Chapter 118: Small matters in the Tao

The “Golden Core Chapter” states: “Just as the five grains can sustain life, people live when they have them and die when they lack them. How much more so for High Grade divine Medicinal Pills? Their benefit to people must be ten thousand times greater than the five grains!”

In other words, humans can borrow external objects to strengthen their bodies. The human body can, through certain means, absorb the spiritual properties of external substances like Medicinal Pills, thereby achieving immortality.

Therefore, within the Dao Sect, there are two paths: one is Inner Alchemy, and the other is Outer Alchemy.

Inner Alchemy is the cultivation of both Heart-Nature and life, generated through one's own Cultivation. This is what is meant by ‘the Dragon and Tiger Cauldron being the body and mind, the body as the Cauldron, the mind as the divine chamber, and the bodily fluids as the wondrous pool.’

If a Cultivator lacks sufficient Innate talent and cannot form an Inner Core on their own, they must rely on external forces. Through external power, the Qi of Heaven and Earth converge to form an Outer Core, which, when consumed, helps one's own Core Formation.

Some use ordinary Pill Furnaces, while others use other people's bodies as Cauldrons. There are various methods, too numerous to list.

Inner Alchemy Cultivation requires strict self-discipline and focuses solely on oneself. It generally has moderate demands for resources but extremely high demands for Heart-Nature.

Outer Alchemy Cultivation, on the other hand, requires continuous exploration and experimentation to find what external substances are useful for one's Core Formation. It has extremely high demands for resources and also high demands for Heart-Nature.

Similarly, for an unranked Cultivator, an Inner Alchemy practitioner who wishes to enter a rank needs to Cultivate slowly, through persistent effort, until their Nascent Soul reaches Perfection, thus allowing them to enter a rank.

An Outer Alchemy practitioner who wishes to enter a rank must design their own Pill Formula, experiment repeatedly, and finally refine an Outer Core that is effective for them. After consuming it, they can then enter a rank.

Ultimately, Daoist Cultivation cannot escape the concept of ‘the essence of the sun and moon, the Qi of Heaven and Earth, thoughts and intentions, hoping to form cinnabar, bending the body and toiling the form, seeking transcendence, more intake than output.’

The only difference is that Inner Alchemy involves incorporating these resources into the body, using the body as a Pill Furnace, and Cultivating slowly.

Alternatively, Outer Alchemy involves preparing these resources in an external Pill Furnace, then consuming them to directly obtain the benefits.

Both of these result in a Golden Core, and there is no distinction of superiority or inferiority; it merely depends on the path taken.

For Shen Shuibi, she originally practiced Inner Alchemy, but now that her body is so shattered, Inner Alchemy is not feasible because her body cannot serve as a Pill Furnace. Thus, she will simply pursue Outer Alchemy.

The Medicinal Pill she refined is called ‘Sweeping Evil and Returning to Righteousness Pill.’

This Medicinal Pill, a legitimate Outer Core refined according to the Golden Core method, allows one to form a Golden Core upon consumption.

Refining such a thing is effortless for her; the only difficulty lies in the initial preparation phase.

Yang Ning's collection has already helped her complete the necessary resources. After finishing the refinement in the next few days, she will be ready to begin consuming it.

A Golden Core was swallowed into her belly.

Immediately, righteous Qi surged from her body's various points, such as the Jíang Gōng, Guānyuán, Qi Sea, Hǎidǐ, Míngtáng, and Tiānqiáo Qi Sea. This Qi was calm and vast, with the divine Nascent Soul guiding her own Qi, merging with the ethereal Qi. Water and fire were balanced, Dragon and Tiger intertwined, and her power instantly began to surge.

It pursued the two Qi along the Yellow Path, united the three natures in the Primordial Palace, gathered the Five Elements, harmonized the Four Symbols, with Dragon roars and Tiger shouts, the jade Cauldron boiling, and the golden Pill Furnace ablaze, only then did the Profound Pearl take form.

