The Eternal Way-Chapter 117: Small Matters on the Way

The "Golden Elixir Chapter" states: "Grains can sustain life, and people live by them; without them, they perish. How much more beneficial would superior divine medicines be compared to grains?"

In other words, humans can rely on external objects to strengthen their physical forms. By absorbing the spiritual essence from external sources like elixirs, one can achieve immortality.

Therefore, in Daoist cultivation, there are two paths: internal alchemy (neidan) and external alchemy (waidan).

Neidan involves cultivating both body and spirit to generate an elixir within oneself. As described, "The dragon and tiger treasure cauldron is the body and mind; the body is the furnace, the mind is the divine chamber, and saliva is the flower pond."

If a cultivator lacks innate talent to form neidan internally, they must rely on external forces, using the convergence of heaven and earth's qi to create waidan, which, when consumed, helps the individual form an elixir internally.

Some use ordinary furnaces, while others use another person's body as a furnace, among various methods.

Neidan requires rigorous self-discipline and high demands on heart nature but moderate requirements for resources. Waidan, however, demands extensive exploration and experimentation to find useful external substances, requiring high demands on both resources and heart nature.

For those not yet ranked, neidan practitioners need to cultivate slowly, refining their spirit until it becomes complete to advance. Waidan practitioners must design formulas through repeated experiments, ultimately creating effective external elixirs that, when consumed, enable advancement.

Ultimately, Daoist cultivation revolves around "absorbing the essence of the sun and moon, harnessing the qi of heaven and earth, focusing thoughts and intentions, aiming to condense cinnabar, bending and laboring the body to seek transcendence, inhaling more than exhaling."

The difference lies in whether these resources are absorbed internally, with the body serving as the furnace for slow cultivation, or prepared externally in a furnace and then consumed directly.

Both neidan and waidan are forms of golden elixirs, with no inherent superiority; the choice depends on the path taken.

For Shen Shuibei, she originally practiced neidan, but with her body now fragmented, neidan was no longer viable. Since her body could no longer serve as a furnace, she opted for waidan.

She was refining a pill called "Sweep Away Evil and Restore Righteousness Pill." This orthodox external elixir, when consumed, could form a golden elixir. For her, the actual refinement process was straightforward, with the difficulty lying mainly in the preparatory stages.

Yang Ning's collection had already supplemented her resource needs. After completing the refinement over several days, she was ready to consume it.

As she swallowed the golden elixir, positive energy surged from various points in her body—Jiang Gong, Guanyuan, Qihai, Haide, Mingtang, Tianqiao Qihai, etc.—calmly expanding and harmonizing her vital energies. Her primordial spirit guided her own qi, merging with the void's qi, achieving a balance between water and fire, dragon and tiger, causing her power to surge dramatically.

Gathering the dual qi along the Yellow Path, uniting the three natures in the Yuan Palace, consolidating the five elements, harmonizing the four symbols, with dragons roaring and tigers howling, jade cauldrons boiling, and gold furnaces blazing, she finally attained the manifestation of the mysterious pearl.

Instantly, Shen Shuibei's surroundings were filled with auspicious signs and resonant Daoic echoes, purple qi descending, bringing blessings. An illusion of the moon appeared, its light cold and dewy, celestial music chilling her bones, wind and dew crystallizing, cicadas singing amidst fallen leaves under the beautiful moonlight.

However, all these phenomena were confined within three feet of her, unnoticed by the outside world.

Ninth Rank, achieved effortlessly.

There was no bottleneck or unexpected hindrance; it was simply a natural progression for her.

Meanwhile, inside the carriage, the governor of White Snake Prefecture suddenly opened his eyes.

Using his abilities, he instantly arrived beside Shen Shuibei, just in time to witness the moon illusion.

His face paled instantly, and he bowed deeply, "I did not know a senior was here, I apologize for any disturbance... No, I have shown disrespect earlier. Please forgive me."

