Journey to the West: The Immortal Clan Begins by Feeding Monkeys at Five Elements Mountain

Chapter 192 Jade Dew from the Pure Bottle, Joint Cultivation Method
A ceramic vase lay quietly in Jiang Liang's palm.

It looks ordinary, not like some kind of celestial treasure, but more like a clay figure casually sculpted by a maid by the pond.

The bottle is long and thin, with rough ceramic material and crooked lines, giving it a somewhat childish feel.

It looks brand new, as if it just came out of the kiln yesterday, and the dust hasn't even settled yet.

Jiang Liang held it with great care, his fingers slightly clenched, as if afraid of spilling the sacred text.

His voice unconsciously lowered a few decibels, filled with reverence:

"Old Gui relayed a message, saying that this bottle was made by the Dragon Girl who held the pearl, who personally took the pure mud from the bottom of the lotus pond on Mount Jia and refined it according to the shape of the Jade Pure Bottle."

He paused, a flicker of emotion crossing his eyes, before slowly continuing:
"Although it cannot compare to a real jade vase that can hold the four seas, it can still hold a lake of misty waves, which is quite acceptable."

"A lake of misty waves..."

Upon hearing the sound, Jiang Yi's heart trembled slightly, and he immediately reached out and took the rather plain-looking pottery bottle.

Upon handling the bottle, its warm and ordinary texture is no different from that of ordinary pottery found in the marketplace.

However, when he probed a wisp of his divine sense into the bottle, he suddenly froze.

How could that be a tiny space?
A vast expanse of stars, where the universe operates naturally, and the laws and principles are implicitly in harmony.

The mysteries within are too profound for him to grasp at his current level of cultivation.

But the wonder of that Sumeru mustard seed is enough to stir one's soul.

At the end of that deep space, a single drop of water hangs silently.

The water was shimmering with a vibrant green, brimming with life. The moment you sensed it, it was as if the fresh scent of grass and trees was wafting towards you.

It must be the same dew that the hermit Huian congratulated.

Seeing his father deep in thought for a long time, Jiang Liang added in a low voice:
"Master Gui said that this is the leftover scrap of willow branch nectar. It took the traveler a hundred years to accumulate just one drop."

At this point, he sighed softly, a hint of melancholy in his voice:

"Even if it's just leftover material, it's already an incredible stroke of luck for us."

South China Sea.

Huian Xingzhe.

The Dragon Girl Holding a Pearl.

Several names rolled through Jiang Yi's mind one by one. The mystery surrounding the background of the Gui family had been partially lifted by a gust of wind blowing from the South China Sea.

No wonder, no wonder he knew in advance that something was wrong at Eagle's Sorrow Gorge.

However, things have come to this point, and since they are in-laws, any further suspicion would seem petty.

As the jumble of thoughts gradually subsided, Jiang Yi's eyes were filled only with those two congratulatory gifts.

Although he had not personally witnessed the miraculous powers of the Jade Bottle and the Willow Branch Dew, he had heard of them vividly.

Even if you trim off a lot of that so-called "leftover material", it won't be too bad in the end.

Without further hesitation, with a slight thought, like an invisible thread, he probed into the bottle and gently pulled out the drop of emerald dew.

The size of a grain of rice, suspended in mid-air, yet seemingly imbued with the essence of spring.

The air around us was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees.

Jiang Yi led Yu Lu slowly to the edge of the Spirit Spring Pool and stopped under the middle of the three peach trees.

This tree has been planted for over a year. The two trees next to it have already shown some promise, but this one remains half-dead, with withered branches and no new buds.

He flicked his finger.

The dewdrops fell silently, disappearing into the soil without a trace.

At first, there was no movement.

But in less than a moment, a very faint and delicate "crackling" sound rang out, as if the withered bark was greedily stretching out.

Immediately, a new green shoot could be seen rising from the roots of the tree, spreading rapidly along the withered trunk like a tide.

The withered branches swelled up and became full in an instant.

On the lifeless bark, tiny buds swelled up, bursting open in an instant to sprout tender green shoots.

In the blink of an eye, the peach tree that seemed on the verge of dying suddenly became vibrant and lush, even surpassing the two trees next to it by a significant margin.

The cycle of life and death, the rise and fall of a year, all lie in a single breath.

Although the peach tree was withered and dry, it was still a divine tree.

Jiang Yi often sat quietly under the tree and could feel the mysterious flow of energy between the branches, like an invisible hand that organized the scattered spiritual energy of heaven and earth and then slowly brought it back in.

He inhaled and exhaled along this clear stream, and the speed at which he refined the turbid energy was now several times faster than usual.

It is a subtle benefit, like night rain entering the house, nourishing things silently.

But now that they have obtained this drop of willow branch dew, the scene is completely different.

If what was once a trickle has now become a raging torrent.

The peach tree's energy surged, becoming several times stronger, almost transforming it completely.

Jiang Yi didn't even need to breathe; he only needed to stand beside the tree and breathe naturally to feel the clear, refreshing energy mixed with vitality seeping into his mouth, nose, and pores.

