Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 107 Nourishing the Golden Elixir

Xin Shisi Niang was overjoyed and led him to the back mountain.

There is a cave in the back mountain, and deep inside the cave is a huge stone door.

The stone gate was covered with intricate runes, emitting a faint golden light.

In front of the stone gate stood an elderly man with white hair, wearing a white robe and holding a cane. He was an elder of the Qingqiu Fox Clan.

"Elder, this is Young Master Zhou," Xin Shisi Niang introduced.

The elder looked Zhou Ning up and down and nodded slightly.

"Indeed, a handsome young man, Mr. Zhou, please."

He led Zhou Ning to the stone gate.

"This seal was set up by our ancestors, the Qingqiu Fox Clan. It requires pure true essence and a steadfast Dao heart to strengthen it."

"Although our fox clan cultivators are not weak in cultivation, their Dao hearts are not firm enough, and they cannot resonate with the seal."

"Young Master Zhou is Yan Chixia's disciple, and his Dao heart is firm. He will definitely be able to do it."

Zhou Ning took a deep breath, placed his hands on the stone door, and slowly poured his true essence into it.

The runes on the stone gate lit up with a golden light, resonating with his true essence.

Zhou Ning felt a powerful force surging out from the stone gate and into his body, resonating with the golden core in his dantian.

"Stay calm," the elder's voice rang in his ears.

Zhou Ning gritted his teeth and poured more of his true essence into the stone gate.

The runes on the stone gate grew brighter and brighter, illuminating the entire cave as if it were daytime.

Finally, the runes on the stone gate stabilized, and the seal was reinforced.

Zhou Ning withdrew his hands and exhaled a long breath.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. Nearly 30% of his internal energy had been depleted, but a sense of satisfaction welled up in his heart.

"It's a success."

The elder nodded with satisfaction.

"Young Master Zhou, thank you."

Zhou Ning shook his head: "Elder, you're too kind."

Xin Shisi Niang stepped forward and handed him a jade pendant:

"Young Master Zhou, this is a token of our Qingqiu Fox Clan. If you need help in the future, you can bring this jade pendant to us."

Zhou Ning took the jade pendant and put it away.

He stayed at Qingqiu Mountain for a few days, exchanged cultivation insights with Xin Shisi Niang and the fox clan cultivators, helped them resolve some minor troubles, and then bid them farewell before returning to Lanruo Temple.

When they returned to Lanruo Temple, it was already half a month later.

Yan Chixia was practicing his sword on the back mountain. When he saw him return, he sheathed his sword.

"You're back?"

Zhou Ning nodded and briefly recounted the events at Qingqiu Mountain.

After listening, Yan Chixia remained silent for a moment, then said:

"I've heard of the secret realm of the Qingqiu Fox Clan. It contains treasures and cultivation techniques left by their ancestors. If you could obtain them, they would greatly benefit your cultivation."

He paused, then continued, "However, now is not the time. It's not too late to explore after you break through to the Nascent Soul stage."

Zhou Ning nodded: "This disciple understands."

He returned to his residence and continued his cultivation.

I get up at dawn every day, practice swordsmanship for an hour, then meditate to cultivate the "Innate Qi". In the afternoon, I study the jade slip of the Nascent Soul chapter. In the evening, I practice sword control. At dusk, I continue to meditate and regulate my breathing.

Day after day, rain or shine.

Unlike before, his cultivation was no longer for defeating a specific enemy, but for improving himself in order to cope with a greater crisis that might come in the future.

The shadow of the extraterrestrial demons hung like a sword over his head, constantly reminding him not to let his guard down.

On this day, he was practicing sword control on the back mountain. Driven by his divine sense, the Qingfeng Sword and the Bixie Sword crossed and danced in the air, like two silver dragons.

The two swords moved with incredible speed, leaving afterimages in the air. The sword wind swept through the pine forest, causing pine needles to fall in a rustling sound.

"Stop." Yan Chixia's voice came from behind.

