Daqin arrests alchemists, what does it matter to me as a qi refiner?

Yang Ling took it, examined it carefully, and said, "This jade is indeed extraordinary. However, in my opinion, although it is precious, it was not a gift from the gods, but rather caused by an earthquake."

"Caused by an earthquake?" Ying Zheng asked curiously, "Why does the Imperial Advisor say that?"

Yang Ling explained, "The power of an earthquake can move mountains and fill seas, so it can naturally shake out jade buried deep underground. The reason why this piece of jade is so pure and flawless is probably because it has been buried underground for hundreds or even thousands of years and has been nourished by the earth's energy."

Ying Zheng listened thoughtfully and said, "I see. Although the earthquake brought disaster to the people, it also unexpectedly brought us this precious jade. It's truly a case of 'a loss may turn out to be a blessing in disguise'."

Ying Zheng played with the white jade in his hand, then suddenly remembered something and said to Yang Ling, "Grand Preceptor, I once read about Earth Milk Essence in an ancient book. It says that it is shaped like white jade, crystal clear, and has miraculous effects such as prolonging life and enhancing cultivation. Do you think this piece of white jade might be the legendary Earth Milk Essence?"

Yang Ling was taken aback upon hearing this, then took the white jade and examined it carefully. After a moment, a look of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he looked up at Ying Zheng and said, "Your Majesty is right, this white jade is indeed the Earth Milk Essence."

"Oh? How did the Imperial Advisor determine that?" Ying Zheng asked curiously.

Yang Ling pointed to the patterns on the white jade and said, "Your Majesty, please look. These patterns are not found in ordinary jade. They are spiritual veins formed underground by the Earth Milk Spirit Marrow over thousands or even tens of thousands of years. These veins contain abundant spiritual energy and vitality of heaven and earth, and are treasures that cultivators dream of."

Ying Zheng was overjoyed upon hearing this: "Haha! I never expected the earthquake to unearth such a treasure! This is truly a blessing from heaven!"

Yang Ling nodded in agreement: "Your Majesty is blessed with boundless good fortune and divine protection. Although this Earth Milk Essence is extremely precious, it can only be used to its fullest potential when it encounters a wise ruler."

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng beamed with delight: "The Grand Preceptor is absolutely right. I have decided to treasure this Earth Milk Essence and study its mysteries slowly in the future."

At this moment, a eunuch rushed in to report: "Your Majesty, someone outside the city has unearthed another piece of Earth Milk Essence!"

"Oh? Someone has dug it up again?" Ying Zheng said with delight. "Quickly bring it here so I can see it."

The eunuch acknowledged the order and withdrew, soon returning with another piece of Earth Milk Essence. Ying Zheng took it and examined it, finding that although this piece of Earth Milk Essence was slightly smaller than the previous one, its quality was in no way inferior.

"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!" Ying Zheng exclaimed repeatedly. "It seems this earthquake has truly brought me endless treasures!"

Yang Ling smiled and said, "Your Majesty is quite right. This Earth Milk Essence is a collection of the essence of heaven and earth, and it is extremely rare. Your Majesty's ability to obtain two pieces in a row is truly a great fortune."

Ying Zheng nodded: "The Grand Preceptor is right. I have decided to treasure these Earth Milk Essences and enjoy them slowly in the future."

However, Yang Ling shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, please wait. Although this Earth Milk Essence is extremely precious, it cannot be consumed directly."

"Oh? Why can't it be taken directly?" Ying Zheng asked curiously.

Yang Ling explained, "The Earth Milk Essence contains extremely strong spiritual energy and vitality. If one were to consume it directly, one might not be able to withstand its power and would explode and die."

Ying Zheng was startled upon hearing this: "Is it that serious? What should we do?"

Yang Ling smiled slightly: "Your Majesty need not worry. I have a way to refine this Earth Milk Spirit Marrow into a pill so that Your Majesty can safely enjoy its miraculous effects."

