Immortal Brew

Although Li Fan also took pills, they were mostly used for emergency treatment after life-threatening situations. Upon hearing that this Golden Liquid Pill had such severe side effects, he lost interest. After all, unless there was some kind of stimulant that could allow him to instantly advance two realms and directly defeat someone who had attained enlightenment, taking pills like food was useless.

Besides, this ancient formula with unclear efficacy is touted like a health supplement for the elderly, claiming to cure all diseases, reverse aging, and grant instant ascension. How could a single pill have so many amazing effects? This time, the abbot even used dozens of pills in his bath to treat him! Could this Ming Sheng's alchemy possibly be superior to the abbot's?

Maybe it's just sugar-coated flour, and old-fashioned immortals are just like lonely old people. Don't be fooled by the fact that the elites of the Xuanmen have developed a lot of advanced technology, like floating islands and mechanical puppets. Most immortals haven't received any scientific education and are superstitious about those folk remedies that claim to cure all diseases, like lead and mercury.

Of course, this is a cultivation world after all, and the settings are different. Perhaps this Golden Core really does have miraculous effects on Nascent Soul Stage cultivators. Li Fan himself doesn't believe in this, but he's not sure either, so he just watches the show from the sidelines.

"Fellow Daoist, were you injured by the Blood Talisman Sword? Is your injury serious?"

Li Fan snapped out of his daze and saw that some people weren't bidding, but instead came over to chat with him.

Judging solely from his primordial spirit, this person was androgynous. He had fair cheeks, peach-blossom eyes, arched eyebrows, red lips and white teeth, wore brocade robes and a jade belt, and had long hair draped over his shoulders tied with a red hairpin. There was also a red dragon mark between his eyebrows. Judging from his attire and demeanor, he did not seem to be a Daoist disciple of the Xuanmen sect. Moreover, Jia Gui was also perceptive and had already hidden far away to avoid him. He was probably a noble young master from some Immortal Palace who was out for a stroll.

When in doubt, Li Fan would address someone as "fellow Daoist," and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your concern, fellow Daoist. Qingyue of Ink Bamboo Mountain Lou Guan Dao encountered the Blood God Child on the road and killed him casually. He suffered only a minor injury and is otherwise unharmed."

When the young nobleman heard Li Fan introduce himself and express his willingness to befriend him, his eyes lit up. He excitedly cupped his hands and said, "My Bei Gong Wuji Xinling County under the protection of my ancestors. To be honest, I am quite ignorant. This is the first time I have had the opportunity to see the real Blood Talisman Sword with my own eyes. I wonder if I could take a closer look?"

Li Fan didn't mind. It seemed this was a young master from a wealthy family who woke up every day in his mansion spanning hundreds of hectares and hadn't really left home to see the world. So he spread his hands and said, "Fellow Daoist, no need to be polite. Take a look if you want."

The young nobleman then leaned closer to examine the sword blades on Li Fan's body, marveling at their power. "Wuji has heard that the Blood Talisman Sword is unparalleled, and the Blood God Child Great Law is the best in the world! Qingyue the sword wounds on True Monarch Qingyue's body, one can imagine how dangerous the situation must have been. However, it seems that the methods of your Lou Guan are still superior to those of the Divine Sect. I admire you greatly."

Li Fan didn't want to show off, but he couldn't be too modest in this situation, so he casually waved his hand and said, "Fellow Daoist, you flatter me. The Divine Sect's Primordial Spirit Technique is indeed powerful, but as long as one adheres to the Dao Heart and has a solid foundation, there is still a chance to turn defeat into victory."

Bei Gong Wuji nodded repeatedly, "What True Lord Qingyue said is true. With a Dao heart as firm as a rock, no demon or evil magic can destroy its foundation. It is Wuji's good fortune to meet a True Lord like you who has attained the Dao today. If True Lord does not mind, shall we share a drink?"

Li Fan didn't mind. True noblemen don't need to spend their days wielding swords to kill people and steal treasures. Building connections and networks at banquets and dinners is the norm. Having a drink with him wouldn't hurt.

Bei Gong Wuji was even happier and led Li Fan to sit down at the side of the arena. A servant had already brought over a bronze wine vessel. The vessel was filled with azure spiritual liquid, with wisps of immortal energy rising from it, and it even had a strange and refreshing fragrance. Li Fan couldn't help but wonder if he was still in the primordial spirit illusion.

