Chapter 114: Gathering Herbs into the Vial

Several months later.

Southern Yáng Mountain, Dongmi Province.

Early summer was already halfway through.

Under the scorching sunlight, the mountainside’s flora stood lush and thriving.

Sun-baked rock crevices emitted faint, almost imperceptible wisps of white smoke, swiftly swept away by the wind until they vanished.

Inside a quiet chamber within the mountain’s belly, Chen Hang sat cross-legged on a mat.

His wide sleeves hung naturally from his knees; he held a hand seal, slowly refining the last trace of essence left in the porcelain vial from Huaiwu Cave using the Water-Mill Qi Refinement method.

This essence came from a beast-bird comparable to a Foundation Establishment second-layer creature, acquired by Qin Xian and other Blood Lotus Sect cultivators.

In rank, it surpassed even the Gu Diao he had slain.

Yet precisely because its rank was so high, Chen Hang had no alternative but to use the slow, grinding method to gradually dissolve its outer casing.

He ground it bit by bit into purest primordial essence, drawing it into his meridians.

Even with the aid of the Thunder-and-Stillness Guiding Technique, the entire process was no overnight task—repetitive, tedious, and exhausting.

The thunderous resonance arose from his brain-spirit, descended to harmonize with the six viscera and five palaces, purging his tendons, bones, and blood-qi, consolidating all strength into one unified force, continuously wearing down and vibrating the essence.

This alternation of motion and stillness, intensity and quiet, mirrored the interplay of yin and yang qi.

Heaven and human jointly manifest—harvesting the medicine and returning it to the dantian—

Two days later, the rolling thunder in the mountain chamber finally ceased, like a tide receding, fading into utter silence.

At that moment, Chen Hang loosened his finger seals, letting them rest gently on his knees.

He felt, in the instant the essence was fully dissolved, his body grow suddenly light, as if ready to float upward.

A steady stream of spiritual breath flowed into his body, drifting languidly through his limbs and bones, stirring his blood-qi into turbulent swirls, then merging seamlessly with his original embryonic breath—internally and externally unified, significantly strengthened, as if both had always sprung from the same source.

His spirit felt profoundly at ease, like being wrapped in a warm bonfire during the coldest winter month—unconsciously, his mind sank into it.

When he came to his senses, half an hour had passed.

Birdsong trilled clearly through the mountains—

“Qi Condensation seventh layer. Only a hair’s breadth away from the next realm.”

Chen Hang shook his head, gazing at the small three-inch porcelain vial on the nearby table—now utterly empty—and sighed inwardly:

“Too bad. Both the essence and talisman coins are now exhausted…”

Had he not purchased special materia and White Yang Pills for the Abyss journey, he would already be at Qi Condensation eighth layer.

He was now only one layer away from the pinnacle of Qi Condensation ninth return.

“After achieving Qi Condensation ninth return, only when the Three Manifestations of Yang Purity appear can one say one’s Qi Condensation is complete and ready to begin Foundation Establishment.”

Chen Hang rose, pacing back and forth in the chamber, hands behind his back, brows slightly furrowed.

Foundation Establishment first layer—Qi Sea Genesis.

This realm transforms one’s embryonic breath into true qi, elevating the cultivator’s spiritual potential, refining their innate nature, and forging a solid Dao foundation, allowing the body to draw nearer to the Dao.

This is why ancient immortals and sages named this realm “Foundation Establishment.”

The first layer—Qi Sea Genesis—

Requires not only transforming embryonic breath into true qi, but also consolidating all scattered, drifting meridians into the lower abdomen, converging through the orifices to form a “Qi Sea.”

After attaining this profound mastery, every gesture and movement, empowered by the Qi Sea, grants immense power.

Unless one is like Chen Hang—

Who cultivates an elite Qi Condensation method and possesses an exceptionally high embryonic breath rank—no one else could match him.

And the first layer of Foundation Establishment—Qi Sea Genesis—has no hidden secrets or critical thresholds; it is, in orthodox Daoist cultivation, the easiest major realm to achieve.

As long as one’s Qi Condensation is sufficient and reaches ninth return, one can plant the spiritual root and forge the Qi Sea.

…

“Foundation Establishment first layer is not difficult; the second layer, ‘Size and Form as One Wishes,’ is merely a matter of slow refinement, requiring meticulous polishing of true qi.

For others, this realm might consume immense effort and waste years—but I have Jin Chan in hand, and within the True Dharma Realm, one day in the mortal world equals ten days within—it’s no concern.”

Chen Hang halted his pacing.

He thought to himself.

Though this was true, his talisman coins were now entirely spent.

Moreover, Fu Can’s parting words clearly advised him not to rush Foundation Establishment, but to first expend his spiritual potential on the “Tai Su Jade Body.”

To forge his Dao foundation with “Tai Shi Yuan Zhen.”

Would that provoke unforeseen disturbances?

There seemed to be hidden complexities beneath it all.

And Chen Hang harbored a faint, uneasy premonition.