Zhou Ning sheathed his sword and turned around to see his master standing with his hands behind his back by the pine forest.

After nearly a month of recuperation, Yan Chixia's injuries have basically healed, his complexion has returned to its former rosy hue, and his breathing has become much more stable.

He coughs occasionally, which is a side effect of being harmed by the Soul-Devouring Sword.

"Master." Zhou Ning bowed respectfully.

Yan Chixia walked up to him, looked him up and down, and nodded slightly.

"Your sword control technique has reached a minor level of mastery. The ability to control two swords simultaneously demonstrates the strength of your divine sense. Next, you can try controlling three swords."

Zhou Ning said, "I have tried, but I can never control the third sword well."

Yan Chixia took out a short sword from his sleeve and handed it to Zhou Ning.

The short sword was about a foot long, with a bluish-gray blade engraved with fine cloud patterns. A pale blue gemstone was inlaid at the hilt, emitting a soft light.

"This sword is called 'Frost,' and it was a magical weapon I used in my early years."

"The sword is forged from millennia-old cold iron, which has a natural effect in suppressing evil and yin energy. Take it and practice with Qingfeng and Bixie."

Zhou Ning took the Frost Sword, its touch icy and bone-chilling.

He poured his true energy into the sword, and a pale blue light shone from the blade, making the surrounding temperature seem to drop slightly.

"Thank you, Master."

Yan Chixia nodded and said, "Your Golden Core cultivation has stabilized. What you need to do next is nurture your Golden Core and wait for the opportunity to reach the Nascent Soul stage. This process may take several years, or even decades. Don't rush, take it one step at a time."

Zhou Ning said, "Disciple understands. Master, regarding the extraterrestrial demons..."

Yan Chixia remained silent for a moment, then said, "The extraterrestrial demons cannot be dealt with overnight. They lurk in the void, waiting for their opportunity. Your current task is to improve yourself. When your cultivation is strong enough, you will naturally have the chance to fight them."

He paused for a moment, then continued, "In a few days, I'm going on a long trip."

Zhou Ning was taken aback: "Where is Master going?"

Yan Chixia said, "Go find some Buddhist artifacts. Although the Soul-Devouring Sword has been destroyed, its fragments still retain a large amount of resentment and demonic energy, which needs to be thoroughly purified with Buddhist teachings. Otherwise, that resentment will spread everywhere and breed new evil spirits."

Zhou Ning said, "This disciple will accompany you."

Yan Chixia shook his head: "No need. You stay in the temple and cultivate diligently. I will teach you the array formations and restrictions of Lanruo Temple, and you will be responsible for guarding this place."

He took out a jade slip from his sleeve and handed it to Zhou Ning.

"This is the overall formation diagram of Lanruo Temple. Take it back and study it, and master it as soon as possible."

Zhou Ning accepted the jade slip and solemnly said, "This disciple will certainly live up to your expectations."

Yan Chixia nodded and turned to walk towards the main hall.

In the following days, Zhou Ning spent his time cultivating and studying the overall diagram of the formation.

The formation of Lanruo Temple was laid out by Yan Chixia over many years and includes multiple functions such as defense, concealment, trapping enemies, and killing enemies.

The formation is complex and requires profound spiritual power and true essence to activate.

It took Zhou Ning three days to barely master the basic operation of the formation.

He knew that to truly master it, he would need a long period of practice.

Five days later, Yan Chixia left Lanruo Temple.

Before leaving, he handed a jade talisman to Zhou Ning.

"This is my communication jade talisman. Contact me anytime if you encounter any problems you can't solve."

Zhou Ning accepted the jade talisman and solemnly said, "Take care on your journey, Master."

Yan Chixia waved his hand, and with a flash, disappeared on the mountain path.

Zhou Ning stood at the mountain gate, gazing in the direction his master had left, a complex mix of emotions welling up within him.

This was the first time he had guarded Lanruo Temple alone, and the responsibility was immense.