Bei Gong Wuji introduced, "This wine is called 'Fusang Biqiong Xianniang.' It is a fine nectar brewed by the saliva of the fairy from the Bi Hai Xi He Palace Sea after she picked the Fusang Divine Fruit and chewed on delicacies. It is the most superior tonic for nourishing the injured primordial spirit. Wuji admires Daoist disciples like Qingyue Zhenjun who eliminate demons and protect the righteous path the most. Please drink this cup to the brim and don't be shy."

Li Fan hesitated for a moment. It wasn't that he was afraid of the poisoned wine, since he was naturally immune to debuffs. His main concern was whether he would owe the favor too much, and besides, how old was that fairy who 'chewed the fine wine' this year...

"Wuji Gongzi, what kind of Daoist master have you befriended that you've even brought out Fusang Immortal Wine to entertain me! I asked you for a cup, and you wouldn't even give me one!"

At this moment, a female cultivator in a red dress and Golden hairpin strode over. Although she was dressed in Central Plains attire, with brocade robes, flowing fairy skirts, and fairy wisps around her, her appearance was quite different. She seemed to have some mixed-race heritage, with thick eyebrows and a high nose, giving her a bit of the look of Western Regions woman. Although her cultivation level was only at the Nascent Soul Realm, her aura was quite strong. She was tall with long legs, and her waist-length hair fluttered in the wind, giving her a heroic and mature woman's demeanor.

Bei Gong Wuji saw her arrive, he was overjoyed and stood up to greet her, "Xu Xianniang has arrived! Please come and take a seat. This Qingyue Zhenjun is Lou Guan, a master who can break the Blood God Child. Your abilities are far superior to Xianniang's."

Xu Xianniang wasn't angry. She sat down next to Bei Gong Wuji and playfully pushed him away, saying, "Young master, you're mocking me again. Please don't take offense, Fellow Qingyue. I am Xu Luoyan, and I cultivate under the Pearl Curtain Waterfall on Mount Song."

Li Fan immediately greeted him, "Fellow Daoist, are you perhaps a disciple of Daoist Xu of Mount Song?"

Xu Luoyan smiled and said, "I am ashamed. My ancestor is a bit stubborn. He thinks my comprehension is too low and my aptitude is too poor. He doesn't care to take me under his wing. I am only able to stay in a palace because of my ancestor's influence and borrow land in Songshan to cultivate."

Bei Gong Wuji laughed, "True Lord, don't listen to Xu Xianniang's nonsense. In the Three Capitals and Two Capitals, in the capital region and the Four Auxiliary Regions, who doesn't know the name of Xianniang? She has a wide circle of friends. She has close sisters and considerate Dao Companion in various palaces and sects of the Central Plains. Who would dare to bully her?"

Li Fan was momentarily stunned. "Huh... these are Fourth Department? So unrestrained?"

Xu Luoyan laughed, "You're making fun of me again! You're asking for it! Fellow Qingyue, Wuji Gongzi. This Fusang Biqiong Xianniang is a rare treasure, and it's most beneficial to your injuries. Its efficacy will diminish if left for too long."

Ah, I understand now. Fellow Daoist, you find drinking alone unsatisfying, right? Wuji Gongzi, that's not right of you! Hurry up and ask for two cups of wine to treat me!"

Bei Gong Wuji nodded repeatedly, "It was my fault for not doing things properly. You've benefited again, Fairy Lady."

These two were clearly social butterflies. Li Fan's social skills were only slightly better than some vulgar people who would start a fight after just three sentences. He was no match for them. With one of them singing and the other echoing, he was persuaded by the two of them to drink a cup.

But you know what, this Fusang Immortal Wine is indeed quite powerful. Although Li Fan's Gui Xu Nascent Soul needs demonic energy to refine true essence, one of the three flowers on his head has already bloomed!

Bei Gong Wuji and Xu Luoyan were also amazed.

"He actually refined the Three Flowers at the Top! This is truly an eye-opener! Qingyue's cultivation is indeed unfathomable!"

"Fellow Daoist Qingyue, you truly live up to your reputation as Lou Guan. I have long heard that Feng Daojun is the foremost diviner in the South. Seeing your esteemed sect's lineage today, it is indeed extraordinary!"

