Chapter 1133: 牝法

"The injury, rooted in life essence and afflicted by conjoined fire, ranked among the most stubborn and difficult to remove among all cultivation traditions in the world..."

"Ideally, it would be nourished by yin water, but he was not a yin water cultivator himself. Elixirs couldn't disturb the depths of one's life essence as easily as conjoined fire. Only through the reception of reservoir water and the transformation into clear water could success be achieved."

Since Dao Mian had asked him to refine this elixir, this approach must have been verified multiple times. The chosen ingredient was pulse-heart primal yin fluid, a yin water spiritual resource hidden deep within the earth. This earth water, stored yet unreleased, would surge forth once it penetrated the life essence, transforming its imagery to create a gushing spring, which naturally became clear water.

This old cultivator, devoted to mono-purity elixirs, had studied this healing method for many years and elucidated its principles. Even with Li Ximing's formidable alchemical skills, refining it was still quite arduous. It took a full thirty-one days for the elixir to get on track, leaving him feeling somewhat drenched in cold sweat.

"After all, it's a spirit water refining method; the valley wind fire initiation technique is ineffective, requiring me to do everything myself... If I hadn't achieved the World's Illumination, I might have suffered a loss."

Releasing his hands from the cauldron, he felt his six senses weary and his divine abilities sluggish. He sealed the cauldron with the World's Illumination, harmonizing the energies. As he placed two fingers on his waist, he noticed the jade stone he had left for Liu Changdie's communication was glowing brightly.

"Hmm? We're on the same island, why use a jade stone for communication...?"

Although he received the message, he didn't immediately step into the air. Instead, with a flick of his sleeve, his figure appeared outside the elixir chamber. He took two steps, and indeed, a man rushed up to him, bowing deeply.

"Greetings, True One!"

Li Ximing glanced at him. The man, who appeared to be middle-aged, was robust and composed. He raised an eyebrow and said,

"Cousin... it's been some years."

Upon hearing this, Li Wen showed a look of apprehension, knelt on the ground, and replied,

"True One, you humble this lowly one!"

This man had once been a pillar of the Li clan, wielding two golden hammers and serving with unwavering loyalty. However, his cultivation technique was lacking, and as the Li clan rose, he was gradually left behind. He remained on this desolate overseas island to guard it, commanding almost all of its defenses, which was undoubtedly a position of great trust. Li Ximing shook his head and said,

"When I was young, cousin, you guarded my father with your golden hammers, diligently and tirelessly, day and night. It's still vivid in my memory. Why be so modest?"

Li Wen pressed his forehead to the ground and said,

"I wouldn't dare."

Li Ximing saw that he was full of vigor and quite imposing, and felt a surge of emotion. Soon, he became serious and said,

"Senior Liu... is this about...?"

The jade stone on him was warm, clearly Liu Changdie's doing. Not daring to disturb him while he was refining elixirs, Li Wen simply said,

"True One, just as you entered seclusion... two groups of people came to the island, wishing to exchange for the Heaven's One Spitting Essence Elixir in your possession. True Master Yuanbian feared you might emerge from seclusion and find it difficult to refuse, so he sent me to remind you. He instructed me to ask you upon your emergence if you had no intention of exchanging it, so he wouldn't need to appear... For now, he has turned them all away."

Li Ximing was slightly taken aback.

"Two groups? The Heaven's One Spitting Essence Elixir?"

In his mind, the peculiar look in Xiang Chun and Shan Bai's eyes when he extended Li Xuanxuan's lifespan instantly surfaced. He found it amusing and silently shook his head, but the man before him continued,

"Ten days ago, another True One came to the island and discussed something with True Master Yuanbian, seemingly with a request. True Master Yuanbian has been debating with him on the island, awaiting your emergence from seclusion."

He lowered his gaze and added,

"There's also something else... someone from Yinzhou came and said... there's news, and they've handed the item over to True Master Yuanbian."