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng was overjoyed: "The Imperial Advisor is truly a divine being! With the Imperial Advisor's assistance, how can I not live forever and enjoy eternal life!"

Ying Zheng and Yang Ling were discussing the wonders of the Earth Milk Essence when a palace attendant rushed in to report: "Your Majesty, a sorcerer outside the palace, claiming to be Xu Fu, is requesting an audience, saying he has a secret technique for achieving immortality to offer."

Ying Zheng raised an eyebrow, exchanged a glance with Yang Ling, and then said, "Oh? Xu Fu? I remember he went to sea to search for immortals and medicines, and didn't return for several years. Why has he suddenly returned? Summon him in."

The eunuch acknowledged the order and withdrew, soon after leading in a Taoist priest with an air of otherworldly wisdom. The priest was about fifty years old, with a thin face, bright and piercing eyes, and his Taoist robes flowed gracefully, giving him an ethereal appearance.

"Your subject Xu Fu pays his respects to Your Majesty." Xu Fu bowed in greeting.

"Xu Fu, have you found the elixir of immortality this time?" Ying Zheng asked directly.

Xu Fu shook his head: "Your Majesty, the elixir of immortality is beyond my ability to find. I have returned to present Your Majesty with a secret technique."

"Secret technique?" Ying Zheng asked curiously, "What secret technique?"

Xu Fu smiled mysteriously: "This secret technique is called the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Technique. I obtained it from an immortal I met by chance on a fairy mountain overseas. According to that immortal, practicing this technique can transform one's body and make one's golden body indestructible. Although it cannot grant immortality, it can extend one's lifespan by several hundred years."

Ying Zheng was moved upon hearing this: "Oh? There is such a miraculous secret technique? Imperial Advisor, what do you think?"

Yang Ling smiled faintly: "Your Majesty, there are many wonders in this world. Since this 'Nine Revolutions Golden Body Technique' was obtained from an immortal, it must be extraordinary. However, the path of cultivation emphasizes gradual progress, and one must not be impatient for quick success."

Ying Zheng nodded: "The Grand Preceptor is quite right. Xu Fu, present this secret technique to me, and I will have someone study it carefully."

Xu Fu bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise. I will now present the Nine Revolutions Golden Body Manual." As he spoke, he took out a jade slip wrapped in yellow silk from his sleeve and handed it to Ying Zheng.

Ying Zheng took the jade slip and opened it. Inside were lines of obscure and difficult-to-understand characters and patterns. After a few glances, he felt dizzy and couldn't comprehend them. So he handed the jade slip to Yang Ling: "Grand Preceptor, you are learned and talented. Could you perhaps decipher some of it for me?"

After carefully examining the jade slip, Yang Ling said, "This 'Nine Revolutions Golden Body Technique' is indeed extraordinary, containing many profound Taoist methods and cultivation secrets. However, it cannot be fully comprehended in a day or two; it requires a long period of cultivation and comprehension."

Ying Zheng nodded after hearing this: "If that's the case, then I will treasure it and study it slowly in the future." He paused and then asked, "Xu Fu, did you bring any other treasures or news back with you this time?"

Xu Fu smiled slightly: "Your Majesty is truly discerning. I did indeed bring back a treasure this time." He then took out a small, crystal-clear bottle from his sleeve. "This is a spiritual liquid I collected on an overseas immortal mountain, called 'Jade Marrow Spiritual Liquid,' which is of immense benefit to cultivators." Ying Zheng took the bottle and opened it. Inside was a colorless, transparent liquid emitting a faint fragrance. He sniffed it and said, "This Jade Marrow Spiritual Liquid is indeed extraordinary; I can sense its powerful spiritual energy and life force."

Xu Fu bowed and said, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. This Jade Marrow Elixir is a product of the essence of heaven and earth, and it is extremely rare. I also went to great lengths to collect such a small bottle on the overseas immortal mountains."

