Within the residence.
Chen Yun and Zhang Jiwen quietly listened to their elders chatting.
Zhong Lijun spoke in a calm tone, "The Dao body is different from the original body, true body, trace body, corresponding body, duplicate body and manifestation body. It is manifested by the innate Dao qi and contains an incomprehensible powerful strength for each Dao body."
Chen Yun perked up his ears, listening intently.
"Zhong Lijun explained in detail, "The Dao body will not allow you to instantly possess the ability to move stars and swap constellations, or to move mountains and fill seas." He continued, "However, it is manifested by the innate Dao qi and contains one day's rule of the world. The stronger you are, the more courageous you will be in using this Dao qi power. For example, the four saints of the North Pole all have a Dao body; Taibong General has three heads and six arms or four heads and eight arms; Tianyou General has three heads and four arms; Yu Sheng General has three eyes; Yousheng General has a true Wu body. Why is Taibong General the first among them? Because his Dao body far exceeds those of the others."
Chen Yun roughly understood the situation.
The Dao body can enhance one's combat power, but not their cultivation level.
However, the Dao body has a powerful advantage, which is that the stronger your own strength becomes, the more potent the power of the Dao body you can unleash will also be.
For instance, why is the General of the Celestial Marsh (Tianpeng) stronger than the other three immortals? Because his strongest form is four-headed and eight-armed, fighting as if he were four people in one body, with four times the combat power. How could the other three immortals compare to that?
This made Chen Yun even more eager. He had eaten three fire dates and, according to reason, he could have possibly had three Dao bodies. But which three would they be?
As he pondered in silence, Master Zhang followed up with a statement: "Although the fire dates have been manifested by Dao qi, the effect of each person taking them is not the same. This has nothing to do with talent; some may need hundreds of years for Dao qi to manifest into a Dao body, while others can achieve it in a year or so. Once Dao qi manifests into a Dao body, it will vibrate with great Dao authority. Typically, there will be a thunderous boom that is ear-piercing. Initially, when the Dao body appears, since one cannot master the use of moving and calling upon Dao qi smoothly, there may be situations where the Dao body cannot be retracted into the body. There's no need to rush; calm your mind and contemplate how to use Dao qi. Keep practicing until you can use it freely and naturally, and then you can unleash the might of your Dao body."
Chen Yun firmly remembered this, made a deep bow, and said, "Thank you, Master, and to Master Tian for your generous instruction."
Master Zhang smiled and said, "I consider Zhengyang Zi as a close friend, and since you are his disciple, I can also be considered half of your teacher."
Speaking of this, he glanced at the right side.
Zhong Lijun shook his head with a smile, but did not respond.
Master Zhang smiled mysteriously and said, "You not only cultivate the Dao body, but also practice the method of 'accumulating essence to refine body' as taught by my disciple Zhao Gongming. Therefore, there is a significant connection between you and me."
Upon hearing this, Chen Yun was taken aback. He had always believed that the rumor that Zhao Gongming was Master Zhang's apprentice was false, but he hadn't expected it to be confirmed by hearsay.
There are several legends about Zhao Gongming.
One legend comes from the book "Search for the Gods," which states in Volume 5: "There is an evil book that says: 'The God has sent three general spirits, Zhao Gongming, Zhong Shiji, to each supervise tens of thousands of ghosts to abduct people, and their whereabouts are unknown.'"
Here, Zhao Gongming first appears in written records.
Subsequently, the book "Source Flow of Three Teachings Searching for God" and others have all recorded it.
Only the claim that Zhang Daoling had Zhao Gongming as a disciple is relatively less commonly heard in the legends.
It is said that when Zhang Daoling was cultivating in the Hermit Mountain, he took Zhao Gongming as his disciple, "and made him ride a black tiger to guard the Dao room."
After Zhang Daoling succeeded in refining the Dao essence, he distributed it among his disciples for consumption.
Zhao Gongming ate it and immediately his magical power greatly increased, transforming him into the likeness of a master.
Thus, Zhang Daoling commanded Zhao Gongming to guard the celestial altar, known as Xuan Tan.
Thus, the "Black Tiger of Xuan Tan, Zhao Gongming" is so named.
Chen Yun immediately made another deep bow and said, "I am truly sorry for not realizing the profoundness of your cultivation method."
Teacher is a term of respect for elders, not exclusively referring to "master".
Zhang Daoling nodded and said, "Since we have a connection and you are a disciple of my friend Zhengyang Zi, and you happen to be here at the Palace of the Eight Sceneries today, it wouldn't be right for me to let you leave empty-handed. I'll think about what kind of gift would be appropriate as a token of my meeting with you."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jiwen's eyes brightened. If Zhang Daoling gave Chen Yun a gift, Zhong Lijun would definitely also have to give him a gift.
Chen Yun naturally also understood the implications of this relationship. He bowed and said, "My master is present, and I dare not accept a gift from a teacher."
Zhong Lijun said, "Since Master Zhang has given it, you may take it."
