Celestial Official!

Xiangzhi Mountain.

A dark-colored building, on its terrace.

Yan Chen calmed his mind and entered a meditative state. With seemingly inaudible breathing, wisps of scorching Qi, like smoke or wisps of smoke, flowed and swelled a foot away before gradually dissipating.

This indicates a state of pure and intense fire element and abundant vital energy!

After several more breaths, Yan Chen focused his mind, burned away all distracting thoughts, and concentrated all his attention on the Crimson Palace in his left chest.

The concept of Yin and Yang dwellings sounds quite mysterious and elusive.

In reality, it is simply the location of the chambers within the human heart.

The heart, also known as the Crimson Palace, is the office of the monarch, from which the spirits emerge.

Therefore, it is more accurate to say that it was the opening of a crimson palace to accommodate the vital energy rather than the opening of a residence.

At that time, Qi will follow the mind and flow with the blood pump. Without deliberate operation, it will continuously circulate throughout the body, cleanse the internal organs, and nourish the meridians.

Only in this way can the physical body be considered truly pure and immaculate, transcending the mundane and escaping the mortal realm.

With a slight thought, Yan Chen activated the "Song of Restraining the Two Elements and the Divine Evil," silently reciting the incantation. The Bing Fire Qi within his body surged from his Dantian and slowly flowed towards the Crimson Palace.

A burning sensation suddenly struck, as if I had swallowed a branding iron, the pain was excruciating and almost unbearable.

Even though he had undergone this kind of tempering almost every day for the past month, he still found it difficult to adapt.

Beads of cold sweat slid down his forehead, and as soon as they touched the intense heat around him, they rose up in wisps of white mist.

The sun is high in the sky; it is noon.

It wasn't until three hours later.

As daylight fades and dusk descends, a hazy mist rises over the mountains and forests, obscuring the last rays of sunlight.

A long sigh seemed to drift from afar, and in a daze, it dispersed the misty fog.

But the next moment, it seemed to be right next to them, and no strange phenomena occurred.

Yan Chen opened his eyes, smiled brightly, and flicked out a "Crimson Glow Bright Fire Qi" with his finger.

Then, a fire seemed to ignite in the azure sky and spread rapidly, resembling a wildfire spreading across the land.

However, in a short while, the firelight completely disappeared, leaving no trace.

"This Yang Mansion has finally been successfully opened!"

"Only now has Fang Suan completely stabilized his Qi Refining Level 3 cultivation. It's just a pity that there's no way to verify his current progress."

Yan Chen's thoughts stirred slightly, and he summoned the [Immortal Official Jade Pendant] in his mind to inquire about his recent cultivation progress—

Name: Yan Chen

[Realm Level: Qi Refining Realm, Level 3]

[Cultivation Progress: Yang Mansion (Bing Fire), Yin Mansion (None), Yang Residence (None), Yin Residence (None)]

[Cultivation Techniques: Crimson Cloud Bright Light Control Technique (Rank 9), Azure Origin Bright Light Elixir Formula (Rank 9)]

[The incantations are: "Tea Stove Brewing Sword Dance and Leaping Song", "Divine Elixir and Golden Liquid Three Fires Scripture", and "Song of Restraining the Two Elements and the Divine Evil Forces"]

[Taoist Technique: The Divine Furnace's Ignition of Passion and Desire Spell (Mastered)]

……

After gazing intently for a moment, Yan Chen waved his sleeve to dispel all the information, pondering to himself:

"Now that I have opened up the Yang Mansion, the strength of my fire element is completely different from before, far exceeding the ninth grade, but it is limited by the grade of the cultivation technique itself."

"But I don't know if there is a way to improve the grade of a cultivation technique. If so, my 'Crimson Glow Bright Light Qi' will probably become even stronger."

"Perhaps this will meet the requirements for nurturing the sword gourd?"

Thinking of this, Yan Chen couldn't help but fall silent. Right now, there was no need to cultivate the Water-Fire Vine, and his own career was in jeopardy, yet he was still thinking about that "Zhaohua Xuanlie Sword Nurturing Gourd." It was truly laughable.

"Even so, it is still appropriate to make a trip to the Mingtang Hall. To my shame, I have been promoted to steward for two months, but I have never taken on any official duties."

