Daojun, start from Penglai foundation building

"The Three Powers, the Three Calamities, and the Three Transformations; the Five Elements, the Five Tribulations, and the Five Barriers."

A melodious Daoist chant resounded amidst the towering sea of ​​fire. Despite the surrounding crimson and golden flames rising and surging, scorching his body and soul, Jiang Sheng sat cross-legged on a futon, quietly reciting the Taiyi Sutra.

After seeing Tian Ming'an and the other three off, Jiang Sheng searched the area above the sun and stars, but could not find any trace of Lin Fan or the Crested Ibis Demon Lord.

At this point, Jiang Sheng had no choice but to give up and stop wasting his energy searching for the two.

Both Lin Fan and the Crested Ibis Demon Lord possessed life-saving tools. The fact that they couldn't find any of them right now wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Either they were hiding somewhere refining their own opportunities, or they had already left the Sun Star and returned to the human world.

Therefore, after failing to find the two, Jiang Sheng began to focus on his own cultivation.

Amidst the sea of ​​fire, a lotus platform, its blue and black hues blending seamlessly, hovered silently three feet above the ground. Upon the platform, a Taoist priest in a blue crown and black robe silently perused a copy of the "Mysterious Method of Yin-Yang Calamity, Three Transformations, and Five Elements."

The original text of "The Mystic Method of Yin Yang Calamity Extinction Three Transformations Five Elements," a cultivation technique created and practiced by Jiang Sheng himself, is hidden in Little Penglai. Even within the Penglai Daoist Sect, only the first six volumes of the technique are kept, for Penglai disciples to cultivate up to the Nascent Soul stage.

As for what happens after reaching the Divine Transformation stage, Jiang Sheng wants everyone to understand and participate in their own path, rather than repeating Jiang Sheng's path.

Apart from the original copy kept in Xiaopenglai and the copy kept in the Penglai Dao Sect, the only copy of "The Wonderful Method of Yin-Yang Calamity, Three Transformations, and Five Elements" in the world is the one in Jiang Sheng's hands.

This is a handwritten copy that Jiang Sheng always carries with him, so that he can record his insights into the universe and nature, his understanding of the laws of the Great Dao, his own experiences in alchemy, talisman making, and weapon crafting, as well as some records about his state of mind and temperament.

For months, Jiang Sheng sat here, flipping through his records and insights from over the years.

This handwritten book contains detailed records of Jiang Sheng's experiences during his travels, his explorations of other worlds, and what he saw and heard. Revisiting the past and reflecting on his feelings at the time is a rare form of relaxation for Jiang Sheng.

After reading all the records, Jiang Sheng activated his spiritual light and gently pointed it, adding several more blank pages to the book.

Taking out the brush he obtained from the Taiyin Star, Jiang Sheng used his magic power as ink to record his various experiences in the Xuanhuang Realm on the book, including what he saw and heard on the Taiyin Star and some speculations about the Taiyang Star.

After recording these things, Jiang Sheng did not stop writing. His brush continued to fall, depicting his state of mind at that moment:
"The three calamities are wind, thunder, and fire, which destroy the spirit, soul, and body; they are calamities of essence, energy, and spirit."

"The first three of the five difficulties are the liver (wood) which governs the physical body, the heart (fire) which illuminates lifespan, and the spleen (earth) which connects to the essence and spirit. These are also the key points of essence, qi, and spirit."

“I often feel that during the cultivation of mortals, each realm is a different world. This is because since the foundation is established and the divine power is connected in the Purple Mansion, the three realms of Golden Core, Nascent Soul and Divine Transformation are the sublimation of the cultivator’s essence, energy and spirit.”

"The six realms of mortals, from the beginning of the Golden Core to the end of the Spirit Transformation, involve the three sublimations of essence, energy, and spirit, ultimately leading to the rudimentary form of the Dao Fruit, from which one may hope to ascend."

"Those who ascend to immortality gather the essence of vital energy and spirit, and ascend to the heavens to attain the Dao; this is called refining emptiness."

As Jiang Sheng wrote, the azure aura soared upwards, transforming into a canopy of azure aura that shielded Jiang Sheng from the raging fire and the sunlight above his head.

Again, four-colored sword energies—azure, purple, vermilion, and black—swirled around Jiang Sheng's body, transforming into ribbons and streaks of light. Amidst the intertwining of these four elements, wind, thunder, water, and fire hung behind Jiang Sheng's head, transforming into a four-colored, misty Dao wheel.