Li Wen didn't actually know if this matter concerned Liu Changdie personally or the Li clan, but he reported it faithfully and without omission. Li Ximing's eyes lit up, and he thought,

"That bronze basin... Minghui has news!"

He then took a step, floating gracefully into a pavilion on the island, where he saw two True Ones, one in white and one in gray, playing chess.

The person sitting opposite Liu Changdie had a face as pale as paper, with eyes as black as pitch. Though seemingly alive, there was a clear strangeness about them. As Li Ximing subtly used his divine ability behind his back, he sensed a resonance.

"It's a dharma body... no worse than my separated spiritual body, just specialized in a different direction."

So he raised his sleeve and smiled,

"And this is..."

The person before him had already risen lightly and replied,

"I am Master Zangtiao, a cultivator of the World Navel tradition. Greetings, fellow Daoist Zhaojing!"

Li Ximing bowed, and the ethereal figure immediately explained,

"Our tradition cultivates the five forms internally, with life essence manifesting as yin. We do not show our true bodies, but travel by means of an energy sac. I ask for your understanding, fellow Daoist!"

"No matter!"

The Li clan hadn't encountered many yin water cultivators, but the most familiar was Murong Yan from the North, who had clashed with Li Zhouwei multiple times and also traveled in a borrowed form, only revealing her true body during battles.

He smiled and nodded, though his thoughts were more on the other person's origins:

"Doesn't claim to be a rogue cultivator, nor mentions a sect, just 'World Navel'... a dwelling place of yin water..."

But the person before him was direct, without much hesitation, and said earnestly,

"Several fellow Daoists in my tradition are in urgent need of minor yang items. You are likely aware of some past events. I've come this time for the Manifest Shore White Flower and other minor yang spiritual items in your possession!"

Master Zangtiao was naturally referring to the events in the West Sea. Li Ximing had already heard True Master Yin Jin mention that the items in Ling Hu's possession had all fallen into Master Zangtiao's hands. If he were to be particular, he had indeed cut off the other party's source of wealth. He nodded gravely and said,

"I only have this one Manifest Shore White Flower. I also have a Grand Eave Splendor. Are you interested in it, fellow Daoist?"

A faint smile appeared on Master Zangtiao's paper-pale face, and he said,

"Such splendor... Excellent."

He then revealed several spiritual items from his sleeve, all radiating brilliance. Li Ximing casually glanced at them, but found himself in a predicament.

The other party possessed considerable resources and was clearly well-prepared. These spiritual items were not only individually precious, but also included a bright yang spiritual item!

This particular spiritual item, an elixir stone, had distinct edges and a restrained radiance. It displayed intricate, shallow white纹路 resembling leaf veins and was housed in an ink-jade-like box, making it exceptionally alluring.

Master Zangtiao specifically said,

"This is indeed the White Yang Guardian!"

Li Ximing's heart stirred.

Although he had never acquired this spiritual item himself, he had heard of its great reputation. Several of his own spiritual embryos were refined using the essence derived from this very item, a reward given by the Great Owl Sunflower Temple.

"A 'Guardian' is a position of governance. A Yang Guardian is born from a Bright Yang ruler who upholds justice in their state. Unlike the Bright Square Celestial Stone, which is naturally formed, this item was only born during the Wei era, appearing before the tombs of kings and high-ranking officials."

Li Ximing listened for a while. Though slightly tempted, he also harbored considerable hesitation.

"I've collected quite a few bright yang items over the years, and Zhou Wei's weapons and armor are already accounted for, so I don't really need this... It's not as practical as a Li Fire Mono-Purity Elixir."

Seeing his silence, Master Zangtiao straightened his posture, glanced at Liu Changdie, and smiled,

"It seems, fellow Daoist, that you have cultivated an external body."

Li Ximing raised an eyebrow with interest and said,

"You have keen insight, fellow Daoist."

