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

Yang Ling looked around; the desert stretched endlessly, offering no landmarks. His heart tightened, but he quickly composed himself, taking a deep breath to calm his racing emotions. He knew that in this desert, only he could find his way out by relying on himself.

Just then, he sensed a faint energy fluctuation. Yang Ling immediately focused his mind and began to carefully perceive it. He closed his eyes, gently spread his hands, and tried to catch every subtle tremor in the air. In this silent desert, any energy fluctuation could be a clue to finding a way out.

Time passed, sweat streamed down his face, but Yang Ling's heart grew calmer. Suddenly, something unusual happened in the sand beneath his feet. Yang Ling crouched down and carefully dug away the sand, and gradually, an ancient stone slab was revealed.

The stone slab was engraved with faint characters and patterns, which Yang Ling carefully deciphered. At that moment, the mysterious voice sounded again: "It seems you have found a clue. Then, can you decipher the information on the stone slab and find a way out?"

Yang Ling stared at the stone slab, silently reciting in his heart: "Head east, seek the direction of the sunrise, turn at the stone, enter the forest." He raised his head, looking at the rising sun in the east, a determined look on his face.

“I understand,” Yang Ling stood up and said to the air, “I will follow the instructions on the stone slab and look for a way out to the east.”

The mysterious voice seemed to approve of his decision: "Very good, the brave will reap extraordinary rewards. Go, young man, and prepare for your next challenge."

In the desert, Yang Ling resolutely walked eastward. The sun slowly rose, its golden rays bathing him, as if draping him in golden armor. He knew this trial was not only a test of strength, but also a challenge to his mind and courage. Yet, he was fearless, pressing forward relentlessly.

Inside the mysterious small room, Ying Zheng, Xu Fu, Li Si, and Jiang Ziya still sat around the mural, awaiting Yang Ling's return. Their faces were filled with worry, but even more so with trust and expectation for Yang Ling.

“Yang Ling will be fine,” Ying Zheng said with piercing eyes. “He is the most persevering and intelligent person I have ever met.”

Xu Fu nodded: "That's right, Yang Ling will definitely pass this trial. We should wait patiently for his good news."

Amidst everyone's anticipation, Yang Ling continued his journey through the desert. Sweat soaked his clothes, but his steps grew ever more determined. As the sun rose high in the sky, he finally spotted a giant rock ahead. Overjoyed, Yang Ling quickened his pace and hurried forward.

Reaching the boulder, he noticed a narrow crevice on its side. Without hesitation, Yang Ling squeezed inside. The crevice was dark and damp, but he persevered, guided by unwavering resolve and the faint light. Soon after, he emerged from the crevice, and a vast, lush forest came into view.

"The third trial—The Mystery of the Forest." The mysterious voice echoed in Yang Ling's ears once more, like an ancient call from the depths of the forest. "In this vast forest, there lies an ancient tree with a thousand-year lifespan. You must find it and draw upon its wisdom to complete this trial."

Yang Ling surveyed the dense forest around him, each tree seemingly alive, whispering secrets of a thousand years past. He took a deep breath, savoring the freshness and mystery of the forest, and cautiously embarked on his journey to find the ancient tree.

"This forest is truly vast and boundless!" Yang Ling exclaimed, his gaze wandering among the trees, trying to find the legendary ancient tree.

"You must feel with your heart, not just look with your eyes," the mysterious voice advised. Yang Ling nodded, closed his eyes, and let his soul merge with the forest. He sensed the essence of each tree, listening to their inner voice. Gradually, he discovered something extraordinary—an ancient tree exuding the aura of countless ages.

He opened his eyes and followed the guidance of his heart. Passing through layers of trees, he finally arrived before the ancient tree. The tree soared into the clouds, its canopy as dense as an umbrella, and its trunk was covered with the marks of time, as if telling a story of a thousand years.

Yang Ling walked to the ancient tree and gazed at this living thing that had witnessed countless historical events. He reached out and gently stroked the trunk, as if he could feel the ancient tree's heartbeat and breath.

"How can I draw upon your wisdom?" Yang Ling asked softly.

The ancient tree seemed to possess a spirit; its trunk trembled slightly, emanating a warm and ancient power. Yang Ling closed his eyes, letting this power flow into his body. His mind connected with the ancient tree, and in an instant, he felt as if he had traveled through time and space, experiencing firsthand the tree's long history.

In the memories of the ancient tree, Yang Ling witnessed countless sunrises and sunsets, the changing of the seasons, and the myriad forms of life in the forest. He felt the tenacity and resilience of life and also comprehended the laws and wisdom of nature.

When Yang Ling reopened his eyes, his gaze shone with an unprecedented light. He felt a profound connection between himself and the forest, and with the ancient tree. He understood the true meaning of life and found his direction forward.

"Thank you, ancient tree," Yang Ling said gratefully. He bowed deeply to the ancient tree, then turned and left the mysterious forest.

When Yang Ling returned to the small room, he found Ying Zheng, Xu Fu, Li Si, and Jiang Ziya anxiously waiting for him. Their faces were filled with worry and anticipation, and they all surrounded him upon seeing Yang Ling's safe return.

"Yang Ling!" Ying Zheng exclaimed excitedly, "You're finally back! How was the trial? Were you injured?"

Yang Ling smiled and shook his head: "I'm fine. Although the trial was difficult, I gained a lot."

"Tell me quickly, what have you been through?" Xu Fu asked curiously.

So, in the small room, Yang Ling began to recount his extraordinary adventures in the forest. He described the majesty and wisdom of the ancient tree, and how he established a connection with it and drew upon its wisdom. His narration captivated everyone, as if they too had personally experienced that wondrous trial.

"Yang Ling, do you really think we should go explore that place?" Ying Zheng frowned, a hint of worry in his eyes. As the ruler of Qin, he bore the heavy responsibility of the entire country, and therefore always maintained a high degree of vigilance towards the unknown and potential risks.

Yang Ling took a deep breath, his gaze resolute as he met Ying Zheng's scrutinizing eyes. Ying Zheng's concerns were not unfounded, but he was confident he was fully prepared. "Your Majesty," Yang Ling said, "we have now mastered the ancient formations and gained the wisdom of the ancient tree. Now is the time to explore the mysteries hidden within this fantastical world. I believe we possess the capability to meet those unknown challenges." (End of Chapter)