Gou Zai Xi You Dao Chang Sheng

"Young friend, you have come from afar and should rest for a while. However, this old Taoist priest has a matter to ask of you."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan quickly stood up, cupped his hands, and said:

"Please speak, Laozi. I will do my utmost to help you."

Lao Jun waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down.

"No need for formalities. This matter is both difficult and easy."

"In a few months, the Peach Banquet will be held. At that time, immortals from the Three Realms will gather, and the Heavenly Court will host a grand banquet for all guests."

"At the Peach Banquet, some elixirs will be needed. Although I have refined some these past few days, I am still missing one key ingredient: the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan felt a slight chill run down his spine.

Nine-Turn Golden Elixir?

How could he not know about this elixir?

The Nine-Turn Golden Elixir refined by Laozi is a supreme treasure of the Three Realms; one pill is equivalent to ten thousand years of arduous cultivation.

Even if one wears the robes of a Taiyi Golden Immortal, one can still greatly advance in one's cultivation.

If an ordinary person takes it, they will instantly become an immortal.

Such a divine elixir, and he's supposed to refine it?

Li Yan hurriedly said, "Lord Lao, my cultivation is meager, how dare I refine the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir?"

This matter is of great importance; I urge Laozi to consider it carefully.

Lao Tzu shook his head and said:

"Young friend, don't be impatient. I'm not asking you to refine it all by yourself, but just to assist you."

"Inside the alchemy room, there were medicinal herbs and elixir formulas prepared in advance by the old Taoist priest."

Young friend, simply follow the recipe; when the heat is right, the elixir will naturally form.

"The old Taoist priest is old and lacks energy, so he needs to stay in seclusion and rest for the next few days."

That alchemy furnace, however, cannot be left idle; if it is left empty for half a month, the elixir's energy will dissipate.

As Li Yan listened, his doubts only grew stronger.

Is Laozi really just asking him to be an assistant?

He hesitated for a moment, then tentatively asked:

"Laojun, if I may be so bold as to ask, how much of this elixir needs to be refined?"

Laozi stroked his beard and laughed, "No more, no less, thirty-six furnaces in total."

Nine pieces per batch, totaling 324 pieces.

Three hundred and twenty-four Nine-Turn Golden Elixir pills!

Li Yan was deeply shaken.

Laozi truly thinks highly of him.

He was merely a cultivator at the sixth level of the Cave Heaven Realm, not even a Celestial Immortal. How could he possibly refine such a divine pill?

Just as he was about to decline, he saw Laozi raise his hand and pretend to press down.

"Young friend, there's no need to worry. Although the formula is the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir, it has been improved by this old Daoist."

"Ordinary Nine-Turn Golden Elixir requires nine cycles and nine transformations, and the timing of the fire is extremely difficult to control."

The old Taoist's improved method only requires three cycles of transformation to produce the elixir.

"Although it is not as miraculous as the original elixir, it is still half as effective. Taking it can increase one's cultivation by three thousand years."

"With your cultivation at the sixth level of the Cave Heaven Realm, you are more than capable of handling it. Just be careful and don't get distracted."

Li Yan felt somewhat relieved after hearing this.

The Nine-Turn Golden Elixir, which undergoes three transformations and three reversions, is a simplified version, but it is still extraordinary.

But why did Laozi want him to refine it?

In an instant, my mind raced.

Laozi seemed to see through his thoughts and smiled slightly.

"Young friend, are you wondering why this old Daoist chose you to refine it?"

Li Yan nodded: "Indeed. This junior is foolish, please enlighten me, Laozi."

Lao Jun said, "This matter is not surprising at all."

"Your path to the grotto heaven has many similarities with the path of alchemy."

The evolution of grotto-heavens requires the harmony of the five elements and the balance of yin and yang. The same applies to alchemy.

"The old Taoist asked you to refine this Nine-Turn Golden Elixir, firstly to use your help to prepare the Heavenly Court's needs for the Peaches of Immortality."

