The Path to Immortality Begins with the Life-Extending Lamp

Chapter 11: Practicing Techniques, Still Practicing Techniques (Chapter 600
After returning from Lanfeng Prefecture, Li Qing made a commitment at the Foreign Affairs Hall and then stayed at the Lin Yuan Outer Courtyard.

I take turnip seeds daily to circulate the Qi throughout the body, then decoct a 500-year-old golden Ganoderma lucidum in water and drink it, while observing the fundamental Taiyi Qi circulation method, imitating the Dao, and sensing the heavens and earth.

In just one month, Li Qing's Qi circulation rapidly increased to over ninety levels.

"That Ganoderma lucidum is probably extremely rare, and its value may be no less than that of a magic artifact!"

Otherwise, it wouldn't have such an effect, increasing the true qi in his body by nearly half in just over a month.

The primordial energy of the universe is 98 units, which can be used to summon the paper spirit and then use magical artifacts to perform seven or eight spells in succession.

This amount of true qi is enough to sustain a complete battle!
Despite having achieved true Qi, Li Qing repeatedly encountered obstacles with the spiritual secret manual and hesitated to take action.

The more he studied the secret technique of the paper doll, the more he felt the evil nature of this unorthodox and forbidden technique.

The core of the Paper Spirit Path is the summoning and raising of spirits, and the introductory technique of Spirit Pointing is a fusion of the Refining Spirit Method and ancient witchcraft, making it obscure and difficult to understand.

How difficult it is to create something from nothing, to conjure up a wisp of spirituality out of thin air!
It's likely that even those who aren't Yin Shen Lao Zu (a legendary figure in Chinese mythology) can't touch that true "god"!
Thus, many unorthodox methods of spirit consecration emerged, such as extracting human souls, refining the spirits of myriad beasts, and summoning ghosts...

For example, the paper spirit of the lady who almost went out of control after being stained with the blood of the black dog was a paper figure that had truly been refined into a "spirit," and the original owner, Han Daotu, refined four of them.

Paper dolls are easy to obtain, but paper spirits are not so easy to cultivate!
Li Qing had once inquired at the Foreign Affairs Hall about the former owner of the Spirit Secret Record, Han Daotu, a high-level Qi Refining cultivator who had passed away. In his prime, he had served as a guard outside the capital of Tiannan Prefecture for sixty years.

It was during that period that he switched to studying this Spiritual Secret Record. Even more coincidentally, during this time, he also took in four nominal disciples outside the mountain, all of whom perished in an accident.

Only after becoming utterly disheartened did he return to the mountain gate and take charge of the external affairs hall...

This made Li Qing secretly wonder if these four paper figures were created by that old guy by extracting the life souls of his four disciples.

Unfortunately, the other three paper figures had long been exchanged by someone, and he himself had not even entered the realm of paper spirits yet, so he didn't even have a reference!

Therefore, it is impossible to trace the truth behind it...

The cultivation of true qi has slowed down a bit, and the filthy path - black coffin nail has also found a method of object manipulation to refine and practice.

While I wouldn't dare say I could wield flying needles like Lü Qingshu, making them appear as if they were phantoms or flowing light, I could still hit exactly where I wanted to!
At this point, all that is needed is to refine another paper doll, the most basic kind.

He then possessed two trump cards: the Paper Doll Carriage Technique and the Filthy Path Black Nail Technique. Without needing to resort to ruthless scheming, he could directly confront a mid-level Qi cultivator.

After putting away the foul-path black coffin nail, Li Qing calmed down a bit, then slapped the thick stack of ten-eyed spirit paper on the table, and took out the yin ink mixed with black dog spirit blood.

As Li Qing observed and compared the paper spirit of the lady, the shape and size of the paper figure that was about to be refined gradually emerged in her mind.

Wanwan was nine feet tall, with the appearance of a lady, flowing sleeves, and a rosy complexion...

To cut paper into human figures, one must conform to the hidden principles of the Nine Palaces. He does not have the true means of spiritual infusion, but he can take a shortcut: first, apply the spiritual infusion pattern, and then carve the mother-child seal.

