Starting from the Tiger Demon Yaksha, the demon immortality

Chapter 256 265 The Mysteries of the Daoist Temple, The Law of Heaven and Earth

"This is the Jade Cave Divine Sand, refined by the tyrant who summoned master alchemists."

"It can be taken for those whose spirit and soul are injured, or whose spirit and soul are depleted and empty."

"However, most mineral and medicinal materials have some toxicity and should not be taken for a long time. Young friend, you are learned in both Buddhism and Taoism, so you should understand this principle."

The cinnabar, with granules as white as sugar, is distinct, with a color like agate, and a unique fragrance permeates its bright red color.

Li Cunxiao only took a sniff, and his tired mind instantly felt refreshed and invigorated. He quickly took out the jade box he always carried and filled it with a handful the size of his palm.

The sixth-order Jade Cave Divine Sand is not a naturally occurring treasure. It is made by mixing ordinary cinnabar with various medicines, involving hundreds of processes and taking about half a year. It is a consumable product with extremely high technical difficulty.

It is considered a consumable because this Jade Cave Divine Sand is a raw material for seventh-grade divine pills. It can be consumed directly or refined into higher-grade pills.

Even the Taiyi Zhenren himself didn't have much in stock. Li Cunxiao had previously tried to get some from the old Taoist priest, but the priest refused, which shows how precious it was.

However, when he put away the palm-sized jade box, he turned around and saw Wen Zhongzi holding a food box, which was filled to the brim with vermilion cinnabar. For a moment, his expression became somewhat subtle.

"Hehe, that tyrant has used up almost all the high-grade pills in the dragon boat. I am sometimes lucid and sometimes crazy, so I still need some medicine to suppress it."

Wen Zhongzi offered an explanation, but that statement was ultimately superfluous.

Li Cunxiao glanced at the half-open palace gate and could see half of a bloodied corpse.

Once the two finished looting and left, they could clearly see that the human demon general, dressed in magnificent armor, had been torn to pieces and turned into dozens of pieces of flesh.

The surrounding floor tiles and window frames remained completely undamaged.

For Li Cunxiao, the demon who could only lose one arm despite his best efforts seemed to become a fool in front of Wen Zhongzi, with no room for resistance.

In a single exchange, the demon was dismembered before he could even scream.

However, this time, because he had fought with Wen Zhongzi before, he could vaguely sense that the other party was using the same methods he had used against him when dealing with the demon.

Can the integration of the three religions truly bring about such a qualitative change?

Li Cunxiao kept his questions to himself and didn't say anything more.

As for Wen Zhongzi, perhaps he had been cooped up in the dragon boat for too long, with no one to talk to and relieve his boredom.

On the way back to Qianyang Palace, he kept talking the whole way.

They would either look at the artifacts in the palace and recount their origins, reminisce about the past, or inquire about the current state of the world.

He doesn't seem like a world-renowned master; he seems more like an empty-nest old man without children.

"In short, although you lost today, don't take it to heart."

"After you stepped onto the Heavenly Ladder back then, you were already hard to beat among your peers. Your talent is no less than mine."

"When you one day unite the three elements and become a grandmaster, you will surely be able to destroy my old body."

Li Cunxiao couldn't help but become interested upon hearing this.

"Senior, when do you think I can become a Grandmaster?"

Wen Zhongzi stroked his beard and pondered for a moment.

"If things go quickly, around forty years old."

"Another twenty years?"

"What, isn't twenty years fast enough? A grandmaster can live for three cycles of sixty years. A forty-year-old grandmaster is just a young man in his early twenties in the eyes of an ordinary person."

"Isn't it enough to live another two hundred years at peak condition?"

"That's true."

Li Cunxiao was taken aback at first, then realized that the concept of time of advanced martial artists was completely different from that of ordinary martial artists.

Grandmasters can live for three cycles of sixty years, and in their previous lives, great grandmasters had a lifespan long enough to witness the rise and fall of dynasties.

Immortality?
Li Cunxiao had been beaten for most of the day and was really tired. He said goodbye and left the Dragon Boat Secret Realm directly.

Wen Zhongzi stood outside the Qianyang Palace, as if there was an invisible dividing line between the two.

He watched Li Cunxiao's disappearing figure, then glanced at the red dragon circling in the main hall, and finally raised his left hand to examine it carefully.

