The custom of visiting with a gift is indeed basic etiquette, and Chen Yun had no doubts about it.
Furthermore, the inner alchemy is a realization from the outer alchemy, so it's not strange that Zhongli Quan, as the ancestor who founded the inner alchemy, was proficient in refining outer alchemy as well.
His confusion was about the type of immortal pill this was, how could his master have given it to him to give to Er Langshen, the god?
Looking at the golden and slightly purplish immortal pill in his master's hand, Chen Yun asked, "Master, what kind of pill is this?"
Zhongli Quan said: "This is the Zǐjīn Dan, also known as the Zhènlíng Dan."
Zhenling Dan?
Perhaps ordinary people may not have heard of it.
However, as long as the practitioners of Daoism, basically, all have heard of it.
Chen Yun naturally knows about the Zhenling Dan. It is rumored that this is the exclusive immortal pill of Lady Wei.
The name Wei Lady may be unfamiliar to some, but her work "The Yellow Courtship" should be well-known to everyone.
That's correct. Wei Lady is Wei Hua Cun, also known as Zi Xu Yuan Jun, commonly referred to as Grandma Er Xian, who was the libationist of the Tianshi Dao, later founded the Shang Qing School, and is a true high Taoist.
The Zhenling Dan is the exclusive immortal pill of Lady Wei. It is rumored that this pill "does not violate the gold and stone flying drugs with nature, does not overstep or become hectic, and achieves the harmony of creation and transformation. It can cure hundreds of injuries and diseases, and even help attain Taoism and become an immortal."
In other words, taking this pill of medicine may directly make one an immortal.
Such a precious immortal pill, even gods can hardly get it casually.
Chen Yun estimated that it wouldn't be easy for his master to obtain this immortal pill from Grandma Er Xian either.
He said with a serious expression: "Master, should I go and visit Lord Chicheng Wang with such a precious gift?"
Qin Liang, Ji Xin, and the three hundred wild soldiers were not aware of this. They only heard Chen Yun's astonishment and guessed that this pill was particularly rare.
Zhongli Quan smiled and said, "To find out why, you'll know when you bring it with you."
I'll know why when I bring it?
Is there any hidden mystery inside?
Although Chen Yun didn't know why, with his master having said this, he still thanked him and then carefully took the pill. He immediately set off for the Guanjiang Temple.
To be honest, halfway through, he didn't stop thinking about secretly eating the immortal pill. However, considering the great merit of spiritual elixir, Chen Yun felt that practicing internal alchemy was more promising, so he managed to suppress his inner restlessness.
...
Guanjiang Temple.
Chen Yun had not yet entered when he saw a middle-aged man wearing a San Mountain hat appear at the door.
The middle-aged man with a mustache greeted Chen Yun with a laugh, stepping forward to shake his hand. "Chen brother, Second Brother has been looking forward to you for a long time. Please come with me."
Although Chen Yun didn't know who this man was, based on the content of his words, he knew that he was under the employ of Erlang Shen. As he followed along, he asked while walking: "May I ask what your honorable surname and given name are?"
The middle-aged man said: "I am Guo Yazhi."
Chen Yun hurriedly said: "Oh, it's Guo Saint, one of the Seven Sages of Mei Mountain."
According to the "Searching for the Divine Senses in the Sources of Three Teachings" by Shang Shouwu, in the Sui Dynasty, Zhao Yu, the Governor of Jiazhou, went into the water and killed a dragon, accompanied by seven others. And Jiazhou is Meishan. The seven subordinates of Zhao Yu were known as "The Seven Saints of Meishan".
However, later generations mistakenly called them the "Mei Mountain Seven Sages," which is how they gradually came to be known as such.
Guo Yazhi didn't correct this either, but just smiled and said, "I'm just a folk deity, what saint or not? Brother Chen, if you appreciate me, just call me Guo brother."
Chen Yun was there for the banquet, so he naturally wouldn't be ungracious. He changed his tone and said, "Alright, Guo brother."
The two of them chatted and walked through the temple to a nearby village.
Just as Chen Yun crossed the threshold, he saw Erlang Shen sitting with four or five men around a table, where there were dishes and wine on the table.
Guo Yazhi said first, "Second Brother, Brother Chen has arrived."
"Ha ha, Brother Chen has come at just the right time. We were just talking about you among ourselves," Erlang Shen replied, laughing.
Erlang Shen and the four or five men stood up together.
