The excellence of both form and spirit is a very profound level in the cultivation of the Dan way, which can be described as reaching the peak without exaggeration. This level often appears in the stage of refining the emptiness and merging with the Tao.
According to reason, Chen Yun should not have the feeling of both form and spirit being extraordinary since he has just completed the transformation of Qi into a god and has not yet entered the stage of refining the divine spirit and merging with the Tao. However, he still sensed it.
The main reason is that Zhong Lü's Daoism of Dan is somewhat different from other internal Dan techniques.
The Zhong Lü School calls the stage of refining the divine spirit and merging with the Tao as "combining the divine with the Dao" and its basic thought is "collecting spirit to become a god, combining the god with the Dao to enter the path, using it to return to the upper Dan and then transcending it."
This stage of refinement is built upon the foundation of qi, jin li, and yu li huan dan work. It requires three fields to meet and couple, the negative energy with the positive energy in a cycle, and ultimately nurture the spirit in accordance with the Dao.
In other internal Dan cultivation systems, refining the divine spirit and merging with the Tao is merely a stage of its own. The level above this is where one begins to merge with the emptiness.
For example, the Wu-Liu School believes that after refining Qi into spirit, one proceeds to refine the spirit and return to emptiness. "Once the spirit is pure and complete, and the fetus is satisfied, it cannot be left in the fetus for long. Then one employs the migration method, moving from the middle and lower dantian to the upper dantian, adding three years of nurturing like milk feeding." In this context, the upper dantian is known as the palace of Naiyuan (the mud ball), which is also the palace where the yang spirit returns. When it returns to its home palace, if the spirit is not yet robust, like a young infant, it must rely on milk feeding; hence, it is named 'milk feeding'.
Later, the Sān Fēng School also practices refining the divine spirit and returning to emptiness as the same, not the merging with emptiness and the Dao as in Zhong Lü's method.
Sān Fēng School believes that an instant's work achieves the climate of a year, and it remains empty and pure. This can take one or two years, up to ten or a hundred years, until breaking through the void and becoming one with Taixu (the boundless universe), which is the work of refining the divine spirit and returning to emptiness.
Although the internal alchemy schools have much in common, there are always some differences.
Of course, Chen Yun faintly sensed that he was about to reach the level of both form and spirit being extraordinary, but he had not actually reached this level.
Although he hadn't actually achieved the state of form and spirit extinction, he immediately enlightened and knew he should refine the Yang spirit.
Chen Yun sighed inwardly, "It turns out that without realizing it, I have already stepped into the level of refining the Yang spirit."
He truly didn't expect the cultivation to progress so quickly.
Back then, he spent decades trying to attain Dao and immortality, only to reach the realm of human immortality and linger there for more than a decade.
And after entering the realm of the earth Immortal, with all sorts of extraordinary encounters and the help of the transforming spirit soup, it only took over two years to effortlessly reach the stage of refining the Yang spirit.
Two years, for some, it may take even longer than a hundred days to establish the foundation and refine the grains into spirit, while for myself, I have gone from the earth realm, on the brink of entering the celestial realm?
Such cultivation speed is undoubtedly terrifying.
Chen Yun couldn't help but sigh, "With the divine elixir, it's indeed different."
He was fully immersed in that mysterious sublimation, knowing that his realm had been elevated once again.
After a moment, he gradually woke up from the sense of sublimation and reached out to capture the vines that had turned into a tree, after the death of Gou Teng Daoren, and took it into the Tao-Sheng space.
In fact, at Chen Yun's level, the Tao-sheng technique is no longer important.
He can create a small world at any time, which is more vast than the space of the Tao-Sheng technique.
It's just that he has become accustomed to the Tao-Sheng technique, and almost all his things are inside, so he habitually puts them in there.
This vine cannot be messed with. It needs to be sent to Kunlun Mountain to give the West Queen Mother.
Therefore, he naturally had to take the vine tree and hide it, to prevent it from being taken by others to be used for alchemy.
At this moment, there was no movement at Beizhou City.
Chen Yun continued to reach out and capture it, and the Tai Bai Lv Mo Dao was immediately taken into his palm.
Almost simultaneously, a terrifying shout was heard from Beizhou City, "Chen Pi, how dare you!?"
Chen Yun looked up and saw that Kui Mulang was staring at him fiercely.
He naturally knew what the other party meant.
It was nothing but saying that he dared to collect Tai Bai Lv Mo Dao.
Chen Yun replied without fear, "Star Master, why should I be afraid?"
Kui Mulang narrowed his eyes and said, "This is my precious sword!"
