North Sea, Floating Cloud Platform, Li Ling's secluded residence.
A wisp of fragrance bloomed like fluorescent light, brightening in the unseen depths.
A power akin to a divine kingdom domain, yet more profound and mysterious, spread through the void, carrying the true insights Li Ling had gained over his years of contemplating mysteries and comprehending the Dao.
Gradually, it diluted the copper stench surrounding him, imperceptible to ordinary people, restoring balance and harmony.
"It seems to have worked. Some of the tribulation power in the air has dissipated. But even now, I still don't know precisely what principle lies behind it. Divine abilities and spells remain difficult to quantify. Changes driven by the mind are more feasible."
Li Ling recalled the analogy of the moon in a well, which he had heard when asking Madam Zhao about the Nascent Soul Realm years ago, and found it increasingly wondrous.
The moon in a well was not the true moon, yet it undeniably possessed the moon's shape and radiance.
By the same principle, divine abilities and spells were not the Great Dao, yet they undeniably expressed its fundamental essence.
Perhaps this was where the Incense Path's extraordinary power in this world came from. Its essence was also some form of fundamental origin, and that would be the Dao he sought.
"Never mind all that for now. I'll establish its formula and refinement method and spread them far and wide. Hopefully, it will help dispel the calamities afflicting the North Sea."
Before long, Li Ling picked up his brush and wrote on paper:
"Finely chop forty liang of Purple-Rich Jiangzhen Incense, add thirty liang of plank incense, thirty liang of yellow-ripened incense, ten liang of clove bark, and thirty liang of finely chopped purple sandalwood incense. Mix one liang of powdered Jian tea