A faint bloodstain appeared on the back of my hand.

"The ego and the demonic ego are too deeply entangled. If they are provoked by a grandmaster, they will inevitably fall into madness in an instant."

"On the contrary, Li Cunxiao's cultivation level is neither high nor low, and he makes progress every day. There may still be a sliver of hope that he can help me end my own life."

"Hehe, young friend Li, I'm afraid I won't live to see the day you become a grandmaster."

"This Jade Cave Divine Sand is truly a wonderful thing. I'll keep some for myself and give the rest to my master as a token of my respect."

Li Cunxiao, carrying the jade box, strode towards Miaoyan Palace.

On his tongue, a cinnabar-like speckle released a cool sensation, making his weary spirit feel as if it were soaking in a sweet spring, bringing waves of comfort.

"Senior Brother Li, you went to see Master again? I happen to have something to attend to as well, so I didn't know."

"Senior Brother Li, when will you come to the alchemy room? We are all of limited knowledge and many junior brothers are eagerly awaiting your guidance."

"Senior Brother Li, the Beast Garden acquired a batch of rare goods today. If you wish to refine them into pills, please set a date so we can prepare the materials and send them over."

"Senior Brother Li"

People greeted him, offered him meals, and tried to ingratiate themselves with him. It was only a quarter of an hour's walk from his secluded courtyard to Miaoyan Palace, but Li Cunxiao hardly had a moment of peace.

He responded to each person with a smile and gentle words, without putting on any airs of being a true master. However, this did not make anyone relax; instead, they all became even more respectful.

During this time, as the results of the competition spread throughout the sect, Li Cunxiao had become a highly sought-after figure in the Louguan Sect.

It's obvious to anyone with eyes that Li Siqi, who was originally Li Cunxiao's rival, has taken the initiative to make amends and is practically living in Li Cunxiao's courtyard every day. Not to mention the others.

If we had to find a single sentence to represent everyone's feelings, it would be that the position of the head of the Azure Dragon Pavilion has been vacant for a long time, and the junior brothers are all hoping that Senior Brother Li Cunxiao will take charge and give us a pillar of support!

How does it feel to be the center of attention?

Master Taiyi sat cross-legged on a futon, jokingly teasing his disciple who had just walked in.

“There are good and bad things.”

Li Cunxiao saw that the old Taoist priest held a book on alchemy in his right hand, and in his left palm, true essence condensed into an alchemical furnace, with the air currents rising and changing, as if simulating and deducing.

"Power is merely an adjunct to your strength. Enjoy its benefits and bear the corresponding obligations, but remember not to let it hold you back."

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, and a climb to great heights begins with humble beginnings. You are currently only a ladder to heaven. To break through the barrier and achieve the unity of the three elements, there is still a long way to go."

Taiyi casually offered a suggestion. As the master of Azure Dragon Peak, he knew exactly how his disciple had behaved these past few days.

Based on the observations just now, Li Cunxiao's behavior can be described as very clear-headed, and there is almost no sign of arrogance or conceit.

Such a calm and peaceful disposition leaves the master with nothing but satisfaction and helplessness.

It's sometimes a pity not to be able to discipline a prodigy.

"Master, this is a gift from your disciple."

The old Taoist priest naturally had no idea that someone had "died" dozens of times in a single day. No matter how arrogant he became, he was eventually worn down and rendered powerless.

He presented the jade box with both hands. Taiyi Zhenren became interested, put down the alchemical text, and reached out to take it. The furnace in his left hand continued to deduce and change.

"Jade Cave Divine Sand? This quality and age... from the dragon boat?"

"Yes, we've already acquired quite a lot, but it's not enough for Master. This Jade Cave Divine Sand should be of some use."

The old Taoist priest picked up a handful of the mixture, somewhat surprised.

According to his and Qici's plan, although Longzhou ultimately chose Li Cunxiao, in order for Lingbao to truly recognize him as its master, they would have to wait until the latter became a grandmaster.

After all, there are only so many sacred Buddhist and Taoist sites in the world, and the origins of each family's spiritual treasures cannot be hidden even if they try to conceal them for hundreds or thousands of years.

Although a few patriarchs received spiritual treasures as their masters at a young age, to truly make a name for themselves in this way, they all had to become grandmasters, or at the very least, reach the Xuan Guan realm. The reason is simple: if their realm wasn't high enough, they were like children moving mountains, unable to use it with true mastery.

