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

"Hurry!" Xu Fu shouted, "The temple is about to collapse!" He rushed towards the stone gate first, and the others followed closely behind.

After a desperate escape, they finally managed to get away at the last moment. Looking back, the ancient temple had been reduced to ruins amidst the deafening roar, a sight that left one with a lingering sense of dread.

Despite the perilous journey, the trip was incredibly rewarding. Not only did they break the legendary Thousand Illusion Array, but they also gained a mysterious power that will greatly benefit their future adventures.

Standing in the valley, gazing at the ruins, everyone felt a lingering fear.

"That was close! I almost died here!" Zhao Gao wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"If we hadn't worked together to break the formation in time, I'm afraid..." Li Si trembled as he spoke.

Ying Zheng calmed himself and turned to the two Taoist priests: "What are your thoughts on this new force?"

Xu Fu and Xuanzhenzi exchanged a glance, both filled with astonishment. Xu Fu pondered, "This power is extremely profound, unlike anything we have known before. It contains boundless potential, yet we have not yet been able to fully control it."

“Exactly,” Xuanzhenzi agreed. “This power seems to be connected to the laws of heaven and earth. If one can unravel its mysteries, one might be able to master unprecedented supernatural abilities.”

A burning light ignited in Ying Zheng's eyes as he looked up at the sky, as if trying to pierce through the clouds and gaze directly at the starry sea.

"In that case, we must not waste this power," Ying Zheng said resolutely. "We must continue forward, seeking more opportunities and mysteries, constantly improving ourselves. Only in this way can we face the greater challenges of the future."

That day they arrived at a vast forest. Ancient trees reached for the sky, and sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves, casting dappled shadows. An ancient and mysterious atmosphere permeated the forest, as if they had entered a vibrant and enchanting fairyland.

"What a beautiful place!" Zhao Gao exclaimed sincerely. "These ancient trees have witnessed so many changes over the years!"

“Indeed.” Li Si nodded. “This forest holds boundless vitality and mysteries; we should explore it carefully and not miss the opportunity.”

Ying Zheng observed his surroundings and discovered that the trees did not grow randomly, but were arranged according to specific rules, with mysterious connections between them, forming a huge living organism.

"Look at the tree trunk!" Xuanzhenzi suddenly exclaimed, "There are ancient runes carved on it!" Everyone looked intently and indeed saw that the tall tree trunk was engraved with complex and mysterious runes, which shimmered with light and blended into the forest atmosphere.

"What do these talismans mean?" Zhao Gao asked curiously. "Do they contain any hidden meaning?"

Xu Fu frowned in thought: "These should be marks left by the forest guardians. Legend has it that powerful guardians often reside in the ancient immortal forests, and these talismans may be their markings."

"Could we perhaps find a guardian?" Li Si asked excitedly. "If we were to encounter one, we might receive guidance and assistance."

Ying Zheng smiled and nodded: "Since we've come to this Immortal Forest, we mustn't miss this opportunity. We should seek out the guardian and ask for guidance on our difficulties."

So the group followed the pattern of the trees deeper into the forest and discovered an ancient temple deep within. The temple was surrounded by dense trees, appearing serene and solemn.

The group carefully pushed open the temple doors and found the interior spacious and bright, with exquisite bas-reliefs and talismanic patterns carved on the walls. In the center of the temple stood a majestic statue of a deity, its face hazy yet imposing, exuding a sacred aura.

"Is this where the Guardians are?" Zhao Gao looked around. "Why is there no one in sight?"

As soon as the words were spoken, a mysterious power suddenly gathered in the air. A melodious zither tune drifted from the depths of the hall, like celestial music striking straight to the heart. The music was gentle and lingering, each note carrying an ancient story, captivating the soul. The crowd, without thinking, followed the sound, passing through the long corridor to the source of the music.

A hazy figure sat playing the guqin, its fingertips gently plucking out a moving melody. Though its face was indistinct, its posture exuded an awe-inspiring sacred aura.

