The Enshan mountain terrain is steep and difficult, with winding roads.

    Great valleys are five, and small valleys exceed 100, with ten thousand miles of continuous extension.

    The Daoist Temple of Jingyang Cavern is located in one of the major valleys.

    Chen Yun followed Teacher Wang Zhi around the Taoist pavilion and then came to the dormitory.

    Teacher Wang Zhi said, "This is the residence for ordinary disciples. Together with you, there are a total of thirteen people. During the day, they all work. You will see them later. At that time, just call them 'brother'.

    Chen Yun respectfully replied, "Yes."

    Teacher Wang Zhi adjusted his attitude and said, "When you join me in the Ningyang Cave to work, I have to explain the wages to you."

    Chen Yun hurriedly said, "Master Wang, you have spent a lot of money to buy me. I dare not expect any wages."

    "Oh, I thought as Taoists we were all equal. Since you are going to work for Ningyang Cave, you should naturally receive a stipend." Wang Laozhi waved his hand and said, "In that case, I will pay you according to market rates. During the first year of your apprenticeship, your stipend will be one tael of silver per month. After a year, if you perform exceptionally well, your stipend will increase to three taels per month."

    Chen Yun said, "Let the senior brother handle it."

    Teacher Wang Zhi hummed and said, "In addition, I will have someone send you two or three sets of changeable Taoist robes. In the future, every time the season changes, you can receive two sets of clothing suitable for different seasons. Meals are served three times a day. Because some disciples sit in meditation at 3 am and begin their martial arts training at 4 am, breakfast time is in the middle of 4 am. After finishing your meal, take a short rest, start working at 5 am. Have lunch at 12:00 and take another short break in the afternoon. Begin working again at 6:00 pm until 6:00 pm the next day to finish work. Then have dinner in the middle of 7:00 pm."

    Very detailed.

    Chen Yun understood that breakfast was at 6 am in the morning, lunch was at 11 am in the morning, and dinner was at 6 pm in the afternoon.

    He asked with great curiosity, "Sitting meditation at 3 o'clock and starting martial arts training at 4 o'clock?"

    Teacher Wang Zhi smiled and said, "Sitting meditation is a daily necessary task for those who cultivate the essence into Qi. As for martial arts practice, it's usually for disciples who are engaged in the 100-day foundation-building and refining Valley into Essence. Since you're joining to work here, you can't do without a strong body. Get up early tomorrow, and someone will teach you how to practice martial arts with breathing exercises."

    Chen Yun's eyes brightened and asked, "The breathing exercises and martial arts taught to me are the methods of 100-day Foundation-building and Valley into Essence?"

    "Ha ha, you're quite similar to Lǚ Dòngbīn." Teacher Wang Zhi laughed and said, "Breathing exercises and martial arts are just to keep you healthy and strong."

    Chen Yun felt a wave of disappointment.

    Teacher Wang Zhi seemed to notice his thoughts and added, "However, joining my Ningyang Cave, whether or not you become a disciple, you will be taught a method of 100-day Foundation-building. If the foundation is successfully built, the method of Valley into Essence will also be continued. In addition, some side techniques will also be taught, such as inviting spirits to magically assist divination and turtle shell or bone Divination. Or classics from Confucianism, Daoism, Yin-Yang Theory, Mohist School of Logic and Rhetoric, or medicine. Of course, there are interests in learning seal formulas and alchemy. However, the secret methods of refining essence into Qi are not taught."

    Chen Yun was astonished and said, "Even the long-term workers are granted such profound teachings?"

    Teacher Wang Zhi explained, "You have all been young people brought in. If you cannot learn a few skills from my teachings here, how will you support yourselves when you are discharged after five years?"

    At this point, he spoke with profound meaning, "Several taels of silver may seem a lot, but it won't last long. Teaching someone fish is not as good as teaching them how to fish."

    Chen Yun then realized how high the level of awareness of the Taoists at the Ningyang Cave School was. The so-called equality among people was definitely not just talk.

    Without realizing it, he felt great respect for Teacher Wang Zhi and Zhong Lí Yuán, who he had never met before.

    Respect aside, he had another question.

    Chen Yun asked cautiously, "How can one learn the secret method of refining essence into Qi?"

    After asking, he sneakily looked at Wang Laozhi's reaction.

    Teacher Wang Zhi smiled and looked at him, "This is the method of immortality, which cannot be lightly passed on. Only with the consent of the revered master can it be revealed."

