Pills

"Sister Wu Qing is truly mighty! No matter how thorny the path ahead, she can cleave through it with a single sword strike, relying solely on her own strength!"

Upon returning to the Fortified Village, more news arrived, causing Wu Ming to inwardly tremble.

He had already known someone was targeting Wu Qing and had planned to notify her to be on guard while he secretly assisted. He hadn't expected her to directly break through the situation with her own strength.

The power of transcendents ultimately resides within themselves, a stark contrast to the path of collective effort.

"However... while individual strength is formidable, the potential of a faction cannot be underestimated!"

Wu Ming had his own path: a dual approach, using his own martial strength for self-preservation while being protected by layers of support.

This was the path of both individual and faction advancement.

While only one's own strength could not be taken away by others, the path of myriad spirits' cultivation was ultimately about absorbing the essence of heaven and earth to nourish oneself. Borrowing strength was still crucial.

Even Wu Ming admitted the benefits that external systems and factions provided to individuals!

The fundamental requirements for cultivation—wealth, partners, Dharma, and location—were all external forces. How could one not value them?

Therefore, he immediately ordered Zhao Song to reorganize the Inspectorate and strengthen patrols daily. Feng Han was tasked with organizing the Village Militia, and the Fortified Village was placed on high alert.

Although Wu Qing's letter had made things clear, Wu Ming was not the type to entrust his safety to another's guarantee.

This place was different from a mountain stronghold.

The Fortified Village was easy to defend and difficult to attack. Some of the household guards and inspectors were even born into servitude, having signed ironclad contracts. Their lives and honor rested entirely in Wu Ming's hands. Even killing them would only result in a fine, ensuring their loyalty.

With them guarding the village, they feared nothing unless a large army besieged them or a transcendent expert broke through their defenses with sheer power.

The Zhou Family couldn't even manage either of these. Thus, after making these arrangements, Wu Ming finally felt at ease.

"Since entering the Daoist Academy is no longer possible, I can now focus on studying the Yellow Court Yin Talisman Scripture..."

In his quiet room, Wu Ming specifically dismissed the servants. He lit an incense burner, and fragrant smoke curled upwards as he focused his mind in the serene atmosphere. A simple porcelain vase held a sprig of plum blossoms, their pink petals still adorned with morning dew, exuding a subtle fragrance.

Plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum, with their noble and unyielding spirit, had always been favored by cultivators and Confucian Qi Refiners.

On the table beside the vase lay the Silver Seal Jade Book, obtained from the old Daoist Qing Ping. It was open, revealing densely packed runes.

This was true Dharma! The foundation of cultivation, unlike lesser techniques such as the Great Yin Corpse Refining Method, it was the path to becoming a Human Immortal!

"Observing the ways of heaven and acting according to heaven's will, the teachings for a Human Immortal are complete!"

Wu Ming then unfurled a scroll of silk, covered in tiny, dense characters. Beside them were annotations, clearly explaining the contents of the Jade Book.

This was obtained from the Main God Hall's exchange and translation function, costing a hundred minor merits—a fair deal.

"Without the method, one can never enter the path, and even with the true Dharma, it's useless if one cannot understand it..."

Wu Ming sighed.

Daoist Qing Ping was fortunate to have obtained the Yellow Court Yin Talisman Scripture, but his own accumulation was insufficient. He had even misinterpreted Daoist terminology and, after all this time, had only reached the level of an Ordained Daoist. It was a tragic end that ultimately benefited Wu Ming.

However, in terms of Dao Foundation and textual accumulation, Wu Ming didn't even compare to Daoist Qing Ping. Naturally, he dared not interpret it rashly and could only seek help from the Main God Hall.

"The Human Immortal realm is divided into five stages: Daoist, Refining Master, Pháp sư, True Man, and Heavenly Master. The Daoist and Refining Master stages in the Yellow Court Yin Talisman Scripture are complete, but the Pháp sư section is incomplete. Supplementing it requires another one hundred and fifty major merits! ...However, for my current needs, this is sufficient!"

Wu Ming straightened his robes, calmed his mind, and adjusted his state to optimal before carefully reading the scripture.

This first reading of the text was a rare opportunity to imprint the Daoist charm within his heart. It was extremely important, a small trick he learned from Wu Qing.

Amidst the swirling smoke, time trickled by. After a long while, Wu Ming sighed in satisfaction and put down the ancient scroll.

"The Dao follows nature! Daoist cultivation, in essence, is a process of refining one's Dao nature through a series of methods such as diet, Foundation Establishment, profound scriptures, martial arts, talismans, and visualization, ultimately achieving unity with the Dao... Other techniques and Spiritual Power are merely supplementary..."

With the Main God Hall's translation, the Yellow Court Yin Talisman Scripture became easy to understand, and Wu Ming's understanding of Daoists deepened.

"Sister Wu Qing mentioned that when she first entered the Daoist Academy, she also recited scriptures and meditated daily. This cultivates the Dao nature of the physical body. Once the Dao nature is complete, one can open the Sea of Consciousness and cultivate Magical Power and Spiritual Power! In other Daoist lineages, this is also known as lighting the heavenly lamp, the manifestation of heart-light, and so on..."

"However, this step is extremely difficult. In the Daoist path, there is a shortcut: bestowing talismans to aid in breakthrough, hence the term 'receiving the ordination'!"

"Only after receiving the ordination can a Daoist truly be qualified to cast spells! Those before, even if they could cast spells, were all practicing unorthodox methods and even needed to consume their own vital energy and true essence. They could only be called itinerant sorcerers!"

"After receiving the ordination, a Daoist can be called a Daoist and possess Magical Power and Spiritual Power, but their bodies are still weak. The next step is internal refinement and circulation, which is the Refining Master stage!"

