Scripture in Wine

"It's done!"

In the center of the lotus platform, the Withered Orchid suddenly unfurled! The edges of its leaves shimmered with golden patterns, and a surge of scorching vitality erupted from its roots.

Chen Qing's heart pounded, and he flicked his fingers, sending several streams of Turbid Qi shooting out.

The Withered Orchid greedily devoured the nutrients, its leaves turning from withered yellow to crimson. A golden, rice-grain-sized bud actually condensed at its tip!

Just as he was filled with surprise, a "snap" echoed from within Chen Qing. Because too much Turbid Qi had been expelled, the Five Elements fell out of balance. The fire and earth energies ran wild, and the remaining spiritual energy was almost annihilated. His meridians felt like they were being scorched by a raging fire. Chen Qing let out a muffled groan, veins bulging on his forehead.

Just as he was struggling to regulate his breathing, the golden bud suddenly bloomed!

A wisp of pure Fire Spirit sprayed from the pistil, heading straight for his brow.

Instantly, the rampaging fire and earth energies within Chen Qing met a sweet rain, calming down immediately. The starlight of his Destiny Talisman merged with the Fire Spirit, and the edges of the talisman runes were coated in a brilliant golden border.

"Hum--"

The Green Jade Lotus Platform's radiance surged!

The Withered Orchid was completely revived. Its three crimson leaves unsheathed like sharp swords, their golden patterns flowing like boiling lava.

Ten thousand ancient runes suddenly appeared on the surface of the lotus platform. Each rune moved like a living creature, eventually converging into nine illusory green lotus shadows that rotated around Chen Qing.

A spiritual energy as warm and smooth as jade flowed from the lotus platform, entering Chen Qing's body from the soles of his feet. After circulating through his meridians for one cycle, it transformed into a protective shield as thin as cicada wings, clinging tightly to his skin.

"Hm?"

A soft exclamation suddenly came from the depths of the treasure pavilion.

Chen Qing turned his head sharply and saw a grey-robed old man standing in a corner, who knows when. The old man had hair and beard as white as snow, a withered face, and held a green jade whisk. He was observing the revived Crimson Orchid with great interest.

"Young friend has skillful means," the old man said, walking over slowly. He swept his whisk. "This Ninth-grade Green Lotus Platform has been dormant for three hundred years. Today, it has finally found a worthy master."

Chen Qing's heart tightened. He cupped his hands and asked, "Senior, you are...?"

"Just an old man who guards the door," the old man waved his hand, his gaze still fixed on the Crimson Orchid. "This item is called the Crimson Heart Golden Patterned Orchid. It was born amidst the Nine Nether Earth Fire and requires pure Fire Spirit for nourishment. You were able to revive it..." He narrowed his eyes. "It is quite peculiar."

Chen Qing had initially labeled the old man as a "sweeping monk" type upon seeing his attire. However, upon hearing his words, he found it strange.

The fact that this Crimson Orchid could be revived indicated it was the "Fire Tongue Orchid" recorded in later texts. Where did the talk of Nine Nether Earth Fire come from? Moreover, I clearly used a turbid fire mixed with two elements, which is far from "pure"...

Is this another limitation of contemporary understanding?

The old man, unaware of Chen Qing's doubts, pointed at the lotus platform. "This Ninth-grade Green Lotus Platform is an ancient treasure. It can suppress inner demons and protect the physical body. Although your cultivation is shallow now, activating this item can even hold off a Fourth Realm expert for a while. As for this Crimson Orchid..."

Chen Qing's heart trembled upon hearing this. His gaze towards the lotus platform changed.

It could withstand the attacks of a Fourth Realm cultivator?

If this were brought to the present world, why would he need to worry about the Sea Abyss Temple's Third Realm cultivators?

However, at this moment, a sudden change occurred!

The Crimson Orchid began to tremble violently. The golden patterns on its three crimson leaves moved like living creatures, condensing into three ancient runes at the center of the leaves in an instant.

"Oh?" The old man's face showed surprise. "Samadhi True Fire Talisman!"

Before Chen Qing could react, three golden runes flew from the leaves and shot directly into his brow!

"Boom!"

His Sea of Consciousness was instantly engulfed in golden flames. The anxiety, hesitation, and other distracting thoughts he had accumulated over the years vanished in an instant, leaving his Dao Heart clear and bright.

Three golden runes hovered deep within his Sea of Consciousness.

"What great fortune!" the old man exclaimed, clapping his hands. "Samadhi True Fire can refine inner demons, allowing for unimpeded cultivation from now on. This lotus platform and Crimson Orchid can already absorb spells, and their own cultivation through absorbing magical power. Once enough is accumulated, they can condense talismans, and more mysteries will be revealed in the future."

