There are no ancestors at all; I made them all up.

Chapter 77 is very enthusiastic
Upon hearing this, Xu Yan said, "External erosion? It's very common. The 'Pulse-Stabilizing and Yuan-Locking Knot' can suppress it." As he spoke, he was about to call someone to fetch something.

Upon hearing that it was an object and couldn't be transmitted into dreams, Chen Qing shook his head.

Xu Yan sensed something was wrong and asked, "Is there something amiss?"

Chen Qing frankly admitted: "My friend is in a special place, so we can only communicate by mail and it is difficult to send physical items."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yan knew it involved secrets, so he didn't press the matter. Instead, he smiled and said, "The method for refining the Pulse-Stabilizing and Yuan-Locking Buckle is not a secret. I will pass it on to you! Envoy Su, bring me the jade slip."

Su Zhijin moved swiftly and presented a blank jade slip.

Xu Yan's spiritual sense was like a knife, recording all the key points of the refining process, and handed it to Chen Qing: "Take this and study it. If you don't understand anything, you can ask Ling Xiao."

Chen Qing accepted it and solemnly said, "I am deeply grateful for your generous gift, senior." He subconsciously thought of taking the spiritual essence or offering merits to offset it.

Xu Yan seemed to see through his thoughts and laughed, "It's just a small skill, nothing to mention. I just like you, so I'm giving it to you. I only hope that after you go up the mountain, you'll take care of my good-for-nothing disciple."

Chen Qing sincerely said, "Senior has put a lot of thought into things for his disciple, and I admire him greatly. I will certainly help Fellow Daoist Ling. However, I still need to repay the kindness of giving him the Dharma."

Xu Yan stroked his beard and smiled.

After Chen Qing took his leave, Su Zhijin finally couldn't help but ask, "Elder Xu, what do you think of Sect Leader Chen...?"

"No need to inquire." Xu Yan's words were meaningful. Then he turned to Ling Xiao and said seriously, "Although the weapon refining method is not profound, it still requires time to study. When Sect Leader Chen asks you for clarification, you must patiently explain it to him. This is a connection that I have built for you, which is better than any elixir."

Ling Xiao quickly bowed and said, "This disciple understands!"

After bidding farewell to Xu Yan, Chen Qing slowly walked away, holding the jade slip in his hand.

The refining method of "Stabilizing the Pulse and Locking the Essence" flowed through his mind, but unfortunately, his own foundation in weapon refining was shallow, and it was like looking at flowers through fog.

"I must find someone skilled in weapon crafting to teach me. Ling Xiao will be my teammate in the future, so perhaps I can ask him for advice..." Chen Qing frowned slightly, then suddenly a thought struck him. "The 'Li Qing' in my dream has innate comprehension, so perhaps he can solve this problem."

With this thought in mind, he then thought: "The methods of weapon refining can still be found, but the art of Golden Core cultivation is a secret of the sect. To inquire about it rashly would be tantamount to inviting trouble and attracting attention. I wonder if good deeds can be exchanged for it."

After much thought, two strategies came to mind:
Firstly, by using "Li Qing's" identity, one could seek opportunities in the perilous Xuanyu Prison, but the risks were extremely high.

Secondly, we will revisit the Remnant Scroll Pavilion!

"The 'Return to Origin Guide to Calamity' recorded on the clay tablet helped him break out of the predicament, and the middle-aged scholar has a large collection of ancient artifacts, which may include those related to the Golden Core! Once the strongman slave recovers his mind, he may be able to get a glimpse of them. However, there is still not enough time for him to recover."

As he weighed his options, he arrived at the door of the private room.

"Amitabha! Sect Leader Chen, how have you been?"

Huichi and Genumako approached from the opposite direction.

"So it's you two fellow Daoists." Chen Qing cupped his hands in greeting. "I heard from my junior nephew that you two had once visited our sect with a senior, but unfortunately I was away and missed the opportunity. It's truly a pity."

"It's alright, the time is not yet right." Huichi waved his hand.

Xuan Zhaozi's gaze swept over Chen Qing, his eyes filled with undisguised astonishment: "Sect Leader Chen, your progress is truly astonishing! In such a short time, you have directly entered the late stage? Your aura is smooth and stable, and your foundation is so solid, it seems to be the result of ten years of hard training! Your fortune is truly admirable!"

Hui Chi smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Xuanzhao is skilled in observing qi. He can often discern worries by observing qi and help people out of trouble."

Chen Qing's heart skipped a beat: "Reading the qi to sense trouble?"

Xuanzhaozi laughed and said, "I have been observing your aura for decades, and your 'hidden dragon in the abyss' quality is one in a million! Your time to rise is just right! However..." He focused his gaze and observed carefully, "There is indeed a trace of external tribulation entangled, which seems to correspond to difficulties in interpersonal power and governance? Is Sect Leader Chen troubled by sect matters or sudden power?"