At that time, with the paper spirit of the lady as the mother and the new paper figure as the child, the mother and child would be raised together, which would save some effort and make them easier to control.

Following his thoughts, Li Qing stood in the main hall of the house for two days and two nights without closing his eyes. When the 296th 'Ten-Eyed Spirit Paper' was used up, he made a new paper figure in the same style as the paper spirit.

The paper figure is easy to make, just cut and assemble according to the rules. But if you really want it to summon and command, you need to outline the runes with dark ink. This is the most important thing!

Looking at the paper lady figure lying on the table, one can see that the body made of spiritual paper is filled with spiritual energy, which is quite remarkable.

Li Qing picked up the ink brush, dipped it in the dark ink, and followed the strange seal script recorded in the Paper Doll Secret Manual. The tip of the brush moved continuously, a movement that had been repeated countless times in his mind. For several hours, he did it without a single mistake.

The dark ink resembled scribbled symbols, or the veins of a paper figure. Each twist and turn formed the "aperture" of the paper figure, and each stroke was the "scripture" of the paper figure.

After the complete refining, Li Qing gently pricked her fingertip and dripped two drops of blood essence onto the foreheads of the paper spirit and the paper figure respectively. She then imprinted the mother-child seal on the paper spirit and the paper figure, and finally swung her sleeve to scatter the pieces of spirit paper.

As the paper filled the room and fluttered about, the spiritual paper, driven by the origami technique, involuntarily adhered to the two paper figures, like folds and layers, and in an instant, an outer garment was draped over the paper figures, concealing their true forms and transforming them into a real "person".

That's when it's truly a success!

Thus, with a single thought, one can simultaneously control two paper figures...

Once the paper figure was complete, Li Qing turned around and landed in the courtyard.

As the primordial energy of Zhou Tian stirred up two thoughts, the two paper figures grew taller in the wind, transforming in an instant into nine-foot-tall ladies. With each thought, their flowing sleeves billowed and swayed, twisting like a graceful dance of silk and willows, swaying like a knife or axe, powerful and unparalleled.

With the blessing of Li Qing's true qi, the paper figure could reach several feet in a single step, seemingly moving like a ghost. The finished paper spirit could even float in mid-air for a short time, staying for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

The secrets of paper dolls—I've now reached the beginner level!
However, even with the trick of the Mother-Child Heart Seal, controlling the paper figure with two thoughts, one strong and one weak, is extremely difficult.

"If I were to control two paper figures at the same time, or even go a step further and use the paper figures to perform a sedan chair ritual, I would have little energy to cast other spells."

Li Qing frowned again! In a battle of magic, this would be a fatal flaw.

The Paper Spirit Secret Technique seems to have a high requirement for spiritual power, which is quite unusual for a beginner spell.

Perhaps we should try to find a solution in the Scripture Transmission Pavilion of the Outer Court?

He had previously earned 148 Dao merits from the Mountain Lord and Dog Demon missions. Adding his previous surplus, his total Dao merits were around 200.

It's clearly not enough to exchange for spells, but it can at least exchange for a minor method to temper one's divine sense.

Even a minor method, if used properly, can possess considerable power.

His fire-corrosion technique was originally just a low-level, trivial method, and his paper-folding technique was just a mundane trick.

The Fire Erosion Technique can only create flames and has little killing power, but when combined with the inherently insidious natural phosphorescent fire, its power is already no less than that of most spells.
Origami techniques can also fold paper in an instant to make paper lanterns, paper clothes, paper horses, etc., and their practicality is not bad...

After months of repairs.

After the nightmare erupted once, it subsided again. Li Qing also had the idea of ​​going out for a walk. She reported the situation of the house fire a few months ago to the outer courtyard and arranged for several servants to come and repair the mansion.

Li Qing then picked up a paper lantern and continued along the long blue stone steps toward the Transmission Pavilion in the outer courtyard.

Mount Linyuan is incredibly high and is divided into inner and outer courtyards. The outer courtyard is located halfway up Mount Linyuan and serves as a place of practice for those who have entered the Daoist path, from novice disciples to intermediate-level Daoist practitioners.

