Gathering Five Elements for Inversion, True Secret Transmitted Within the Eight Trigrams Furnace

"This is... a Golden Talisman?"

Li Nanxing's cultivation leaned towards metal-based techniques, sharing many similarities with the Metallurgy Daoist, so he naturally recognized the Golden Talisman, a secret art passed down by the Metallurgy Daoist.

"I've fallen into a trap."

Enraged and embarrassed, his savage Divine Sense surged towards Heng Hua. At the same time, Li Nanxing retracted his Bronze Cauldron, attempting to sever the subtle connection.

Heng Hua immediately sat down and executed the wondrous technique of "Two Hearts, One Body." He used his Mind Monkey to counter Li Nanxing's Divine Sense while his main body continued to refine the Golden Talisman.

Under the immense pressure of the vast ocean of Divine Sense, the Innate Dao Seed within the Mind Monkey was activated.

A distant, profound Innate Creation Dao intent protected the Mind Monkey.

No matter how turbulent the waves, my Dao Heart remains eternal.

The Bronze Cauldron ignored Li Nanxing's summons. As the Chiyuan Golden Talisman operated, the Innate Primordial Copper Essence Qi leaked out madly. Fueled by the Li Fire that permeated the island, it transformed into Chiyuan Gold Essence of higher purity and quality.

"Come back."

Li Nanxing bit his tongue, forcibly controlling the Bronze Cauldron to recall the Innate Primordial Copper Qi.

"Senior, it's useless. The secret of the Golden Talisman involves the wondrous principles of the Heavenly Dao's operation. Even I only know how to write it, not its true meaning. If you haven't formed a Golden Core and don't understand the Great Dao, how can you forcibly seize Creation from the workings of heaven and earth?" Heng Hua said, observing the Golden Talisman's operation.

Through the operation of this Golden Talisman, Heng Hua perceived the power of Creation in the world.

The Incantation Golden Talisman mimicked the operation of heaven and earth, directly deriving the result by skipping the process of elevating ordinary materials to advanced Gold Essence. This Golden Talisman itself was a manifestation of the mysteries of Creation.

Suddenly, Heng Hua's heart stirred.

Since the Incantation Golden Talisman could refine gold and deduce the result of advanced Gold Essence, could one also create other types of heavenly materials and earthly treasures by mastering this secret of Creation?

Immortal Peaches, Golden Ginseng Lingzhi... If one could find the corresponding principles of Creation, could they also be synthesized artificially?

Seeing that Heng Hua remained unharmed under his Divine Sense pressure, Li Nanxing's face twitched, and he quickly turned to retreat.

"I'll leave for now. After the formation stops, I'll come back in to deal with them. Even without the Bronze Cauldron, I am still a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Great Perfection stage."

However, at this moment, the Wind and Fire Wall continued to operate, blocking him instead.

He attempted to blast through the wall with lightning techniques, but it was repelled by the Wind and Fire Wall.

"Senior, let me tell you a common knowledge. The weakness of the 'Returning Wind and Fire Formation' is from the inside. Once you enter, you can attack at will. But there's a prerequisite: you can enter, but you can't leave.

"Any attack you launch from the inside will also be drawn back by the formation. Only by breaking the formation can the Wind and Fire Wall be dispelled."

Heng Hua walked to Zhou Xiao's side and chuckled, "Of course, if you use an escape technique to leave, the Returning Wind and Fire won't sweep you away. However..."

Fire Release and Wind Release were elemental techniques, which were naturally countered by the Returning Wind and Fire Formation.

Water Release could not be used in front of the Wind and Fire Wall. Wood Release and Metal Release would be countered by the fire wall. Earth Release and Lightning Release would be countered by the wind wall.

Only special escape techniques beyond the Five Elements Wind and Thunder escape techniques could allow one to flee the Returning Wind and Fire Formation.

Fu Xuanxing finally understood why Heng Hua insisted on bringing out this most precious formation from Fu Heyi's hands.

The Wind and Fire Wall seemed not to impede escape techniques, but it was impossible for ordinary people to perform escape techniques amidst the raging winds and fierce flames.

