There are no ancestors at all; I made them all up.

Chapter 29 The Art of Wine

"It's done!"

In the center of the lotus platform, the withered orchid suddenly unfurled! The golden veins along the leaf edges shimmered with iridescent light, and a burst of vibrant life force erupted from the roots.

Chen Qing's heart pounded wildly, and he flicked his fingertips, sending out several streams of turbid air.

The withered orchid greedily devoured nutrients, its leaves turning from withered yellow to crimson, and at the tip, a golden, rice-grain-sized flower bud condensed!
Just as he was overjoyed, a "snap" sound came from inside Chen Qing's body. Because too much turbid energy had been expelled, the five elements were out of balance, with the fire and earth energies running rampant, and the remaining spiritual energy almost annihilated. His meridians felt like they were being scorched by fierce fire, and Chen Qing groaned, with veins bulging on his forehead.

Just as he was struggling to regulate his breathing, the golden flower bud suddenly bloomed!

A wisp of pure fire spirit shot out from the flower's pistil and went straight into the center of the eyebrows.

In an instant, Chen Qing's rampaging fire and earth energy subsided as if nourished by sweet rain. The starlight of the destiny talisman merged with the fire spirit, and the edges of the talisman were coated with a layer of dazzling gold.

"Om-"

The brilliance of the Jade Lotus Platform skyrocketed!

The withered orchid has fully recovered, with three red leaves like swords drawn from their sheaths, and golden veins flowing like boiling lava.

Suddenly, thousands of ancient runes appeared on the surface of the lotus platform. Each one moved like a living thing, eventually converging into nine illusory blue lotuses that swirled around Chen Qing.

A warm, jade-like spiritual energy surged from the lotus platform, flowing into Chen Qing's feet. After circulating through his meridians for a full cycle, it transformed into a thin, cicada-wing-like azure light shield that clung tightly to his skin.

"Ok?"

A soft exclamation suddenly came from deep within the treasure pavilion.

Chen Qing suddenly turned his head and saw an old man in a gray robe standing in the corner. The old man had snow-white hair and beard, a withered face, and was holding a green jade whisk. He was looking at the revived Chi Lan with great interest.

"Young friend, you have a skillful approach." The old man walked over slowly, lightly sweeping his whisk. "This Ninth-Rank Azure Lotus Platform has been dormant for three hundred years, and today it has finally met a wise master."

Chen Qing's heart skipped a beat, and he cupped his hands in greeting, asking, "Senior, who are you...?"

"Just an old gatekeeper." The old man waved his hand, but the light did not leave the Crimson Orchid. "This thing is called the Crimson Heart Golden Pattern Orchid. It is born in the Nine Netherworld Fire and needs to be nourished by pure fire spirits. You can revive it..." He narrowed his eyes, "That's strange."

When Chen Qing first saw the old man's attire, the label "sweeping monk" popped into his mind, but after hearing what the man said, he felt strange.

The fact that this red orchid could be revived indicates that it is the "fire tongue orchid" recorded in later generations, so where does this talk of the Nine Netherworld Fire come from? Moreover, the fire I used was clearly mixed with two streams of turbid fire, which has absolutely nothing to do with the word "pure"...

"Is this another example of the limitations of our understanding of the times?"

The old man, unaware of Chen Qing's doubts, pointed to the lotus platform and said, "This ninth-grade azure lotus platform is an ancient treasure, capable of suppressing inner demons and protecting the physical body. Although your cultivation is currently shallow, activating this item can hold off even a fourth-realm expert for a while. As for this crimson orchid..."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qing was shaken, and his gaze toward the lotus platform changed.

Can it withstand the attacks of a fourth-realm cultivator?
If this were brought to the modern world, why would we need to worry about the third-realm cultivators of Haiyuan Temple?

However, at this moment, a sudden change occurred!

The crimson orchid suddenly trembled violently, and the golden patterns on its three crimson leaves moved as if alive, instantly condensing into three ancient runes in the heart of the leaves.

"Oh?" The old man looked surprised. "The Samadhi True Fire Talisman!"

Before Chen Qing could react, three golden runes flew out from the leaf and went straight into his brow!

"boom!"

Golden flames suddenly surged in his mind, and all the anxiety, hesitation, and other distracting thoughts he had accumulated in the past vanished in an instant, leaving his Dao heart clear and bright.

Three golden runes hung deep within his consciousness.

"What a stroke of luck!" The old man clapped his hands and laughed. "The Samadhi True Fire can refine inner demons, and from now on, there will be no more obstacles to cultivation. This lotus platform, Crimson Orchid, can absorb other people's spells and magic power to nourish itself. Once it has accumulated enough, it can condense talismans, and in the future, it will naturally reveal more mysteries."