At this moment, Jiang Sheng had a blue canopy above his head, sword energy swirling around him, and a Dao wheel floating behind his head. He truly looked like a celestial being with a beautiful and refined appearance. However, Jiang Sheng didn't care about any of this and continued writing:

"However, refining to the void does not grant immortality."

"After passing the three calamities of refining emptiness, one must further refine one's essence, energy, and spirit to achieve the Three Flowers; after the Three Flowers gather at the top, one must pass the five difficulties to achieve the Five Qi."

"Only when the three flowers gather at the top of the head and the five elements converge at the origin can one achieve immortality and eternal life, thus living as long as heaven and earth and being as true as the sun and moon."

"This realm is called the ultimate of the nine realms of cultivation, known as the Great Vehicle, and is revered as the Immortal Lord."

"When I was undergoing the Three Calamities of Refining Emptiness, I was forced to undergo the Three Calamities due to the Heavenly Demons and External Evils, which made it difficult for me to escape after undergoing the Three Calamities three times."

"At that time, my cultivation level was insufficient, my Taoist practice was weak, and my immortal source was lacking, so I had to face the tribulations of the Three Calamities with my naked divine soul."

"Now, my realm has been unified, and my cultivation is comparable to that of the Fifth Tribulation. In terms of the resilience of my soul and the strength of my physical body, I am incomparable to those of the Fifth Tribulation or the Great Ascension stage."

"However, the more this is the case, the more uneasy I become."

"To overcome the tribulation of liver wood, I spent six years in seclusion in Yanzhou of the Nine Provinces Realm, which was equivalent to a thousand years of work for others; then, in just thirty years, before my immortal essence had been accumulated, I went through the tribulation of heart fire in Taiyin Star of the Xuanhuang Realm."

"In less than sixty years, he went through several tribulations to achieve immortality."

"The current fruit of immortality of the primordial spirit is within easy reach. Looking back on everything, everything was too easy, as if it were a gift from heaven. The memories are truly terrifying."

Jiang Sheng paused at this point.

A faint purple aura emerged from the top of Jiang Sheng's head; this purple aura was also a kind of fortune.

When the purple aura collided with the original cyan aura in mid-air, the resulting canopy of aura formed by the fusion of purple and cyan became even more powerful and magnificent.

Beneath the azure-purple canopy of fortune, three inches above Jiang Sheng's head, gold, silver, and lead coalesced into a lotus flower, spinning incessantly and continuously elevating Jiang Sheng's spiritual power, echoing the azure-purple canopy, as if to elevate Jiang Sheng's realm to another level.

Behind Jiang Sheng, the original Four Symbols Dao Wheel, composed of wind, thunder, water, and fire, had somehow transformed into the Yin-Yang Dao Wheel, formed by the intersection of the Taiyin and Taiyang.

All of this was beyond Jiang Sheng's attention. The surging crimson and golden flames around him seemed to come alive, dancing around him as if they had a spirit, yet they remained perfectly still outside of his protective aura, seemingly without a doubt, as if they were intentional.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Sheng continued writing:
"All those who cultivate themselves yearn to roam the heavens and earth, but after entering and leaving the azure sky, they also desire immortality."

"These are all desires and thoughts of the human heart, and are the evidence of sentient beings."

"What you desire and think can be pursued but not sought. Those who force it are like trees without roots or water without a source, and thus their dreams and illusions vanish. Those who pursue it should solidify their foundation, calm their minds, take the Great Way as their basis and the methods as their guide, and act in accordance with the will and destiny of Heaven. They must not be arrogant, impatient, or make reckless attempts."

"As I travel with the sun and stars, I am blessed by the heavens. Wherever I go, all kinds of cultivation techniques, scriptures, and rare medicinal materials are readily available. The prosperity of my fortune is awe-inspiring."

"It's a pity that the path has now been found, and we have no choice but to follow it."

"This time, I will gather the power of Yang fire essence above the sun and stars to break through the calamity of spleen earth and overcome the decline of the primordial spirit."

"If the liver is wood and the heart is fire, one can attain longevity."

"Breaking through the Earthly Gate of the Spleen, the Divine Soul will become immortal."

With the final stroke, Jiang Sheng solemnly put away the handwritten manual, straightened his clothes, and jumped down from the lotus platform.

