Time flies, and it is gone in an instant.
It has been over a month since I received "The Song of Breaking Through Illusion and Righteous Path".
During this period, Chen Yun imposed self-imposed "soft confinement" within the Inner Manor of Hong Lou, almost never leaving, and constantly researching methods of eternal life.
What puzzled him was that since Zhong Liquan had bestowed upon him "The Song of Breaking Through Illusion and Righteous Path," there had been no further guidance in his cultivation, but instead, Zhong Liquan continued to bring many Taoist classics for him to study every day.
In addition, Zhong Liquan did give guidance.
However, the guidance he received was almost all related to "medical arts".
For example, on a macro scale, the structure of the human body, and on a micro scale, meridians and acupoints.
That is why, since Chen Yun received "The Song of Breaking Through Illusion and Righteous Path," he has not been able to cultivate a drop of true qi.
Or, he has never been able to glimpse the doorway into how to cultivate "The Song of Breaking Through Illusion and Righteous Path."
It's not that there are no cultivation methods recorded in "The Song of Breaking Through Illusion and Righteous Path."
For example, "If we speak of the Tao and the Daoist path, the universe is empty and vast above and below." This refers to that the Tao is based on simplicity and vacancy, only the Tao collects emptiness, and emptiness is the great use of the Tao.
Again, for example, "Talking about the wood and gold, there is no gap; true lead and true mercury have no shape." This means: From the perspective of heavenly origin, gold and wood are mutually dependent on each other. From the perspective of earthly origin, they are mutually contradictory. The heavenly origin refers to the formless and formless existence that cannot be sought after with forms or appearances. The theory of lead and mercury is also the same. It is said that you cannot use it when you see it, nor can you see it when you use it. If one does not get its essence, all names given to it are just arbitrary ones.
However, these are all "principles," not "methods."
"There are only principles, no methods. How can I transform jing into qi if that is the case?"
That afternoon, Chen Yun was immersed in thinking about how to transform jing into qi.
Suddenly, Zhong Liquan descended from the third floor, and before Chen Yun could bow, he spoke in a slow voice, "Chongyong, your teacher will be away for one or two days. Do not slack off in your cultivation."
After saying that, he flew away in a flash.
Chen Yun didn't even have time to say "yes," and could only watch helplessly as his master ascended into the clouds and disappeared.
Whether by coincidence or not, less than a quarter of an hour after Zhong Liquan left, the sound of a conversation between Zheng Wenshu and He Xianggu came from outside.
"Zheng Wensun has met the Realms of Immortals."
"Zheng Master doesn't need to be too polite. Is Master available?"
"Yes, Master has been guiding Chen Junior in his cultivation for the past one or two months, so he should be here."
Upon hearing the sound, Chen Yun looked out through the window.
He Xianggu appeared in a light pink dress with emerald green chiffon floral skirt, and she was conversing with Zheng Wensun in a dignified manner.
Following that, Chen Yun saw the immortal twist her slender waist and walk slowly towards the Red Pavilion.
After a moment, He Xianggu entered the door.
She first looked around, and then asked towards the inner room, "Master Chen, where is Master?"
Chen Yun put down the "Nan Hua Zhen Jing," stood up, and bowed, saying, "Met the Immortal of Xianggu. Master said he has gone out for two days for some matters and did not specify where he went."
"Humph, he must be avoiding me."
Unlike her composed and dignified demeanor when facing Zheng Wensun, He Xianggu now fully exhibited the grace and charm of a young girl.
Chen Yun didn't know how to respond, so he simply smiled and remained silent.
He Xianggu, without any hesitation, came straight over and sat down on the long bench next to Chen Yun's. She even actively reached over and flipped through the Taoist sutras, "Master has not taught me the method of immortality? How can I see you without true qi circulation?"
Because He Xianggu was sitting closer, Chen Yun could smell the faint fragrance of lotus flowers from her hands.
As the saying goes, "men and women should not touch each other," even if the other person is an immortal. Chen Yun was still considerate and stepped back a step, bowing his hands sincerely and saying, "To the Immortal, Master has already imparted to me the great method, but I am of ordinary intelligence and have not yet grasped the way."
He Xianggu slightly tilted her head to look at him, with a somewhat puzzled expression, "Even if you have ordinary intelligence, you should have been able to cultivate true qi in a few months... Oh, I understand now."
Concerning his own cultivation, Chen Yun's curiosity was piqued, and he asked, "Dare I ask the Immortal, what does your understanding mean?"
He Xianggu, like a young girl, rested one hand on her delicate chin.