Secondly, this is also an opportunity for you to comprehend the profound mysteries of alchemy.

"If you can glean some understanding of alchemical principles from alchemy, it will surely benefit your future cultivation."

As Li Yan listened, things gradually became clearer in his mind.

Laozi truly had good intentions.

He stood up and bowed deeply to Laozi.

"Thank you for your guidance, Laozi. I will do my utmost to live up to your expectations."

Lao Jun raised his hand in a gesture of support.

"No need for formalities. Please rise."

Li Yan sat down again.

Laozi then took out a jade scroll from his sleeve and handed it to him.

"This is the formula for the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir, along with the key techniques for refining it. Keep it safe and study it carefully."

Li Yan accepted the jade slip and carefully put it into his pocket.

Laozi then said, "In the alchemy room, there are medicinal herbs that I have prepared in advance. You only need to refine them according to the prescription."

"If you encounter any difficulties, you can ask the Green Ox. It has been in the Tushita Palace for many years and knows a little about alchemy."

Li Yan nodded in agreement.

Laozi then said, "There is one more thing I must tell you."

Li Yan felt a chill run down his spine.

Laozi said, "The rules in the Heavenly Court are very strict."

Although you are a guest invited by the old Taoist priest, you still need to be careful.

"Although the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother will not make things difficult for you, some of the celestial officials have different intentions."

Ignore them and just focus on refining elixirs in the Tushita Palace.

Li Yan listened, seemingly lost in thought.

Although Laozi did not say it explicitly, his words conveyed a certain meaning.

Since he is new to the capital, there may be some people in the Heavenly Court who do not welcome him.

He nodded slightly and said, "I understand. I will certainly be careful with my words and actions and avoid causing trouble."

Lao Jun nodded and said, "There's one more thing."

"How is your Monkey King from Flower Fruit Mountain doing these days?"

Li Yan said, "Your Majesty is well. However..."

After a moment's hesitation, he told Laozi about the calamity that had entered his heart.

As Laozi listened, his expression gradually became serious.

After a long silence, he slowly said, "The calamity and defilement entering the heart is no small matter."

The Monkey King was too deeply entangled with the grand scheme of things; this calamity was unavoidable.

"The pills you made for him can temporarily alleviate the symptoms, but they cannot cure the root cause."

He must get through it himself; that's the right path.

Li Yan said, "This junior understands. However, the source of that calamity connects to an infinitely high place, an unknowable place."

The younger generation used Qimen Dunjia to deduce the truth, but still could not glimpse the whole picture.

Laozi, however, said:

"You don't need to spy on that place."

"Some things, knowing too much about them can be harmful."

"The rest are preordained."

"You don't need to spy on that place."

"Some things, knowing too much about them can be harmful."

"The rest are preordained."

Li Yan nodded.

Laozi then said, "It's getting late, you should go to the alchemy room."

After saying that, he raised his hand and pointed.

A beam of green light shot out and entered Li Yan's brow.

Li Yan felt a sudden darkness before his eyes.

When I opened my eyes again, I found myself in an unfamiliar world.

This is an old-fashioned alchemy room.

The alchemy room was not large, about ten zhang in diameter.

The four walls are made of stone, with smooth stone surfaces and faint cloud patterns.

In the center of the alchemy room stood a huge alchemy furnace.

The alchemy furnace was about sixteen feet tall and was cast entirely in purple-gold.

The furnace body is engraved with countless intricate patterns, depicting the sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, birds, beasts, plants, and all living things.

The patterns flowed slowly as the flames in the furnace flickered.

On the lid of the furnace, a Qilin crouches, its head raised to the sky, holding a fire pearl in its mouth.

Beneath the furnace, a three-legged tripod stands, suppressing the subterranean fire.

Inside the furnace, flames roared, their crimson tinged with purple, scorching the void and causing it to distort slightly.

Standing in the alchemy room, Li Yan felt a vast surge of alchemical energy rushing towards him.

