Chapter 403: Chapter Sixty-Two: The Elixir Achieves First Grade, the Daoist Scripture Descends; Leaping Out of the Dust Cage to Ascen

In the blink of an eye.

Seven days of time had hurriedly passed.

On this day, Chen Heng in the cave dwelling suddenly let out a deep shout and activated the Xue Xuan Gong.

As a mighty thunderclap issued from within his body, a layer of clear qi instantly appeared on his face, lustrous and moist, as if fine jade were emitting light.

At the initial stage of forming the Golden Core, one must use the Shen Fu Huo and Ming He Sha to refine a Dan embryo, then irrigate and purify it with the Qiming Jiuguang Zhi, and fix its form with Saint Earth.

This is the first step, which the Daoist texts also call "Melting and Casting the Dan Embryo."

Once the Dan embryo is cast, one must summon the Three Wonders Flames to stabilize the body and spirit, connect the external bridge to heaven and earth, and then refine the Yunhua Dragon Paste, Tianyou Mud, and Old Immortal Beard—these three external medicines—together with the internal medicine Yu Ding Feng, injecting vital life force and essence into the Dan embryo.

In this way, the Dan embryo can gradually become thick and solid, developing a layer of "Golden Robe" on its surface, making the Dan embryo seem as heavy as lead and mercury, completely changing its previous appearance.

At this moment, swallowing the greatly transformed Dan embryo into the abdomen constitutes the second step of forming the Golden Core, called "Swallowing the Golden Robe into the Abdomen"!

And after swallowing the Golden Robe into the abdomen, if the Dan embryo finally absorbs perfectly, one can proceed to the third step, "Turning the Gaze Inward to Observe."

Use the Five Palaces Thunder to shatter the "Golden Robe," use the Xue Xuan Shi Water to balance water and fire, and wield the Zheng Nian Feng to cut away greed and delusion.

Finally, guard the six senses so nothing leaks out, seize the right moment, and summon the Zhan Ran Zhanran Xu Jing Qi to illuminate the true nature; thus, one can plant a golden lotus in the fire, cultivate a single Longevity Jin Dan, and completely achieve the Dadao Gong!

The so-called Melting and Casting the Dan Embryo, Swallowing the Golden Robe into the Abdomen, and Internal Refinement and Cultivation of Qi—

These three steps are the inevitable path for a cultivator to form a Golden Core.

There is no shortcut.

Nor is there any way around it.

And during these seven days of secluded cultivation, Chen Heng had already passed the two barriers of Melting and Casting the Dan Embryo and Swallowing the Golden Robe into the Abdomen, reaching the stage of Internal Refinement and Cultivation of Qi.

At this moment, as he activated the Xue Xuan Gong, the Five Palaces Thunder within his body continued to strike, gradually grinding the "Golden Robe" on the Dan embryo into crystal fragments, transforming them into pure spiritual qi and merging them into his bones, muscles, skin, and membranes.

This step sounds easy, but in fact, it hides considerable dangers.

Although the Five Palaces Thunder is a great medicine within the body personally refined by the cultivator, its power is nonetheless extremely immense.

If the release and control are not satisfactory, it could pierce the internal organs or even shatter the Dan embryo.

The former is not too bad; although one would inevitably suffer injury, it would not threaten one's life, and with peaceful recuperation for a few months, one could recover one's vitality.

However, in such a case, the matter of forming a Golden Core would naturally become empty talk; even if one forced it, no good result would be achieved.

As for the latter, if the Dan embryo is accidentally shattered by the Five Palaces Thunder, one would likely die and have one's Dao extinguished in an instant; the best possible outcome would be total loss of consciousness, remaining in a dazed state for the rest of one's life.

Therefore, most cultivators, when using the Five Palaces Thunder, are extremely cautious, handling it as delicately as grinding ink and wetting a brush, fearing to harm themselves.

However, the Five Palaces Thunder, being lodged in the Shaofu acupoint, possesses strange characteristics.

Once released from the acupoint, within an hour or so, it will dissolve and vanish, returning to heaven and earth.

And this is only when used within the body; there is still an extra layer of barrier.

If the Five Palaces Thunder is released outside the body, I fear that within merely a few dozen breaths, this great medicine painstakingly refined would be destroyed, rendering all that effort in vain...

Such a situation absolutely cuts off the cultivator's intention to use the Five Palaces Thunder slowly and proceed step by step, leaving many to sigh helplessly.

The path of cultivation is difficult and arduous; if one compares it to a boat navigating a flood in a river, this can be seen from this example...

However, because Chen Heng had laid an extremely solid foundation, his control over his own true qi was meticulous and subtle, far beyond others' imagination; moreover, with the Golden Cicada in hand, he could enter the True Dharma Realm repeatedly to familiarize himself and learn through trial and error.

For him, the step of using the Five Palaces Thunder to grind down the "Golden Robe" on the Dan embryo could be said to be as easy as turning over one's hand.

And within the cave dwelling, before long.