However, Li Cunxiao seems to be somewhat different now.

"I am naturally pleased that you have this intention. However, I remember there are still quite a few demons and humans left in the palace. You must not act rashly for a few rare treasures."

Li Cunxiao felt a warmth in his heart, knowing that the old Taoist priest cared about him, and immediately explained:
"Master, don't worry. Although I can't control the secret realm yet, with the spirit protecting me, my safety is guaranteed."

"Besides, none of the Heavenly Ladder Demons inside are a match for me, and the subordinates of the Xuan Guan Demon can easily escape."

"Hmm," Taiyi nodded.

"Only that senior Wen Zhongzi is truly formidable. He killed me dozens of times today, and I couldn't find a single chance to retaliate."

"Um?!"

Taiyi almost couldn't catch his breath as the alchemy furnace that had been evolving in his palm suddenly burst into flames.

"Master, it's like this, today I..."

Li Cunxiao didn't keep anyone in suspense and briefly recounted the events. After listening to the whole story, Taiyi Zhenren took his pulse and checked him over and over again before giving his disciple a disgruntled glare.

"You brat, you scared me. Wen Zhongzi is a world-renowned grandmaster. You'd be lucky to last ten moves against him, let alone win?"

After grumbling and cursing, Master Taiyi calmed down and his gaze toward his disciple became subtle again.

“The power of Lingbao is comparable to that of a Grandmaster. Even someone as strong as Yang Ying was imprisoned for hundreds of years, let alone Wen Zhongzi.”

"He teeters on the edge of demonic possession and remains a potential threat. Without eliminating him, you cannot control the dragon boat."

"Fortunately, the spirit of the artifact is here to help, so there's no need to worry about your safety. In this light, having a grandmaster as a sparring partner can be considered a blessing in disguise."

"As for Wen Zhongzi's methods, I happen to know a little about them."

Li Cunxiao immediately perked up and took out the fragrant tea and utensils that the powerful and wealthy had sent him during this time, as well as some snacks that he carried with him, from his storage magic treasure.

Master Taiyi gave a satisfied "hmm," took a sip of tea, and spoke unhurriedly:
"Wen Zhongzi was well-versed in the three teachings, and his most famous martial arts skills were three."

"Thunderous Sound of the Garan Temple, Seven Elements and Six Eras Flying Steps to Heaven, Jade Light Sword Qi"

"If we really talk about the grade, among the three martial arts, only the Taoist's 'Seven Elements and Six Epochs Flying Steps to Heaven' is a divine skill, while the other two are unique skills."

"Seven Elements and Six Eras Flying Steps to Heaven"? Is it the method of the Supreme Being's clone stepping on the Big Dipper?

"But this man is remarkable because he used the divine skills of Taoism to create a divine skill of Confucianism, and in turn, he controlled the original Buddha and Taoist deities."

"After the three religions were combined, this person comprehended an extraordinary technique."

"This technique could even allow him, a grandmaster, to rival a terrestrial immortal."

Eighth Realm defeats Ninth Realm?
Li Cunxiao was taken aback upon hearing this. He knew that the gap between martial artists widened significantly as they progressed, with a difference of one major realm being like heaven and earth.

He himself had already suffered greatly while climbing the Heavenly Ladder to reach the Xuan Guan (a high-level martial arts realm), yet Wen Zhongzi, a grandmaster, was able to fight against a terrestrial immortal?

"Cunxiao, do you know the difference between the eighth and ninth realms?"

After thinking it over, the old Taoist priest decided to give some advance notice of the path ahead in martial arts.

After all, breaking through the initial barrier is not a difficult task for his disciple; becoming a grandmaster or even a great grandmaster is his future.

"The eighth realm is the Primordial Embryo, returning to the origin and refining the form. The three treasures of essence, qi, and spirit are combined into the Dharma form. Martial artists in this realm can be called human immortals."

"The ninth realm is called the Dharma Form, also known as the Land Immortal."

"Fa Xiang?"

Seeing Li Cunxiao's doubt, Taiyi shook his head.

"The Dharma form of a grandmaster is the external manifestation of the true self; the embodiment of all martial arts is still limited to oneself."