Chen Qing's heart skipped a beat!
Genzō's words subtly echoed the situation of 'Li Qing' in the dream!
Now that he is using Li Benji's identity and facing the suspicion of his former subordinates, shouldn't he intimidate them so that he can make a quick escape?

There's definitely a trick to it!
Hui Chi said at the right moment, "Fellow Daoist Xuanzhao is not only accurate in observing qi, but also an expert in managing subordinates! Cangming Island is thriving under his leadership. If it weren't for his guidance earlier, this humble monk would have greeted you in public long ago."

Xuanzhaozi stroked his beard with pride: "If my humble insights can resolve Sect Leader Chen's doubts, then it is worthwhile."

Chen Qing immediately asked, "I do have a concern. Having suddenly risen to a high position, I fear that my words and actions may be inappropriate and damage my prestige."

Xuan Zhaozi immediately understood, based on the situation of the "change of leadership" in the Hidden Star Sect, that this was a concern because the young master was just taking over the sect and his foundation was not yet stable!

He immediately said, "Sect Leader Chen has not yet grasped the weight of his position!"

"Appreciate further details."

"Those in positions of authority, even if they don't act, they still have power!" Xuanzhaozi waved his wide sleeves, pointing directly at the Black Reef Island outside the window. "Look at General Zhao! A single word can mean life or death, and ten thousand cultivators obey! It's not because his cultivation is heaven-defying, but because the imperial court is his backer, granting him his position and power. His words are law! Even those who have doubts must bury them deep in their hearts and obey with reverence! This is what it means to 'act even if you don't act'!"

He looked directly at Chen Qing, then changed the subject: "Since you are in this position, the more confident and composed you are, and the more you take issuing orders for granted, the less your subordinates will dare to have any dissent! Even if there are dissenting voices, those who fear your power and fawn on you will suppress them for you! You only need to sit upright on your cloud, keep your mind as deep as an abyss, and calmly observe the storms. Your position will be secure, and no one will dare to disobey you!"

Chen Qing pondered this. He realized that in the Xuanyu Prison, holding the position of "Ancestor," being overly cautious might actually reveal his weakness. However, if he viewed commanding others as a matter of course, it would be more convincing. After all, Li Benji had clearly possessed multiple bodies and wasn't entirely mentally sound; any sudden change in his behavior might not be immediately apparent.

This is the method of manifesting residual power!

"So that's how it is!" A bright light of understanding shone in Chen Qing's eyes. "Hearing your words, fellow Daoist, is like seeing the sun after the clouds have parted!"

Xuanzhaozi smiled and nodded: "Sect Leader Chen is naturally gifted and can understand things instantly. Just remember this, and with your position in hand, it's like wielding a divine weapon. If you use it well, you can overcome any obstacle."

Chen Qing then fell into deep thought.

"Amitabha." After saying this to the two, the monk Huichi suddenly took out a jade palm leaf from his sleeve, his expression solemn: "I saw that Headmaster Chen was quite interested in the 'Secret Records of the Monks,' so I asked the sect to send this item, which arrived the day before yesterday. I heard that Headmaster intends to ascend to the Void Abyss, so I am giving it to you now, which may be able to protect your path! The true Dharma of Buddhism emphasizes understanding one's mind and seeing one's true nature. Often, enlightenment comes in an instant, and this will be of great help."

He looked at Chen Qing with clear and open eyes: "This is the palm-leaf heart seal, containing the two methods of 'Void Embracing the Ocean' and 'Indestructible Vajra' from the 'Great Compassion Thousand Lights Embracing Sutra'. The first method is to gather one's energy and conceal one's spirit, making oneself as small as a mustard seed; the second method is to condense one's energy into a protective aura, making one's body as firm as Vajra, and specifically defending against external evils!"

Genzōshi's eyes twitched; this monk was really generous!
Chen Qing also sensed that this item was extraordinary and shook his head to refuse it: "It's too precious..."

Huichi frankly stated, "This humble monk is not here to transmit the Dharma, but rather to 'borrow a connection.' These two methods are profound and no one in the temple can comprehend them, so I often borrow others to contemplate them. The abbot has an affinity with Buddhism. If he can glimpse the Samadhi and make some insights, and then pass them back to this humble monk, it will be a perfect fulfillment of good karma and immeasurable merit! Moreover, comprehending the Buddhist path brings one closer to Buddhism. This is a small selfish wish of this humble monk, and I hope the abbot will grant it!"

After saying this, he bowed deeply.

Chen Qing thought for a moment, then stopped refusing and solemnly put away the palm-leaf heart seal.

