Gou Zai Xi You Dao Chang Sheng

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Purple mist filled the Tushita Palace.

Li Yan sat cross-legged in the alchemy room.

The purple-gold Bagua furnace in front of them was burning fiercely.

The furnace fire glowed reddish-purple, scorching the void and causing it to distort slightly.

He first carefully studied the formula for the pill.

The very first sentence of the prescription is:

"The Nine-Turn Golden Elixir seizes the creation of heaven and earth and invades the mysteries of the sun and moon."

It takes Qian and Kun as the cauldron, Yin and Yang as the dikes, water and fire as the mechanism of transformation, and the five elements as the means of extraction and addition.

Dragons emerge from fire, tigers are born from water.

The four symbols are in harmony, and the five elements gather together.

Lead and mercury are compatible, and silver and sand are interchangeable.

"Sevenfold Rejuvenation Elixir, Ninefold Transformation to Attain Dao."

As Li Yan silently recited this sentence, he felt a profound meaning enter his mind and spirit.

"Heaven and Earth form the vessel..."

He muttered to himself, lost in thought.

The principles described in this elixir formula are remarkably similar to those of the evolution of grotto-heavens.

Within the grotto-heaven, the dome represents Qian (☰), and the earth represents Kun (☷).

The movement of the sun and moon represents the alternation of yin and yang.

The five elements and their interactions are the source of all things.

Alchemy is the process of creating a miniature world.

Only by understanding this principle can one comprehend the profound meaning behind Laozi's instruction to him to refine elixirs.

Li Yan continued to delve deeper into the matter.

"The first transformation is to descend the elixir, the second is to engage in intercourse, the third is to nourish yang, the fourth is to nourish yin, the fifth is to transform the bones, the sixth is to transform the flesh, the seventh is to transform the five internal organs, the eighth is to cultivate fire, and the ninth is to ascend to immortality."

These nine cycles represent the stages of the Golden Elixir process.

"The current improvement method only requires three turns and three returns."

One step involves transforming mercury into lead.

The second intercourse involves combining mercury with lead.

Three cycles nourish Yang, and lead and mercury return to one.

The three returns are: returning essence to nourish the brain, returning the elixir to form an infant, and returning to emptiness to unite with the Dao.

Li Yan pondered it carefully and gradually grasped its essence.

This improved formula, though only three times, contains the essence of nine times.

The first transformation of the elixir involves using lead to control mercury, which is essentially using water (representing the trigram Kan) to control fire (representing the trigram Li), thus achieving a balance between water and fire.

The second intercourse, where lead and mercury combine, represents the harmony of yin and yang, symbolizing the union of dragon and tiger.

The Three Transformations for Nourishing Yang is the return of lead and mercury to oneness, which is in fact the unity of Yin and Yang, returning to the innate state.

The third return is to return the essence of the elixir to the alchemist himself.

It replenishes essence and nourishes the brain, thus strengthening the body's foundation and cultivating vitality.

The elixir of immortality can nurture the primordial spirit.

By returning to emptiness and merging with the Dao, one can comprehend the Great Dao.

The more Li Yan thought about it, the more mysterious it seemed.

This is hardly alchemy.

He is clearly practicing the Dao!

He opened his eyes, his gaze sparkling like stars.

"You've figured it out?"

A blue ox lying nearby, chewing on a kumquat, asked slowly.

Li Yan nodded slightly.

"Some progress has been made."

The green ox grinned and said, "Kid, you've got good comprehension."

I, Old Niu, listened to the master for three hundred years before I finally understood this principle.

You grasped the meaning in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn?

Li Yan shook his head and said, "Senior, you flatter me. I have only benefited from a small portion of the power of the Dao of the Cave Heaven."

The blue ox shook its hooves.

"Humility is a good thing, but if it goes too far, it becomes fake."

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

"Now that you understand, let's begin. This furnace fire can't be left burning in vain."

Li Yan nodded, got up, and walked to the alchemy furnace.

He took a deep breath and placed his hand on the stove.

The magical power surged and poured into the furnace.

boom!

The fire in the furnace blazed up instantly.

The flames, crimson with hints of purple, caused the entire alchemy room to tremble slightly.