Chen Yun hurriedly bowed and said, "Met you, Second Brother."
Erlang Shen walked up to Chen Yun and affectionately pulled his hand, saying, "Come, let me introduce you. This is General Wu..."
He introduced the remaining five men one by one.
Chen Yun then realized that the five men were all from the Seven Sages of Mei Mountain, known as General E, Da Wang, Zhou Cang, Sa Yinkun, and Huangmao the Young Boy.
This is different from the names of the Six Holy Sages of Mei Mountain in "Journey to the West." Similarly, Erlang Shen does not have "three eyes."
As for why there are only Erlang Shen and the Six Holy Sages of Mei Mountain here, without other gods from Guanjiang Temple, and another one of the Seven Holy Sages of Mei Mountain, Chen Yun estimates that it is because the physical bodies of other gods have decayed, or they are not Erlang Shen's "brothers," hence they are not present here.
After the introductions were over, Erlang Shen said with a hint of apology, "There is one more of my brothers, known as the Third Young Master of Huashan. He was struck down and lies sick in bed due to having offended his wife's family. He can only leave his essence spirit. He cannot appear in the flesh today to meet Brother Chen, which is truly a great regret."
Huashan Sanlang?
If I didn't make a mistake, this one is quite noteworthy. It is rumored that he is the third son of Jingtianwang, the Gold Celestial Emperor of Xiye, also known as the uncle of Liu Chenxiang in mythology. His sister is Sanmu Sirenguniang, and his wife is Naihai Shen Nu.
One notable point is that, initially, in the mythology, Erlang Shen and Sanmu Sirenguniang were not related at all. However, with the evolution of history and various literary creations, Erlang Shen gradually transformed from Zhao Erlang to Yang Jian and thus became the uncle of Liu Chenxiang.
However, the name Huashan Sanlang is not particularly popular and reputable, and there are also rumors of him having forcefully married a villager's daughter.
Chen Yun had heard a legend, which was the story of the Battle between Baihao God and the mortal Zhang Weishan over the Godess of Baihao. The former beat up Huashan Shennong.
The Huashan Shennong, the mountain god of Huashan, is the same as the Golden Celestial Emperor of the Western Mountain God.
Based on Erlang Shen's words earlier, Chen Yun can roughly infer that Huashan Sanlang, one of the Seven Holy Sages of Mei Mountain, is very likely the "evil god" mentioned in the legend, who was beaten up by Baihao God and mortal Zhang Weishan.
Since even Jingtianwang was beaten, as the "culprit" who offended Baihao God's family, Huashan Sanlang was naturally also spared no luck and was beaten down to bed.
At the same time, Chen Yun dimly understood why his master had asked him to bring the Zhenling Dan to the banquet.
It is no surprise that this Zhenling Dan is for Huashan Sanlang to treat his injuries.
As for why his master wants to treat the injuries of Huashan Sanlang, this evil god, Chen Yun is unaware.
Thinking about it, he first exchanged a few words with Erlang Shen and the Seven Sages of Mei Mountain.
At the end, Chen Yun took out the immortal pill and said, "Brother, my teacher knew that I was coming to the banquet, so he specially gave me this immortal pill as a gift for my visit."
Erlang Shen instinctively wanted to refuse, "I have…"
Before he could finish his sentence, he suddenly noticed the immortal pill, and his eyes widened, "Zhenling Dan?"
Guo Yazhi, E Da Wang, Dawa Wang, Zhou Cang, Sa Yinkun and Huangmao the Young Boy also looked at each other in disbelief, clearly knowing what this immortal pill meant to them.
Chen Yun said, "That's right."
Erlang Shen hesitated for a moment, with a bitter smile he accepted the immortal pill and said: "Thank you, Brother Chen. The actions of Zhengyang Zhenren... are indeed thoughtful."
He carefully took the immortal pill and then handed it to Zhou Cang beside him, saying, "Take this to give to Sanlang."
Zhou Cang hurriedly said, "Yes."
After that, Zhou Cang quickly left holding the immortal pill.
Erlang Shen didn't say anything more about the immortal pill; he simply pulled Chen Yun into the banquet.
The group began to enjoy the food and drink.
During the meal, Zhou Cang returned and also joined the wine session.
As for Huashan Sanlang, he was not seen. It's estimated that his injuries were quite serious, and it would be difficult for him to recover even after taking the immortal pill, so he did not appear.