The outer courtyard was built in response to the decree of the Southern Emperor, serving as a righteous path for those seeking the Dao in the prefecture. The inner courtyard, however, is the true Tiannan Temple, where teachers are chosen, teachings are imparted, scriptures are debated, and responsibilities are inherited…

There are four inner courtyards at the summit. Outer courtyard disciples who cultivate to the middle stage of Qi Refining and have the potential of unpolished jade, and who advance to the middle stage of Qi Refining before the age of thirty, can be granted a jade certificate and choose an inner courtyard to become a disciple and cultivate.

Otherwise, one would have to remain in the outer courtyard for a long time until one's cultivation reaches the upper level of Qi Refining before one would be qualified to receive the blue robe title and enter the mountain peak...

The Transmission Hall in the outer courtyard only offers ordinary spells, second-rate techniques, and minor tricks. Even if one accumulates enough Dao merit, one can only exchange for these minor techniques.

However, in the Inner Courtyard's Transmission Hall, there are complete ancient Qi cultivation scriptures, Five Elements Daoist methods, ancient cultivation secrets, and even two sect-protecting divine abilities!
He didn't expect to find any extraordinary techniques in the outer courtyard's transmission pavilion. What could such a small outer courtyard possibly have?

All I hope to get is a method to temper one's divine sense!

Stepping along the forest steps in spring, one enters the complex of halls and pavilions through the lush blossoms and shadows of the trees...

When Li Qing arrived at the six-sided tower, which was about four stories high, he looked up and saw that the tower was made of piled-up rocks. The six windows were inlaid with glazed tiles. Only above the single entrance hung three gilded characters that read "Chuan Gong Ge" (Pavilion for Passing on Merit).

Stepping into this scripture pavilion, one finds none of the gloom found in ordinary towers. The spire seems to have a skylight, with magnificent sunlight streaming down from the dome, ensuring that there is no gloom in the scripture pavilion and only inspires righteous thoughts!

A large courtyard was cut off in the middle of the four-story tower, leading directly to the top. From the bottom, one could see the entire fourth-floor Transmission Hall, which was then accessed via a spiral wooden staircase. There seemed to be no security measures; only a window sill was placed at the entrance, where two people were stationed to keep watch.

An elderly man in a dark brown linen robe seemed to be dozing in a rattan chair, while a Taoist priest in blue robes sat upright to one side of him.

However, Li Qing dared not underestimate him in the slightest.

Leaving aside the blue-robed Daoist disciple, in this Lin Yuan Mountain alone, those who are qualified to take off the red, blue, and cyan Daoist robes are absolutely comparable to the red-robed true disciples of the Four Academies.

The blue-robed Taoist took Li Qing's life tablet and only glanced at it briefly.

"Guiwei year, Li Qing, Dao Gong 216, um... what do you want to exchange?"

Reaching the lower level of Qi cultivation, this period is truly difficult.

A low-grade mission yields only a few Daoist merits. Even if one completes a mid-grade mission with great effort and luck, one will only gain a dozen or so Daoist merits. For an ordinary Qingyi Daoist disciple, accumulating more than two hundred Daoist merits is already quite difficult.

But even a simple spell in this scripture pavilion requires at least five or six hundred points of merit!

"I want to find a method to temper my divine will..."

Li Qing exchanged a glance with the senior brother in blue, and immediately made her request.

A method for striking down one's spiritual thoughts?
Oh, right. Once you reach the lower level of Qi Refining and achieve True Qi, most Daoist practitioners will begin practicing the manipulation of objects.

The most widely circulated techniques in the temple, such as fire control, flying needles, and precious pearls, consume relatively little true qi, but are quite mentally taxing. Therefore, it is not uncommon for Taoist disciples to place their hopes on tempering their divine will in this way.

"The Divine Sense Method, it's on the second level, on the T-shaped bookshelf."

"The price of the required cultivation method is marked on each jade slip. Find it carefully, and once you see one you like, take it down and come here to unseal it!"

"Also, these transmission jade slips are all fixed-price. You get jade slips that correspond to the amount of your Dao cultivation. If you don't have enough Dao cultivation, go back and accumulate it yourself. Don't try to bargain with me..."