Li Yan steadied himself and, following Dan Fang's instructions, began the first transformation: lowering the elixir.

He first took out all the medicinal herbs from the medicine storehouse.

The alchemical formula states: "In the first transformation of the elixir, lead is used to treat mercury."

Lead is black tin, produced in the Kan position of the north. Its nature is extremely Yin and its substance is extremely heavy. It can calm the floating Qi.

Mercury, also known as quicksilver, is associated with the south and the Li trigram. It is extremely Yang in nature and extremely light in substance, capable of clearing blocked orifices.

Li Yan followed instructions and first put the black tin into the furnace.

The black tin, once placed in the furnace, instantly transformed into a stream of black energy that swirled and danced within the furnace.

The furnace roared, scorching the black stream of air.

The black aura gradually contracted, condensing into a black embryo the size of a pigeon egg.

Seeing this, Li Yan threw mercury into the furnace again.

As the mercury entered the furnace, it transformed into a silver stream of energy that intertwined with the black energy.

The two, one yin and one yang, one heavy and one light, one sinking and one floating, collided fiercely in the furnace fire.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Thunderous sounds emanated from the furnace.

The sound shook the entire alchemy room.

Li Yan steadied his mind and used his magic to reconcile the two.

With a slight thought, he stirred the yin and yang energies within the cave.

Within the grotto, the sun and moon revolve, and yin and yang alternate.

A wisp of yin and yang energy surged out from the cave, flowing down his arm and into the furnace.

When the yin and yang energies entered the furnace, the black and white energies that had been clashing violently immediately quieted down.

They slowly rotate, forming a yin-yang symbol.

The Tai Chi symbol rotated nine times, gradually merging and transforming into a dusty gray pill.

This is the first transformation, the descent of the elixir.

Li Yan let out a long breath.

The energy swirled in the void, transforming into a black and white stream of energy that slowly dissipated.

He raised his hand, took the pill out of the furnace, and placed it on a white jade plate beside him.

The pill landed on the plate.

Ding!

The sound was like pearls falling onto a jade plate, melodious and pleasing to the ear.

Li Yan looked down.

The pill was entirely grayish-brown, with nothing particularly special about it.

However, if one probes with divine sense, one can perceive that it contains a vast yin and yang energy.

That Yin and Yang energy is the foundation of the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir.

The blue ox strolled over, lowered its head to sniff the pill, and nodded, saying:

"Not bad. To succeed in alchemy on your first attempt, and with such a pure pill embryo, is truly remarkable."

Li Yan said, "Thank you for your guidance, senior."

Li Yan nodded and continued with the second turn.

The second turn is intercourse.

The alchemical formula states: "After two cycles of intercourse, mercury is combined with lead. Once the lead and mercury have descended, they must intercourse."

Intercourse is the union of yin and yang.

It is calcined with fire and moistened with water.

When the time is right, the lead and mercury will combine on their own.

Li Yan did as instructed and put the pill back into the furnace.

The fire was reignited.

The flames, reddish-golden, seemed to scorch the very void.

Li Yan used his magic to ignite the furnace fire and calcify the elixir.

At the same time, he took out a kind of "True Yin Water" from the medicine storehouse and slowly dripped it into the furnace.

The true yin water entered the furnace and instantly transformed into a clear stream, flowing slowly around the elixir.

Fire tempers water, yin and yang unite.

The elixir slowly rotated amidst the furnace fire and the clear stream.

After rotating nine times, the pill gradually grew larger.

From the size of a pigeon egg, it becomes a chicken egg.

The color also changed from grayish to black and white.

The black and white colors intertwine to form one Tai Chi symbol after another.

The Tai Chi pattern layered upon layered, densely packed, covered the entire pill.

This is the second turn, intercourse.

Li Yan took out the pill again and placed it on the plate.

The pill fell, and the sound echoed for a long time, lingering in the ears.

Ding--

The blue ox leaned over to take a look, a hint of approval flashing in its eyes.

"Good. Once the second stage of the pill is completed, there will be extraordinary phenomena. This pill of yours is better than I, Old Ox, expected."

Li Yan said, "It's all thanks to Laozi's exquisite elixir formula."

