Chapter 368: Elixir Pills

Golden studs adorned the vermilion doors; lofty halls were capped with jade-green tiles.

Within the great hall, a thousand auspicious clouds swirled, and ten thousand strands of purple qi steamed and permeated the air.

Yu Yu Shitong sat high upon the main seat, flanked by six Wusheng Wusheng Tongzi standing in attendance; disciples of Yu Yu Yuchen, such as Wang Sen and Chen Heng, were seated within the hall, before them on jade tables arranged melons, fruits, wine, water, elixir pills, and spiritual medicines.

A bronze censer, shaped like a red beast with two horns crouching and poised to fly, emitted a fragrant mist that drifted through the hall; like a chi-dragon drawing smoke, the mist appeared illusory and bewildering, changing a hundred ways in an instant, serving not only to clear the mind and awaken the spirit but also possessing a unique ingenuity.

At this moment, Yu Yu Shitong held a scroll in one hand and a vermilion brush in the other.

Whenever he summoned someone into the hall, he would speak a few words of praise, then, based on that person's merits, bestow varying rewards of Daoist merit and precious treasures.

The atmosphere in the hall was exceedingly fervent; not a single Daoist called into the hall failed to rejoice, their faces brimming with smiles that overflowed in their expressions.

For in this affair, Yu Yu Yuchen had ultimately won the situation; although there were some twists along the way, they had still reclaimed the land of Yu Yang and forced back the demonic thieves, thus preserving their honor.

Furthermore, having expanded their territory with merit, they had acquired Danpu and Zhongqu, two great nations that had formerly been under the rule of Huzhao, each worth ten times more than Yu Yang or Weiyong!

During this period.

All the small border nations surrounding Yu Yang were trembling with fear.

Several monarchs of minor states, who had presumed themselves too distant for the Emperor's reach and believed Yu Yu Yuchen would bother little with them, were now filled with dread, hardly able to sleep or eat in peace.

Before the two sects had even determined victory or defeat, while they were still facing off across the Shuojiang River.

The surrounding nations had diligently sent numerous precious treasures to comfort the army, only to be scolded by Yu Yu Shitong, forcing them to return dejectedly with their treasures, their hearts filled with even greater fear.

Such a situation indeed allowed some small nations, long unfamiliar with the heavenly majesty of Yu Yu Yuchen, to truly witness the world.

This was also another layer of intention behind the actions of Zhang Zhang Taichu and Yu Yu Shitong.

Under these circumstances, even Li Yi and Su Tong of the Chenzhang Sect, who had nearly ruined matters, were rewarded generously for their contributions during the campaign, since they had indeed exerted effort.

Delighted, the two beamed with joy, repeatedly bowing low to the cultivators in the main hall.

Soon, following a call from one of the Wusheng Wusheng Tongzi.

Chi Ying of Lingnum Mountain, who had been waiting outside for a long time, felt a sudden chill in his heart; he hastily adjusted his robes, carefully stepped into the hall, bowed low until he prostrated on the ground, his demeanor extremely respectful.

"Rise, Chi Ying of Lingnum Mountain; your sect contributed significantly this time, truly you have worked hard."

Yu Yu Shitong glanced a few times at the scroll in his hand, made several marks with his vermilion brush, nodded slightly, and looking at Chi Ying prostrated in the hall, spoke kindly.

"True Person Yu overpraises me; contributing to the Upper Sect is my duty; how dare I speak of hardship? It is merely what I ought to do."

As soon as Yu Yu Shitong spoke, Chi Ying felt his shoulder shift slightly, as if an invisible, continuous force had lifted him to his feet.

Chi Ying's pupils contracted slightly; he hastily performed a fist-and-palm salute, speaking with utmost reverence.

Hearing this, Yu Yu Shitong smiled, said nothing further, and simply recited the rewards designated for Chi Ying.

Then, without waiting for Chi Ying to bow and express thanks, Yu Yu Shitong turned to look at Chen Heng beside him and spoke:

"During the standoff between the two sects, was this True Person Chi under the command of my junior brother? In my junior brother's view, are these rewards too light or too heavy?"

"True Person Chi acts with maturity and governs his troops with strictness; he truly saved me a great deal of trouble."

Chen Heng rose, first bowing with clasped hands toward Yu Yu Shitong, then looking down at Chi Ying on the steps below, whose heart was tense and whose face showed hints of unease.

He smiled slightly and did not state his meaning explicitly:

"To speak honestly, I must thank my senior brother for assigning True Person Chi to my command."

Yu Yu Shitong laughed loudly, set down the scroll in his hand, clapped his hands, and said:

"My junior brother is indeed a wonderful person; since you speak thus, it seems the rewards for True Person Chi are indeed too light!"

