The True Lord has arrived

Chapter 58 Mysterious Techniques
Xuan Guan, beacon tower.

A glint of desire flashed in Zhou Yan's eyes. Over the past period of time, he had transformed from an ordinary person who could only defeat minor monsters like the Hungry Ghost through backstabbing and treachery.

Now that he has mastered a decent swordsmanship, even without the power of the jade talisman, he can still deal with mountain bandits and thieves, which is a significant improvement.

But like this time.

Even when facing monsters, he still feels powerless.

When facing monsters, mortals are not at an advantage in terms of physical strength and physique. Without cultivation and magical power, casting spells will put a great burden on their mind and body.

Zhou Yan is currently able to deal with some monsters.

But if you encounter someone who really has the skills, like that Black Wind before, you can only try to run away. If you can't run away, you can only rely on your courage to fight.

Black Wind was already like this, not to mention the Azure Netherworld Monk. Just from the few traces glimpsed in the records of the monsters' experiences in the jade book, there was already a feeling of a colossal being, with heavy dark clouds constantly approaching.

The unique divine aura emanating from the mountain god's edict is gradually diminishing.

The Xuanguan beacon tower, like a blazing fire, could drastically change Zhou Yan's current situation.

The power of the beacon fires is now internalized, making them more reliable and stable.

This time, Shen Cangming gave a detailed account of the origin and methods of using beacon towers.

This is the unique Xuanguan system of the imperial legions such as the Anxi Army and Anren Army, which directly faced foreign tribes.

Like the Shuofang Army and other military units, their lineage originated from the stone tablet representing the "military lineage." However, as different military units faced different situations, they developed new characteristics over a long period of time.

Human race officials often undergo various changes, while the characteristics of demon race officials remain unchanged for hundreds of years.

However, one fundamental characteristic will remain unchanged.

The art of military strategy requires the presence of military might.

Shen Cangming controlled the timing of his narration very well. Not long after he finished speaking, Qingzhu and Lingxi brought over the things.

"Master Shen, here is what you wanted. Take a look."

Qingzhu's voice was clear and crisp. Hu Erniang was a traveling merchant, and her carriage was full of all sorts of odds and ends. Qingzhu put down what she was holding. It was a device for alchemy, an inverted and sealed structure consisting of an alchemy pot and an alchemy bowl.

Lingxi was also carrying a lot of things and was panting on a nearby rock.

Qingzhu knew that Zhou Yan and Shen Cangming's secret conversation must have involved the secrets of the Dharma lineage, so she didn't ask any more questions. After putting down her things, she quickly took her leave.

As she passed by, she brushed past Zhou Yan almost imperceptibly, carrying a faint, cool fragrance. As she walked past, her large, fluffy tail beneath her skirt gently brushed against the boy's lower back and wrist.

Zhou Yan shivered from the itch.

This elicited a burst of charming laughter.

Her laughter was charming, and her eyes sparkled with light; she was indeed beautiful and captivating.

Seeing this, Lingxi froze, her eyes widening. Then, as if understanding, she turned and ran outside. Just as she was about to reach Hu Erniang, she suddenly cried out in panic:
"Grandma, Grandma!!!"

"Courtship, it's courtship!"

"My sister has proposed to Zhou Langjun!"

"They're about to mate, they..."

"Ahhhhh, shut up, shut up!"

The alluring charm that the fox spirit girl had feigned shattered instantly, turning into anger and embarrassment, and into a blood feud and suppression with her brother. Zhou Yan touched his forehead, feeling itchy.

Shen Cangming said, "Focus."

Zhou Yan composed himself and said, "Yes."

Shen Cangming instructed Zhou Yan to assemble the alchemy device on the evil energy array. The package sent by Lingxi contained black mutton, a he shou wu (Polygonum multiflorum), some black beans, and some iron sand that gleamed with a black, eerie light.

Shen Cangming took a bowl and put these things into it.

Then he had Zhou Yan cut a gash in his palm and drip his blood into it.

Zhou Yan could fight people with a knife, but when he cut his own hand to bleed, he still grimaced in pain, and it took quite a bit of blood.

Shen Cangming said, "This He Shou Wu was bought from Hu Erniang. It belongs to the wood element and promotes growth. The black mutton and black beans were gifts from the old local earth god. These are black iron ore sand from the Western Regions. They belong to the metal element and are auxiliary materials for alchemy."

"First mix it with your blood, then steam it for four hours above the place where the evil spirits gather."

Zhou Yan did as instructed and said, "How simple."

He thought that Xuan Guan's methods would be even more mysterious when it came to alchemy.

Shen Cangming said, "You think it's simple because you've heard of folk remedies for warding off evil spirits before."

"Some of the methods for advancing to the ninth rank of Xuan official have been leaked outside, but many people do not know the core of them. The fragments of the pill formula have become the methods of warding off evil in the mouths of the people."