The lotus platform, interwoven with azure and black, withered and turned to ashes, while Jiang Sheng walked step by step into the depths of the sea of ​​fire.

If anyone were here, they would find that Jiang Sheng's feet never touched the ground. Every time Jiang Sheng took a step, a blue or black lotus would appear three inches above the ground, supporting Jiang Sheng's feet and propelling him forward.

With one foot stepping out of the Azure Lotus and the other lifting the Black Lotus, Jiang Sheng walked step by step, the Azure Lotus and the Black Lotus constantly alternating, until Jiang Sheng's figure disappeared into the depths of the sea of ​​fire. Wherever Jiang Sheng passed, the shadows of lotuses could still be seen swaying, but upon closer inspection, no lotus platform could be seen, only the faint azure spiritual energy emanating from the sea of ​​fire.

At first glance, the outer layer of this fiery expanse appeared to be nothing more than surging crimson and golden flames, showing no particular special features. However, the deeper one went, the more wondrous it became. As Jiang Sheng continued to venture deeper, clusters of purple flames appeared amidst the original crimson and golden flames, and behind the purple flames, cyan and white flames also emerged.

Red fire, golden fire, purple fire, blue fire, white fire.
Five flames formed the core of this sea of ​​fire. Even with Jiang Sheng's current physical body and soul, walking through it caused a burning and stinging sensation.

Crimson fire burns the flesh, golden fire scorches the soul, purple fire dissipates magical power, and blue fire melts the Dao heart.
Jiang Sheng didn't know where the core of this sea of ​​fire was, only that as he continued to move forward, the power of the five flames became increasingly terrifying, and in the process, Jiang Sheng's realm was also constantly being strengthened.

Under the tempering of the fivefold true fire, Jiang Sheng's physical body, soul, and even his magical power and Dao fruit were all tempered anew. His somewhat unstable realm and Dao cultivation after breaking through the second tribulation were solidified with the tempering of the true fire, and his loose magical power was also condensed.

After Jiang Sheng's physical body, soul, Dao fruit, and magical power were all tempered and solidified by the true fire, Jiang Sheng also reached the end of his journey.

The endless five-colored true fire burned and scorched here. When the boundless true fire rose, it seemed like five fire dragons roaring and surging. And in the true fire, Jiang Sheng could vaguely see a piece of red gold jade marrow floating and sinking between the five-colored true fire.

"This is."

"Its color is reddish-gold, its energy is radiant, it gathers the source of darkness and yellow, and merges with the essence of the sun and moon."

"This is the Great Sun's Lava?!"

"No, this is the real Imperial Dew!"

The term "Emperor's Dew" is a general term used by mortal cultivators and demons to refer to the radiance of the sun and moon and the brilliance of the stars.

Whether one is a mortal cultivator or a demon or spirit, whether one is improving one's cultivation, tempering one's physical body, bloodline, and soul, or enhancing one's magical power and supernatural abilities, one cannot do without the brilliance of stars and the radiance of the sun and moon.

However, the power of stars and the power of the sun and moon are usually in the heavens, and very few of them can fall to earth. And if they do fall to earth, their essence is almost entirely lost.

Even so, the power of the sun, moon, and stars is coveted by mortal cultivators and demons, and is called Emperor's Nectar, meaning the nectar drunk by the Heavenly Emperor, which can help people ascend to immortality.

However, this is how mortal cultivators and demons refer to the power of the sun, moon, and stars.

Once you reach the Upper Three Realms, the so-called Emperor's Dew becomes clear. Because cultivators in the Upper Three Realms can generally absorb the power of the stars to temper their physical bodies and souls, and improve their cultivation and magical power, the power of the stars is excluded. Only the essence of the sun and moon can be called Emperor's Dew by cultivators in the Upper Three Realms.

But the essence of the sun and moon is nothing more than the condensation of the essence of the sun and moon.

The red gold jade marrow in front of Jiang Sheng not only contains the essence of the sun and moon, but also the source of Xuanhuang, that is, the blessing of Xuanhuang Qi!

It is imbued with the essence of the sun and moon, which is neither gold nor silver, but rather the color of red gold. Its aura is smooth and radiant, and its body is translucent, like jade marrow. It is the true imperial nectar!
If Jiang Sheng were to fully refine this Emperor's Essence, the abundant spiritual energy of the sun and moon and the source energy it provides would be enough to support him through the three tribulations of spleen earth, lung metal, and kidney water!
It should be noted that Jiang Sheng's current Immortal Source is not even enough to reach the Second Tribulation; it is still in a state of depletion!