"He was worried that Senior Li would try to escape after coming in. He deliberately used the 'Returning Wind and Fire Formation' as a cage to trap him."

Heng Hua took the golden needle from Howling Fish and inserted it into Zhou Xiao's Fengchi acupoint.

"Senior, it's your turn."

Creation True Qi was guided into Zhou Xiao's body through the golden needle, forcing out a wisp of Core Essence from his Hidden Acupoints.

"You only have one chance to attack, Senior, pay attention."

"Lightning arise." Zhou Xiao forcibly controlled the Golden Firmament Mystic Thunder Formation.

Lightning connected heaven and earth, Yin and Yang energies flowed, and the island's magnetic field shifted.

Li Nanxing activated the "Two Forms Righteous Stability Talisman" and shot out silver light again, but Zhou Xiao quickly detonated the pre-arranged Two Forms Jade Talisman.

After the Righteous Stability Talisman took effect, Zhou Xiao's "Two Forms Inversion Technique" followed closely behind, interrupting its effect.

"Seal."

Yin and Yang energies transformed into a white jade immortal pillar. All metal objects were drawn towards it by the jade pillar's induction.

The Bronze Cauldron, the Lingge Sword, and even the flagpoles of many formation flags – all metal objects were compelled.

"Nanxing, watch this. This is the wondrous method of a Golden Core."

Zhou Xiao clapped his hands: "Come here."

Without the False Core of the Bronze Cauldron, Li Nanxing, merely at Foundation Establishment Perfection, was easily captured by Zhou Xiao and locked beneath the Two Forms Jade Pillar. His internal organs began to "metalize," and attracted by the Two Forms Jade Pillar, he was completely unable to break free.

After this single strike, Zhou Xiao quickly weakened.

"Tong Jun, you and the others join forces to seal his Niwan Palace. Later, I'll talk to him slowly."

Li Nanxing targeted Zhou Xiao like a mad dog, but Zhou Xiao held no particular ill will towards Li Nanxing.

He had already attained the Golden Core stage and was the victor in the great Dao struggle between the two. He looked at Li Nanxing with a hint of pity.

The ideal scenario was to enlighten Li Nanxing, make him abandon his wrath, and find another way to form his core. This way, neither side would be harmed, which was the best plan.

If he couldn't let go, then he would kill him. Zhou Xiao decided to do this himself, to prevent Li Nanxing's friends and family from getting involved with the Fu Family and Fu Xuanxing.

"Understood."

Just as Heng Hua was about to move, the volcano erupted again. A dark object shot out from the volcano, heading straight for the Two Forms White Jade Pillar.

"Is there really something from the Cloud Fire Immortal Palace beneath Dielie Island?"

Heng Hua and Zhou Xiao were both surprised.

Although it was only a fleeting glimpse, they had already discovered that the black object resembled an iron token, likely a Dan Shu from the Divine Province Sects that recorded cultivation methods. What was left on it must be the core inheritance of the Cloud Fire Immortal Palace.

Fu Xiangfeng wanted to block it with his sword, but the Lingge Sword was not in his hand, and he froze on the spot.

The iron token moved too fast, and everyone could only watch as it collided with the jade pillar.

As luck would have it, the iron token struck the Lingge Sword. The Lingge Sword's trajectory shifted, knocking over several other golden artifacts. The Bronze Cauldron tilted indirectly, and countless Chiyuan Gold Essence poured out, engulfing the White Jade Pillar, Li Nanxing, the other golden artifacts, and the iron token.

"Not good!"

Zhou Xiao was startled.

Li Nanxing seized the opportunity to dive into the Bronze Cauldron.

Seeing his original "Yuantong Pill" transform into a Chiyuan Dao Pill, his expression became manic: "So what if the Golden Talisman is refined? This Dao Pill still bears my mark. After I refine the Dao Pill, my Magical Power will only become purer. Then, I will deal with you."

He spat out a stream of vital blood, attempting to refine it with the blood refining method.

"Li Nanxing, no."

Zhou Xiao's face changed drastically: "Your body has already started to turn to gold. If you forcefully refine it again—"

"Ah—"

A scream came from within the Bronze Cauldron, and then silence.

