Chapter 158: Yuan Shen Drinks Wine, the More You Drink, the More You Have! I

In the evening, Zhang Fan returned home and unconsciously glanced at the wall calendar.

In two days, it would be the ninth day of the ninth month.

That day was both his birthday and the anniversary of his mother Li Li Linglong's death.

According to Zhang Lingzong, Li Li Linglong had died in a car accident on this day ten years ago.

But now Zhang Fan knew she had died beneath Long Hu Mountain that very night ten years ago.

"Mother's death anniversary is coming soon—I wonder if Dad will come back."

Zhang Fan muttered, pulled out his phone, and tried calling Zhang Lingzong's number—still turned off.

"Truly, no father, no mother."

Zhang Fan sneered, tossed aside the banner awarded by the Jiangnan Provincial Dao Alliance, and turned into his room, sitting cross-legged in meditation to begin his cultivation.

This was his daily routine.

Since descending from Zhenwu Mountain, Zhang Fan had leapt in mere months from 【Qi Gong】 directly through 【Shu Tu】 and 【Uncle Xuan Shi】 to 【Ling Si】, skipping four realms at once—besides his innate extraordinary Yuan Shen, which made re-attaining cultivation as easy as riding a familiar horse, the most crucial reason was his willingness to endure hardship.

This was the power of cultivating the 【Divine Demon Holy Embryo】: when the spirit is full, one needs no sleep; those who practice this method nearly eliminate sleep entirely—the less they sleep, the more vigorous and spirited they become, devoting all time and energy to the Dao.

Originally, those who could master the 【Divine Demon Holy Embryo】 were one in ten thousand, yet he trained longer and deeper than others—what chance did ordinary Daoists have to compete? Zhang Fan focused his mind on his Upper Dantian, embraced unity in stillness, and circulated the 【North-South Sect Source】 method; within him, true yang surged like tides, moving through the Ren and Du meridians.

In Daoist cultivation, before reaching 【Gao Gong】, one practices the Small Circulation method, also called the Brother Ziwu Circulation, refining essence into Qi.

Zi and Wu represent the center of heaven and earth: in heaven, they are sun and moon; in humans, heart and kidneys; in time, midnight and noon; in the Eight Trigrams, Kan and Li; in direction, north and south.

The Small Circulation moves internal Qi through the Ren and Du meridians; at the vital Zi time, yang awakens, refining essence into Qi, generating true yang—the so-called true Qi.

After entering the 【Gao Gong】 rank, true Qi liquefies and flows through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, initiating the Great Circulation method: refining Qi into Shen.

Beyond that lie the mysteries of returning the elixir, the Golden Core method, the Yang Shen path, the Pure Yang state… endless profundities beyond human comprehension.

Boom… boom… boom…

Zhang Fan's eyes half-open, half-closed, eyelids lowered, resembling a clay statue of a deity in a temple.

His breath stretched long and faint; one internal breath exhaled formed a thread, glowing crimson and fiery, like a small dragon gliding between his clasped hands.

The 【Fire Dragon Dan Jian】—this was the most powerful Daoist technique Zhang Fan currently wielded, and also one of the most profound fire methods in Daoism.

Daoist fire methods had their own hierarchy.

Liu Liu Xingyu's 【Jianggong Li Huo】 was low-tier, even relying on 【external elixirs】 for refinement.

The so-called external elixir method involves harnessing natural medicines and celestial treasures to aid cultivation.

As the saying goes: borrow a spark of nature's spirit, and within the furnace, the elixir ascends to the Supreme Pure.

All things born of heaven and earth carry innate luminescence into mountains and seas, forming great medicines and nurturing rare treasures; ancient Daoists gathered and refined them in furnaces, seeking the elixir of immortality to transcend the mortal realm.

Thus, external elixir methods once flourished, but seeking externally was ultimately like chasing moonlight on water—exhausting mountains and seas, draining ponds to catch fish—violating natural principles, so they were gradually replaced by 【internal elixir methods】.

Even so, Daoist cultivation still often employed 【external elixir methods】 to gather great medicines and rare treasures to elevate realms and refine techniques.

