Five months ago, Author: Xun Chun Xu Zhou
Chapter 97: Five Dragons Opening the Realm - Emperor's Scripture
As Chu Weiyang read the "Flicking Finger Pill Chapter," he did so at a slow pace, often taking a long time to ponder before turning a page. Sometimes, he would even need to guide a certain understanding and insight from within his heart, flipping back the pages to verify something.
The words recorded in that book were the fleeting inspirations of the old Alchemist Liu during moments of enlightenment regarding the path of external alchemy, each flick of his fingers illuminating profound thoughts.
Yet, each fleeting thought of the old Alchemist required Chu Weiyang an exceedingly long time to comprehend. He could not fathom how deep the old Alchemist's understanding of alchemy had become, but those moments of inspiration felt like glimmers of divine light. As Chu Weiyang carefully read through the "Flicking Finger Pill Chapter," it was as if he saw a myriad of colorful divine lights forming a brilliant galaxy.
Indeed, it was still not the complete picture of the old Alchemist's alchemical path, but he had already caught a glimpse of its vague and ethereal outline. It was as if, under the deep night sky, standing on an endless and vast sea, he looked around and found nothing, his heart filled with confusion. Yet, that galaxy of divine light, the majestic aura it revealed, and the beauty and meaning of the perfect pill seemed like a lighthouse at the end of his vision.
The path beneath his feet still required his arduous journey, but the road ahead was proven to be real and tangible because of that. The solid feeling originating from his heart made every step he took firm and powerful.
As Chu Weiyang continued to flip through the Dao book, he occasionally paused to contemplate, repeatedly pondering until he was certain, before looking at the mountain and river vessel suspended in mid-air, and with a serious demeanor, he brushed away several Dao seals.
It could be said that he was learning on the spot; Chu Weiyang was experimenting with the simplest tips recorded by the old Alchemist in the book to harmonize the medicinal power more evenly and harmoniously. It was merely slight changes in the details of the water and fire refining process, not even qualifying as true alchemical techniques. However, such tips were the only skills that Chu Weiyang could quickly master with his current abilities.
As those Dao seals fell, when he looked again, the mountain and river vessel still contained a swirling storm of water and fire. The fierce momentum revealed no significant changes, but upon careful sensing, he could truly perceive that the divine light swirling between the water and fire was not chaotic but increasingly exhibited a unique rhythm.
Like a starry sea vortex, scattered yet orderly, upon closer inspection, there was even a round crimson sun hanging high in the center of the starry sea, as if surrounded by evening stars, with myriad birds facing the sun.
Within that crimson divine light, small Zhu fruit tubers the size of rice grains floated. Perhaps the application of techniques and adjustments of water and fire were very effective; at this moment, those solid yet not dispersed Zhu fruit tubers seemed to be accelerated in their refining speed.
Wandering between the great sun and the multitude of stars was the blood and flesh of the first demon beast refined to the Foundation Establishment realm. It transformed into formless divine light, swirling within, even traversing between water and fire.
At first glance, the scene within the mountain and river vessel bore some resemblance to the alchemical meaning that Chu Weiyang had comprehended. At the very least, the mysterious scene of one above and myriad below was most fitting.
This was a new understanding brought about by the changes in talismans after Chu Weiyang's battle on the city wall—sometimes in this world, the Dao and the techniques, the arts and the arts, are all interconnected. Even if the methods differ greatly, existing on different paths, there are always aspects of principle and meaning that can be referenced, verified, and comprehended.
This was not merely a transformation after shedding one's old self, but it allowed Chu Weiyang to glimpse a path, a way to present the various techniques he had mastered in a new light to the world.
Otherwise, if one kept hiding their trump cards, would they hide them until their demise?
Just like the Heart-Eating Talismans, if it weren't for that thrilling battle and frequent applications, he might not have had such insights.
One must know that sometimes, if one pretends to be a pig for too long, they might still feel pleased with themselves, thinking they are still human, but there will always come a moment of shock when they realize they have truly become a pig.
While pondering these thoughts, perhaps the rich scent of elixirs wafting from the mountain and river vessel was too intense.