Zhou Xiao quickly called out to Fu Xuanxing: "Quick, pull him out."

"Oh."

Fu Xuanxing hurried over, but Heng Hua rose into the air, reaching the Bronze Cauldron before Fu Xuanxing.

Looking inside, Chiyuan Gold Essence was continuously pouring into Li Nanxing's body. Except for his head, all other parts had turned into metal.

"Forcibly refining the 'Chiyuan Golden Core' and being controlled by the golden energy, turning into a Golden Person?"

Heng Hua pointed his finger, and the Thousand Strands Silk rolled up the Lingge Sword and returned it to Fu Xiangfeng.

"Senior Li, if you want to live, just disperse your cultivation. I will help you escape."

Li Nanxing's eyes were tightly shut, still unwilling to give up, struggling to refine the Chiyuan Golden Core.

He had a premonition that if he could perfectly refine the Chiyuan Golden Core, breaking through to the Golden Core stage would be within reach.

"Senior Li, if you don't give up now, you'll truly become a 'Golden Person' and can only be used as material for our Magic Treasures. No, if we carve puppet talismans on you, you can directly serve as a Golden Core Puppet."

Li Nanxing: "..."

Before long, his head turned to metal, and Li Nanxing's consciousness began to blur.

Heng Hua shook his head, he wouldn't listen to advice.

He called out to Fu Xuanxing: "You're good at crafting. Might as well use this Chiyuan Gold Essence to upgrade this big cauldron."

"Upgrade it again? If it's upgraded further, Senior Li might lose his life."

Howling Fish supported Zhou Xiao as he walked over.

Looking at Li Nanxing, who had turned into a Golden Person, Zhou Xiao sighed deeply.

"Xuanxing, listen to him. Upgrade this Bronze Cauldron into the Chiyuan Gold Essence Cauldron. Once the golden cauldron is formed, it might be able to draw out the golden energy within him. But if that happens..."

Li Nanxing would lose all his Magical Power, which would be more painful than killing him.

"That's not necessarily true. Senior, this golden cauldron might be his Golden Core opportunity."

Heng Hua spoke as he activated the Innate Eight Trigrams.

"Eight Trigrams Furnace, rise!"

The Innate Eight Trigrams turned into a lid and covered the large bronze cauldron. A faintly visible Eight Trigrams Immortal Furnace appeared around the Bronze Cauldron.

Fu Xuanxing suddenly understood and controlled the scattered Li Fire, re-forging the Bronze Cauldron in the image of the Eight Trigrams Immortal Furnace.

Zhou Xiao examined the Eight Trigrams Furnace, nodding repeatedly: "This furnace secretly aligns with the mysteries of the Eight Trigrams, it looks like something the Fu family would play with."

In a short while, Fu Xuanxing integrated the Chiyuan Gold Essence into the Bronze Cauldron, re-constructing it into a Chiyuan Gold Essence Cauldron.

"I didn't have time to change the formations and runes inside the cauldron, so I just replaced the outer material."

"That's enough."

Heng Hua lightly patted the Eight Trigrams Furnace and smiled, "Senior Li, your fortune has arrived."

The Mind Monkey burrowed into the golden furnace and forcibly moved Li Nanxing to the Xun position.

Outside, Heng Hua sat down cross-legged. "Observe the inner landscape with clarity, let the bright light illuminate all. The body is like the sun and moon, Kan and Li intermingling..."

The Golden Furnace took shape. Not only was the Chiyuan Golden Core integrated into the furnace, but even the golden qi within Li Nanxing's body was being extracted bit by bit.

At the same time, his Magical Power realm continuously fell.

Foundation Establishment ninth layer, Foundation Establishment eighth layer, Foundation Establishment seventh layer...

When his Magical Power vanished, Li Nanxing's consciousness returned. Looking at his predicament, he felt bitter.

At this moment, waves of regret surged in his heart.

If he had backed down earlier, how could he have ended up in such a state?

Between life and death lay great fear and terror.

Li Nanxing recalled the moment his consciousness was on the verge of disappearing and no longer dared to experience it again.