The aura was clear yet not harsh, moist yet not cold; wherever it passed, the accumulated impurities in the body were melted away without a trace, like snow meeting the spring sun.

My entire body felt as if a clear spring had washed over me from the inside out, leaving me feeling refreshed and lightheaded.

The speed of this cultivation is faster than ever before, like a horse galloping faster than an ox.

That mysterious energy, from its roots, coiled and penetrated deep into the earth, secretly connecting with the spring veins.

In an instant, the sound of the spring water gurgling arose, adding a touch of indescribable charm.

It's as if the joy of newly sprouting plants is gently singing within it.

Spring water flows, and the air is filled with vitality, enveloping the entire orchard in this new life force.

The air in the forest is sweeter than ever before, and the spiritual energy is richer. Every breath is filled with refreshing vitality.

Jiang Yi stood under the tree, closed his eyes, and took a few deep breaths, feeling his heart and lungs cleansed and cleared.

This short moment alone is more effective than half a moment of arduous practice in the past.

He was reluctant to leave for a moment, as if this small world was the most blessed place in the world.

However, despite this comfort, he never became addicted.

Slowly opening his eyes, he looked at the empty ceramic bottle in his hand, and the fervor in his heart subsided.

There are important matters to attend to.

Immediately, he flipped his wrist, and twelve small black iron flags quietly landed in his palm. They were the small spirit-gathering array sent by "Seventh Aunt of the Gui Family".

"Take it."

Jiang Yi casually handed it to Jiang Liang and instructed him:

"Go find your mother, and take Jin'er with you, and set up a trap in the village."

He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping across the distant, undulating mountains, his tone calm yet carrying undeniable weight:
"Don't let this hard-won spiritual energy be wasted on the foxes, rabbits, and monsters in the desolate mountains."

The spiritual spring behind the Jiang family's house is a source of spiritual energy, overflowing day and night.

Over the years, it has nourished the fields and neighbors of Liangjie Village, but as time goes by, it inevitably spread into the mountains and fields, enriching some unrelated plants and spirits.

After all, no matter how fast you clear land, you can't keep up with the pace of spiritual energy spreading everywhere.

Now that we have this Spirit Gathering Array, we can finally consolidate our foundation.

Jiang Yi pondered for a moment, then drew a circle in the air with his index finger, defining the area:
“Let your brother-in-law’s estate be the boundary, and let all the spiritual energy be gathered here. From now on, this area will be the foundation of my Jiang family.”

Jiang Liang understood the importance of the matter, nodded solemnly, accepted the array flag, and said no more. With a flicker, he disappeared like a wisp of smoke, and went to find his mother and daughter to discuss the array formation.

In an instant, only Jiang Yi remained behind the house.

He lifted the lotus pond ceramic vase and weighed it in his hand; it was as light as a feather, yet it carried the livelihood of the entire village.

Having determined the direction, he set off straight for Xiniuhezhou. Along the way, although he chose only deserted paths, all around was silent, and some signs of dryness could still be seen.

A breeze rustled through the treetops, carrying with it the fresh scent of grass and trees, mixed with a scorching, earthy smell.

On both sides of the mountain forest, the leaves are curled up, lost their greenness, and droop their heads in a grayish hue, devoid of any vitality.

Occasionally, a few streams could be seen, but they were almost dry, leaving only a patch of sun-baked pebbles on the riverbed.

Jiang Yi decided to follow the river channel and go upstream.

The light disappeared in two days, neither hurried nor slow.

Finally, amidst towering mountains, they found a desolate marshland.

This place is still very humid and rarely visited by people, making it the perfect spot.

He stood by the marsh, turned the pottery bottle upside down, and sent in only a tiny bit of magical power.

The simple, unadorned mouth of the bottle suddenly seemed to transform into a bottomless abyss.

A water dragon, thicker than a bucket, suddenly plunged into the calm lake, yet it was completely swallowed up by the mouth of the bottle without making a sound or even causing a ripple.

If such power were allowed to be absorbed, it could probably drain this vast swamp in an instant.

Seeing that the lake water had dropped by half a foot, roughly taking away one-tenth of the water from the area, Jiang Yi flipped his wrist and withdrew his magic power.

The water jet stopped abruptly, and the lake returned to calm, as if nothing had ever happened.

Jiang Yi did not linger, put away the pottery bottle, and continued on his journey.

They repeated this process, searching for seven or eight remote rivers and lakes, taking only one-tenth of the produce from each place and never taking more.

This avoids both exhausting resources and creating too much buzz, which could lead to trouble.

After half a month of running around, I finally managed to fill the earthenware bottle to about seven or eight-tenths full.

He himself couldn't say how much it could hold, but he knew it must be a staggering number.

It is more than enough to solve the village's urgent problem.

Twenty days later, when they returned to Liangjie Village.

The village scene was even more desolate than when Jiang Yi left.

The stream that never used to run dry at the north end has long since dried up.

The night still carried the warmth of the day, like a piece of burnt incense ash.

The shallow wells in the village gradually dried up.

