Daojun, start from Penglai foundation building

"Water and fire combine to form the true meaning, and heaven and earth give birth to the two principles."

"The spirit is divided into pure and impure, and yin and yang transform into the true nature."

At the summit of the Ice Mountain Soul Domain, on the Moonlit Night Cloud Bed carved from cold jade, Jiang Sheng, his body charred and withered, his breath barely a whisper, slowly uttered two lines of poetry.

By this time, Jiang Sheng had been scorched by the flames for several years. Not only had his long lifespan of nearly ten thousand years been burned away, but even the raging fire on his body had been reduced to just a few tiny flames. Once these flames dissipated and the fire in his heart was extinguished, Jiang Sheng's last bit of life force would naturally vanish as well.

However, even in these few tiny flames, in this charred body that could collapse with the slightest movement, within the ashes of the internal organs, a lingering aura of green wood and a blazing, bright flame emanated.

When the last vestige of lifespan is burned away by the fire of the heart, when that burning flame is completely extinguished and dissipated.

Within Jiang Sheng's charred body, the energy of green wood circulated and swirled, transforming into a continuous source of firewood to fuel the burning flame.

Although their lifespan has ended, the fire in their heart remains unextinguished, thus they do not die of old age.

When lifespan is burned away, lifespan becomes nothing but an illusion.

As the fire in his heart burned, and with a silent throbbing, it seemed as if a ball of crimson fire spread out, reshaping Jiang Sheng's heart; it seemed as if a stream of wood flowed, transforming into Jiang Sheng's liver.

After the heart and liver are remodeled, under the nourishment of liver wood and heart fire, the five internal organs that were reduced to ashes begin to remodel, and the burned meridians and flesh begin to grow.

If one passes through the decline of the physical body, the physical body will not decay; if one passes through the decline of lifespan, lifespan will be immeasurable.

Having survived the tribulation of liver wood and heart fire, a True Monarch of the second tribulation in the Integration Realm can be said to be immortal, and the revival of flesh and blood turned to ashes and charcoal can also be called rebirth from a drop of blood.

As the liver's wood energy continues to supply, the heart fire intensifies. However, the heart fire no longer uses Jiang Sheng's lifespan and flesh as fuel; instead, it begins to nourish Jiang Sheng himself.

When the fire of the heart overflows from every part of Jiang Sheng's body again, turning him into a towering torch, what burns at this moment is not just the fire of the heart, but also the fire of his soul, the true fire of his true self!

If the flame of life doesn't die out, how can one speak of passing away?!

"A lifespan of ten thousand years may end in a single day, but if the fire of the heart does not extinguish, there will be no end to life."

"I ignite my true self with the fire of my heart, and break through the tribulations of the mind to pass the two gates."

Lang Lang's clear voice echoed atop the icy mountain, and amidst the soaring flames, Jiang Sheng emerged unharmed from the inferno.

As Jiang Sheng emerged from the flames of his life, his long black hair spontaneously tied into a bun on top of his head, and a jade crown appeared out of thin air, holding the bun in place and emitting brilliant starlight and layers of azure rainbow light.

Again, the blue lotus swayed and the black lotus lingered. The blue and black lotus transformed into a black robe with lotus patterns, which covered Jiang Sheng. Lotus patterns grew on the black robe, shimmering with blue and black energy, and reflecting seven-colored immortal light.

Wearing a jade crown and a black robe, Jiang Sheng gently tapped his head, and a dragon roared. A dragon flew out from his sleeve and danced endlessly in the cold light of the clouds. Jiang Sheng watched the dragon frolicking quietly, then landed directly. As golden light wrapped around his waist and tied his robe, it transformed into a dragon swallowing clouds belt.

As the dragon descended, the vast sea of ​​clouds surged and churned. Auspicious light and mist enveloped the area, and the surging clouds swirled around Jiang Sheng's feet, condensing into a pair of square-shaped shoes radiating divine light.

Thus, adorned in a green crown and black robe, with a jade belt and cloud-patterned boots, Jiang Sheng was once again the aloof, noble, and ethereal immortal of Penglai.

After straightening his clothes, Jiang Sheng looked around the Ice Mountain Soul Domain, chuckled, and casually took away the Cold Jade Cloud Bed and alchemy furnace with a wave of his hand.

