Mysterious Gourd

The Daoist sat on a bluestone platform shrouded in mist, his crimson robe like a burning flame, starkly contrasting with the cool Kunlun immortal aura surrounding him, yet somehow blending in perfectly.

He had a round, jovial face, his eyes clear and bright, carrying a hint of playful mockery. The large red gourd at his waist was particularly eye-catching, exuding a heart-palpitating heat and the aroma of wine.

Li Su paused, his divine sense sweeping over the figure, but found the other's aura like a bottomless ocean, impossible to gauge. He was at least a True Immortal, perhaps even higher!

Furthermore, his aura was upright and peaceful, carrying a Daoist charm of freedom and ease, clearly not from demonic or heretical paths. Without daring to be remiss, he bowed respectfully: "This junior, Mo Xing, greets Senior. May I ask why Senior is here and if you have any guidance?"

"Guidance? Hehe, no guidance to speak of," the red-robed Daoist said with a smile, waving his hand. He patted the bluestone beside him. "Come, come, sit down and talk. I've been waiting here for a long time and am quite bored. I saw you, this bamboo, were rather interesting, so I manifested to amuse myself."

Manifested? Li Su's heart stirred. Could this not be his true form? He sat down as invited (his root system intertwining), cautiously asking, "May I ask Senior's name?"

"A name is just a designation," the Daoist said, shaking his head. He unhooked the red gourd from his waist, pulled out the stopper, and a rich wine aroma mixed with blazing spiritual energy instantly permeated the air, invigorating anyone who smelled it.

"As for me, I have some connection with this Kunlun Mountain. I usually just wander through the clouds here, looking for fated individuals to share some wine and discuss the Dao with. You can just call me 'Fire Cloud Daoist'."

Fire Cloud Daoist? Li Su searched his memory but found no corresponding title in the legends he knew. However, given his connection to Kunlun and his ability to manifest here at will, he must be an extraordinary figure.

"Here, try this 'Samadhi Fire Cloud Wine' that I brewed myself. It'll be very beneficial for your body that absorbs Stellar Evil Energy!"

Without ceremony, the Fire Cloud Daoist pointed at the gourd's opening. A stream of crimson liquid, like jade nectar, flew out and hovered before Li Su, emitting a scorching yet gentle energy fluctuation.

Li Su could feel the immense spiritual power contained within the wine, along with a unique essence of Samadhi True Fire. It would indeed be highly beneficial for tempering his bamboo body and purifying the Stellar Evil Energy.

However, he didn't accept it immediately, only saying, "Senior, we are strangers. How can I dare accept such a generous gift?"

"Tsk, you bamboo, not old, but quite cautious."

The Fire Cloud Daoist didn't insist. He took a large gulp himself, exhaled a breath of hot air laced with sparks, and chuckled, "Relax. If I wanted to harm you, I could crush you back into a bamboo stalk with a single finger. Why would I need to poison you?"

Though blunt, his words made sense.

Li Su no longer hesitated. His bamboo branches gently tapped, guiding the ball of Fire Cloud Wine into a section of his bamboo body.

As the wine entered, it instantly transformed into a warm current that spread throughout, not burning, but nourishing every minute structure of his bamboo body like a warm sun, purifying his power, and even bringing a sense of comfort to his divine sense.

[Absorbed the essence of Samadhi Fire Cloud Wine. Physical body strength slightly increased. Stellar Evil Energy purification increased. Fire resistance increased.]

It really is good stuff! Li Su said sincerely, "Thank you for Senior's generous gift."

"Hehe, a small matter, a small matter," the Fire Cloud Daoist waved his hand, looking at Li Su with great interest.

"I say, Mo Xing kid, you've come a long way, swallowing souls, drawing stars, fiddling with formations, even picking up a bit of that old Buzhou stone's flavor and the Western Sect's protective aura. Your path is quite wild, isn't it? Aren't you afraid of being too scattered to be proficient, and going down the wrong path?"

Li Su's heart tightened. The other's insight was sharp, seeing through almost all of his secrets.

He said solemnly, "All methods return to the source. This junior is merely seeking survival in this Primordial World, absorbing all the nourishment within reach to temper myself, holding onto my original heart, and forging ahead."

"All methods return to the source, well said!" The Fire Cloud Daoist's eyes lit up. "But where is this source? And what is your original heart?"

Before Li Su could answer, he suddenly tossed the red gourd in his hand into the air!

The gourd spun rapidly, instantly growing larger. Its opening aimed at Li Su, and a terrifying suction force erupted!

