at the stage of True Form."

"To fight against two minds is too risky; one cannot afford to make a single mistake."

"It would be better to let Li Cunxiao first cultivate the true form of the Buddhist deity. Once he has gained experience, he can then cultivate the true form of the Taoist deity. This way, there will be no chance of failure."

The senior monk hooked his arm around Taiyi's shoulder and patiently guided him:
"Brother Dao, you wouldn't want anything to happen to our disciple, would you?"

Master, are you a proper monk?

Li Cunxiao was at a loss for words.

When I first met him, I felt that Qici was open-minded, kind and strict, while Taiyi was obsessed and domineering.
But now it seems that the old Taoist priest is more like a proud old man who is very easy to coax.

The senior monk, however, was cunning and resourceful, a veritable old fox who knew the ways of the world.

"Alright, I'll wait then."

Taiyi didn't hesitate much. After all, the conditions weren't right before, but now that the conditions for dual cultivation were met, and he and Qici had been open and honest with each other, he wasn't afraid that the other party would go back on their word.

Besides alchemy, the most gratifying thing is that all my skills can be passed down.

However, unlike the old Taoist priest's joy, Qi Ci felt a sense of unease.

To save Li Cunxiao, the two manifested their true forms, and the people in the city probably all know about it.

With this going on, their rival from Magu Mountain will probably be coming after them.
A few days later, on the official road outside Songzhou City.

The wooden wheel, wrapped in the hide of an unknown animal, rolled over the fine pebbles and yellow mud, the slight vibrations dissolving into nothingness in its exquisite structure and expensive materials.

Four magnificent steeds, pure black without a single blemish, pulled the enormous carriage, which resembled a mobile home, as if traversing flat ground, galloping like the wind.

On both sides of the carriage, ten knights wore white round-necked robes and bright brocade headbands on their black turbans.

Through the open collar, the armor reflecting a cold light could be faintly seen, and a sword and lance hung beside the saddle.

The ten men, in the space between their breaths, seemed to be a single entity, their vital energies interconnected.

On the trees beside the road, withered branches and leaves slowly drifted down, and a fair hand reached out from the carriage to catch the withered leaves.

As the ancients said, "One can know that autumn is coming to the world by observing the falling of a single leaf."

"Looking at the current state of Songzhou, one can tell that it has reached a critical moment of survival."

"The people are about to be plunged into misery, and we wonder where the hero who will save them is?"

The spacious carriage resembled a tea room, with a table and stove in the center, and fragrant melons and fine tea.

The middle-aged man, clutching a withered leaf, sat at the head of the table. He wore a half-sleeved robe over his inner garment, his beard and hair flowing freely. He was refined and gentle, but his eyes revealed a sense of vicissitude that did not match his appearance.

"I don't understand what you're saying, Master Zheng."

"The Zheng family of Xingyang is a prominent family that has served two dynasties. In the current dynasty, it has produced more than a dozen prime ministers, and its reputation has spread far and wide."

“Your grandson Zhengya is a young talent, and you are one of the most renowned masters in the world. What is there to worry about?”

"The savior is right before my eyes."

The speaker was a young man dressed as a Taoist priest, with a whisk in one hand and his other hand resting on his knee.

What is particularly striking are his eyes, which are large and bright, giving the illusion that he is gazing at a torch.

His nose was slightly large and a little red, and when he spoke, his breath seemed to be slightly hot.

"Brother Du is too modest! Compared to the high priest of Louguan Dao and the personal disciple of Daotong Zhenren, how could I, Zheng Ya, be considered a talent?"

"It's nothing more than enjoying the fruits of others' labor and picking up scraps of their wisdom."

"On another note, Brother Du, you came to Songzhou on the orders of Dao Tong Zhenren, is it for that Senior Taiyi?"

"I've heard that many people want to become his disciples and glimpse the mysteries of alchemy."

Even the Ye family of Jinglong Temple were eager to acquire it.

