This humble Taoist priest, Qianhe, begins his quest for immortality by slaying demons and monsters.

Chapter 3 Shangqing Body Tempering Technique, First Hearing of Lin Fengjiao
Without hesitation, Master Qian Yuan casually touched Zhong Bai's brow.

In an instant, a flash of inspiration entered Zhong Bai's mind, and a body-tempering technique vividly appeared in his mind.

"This is the Shangqing Body Tempering Technique!"

In ancient times, the cultivation of Taoism was divided into two schools. One school pursued the transcendence of the physical body, such as the legendary Erlang Shen, who achieved sainthood through the physical body.

However, the path of physical cultivation is extremely difficult to achieve without great perseverance and great opportunities.

The other school of thought focuses on absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, pursuing the transcendence of the primordial spirit.

Although the Shangqing Body Tempering Technique is only a basic physical cultivation method, it is sufficient to cleanse your body.

Upon reaching perfection, one can possess the strength of ten thousand jin, their qi and blood will become a powerful force, their body will be cleansed and refined, and they will achieve an immaculate physique.

Zhong Bai was a little confused. Could a mere body tempering technique really produce such power?

Well... if I were to cultivate other supernatural powers and techniques, oh my!
Seeing the confusion in Zhong Bai's eyes, Master Qian Yuan couldn't help but find it amusing. Did this kid really think the Shangqing Body Tempering Technique was something easy to master? Did he really believe that just anyone could cultivate it to perfection?
Innocent!

He reached out and gently tapped Zhong Bai's forehead.

The pain made Zhong Bai realize what was happening immediately, and he quickly dismissed all those unrealistic thoughts from his mind.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. The path of cultivation relies on daily accumulation. My disciple, you must not daydream."

To tell you the truth, although every novice Maoshan disciple can cultivate the Shangqing Body Tempering Technique, but...

"Heh, in the last three hundred years, not a single person has been able to reach perfection before even reaching the Foundation Establishment stage."

"Master, I have learned a great deal!"

Zhong Bai lowered his head, then closed his eyes and began to examine his memories of the Shangqing Body Tempering Technique.

Seeing this, True Man Qian Yuan did not disturb him. He came like a spring breeze and left silently like an autumn wind.

......................................................

The moon hangs high in the southeast.

In a courtyard behind the Hall of Law Enforcement, on a futon, Zhong Bai, after a whole day of observation, officially began practicing the Shangqing Body Tempering Technique.

As Zhong Bai performed the movements according to the image of the cultivation technique in his mind, a series of crisp cracking sounds rang out, which were the result of Zhong Bai's bones wriggling.

In less than half an incense stick's time, Zhong Bai was covered in sweat and his body was covered in bruises. He had only done a few movements, but the difficulty of them was beyond his imagination.

Fortunately, Zhong Bai gritted his teeth and persevered.

There are a total of thirty-six illustrations. Zhong Bai had to stop at the ninth illustration.

There was no way around it; his skin was already bright red, and if it continued, it would be too much.

It was already past midnight when I washed myself.

Zhong Bai fell into a deep sleep after lying down for only a short while.

Inside the Hall of Law Enforcement, as the figure of True Man Qian Yuan appeared, a faint smile appeared on his lips.

"Zhong Baitian is quite talented. He was able to refine the ninth picture on his first try. It seems that Lin Fengjiao, whom Senior Brother Lin of the Talisman Hall took in, is also like that."

Shi Jian, the sect leader's personal disciple, also reached the ninth level of the painting.

If they can persevere, the Hall of Enforcement might be able to produce a qualified successor…

After saying this, True Man Qian Yuan fell silent, hovering in the void. With each breath, bolts of lightning surged from the Kui Niu Drum in the main hall!
Purple lightning relentlessly struck Qian Yuan Zhenren throughout the night.

Early the next morning.

As dawn approached, Zhong Bai rolled out of bed.

The early bird catches the worm. After waking up, Zhong Bai felt some soreness in his body, but it did not affect his cultivation.

Just as I was about to begin my cultivation, a series of gurgling sounds began to rise and fall.

At this moment, Zhong Bai's face turned pale, his body felt weak, and the hunger struck him, leaving him somewhat dazed.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. Since ancient times, scholars have been poor while warriors have been rich. Taoism also emphasizes wealth, companions, methods, and location.