Master Zangtiao smiled faintly and said quietly,

"Among all the external body techniques in the world, there are numerous traditions, some stemming from divine abilities, others from arcane arts. Whether it's the Taiyin Dispersing Instrument or the Cultivating Transcendent Body, though diverse and complex, when truly considered, they are but three types."

"The first is the Grand Dao of Divine Abilities, the second is for avoiding calamities and tribulations, and the third... is shaping clay figures. Especially the first two, the spiritual resources required are as vast as the sea, and most cannot bypass our yin water path..."

A hint of confidence appeared on his pale face as he asked,

"I flatter myself that I possess some skill and can offer you some insight."

Li Ximing truly hadn't expected the other party to persuade him from this angle. For a moment, he fell silent in thought, secretly tempted.

"The three types Master Zangtiao mentioned are actually the superior, middle, and inferior paths described in the wondrous scroll of the Separated Spiritual Body..."

His separated spiritual body had not started with high potential, merely serving the purpose of healing injuries. After years of nurturing, its progress had been remarkably slow, forcing him to halt his research into this art early on...

"It's also a good opportunity to let him see... if he can recognize the origins of the separated spiritual body."

He raised an eyebrow and smiled, activating his life divine ability and drawing forth a wisp of the separated spiritual body's aura. He said,

"My unconventional path naturally cannot compare to your profound origins, fellow Daoist. Perhaps you could offer me some insight?"

Master Zangtiao effortlessly took it. His crimson lips parted, but there was nothing inside. He placed the aura into his mouth, tasted it, and said,

"Fellow Daoist... this is a method of Dou Xuan."

He said solemnly,

"The art of the external body has traditions in all Three Profound Paths, with Dou Xuan and Qing Xuan being the most prevalent. Though intertwined and complex, their foundations are fundamentally different."

"Qing Xuan is ethereal, splitting images as instruments to seek the golden elixir. That external body is cultivated through genuine practice, a means to further advance on the path to immortality!"

"Dou Xuan governs the heavens, refining gold to cultivate the Dao, achieving utter self-forgetfulness. Once this external body cultivation is complete, one must transfer their life essence into it, shedding their mortal coil!"

"As for Tong Xuan..."

The person before him paused, showing a hint of apprehension, and hastily said,

"Tong Xuan values the original body and life essence the most. They would rather discard their Dao fruit and not undergo reincarnation than rarely engage in external body practices... Some of their methods are extremely mysterious."

He emphasized,

"Of course, regardless of the Profound Path, they are all considered first-rate Grand Dao Divine Abilities in our circles."

Li Ximing nodded silently—the Dou Xuan's "refining gold Dao cultivation" and "utter self-forgetfulness" that the other party spoke of were indeed exactly as described in the wondrous scroll!

"This 'refining' must be seizing the essence from the main body, and 'self-forgetfulness' refers to forgetting one's former self... transferring it into the new dharma body."

As he gained insight, Master Zangtiao continued,

"As for the secondary methods of avoiding calamities and shaping clay figures, they are widely used and have spread into various cultivation traditions. The solemn precious appearances erected by Buddhist cultivators throughout the North are essentially an application of such methods, which is why they immediately crumble upon the death of the main body."

"Some traditions specialize in these, developing them into formidable means not to be underestimated. In your Jiangnan region, there's a Primal Cultivator True Master whose Yellow Path Profound Talisman is also a branch of such methods, possessing considerable power in avoiding calamities..."

"As for your method, fellow Daoist, it can preserve life essence and separate calamities. Although it doesn't currently manifest prominently, its origins are clearly of the highest caliber."

Li Ximing sighed inwardly, knowing full well which type he practiced, and chuckled,

"It's merely a clay figure technique."

The other party paused, then replied,

"Within my World Navel tradition, there is a spring that occasionally yields an essence capable of 'dotting the eyes'—a vital step. Fellow Daoists from paths beyond the Profound Traditions often borrow it. If you were to take some back and combine it with some top-tier spiritual items for refining an external body, it would undoubtedly lead to a qualitative change!"

