Fellow Daoist Entrusts His Child: Immortality Begins with Nurturing a Demoness

Chapter 41 Fifth Level of Qi Refining (Combined Chapter)
At the same time, at Jubaoge, a three-story pavilion.

Incense wafted gently, and two sprigs of plum blossoms were inserted diagonally into a glass lamp, gleaming in the candlelight.

"At the fourth level of Qi Refining, he consumed most of the bear paw and lean meat in one go?"

Amidst the shimmering light, within the heavy bronze mirror inlaid with white jade, a slender figure in a pure white feather robe, with white hair and blue eyes, stood with her hands behind her back.

Her long, black hair cascaded down to her waist, her skin was like solidified cream, and her graceful figure, slender as a branch and laden with fruit, was charming yet elegant.

Her pretty face was shrouded in mist, making her features indistinct. Before the bronze mirror, Yunmo knelt respectfully, his gaze only daring to look at the tips of her shoes.

"Sect Master, it is absolutely true. Furthermore, that lord's residence is exquisitely decorated and contains hidden wonders. Only high-ranking sects could employ such techniques."

Yunmo, trembling with fear, quickly presented all the intelligence he had gathered to the Pavilion Master and awaited further instructions.

"He hasn't revealed his true energy since the first time you two met?"

"Yes Yes."

Yunmo stumbled along the way. The Pavilion Master was one of the two Foundation Establishment cultivators of Feiyunfang, and he was born into a Daoist sect and was once an outer disciple of Fenxiang Pavilion.

Unfortunately, it seems that some unforeseen event occurred, which led them to travel thousands of miles to this harsh and cold place to manage a branch.

"However, that Lord Ling's true essence is far more powerful than others of the same level. He is probably no weaker than someone at the late stage of Qi Refining at the fourth level."

"Have you ever seen him fight?"

The pavilion master sneered, and Yun Mo's pretty face changed slightly. She immediately bowed her head and kowtowed.

"It is my fault for being rude."

“Your true essence is powerful. Your vision is limited. You only know that true essence is powerful, but you don’t know how powerful it can be. Ordinary Daoist techniques may seem incredibly powerful to you. I need to see it for myself.”

The Pavilion Master snorted softly. Yun Mo's forehead was already covered in cold sweat. If she misjudged, her fate would probably be very tragic.

Considering Lord Ling's gentle demeanor and his reserved, ascetic nature, he is quite different from the image of a Taoist prodigy.
Could it be that she really misjudged him?

While Yunmo hesitated, the Pavilion Master slowly spoke.

"However, this person's style of doing things is really like the geniuses of the Xuanzong I have met."

"The highest virtue is like water, and cultivating one's mind and character is of utmost importance. Back then, my elder sister was fortunate enough to meet a prodigy from the Xuanzong sect. He was as reserved as water, and although he was over forty, he was only at the second level of Qi Refining, no different from a wild and unruly cultivator."

The pavilion master's eyes showed a look of reminiscence, and his words were full of emotion.

“My elder sister treated him as an honored guest. We were puzzled. In the short span of fifty years that followed, this person broke through the Foundation Establishment stage, became an Eighth-Rank Golden Core cultivator, and held the power of life and death over a region.”

"To this day, I am still grateful that my elder sister had the foresight to recognize our talent; we almost offended that lord."

The pavilion master murmured, her beautiful eyes filled with complex emotions, her voice, like that of a nightingale, tinged with a hint of melancholy.

Although that person only has a superficial relationship with their clan, he is still their clan's greatest support. If it weren't for that person's reputation, the clan would have been dismantled long ago, and she wouldn't have had the opportunity to come here to avoid disaster.

"I will need another two weeks before I can return. During this time, you will be fully responsible for handling your relationship with Ling Wudao."

"No matter what means we use, we must keep it in Feiyunfang's territory until I return."

The Pavilion Master spoke slowly, but Yunmo could hear a hint of anticipation and excitement in his voice. She breathed a sigh of relief and mustered her courage to speak.

