Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 118 The Method of Infant Elixir

Xuan Jing took out a jade slip from his bosom and handed it to Zhou Ning.

"My senior brother asked me to tell you that the remaining forces of Black Mountain have been basically wiped out. The people of the North are rebuilding their homes, and everything is moving in a positive direction. My senior brother hopes you can visit Qingfeng Temple; he wants to thank you in person."

Zhou Ning took the jade slip, unfolded it, and took a look.

The contents of the jade slip were consistent with what Xuan Jing had said, and a sentence was appended at the end.

"Young Master Zhou, you are the most outstanding young cultivator I have ever seen. I look forward to the day you reach the Nascent Soul stage."

With the same greetings and expectations as always, Zhou Ning carefully put away the jade slip, cupped his hands towards Xuan Jing, and said:

"Thank you for sending the message, Miss Xuanjing. Please tell Master Xuanzhen that I will visit him when I have time in a few days."

Xuan Jing nodded and turned to go down the mountain.

Zhou Ning watched her leave, then returned to the back mountain to continue his cultivation.

As evening fell, he arrived at the main hall and informed Yan Chixia of Xuanzhenzi's invitation.

Yan Chixia said, "Go. Xuanzhenzi is a senior of the righteous path. Communicating with him will be of great benefit to you."

Zhou Ning nodded: "This disciple understands."

The next morning, Zhou Ning left Lanruo Temple and headed to Qingfeng Temple.

Qingfeng Temple still stands atop Qingfeng Mountain, its blue bricks and gray tiles nestled among the evergreen pines and cypresses.

Zhou Ning climbed up the mountain path, the morning light shining through the forest, bathing everything in a golden glow.

Wildflowers bloom along both sides of the mountain road, bees and butterflies flutter about, and a faint fragrance of flowers fills the air.

Compared to my last visit, the atmosphere here is much more relaxed. Without the shadow of Black Mountain looming over us, everything seems vibrant and full of life.

Xuanzhenzi was meditating under a pine tree in the backyard when he heard footsteps and opened his eyes.

His complexion was much better than last time, and his breathing was much more stable, so it seemed that his injuries had been completely healed.

"Young Master Zhou, please have a seat."

Xuanzhenzi pointed to the prayer mat opposite him.

Zhou Ning sat down opposite him and subtly released his late-stage Golden Core aura.

Xuanzhenzi sensed the powerful fluctuations of true essence, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

"Late stage of Golden Core? Young Master Zhou, your cultivation speed is truly astonishing."

Zhou Ning said, "Master Xuanzhen, you flatter me. I was just lucky."

Xuanzhenzi shook his head: "There is no room for luck on the path of cultivation. The fact that you were able to break through to the late stage of the Golden Core realm in such a short time shows that your foundation is solid and your Dao heart is firm. This is the result of your own hard work."

He took a map from his sleeve and spread it on the table.

The map marks the mountains, rivers, towns, villages, and strongholds of the remnants of the Black Mountain forces in the north.

"The remaining forces of Black Mountain have been largely wiped out. However, there are still some scattered evil spirits operating in the shadows, which need to be dealt with gradually."

Xuanzhenzi pointed to several locations on the map.

"In these places, remnants of the Black Mountain bandits are still causing trouble. I plan to send men to wipe them out. Would Young Master Zhou be interested in joining us?"

Zhou Ning thought for a moment and said, "Alright. This disciple is willing to help."

Xuanzhenzi nodded and then asked, "Young Master Zhou, how much do you know about the Nascent Soul stage?"

Zhou Ning said, "This disciple only knows that the Nascent Soul stage is the realm after the Golden Core stage. It requires nurturing the Golden Core into a Nascent Soul, allowing the Nascent Soul to break free from the body. This disciple is still studying the specific cultivation methods."

Xuanzhenzi took out a jade slip from his sleeve and handed it to Zhou Ning.

"These are the research findings on the Nascent Soul stage by the successive patriarchs of my Qingfeng Temple. Take them back and study them; they might be helpful to you."

Zhou Ning accepted the jade slip and solemnly said, "Thank you very much, Daoist Xuanzhen."

Xuanzhenzi waved his hand and continued:

"The Nascent Soul stage is a significant watershed on the path of cultivation. Upon reaching this stage, a cultivator's lifespan will increase dramatically, and their supernatural abilities will also improve significantly."

