Immortal Words Initiate Creation

The Daoist in White lightly unfurled his sleeves, and a phantom image of a giant bronze cauldron materialized from the sea of clouds.

Without waiting for everyone to prepare, he spoke, "The world knows that alchemy requires a cauldron, but they do not know that Heaven and Earth are the furnace, and Creation is the work..."

His voice, like a great bell, carried a mystical rhythm that resonated deep within the heart.

Upon hearing this, all the cultivators present, regardless of their cultivation level, felt as if struck by lightning, falling into a state of enlightenment.

Chen Qing felt a clarity wash over his spiritual platform. Myriad scenes appeared before his eyes: mountains and rivers transformed into furnace walls, while the sun and moon, stars and constellations, floated and sank within.

He felt like a speck of dust within the cauldron, with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth searing his body like a fierce flame. Yet, within this scorching, there lay hidden profound mysteries...

"The Cauldron Artifact is fundamentally the Heaven and Earth Body, and the Great Medicine is originally Essence, Qi, and Spirit..."

The Daoist's voice seemed to descend from the highest heavens. Each word that fell was like the striking of a morning bell or evening drum, giving birth to Dao Rhyme.

Ancient cypresses clinging to the cliffside suddenly rustled, and a pair of amber eyes opened within the cracked bark.

A playful stone by the stream split open with a "crack," and a delicate Stone Sprite popped out, bowing with moss on its head.

"Rustle—"

All the grass and trees on the mountain suddenly swayed, and seven or eight small, newly formed sprites crawled out from the rock crevices, still with dirt clinging to their heads.

The voice gradually grew ethereal, but Chen Qing's consciousness became increasingly clear. His accumulated cultivation experience in the real world began to resonate wonderfully with the Dao Rhyme of this moment.

"The mountain formations in the Sea and Mountain Remnant Scroll hide the rhyme of the sea, which seems to align with the principles of the Heaven and Earth Furnace!"

"Crack—"

A faint sound came from within his body. The Mountain and Sea Patterns on the nascent Destiny Talisman began to flow on their own.

"Ngh!"

Muffled groans could be heard successively from around him.

The first few scions of noble families to awaken looked bewildered, clearly having gained nothing. Those young attendants had opened their eyes much earlier and were now rubbing their temples in frustration.

When the Daoist reached the point, "Calamity is not calamity; it is all Timing," half the cultivators present had already fallen from their enlightenment. The scions of noble families in the inner circle also began to open their eyes one after another. The longest anyone managed to stay in enlightenment was barely half an hour.

Xu Zhaoying's brows were tightly furrowed, and sweat beaded on her forehead, clearly having reached her limit.

As the lecture deepened, more and more cultivators broke free from their deep contemplation. Some wore joyful expressions, having clearly gained something; others shook their heads and sighed, understanding only partially.

"...Golden Sand Enters the Five Interiors; the mist disperses like wind and rain. This Golden Sand is not an external substance but the purest spiritual energy between heaven and earth."

When he spoke of "Golden Sand Enters the Five Interiors," only Chen Qing's body was still enveloped in a clear light. The Supreme Harmony Qi circulated on its own, seamlessly integrating ancient and modern cultivation principles.

The Daoist in White's gaze paused slightly. The other cultivators looked on in astonishment.

"...Therefore, when mountains and rivers are the materials, and years are the fire, and the pill is refined through nine turns, do not forget the dust entering the furnace."

As the final sound of the Dao fell, Chen Qing's eyes snapped open. He realized he was the only one still comprehending the teachings and quickly suppressed his aura.

"Fellow Daoist, you were able to comprehend until the very end?" Xu Zhaoying's eyes were still filled with shock.

Chen Qing smiled without answering, though he was also puzzled. He then thought that although this body in his dream was only at the middle stage of the second realm, it carried cultivation knowledge spanning across eons. Later generations' techniques might not be stronger than ancient ones, but standing on the shoulders of giants, even if one's own height is limited, one can see further.

Ignoring the various gazes cast his way, once his mind settled, he immediately looked inward at his dantian.

The nascent Destiny Talisman was now nine-tenths solidified, with a wisp of profound Dao Rhyme entwined around it. This was the essence of the Heaven and Earth as a Furnace Chapter!

"The body in the dream is almost ready to condense a Destiny Talisman."

On the other side, the Daoist in White had not left. He flicked his sleeve, dispersing the surrounding sprites. "This humble one has no Spirit Fruit to feed you all. Your destinies lie elsewhere, so be gone."

With a sweep of his sleeve, the sprites tumbled down the peak and fell into the sea of clouds.

"Venerable Taiyan, we all have questions. Could you enlighten us..."

Seeing this, everyone stepped forward to seek guidance.

"You may."

The Daoist answered readily, getting straight to the point in just a few words.

Chen Qing stood quietly, listening intently, greedily recording every word and phrase. These were truly rare secrets in the current era!

As he was engrossed in listening, he suddenly felt his sleeve being tugged lightly. Then, Xu Zhaoying transmitted her voice to him, "Look at that young attendant's expression."

Chen Qing glanced sideways and saw the previously arrogant young attendant now holding a premium Spirit Tea, his face filled with reverence as he waited to offer it during a break in the lecture.

Chen Qing, however, had no mind for such things. What the Daoist said were all priceless treasures. If he could record them all and bring them back to the present world, it would be invaluable!

"I wonder what realm this Daoist is in..."

After the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the Daoist in White flicked his sleeve and was about to ascend on the clouds when he suddenly stopped and looked back at Chen Qing.