“Not surprising.” Four hours later, Zhou Yan took out a medicine bowl. The contents inside had rotted under the baleful aura, except for the black iron ore sand, which emitted a faint, chilling aura. Shen Cangming tossed the black iron sand to Zhou Yan:
"Keep this safe. These are the necessary materials for the path to becoming an eighth-rank Xuan official corresponding to the beacon tower."

"The lineage of military strategy is clear, the path is well-defined, and the inheritance is complete."

"Many things need to be prepared from the beginning."

"Without this step, even if someone is lucky enough to obtain the [Beacon Tower] inheritance, they will not be able to move on to the next step and will forever remain an incomplete ninth-rank Xuan official."

"If you obtain a fine battle blade in the future, and then use the black iron ore sand that has been fused with your essence and blood and the killing aura, along with cinnabar powder, to inscribe corresponding talismans on the blade, and unite your mind and spirit, that is the technique for advancing to the [Weapon Forging] level."

Shen Cangming then took out the Blood Pill.

A blood pill was placed in the alchemy device, and then a paste made of Zhou Yan's blood, the metal energy of Xuan Tie, and the medicinal properties of various herbs was placed on top of the blood pill. White glutinous rice was also placed next to it.

They used the elm branches provided by the old landowner to light a fire in the stove.

Zhou Yan put away the black iron and asked, "Uncle Shen, how long will this burn?"

Shen Cangming said, "Wait until the rice grains change color into red powder under the influence of the evil energy and the elixir energy."

Zhou Yan asked curiously, "Is there any particular reason for this?"

Shen Cangming said, "Yes."

After a pause, Shen Cangming said succinctly:
"But we don't know how to control the heat, so we put the rice aside as a reference."

Zhou Yan grinned, understanding dawning on him. The border troops simply couldn't grasp the concepts of "fire control" and "qi mechanism" that the alchemists were talking about, so they simply created a point of reference for comparison—truly a display of simple wisdom.

This time, after burning for a long time, Shen Cangming did not immediately give Zhou Yan the pills he obtained. Instead, he put the pills in a pottery jar and buried it in the place with the heaviest war aura for three days and three nights.

The red marks on this formation have disappeared, and the military aura has dissipated.

Only then did he take out the pill.

The surging blood energy and sharpness that the pill originally possessed were also contained.

This blood pill, made from the essence of seven kinds of demonic beasts and the demon core of a fierce tiger, originally possessed a violent aura. It was first burned in the fire, and then combined with the evil spirit of the soldiers. Over three days and three nights, it actually achieved a balance.

Furthermore, Zhou Yan's blood was also present in those medicinal muds.

This elixir is perfectly suited to Zhou Yan.

Shen Cangming sensed the power within and said, "It's ready."

He tossed the pill to Zhou Yan, saying, "This pill originally contained the blood and evil energy of a demonic beast, and it has also aroused the evil energy of a soldier. If you eat it hastily without using the power of the earth's veins to complete the final [refining] process..."

"It will be attacked by sharp and fierce forces, which will break through the internal organs."

"There is about a 60% chance of death and a 20% chance of disability."

Zhou Yan understood the secret of the beacon tower inheritance: black mutton belongs to fire, black beans belong to water, and he shou wu belongs to wood. Water generates wood, wood generates fire, fire warms the earth, and finally stimulates the sharp metal energy to complete the final refinement in the earth's veins.

Without this final step, even if you obtain the Blood Pill, don't even think about embarking on this path.

This method has similarities to folk customs, but it is very ingenious.

This is, after all, the origin of many folk customs.

He exclaimed in surprise, "Who opened up the roads to the beacon towers?"

Shen Cangming said, "Initially, it was just something the soldiers guarding the beacon towers for the Zhou king came up with while fighting against the demon race; the use of blood pills to replace other pills was created by Lord Wu'an during the Qin Dynasty."

"As for the method of using the earth's veins to complete the final refinement, it is what Li Jing, the Duke of Wei of this dynasty, said that it must be passed down from generation to generation and tried before it can be considered complete."

"Take it, I will protect you."

Zhou Yan nodded and adjusted his state of mind.

After thinking for a moment, I switched to the Hungry Ghost Jade Talisman.

He put the smooth, harmless pill in his hand into his mouth, where it transformed into vital energy that surged into his body. In an instant, bursts of murderous aura and the aura of war exploded, and then began to surge within Zhou Yan's body.

Suddenly, a stream of light appeared within the jade book.

………………

Black Wind held a treasure in his hand and sensed Zhou Yan from afar.

Or rather, it was through the magic weapon bestowed upon it by the Master of the Azure Netherworld that it sensed the gourd that had been stolen from it, and its eyes blazed with fury as it exclaimed, "Good, good, good, I've finally found you!"

"Kid, kid!"

"This time, I will possess your body, you mortal!"

(End of this chapter)