Within that elixir energy, countless illusory images of pills could be faintly seen, swirling and dancing.

Those illusory figures resembled dragons and phoenixes, turtles and snakes, and humans and immortals.

A phantom image is the spirit of a pill.

Li Yan gazed at those pill spirits, his heart filled with profound shock.

The place where Laozi (the Supreme Lord Lao) refined elixirs.

Throughout the Three Realms, countless immortals and immortals have longed to witness the mysteries of this place.

And he was standing in this alchemy room at that moment.

While pondering, Li Yan steadied himself.

Just as I was about to take a closer look, I suddenly heard footsteps behind me.

He looked back.

The blue ox had somehow already strolled into the alchemy room.

It slowly walked to the alchemy furnace, lay down on the spot, and swished its tail.

"Hey kid, what are you standing there for? Aren't you going to start?"

Li Yan smiled slightly and cupped his hands in greeting:

"Senior, I am new here and do not know the rules of this alchemy room. Please enlighten me."

The blue ox swished its tail and said slowly:

"There aren't any rules. Besides the master, only I, Old Niu, come to this alchemy room regularly."

"You just focus on refining your pills. I, Old Niu, will watch from the side and offer you some pointers if anything goes wrong."

Li Yan nodded and said, "Thank you, senior."

As he spoke, he took something out of his sleeve.

Those were five golden fruits.

It is about the size of a child's fist, golden in color, with a faint golden light flowing around it.

These are kumquats cultivated within the grotto.

Although this item is not as rare as the treasures of the Dragon Palace, it is still cultivated with the spiritual energy of the grotto. Consuming it can clear the mind and brighten the eyes, and strengthen the body's foundation.

He presented the kumquats with both hands and handed them to the green ox.

"Senior, this is a small token of my appreciation for the cultivation I made in my own grotto. I hope you will accept it with a smile."

The blue ox had been squinting and casually flicking its tail.

Upon seeing the kumquat, the bull's eyes, as big as copper bells, widened instantly.

It sniffed, a hint of surprise flashing in its eyes.

"This is... a kumquat?"

Li Yan nodded: "That's right. I've planted a few kumquat trees in my cave."

Although this fruit is not as rare as the delicacies of heaven, it is still sweet and delicious. If you don't mind, please try it.

The blue ox grinned, stretched out its hoof, and took the kumquat.

The hoof looked clumsy, but it caught the fruit with surprising agility, without even breaking the skin.

It brought the kumquat to its mouth and took a crunchy bite.

After chewing for a while, the cow's eyes narrowed into slits, full of enjoyment.

"Good! Good! Good!"

These kumquats are no worse than the celestial fruits I, Old Niu, stole from the Peach Garden!

Li Yan listened and chuckled inwardly.

This blue ox is quite straightforward.

Qingniu swallowed the kumquat in a few bites, then licked his lips with lingering satisfaction.

"Hey kid, do you have any more kumquats?"

Li Yan smiled and said, "Yes."

Some of them are still preserved in the junior's cave.

If the senior is pleased, the junior will offer him/her a daily tribute.

The blue ox was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly.

"Good lad, I could tell you were sensible back then!"

I, Old Niu, just love you like this!

As he spoke, he patted the ground beside him.

"Come, sit down. Let me, Old Niu, tell you about the Tushita Palace."

Li Yan did as instructed and sat down cross-legged beside it.

The blue ox flicked its tail and said slowly:

"This Tushita Palace is divided into nine levels."

"The first floor is the outer hall, where immortals from all walks of life wait to be summoned."

The second floor is the scripture library, which houses the Taoist and alchemical texts written by the master over the years.

The third level is a medicinal herb storehouse, containing rare and exotic herbs from all over the Three Realms.

"The fourth to sixth floors are the alchemy rooms."

The master usually refines elixirs on the fourth floor.

The fifth and sixth floors are empty; they are occasionally used by guests.

"The seventh floor is the master's quiet room. The eighth floor is the master's bedroom. As for the ninth floor..."