These two men had clearly come prepared, having already investigated Li Fan's background, but they obviously meant him no harm. They genuinely enjoyed drinking and chatting, not pressing him for details, but simply sharing interesting tales and anecdotes from the Central Plains to befriend Li Fan. While urging him to drink, they also introduced Li Fan to some of the guests present, though most of them weren't qualified to sit down; they were simply there to drink with them.

Li Fan wasn't stupid. He could roughly guess from the identities of the two people involved that Xu Luoyan was probably a representative of Songshan, Bei Gong Wuji was likely a persuader from Sanyuan. Adding Li Fan, the Daoist disciple of Louguan, it seemed that the three of them belonged to the alliance of Sanyuan, Songshan, and Ink Bamboo Mountain. They were all in the same camp and were all key members of the Nascent Soul Realm. They would have a long time to work together in the future, so they would naturally take the opportunity to get to know each other and build relationships.

Li Fan also noticed that Yuntai Peak's faction was quite distinct. On the surface, it was a Xuanmen organization, but the Grand Tutor Manor of the Immortal Palace also participated in the cooperation. This further divided the Xuanmen, which was already internally divided, and created different groups.

Most of the Central Plains sects, represented by Mount Song, tend to cooperate with the Three Realms. After all, geographically, these sects' mountain gates and caves are located in the Central Plains, and most of their disciples come from the Central Plains immortal clans of the Three Realms, so there is no distinction between them.

The old Xuanmen sects from other regions, such as Emei, Hengshan, and Penglai, are relatively unfamiliar with the Three Realms. The old Xuanmen sects are more concerned with their own small territory, and some, like Emei, live in seclusion to cultivate and are too lazy to care about worldly affairs. However, the more powerful rising stars, such as the Manifestations of Penglai, not only want to reform their own sect's system, but also actively extend their reach into the territory of the Immortal Palace, vying for control of the vassal states and collecting more resources.

As for Hengshan, it goes without saying that they directly oppose the Immortal Palace and even the Xuanmen's escape strategy. However, this conflict is not public at the moment. At least on the surface, when Hengshan disciples and Songshan disciples meet, they simply nod to each other, appearing as polite and respectful fellow disciples. There is absolutely no trace of murderous intent or conflict on their faces. Of course, who knows what they might do in private if they have the opportunity.

So this is how sects and factions socialize? It's so complicated...

Li Fan could only smile and agree, vaguely remembering the names and backgrounds of the people introduced by Bei Gong Wuji and Xu Luoyan. Just dividing them into factions was already complicated enough, not to mention there might be undercover agents among them.

However, the two were quite polite during their first meeting and didn't try anything underhanded. After all, both the Grand Tutor and Songshan needed Ink Bamboo Mountain as an ally to restrain the power of the Divine Sect in Li Country. The two simply marveled at how Ink Bamboo Mountain was truly full of talented people and experts, and how the Lou Guan lineage would prosper in the future.

The two men, who had kept Li Fan entertained with the wine, not only served him the celestial brew, but also seemed to have gotten excited about inviting Li Fan to try a novel combination of Golden Liquid Wine and Five-Stone Powder. They spoke with great enthusiasm, as if the three of them were going to communicate spiritually, exchange cultivation techniques, and perhaps even strengthen their bond. Li Fan, of course, refused and barely managed to escape, having no time to exchange any Cultivation Method.

He thought he had been tricked, but to his surprise, as soon as he left the courtyard, Jia Gui approached him and offered him a piece of paper.

"True Lord, I just asked in a hurry, and there are three types of divine methods that can be exchanged. Which one do you like? Just use pills and magic treasures to purchase it. If you are still not satisfied, I will keep an eye out for it for a few more days and ask around."

Li Fan glanced at it and realized that Jia Gui was indeed quite capable. These three methods of cultivating the spirit were: the Taishang Sanshi Zhongjing, the Qingxu Second Yuanshen, and the Chengxing Lingtai Miyao.

The "Taishang Sanshi Zhongjing" is an ancient method that has been passed down for a long time. It separates the Three Corpses God Lord for cultivation, not only creating three extra clones at once, but also freeing the mind from the interference of greed, anger, and ignorance. One can maintain a pure Dao heart, focus on cultivation and the Dao, and at the final moment, sever the Three Corpses clones to achieve the righteous path of becoming Feather Transformation Immortal.