In the blink of an eye, the Ice Mountain Soul Domain returned to its unchanging tranquility of ten thousand years, as if the flames of those short three or four years were nothing but an illusion, a dream.

The instant Jiang Sheng disappeared into the Ice Mountain Soul Domain, in the Qingzhu Palace, True Monarch Yuehui slowly opened her eyes: "I have arrived."

In the next instant, the figure of True Monarch Yuehui materialized in the moonlight. He descended from the sky, stepping on the moonlight, and landed in the cold bamboo forest. Immediately afterwards, a ripple appeared in the bamboo sea, and Jiang Sheng, wearing a green crown and black robe, walked out leisurely.

When the immortal in the green crown and black robe appeared, cranes danced among the cold bamboo. A gentle breeze blew through the bamboo forest, causing the leaves to rustle and the faint cry of cranes to be heard. In a short while, several white cranes leaped from the bamboo forest, circling and dancing in the air.

Jiang Sheng glanced at the flying white crane and said softly, "Come back, come back."

In an instant, the soaring white cranes descended with clouds in their beaks, and the surrounding bamboo transformed into green robes. As a green robe fell upon Jiang Sheng, covering his black lotus-patterned robe, the white cranes that had come with clouds also disappeared into the green bamboo robes, transforming into extraordinary cloud cranes on them.

Jiang Sheng's last piece of clothing, the green bamboo and cloud crane robe, was returned to its place.

Wearing a jade pillar and a bright moon crown, and dressed in a Taiyin Moon Robe, True Lord Yuehui nodded slightly: "My Lord, you have arrived."

Jiang Sheng nodded, then looked at Tian Ming'an and the other three who were still asleep.

Moon Wisdom True Lord said, "They are loyal and filial, but unfortunately they are too reckless."

Jiang Sheng glanced at the four people, including Tian Ming'an, who were still asleep. He did not judge the loyalty and filial piety mentioned by True Monarch Yuehui. He simply said, "They were indeed too reckless this time. They thought that since a great power in the Xuanhuang Realm had fallen and they had experienced the calamity of the Heavenly Demon, they were safe and sound and lost their sense of awe."

"This trip to the Taiyin Illusionary Realm is both a curse and a blessing for them."

"The realm of Dharma Aspect is rooted in the Nascent Soul stage yet transcends it; it is neither at the Void Refinement stage nor close to the Void Refinement stage; it is stuck between the lower six realms and the upper three realms, neither high nor low, hence the name Yin Deficiency and Yang Substance."

"Those who are deficient in Yin and excessive in Yang, with Yin and Yang complementing each other and deficiency and excess depending on each other, are like the moon seeking fullness when it is waning, and the moon being full when it is full, and the sun waning when it is waning, and the sun waning when it is full transforming into prosperity."

"They are now entering this Yin Illusionary Realm in a state of Yin deficiency, which is beneficial for them to balance Yin and Yang."

"It's just that their physical bodies and souls are not up to par, and they are too weak to receive such blessings."

Moon Wisdom True Lord said, "So, you want to take them to the Sun and Stars to help them replenish their foundations so they can receive this blessing?"

Jiang Sheng smiled and said, "Isn't this what I, as your master, should do?"

“Ming’an has been cultivating with me since Qingping Mountain. Buyu followed me after entering Penglai. As for Jianchun and Ping’an, they all have a karmic connection with me and have received my teachings and practiced my way.”

“I usually cultivate myself and rarely have time to take care of them, but they don’t complain. While cultivating themselves, they also manage Little Penglai very well. They also help me sort out relationships and don’t need me to say much when welcoming or seeing off guests during festivals.”

"Although what they did was simply what a disciple should do, I cannot take their kindness for granted."

“I am almost 1,800 years old now. Looking back on the past years, I was either in seclusion cultivating or traveling. I didn’t spend much time with them. Their current level of attainment is mostly due to their own efforts.”

"Now that I have reached the Integration stage, while they are over 1,700 years old and still in the Dharma Form stage, it is time for me to lend them a hand."

"I can't possibly be the master, and when I reach the fifth kalpa, just watch them remain in the Dharma form and unable to achieve immortality, can I?"

