"Have they left the city?"
Zhao Ji was flipping through the Dao Canon in his study, carefully pondering the true meaning of the words, especially the term "pure yang," which he had read over many times.
When the Chief Eunuch entered to report on the whereabouts of the three immortal disciples, Zhao Ji remained silent, continuing to look at the Dao Canon with a calm expression.
After a long while, Zhao Ji suddenly asked, "Old partner, do you know why I firmly believe that the newcomers are true immortals?"
The Chief Eunuch slightly lowered his head and replied, "This old servant does not dare to speculate on your intentions."
Zhao Ji smiled and said, "You old servant, just speak your mind."
The Chief Eunuch was silent for a moment before saying, "But there is no sinister reason behind it?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Ji let out a deep sigh and, for a time, did not speak.
After a long while, Zhao Ji put down the Dao Canon and stood up.
He slowly walked back and forth in the imperial study for a moment, then performed a set of slow Daoist boxing forms before concluding, "It is precisely because of this 'no sinister reason.'"
As Zhao Ji reminisced and pondered, he spoke, "In this world, there are countless Dao techniques, evil arts, and demonic arts, many of which possess great power. For example, the Heavenly Gate Formation nearly caused the Yang family to perish. That formation stretched for dozens of miles, with ghostly wails and earth-shattering sounds, truly a great force of heaven and earth. It is not weaker than a true immortal's ability to refine swords into threads, yet that Heavenly Gate Formation does not belong to the powers of the immortals, and the reason lies in the term 'sinister.'"
"All powers in the world are divided into yin and yang. The yang pertains to the body, which is why there are blood valiant warriors who endure hardships, strengthen their bodies, and condense their military aura, achieving countless legendary names throughout history, from hundred-man enemies to thousand-man enemies, and even the legendary ten-thousand-man enemies. However, this does not extend lifespan; rather, it shortens it, for it is said that solitary yang does not give birth."
As he spoke, Zhao Ji surprisingly rolled up his long sleeves.
His originally thin arms began to bulge with muscles in an instant, forming a stark contrast with his old and frail body.
He then struck forward with his hand, and a spiral wave of qi actually broke through the sound of the wind, dissipating several meters away.
However, after that single strike, Zhao Ji's complexion turned pale.
He stood in place, taking dozens of deep breaths before his complexion returned to a healthy hue.
"Alas, I am old, truly old."
Zhao Ji sighed and said, "The blood valiant aura resides in the physical body. Enduring hardships, condensing military aura grants the body the power to dispel evil. However, once the blood valiant aura is cultivated, the essence, spirit, and energy of the entire body will merge into one, and the divine soul can no longer leave the body. The military aura harms the body; the deeper it is condensed, the more lifespan is reduced. Throughout history, how many heroic generals have been able to grow old?"
At this moment, the Chief Eunuch suddenly said, "In ancient times, during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, perhaps it was possible."
Zhao Ji was taken aback and pointed at the Chief Eunuch, laughing heartily, "You old fellow, are you here to jest with me?"
The Chief Eunuch lowered his head respectfully and said, "How dare I jest with the emperor?"
Zhao Ji shook his head, both regretful and yearning, saying, "You are not speaking nonsense. From ancient to medieval times, those who achieved Dao through their physical bodies were not absent from historical records. The most famous among them is none other than the Yellow Emperor, who ascended in broad daylight. Even during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, there were valiant warriors like Lian Po. However, since the Han dynasty, this has gradually declined. What is the reason? It is because the treasures of heaven and earth are also depleting."
"To cultivate blood valiance and resist military aura, one must consume flesh and blood daily. For a thousand-man enemy, one meal requires three dou of food. If it is a ten-thousand-man enemy, one would need to consume an entire cow daily. But this is merely to maintain bodily consumption. To repair injuries and advance further, one needs various nourishing substances. A hundred-year or thousand-year ginseng or lingzhi is merely common; one also needs rare items like the Zhu Fruit, Nine-Leaf Snow Lotus, and Purple Eggplant to resist military aura."
"If one wishes to advance further, one would need items like ten-thousand-year stone milk, nine-colored spirit flowers, and spirit ginseng horses to have a chance at achieving Dao through the physical body."
