countless people witnessed the strange lights and glances to the southwest basin.
Every person who beheld this scene was moved to the core, knowing that it was a master of great skill, who had cultivated to the peak of perfection.
Three blossoms converging at the top, and five qi gathering to the original essence, is the supreme realm of internal alchemy cultivation.
Chen Yun has now cultivated to the realm of five qi converging to the origin, just a step away from achieving the peak of three blossoms converging at the top.
What is meant by three blossoms converging at the top and five qi gathering to the original essence?
The three blossoms in the concept of three blossoms converging at the top refer to three stages of cultivation: refining essence into qi, refining qi into spirit, and refining spirit back into emptiness.
The "people flower" refers to the process of refining essence into qi. As humans are born from the transformation of essence, the essence is considered the seed of reincarnation. A cultivator's heart must be empty in the lower abdomen, observe self-restraint and not waste semen, as this allows for a full essence that does not lead to desires. This is when the elixir of immortality is produced.
The "earth flower" signifies the process of refining qi into spirit. The essence of a person's existence lies in qi. The heart must remain empty in the lower abdomen, free from fear and anger, devoid of resentment and complaints. This ensures that qi flows smoothly, the Dao remains unobstructed, and sufficient middle qi is generated without an appetite for food. This is when the metal flower blossoms forth.
The "sky flower" signifies the process of refining spirit back into emptiness. Although sufficient in qi and essence, a person without a spirit is like a body without light or a life without a soul. The spirit serves as the master, and one's heart must be empty in the upper abdomen, not holding on to anything or being attached to anything. When the spirit is full and does not lead to sleepiness, one remains clear-minded and awake. This allows for the shedding of the physical body and returning to the state of emptiness, thus entering the realm of gold flowers.
This is an extremely profound realm.
Once one can cultivate to the realm of three blossoms converging at the top, they are truly among the immortals.
As for the realm of five qi converging to the origin, it is a corresponding cultivation realm to that of three blossoms converging at the top and holds no hierarchy.
Five qi converging to the origin refers to the internal qi of the human body returning to its original position, with all meridians unobstructed and without any blockages. It represents that through cultivation, the practitioner has made the five elements' qi return to the five internal organs—heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys—within the body.
These five elements' qi are not the ordinary five elements.
One, the heart contains spirit. After birth, it becomes the recognition spirit; before birth, it is rites. When empty of sorrow, the spirit is settled. The southern emperor's fire qi gathers at the origin.
Two, the liver stores the soul. After birth, it is the wandering soul; before birth, it is benevolence. When empty of joy, the soul is settled. The eastern emperor's wood qi gathers at the origin.
Three, the spleen stores the intention. After birth, it is the errant intention; before birth, it is sincerity. When empty of desire, the intention is settled. The central emperor's earth qi gathers at the origin.
Four, the lungs store the spirit. After birth, it is the ghost spirit; before birth, it is righteousness. When empty of anger, the spirit is settled. The western emperor's gold qi gathers at the origin.
Five, the kidneys store essence. After birth, it is the turbid essence; before birth, it is wisdom. When empty of joy, the essence is settled. The northern emperor's water qi gathers at the origin.
According to the theory of internal alchemy cultivation, the process of three blossoms converging at the top and five qi gathering to the origin must result in the return of the five elements to their original positions, and three blossoms transforming into three Pure Ones. Only then can one reach the original state of void and attain complete enlightenment, thus becoming a god.
That is to say, regardless of whether it's three blossoms converging at the top or five qi gathering to the origin, it should ideally represent a realm of immortals.
Although Chen Yun has not yet reached the realm of immortals or achieved the transcendental level of three blossoms converging at the top, he has surprisingly reached the realm of five qi converging to the origin by cultivating the fourth level completion of the "Pangu True Body Technique".
In short, his physical body is comparable to that of a true immortal, but the spirit has not yet been cultivated.
He is only one step away from truly achieving the convergence of "three blossoms" and "five qi" by refining the "Golden Flower," but to take this final step, he must cultivate a yang spirit.
"I see why my cultivation method has been automatically running at all times; it was because I was on the brink of achieving five qi converging to the origin."
Chen Yun finally understood why so many Xiamaxian teachers in Northeast China, including Naihe, had reached a mid-level stage in the Land Spirit Realm but had not attained the so-called late-stage Land Spirit Realm.