Chen Yun laughed lightly, "Why was your precious sword in Guoteng's hand?"
Kui Mulang was at a loss for words and couldn't respond.
Why is he so attached to this precious sword?
The Tai Bai Lv Mo Dao is made using Qiming qi and numerous precious natural resources. Its main purpose is not to fight against humans, but to slay demons. Kui Mulang uses it to subdue demons and devils.
That could be said. Among all the weapons and spirit tools owned by Kui Mulang, the Tai Bai Lv Mo Dao is also a top-notch weapon, only being surpassed by his personal sword that he wears at his side.
Since Kui Mulang saw Chen Yun taking away his precious sword given to Guoteng Tao, he naturally wouldn't be pleased.
However, he had lent the precious sword to Guoteng Tao, who was then killed by Chen Yun. According to the rules, this sword would become a spoil of war and Chen Yun could take it. Therefore, Kui Mulang fell silent.
Kui Mulang was extremely unwilling and coldly snorted without explaining anything, "I said it can't be done, return the sword to me!"
As he spoke, he reached out and pointed, and a mysterious great power rose from the void.
Chen Yun felt an irresistible force passing from his palm, as if the sword was going to escape from his grasp.
"Hmph!"
Another cold snort echoed, "Kui Xiu, what great arrogance!"
As soon as the voice resonated, Chen Yun sensed that the great power released by Kui Mulang had dissipated.
He turned his head to look and saw Nezha standing proudly, challenging Kui Mulang: "If you want the sword, come and take it yourself! I Nezha will accompany you for two moves!"
Originally, Kui Mulang's face was still flushed with anger. But after Nezha's words, his face turned ashen and cold.
His fists clenched tightly, as if he was preparing for a fierce battle with Nezha.
General Zhao Da hurried to persuade, "Forbear a little and you will not spoil the great plan!"
Kui Mulang gradually loosened his fists, did not respond to Nezha's words, but looked coldly at Chen Yun and said, "You keep the sword for me for now, and I will definitely take it back in the future!"
Chen Yun didn't even bother to respond, after taking the sword back into his hand, he continued to challenge the people of Beizhou City, "Guoteng has been defeated, who among you dare to come out and fight with poor Daoist?"
Kui Mulang and General Zhao Da cannot take advantage of someone smaller than themselves, otherwise it would be laughed at if it were spread around.
As for the other cultivators in the city, the strongest ones are only at the early stage of the teacher level. How could they dare to confront him?
At the moment, the entire Beizhou City was silent.
Chen Yun placed his hands behind his back and shouted again, "Is there anyone in Beizhou who dares to fight me?"
The people of Beizhou City still did not dare to answer.
Chen Yun asked three times, "Is there anyone who dares to fight with me?"
Beizhou City remained silent.
Chen Yun asked three times, and Beizhou City was completely silent!
At that moment, he stood majestically in the middle of the vastness between Beizhou City and the Jurchen troops, with a posture of one man against a thousand.
Chen Yun asked three times consecutively, not out of heroism, but to confirm that there was no one left in Beizhou City who dared to challenge him, and then to leave the outcome up to the ordinary soldiers' army.
This means that the upcoming attack and defense of Beizhou City and the battles between the divine, cultivators, and ordinary people have nothing to do with them.
Kui Mulang was obviously aware of this principle as well.
If he remains silent, even if the other eight star officials of Kui Xiu arrive next, he would not be able to come forward to challenge again.
Because today's no battle means that the side of the holy and cultivators in Beizhou City has given up resistance, which is equal to admitting defeat.
If you've already admitted defeat, how can you send people up to challenge again afterward?
To regain face, they'll have to wait for the next battle.
Of course, he could choose to fight immediately.
But doing so would inevitably invite a painful blow from Nezha.
Kui Mulang was helpless, and he couldn't refuse to respond, so he compromised by saying, "Today, we will not fight, we will come to meet you again tomorrow!"
After speaking, Kui Mulang led Zhao Da and a group of cultivators down the city tower.
Chen Yun made no further comment, took a step back, and returned to the headquarters of the Jurchen army.
Zhao Yan Shou saw this and couldn't help but be overjoyed. He immediately issued orders loudly, "Three armies, attack the city immediately!"
The orders were issued one after another.
In an instant, the entire Jurchen vanguard army, like a tightly wound spring, lined up in an orderly fashion, pushing their siege equipment to the front and beginning a fierce attack on Beizhou City.
The battle between ordinary people and the relationship with Chen Yun, Nezha, and others has little to do with them, so they will not be involved.