This suction force wasn't directed at the physical body, but directly at his magic power, divine sense, and even his comprehension of the Dao!

Li Su felt all the powers he had cultivated—Soul Devour Evil Energy, Stellar Power, formation comprehension, Bedrock intent, protective Dao marks—stirring under this suction, almost leaping out of his body to be drawn into the gourd!

The various powers clashed and surged, causing his bamboo body to tremble violently, its light flashing erratically. It seemed his cultivation was unstable, his Dao Foundation wavering!

This seemingly playful act was actually extremely dangerous!

Li Su instantly understood. This was the other party testing his "Dao"! Seeing if he could truly achieve "all methods return to the source," rather than a haphazard collection!

He abruptly steadied his mind, ignoring the terrifying suction. The "Bedrock Rune" Daoist charm on his bamboo body lit up first, stabilizing his wavering foundation; the protective Dao charm flowed, safeguarding his spiritual platform;

Then, his divine sense frantically circulated, using Minor Chiliad Array Analysis as the guiding principle, with his own tenacious will as the core, forcefully sorting and harmonizing the myriad powers within him!

The Soul Devour power condensed in his roots, the Stellar power flowed through his bamboo body, formation runes flashed on his leaves, the Bedrock intent protected his core. Though the characteristics of these powers were different, they were forcibly unified at this moment by his powerful will and the formation framework, forming a temporarily stable, albeit imperfect, whole to jointly resist the gourd's suction!

"Oh? Interesting!" The Fire Cloud Daoist, seeing this, didn't stop. Instead, his eyes showed even greater interest, and he secretly formed hand seals.

The gourd's suction force increased again! Simultaneously, three-colored flames spewed from the gourd's opening—called Spirit, Essence, and Qi—precisely the Samadhi True Fire!

The flames didn't burn, but directly forged the power system Li Su had forcibly integrated, aiming to refine out any impurities or disharmonious aspects!

Pain! It felt as if his entire "Dao" was being scorched and hammered!

Li Su gritted his teeth (his divine sense taut), pushing the Array Heart Clarity spiritual power to its limit, constantly fine-tuning the balance and integration of the powers, like the most skilled craftsman forging his "Dao" in the inferno.

The essence absorbed from the Fire Cloud Wine earlier now played its part, helping him better withstand the tempering of the Samadhi True Fire.

After an unknown period, just as Li Su felt he was nearing his limit, the gourd's suction force suddenly vanished, and the Samadhi True Fire was withdrawn back into the gourd.

The red-robed Daoist retracted the gourd and laughed heartily, "Marvelous! Marvelous! Though it's still immature, forcibly blended, with countless flaws, it has at least taken a rudimentary form. The foundation is not damaged; instead, it has become a bit more refined! Not bad, not bad!"

Li Su's bamboo body's light slowly subsided. He felt that after the previous "ordeal," his internal power, while not increased in total amount, had become more refined, the connections between them tighter, and his control over his power more adept.

He let out a long sigh, knowing he had benefited. He bowed again, "Thank you for Senior's fulfillment!"

"I wouldn't say I 'completed' you. I just found you agreeable and lent a hand. That's all," the Fire Cloud Daoist said with his usual playful grin. "But kid, the path you're on is far from easy.

Integrating myriad laws is the right approach, but you need to find the true 'One' to command the 'Myriad.' Otherwise, it's all just castles in the sky.

Your intention of 'Bedrock' and your concept of 'Guardian' might serve as your anchor for that 'One.' Ponder it well."

He stood up, brushed off his backside, and said, "Alright, we've had our drink and our talk. This old Daoist is off!

The road ahead is long, kid. Take care of yourself! Who knows, maybe we'll meet again before Master someday! Haha!"

Before his laughter faded, the red-robed Daoist's figure dispersed like smoke, vanishing from where he stood as if he had never been there.

Li Su remained standing, reflecting on everything that had just happened and the Fire Cloud Daoist's words. He had gained a great deal.

The "true 'One'" sent him into deep contemplation.

After a short rest, he continued his ascent up the stairs. After the Fire Cloud Daoist's "trial," he felt as though the pressure ahead had significantly lessened.

He walked a bit further, and the clouds and mist ahead parted once more, revealing a small stone pavilion.

Seated within was a stern-faced young man in a moon-white Daoist robe. It was Yang Jian, a disciple under Yu Ding Zhenren, whom he had met once before!

Yang Jian's gaze, sharp as lightning, fell upon Li Su. He spoke coldly, "Daoist Mo Xing, my master requests your presence."