He turned his gaze to Chi Ying, pondered for a moment, and said:

"If this True Person remembers correctly, for the past hundred years, your Lingnum Mountain has consistently received a 'Middle Grade' evaluation in the Xuanjiaodian, never achieving 'Upper Grade'.

Although your sect has accumulated sufficient merit, you are hindered by the Xuanjiaodian's evaluation rating, preventing you from petitioning the Daoludian to exchange your sect's foundational scriptures using that merit; is this not so?"

"True Person Yu sees clearly!"

Upon hearing this, Chi Ying's whole body trembled; his eyes flashed with brilliant light as if struck by a delightful realization; he quickly lowered his eyelids and replied with a quivering voice:

"I dare not deceive you; this is indeed the case!"

In the eastern region of Dongmi Prefecture under Yu Yu Yuchen's rule, there were twenty-four great nations and an uncountable three hundred small states, truly endless in number.

If speaking of the vastness of the land, only by combining the bulk of several outer-sky great continents could one barely compare!

And to facilitate governance and conserve mental effort.

Over these endless years, Yu Yu Yuchen had constantly branched out, differentiating into tens of thousands of Dao lineages and separate prefectures, entrusting them to protect the borders, pacify the people, and guard their respective regions.

Although these Dao lineages and separate prefectures could bear the name of Yu Yu Yuchen, enjoy the benefits of Yu Yu Yuchen's bestowals, and learn the Xian Jia Miao Fa of Yu Yu Yuchen.

They were likewise bound by Yu Yu Yuchen's laws and regulations, unable to act recklessly.

For instance, approximately every thirty years, Yu Yu Yuchen would dispatch touring Daoist inspectors.

To evaluate the progress of development of the various major Dao lineages and separate prefectures based on aspects such as disciples' cultivation levels, the spiritual qi of their mountain gates, and the conditions within their states, thereby establishing evaluation ratings.

These evaluations were not merely a contest of face; they equally concerned the vital interests of each major Dao lineage, making them critically important!

Like the Lingnum Mountain where Chi Ying currently resided; although the sect had painstakingly accumulated sufficient merit, they were stalled precisely at the evaluation stage.

Consequently, they could not petition Yu Yu Yuchen's Daoludian to exchange their sect's foundational grand scriptures using their merit.

Chi Ying and the people of Lingnum Mountain naturally remembered this matter indelibly, unable to let it go.

And now, suddenly hearing Yu Yu Shitong mention this affair.

A bold idea surged violently in Chi Ying's heart; he felt his hands within his sleeves trembling slightly, unable to control himself.

"What were the foundational scriptures of your Lingnum Mountain previously? The 'Xue Xuan Dong Jing' or the 'Xue Xuan Shi Jing'? And what method do you wish to exchange it for?"

Yu Yu Shitong asked.

"Replying to True Person Yu, the Daoist scripture originally cultivated by our Lingnum Mountain was the 'Xue Xuan Dong Jing', and we wish to exchange it for the 'Yuan Du Jiu Yao Ji Cheng'."

Chi Ying dared not be negligent and hastily replied.

"'Yuan Du Jiu Yao Ji Cheng'... is that not the Daoist decision created five hundred ago by True Person Lu of the Dazhidian?"

Yu Yu Shitong fell silent for a moment, then understood; casting his gaze toward Chi Ying below the steps, he waved a hand and said lightly:

"Seeing that you all fought hard and earned merit, upon returning to the mountain gates, I shall report this matter to Xiao Xiao Shixiong Zhan.

It is likely that before long, someone from the Dao Registry Hall will bring the 'Compilation of the Nine Essentials of Yuandu' to Spirit Counting Mountain; remember to prepare your merit points in advance."

Hearing this, Chi Ying was overjoyed; blood surged instantly to his face, and he hastily bowed deeply before Yu Yu Shitong.

He then turned toward Chen Heng and performed the same courtesy.

After he departed in high spirits, Yu Yu Shitong summoned several True Persons of the Dao lineage, then set down the booklets and vermilion brushes.

Laughing loudly, he ordered the Wusheng Wusheng Tongzi to bring out fine wine, and raised cups with Wang Sen, Chen Heng, and the others to celebrate.

The few of them drank freely until the moon wheel sank and the sun reached the zenith; only when drunkenness had touched all their faces did they slowly cease raising their cups.

"That we succeeded this time is truly thanks to the hard work of all you junior brothers; as for your Daoist merit, naturally none shall be lacking."

At this, Yu Yu Shitong sighed with emotion, flicked his sleeve, and four beams of brilliant radiance flew forth from within it, landing before Chen Heng and the other three, as he said:

"However, that rogue Tao Zhen was forced by Chen Chen Shidi to act personally, throwing him into disarray; this is indeed a good thing.

It gave me a pretext to press the issue, and at last I managed to pry some good treasures from that scoundrel's hands!"