Ying Zheng nodded in satisfaction: "Xu Fu, you have returned with such a precious treasure and secret technique, I shall reward you handsomely. Issue an edict to bestow upon Xu Fu a thousand taels of gold, a hundred bolts of brocade, and a mansion."

Xu Fu was overjoyed upon hearing this and immediately kowtowed in gratitude: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness! Long live Your Majesty!"

Ying Zheng waved his hand to signal him to rise, and then said, "Xu Fu, you have made great contributions this time, and I will certainly not treat you unfairly. However, there is something I don't understand and would like to ask you about."

Xu Fu bowed and said, "Your Majesty, please speak. I will tell you everything I know."

After pondering for a moment, Ying Zheng asked, "You have been at sea for several years in search of immortals and medicines. Where have you been? What strange people and events have you encountered? Could you tell me in detail?"

Xu Fu smiled slightly: "Since Your Majesty is in such a good mood, then I will begin from the beginning." He paused and began to recount his extraordinary adventures overseas.

It turns out that Xu Fu had been sailing eastward for many years, reaching extremely distant seas, where he discovered a mysterious archipelago of immortal mountains. These mountains were rich in spiritual energy, inhabited by auspicious beasts, and covered with celestial herbs, resembling a paradise on earth. There, Xu Fu encountered many accomplished immortals and learned profound Taoist techniques and cultivation secrets from them.

"Your Majesty, those immortals are all incredibly powerful and have boundless magical abilities. Some of them can fly on swords, some can summon wind and rain, and some can move mountains and fill seas... I am as insignificant as an ant in their presence." Xu Fu vividly described the immortals' supernatural powers.

Upon hearing this, Ying Zheng was filled with longing: "Such wondrous immortals and fairylands exist in this world? I truly wish I could go and explore them immediately!"

Yang Ling reminded him from the side, "Your Majesty, please wait. Although what Xu Fu said is true, those immortals and immortal realms are still too far away from us. As the ruler of a country, Your Majesty cannot easily leave Xianyang City. Moreover, the path of cultivation requires fate and opportunity, which cannot be forced."

Ying Zheng nodded: "The Grand Preceptor is quite right. I was indeed a little impatient. But now that I know of the existence of these immortals and immortal realms, I will definitely send people to search for them in the future, hoping to have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of their immortal faces."

Xu Fu echoed, "Your Majesty is wise. Those immortals and immortal realms are indeed extraordinary. If we can find them and obtain the elixir of immortality or the secret techniques of cultivation, it will be a great blessing for Your Majesty and the Great Qin Dynasty."

Ying Zheng laughed heartily upon hearing this: "Good! Good! Good! Xu Fu, you have rendered a great service this time, and I will surely reward you handsomely in the future!"

At this moment, a palace attendant rushed in to report: "Your Majesty, someone outside the city has unearthed another piece of Earth Milk Spirit Marrow!" This is the third piece of Earth Milk Spirit Marrow to be unearthed near Xianyang City.

"Oh? Someone has unearthed another Earth Milk Essence?" Ying Zheng said with delight. "Quickly bring it here so I can see it!"

The eunuch acknowledged the order and withdrew, soon returning with another piece of Earth Milk Essence. This piece of Earth Milk Essence was larger than the previous two, and its luster was even more crystal clear and overflowing with spiritual energy.

Ying Zheng took the piece and was overjoyed: "What a wonderful piece of Earth Milk Spirit Marrow! This is simply a treasure bestowed by heaven!" He turned to Yang Ling and said: "Grand Preceptor, I entrust this piece of Earth Milk Spirit Marrow to you to refine into pills."

However, Yang Ling looked troubled: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. The quality of this Earth Milk Spirit Marrow is so high and its spiritual energy so abundant that I am afraid it is beyond my ability to refine. However, I can recommend a master to come and help."

"Oh? A master? Who is it?" Ying Zheng asked curiously. He knew that Yang Ling never recommended others easily, so he was particularly interested in this.