"Yes, Master," Chen Yun replied, before looking at Zhang Daoling again and saying, "Thank you for your generosity."
"Now it is ready," Zhang Daoling extended his hand and a collection of qi gathered to form a book. "Since you have cultivated Zhao Gongming's 'Accumulation of Essence and Refinement of Body', I will add to you the 'Commentary on Laozi' which I have written from the 'Laozi'. Zhao Gongming's method of refining essence into spirit, is also derived from my 'Commentary on Laozi'. Although you mainly follow Zhengyang Zi's Dao body cultivation, all the methods in the world originate from the two revered masters, Laozi and Huangdi. Zhengyang Zi's Dao body cultivation was also derived from their profound teachings. Therefore, I believe that my 'Commentary on Laozi' will aid you in achieving Dao earlier."
Zhong Lijun's expression was one of deep admiration as he said, "My method of internal alchemy came from external alchemy, using the human body as a cauldron for refining essence, qi, and spirit. External alchemy originated from the Taoist teachings of Huang Lao. And this 'Commentary on Laozi', it can almost be said to be the essence of Master Zhang's profound understanding of the Tao. How could you grant it to someone like me?"
Chen Yun and Zhang Jiwen both looked shocked.
Zhang Daoling's actions went beyond just giving a token of appreciation. He was essentially imparting his knowledge as a mentor.
Chen Yun really hadn't expected that Master Zhang's generosity was so great, that he would pass on such a profound method to him.
Master Zhang smiled and chuckled, "I quite like it. Even if it's just to pass on teachings, if I were to give you the Three Five Cleansing Spears of the Dragon and Tiger Mountain, Yangping Treatment Formulas, and other sacred scripts of Zhengyang Association, I would gladly do so."
Zhong Lijun sighed and said with a bitter smile, "Master Zhang, this...this..."
Master Zhang was clearly giving Chen Yun a great method, but his eyes were on Zhong Lijun. "Zhengyang Zi, could you perhaps also grant me the great method to Chen Yun?"
Chen Yun had finally realized that Master Zhang was making a deal with his teacher!
As expected, after pondering for a while, Zhong Lijun said, "Very well, Jiwen, come over."
Zhang Jiwen quickly hurried forward and knelt down, "Teacher."
Zhong Lijun reached out and touched his head, "My great Dao is based on self-discovery. How much you can understand depends entirely on your own cultivation."
In the next moment, Zhang Jiwen seemed to have received the transmission of the Dao body cultivation method. He beamed with joy and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you very much, teacher, for imparting such a great method."
Only then did Zhang Daoling hand over the "Commentary on Laozi" to Chen Yun, saying, "I hope you will treasure it well and promote my method to its fullest."
Chen Yun also knelt down on the ground, raising both hands over his head to receive the "Commentary on Laozi," and shouted with a grateful heart, "Thank you, teacher, for passing on your wisdom to me."
This time, both Chen Yun and Zhang Jiwen have gained a great method.
Due to his youth, Zhang Jiwen couldn't help but show an expression of joy on his face.
Chen Yun, having lived through two lifetimes, although he was indeed very excited, always maintained his composure.
After each of them had imparted their respective great methods to their disciples, Zhenyang Zi and Master Zhang shared a mutual smile.
From then on, the lineages of Master Zhang and Zhenyang Zi became inseparable.
Perhaps because of the pleasant collaboration, Master Zhang was in high spirits and said, "Chen Yun, I will give you another two gifts as a token of our meeting."
Zhong Lijun smiled and said, "I cultivate Dao body and have no long-term possessions. I don't have anything to give your junior."
"No need, no need," Zhang Daoling shook his hand and said, "Chen Yun, bring out the rakshasa you are hiding in your sleeve, and also summon the ghost contained within the jade bead around your neck."
Although he didn't know what Master Zhang had in mind, Chen Yun knew that this time, Master Zhang was genuinely giving him a gift. He hurriedly said, "Okay, teacher, please wait for a moment."
He injected true qi into the purple patch of cloth.
The next second, the golden-ARMED Rakshasa fell to the ground in the other palace.
This golden-ARMED Rakshasa had not yet opened his spiritual consciousness, but as soon as he appeared, he shivered uncontrollably, as if he was intimidated by the powerful aura of Zhengyang Zi and Master Zhang.
Chen Yun didn't pay attention to the gold-ARMED Rakshasa. He then summoned Qin Liang from the gathering qi pearl.
Qin Liang had previously devoured several evil spirits. Upon emerging, black Qi swirled around him, indicating that his cultivation had significantly increased.
However, Qin Liang was even more terrified than the gold-ARMED Rakshasa. Upon emerging from the gathering qi pearl, he immediately knelt down and kept begging for mercy from Zhengyang Zi and Master Zhang, "Two Supreme Immortals, please spare my life. I have never harmed anyone. Please spare my life."
"Little demon head of yours…" Zhong Lijun burst into laughter and said, "How could we still let you stay here when we intend to take your life?"