Thinking of this, Yan Chen stood up and gave some instructions to the chubby girl.

Then he rode the escape light and flew far away towards the direction of the Gold Melting Valley.

……

……

Just then, a beam of light descended from outside the Mingtang Hall, and emerged a handsome, sword-wielding Taoist with striking features and a sword-carrying appearance.

The disciples serving outside the hall, whether on duty or awaiting assignment, all bowed their heads in respect and said in unison:

"Greetings, Senior Brother Chen."

Chen Fayan waved his hand dismissively, put away the flying shuttle, and strode into the hall.

At the same time, a Taoist priest inside the hall, who seemed to know him well, immediately stood up and smiled as he entered:

"It's been over a month since I last saw Senior Brother Chen. It seems that the official business he was handling went smoothly?"

Chen Fayan said dismissively:

"They were nothing more than a group of heretics who had usurped the mortal realm and were trying to wash away their lowly status. Although they were numerous, the highest level of their cultivation was only at the second level of Qi Refining. With a little effort, they were all wiped out."

Having said that, he flicked his sleeve, from which several small, blood-red talismans floated out, saying:

"Nineteen heretical spirits, three of whom are at the second level of Qi Refining, and the rest are at the first level of Qi Refining. I would appreciate it if Junior Brother Liu could examine them and replace their cultivation levels accordingly."

The steward hurriedly said:

"Senior Brother Chen, please rest for a moment. There are still official duties in the Mingtang Hall, which we need to trouble you to preside over."

Upon hearing this, Chen Fayan frowned slightly and asked:

"What official business is it?"

The steward brought over a handwritten note and said:

"This is a letter from Master Zhu. My senior brother has not returned, so I dare not act rashly."

Chen Fayan frowned even more deeply, took the letter from the hand, opened it and read it. After a short while, his expression changed slightly.

"There may be heretical forces lurking in the vast desert, potentially causing chaos within the demonic lineage. We must immediately dispatch capable disciples to investigate."

Chen Fayan silently put away the handwritten letter, wondering to himself:

"As far as I know, the vast desert is the border between the Southern Zhuo and the Northern Mang. The surrounding area for over a hundred miles is all barren wasteland, rarely visited by humans. How could there suddenly be heretics causing trouble?"

After pondering for a moment, still unable to find a solution, Chen Fayan couldn't help but ask:

"Does the person in charge mean to send Chen?"

The deacon nodded and then said:

"Not only Senior Brother Chen, but several other disciples will also be accompanying us. The specific selection will be decided by Senior Brother. These are the words of the person in charge."

Chen Fayan remained silent for a moment, then asked:

"What about Danlan Valley and Supao Valley? Have they sent anyone?"

The deacon shook his head and said:

"Junior brother doesn't know, but the person in charge said that whether to stay or leave is not mandatory, it's entirely up to the individual's will."

"But after this expedition to the Vast Ocean concludes, regardless of the outcome, everyone will receive a Daoist merit!"

"Tao Kung!?"

Even with Chen Fayan's composure, he couldn't help but be shaken, his heart surging with emotion.

……

……

Before long, a flying shuttle took off and left the sky above the Mingtang Hall.

Chen Fayan stood on the flying shuttle, his sideburns dancing wildly and his robes fluttering in the wind.

As he was pondering this, he suddenly glanced to the side and saw a shuttle flying by below.

He stared intently, clearly recognizing the figure, and immediately turned and gave chase, his voice booming like a bell, filled with inner energy:

"Junior Brother Yan, please wait!"

On the flying shuttle, Yan Chen was determining the location of the Mingtang Hall.

Upon hearing the shout, he was slightly startled, pressed down the escape light, and slowly descended to a mountain peak.

A moment later, another shuttle landed not far away, and a figure floated over, arriving in front of it in an instant.

"So it's Senior Brother Chen. It's been over a month since I last saw you. You look even more radiant than before."

Upon seeing the visitor, Yan Chen immediately smiled and bowed.

Chen Fayan raised his hand to stop him, his expression solemn, and said in a deep voice:

"Junior Brother Yan, do you want to earn Dao merits?"

……

……