She not only did not answer the question but also actively asked, "Master must have taught you the 'Song of Breaking Through Illusion and Righteous Path' such a wonderful method?"
Concerning the sect's secret of immortality, Chen Yun didn't know how to answer for a moment.
Although He Xianggu is Zhong Liuyuan's disciple, she has obtained immortality and established her own field, so she can be considered an "outsider." Chen Yun would naturally not reveal the secret of the sect's immortality to her.
To her dismay, He Xianggu continued to speak for herself without regard for Chen Yun's concerns, "I have heard Master say that the 'Song of Breaking Through Illusion and Righteous Path' is not the true method of immortality."
Hm?
What does this sentence mean?
Chen Yun asked in some confusion, "Immortal, what does this mean?"
He Xianggu pointed to the bench, "You don't have to stand there like a log. Sit down, and I'll explain it to you in detail."
Only then did Chen Yun sit down and look at He Xianggu with a serious expression, "Please, Immortal, guide me."
He Xianggu casually flipped through the "Nan Hua Zhen Jing" while saying, "The 'Song of Breaking Through Illusion and Righteous Path' is 'Law,' not 'Technique.'"
Chen Yun still didn't quite understand, "What's the difference between 'Law' and 'Technique'?"
"The Dao, the Law, and the Technique are the three core concepts of my Taoist field." He Xianggu spoke calmly, "The Dao is the highest level, understanding the nature and laws of things. The Dao cannot be described in words, how can one obtain it? Through Enlightenment! When you understand a path to immortality, this is your personal achievement of the Dao, hence why it is called obtaining the Dao."
Chen Yun perked up his ears, listening carefully.
"The Law is derived from the Dao," He Xianggu pointed to the peach tree outside, "If the Dao is the peach tree, then the Law is the fruit that the peach tree bears. The Law is what one understands from the Dao, which can be taught to others and made known. However, since it is based on someone else's understanding, it may not be applicable to another person. After someone imparts a great Law to you, you still need to carefully ponder and gain insight into it."
Chen Yun had already begun to understand it faintly.
He Xianggu continued, "Technique is a minor path, derived from the Law. Although it has many forms, it generally has some trace to follow. Some practitioners with insufficient talent can only imitate the techniques and methods directly, such as Wang Laozhi and Zheng Wensun, who have practiced minor techniques of the Path. However, Master has imparted you the 'Song of Breaking Through Illusion and Righteous Path,' which is a Golden Pill technique. You need to cultivate your own 'technique' through enlightenment on your own. Then gradually understand the 'Law' that suits you best, ultimately finding the fruit of immortality through pursuing Dao."
Upon reaching this point, she asked with unusual seriousness, "Do you understand?"
At this moment, the two were particularly close, and He Xianggu's slender eyebrows and eyes contained spring, and her cherry red lips were not dotted but scarlet. She was as alluring as a dewdrop, and two strands of hair on her cheeks swayed gently with the wind, adding a few more tantalizing charms to Chen Yun's eyes.
There were also waves of strange fragrance blowing towards him.
He Xianggu was originally an exceptionally beautiful woman with peerless beauty and transcendent charm.
For an ordinary person to look directly at someone like this at such a close distance, they would surely be bewitched and lose their senses.
Chen Yun, however, paid no attention to her beauty at all; he was fully immersed in the guidance that He Xianggu had just given.
Finally, Chen Yun realized why he had been unable to practice the 'Song of Breaking Through Illusion and Righteous Path' for so long.
If He Xianggu's words were correct, the 'Song of Breaking Through Illusion and Righteous Path' was a theory. Then, to transform jing into qi, Chen Yun would have to "develop" applications suitable for himself based on the theory, and then use these applications suitable for himself to deduce new theories, developing new "fields," that is, becoming an immortal.
As for why Zhong Liquan imparted him with "theory" rather than "applications" directly, it is actually quite understandable.
"Applications" may not be suitable for oneself.
In a rigid and direct manner, it may take a lifetime to achieve immortality and become an immortal.
For oneself to understand and develop "applications" from the "theory" is the most suitable cultivation method.
Suitable for oneself is the best.
After understanding, Chen Yun quickly stood up and bowed in gratitude, "Thank you for your guidance, Chongyong has gained a lot of insight from your advice."
He Xianggu blinked and smiled, "Since that's the case, how will you thank me?"
Chen Yun sweated a little, helplessly saying, "You are an immortal, and I really don't know... Wait a minute, maybe I have something that can make you like it."
Originally, He Xianggu was just kidding. As an immortal who had achieved immortality and transcendence, how could she possibly ask Chen Yun, an ordinary person, for any "benefits" or favors?
