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

Yang Ling stood in the center, closed his eyes, and began to regulate his breathing. His body slowly merged with the surrounding elements, and the spiritual energy in the air seemed to be drawn to him, gradually converging towards him. His palms gently pressed on the ground, his fingertips lightly touching the soil, feeling the pulse of the earth.

As the ceremony progressed, the scene inside the cave began to change. From the rock walls, a faint light began to seep out, forming thin streams of light that flowed towards Yang Ling in the center. These streams of light swirled around him, forming a tiny halo that gradually expanded and grew brighter over time.

Ziya observed all this, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "Look, our efforts are being rewarded." He turned to Li Si and Zhao Gao, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "These streams of light are the response of Mount Ling; our connection with this mountain is deepening."

Li Si focused more on maintaining the rhythm and intensity of the incantation; his voice surged like the tide, strong and powerful. Zhao Gao followed closely behind, his voice deep and firm, adding a sacred solemnity to the entire ceremony.

Xu Fu continued to manipulate the incense burner, constantly adjusting the proportions of herbs and the heat to ensure a stable smoke and pure aroma. His technique was meticulous, and every movement showed focused caution.

As the ritual progressed, the air throughout the cave was filled with a strange power, as if the cave itself were breathing. An unprecedented sense of harmony took root in everyone's heart.

Suddenly, the halo in the center of the cave burst forth with dazzling light, and a beam of light shot from Yang Ling's body straight to the dome, illuminating the entire cave. Everyone involuntarily closed their eyes, feeling the intense vibrations and energy brought by the beam of light.

As the light faded, the cave returned to silence. The group opened their eyes, looked at each other, and each face radiated a satisfaction they had never experienced before. They knew that their connection with Mount Ling had reached a new level.

Yang Ling broke the silence first, his voice filled with gratitude and awe. "This ceremony has brought us closer not only to the heart of Mount Ling, but also to the depths of our own hearts. It is a true spiritual baptism."

Ziya nodded in agreement, his eyes glistening with tears of excitement. "Indeed, Your Majesty. I feel that my Taoist skills have improved significantly, and my heart is becoming more at peace."

Li Si and Zhao Gao also shared their feelings, both expressing the importance of this experience and its impact on their future spiritual practice.

Xu Fu delivered the concluding remarks, his voice filled with deep respect and anticipation. “What we are doing today is an inheritance and development of ancient wisdom. I firmly believe that as our knowledge of these herbs and talismans deepens, we will discover more and do even better.”

As they continued their exploration, another light shone from the depths of the cave. This light was not as intense as before, but gentle and persistent. It seemed to be guiding them to continue onward, to explore more unknown mysteries.

Yang Ling was the first to stand up and walk towards the light, with the others following closely behind.

Guided by the light, the group ventured deeper into the cave's unknown depths, the path beneath their feet becoming increasingly rugged. An ancient and mysterious aura permeated the air, as if each breath carried the weight of millennia. Occasionally, strange points of light flickered on the cave walls, like stars in the night sky, guiding them forward.

Ziya spoke softly, his voice filled with the excitement of exploration: "These points of light seem to be guiding us. Each point of light contains the energy of the sacred mountain, and we may be able to sense the life of this mountain range through them."

A hint of awe flashed in Li Si's eyes as he cautiously touched a glowing point, feeling a warm energy flow into his body. He excitedly turned to the others, saying, "These points of light are not merely guides; they can also enhance our cultivation. This is a rare gift from the sacred mountain." Xu Fu, however, was more focused on the medicinal value of these points of light. He took out a small bottle, attempting to collect its essence. His movements were extremely meticulous and respectful, as if handling a priceless treasure. He explained softly to Yang Ling, "Your Majesty, these spiritual lights may contain extremely powerful healing effects. After returning to Qin, we can use them to develop new medicines."

Zhao Gao surveyed his surroundings with a deep gaze, a thoughtful expression on his face. Suddenly, he stopped and pointed to a huge halo ahead: "Look over there, something seems to be moving within that halo. We should proceed with caution."

Yang Ling nodded in agreement, his voice firm and resolute: "We must be careful. Although Mount Ling has bestowed upon us power, it is also full of trials. Every step could be a new challenge."

Guided by Zhao Gao, the group slowly and cautiously approached the enormous halo. As they drew nearer, the outline within the halo gradually became clear, revealing a gigantic spirit beast—a strange creature resembling a dragon with the body of a deer. Its eyes were like the brightest stars in the night sky, deep and clear.

Li Si gripped his weapon tightly and asked in a low voice, "What kind of creature is this? Will it pose a threat to us?"

Ziya was even more curious, his voice filled with a longing for the unknown: "This may be the guardian spirit beast of Mount Ling. Ancient books have recorded that this beast is called 'Spirit Deer Dragon'. It can see through people's hearts and test the will of those who come."

Yang Ling stepped forward, his expression serious and composed: "Spirit Deer Dragon, we are cultivators from afar, hoping to receive your guidance to pass the test of this sacred mountain."

A glint flashed in the eyes of the Spirit Deer Dragon. It slowly spoke, its voice deep and resonant: "Brave travelers, are you truly sincere? Come, let me see your resolve."

Then, halos of light surrounded the Spirit Deer Dragon, each radiating a different color, beautiful and mysterious. The Spirit Deer Dragon's eyes were fixed on each person, as if trying to see into their very soul.

Xu Fu stepped forward first, his body enveloped in a ring of emerald light. His expression shifted from tense to relaxed, and he murmured, "I feel the healing power of this halo; it is purifying my body and mind."

Zhao Gao followed, stepping into a ring of azure light. The wariness in his eyes gradually softened, becoming deeper and clearer. He exclaimed, "This halo has made me lower my guard, and I feel a peace I've never felt before."

Ziya and Li Si also underwent their respective trials, each surrounded by a halo of different colors, experiencing a spiritual baptism.

Yang Ling stepped into the center last, surrounded by a ring of golden light, a light that seemed to acknowledge his kingly status. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, they were filled with renewed hope and determination.

The Spirit Deer Dragon watched them pass the trials one by one, finally nodding slowly: "Your hearts are pure and steadfast, and you have passed the first test of Mount Ling. However, the road ahead is still long, and every step is full of unknowns and challenges." (End of Chapter)