Master Zhang laughed heartily and said, "Fear not, little ghost. I just ask you once, are you willing to become a Taoist divine general?"
What?
Master Zhang is going to refine a divine general for me?
Chen Yun was truly overjoyed. Anyone who knows a bit about Master Zhang knows that before he achieved enlightenment, he had exterminated the six great demons and eight ghost marshals surrounding Qingcheng City, and his subjugation of demons and ghosts relied not only on his own powerful cultivation.
In legends, Master Zhang set up a Daoist altar on Qingcheng Mountain, ringing bells and hitting gongs, calling upon the wind and rain, and commanding his soldiers to fight against these evil spirits.
This shows that Master Zhang knows how to refine divine generals.
What is a divine general?
Simply put, a guarding divine general.
Of course, there is strength and weakness in a guardian deity. Some guardian deities gain powerful strength through their own cultivation and are finally bestowed the title of guardian deity. However, the majority of guardian deities are forged by human intervention. Originally, they were lonely ghosts, wild spirits, or mountain spirits and demons.
These divine generals may not have high cultivation, but they are formidable in battle, functioning purely as combat machines. They are usually beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators.
Just thinking about having such a battle machine divine general, Chen Yun couldn't help but feel excited and thrilled inside.
This time, Zhang Jiwen was not interested at all. There were countless divine generals in the Longhushan Mountain, so he naturally had no interest.
Qin Liang, similarly surprised to have the chance to become a "god," exclaimed with joy, "Thank you, immortal. I, the ghost, am willing to become a Taoist divine general."
Master Zhang nodded slightly and glanced at Chen Yun, saying, "The path to refine a divine general is intimately related to one's own cultivation. You can summon countless divine generals with your incantations to aid you in battle. However, these divine generals are not cultivated by you. Their assistance may not be to their full potential, and they cannot communicate telepathically with you to harness their most powerful strength. Therefore, the first god I initially refine for you will not be too powerful; it will probably only be several times stronger than you. In the future, you should worship it day and night, incorporate it into your cultivation, and fuse with it at heart-to-heart level. As for other heavenly weapons, I will pass on the divine general commanding method to you later. Let them go and conquer ghosts and demons on their own or bring them under your command as heavenly weapons."
Chen Yun said, "Thank you, Master."
Master Zhang didn't say anything else. He just inhaled, and then a divine fire sprang forth from his mouth.
The divine fire immediately touched Fuchang's ghost body, evaporating the black qi in a steady flow.
Qin Liang cried out in pain.
At this moment, Master Zhang pointed his finger again, and purple Qi burst forth from the tip.
This purple Qi merged into the divine fire, causing Fuchang's ghost body to undergo drastic changes.
Chen Yun almost watched in disbelief as a messy Fuchang, whose ghost Qi was undecent, transformed into a divine general with an entire body that resembled crystal and shone with radiant light.
Perhaps because Master Zhang hadn't intended to make Qin Liang too strong, the refining of the divine general only took a moment.
When Master Zhang retrieved the divine fire, Qin Liang appeared to be very lifelike.
At this moment, Qin Liang was wearing gold armor and silver armor, a sacred entity that could not be violated!
Good!
What a magnificent divine general!
Chen Yun looked at Fuchang in this appearance and felt overjoyed. He knew that from now on, he had a loyal and extremely powerful ally.
"Master, your method of refining divine generals is truly awe-inspiring," Zhong Lijun praised, "But it wouldn't do for this divine general to not have a weapon in hand. Just now, I happened to be in the mood to show off my skills before Master. How about I use a branch from the great Souchong tree as a weapon?"
Having said this, Zhong Lijun raised his hand and summoned a black tree branch, as thick as a human arm, that flew in from outside the door.
He also opened his mouth and spat out a stream of divine fire.
This divine fire was both like fire and water, resembling a crystal.
After the divine fire enveloped the tree branch for a moment, the flames gradually died out and dispersed.
Chen Yun immediately saw that the tree branch had turned into two short spears, each engraved with magic symbols.
Master Zhang clapped his hands and laughed heartily, "Excellent! Excellent! Using divine fire to refine weapons is truly amazing. Zhengyang Zi, your great method is astonishing."
Zhong Lijun spoke with humility and modesty, "I hurriedly made it, it's not a powerful weapon."
Having said this, he casually handed the short spears to Qin Liang, who respectfully stood to the side, "Make do with it."
Qin Liang hurriedly knelt down to receive the weapons, "Thank you, immortal for granting me divine weapons."
Zhong Lijun didn't pay attention to Qin Liang. After giving him the weapons, he smiled and looked at Master Zhang and asked, "Master Zhang, did you ask my disciples to summon a rakshasa because...?"
Master Zhang nodded slightly, "Exactly. I want to transform it into a spirit that guards the Daoist grounds."
Transform the golden-ARMED rakshasa into an elf to guard his own Daoist grounds?
At first, Chen Yun wasn't quite sure what to make of it, but suddenly he had a sudden realization, as if he understood something.
(End of this chapter)
