[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-path-of-immortality":3,"chapter-the-path-of-immortality-the-path-of-immortality-chapter-64":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},2271214,4436,"Chapter 64: Gift of the Elixir","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-64",64,"\u003Cp>The wooden box was entirely black as ink, inscribed with several lines of talismanic bird-script, unlocked but bound tightly with a crimson jade chain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though no bigger than a palm, these two boxes seemed to contain a wild, unruly steed within, rattling violently against the wood; even the dark-faced Daoist could barely hold them, as if they might slip from his grasp at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The box is made of century-old yin locust wood, sealed with a jade essence true-soul as a weight. Yang fire enters at Zi, ceasing fire is called bathing; Yin talismans retreat at Wu, halting fire is also called bathing—this is an exceedingly refined method of sealing and nurturing elixirs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint trace of surprise flickered across Wei Lingjiang’s jade-like countenance as she said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The two objects breathe in and out, never pausing—this uses the bathing ritual to harmonize spirit and qi; when qi is full, it can burst through the barriers, and bursting through the barriers means the elixir is complete… I’ve heard only that Master Huaiwu possesses immense spiritual power, having single-handedly subdued three demonic cultivators when entering Dongxuan, forcing them to reform, but I never knew my master had such an elixir-making technique. My apologies, my apologies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The art of external alchemy also follows the principles of sovereign, minister, assistant, and envoy, and the ten-month gestation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the fire timing is insufficient, the three treasures—essence, qi, and spirit—cannot coalesce and stabilize; forcing open the furnace will not only damage the cinnabar cauldron but also prevent the elixir from forming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These wooden boxes clearly contain elixirs recently completed, yet the fire timing is still insufficient—they are not yet ready for consumption. This arrangement is deliberately used to nurture and replenish the true seed, perfecting its medicinal nature—a highly sophisticated method of sealing and nurturing elixirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the dark-faced Daoist was even more astonished, his expression growing solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You have an excellent eye! Clearly you’ve read extensively in Daoist texts—I am far inferior! But this is not my master’s work—he has never used an elixir furnace. This is my mistress’s handiwork…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Daoist shook his head and smiled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My mistress is the offspring of General Lingzhao Xianying, who serves under the Dragon Lord of the Eastern Sea. General Lingzhao Xianying once studied for a time at the Yucheng Sect, acquiring many exquisitely refined Daoist methods. As the offspring of this general, my mistress naturally received true transmission!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What? Yucheng Sect?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang was slightly startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Yucheng Sect—one of the Eight Sects and Six Clans?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could the Dragon Palace of the Eastern Sea be so closely allied with such a profound Daoist force?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even one of their generals had the opportunity to enter the Yucheng Sect’s gates and listen to teachings?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General Lingzhao Xianying? What a mighty name! Ha! I should give myself one too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingzhi’s eyes sparkled, but after a moment, as if remembering something, her expression suddenly drooped:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait—is that one? Even he—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before she could finish, Wei Lingjiang pinched her plump face without expression, squeezing it into a goldfish shape, lips puffed, unable to utter a sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Er… what’s wrong with this little acolyte?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Daoist was still confused, watching Qingzhi puff bubbles from her mouth, finding it highly amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing. Her illness has flared up again—she gets restless without a beating every three days, and her neck sprouts rebellious bones.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lingjiang spoke coolly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, please continue. I’ve never heard these secrets before—I’m very curious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, no! If the two fellow Daoists don’t mind my rambling, I’ll say a few more words!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dark-faced Daoist beamed, his pride swelling further; seeing his sect’s tales so captivating, he felt honored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang, having never heard these things before, naturally did not refuse—he was happy to gain some insight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Wei Lingjiang, after releasing her grip, silently mused:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General Lingzhao Xianying… I recall he was an ancient jade dragon? When Qingzhi secretly took me to the Eastern Sea to play, I saw how arrogant and vicious he was—I thrashed him several times. But that old dragon was subdued by Junyao True Person after accidentally offending him, forced to serve as a beast of burden—how could that possibly count as studying at the Yucheng Sect’s gates? Clearly an exaggeration.