At this point, Zhao Ji's expression turned bitter as he said, "But nowadays, even a hundred-year ginseng is considered a rarity, and a thousand-year one is hard to find. As for ten-thousand-year stone milk, nine-colored spirit flowers, and spirit ginseng horses, they are all legendary items. Achieving Dao through the physical body is exceedingly difficult..."
The Chief Eunuch then said, "Your Majesty, while achieving Dao through the physical body is difficult, there are also methods for the soul to attain Dao."
Zhao Ji's expression grew even more bitter as he shook his head, saying, "Since ancient and medieval times, achieving Dao through the physical body has become increasingly arduous. By the time of the Jin dynasty, the cultivators finally found another path... the Corpse Transformation Immortal."
"The physical body is useless; only the divine soul endures. This became the choice of cultivators after the treasures of heaven and earth began to deplete. They only cultivate the divine soul, seeking to preserve their consciousness. The idea is good, but the result is terrible."
Zhao Ji casually flipped open a book and pointed at the text, saying, "All forms of non-physical cultivation can be classified as spiritual or magical cultivation. However, just as physical cultivation requires the consumption of meat and spiritual items, pure spiritual consciousness is like a rootless duckweed. If one does not draw from external nourishment, no matter how well one visualizes the inner landscape, one will dissipate the moment one leaves the body, without exception."
"However, the spiritual consciousness draws from the subtle yin energies, and over time, one becomes neither human nor ghost, ultimately transforming into a monster. The so-called Corpse Transformation Immortal, which one of them has not become a monster, ultimately rejected and exterminated by the world?"
The Chief Eunuch, being a competent foil, spoke again at this time, "Your Majesty, there is also the saying that after a hundred years of cultivation, one undergoes a qualitative change."
Zhao Ji's expression grew even more bitter, "Indeed, there is such a saying, and it has been confirmed throughout the ages. After accumulating a hundred years of Dao cultivation, the yin energy undergoes its first qualitative change. Some of the sinister energy in the breath will transform into pure yin.
Although it is pure yin, it will possess a trace of yang. After two hundred years, more of the yin energy will transform into pure yin. By the time one reaches three hundred years of Dao cultivation, the yin energy will almost entirely transform into pure yin.
At this point, one can be called a Ghost Immortal."
"However, the calamity of yin spirits is difficult to enter the sacred realm. Even Ghost Immortals remain yin, albeit somewhat weakened by the suppression of military aura and blood energy. If one departs from the physical body, one still needs to draw a large amount of subtle yin energy.
Over time, one will still be polluted and distorted, ultimately transforming into a terrifying ghostly being, no longer oneself... According to the analyses and summaries of great merits throughout history, one must accumulate nine hundred years of Dao cultivation to be considered truly pure yin, without blemish. Then, one must accumulate another hundred years.
When breaking through to a thousand years of Dao cultivation, the divine soul will have a trace of pure yin transforming into yang. After that, one must endure a thunder tribulation every thousand years, passing through it nine times, requiring a total of nine thousand years to transform into pure yang, thus becoming a true immortal!"
Zhao Ji shook his head repeatedly, his expression so bitter it seemed he could drip water.
After sighing for a long time, he said, "Nine thousand years, nine thousand years... How can a mortal live for nine thousand years? It is impossible, impossible..."
The Chief Eunuch seized the moment to say, "But seventh-grade immortals have lifespans exceeding ten thousand years."
"Right!"
Zhao Ji quickly pulled out a piece of white paper from the imperial desk, which detailed the conversation between Wu Pifu and Zhao Gou, even describing the expressions and actions of each person.
He stared blankly at the records of ordinary citizens living for a thousand years and seventh-grade citizens living for ten thousand years.
"The reason I believe the newcomers are immortals is because their aura and techniques are pure and untainted, vigorous and sharp. The national fortune of the Great Song, the Golden Dragon, can certainly suppress all magical cultivators, but its essence is to suppress the yin attributes. If they have a hundred years of Dao cultivation, the suppression effect will be diminished. The higher the Dao cultivation, the weaker the suppression. However, against true immortals, there is no suppression at all; instead, they are harmed, because true immortals are not of the yin attributes but are entirely yang energy!"