To her surprise, Chen Yun was serious about expressing his gratitude.
He Xianggu became interested, "Oh, what is it?"
Chen Yun did not immediately explain, but instead proposed a request, "Immortal, I know you are omnipotent and possess boundless magical power. Therefore, I wish to ask you to first create a small trinket for me, and then I will present my gratitude."
He Xianggu was piqued by curiosity, "Make what?"
Chen Yun first drew the structure of the "card mouth spray head," and then indicated that a corresponding "crystal bottle" was needed.
To make his description more accurate, he even took out paper and a pen to draw the exact appearance of the bottle.
After hearing his description, He Xianggu immediately understood, "In that case, it's quite simple."
She stretched out her hand and summoned, and a moment later, a large piece of crystal flew in from outside the window.
Then, He Xianggu breathed out "pure qi," and the crystal instantly transformed into the shape of a small square bottle.
As for the card mouth spray head originally needed to be made of plastic, this world has not yet born the concept of plastic, and Chen Yun thought that he could use copper alloy. Therefore, he asked the immortal to make it from copper alloy.
Although the card mouth spray head was very precise, He Xianggu was of such a high cultivation level that she finished making it in a matter of moments.
After completing the items, He Xianggu looked puzzled and asked, "Why did you ask me to make these things?"
After picking up the crystal bottle and testing the tightness of the card mouth spray head, Chen Yun found it to be seamless, and then he whispered mysteriously, "Follow me and you will know."
After speaking, he walked out.
He Xianggu followed suspiciously behind.
...
Not long after, the two arrived at the dormitory where the laborers lived.
Chen Yun took out the key to the original house.
He opened it, pushed open the door, and stepped inside.
He took a sealed jar from under the bed, then unscrewed the lid.
Instantly, a fragrance filled the air.
He Xianggu sniffed her nose and couldn't help but say, "So fragrant! It's much more fragrant than the rose dew that the Tang emperor gave me."
"This is the perfume I've concocted," Chen Yun explained casually.
Since the perfume needs to settle after it is made, it is not suitable for being placed in the hidden compartment of the small bronze furnace's wall.
Recently, he hasn't lacked money, so he almost forgot about it when he moved, but today He Xianggu mentioning needing something reminded him.
He Xianggu was curious and asked, "Perfume?"
Chen Yun gave a rough explanation of the specific effects of the perfume.
He Xianggu listened in wonder, "You are truly intelligent, able to concoct such a fragrant water, marvelous."
During this time, Chen Yun poured over half of the crystal bottle of perfume into the jar, then resealed it tightly.
Chen Yun handed back the crystal bottle, "Immortal, I know that immortals emit a fragrant scent after achieving enlightenment. However, I truly have no other way to express my gratitude; I only present this bottle of perfume as a token of my appreciation."
Chen Yun originally thought that He Xianggu might not like it, as immortals possess a natural fragrance.
To his surprise, He Xianggu accepted the bottle of perfume with great joy and tried to spray it in accordance with what Chen Yun had said, at the veins on both wrists, the back of both ears, and the back of the neck.
He Xianggu sniffed lightly twice, then arched her eyebrows and smiled, "Come back to ask for more when it runs out."
Chen Yun looked confused and asked, "Immortal, don't you all have a natural fragrance? Why do you still like perfume so much?"
He Xianggu responded in a delicate and playful manner, "That fragrance is unpleasant, so I often consciously suppress it and even pretend to hold lotus flowers to cover it up."
Chen Yun sweated a little.
Only then did Chen Yun realize that women who achieve immortality and transcendence still like makeup and cosmetics.
After careful thought, this made sense, as immortals are humans who have achieved transcendence through cultivation. It is only natural that they still have seven emotions and six desires, so liking makeup and cosmetics is entirely reasonable.
"Alright, since the master is not here, I'll go back first." He Xianggu said, and with a flick of her hand, the perfume disappeared instantly. She turned her head and repeated, "Come back to ask for more when it runs out."
After saying that, she vanished into nothingness, turning into a few shining stars that dissipated.
Sweat, she's treating me like a perfume supplier.
Chen Yun was rather speechless.
However, he does seem to "like" He Xianggu quite a bit.
This liking is partly because she is simply too beautiful, and it is natural for a man to like being around a beautiful woman.
On the other hand, Chen Yun feels that He Xianggu is not secretive and that being with her allows him to learn many valuable knowledge, such as today's revelation of the principles of method and technique.
With the talk of breaking through methods and techniques, Chen Yun was filled with enthusiasm, hoping to quickly figure out a longevity cultivation method suitable for himself.
