Starting from the Tiger Demon Yaksha, the demon immortality

Chapter 244-243 Reincarnation of the Four Seasons, Ascending the Heavenly Ladder (5,000 words, more tonight)
"One month to cross the threshold of true form and three fixed points? A mere thread separates them, yet one step leads to heaven."

"By worshipping the ancestral master, one receives divine skills. And divine weapons and divine elixirs."

"Good, good! He's clearly not a true disciple, yet Master and the Sect Leader show him such favoritism, insisting on elevating him!"

"The position of Azure Dragon Pavilion Master belongs to the capable. Do you expect me to voluntarily relinquish it and hand it over to someone else by praising the powerful and belittling the weak?!"

Li Siqi slammed his hand heavily on the table, his face turning ashen. The elderly man serving him remained silent, but his speech was not as fluent as usual.

He really couldn't think of a way to comfort his young master.

A few days ago, Li Cunxiao was a potential competitor, but in reality, he wasn't a big threat.

Both Li Siqi and the elders felt that the other party's reliance was entirely due to Taiyi Zhenren's favoritism.

In terms of skill, whether it's martial arts prowess, alchemy techniques, or reputation within the sect, Li Siqi is confident he can outshine Li Cunxiao.

However, after Li Cunxiao fought against the Ming Cult's Xuan Guan masters and worshipped the patriarch, triggering the simultaneous appearance of the Four Symbols, things suddenly took a dramatic turn.

The former's reputation soared to an unprecedented level, even catching up with Li Siqi's.

Not to mention the disciples of the other branches, on Qinglong Peak alone, quite a few people switched allegiances and went to Li Cunxiao's courtyard every day to curry favor.

Among the inner disciples who used to be very close to Li Siqi, some of them have become ambiguous in their attitudes.

After all, what they wanted to befriend was the future head of the Azure Dragon Pavilion, the successor of Taiyi.

Originally, Li Siqi was not highly regarded by his master. However, he held some power and was decent at alchemy. Over the years, he had worked hard even if he hadn't made any great achievements.

Taiyi only has this one true disciple, and he will naturally pass on the position when the time comes.

But now, Li Cunxiao is like a rising star. Not only has his weakness in cultivation been quickly overcome, but he has also gained the favor of the sect leader.

Later, rumors even circulated within the sect that Dao Tong Zhenren had actually intended to promote Li Cunxiao to the rank of true disciple, but was unwilling to force the issue and therefore ultimately abandoned the idea.

This matter was discussed privately by several sect leaders and the sect master, but it is unknown which one of them secretly leaked the information.

This incident undoubtedly strengthened the resolve of those who chose to support Li Cunxiao.

But for Li Siqi, this was undoubtedly adding insult to injury.

Seeing the bustling activity at the opponent's door while one's own place is deserted, the resulting sense of loss is indescribable.

"Young master, the outcome is still uncertain. You must not be too hasty and do anything rash."

The elder was, after all, a loyal servant of the Li family of Longxi, and there were some things he had to say that others dared not say.

One's own life's honor and disgrace, as well as the wealth and glory of one's descendants, are all deeply tied to the person in front of them.

In case Li Siqi is consumed by rage and does something irrational, such as assassination.
This is in Louguandao.

At that time, the enraged Taiyi and Daotong Zhenren will likely execute the two of them on the spot, and it will be no use even if the Li family of Longxi sends people!

"Don't worry, elder, I was just saying that out of anger."

Li Siqi took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, her clenched fist slowly opening.

“There is no such thing as good without a reason. Even if Master is used to doing whatever he wants, the Sect Leader, as the ruler of Louguan Sect, has never acted on emotion. He must have seen Li Cunxiao’s extraordinary qualities.”

As he said this, a wry smile appeared on his face.

"For a martial artist, what could be more important than breaking through to true form in a month?"

"Even the Ming Cult, which uses the evil method of training young boys and girls, has never heard of such a terrifying speed."

"The most difficult part of achieving true enlightenment lies in maintaining one's original mind. If one can remain still and undisturbed, one will achieve enlightenment overnight, just like the Patriarch Guan Yinzi, and ascend to heaven in one step."

"Li Cunxiao is barely twenty years old. Is his character really that resilient?"

Having analyzed the situation to this point, Li Siqi fully realized what kind of opponent he was facing, and all his resentment and wishful thinking were thrown to the back of his mind.

“Li Cunxiao is indeed a genius. He is already at the threshold of the Heavenly Ladder. It’s only a matter of time before he is promoted to a true disciple.”

“In the past, I focused all my efforts on socializing, neglecting the fundamentals. So when he revealed his talents, those opportunists flocked to him.”

