The Path to Immortality Begins with the Life-Extending Lamp

Chapter 120 Seeking Elixir and Book in Jiangnan

A hundred sons prolong life, and all kinds of diseases do not arise.

Li Qing also spent a lot of money to acquire three doses of Changchun medicine and Baizi Lingdan. While the alchemist was preparing the auxiliary medicines, he was also looking around the alchemy hall.

The entire view of the Dan Hall on the third floor is visible, including Huangya Dan, Ziling Dan, and so on. Lin Yuan Mountain also has them, although they are only available to the disciples of the mountain gate and must be counted according to their Dao merit. However, the price seems to be nearly 30% cheaper than that in this Hanlin Treasure Pavilion.

The two ship captains, Pei and Guan, once gifted Li Qing a precious bag of materials and a bag of yam, containing countless provisions for overseas trade, totaling nearly seven or eight hundred thousand taels of silver.

But... if he takes it back to Tiannan Prefecture, which is far away in the mountains, and uses it there, its value might increase by several tens of percent!
"The Hanlin Pavilion is actually affiliated with the Human Dao Academy, so how come it has a Daoist brother who is such a skilled alchemist?"

Li Qing took a small golden pill ornament from the counter into his palm and suddenly asked the old alchemist a question.

Among the twelve sects of the Southern Kingdom, there are many Taoists who practice alchemy and talisman-making, but if one were to truly concoct a spiritual elixir, such a Taoist would be renowned wherever he is.

The Hundred Sons Longevity Pill is already considered quite complex in terms of its difficulty and pharmacological understanding within the realm of Zifu alchemy.

The ladies on both sides were meticulously grinding and cutting various medicinal herbs with pestles and blades, while the old alchemist, wearing a single-eyed mirror and covering his white beard with a white veil, carefully distributed various medicinal pills with a weight.

Hearing Li Qing's question, the old man slightly raised his eyelids and glanced at the young Taoist in the cloud robe again.

"I am an inner disciple of the Taiyue Sect. I have been practicing alchemy for three hundred years and have served in the Hanlin Academy for one hundred and twenty years. There are three main types of elixirs. I am most skilled in the 'Yin-Yang Harmony' lineage. Many of the Hundred-Seed Elixirs from the East China Sea and Lingnan regions were made by me."

"If we didn't have such abilities, neither I nor the Hanlin Treasure Pavilion would dare to openly sell this pill. Now, I'll give you a guarantee: if there are any problems, you can come here and cause me trouble!"

With such a elixir, the old alchemist in the alchemy hall has enough confidence to make a promise to any Taoist.

"Fellow Daoist, you will need to leave an address later. In the first year, this pill is used to prepare medicinal food to regulate the body. In the second year, you take the medicine, and in the third year, you take the pill... After five years, even ordinary people can open their meridians, circulate their Qi throughout the body, and be less prone to illness."

"In the second year, I will personally go to observe the person who has taken the elixir and their vital energy throughout their body, and then carefully adjust the dosage accordingly..."

While weighing the mountain of medicinal pills, the old alchemist gave Li Qing a reassuring pill.

The art of alchemy is mysterious and profound, but it cannot be achieved overnight, especially for ordinary people. If a scholar or warrior from the South were to use the elixir, he might be able to heal all his hidden injuries in nineteen days; but for ordinary people, the time required would be much longer.

Li Qing nodded in agreement, and seeing that it would take some more time, she turned and went up to the fourth floor...

The fourth level is the Dao of Suppressing Artifacts and Ancient Talismans!

Years ago, he obtained a book called "The Big Rat" in Liuhuang Prefecture. After nurturing it for several years, it transformed into a talisman and was then draped over the body of the Faceless Rogue. Now, its power is already quite remarkable.

Of all the arts and crafts that Li Qing has been practicing, he has a particular fondness for ancient bronze vessels and other artifacts.