Zhao Ji declared emphatically, "This must be a pure yang true immortal!"
The Chief Eunuch lowered his head and said once more, "Perhaps this ten-thousand-year lifespan does not refer to the immortals themselves, but to their kin?"
Zhao Ji cautiously set down the paper and pointed at the Chief Eunuch, laughing heartily, "You old servant, you only know how to say sweet words to deceive me."
The Chief Eunuch lowered his head even further and spoke softly, "This old servant does not dare; I just thought of how throughout history it has been written that immortals exist alongside the world, rising and setting with the sun and moon, everlasting and immortal. How could they possibly only live for a mere ten thousand years? And since the immortals have kin and similar disciples to mortals, could it be that this so-called ten thousand years refers not to the immortals, but to their kin?"
Zhao Ji nodded vigorously, "I think so too. Moreover, seventh-grade, no, seventh rank, is this not the Nine Ranks of Justice? It is merely that nine is the ultimate number, so the nine ranks are the highest, while the true immortals are seventh rank. Perhaps in Penglai, there are ninth rank true immortals?"
At this moment, the Chief Eunuch fell silent.
He understood very well when to speak and when to remain silent; it was his instinct.
Zhao Ji did not expect the Chief Eunuch to speak at this time.
He immediately shook his head and said, "No, no, no, thinking this way is too sacrilegious to the true immortals. Seventh rank is sufficient, seventh rank is sufficient. With a lifespan of ten thousand years, I can slowly cultivate to achieve pure yang..."
Zhao Ji continued to daydream in the imperial study, occasionally glancing at the Dao Canon, sometimes discussing immortals with the Chief Eunuch, and at times inquiring about the matters of the Yongfu Princess Zhao Fobao and Wu Pifu.
Time passed slowly, and suddenly a young eunuch arrived at the door of the imperial study.
The Chief Eunuch walked over quietly, and after a moment, he returned to the study and said to Zhao Ji, "Your Majesty, they have returned to the city."
At this moment, Zhao Ji was closing his eyes in contemplation.
Upon hearing this, he opened his eyes and said, "Indeed, they have returned. I said that even if the immortal disciples are still weak, they would not be so cowardly as to flee... Did they bring back any items or accompany anyone?"
The Chief Eunuch shook his head and replied, "No, it is still just the three of them."
Zhao Ji nodded.
After pondering for a moment, he said, "In that case, tomorrow, send the three great offerings of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity from the Offering Pavilion to secretly protect them. Their whereabouts must not be easily leaked. They are here to experience the mortal world and fulfill their Dao heart; this cannot be taken lightly. They must be allowed to experience, while also ensuring their safety. If they wish to go, let them go. That Ghost Fan Tower's master has made a solemn oath with the national fortune of the Great Song and knows the importance of this matter."
The Chief Eunuch nodded in agreement but hesitated before saying, "Your Majesty, what if the immortal disciples use their trump cards?"
Zhao Ji chuckled softly, "If they use them, then so be it. If they don't, I would have a hard time arranging things. Moreover, their trump cards are likely to be immensely powerful, but how many can they have? How many times can they use them? What major events could occur? It is just an opportunity to see the methods of the immortals; you need not worry too much."
The Chief Eunuch immediately lowered his head and said, "I will obey your command."
That night, there was no further discussion.
The next day, Wu Pifu and the others rose early, each practicing and eating without mention.
By around two in the afternoon, the human skin invitation emitted a pale white light, and a path appeared on the invitation, clearly guiding them to the Ghost Fan Tower.
The three exchanged glances, smiles appearing on their faces... sinister smiles.
"Unfortunately, the power of the N5 bomb has been greatly reduced; it can only blast apart a twenty-square-meter area," Xu Shilan sighed.
Wu Pifu was instantly speechless, "No, big sister, twenty square meters refers to complete destruction, not just the affected area, okay!? And if it really covers five thousand square meters, wouldn't we be blown apart too?"
Yamada remained silent, beginning to hand out N5 bombs to the two, each the size of a thumb, one, two, three... ten, twenty, thirty... five hundred, six hundred, seven hundred...
In the end, each person received five hundred bombs, totaling one thousand five hundred N5 bombs!
Then...
"Set off!"
(End of this chapter)