Like Liu Liu Xingyu's 【Jianggong Li Huo】, which used a herb called 【Xuyangcao】.

This herb grew only in the Mount Ailao Mountains of Diannan—a place called an utter dead zone, completely closed to outsiders; reportedly, its magnetic fields were chaotic, compasses failed, and countless strange insects and beasts unseen elsewhere dwelled there, making harvest nearly impossible.

Zhang Fan had seen it recorded in the 【Dao Mi Lu】: 【Xuyangcao】 resembled wild ginseng on the outside, but supposedly grew underground and could move on its own, making harvest difficult; it only appeared in March and April each month.

If ground into powder and taken with well water, it cured infertility; if taken with morning dew, it caused sterility.

Zhang Fan heard that in Daoist circles, one 【Xuyangcao】 could sell for thirty thousand to fifty thousand yuan.

Originally, Liu Liu Xingyu had used 【Xuyangcao】 to fuel his heart fire and achieved 【Jianggong Li Huo】; its power naturally paled beside Zhang Fan's 【Fire Dragon Dan Jian】.

Zhang Fan's 【Fire Dragon Dan Jian】 was dan-fire, born and refined within the human furnace, returning to wondrous life, its divine power unfathomable—more potent even than Liu Liu Xingchui's 【One-Inch Flame】.

Originally, only those who had undergone Yuan Shen transformation at the 【Gao Gong】 rank could withstand such dan-fire's force; true yang had to liquefy to generate this kind of dan-fire.

But Zhang Fan's Yuan Shen, though incomplete, was as strong as a 【Gao Gong】 cultivator; combined with the golden radiance of the 【Weiling Zhen Mo Jin Yin】, which compensated for his insufficient true yang, he could still achieve true yang liquefaction and generate dan-fire.

Thus, he could now fully unleash the 【Fire Dragon Dan Jian】.

"Dan-fire is indeed powerful."

Zhang Fan gazed at the flame dancing between his palms, his heart stirred.

This true fire was a calamity for demons and spirits—even beings like Shi Shi Shougong and Su Su Shiyu, who had possessed bodies to become demons, would retreat three steps from 【dan-fire】, daring not touch even a single spark.

Yet in Zhang Fan's hands, this true fire caused him no harm whatsoever; instead, it felt warm and soothing, like sunlight shining upon his Yuan Shen, radiant and majestic.

"My strength is now comparable to a 【Gao Gong】 cultivator—but my realm hasn't caught up…" Zhang Fan sighed.

He knew he was uniquely blessed: having once cultivated the 【Divine Demon Holy Embryo】 and possessing the Zhang family's Long Hu seal, he had gained 【Gao Gong】-level combat power; otherwise, he could never have unleashed the true power of the 【Fire Dragon Dan Jian】.

After all, this was a Daoist technique rivaling the 【Five Wu Lei Zheng Fa】.

If Zhang Fan could successfully ascend to the 【Gao Gong】 rank, undergo Yuan Shen transformation, and liquefy his true yang, his strength would leap to a new level.

"If nurtured well, dan-fire can evolve." Zhang Fan pondered.

Whether 【Fire Dragon Dan Jian】 or 【Five Wu Lei Zheng Fa】, both were merely minor achievements among Daoist great techniques.

If Zhang Fan wished to advance further, he must nurture the fire—either break through his current realm, liquefy true yang, and elevate the dan-fire,

or, like Liu Liu Xingyu, use 【external elixir methods】 to nourish and transform the dan-fire with great medicines and rare treasures.

"Actually, my greatest strength is still that Daoist divine technique."

Zhang Fan raised his hand, dispersing the flame in his palms.

His greatest trump card was the Daoist divine technique 【San Mei Zhen Huo】, but the starting point of his awakened technique was too high—he dared not attempt it unless he reached 【Gao Gong】.

Unlike Meng Meng Qingtong's 【Return to Youth】, which required no realm threshold and grew stronger with age,

or Wu Wu Qilu's 【All Things as Talismans】, which, though profound among Daoist divine techniques, could be used once one mastered talisman arts, regardless of realm—least of all harming oneself.

But Zhang Fan's 【San Mei Zhen Huo】 was different: pure, large-scale destruction; lose control, and it would easily backfire.