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even that role as a beast of burden didn’t last long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After pulling the cloud-chariot for half a year, he was deemed too slow due to the vehicle’s weight, so Junyao True Person simply removed his shackles and released him back into the Eastern Sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet somehow this humiliating tale had been twisted—by the time it reached these people’s ears, it had become that he had studied at the Yucheng Sect and learned many refined Daoist methods. How absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But isn’t that old dragon notoriously stingy? Qingzhi originally beat him up precisely because he treated his offspring too harshly… Now he’s suddenly so generous? Even willing to pass down such a secret of sealing elixirs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lingjiang shook her head lightly and stopped thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps the old dragon had changed his nature—or perhaps his mistress had won his favor. Either way, speculating now was useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, the dark-faced Daoist had grown quite animated in conversation with Chen Hang, and when they parted, both felt unsatisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you wish to purchase anything, the ‘Baoju Zhai’ is the best place—it’s an old merchant house, passed down for centuries, with several owners who are all Chengxin Gongs of Purple Mansion Third Stage, trustworthy and fair to young and old alike—they will never mislead you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Daoist smiled:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To be honest, even my master sometimes lacks spiritual items or precious treasures, and sends me to Baoju Zhai to procure them. Once, I even saw a magic treasure displayed there—truly magnificent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Brother Luo, for your guidance. I shall remember it well,” Chen Hang bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In their earlier conversation, he had learned the dark-faced Daoist’s name was Luo Zhang, one of Master Huaiwu’s many disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Lianshi was notably inclusive and carefree in taking students—he didn’t care whether you were a noble scion or a beggar; if you caught his eye, you could join his sect and follow him on the path of cultivating qi for longevity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a result, Master Huaiwu had hundreds of disciples, and with those still unattained the state of fetal breathing, the number likely reached nearly a thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re too kind—it was just idle chatter, nothing worth mention.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhang grinned, eyes half-lidded: “By the way! We’ve chatted long enough—let’s get to the real matter. Each of these two boxes contains a Crane Embryo Elixir. My master specifically instructed me to ensure you two accept them—don’t refuse, or you’ll make your brother suffer!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That may not be appropriate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lingjiang shook her head: “The Crane Embryo Elixir is an excellent pill for Qi Condensation. Just one pill can elevate your Qi Condensation cultivation by a full level. No merit, no reward—I truly cannot accept.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhang immediately grew anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to him, Master Huaiwu had personally come aboard the Golden Cloud Boat after meeting them, handing him the Crane Embryo Elixirs and instructing him to deliver them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he failed to deliver them, being scolded was minor—but wasting Master Huaiwu’s intention would be a grave offense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Luo Zhang abandoned his idle talk and pleaded earnestly for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After much persuasion, seeing the two finally bow and accept, his face finally lit up again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s right! That’s right!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhang exhaled in relief, smiling: “My master is the most free-spirited man—he loves fate and affinity. You two are truly exceptional talents. If you lack a sect, I might just gain two more fellow disciples!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang and Wei Lingjiang both thanked him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Qingzhi, seeing only two elixirs, wondered whether she had been deliberately or accidentally overlooked, her face sulking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your body hasn’t entered fetal breathing yet—your human fire timing doesn’t match the pill’s fire timing. Even if you ate it, you’d be swollen to death. Don’t be childish…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her beloved green bird in such a mood, Wei Lingjiang could only soothe her gently with kind words, finally lifting the sullen expression from her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Wei Lingjiang finally relaxed her breath…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She met another pair of eyes, filled with keen inquiry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…Again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lingjiang suddenly felt an inexplicable weariness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, what do you mean by ‘using bathing to harmonize spirit and qi’? And human fire timing versus medicinal properties—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll explain after we return. Don’t ask now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as the words left her mouth, Wei Lingjiang realized how ambiguous they sounded—but it was too late to retract. She glared angrily at Chen Hang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Understood. I’ll listen with rapt attention.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang bowed, a faint smile playing on his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to Wei Lingjiang, that smile looked suspiciously malicious or gleeful—utterly infuriating!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even her slender hands within her sleeves clenched tightly, wishing she could smash them into that hypocritical face!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhang barely suppressed his laughter, landing the Golden Cloud Boat on the Puyu islet, then produced two talisman tokens and handed one to each, exchanged a few more words, and bowed his farewell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These talisman tokens were proof of lodging on Puyu; with them, one could freely choose any room to rent in the “Immortal Guest Lodge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the opening of the “Jingu Market” drawing near, even with hundreds of islets, there was no way to accommodate so many cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All guesthouse rooms had long been reserved, business booming; many cultivators who couldn’t secure lodging had to live aboard their flying boats or carve caves into the mountains surrounding Fuyu Lake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any orthodox Daoist sect establishing its foundation or opening its mountain gate must distribute favors outwardly, to show goodwill to neighboring sects—it’s an established custom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Ai Jian, who once slaughtered so many heads they rolled, having swept clean the surrounding orthodox and demonic sects,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>still spent ten thousand gold pieces when founding the Xuanzhen Sect on Xiaoganshan, distributing talisman coins generously to every Daoist who came to witness the ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And of course, Master Huaiwu needed no further explanation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “Jingu Market” was inherently a place of wealth, daily earnings of a thousand gold pieces commonplace; this old man was always generous, renowned for charity—his gifts during the ceremony would only be greater, never less.