    Got it.

    It still needs Zhong Lí Yuán's nod.

    Chen Yun felt quite disappointed in his heart.

    Teacher Wang Zhi said cryptically, "The revered master is magnanimous. If you perform exceptionally well in the 100-day Foundation-building and Valley into Essence, maybe you could catch his eyes and learn the secret arts."

    After speaking, he suddenly produced a key, "Take it. This is your room's key."

    Chen Yun took the key, "Thank you, Master Wang."

    Teacher Wang Zhi hummed and placed his hands behind his back, "Go in and rest for a while. Later, someone will call for meals. I have some things to attend to first."

    After saying that, he left directly.

    Chen Yun watched the back of Teacher Wang Zhi for a while, pondering in his heart what he had just said.

    Could it be that if one performs exceptionally well in the 100-day Foundation-building and Valley into Essence, there's a chance to be noticed by Zhong Lí Yuán and be taught the great methods?

    One doesn't know if the "Great Loong Pill" recorded by Fang Yu can help oneself perform exceptionally well.

    Thought came to this, Chen Yun silently laughed and said, "I can't even recognize the medicinal herbs. What are the 'Great Loong Pill'?

    As he took out the key to open the door, he muttered to himself: "However, since I'll be working in the herb garden, I suppose it won't take too long to get familiar with various herbs. Once I'm familiar with them, I can use my stipend to buy the herbs in town and then brew the Great Loong Pill."

    Click, the door lock opened.

    Chen Yun pushed the door open and found that it was a bedroom of about 15 square meters.

    Inside, there was a wooden bed with neat bedding, as well as some pots, bowls, and spoons.

    What truly surprised Chen Yun was that there was a wooden bathtub in the corner, as well as a small wooden table with an oil lamp for writing.

    "This living environment is much better than a hundred times that of the small mountain village!"

    Chen Yun couldn't help but feel emotional and nostalgic.

    "Life has finally changed for the first time in my own efforts!"

    In the afternoon, a senior brother who does female work delivers Taoist robes.

    Chen Yun made a joke at the time, imitating the way people in the previous novel and movies call someone senior sister.

    Later, the senior brother told him that Daoism doesn't have the titles of "senior sister" or "Taoist nuns."

    Regardless of gender, one is referred to as a senior brother, a junior brother, or "Taoist brother" or "Taoist friend."

    And for senior figures, the titles "teacher" or "master" are used.

    However, for those who have cultivated golden elixirs, they must be referred to as "true people".

    Chen Yun silently memorized these rules in his heart.

    In the evening, the senior brothers who worked returned one by one.

    He learned from these senior brothers that they were people who worked exclusively for the Ningyang Cave School.

    Some of the senior brothers were not very talkative, and Chen Yun didn't make much effort to befriend them.

    However, Zhang Qian and Li Si, two senior brothers, were generous and friendly. They answered Chen Yun's questions truthfully and completely.

    Chen Yun also learned from their mouths that there were only four people who were actual disciples and great disciples of Zhong Lí Yuán in the observatory.

    There are two disciples, one being Zheng Wen Shu, whom he has never met, and the other being Wang Laozhi, whom he has seen.

    Each of them has one disciple.

    Zheng Wen Shu's disciple is called Cai Ru Jin.

    Wang Laozhi's disciple is named Wang Zixi.

    These are all disciples taught personally.

    Zhong Lí Yuán also had a disciple, Lǚ Dòngbīn, who had already established his own school.

    According to what the several senior brothers said, Zhong Lí Yuán also had some secret disciples who were not publicly known, such as Zhao Mu and Cao Yi.

    Particularly, Cao Yi, it is said that he is a consort of the country's prince, with high status and position.

    Chen Yun thought to himself, "That's Cao Guojiu, one of the Eight Immortals?"

    At this moment, Chen Yun realized just how vast the influence of Zhong Lí Yuán's students and former subordinates truly was.

    ...

    Around six o'clock in the afternoon.

    Chen Yun went to the dining hall with Zhang Qian and Li Si, the two senior brothers.

    Zhang Qian was a young man in his late teens, not particularly tall, but he grew a half-foot-long beard. His personality was quite straightforward and generous.

    Li Si was a man in his late teens or early twenties. He was the "teacher" of Chen Yun in the herb garden, and he had a more relaxed personality. Currently, it seemed that he didn't say much, but if you asked him a question, he would answer.