When he first awakened it on Zhenwu Mountain, he had nearly drained his health bar—only recently, with his sudden surge in cultivation, had he recovered.

Daoist divine techniques also had their hierarchy.

Zhang Fan's awakened 【San Mei Zhen Huo】 ranked among the most formidable of all Daoist divine techniques.

"Right now, my priority is ascending to 【Gao Gong】." Zhang Fan exhaled deeply.

For him, the 【Gao Gong】 rank was a barrier; because he cultivated the 【Divine Demon Holy Embryo】, his Yuan Shen was extraordinary—ordinary 【Jiang Zhen He Huan Ming】 methods were useless to him.

Currently, he had only two paths: either find the half-burned 【Wan Wan Zhenxiang】 left by the 【Three Corpses Daoist】, which might enable Yuan Shen transformation and true yang liquefaction to achieve ascent;

or decipher the 【Turn Death into Life】 method left by Li Li Linglong—planting a lotus in fire, finding life at the brink of despair—offering hope for ascent.

"Can't rush it. I've always been too fortunate; now that I've hit a bottleneck, my mind is unbalanced—this is normal, but also a grave mistake."

Zhang Fan suppressed his restless spirit and quickly calmed his emotions.

Though his circumstances were unusual—his father and mother's past, Jiang Lai's identity—any could ignite a bomb, at least in Bai Yujing City, he was safe.

On one hand, Zhenwu Mountain backed him; on the other, the Jiangnan Provincial Dao Alliance shielded him; besides, he was on good terms with Xiong Ba of the Xiong family and Wang Wang Xuangang of the Wang family—both rising stars of the two great clans. Moreover, Ye Bu Liang was his backer; secretly, he had Shi Shi Shougong and Su Su Shiyu as two demons; plus the Liu brothers…

Now, Zhang Fan's network of allies far surpassed what he had when he first descended the mountain; Bai Yujing City was his base—temporarily safe, granting him ample time and environment to break through.

"Those two Liu brothers still need a firm hand." Zhang Fan mused.

The Liu brothers' situation resembled Shi Shi Shougong and Su Su Shiyu's—they had no other path, forced to cling to this mountain; still, Zhang Fan needed to tame them slightly.

…

The next day, evening.

Right after work, Zhang Fan summoned the Liu brothers.

Jiu's Hotpot.

The shabby restaurant had no other patrons; dim yellow lights, tables and chairs stained with grease—Liu Liu Xingyu and Liu Liu Xingchui doubted whether this was even a place to eat.

"Don't judge by the size—the grilled meat here is unmatched."

Since Xiong Xiong Sanqi brought Zhang Fan here, it had become his private eatery—he came every few days.

"Jiu Ye, the usual." Zhang Fan called out.

Jiu Ye squinted at the Liu brothers, then vanished into the kitchen.

There was no menu—only grilled meat, endlessly repeated—but the flavor was unique, paired with Jiu Ye's ancestral secret sauce, utterly unlike any other grill elsewhere.

Indeed, tender, glistening meat—three parts fat, seven parts lean—sizzled on an iron plate; as it heated, fat melted, aroma soaring straight to the crown of the head…

The Liu brothers' eyes lit up.

Liu Liu Xingyu picked up a piece of meat, dipped it in sauce, and shoved it straight into his mouth; Liu Liu Xingchui, more restrained, wrapped it in lettuce, dipped it in sauce, and ate with relish.

"What kind of meat is this? So fragrant." Liu Liu Xingchui couldn't help asking.

"Don't ask what kind—it's not human flesh, that's all that matters."

Liu Liu Xingyu's taste buds had awakened; his appetite had never been so fierce—he devoured the entire iron plate in moments.

"Brother Fan, sorry."

"No problem—order more if you're still hungry." Zhang Fan smiled, ordering another plate, which began sizzling again.

"Brother Fan, about the Meng Meng Qingtong case…"

At this moment, Liu Liu Xingchui put down his chopsticks, hesitating—he knew Zhang Fan wouldn't summon them just for a meal.