At this moment, Qing He, who had been asleep for quite a while, suddenly twitched her nostrils and groggily awakened from Chu Weiyang's embrace. Initially, Qing He, with sleepy eyes, even rubbed her cheek against Chu Weiyang's chest, as if the melody of the Crimson Palace still lingered in her ears.
Then, as if she had just realized the environment she was in, for the first time waking up in a man's embrace, she was startled at first, seemingly in shock. Soon after, she gradually became fully awake, her originally stiff body becoming soft and relaxed again.
However, despite her enchanting demeanor, Qing He was still a girl who had not lost her primordial yin due to her cultivation. The wondrous methods of the Hundred Flowers Tower could teach her more, but they could not completely conceal her youthful heart.
Whether it was due to the dream itself or her recent reaction, a hint of shyness inevitably surfaced in Qing He's heart. Before Chu Weiyang could say anything, she lowered her head and buried her face in his embrace. After a while, she acted as if nothing had happened, directly holding the jade talisman in her hand and asking Chu Weiyang about it.
Throughout, Chu Weiyang merely responded to Qing He in a casual manner, but the gaze he cast upon her increasingly held a light smile, until he almost burst into laughter, suddenly raising his hand to pinch Qing He's chin and leaning down again.
Thus, the shy yet delicate words were abruptly cut off.
After a long time, gradually, in the vast room, not only was there the rich scent of elixirs, but also a delicate floral fragrance that alternated and emerged.
After a while longer.
In the room, Chu Weiyang continued reading the "Flicking Finger Pill Chapter," while Qing He played "Melody of the Pure Heart."
As the scents diffused, the floral fragrance gradually faded, while the scent of elixirs became even more intense.
At this moment, just as Chu Weiyang was deeply engrossed in his reading, suddenly, a sound like a mountain collapsing and the earth cracking erupted from outside the city. The intense howling and buzzing noise jolted Chu Weiyang awake from his thoughts, and the sound of Qing He playing the zither came to an abrupt halt.
Perhaps due to the approaching storm, it was clearly daytime, yet the darkened sky had already faintly enveloped the Dao City.
It appeared increasingly gloomy.
Yet it was precisely this gloomy sky that highlighted the brilliant divine light outside the Dao City.
In a state of confusion, Chu Weiyang set down the Dao book in his hand and exchanged a glance with Qing He. Silently, the two stepped outside, standing in the courtyard, looking towards the direction outside the city.
However, even Chu Weiyang did not expect that this glance would reveal such clarity.
The water vapor and mist that should have obscured everyone's view seemed to have been wiped away by someone, allowing a clear view of the sky above the city wall.
At this moment, the five dragon apparitions suspended in mid-air shone even more brilliantly against the darkened sky.
This was the five-colored divine light that fell into the Dao City.
And the earlier rumbling and trembling sounds were the howling voices of the five-colored dragon apparitions.
Five colors...
This was a method Chu Weiyang was all too familiar with; the Dao flowing within was nothing but the five elements.
But aside from the path of the five elements, when Chu Weiyang looked further, he found it somewhat difficult to perceive the true essence, only able to guess bit by bit. Observing the dragon apparitions, perhaps they were similar to the Southern Ming Spell and the Taiyi Spell, using the blood and essence of demon beasts to refine the true spirits of the five elements within?
However, at this moment, looking at those five-colored dragon apparitions, they seemed too lively, yet upon closer inspection, they appeared quite illusory, not resembling true spirits, but rather akin to some kind of sword energy torrent.
The more he looked, the more confused Chu Weiyang became, marveling at the vastness of the world while lamenting his own shallow knowledge.
In this vast human world, there were indeed too many extraordinary figures.
Similarly, before Chu Weiyang could guess further, the other end of the sword restriction soon transmitted the calm and clear voice of Chunyu Zhi.
At the same time, upon hearing Chunyu Zhi's introduction, Chu Weiyang's gaze towards the city wall became increasingly entranced.
At this moment, Qing He caught sight of the expression that often appeared on Chu Weiyang's face.
Thus, Qing He gently bit her thin lips and asked with a hint of confusion.