True Monarch Yuehui remained noncommittal: "Although they are considered promising talents and can be called geniuses, they are still far inferior to you."

"It is said that the student surpasses the master, but how many disciples can truly surpass their master?"

"You're helping them like this, but perhaps they won't turn out the way you want them to in the future?"

Jiang Sheng shook his head: "I don't require them to cultivate to a certain level. As long as they can achieve immortality, that's enough. Even if they are slow, they will still be able to grow to a certain level in the future."

"Yuehui, you are my alter ego. Don't you know that both you and I are too indifferent and cold, lacking in human warmth?"

"As their master, I don't ask them to have great fortune. I just want them to stay by my side for a while longer, and that will be enough."

"I don't want to one day have to send my disciple to his death."

With that, Jiang Sheng flicked his sleeve, taking away Tian Ming'an and the other three, along with the ice coffin, and turned to leave. "The Taiyin Illusionary Realm is yours now."

"Yuanjun is currently battling that remnant soul and turbid thoughts. It will probably take at least a thousand years for her to break free."

"Make the most of this time to cultivate the Taiyin Cold Light Method and the Guanghan Pure Heart Method to the Dao, so that I can secure a position of honor for you in the future."

Before he finished speaking, Jiang Sheng had already vanished without a trace.

The Moon Goddess, adorned in a crimson robe and crown, stood amidst the bamboo grove, gazing silently at the hazy moon in the sky. The bright moonlight reflected on the cold pool, creating shimmering patterns, making the Bamboo Palace appear even more desolate and lonely.

After a long silence, True Monarch Yuehui sighed softly: "The Way of Taiyin is to transcend emotions."

"My lord, as the saying goes, a healer cannot heal himself. You know perfectly well that your disciples have their own karma, their own destiny and their own path, yet you still meddle in it like this."

"Even if you pave the way for them, will they really be able to live forever and stay with you forever?"

"One day, you will still be young, while they will be old and gray. At that time, won't you still have to watch them pass away?"

Having said that, True Monarch Yuehui shook his head, and his figure dissipated into wisps of moonlight, vanishing without a trace.

warmth.

It was incredibly comfortable and warm.

The feeling was like returning to a mother's embrace, no, even more reassuring than a mother's embrace, as if it could allow one to sleep peacefully forever without ever waking up.
But it was in this warm and comfortable atmosphere that Tian Ming'an opened his eyes.

At first glance, Tian Ming'an saw the figure sitting cross-legged on the futon.

Master?!
Just as Tian Ming'an was about to speak in his surprise, he suddenly gulped down a mouthful of hot soup, almost choking him.

Only then did Tian Ming'an realize with astonishment that he was actually sitting cross-legged inside the cauldron.

No, it wasn't just myself, but also Junior Sister Buyu, Junior Brother Jianchun, and Junior Brother Ping'an.

The four of them, brothers and sisters, were all sitting cross-legged inside the large cauldron, while their master controlled the cauldron's fire.

Is this a disciple of the Great Cauldron Cooking Sect?!

As Tian Ming'an woke up, Qiu Buyu, Li Jianchun, and Huang Ping'an also woke up one by one. They were overjoyed to see Jiang Sheng, but then they realized they were sitting in the cauldron and were somewhat at a loss.

"Are you all awake?"

"You four have some guts, daring to wander into a place like the Taiyin Illusionary Realm."

"Do you still remember what Yuehui said? Your souls and bodies need to be healed to avoid leaving any hidden dangers."

"Right now, you'd better sit quietly in the cauldron and don't move around."

As Jiang Sheng spoke, Tian Ming'an and the other three also started asking questions all at once:
"Master, have you been in the Taiyin Illusionary Realm all these years?"

"Master, is that Moon Wisdom True Monarch a newly created avatar of yours?"

"Master, when will we be able to get out?"

"Master, has your cultivation improved again?"

Looking at his apprentices, Jiang Sheng didn't feel confused at all. On the contrary, he felt extremely relaxed. The feeling of being busy and urgent, with one thing after another, had disappeared without a trace.

After stretching his body, Jiang Sheng had a thought, and the futon lifted him into the air, hovering in front of the cauldron.

Looking directly at his four disciples, Jiang Sheng chuckled, "You lot are really something."

"Alright, you haven't really caused any trouble this time, and it can be considered that your opportunity has come."