If we can find some good talismans and combine them with the rampant Taoist army, it will have the same effect as the seven talismans of the Penghai Yin Mansion that blocked the two Purple Mansions!
With a thought in mind, Li Qing stepped into the fourth floor again.

There were even more Taoists coming and going on this floor than in the Pill Hall!
The talismanic arts of the East Sea have been passed down from previous generations and are far more prosperous than those of Tiannan and Lingnan. Moreover, once the finished talisman diagrams are used, they are no different from magic weapons. Many Taoists with some expertise in talismanic arts often linger here, waiting to find bargains from the many ancient towns in the South.

At this moment, the hall was filled with people, mostly Taoists who had reached the Qi Refining stage and had some expertise in the art of runes.

Once one has discerning eyes to recognize the material, and discovers that it contains the essence of immortality or even the meaning of law, one can transcribe or print a usable talisman, thus saving thousands or tens of thousands of coins from purchasing magical artifacts.

"This is the Phoenix Dynasty's Ghost-Slaying Greatsword. The Ghost Head Talisman within it has long been saturated with the blood of countless vengeful ghosts. If the Ghost Head Talisman can be extracted from it undamaged, this single Ghost Head Talisman would possess the power of two hundred forbidden magical artifacts."

"That four-legged incense burner, with its ash and oil residue, must have been used in ancestral temples for a long time. I wonder where it came from, and who knows how to make rubbings of talismans? We could take it and arrange it into a bronze vessel or a pagoda!"

"Brother, you have discerning eyes. Take another look at this item..."

In the exhibition hall, people from the East Sea Dao gathered around various ancient artifacts. Of course, some were genuine, some were fake, and some were even deliberately made fake "talismans".

If there were a Zifu Daoist who had long cultivated the Dao of Talismans, he could directly use his spiritual sense to examine it and distinguish the genuine from the fake at a glance.

Li Qing moved lightly, walking behind these Taoist priests, crossing the large hall. He had no interest in these many protective objects.

They went straight up to the core exhibition booth.

This section contains the finished talismans and talisman diagrams!
The Five Sacred Mountains True Form Chart, the ancestor of all talismanic diagrams of the southern mountains and rivers, is priced at 980,000 Dao Zhu.
The Five Directions Supreme Dao Inheritance, the Four Pure Primordial Qi Diagram, is priced at 850,000 Dao Zhu;

The Great Zhou Dynasty of the Northern Kingdom, the True Gods and Earthly Deities Map of Mountains, Rivers and Lands, 3,990,000 Dao Zhu!
These talismans displayed at the top of the exhibition stand each have a significant origin, such as the "True Form Diagram of the Five Sacred Mountains".

This image is a protective talisman carried by Taoist priests when they go into the mountains for quiet cultivation. In the past, when the capital city was in chaos due to demons and ghosts, it was said: "All Taoist practitioners who live in seclusion in the mountains and valleys must wear the True Form Image of the Five Sacred Mountains. Ghosts, spirits, insects, tigers, monsters, and all poisonous creatures in the mountains will not be able to approach them!"

The Five Sacred Mountains True Form Diagram is still enshrined in many Taoist temples in the mountains. The diagram combines the shapes of the Five Sacred Mountains and the Four Mountains. The nine mountain and river talismans can generate endless Taoist patterns. Just by enshrining it, its power is no less than that of a mid-grade magic weapon with three hundred restrictions. It also has many wonderful uses and has commonalities with array formations, barriers, and restriction altars!
However, the astonishing price alone is enough to deter most Purple Mansion Daoists.

Li Qing merely gasped slightly in surprise before turning her head and walking towards another spot.

"Brother Dao, after all this trouble, is it because you have something on your mind?"

Upon seeing a handsome Taoist priest enter the central display area of ​​the building, the female Taoist priest, who was bent over a corner of the incense table, writing talismans with her brush, suddenly stood up and asked him gently.

