Qingcheng Mountain.

    Chen Yun and Gong Ju immediately placed the images of divine soldiers, ghosts, ghost soldiers, and spirit figures as well as the plaques back in the side hall upon their return.

    Just thinking of adding more offerings to thank the soldiers for their efforts.

    Chen Yun and the ghost soldiers and generals may have a hierarchical relationship, but he only has a cooperative relationship with Ji Xin and the three hundred divine soldiers and generals.

    Whether it's a hierarchical relationship or a cooperative one, since they fought and risked their lives for him, of course, he should reward them afterward.

    Unexpectedly, the consciousness of Qin Liang appeared from the divine images, "Master, our forces may not be able to go out for combat in the short term."

    Chen Yun was startled and thought that the soldiers and generals had suffered heavy injuries in their battle with the ghost general. He quickly asked, "Are you okay?"

    Qin Liang did not appear in person, but only transmitted his consciousness to Chen Yun, "We are fine, but this time our brothers have consumed too many ghost soldiers, and they need to be properly refined. Therefore, we will not be able to fight in the short term."

    Chen Yun was stunned, "What you mean, our brothers need to 'upgrade'?"

    "Upgrade? What does that mean?" Qin Liang didn't quite understand.

    Chen Yun sweat a little, and quickly changed his wording, "I mean, do you mean the brothers are about to absorb a large number of ghost soldiers to enhance their power?"

    This time, Qin Liang understood, and his response to Chen Yun was filled with joy, "Yes, Your Lordship. We have absorbed many ghost soldiers, especially me, General Cui, and General Ji. Our power will undergo a sudden surge. However, it will take time to refine the ghost Qi of those soldiers and generals."

    Chen Yun has long known that divine soldiers and generals as well as ghost soldiers and generals can enhance their strength by absorbing other "souls". He initially didn't remember it, but now hearing Qin Liang say this, he was very happy in his heart, "Good. You all refine well. Wait until you have completely absorbed it."

    "Okay, Your Lordship."

    Qin Liang nodded, then there was no movement.

    ……

    After finishing the task, Chen Yun and Gong Juji came outside.

    Wang Siyan knew that Chen Yun had returned, so she and the four demon kings, including monkey demon and brown bear demon, were already waiting there.

    "Master, you're back so quickly?"

    "Big brother, did you guys have a confrontation with the ghost general?"

    Monkey demon and eagle demon approached to ask.

    Just established the first credit, Gong Juji smiled, "The ghost general couldn't resist a fight. With the help of my teacher and numerous brothers of our troops, we immediately beat the ghost general and his soldiers out of their armor."

    The monkey demon looked puzzled and said, "Since you subdued the ghost general so quickly, why did you return so early? Did the local officials and people not show gratitude?"

    The rhinoceros demon also looked puzzled and said, "Yes, Your Lordship said that you were going to save the angels. Why didn't you bring them back with you?"

    Chen Yun was in a good mood and said with a smile, "There are some things that cannot be actively sought after; they must be delivered by others."

    Wang Siyan stared at his face.

    Hearing this, she nodded her head in agreement with Chen Yun's statement.

    Indeed, if Chen Yun had immediately asked for what he needed after saving the angels, he might have been seen as someone seeking fame and fortune for himself.

    If others were to offer it willingly, the nature of the situation would be different.

    You are forcing it on me. I am indifferent to fame and don't seek it.

    In that case, even if others find out, they would only praise you for your integrity.

    Although I don't know what specifically happened, Wang Siyan looked at Chen Yun with a somewhat dazed expression.

    At the beginning, when the other party entered the Daoist Temple, he still appeared quite young and innocent.

    Who would have thought that in just over a year, he not only became handsome and extraordinary, tall and majestic, but also possessed incredible abilities that shook the heavens and earth.

    Under his command, he even attracted several powerful disciples, including Gong Juji and Qin Liang, as well as Ji Xin and Cui Mingyi and other spiritual soldiers.

    Within a few months of being apart, Wang Siyan felt that the distance between her and Chen Yun was becoming increasingly remote.

    As Wang Siyan was lost in thought,

    Chen Yun turned to Gong Juji and said, "Your hard work and achievements this time have left me with a deep sense of appreciation."

    Gong Juji humbly said with a modest expression, "The battle strategy set up by our teacher is excellent, and I, along with other brothers in the army, merely cooperated with our teacher. It is thanks to his success."