"Sect Master, I observed that the lord, and in the details, there are indeed some signs of scattered cultivation. Is it possible that he is stealing the Dharma?"

"Pfft, pfft, pfft."

Upon hearing this, even with her aloof demeanor, the Pavilion Master couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

"Yunmo, you also have a talent for telling jokes, not bad."

The sect leader shook his head and snorted, "Do you think the Nascent Soul stage experts of the Xuanzong sect are just for show?"

"How could you possibly understand the profound mysteries of Xuanzhang?"

"If he were to be so fortunate as to comprehend the Dharma, he would no longer be a rogue cultivator."

After speaking, the Pavilion Master shook her head slightly with a self-deprecating smile. She actually wished that Ling Wudao was a thief of the law.

Only in this way can we take advantage of the situation when it is still in its infancy, provide timely assistance, and maximize investment.

Unfortunately, this dream can only be had during the day.

“Disciples of the Xuanzong Daoist sect never part with their natal soul tablets. You can keep an eye out for them. If you have the chance to glimpse them, you can confirm their identity.”

"Soul tablet."

Yunmo murmured, recalling that she seemed to have caught a glimpse of a wooden plaque when Lord Ling was circulating his Yi Wood True Essence.

Unfortunately, it's not clear enough to confirm.

On the other side, along the Jubao Pavilion trade route, were villages.

The moon was bright and the stars were few. A cold wind blew through the gaps. At the confluence of two valleys, Luo Fanchen sat cross-legged in meditation. A soul banner was stuck diagonally beside him, and ghost patterns tumbled and twisted. A vast mist shrouded the valley, forming an illusion that concealed his aura while gathering moonlight.

The true essence of Yi wood in his body enters through the Mingmen acupoint, passes through the Zhangmen acupoint to the Shenque acupoint, circulates through the small heavenly cycle, enters the Ren and Du meridians, and then circulates and tightens through the Chong meridian. Each time he circulates his qi, the true essence will become stronger.

"call--"

After taking two Meridian Opening Pills into his abdomen, Luo Fanchen held a spirit stone in his hand and continued to circulate his Qi. At the same time, the spiritual seed in his lungs emitted a radiant glow, continuously condensing the true essence of Yi Wood. With both methods working together, the true essence in his body solidified into a ring, circulating around the spleen and stomach meridians, like a golden ring.

The waist and abdomen contract, giving the illusion of being tightened.

"Bone Devouring, Soul Stealing—"

Luo Fanchen felt as if his shoulders weighed a thousand pounds, and his spleen and stomach meridians swelled up like raging fire, causing him unbearable pain.

He formed the Earthly Branch Seal with his hands, his eyes were empty and filled with bloody light, and the Soul Banner danced like a demon. More than a hundred ghosts emerged from the banner, twisting and struggling, and finally turned into balls of light, which he swallowed one by one.

The mixed soul power surged along the meridians, passed through the lungs and internal organs, and was immediately absorbed by the spiritual seed, transforming into pure Yi Wood True Essence.

With three approaches working together, the three points of Yi Wood True Essence, which had been accumulating power for a long time, finally broke through the Zhiwei acupoint, flowed back through the spleen and stomach to the lungs and internal organs, and completed the Small Heavenly Circuit.

"cough cough"

Luo Fanchen finished his practice, vomiting out a mouthful of blood. Even though his soul had entered his body, it had still damaged a small part of his meridians.

Fortunately, it was only a minor injury, and the vengeful spirit did not affect his mind. He recovered after half a day of rest.

"Qi Refining Level 5, achieved."

A smile appeared on Luo Fanchen's face, and he felt excited.

In just three months, he broke through from the fourth level of Qi Refining to the fifth level, a progress that was at least ten times faster than his arduous cultivation.

Moreover, during the breakthrough process, all six auxiliary acupoints were fully opened. Logically speaking, he should have 30% more spiritual power than an ordinary Qi Refining Level 4 cultivator, and at least 10% more than a Level 5 cultivator.