This is a female Taoist priest of the Purple Mansion of the Three Sovereigns Great Dao Sect. She is the ancestor of the Three Sovereigns Scripture and Talisman. Her title is "He Zhao Shan Ghosts, Demons and Gods," and no spirit dares to refuse her!
If we're talking about the highest level of talismanic arts, besides the Three Sovereigns Great Dao Sect, even the orthodox Five Mountains Talismanic Arts must rank below it.

As soon as the female Taoist priest stood up, all the runes on her robes seemed to move like swimming dragons. The Taoist aura surrounding her was even more agile than that of the altar master of the Hunyuan Sect, who could exchange a few blows with the Tai Sui Heavenly Venerable by using the "Flowing Cloud Talisman Sleeve" divine power.

"Ok!"

Li Qing responded softly, walked to the ancient stele of the cinnabar cauldron, and stopped.

"This humble Taoist priest has always admired the ancient Book of Poetry, the national bronze vessels, the sacred objects used to ward off evil spirits, and the ritual implements used in sacrifices to Heaven..."

"Do you have any bronze inscriptions or talismans here, my friend?"

The Book of Songs, bronze vessels, spirits, and sacrificial rites?

Upon hearing this, the nun raised an eyebrow and looked at Li Qing. She saw that the Taoist's aura was contained and unified, unaffected by the influence of the world. He was wearing the Taiyi Descent Cloud Robe, but his ceremonial crown was not on him. It was simply tied back and bound in a bun. He looked like a Taoist but not quite, and had some of the demeanor of a student from an academy.

Do students of the Six Arts turn to other paths of cultivation?

"Of course I have it, fellow Daoist, please come with me."

"Ordinary antiques may evoke some attachment, but ultimately they are only good for playing with and have little use to us cultivators of the Purple Mansion."

"But I have a copy of the Book of Songs here, which is the remains of a national hero from an ancient era. His golden halberd is over four feet long and six inches long, with the poem 'Qin Feng: No Clothes' engraved on it, which has the power of a killing halberd."

"There are bronze bells and tripods, relics from the Phoenix Dynasty, engraved with the origins of the ancestral temple and the glorious battles. However, these objects have very deep regional limitations. Those who are not of that ethnicity will find it difficult to understand their principles. Guan Dao should not be interested in them."

"besides……"

The female Taoist priest spoke gently, explaining the talismans and other items one by one. There were not many items that could be used by the Purple Mansion Taoist, and even if there were, they would have been taken long ago.

"Oh, Wuyi Gugo?"

Li Qing turned her gaze and looked at the golden halberd at the very top of the East Pavilion, following its direction.
Although it is called a golden halberd, it has already turned a patina of copper. This halberd is not a weapon of killing, but a sacrificial vessel covered with inscriptions from ancient bronze and stone inscriptions. There are 120 such inscriptions on it. Just by getting close, the murderous intent immediately comes over you.

Do you say no clothes?In the same robe as the son.Wang Yu Xingshi, repair my spear, and share the same hatred with my son!
How can I say that I have no clothes? Tongze with Zi. The king has raised his army, repaired my spear and halberd, and worked with me together!
How can it be said that we have no clothes? We will share our garments with you. The king is raising an army, so let us prepare our armor and weapons, and march with you... Robes and garments, spears and armor, we will go together. This custom has been in place since ancient times. The way of singing generously and loudly, there are always strange images of golden spears and bronze halberds flashing outside, and even a trace of the spirit of law still remains. It is by no means an ordinary ancient artifact.

After a moment's thought, Li Qing was immediately tempted.

Although his twenty-four weapons had the potential for killing, they were not enough, far from enough!

If the essence of this ancient halberd without clothing could be fully extracted and made into a military talisman, it would be able to gather the energy of war, the energy of Venus and Venus, and the energy of Rahu and Ketu. Combined with the soul banner for sacrificial purposes, it could complete Li Qing's frontal killing ability.

His Southern Dipper Techniques are too unpredictable, and his rampant army and ghostly forbidden artifacts are too fantastical. He is lacking a decisive killing technique.

