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

"Young man, who are you? Why are you playing the jade flute here?" Yang Ling asked curiously.

The young man stopped playing and turned around. His face was handsome, and his eyes were deep, as if they could see into people's hearts. "My name is Ziya, and I am the guardian of this mountain forest. The fact that you can hear the flute music means that you are destined to meet me."

“Ziya…I seem to have heard of that name before.” Li Si pondered in his memory.

"We are travelers from afar, seeking to explore the mysteries of this mountain. We wonder if Ziya could offer us guidance?" Ying Zheng asked respectfully.

Ziya smiled slightly: "Since we have met by chance, I should guide you. However, before that, I have a favor to ask."

"Speak freely, I will do my best as long as it is within my power," Ying Zheng replied solemnly.

“There is a rare plant in this mountain called ‘Spirit Dew Flower,’ which blooms only on the night of the full moon and has a very short flowering period. I wish to collect its petals to refine an important potion. If you can help me collect the Spirit Dew Flower, please tell me the secret path leading deep into the mountains,” Ziya said solemnly.

“We will do our utmost to help with the Spirit Dew Flower,” Ying Zheng nodded in agreement.

Guided by Ziya, the group searched for the Spirit Dew Flower in the forest. After some effort, they finally found it in a secluded valley. The flower was crystal clear, shimmering with a faint glow, like the most dazzling star in the night sky.

After carefully collecting the flower petals, the group returned to the bamboo forest and handed them over to Ziya.

"Thank you all for your help." Ziya accepted the flower petals, a relieved smile on his face. "Now I will tell you the secret path leading deep into the mountains."

Guided by Ziya, the group followed a hidden path and eventually arrived deep within the mountains. The scenery here became increasingly strange, with steep peaks and surging seas of clouds, as if it were another world unto itself.

"This is the heart of the mountains, said to hide countless secrets and treasures," Ziya said, standing atop a giant rock and pointing ahead.

The group explored further, discovering numerous rare treasures, including many ancient artifacts and texts. They reaped a rich harvest, each item containing immense power.

Just as everyone was immersed in the joy of exploration, a powerful aura suddenly emanated from the depths of the mountains, causing them to feel uneasy.

"What kind of power is this?" Xu Fu's expression changed slightly as he sensed the strength of the aura.

The group focused their minds and proceeded towards the source of the aura. Passing through the dense forest, they arrived at a clearing. In the center of the clearing stood a massive stone gate, its surface inscribed with complex runes and totems, radiating an ancient and mysterious aura.

"What secrets are hidden behind this stone gate?" Xuanzhenzi stared at the stone gate, his eyes gleaming with a searching light.

Just as everyone was studying the stone gate, black mist suddenly poured out from the crack in the gate, quickly spreading and surrounding them.

"This is... an evil force!" Yang Ling felt nauseous and unwell, and his face turned pale.

The group tried to use magic to dispel the black mist, but the mist seemed to have its own will and could not be completely removed no matter how hard they tried.

At this moment, a man in black robes emerged from the black mist, his face gloomy and his eyes flashing with an eerie light.

"Who are you? How dare you trespass here!" the man in black robes asked coldly, his voice filled with murderous intent.

Ying Zheng stepped forward and replied in a deep voice, "We are travelers from afar and have no intention of offending you. We are simply curious about the secrets behind this door."

The man in black robes sneered: "Curious? Do you know where this place is? This is the ancient place where demons are sealed, and imprisoned here are monsters with destructive power!"

Everyone gasped in shock upon hearing this, never expecting that such a shocking secret was hidden in this place.

"And who are you? And why are you here?" Li Si asked warily.

A strange light flashed in the black-robed man's eyes: "I am the guardian of this place, my family has been protecting the seal for generations. Now the seal is weakening, and the demon beast is about to awaken. We need external forces to reinforce the seal, otherwise, once the demon beast breaks free, the world will be plunged into catastrophe." Hearing this, everyone felt a heavy weight on their hearts. If what the black-robed man said was true, the matter was far more serious than they had imagined.

"What should we do?" Ying Zheng asked in a deep voice, knowing that this might be the biggest challenge of this trip.

The man in black robes pondered for a moment before finally deciding, "I can teach you the ancient sealing method, but you must complete the seal yourself. It is extremely dangerous, so be sure to make thorough preparations."

After discussion, the group decided to accept the important task. They understood that this was not only a test of their abilities, but also an inescapable responsibility.

Under the guidance of the man in black robes, the group began to study the sealing technique. This technique was complex and difficult, requiring the concerted efforts of everyone to succeed.

After arduous practice, the group finally mastered the essentials of the sealing technique. They arrived at the stone gate and initiated the sealing ceremony.

During the ceremony, everyone performed their duties, focusing intently on casting spells. Their power converged into a vast energy, surging towards the seal at the center of the stone gate.

Suddenly, a violent tremor came from deep within the stone gate, accompanied by a deafening roar. The demonic beast seemed to sense the sealing power and began to resist frantically.

Under immense pressure, everyone knew this was the monster's last struggle. They gritted their teeth and did everything in their power to maintain the seal.

Just as everyone was on the verge of their limit, an even more powerful force descended from the sky and merged into the seal. This force, like the might of heaven and earth, completely suppressed the demonic beast's resistance.

Everyone looked up and saw Ziya appear on the clouds, holding a jade flute and playing a melodious tune. The tune was like celestial music from the divine realm, full of sacred power.

With Jiang Ziya's help, the group finally completed the seal. The powerful monster was once again imprisoned behind the stone gate, with no chance of escape.

"Thank you for your help, Ziya." Ying Zheng bowed to Ziya, his gratitude evident in his words.

Ziya smiled: "As guardians of the world, helping each other is only right."

After sealing the monster, the group rested in the quiet forest, reflecting on their thrilling experience.

Yang Ling broke the silence: "This experience is unprecedented. The power of that monster is beyond imagination."

Ying Zheng nodded: "Indeed. If it weren't for Ziya's timely assistance, we probably wouldn't have been able to complete the seal."

Li Si pondered, “This matter has made me realize that we still have much to learn and understand. This world is more complex than I imagined.”

Xuanzhenzi asked Ziya with concern, "How did you know we were in danger? And how did you arrive in time?"

Ziya smiled and explained, "When I saw you all off, I sensed an ominous aura. So I kept a close watch on you in secret. As for arriving in time, it's all thanks to this jade flute. It can not only play beautiful melodies, but it can also sense the dangers of those I care about."

Xu Fu remarked, "Many unknown divine powers and mysteries are still hidden in this world. Every adventure we take is an exploration of the unknown."

Yang Ling couldn't help but ask, "So where should we go next? What other unknown wonders await our discovery?"

Ying Zheng gazed into the distance, his eyes gleaming with a searching light: "The world is so vast, miracles are everywhere. But I believe the next stop should be to seek the legendary dragon vein."

Everyone showed excitement upon hearing this. Dragon veins, mysterious places containing unparalleled power, have always been the dream destination of countless explorers.

Xuanzhenzi pondered, "Dragon veins are said to be the places where the purest energy of heaven and earth converges. If one can find and explore a dragon vein, it will greatly benefit one's cultivation." (End of Chapter)