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, many hermit cultivators came from afar, some traveling thousands of miles; some even with families, struggling for survival, arriving just to swell the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Puyu had many islets, they couldn’t possibly hold so many people—all guesthouse rooms were long since full, demand far exceeding supply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some cultivators, proud of their status, refused to sleep aboard their flying boats or carve caves into surrounding mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They would fiercely bid up the price for a single superior room, driving it up several times over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Zhang had reserved many guesthouse rooms months in advance, intending to sell them at this moment for a massive profit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But because Chen Hang and Wei Lingjiang had won his master’s favor, he wished to befriend them, and so generously gave them the tokens, insisting they accept them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By Chen Hang’s own inclination, he could simply carve a cave in a rock and live there—no talisman coins needed, no debts owed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Wei Lingjiang’s token had already been snatched up by Qingzhi; if he now stubbornly refused, he’d only offend them, so he reluctantly accepted Luo Zhang’s offer, planning to repay him later under some pretext.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s just a place to sleep—I heard some spend fifty or sixty talisman coins just to compete for a superior room.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang glanced around, remarking casually: “These Daoists are truly wealthy, with considerable fortunes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you think these rooms are merely places to sleep?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lingjiang replied coolly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The spiritual energy here is subtly richer than elsewhere. If I’m not mistaken, places like the ‘Immortal Guest Lodge’ have clearly established spirit-gathering arrays, distributing varying amounts of spiritual energy according to room quality—those people aren’t fighting for superior rooms—they’re fighting for spiritual energy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ordinary spirit-gathering arrays, though inferior to tenth-rank spirit veins or the “Yubomu Pond” that continuously generates spirit, still possess some ability to absorb spiritual energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But such arrays are difficult to maintain long-term and require constant upkeep by master array specialists—extremely cumbersome—thus far less practical than the “Yubomu Pond.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the latter can be considered an artificially awakened spirit vein, barely touching upon the grand rhythm of Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Xuanzhen Sect, some senior officers’ caves contained Spirit Gathering Arrays, but Chen Hang had never entered them, so he had no personal experience with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is that so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang frowned slightly: “It seems I owe Luo Zhang a great deal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t like owing others favors?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Would you, Sister, be willing to?” Chen Hang replied coolly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then why do you owe me a favor, Younger Brother?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lingjiang’s eyes suddenly lit up with a faint smile, like petals holding dew: “How will you repay me for this favor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Red leaves rustled like fire, their hues splendid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This islet was called Hongye Island, covered with ever-blooming Honglin maple trees; when the wind stirred them, they shimmered brilliantly, filling the air with dazzling radiance, exquisitely beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stunning woman wore a long trailing gown, her bright eyes and white teeth glimmering with every glance, her gaze like crescent moons; she revealed an unguarded smile, deeply captivating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her demeanor was open and serene, with the grace of a forest grove—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang regarded her quietly and said: “What do you mean, Sister?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I haven’t yet asked for your esteemed name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why don’t you go first, Sister?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I…” Wei Lingjiang hesitated a moment: “I’m Wen Ning.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang noticed her hesitation and said coolly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chen Baixian.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Lingjiang gave him a cool glance, suddenly erasing all smiles, and walked into the nearby ‘Immortal Guest Lodge’ without a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you both idiots? Do you have no brains?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingzhi laughed and spread her hands: “If you two ever find cultivation partners, I’ll take your surnames.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A person can only bear one surname; I’ve never heard of one bearing two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Hang’s voice remained as usual; he paid it no further heed and walked into the ‘Immortal Guest Lodge’ as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Baoju Zhai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The purple-clad manager stared in shock at the dozens of qiankun bags before him, his eyes momentarily vacant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How many did you kill—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What nonsense are you spouting!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The manager kicked the gossipy clerk off-balance, then turned to Chen Hang with a pleasant smile, tea cup in hand:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is slaying demons and exterminating evil! Slaying demons and exterminating evil! Friend, your skills are formidable!”\u003C\u002Fp>",2444,"2026-06-19T22:29:59.276Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","527b19fe591d28e272929dc435d6b8784a0cf171cb58765a1af1f68f9200dbda","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-65","the-path-of-immortality-chapter-63",545,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-path-of-immortality-cover.jpg"]