"This young friend's spiritual roots are like an abyss, concealing the phenomenon of a sea that embraces all rivers. Ordinary people would get splitting headaches just hearing me speak of 'All Things as Straw Dogs,' yet you could listen peacefully to 'Forging Yin and Yang.' You truly embody the artistic conception of the Heaven and Earth as a Furnace Chapter. Your Spiritual Bone should possess the ability to Absorb All Things and Regulate Yin and Yang. What a pity, what a pity..."

With that, he ascended on the clouds, his lingering voice fading into the sea of clouds, leaving the cultivators on the peak looking at each other in bewilderment.

Chen Qing, however, was still somewhat dazed.

Spiritual roots like an abyss?

What did that mean?

Shaking his head, he realized that with his current cultivation, he could never comprehend such profound words. He decided not to dwell on it.

Sensing the increasingly fervent gazes around him, Xu Zhaoying called out at the opportune moment, "Lord Chen, it's time to prepare for our journey to the capital."

"Let's go," Chen Qing retracted his thoughts, nodding in agreement. He cast one last glance in the direction the Daoist had disappeared.

Deep within the clouds, the ancient bronze palace loomed in and out of sight.

The lingering echoes of the bell had barely faded when everyone on the cloud platform began to rise.

Just as several scions of noble families stepped forward, a flash of verdant sword light shot into the sky.

"Fellow Daoist, please stay! We sincerely invite you! Know that the Tenth Princess is already struggling to manage her own affairs; if you follow her..."

There's no way I can stay!

Chen Qing muttered inwardly, then boarded the verdant sword light with Xu Zhaoying. In an instant, they vanished into the sea of clouds.

Only a young attendant stood dumbfounded, holding spiritual tea, while the crowd exchanged bewildered glances.

The sword light cut through clouds and mist. Xu Zhaoying suddenly chuckled softly, "You are quite carefree. It's usually difficult to get an audience with those noble family disciples. Their families are wealthy and have ample resources, and they are less constrained..."

"They are merely here because of my reputation for offering counsel," Chen Qing said, gazing at the churning sea of clouds below and shaking his head. "If I were to join them, I fear I would be hounded daily, with no peace for my cultivation. It's better not to associate with them."

A flicker of admiration flashed in Xu Zhaoying's eyes. Then she said, "Venerable Taiyan's words need not be taken too seriously. Even without your Spiritual Bone, you may still achieve great things..."

Chen Qing smiled, "Don't worry."

Xu Zhaoying nodded, and then the sword light suddenly accelerated, heading straight for the courtyard on the mountainside.

Amidst the howling mountain wind, Chen Qing mused, If I can fully comprehend what I've learned from listening to the Dao this time, it will be of immense benefit when I return to the present world.

Upon returning to their Cave Mansion, the two wasted no time. After tidying up, they summoned their sword light and ascended directly into the heavens, piercing through the clouds.

Chen Qing stood on the sword, looking back. He saw a thousand peaks coiled like dragons and tigers, the sea of clouds surged like spilled ink, and the ancient bronze palace hung in the sky. Occasionally, golden light erupted, illuminating the vast mountains and rivers for thousands of miles.

"What a blessed land of immortals! What a natural diagram for contemplation!"

As he marveled, his spiritual platform suddenly trembled. The Supreme Harmony Qi surged like a tide, and the nascent form of his Destiny Talisman vibrated incessantly. It was a sign that his accumulation was profound and it was about to condense on its own!

In a daze, Chen Qing saw himself holding a brush, copying ancient paintings under a green lamp, sketching seascapes on mountain peaks, and even depicting a master lecturing outside the ancient bronze palace!

"Is this... the Art of Painting that my dream-self practiced over five years?"

He was both surprised and delighted.

His dream-self had indeed followed the obsession he left behind, studying painting techniques in his spare time. Although progress was slow due to the lack of guidance, with accumulated effort, he had achieved a degree of proficiency!

"Lord Chen?" Xu Zhaoying sensed something unusual.

"It's nothing," Chen Qing suppressed the restlessness of his Destiny Talisman. He saw that the Mountain and Sea Patterns in his dantian were nearing completion, just one step away from taking shape.

As if sensing the changes in Chen Qing's spiritual energy, Xu Zhaoying spoke while forming hand seals to control the sword, "The journey to Jade Capital is long, and we will pass through several dangerous areas. You must be careful."

Chen Qing nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on the picturesque scenery along the way.

As they spoke, the sword light had already swept past several mountain peaks.

Suddenly!

"Hmm?"

Chen Qing frowned, sensing a subtle disturbance within the clouds ahead.

Almost simultaneously, Xu Zhaoying also detected the anomaly.

The sword light stopped abruptly!

Three streaks of dark light broke through the clouds, aiming directly for their chests!

Chen Qing's sleeves billowed, and the Supreme Harmony Qi surged like waves!

Clang!

Three pitch-black bone nails fell in response, their Yin Sha energy crackling as it corroded the air.

"Yin Sha Bone Nails?" Xu Zhaoying's pupils contracted. "Northern Cold Curse Technique!"

Screech!

The clouds tore apart, and an old man clad in a beast-skin cloak stood in the air. Where his white bone staff pointed, black energy swirled into ferocious ghost faces. The pressure of the Third Realm descended like an overturned mountain, rushing towards them!

"You are Chen Xu? I've been waiting for you!" he roared with a sinister grin. "If not for your strategy of dividing power and dispersing forces, how would my Northern Cold warriors have become slave laborers? How could their children recognize a traitor as their father? Today, I will make you, the Poisonous Strategist, pay the price!"

With that, he swung his white bone staff, and the black energy filling the sky transformed into ferocious ghost faces, lunging at the two of them!