Once Jiang Sheng refines this Emperor's Essence, it will not only replenish the deficit, but it will also be more than enough to break through to the Great Ascension stage of immortality.

Looking at this incomparably precious Emperor's Essence, which would attract countless Fifth Tribulation True Monarchs, Holy Land Daoists, and even Mahayana Immortal Monarchs to fight over in the outside world, Jiang Sheng showed no joy. His calm face revealed no emotion, only a deep sense of helplessness hidden in his eyes.

"That's really lucky."

"I've found such a wonderful thing. If I don't refine it and take advantage of the opportunity to break through to the third tribulation realm, even the heavens might not tolerate it."

Jiang Sheng sighed softly, looking up at the sky: "If you don't accept what Heaven has given you, disaster will surely follow."

As he spoke, Jiang Sheng slowly stepped forward and took down the Emperor's Essence that was suspended among the five flames.

Strangely enough, this object, suspended among the five flames, had been stagnant for tens of thousands of years. It should have been protected by various restrictions, yet Jiang Sheng encountered no obstacles whatsoever, as if this Emperor's Essence was prepared specifically for him.

Looking at the golden-red imperial elixir before him, Jiang Sheng suddenly laughed and then consumed and refined it.

"So be it, the opportunity is here. It seems I will break through to the third tribulation here."

In an instant, a lotus flower of cyan and black blossoms burst forth from the earth, ignoring the scorching heat of the five-colored true fire, and transformed into a lotus platform to lift Jiang Sheng up.

Jiang Sheng sat cross-legged on the lotus platform and began to quietly refine the Emperor's Essence.

This process lasted for a full three years.

While Jiang Sheng was refining the Emperor's Essence, in a sea of ​​fire on a certain part of the Sun Star, the sleeping Crested Ibis Demon Lord suddenly awoke. Its wings fluttered, and a faint five-colored brilliance could be seen on its tail feathers. The Crested Ibis Demon Lord's aura finally broke through the Void Refining Realm, and it was only one step away from the Integration Realm.

The Crested Ibis Demon Lord, whose bloodline sublimation was forcibly interrupted, was somewhat irritated and bewildered, but the Fire Crow said, "Crested Ibis, you cannot break through to the next realm and merge on the sun and stars."

The Crested Ibis Demon Lord forcefully suppressed the rage and fury within his bloodline: "Why?"

Huo Wu said solemnly, "That one won't allow it!"

That person won't allow it!

It felt as if a bucket of icy water had been poured over her head, bringing the Crested Ibis Demon Lord back to her senses. Suppressing the agitation in her bloodline, she said to the Fire Crow, "Thank you, Fire Crow."

"I'm leaving the sun and stars to return to the human world to break through and merge with the universe. I will remember you."

Huowu laughed and said, "Well, hurry up and leave, otherwise I'm afraid you won't be able to leave in a few more days."

"After you leave, unless you break through to a higher realm and merge with the original state, do not look up at the sun."

Although the Crested Ibis Demon Lord did not understand the meaning of the Fire Crow's words, he knew that the Fire Crow was kind to him. Therefore, he remembered the words and then took to the air, flying towards the outside of the sun and stars.

At this moment, within the Great Sun Shrine, deep within that shrine.

A cold voice rang out: "Aren't you going to stop her?"

Immediately another voice appeared: "Why stop her?"

"Keeping her around is useless and will only increase the variables; if she breaks through to the next level on the Sun Star, her innate talent and bloodline will be enough to trigger the tidal fluctuations of the Sun True Fire, which will affect the plan."

"At this point, nothing is more important than the smooth progress of the plan."

"He has already swallowed the Emperor's Elixir. He first tempered his foundation with the Five-Colored True Fire, and then replenished his strength with the Emperor's Elixir. Now, let alone breaking through the Third Tribulation Realm, he is more than capable of breaking through to the Great Ascension Realm."

"As long as it begins to undergo the three tribulations, I can use the Emperor's Dew as a substitute to replace it with another."

"At that time, it will be me, not him, whose primordial spirit will be immortal!"

"At that time, I will successively break through the tribulations of magical power and Dao heart, using three tribulations to suppress two, and using my immortal primordial spirit to ensure his immortality. His physical body, magical power, supernatural abilities, and achievements will naturally all belong to me." (End of this chapter)