His anticipated entry into the Flower Goddess Mansion to cultivate—

Likely—

Would not proceed as smoothly as he had imagined…

“At this point, every step feels like rowing upstream.”

He fell silent for a moment.

His gaze flickered slightly; he adjusted the mechanism, moved aside the massive stone blocking the cave entrance, and stepped outside.

He looked up—the sky was at its zenith. Sunlight pierced through the canopy, blindingly brilliant, cascading like rivers of molten gold.

Chen Hang took a few steps forward, then stopped, planting his feet firmly.

Near the cave wall lay a thick, dense carpet of dead mosquitoes and flies, starkly grotesque.

Among the corpses of these fleas, flies, and mountain gnats lay several palm-sized emerald lizards, limp and lifeless.

Chen Hang gazed at them.

Their nasal and oral blood had turned black and congealed—clearly dead for a long time, beyond revival.

“The Thunder-and-Stillness Guiding Technique is indeed ferocious in power—but it has indiscriminately shattered these creatures.”

All the fleas, flies, and emerald lizards had been shattered by the violent resonance of the technique’s intensity and stillness, dying instantly.

Chen Hang lowered his eyelids, dimming his gaze, no longer looking.

He gazed instead at the vast, verdant mountains, lost in thought.

As for his cultivation base—

He was now at Qi Condensation seventh layer; his vial’s essence and talisman coins were spent. Even if he wished to further refine his practice, he lacked the means.

A skilled housewife cannot cook without rice.

As for Dao arts and mystical techniques—

Over these past months, he had carved out eighty-one “Jin Quan Divine Chambers,” and within them visualized the true forms of the “Primordial Solar Radiance Divine Lord.”

He had advanced the Primordial Solar Radiance technique to minor accomplishment.

Yet its intermediate and ultimate realms remained beyond his reach—not even months of arduous practice could forge them easily.

As for other techniques—such as the Little Crimson Dragon Sword Scripture, the Scatter-and-Conceal Form Technique, or the Ultimate Light Great Escape—

Either his skill was insufficient, his timing unripe,

Or he had mastered their mechanisms but lacked the necessary materia to serve as catalysts, still unable to enter them.

Seclusion and deep cultivation could no longer advance his Dao practice; the Abyss journey was imminent.

Thinking of this,

Chen Hang had already decided to leave.

He focused his mind, silently reciting a mental incantation to communicate with Tu Shan Ge; instantly, a beam of divine light shot down from above, enveloping his body.

“It seems your divine body is nearly restored, Tu Shan friend?”

Chen Hang smiled faintly, accepting the guiding pull of the divine light without resistance, straightened his robes, and vanished.

…

At that moment,

Within the Yáng Mountain’s divine domain, Tu Shan Ge swiftly clapped his hands, extinguishing the three-foot-tall divine flame rising from his crown, stepping out to meet it.

Within the flame, a fist-sized white talisman spirit-body rolled and spun, its essence melted into a stream of jade-like nectar, flowing into Tu Shan Ge’s body to merge with his shattered divine body, repaired by the Yáng Mountain Daoist.

Tu Shan Ge hastily gathered it, along with the divine true fire, drawing it all into himself.

“Master!”

Tu Shan Ge had barely crossed the threshold

When he saw a young Daoist standing beneath the pear blossoms, clad in snow-white robes, hands behind his back, admiring the flowers.

His divine aura had not yet dissipated—he had clearly just been transported here.

A breeze stirred, lifting swirling mist, mingling with the snowfall of pear petals—truly the bearing of a celestial immortal.

“Tu Shan friend, impressive skill.”

Hearing the call, Chen Hang turned, bowed respectfully, and smiled gently:

“It seems your shattered divine body is nearly restored? Such a technique of remote soul-capture and object-transference—I can only look on in awe. I haven’t yet congratulated you on your great progress.”

“Master, you flatter me! Had you not gone out of your way to bring me this white talisman spirit-body from Fuyu Lake, I would have had no hope of restoring my divine body for years—only enduring endless hardship.”

Tu Shan Ge bowed deeply, his face radiant with uncontainable joy:

“Divine and Daoist paths differ in their wonders; as for this teleportation ability—it’s nothing worth mentioning! Nothing at all!

I originally chose Yáng Mountain as my foundation; every rock and patch of land here bears my magical seals, allowing such ease.

If I tried this elsewhere, I’d be left staring helplessly.”

Chen Hang exchanged a few pleasantries with him before being invited into the main hall to be seated and served tea.

Seeing Tu Shan Ge’s unceasing delight from start to finish, Chen Hang couldn’t help but shake his head.

The fragment of the White Record Wandering Spirit’s Golden Body in Tu Shan Ge’s possession was a gift from Hao Qingyan of Baozhai Zhai.

When he personally invited Chen Hang to the banquet, he made several trips back and forth, bringing along many gifts.

This fragment of the White Record Wandering Spirit’s Golden Body was one of them, along with numerous elixirs, talismans, and other items.

Though Luo Zhang never said so outright, Chen Hang knew these items had been deliberately prepared by him, merely passed along via Hao Qingyan’s hands.