Does this mean absorbing spells and mana to draw cards?

Chen Qing was overjoyed.

The lotus platform protects the body, and the true fire refines the heart—these are all real benefits. Even if they don't manifest in the mortal world, just the method of refining away distracting thoughts, which allows one to purify their Dao heart every time they enter a dream, is quite wonderful.

Chen Qing was delighted with his gains, but the old man suddenly waved his whisk and his figure gradually faded away: "However, treasures are ultimately external things. True cultivation lies in one's own heart."

The lingering sound lingered.

Chen Qing bowed respectfully before gently touching the lotus platform.

"receive!"

The nine-tiered blue lotus platform shrank in response, becoming the size of a palm and falling into the palm of the hand. The Crimson Heart Golden Pattern Orchid condensed into a seed with red and gold stripes, lying quietly in the center of the lotus platform.

"With this protective treasure, I finally have more to rely on."

He put the lotus platform into his bosom and was about to leave when he suddenly stopped and looked around at the dazzling array of treasures.

"Since we're already here, why not take a look around a bit more..."

So Chen Qing wandered around the three-tiered treasure vault a few more times, his gaze sweeping over the magical treasures that were full of spiritual energy.

He poured himself a drink from the bronze wine cup, but when he saw him passing by, he poured himself a drink and invited him to join him.

On the ink-wash screen, a woodcutter stops and waves.

The seven-stringed zither, played by no one, produced a mysterious melody;
A gentle sway of a golden bell conjures up a labyrinth of wonders.
Chen Qing shook his head and chuckled, then continued on his way.

“The conditions are too difficult,” he said after a few breaths, then turned and walked toward the stairs. “It’s already an unexpected surprise that I managed to get the Ninth Grade Azure Lotus Platform by taking advantage of the ‘Record of Exquisite Things’. I shouldn’t expect anything more.”

Behind them, the treasures hummed with resentment.

however--

When Chen Qing returned to the main entrance on the first floor, he reached out and pushed the door, only to find it wouldn't budge.

"Ok?"

The gate remained completely still!

He frowned, increasing the pressure on his hand by a third. The door remained tightly shut, but suddenly a line of golden characters appeared on the doorframe—

"Treasures like these are rare; don't make a hasty decision. You may continue your selection; there's no need to leave in a hurry."

"Is this... house arrest?"

He understood instantly.

"That's it! They must be waiting for things to settle down with Princess Xiyao. Could it be that she really intends to send someone to the Cleansing Pool? But is it redundant to keep me here? What difference will my presence make? Will it prevent me from giving the princess advice?"

As he pondered, Chen Qing's hand unconsciously reached for the green lotus platform in his arms, but then he stopped. This lotus platform could protect him, but it seemed to have no offensive capabilities!
"That old man just now was a reclusive master; he probably couldn't have uttered those words either..."

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Chen Qing was trapped in the pagoda, but he did not waste his time.

He explored every inch of the walls on the first three floors of the tower, trying to find a way out.

At dawn on the fourth day, a tiny scratch in the crack of the jade bricks in the northwest corner of the second floor caught his attention. When he touched it with his fingertip, he felt a slight stinging sensation!

"This is……"

He bent down to examine it closely and saw that the engravings were as fine as silk threads, yet sharp and pointed, clearly carved with sword energy. Following the lines, a fragment of scripture gradually emerged—

[The primordial energy encompasses all things, connecting the heavens above and the netherworld below. Upon reaching its pinnacle, it can transform heaven and earth into a furnace, melting all things into a single energy; hence, this method can be called the 'Primordial Energy Scripture'!]

Each word was like thunder, shaking Chen Qing's mind and spirit.

The profound meaning of this technique even overshadows the "Haiyue Fragment"! Although only a few hundred words have been written in the opening chapters, the harmonious energy within the body has already spontaneously circulated, creating a mysterious resonance with the engravings.

"Who left this here? It's so well hidden. Could it be that someone like me, trapped here, left this behind?"

A sudden inspiration struck him; he gathered the essence of harmony at his fingertips and slowly traced the engraving.

"Om-"

The jade brick suddenly burst forth with light, and more characters appeared as if they were alive:

Qi is divided into Yin and Yang, and form has emptiness and fullness. Emptiness and fullness give rise to each other, which can transform into all things...

Chen Qing glanced at it a few times and immediately felt as if he had found a treasure.

"As expected of the Immortal Dynasty's foundation, even the cultivation techniques hidden in the corner of the treasure vault are so profound. If these were to appear in the mortal world outside the dream and spread, they would likely cause a bloodbath!"

