Don't farm, cultivate immortality!

The old Taoist nodded and poured all the powder from the pearl into the bronze cauldron. Then, he took out several herbs from the cabinet. Zhuang Xing, with his sharp eyes, recognized that several of them were spiritual herbs.

The vast majority of the herbs are cooling or cold in nature, but there is one that is a fire-attribute Crimson Flame Grass. This Crimson Flame Grass only grows near volcanoes. For ordinary people, after eating it, their blood and qi will boil, and they will feel very strong and have inexhaustible energy for a short period of time. However, their bodies will soon be unable to withstand the medicinal power, and they will die from heart and lung failure.

Only cultivators who have cultivated true Qi can digest the medicinal power. During the duration of the medicine's effects, one can even take off their clothes and run wildly in a blizzard in the dead of winter. However, one should not take too much in a short period of time, otherwise side effects may occur.

This Crimson Flame Grass is considered a high-grade spiritual herb compared to the Snake Fruit. Although it cannot compare to the value of a pearl, it is not a cheap commodity either.

Zhuang Xing thought to himself that Master Qingxuzi had really lent him and Yunling a lot of money. The master was getting on in years, probably worried that after he passed away, there would be no successor to Xuanqing Temple. He genuinely hoped that Zhuang Xing and Yunling could become successful and carry on the banner for the next generation.

Zhuang Xing increasingly sensed Master Qingxuzi's fondness for Xuanqing Temple, for this was Master Qingxuzi's home.

Xuanqing Temple truly felt like home. After living here for three months, Zhuang Xing felt a lot of warmth and hospitality. His senior brothers and masters all treated this place as their own home, taking care of the younger disciples like they were their own brothers. Although there were also some deceptive places like selling answers during morning prayers, this did not prevent Zhuang Xing from developing a sense of belonging to Xuanqing Temple. He was very lucky to have met a mentor like Master Qingxuzi.

The old Taoist priest was now focused on refining medicine. He waved his whisk and, just like when he bombarded the clam demon in the river last time, condensed a small fireball, but this time the fireball was blue.

"Go," the old Taoist chanted, and the fireball immediately floated to the bottom of the bronze cauldron, turning into a flame.

Amidst the flickering flames, the old Taoist priest used his whisk to swirl the medicinal herbs one by one into the alchemy cauldron.

While refining medicine, the old Taoist priest also gave a lecture.

"What I'm refining now is a body-tempering liquid, the essence of clam pearls. It's a great tonic for beginner cultivators, but clam pearls are water-based and have a cooling nature. So, I need to add a fire-based spiritual herb to the auxiliary ingredients to neutralize its cooling properties and prevent it from harming the body."

"When processing clam pearls, they must first be ground into a fine powder. It is crucial not to add water. Clam pearls are inherently water-based; if water is added, their essence and spiritual energy will dissolve into the water, causing much of the medicinal properties to evaporate during the alchemy process..."

The old Taoist priest controlled the heat, and the flames under the small cauldron fluctuated in size. Relying on his experience, he threw the herbs into the cauldron one by one.

Zhuang Xing watched from the side, full of admiration. Refining pills and medicines is truly a delicate art. One must constantly monitor the reaction in the cauldron and control the heat. Only an experienced master like Daoist Qingxuzi can refine medicines so freely and easily.

Zhuang Xing silently kept track of the time in his mind. After about five minutes, the last auxiliary ingredient, the Crimson Flame Grass, was put into the pot, and the small cauldron immediately began to vibrate and boil.

After shaking it several times, the old Taoist removed the bottom fire and used his whisk to open the medicine cauldron.

A refreshing aroma wafted out, and the old Taoist took out two small bowls, filtered out the dregs, poured out the body-tempering liquid from the cauldron, and divided it into two portions.

The body-quenching liquid was almost transparent, but tiny, sparkling, star-like fragments floated within it, making it look like a bowl of galaxy in the dim light after the flames died down.

"You two should drink this body-tempering liquid. After drinking it, immediately circulate your true qi. I will be there to protect you," the old Taoist said with a smile.

"Yes."

Zhuang Xing and Yun Ling agreed, picked up the bowls, and poured the body-tempering liquid into their mouths.

It tasted slightly bitter with a gritty texture. After they finished drinking the body-tempering liquid, a cool sensation rushed to the top of their heads. Zhuang Xing felt the feeling of full-body heat that was described in the jade slip after taking the Crimson Flame Grass. This was something that the snake fruit could not compare to. Soon, he broke out in a lot of sweat.

Yunling was the same; her hair was even soaked with sweat.

But what follows is a feeling of complete relaxation, as if one's internal organs have been cleansed, cool and refreshing. Every breath feels like being in a forest at dawn, with the moist feeling nourishing one's lungs and heart.

Zhuang Xing felt the burst of medicinal power, adjusted his breathing, and circulated his true qi.