Zheng Lang watched his great-grandson and the young Taoist priest exchange witty remarks, his fingers gently turning over the withered leaf, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

'This Du Guanglei truly lives up to his reputation as a direct disciple of the Louguan Sect Master. Aside from his sixth-realm cultivation, he is equally cautious in his words and actions.'

'Having spent several days together, he hasn't revealed a single word about Taiyi Zhenren. A truly formidable young man.'

"Master Taiyi, Li Yaoshi, comes from the Li clan of Longxi. Although he is among the five noble families and seven prominent clans like us, he is arrogant and haughty, and we cannot expect him to lend a helping hand."

'Huang Chao's army is not far away, and the court says it will send reinforcements. That's not good; we still need to ask that Laughing Buddha for help.'

Zheng Lang's thoughts raced, ignoring the conversation between Zheng Ya and Du Guanglei echoing in his ears, but he simply tossed the withered leaf out the window again.

Without any effort, the leaf instantly turned into fine powder, almost as if it had vanished into thin air if one didn't look closely. "Master Zheng, please go first. This junior will stay at Pingdingshan for a while longer."

The carriage moved quickly, and soon the flat-bottomed mountain peaks came into view.

Du Guanglei alighted from the carriage and bowed respectfully.

Zheng Ya tried to persuade him to stay, but the former didn't bother with any more pleasantries and went straight up the mountain.

"Is the cave dwelling of that great-grandfather, the master alchemist, the Taiyi Zhenren, located here?"

Unlike Zheng Lang's simplicity, Zheng Ya, a scion of the prestigious Zheng family of Xingyang, wore a purple robe, a gold belt around his waist, a fish-shaped tally, and a jewel-inlaid, shark-skin-wrapped sword, exuding an air of nobility.

The purple robe was worn by officials of the third rank, and Zheng Ya was no more than thirty years old, so he was not actually in a high position.

This is a special treatment bestowed upon the Zheng family of Xingyang by the current sage emperor.

The gift of fake purple and the goldfish pouch were both exceptional favors and undoubtedly great honors.

"Probably. Back then, Master Taiyi had a personal disciple who was said to have failed to break through to the True Form Realm and died here."

“After that, Taiyi Zhenren was not in Louguan Daoist Temple around the Ghost Festival every year, so this matter is not a secret.”

"However, since the beginning of this year, the rebels and the demonic cult have been pressing closer and closer, and now they are even advancing on the gateway to the Eastern Capital."

"The imperial court and the Louguan Dao have always maintained close ties, and I'm afraid the former is already in a panic."

"Otherwise, Dao Tong Zhenren wouldn't have sent his disciple to urge him."

Zheng Lang appeared to be resting with his eyes closed, but he was aware of everything in the car.

Zheng Ya remained silent for only a moment, as if he had guessed something.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling restless because Du Guanglei has already reached the Heavenly Ladder Realm, while you're still stuck in the Four Extraordinary Meridians?"

"My grandson is not."

Zheng Ya looked embarrassed and wanted to explain, but Zheng Lang opened his eyes slightly and glanced at him.

"Huang Ting, Zhen Xing, Tian Ti. Martial arts cultivation becomes more and more difficult as you progress."

“You come from the Zheng family of Xingyang. Your family is not lacking in treasures to protect your mind and spirit, nor is it lacking in elixirs to enhance your true energy.”

"With these, you completed the Huangting stage in less than half the time that others would spend over a decade achieving."

"But the further we go, the fewer external forces we can rely on."

"If you want to walk steadily in your true form, you must be patient, hone your extraordinary skills, and familiarize yourself with how to fight against your inner demons in advance."

"If you want to climb the Heavenly Ladder quickly, you must open as many extraordinary meridians as possible, solidify your foundation, and make your human microcosm perfect."

"The Heavenly Ladder, the ladder to heaven. The scenery after ascending to heaven is certainly tempting, but the difficulty of ascending to heaven is even more perilous."

"The four extraordinary meridians? Are you satisfied with that?"