Chen Heng reached out and took one; within that radiance lay a round pill, crystal-clear and resembling jade snow.

Around its exterior circled a ring of misty, murky dark qi, like the utmost yin of the earth, profound and obscure.

Yet within the pill dwelt a single flame of true yang, encompassing primal truth and dazzling the eye; gazing at it for long, one's pupils felt as if pricked by needles—a truly wondrous sensation.

This pill seemed formed by the union of yin and yang, the blending of clear and turbid, heaven perfected within and earth stabilized without.

The heavenly body resides in yang, resembling the trunk of the Dao; taking form through existing things, it moves and thus gives birth.

The earthly body resides in yin, resembling the root of the Dao; taking substance through namelessness, it shapes all things into form.

When heaven and earth merge into one, all things flourish; the four images act in harmony, and brooding qi congeals into essence—this is called Hunyuan, truly the substance of the Dao!

"This is the Hunyuan Divine Simple Pill; I have long heard of its fame, yet this is my first time seeing it..."

Shen Cheng merely held the Hunyuan Divine Simple Pill in his palm out of curiosity, when instantly a strange force penetrated his skin and seeped into his marrow.

It felt as though his very body had become lighter, floating as if ascending to immortality, all fatigue swept away, compelling him to voice his praise.

Beside him, He He Lizi's expression shifted slightly; he solemnly stored his pill away.

"Xiao Xiao Shixiong Yu is indeed generous; this Hunyuan Divine Simple Pill is a secret supreme elixir of the Huzhao Sect, said to possess the effects of returning the three treasures to primal unity and supplementing yin and yang; so long as one is not dead, taking this pill in time can preserve one's life regardless of the severity of the injuries sustained."

Wang Sen clicked his tongue, clapped his hands, and teased:

"With such a pill at one's side, it is as if one has gained an extra life; in future battles of spells, one will be far more composed.

Yet this pill is exceedingly precious; even within the Huzhao Sect, its quantity is fixed, and the allotment is not large.

I had thought that when Xiao Xiao Shixiong demanded this pill from that Tao Zhen, he intended to give one to Chen Chen Shidi and keep the rest for himself.

I did not expect Xiao Xiao Shixiong to be so generous; truly, it compels me, your junior brother, to change my countenance and honor you!"

Yu Yu Shitong shook his head, smiling: "If I had acted thus, who knows how you might slander me before Xiao Xiao Shixiong Zhan; how would I dare entertain such a thought? However..."

He turned his gaze to Chen Heng and said:

"That we achieved victory in this campaign is largely due to Chen Chen Shidi; without him ruining Gu Yi's Entangling Giant City, it would indeed have been difficult for us to triumph over Huzhao."

At these words, naturally no one objected; even He He Lizi remained silent.

"Daoist merit is merely what Chen Chen Shidi deserves, and a single Hunyuan Divine Simple Pill can hardly recompense his achievements.

After much thought, I have conceived of another item."

Yu Yu Shitong gave an order, and a Wusheng Wusheng Tongzi accepted the command and exited the Zhudian.

Before long, he returned, holding a jade box; placing it gently upon Chen Heng's table, he performed a deep kowtow, then withdrew.

"Junior brother, why not open it and take a look?"

Yu Yu Shitong pointed at the jade box.

Hearing this, Chen Heng did not decline; after cupping his hands and offering thanks, he boldly lifted the lid, revealing the object within.

"A Daoist book? Just a Daoist book?"

Wang Sen, seated above, eyes flickering, asked in puzzlement.

The jade box was lined with yellow silk; inside lay nothing else but a thick booklet, five fingers wide, exceedingly archaic in appearance.

Its pages were fresh and neat, as though it had not been opened for many years.

Yet the moment the lid was removed, it was as if some seal had been broken; instantly, a sharp sword intent surged upward from the booklet.

Piercing qi overflowed in all directions, killing intent roaring forth to strike the face!

It felt as though hundreds of Bai Ren swords had unsheathed simultaneously, sending a chill through one's entire body!

Chen Heng remained unmoved; he simply took the booklet in hand and began flipping through it briefly.

Yet as the booklet left the jade box, that grim, piercing intent gradually faded into nothingness, transforming into an ordinary Daoist text, its awe-inspiring power retracted.

"This object is a collection of sword Dao insights and realizations left behind by my martial uncle; though it is not a sword scripture, it is nonetheless of great use.

I observe that you, junior brother, are but a hair's breadth away from the realm of Sword Light Differentiation; if this item can aid you, then I, Yu Yu Shitong, shall have earned a merit."

Yu Yu Shitong spoke with considerable emotion:

"My martial uncle was one of the foremost sword Dao experts within our sect; the ferocity of his killing power was such that few within the Central Yi Sword Sect could surpass him! It is said he even received guidance on several occasions from our sect's Ancestor Fu Shen; truly, his fortune was remarkable!