The wooden barrels that are hoisted up are empty three or four times out of ten.

Even if there is water, it carries a strong muddy smell and needs to sit for half a day before it can be barely eaten.

Fortunately, the neighbors could share what they could, and they could barely make ends meet.

However, everyone knows that this is nothing more than a prolongation of life.

The water in the well is decreasing day by day.

If this continues, something really bad is likely to happen in less than half a month.

When people are in a panic, gossip and idle chatter will abound.

At the village entrances and alleyways, groups of three or five people gathered, discussing the matter animatedly.

Some say it was because they had offended some deity, others say it was due to an abnormality in the way of Heaven, and still others whisper in low voices that it was the work of demons that brought about this disaster.

There are countless conflicting accounts, and no one can say for sure.

As a result, strange and unusual folk remedies also emerged.

Some families set up an offering table at their door, lit three sticks of cheap incense, offered a bowl of water, and kowtowed to the gray sky until their heads bled.

Some of the bolder ones gathered together, slaughtered chickens and sheep, hastily built an altar, and performed a few disorganized Nuo dances, hoping to open the eyes of the ethereal Dragon King.

Unfortunately, after all that effort, besides being covered in sweat, the sky remained completely clear, without even a wisp of cloud.

Jiang Yi silently observed the growing sorrow and bewilderment in the village, but uttered not a word.

He went straight to the foot of his own mountain.

It's not that I'm trying to act aloof or arrogant, nor am I trying to hoard something and wait for a better price.

Instead, they understood in their hearts that this drought was extraordinary and was a predetermined calamity.

Even someone like the Dragon King of the West Sea wouldn't dare to act rashly. How could someone with such meager skills openly provoke such bad luck?

When doing things, it's important to let things unfold naturally.

Furthermore, it is important to know how to go with the flow.

Just as I reached the foot of the mountain, a familiar divine presence suddenly wafted from the direction of the ancestral hall, like a gentle breeze caressing my face.

In a short while, Jiang Liang's solidified figure appeared before us.

"Father, you're back."

His face showed no trace of the worry caused by the drought; instead, he smiled as if he were carrying great news.

Seeing his appearance, Jiang Yi's heart stirred slightly, and he asked with a smile:
"What good news has made you so happy?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Liang's smile widened. He first bowed respectfully with his hands clasped, then said loudly:
"Congratulations, sir, you're going to be a great-grandfather again!"

Her words were brimming with barely suppressed joy: "A few days ago, Qin'er and Guining sent word that they're pregnant!"

"Oh?"

A hint of joy appeared on Jiang Yi's face, and the heaviness accumulated due to the drought immediately dissipated by three points.

But then, a chill ran through him, his eyebrows twitched slightly, and he said calmly:

"How could you have known so quickly?"

It should be noted that Jiang Qin and the Gui family girl had only been married for a little over a month.

Even if it happened on the wedding day, there shouldn't be any sign of it yet.

Moreover, with Jiang Qin's limited cultivation level, he wouldn't be able to detect the nascent pulse within his body.

Seeing that his father had seen through him at a glance, Jiang Liang's smile not only didn't fade, but instead became more mysterious.

"This is the second good thing I wanted to tell you about."

He took a step closer, lowered his voice, but his eyes gleamed:
"Father, haven't you always wanted to find a way to cultivate both Yin and Yang?"

"Qin'er sent word that on his wedding day, your granddaughter-in-law personally passed on a family secret technique to him."

Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Jiang Yi's eyes, but it disappeared in an instant.

The gloom that had settled in my heart due to the drought immediately dissipated by seven-tenths.

His expression suddenly turned serious, he leaned forward slightly, his gaze became intense, and his tone deepened:

"Is that true? Have you... personally verified it?"

This matter concerns the very foundation of the Way, and there is no room for falsehood.

Seeing his father's expression, Jiang Liang understood his meaning. His joy faded somewhat, replaced by a smile that was both respectful and tinged with self-satisfaction. He replied calmly:
"How could I lie? I personally went back to Luoyang and tried it with Wenya. It was indeed very effective, which is why I dared to report it to you, Father."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yi's lips curved slightly, and he sighed to himself:
"The method of Yin-Yang cultivation... I thought the Gui family, being ghost immortals, might not be involved in this, so I never asked about it. Hehe, it's like finding a needle in a haystack."

Jiang Liang suddenly paused, as if remembering something, and cautiously added:
"However, that method is not the orthodox Taoist Yin-Yang cultivation technique or the dragon-tiger intercourse technique. It... contains some elements of ghost cultivation. But I can guarantee that in terms of effectiveness, it is exactly the same."

She spoke cautiously, fearing that her father might harbor resentment.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Yi laughed loudly after hearing this, casually waved his hand, and didn't seem to care at all.

"What does it matter whether it's orthodox or not?"

A hint of nonchalance flashed in his eyes as he said calmly:
"There are three thousand paths in the world, and which one doesn't lead to heaven? What we're struggling in this mortal world care about is nothing more than being 'useful'."

(End of this chapter)