"But breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage is not an easy thing. It requires extremely profound accumulation and opportunities, and even more so, a firm Dao heart."

He paused, then continued, "I have cultivated for decades, yet I am still stuck in the late Golden Core stage, unable to break through to the Nascent Soul stage. This is because my Dao heart is not firm enough, and my opportunities are not profound enough."

Zhou Ning said, "Master Xuanzhen, there's no need to be discouraged. The path of cultivation has its ups and downs. As long as you persevere, there will always be a day when you break through."

Xuanzhenzi smiled wryly: "I hope so."

The two chatted for a while longer before Zhou Ning took his leave.

He stayed at Qingfeng Temple for a few days, helping to deal with some matters related to the suppression of the remnants of the Black Mountain rebels, before returning to Lanruo Temple.

Five days later, they returned to the temple.

Yan Chixia was practicing his sword on the back mountain. When he saw him return, he sheathed his sword.

"You're back?"

Zhou Ning nodded and reported Xuanzhenzi's words and the jade slip to his master.

Yan Chixia took the jade slip, probed it with his divine sense, and nodded slightly after a moment.

"The insights gained by the past masters of Qingfeng Temple are indeed unique. Study them carefully; they will help you break through to the Nascent Soul stage in the future."

He returned the jade slip to Zhou Ning and said:

"The Nascent Soul stage is a major hurdle on the path of cultivation. Only upon reaching this level can you truly be considered a 'master.' However, breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage requires a stroke of luck. It cannot be achieved solely through hard work."

Zhou Ning asked, "Master, how should I seek opportunities?"

Yan Chixia said, "Opportunities are rare and cannot be sought. Continue your cultivation and maintain a firm Dao heart. When the time is right, the opportunity will naturally come."

He took out a jade talisman from his sleeve and handed it to Zhou Ning:

"This is the recipe for a 'Nascent Soul Pill' that I obtained during my travels in my early years. Take a look at it. If you can gather the materials, you can try to refine a Nascent Soul Pill, which will help you break through to the Nascent Soul stage."

Zhou Ning took the jade talisman and probed it with his divine sense.

The prescription lists more than a dozen ingredients, some common and some rare.

He recognized some of the main ingredients, such as "Lingzhi Mushroom of Ten Thousand Years", "Dragon Saliva Fruit", and "Earth Spirit Milk". However, there were a few others that he had never heard of.

"Master, among these materials... didn't I collect some of them last time? How come they are so similar to the formula for refining Foundation Establishment Pills?"

Yan Chixia said, "Actually, there is not much difference between the two. They are both for stimulating your Dao foundation and increasing your chances of breaking through to the next realm. However, there are a few rare ones that are extremely difficult to find."

Zhou Ning nodded: "This disciple understands."

In the days that followed, Zhou Ning cultivated while collecting materials for the Nascent Soul Pill.

He listed all the ingredients in the prescription, some of which he found in the warehouse of Lanruo Temple, while others he needed to find outside.

He asked Han Wei to keep an eye out, and also asked Xuan Zhenzi to inquire.

After several months, most of the materials have been collected, except for three main ingredients.

Long-lived Ganoderma lucidum, ambergris fruit, and Earth Spirit Milk.

He had seen the ancient Ganoderma lucidum in the Cangmang Mountain, but he had already picked that one.

To find new ancient Ganoderma lucidum, one needs to search deeper into the mountains and forests.

Ambergris fruit, which grows deep in the Yunmeng Marsh in the south, is the fruit of the ambergris plant and is extremely rare.

Earth Spirit Milk is a legendary treasure, said to be found only deep within the Earth's core.

"It seems I still need more experience," Zhou Ning thought to himself.

On this day, he was meditating on the back mountain when he suddenly felt the communication jade talisman in his arms getting slightly warm.

He took out the jade talisman and infused it with a wisp of true essence.

Han Wei's voice echoed in his mind:

"Young Master Zhou, trouble has struck the north again. The remnants of the Black Mountain forces have gathered and are attacking a town. We need your help."

Zhou Ning felt a chill run down his spine. He put away the jade talisman, took three flying swords, and sped off towards the north.