Li Ximing's heart was already stirred, but relying on the items he held, which the other party desperately needed, he maintained his composed expression. Hearing that he would also need to find top-tier spiritual items, he feigned a look of difficulty and said,

"I'm not proficient in this art, so I fear it might be a wasted effort."

Master Zangtiao finally frowned, showing a troubled expression, and sighed,

"If fellow Daoist is willing to hand over the Manifest Shore White Flower to me, I will provide you with another secret method from my tradition. This method can nourish and transform this water, protecting your external body at critical moments... I only ask that you do not reveal it."

Even Liu Changdie showed a hint of interest, but Li Ximing grew wary, raising an eyebrow and chuckling,

"Fellow Daoist trusts me so much!"

Master Zangtiao simply shook his sleeve, revealing a pale smile, and stared at him with two ink-black eyes, saying quietly,

"Not so... My tradition was passed down by the Empress. For many years, it has been lent out for study... I have never heard of anyone daring to transmit it casually."

Li Ximing then felt relieved and nodded gently. Master Zangtiao likewise sighed with relief, a look of profound joy appearing on his face. He pulled out a jade slip and began to transcribe, speaking as he did so,

"You may read this secret method, fellow Daoist. As for the treasure, without a special reservoir water spiritual artifact to preserve it, it will dissipate once it leaves the grasp of divine ability... I will have someone send it to Tingzhou when I return."

He then stood up and immediately took his leave. Li Ximing pondered for a long time, then raised an eyebrow and said,

"Senior Liu... do you know what he means by 'paths beyond the Profound Traditions'?"

Liu Changdie seemed to be deep in thought as well, his brows furrowed as he mused,

"The One Qi White Universe Stone he painstakingly exchanged from me is also minor yang, which is interesting... I wonder what he intends to refine with it..."

He was deep in thought when Li Ximing's words jolted him awake. He chuckled and said,

"That's easy to understand. It refers to traditions that don't fall within the Three Profound Paths... The most famous and ancient is Penglai, and among True Monarch-level ones, there's also the Northern Nether Hall. Lesser ones include Southern Shunluozhe..."

Li Ximing raised an eyebrow, surprised to hear mention of the Northern Radiance Empress's dwelling. Liu Changdie observed his reaction and said,

"Of the three minor yang powers, Western Yan considers itself the orthodox Tong Xuan, and the Dragon Lord sees himself as Qing Xuan. Only this Empress has never declared her allegiance..."

Li Ximing's thoughts grew heavier as he nodded silently. Liu Changdie, as expected, wryly brought up Xiang Chun and Shan Bai's attempt to exchange for the elixir. Li Ximing simply said,

"It's not that I can't fulfill their request, but if they cannot produce a treasure that extends the lifespan of Qi cultivators, they absolutely cannot exchange for this elixir from me!"

Liu Changdie nodded in agreement, then took out a small scroll from his sleeve and said,

"News from Yinzhou."

Li Ximing casually glanced at it; indeed, it was from the monk Minghui, but the date was set for two months later, revealing the other party's urgency.

Seeing this, Li Ximing's heart immediately settled. He casually used a divine ability to alter the date, having it sent back. Liu Changdie nodded silently and said,

"You're refining elixirs... that's inconvenient."

Li Ximing felt a pang of awkwardness—why was he refining any elixirs? This precious elixir was already on track; for the remaining time, he only needed to leave a divine ability here to nurture it...

"I can only... tell that monk to wait. Anyway, his dharma body was destroyed, so he's bored out of his mind and has plenty of time..."

Maintaining a composed expression, he politely took his leave. He went deep into the grand array, and facing the subtly flickering spiritual light, he took out the jade talisman. With his eyes slightly closed, he quietly began to study it.