Chen Heng stopped the Five Palaces Thunder, then poured the Xue Xuan Shi Water onto the Dan embryo from which the "Golden Robe" had been removed.

This water is the essence born from the Earth's lungs; it can suppress the Jin Jin Guang Yang Flames and balance the water and fire within the body.

Originally, after the "Golden Robe" was ground away, the Dan embryo would have been fully refined, shed its old shell, smoothly transformed into its achievement, and become a true Jin Dan.

And for any cultivator in this world whose Dan achieves High-Grade, Jin Jin Guang Yang Flames would spontaneously arise, wrapping around the Jin Dan.

This is both a celebration of the Dan's formation and a disaster that could destroy the Dan; if not controlled in time, it is enough to collapse the entire situation.

However, as a full twenty drops of Xue Xuan Shi Water fell, Chen Heng's Jin Jin Guang Yang Fire had not yet raged before it was forcibly extinguished, causing no disturbance whatsoever.

By this time, to successfully condense the Dan, of the thirteen great medicines he had prepared, eleven had already been used.

Only the Zheng Nian Feng to cut away delusion and the final Zhan Ran Zhanran Xu Jing Qi remained.

And turning the gaze inward to observe, one saw that within his body there was only a single bright, radiant, and blazing Jin Dan dancing and spinning.

At first glance, it appeared to carry much Jin Zi color, chaotic and indistinct, yet with a majestic aura.

But upon gazing fixedly and repeatedly, that Jin Dan reflected five kinds of brilliance, gathering the Five Elements and harmonizing the Four Symbols, like a supreme treasure in the universe capable of seizing the creation of Shanhe and turning the celestial mechanisms of water and fire!

"Finally, it is done..."

Chen Heng's eyes brightened, a slight smile appeared at the corner of his lips, and he let out a soft sigh.

If this Dan were judged by quality, it would already rank as Second Grade, a truly worthy High-Grade Jin Dan!

As long as he passes the final hurdle of "Six Senses Trembling," ensuring the six senses do not leak, even without having cultivated the Zhan Ran Zhanran Xu Jing Qi, he could still maintain this rank and successfully Break Through Realm with a Second Grade Jin Dan.

However, since Chen Heng had vowed to attain immortality and had only just managed to cultivate the Zhan Ran Zhanran Xu Jing Qi, he would naturally fight for every inch and absolutely would not let such an opportunity slip away Bai Bai!

If he were to prove the Golden Core realm, he would accept nothing less than First Grade!

Only when the Elixir Achieves First Grade does one qualify to be personally taken as a disciple by that senior elder of Yu Yu Yuchen.

Only when the Elixir Achieves First Grade can one compete for the vacant position of Dao Son on the Xiyi Mountain.

And only when the Elixir Achieves First Grade can he barely extend one hand beyond the chessboard, no longer easily being manipulated and butchered by others, or scornfully regarded as fish and meat on a cutting board.

In time, he, Chen Heng, might not be unable to become that chess player, leaping out of this world and transcending beyond the mundane!

At this moment, the divine light in Chen Heng's eyes was sharp, revealing a determined momentum that pressed forward without retreat, cleaving through all thoughts!

Whether it is success or failure.

It all depends on this one attempt today!

And as this thought arose, a sharp sound rang behind Chen Heng's head, like a great vulture screaming wildly; the cry instantly pierced his eardrums, violently surging without cease.

The Daoist texts say:

After the elixir forms, there will be signs of "blazing fire in the dantian, boiling soup in the two kidneys, golden light spitting from the eyes, wind rising behind the brain, eagle cries beside the ears, and surging body with twitching nose."

The aforementioned shaking of the six roots are all sights of attaining the Great Dao.

Only by guarding the spirit with the "Sharp Edge of Right Thought," cutting away greed and delusion, can one keep the six roots from leaking and the mind root from leaking, becoming a guest who transcends the mortal and enters sagehood.

The three essentials of forming the elixir are: smelting and casting the elixir embryo, swallowing gold into the abdomen, and internal refinement to circulate energy.

And the shaking of the six roots is yet another calamitous tribulation following the Yang Fire Golden Flame, and also the final obstacle to completing the elixir.

At this moment, no matter what illusions appear before the eyes, or what kind of restless qi mechanisms arise within the body.

Chen Heng only tightly guarded his spirit platform, raising the "Sharp Edge of Right Thought" to cut through them one by one.

As time passed, several double-hours flashed by in an instant.

After the state of "shaking of the six roots" subsided, Chen Heng's face showed no joy; instead, he frowned slightly.

By rights, having reached this stage, he only needed to draw out the Serene Void Essential Qi, command the Jin Dan to capture this final great medicine, and then achieve perfect completion.

Yet Chen Heng always felt an inexplicable premonition in his heart.

Even if he fused the Serene Void Essential Qi into the Jin Dan, the timing would be inappropriate, making it difficult to elevate this second-grade Jin Dan to the first-grade realm.

Chen Heng had already experienced such strangeness within the Yizhen Fa Zhi Jie before, yet he could find no Xie Fa.