It turns out that when cultivation reaches this level, one is already on the brink of achieving the convergence of "three blossoms" and "five qi."
Once three blossoms converge at the top and five qi gather to the origin, except for exceptional circumstances, one would have essentially reached the realm of immortals. Therefore, what is there as a late stage of the Land Spirit Realm?
Chen Yun estimated that the reason "Huyao" could break through the restriction of the mid-stage Land Spirit Realm and reach the peak of the Land Spirit Realm was due to the reasons related to his cultivation method. Although his power can still be improved, his own level should still be before three blossoms converging at the top and five qi gathering to the origin.
To achieve the convergence of "three blossoms" and "five qi," one needs great cultivation, great willpower, and great wisdom, which are indispensable to each other.
Therefore, many Xianjia in Northeast China would not waste their power on strength enhancement, but rather invest it into the convergence of "three blossoms" and "five qi." They aspire to break free from the shackles and ascend to the realm of immortals.
"The convergence of three blossoms is difficult, and so is the gathering of five qi."
Chen Yun, with a slight trace of emotion, said, "Although I completed the convergence of five qi by relying on the fourth level characteristic of the 'Pangu True Body Technique,' I am unsure when I will be able to reach the state of three blossoms."
He could sense that once he reached the mid-stage of the Land Spirit Realm, his physical body could not be enhanced further unless a new approach was found. The method for doing so had been clearly marked in the fifth level completion of the "Pangu True Body Technique," which involved using solar qi to perform "Yang Sand Exchange Bones," "Yin Elimination of Flesh," and "Fat Exchange for Five Organs and Six Bowels." These corresponded to three different levels.
As for the refining of the original spirit to reach such a level, it too cannot be further enhanced.
Alternatively, the force can still be strengthened, but the realm will not advance.
To advance in realm, Chen Yun only needs to do one thing, which is "cultivate the Yang Spirit."
This is the method of the Golden Elixir Path to achieving the convergence of three blossoms and the gathering of five qi.
As for other cultivation systems, Chen Yun knows very little about how they achieve this level.
He only knows about the "Laozi Xiang'er Zhu" and "Bamboo and Eight Mysteries of Perfect Function" as well as the "Flying Spirit Jade Symbol" in these systems, where the concept is only mentioned in an obscure manner. The specifics must be self-intuited.
"My immortal body, due to the cultivation of the 'Pangu True Body Technique,' is much harder than an actual immortal body, probably only able to be broken by special artifacts and some incredibly mystical secret methods, nothing else can."
Chen Yun can definitely say now that even if Gouteng Daojie brings out the "Starry Starry Fire Screen," he can still take a bath inside without receiving any harm.
That's right, his physical body is now so incredible in strength!
So powerful that even challenging an immortal might not be impossible for him.
Of course, only on the level of the physical body, involving the spirit does not apply.
"It's a pity that my spirit realm is still quite weak. If someone were to launch an attack on my spirit, I'm afraid I might not be able to withstand it."
Chen Yun pondered his own situation silently, analyzing his current combat strength.
Suddenly, the voice of Jing Chen Tai inserted itself into his ear, "Master Chen, I see that your five qi converge to the origin and three blossoms faintly gather. Are you cultivating to the realm of immortals?"
Chen Yun glanced aside and saw a look of shock on Yan Feng, Niu Dashi, and Jing Chen Tai's faces.
He smiled and shook his head, saying, "I have not yet reached the realm of immortals. There is still a long way to go before I reach such an advanced level."
Yan Feng was puzzled and asked, "Then we saw Master Chen you earlier, who had already achieved the gathering of five qi?"
Niu Dashi also looked confused. "Although the ancestor has cultivated to the peak of the Land Spirit Realm, he once said that it was a wrong way of cultivation. But because he couldn't achieve the convergence of three blossoms and the gathering of five qi, he chose to do so in order to enhance his own strength. Master Chen, you've achieved the gathering of five qi, and it seems like the three blossoms are about to converge as well. So how can there be no realm of immortals?"
The ancestor he referred to, "Master," referred to his ancestor, Feng Jūn Dá.