Upon seeing the arrival of the group, the guardian slightly raised his eyelids, his deep gaze seemingly able to pierce through reality. "Who are you? Why do you trespass here?" His calm yet authoritative voice sounded an alarm bell in everyone's hearts.

Ying Zheng stepped forward and bowed, saying, "We are travelers on a long journey, and our arrival here is purely by chance. We have no ill intentions. We hope you will forgive us, senior."

The guardian gently plucked the strings, and a beautiful melody rose again: "Since it was an unintentional mistake, we will not pursue it. However, this place is a place for quiet cultivation, and it is not suitable for you to linger. You should leave quickly."

The group looked disappointed. They had traveled a long way only to be politely refused.

Just as he was feeling disappointed, Xu Fu suddenly broke free from his support and knelt down on the ground: "This junior has a request, and I hope that senior will grant it!" After speaking, he kowtowed and bowed.

This sudden act stunned everyone. Xu Fu, a renowned alchemist of his time, had never before performed such a grand gesture towards anyone, let alone a mysterious guardian he had never met.

The guardian, also visibly surprised, put down his zither and asked, "What do you desire?"

"I humbly request your guidance, senior, to help me overcome my cultivation difficulties," Xu Fu said earnestly. "I am of dull talent and have repeatedly encountered bottlenecks on my cultivation path. If I receive your guidance, senior, I will surely be able to break through these obstacles and reach new heights!"

The guardian smiled and said, "The path of cultivation lies in self-realization and perseverance. Why need guidance from others?"

"That's true," Xu Fu said with a wry smile, "but unfortunately, my comprehension is limited, and I have made no progress in my cultivation over the years. Now that I am over fifty, I have achieved nothing, and I fear I will have little to show for my life." As he spoke, tears welled up in his eyes.

The guardian sighed softly, "The path of cultivation is indeed difficult." After a brief pause, he continued, "Since that's the case, I'll make an exception and give you some guidance. But you must remember: the key to cultivation lies in comprehension and perseverance! Only by truly understanding the mysteries and persisting relentlessly can one attain the Great Dao!" With that, he gently patted Xu Fu's head.

"Thank you for your guidance, senior!" Xu Fu felt a warm current flow from the top of his head into his limbs and bones. He was so excited that tears welled up in his eyes. He quickly kowtowed in thanks, stood up, and listened respectfully to the teachings.

In the time that followed, the Guardian not only answered Xu Fu's questions about cultivation in detail but also tailored a cultivation plan for him. At the same time, he also taught everyone basic cultivation methods, from which everyone benefited greatly. As the last note of the zither faded away, a considerable amount of time had passed, yet everyone remained captivated by the beautiful music and profound principles. Only when the Guardian smiled and vanished into a wisp of green smoke did they come to their senses.

Under the meticulous guidance of the mysterious guardian, Ying Zheng and his companions not only significantly improved their cultivation levels but also gained a profound understanding of the true essence of magic. They were filled with gratitude, knowing that this encounter was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Although the guardian had vanished, the wisdom and experience he imparted remained like an eternal star, forever illuminating their path forward.

Yang Ling looked around, deeply moved: "The Guardian is truly a divine being descended to earth. Every word of advice he gave was enlightening, and I benefited greatly."

Li Si wholeheartedly agreed: "Indeed, this experience is exceptionally valuable. We should diligently digest it and integrate these insights into our spiritual practice."

Ying Zheng intently examined the ancient temple, sensing a profound power permeating it, as if every brick and stone held boundless secrets. "The Guardian's teachings are invaluable, but this temple itself conceals even deeper secrets. We should not be content with the status quo; we must continue our exploration."

Everyone agreed. This mysterious hall fascinated them, and they longed to uncover its truth.

Led by Ying Zheng, they began cautiously exploring every corner of the temple. They traversed deep corridors and ascended ancient stone steps, finally arriving at the core area of ​​the temple. (End of Chapter)