[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-path-of-immortality":3,"chapter-the-path-of-immortality-the-path-of-immortality-chapter-114":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Path of Immortality",{"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},2271264,4436,"Chapter 114: Gathering Herbs into the Vial","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-114",114,"\u003Cp>Several months later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Southern Yáng Mountain, Dongmi Province.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Early summer was already halfway through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the scorching sunlight, the mountainside’s flora stood lush and thriving.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun-baked rock crevices emitted faint, almost imperceptible wisps of white smoke, swiftly swept away by the wind until they vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside a quiet chamber within the mountain’s belly, Chen Hang sat cross-legged on a mat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In rank, it surpassed even the Gu Diao he had slain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ground it bit by bit into purest primordial essence, drawing it into his meridians.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with the aid of the Thunder-and-Stillness Guiding Technique, the entire process was no overnight task—repetitive, tedious, and exhausting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This alternation of motion and stillness, intensity and quiet, mirrored the interplay of yin and yang qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heaven and human jointly manifest—harvesting the medicine and returning it to the dantian—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two days later, the rolling thunder in the mountain chamber finally ceased, like a tide receding, fading into utter silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Chen Hang loosened his finger seals, letting them rest gently on his knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt, in the instant the essence was fully dissolved, his body grow suddenly light, as if ready to float upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His spirit felt profoundly at ease, like being wrapped in a warm bonfire during the coldest winter month—unconsciously, his mind sank into it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he came to his senses, half an hour had passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Birdsong trilled clearly through the mountains—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qi Condensation seventh layer. Only a hair’s breadth away from the next realm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang shook his head, gazing at the small three-inch porcelain vial on the nearby table—now utterly empty—and sighed inwardly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Too bad. Both the essence and talisman coins are now exhausted…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he not purchased special materia and White Yang Pills for the Abyss journey, he would already be at Qi Condensation eighth layer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was now only one layer away from the pinnacle of Qi Condensation ninth return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang rose, pacing back and forth in the chamber, hands behind his back, brows slightly furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Foundation Establishment first layer—Qi Sea Genesis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is why ancient immortals and sages named this realm “Foundation Establishment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first layer—Qi Sea Genesis—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After attaining this profound mastery, every gesture and movement, empowered by the Qi Sea, grants immense power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless one is like Chen Hang—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who cultivates an elite Qi Condensation method and possesses an exceptionally high embryonic breath rank—no one else could match him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as one’s Qi Condensation is sufficient and reaches ninth return, one can plant the spiritual root and forge the Qi Sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang halted his pacing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He thought to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though this was true, his talisman coins were now entirely spent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To forge his Dao foundation with “Tai Shi Yuan Zhen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would that provoke unforeseen disturbances?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There seemed to be hidden complexities beneath it all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Chen Hang harbored a faint, uneasy premonition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His anticipated entry into the Flower Goddess Mansion to cultivate—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Likely—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would not proceed as smoothly as he had imagined…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At this point, every step feels like rowing upstream.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fell silent for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze flickered slightly; he adjusted the mechanism, moved aside the massive stone blocking the cave entrance, and stepped outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up—the sky was at its zenith. Sunlight pierced through the canopy, blindingly brilliant, cascading like rivers of molten gold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang took a few steps forward, then stopped, planting his feet firmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Near the cave wall lay a thick, dense carpet of dead mosquitoes and flies, starkly grotesque.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the corpses of these fleas, flies, and mountain gnats lay several palm-sized emerald lizards, limp and lifeless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang gazed at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their nasal and oral blood had turned black and congealed—clearly dead for a long time, beyond revival.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Thunder-and-Stillness Guiding Technique is indeed ferocious in power—but it has indiscriminately shattered these creatures.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the fleas, flies, and emerald lizards had been shattered by the violent resonance of the technique’s intensity and stillness, dying instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang lowered his eyelids, dimming his gaze, no longer looking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gazed instead at the vast, verdant mountains, lost in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for his cultivation base—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A skilled housewife cannot cook without rice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Dao arts and mystical techniques—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had advanced the Primordial Solar Radiance technique to minor accomplishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet its intermediate and ultimate realms remained beyond his reach—not even months of arduous practice could forge them easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for other techniques—such as the Little Crimson Dragon Sword Scripture, the Scatter-and-Conceal Form Technique, or the Ultimate Light Great Escape—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either his skill was insufficient, his timing unripe,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or he had mastered their mechanisms but lacked the necessary materia to serve as catalysts, still unable to enter them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seclusion and deep cultivation could no longer advance his Dao practice; the Abyss journey was imminent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang had already decided to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems your divine body is nearly restored, Tu Shan friend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang smiled faintly, accepting the guiding pull of the divine light without resistance, straightened his robes, and vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Shan Ge hastily gathered it, along with the divine true fire, drawing it all into himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Shan Ge had barely