Chen Yun smiled and explained, "I have indeed achieved the gathering of five qi, and my physical body is no different from that of an immortal. However, the convergence of three blossoms, my strength is still lacking. Therefore, I have not reached the realm of immortals. Just now I said there is still a long way to go, you should know that the goal for internal alchemy to reach the realm of immortals is to refine a pure Yang spirit without any Yin, i.e., the so-called Yang God that internal alchemy practitioners often talk about. I haven't refined it yet."
"Oh?"
"The physical body is almost identical to an immortal's?"
"But because I haven't refined the Yang Spirit, I haven't attained the realm of immortals?"
Yan Feng, Niu Dashi, and Jing Chen Tai were all taken aback.
No one expected such an unusual situation in Chen Yun's cultivation.
Chen Yun would never say that he had achieved such a state because he had cultivated the "Pangu True Body Technique."
If others knew that he possessed such a mystical great method, many would be tempted to risk their lives for it, and then he wouldn't have a peaceful day in the future.
Chen Yun was evasive and said vaguely, "I had some extraordinary encounters, so I ended up in this situation. Ordinary people will never be able to achieve what I have accomplished with my physical body, and I cannot explain the reasons for it to you."
Upon hearing this, Yan Feng, Niu Dashi, and Jing Chen Tai felt deeply regretful.
They had thought that Chen Yun must have consumed some kind of celestial and terrestrial elixir root to be like this now.
Celestial and terrestrial elixirs are hard to come by, and it's a matter of chance. Therefore, they have put an end to their thoughts.
Chen Yun didn't want to talk too much about his own situation, so he changed the topic and said, "According to the calculation of days, the Golden Axe and the Golden Scissors should be born tomorrow?"
Yan Feng immediately replied, "Yes, as soon as the midnight bell rings, the Golden Axe and the Golden Scissors will appear."
In modern times, the calculation of time is that midnight counts as the first hour of the next day.
Actually, this was not the case in ancient times.
In ancient times, it was believed that the first hour of a day was the Zǐ Shí.
That is to say, when the Zǐ Shí arrived, it was already the second day.
For example, when calculating the time of someone's death in modern times, the Zǐ Shí is also used.
If someone died before ten o'clock at night, it would be considered one day, followed by a day of mourning, and then the funeral on the third day.
If someone died between eleven o'clock and midnight, the body would be left to rest for two days before the funeral on the fourth day.
Chen Yun calculated the time, "There are nine hours left. We can just wait here quietly."
Yan Feng said, "Very well."
Niu Dashi and Jing Chen Tai, being outsiders, naturally had no objections.
...
Time was ticking away second by second.
Perhaps it was because they knew that the Golden Axe and the Golden Scissors were about to appear.
Chen Yun, Yan Feng, Niu Dashi, and Jing Chen Tai sat there in silence for an entire day without speaking.
Everyone sat quietly, gazing at the mulberry tree and the heart of the divine iron, eager to witness the splendid moment of the Golden Axe and the Golden Scissors' emergence.
Now, it was nearing the Zǐ Shí.
Suddenly, an earthquake shook the mountains and disappeared out of nowhere.
"Hmm?"
Chen Yun looked around and noticed that the spiritual energy in the Yuexi Pool was chaotic.
These spiritual energies seemed to be attracted by something and were constantly gathering towards the southwest basin.
In the blink of an eye, the southwest basin that was once covered in solar true fire, was now shrouded in a thin "mist."
In fact, any cultivator could tell that this was not the so-called "mist," but rather the spiritual energy had condensed into a tangible form.
Yan Feng had an amazed expression as he said, "The Golden Axe and the Golden Scissors are about to be born. Their spirit instruments are waking up and absorbing heavenly and earthly energies. Once they have enough, they will break through the mulberry tree and the divine iron and appear before us. At that time, we can just take them directly."
Niu Dashi was not very familiar with this, so he curiously asked, "Do we not need any secret methods to take the treasure?"
Yan Feng said, "No need. You just need to make sure you're not injured by the brilliance emitted by the Golden Axe and the Golden Scissors, and then hold them and take them away. As for whether you can use them, that depends on whether you can subdue the spirit instruments. Although I have a secret method for refining spiritual artifacts, due to my relatively low cultivation level, I may not be able to subdue the spirit instruments in time; it might take dozens or even hundreds of years to refine them. Then there is hope of being able to control them. Master Chen has a profound cultivation level, and if he follows the refining method I will teach him later, it should only take forty-nine days."
