Unknowingly, six or seven days had passed.
Jiang Yuan sat cross-legged in the quiet room, nurturing his nature and cultivating his true self, adjusting his essence and qi.
Having completed this preparation, he was about to practice the sixth step of the Dan Dao, 'Coalescence'.
Before he could begin his practice, he suddenly heard a sound at the door.
“Senior Brother!”
Upon hearing the voice, Jiang Yuan immediately recognized it was his junior brother Zhen Jian.
He stretched his body and opened the door, finding Zhen Jian outside.
He then invited Zhen Jian into the room and asked, “Junior Brother, it is the middle of the night; why are you not resting outside but instead seeking me?”
Zhen Jian bowed and said, “Senior Brother, I have a matter regarding cultivation that I wish to discuss with you to resolve my confusion. I hope you can forgive me for disturbing you.”
Jiang Yuan smiled and said, “I wondered why you came at such an hour; it turns out to be for this reason. Speak, what is it that you do not understand? If I can answer, I will certainly tell you.”
Zhen Jian replied, “Decades ago, when you left the mountain, you mentioned the other person hidden beneath the Heavenly Spirit, which was me. Over these years, I have contemplated deeply and finally realized that I am not truly myself; my external appearance, filled with greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance, and doubt, is merely an illusion. The other person beneath the Heavenly Spirit is my true self!”
Jiang Yuan laughed and said, “Junior Brother, you possess great talent.”
Zhen Jian bowed again and said, “Senior Brother, I know where my true self lies, but I cannot find any trace of it. It feels as if there is a demonic obstruction clouding my heart, preventing me from understanding the truth. I hope Senior Brother can guide me!”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan understood that Zhen Jian was not clear about the true self.
This was due to the two spirits obstructing the path: the recognition spirit clouding the heart, and the desire spirit covering the eyes, preventing him from knowing his true self.
The true self is the Yuan Shen.
The Yuan Shen resides in the Niwan Palace, which is located between the eyebrows.
The Three Star Immortal Cave has records of this, written by him personally.
The center of the space between the eyebrows is called the 'Heavenly Gate'.
One inch inward is called the 'Ming Hall'.
Another inch inward is called the 'Cave Room'.
One more inch inward is the 'Niwan Palace', where the Yuan Shen resides, referred to as the abode of the Yuan Shen.
Zhen Jian must know where the Yuan Shen resides to have a trace to follow.
However, Jiang Yuan could not directly point it out; it was something he had to realize on his own.
Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, “Junior Brother, spend more time in the library when you have leisure.”
Zhen Jian asked, “Senior Brother, can you not say more?”
Jiang Yuan replied, “I have said enough.”
Zhen Jian anxiously scratched his ears and cheeks, unable to find the way.
Jiang Yuan smiled as he sent Zhen Jian out of the room, simply saying that the path lay beneath his feet, without saying more.
After sending Zhen Jian out, Jiang Yuan sat down again to practice the 'Coalescence' step.
He turned his attention to the cauldron beneath his navel and saw that all four medicinal ingredients were present in the cauldron, perfectly blended into one, without any deficiencies.
The medicinal aura was concealed within.
He summoned the Huang Po from the Central Palace and brought it to the cauldron.
Huang Po took on the appearance of an old woman, exuding a green aura, taking it upon herself to nourish the body.
Jiang Yuan asked Huang Po to coalesce the four medicinal ingredients, combining them into one.
He would assist with the incantation to help the great medicine succeed.
Huang Po accepted the order and entered the cauldron, intending to teach the four medicines to return to one.
Jiang Yuan recited the incantation, assisting Huang Po in merging the four medicines.
As Huang Po was merging the medicines, he felt a slight pain in his abdomen, akin to boiling soup, but it was not enough to shake his resolve.
This slight pain, compared to the past, was nothing to speak of.
He observed the cauldron, and as Huang Po harmonized the four medicines, they gradually began to merge, revealing a mysterious essence.
Although the other four had divine effects, they could not compare to Huang Po's skill.
Jiang Yuan thought to himself, “Huang Po resides in the Central Palace, which corresponds to the spleen in the five elements, nourishing the four organs. It is located three inches below the heart, three inches wide, and one foot long, hence the name Huang Po, possessing the power of harmony. I have seen her harmonize five medicines in the past, but now witnessing Huang Po merge four medicines is even more profound.”
He focused his mind on the coalescence, merging the four medicines into one.
The ancestor had said that this step would be completed in two to three years, which would be very easy for him, yet he did not dare to be negligent.
One must understand that the path of the Golden Elixir is difficult; the road is obstructed and perilous, with dangers at every step.
A misstep could lead to death and the dissolution of the path, rendering the great way empty.