"The Red Bean Academy and the Hanlin Academy first teach poetry, mathematics, rites and music, and then learn archery. This 'Ancient Spear Without Clothes' is exactly what all the scholars and patriots love most."

"If you are not confident in handling this, I can make a rubbing of the inscription on the bronze vessel and use it to create a finished talisman."

The female Taoist priest smiled and turned her head to look at Li Qing. At this moment, how could he not see the restless desire in this handsome man?

Immersed in the eight thousand years of human and spiritual civilization of Tiandu since childhood, the poems, classics, books, and lyrics are the aspirations that students of the South cannot resist!

"The remains of this ancient national hero are worth 360,000 taels of silver, plus the cost of the sacrificial talismans, totaling 500,000 taels of silver."

"Brother Dao, rest assured, I am an inner disciple of the Three Emperors Dao Sect, specializing in bells and tripods, cloud books, and purple talismans. I will definitely succeed."

Those eyes, like rippling water, stared nervously at Li Qing. It seemed that such a high-level talisman had been hard to sell even once in years, and the business of refining talisman diagrams was even rarer. Who wouldn't be nervous when they finally had a big customer?

"I have also dabbled in talismanic rubbings, but..."

Li Qing frowned slightly. The price of 500,000 Dao Zhu was almost comparable to a finished Dao Talisman Diagram from the Five Directions Immortal Sect.

"If you are truly a disciple of the Three Emperors, I will not haggle over the price, but I have one condition: you must offer the weapon talisman on this banner!"

"When Heaven unleashes its killing intent, the stars shift and the constellations change; when Earth unleashes its killing intent, dragons and snakes rise from the land; when Man unleashes his killing intent, Heaven and Earth are overturned. I want him to be completely transformed into a banner of slaughter. Can you, fellow Daoist, accomplish that?"

The man casually placed a thousand-forbidden, top-grade Ten Thousand Soul Banner into the Talisman Treasure Pavilion.

The exquisite Soul Banner, entwined with twenty-four strands of weapons and killing intent, was immediately recognizable to the female Taoist as a stolen magical artifact. This was because the Soul Banner of the White Bone Path used the Five Directions Talisman - Yinshan Ghost Talisman refining method. However, in any case, it was definitely not closely related to these magical weapons!
You actually dare to steal a forbidden magical artifact?
The Three Emperors' Female Taoist Priestess looked at Li Qing in disbelief, thinking to herself that this person was truly ambitious. He had a thousand forbidden magical artifacts and altered talismans, and he actually wanted to completely transform them into a killing banner wrapped in ten thousand souls!
But this was a manual job worth 140,000 baht! She really found it hard to contain herself.

"Hmm... This is the White Bone Sect's most treasured artifact. Are you really not going to consider the consequences, fellow Daoist?"

However, Li Qing ignored this probing question, and the fiery probing on her face made the female Taoist priest a little nervous.

"Then, let's give it our all!"

"However, fellow Daoist, you must not say to anyone that the ritual was altered by this young woman. Only then can I fulfill your request!"

The Ghost Talisman, one of the Five Directions Talismans, was often used in conjunction with alchemical texts during the great era of ghosts and gods in the previous dynasty. Enchanting, imprinting, or altering its rituals was not difficult, at least not for her…

So, Li Qing handed the soul banner to the female Taoist priest and followed her closely, partly to monitor her and partly to learn her skills!
The female Taoist priest locked the door of the alchemy hall on the fourth floor in a huff. She tried several times to kick the Taoist priest out, but she didn't have a good enough reason, so she had no choice but to let him steal her teachings under the guise of supervision...

As the sun sets in the west and the rabbit descends in the east.

Two full days and two nights later.

With his fortune dwindling, Li Qing stepped out of the Hanlin Pavilion. The female Taoist priest and the old alchemist greeted him with smiles as they saw him off at the entrance of the pavilion on the first floor, and also gave him a lot of talismans and yellow bud pills as gifts.

