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

Yang Ling stared at the text, pondered for a moment, and then nodded: "This is exactly what we need. If we can master this technique, we may gain an advantage in our subsequent explorations."

Ziya clapped his hands lightly: "Very good, then let's start from here. Who is willing to try first?" His eyes gleamed with a challenging light.

“Let me do it.” Li Si stood up, his voice firm and unwavering. He walked to the center of the stone chamber, closed his eyes, and silently recited the incantation from the scriptures. The surrounding air seemed to condense and tremble slightly.

Ying Zheng and Xu Fu exchanged glances, both sensing the tension and anticipation in each other. They knew this was not only a test for Li Si, but also a major challenge for the entire team.

Suddenly, a pale blue light rose from Li Si's body, slowly forming a halo that surrounded him. A hazy image of a spirit beast appeared within the halo; it was a gigantic azure dragon, its eyes gleaming with intelligence.

"We succeeded!" Yang Ling was the first to react, her voice filled with joy.

Li Si slowly opened his eyes, and the image of the Azure Dragon was reflected in them, as if their souls had begun to merge. "I can sense its power flowing within me," he said, his voice becoming deep and powerful.

At that moment, a slight knocking sound came from the stone chamber door. Everyone immediately became alert, and Yang Ling was the first to draw his sword and walk towards the door, his expression wary.

The door slowly opened, and an elderly man in a white robe stepped into the room. His gaze was deep and penetrating, seemingly able to see through everything. "Welcome, cultivators," the old man's voice was deep and powerful, echoing throughout the stone chamber.

"Who are you?" Ying Zheng stepped forward, his tone inquiring.

The old man smiled slightly and bowed, saying, "I am the guardian of Mount Ling. You may call me 'Elder Lan'. It seems you have found the way to unlock the power of the soul."

Yang Ling sheathed his sword and bowed to the old man: "Elder Lan, we are indeed exploring the Soul Fusion Technique. But we still need more guidance."

Elder Lan nodded, turning his gaze to Li Si: "Young man, you have chosen the Azure Dragon, a symbol of wisdom and power. Next, you must learn how to fully control this power."

Li Si listened attentively and nodded to show that he understood. Elder Lan then turned to the others: "Everyone must find a spirit beast that resonates with their own soul; this is the only way to reach a higher realm."

For the next few hours, Elder Lan led everyone in a deeper study of the Soul Fusion Technique. Each person attempted to establish a connection with a spirit beast, filling the stone chamber with a mysterious and solemn atmosphere. Whenever someone successfully fused, the fluctuation of that power caused the lights in the stone chamber to flicker.

As night fell, the starry sky outside the stone chamber was bright and deep. Ying Zheng stood in front of the stone chamber, gazing at the starry sky, his heart filled with both anticipation and unease about the future: "Along this journey, each of us has undergone a transformation, but I do not know what we will ultimately face."

Xu Fu walked to his side and gently patted his shoulder: "No matter what lies ahead, we are no longer the cultivators we once were. We will face all challenges together."

In the deep, secluded passages of Mount Ling, the sound of their footsteps echoed, each step treading upon a weighty legacy of history. Ahead, a beam of golden light suddenly pierced the darkness, revealing an exquisitely carved golden gate. Nine flying dragons were engraved on the gate, soaring and dancing among the clouds, lifelike and vivid.

Yang Ling stopped and stared at the door, saying softly, "This is the 'Nine Dragons Sealing Gate.' Legend has it that whoever can unseal this gate will gain unprecedented supernatural powers."

Xu Fu stepped forward to examine the dragon patterns on the door closely: "Each dragon seems to represent a power of heaven and earth, and we must activate them one by one."

Ying Zheng nodded, then turned to each member of the group: "This time, each of us will choose a dragon to try and resonate with. Remember, you must be completely focused." Li Si walked towards a dragon with piercing eyes, took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and chanted an incantation. The golden light on the dragon's markings gradually brightened, as if responding to his call.

Ziya chose a dragon soaring through the clouds. He spread his arms and chanted incantations. The surrounding air began to fluctuate, and a gentle breeze rose and swirled behind him.

Yang Ling stood before a dragon pattern, its claws outstretched and its power imposing. He gently stroked the dragon pattern and murmured a chant, a stark contrast to the dragon's fierce appearance. Slowly, the dragon pattern seemed to awaken, its golden light growing ever brighter.

Xu Fu stood silently before the last dragon, his gaze resolute. The talisman in his hand burned gently, the flames illuminating his face and adding a touch of mystery to his calm expression. As he finished his incantation, the talisman turned to ashes, and the dragon pattern burst forth with dazzling light.

All nine dragons on the gate were activated, emitting deafening roars. The Nine Dragons Sealing Gate slowly opened, revealing an alluring light and powerful spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from the space behind it.

"We did it!" Li Si exclaimed excitedly, a victorious smile spreading across his face.

Ying Zheng stepped into the space behind the door first, his steps steady and firm, as if each step was in step with the rhythm of destiny. Behind the door was a huge circular stone chamber, in the center of which was a radiant altar, on which floated an ancient book that glowed.

"That book!" Xu Fu exclaimed, a fervent glint in his eyes. He strode toward the altar. "This is likely the legendary 'Heavenly Dragon Scripture,' containing supreme teachings."

Yang Ling and Ziya followed closely behind, the four of them surrounding the radiant altar. Yang Ling reached out to touch the ancient book, when suddenly the entire stone chamber shook, as if something beneath the earth was awakening.

"Watch out!" Ziya shouted a warning, but it was too late.

Suddenly, countless stone soldiers emerged from around the stone chamber, wielding ancient weapons and their eyes flashing with cold light, as they approached the four.

"It seems this 'Heavenly Dragon Manual' will not be easily obtained." Ying Zheng gripped his weapon tightly, staring at the approaching stone soldiers, his face showing no fear, but rather a hint of excitement. "Prepare for battle!"

The battle within the stone chamber erupted instantly. Li Si wielded his longsword, each strike accompanied by streaks of sword light, causing the stone statues to crumble under his blade. Yang Ling's swordsmanship was even more exquisite; each strike seemed to anticipate the stone statues' movements, precisely striking their vital points.

Ziya used his water control technique, and streams of water wrapped around the stone statue soldiers like living things, rendering them unable to move. Xu Fu, on the other hand, kept pulling out talismans from his sleeves and chanting incantations, and each talisman transformed into a fierce fireball that bombarded the stone statue soldiers.

After a fierce battle, the stone statues in the chamber were finally eliminated. The four men were slightly out of breath, their eyes filled with unyielding spirit.

Yang Ling walked to the altar first and carefully opened the glowing ancient book. As the pages turned, golden characters leaped into view, revealing the profound methods of the Heavenly Dragon Scripture and the secrets of Mount Ling.

"This...this is truly a priceless treasure!" Xu Fu's voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement.

Ying Zheng smiled slightly and looked at his companions: "We have gone through many hardships on our journey, and now we have finally obtained this precious scripture. From now on, let us study it together and make progress together, until one day we can explore every secret place in the sacred mountain."

The group stood behind the Nine Dragons Sealing Gate, before a vast, gleaming stone chamber. Yang Ling surveyed his surroundings, his gaze sharp and profound. He strode forward, his steps steady, as if each one treading on the rhythm of the winds and clouds. On the altar at the center of the chamber, the glowing ancient book shone like the brightest star in the night sky, captivating all eyes. (End of Chapter)