Dongting Immortal Clan

Chen Changhe was deeply moved and pressed for an answer:

"So, before Qin Shi Huang established the Spiritual Treasury Orthodox Method, there was no such realm on the path of cultivation?"

"It's not entirely nonexistent."

Li Kaihe shook his head and explained seriously:

"Ancient cultivation was more extensive and direct, emphasizing talent and opportunity."

"Before Qi Refining, it's more about tempering the physical body and refining the spiritual consciousness to prepare for Qi gathering, but it doesn't have the wonders of the current five realms of spiritual treasure... If we were to force an analogy, it would be roughly equivalent to the current second realm, 'Wooden Embryo'."

He smiled and looked at Chen Changhe, then said earnestly:

"Fellow Daoist Chen has now shed his wooden body and knows that spiritual cultivation is not limited to the 'shedding body' stage. The subsequent opening of the 'Jade Spring' can generate life essence, and the further tempering of the 'Golden Marrow' can strengthen the will and soul."

"Ultimately, one must enter the 'Palace of Destiny' and visualize a 'Primordial Spirit' within one's own sea of ​​consciousness..."

"Visualizing the primordial spirit?"

Chen Changhe muttered to himself, seemingly lost in thought.

The "Spiritual Treasury of the Profound Method of Water Element" does not contain any method for visualizing the primordial spirit; the final step is the tempering of the golden marrow.

"Once a cultivator condenses his 'primordial spirit,' even if it is only in its rudimentary form, he will be fundamentally different from an ordinary person."

Li Kaihe's voice was slightly deep, and he said in a mysterious tone:

"The primordial spirit is immortal, and the true spirit has a place to reside."

"Even if the physical body decays, a trace of the true spirit can be preserved, giving one the opportunity to reincarnate and re-enter the path of Tao."

He paused, then said with a hint of envy:

"If one can attain the 'Purple Mansion' and stabilize one's primordial spirit, even if one dies and one's cultivation dissipates, one's primordial spirit will not perish, and one can be reborn without being affected by the 'mystery in the womb'. After being reborn, one can quickly regain the cultivation of one's previous life."

These words left Chen Dajiang speechless for a long time.

"Cultivation is truly wondrous."

Chen Changhe was even more amazed.

As long as the primordial spirit in the Purple Mansion remains intact, one can be reincarnated and cultivate anew, achieving true immortality!

"The wonders of cultivation are infinitely profound."

"The spiritual treasure is merely the beginning; only by refining qi can one truly unlock the door to immortality."

"After that, there are many other great realms such as Foundation Establishment, Purple Mansion, and Golden Core. Each realm is a world in itself, with its own mysteries and wonders, as well as its own tribulations and trials."

Looking at the shocked expressions on their faces, Li Kaihe sighed softly.

"Only by becoming an immortal."

Only then can one truly escape the cycle of birth and death and attain true freedom and liberation!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The three sat facing each other in the woods.

One person tells the story, and two people listen.

Li Kaihe's words left the Chen brothers deeply troubled.

"Those three Ganoderma lucidum you mentioned must have been devoured by the black snake before its metamorphosis."

"but……"

He paused, and a point of blue light leaped from his fingertip, gently striking the soil. Soon, the blue light entered the earth, radiating ripples.

Li Kaihe closed his eyes and sensed the surroundings. After a short while, he whispered:

"Although the Ganoderma lucidum was consumed, the spores released when it matured were scattered in this soil. The Jade Horned Black Serpent has been breathing in the essence of the sun and moon here for a long time, making this area within a radius of three zhang quite spiritual. If you cultivate it well, in time, it may be possible to give birth to new Ganoderma lucidum."

As he spoke, he took out several light blue talismans from his sleeve and casually tossed them aside.

The talisman transformed into rays of clear light, disappearing into the ground around the tree stump.

"Buzz..."

With a slight tremor, a cyan light membrane appeared out of thin air, like an inverted cyan bowl, enveloping an area of ​​several feet around it.

"I will temporarily seal this place with this 'Small Wood Sealing Talisman'."