The green ox shook its head and said, "No matter how good the pill formula is, someone still needs to be able to refine it. Your skill is indeed quite good."

As it spoke, it lay back down in its original spot, wagging its tail.

"Let's continue. There's still a third turn."

Li Yan nodded and began the third turn.

The third phase is nourishing Yang.

The prescription states: "Three cycles nourish Yang, lead and mercury return to one. Once lead and mercury are combined, Yang must be nourished."

Those who nourish Yang do so by using fire and warmth.

When the time is right, lead and mercury unite, and the golden elixir is formed.

Li Yan put the second-stage pill back into the furnace.

The fire was reignited.

This time, the flames reached an unprecedented intensity, golden with a hint of purple, scorching the entire alchemy room until it trembled.

On the four walls of the alchemy room, the cloud patterns began to swirl, and faint sounds of dragons roaring and tigers howling could be heard.

Li Yan steadied his mind and used his magic to ignite the furnace fire, gently nurturing the pill.

At the same time, the true fire of the sun within the cave was drawn in and poured into the furnace.

When the true fire of the sun entered the furnace, the pill instantly shone brightly.

Golden rays shone from the furnace, illuminating the entire alchemy room.

Within that golden light, faint phantom images of dragons and phoenixes could be seen swirling and dancing.

The roar of dragons and the cry of phoenixes resonated in my ears.

The pill slowly rotated in the golden light, turning nine times before gradually shrinking.

From the size of a chicken egg to the size of a pigeon egg.

The color also changed from black and white to a dazzling gold.

That gold was pure and translucent, like a tiny sun.

This is the third stage: nourishing Yang.

At this point, the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir has completed three cycles.

Li Yan raised his hand and took the golden pill out of the furnace.

As the golden elixir fell into his palm, he felt a warm and gentle sensation that flowed directly from his palm into his mind.

Within that gentle warmth lies a vast amount of energy.

It was as if simply taking this elixir would allow one to ascend to immortality and attain the Dao.

Li Yan examined it closely and saw nine faint lines on the golden elixir.

Those nine lines represent the nine cycles of change.

Although it only turns three times, it has the appearance of nine turns.

This is the mystery behind Laozi's improved method.

The green ox strolled over, stared at the golden pill for a long time, and slowly nodded.

"Okay. This one is done."

Li Yan nodded slightly and placed the golden pill on the plate.

Li Yan looked up at the purple-gold Bagua furnace.

The fire in the stove was roaring and still burning.

He took a deep breath and moved on to the next batch.

Time flowed slowly as the alchemy process unfolded.

Li Yan roasted one batch after another, tirelessly.

Each time a batch of pills was refined, he would study the formula.

Each time I reflect on it, I gain new insights.

Those insights, corroborated by the principles of the evolution of the grotto-heavens, gave him a deeper understanding of the great Dao of Heaven and Earth.

The blue ox lay to one side, occasionally offering a few pointers, but mostly just watching quietly.

A hint of approval would occasionally flash in those bull-like eyes, which were as big as copper bells.

"This kid's got guts."

It muttered to itself.

"Unlike those who are eager for quick success and instant benefits, they want to take a break after refining one batch."

He, on the other hand, roasted one batch after another without even breaking a sweat.

"Moreover, each batch is better than the last. This kind of understanding and this kind of mindset are rare."

As it spoke, it chewed on another kumquat.

Those kumquats were a gift from Li Yan.

The blue ox chewed on the kumquat, its eyes half-closed, clearly enjoying itself.

"This kid knows how to get things done. I, Old Niu, like him."

Inside the alchemy room, the furnace fire roared.

Li Yan sat cross-legged in front of the alchemy furnace, making hand seals to ignite the fire.

Starlight swirled around him, and a faint aura of chaos lingered within him.

That was the power of the grotto-heaven in operation.

When refining pills, he would verify the power of the cave heaven with the Dao of alchemy, and unknowingly, his cultivation was also improving.

After an unknown amount of time, Li Yan slowly opened his eyes.

In his eyes, starlight shone brightly, and the faint image of a golden elixir seemed to flow within.

He raised his hand, took out the last golden pill, and placed it on the plate.

On the plate, three hundred and twenty-four golden pills were neatly arranged in thirty-six columns and nine rows.

