The villain also has spring 2

Chapter 2.8 2010 A Scheme Within a Scheme, a Game Within a Game
The highest good is like water; true water has no fragrance.

This Nine-Turn Immortal Pill is even more precious than the Seven-Treasure Golden Pill. Legend has it that cultivators who have formed their inner core only need to guide the Nine-Turn Immortal Pill into their dantian to ascend to become one of the Five Immortals!
As previously known, "there are three vehicles of Dharma, and five ranks of immortals." The five ranks of Great Luo Immortals are: Celestial Immortal, Divine Immortal, Earth Immortal (Water Immortal), Human Immortal (Demon Immortal), and Ghost Immortal (Corpse-Dissolving Immortal).

Quoting the "Inner Alchemy Rejuvenation Formula": Nine Immortals (the inhalation and exhalation of breath through the mouth, nose, and anus, as well as exhalation, ...

Among them, "blowing, exhaling, 'hissing,' 'heh,' 'sighing,' and 'hissing' are collectively known as the "Six Qi." Each of the Six Qi treats different ailments: blowing dispels cold, exhaling dissipates heat, 'hissing' relieves pain and dispels wind, 'heh' alleviates irritability, 'sighing' resolves phlegm, and 'hissing' eliminates fatigue. Therefore, there is also the "Six-Character Breathing Method": using "heh, hissing, 'sighing,' 'exhaling,' 'blowing,' and 'hissing' as its core, it regulates the body's internal organs and meridians. This method combines breathing regulation with physical movements, aiming to achieve fasting and health preservation through guided breathing exercises, advocating replacing grain intake with the consumption of Qi, and absorbing natural energy.

Joy and anger are two of the seven emotions. The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic states: "Excessive anger injures Yin, and excessive joy injures Yang." Therefore, "joy and anger injure Qi."

The Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot), Chapter 1, "Questions on the Mouth," states: "The mouth and nose are the gateways for Qi (vital energy)."

The "valley passage" is the outlet of Qi, and together with "joy and anger injure Qi," it is both beneficial and detrimental (reducing excessive Qi), and can be regulated.

In conclusion, the Nine Immortals are the "Qi" in "the gathering of Qi in human life".

Therefore, the Nine-Turn Immortal Pill is "the condensation of Qi".

Because it is one level higher than the Seven Treasures Golden Elixir, the Nine-Turn Immortal Elixir is also commonly known as the "Nine-Turn Purple Gold Elixir".

The term "nine revolutions" originates from the Taoist alchemy practice, which distinguishes between one to nine revolutions, with the nineth revolution being the most valuable. The *Baopuzi* (抱朴子) states in its chapter on the Golden Elixir: "Nine revolutions, and one attains immortality in three days."

Furthermore, due to the sanctuary's "Shattered Star Descendant" status, the star ratings of the Shattered City are roughly divided as follows: Celestial Immortal 6.5, Divine Immortal 6, Earthly Immortal 5.5, Human Immortal 5, and Ghost Immortal 4.5. In other words, a cultivator who has formed an inner core can instantly reach the level of a six-star demigod simply by introducing the Nine-Turn Immortal Pill into their dantian.

Throughout the entire world of murals, there is only one Nine-Turn Immortal Pill!
It is easy to imagine how precious it is.

The appearance of the elixir shocked the entire audience. Silence reigned throughout the building; even breathing seemed to stop.

At this critical moment, someone roared, "Don't let her succeed!"

The left and right protectors were the first to regain their senses. Just as they were about to unleash their flying swords and strike with their divine axes, they suddenly heard Wu Chen's voice transmitted from afar: "Disciples, do not move."

"My lord?" Left Protector Sai Xiaojing asked, puzzled.

"This is a contest for the title of courtesan; outsiders must not interfere." Wu Chen declared firmly.

"Yes, sir!" the demon hunters replied in unison.

They expected someone to make a move to snatch it, especially the left and right guardians, whose fighting spirit surged instantly. However, they scattered quickly before they could even make a move. This surprised even the great demon "Scorpion Demon" of the North Fortress, who was perched on the rooftop: "Why didn't they make a move?"

"The competition at the Flower Pavilion is still ongoing, and the outcome is undecided," answered Cheng Lingsu, the sect leader of the Medicine King Sect, in a loud voice.

"Hmph!" The great demon of Beibao, the "Scorpion Demon," lashed out her deadly scorpion tail, which fell like a meteorite, yet landed lightly just before smashing through the skull-piercing platform. It was because of the pull of her heart's silk threads that she could lift such a heavy object with such ease.

However, just in case, the great demon of Beibao, the "Scorpion Demon," pushed the power of the *Spider Flower Manual* to its limit. First, she unleashed the ninth move of *Heavenly Net Binding: Thousand Threads of Poisonous Hands*, "Seamless Heart Silk": wherever her thoughts moved, silk domains formed, binding her very heart without gaps. Then, she used the ninth move of *Secret Techniques of the Manual: Blood Gu Substitute*, "Myriad Manifestations of Death": her natal Gu transformed into a perfect substitute, dying in her place, deceiving everyone without harming her true body. She secretly prepared a backup move: the ninth move of *Five Poison Escape: Spider Shadow Steps*, "Boundless Shadow Transformation": her body became nothingness, merging into the (Seamless) silk domain, arriving at her thought instantly, without boundaries or limits. This was in preparation for the instantaneous release of the ninth move of *Hundred Flowers Kill: Burning Heart Gu Finger*, "Silent Flower Burial": the ultimate killing move, annihilating the soul and body of those struck, turning their flesh into flower mud, condemning them to eternal damnation. Simultaneously wielding all four divine techniques of the *Spider Flower Manual* to the ninth level—this was the peak power of the great demon of Beibao, the "Scorpion Demon." His entire being surged with vital energy, distorting light and shadow. Though silent, it was as powerful as thunder. Seemingly dormant on the ground, it could soar through the heavens at any moment. Its aura was extraordinary, inspiring awe in all who beheld it.