This Taoist is too extravagant! He spent over 800,000 Taoist coins just to get a single pill and a single talisman!
Who wouldn't love such a customer?
"Brother Dao, please take care. If you still have any needs regarding alchemy in the future, you may write to the Three Emperors Sect of Beili Prefecture to find me. My name is Zhao Ying."

The female Taoist priest handed a communication talisman to Li Qing and said goodbye.

She was only about ten years older than Li Qing, and was also a newly promoted Purple Mansion, with an income of about 200,000 Dao Zhu, which was truly dazzling.

The old alchemist beside him also smiled and bid farewell to the customer, saying that he would go to Guihua Mansion in Jiangnan a year later to finely prepare medicine for the person who took the elixir so that the elixir could be used to the greatest extent.

"it is good!"

Li Qing bowed to the two men, then turned and headed outside.

On this trip, he found a suitable talisman diagram, and finally rewrote the magical restrictions of the Myriad Soul Banner. At that time, even if the White Bone Daoist was in front of him, he would not be able to find the vital point of the Myriad Soul Banner. Having obtained the elixir and the talisman diagram, Li Qing left satisfied.

Glancing at the corner of the pavilion's entrance, the young Taoist boy leading his younger sister was still stubbornly waiting on the side. He was dressed in thin clothes, and the wind made the chill even more intense. The boy's lips were chapped, so he must have been waiting for two days and two nights.

Instantly, a wisp of light appeared, and Li Qing and the two of them vanished from the spot.

“Before I entered the Treasure Pavilion, I said, ‘You wait, your destiny will come.’”

"Seeing that you are in adversity, yet still yearn for the Great Way, are reluctant to leave your sisters at home, and are trying to make a living again, your faith in the Way is truly firm."

“I have a method for guiding and cultivating Qi. You should learn it. When you come of age, if you have a sense of Qi, take your younger sister to Tiannan Prefecture and Linyuan Mountain to pay homage. Just say that it was the Zifu Liqing Daoist who opened the door for you.”

"If you fail to cultivate Qi, the few Yellow Sprout Pills and talisman coins in this bag will be enough for the two of you to live on until you have to fend for yourselves!"

"Don't stay in this immortal city. I see that those Daoist disciples are quite hostile towards you two, and you're bound to encounter even greater dangers. You should retreat from the perilous situation and find a safer path to avoid death and prolong your life..."

With the five prophecies falling, the brother and sister had already arrived outside Baxia Immortal City.

On the ground was only a scroll of bamboo slips, which seemed to be newly compiled and had been supplemented with many annotations. There was also a dirty mustard seed bag that looked like a coarse cloth bag lying on the ground, which contained four kinds of ginseng, two bottles of yellow bud pills, and more than a hundred Taoist coins and the full amount of gold and silver.

There weren't many items, but they were enough to bring tears to the eyes of this bewildered and almost desperate young man.

Where does he get any Daoist heart?

Many of the Daoist disciples ostracized and targeted him, calling him a beggar, a bastard, an unwanted bastard, and subjecting him to endless contempt... What Daoist heart could he possibly have? He was merely trying to survive.

He also had a father who taught him to decipher spiritual texts, and a mother who cooked medicinal meals for him. He was a good son who received the love and care of his mother.

If it weren't for his younger sister who needed care, he would have wanted to die long ago.

"Brother, why are you crying? Don't cry, don't cry, I'll give you the water bag to drink..."

The little girl beside her was too young to understand; she thought that the tattered water pouch in her arms and a sip of cool water to quench her thirst would be enough.

"well!"

The young man tucked the pouch into his inner waistband and picked up his younger sister with one hand.

“We’re not going to stay in this man-eating fairy city anymore. I’ll take you back to the Southern Kingdom, which is the hometown of our fathers and grandfathers.”

He remembered Li Qing's name well; she was the "immortal" who had given him a way out of a desperate situation!

I will definitely come to Tiannan Prefecture...

(End of this chapter)