Just then, the incantation Heng Hua was reciting sounded from outside the furnace.

Upon hearing the incantation, Li Nanxing initially wanted to curse. But then he calmed down and carefully pondered it, realizing it was a profound Qi cultivation method, far more mysterious than his own Great White Profound Gold Art.

He tentatively circulated it once. Not only were his internal organs nourished, but his lost Magical Power was also curbed.

"Is this a method for combining the Five Elements to form a Golden Core?"

Li Nanxing attempted to cultivate according to the incantation.

The golden qi stopped leaving his body. Propelled by the new True Qi, it began to transform: "Gold gives birth to Water, Water gives birth to Wood, Wood gives birth to Fire, Fire gives birth to Earth."

When the earth qi circulated back to the golden qi, a Five Elements cycle formed within his body. It began to compete with the Chiyuan Golden Essence Furnace for golden qi, and his Magical Power started to recover bit by bit.

The Mind Monkey observed Li Nanxing's condition and secretly nodded. "As expected, my deduction of the Creation Yuan Convergence Technique was correct."

Starting from gold, it generated water from the Golden Lord, then transformed into the Wood Mother, and finally the Yellow Granny, ending with earth before returning to golden qi.

What Heng Hua imparted to Li Nanxing was precisely a condensed version of the third chapter of the Foundation Establishment stage of the Creation Yuan Convergence Technique, which he had gained inspiration for yesterday.

By using Li Nanxing as an experiment, Heng Hua once again recorded and verified the data for his cultivation method.

Dusk gradually deepened.

The dark red fire clouds above the island merged with the evening glow.

The Chiyuan Eight Trigrams Furnace stopped its operation, and a stream of light escaped from the fire.

Li Nanxing appeared, naked and with no hair on his head or body.

Looking at Heng Hua, who was smiling and nodding outside, Li Nanxing sighed.

Although he was very unwilling, he still had to acknowledge this kindness of receiving the Dao and being saved.

He endured his shame and bowed deeply, "Thank you, Teacher, for saving my life and helping me achieve the Dao."

Addendum:

The Golden Furnace Pointing to Dao Diagram was destroyed in the 200th year of the Donglai Era. After that, rumors abounded.

By the 500th year of the Donglai Era, there were three mainstream theories within the Donglai Dynasty.

Theory One: The Golden Furnace Pointing to Dao Diagram depicts the anecdote of Sage Fu subduing a Golden Demon with the Eight Trigrams Furnace and transforming the Golden Demon into an immortal.

This demon had golden skin, three heads, and six arms, and was ferocious and terrifying. It often wreaked havoc in the Yanlong Waters, devouring a pair of virgin boys and girls daily. At that time, Sage Fu, traveling with friends, subdued this demon on Dielie Island.

On the diagram, Sage Fu's face is kind and benevolent. He holds a whisk and sits beside the Golden Furnace, guiding the Golden Demon to enter the furnace and shaping it into an immortal body.

Theory Two: The diagram depicts a furnace, a young boy, and a naked Daoist bowing before the boy. However, this scene was considered highly indecent and was rejected by the Chiyuan Sect. They issued a public announcement severely punishing anyone spreading rumors.

Theory Three: The Golden Furnace actually refers to the Golden Talisman, also known as the Golden Talisman Pointing to Dao Diagram. It depicts Sage Fu painting a Golden Talisman and defeating Chiyuan True Person in a contest. The diagram hides the secrets of the Golden Talisman. This theory was favored by the Chiyuan Sect. However, according to the "Yunlie Preaching Diagram" within the Sage Fu's Ten Diagrams, the Golden Furnace Pointing to Dao Diagram should not depict a battle.

Although the author has thoughts, out of respect for the venerable, it is inconvenient to discuss their truthfulness. However, considering that the painter of the Golden Furnace Pointing to Dao Diagram was personally pursued by Chiyuan True Person for three years, one might gain some insight.

--Excerpt from Donglai Continent's Anecdotal History of the Three Ancients, Uncensored Edition

This version, under pressure from the Chiyuan Sect, went out of print in the 700th year of the Donglai Era.

--Donglai Literary Records