    "Ah, merit is merit; there's no need to flatter like ordinary people." Chen Yun generously praised, "None of you five have learned any magic, yet you can all display such power. Just happens that I have some good spells to pass on to you."

    Gong Juji was overjoyed and bowed in gratitude, "Thank you, teacher, for passing on our spells."

    "Thank you, teacher."

    "It is an honor for us, the little demons, to learn the teacher's magic."

    The four demons, including the monkey demon and the brown bear demon, all showed grateful expressions.

    They were all elves born from the spiritual essence of mountains and rivers. Whether they were cultivating or fighting with humans, they relied entirely on their instincts.

    To put it that way, being able to harness half of one's strength is already considered quite good.

    If they were able to learn magic, their combat power would definitely surge greatly.

    How could these demons not be delighted?

    Chen Yun naturally understood this principle.

    Today, Chen Yun was prepared to teach a few spells to the five demons, mainly because Gong Juji had made great contributions. He definitely needed to win them over.

    If others invest their time and energy in your service, especially when it comes to killing and fighting for you, but receive nothing in return, why would they be willing to go through all kinds of hardships for you?

    Reward those who have done well and punish those who make mistakes.

    Being fair and impartial is the key to a long-lasting relationship.

    Chen Yun smiled, waved his hand, and then looked at the tiger spirit lying on the ground, "Little Tiger, your service to me as a companion shall never be forgotten. Therefore, I shall bestow upon you the art of 'Soaring Clouds'. What do you think?"

    The tiger spirit was overjoyed, "Thank you, my master. Thank you."

    Chen Yun hummed in agreement, turned to Wang Siyan, and said, "Big sister, please bring me the brush, inkstone, and paper to write spells."

    "Alright." Wang Siyan responded.

    But to everyone's surprise, Gong Juji suddenly said with embarrassment, "Teacher, we can't read."

    Chen Yun blinked his eyes and said, "I know. My sister will explain it to you later."

    Wang Siyan, who was about to retrieve the brush, inkstone, and paper, was stunned.

    Of course, she understood the meaning of Chen Yun's words. He wasn't really asking her to be a translator; in fact, he was also going to impart the spells.

    She didn't know that Chen Yun was actually doing this as a way of expressing his gratitude for their care.

    However, seeing that Chen Yun was thinking of her even when teaching spells, Wang Siyan's heart couldn't help but feel a bit sweet.

    Then, everyone said no more.

    Chen Yun first returned to his bedroom.

    Not long after, Wang Siyan brought over the brush, inkstone, and paper.

    After placing the items down, Wang Siyan asked with concern, "Young brother, although you subdued the ghost general in Lizhou, I imagine it must have taken quite a lot of effort?"

    Chen Yun was grinding the inkstone and truthfully replied, "I did set up an array, but it indeed consumed a considerable amount of true qi."

    Wang Siyan looked at him with slight pity, "It seems you must have been tired out."

    Chen Yun said with a smile, "Consuming a lot of true qi does get tiring, but it's nothing serious. I'll recover by practicing my cultivation methods later..."

    Before he could finish, he felt two small hands on his shoulder.

    The faint fragrance of Wang Siyan's body came.

    Her voice was soft and gentle. "Just as a matter of fact, I've learned the 'Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon,' which includes massage techniques that can help alleviate fatigue. Young brother, let me give you a massage."

    This action was somewhat intimate.

    Chen Yun wanted to refuse, but the comfort he felt on his shoulders made him so enjoyed it at that moment. He didn't reject her either and continued to grind the inkstone, changing the topic in his mouth, "Big sister, I remember that before leaving the Daoist Temple, you said that your master had passed on the 'Art of Serving Qi' to you. How is your cultivation going now?"

    Wang Siyan massaged his shoulders while saying with a hint of frustration, "I've never been able to grasp the basic principles."

    As Chen Yun looked at the inkstone, which had almost grinded enough, he picked up a brush and wrote, "The path of cultivation varies between men and women. Women who practice the art of serving qi cultivate qi and energy, while men's cultivation has many differences. The teacher passed on his teachings with self-discovery in mind. If you can't understand the principles, you naturally can't enter the realm of cultivation."

    Wang Siyan seemed to be very concerned about this. She leaned in slightly and whispered into his ear, "Young brother, could you explain it in more detail?"

    Perhaps because she was too close, Chen Yun felt a wave of warmth on his earlobe.