The "Qingxu Second Yuanshen and Emptiness" clearly states that it is a method for cultivating a second primordial Divine Sense arising from the pure void. It is like a split personality, with an additional secondary personality to control the clone. Theoretically, there is no upper limit to the number. Moreover, it is relatively stable and has a weaker impact on the primary personality.

The <Chengxing Lingtai Miyao> is also a remarkable technique. It involves casting a celestial map of the Libra Star corresponding to the Divine Court, and then constructing the Spiritual Platform Star Palace. Each palace's star position corresponds to a portion of the divine spirit. The specific number of divine spirits that can be cultivated depends on the chosen astrological configuration. For example, the Big Dipper corresponds to seven divine spirits, while the Nine Luminaries correspond to nine. The wonder of this method is that the Divine Sense corresponding to the Star Palace can receive the enhancement of stellar power, becoming exceptionally powerful under certain celestial configurations. However, it is also subject to the influence of stellar power. For instance, when the Moon is in the sky, the personality corresponding to the Moon is more likely to occupy the dominant position in the Star Palace.

However, all three are orthodox methods, and cultivators are willing to accept Changchun Pill as payment. There are no time restrictions either, since the method of splitting the spirit is a skill that is icing on the cake, and splitting the spirit is still quite difficult and risky, making it a useless Cultivation Method that is hard to use.

Upon seeing these three candidates, Li Fan felt reassured and decided to go out and discuss it with his grandfather, Xuan Tian, before making a final decision.

Jia Gui nodded, "Very good. After I complete the transaction, I'll also give you two Changchun Pill as a reward."

Jia Gui replied, "You're too kind, Master. I don't need any elixirs."

What do you want?

"With your extensive connections, knowing Zhulian Xianniang and Wuji Gongzi, a single word on my behalf is worth more than a hundred elixirs."

Oh, so it requires connections.

Seeing that Li Fan did not refuse, Jia Gui said happily, "I don't ask for anything grand. If I am fortunate enough to join the Xuanmen sect in the future, I would like to ask the fairy to take care of me. If I fail the exam, then I would be Wuji Gongzi would give me a meal."

Li Fan nodded in understanding. "That's not difficult. Having more friends means having more options. It seems those two are quite Central Plains. I know Xu Xianniang; she has the Daoist Master of Songshan as her backer. And who is that young marquis Wuji? Why don't you ask me directly, but instead ask him for a way out? Are you looking down on me, Lou Guan?"

Jia Gui chuckled, "True Lord is joking. That man is not some minor marquis, but a young master, the Xinling County Duke. True Lord, you probably don't know the ways of the Immortal Palace. He is a member of the imperial family, the eldest son of the North Sect Country. He hasn't reached the Transformation Stage yet and hasn't been granted a title, so he can't use the surname Ji. Therefore, to avoid using the Ziwei Yuan, he is called Beigong."

Li Fan was stunned. "Holy crap? He's a descendant of a Celestial Emperor? A future Celestial Emperor?"

Jia Gui shook his head, "That's not necessarily true. The Four Kingdoms haven't produced a Celestial King at the Divine Transformation stage for many years. They might remain dukes for life."

Li Fan frowned, "Bei Gong Wuji... Nan Gong Wudi... then are there also Dong Gong and Xi Gong?"

Jia Gui scoffed, "No, the Purple Star Emperor hangs high in the North Pole, and the Three Palaces Emperor Throne also faces south. So, princes who have reached the True Person Realm but have not yet been granted the title of king are all referred to as the Northern Palace to avoid taboo. Where did this so-called Southern Palace come from?"

Oh, you mean the Nangong Family from that Li Country? Heh, they call themselves imperial relatives, claiming that the Immortal Venerable bestowed their surname upon them. In reality, their ancestors were lowly savages without surnames. They were just favored by the Immortal Venerable, who casually gave them the surname Nangong. At most, they have a bunch of relatives who are related to the Immortal Venerable, and then they try to glorify themselves.

Among the immortal clans, there are many aristocratic families that have intermarried with immortal families for generations. There are also some princes and nobles who, because they do not cultivate the direct methods of the immortals, have switched to the Xuanmen and thus adopted the names of subjects. In terms of bloodline, they are much closer to the immortals than the immortals.

"Heh, a bunch of bumpkins from the south dare to rebel? They're making a fool of themselves."

Damn, this guy just looks down on them, these country bumpkins from Ink Bamboo Mountain...