"I have finished what I needed to do in the Taiyin Illusionary Realm. Next, I will travel to the Sun Star. The means to completely eliminate your hidden dangers lies in the Sun Star."

"You are all clear about your current level and where your future path lies. There is no better place to experience this state of Yin deficiency and Yang fullness than by personally witnessing the Sun and the Moon."

"Once you activate your physical bodies, you can come with me to observe the sun and stars."

Upon hearing this, Tian Ming'an and the other three were overjoyed, and the vague unease and guilt in their hearts dissipated. Judging from their appearance, Jiang Sheng clearly did not blame them.

Seeing the four people's happy expressions, Jiang Sheng said, "But now that you four are awake, don't just sit around."

"You should carefully consider what kind of medicinal ingredients I used in this cauldron of soup, what their properties are, and how much of each is used. If it is for making elixir, what are its effects? If it is for making powder, what are its properties? Then you can tell me."

"This can be considered a test of your studies after so many days of teaching."

Upon hearing Jiang Sheng's words, Tian Ming'an and the other three changed their expressions again. Looking at the pot of clear, pure medicine, they could hardly see any dregs or pills. How could they analyze how much medicinal essence was in this medicine?
Li Jianchun paused for a moment, then took a sip first. After closing his eyes and pondering for a while, he said, "Master, this medicine is for nourishing the spirit and replenishing the body. It is of the yang nature and contains seven-star seeds, fire dates, red yang root, five-blessing moss, and red dragon grass."

Huang Ping'an followed suit, mimicking the instructions: "Reporting to Master, although this medicine belongs to the Yang category, it is not extremely Yang. It contains Yin-type cold herbs, thus the Yang is generated while Yin is contained, neutralizing the medicinal properties to prevent excessive Yang from exhausting the body. The cold herbs used in it..."

Jiang Sheng listened to Li Jianchun and Huang Ping'an's analysis, then looked at Tian Ming'an beside him. Tian Ming'an pondered for a moment and then reported the amount of each type of major medicine (yang and yin) that Li Jianchun and Huang Ping'an had mentioned, as well as the exact year of use. Although not all of it was correct, it was still quite good.

Finally, Jiang Sheng looked at Qiu Buyu, who frowned slightly: "Master, I cannot drink this soup like them, but I have other ways to analyze the pharmacology."

As she spoke, Qiu Buyu took off her jade hairpin, dipped it in the medicinal soup, and then closed her eyes to analyze: "One 500-year-old Seven Star Seed stalk costs three qian, seven 500-year-old Fire Dates weigh five liang, one 1000-year-old Red Sun Root weighs one liang, one 100-year-old Five Blessing Moss weighs seven liang and three qian, and five 300-year-old Red Dragon Grass stalks weigh nine qian."

As Qiu Buyu continued to reveal the age and quantity of various medicinal herbs, Jiang Sheng nodded repeatedly, his smile growing wider.

Finally, Jiang Sheng said, "The origin of this pot of medicine comes from the Taiyin Danjing that I obtained in the Taiyin Illusion."

"In the Taiyin Danjing, there is a formula called Guanghan Yuque San, which is a powder made by combining yin-type cold herbs with a small amount of yang medicine to remove the erosion of fire and the poison of yang fire."

“I reversed the prescription, replaced the cold herbs with yang herbs that correspond to the medicinal properties, reorganized the ingredients and dosages, and then refined it into a powder. However, this powder is still too domineering, and your physical bodies and souls are too weak to withstand it.”

"Therefore, I will refine the powder into a soup to gradually nourish your physical bodies and souls."

"This elixir formula uses primordial yang to suppress yin, hence I call it the Primordial Yang-Yin Fusion Powder."

"Since you have analyzed this formula, then you can deduce the original Guanghan Jade Palace Powder based on this formula."

"Once you can deduce and refine the Guanghan Jade Palace Powder, it will mean that you are capable of ascending to the sun and stars with your master."

"After all, I don't want to see you all burned to ashes by the true fire of the sun as soon as you set foot on the sun."

Having said that, Jiang Sheng flicked his sleeve and leisurely left.

"You all should continue to work out the elixir formula in this cauldron. I'm going to visit some friends." (End of Chapter)