[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-book-of-strange-tales":3,"chapter-the-book-of-strange-tales-the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-35":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Book of Strange Tales",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2317315,4532,"Chapter 35: The Way of External Alchemy","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-35",35,"\u003Cp>‘Thump…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bell rang within the Daoist temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue quickly rose from bed and pushed open his door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, the young female disciple who had entered the temple with him had forgotten where the dining hall was, but she was clever—she now stood silently at the door waiting for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment she saw him, she stole a glance:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Senior brother, it’s mealtime…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Huh? Yes, it’s time to eat. Let’s go.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Lin Jue looked about the same age as the girl, he was not truly so young—he would never let such a small girl feel nervous, and he had formed a good impression of her along the way, so he smiled at her and walked ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dining hall was a small room in the corner of the outer courtyard; because the Tianweng Hall stood between them, the kitchen lay in another corner. As they walked over, they already saw senior disciples carrying large basins of food toward the dining hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both were newcomers here; whether calm or not, they were certainly uneasy, and for a moment had no idea what to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Go sit down.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The senior brother’s expression was quite gentle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two went and sat in the dining hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dining hall was neither large nor small, with several long wooden tables—likely for pilgrims—while two tables had been pushed together to form one longer table, upon which all the food was placed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temple had nine disciples total, seated along both sides of the long table, with Yunhe Daoist sitting alone at the head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue could not help but examine the food on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young female disciple also stole glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The temple’s meals were simple, but not coarse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no fish or meat to speak of, but there was still a pot of rice—even if the rice was half-dry and not quite porridge, it surpassed the vast majority of households below the mountain. The side dishes were only two: one pot of boiled cabbage, faintly floating with oil; and one dish of wild greens stir-fried with eggs, each served in a large porcelain basin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I’ll serve the rice.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eldest brother, seated closest to the rice pot, rose to serve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon each person had a bowl of rice placed before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It didn’t look bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This mattered for their growth over the coming years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Eat, eat, eat…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the old Daoist’s command, everyone lifted their bowls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue waited for them to pick up their chopsticks first, quietly scanning around—he saw no one seemed hesitant, no other rituals observed, and the atmosphere was quite casual—so he finally relaxed and picked up his own chopsticks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He first took a bite of cabbage and put it in his mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well! People below the mountain couldn’t afford salt and saved every grain—yet this temple was extravagant!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue said nothing, lowered his head, and shoveled in a large mouthful of rice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then took a bite of the wild greens stir-fried with eggs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wild greens were not five-leaf aralia, nor any wild vegetable Lin Jue recognized—they were soft, not ideal for stir-frying with eggs, and like most improperly prepared wild greens, they tasted bitter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue said nothing either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was just how things were in this age—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Iron woks had only just appeared; before that, stir-frying didn’t exist. Aside from specialized inns, taverns, and wealthy households with cooks, few families could prepare tasty meals. And most families in this age struggled just to fill their bellies—on the mountain, people dug up whatever wild greens they could find, regardless of flavor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a temple to serve such food was already quite good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue glanced again at the opposite side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young female disciple, like he had done with others, was observing him—seeing him eat freely, she cautiously followed his example.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet she was perfectly satisfied with her meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Don’t just eat rice—take some dishes, eat the eggs! These eggs come from our own chickens, plenty of them, more than we can finish—don’t be shy.’ The sixth senior brother, seeing Lin Jue and the young disciple only eating rice, called out to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Understood, senior brother.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Understood, senior brother!’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue couldn’t help but glance again at the girl across from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Our temple’s rule is: except for Master, cooking duties rotate monthly. This month it’s my turn.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue glanced again at the sixth senior brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Can either of you cook?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Yes.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Yes… no…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Next month it’s the seventh brother’s turn, then it’ll be Lin Jue’s. By then you should be more familiar with the temple. Even if you can’t cook, it’s fine—your senior brothers can’t either. Just make sure it’s cooked.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Understood.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Under… understood…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night meal was finished cleanly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue had been pondering which of the seven techniques he should study first and focus on; since he lacked understanding, he first sought out the second senior brother, who specialized in alchemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Young brother, what is it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Second senior brother, I don’t know what to study. I’d like to ask you about the art of alchemy.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘No need to be formal.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second senior brother seemed not to speak much—this was clear from his demeanor; he merely nodded, his expression unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two walked together under the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crescent moon hung in the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Has Master ever told you that in ancient times, human cultivators focused primarily on alchemy?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Yes, he has.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Are you aware of the distinction between external and internal alchemy?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I have a general idea.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Then I won’t elaborate.’ Second senior brother Yan Xuanyi nodded. ‘In ancient times, cultivators used alchemy to attain divine powers, to seek immortality, to ascend to immortality. Today, most people believe alchemy serves only to heal and enhance Dao cultivation, and perhaps have heard legends of a Golden Core pill that grants immortality—but these views are incomplete.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Please, senior brother, guide me.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue, naturally eager to learn, listened intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘In ancient times, everyone practiced alchemy. External alchemy was certainly a great path, not a minor one. Later, the Spirit Method sect and the ancient External Alchemy school shared common ground—alchemy draws from Heaven and Earth, as do the arts. In essence, whatever cultivation and techniques could achieve in those days, alchemy could achieve as well.