As he said this, the blue ox suddenly whispered:

"The ninth floor is where the master secluded himself for cultivation. Even I, Old Ox, am not allowed to go in."

Li Yan listened and secretly made a mental note of it.

The green ox then said, "In this Tushita Palace, besides the master and me, the old ox, there is no one else."

There were also some young Taoist disciples who were responsible for chores such as sweeping, gathering herbs, tending the furnace, and fanning the flames.

"Those Taoist boys were all sent from various palaces and halls of the Heavenly Court, and they all had some background."

When you meet them, just be polite and don't pay any attention to their petty thoughts.

Li Yan nodded: "Thank you for your guidance, senior."

The green ox added, "Furthermore, since you are new to the Heavenly Court, you may not know the status of the Tushita Palace within the Heavenly Court."

"Although the master doesn't manage affairs, he is one of the most senior people in the Three Realms."

Li Yan felt somewhat relieved after hearing this.

The green ox chewed on the kumquat residue in its mouth and then said:

"However, kid, there's something I, Old Niu, need to make clear to you."

Li Yan felt a chill run down his spine.

"Please speak, senior."

The blue ox looked around before saying:

"Do you know how the Jade Emperor originally planned to deal with you?"

Li Yan was taken aback.

"This junior is new to the Heavenly Court; I wonder what offense I have committed?"

The green ox shook its head and said, "It's not that I've committed a crime. It's you."

"The trouble you caused in the underworld has already reached the Heavenly Court."

"Some people on the Jade Emperor's side think that your origins are unclear."

The method of cultivation is also strange; leaving it in the mortal realm might cause trouble.

"So, the Jade Emperor's original intention was to exile you to..."

At this point, Qingniu paused.

"They were exiled to the desolate land outside the North Heavenly Gate to guard the border, never to return."

Li Yan felt a chill run down his spine.

Outside the North Heavenly Gate, a desolate wasteland?

He had heard of that place.

It is the edge of the Three Realms, the place where it meets the Chaos.

With ferocious beasts roaming freely and demons rampaging, even a Golden Immortal would face a near-certain death.

The Jade Emperor actually wanted to banish him to such a place.

Seeing the slight change in his expression, Qingniu chewed on the kumquat again and said slowly:

"But don't worry, the master intervened and protected you."

"The master said you have a good talent for alchemy and that you'll be useful if we keep you around."

"Only then did the Jade Emperor change his mind and send you to the Tushita Palace to refine elixirs."

Li Yan listened, his heart churning with turmoil.

Laozi actually saved his life.

"I will forever remember Laozi's great kindness."

The blue ox shook its hooves.

Just remember it.

The master doesn't expect anything in return; he only hopes you will refine the elixirs well and not disappoint his good intentions.

Li Yan nodded.

The Green Ox added, "Also, these Nine-Turn Golden Pills you refined for this Peach Banquet will be of great use."

"With immortals from the Three Realms gathered here, it's inevitable that some elixirs will be distributed among them."

If you refine it well, you'll bring honor to the master. If you refine it poorly…”

At this point, Li Yan understood.

If you don't refine it properly, you'll bring shame to Laozi.

At that time, those celestial officials who already had grievances against him will surely take the opportunity to cause trouble.

Li Yan pondered for a moment and then slowly said:

"This junior will certainly do his utmost to live up to Laozi's expectations."

The blue ox nodded in satisfaction.

"Alright. Let's begin then."

As it spoke, it stood up and strolled over to the alchemy furnace.

"This alchemy furnace is called the Purple Gold Eight Trigrams Furnace. It was personally crafted by the master back then."

Throughout the Three Realms, those that can compare to it are few and far between.

"When you are refining pills, you only need to use your magic power to activate the flames in the furnace."

Once the time is right, add the medicinal herbs according to the prescription.

"Controlling the heat is the most crucial thing."

If the fire is too small, the elixir won't form.

If the fire is too high, the cinnamon will burn.

It requires patience and composure, striking the right balance.