Tempering the physical body consumes an absolute bottomless pit of food.

This can be inferred from the fact that when Master Qian Yuan pushed open the door and entered, he was carrying a plate full of meat in one hand and taking out an exquisite jade bottle in the other.

"Disciple, cultivating the Shangqing Body Tempering Technique for one night has consumed quite a bit of energy. From now on, you can eat according to your own needs every day."

"A diet primarily consisting of meat, supplemented by elixirs, will suffice until the Upper Clarity Body Tempering Technique has been mastered to a certain extent, and most impurities have been eliminated from the body; at this point, one can formally begin Qi cultivation."

Hearing his master's arrangements, Zhong Bai was overjoyed. "Master, I will cultivate diligently and strive to achieve minor success as soon as possible."

Zhong Bai knew that nothing he said now would make a difference. "A teacher for a day is a father for life." It would be impossible not to be moved by the way Qian Yuan Zhenren treated him after only one day of apprenticeship.

"Hmph, my disciple, I know what you're thinking, but there's really no need for that."

A hundred years ago, when I stepped into the Maoshan Mountain gate, your grandmaster, who was also my master, treated me in the same way.

This can be considered a form of inheritance.

Passed down through generations, if there is any request, it is that you uphold your original intention and guard the Hall of Law Enforcement.

"Of course, if you can do as I said yesterday and sweep away all the demons and monsters across the land, what harm is there in me doing this every day?"

There's something Master Qian Yuan didn't say: the reason he became a disciple of Maoshan was actually remarkably similar to that of Zhong Bai...

Both families suffered from the rampage of demons, resulting in the deaths of their parents. However, the situation was even worse for Qian Yuan Zhenren's family, which consisted of over a hundred people, with only him surviving.

"I will follow Master's teachings!"

With a sigh, seemingly recalling his past experiences and affecting his emotions, Qian Yuan Zhenren's eyes were somewhat obscure at this moment.

"By the way, remember this about your cultivation: relax and be moderate, don't push yourself to the limit."

Otherwise, if the meridians are damaged, it will be very difficult to treat.

In previous years, when the disciples of the sect leader first came into contact with the Shangqing Body Tempering Technique, it was just like this.

Finally, her meridians were damaged, even though she had entered the sect two years earlier than Lin Fengjiao, who had been accepted by the Talisman Hall.

Now they are both at the second level of Qi Refining.

Haste makes waste; you'd better figure it out yourself.

After saying this, Master Qian Yuan put down the pills and meat in his hand and turned to leave.

......................................................

And at this moment, Zhong Bai...

His gaze was somewhat vacant.

What did he hear? Lin Fengjiao? Was that the man's secular name?

At this moment, Zhong Bai was utterly shocked. It wasn't until waves of hunger surged through his stomach that he shook his head and banished all thoughts from his mind.

Ten minutes later, Zhong Bai let out a burp.

With a satisfied expression and a hint of contentment, he opened his mouth and looked at the jade bottle.

The name and effects of the elixir were labeled on the jade bottle.

"Body Tempering Pill, one pill per day, thirty pills in one bottle..."

Softly murmuring it aloud, Zhong Bai was somewhat curious, after all, this was the first time in his two lifetimes that he had come into such close contact with the legendary elixir.

I poured one out and placed it in my palm. It looked crystal clear and emitted a faint herbal fragrance.

"I wonder how effective it will be..."

As he spoke, Zhong Bai swallowed the pill.

Zhong Bai originally thought that if he could take one pill a day, the effect wouldn't be too terrible.

But he soon regretted it...

The pill melted instantly upon entering his mouth, transforming into a warm current that flowed into Zhong Bai's limbs and bones. Under the impact of the violent medicinal power, Zhong Bai's face quickly turned crimson.

"Depend on!"

Without thinking too much, Zhong Bai hurriedly put down the jade bottle and started practicing the Shangqing Body Tempering Technique repeatedly in the courtyard.

In the blink of an eye, two hours had passed.

At this moment, Zhong Bai was panting heavily, with large beads of sweat dripping down his face.

Like a wilted eggplant, devoid of any spirit, Zhong Bai felt utterly empty and weak.

Even simply standing still is difficult.

Unable to stand upright, he could only crawl back to his bed in the small house...

(End of this chapter)