Hearing his great-grandfather's reprimand, Zheng Ya's face turned bitter. He dared not argue back, but some distracting thoughts inevitably arose in his mind.

After achieving the perfection of the Yellow Court, every additional step is like walking a tightrope over a precipice.

The more extraordinary meridians are opened, the closer the connection with the true self becomes, and the closer one gets to breaking through to the true form.

This impulse cannot be completely suppressed by the will of a martial artist alone.

If you add even a single drop of water to a full teacup, it might overflow; how much more so would the surge of true qi after the opening of the extraordinary meridians?
Therefore, for the prodigies of holy lands and aristocratic families, resources are not the problem; the most difficult thing is to suppress their talents and delay the arrival of their potential.

"Master, we've arrived at Tiangu Temple."

The carriage gradually slowed down and came to a stop at the foot of the mountain.

The carriage doors opened, and Zheng Lang walked upstairs with Zheng Ya behind him.

The guards dismounted and gathered around the carriage; no one followed.

This was something Zheng Lang had specifically instructed him to do.

"When you ask someone for a favor, you should have the right attitude."

“It is true that our Zheng family of Xingyang has been a prominent family for hundreds of years, but now the world is in turmoil, and it is time to reshuffle the deck.”

"In chaotic times, only fists matter. If you lack strength, no matter how illustrious your background or how fine your clothes, you will only be slaughtered."

Zheng Ya glanced at the purple robe he was wearing and knew that his great-grandfather was implying something, which made him even more depressed.

Until Huang Chao captured Xuzhou, he stayed in Luoyang, the eastern capital, and associated with powerful and influential people.

Just half a month ago, news of the Ming Cult rebels flew into the two capitals like scraps of paper, forcing him to return to Zhengzhou, where he was then brought to Songzhou.

When he was in Luoyang, wearing the purple robe and gold belt bestowed by the emperor, who wouldn't show him respect?
But after returning home, he naturally felt a lot of pressure facing the family's ancestors, and was constantly being lectured.

I can only endure it.

“My great-grandfather is right. Tiangu Temple is a major sect in Songzhou. Abbot Dezheng is highly accomplished in cultivation, and Head Abbot Decong is proficient in alchemy. They are both people we must win over.”

"However, my great-grandfather had been famous for many years and no one dared to look down on him, so he was naturally approachable."

"As a junior student, if I do not wish to lose face, I will inevitably have to rely on the family's reputation for protection."

Zheng Lang smiled upon hearing this, "There's some truth to that."

"Knowing how to leverage resources is also a smart approach."

What he didn't say was that no matter how much scheming and plotting one has, it's all useless in the face of strength.

Zheng Yanchang once mentioned in a letter he sent back to his family that there was a gifted young man at Tiangu Temple who was suspected of being on good terms with Budai Maitreya.

Whether it's cleverness or just being presumptuous, we'll soon find out.

The grandfather and grandson climbed the steps and arrived at the entrance of Tiangu Temple. After identifying themselves, Dezheng quickly came out to greet them.

"Abbot Dezheng, it's been many years since we last met, but you remain as charming as ever. Why do you have to come out to greet me personally?"

"Master Zheng sent his visiting card several days in advance. Do you think I should hide in my meditation room and avoid seeing him?"

Upon hearing this, the two men burst into laughter, a glint of cunning flashing in their eyes.

"Junior Zheng Ya greets Abbot Dezheng."

During a break in the conversation, Zheng Ya seized the opportunity to step forward and greet him, to which the latter couldn't help but praise him.

"Like orchids and jade trees, they grow in the courtyard. The Zheng family of Xingyang has produced many outstanding talents."

"I observe your grandson's aura; he is holding back, not releasing it. Is he about to open a wondrous meridian?"

"Indeed, young man, you are unruly and have only mastered the four extraordinary meridians so far. Please excuse your poor performance."

Upon hearing this, Dezheng's expression changed slightly.

"That's not right. My disciple Yuanguang only had four extraordinary meridians back then, which was already quite an achievement."