Each golden pill is a brilliant gold color, with nine faintly flowing lines.

Golden light shone in countless rays, illuminating the entire alchemy room.

Within that golden light, the phantom images of dragons and phoenixes swirled and danced, while auspicious beasts like unicorns ran and frolicked.

Furthermore, the illusory images of the sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, birds, beasts, plants, and living beings flashed by one by one.

Furthermore, the illusory images of the sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, birds, beasts, plants, and living beings flashed by one by one.

Strange phenomena abound, and the weather is ever-changing.

The blue ox stood up, walked to the plate, looked down at it, and slowly nodded.

"Thirty-six batches, three hundred and twenty-four grains, not a single grain missing, not a single grain out of proportion. Excellent."

Li Yan let out a long breath.

The energy swirled nine times in the void, then transformed into a golden stream of energy that slowly dissipated.

He stood up, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Although he had been refining pills for an unknown period of time, he felt no fatigue. On the contrary, he felt that his cultivation had improved and his mind was clear.

He closed his eyes and looked inward, his mind sinking into the mirror of his heart.

On the mirror surface, lines of small golden characters slowly emerged.

[Thirty-six batches of Nine-Turn Golden Elixir were refined, totaling three hundred and twenty-four pills, all of superior quality.]

[Aura of Fate +3600]

[By comprehending the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir formula, the Dao of the Grotto-Heaven's Evolution and the Dao of Elixir mutually corroborate each other, leading to great progress in one's cultivation.]

[Aura of Fate +2000]

[Gaining the Green Ox's approval and forging a positive connection]

[Aura of Fate +300]

[Current Affinity/Dharma Energy: 17800/5120]

Li Yan opened his eyes, a hint of joy flashing in them.

Seventeen thousand eight hundred strands.

This is the most I've accumulated so far in my spiritual practice.

What delighted him even more was the improvement in his cave realm.

My mind sank into the cave, sensing it carefully.

Above the dome, the starry sky is dazzling, with 365 main stars each occupying their respective positions.

Within that starlight, the color of chaos became even more intense.

Above the earth, the dragon vein meanders, running through the entire grotto-heaven.

Within that dragon vein, a faint golden light flowed, which was the essence of the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir.

In the center, the nine-petaled golden lotus blooms quietly.

Nine petals, layer upon layer, with flowing golden patterns.

Within the heart of the flower, that wisp of chaotic light has now transformed into a tiny phantom of a golden elixir.

[Sixth level of the grotto-heaven, 65% (within a radius of 6,500 li)]

[Nine-Grade Golden Lotus Growth Rate +20%, Current: 50% (Blooming Stage)]

[Understanding the True Meaning of Daoist Alchemy]

[The power of the grotto-heaven can be mutually transformed with the Dao of alchemy, using the elixir to nourish the grotto, and using the grotto to refine the elixir.]

Li Yan was greatly relieved.

The results of this alchemy practice far exceeded expectations.

Not only did he receive the Qi of destiny, but he also improved his cultivation and comprehended the true meaning of alchemy.

More importantly, they formed a good relationship with the blue ox.

This old ox may seem like just a mount, but it is actually unfathomable.

Gaining its approval will provide an extra ally in Heaven.

Li Yan opened his eyes and bowed deeply to the green ox.

"Thank you for your guidance, senior. Without your support, I would never have been able to succeed so smoothly."

The blue ox shook its hooves.

"I, Old Niu, didn't give you any pointers. It's just that you have good comprehension and a stable temperament."

As it spoke, it chewed on another kumquat.

"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 green ox asked, "Do you know how long you spent refining in the alchemy room?"

Li Yan was taken aback.

He was so engrossed in alchemy that he completely forgot about time.

He hesitated for a moment, then said, "About... five or six days?"

The blue ox grinned.

That smile looked somewhat strange on the cow's face.

"Five or six days? Kid, you've been practicing for a full forty-nine days."

Li Yan was shocked.

Seventy-seven forty-nine?

He clearly felt that only five or six days had passed.

Seeing the strange look on his face, the green ox slowly said:

"What, you don't believe me? Just look at that fire in the stove."

Li Yan turned his head and looked at the purple-gold Bagua furnace.

