Chapter 539: Ancient Cave Yin-Cold Cultivation Method

White snow covered the mountains and rivers.

Clouds and mist swirled among the mountains, and the wind rolled the residual snow through the forest, like willow catkins dancing, dreamlike and illusory.

The cold wind was biting. A group of people, cloaked and holding staves, traveled through the wind and snow, their figures appearing and disappearing.

"Mount Zhaogong was originally called Mount Damei..."

Ling Yunzi said as he walked: "During the Daxiang era of the previous dynasty, it suddenly changed its name to Mount Zhaogong. Does Li Li Shaoxia know why?"

Li Yan shook the accumulated snow off his hat and also smiled: "A mountain is not famous for its height, but for the immortals who dwell there. It should be because it became more famous, right?"

"Hahaha... that is only natural."

Ling Yunzi shook his head: "According to Mystic Sect records, Zhao Gongming was originally from Mount Zhongnan. During the Qin era, he avoided chaos in the mountains and realized the Dao and cultivated truth. At that time, he was not yet known to people."

"Later, during the Eastern Jin era, he appeared in the image of a 'Ghost General,' leading ghost soldiers to take people's lives; he was considered a fierce god..."

"During the Southern Dynasties, in Tao Hongjing's 'Zhen Gao,' he served as a Nether God, responsible for suppressing tombs. At that time, his Dharma name could still be seen in the tombs..."

"Not long after, he became one of the 'Five Directional Plague Gods.' Even now, many folk plague-driving techniques still require tying a straw man and writing 'Autumn Plague Zhao Gongming' on it..."

"Later, he was conferred the title 'Black Tiger Mysterious Altar Marshal Zhao,' serving as the Deputy Marshal in charge of thunder, controlling both thunder and plague, and he is also the God of Wealth."

"The red dust is bustling. How many can see through fame and wealth? This Mount Damei naturally became Mount Zhaogong, and the incense is even more prosperous than the main peak of Mount Qingcheng."

While speaking, they happened to arrive at a bend in the mountainside. Ling Yunzi pointed into the distance: "Li Li Shaoxia, look."

Li Yan looked up and saw that on the road leading to the summit opposite, there were still many pilgrims and pedestrians, appearing particularly distinct against the backdrop of white snow.

Looking from afar, they were like ants in a line.

And the Zhao God of Wealth Hall at the summit, with its flashing golden roof, was like a sweet and delicious cake, attracting all living beings.

"Even with the mountain sealed by heavy snow, they still can't be stopped..."

Ling Yunzi sighed, carrying a certain self-mockery.

"The people of the world are all like this; neither you nor I can escape it."

Li Yan's expression was calm as he offered a word of comfort.

He could see that this Ling Yunzi was a somewhat contradictory person. As a practitioner, he couldn't leave fame and wealth behind, unable to be detached and refined, yet he was often pained and conflicted.

Being unable to see through things and not being at peace with oneself is also a suffering of life.

Thinking of this, Li Yan directly changed the subject and asked with a smile: "Daoist Ling Yunzi, tell me the truth. The Cave Heaven on this Mount Zhaogong is probably not the best in Mount Qingcheng, right?"

"That couldn't be hidden from Li Li Shaoxia."

The two were already familiar, so Ling Yunzi didn't hide it, whispering:

"The one on Mount Qingcheng is a 'Cave Heaven,' and the one on Mount Zhaogong is a 'Blessed Land.' Only when combined are they called the 'Mount Qingcheng Cave Heaven and Blessed Land'."

"But Mount Qingcheng has a long history. Nearly half of the Cave Heavens are used for storing spiritual materials, and the rest are occupied by seniors. Even for us to cultivate, we are on Mount Zhaogong."

"The cellar opening assembly next year is, firstly, because they have been sealed since the Song era, and the time is not short. Secondly, it is also to free up some Cave Heavens..."

"So that's how it is."

Li Yan understood in his heart. Those hidden inside the Cave Heavens were mostly Earth Immortals. Mount Qingcheng truly had a profound foundation.

But then again, it was also a kind of constraint.

These Earth Immortals were the ancestors of various sects; they were both the trump cards of Mount Qingcheng and would interfere with the authority of the Sect Leader.

Otherwise, there wouldn't be such a big commotion just to choose a Sect Leader.

