Chapter Seven: Above the Waves of Smoke

  "It seems that you have gained a lot from your seven-day retreat, and you've even broken through to the Taiqing Sacred Realm. Normally, it would take at least a year for an ordinary disciple to pass the first hurdle of building their foundation. You've done it in just half a year, not bad, not bad."

  Ji Ruochen immediately stood up and saluted, saying: "Thank you, Purple Cloud True Person, for your praise."

  Zi Yun Zhen Ren stroked his beard and smiled, nodding his head, then looked up and down at Ji Ruochen. Zi Yun Zhen Ren had two curved long eyebrows, five long whiskers, a face as white as jade, skin with a precious glow, and an air of immortality about him. His demeanor was even more impressive than that of Yu Xuan and Zi Yang, other renowned true men who had left the world behind. Zi Yun Zhen Ren's expertise lay in the Great Way of Golden Elixir and the study of alchemy, where his mastery of the Ling Dan Dao De Zong was unmatched. The true men of the Dao De Zong sect rarely ventured out into the world, but Zi Yun Zhen Ren spent more than half of each year traveling the land, searching for rare and unusual materials.

  Zi Yun Zhen Ren stared at Ji Ruo Chen for a long time, furrowed his brow and pondered: "Ruo Chen, your true yuan is strong at this moment, but the five elements are in disarray, with wood being overly dominant. Furthermore, yin and yang are out of balance. During the last lesson, your meridians were still biased towards yin coldness, yet just a few days later today, they have transformed to extreme yang, and also possess the fire of thunder. This is truly strange..."

  A cold air rolled over Ji Ruochen's heart. He had previously dissolved many small artifacts, most of which were mainly wood-based. It was unknown whether it was because he had initially understood the dissolution method when dissolving Zhang Yin's wooden sword, but Ji Ruochen found that dealing with wood-based artifacts was much easier than other attribute artifacts. In fact, the wooden sword held by Zhang Yin at that time was only an ordinary product, but she used her whole body's true yuan to urge the operation of the wooden sword energy, making the wooden sword a artifact at that time. Later, the purple crystal talisman's spiritual energy was too fierce and also tortured Ji Ruochen to death. He finally merged these several external spiritual energies, only changing the mysterious pulse and meridian. Unexpectedly, Purple Cloud True Person had sharp eyesight and saw all the changes on Ji Ruochen's body at a glance.

  Ji Ruocheng pretended to be confused, with a bewildered expression, as if he didn't understand what Zi Yun True Person was saying. However, in his heart, he was secretly worried, thinking that since Zi Yun True Person had noticed his changes, it was unlikely that the other True Persons wouldn't notice either. From now on, not only did he have to be extremely careful, but he also needed to prepare some excuses to cover himself.

  Ji Ruochen was worried here, while the purple cloud Zhenren on the other side muttered to himself, counting his fingers and calculating something. This action made Ji Ruochen, who was secretly paying attention to Zhenren's movements, break out in a cold sweat again.

  After a moment, Ziyun True Person smiled and stroked his beard, saying: "Yue Chen, have the various true persons given you quite a few elixirs? Hehe, I shouldn't ask this question, and it's fine if you don't answer."

  Ji Ruochen replied vaguely, "The true people indeed gave me the elixir and taught me some incantations to refine the medicinal properties when taking the medicine." Three true people had given Ji Ruochen elixirs, but he had only taken Gu Shouzheng's Longhua Dan. The Lingdan given by Yu Xuan and Tai Wei were still in his room, untouched, because refining their medicinal properties was too time-consuming and laborious.

  Zi Yun Zhen Ren nodded and said, "That's it. I only calculated that you took the Longhua Dan of Gu Shou Zhen Zhen Ren, but as for other elixirs, I couldn't calculate them. Heh! He really is willing to give it away! However, these guys are simply reckless! Can this elixir be taken randomly? Without seeking balance in the five elements and yin-yang, without considering the subtleties of alchemy, taking all sorts of elixirs at once has resulted in your current state."

  Ji Ruocheng saw Ziyun True Person and had not yet figured out the matter of the separation device, so he put down half his mind. After hearing the second half of the sentence, his heart was lifted again. He ate something stronger than Dan medicine - the five-element spiritual energy. He hurriedly asked himself what was wrong with him. The separation key is a fairy key, and its intention is to enter Ji Ruocheng's divine consciousness on its own. However, those words on the fairy key, Ji Ruocheng didn't recognize any of them. It's hard to say whether he understood all the secrets of the fairy key or not. It's also possible that the separation key wasn't used in this way at all.