crossed the threshold\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he saw a young Daoist standing beneath the pear blossoms, clad in snow-white robes, hands behind his back, admiring the flowers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His divine aura had not yet dissipated—he had clearly just been transported here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A breeze stirred, lifting swirling mist, mingling with the snowfall of pear petals—truly the bearing of a celestial immortal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tu Shan friend, impressive skill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the call, Chen Hang turned, bowed respectfully, and smiled gently:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Shan Ge bowed deeply, his face radiant with uncontainable joy:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Divine and Daoist paths differ in their wonders; as for this teleportation ability—it’s nothing worth mentioning! Nothing at all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I originally chose Yáng Mountain as my foundation; every rock and patch of land here bears my magical seals, allowing such ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I tried this elsewhere, I’d be left staring helplessly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang exchanged a few pleasantries with him before being invited into the main hall to be seated and served tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Tu Shan Ge’s unceasing delight from start to finish, Chen Hang couldn’t help but shake his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he personally invited Chen Hang to the banquet, he made several trips back and forth, bringing along many gifts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fragment of the White Record Wandering Spirit’s Golden Body was one of them, along with numerous elixirs, talismans, and other items.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those elixirs and talismans were barely better than nothing, but still somewhat usable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Chen Hang had gifted it to Tu Shan Ge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, observing its results…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was too good…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since receiving the gift, this fox had worn an expression of tearful gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Chen Hang’s visit this time was not to hear Tu Shan Ge’s flattery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few more pleasantries, informing him of his destination, he casually inquired about the origin of the Abyss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Tu Shan Ge’s words offered nothing new, identical to the widespread rumors circulating beyond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang sat a while longer, drank a few more cups of clear tea, then rose to take his leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This journey to the Abyss will take at least several months, possibly half a year. Fellow cultivator, we part here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bowed with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, you are blessed by heaven—how could demons or evil spirits ever approach you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Shan Ge immediately stood to return the bow:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I shall guard all four gates for you, and ensure no chaos arises.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he had restored his Spirit Path Golden Body, his combat strength remained exceedingly weak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Chen Hang took him into the Abyss, he would merely be a burden, forcing Chen Hang to divert attention to protect him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, when Tu Shan Ge mentioned it, Chen Hang simply shook his head and refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then I rely on you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But, Master…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just before departing, Tu Shan Ge hesitated for a moment, clenched his teeth, and spoke up:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“During your seclusion, a woman from the Zhu family below the mountain came seeking you several times, leaving behind many letters—she—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Zhu family below the mountain? Is this woman a Qi Condensation cultivator?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Shan Ge nodded eagerly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Baihe Cave, Zhu WanZhi? After thinking it over, it must be her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang paused, then smiled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She returned from Fuyu Lake to Lanliang City? Of course… after that demonic disaster, few cultivators remain stationed at Fuyu Lake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then what does Master intend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Shan Ge asked cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have urgent matters to attend to; I cannot elaborate. Please convey one message to Sister Zhu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang paused, then said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wish her success in the Nine Transformations, boundless blessings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he boarded the Canhe Cart, bowed, and silently recited a spell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Canhe Cart instantly soared upward, leaving Yangshan’s divine domain behind, vanishing into thick clouds, heading straight for Xiao Ganshan’s Xuanzhen Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the divine domain…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Shan Ge rubbed his chin, watching Chen Hang depart, and suddenly felt a headache coming on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I only managed to pacify her by swearing solemnly that I’d deliver all her letters to Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He grimaced, his heart pounding:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he wrestled with this anxiety…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint whimper came from nearby.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yingying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Tu Shan Ge’s gaze, she opened her mouth and cried out two loud “yingying” sounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master’s gone. Just now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Shan Ge found it amusing, shrugged: “Ningning, where have you been wandering? Did you chase rabbits today, or hound sparrows?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yingying! Yingying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Shan Ningning, furious and embarrassed, cried out two more loud sounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could he read the letters? You know what kind of person Master is—do I need to explain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Shan Ge rolled his eyes and sighed again:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Shan Ningning ignored Tu Shan Ge’s distress, squatting quietly on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes sparkled with amusement, her fluffy tail behind her swaying so fast it blurred into a shadowy mass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yingying!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She cried out two more cheerful sounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Happy? Ningning, what’s so funny? What are you laughing about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tu Shan Ge’s mouth twitched violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his head away, unwilling to look at this foolish fox any longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Less than half a day passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Canhe Cart neared a broad mountain range, and as Chen Hang glanced out, his eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could it be because of the Dao Pulse examination?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He watched the scene before him, his thoughts stirring silently.\u003C\u002Fp>",2554,"2026-06-19T22:29:59.276Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","9be3930fb9cf31f521ec4cc2cff7a965b2dd2d0b439a81f4831d06309f8070a7","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-115","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-113",545,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-path-of-immortality-cover.jpg"]