For a moment, auspicious phenomena appeared around Shen Shuibi, numerous Dao Resonance reverberated, purple Qi lingered, bestowing blessings. A lunar illusion descended, and Moon Essence danced!

However, all the phenomena remained within three feet of her, with no external sensation whatsoever.

Ninth Grade, achieved.

There were no Bottlenecks or unforeseen circumstances; for her, it was simply a natural progression.

However, at the same time, the Governor of White Snake Prefecture, who was in the carriage, suddenly opened his eyes.

Then, he used the technique of shrinking the ground into an inch, and in the blink of an eye, his body rapidly arrived beside Shen Shuibi.

He happened to see that radiant moon phenomenon.

Lingering light, chilling dew falls, a heavenly melody, bones and skin chill.

Wind and dew rustle, emitting a crystalline brilliance, cicadas hum on withered leaves, the moon is beautiful.

What a beautiful crescent moon.

Solitary, beautiful, illuminating the Pure Heaven, overseeing the human world, for countless millennia.

The Governor's face instantly turned pale. He quickly bowed to Shen Shuibi and saluted: “I did not know Senior was here, I have disturbed you greatly… No, I was disrespectful earlier, I hope Senior will not blame me.”

Such Dao Resonance must indicate a Fifth Grade!

A Fifth Grade expert, the Young Master’s maid?

Oh my goodness!

Who exactly is this person?

“No disturbance, rather, it was I who disturbed you, wasn't it? I didn't expect such a commotion. I had already restrained it, but you are a Sixth Grade after all, so you still detected it.” Shen Shuibi appeared very polite, without any arrogant expression, and instead seemed a little embarrassed.

After all, she had disturbed someone.

Quite troublesome.

“No… no disturbance. May I ask if Senior is the Young Master’s Dao Protector? Was it inappropriate for me to arrange an extra-territorial journey for the Young Master without permission?” The Governor, sweating profusely, asked Shen Shuibi.

He was a little worried.

What if he had offended her…

This was a Fifth Grade, after all.

A Fifth Grade expert, with full power, could collapse an entire extra-territorial world, annihilating billions of living beings in the blink of an eye.

The higher one climbed, the more one could feel the vast difference between each grade.

However… this Fifth Grade's aura, why was it so weak?

He couldn't help but look up, confirming the Dao Resonance.

It was indeed Fifth Grade.

Perhaps she was deliberately hiding her presence as a Dao Protector from the Young Master.

But it was a bit strange.

Why was the Young Master a direct descendant of Shaman God Mountain, yet his Dao Protector was from the Dao Sect?

Forget it, those matters were not for him to meddle with. Asking too many questions would lead to death.

“Ah? Extraterritorial? As long as you're happy. Anyway, didn't his teacher say to let him venture out on his own? So I won't bother too much. You came to ask me about this?” Shen Shuibi tilted her head.

“Precisely. If Senior deems it to be of no consequence, then I can rest assured,” the Governor of White Snake Prefecture said with a bow.

Of course, he couldn't say that he had come to ascertain the truth because he had sensed a high-level presence. That would make him seem too tactless.

“Is that so?” Shen Shuibi tilted her head.

“Then Junior dares not continue to disturb Senior, and will take my leave now.” The Governor of White Snake Prefecture immediately slipped away, returning to his carriage.

Before leaving, he didn't forget to glance at Li Qi, who was in the other carriage.

His eyes were full of envy.

How enviable, these favored children of Heaven.

Not only do they have elders protecting their Dao all the way, but they are also born with access to top-tier methods that allow them to directly enter First Grade, and all resources and fortuitous encounters are readily available.

Moreover, looking at the aura around that Young Master, there's a trace of Innate Dao Resonance, isn't there?

That means he has been superior since birth. This must also be the reason he was accepted as a disciple by Grand Invoker.

And in the end, he will naturally stand at the highest point.

— — — — — — — —

After a while, Shen Shuibi skipped and hopped over to Li Qi's side.