Also, who knew if among these people there were any who had developed crooked thoughts, wanting to take advantage of the changes in human affairs to stir up trouble.

The secret letter Li Yan brought for Chen Kongzi contained a warning from the Wudang Sect Leader, Yuchanzi, telling him to pay attention to the abnormalities of these people.

This was also the reason for Li Yan's anxiety.

Along the way, he had already felt the undercurrents surging, and there would be no lack of fierce battles in the future.

And he, holding the two positions of "Living Yin Official" and "Heavenly Official," would certainly stand at the forefront of the storm, unable to hide even if he wanted to.

While speaking, they had already arrived deep within Mount Zhaogong.

Arriving here, the road became increasingly difficult. Deep mountain ravines, suspension bridges dismantled, mountain paths hidden, and pine and cypress trees grew dense and lush.

"The road was destroyed on purpose, and the bridge was dismantled intentionally."

Ling Yunzi shook his head with a bitter smile: "The incense on Mount Zhaogong is prosperous. I don't know where the rumor came from, saying that one could find the God of Wealth's Treasure Basin on the mountain, and shaking it would turn stone into gold."

"People coming to hunt for treasure were endless. A maze array was set up in the back mountain, and people were often trapped inside, so we had to dismantle the bridge and destroy the road to find peace..."

These dangerous roads naturally couldn't stump the three of them.

They passed through the pine and cypress forest, jumped over ravines, and walked through a dazzling bamboo forest. Before their eyes, a stone wall suddenly appeared.

There was a cave in the stone wall, and outside was a bluestone-carved gate tower and archway, ancient in age, with the four characters "Songyun Ancient Cave" written on it.

The stone door of the cave was tightly shut, and beside it was a thatched hut where two Daoists were making a fire to cook.

Although they were covered in dust, their eyes were burning, and they carried precious swords on their backs. At a glance, one could see they were no mediocre hands.

Seeing the three, they quickly stepped forward to salute.

"Greetings, Feng Feng Shixiong."

"You two have worked hard. Has anything happened these past few days?"

"A few wild beasts ran off yesterday, but we have already driven them away. With the mountain sealed by heavy snow, no outsiders have broken in."

"That's good. Is everything fine at the Guanlan Ancient Cave?"

"The wind has been a bit strong these past few days."

After chatting casually, Ling Yunzi led the two to continue forward.

Watching their disappearing backs, the two Daoists looked at each other.

"Someone is building a tower to cultivate at this time?"

"It's possible. From the Winter Solstice to the Beginning of Spring, the world is filled with Yin energy. We can't stand it, but some special methods are more suitable."

"Forget it, it's none of our business."

"Feng Feng Shixiong, are you returning to the mountain next year?"

"No, the noise and clamor are not as good as the peace here..."

"We're here. It's right here."

After passing through the canyon, the view suddenly opened up.

They saw a stone platform appear on the mountainside, and there was a cave in the cliff wall. The stone door was tightly shut, and even the stone carvings outside were very ancient, with quite a bit of Han-style flair.

In front of the stone platform was a precipice. The cold mountain wind howled, clouds and mist surged, and in the distance, one could see a great river rushing past, with a stone weir built in the center, dividing the river water into two halves.

"Dujiangyan?"

Li Yan was somewhat surprised upon seeing this.

"That's right."

Ling Yunzi smiled: "This place is the ancient cave where Zhao Lingguan cultivated back then. Stepping out, one can watch the waves, with a thousand manifestations of weather."

"Innate Gang and Sha Qi gather here. Although it is a Blessed Land, it is not a bit inferior to those Cave Heavens on Mount Qingcheng."

"Below is Guanxian. It's a pity you two didn't come at the right time. If it were the Qingming Festival, you could see the people of Shu sacrificing to the River Lord, with fishing lights filling the river, sleepless throughout the night."

Li Yan's heart stirred upon hearing this, and he looked at Wang Daoxuan.

He hadn't expected it to be so close to Guanxian.

Wang Daoxuan also understood immediately, stroked his beard, and smiled: "Since we're here, we naturally can't miss it. After the cultivation ends, we'll just go and sacrifice to the River Lord. Is there a road from here to the foot of the mountain?"

"There is a small path, relatively secret."