  Zi Yun Zhen Ren smiled and said, "You don't have to be alarmed, these elixirs won't do you any harm. The alchemy techniques of our sect all originated from the same source, although there are differences in quality and refinement, they all have their own accomplishments. However, at this moment, your body's yin and yang are disordered, and the five elements are not balanced. Although it doesn't affect your physical body, it's like a sword with a deviated blade, it's not the right way. In this case, even if your true yuan is strong, you can only bring out six or seven tenths of its effectiveness, and if you rush, you won't achieve your goal."

  "What should I do?" Ji Ruochen asked hastily. After listening to Zi Yun Daozhang's comfort, Ji Ruochen, who had been harboring evil intentions, became even more anxious. Dan medicine and dan medicine would not counteract each other, but it was hard to say about the interaction between spiritual energy and dan medicine.

  Zi Yun Zhen Ren said, "You don't have to panic either. After I return, I will open the furnace and set up the tripod to refine a few Huang Ting Ri Yue Dan pills. You take one every seven days, and after taking three pills, your body's yin and yang will naturally harmonize. From now on, you can no longer randomly take the elixirs given to you by true immortals. Even if you want to take them, you must ask me first."

  Ji Ruocheng hastily said "yes", suddenly remembering something, and asked: "Yu Xuan Zhenren once gave me a bottle of Yu Ye Qi Xun Dan, saying it could help with the cultivation of San Qing Zhen Que. He told me to take it on time in the next few days. I don't know if I should take this Yu Ye Qi Xun Dan."

  As soon as he heard the name of Yu Xuan Zhen Ren, Zi Yun Zhen Ren's face suddenly became somewhat unsightly. He hummed heavily and said: "Dan Yuan Palace has nothing to learn from, nothing can be refined, it has been so for hundreds of years. What does that little guy Yu Xuan know about alchemy? Not to mention the orthodox way of Golden Elixir! This Jade Liquid Seven Circles Dan is the ancestor's recipe of Dan Yuan Palace, she regards it as a treasure, but in fact its effect is far inferior to Long Hua Dan of Guardian Zhen Ren! I told her more than ten years ago to use that Xuan Huo Yu She (Mysterious Fire Feathered Snake) as a medicine guide and re-smelt this Jade Liquid Seven Circles Dan, the medicinal effect can be increased by three times, and an ordinary product becomes a immortal dan! But she just wouldn't listen!"

  Ji Ruocheng did his best to remain expressionless, but his face still had a somewhat strange look. Zi Yun Zhenren was normally calm and humble, with an air of mystery, and his demeanor was usually excellent, but as soon as he mentioned Dan Yuan Gong Yu Xuan Zhenren, he became like a different person, his tone sharp and acidic, his words cutting, and his elegance completely lost.

  After spending a long time with the eight immortals, Ji Ruochen roughly understood the subtleties involved. It turned out that Zi Yun True Person had been fond of alchemy since his youth, and now that he had achieved great success in his Taoist cultivation, he had made remarkable achievements on the path of Golden Elixir, surpassing what others had accomplished before him. However, the orthodox method of Golden Elixir was different from the Three Pure Ones Scripture, which sought internal elixir through inner cultivation, emphasizing the importance of internal alchemy, nurturing the embryo for a hundred days, and forming the golden infant, marking the beginning of one's journey on the great path. In contrast, the orthodox method of Golden Elixir involved external alchemy, using true fire in the crucible, rare and precious materials, none of which could be lacking. Having reached this level on the path of Golden Elixir, Zi Yun True Person was worried every day about how to find these rare materials.

  In the Dan Yuan Palace, there were many rare and exotic beasts. In the eyes of Zi Yun True Person, none of them were not good materials for entering the cauldron. It was said that he had asked Yu Xuan True Person for a spiritual beast, but was flatly refused by Yu Xuan True Person. Later, Zi Yun True Person again asked her for the feeding method of a certain kind of spiritual object, and was firmly rejected by Yu Xuan True Person. From then on, the Tian Guan Palace led by Zi Yun True Person had a rift with the Dan Yuan Palace.

  As soon as the elixir of Dan Yuan Palace was mentioned, Ziyun True Person's spirit lifted, and he began to refute Yuexuan True Person's Dao deeds. Ziyun True Person's refutation of Yuexuan True Person wasn't just empty talk; with his profound understanding of the Dao, he cited classics and canons above, and traced back to the source below, every sentence was a true insight that deserved to be pondered deeply by Jiyu Dust for several days, so as to avoid many detours in future Dao cultivation. Therefore, although Ziyun True Person's words were lengthy, Jiyu Dust listened attentively each time, afraid of missing a single word or sentence. But this time, Ziyun True Person didn't speak at length like he usually did; after just one incense stick's worth of effort, he stopped talking, leaving Jiyu Dust, who had been listening intently, somewhat surprised.