"This restriction does not block the nourishment of spiritual energy, but it can isolate ordinary wild beasts and even low-level demons, making it difficult for them to break in."

After saying that, he handed a warm, cyan jade talisman to Chen Changhe.

"This is a jade talisman for restricting control; please keep it safe."

"When you open up the Jade Spring in the future, your life essence will be endless. You can try to use this jade talisman to control the restrictions and use your own magic power to draw the essence of the sun and moon into spiritual rain to irrigate this place. It may even help to grow Ganoderma lucidum."

"If successful, this place can be developed into a small medicinal herb garden, which can be considered a stable source of income."

Chen Changhe accepted the jade talisman with both hands. It was warm to the touch. He had already made up his mind. He would then ask his elder brother to take people to find a flat place nearby and build a villa to guard this Ganoderma lucidum garden.

After doing all that, Li Kaihe led his two brothers to patrol the outer perimeter of Linglu Mountain, casually picking a few low-grade spiritual herbs of decent quality, and driving away a few fierce jackals and tigers.

It wasn't until nearly noon that the three of them returned to the lakeside at Baiyukou.

……

"Now that I've descended the mountain, everything is settled, and it's time for me to head home."

Li Kaihe stopped by the lake and said solemnly to the Chen brothers:

"When I landed in Lingzhou, Jiangbei, I heard that some evil cultivators were using human blood to perform rituals. Perhaps they were practicing demonic rituals, which caused quite a commotion and attracted the true disciples of several sects to come down the mountain to hunt them down."

"Such vicious people act without any scruples. Even though you are in a remote place, you still need to be more vigilant on a daily basis."

"If you notice any unusual signs nearby, or encounter a cultivator you cannot defeat, remember to prioritize your own safety and do not act recklessly. You can go to the county or prefecture government to report to the 'Observer of the Wind'."

"The Celestial Dynasty and various sects usually do not sit idly by and condone such matters."

Li Kaihe paused, then said:

"In case of extreme urgency, a matter of life and death, you may send someone to Tianyong City with a message. Just give my name and say that you are from the Chen family of Bishui, Baiyukou, Dongting Lake. I will instruct my clansmen to be on the lookout for assistance."

"Even though we are thousands of miles apart, I, Li, will do my utmost."

Having finished explaining, Li Kaihe said no more, and with his fingers like a sword, he gently tapped the fish-skin scabbard at his waist.

"Zzzzt—"

A clear, melodious sword cry rang out, and the longsword automatically drew half a foot from its sheath, then transformed into a clear, cold blue light about a foot wide, hovering in front of him.

Li Kaihe leaped lightly, his figure standing steadily on the sword light.

A breeze blew across the lake, causing his green robe to flutter slightly, making him appear like a sword immortal descending to earth.

"My lords, the mountains are high and the rivers are long, and the path to immortality is far away. We shall part ways for now."

He smiled slightly at the Chen brothers on the shore, who were looking shocked, and bowed slightly, his posture so free and unrestrained.

"Once I have mastered the art of Qi cultivation, I will surely return to Dongting Lake to drink and reminisce with you all!"

Before he could finish speaking...

"Whoosh—!!"

The azure sword light beneath him suddenly surged, emitting a sharp sound, and then, carrying Li Kaihe's figure, transformed into an azure rainbow, soaring into the sky and flying towards the western lake.

The sword light was as swift as lightning, disappearing into the thick clouds in the blink of an eye.

Chen Dajiang and Chen Changhe stood side by side on the lake shore, looking up into the distance. Even though they could no longer see Li Kaihe, they remained lost in thought.

After a long while, Chen Dajiang finally exhaled a breath of stale air and murmured:

"Only cultivators who have mastered Qi can ride the wind and soar through the clouds."

"Fellow Daoist Li's flight to the heavens this time was mostly due to the advantage of the flying sword... Only a celestial clan like the Li family could so readily bestow such a magical artifact upon their descendants."

Chen Changhe nodded silently, gazing at the sky where Li Kaihe's figure had disappeared, a strong desire rising in his heart.

"Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan..."

"The road ahead is long and arduous... We, the younger generation, must strive forward!"