"The Meng Meng Qingtong case is serious—Zhenwu Mountain has already sent someone to Jingcheng; this won't be easily settled," Zhang Fan said gravely.

"They even suspect him of colluding with the Wu Wei Sect. You've been with him so long—didn't you notice anything?"

At these words, Liu Liu Xingchui's face paled. "Brother Fan, we truly didn't know—he rarely came to the restaurant."

Colluding with the Wu Wei Sect—this accusation was too heavy; if implicated, not only his future, but his entire cultivation might be stripped away.

Liu Liu Xingyu stopped eating, sensing the danger.

"Don't worry too much—the clear will remain clear, the turbid will remain turbid," Zhang Fan reassured.

At this, the Liu brothers exchanged glances.

Not worry? You say that—and who the hell wouldn't worry?

"Brother Fan, what's Zhenwu Mountain's stance?" Liu Liu Xingchui asked nervously.

"I've already made clear the meaning of True Wushan. For now, I'll take charge—you needn't fear. I'm acquainted with the Dao Alliance; as long as you're truly innocent, I guarantee no one will trouble you."

At these words, Liu Liu Xingchui picked up the Yanglan Mountain on the table and stood up.

"With Brother Zhang's word, my brother and I have no second thoughts—we'll follow you to our deaths."

As he spoke, Liu Liu Xingchui lifted the Yanglan Mountain in hand and drained it in one gulp.

Zhang Fan watched silently, saying nothing.

Elders often say: to tame a man, first make him respect you; second, make him feel only you can choose for him; third, make him feel his interests are satisfied; finally, make him feel saved.

For the Liu brothers, Zhang Fan is now their only lifeline—at least for now, they are utterly devoted.

"We're fellow disciples; no need for such formalities."

Zhang Fan gestured with his hand, inviting the Liu brothers to sit back down and continue eating meat.

At this moment, Liu Liu Xingchui and Liu Liu Xingyu's hearts were filled with profound complexity; since Meng Meng Qingtong's incident, they had been anxious and uneasy until now.

After all, this case involved the Three Corpses Golden Core, and it had already reached the upper echelons—without solid backing, one could easily be implicated.

Now, with Zhang Fan's promise, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Uncle Jiu, after all these years, are you still clinging to this shabby stall?"

At that moment, a clear, melodious voice came from outside the door, echoing through the chilly little tavern.

Zhang Fan looked up and saw a beautiful woman enter—she appeared to be in her thirties or forties, her figure still exquisite, dressed loosely yet unmistakably alluring, unadorned with makeup, yet her eyes and brows carried a mesmerizing charm.

The moment the beautiful woman stepped in, the old man Jiuye—who had been resting against the counter—suddenly sat upright, eyes wide, staring at her as if he'd seen a ghost.

"Rest easy—I'm not here for you today."

Speaking, the woman gave no glance at Jiuye, swept her gaze around, and finally fixed it on Zhang Fan's table.

She walked straight over and sat down right beside Zhang Fan.

"Huh!? Who are you…?"

"Tsk tsk, you're a grown man now, already drinking liquor," the woman chuckled, eyeing the Yanglan Mountain on the table.

"Do we know each other?" Zhang Fan frowned slightly.

He sensed no trace of a cultivator's aura from this woman, yet his heart tightened with unease—even a sense of danger.

"Come to think of it, I once held you as a child," the woman swirled the half-empty bottle, revealing a teasing smile.

"Who are you?" Zhang Fan's brow twitched, unable to hold back.

"Has your father ever looked for you?" the woman shifted tone, answering with a question.

"I haven't seen him in a long time," Zhang Fan shook his head.

"Really? I came just to see whether he still cares whether his son lives or dies."

The woman's lips curled slightly into a faint, enigmatic smile. She picked up a nearby cup and poured herself a drink.

"Who exactly are you?" Zhang Fan's expression changed; he abruptly stood up.

"I'm Li Li Linglang. Didn't your father ever mention me?"

As she spoke, the woman lightly raised her jade hand, and two Nascent Souls appeared in her palm—Liu's brothers collapsed straight down.

"Nascent Souls in wine—drink more, feel more. Care for some?" Li Li Linglang smiled gently at Zhang Fan.

(End of Chapter)