  Ziyun Zhenren took a sip of tea and said slowly, "Ruocheng, in just over a month, it will be the time for our sect's small examination. At that time, disciples from various veins will compete with each other according to their Three Purities True Qi realm, to test the results of their studies over the past year. This annual small examination is a grand event within our sect, and being able to emerge victorious in the competition is a great honor. However, you have only recently joined the sect, and although your progress in cultivating true yuan has been rapid, your application is still not pure and skilled enough. Therefore, I will not teach you how to identify medicinal materials today. Instead, I will impart to you a quick and clever method called the Dansha Jue, which takes its name from the phrase 'Dansha gives birth to wood, lead transforms into gold'."

  After Ziyun True Person transmitted the oral secret, he carefully explained it to Ji Ruocheng, dispelling his doubts and misunderstandings until he roughly understood. This Dan Sha Secret is from the "Yu Huang Bao Du", not a secret to enhance the true yuan, but a secret to manipulate the true yuan, so it can be studied in less than a month. Once this secret is used, countless small dan sha condensed from the true yuan will float around the body, and the whole body will become hard as if wearing heavy armor, which can be said to be an excellent secret for both offense and defense.

  Ji Ruocheng had a general understanding of the strengths of each of the various True People, and after studying them, he felt that there was something not quite right about the Dan Sha Jue. He couldn't quite put his finger on what it was, but somehow it didn't feel right. After thinking for a moment, he suddenly exclaimed, "I understand! The Dan Sha Jue is most effective in breaking through the Daoist methods of the Dan Yuan Palace!" Only after speaking did he realize that he had misspoken, and hastily looked up at Zi Yun True Person.

  Zi Yun Zhen Ren smiled, stroking his beard and said: "Ru Chen, your comprehension is indeed not bad. It's exactly like that. This Dan Sha Jue was something I recently came to understand from the 'Yu Huang Bao Lue' over the past month. The Taoist methods of Dan Yuan Palace are flowery but lack substance, empty and weak. If you were to encounter a disciple of Dan Yuan Palace, as long as you use the Dan Sha Jue to sink and condense their emptiness, even if your opponent's cultivation is slightly higher than yours, it won't be difficult for you to gain victory."

  As soon as the dust heard, he knew that Ziyun True Man had intentionally cultivated it. The key to this special method of breaking the pulse is not the orthodox way, but one is that it is most suitable for use in the small exam at the end of the year, and two is that there is a body then there is use, these methods of using the true yuan are familiar, and the practice of Taiqing True Mantra also has great benefits. As for why this secret technique happens to be specialized in breaking the Dan Yuan Gong Dao method, it doesn't need to be deeply explored.

  Zi Yun Zhen Ren gave him a pill of Xin He Dan that could strengthen his meridians before he left.

  The next day at this time, Ji Ruochen sat here again, but this time listening to the teachings of Taiwei Zhenren.

  "If dust, the true person of Purple Cloud's Tian Guan Palace has never been known for its excellence in Xianjian Dao Fa. However, in this small test at the end of the year, it has always performed poorly. But then, among the disciples of Tian Guan Palace who have learned from the Dan Ding school, there is no one who can surpass him. With the help of Ling Dan's power, they have an advantage in their progress during the first ten years of cultivating the Dao. This is indeed something to consider. However, if we say that mobilizing the power of heaven and earth requires Xian Fu Dao Fa as the primary method, then today Master will teach you a few Tian Xin Zheng Fu symbols. Each has its own unique use, and you don't need to understand what kind of great principle these symbols are based on. For now, just being able to draw usable Xian Fu symbols is enough."

  Ji Ruochen nodded and devoted himself to learning the three Tianxin Zhengfu talismans from Taiwei Zhenren. By the time it was near dusk, Ji Ruochen had already understood that these three talismans were used to break through the Tiankong Palace of Ziyang Zhenren, guard the Yangming Palace of Zhēnzhēnrén, and the Taixuan Palace of Jingxiao Zhenren. The Daodezong's end-of-year small exam does not allow the use of talismans, incantations, or elixirs, but they must be made by the disciples themselves. The three Tianxin Zhengfu talismans are extremely subtle and powerful, and Ji Ruochen would not have been able to draw them out even if he had tried, and even if he had managed to draw them, they would have been ineffective. However, there is a shortcut to creating talismans, similar to the technique of the tripod furnace, where the power of the talisman depends on the material used to create it, in addition to the creator's own Dao.