This sword Dao insight booklet was a precious item my martial uncle specifically left behind before accepting a friend's request to depart for the Ji Clan Dao Court in Zhengxu Heaven to serve as a Celestial Official.

My master bestowed it upon me, hoping I might learn one or two skills from it; yet I truly possess little affinity with the sword Dao, so it has remained sealed within this box; today, at last, it sees the light of day."

Wang Sen and Shen Cheng, hearing the provenance of this booklet, were both startled.

He He Lizi's expression likewise turned thoughtful; he seemed to have guessed the identity of the martial uncle Yu Yu Shitong spoke of, and his eyes flickered slightly.

"Such a generous gift is truly a rare treasure... Chen Heng thanks Xiao Xiao Shixiong Yu for your kindness!"

At this moment, after glancing through a few pages, Chen Heng too felt surprise well up in his heart.

Carefully storing it away, he performed a solemn kowtow to express his gratitude.

Although this Daoist scripture is not an attacking sword manual, it records insights into the various realms of the Sword Dao; it can stir inspiration and aid one in breaking through bottlenecks—truly formidable!

And though Chen Heng possesses the Formless Gorge Sword Cave as a protective treasure,

when it comes to aiding cultivation in the Sword Dao, this treasure naturally far surpasses the scripture in his hand.

However, regarding the layers of the Sword Cave, Chen Heng cannot decide them himself.

Nine times out of ten, he ends up entering the seventh or eighth layer deep within, suffering the agony of being sliced by a thousand knives and ten thousand cuts.

Over these years, although he has gradually grown accustomed to the pain of being sliced, his repeated failures to get lucky have left him feeling slightly helpless.

Thus, at this moment, the insights of a Chen Yuanshu Chen Yuanshu Zhenjun specializing in the Sword Dao are undeniably weighty for him!

As for Yu Yu Shitong's intentions, Chen Heng understood them well: he merely wished to establish goodwill with him in advance.

His earlier agreement to Chi Ying's wish was simply doing a favor without effort, nothing significant.

Only this manual of Sword Dao insights—

this is the true generous gift that Yu Yu Shitong had prepared!

And at this moment,

seeing that Chen Heng did not put on airs but readily accepted the item and expressed his thanks,

Yu Yu Shitong nodded slightly, a trace of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

For a moment, host and guests in the hall were all joyful, and they dispersed after enjoying themselves thoroughly.

"It seems Deng Deng Yunji is going to be in trouble!"

After bidding farewell to Yu Yu Shitong and leaving the Zhudian, Wang Sen suddenly turned back for a glance and chuckled coldly.

Chen Heng and Shen Cheng exchanged a glance; both understood Wang Sen's meaning.

Although Gu Yi's Dragon-Trapping Nail was powerful, since Deng Deng Yunji had not died on the spot,

with Yu Yu Shitong's status, saving his life was naturally not a difficult matter.

Now, since this was a victory banquet, Deng Deng Yunji's absence from start to finish could still be brushed off with excuses such as severe injuries preventing recovery or shame at facing others.

However, regarding that Chaos Yuan Spirit Simple Pill, Yu Yu Shitong had not fought hard to secure anything for Deng Deng Yunji.

Moreover, during the banquet, whenever Deng Deng Yunji was mentioned, Yu Yu Shitong's expression remained indifferent, lacking his usual kindness.

This expedition to Yu Yang was not merely to reclaim governed lands and proclaim the majesty of Seeing Chen Wei; it also aimed to temper everyone, serving as an assessment.

That Deng Deng Yunji acted improperly, losing troops and armies,

such performance, seen by Yu Yu Shitong, naturally caused a loss of face.

And Yu Yu Shitong was Zhang Zhang Taichu's true confidant, intimate and inseparable.

After this incident,

although Deng Deng Yunji still had his sect connections,

if he wished to regain Zhang Zhang Taichu's favor, it would likely be difficult...

"If any of you junior brothers have leisure in the future, feel free to visit my cave dwelling for a chat; this humble elder greatly enjoys good food and drink, and I assure you, you will not return disappointed!"

At this, Wang Sen did not mention Deng Deng Yunji further; he merely smiled at the few of them, cupped his hands in farewell, raised a trail of emerald mist beneath his feet, flew out of this Jade Scenery Flying Palace, and leisurely descended from the clouds.

Chen Heng returned the courtesy, then nodded slightly in acknowledgment to Shen Cheng and He He Lizi.

He did not linger there either; similarly, he launched a beam of sword light and flew toward the sky.

And ten days later,

in the Eastern Region of Dongmi Province,

within a vast, rugged mountain range, a beam of sword light suddenly pierced through the wind currents, circled several times above the clouds, and from it emerged Chen Heng's figure.

"This should be the place."

He gazed downward, thinking silently to himself.

United.

(End of Chapter)