Chapter Five: Teaching the Art of Cultivation

Within the grand hall, incense smoke curled upwards, thick and fragrant.

Chen Jiu’s master, aged wine in his years, sat cross-legged upon the main cushion, the images of the Three Pure Ones enshrined behind him. Upon the low wooden table before him, there was nothing at all.

Chen Jiu bowed respectfully, then sat properly upon the cushion below.

Li Fenglai swept the dust whisk in his hand, saying, “Blessings without measure, Celestial Venerable. Once you step into the Way, I fear there will be more calamity than fortune. Have you truly resolved yourself?”

Chen Jiu’s expression was resolute, his eyes shining with determination.

In his former life, he was a true bookworm, devouring myriad tales of the supernatural and immortal heroes. The pursuit of immortality through cultivation was his dearest dream.

Now, having truly crossed into a world of cultivators, how could he choose any other path?

Li Fenglai nodded. Sensing the unwavering conviction within Chen Jiu, he spoke in a low voice, “Then I shall teach you the art of Internal Alchemy.”

At these words, Chen Jiu’s expression shifted slightly.

The art of Internal Alchemy was a Daoist path of cultivation, focusing on refining oneself and attaining immortality without relying on external elixirs.

“Disciple is willing to learn!” Chen Jiu kowtowed.

Li Fenglai’s gaze shone softly. He said, “This method cultivates the essence, energy, and spirit within.”

“The first stage is known as ‘Refining Essence into Qi’—its purpose is to refine the vital essence inside your body into primordial energy, opening the meridians throughout your form. When the primordial energy circulates, you will be able to wield magical power, cast talismans, and manipulate spiritual tools—this is the very first step upon the mystical path.”

Chen Jiu listened intently, his eyes bright.

“To help you better transform your inner essence, I will pass on to you a technique…”

With a sweep of his broad sleeve across the empty wooden table, a flash of golden light appeared, and suddenly a blue-covered book lay there where nothing had been.

“Everlasting Spring Method…” Chen Jiu murmured, eyes narrowing.

Li Fenglai nodded slightly. “This ‘Everlasting Spring Method’ was acquired by your master by chance in years past. It is not an invincible art brimming with killing intent, but it nourishes the body, cleanses mortal impurities, and aids in the swift transformation of your inner essence.”

Like a treasure, Chen Jiu took the book in his hands, bowing deeply. “Thank you, Master!”

Li Fenglai smiled faintly, satisfied. “Take this technique and study it well. Reflect on it daily. If anything confuses you, come ask me.”

Chen Jiu nodded. “Disciple understands. I will not fail Master’s expectations!”

After bowing repeatedly, he was about to leave the hall.

But suddenly, a thought crossed his mind and he turned back. “Master! May I ask, how long did it take you to learn this method?”

Surely his master had studied this technique before, or he would not have handed it over so confidently.

He wanted to know just how difficult it truly was.

Li Fenglai squinted slightly, pondering. “This method did not quite suit me, so I only perused it briefly… Even so, it took me half a month to grasp its essence.”

At this, Chen Jiu quietly exhaled in relief. It seemed not too difficult—good, very good!

But Li Fenglai asked with interest, “What’s this? Do you wish to compete with your master?”

Chen Jiu hastily shook his head. “I wouldn’t dare!”

“Ha! And why not? If you can master the technique within half a month, I’ll teach you a spell as well. How about it?”

At these words, Chen Jiu broke into a wide grin. “Truly?”

Li Fenglai chuckled. “But if you don’t beat me… heh, you’ll fetch my footbath water for two months!”

At this, Chen Jiu was left both amused and helpless.

“Very well! Master, prepare to teach me that spell!”

With that, he turned and ran, elated, toward his quarters.

Within the hall, Li Fenglai rose, hands clasped behind his back.

“That lad has no idea how difficult the ‘Everlasting Spring Method’ is… Ha! No matter. Two months of footbath water… If only I’d asked for more!”

Back then, half a month was only possible with guidance from an expert and his own decent insight; it had been barely enough to chew through the method.

Now, his headstrong apprentice was giddy with joy over this new acquisition, bold enough to boast—he was about to learn a valuable lesson…

…

On the southeastern side of the mountaintop lay the disciples’ lodgings.

There stood rows of low wooden houses, and at present, only a few disciples could be seen busily moving about.

Once inside his room, Chen Jiu shut doors and windows tight, fearful of disturbance.

After all, practicing a cultivation method was not something done in public.

Especially given his “Heavenly Eye”—not something he wished others to see!

At the thought of his Heavenly Eye, Chen Jiu felt a surge of secret delight.

Within his forehead, inside the “Heavenly Eye,” lay a space all its own.

He called it the “Heavenly Eye Space.” In this golden realm stood a stone stele, upon which were inscribed eight divine abilities and a method for cultivating spiritual sense.

So far, he had only mastered three of the eight abilities.

“Control Spirit, Secret Communication, and Perfect Familiarity.”

Now, he was about to use this so-called “Perfect Familiarity.”

The ability to memorize all contents at a glance and comprehend them on his own—a truly extraordinary power!

Chen Jiu placed the technique upon his bed, then picked up a bronze mirror and examined himself.

Within the mirror was a face of clear, sharp lines—delicate and handsome.

Gazing at his smooth forehead, he called out softly, “Open!”

At that thought, a strange sensation climbed to his brow.

With a flash of golden light, his forehead split open, and from within emerged a vertical eye, faintly aglow with gold!

The moment the Heavenly Eye opened, Chen Jiu became instantly aware of everything within the room—even behind his back, he “saw” all with perfect clarity.

He knew this was the power of spiritual sense. Ever since his Heavenly Eye opened, he had possessed this ability.

It was a marvelous feeling, holding all around him in his grasp, as if he were heaven itself, gazing down upon creation.

In the mirror, the golden light swirling within the vertical eye made him appear awe-inspiring.

“I once saw a joke online—people wondered if Erlang Zhenjun’s heavenly eye was single- or double-lidded…”

Looking at his own vertical eye in the mirror, Chen Jiu couldn’t help but laugh.

Single-lidded!

He put aside his playful thoughts and grew serious.

On the cover, the words “Everlasting Spring Method” stood out boldly.

“Perfect Familiarity!”

Suddenly, the Heavenly Eye upon his brow shot forth a broad golden beam, enveloping the technique before him.

The book began to flip through its pages as if moved by an invisible hand!

Bathed in golden light, the words and illustrations within sprang to life, dancing before Chen Jiu’s eyes as though ready to leap forth from the pages.

Meanwhile, his mind filled with a torrent of complex incantations and Daoist terminology.

Though he could receive all the book’s contents, he could not instantly digest them all—after all, these were not simple poems.

Yet, within the golden radiance of the Heavenly Eye, Chen Jiu’s heart was as calm as still water. His mind was lucid and clear; as each word and phrase swept through his consciousness, they were vivid beyond compare—he could even sense the great truths of the universe contained within!

Such was the immense power of Perfect Familiarity: rendering obscure and difficult techniques comprehensible in the shortest of time, vastly accelerating one’s cultivation!