The flames in the furnace were still burning brightly.

But upon closer inspection, he noticed that the color of the flames was different from when he first arrived.

When I first arrived, the fire in the furnace was reddish-purple.

Today, the fire in the hearth has turned a pure gold.

That gold was dazzling and radiant.

The green ox said, "The fire in this furnace changes color every seven days."

When you first arrived, your skin was reddish-purple.

Now, it is pure gold in color.

Counting the days, it's exactly forty-nine days.

Li Yan listened, his heart churning with turmoil.

He thought only five or six days had passed, but in reality, forty-nine days had already passed.

That lower realm...

He quickly asked, "Senior, one day in heaven is equivalent to one year on earth. If forty-nine days in heaven, wouldn't forty-nine years have passed on earth?"

The blue ox nodded.

"That's right. Forty-nine years have passed since you started your cultivation in the mortal realm."

Li Yan's expression changed slightly.

Forty-nine years!

I wonder how things are going on Huaguo Mountain?

Has the tribulation on Sun Wukong's body worsened?

Have those four warriors been eroded by that mark again?

Are those monkeys and their offspring doing well?

Various worries arose one after another.

Seeing the strange look on his face, Qingniu chewed on a kumquat and slowly said:

"Boy, are you worried about Flower Fruit Mountain?"

Li Yan nodded.

"Indeed. I was like a brother to that Monkey King. We've been separated for forty-nine years; I wonder what he's doing now..."

The blue ox shook its hooves.

"Don't worry. Your brother, though a stone monkey, is not short-lived."

Forty-nine years, for him, was but a fleeting moment.

Li Yan shook his head and said, "Senior, you are unaware of this."

The monkey king showed signs of impurity entering his heart.

When the younger generation left, they left him some medicine to temporarily slow down his condition.

But forty-nine years have passed, and it is unknown whether the elixir has been used up.

Has the calamity worsened?

After listening, the blue ox said:

"This is something I, Old Niu, can't help you with."

However, now that you have finished refining the elixir, you may go to report back to the master. After reporting back, you should be able to descend to the mortal realm to visit him.

Li Yan nodded.

"Thank you for your guidance, senior."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and waved it, putting all 324 golden pills into a jade box.

The jade box is pure white, and inside it is sealed a chaotic halo, which can preserve the spiritual essence of the pill.

The blue ox shook its hooves.

"Go ahead. I, Old Niu, will rest here."

Li Yan turned and left the alchemy room.

The Tushita Palace was completely silent.

He passed through the various palaces and pavilions, heading towards the seventh floor.

The seventh floor is Laozi's quiet room.

Upon reaching the door, Li Yan stopped and bowed, saying:

"This junior, Li Yan, requests an audience with Laozi."

A moment later, an old but gentle voice came from inside the door.

"Come in."

Li Yan pushed open the door and entered.

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

The walls were plain white, without any decoration.

In the center, there was a futon.

On the futon, Laozi sat cross-legged, his eyes slightly closed, surrounded by purple aura.

Upon seeing Li Yan enter, he slowly opened his eyes and smiled slightly.

"Is the pill finished?"

Li Yan stepped forward and presented the jade box with both hands.

"Reporting back to Laozi, there were thirty-six furnaces and three hundred and twenty-four grains, not a single grain missing and not a single grain out of order."

Please, Laozi, take a look.

Laozi took the jade box, opened it, glanced at it, and nodded slightly.

"Excellent. A top-grade pill, very rare."

As he spoke, he looked at Li Yan, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes.

"You were able to refine a top-grade pill on your first attempt, demonstrating superior comprehension and temperament."

Li Yan bowed and said, "It is all thanks to Laozi's exquisite elixir formula and Senior Green Ox's guidance."

Lao Jun shook his head and said, "No matter how good the elixir formula is, someone still needs to be able to refine it."

Even with the Green Ox's guidance, someone still needs to be able to comprehend it. Your ability to refine this elixir is your own skill.

With that, he closed the jade box and placed it aside.

"sit."

Li Yan did as he was told and sat down cross-legged opposite him.

Lao Jun looked at him, a profound meaning flashing in his deep eyes.

"Did you gain any insights while you were in the alchemy room?"

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