“I will remember your kindness, Master. If I gain anything from this trip, I will certainly not let this opportunity pass me by.”

"Good!" Huichi smiled, bid farewell to Genzumako, and left.

"Buddhist methods for calming the mind and protecting the body, techniques for refining weapons and locking in vital energy..."

Chen Qing glanced at the palm leaf in his right hand and then at the jade slip in his left: "Why are all the fellow cultivators on Black Reef Island so enthusiastic? It seems that the major sects in the cultivation world are full of positive energy!"

With a sigh, he turned back into the room, fed the little monkey, and then sat cross-legged again, dreaming of entering a celestial realm.

Immortal Dynasty.

Deep within the mysterious prison, the stone chamber is quiet and secluded.

Chen Qing sat cross-legged on the futon, his eyes suddenly snapping open!
The moment he awoke, his powerful blood and qi, as refined as mercury, surged and roared through his limbs and bones like a dormant dragon awakening!

"His Qi and blood foundation has been tempered to such a powerful state? It far exceeds the limit that the first realm of perfection should have!" Chen Qing was shocked and his mind sank into his dantian.

The decaying golden core was still suppressed by the starlight of the Starry Night Calamity, its pulse was weak, and the tainted erosion was frozen, preventing it from deepening further.

"Fortunately, but I don't know how much time has passed. Oh right, I also had my dream body meditate on it..."

As he was thinking, a profound, domineering, yet strangely sinister incantation welled up from the bottom of his heart!

"The Hand of Returning All Qi to Burial and Melting Jade"!
"Touching the enemy's technique will devour my true energy, transforming it into jade marrow to replenish my Dao?"

Chen Qing focused his mind on comprehending the meaning, his expression strange.

This method uses qi and blood as a guide to condense special hand seals, forcibly seizing the enemy's true qi and blood upon contact and refining it into "jade marrow essence" to nourish oneself! It also has the effects of concealing breath and mimicking qi!
This isn't a method of concealing one's inner energy; it's clearly an evil and demonic art!
Alarm bells rang in Chen Qing's mind.

"The Primordial Qi Scripture is a grand and majestic path. Even if it is incomplete, how could it give rise to such evil arts? Moreover, my mind is clear and I have no such inclination. I understand now. It must be due to the evil atmosphere of the Xuanyu Prison, the remnant soul of Li Benji, and the decaying golden elixir that have contaminated it!"

He tried to activate the incantation, and his aura instantly became ethereal and uncertain, as if veiled by a thin gauze. The effect of concealing his aura was indeed extraordinary, but the devouring desire made him wary.

"This method is evil and should not be used lightly!" Chen Qing suppressed his urge to try it and turned his gaze to the tightly closed stone door.

The most urgent task is to leave this strange place and defused the time bomb in my dantian!
"Someone come here!" A hoarse, indifferent voice pierced through the stone door.

A moment later, the stone door opened, and a middle-aged jailer wearing the Xuanyu standard leather armor and with fine lines around his eyes bowed as he entered: "What are your orders, Ancestor?"

Chen Qing recognized this man as one of the young prison guards who had escorted him back then, but now he looked like a middle-aged man.

"How long has it been?"

"Your Majesty, twenty years have passed since you went into seclusion," the jailer quickly replied.

Twenty years!
Chen Qing remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was startled. This was the first time he had crossed so many years! He then realized that his flesh and blood showed no signs of aging. In addition, this was only a first-stage physical body, which could not completely abstain from grains. Could he rely solely on the spirit-guiding array here to replenish his body?
However, suppressing his surprise and without inquiring about the truth, he spoke of his original intention in recruiting people: "Are there any suitable weapon refiners in the prison?"

"Yes! Yes!" the jailer hurriedly said, taking out a dark yellow animal hide register from his pocket and presenting it with both hands. "This is a list of all the 'skilled slaves' in the prison. Those skilled in weapon crafting are all marked on it."

Already prepared?

Chen Qing took the roster, flipped through a few pages, and saw dozens of names listed, followed by their identities and special skills.

Zhang Gangchui, formerly a steward of the Hundred Refinements Sect, was skilled in refining rough castings and forging heavy weapons.

Lin Gu'er, an outcast from the Nine Peaks Sword Tomb, is skilled in controlling fire and maintaining furnace temperature, and adept at purification.

Wu Jizi, a true disciple of the Xuanpin Medicine Sect, is proficient in array formations and alchemy, and can repair magical artifacts.

……

As you look at each name, you find that some come from prestigious families, while others have mysterious origins.

suddenly!

His fingertips paused, his gaze fixed on a line of text—

Jiang Kai, an inner disciple of the Hidden Star Sect, is skilled in refining weapons and setting up arrays, especially in star-pattern restrictions.

　I hope you all will continue to support me and read my work! Thank you everyone!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)