Does this mean it absorbs spells and magical power, like drawing cards?

Chen Qing was overjoyed.

The lotus platform protecting his body and the true fire refining his heart were both tangible benefits. Even if he couldn't bring them back to the present world, the method of refining distracting thoughts alone was beneficial; it could cleanse his Dao Heart every time he entered a dream.

As Chen Qing rejoiced in his gains, the old man suddenly waved his whisk, his form gradually fading. "However, treasures are ultimately external. True cultivation lies within the heart."

As his voice echoed.

Chen Qing bowed respectfully, then reached out to touch the lotus platform.

"Collect!"

The Ninth-grade Green Lotus Platform shrank in response, becoming palm-sized and falling into his hand. The Crimson Heart Golden Patterned Orchid condensed into a reddish-gold seed, lying quietly in the center of the lotus platform.

"With this supreme protective treasure, I finally have a bit more reliance."

He tucked the lotus platform into his robes and was about to leave when he suddenly stopped, his gaze sweeping over the dazzling array of treasures around him.

Since I'm already here, I might as well look around...

Thus, Chen Qing wandered through the three levels of the treasure vault several more times, his eyes scanning the spiritual treasures.

The Bronze Wine Goblet poured wine by itself, and when he passed by, it even offered him a drink.

On the Ink Wash Screen, a woodcutter paused and waved.

The Seven-stringed Zither played a profound melody without anyone touching it.

The Golden Bell jingled, conjuring layers of mazes.

Chen Qing shook his head and chuckled, continuing forward.

"The conditions are too difficult," he said after a few breaths, turning back towards the stairs. "Relying on the Record of Absolute Items for a shortcut, obtaining the Ninth-grade Green Lotus Platform was already an unexpected joy. I shouldn't hope for more."

Behind him, the treasures let out unwilling hums.

However—

When Chen Qing returned to the first floor and reached for the door, he found it wouldn't budge.

"Hmm?"

The door wouldn't budge!

He frowned, increasing the force by a third. The door remained tightly shut, but a line of golden text suddenly appeared on its surface—

"Treasures are rare, do not settle easily. You may continue to choose and need not rush to leave."

"This is... house arrest?"

He understood instantly.

"That's right! They must be waiting for Princess Xiyao's situation to be resolved. Could she really be sending someone to the Meridian Washing Pool? Is it necessary to trap me here? What difference can one more person make, preventing me from advising the Princess?"

As he thought, Chen Qing's hand unconsciously reached for the Green Lotus Platform in his embrace, but he stopped himself.

This lotus platform could protect him, but it seemed to have no offensive capabilities!

"That old man from before was an expert from beyond the mortal world. I probably can't call him out..."

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Chen Qing was trapped in the treasure tower, but he did not waste his time.

He explored every inch of the walls on the first three floors of the tower, searching for a way out.

At dawn on the fourth day, a faint scratch in the gap between the jade bricks in the northwest corner of the second floor caught his attention. As his fingertip brushed against it, he felt a faint stinging sensation!

"This is..."

He bent down to examine it closely. The scratch was as fine as a spider's thread, yet it was sharp and defined, clearly carved by sword energy. Following the pattern, a fragmented scripture gradually appeared—

[Primordial Chaos Qi, encompassing all things, connects to the highest heavens and the deepest netherworld. When refined to great mastery, it can transform heaven and earth into a furnace, melting all things into one qi. Thus, this method can be called the 'Primordial Chaos Qi Scripture'!]

Every word struck Chen Qing's mind like thunder, shaking him to his core.

The ambition of this cultivation method was so high that it made the Sea and Mountain Remnant Scroll pale in comparison! Although he only obtained a few hundred characters of the opening, the Supreme Harmony Qi within his body began to circulate spontaneously, resonating mysteriously with the inscription.

"Who left this? It's so hidden. Could it be that they, like me, left it here while trapped?"

Inspired, he condensed the Supreme Harmony Qi at his fingertips and slowly traced along the inscription.

"Buzz—"

The jade brick suddenly emitted a soft glow, and more characters emerged as if alive:

[Qi is divided into yin and yang, form has substance and emptiness. Emptiness and substance give birth to each other, transforming all things...]

Chen Qing glanced at it a few times and immediately felt as if he had found a priceless treasure.

"This is truly the foundation of the Immortal Dynasty. Even the cultivation methods in the corners of the treasure vault are so profound. If this were to appear outside the dream and spread, it would likely cause a bloody storm!"