No wonder Master Qingxuzi only agreed to process the pearls for them after they had cultivated true qi. The potency of this medicine was definitely not something that disciples who had not yet entered the sect could withstand. If Dachun came, he might risk overdoing it and bleeding from all seven orifices after just one sip.

But Zhuang Xing was able to quickly absorb the medicinal power. He felt his true qi growing rapidly. When the heat subsided, his total true qi had almost doubled!

This body-tempering liquid is equivalent to the effort he has put into cultivating for a year!

His "container" seemed to have been forcibly enlarged by this body-tempering liquid; so this is what it feels like to cultivate while taking drugs.

He finally experienced the joy of being a pay-to-win player. Holy crap, this is awesome!

He really wanted to yell the word "awesome" out loud.

Chapter 74 A New Year

It took Zhuang Xing and Yun Ling about half an incense stick's time to digest the medicinal effects of the body-tempering liquid.

Despite the snow falling outside, the two people, dressed in their training clothes, were sweating profusely.

Yunling was slightly out of breath, her hair, damp with sweat, clung to her cheek. Zhuang Xing was in a similar state. To an outsider, they would look like they had just finished a vigorous workout indoors.

Master Qingxu smiled slightly and stroked his beard.

"As expected of the Primordial Qi, it has absorbed much of the medicinal power in such a short time."

"However, this body-tempering liquid is made from the essence of this clam demon over forty years. Based on my experience, it will take you two at least another six months to fully digest the remaining medicinal power."

"Will it take that long?"

Zhuang Xing thought to himself that this medicine was good; it was potent and long-lasting.

"If you practice diligently, you'll digest it faster," the old Taoist said.

Zhuang Xing and Yun Ling exchanged a glance, clasped their hands together, and said in unison, "This disciple will definitely practice diligently."

"good."

The old Taoist priest chuckled and took out a small wooden box. He used a wooden ruler to scrape the residue from the bronze cauldron and put it in along with the previously filtered dregs of medicine, pressing it down firmly and flat.

"Pearls are inherently healing substances. The most basic use is to grind them into powder and apply them externally to wounds. They can promote bone and flesh growth, and if used properly, they can save lives."

"Although the pearl has been refined into body-tempering liquid and consumed by the two of you, these residues still retain medicinal properties. If you suffer any external injuries, you can apply them to the wounds, which will be much more effective than ordinary wound medicine."

"Disciple understands." Zhuang Xing stepped forward and respectfully extended both hands to take the wooden box.

"Hmm." The old Taoist nodded in satisfaction. "Go back and wash up and change your clothes. The seventh day of the Lunar New Year next year is the kowtow ceremony for Bai Sui's disciples. You two must not be absent."

Zhuang Xing and Yunling agreed and then left.

They were covered in sweat, feeling sticky and uncomfortable, so they went back to their rooms to boil water for a bath.

That night, Zhuang Xing was too energetic to sleep. The body-tempering liquid was truly powerful. Since he couldn't sleep, he simply didn't sleep at all. He got up in the middle of the night and went outside to practice his sword.

A thick layer of snow covered the ground. He was dressed in a thin, plain robe, and as he stood on the snow-covered cliff face, his sword pointed towards the moon.

Under the moonlight, only his figure could be seen.

With no one else around, he no longer had any reservations. When practicing his swordsmanship, he gathered his Qi into his body and unleashed streaks of sword energy.

He was immersed in the moment, as snowflakes fell. He recalled Miss Huai'an's heroic sword dance years ago, and remembered that every time Miss Huai'an returned from her sword dance, not a single snowflake would be on her.

So he tried to practice swordsmanship in the snow, but he still couldn't reach that level, and snowflakes still fell on his hair.

He wasn't discouraged, though. He started playing a game by himself. He tried to stab a snowflake with the tip of his sword, imagining it as hitting a mole. The snowflake was the mole's head emerging from its hole, and the wooden sword in his hand was his hammer.

Sometimes the sword strikes, sometimes it misses, but the snowflakes are blown away by the wind from the sword, so it's not boring at all.

-

A few days later, Xuanqing Temple began preparations for the New Year.

Even in Taoist temples, people celebrate the New Year; several Taoist priests hung red lanterns on the large birch tree.

On the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month, Zhuang Xing and Da Chun swept the dust off the house together, and pasted the "Fu" characters and paper-cut window decorations given by their teachers on the doors and windows.

On the thirtieth day of the twelfth lunar month, the Taoist temple gave them a holiday. On that day, Zhuang Xing played ball with his neighbors. As a disciple of Bai Sui who had cultivated true qi, he was already undefeated when playing ball with children his own age.

He didn't hold back at all that day, creating a legendary record of defeating 54 opponents in a row.

The reason he didn't get a higher combo was because he was a bit tired. He had played a full round, and if he were serious, he felt he could beat these little brats three times over without even blinking.

Competitive games are more fun when the opponents are of similar skill level; it's really not interesting to bully weaker opponents.