"Son."

The old man's eyes were filled with satisfaction. He could see that his young master had completely changed his mindset, from impotent rage and resentment to being full of fighting spirit again.

"I served as a true disciple for fifteen years, refining elixirs and making medicines, subduing demons and monsters, and slaying bandits and thieves. I made my way up the mountains step by step!"

"I have read all the books that Li Cunxiao read; I have walked all the paths that Li Cunxiao walked!"

“Back then, I wasn’t afraid of Li Qingtong’s arrogance and domineering attitude because of my master’s favor. Now that I’ve been in charge of Qinglong Peak for almost ten years, do you think I’m afraid of Li Cunxiao kicking me out?”

Li Cunxiao is indeed a prodigy, and Li Siqi is no sham either!
However, while we may despise the enemy strategically, we must take them seriously tactically.

After calming down, Li Siqi thought it over and over and finally made a decision:
"Elder, from today onwards, keep a close eye on Li Cunxiao's movements."

"I want to have a duel with him after he climbs the ladder to heaven."

"A martial arts contest?"

"No, it's about alchemy."

"His cultivation speed is too fast. Even if I can win once when he just broke through, what about after that? It will be very difficult for me to beat him in martial arts."

"Moreover, if I want to sit in the position of Pavilion Master, I cannot win unfairly; I must win in a way that convinces everyone."

“I admit that Li Cunxiao is a martial arts genius, but even the most genius should have a limit.”

"In order to advance to the level of a true disciple as quickly as possible, he will definitely devote all his remaining time to cultivation."

"In that case, how could he possibly have the mind to delve into the path of alchemy?"

As Li Siqi spoke, her confidence returned, and she became self-assured.

"This time, he can't beat me!"

"Compared to reputation, strength is fundamental; everything else is merely an accessory to the latter."

He casually opened a box, revealing dozens of black lacquered mother-of-pearl boxes inside.

The mother-of-pearl was cut into pieces of various sizes and pieced together to form a picture of immortals riding the wind, yet it did not feel uneven to the touch.

The glossy paint surface has been meticulously polished thousands of times; although it is black paint, it presents a semi-transparent texture.

Li Cunxiao casually opened one of the boxes, and the rich aroma of medicinal herbs filled his nose and mouth.

"A whole box of spirit herbs? These nobles are really generous."

"Back then, Zhang, Cui, and I went to great lengths and faced numerous dangers in our pursuit of the Migu Flower."

"Now I don't even have to say a word, people come to me. That's the change brought about by strength."

A thousand thoughts flashed through my mind in an instant.

With a casual wave of his hand, Li Mucha directed the servants to take the other gifts piled up in the courtyard to the storeroom and register them.

He, on the other hand, was quite adept at the task and once again slipped into the secluded chamber, lowering his eyes to ponder.

"Tensions are escalating between the imperial court and the puppet Qi regime, and the military governors are all itching for a fight."

"Becoming a true disciple is only a matter of time. We must seize the moment, improve our strength as soon as possible, and advance to the sixth realm."

As his thoughts raced, the crimson dragon mark between his brows flashed, and the next moment, he was already inside the dragon boat.

Compared to its previous empty state, the Qianyang Palace now has more tables and chairs, as well as equipment for alchemy and medicine making.

But what catches the eye most is a small, shimmering incense burner on the table.

"Radiant light" is the literal meaning. In the golden alchemy furnace, the four colors of light—blue, red, white, and black—constantly change, rise, condense, and transform into dragons, tigers, sparrows, and turtles, chasing and playing, extremely lively.

"This is the Four Divine Elixir, a divine elixir that is only produced once every five years."

When Li Cunxiao approached, he could not smell anything, which meant that the medicinal power of the elixir was completely sealed inside the cauldron.

Through the openwork of the alchemy furnace, one can vaguely see a pill with four colors of light intermingling inside.

Its outer layer appears transparent, but inside is not a substantial medicinal paste; rather, it represents the ever-changing seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—and the life cycle of plants: sprouting, flourishing, withering, and dying.

Li Cunxiao himself was an alchemist. Although he could only refine second-tier pills, he had been following Taiyi Zhenren for so long that his vision had been greatly improved, and he could naturally see the extraordinary nature of this pill.

When Taiyi Zhenren handed over the elixir, he specifically instructed that the Four Gods Great Elixir was an evolution of the Twenty-Four Qi Elixir, a single elixir embodying the changes of the four seasons, and was already a seventh-order divine elixir. Unlike the Twenty-Four Qi Elixir, which is used to treat specific ailments, the Four Gods Great Elixir is essentially a "doctor" in itself.