Soon, he became completely absorbed in the story, losing track of time.

"Goo-"

He was only awakened by the rumbling in his stomach and realized that he had not eaten a drop of water or a grain of rice for three days.

Although cultivators can fast for many days, the spiritual energy in this treasure trove is thin, and coupled with his continuous practice of cultivation techniques, he has consumed a great deal of energy.

"The Sixth Prince wouldn't resort to such a despicable method as starving someone to death..."

The thought had barely crossed his mind when he shook his head.

"Yes!"

After a moment of thought, Chen Qing suddenly realized that ordinary people would sit quietly and regulate their breathing when trapped, but he had been going up and down for the past few days and had been studying the "Primordial Qi Scripture" for days, so his energy consumption was naturally far greater than usual.

"We need to find something to eat, or something to drink... Wait! Something to drink?"

Suddenly his eyes lit up, and he rushed up the steps despite the oppressive aura. He grabbed the bronze wine cup, hesitated for a moment, then realized that he was dreaming, and tilted his head back to drink it.

"Gudong-"

The amber wine went down my throat and instantly turned into a hot current that swept through my whole body, not only quenching my thirst but also clearing my mind!
"Good wine!"

Chen Qing wiped his mouth and chuckled.

From then on, whenever Chen Qing was hungry, he would drink from the bronze wine cup. In his drunken haze, the profound mysteries of the "Primordial Qi Scripture" became even clearer.

[...The primordial chaos is the energy before the separation of heaven and earth!]

As his fingertips traced the final engraving, a dazzling light suddenly burst forth from the jade brick! Through his drunken haze, several lines of wild cursive script leaped onto the wall—

[Having traveled throughout the six continents and observed all the myriad methods, I created this Primordial Chaos Scripture! Future generations who obtain it will know that this skill encompasses everything; upon mastering it, one can fuse all methods into a single furnace! —Tai Xuan Sanren]

The arrogant air of looking down on the world between the lines made Chen Qing, even in his drunken state, tremble with fear.

"What a big spirit!"

He staggered to his feet. Although the spirit wine in the goblet could satisfy his hunger, its aftereffects were getting stronger and stronger. He had drunk at least dozens of cups in the past two days, and his vision was already blurry.

"No wonder they say you can drink a thousand cups without getting drunk..."

Chen Qing shook his head with a wry smile, and was about to go get more wine when suddenly his legs gave way and he almost fell. He quickly grabbed the wall for support, feeling dizzy and the Samadhi True Fire Talisman in his mind dimmed.

"If I drink any more, I'm really going to pass out..."

As he hesitated, he suddenly trembled, and a faint white mist gathered before his eyes!
This is a sign that the seven days of dreaming are coming to an end, and you are about to wake up!

"Is he waking up?"

Chen Qing's heart tightened, and the effects of the alcohol dissipated considerably. He quickly sat cross-legged and began to organize his insights gained over the past few days, fearing that he might have missed something.

As the white fog thickened, Chen Qing's consciousness gradually faded.

Just as he was about to wake up, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind—Princess Xiyao was in imminent danger, and the situation was unpredictable. If he were to enter her dream again and jump around for several more years, it would be too late!

"A wedge must be left so that the dream can continue next time!"

He forced himself to focus his last bit of clarity, but the alcohol made it difficult for him to concentrate. It wasn't until the white mist completely obscured his vision that a streak of ink suddenly appeared, then rapidly expanded, as if covering the sky and earth, leaving a mark and becoming a brand.

This mark is not like the specific obsession left behind in the past, but rather a faint "meaning," like a beacon in a dream sea, guiding the way to continue the dream in the future.

However, due to the haste, the time anchor point was slightly off.

"Drinking leads to trouble!" Before leaving, he habitually planted a seed of obsession in his dream: "Continue to drink to satisfy my hunger, continue to meditate..."

Then, he left.

The next moment, in the dream, the body mechanically picked up the wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

After the wine entered his stomach, his pores opened and closed, absorbing all the spiritual energy within, yet he felt no intoxication; his eyes remained empty and unfathomable. Then, in his dream, he turned towards the carvings on the wall, and the scriptures within his sight entered his mind, his comprehension speed several times faster than before!
"what?"

The gray-robed old man observing from the shadows was filled with astonishment.

Just a moment ago he was completely drunk, but in the blink of an eye he seemed to be in a trance, no longer bound by physical form!
"Supreme detachment from emotions!?"

　I heard the recommendation system has been revamped, and I don't know what data it requires, but I still hope that you all can come and read more, and if you're passing by, please bookmark it!

(End of this chapter)