Soon, he was engrossed, completely forgetting about time.

"Grumble—"

It wasn't until a rumble from his stomach startled him that he realized he hadn't eaten or drunk anything for three days.

Although cultivators could go without food for many days, the spiritual energy in this treasure vault was thin, and his continuous study of the scripture had consumed a great deal of energy.

"The Sixth Prince wouldn't stoop to starving me to death..."

As soon as the thought arose, he shook his head.

"That's right!"

Chen Qing pondered for a moment and suddenly realized. Ordinary people would sit and meditate when trapped, but he had been running up and down for days and had been studying the Primordial Chaos Qi Scripture continuously, so his consumption was naturally far greater than usual.

"I need to find something to eat, or something to drink... Wait! Drink?"

His eyes suddenly lit up. Enduring the oppressive aura, he rushed up the stairs and snatched the Bronze Wine Goblet. After a moment of hesitation, he remembered he was in a dream and tilted his head back, drinking it down.

"Gulp—"

The amber liquid flowed down his throat, instantly transforming into a rolling stream of heat that swept through his entire body. Not only did his hunger and thirst disappear, but his spirit also cleared!

"Good wine!"

Chen Qing wiped his mouth and chuckled.

From then on, whenever Chen Qing was hungry, he would drink from the Bronze Wine Goblet. In his drunken haze, the profoundness of the Primordial Chaos Qi Scripture became even clearer.

[...Primordial Chaos is the qi before heaven and earth were separated!]

When his fingertips traced the final inscription, the jade brick suddenly burst with dazzling light! Through his drunken eyes, several lines of wild calligraphy leaped onto the wall—

[I have traveled through the six continents of the world, observed all methods, and created this Primordial Chaos Qi Scripture! Those who obtain it in later generations should know that this technique encompasses all things. When cultivated to great mastery, it can smelt all methods into one furnace!—Venerable Taixuan]

Even in his drunken state, Chen Qing was deeply shaken by the arrogant pride radiating from the words, as if he were looking down on the world.

"What ambition!"

He staggered to his feet. Though the spiritual wine in his goblet could stave off hunger, its aftereffects were growing stronger. He'd drunk at least dozens of cups these past two days, and his vision was already blurring.

"No wonder they say one can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk..."

Chen Qing gave a bitter smile and shook his head. Just as he reached for another drink, his legs suddenly buckled, and he nearly fell. He quickly grabbed the wall, feeling the world spin. Even the Samadhi True Fire Talisman in his Sea of Consciousness had dimmed slightly.

"If I drink any more, I'll really pass out..."

As he hesitated, his body suddenly trembled, and a faint white mist began to gather before his eyes!

This was the sign that his seven-day dream was nearing its end and he was about to wake up!

"Am I waking up?"

Chen Qing's heart tightened, and much of his drunkenness dissipated. He quickly sat cross-legged, sorting through the insights he'd gained over the past few days, fearing he might have missed something.

The white mist thickened, and Chen Qing's consciousness gradually withdrew.

At the very moment he was about to wake, his mind suddenly raced—Princess Xiyao was in grave danger, and the situation was complex. If he jumped several years ahead the next time he entered the dream, the situation might be beyond saving!

"I need to leave a wedge for next time!"

He gathered the last shred of his clarity, but his drunkenness made it difficult to concentrate. As the white mist completely obscured his vision, an ink mark suddenly appeared, then rapidly expanded, as if covering the entire space. It drew a stroke here, becoming an imprint.

This imprint wasn't like the specific obsessions he'd left before. It was a faint, elusive "intent," like a guiding light in the sea of dreams, pointing the way to continue the dream in the future.

However, in his haste, there was an extremely tiny deviation in the time anchor.

"Drinking has caused trouble!" Before leaving, he habitually planted an obsession in his dream-self: "Keep drinking to stave off hunger, keep comprehending..."

Then, his consciousness departed.

The next instant, his dream-self mechanically picked up the wine goblet and drank it down.

After the wine entered his belly, the pores all over his body opened and closed, absorbing all the spiritual energy from the wine without any sign of drunkenness. His eyes were as vacant as an abyss. Immediately after, his dream-self turned towards the markings on the wall. As his gaze fell upon them, the scriptures entered his eyes, and his comprehension speed increased by more than several times!

"Huh?"

The old man in the gray robe, observing from the shadows, was utterly astonished.

He had seemed utterly drunk just moments ago, but now he appeared detached from his physical form, not bound by it!

"Supreme Forgetfulness of Emotion!?"

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