The blue-robed Taoist seemed to have been harassed by a scoundrel, looking terrified, and wanted to give Li Qing a heads-up beforehand.

Li Qing accepted the life tablet of his disciple, nodded in agreement, and stepped directly into the scripture pavilion through the vanished light curtain entrance.

The seven-tiered wooden frame along the wall is towering, but there are no paper books on it. Folk magic lineages and wandering practitioners prefer to use various spiritual bones and demon skins to record magic spells.
However, such a powerful, near-official sect that spans an entire prefecture places the utmost importance on inheritance.

The bookshelf contained only jade slips, no more than three inches long and no more than a finger wide, containing numerous spiritual texts and secret techniques!
Even though the outer court only contains ordinary spells or second-rate techniques, it is still the same.

As Li Qing's gaze spiraled upwards along the wooden steps, passing through the wooden frames and landing on the second floor of the scripture pavilion, in the T-shaped section.

There weren't many jade slips on the T-shaped wooden shelf; they were scattered about.

Upon entering, the first thing you see are the top few bookshelves, where jade slips made of exquisite and rare green jade are displayed. On the cards next to them are general introductions to various spells.

"The Jade Toad Visualization Technique: First, absorb the spell seed from the jade slip, then visualize the image of a toad lying on a laurel tree, drawing upon a wisp of the new moon's energy to refine one's spiritual thoughts..."

"The Serpent-Swallowing Technique: Within the Niwan Palace, it mimics the image of two serpents devouring each other. Divine thoughts intertwine and flow, transforming into two serpents with swallowing tails, unstoppable and relentless, capable of forging unwavering resolve..."

"The Method of Killing Each Other from the Same Root! Beans are boiled with beanstalks, and the beans weep in the pot. We are born from the same root, why are we so eager to harm each other? Observe the meaning of the method in the Red Bean Painting, and contemplate the feeling of brothers killing each other, the sorrow and despair... This can expand the Niwan Consciousness Sea and be ranked among the ancient methods of refining the spirit!"

A series of spells flashed across Li Qing's eyes, but even the cheapest spell required hundreds of points of merit, and the life-and-death spell of boiling beans and burning beanstalks required a whopping 3100 points of merit. Terrifying!

After quickly scanning the layers of spell jade slips, Li Qing lowered his gaze and wasted no more time. His eyes fell on the bookshelves below, where ordinary white jade slips contained all sorts of second-rate spells.

The so-called Dharma gate is to use the mundane way to obtain magical abilities.

The standard "spell" jade slips of today allow learners to directly inherit the seeds of insights condensed by predecessors within the jade slips. Even by simply copying, they can master a spell in a short period of time.

Therefore, any magic jade slip that guarantees you will learn and master the skills is extremely expensive.

The reason why unorthodox methods are unorthodox is that they have not truly summarized and clarified the laws and principles of this path, and therefore have uncertainty and are difficult to replicate.

For example, some Peking Opera actors can become spirits by reflecting their images, and it is difficult for many actors to become a second puppeteer!

There are butchers who make a living by slaughtering pigs, yet they can slay demons with their knives. But how many demon slayers are there?
Some people become wise through reading, and bookworms naturally follow, but such scholars are few and far between in Jiangnan.
However, even if most people receive their instruction, they still find it difficult to cultivate the incredible power recorded in the records.

These methods require great perseverance and hard work, but the actual results may not meet expectations...

On the wooden frame below, various Buddhist teachings were hanging.

"The method of manipulating thoughts involves focusing the mind like a puppet on strings, firstly training the mind to be sharp, and secondly training the ten fingers to be dexterous..."

This is the method for entering the Tao through the manipulation of wooden puppets.

"The method of meditative absorption, a meditation technique passed down among ordinary nobles, can concentrate thoughts and calm the mind..."

Meditation methods.

"The art of multitasking is essential; in the South, there is a remarkable man who excels at multitasking, working in tandem with his own mind, each pursuing its own purpose. He is exceptionally intelligent and, in his later years, he compiled his observations into a record..."

Multitasking and fighting with both hands simultaneously are techniques used in folk esoteric arts.

"Sigh, none of these methods are of any use..."

"what?"