Yang Ling smiled slightly: "This expert is my senior brother, Yun Zhongzi. His Taoist magic is profound, and his alchemy skills are unparalleled. With his help, we will surely be able to refine this Earth Milk Spirit Marrow into a top-grade pill."

Ying Zheng was overjoyed upon hearing this: "Since he is the senior brother of the Imperial Advisor, he must be an expert among experts. Imperial Advisor, please immediately send a letter to invite Senior Yun Zhongzi to come to Xianyang to lend me a hand."

Yang Ling nodded in agreement, immediately took out paper and pen to write a letter, and then handed it to a trusted disciple, instructing him to quickly go and invite Yun Zhongzi.

Several days later, Yun Zhongzi indeed arrived gracefully. He was dressed in white robes, with an air of otherworldly elegance, and looked even younger than Yang Ling. Ying Zheng personally came out of the palace to greet him and invited Yun Zhongzi into the palace.

"This humble Taoist priest, Yun Zhongzi, greets Your Majesty the Qin Emperor." Yun Zhongzi bowed to Ying Zheng.

Ying Zheng quickly helped him up: "Senior, there's no need for such formalities. It is my great honor to be able to see your true face." He paused and then said, "I have heard that your alchemy skills are unparalleled in the world, so I have specially invited you to come and assist me."

Yun Zhongzi smiled slightly: "Your Majesty flatters me. The art of alchemy is a minor skill, but it still requires fate and opportunity. May I ask what kind of elixir Your Majesty wishes to refine?"

Ying Zheng ordered someone to bring out the Earth Milk Spirit Marrow and show it to Yun Zhongzi: "Senior, please take a look. This is the Earth Milk Spirit Marrow that I obtained. I would like to ask you to refine it into a top-grade elixir."

Yun Zhongzi took the Earth Milk Spirit Marrow and examined it carefully before nodding in praise: "What a fine piece of Earth Milk Spirit Marrow! It is indeed a product of the essence of heaven and earth. Your Majesty is truly blessed to have obtained this treasure." He paused and then said, "However, refining such a top-grade elixir is not something that can be accomplished in a day; it requires careful preparation."

Ying Zheng quickly replied, "I will do my utmost to provide the materials and tools that you require, Senior."

Yun Zhongzi nodded: "That's very good. Then I will stay in the palace for now, and begin refining pills once everything is ready."

In the days that followed, Yun Zhongzi began instructing the palace craftsmen on how to forge the necessary tools for alchemy and to gather various materials. Ying Zheng frequently inquired about the progress and even offered Yun Zhongzi some rare materials. The entire palace held this mysterious alchemy master in both awe and curiosity.

A month later, everything was ready. Yun Zhongzi chose an auspicious day to officially begin his alchemy journey. He set up numerous magic arrays and restrictions in the alchemy room to prevent anyone from disturbing the process. Afterward, he devoted himself entirely to alchemy, neither eating nor drinking nor sleeping, as if he were in a deep meditation.

Although Ying Zheng was extremely anxious, he understood that alchemy could not be rushed and could only wait patiently. Every day, he sent people to inquire about the situation and deliver rare spiritual fruits and medicines to help Yun Zhongzi replenish his magical power. Yang Ling also frequently came to visit his senior brother and protect him.

Forty-nine days passed in the blink of an eye, and finally, there was movement in the alchemy room. The door burst open with a roar, and a beam of golden light shot into the sky, soaring straight into the clouds! Immediately afterward, an extremely rich fragrance filled the air, invigorating the spirit and refreshing the mind!
"It's done!" Yun Zhongzi let out a long shout as he emerged from the alchemy room. Though slightly weary, his face radiated undisguised joy. "Your Majesty, please look! This is the supreme-grade elixir I've refined for you—the 'Earth Milk Golden Pill'!" He opened his palm, revealing a small, crystal-clear jade bottle. Inside the bottle was a thumb-sized, shimmering golden pill, exuding a fragrant aroma! (End of Chapter)