Chen Yun didn't expect Yan Feng to be so knowledgeable and willing to share the secret method for refining the Golden Axe and the Golden Scissors with himself.
He bowed and said, "Thank you, Yan Daoist."
Yan Feng smiled and said, "We are friends; there's no need for such formality."
As he spoke, he looked at Jing Chen Tai and said, "Master Jing, you and Long Zhan Tian originally wanted to come here to obtain the Golden Axe and the Golden Scissors. I imagine you also have a secret method for refining spirit instruments?"
Jing Chen Tai smiled and said, "Yes, I do. If Mr. Yan hadn't offered the secret method to Master Chen just now, I would have given it to him as well."
Chen Yun smiled, knowing that Jing Chen Tai did not speak empty words.
That is to say, if Yan Feng didn't give the refining secret method, the other party would indeed give it.
This made him have a better sense of the two than before.
It has to be said, to have such three dear friends is something that cannot be demanded of anyone.
Just as he was thinking, the shaking of the earth and mountains became more intense.
Even cracks appeared on the ground, one after another.
It's like an earthquake.
Chen Yun and Yan Feng put aside their idle chatter and continued to focus on the front.
Niu Dashi and Jing Chen Tai also knew that the treasure was about to be born, and no one made a sound.
With the shaking becoming more violent, two strong golden lights emerged from the mulberry tree and the divine iron on the other side.
Although the two golden lights were fierce, they congealed into a single stream and did not disperse light towards the surroundings.
Suddenly, the southwest basin presented a strange sight.
Two golden lights, as powerful as dragons, pierced the clouds and stood upright like towering pillars between heaven and earth.
This situation lasted for about a stick of incense.
Finally, when all the thin, misty spiritual energies were fully absorbed, two earth-shattering booms almost sounded simultaneously.
Boom!
Boom!
The deafening sound, shaking the entire Yueshi Pool Cave Heaven slightly.
With these two thunderous sounds, the mulberry tree burst into pieces instantly.
A three-foot-long golden great axe shot up into the sky abruptly.
It kept trembling, emitting a terrifying and awe-inspiring aura of violence.
On the other side, at the location of the divine iron, the scene was almost identical.
Numerous pieces of divine iron were shattered into the size of fists and thrown high into the air.
Among these divine irons scattering, there was a pair of giant scissors made up of two dragon-like figures, emitting intense golden light and about one foot in length. It also exuded terrifying violence, making people horrified.
Yan Feng laughed loudly, "The treasure has been born. Master Chen, let's collect it together."
As he spoke, he turned into a streak of light and shot straight towards the Golden Axe.
Chen Yun took a step forward, and his entire body seemed to turn into a cloud of blue smoke, a beam of light, and suddenly vanished from the sight of Niu Dashi and Jing Chen Tai.
When Niu Dashi and Jing Chen Tai saw Chen Yun again, they found that he had already arrived beside the Golden Scissors.
On one side, there was Yan Feng, whose face was filled with excitement and emitting a dense spiritual energy to resist the golden light, holding the Golden Axe.
On the other side, there was Chen Yun, who was as quiet as a hermit, floating in the clouds and stepping on the mist with one hand holding the Golden Scissors.
The two formed a stark contrast.
Niu Dashi and Jing Chen Tai looked at each other and sighed, "Master Chen, you truly embody the elegance of a celestial being!"
Jing Chen Tai also exclaimed, "Indeed, it is fitting that Master Chen has reached the Five Qi Zhaoyuan realm. He didn't release any spirit energy to block the gold light and just received the Golden Scissors into his possession. His flesh is so strong."
Chen Yun could naturally hear the other two's exclamations, but he showed no arrogance. Instead, he tightly held the Golden Scissors, sensing a terrifying and formidable power within this super artifact.
He had a feeling that if he were to be cut by this Golden Scissors just once, his life and death would be decided.
What a wonderful treasure!
Truly, it is a wonderful treasure!
Indeed, they are the two strongest spiritual artifacts within the Yueshi Pool Cave Heaven!
Although Chen Yun had not yet refined the Golden Scissors, nor had he witnessed its power, he could sense that even deities would hesitate to confront the unparalleled might of this Golden Scissors. No wonder it could kill the evil dragon that devoured the sun and moon!