Just as she was feeling melancholy, Li Qing suddenly caught sight of a yellowed and cracked rib in a corner. Such an unusual object was quite conspicuous among the many jade slips.

The ribs weren't inscribed with spiritual script used for cultivation, nor were they official documents of the Southern Kingdom of Tiandu. There was no explanation beside them either; they were like mere decorations.

However, a strange light flashed in Li Qing's purple eyes.

"Is this the script of the Northern Kingdom of Tiandu - the Great Zhou Dynasty?"

Or perhaps it's the only ancient script on this land from eight hundred years ago.

Before Li Qing entered the temple, he was a major paper merchant in Guihua Prefecture of the Southern Kingdom. Although he was not a high-ranking official, he often had teachers come to his residence to teach him since he was a child.

If he hadn't provoked something he shouldn't have, as the second son of the Hua Xuanli family, he would have definitely pursued a career in government!

He had been dabbling in both Southern and Northern official documents since childhood.

At a glance, I recognized the tiny, delicate characters inscribed on the broken bone, as fine as mosquito threads:

A beautiful face like a lotus blossom is nothing but a skeleton covered in flesh; a peony-like face in red makeup is a deadly weapon; a charming, beautiful woman is but a skeleton in pink—all are just flesh and bones. Seeing a beauty as mere bones, I should feel no desire; seeing bones as beautiful women, I should feel no fear…

"Oh? This is... the White Bone Temple?"

Li Qing walked into the corner of the wooden shelf, picked up the broken bone, and became somewhat interested.

He had heard of this method before; it was related to a great religion that existed in the capital eight hundred years ago.

To witness the decay of beauty, the clatter of bones, the uncleanliness of flesh and blood, and the regeneration of flesh from bones...

Gazing upon the red-clad skeletons, one can attain the true Dharma.

Even though this fragmented yellow rib is incomplete, it still contains most of the key points of the practice of the White Bone Contemplation, and it is quite peculiar.

"This... shouldn't be more than just a method, right? It must be something at least a spell, or even a Taoist technique, right?"

Li Qing frowned, puzzled. Even if the White Bone Observation Method was somewhat incomplete, there should be more than 77 techniques, right?
Tiannan Prefecture is located in the southwest corner of the southern country. Perhaps most people there do not study the official documents of Tiandu Beiguo, but there are also Taoist disciples from official families.
Despite his repeated doubts, he couldn't resist the temptation of this seemingly incredible find. Without making a sound, he picked up the broken bone and went downstairs...

"Hmm? This bone script?"

The blue-robed Taoist sat upright behind the table. When he saw that Li Qing had been studying the demons for a long time, he only brought down a broken bone, and he became extremely suspicious.

"You'd better think this through. Every bit of Daoist cultivation you gain during this period is hard-won. Don't be fooled by the seemingly cheap bone inscriptions. If they don't work after you exchange them, you'll never get your 77 Daoist cultivations back!"

This blue-robed Daoist disciple had climbed his way up from the lower level of Qi Refining, and even now, it would take him more than half a month to master the 77 Daoist techniques. To waste them would be painful, even for someone like him who had joined the lineage of the Transmission of Dharma and was at the middle level of Qi Refining.

He was particularly suspicious that this junior brother in blue robes wanted to save some Daoist cultivation points.

But it is precisely at times like these that we should not be so frugal!

While the blue-robed Taoist was still trying to dissuade Li Qing from reconsidering, the old man beside him had just finished dozing off. His bright eyes, which didn't match his aged appearance, suddenly opened, and a sharp glint flashed in them, sending a chill down Li Qing's spine.

"The White Bone Temple?"

"Hmph, why bother learning this kind of heretical, self-deceiving path that's like being blinded by a ghost?"

Compared to the Taoist path, the Buddhist practice of observing white bones can truly be considered an "outsider" path.

The constant suggestion, distortion, and inward pressure on spiritual wisdom are completely contrary to the Way of Heaven!
He originally intended to destroy this unorthodox method, but his junior disciple couldn't bear it and threw it into a corner of the pavilion to be sealed away. However, some scoundrel who was cleaning the scripture pavilion found it again.
It's misleading and corrupting the youth!