Li Qi was reading the “Zhu” book. Seeing Shen Shuibi approach, he focused his attention on her.

This glance startled him.

Shen Shuibi was enveloped in a dense aura of Moon Essence, which had not yet dissipated.

“Li Qi! I’m Ninth Grade now!” Shen Shuibi said happily.

She's already Ninth Grade?

Li Qi was startled.

Wow, these favored children of Heaven, entering a rank is really nothing for them, is it?

Oh, no, that's not right.

Shen Shuibi was originally Fifth Grade, so achieving Ninth Grade should have been effortless for her.

“Congratulations, Shen Guniang, on returning to Ninth Grade,” Li Qi said politely.

“Mm-hmm~, oh, right, I also made a little gift for you.” Shen Shuibi looked very happy, her hands hidden behind her back, her face full of smiles.

“A gift?” Li Qi was a little curious.

“It’s this!” Shen Shuibi extended her hand, revealing a golden pellet, about the size of her little finger.

“What is this thing?” Li Qi tilted his head, not quite understanding.

“When I was refining Medicinal Pills, I made it for you incidentally! This is something I made for you while refining Outer Cores!” Shen Shuibi had a look of seeking praise.

“Outer Core?” Li Qi, however, frowned.

According to his shallow understanding, Outer Cores should be things with significant side effects, like those made from demon beast Inner Cores, which, once used, would ruin one's future.

“Yes, an Outer Core. What’s wrong?” Shen Shuibi saw Li Qi’s expression and didn’t know why he looked so serious.

“Can Outer Cores also be used?” Li Qi asked.

“Ah? Oh, I understand what you mean.” Shen Shuibi immediately understood what he was worried about when she heard Li Qi ask this.

So the rabbit began to explain.

“What are Outer Cores?”

“In ancient times, the Most High Primordial Lord transmitted the Dao to the human world, guiding the principles of Heaven and Earth's ascent and descent, and the proper cycles of the sun and moon. Since then, Pill Formulas have filled the world, and people have heard of the Great Dao. They extract mercury from cinnabar and silver from lead, mercury likened to the Yang Dragon, and silver to the Yin Tiger. With lunar fire, they draw and add, taking Qi from the eight directions, responding to the four seasons. Sulfur serves as the medicine, blending with spiritual cinnabar. When the Outer Core reaches Major Achievement, one can ascend and descend freely, like a strong man extending his arm, capable of traveling thousands of miles. Although one cannot return to Penglai, one will not die in the great calamities of the human world. How can such a thing not be used?”

“As for the rumors you heard, they must have been spread by those ignorant charlatans, right?”

“People favor minor arts and do not discern the depth of the Dao. External medicines are not unusable. In fact, for someone like me, using Outer Cores is essential because my body's injuries are too severe.”

Shen Shuibi fiddled with the Medicinal Pill in her hand as she spoke: “Within the body, there are two points: the Qi root and the fluid source. If the Qi root is not deep, the leaves will not flourish. If the fluid source is not clear, the flow will not be long. The so-called ‘root and source’ originates from here. If the body is unwell, and the root and source are not very firm, Inner Core Formation is difficult. Therefore, to Cultivate, one can only rely on Outer Cores.”

“One only needs to borrow from the Five Metals and Eight Stones, accumulating days and months, to refine a Ninth Grade Dragon and Tiger Great Pill. Consuming it will connect one to its True Qi, refine the form, allow one to reside in the world, and ascend lightly like flight, easily entering Ninth Grade.”

Shen Shuibi spoke casually, but Li Qi was startled upon hearing it.

“Then, this is an Outer Core? If I eat it, I can directly enter Dao Sect Ninth Grade?” Li Qi was stunned.

According to Shen Shuibi, wouldn't that mean eating one would make him Ninth Grade? Oh my, who would still Cultivate then?

However, Shen Shuibi rolled her eyes upon hearing this: “What are you thinking? An Outer Core must be refined by oneself to be effective.”