A crowd of people guarded in the middle tent, while chatting casually among themselves amidst the overwhelming sounds of battle.
Li Jing praised immediately, "Mr. Chen, impressive tactics."
Chen Yun modestly replied, "Thank you for your praise, King Li, it was merely a stroke of luck."
The Nine-Headed Bull Demon King, with a straightforward personality, said in a deep, buzzing voice, "To win is to win; there's no such thing as by chance. Though you are still at the Earth Immortal level, your methods and intellect are quite good."
"Chen brother, fierce as well." Nezha stepped forward and laughed loudly, "I was worried about you earlier, but it seems I worried for nothing."
Zhang Qian, Lin Chen, Niu Dali and Qian Dao Ren were all excited.
Chen Yun remained modest and showed no pride.
After chatting for a moment, Li Jing was very smart and reached out to lift, and a golden rope appeared in his palm.
He handed it over to Niu Dali casually and said, "Li has lost the bet to you, so this rope for binding demons is yours."
Niu Dali dared not really take it, so he quickly waved his hands and said, "The bet was just a joke, King Li, please don't take it seriously."
Li Jing said, "I take it very seriously, please take it."
Niu Dali looked at Chen Yun.
Chen Yun understood and said, "King Li, since the binding spirit rope is valuable, how about you just give me something else to fulfill the bet instead."
Li Jing had not yet had a chance to speak.
Nezha snatched the binding spirit rope from Li Jing's hand and shoved it into Niu Dali's palm, "Just keep it. He has several binding spirit ropes, so he doesn't mind losing one."
Chen Yun and Niu Dali had realized that while they considered the binding spirit rope precious, to Nezha, Li Jing, and others, it was just ordinary, which is why it was given so readily.
"Niu brother, take it." Chen Yun didn't let Niu Dali be polite anymore.
"Good." Niu Dali agreed and then bowed to Li Jing, "Thank you, King Li, for gifting me with such treasure."
"There's no need for that." Li Jing explained himself, "The Binding Spirit Rope, as its name suggests, can catch and bind demons. Once it is activated, it will transform into a flowing light like a large python, binding the demons and preventing them from moving or using any more demonic arts. However, it only works on demons and has no effect on others."
Niu Dali quickly said, "Thank you for informing me, King Li."
The group chatted casually for a while.
Chen Yun saw the Jurchen army attacking the city and addressed the group, "I have something to go to the Kunlun mountain, you all can monitor the army here. I'll be back soon."
Nezha said, "No problem, I'll take care of things here. You go quickly and come back soon."
Chen Yun made no further comment and used a spatial displacement technique to head towards the Kunlun Mountains.
...
The Kunlun Mountain, in the eyes of ordinary people, has always been full of mystery.
According to legends, the palace of the Primordial God, the Jade Palace, is located on it, hence its alias "Jade Capital Mountain."
It is also known as the "Ten Thousand Pillars" because of its position in the northwest and its prominence as the "Pillar of Heaven."
The Kunlun Mountain extends westward from the Pamir Plateau and eastward into the Qinghai Province, with its terrain very rugged, featuring numerous snow-capped peaks and glaciers.
In ancient myths and legends, there are fairylands such as the Jade Lake, Lang Garden, Zeng City, and Xian Garden on the Kunlun Mountain.
After receiving a report, Chen Yun followed Long Nǚ, a female disciple of the Western Queen, to the Kunlun fairyland.
In front of him was a city made of gold, with nine layers of cloud vapor and five colors. The peak was over ten thousand feet high, reaching straight up to the North Polar Hexagon Purple Room beneath the North Star.
Majestic and magnificent, grand and imposing.
The scenery here, Chen Yun had already seen it when he came back.
Seeing such a fairyland again, he couldn't help but sigh slightly from the bottom of his heart.
The Kunlun Mountain extends up to the nine heavens, and below it lies the Nine-level Weak Water and a hundred thousand-foot-high flood tide, indeed not ordinary.
Riding the Rapid Fly Eagle Chariot, I passed through the Weak Water and entered the city of Jin.
There are Golden Cities of a thousand levels, Jade Towers of twelve stories, Jade Phoenix Gate, Emerald Gong Hall, Nine-level Mystical Platform, Purple Green and Red Study, with Yaochi Pool on the left and Cui Shui on the right.
Chen Yun gazed at the magnificent sight, feeling quite relaxed and delighted.
Inside the Jade Halls, which reached to the sky, there are Green Platforms supporting the sky, Azure and Green Universe, Red and Purple Palace, Continuous Jade Curtains, and Bright Moon in Four Directions.