    He couldn't help but look over at her, only to find that Wang Siyan was staring at him with wide eyes and a serious expression.

    Her lips, a vivid red without the need for color, were right in front of him.

    It seemed that if Chen Yun were willing, he could kiss her.

    Without thinking, his heart skipped a beat, and he quickly turned his head back to continue writing, "Tell me about the situations you encountered during your cultivation."

    Wang Siyan detailed the situations she encountered during her cultivation.

    Not long after, she finished speaking.

    After listening, Chen Yun knew why she couldn't successfully practice the art of serving qi.

    He wrote the "Flying Clouds" spell and carefully explained, "Generally speaking, for men, the foundation of their cultivation begins with the initial skill of practicing refining and building a base. For women, however, it's quite different. Men emit Yang energy from below and release it upwards. Men's bodies are rigid, while women's bodies are soft…… Women start their initial cultivation by refining their form and quality before refining their original essence. In contrast to men's method, which involves first refining original essence and then form quality, a woman's body is different and so is her work. Women first refine their form and then refine qi… From nurturing the fetus to breathing in the mother's womb. After completing this stage of work, they begin to record external practice cultivation works. Once they have enough external practice, they can then refine one section that modifies the spirit……"

    He explained it in great detail.

    Wang Siyan was intelligent and carefully recorded Chen Yun's teachings in her heart.

    At the end, Chen Yun summarized, "From the perspective of 'ming' (life force), a woman's Dan Tian is in the position of Shan Zhi (a sea of emotions), while a man's Dan Tian is inside his navel. Since your direction of serving qi is wrong and you haven't refined your form yet, it's no wonder you can't enter the realm of cultivation. Remember my words, and I advise you to review and follow what I said. You will definitely be able to cultivate a pocket of qi. Moreover, since a woman's spirit qi is closer to her life qi, achieving unity between spirit and life will be easier for women. If you persist in cultivating like this, achieving enlightenment or becoming immortal may also be possible in the future."

    Wang Siyan was still massaging him.

    While committing all this knowledge to memory, she smiled sincerely and said, "Young brother, I didn't expect that after a few months apart, you've already shown great sophistication. You're destined to become a master in the future."

    Chen Yun laughed heartily, "May I borrow your good wishes, and hope to achieve the ultimate."

    ...

    The next day, around noon.

    Tian Lingzi, accompanied by officials from Qingcheng County and a dozen attendants, finally arrived at the Dama Peak.

    Chen Yun sat over there to receive the imperial edict.

    This was not because he disdained the imperial authority.

    Although with his current cultivation level, he indeed could afford to ignore the imperial power.

    In fact, during the Tang and Song Dynasties, even ordinary people receiving edicts were relatively relaxed and did not need to kneel.

    Records indicate that it was truly necessary to kneel to receive imperial edicts from the Ming Dynasty onward.

    Of course, it's not very clear for the Yuan Dynasty because the records are not detailed enough.

    "With virtue, we must honor our official duties; with accomplishments, we must honor our rewards; when our country flourishes, its greatness shall be showcased... By vanquishing the demons of Emei in one stroke, bringing tranquility to the world, with our path of righteousness far-reaching and spreading the harmony, all evil spirits shall fall into silence... " Field Marshal Zhi began reciting the imperial edict for his coronation. "He shall be bestowed the title of Lingbao Master and Chen Pu's rank as a senior scholar of Daoism in support of national preservation and education will be upgraded to 'High Sage'. The Great Face Peak at Qingcheng will be recognized as a Daoist retreat. He will also be granted a golden fish bag with a purple bag."

    The main contents of this imperial edict for his enshrinement consist of three parts: the spiritual title of Lingbao Master, the honorific position of Senior Scholar in the Taoist Way for National Preservation and Education, and the granting of the Great Face Peak as a place of worship.

    As for the purple fish bag, it corresponds to the title "High Sage for National Preservation and Education in the Taoist Way."

    This honorific position given by Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty to Chen Yun represents an official rank of over third grade.

    Because in the Tang Dynasty, only officials of the third grade and above were qualified to wear a purple robe and carry a golden fish bag.

    As Chen Yun listened to the content of the edict, he secretly felt fulfilled, having finally obtained a spiritual title.

    If he were to truly achieve enlightenment and attain the status of a god in the future, he could take his place among the pantheon!

    (Chapter ends)