  Tai Wei Zhenren gave Ji Ruochen ten sheets of yellow paper, a cinnabar, and several brushes before he left. The yellow paper was made from the silk produced by the white purple silkworms on the peak of Feng Qi Mountain, which would spit out five-colored air that condensed into silk threads, and then were used to make the paper after being placed in an extremely yin place for three years. The cinnabar was refined from the blood of the Zhu bird's heart from the East Sea. As for the brushes, they were nothing special except for the brush tips which were made from the tail hair of a matured fox spirit, and their spiritual energy was self-evident.

  With these three treasures in hand, the effect of drawing talismans and making seals will be doubled.

  After several days, Jing Xiao Zhenren taught him the Big Five Elements Sword Techniques, one style each to break through the Taiwei and Tiangong Palaces' Dao methods. Yu Xuan Zhenren also transmitted to him three styles of Lieque Sword, this time breaking through the Yangming, Tiangong, and Sikong Palaces' Dao methods. Gu Shou Zhenren began teaching him how to use the Pre-Heavenly Bagua symbols, but the Pre-Heavenly Bagua was vast and profound, and for the time being, he couldn't teach him enough to break through the other palaces' Dao methods.

  After several days, Ji Ruochen suddenly realized that many of the palace's Dao methods had their own strengths and weaknesses, but only the Xuanming and Beiji palaces did not have any obvious weaknesses. The Xuanming Palace's Yu Xu Zhenren's sword was too sharp and fierce, and could only be suppressed by the Three Pure Ones' Dao line. As for the Beiji Palace's Tai Yin Zhenren, he had no strengths or weaknesses. Tai Yin Zhenren had thoroughly studied various Daoist scriptures, and all the disciples in the palace were well-versed in various methods, with no obvious weak points that could be exploited.

  As for the Taiyin True Person's Taichang Palace and the Yuanyuan True Person's Danyuan Palace, they have been weak for a long time, no special means are needed, and most palaces have a way to win. The Yangming Palace of the Zimicro True Person was also originally weak, but since there is a Ji Bingxian, basically among young disciples, there is no opponent, naturally can hold up the situation.

  Over the past ten or more days, the mysterious and subtle aspects of the various palaces' Daoist methods have opened up a new realm for Ji Ruochen. The true immortals of each palace have exhausted their thoughts, using the tiny, pitiful True Yuan at the root of Taiqing's perfect and sacred state to transform into infinite wondrous uses - completely beyond anything Ji Ruochen could have imagined before. However, over these ten or more days, Ji Ruochen has finally come to understand that the true immortals of each palace are not as harmonious as he had previously seen and heard, but rather have many open and secret struggles between them.

  Among them, there are only two exceptions. One is the Purple Yang True Man, who is the oldest in age and has never competed with various sects, always willing to yield and take a back seat, thus having the thickest moral prestige. The other is the Tai Yin True Man of the North Pole Palace, who has little interest in the swordsmanship and Taoist techniques, and even occasionally disagrees with the Three Pure Ones' secrets, usually just devoting himself to studying the Taoist scriptures, single-mindedly seeking the root of the Great Way, having no interest in worldly disputes.

  Although Qian Mo was extremely eager, Ji Ruoxue learned with all his heart and soul, but in fact, he had no interest in this kind of small test. At this moment, he still didn't understand what the Demoted Immortal was for, and what benefits it could bring to the Daoist sect's true people. Of course, he didn't want to stir up unnecessary trouble or show off his skills. Moreover, a tall tree attracts wind, and the more attention he drew to himself, the more likely he would be exposed as not being a Demoted Immortal.

  In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed, and it was time for Ji Ruochen to practice with Yu Xuan Zhenren again. It wasn't until dawn that Ji Ruochen quietly cursed to himself. It turned out that he had learned too much and too deeply in these past few days, and he had already forgotten the lessons Yu Xuan Zhenren had taught him a month ago, not even practicing them once. He also hadn't taken any of the Yuye Qicun Dan as instructed by Zi Yun Zhenren. In reality, Ji Ruochen had no interest in the Daoist methods taught by Yu Xuan Zhenren. Now, he was already struggling to keep up with the Daoist incantations taught by Yi Mai Zhenren, let alone those taught by eight Zhenren at once. Therefore, the things taught by Yu Xuan Zhenren were only practiced once on the night they were taught, just going through the motions.

  Ji Ruocheng stepped into the refined and elegant chamber where Yu Xuan, the True Person, was about to impart his teachings. As soon as he entered, he raised his eyes and suddenly felt a sense of astonishment.