As a tank-type Martial Artist, Wu Ming unconsciously compared the two paths:

"Martial arts and Daoist methods are completely different paths, so even their realms are different. Take a spell, for example. If prepared, a Martial Artist with Gang Qi or Extreme Transformation would find it troublesome. But if the distance is closed, an Innate Martial Artist can deal with several Ordained Daoists who lack protective Magic Tools without issue... Therefore, who is stronger can only be determined through battle!"

"However, there are some points of comparison... In terms of physical fitness alone, a Daoist who has completed internal refinement and achieved great Foundation Establishment is somewhat similar to the Innate realm of a Martial Warrior... Of course, this is only in terms of physical vitality. In a real fight, they would certainly not be a match for a Martial Artist! However, at this stage, a Refining Master has keen senses, a light body, and it's difficult for ordinary Martial Artists to launch surprise attacks. They can dodge and cast Daoist spells, and can even threaten Martial Artists at the Extreme Transformation level..."

"While the Martial Artist's blazing Gang Qi has a restraining effect on Daoist Spiritual Power, it is said that without reaching the Grandmaster realm beyond Extreme Transformation, they would still suffer a crushing defeat against a Pháp sư who can cast spells instantly..."

"From this, it can be seen that the Daoist profession is ultimately for the rich and powerful. Tanks have no future..."

Wu Ming sighed.

He knew that the Great Zhou world was ultimately not a game, and there was no such thing as balance.

Daoists surpassed Martial Artists from the start. The starting points were different; it was that cruel!

"However... you get what you pay for. The cost of cultivating Daoist methods is truly terrifying..."

Wu Ming only briefly glanced at the materials required to cultivate the Yellow Court Yin Talisman Scripture, as well as the subsequent methods for various elixirs and pills. His heart trembled slightly.

Even though he considered himself quite wealthy, having recently looted a large sum from the Zhou Family, he still felt dizzy upon seeing these requirements.

"Poverty in literature, wealth in martial arts; cultivating Dharma can ruin a family"—these were not mere empty words.

"The expenses from the previous few times, bringing out Magic Tools, Thunder Talismans, and translating cultivation methods... the remaining merit points can be used to complete the Pháp sư section of the Yellow Court Yin Talisman Scripture. I saved them for this purpose..."

Wu Ming memorized the first layer of the cultivation method and carefully put away the Yellow Court Yin Talisman Scripture and its translated version. Only then did he call Steward Wu and hand him a list: "You're procuring the New Year's goods, aren't you? See how much this will cost if we add these."

Steward Wu took the list and saw minerals like cinnabar, realgar, alum, azurite, and lodestone, as well as several medicinal herbs. Although he was surprised, he remained composed. It was only when he saw the quantities that his eyelids twitched: "If we procure enough for young master's portion, it will cost at least five hundred taels of silver!"

"Mm, I'll write a note. Go to the storeroom to draw the supplies and get them as soon as possible... Also, don't sell that batch of fine jade anymore. Keep it all!"

After seeing Steward Wu off, a wry smile appeared on Wu Ming's face.

This was just for the general ingredients. The truly rare items, he didn't expect Steward Wu to be able to collect. Instead, he planned to exchange for them in the Main God Hall himself.

Several days later, at night.

The stars were brilliant outside, but Wu Ming was indoors, solemnly guarding a small furnace.

The charcoal fire burned fiercely below, using the finest silver-thread beast-head charcoal, which produced very little smoke.

Wu Ming's gaze was focused. He occasionally lifted the lid and added a few more medicinal ingredients.

"Sovereign, Minister, Assistant, Guide, complementing the four seasons... this batch is almost ready! If it fails again, all the previous investment will be wasted..."

What he was refining now was a pill recorded in the Yellow Court Yin Talisman Scripture, specifically designed to aid in opening the Sea of Consciousness. Even in the Daoist sects, it was considered a rather precious formula.

A set of this pill was expensive to prepare. If not for the fact that the raw ingredients in the Main God Hall were much cheaper than the finished product, Wu Ming's previous failed attempts could have bankrupted him.

Just past the third watch of the Rat hour, a faint fragrance suddenly emanated from the furnace, bringing a look of joy to Wu Ming's face: "It's done!"

Opening the furnace, he saw pills shaped like bird eggs, crystal clear and emitting a jade-like luster.

"Five Stone Return Bright Powder. Among Daoist sects, it's an auxiliary pill for breakthroughs, capable of stabilizing the Sea of Consciousness and awakening the heart-light. It's extremely rare. Using it right from the start is a rather extravagant path to advancement... Unfortunately, I lack the accumulation of Daoist sects, nor do I have that much time for slow refinement. My Dao cultivation is insufficient, so I'll make do with pills... it's passable..."

He didn't dare to delay. Using a jade spoon, he scooped out the pills and placed them into several jade bottles, sealing them before letting out a long sigh.

The reason for using jade was that this concoction was incompatible with the Five Elements. Although it hadn't reached the point of 'harming upon contact with metal, scorching upon contact with wood,' prolonged contact would significantly reduce its efficacy.

"Extravagant... just a few of these ingredients, found in all corners of the world, requiring precise timing, quantities, and attributes... only royalty could possibly gather them all..."

After storing the pills, Wu Ming first calmed his mind, then sat cross-legged, took out a jade bottle, and revealed the pill within, slightly piercing a thin film.

This pill was shaped like a chicken's egg, shimmering with light and releasing a drop of silver medicinal liquid.

Boom!

Wu Ming placed it under his tongue, and immediately, an electric shock-like sensation spread throughout his entire body.