Waited for a moment outside the palace.
After the dragon maiden had completed her consultation with the Western Queen Mother, she came out to lead Chen Yun inside.
As soon as he entered the palace, Chen Yun heard a series of melodious and ethereal sounds, which were indeed the legendary Eights Melodies.
In the next moment, he saw a dignified woman sitting at the throne in front of him.
On her left stood a fairy attendant, and on her right, a feathered boy. The jade canopy was stepped upon, and the feather banners shadowed the courtyard.
On either side of the pillar, there was a pair of couplets.
The upper couplet: immediately, the happiness is gained, and becomes an immortal.
The lower couplet: coming together at the Jade Lake, worshiping the Golden Mother.
The horizontal brushwork: answering every request.
Chen Yun, although he had seen the true face of the Western Queen Mother last time, did not look directly at her this time when he came over.
Chen Yun directly knelt down on the ground and loudly said, "The Chongyang Cave of the Zhongnan Mountain, the True Immortal Cultivation Hall, a disciple of Zhengyang Master, Chen Pu, comes to pay respect to the elder ancestor."
After that, he bowed deeply and followed the formalities of three bows and nine knelt.
At this moment, a voice like celestial music came from the ear, "No need to bow, be seated."
Chen Yun thanked and stood up, observing that the Western Queen Mother was dressed as she had been the last time he saw her. She sat on the throne, wearing a golden cloak with brightly colored patterns, with a dignified appearance, elegant and serene, adorned with the Grand Silk Sash of Spiritual Flight, and carrying the Sword of Divided Sight. Her hair was in a too-huaji hairstyle, wearing the Daurian Cradle Crown of True Serenity in the Morning Sun, and wearing slippers with fuchsia phoenix patterns.
Her natural beauty was hidden, her face unparalleled.
Exalted and majestic, inviolable.
A feathered boy carried a red lacquer armchair over and asked Chen Yun to sit down.
After thanking, Chen Yun carefully sat down.
At this moment, the Western Queen Mother didn't speak, but kept looking at Chen Yun.
Chen Yun sat there feeling restless, not knowing if the Western Queen Mother would blame him for defeating Jin Teng Dao Ren.
Frankly speaking, even if the Western Queen Mother blamed him, Chen Yun would still do it.
His hatred for Jin Teng Dao Ren has reached an irreconcilable stage, how could he hold back?
Overall, the battle today, Chen Yun was relatively satisfied with it.
First of all, he used the Seven Treasure Wonders to sweep Jin Teng Dao Ren's Xing Chen Shen Hua cover.
Secondly, he also obtained the Tai Bai Lu Mo Knife of Kui Mu Lang.
With these two treasures as war booty, the harvest is already quite rich.
As for whether the Western Queen Mother will blame him, it is not important at all.
At this moment, the Western Queen Mother slowly opened her voice and said, "Chongyong, do you know the crime of killing my disciple?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Yun understood that the Western Queen Mother was not angry. Otherwise, she would not have called him by his name, "Chongyong," instead of addressing him by his surname, "Chen Pu."
But since the elder ancestor said this, he must have some response.
Chen Yun stood up, bowed, and said, "Disciple knows his fault and asks for the elder ancestor's punishment."
"Your admission of guilt is quite quick," the Western Queen Mother said with a silent chuckle, "Why didn't you think more about it when killing Jin Teng Dao Ren?"
Chen Yun told the truth and said, "I know it's wrong to kill the elder ancestor's disciple, but it doesn't mean that killing Jin Teng Dao Ren is also wrong."
This statement was very clear. I shouldn't have killed your disciple, but I had to kill Jin Teng Dao Ren.
The Western Queen Mother with interest asked, "Why do you think killing Jin Teng Dao Ren is correct?"
Chen Yun said, "I have a decades-long grudge with Jin Teng. If I didn't kill him today, my Dao heart would never reach the ultimate perfection. Therefore, from my personal perspective, I am not in the wrong."
The Western Queen Mother nodded slightly and said, "Although it's a bit of arguing, your Dao heart has already become unshakable. One day, you can prove that you have reached the realm of immortals."
After that, she changed the subject and said, "Now that Jin Teng has been killed by you, I would like to discuss something with you. What do you think?"
Chen Yun asked, "Dare to ask the elder ancestor, what is it?"
The Western Queen Mother did not immediately say the matter, and said slowly, "If you agree, I will tell you where your ancestor's cleft is, helping you refine Yangshen. How about that?"