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of his own specialty, even the second senior brother grew more animated:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘For example, cultivation can lead to immortality and eternal life—alchemy can do the same. Surely you’ve heard legends of ancient figures who swallowed a Golden Core pill and flew away to immortality, or gained eternal life?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘I have indeed heard such tales.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Or suppose you learn a Five Elements technique that lets you burrow through the earth—there is also a pill that, when swallowed, lets you burrow through the earth. Or a technique that lets you spit fire or reverse aging—there is also a pill that, when swallowed, lets you spit fire or reverse aging.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is it truly so miraculous?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘External alchemy came first, then internal alchemy, then Spirit Method.’ The second senior brother said. ‘They share similarities, yet differ. Unfortunately, external alchemy gradually declined, internal alchemy retreated into remote mountains, and over time, Spirit Method became far more prevalent. Thus, more and more new techniques emerged that alchemy could not replicate—because techniques kept evolving, while external alchemy stagnated. Worse still, ancient alchemical formulas were increasingly lost.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘So that’s how it is.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘It’s a pity we belong to a Spirit Method temple. Though I study alchemy, my knowledge is incomplete. Our founding master left five formulas; over generations, we’ve gathered only a dozen or so.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second senior brother looked at Lin Jue:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Besides, I am proficient in fire-element techniques suited to alchemy, and understand the methods of “ingestion” and “gathering.”’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Fire-element techniques?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Alchemy requires fire. But you haven’t begun cultivating Spirit Method yet—you must first cultivate some Dao energy before you can learn the Five Elements techniques.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘When can I begin cultivating Spirit Method?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Don’t rush. The eldest brother will teach you. If anyone is eager, it’s Master, not you.’ The second senior brother spoke calmly. ‘But you cannot begin immediately, nor can you study only Spirit Method.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Why not?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Wouldn’t that mean you know only techniques, but not the Dao?’ The second senior brother gave him a faint glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Knowing only techniques, not the Dao…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue murmured the words, his expression hardening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Master told me you practiced Qi-nourishing methods for several years. If you’ve decided to study alchemy, I can first teach you other alchemical matters—ingestion, gathering—then when you’ve cultivated Dao energy and mastered fire-element techniques, I’ll teach you how to refine pills.’ The second senior brother added, ‘By the way, though you cannot begin Spirit Method now, you may continue practicing your original Qi-nourishing method. Your proficiency in it will carry over to your future Spirit Method cultivation.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Thank you, second senior brother.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Is there anything else?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘There is…’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘What?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘When I went with Master to the Mountain Lord’s banquet, I happened to obtain a piece of Earth-Wood Essence.’ Lin Jue pulled the essence from his robe, slightly embarrassed. ‘They say carrying it has some effect, but refining it into a pill would be far better. So I’d like to ask, how should I refine it?’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Just a Five Elements essence—merely extracting its spiritual resonance. If you want to refine it into a pill and swallow it, give it to me. I’ll tinker with it when I have time.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Then I’m indebted to you, second senior brother.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘You’re being too formal.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The second senior brother’s expression remained calm. He took Lin Jue’s Earth-Wood Essence and turned away, walking into the night toward his quarters, but a calm voice followed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘We’re a small temple, few people, just the brothers together every day—there’s no need for so many formalities.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>‘Understood.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue stood still in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several cats and dogs on the ground looked up at him with curious eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly felt glad he had chosen this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He returned to his room and pondered until he fell asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although it was high summer, the mountains remained cool; at night, silence reigned so deep he could hear the cries of wild beasts and birds from far away—serene and perfect for sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was woken at dawn by his senior brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The senior brother summoned Lin Jue and the junior sister to the Moving Mountain Hall, where only the three of them were present; he gave each of them a scripture and told them to recite it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue had seen this book before—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Yin-Yang Scripture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Read a scripture a hundred times, and its meaning will reveal itself. For the first month, you will recite the Yin-Yang Scripture once each morning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The senior brother’s words were much like the second brother’s: the sect cultivated the Yin-Yang Spirit Art, but the essence of the Dao lay in Yin-Yang itself, while the Yin-Yang Spirit Art was merely a technique; thus, before learning the spirit art, they were first made to recite the Yin-Yang Scripture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This, he supposed, must be the morning ritual of Fuxiu Monastery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue said nothing more and began to read.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heaven gives birth to five qi; earth bears yin and yang; day and night alternate, the four seasons cycle—all are the Way of Yin and Yang…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lin Jue read, he noticed no sound from beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior sister sat on her cushion, the Yin-Yang Scripture in her hands; her delicate, fair face was filled with confusion, her eyes uncertain where to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glanced at the book, then at Lin Jue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she turned back to look at the senior brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Oh! You can’t read?” The senior brother understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It doesn’t matter. Since you can’t read, go back and rest.” The senior brother said, “Someone will teach you to read in a few days. Don’t rush—learn to read first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior sister nodded reluctantly and put down the book.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the junior sister refused to leave, remaining seated and glancing at Lin Jue: “I’ll listen to Senior Brother read...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The senior brother did not object.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A desire to learn was always right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue didn’t mind and continued reciting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>??￠O\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heaven gives birth to five qi; earth bears yin and yang; day and night alternate, the four seasons cycle—all are the Way of Yin and Yang...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused mid-recitation and turned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl still looked utterly lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It means: Heaven gives rise to five kinds of qi; Earth carries yin and yang—ah, here it’s probably a parallel construction: both Heaven and Earth possess five qi and undergo yin-yang alternation; the changes of day and night, the turning of the seasons—all are the Way of Yin and Yang...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued reading the next line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl sat on her cushion, listening intently, her expression marked by clear awe and shame.\u003C\u002Fp>",2153,"2026-06-20T14:45:35.226Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b5d8a6b615daa0281c6a80437286707d28f3fe68c737c39c1ce3e71ce0c88a68","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-36","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-34",608,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-book-of-strange-tales-cover.jpg"]