He felt a tightening in his waist and abdomen, as if he had inexhaustible strength, and the cold wind blowing on his face was no longer icy.

Once one has reached the fifth level of Qi Refining, one is immune to poisons and common diseases in the mortal world, and can live a life free from illness and pain.

Unfortunately, it's somewhat of a double-edged sword for him.

"Mo Xue is almost at the second level of Qi Refining."

Luo Fanchen stretched his body and looked at Mo Xue, who was sitting cross-legged and breathing in the air, more than ten meters away from him. He also felt a sense of relief on his face.

The girl's Ren meridian is open, but her breakthrough in the Longevity Technique is too weak, taking much longer than his. By tomorrow morning, she should officially break through to the second level of Qi Refining.

While Mo Xue was still in seclusion, Luo Fanchen sat cross-legged again to examine his meridians.

The fifth level of Qi Refining focuses on cultivating the lungs and internal organs, starting from the Jinmen acupoint, passing through the Yangjiao, Jianjing, Fengchi, Fengfu, and Yamen acupoints, and ending at the Baihui acupoint, for a total of seven main acupoints and three auxiliary acupoints. For each auxiliary acupoint opened, the true essence increases by 10% compared to the same level.

After achieving the fifth level of perfection, one's breathing becomes like the wind, one can travel a thousand miles without getting out of breath, and one can hold one's breath for a whole day.

Thanks to the Lesser Yang Wood Transformation Technique, after the spiritual seed is condensed in the lungs and internal organs, the True Essence of Wood nourishes the lungs and internal organs every moment, indirectly opening up the meridians.

"All three auxiliary acupoints are fully opened, and the Jinmen acupoint is more than half opened."

Luo Fanchen's pupils dilated slightly, and his lips trembled a little.

All seven main acupoints have passively contained the true essence of Yi Wood, reducing the difficulty of opening them by 70%. Furthermore, as the spiritual seed grows stronger, the difficulty of opening them will decrease further.

"Six months? Three months? I can reach the sixth level of Qi Refining?"

Luo Fanchen murmured, somewhat incredulous.

His speed is probably no less than that of a Taoist disciple blessed with rare and precious materials; it's truly terrifying.

"I should have already broken through the Shaoyang Wood Transformation Technique and the Soul Banner Technique. My current combat strength should be no less than that of the Tribulation Cultivator Chang Hao."

Luo Fanchen murmured silently, summoning the Record of the Eight Desolate Demonesses.

Name: Luo Fanchen

[Lifespan: 31/70] [Spiritual Root: Five Elements Spiritual Root]

Cultivation Level: Qi Refining Level 5

[Technique: Lesser Yang Wood Transformation Technique, Level 3 (1/300)]

[Spell: Beginner's Guide to Fire Incantation and the Great Sage's Banner Technique (1/300)]

[Tier 1 Low-grade Talisman Maker (300/300); Requires crafting Tier 1 Mid-grade Talismans for breakthrough]

[Currently available enchantresses to bind: 1; Current accumulated admiration points: 0]

Luo Fanchen focused his gaze on the Great Sage Supreme Banner Technique. Although he was still a beginner in the skill, the font color had changed from green to blue, and the skill level had been reset to zero. To achieve mastery, he would probably need to upgrade the Soul Banner to the second tier.

After breaking through the third level of the Shaoyang Wood Transformation Technique, he finally had the opportunity to comprehend the technique's supernatural powers.

The methods of supernatural powers are rooted in the spiritual seed, hidden in the cultivator's will, and in harmony with their Dao heart, each having its own unique characteristics.

The supernatural power he comprehended is called the Awakening of Insects, which conceals one's sharpness and gathers strength to unleash it, symbolizing unstoppable force and the accumulation of inner strength.

When activated, the cultivator must have a heart as firm as steel and unwavering perseverance to summon thunder and the power of heaven and earth to elevate various abilities. The degree of enhancement is based on the fighting will; the slightest hint of cowardice will ruin the process.