Ling Yunzi didn't suspect anything and nodded: "You two can ask the mountain-guarding Junior Brothers later; they will point out the location to you."

After speaking, he turned his head to look at Li Yan, his expression somewhat solemn: "Li Li Shaoxia, the Yin energy is prosperous at this time of year. It is appropriate for you to practice the Fengdu Method, but there is one thing you need to be careful about here."

"Please speak, Daoist." Li Yan quickly asked.

Ling Yunzi pointed ahead: "The water dragon terrain over there is rising. Although the weather is magnificent, the Gang wind is also heavy. Especially at this time of year, it's simply unbearable at night; it can freeze a person stiff in one night, so no protection can be arranged."

"Also, during cultivation, you must be able to withstand the Gang wind. But as long as you can hold on, it's like cleansing the marrow, and storing the spirit to build the tower will be more stable."

"No matter."

Li Yan pondered for a moment and said: "In that case, Daoist Wang should go down the mountain ahead of time. I'll be fine by myself."

Wang Daoxuan nodded: "That's fine too."

He knew that Li Yan was worried about Sha Lifei's side and wanted him to rendezvous a step ahead.

Hearing the conversation between the two, Ling Yunzi was somewhat surprised.

He had originally wanted to say that Wang Daoxuan could stay the night in the thatched hut with the two mountain-guarding Daoists, but he hadn't expected Wang Daoxuan to go directly down the mountain.

There must be something else going on.

Although he had his suspicions, Ling Yunzi was also a shrewd person; how could he pry casually? After giving some instructions, he took Wang Daoxuan and left first.

After the two left, the mountain terrace immediately became cold and quiet, with only the wild wind howling, blowing the snowflakes into a swirl.

!. Read

Li Yan turned his head to look at the distant Dujiangyan, then turned and came to the cave, pushing open the stone door with a rumble, and moved everything inside.

It was indeed the cave of an ancient practitioner. The area wasn't large, but it seemed to be naturally formed, creating a furnace-shaped spherical space.

The furnishings inside were also very simple, with only an Eight Trigrams Yin-Yang Platform built in the very center.

Li Yan set everything up.

Sixty-four lotus lamps were placed in the Eight Trigrams positions, arranged in the shape of hexagrams, with yellow paper, talisman paper, and an incense burner—not a single one could be missing.

More critical was the "Baiyujing" ornament.

Li Yan placed it right in the center.

Thump!

As the stone door closed, the sound of the wind also diminished.

The surroundings immediately fell into darkness.

Li Yan didn't care, sat down cross-legged, and entered meditation to nourish his spirit.

Unknowingly, night fell.

Just as Ling Yunzi had said, the Gang wind was even stronger here at night, and even with the stone door tightly sealed, one could hear the wind howling outside the cave.

Not only that, but the wind also began to blow inside the cave.

This was a cold, Yin wind. Although slow, it was bone-chillingly unbearable. Visible to the naked eye, white frost actually began to condense on the ground and stone walls.

Li Yan ignored it and remained sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed.

With every breath, his muscles and fascia bulged, and a faint thunderous sound came from within his body. With every breath, he spat out an arrow-shaped white mist.

This was the manifestation of internal martial arts reaching a profound realm.

His body was like a furnace, unafraid of the severe cold.

If his martial arts were even more brilliant, he wouldn't even need to exert strength to be unafraid of cold or heat, and he would be fine wearing a single layer of clothing on a snowy day.

By the time the Hour of the Rat arrived, the cave was even colder.

The ground was even covered with a layer of frost.

A Cave Heaven and Blessed Land is naturally a place where Gang and Sha Qi gather, naturally forming a small situation that circulates on its own.

At this time of year, the Yin energy between heaven and earth is prosperous, and the Sha Qi is even denser. Coupled with the influence of the Gang wind, this strange phenomenon appeared.

The frost and ice appeared every night and dissipated on their own during the day.

Li Yan suddenly opened his eyes, blew on the fire-starter to light it, and lit the lotus soul-guiding lamps one by one. The cave immediately brightened.

But as the Sha Qi circulated, cold wind was born out of thin air, and the sixty-four soul-guiding lamps also began to flicker unsteadily.

Li Yan wasn't anxious. He stood up, paced the steps of the Big Dipper, formed Dharma seals, spat out water, and opened the Dharma altar.