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Such Daoic resonance indicated she was definitely Fifth Rank!

A Fifth Rank expert, serving as a maid to that young master?

Good heavens!

Who exactly were these people?

"No disturbance, I disturbed you instead. I didn't expect such a commotion. I've restrained it, but since you're already Sixth Rank, you still sensed it," Shen Shuibei replied politely, showing no arrogance, only slight embarrassment.

After all, she had disturbed him.

Quite troublesome.

"Not... not at all, may I ask if you are the young master's protector? Was it inappropriate for me to arrange his journey to the outer realms?" The governor, drenched in cold sweat, asked Shen Shuibei.

He was worried.

What if he had offended someone powerful...

This was Fifth Rank.

A Fifth Rank expert could collapse an entire outer realm, annihilating countless lives in an instant.

The higher one ascended, the greater the gap between each rank became apparent.

But... this Fifth Rank's aura seemed unusually weak?

He couldn't help but look up, confirming the Daoic resonance.

Indeed, it was Fifth Rank.

Perhaps she deliberately concealed her presence from the young master.

Just strange.

Why would a direct disciple of Wu Deity Mountain have a Daoist protector?

Forget it, such matters were none of his concern. Asking too many questions could be fatal.

"Huh? Outer realms? If you're happy, go ahead. Anyway, his teacher said he should explore on his own, so I don't interfere much. Is this what you came to ask about?" Shen Shuibei tilted her head.

"Yes, if you think it's fine, I'll rest easy," the governor of White Snake Prefecture bowed again.

He couldn't admit he came because he sensed a high-level existence, as that would seem impolite.

"I see," Shen Shuibei tilted her head.

"I dare not further disturb you, Senior. I'll take my leave." The governor quickly left, returning to his carriage.

Before leaving, he glanced at Li Qi in the other carriage, his gaze full of envy.

How envious of these prodigies.

Not only did they have elders guiding their paths, but they also naturally acquired top-tier techniques and abundant resources and opportunities.

Moreover, the young master exuded a hint of innate Daoic resonance, indicating he had always been superior from birth, likely why he was accepted as a disciple by the Grand Diviner.

Eventually, standing at the pinnacle was a given.

---

Later, Shen Shuibei bounced over to Li Qi.

Li Qi was reading the Book of Divination when Shen Shuibei approached. Upon seeing her, he was startled.

Shen Shuibei was enveloped in dense Yin energy, still lingering.

"Li Qi! I'm Ninth Rank now!" Shen Shuibei announced happily.

Already Ninth Rank?

Li Qi was surprised.

Wow, for these prodigies, reaching a rank was no big deal?

No, wait.

Shen Shuibei was originally Fifth Rank; regaining Ninth Rank was effortless for her.

"Congratulations, Miss Shen, on returning to Ninth Rank," Li Qi said politely.

"Hmm~ Oh, I made something for you too," Shen Shuibei looked delighted, hiding something behind her back, smiling broadly.

"Something for me?" Li Qi was curious.

"It's this!" Shen Shuibei revealed a small golden pill, about the size of a pinky finger.

"What is this?" Li Qi tilted his head, puzzled.

"I made it while refining my elixir. It's an external elixir I made for you!" Shen Shuibei looked proud.

"External elixir?" Li Qi frowned.

Based on his limited understanding, external elixirs often had severe side effects, like using demon cores to make pills, which could cut off one's future prospects upon consumption.

"Yes, external elixir, why?" Shen Shuibei wondered why Li Qi looked serious.

"Can external elixirs even be used?" Li Qi asked.

"Oh, I understand now," Shen Shuibei realized what Li Qi was concerned about.

So, she began explaining.

"What is external alchemy?"