As he walked this path, how could the word 'difficult' fully express it? It was because he had a good teacher and a firm heart towards the path that he had reached today.
Jiang Yuan focused entirely on merging the four medicines, connecting them into one piece, not daring to make a mistake.
He believed that if the coalescence was not successful, there would be no turning back.
…
In the Ancestor's Quiet Room.
Here, the Ancestor sat cross-legged on a mat, taking a red gourd, which contained a celestial pill.
This pill was exchanged with the Supreme Laojun for two ginseng fruits and other items.
The Ancestor looked towards Jiang Yuan's quiet room and said, “The celestial pill is ready; it only awaits the success of the child’s cultivation.”
The Dan Dao has seven steps, and now this child had reached the sixth step, with success imminent.
The remaining step of the Dan Dao had yet to be undertaken, known as 'Nine Turns into Elixir', which is a true critical juncture.
If he passes this step, the Golden Elixir will be formed, granting him longevity, the possession of magical powers, immunity to all evils, and the attainment of the Dao.
If he fails this step, hundreds of years of hard cultivation will be in vain, and his life will be in jeopardy.
The path of the Golden Elixir speaks of 'cultivation'; this cultivation is the cultivation of life.
Before the Golden Elixir is formed, even if one reaches the step of coalescence and faces a great demon, they can be defeated.
But once the Golden Elixir is formed, no one in the Three Realms can subdue one with great magical powers.
The Ancestor closed his eyes, quietly waiting for the child’s success.
…
In the mountains, there are no days or months, and one does not know the passing of years.
Unknowingly, two years had passed.
Jiang Yuan's eyes did not see colors, his nose did not smell fragrances, his tongue did not taste flavors, his ears did not hear sounds, his body did not feel cold or heat, and his mind did not harbor delusions.
He devoted his entire heart to merging the four medicines, assisted by Huang Po, creating a harmonizing effect.
In these two years, he indeed achieved success.
The four medicines returned to one, Black Gold coiling together, Rabbit Bone Wood Liquid concealed, and he prepared to use them in reverse, as the coalescence was about to be completed.
Jiang Yuan awaited the success of the great medicine, and he did not dare to be negligent.
Using the secret method of 'Sealing and Solidifying' within the fire method, he sealed the Golden Cauldron and Jade Furnace, thus he could conclude his work.
With this action, he completed the six steps of the Dan Dao, leaving only the Nine Turns into Elixir.
Once he completes the Nine Turns into Elixir, the Golden Elixir will be formed.
Jiang Yuan's heart was not proud, nor was his spirit restless.
He knew that although this seemed easy, it required utmost attention.
Just like this step of 'Four Medicines Coalescing', it was very easy for him; the difficulty lay in nurturing.
If he could succeed in nurturing, this step would surely be completed in two to three years.
However, if he thought this step was easy and let his guard down, allowing pride to arise, then he would surely fail at the last moment, regretting it too late.
Jiang Yuan reflected inwardly on the great medicine in the cauldron, thinking to himself, “I must not become proud. If I succeed in forming the Golden Elixir in the future, I must keep my heart as still as water, not rejoice in success, nor grieve in failure.”
The child reflected on himself, not daring to be negligent or lazy.
He waited for the dawn to break, left the quiet room, and turned to walk towards the Ancestor's quiet room.
The door to the Ancestor's quiet room was wide open, indicating that the Ancestor knew he had arrived.
The door was opened, and he awaited the child.
Inside, the Ancestor sat cross-legged on the mat, feigning closed eyes.
Jiang Yuan bowed and said, “Master, I have succeeded in my cultivation.”
The Ancestor then opened his eyes, looking at the child, and said, “The coalescence is successful; now you must complete the remaining step of 'Nine Turns into Elixir'. Child, is this step easy?”
Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, “It is indeed not easy.”
The Ancestor smiled and asked, “You succeeded in two years, nurturing your work, and the coalescence was easy to achieve. How can you say it is 'not easy'?”
Jiang Yuan replied, “The easiest can also be the hardest; if one becomes negligent, it becomes difficult.”
The Ancestor laughed and said, “Child, you are truly wise. Now that you have succeeded in coalescence, I should teach you the remaining step of 'Nine Turns into Elixir'.”
Jiang Yuan asked, “Master, I have just succeeded in coalescence; why the urgency?”
The Ancestor shook his head, “It is not urgency; this step is a true critical juncture, the remaining step to forming the Elixir. I need to explain it to you in detail, so that you are fully prepared before proceeding with this step.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan listened attentively and then bowed, saying, “I hope Master will generously teach me with compassion!”
Requesting monthly tickets, continue reading.
The beginning of the month is when it goes on the shelves, with manuscripts stored.
(End of this chapter)