Those elixirs and talismans were barely better than nothing, but still somewhat usable.

Yet this fragment of the White Record Wandering Spirit’s Golden Body served no purpose on him whatsoever—not even as a useless bone, merely fit to be stored in his chamber as a decorative trinket.

Thus, Chen Hang had gifted it to Tu Shan Ge.

But now, observing its results…

It was too good…

Since receiving the gift, this fox had worn an expression of tearful gratitude.

And after the Spirit Path Golden Body was fully restored, he became even more devoted—willing to die for a true bosom friend, eager to serve Chen Hang at his every command…

Yet Chen Hang’s visit this time was not to hear Tu Shan Ge’s flattery.

After a few more pleasantries, informing him of his destination, he casually inquired about the origin of the Abyss.

But Tu Shan Ge’s words offered nothing new, identical to the widespread rumors circulating beyond.

Chen Hang sat a while longer, drank a few more cups of clear tea, then rose to take his leave.

“This journey to the Abyss will take at least several months, possibly half a year. Fellow cultivator, we part here.”

He bowed with a smile.

“Master, you are blessed by heaven—how could demons or evil spirits ever approach you?”

Tu Shan Ge immediately stood to return the bow:

“I shall guard all four gates for you, and ensure no chaos arises.”

Though he had restored his Spirit Path Golden Body, his combat strength remained exceedingly weak.

If Chen Hang took him into the Abyss, he would merely be a burden, forcing Chen Hang to divert attention to protect him.

Thus, when Tu Shan Ge mentioned it, Chen Hang simply shook his head and refused.

“Then I rely on you.”

Chen Hang smiled faintly.

“But, Master…”

Just before departing, Tu Shan Ge hesitated for a moment, clenched his teeth, and spoke up:

“During your seclusion, a woman from the Zhu family below the mountain came seeking you several times, leaving behind many letters—she—”

“The Zhu family below the mountain? Is this woman a Qi Condensation cultivator?”

“Yes.”

Tu Shan Ge nodded eagerly.

“Baihe Cave, Zhu WanZhi? After thinking it over, it must be her.”

Chen Hang paused, then smiled:

“She returned from Fuyu Lake to Lanliang City? Of course… after that demonic disaster, few cultivators remain stationed at Fuyu Lake.”

“Then what does Master intend?”

Tu Shan Ge asked cautiously.

“I have urgent matters to attend to; I cannot elaborate. Please convey one message to Sister Zhu.”

Chen Hang paused, then said:

“Wish her success in the Nine Transformations, boundless blessings.”

With that, he boarded the Canhe Cart, bowed, and silently recited a spell.

The Canhe Cart instantly soared upward, leaving Yangshan’s divine domain behind, vanishing into thick clouds, heading straight for Xiao Ganshan’s Xuanzhen Sect.

…

Within the divine domain…

Tu Shan Ge rubbed his chin, watching Chen Hang depart, and suddenly felt a headache coming on.

“During Master’s seclusion, that Zhu WanZhi came countless times—I kept turning her away each time. I suspect she’s already secretly resenting me.

I only managed to pacify her by swearing solemnly that I’d deliver all her letters to Master.”

He grimaced, his heart pounding:

“But now Master won’t even glance at a single letter! What do I do? If she comes back to Yangshan next time, won’t she fly into a rage and challenge me to a duel? My Spirit Path Golden Body was just repaired!”

As he wrestled with this anxiety…

A faint whimper came from nearby.

Tu Shan Ge turned to see Tu Shan Ningning tumble clumsily from a large tree, now shaking leaves off her body with a disgruntled expression.

“Yingying?”

Seeing Tu Shan Ge’s gaze, she opened her mouth and cried out two loud “yingying” sounds.

“Master’s gone. Just now.”

Tu Shan Ge found it amusing, shrugged: “Ningning, where have you been wandering? Did you chase rabbits today, or hound sparrows?”

“Yingying! Yingying?”

Tu Shan Ningning, furious and embarrassed, cried out two more loud sounds.

“How could he read the letters? You know what kind of person Master is—do I need to explain?”

Tu Shan Ge rolled his eyes and sighed again:

“I’m only worried that Zhu WanZhi will come storming here—that’s when I’ll truly have drawn eight lifetimes’ worth of bad luck!”

Tu Shan Ningning ignored Tu Shan Ge’s distress, squatting quietly on the ground.

Her eyes sparkled with amusement, her fluffy tail behind her swaying so fast it blurred into a shadowy mass.

“Yingying!”

She cried out two more cheerful sounds.

“Happy? Ningning, what’s so funny? What are you laughing about?”

Tu Shan Ge’s mouth twitched violently.

He turned his head away, unwilling to look at this foolish fox any longer.

…

…

Less than half a day passed.

The Canhe Cart neared a broad mountain range, and as Chen Hang glanced out, his eyes narrowed slightly.

“Could it be because of the Dao Pulse examination?”

He watched the scene before him, his thoughts stirring silently.