"In ancient times, the High Celestial Primordial Sovereign taught the ways of heaven and earth's rise and fall, the cycle of the sun and moon. From then on, alchemical texts filled the world, and people learned the great Dao, extracting mercury from sand, silver from lead, mercury representing the yang dragon, silver the yin tiger. Using lunar fire to refine, gathering qi from eight directions, responding to seasonal changes, sulfur as medicine, combining spiritual cinnabar, perfected external elixirs could elevate one freely, like a strong man extending his arms, traveling thousands of miles. Though unable to return to Penglai, one could survive eternal calamities. How can such things not be used?"

"As for rumors you heard, they were spread by uneducated frauds."

"People prefer minor techniques, unaware of the depth of the Dao. External elixirs are indeed usable. In my case, I must use them due to severe bodily injuries."

Shen Shuibei continued, "With roots of qi and sources of liquid within the body, shallow roots mean sparse leaves, unclear sources mean short flows. 'Roots' originate here. Poor health means unstable roots, making it difficult to form neidan. Therefore, one must rely on waidan."

"By using metals and minerals, accumulating over months and years, one can refine a Ninth Rank dragon-tiger grand elixir. Consuming it connects with true qi, refining the body to stay in the world, enabling flight and easy entry into Ninth Rank."

Hearing this, Li Qi was shocked.

"So, this is an external elixir? If I eat it, I can directly reach Ninth Rank?" Li Qi was stunned.

According to Shen Shuibei, wouldn't eating one pill make one Ninth Rank? Who would bother cultivating then?

However, Shen Shuibei rolled her eyes, "What are you thinking? External elixirs must be refined personally."

"At the end of the day, waidan is chosen when one's microcosmic heaven and earth fail. Although simple, it's still a 'heaven and earth.' How can outsiders fully comprehend it? Even I cannot probe every detail of another's body."

"Many things can only be seen clearly by oneself, so waidan must be refined according to personal conditions, not relying on others."

"If not, consuming mismatched waidan disrupts one's microcosmic heaven and earth, causing harm or death. Even if you're Ninth Rank in martial arts with strong kidneys, consuming waidan could make you ill for months."

Li Qi, stroking his chin, asked, "Then, aren't external elixirs poisonous? Could they be used to poison someone?"

"Waidan is expensive... If you want poison, there are better options with stronger effects... Besides, above Eighth Rank, your microcosmic heaven and earth stabilizes, making waidan harmless but ineffective," Shen Shuibei sighed.

To poison someone, better poisons exist. Using waidan for poisoning is wasteful; proper waidan can elevate one to Ninth Rank, valuable beyond measure.

Stopping the topic, Shen Shuibei presented her gift, "Enough talk, let's see this!"

"So, what is it?" Li Qi asked.

"This is called the Take Tuberculosis Worm Pill, recorded in the Upper Pure Purple Courtyard Immortal Formula. It strengthens qi and blood, nourishes the five organs, and subdues tuberculosis qi. Concerned about potential aftereffects from the demons' evil qi, I made this for you!" Shen Shuibei handed the pill to Li Qi, smiling warmly.

Touched, Li Qi felt her care.

"Thank you, Miss Shen."

"No problem, I thank you too. If not for you, Lady Luo Fu would have faced real danger. Now, take the pill, and I'll leave." Shen Shuibei turned to leave.

Li Qi watched her go, then took the pill. Immediately, he felt a warm flow rising from his tailbone along the Governor Meridian, causing his blood to boil and muscles to tense. Passing through the spine to the Hundred Convergences point, it descended along the Conception Meridian to the perineum.

Suddenly sweating, Li Qi realized the intense qi and blood flow could cause involuntary tension, including...

Oh.

The strengthening effect was too potent.

Just then, Shen Shuibei popped her head back in, "Oh, Li Qi, I forgot to mention, prepare some ice water before taking it. Otherwise, your qi and blood will boil, though harmless, it might be uncomfortable."

Closing the door, she skipped away, possibly busy with other matters, not looking back.

Inside, Li Qi, red-faced and embarrassed, exclaimed silently.

Damn rabbit!