Only now did everyone finally see the true face of the great demon of Beibao, the "Scorpion Demon".

A giant mechanical scorpion with copper skin and iron bones.

The music hall spared no expense, gathering the finest metals and stones from across the land, and having skilled craftsmen refine them through countless hammer blows.

It's more accurate to call it a giant scorpion puppet than a mechanical giant scorpion.

His entire body was covered in sturdy armor and sharp weapons, a forest of spikes and gleaming blades. A jade-green glass bottle was embedded in the deadly scorpion tail hook hanging above his head, filled with a deadly poison that would kill anyone who touched it!
Just as everyone was at a loss for what to do, the lid slowly opened with the sound of a spring. The crystal coffin embedded in the abdomen rose slowly, shrouded in mist.

Sleeping in the crystal coffin was none other than the true form of the sorcerer Li Xiaocui. Just as Wu Chen had said, this legendary, elusive demon from the Northern Fortress, the "Scorpion Demon," was merely Li Xiaocui's "life box."

Wu Chen's fleeting True Sight had already glimpsed the truth. He saw a deep crimson stain on Li Xiaocui's robe, the mark of a severe heart wound inflicted by the Wild Goose Blade. Though she had managed to stabilize her heart and prolong her life by absorbing the true essence of her patron and practicing her divine skill, she remained on the brink of death. She had not truly been brought back to life and escaped unscathed.

Her current half-dead state has a special name in the martial arts world: "the living dead." The most typical example is Wu Yazi on Piaomiao Peak in "The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils: The Legend of the Heavenly Child Granny."

"What a clever scheme within a scheme, a plot within a plot." Judging from his tone, Wu Chen didn't seem to have much ill will towards her.

"As expected of the 'mysterious and elusive' Demon Hunter Sect Master." The "living dead" demonic cultivator Huan Ji in the crystal coffin did not utter a single harsh word.

"'Searching for jade dust across ten thousand miles, guarding the golden stove for a thousand years. The three corpses can be saved, but the nine-turn transmission is difficult.'" Wu Chen chuckled and transmitted his voice: "First, use the aggrieved master (Hong Xiaocui, the Toad Hall Master) as the cauldron to refine the golden elixir, then use the demon-subduing bowl as the furnace to make the divine elixir nine times. Subdue the Great Mighty Heavenly Dragon and the demons and monsters in the purple-gold bowl, turning them into a pot of porridge; imitate Nuwa's creation of humans from clay, reshaping a ten-zhang incarnation; use the Medicine King Sect's technique of using poison to fight poison, extracting all its essence, and the divine elixir is finally complete."

"Everything is exactly as the Demon Hunter Sect Master predicted." The "living dead" demonic cultivator Huan Ji, inside the crystal coffin, spoke with a relaxed tone.

"Since success can be achieved overnight, why not take the elixir of immortality? Save yourself from fire and water, and relieve all living beings from their suffering." Wu Chen wrote in a similarly poetic style.

"Hmm..." The "living dead" demonic cultivator Huan Ji inside the crystal coffin must have a question: "Why is the sect leader standing by and watching?"

"The battle for the brothel is still ongoing." Wu Chen expressed his thoughts: "Since we take it upon ourselves to slay demons and subdue monsters, how can we act like beasts?"

"The Demon Hunter Sect is a reputable and righteous sect, truly deserving of its title." The "living dead" demonic cultivator Huan Ji, inside the crystal coffin, activated the large claws on her left and right sides, gently grasping the Nine-Turn Immortal Pill and preparing to send it into the crystal coffin.

Just as it was about to be inserted into the Shenque acupoint, Cheng Lingsu, the leader of the Medicine King Sect, suddenly shouted, "Wait!"

"Sect Leader Cheng, what are your intentions?" The seemingly "living dead" demonic cultivator, Huan Ji, appeared pleased rather than angry. She was pleased because, as she had expected, the divine pill was right before her eyes, revealing the unfathomable nature of men. "A mouth full of benevolence and morality, a belly full of thieves and prostitutes"—this was the true nature of the so-called righteous sects and prestigious clans of the martial world. Two-faced, saying one thing and doing another, such despicable behavior was commonplace in the world.

"On behalf of my lord, I present this 'Seven-Treasure Lotus' to lend the Great Immortal a helping hand." The Medicine King Sect Master, Cheng Lingsu, swirled her fingers in a magic gesture. The withered wooden hairpin spun lightly, sending forth a seven-colored lotus.

"What is within this?" The left-hand mechanism's large claw firmly gripped the seven-colored lotus, causing it to slightly bloom. A wondrous light rose, and spiritual energy overflowed. The "living dead" demonic cultivator, Huan Ji, within the crystal coffin felt a jolt in her soul. She was utterly astonished; this was a rare treasure of heaven and earth!
""Drink in a ladle from the secret realm." "