    The dining hall has an elegant name, called the Jingxin Hall.

    As soon as Chen Yun entered, he could smell various meat fragrances.

    He looked around carefully and found that, besides the thirteen senior brothers who worked there, he only recognized the young brother.

    "Wang Senior Brother."

    "Wang Master."

    Zhang Qian and Li Si bowed.

    As soon as Chen Yun heard this, he knew that this was Wang Laozhi's disciple, so he quickly bowed and said: "Chen Yun has seen Wang Senior Brother. This is my first time meeting you. Please take care of me."

    Wang Zixi had a somewhat cold personality, simply nodded in response with a "hm" and did not speak again.

    Zhang Qian and Li Si, not daring to disturb him, pulled Chen Yun to the table next door.

    There was still one person at the table, and Chen Yun remembered that it was Ding Senior Brother from the Alchemy Hall. He seemed to have a personality similar to Wang Zixi, another character who was also cold-hearted.

    He didn't care about how this Ding Master was.

    Because Chen Yun saw that there was a plate of steamed lamb on the table.

    There was also a fried yellow croaker fish, along with vegetables like bok choy, winter melon, and radish soup.

    Chen Yun's appetite was greatly stimulated, but the senior brothers hadn't started eating yet, so he couldn't start eating either.

    Zhang Qian seemed to have a higher status among the senior brothers.

    He picked up chopsticks and pointed, "Brothers, let's begin eating."

    Then, Li Si and Ding Master also picked up their chopsticks to start eating.

    Chen Yun did the same, picked a piece of steamed lamb and put it in his mouth. Although it tasted a bit of mutton scent and was rather plain, since he had never eaten lamb in this world until now, the taste was absolutely delicious upon first bite.

    Delicious!

    It was really delicious!

    As he ate, Chen Yun couldn't help but recall his past days in the small mountain village, where they barely had enough to eat, let alone have lamb.

    Indeed, opportunities must be seized oneself!

    Zhang Qian was quite generous and helpful. He offered Chen Yun a piece of fried fish, saying: "Young brother, try the fragrant and delicate fried fish that Ning brother has passed down from his family."

    Chen Yun hesitated, "Fragrant essence?"

    Although this thing was invented in the seventh century BC, it is generally used for perfumes, and I haven't heard of it being used for cooking fish.

    Ding Master suddenly spoke up, "Ning Master has a family recipe for frying fish that has a special aroma. The fish meat is very fresh after being cooked, so it is called Fragrant Essence Fished."

    Oh, so that's the case.

    Chen Yun understood roughly.

    "Alright, it's a rule not to talk while eating or sleeping. If Wang Master hears us chatting during meals, he might scold us." Li Si reminded him.

    Chen Yun turned his head and saw that Wang Zixi was staring at everyone else.

    Chen Yun quickly turned his head and saw that Wang Zixi was watching everyone. He promptly shut his mouth and started eating like a starving ghost, constantly picking up dishes from the table.

    Soon, Ding Brother was the first one to finish eating.

    He stood up with his bowl and chopsticks, saying: "Brothers and young brothers, please take your time with your meal. I'll go back to my room first."

    Chen Yun replied to Zhang Qian and Li Si.

    Later, Zhang Qian also finished his meal and left to wash the dishes and leave.

    Finally, the table was left with Chen Yun and Li Si.

    Chen Yun had oil all over his mouth and his stomach was very full.

    At this time, he saw Wang Zixi leave and couldn't help asking: "Brother Li, Brother Ding, Brother Zhang, how do they eat so fast?"

    Li Si smiled and said: "They're in a hurry to go back to their rooms for a short rest. Later, they will meditate and cultivate qigong while their stomachs are full of food."

    Chen Yun blinked and said, "Transforming grain into essence?"

    Li Si nodded, "Yes."

    Chen Yun said with envy: "I wonder when I can cultivate the essence of grain like you all."

    Li Si smiled and said, "After the hundred-day foundation-laying period, you can. Don't be in a hurry, young brother. Unfortunately, I am dull-witted and may never have the chance to be a disciple of the Ancestor to practice the art of longevity. I don't know if you have such good fortune."

    Me?

    Chen Yun was stunned for a moment.

    Then he thought to himself: "With the Great Luo elixir, even if I can't become a disciple of Zhong Li Quan, as long as I get a chance to obtain the secret art of longevity, I will definitely achieve immortality... and even become an immortal!"