"The Dharma of the Grandmaster is to emulate Heaven and Earth, to follow the laws of nature, to manifest the inner landscape outwards, and to transform a place into a Dharma center."

"Within the Daoist temple, the Grandmaster is the master of heaven and earth, an immortal of this land, hence the name 'Land Immortal'!"

So exaggerated?

Li Cunxiao couldn't help but click his tongue, subconsciously thinking of Yan Daotong, whom he had met a few times, and suddenly couldn't help but look around.

"Don't worry, maintaining the dojo is not easy even for a grandmaster. It's not like fighting someone, so it won't be used lightly."

Taiyi immediately saw what his disciple was worried about. Li Cunxiao breathed a sigh of relief, but then a flash of insight struck him, and he instantly understood.

"Master, do you mean that Senior Wenzhongzi was able to rival a Grandmaster because he also controlled a Daoist temple?!"

“Not bad,” the old Taoist priest sighed.

"This person is truly a genius. If he hadn't been born at the wrong time, he would surely have become the greatest master of all time, the supreme master!"

Li Cunxiao suddenly became excited, as if he had been injected with chicken blood.

Wen Zhongzi was limited by internal strife within his own body and was on the verge of becoming a demon, so he had no choice but to stop at the Grandmaster level.

With the Vajra Pestle in hand, not only is there no risk of falling into demonic possession, but one can also continue to refine and optimize the opponent's achievements.

I thought it was a huge pitfall, but it turned out to be a great opportunity!
"You suffered so many losses today, probably because his incarnation used similar methods."

“He wouldn’t use his dojo on someone as junior as you, especially since he’s suppressing his cultivation.”

"The same True Essence at the Heavenly Ladder Realm is like a pig in a sty in your hands, too lazy to roll around; but in his hands, it's more lively than a cat in heat."

"With Wen Zhongzi's hundreds of years of cultivation, sealing off a distance of a hundred steps with true essence is still a piece of cake."

The pigs in the pigpen are a bit dangerous.

Li Cunxiao looked embarrassed and did not refute.

In any case, at least I got some new ideas from my master, so I won't have to risk my life in the next fight.

"By the way, where's my Qiankun Bow?"

The old Taoist priest stretched out his hand, and Li Cunxiao, seeing this, pursed his lips, somewhat reluctant, but still took out the black longbow and handed it over with both hands.

It must be said that there are differences between even the most powerful weapons.

In terms of sheer destructive power, the Qiankun Bow and the Wind and Fire Wheels are worlds apart.

I wonder how many years his divine weapon will need to be nurtured to achieve the same effect?

As Li Cunxiao left Miaoyan Palace, he dealt with the greetings along the way while pondering his next steps.

No matter how you put it, the level of understanding or perspective is always the most fundamental.

The Daoist master is nearing the completion of the Heavenly Ladder, and is currently refining the Four Symbols Divine Pill with his true essence, making steady progress.

Now that the title of true disciple has been established and a Four Symbols Divine Pill has been obtained, it is possible to begin working on breaking through the Heavenly Ladder for the original deity of Buddhism.

Next up is the Magic Treasure, with a suit of armor and a pair of fire wheels, providing both defense and escape capabilities, but lacking in offensive capabilities.

However, both the Fire-Tipped Spear and the Dragon Sparrow Blade are falling behind. The former, as a mid-grade magic weapon, can still be upgraded, while the latter is temporarily put on hold.

In modern martial arts, the Nine Dragons Divine Fire Cover is both offensive and defensive. If a matching Dragon-Binding Rope could be crafted, its power would undoubtedly be enhanced to an even higher level.

Now that he is the de facto master of the Azure Dragon Pavilion, he can prepare materials and collect dragon tendons and serpent skins. Once the "Nine Revolutions Flowing Pearl Scripture" is completed, he can begin refining it.

In the days that followed, Li Cunxiao took action, practicing martial arts and alchemy, familiarizing himself with the affairs of the Azure Dragon Pavilion, and gradually began to harvest evil energy, regularly going to the secret realm to fight against Wen Zhongzi's avatar.

Although he still lost badly, over time he was able to hold on for longer and longer.

Time flies in the mountains, spring turns to summer, autumn leaves fall, and the Double Ninth Festival approaches.

The sect's internal assessment, the grand ceremony of true teachings.

(End of this chapter)