“Ultimately, an Outer Core is merely an option when your human body's minor world is unusable. And while the human body's minor world seems simple, it is, after all, a 'world.' How could an outsider possibly discern its intricacies clearly? Even I cannot fully comprehend every detail of another person's body.”

“Many things can only be seen clearly by oneself, so Outer Cores can only be refined by oneself according to one's own situation, and not by the hands of outsiders.”

“Otherwise, if the Outer Core is refined in a way that doesn't match the human body's minor world, consuming it will not only be ineffective but will also lead to death from the chaotic Qi of the five metal Medicinal Pills and mercury. Even if you have entered Martial Dao Ninth Grade and your body is strong, with strong kidney metabolism, consuming an Outer Core will not be pleasant, and you might even be bedridden for three to five months.”

Li Qi listened, then stroked his chin and asked: “Then, wouldn't an Outer Core be highly poisonous? What if I got two pills and used them to secretly harm someone?”

“Outer Cores are so expensive… If you want poison, aren't other poisons more effective and better?… Besides, once you reach Eighth Grade or higher, your human body's minor world becomes stable, and consuming an Outer Core won't affect you, though it also won't provide any benefits.” Shen Shuibi was even more speechless.

There were plenty of poisons to kill people, so why use an Outer Core as poison? This thing, if eaten by the right person, could directly lead to Ninth Grade. Its value was unimaginable. Using it as poison, what a thought.

More potent poisons were also much cheaper than Outer Cores.

At this point, Shen Shuibi stopped the conversation: “Alright, enough talk. Look at this one!”

“So, what is this?” Li Qi also ended the topic of Outer Cores.

Since Shen Shuibi said this wasn't an Outer Core, what was it?

“This item is called the ‘Worm-Extracting Pill.’ It is a Medicinal Pill recorded in the Shangqing Ziting Immortal Formula, capable of strengthening Qi and blood, nourishing the five viscera, and subduing the consumptive Qi within the body. You were previously afflicted by the evil Qi of those two Sixth Grade demon beasts, and I was always worried about potential after-effects, so I made this for you while refining Medicinal Pills!” Shen Shuibi handed the Medicinal Pill to Li Qi, smiling sweetly, her expression very gentle, her eyes sparkling as if they held stars.

Looking at that smiling face, Li Qi felt a little touched.

She cares about me.

“Thank you, Shen Guniang,” Li Qi said gratefully.

“You’re welcome, as long as you’re fine. If it weren’t for you this time, the Empress would definitely have been in real danger. I should be thanking you. Now, you take your medicine, and I’ll be going.” Shen Shuibi said, standing up to leave.

Li Qi didn't doubt her, watched her leave the room, then immediately took the Medicinal Pill.

Then, he could clearly feel that after consuming it, a stream of energy flowed upwards from his tailbone along the Du Meridian.

This energy flow was warm. Wherever it reached, the Qi and blood there would boil, muscles would tense and become hard, and blood flow would also quicken.

Then, the warm current passed through the Jiájǐ to the Níwán and Bǎihuì acupoints, then descended along the Ren Meridian to the Huìyīn.

Wait, Huìyīn?

Li Qi suddenly broke into a sweat.

Such a vast amount of Qi and blood and heat, in an instant, could make his muscles involuntarily harden. Naturally…

Hey.

The effect of this thing on strengthening Qi and blood is too potent.

However, at this moment, Shen Shuibi suddenly opened the door and poked her head in from outside: “Oh, right, Li Qi, there’s one thing I forgot to mention. Remember to prepare ice water before taking it, and consume it while soaking in the water. Otherwise, your Qi and blood will boil. There are no side effects, but it will be a bit uncomfortable.”

After speaking, she withdrew her head, then closed the door and skipped away. She probably had other things to do, as she didn't even look back, and he didn't know if she saw him or not.

Li Qi was inside, hunched over, flushed, and dumbfounded.

Damn it, you dead rabbit!

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