No matter which of the twenty-four vertebrae of the Heavenly Ladder the Four Divine Pills can adapt on its own, releasing the most suitable spiritual energy, making cultivation incredibly fast, and also having a very good healing effect.

However, what Du Guanglei and the others said earlier—that one Four Gods Pill could be used until the Heavenly Ladder was at its peak—was obviously a joke. Otherwise, Cheng Ruoshui wouldn't have suggested that Li Cunxiao take it after breaking through the Heavenly Ladder; she was clearly worried that the medicine wouldn't be potent enough.

"According to my master, once this pill is swallowed, I won't need to take any other pills for six months."

"While the Four Divine Pills are indeed precious, they are only used to improve one's cultivation level. In comparison, the baleful aura is the all-purpose tool and is far more important."

"Once I use my baleful energy to elevate the level of the Nine Revolutions Flowing Pearl Scripture, I will be able to refine the Four Gods Great Pill myself in the future!"

Li Cunxiao quickly made a decision, holding the alchemy furnace in his hands, and returned to the futon to sit cross-legged.

"Once you obtain the Golden Elixir, you will receive the true teachings; changing the cauldron and shifting the furnace is a mystery beyond words."

From then on, I devoutly prepared the great elixir, refining the innate essence within the acquired orifices, and then it manifested!

With a slash of his sword, true energy blended with a unique vocal rhythm, igniting the alchemy furnace.

The four colors of light—blue, red, white, and black—transformed into a dragon, a tiger, a bird, and a tortoise, which spiraled out and were sucked into the mouth of Li Cunxiao, who was prepared.

"Gudong!"

The Four Divine Elixir has no smell when smelled and no form when seen; it is like a wisp of pure air.

However, once it entered his stomach, it was completely different. Li Cunxiao felt as if the lid of the alchemy furnace was closing when he closed his lips and teeth. Then, with a bang, the large pill seemed to burst into flames.

In just that one moment, Li Cunxiao felt as if his body had been "refreshed," from the inside out, from top to bottom, as if invisible and intangible filth was being expelled from his body, and his mouth and nose were filled with an indescribable fragrance.

"How amazing, how ingenious."

The medicinal power of this pill spreads and takes effect quickly, but it is not intense. Li Cunxiao is no longer a novice; he knows very well how difficult it is to achieve this.

Low-grade elixirs have a milder effect, a longer duration, and are less likely to cause harm to martial artists.

To increase efficiency, one must increase the amount of malevolent energy in the elixir to catalyze its medicinal power, but this increases the risk of demonic possession and damage to the meridians.

Taiyi often taught him that spiritual energy and malevolent energy are neither good nor bad, and that the way of alchemy is to harmonize yin and yang. Only by maintaining a balance between the two can one be a qualified alchemist.

Of course, this is true for a master alchemist; for ordinary martial artists, the less malevolent energy in the pills, the better.

Li Cunxiao could feel that within his body, the Four Divine Elixir was constantly undergoing changes in yin and yang, and the alternation of the four seasons.

The pure medicinal power released in each round of changes would continuously "refresh" his physical meridians, giving him an indescribable feeling of comfort.

"If the Four Divine Pills, which are made once every five years, have such effects, then what would the Four Symbols Pills, which are made once every ten years and are known as the King of Pills, have such effects?"

Li Cunxiao opened his eyes and got up. Without him having to consciously control it, the medicinal power of the Four Gods Pill was driven by the flowing Azure Dragon Mercury Bead, continuously strengthening his true energy and body.

A few steps further, on the dragon throne of the Qianyang Palace, the enormous red dragon still coils around the gray-white stone egg in the center.

He stretched out his five fingers and touched the scales of the red dragon. In a daze, a feeling of closeness came over him.

When he fought Jingfeng, he was unaware that his master and the sect leader were watching from the sidelines. At that moment, the battle was at a stalemate, and in his anxiety, Lingbao almost spontaneously protected him, teleporting him into the secret realm.

After Daotong Zhenren intervened, the crisis was averted, but Li Cunxiao still discovered that he seemed to be able to slightly influence the space within the secret realm.

Although this influence is not yet sufficient to manipulate the secret realm at will, it shows that the campaign to eliminate human demons has been effective, and the connection between him and the spirit of the magical artifact is gradually deepening.

This is undoubtedly exciting.

"However, the demons and humans on the outskirts are just the tip of the iceberg. The most important ones are the demon generals at the seventh realm, Wen Zhongzi who combines the three religions, and Yang Ying."

Compared to before, Yang Ying has become increasingly quiet lately, almost as if she were dead.

But just by looking at the fact that the red dragon stayed close by, it was clear that the tyrant was only pretending to sleep and was secretly accumulating power.