Whoosh~

In an instant, a wild wind raged in the cave.

Whether on the stone walls or the ground, the frost thickened rapidly.

The lotus lamps flickered unsteadily, as if they could be extinguished at any moment.

Famous mountains and great rivers, where innate Gang and Sha Qi gather.

Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands naturally circulate to form a situation.

But to activate it, one must open the Dharma altar to allow this Cave Heaven to form a small world and turn into a melting pot.

Li Yan finally understood why very few people built towers in the winter.

But instead of being alarmed, he was delighted. He originally practiced the Fengdu Method, and such rich innate Yin Sha Qi was even more suitable for him.

However, once the array was set up, the lotus lamps also became stable.

These lamps were connected to his spirit; they were both protection and an external manifestation. He had to succeed in building the tower before all the lamps were extinguished.

Thinking of this, Li Yan immediately sat down cross-legged, his Dharma seals changing constantly, symbolizing the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Sha, while closing his eyes to store his spirit.

Soon, he entered meditation and entered the stored-spirit space.

Through this period of cultivation, the Fengdu Mountain he had built had become even taller, the sea of souls around it churned, and the three halls above had merged into one.

Li Yan flashed into the Divine Hall, merged with the statue, like the Lord of Fengdu Mountain, chanting spells and observing the rotation of heaven and earth.

This time he was building the tower, not only to set up the Fourth Layer but also to practice the Fengdu Method simultaneously and complete his own Dharma path.

Rumble!

With the stored-spirit visualization, the Gang and Sha Qi of the Cave Heaven were introduced, and changes immediately appeared in the space: black clouds churned in the sky, and thunder light flickered.

The pitch-black sea of souls below also had wild winds howling.

However, the influence of the overly potent Yin Sha Qi also began to appear.

Above the sea of souls, a cold wind blew, and ice actually began to condense. Not long after, the entire sea of souls was frozen, and it began to spread toward Fengdu Mountain.

If the stored-spirit space were frozen, that would be an imbalance of Yin and Yang, which would also mean Li Yan had failed completely this time.

The richness of the Yin Sha Qi somewhat exceeded Li Yan's expectations.

However, he wasn't worried, just watching coldly.

Not long after, the ice covered Fengdu Mountain and began to spread along the Divine Hall, the First Layer, the Second Layer, one after another upward.

Rumble!

The thunder in the sky became increasingly violent.

Just at this moment, Li Yan suddenly opened his eyes.

Crack!

A thunderbolt connected heaven and earth, falling from the sky, directly shattering the solid ice on the sea of souls.

Following that were even more thunderbolts.

This was the opportunity Li Yan had been waiting for.

The two energies of Yin and Yang Gang and Sha restrain each other and transform into each other, so Yin reaching its extreme gives birth to Yang. As long as one guards the spirit, Yin and Yang will always balance.

This was also the essence of the "Fengdu Classic" cultivation.

And outside, there were also constant strange phenomena.

Unknowingly, Li Yan's whole body had been covered in solid ice, but at this moment, the solid ice shattered completely and clattered to the ground.

The time had come, and Li Yan began to chant the Dharma spell.

"With a sincere heart, I take refuge in the decree, residing in the Northern Mansion, belonging to the Nether Capital. Judging life and death, rewarding good and punishing evil without omission, in charge of merit and demerit, punishing the treacherous and praising the good without bias, suppressing the mountains and rivers of the Northern Yin darkness, observing the world of light in the Middle Cave..."

This was the "Fengdu Precious Decree." He chanted this scripture to borrow the power of the Great Northern Yin Fengdu Emperor to reshape the Divine Tower.

Rumble!

With the chanting of the scripture, thunder roared in the stored-spirit space, and all the solid ice on the sea of souls was shattered.

And in the cave outside, a wild wind raged again.

But just at this moment, a strange phenomenon suddenly occurred.

The "Baiyujing" ornament in front of Li Yan suddenly vibrated with a hum, and the surrounding Gang wind seemed to be attracted, all drilling into the holes above.

In an instant, clouds and mist churned around the "Baiyujing" ornament.

At the same time, in the visualization space, a white jade mountain also appeared and disappeared above the sea of clouds...

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 540 =====