"A chicken rib."

Luo Fanchen was quite helpless. Putting aside the conditions for breaking the skill, the activation conditions alone were enough to make it seem like a useless skill.

This supernatural power, as its name suggests, can only be used during the Awakening of Insects (Jingzhe).

"Use it once a year?"

Luo Fanchen was disappointed. The Jingzhe solar term had already passed this year, so this supernatural power was now dispensable.

He continued his breathing exercises to stabilize his realm. At dawn, a yin wind swirled upside down, Mo Xue's eyelashes trembled slightly, and spiritual energy surged through her body. True essence flowed into her Du meridian, and she officially broke through to the second level of Qi Refining.

"Master Luo, I did it!"

With a smile on her face, Mo Xue excitedly jumped up from the ground and quickly walked to Luo Fanchen.

Just as she was about to ask for encouragement, her nose suddenly twitched slightly. She then realized that her skin was covered in a layer of filth that smelled terrible. Her pretty face immediately turned red with embarrassment, and she ran away to take a bath as if fleeing. She muttered something as she left.

"Master Luo, wait for me!"

"This girl is truly exceptionally talented."

Luo Fanchen's eyes showed satisfaction, and he was quite envious of the superior spiritual root's aptitude.

She only started cultivating at the age of eighteen, and in just three months she broke through to the second level of Qi Refining. Moreover, she was cultivating the Longevity Technique, which has extremely poor compatibility. Daoist disciples are nothing more than this. In the upcoming Ascension Assembly, Mo Xue will surely shine brightly.

"Fellow Daoist Ling Leng, this was truly an unintentional act."

Luo Fanchen sighed softly. Logically speaking, Mo Xue's cultivation had started too late, and her meridians and acupoints were blocked, making it difficult for her to achieve anything.

However, the cold and stern inscriptions of the Heavenly Demon Puppet were precisely imprinted on the meridians and acupoints, and the insidious true essence prevented them from becoming blocked. The explosive golden fire spiritual root also greatly reduced the difficulty of breaking through the barrier.

"Master Luo, has Qiu Yun not emerged from seclusion yet?"

"Her cultivation has greatly improved, and she needs to absorb the power of soul spirits to stabilize her realm. She will need to go into seclusion for a few days."

Fifteen minutes later, Mo Xue changed into a clean, plain-colored dress. Her hair was slightly damp and stuck to the sides of her face, revealing her fair forehead and her slender neck, which was tinged with a light pink.

The tip of my nose was enveloped in a faint, moist mist from gardenias.

Luo Fanchen smiled, reached out, and gently tucked the girl's hair behind her ear, unintentionally revealing her delicate, fair earlobe.

Whether it was an illusion or not, the girl seemed to have become even more fair and beautiful after breaking through to the second level of Qi Refining.

"Once Qiuyun emerges from seclusion, I'm afraid I'll be no match for her again."

Luo Fanchen simply cooked a pot of spiritual porridge, pouring most of it for the girl. As the two shared the porridge, Mo Xue pouted, her pretty face showing frustration.

After the Soul Banner was sublimated, Qiu Yun's soul power surged, enabling her to control up to three ghosts with cultivation. Her overall strength was approximately at the fifth level of Qi Refining, making her extremely difficult to deal with.

"Qi Refining Level 2, even a genius like her is nothing more than this. Mo Xue is already very powerful."

"A prodigy?"

Mo Xue blinked her almond-shaped eyes and silently moved her body gently toward Master Luo.

"If I am a genius, and Master Luo's cultivation progresses far faster than mine, then what am I?"

“It’s different; my situation is rather special.”

Luo Fanchen raised an eyebrow slightly. His case was a combination of factors, and it couldn't be generalized.

Mo Xue's speed of breathing spiritual energy was still several times that of him, and her comprehension of magic was far superior to his.