"This heretical method has too many drawbacks. Even someone as skilled as you can't control it. Put it back!"

Seeing that the young man in blue seemed unconvinced, the old man swept his eyes over him, wanting to see what the young man was so stubborn about.
"Go away, go away, find another one. This thing shouldn't be touched by you rascals."

However, Li Qing was also speechless at this moment.

If you don't want people to learn it, why put it on that wooden shelf? It's just trying to entice people.

The White Bone Contemplation actually had some rumors circulating among the common people. Although the specific methods did not exist in the common people, Li Qing still knew the essence of Buddhism.

This teaching is the foremost of the philosophy of mind, focusing on inward cultivation and emphasizing the subjugation of attachments and the breaking of delusions. Indeed, in the eyes of many practitioners of the Dao of life and nature, it is considered an "outsider."

This unassuming bone script is perhaps even more precious than most spells, making it the most valuable spell in the outer courtyard's transmission pavilion!
“Old Master, I have heard about the origin of this method. I only want to practice the visualization method, not because I am ignorant or fearless.”

"I practice the art of summoning and controlling spirits only to bolster my divine will and courage..."

Li Qing didn't want to argue with the old man, so she had to patiently explain to him.

Oh? This kid knows some of the inside story?
"You can read the characters from the North?"

"I studied this when I was young."

Do you know the nature of that ancient religion?

"It seems to be... enlightenment."

"What do I know?"

"My Dao is based on primordial energy and transformation. Cultivating virtue and the Dao is the foundation of self-cultivation. When primordial energy moves, if you want to summarize the lesser Dao, it is only the unity of heaven and man!"

Gan!
The old Taoist priest was almost so angry at the young man in green that he jumped up and down.

Oh no, this kid, does he really know anything about this?
Their Qi cultivation lineage only focuses on the theory of primordial Qi, which is different from other lineages. This kid's summary is really accurate!

After several rounds of questioning and answering, the old Taoist priest sensed something was amiss. Could there really be someone in this remote Tiannan Prefecture south of the mountain who knew such knowledge?
For a moment, there really wasn't a reason to stop this young Taoist disciple.

This made the blue-robed Taoist secretly chuckle, but at the same time he was surprised: there really was a great bargain to be found in this outer courtyard scripture pavilion? That Taoist master should take advantage of the situation and have a good look around.

"Since you have this insight, very good, very good!"

"Regarding the method of contemplating the white bones, you can choose to practice the technique of visualizing a beautiful woman with white bones. As for the others..."

With a flick of his index finger, the old Taoist priest instantly grasped the ancient rib in his palm. With a surge of invisible and formless magical power, he instantly reduced nearly half of the remaining bone to ashes.

In the end, only a small bone fragment remained, containing about six thousand characters of a pink skull visualization method!

"Damn it, did my master go to such extremes?"

Even the blue-robed Taoist disciple was intrigued. What kind of wondrous method was this? How blasphemous was this heretical practice that it could make the old man disregard his pride and annihilate him so decisively?
At this moment, Li Qing's pupils contracted continuously and trembled incessantly.

Magical power. Only a Daoist of the Purple Mansion can cultivate magical power!

The unassuming old man in the outer courtyard's transmission pavilion was actually a Purple Mansion Daoist.
"what's your name?"

"Oh, so it's that ghost gentleman who entered the Taoist path a few years ago."

The old Taoist took the life tablet, deducted 77 merits from Li Qing, and then stroked his white beard, jokingly saying...

"Excellent, excellent! Children from Jiangnan are indeed different; they are much smarter and more knowledgeable than these unruly boys from the Southwest!"

"Take it and cultivate diligently."

The old Taoist priest returned the disciple's life tablet and half a "bone fragment" to Li Qing, nodding slightly.

Only the blue-robed Taoist disciple on the side seemed to feel that he had been misled, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

After receiving the token in a daze, Li Qing felt as if she were in a dream. She had never expected that this trip to the Transmission Pavilion would be so full of twists and turns, so dreamlike.

Even after returning to the house, he was still unable to calm down for a long time...

Requesting votes, all kinds of votes.

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(End of this chapter)