Ok?
Zheng Lang noticed the old monk's unnatural expression and was about to probe further when his expression suddenly changed, and he looked towards the direction of the abbot's meditation room deep inside the temple.

Dezheng also turned his head, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

The small courtyard outside the abbot's meditation room.

Qici and Taiyi sat facing each other across a table.

Not far away, a large, jade-green, lobed ladle, like a pond, holds a milky white liquid and emits a faint fragrance.

Li Cunxiao was wearing only a short trouser and sat cross-legged.

With each breath, crimson Flaming True Qi overflowed from his mouth and nose, turning the milky white water into mist, which then entered his lungs and flowed into his extraordinary meridians.

The senior monk looked at the pool of stalactite with envy in his eyes, then couldn't help but complain:

"So you had this many? Why did you only give me one gourd back then?"

"Nonsense. If I gave you everything, wouldn't you run away with my apprentice?"

"Luckily, I didn't give it to him back then, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to wait for such a treasure as the Seven Treasures Lotus. You almost ruined such a gifted genius."

"Stop!" Qi Ci had been told this countless times these past few days, so he quickly changed the subject.

"To say it's a waste, this humble monk disagrees."

"However, Li Cunxiao's talent is indeed extraordinary. He mastered three top-grade martial arts techniques in just a few months."

"This level of comprehension is truly terrifying."

As if to confirm the abbot's words, the next moment, crimson and emerald dragons emerged one after the other from the rising true energy in the stone marrow pool.

It spiraled up and down, eventually falling down and intertwining and rotating behind Li Cunxiao, transforming into a golden wheel, like the halo behind the head of a Buddha or Bodhisattva.

He had mastered the Burning Wood Blade, the Fiery Hellfire Spear, and the Holy King Revolving Fist to perfection, even to the point that his true energy could take form and rotate freely.

The golden wheel turned, causing the stone marrow pool beneath him to surge and ripple like waves on the sea. The true energy then transformed, turning into an ugly-looking Asura.

With its gaping maw wide open, the milky white chalcedony was sucked up and put into its mouth, yet one could seem to see a milky white light flowing beneath its bluish-black skin.

The originally illusory, shadow-like image of Asura suddenly became more solid, from head to toe, and finally the arms.

"Open two extraordinary meridians at once?"

Taiyi nodded, somewhat satisfied.

These past few days they've been helping Li Cunxiao digest the results of the Seven Treasures Lotus. Once he's almost ready, they've prepared a pool of stone marrow to help him open his extraordinary meridians.

Unlike the mature Golden Lotus, which is both a treasure and a great elixir, Li Cunxiao's inner incarnation is clearly still in an immature state.

Having two systems of internal organs and meridians naturally results in double the energy expenditure.

The roots and stems of the Seven Treasures Lotus merged with Li Cunxiao's own meridians, greatly expanding its capacity.

"Back when I had perfected the Yellow Court, in order to be on the safe side, I slowly chiseled it open one line at a time, often with a month's interval in between."

Qi Ci sighed with emotion, “This kid is completely free from the risk of falling into demonic possession. I think two extraordinary meridians are not his limit.”

As it was said, even after Ashura's entire body had solidified, the milky white marrow continued to flow in.

Soon, as a new head emerged from Ashura's neck, a bulge also appeared under each of his armpits.

The milky white light spread and extended, from the simple cylinder, eventually transforming into a thick, bluish-black arm.

boom!
The milky white pool water surged and churned, but then receded under the restraint of the jade container.

As the fog dissipated, Li Cunxiao, who had somehow already put on a pair of trousers, stepped onto the ground.

His hair was like a blazing flame, swirling and flying.

His arms were also wrapped in crimson Sanskrit, and from under each of his armpits extended an arm formed of condensed true energy, through which the lava-like meridians were clearly visible.

With fire-breathing, four arms, and resembling an Asura, it closely resembles the image of a Vidyaraja (wisp of light) in Esoteric Buddhism.

"The four extraordinary meridians are complete."

(End of this chapter)