"In just three months, he broke through from the fourth level of Qi Refining to the fifth level. Of course, Master Luo is special~"

Mo Xue's eyes crinkled into crescents, and before she knew it, her little head was close enough to rest on Master Luo's shoulder.

Without any hesitation, she tilted her head slightly back, rested her chin on Luo Fanchen's shoulder, and playfully puffed out her cheeks.

"I knew it. Master Luo is a hidden genius. It's a pity that Chang Hao is only at the fifth level of Qi Refining. He's probably not even enough for Master Luo to practice on."

"Genius. Mo Xue thinks too highly of me."

Luo Fanchen shook his head and smiled bitterly; his confidence had long been worn away by the Five Elemental Roots.

"I didn't think too highly of Master Luo; he was just being too modest."

Mo Xue extended her index finger and gently poked Luo Fanchen's cheek with a soft hum.

She was certain that Master Luo possessed combat power that could at least overwhelm those of the same level.

In terms of combat skills, she is no worse than her. Although her breathing speed is not as fast as hers, her cultivation growth is much better. If it weren't for her advanced age, she would very likely have entered the Daoist sect at the Ascension Assembly.

After lunch, the two continued their journey toward the bandit stronghold, finally arriving at the village before the stronghold in the evening.

"Master Luo, have we gone to the wrong place?"

Mo Xue pouted and muttered to herself. Before her lay a landscape of ravines and valleys, clearly a mountain rift, with no villages in sight.

She unfolded the map, looked around for a long time, and was certain that she hadn't gone the wrong way.

"No, this is the location. Is there something wrong with the map provided by Jubaoge?"

"The map is fine. You stay behind me."

Luo Fanchen frowned. He summoned the Soul Banner, made a hand gesture with the Noon Fire Incantation, and cast the Illusionary Fire Star Technique.

The ghost banners fluttered in the eerie wind, covering the entire valley in the blink of an eye. Wherever the foul wind passed, vengeful ghosts howled, and the ravines and mountains gradually distorted and faded in color, revealing dozens of dilapidated and decaying houses out of thin air.

Night had fallen, but the village was completely dark, clearly abandoned for some time, so quiet that there was not a sound.

The village roads were muddy and covered with countless bloody footprints. The barricades that had been set up around the village were long since rotten.

"It really is an illusion array."

Luo Fanchen made a hand seal, and the Mars Technique completely covered the unknown illusion array while completely blocking the connection between the array and the caster.

He released dozens of his vassal spirits to search and sense, and soon discovered a hundred weak auras.

They are weak in blood and energy, and must be ordinary people, gathered underground in the village.

"That's a trick commonly used by demonic cultivators."

Luo Fanchen murmured, his hand gripping the Soul Banner so tightly it trembled slightly, as if he were having a stress reaction.

The village is surrounded by faint blood-red array patterns, which should be some kind of sacrificial array used to extract life essence and absorb resentment.

His methods were sophisticated and extremely well-concealed; if it weren't for the Soul Banner, he and Mo Xue probably wouldn't have noticed anything amiss.

"The villages along the Jubao Pavilion trade route should be guarded by Qinghe Sect disciples, so how could they be used as blood refining grounds by demonic cultivators?"

Luo Fanchen frowned, already considering retreating.

He did not act rashly. At the same time, he made a hand seal to control the evil spirits and made dozens of ghosts return to guard outside the illusion array.

Meanwhile, the vengeful ghost, forged from the one-eyed bandit leader, emerged from the soul banner and grinned as it ventured deep into the cellar where mortals gathered to investigate.

Through the perspective of the vengeful ghost, Luo Fanchen finally glimpsed the entire underground landscape.

Intricate and twisted black patterns extended from all directions into the cellar, inside which were countless human bodies wrapped in blood cocoons, writhing and emanating a mist of blood.

Luo Fanchen recognized the strange array pattern that resembled a ghost face; it should be said that no one in the cultivation world was unfamiliar with it.

"A blood array for crafting the Heavenly Demon Spirit Puppet."

(End of this chapter)