After pondering for a long time, just as he was about to grasp the golden cicada in his sleeve to enter the Yizhen Fa Zhi Jie again, his heart suddenly skipped a beat, and his movements involuntarily froze.

He seemed to have understood something; brilliance flashed in his eyes, burning like fierce firelight.

Gradually, even the corners of his lips revealed a faint smile...

In truth, no matter what Daoist scriptures or classics one consults, when speaking of the Serene Void Essential Qi, they always mention that only by finding the suitable timing can this medicine be drawn out and poured onto the Jin Dan to finally achieve perfect completion.

As for what constitutes suitable timing.

Those Daoist scriptures and classics offer varied opinions, each with its own mysterious principles.

Even in the "Mystic Central Great Void Natural Kaiyuan Scripture Register" cultivated by Chen Heng, the explanation remains vague.

"Perhaps this was Elder Yu Yu Yuchen's intention? The earnest instructions of predecessors, even if heard at the time, are useless when the moment arrives... The so-called Dao Heart ultimately depends on one's own contemplation and realization."

After a moment of silence, Chen Heng placed his hands on his knees, threw back his head, and let out a loud laugh.

He felt an indescribable joy in his heart, all blockages vanished, instantly experiencing a smoothness akin to water finding its channel.

The so-called finding of suitable timing.

In his view at this moment, was nothing more than another obstacle of knowledge and view!

The Immortal Dao of eternal life is inherently like rowing against the current; there is only advancing, no retreating.

Only outstanding individuals can break their own shackles, truly cross the tribulation to ascend, and roam freely beyond.

Heavenly timing is indeed respectable and awe-inspiring, but if one merely conforms to it, allowing oneself to be swept along by the great trend, holding back without releasing, one is no different from a clay statue or wooden image.

If one cannot even decide one's own thoughts and intentions, how can one speak of cultivating the Dao for eternal life?

"Heavenly timing follows me, heavenly destiny obeys me; the moment to transform the medicine into the elixir shall be right now!" Chen Heng shouted in a deep voice.

Once these words were spoken, it seemed to break through a certain bottleneck.

The Jin Dan in his abdomen suddenly burst forth with strange brilliance; merging with the Serene Void Quiet Qi, it resembled flowing light on a sunny day, pure and vigorous, filling the courtyard, making one's body and mind flawless, cultivated to perfect transparency.

It seemed as if one could ascend riding the rosy clouds at any moment, traveling through the void to the space above, transcending beyond the heavens!

"My Dao is accomplished."

Chen Heng clapped his hands and smiled.

Just at the moment the elixir formed, the celestial phenomena and wind-clouds at the peak suddenly changed wildly.

In an instant, the crimson clouds scattered, and light arose.

This drew the spiritual energy of the land within dozens of li into shaking and spreading, like waves sweeping the sky, truly magnificent!

But before anyone could see it clearly, almost in the next instant.

Lightning flashed and thunder roared, wild winds howled, possessing the momentum of a hundred rivers boiling over and rocks collapsing to crush mountains!

A vast and fierce killing intent descended from the sky, like an omnipresent torrential rain, causing the green-blue cloud layers to crack open with a boom and explode into fragments!

"Lesser Pure Yang Lightning... this is the tribulation of his Break Through Realm to Jin Dan."

Beside Chen Chen Xiangxian, an old man wearing a purple-gold crown and wrapped in a Yin-Yang double-fish Daoist robe blinked and said.

Chen Chen Xiangxian did not respond, only raising his eyes to look at Chen Heng's Tribulation Crossing site, his gaze calm and waveless.

Electric light darted about, Lei Ting raged like furious dragons flashing and flying out, covering the original clear sky and bright sun with a layer of darkness, dim and gloomy—

However, this Lei Zhi Jie came quickly and left quickly as well.

Before long, after the ninth bolt of tribulation lightning was cleanly and neatly shattered by a single sword strike, the dim cloudy mist seemed to be pushed aside to both sides.

Rolling fierce winds swept across the horizon, blowing for a hundred li.

At this time, between heaven and earth, only a long laugh echoed in the clouds, lingering for a long time without dispersing, utterly unrestrained.

Surely no one would fail to hear the joy and delight within it!

"Elixir Achieves First Grade..."

Chen Chen Xiangxian chuckled softly, clapping his hands in response.

Most of the various true ones of the Talisman Talisman Palace also nodded in praise, discussing the matter among themselves.

And Fuchan Fuchan Laozu, infected by that joy, unconsciously danced with joy and excitement, laughing loudly.

Thus, as the saying goes:

Closing eyes to store spirit, gazing at the jade gate; when the time comes, the fire intensity is passed down.

Clouds fly over the sea surface, the dragon swallows mercury; wind strikes the rock peak, the tiger subdues lead.

Once the treasure within the body is refined, one can easily probe the mystery within the Dao.

Having consumed the knife-and-spoon elixir, the talisman descends; leaping from the cage of dust, I ascend to the Ninth Heavens!

(End of Chapter)

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