"Sleep well, your days are numbered. The hope of deducing the divine skill rests on your shoulders."

Li Cunxiao couldn't help but smile. Seeing his efforts gradually turn into rewards was truly delightful.

"The original plan was to start with Buddhist deities and then guide Taoist deities."

"Now it seems that obtaining the evil energy in the Dragon Boat Secret Realm before the entrance is not easy. To maintain our advantage, we cannot do without the income from the Azure Dragon Pavilion."

"Then let's first push the Azure Dragon's true form into the Heavenly Ladder!"

Two months later.

In the Miaoyan Palace on Qinglong Peak, Taiyi Zhenren and Yan Daotong sat facing each other, playing chess.

On the chessboard, black and white pieces are intertwined, tangled together like a jumbled mess.

"This game of chess is a bit hard to understand."

Yan Daotong was talking about chess, but his words clearly implied something else entirely.

"What's there to not understand? It's simply that although the court is weak right now, it still has the strength to fight back."

"Whether it's the pseudo-Qi regime or any of the regional military governors, no one is willing to be the first to make a move, exchange pieces for nothing, and lose the opportunity to compete for power later."

"Everyone wants to be the fisherman, so the situation naturally remains deadlocked."

Taiyi Zhenren didn't take it seriously. He picked up a chess piece, made a casual touch, and the game suddenly seemed to have a new way out.

"Gao Pian's reputation for decades and the ferocity of the Golden-Winged Roc are known to all."

Yan Daotong placed his hand in the chess basket, frowning as he pondered deeply.

"However, a few days ago, Prince Qi, Li Zhengchen, and Prince Liang, Zhu Quanzhong, went to the imperial court one after the other, intending to send troops to defend the emperor."

"Didn't Prince Li Yisheng of Jin come to interfere?"

Taiyi was somewhat surprised, after all, the other party and the King of Liang were in the south and the north respectively, and could be said to be the most powerful among the military governors in the world, and they also had a long-standing feud and had always been at odds with each other.

"No. Even if he had submitted a memorial, it would have simply been rejected by Gao Pian."

"Given the current situation in the capital region, how dare we send a military governor to defend the emperor? One wrong move and the defense of the emperor could turn into a rebellion."

"With fear of wolves in front and tigers behind, the fate of the Qin Dynasty is sealed."

As soon as he finished speaking, Yan Daotong examined the surrounded pieces, sighed deeply, and resigned.

"I'm not going to stop. It's Cold Food Day today, and it's been a long time since I've had qingtuan (green rice dumplings)."

"Every time you come here, you eat and take things away. Do you act like a sect leader at all?"

"What, did you put the Four Gods Elixir in your qingtuan?"

Taiyi curled his lip upon hearing this.

All he did was get Li Cunxiao a Four Gods Elixir, and he keeps bringing it up every other day. That old scoundrel...
"Mucha."

At a call, a handsome young man soon entered carrying a tray.

"Master, Sect Leader."

"He has already achieved perfect Qi and Blood in just two months? That's quite fast, but he's only thirteen years old. Junior brother, don't try to force him to grow too fast."

Yan Daotong casually mentioned it, and upon tasting the qingtuan, he was somewhat surprised:
"Salty?"

"You eat sweets every year, don't you get tired of it? These bamboo shoots were dug from the medicinal herb garden on the back hill."

As Taiyi spoke, he also picked up a green rice dumpling:
“Li Cunxiao cares deeply for his younger brother and is very generous with him. Mucha’s foundation is much stronger than that of the other children in my clan.”

This is something that everyone in Louguandao can see.

Li Cunxiao, as an inner disciple, was comparable to a true disciple and had a bright future. Naturally, Li Mucha also rose to prominence and became a prominent figure in the inner sect.

After all, Li Cunxiao, as the eldest brother, had already gained power and lived a secluded life, making him difficult to please. But Li Mucha was still young, a time when he was innocent and ready to develop feelings for Li Mucha.

If you invest in advance and wait until Li Cunxiao becomes a grandmaster, won't the effect be the same?
"Speaking of which, Li Cunxiao has been in seclusion for two months now."

Before Yan Daotong finished speaking, his eyebrows suddenly twitched, and Taiyi on the other side jumped up.

Before Li Mucha could understand what was happening, the two men put their hands on his shoulders. After a moment of dizziness, he was greeted by a familiar courtyard.

Above the courtyard, cyan and azure light flickered and intertwined, accompanied by the deafening roar of a dragon. Upon seeing this, Taiyi Zhenren burst into laughter.
"Good, good, good! My disciple has now ascended the ladder to heaven!"

(End of this chapter)