Zhuang Xing handed the racket to Da Chun. He thought to himself that it would soon be his first Spring Festival since leaving home, so he went back inside and took out the silver bracelet that his mother had given him from the box. He wondered what his mother and father were doing. He felt that when he returned home, there should be younger siblings.

I have a strange feeling, I can't quite put my finger on it, but it's not a bad mood.

He spent the Spring Festival with Yunling.

The canteen was serving braised rice, with chopped smoked meat and sausages in the rice that had developed a crispy crust. Zhuang Xing noticed that Bai Yu and the others were also eating braised rice, and they even packed one to go. The canteen staff didn't charge them; it was free today, with no limit on the amount.

The days that followed were uneventful. On the seventh day, Zhuang Xing and Yun Ling went to participate in the Bai Sui disciple's kowtow ceremony.

The two successfully became Qing Sui's prospective disciples. Zhuang Xing majored in the Sword Hall and signed up for the others who were interested. Yun Ling majored in Taoist magic and talismans, and secondarily in pharmacology. During the kowtow ceremony, she demonstrated her true qi characteristics. Thanks to her unique talent, she successfully infiltrated the spiritual herb field that Zhuang Xing had seen before.

"You no longer need to practice swordsmanship; you can study pharmacology with me."

During the kowtow ceremony, a Daoist named Zi Sui, who was sitting next to Daoist Qing Xu Zi, accepted Yun Ling as his disciple.

It was an old woman with white hair. This was the first time Zhuang Xing had seen this Taoist priest. She was not as kind as the Taoist priest Qingxuzi. Her eyes and brows revealed a sharpness. She was serious and never smiled. She was clearly a very strict master.

Later, Zhuang Xingcai learned the name of this Taoist priest from Qingxuzi. This priest was Yuan Yan, who lived near the medicinal field and specialized in pharmacology. Although he rarely showed his face, he was an extremely capable and indispensable Taoist priest in Xuanqing Temple.

The prescription for the pearl-tempering liquid was obtained by Daoist Qingxuzi from Daoist Yuanyan, and several of the medicinal ingredients were also provided by Daoist Yuanyan.

Master Qingxuzi said that this was the first time Master Yuanyan had accepted a disciple into her fold. Although Master Yuanyan would teach some pharmacology classes on a regular basis, she had never allowed her disciples to set foot in her medicinal herb field.

"Master Yuanyan's lifelong learning has finally found a successor; she must be overjoyed," said Master Qingxuzi.

Zhuang Xing also wanted to ask if there was any Taoist master in the temple who was skilled in swordsmanship and would be willing to take him as his last disciple. Unfortunately, the master of the Sword Hall said that he was exceptionally talented and that he should just lay a solid foundation and not be impatient. Swordsmanship is not like pharmacology. Swordsmanship requires repeated practice and refinement, rather than burying oneself in theory all day long. That would only lead to biting off more than one can chew.

In short, as winter turned to spring, Zhuang Xing and Yun Ling began their formal studies.

The day they were to descend the mountain was drawing closer.

Chapter 75 Before Descending the Mountain

Soon after the Spring Festival, the Beginning of Spring will arrive.

The snow on the mountain melted, tender green buds sprouted from the birch trees, and a swallow built its nest under the eaves of Zhuangxing and Dachun's house.

The sun was shining brightly at noon today. When Dachun returned, he was carrying paper, ink, inkstone, and brush.

"Da Chun, how did the exam go?" Zhuang Xing asked him.

"The arithmetic was too difficult; I only got two right." Da Chun put down his end-of-term gift and scratched his head.

There are twelve questions in total, and you need to get eight right to pass. It seems that Da Chun has passed all the written questions.

There are two addition and subtraction problems within ten in the arithmetic problems. As long as you can count on your fingers, you can solve them correctly.

Addition and subtraction problems beyond ten are still too difficult for Da Chun. However, they didn't come up the mountain to learn culture. Being able to read and understand Taoist scriptures is enough. The Taoist priest won't force them to do arithmetic.

Da Chun hadn't yet mastered true Qi, so he went to the sword-dancing platform to practice swordsmanship in the afternoon, while Zhuang Xing went to listen to Taoist and talisman classes.

The basic Taoist arts are just tricks. After a month of learning, Zhuang Xing could only blow a gentle breeze and produce a small flame.

According to Master Qingxuzi, it is difficult to achieve anything in Taoist practices without studying them for five or ten years.

It saves the trouble of using a flint to start a fire. If you want to boil water for a bath in the kitchen at night, you only need to prepare for a while and you can produce a small flame like a lighter on your finger.

Although these two moves were actually not very lethal, the neighborhood kids were all shocked. They probably really looked forward to and liked the cringeworthy feeling of holding fire in their palms, and they practiced their swordsmanship much more diligently on weekdays.

As for talismans, this course is tied to the Taoist magic course. To learn talismans, one must understand the principles of Taoist magic. The essence of talismans is to store Taoist magic in talisman paper.