After the third round of wine, Erlang Shen picked up his cup and looked at Chen Yun, deliberately guiding the topic by saying: "Brother Chen, I see that you have three types of abilities in you. Should I assume that you have been practicing internal alchemy, soul cultivation, and physical cultivation?"
The fact that they can see his cultivation level doesn't surprise him, as they are already at the realm of immortality.
Chen Yun responded, "Yes."
Erlang Shen replied with a meaningful expression, "Although I haven't been practicing internal alchemy, I have my own unique method of cultivation. It's a way to practice both the soul and the physical body at the same time. I don't brag, but my physical body can bear mountains and run against the sun. My soul is also full of surprises. Even if my physical body is broken into pieces by others, as long as my soul remains, I can reshape it. Brother Chen, do you want to learn?"
The phrase "bearing mountains and running against the sun" is one of Erlang Shen's mythological legends, so Chen Yun naturally believed it without any doubts.
It's just that he felt like he had heard Erlang Shen's introduction of his own abilities before.
Soul cultivation with endless possibilities?
A super physical body?
Isn't that the "Nine Transformations and Eight Changes" from the novel "Investigation of the Gods"?
Of course, Chen Yun knows that "Nine Transformations and Eight Changes" is the original name of the novel "Investigation of the Gods". Erlang Shen's cultivation method should not be called by this name.
Regardless of the name, the function is basically the same!
Chen Yun was surprised to find that Erlang Shen was willing to teach him such a powerful cultivation technique, and he said in astonishment, "Brother, this profound technique is so powerful, and you are willing to teach it to me?"
Erlang Shen didn't try to hide or keep anything, and directly said, "Compared to your brother's immortal pill, my cultivation method isn't worth mentioning."
Guo Yazhi, Da Wang, and the others all slightly nodded. They, the Seven Holy Sages of Mei Mountain, regarded Erlang Shen as a brother, and if Huashan Sanlang did not receive treatment for his injuries with an immortal pill, his physical body would definitely rot and he would only be able to follow the Daoist path.
But unfortunately, there are no more than three types of immortal herbs in the heavens and on earth that can treat Huashan Sanlang's injuries, even the Western Mountain God Emperor and Erlang Shen cannot obtain them.
As Chen Yun is now offering the immortal pill to help Huashan Sanlang heal, Erlang Shen naturally reciprocates.
However, this act of reciprocity requires you to give something of equal or even higher value in return. Otherwise, it is unethical.
Erlang Shen can offer something equal to or even higher in value than the immortal pill, which would be those magical artifacts and his own unique cultivation technique.
He cannot give Chen Yun magical treasures, not because he doesn't want to, but because the power of the treasures is too great. Chen Yun's current strength is too weak, and giving him such treasures would be like a small child holding a gold coin in a crowded market. It would only harm people!
Therefore, Erlang Shen pondered carefully and thought that giving the cultivation technique would be more appropriate.
Chen Yun wanted to politely decline, but since his teacher had given him the immortal pill, it was obvious that this was not just a simple visit to offer a token of respect. It seemed that this cultivation technique was meant for him, and this was a fair exchange.
Moreover, he had indeed coveted this original prototype of the "Nine Transformations and Eight Changes" cultivation technique.
After a moment of contemplation, Chen Yun stood up, bowed and said: "In that case, I will accept the favor of my brother."
Erlang Shen laughed heartily, "We are brothers; there's no need for such formality. But Brother Chen, let me say this in advance, this cultivation method is my own secret technique. You can practice it by yourself, but please don't pass it on to anyone else."
Chen Yun said, "Certainly."
Erlang Shen hummed in affirmation and then reached out to stroke Chen Yun's head, imparting his cultivation technique through "imparting knowledge from one's crown".
Very quickly, Chen Yun's mind was filled with a cultivation method that combined soul and physical body.
Because he was at a banquet, he couldn't take a closer look at how the cultivation method worked. He only managed to understand it at a basic level.
However, even with just a simple understanding, Chen Yun was greatly surprised. The cultivation technique was almost identical to the description of "Nine Transformations and Eight Changes" in "Investigation of the Gods," which stated that after mastering it, one could change at will, the physical body would become extraordinarily strong, and even a powerful artifact could be endured like eating or drinking. More importantly, if practiced to perfection, as Erlang Shen had mentioned earlier, even if the physical body was destroyed multiple times as long as the soul remained unextinguished, it could be completely restored through the soul!
(End of chapter)
