Chapter 29: The Secret of the Primordial Pill Revealed

Zhong Shenxiu not only possessed an extraordinary talent for swordsmanship, but his comprehension was equally remarkable. Though he had never studied Daoist texts and was unfamiliar with many of the terms, Chen Yang would patiently explain each passage, often having to elaborate at length before Zhong Shenxiu could grasp the meaning. Yet once he understood, he would remember it immediately, and was even able to apply the principles to later passages by analogy. The more Chen Yang taught, the more delighted he became, finding his pupil increasingly agreeable.

Such was the Daoist tradition of Mount Shu: in theory, it was open to all, requiring neither innate aptitude nor spiritual roots. However, without the accumulation of insight from past lives or a naturally perceptive mind as foundation, even if one were spoon-fed the teachings—broken down and explained in the simplest terms—it would be difficult to truly learn, and even harder to achieve anything of significance. Hence the old jest: “Fools wishing to cultivate the Dao? Better head down the mountain and study for the imperial examinations!”

Zhong Shenxiu, however, learned swiftly, and Chen Yang found the teaching most gratifying. In just a single day, Zhong Shenxiu had already grasped most of the Three Treasures Foundation Method. In the days that followed, Chen Yang continued to instruct him in the fundamentals of Daoist cultivation, while also preparing to refine the Qiankun Bone-Changing Pill.

Unlike the inferior version of the Hunyuan Pill he had previously concocted—something he himself would never consume, and thus made carelessly, producing a batch of poor quality in just a few days—this time, Chen Yang resolved not to cut corners. The Qiankun Bone-Changing Pill required at least forty-nine days of careful refinement.

Cultivating the Dao is no easy matter, and for someone like Zhong Shenxiu, who had never before touched upon such teachings, it was even more challenging. Each morning, as Chen Yang guided the true solar fire to nourish his own body, Zhong Shenxiu would recite Daoist scriptures to steady his mind and spirit. Establishing one’s foundation required the body to be brought into an optimal state for cultivation, but even more essential was the mind. Without the emergence of the Daoist heart, even if one attained the immortal body, the path ahead would be arduous and uncertain. One could easily meet with calamity at any turn, and might have been better off never embarking on this quest.

After the morning rituals, sword practice began, lasting for two hours. Afterwards, Zhong Shenxiu would study alchemy with Chen Yang while refining the Five Poisons Immortal Brew, which served as his daily sustenance.

In Daoist cultivation, building the foundation meant purging the turbid energies acquired after birth and attuning oneself to pure qi, so as to prepare for sensing and practicing with spiritual energy. During this phase, ordinary food was forbidden. As Chen Yang’s Qiankun Bone-Changing Pill was not yet finished, the Five Poisons Immortal Wine had to suffice for now. After all, the body was still mortal, and total abstention from food and drink was impossible to endure.

His days were filled to the brim, and even sleep was an opportunity for cultivation; adopting the posture of a newborn, arms folded and knees drawn in, he would meditate on tranquility and attune himself to the workings of heaven and earth.

As his foundation grew stronger, Zhong Shenxiu’s baleful aura became subdued, the wound at his brow—like a vertical eye—gradually faded, leaving only a vermilion mark. Yet the weight of unavenged enmity still lingered in his heart, leaving him taciturn and cold, which was somewhat detrimental to orthodox Daoist practice. Chen Yang could hardly tell him to simply let go of such a deep-seated grudge. He himself was the sort who would repay kindness tenfold and enmity a hundredfold; to tell someone to forget the slaughter of their kin, in his eyes, was the height of foolishness.

With a quiet command, over a hundred Qiankun Bone-Changing Pills, shining like golden stars, flew from the alchemical furnace in a stream of meteors, landing in Chen Yang’s sleeve. Unlike the inferior Hunyuan Pills—of which he could produce thousands in a single batch but had no use for—he had devoted much effort to these, and the result was just enough for three full sets: one hundred and ten pills.

He took out a set of thirty-six, carefully instructed Zhong Shenxiu on their usage and refinement, and sent him into seclusion to establish his foundation. With a wave, Chen Yang left behind a phantom of the Supreme Spirit Banner, sealing the courtyard against intruders, then stretched and stepped outside.

This villa had originally belonged to Sima Changfeng, but after Chen Yang took it over, the president of the Four Seas Trading Guild moved to their headquarters temporarily. When Chen Yang went to find Sima Changfeng, he discovered the president in a towering rage.

“Who leaked the news? Tell me, who spread it?” Sima shouted.

“Sima, my friend, whatever it is, let’s discuss it calmly—no need for such a temper.”

“That’s right,” another agreed. “We were all cultivating in seclusion when you sent for us in a panic, without even explaining what had happened—just demanding to know who leaked what. What is it you’re talking about?”

“Indeed, my fellow Daoists speak truly, Sima Changfeng. I’ve tolerated your attitude long enough. Just because you have powerful backing now, don’t think you can order us about. We are not your subordinates.”

“Sima, what exactly has happened? Speak plainly, will you?”

Voices chimed in from all sides, and the barrage of questions forced Sima Changfeng to calm down. Taking a deep breath and suppressing his anger, he said gravely:

“The matter of the Hunyuan Pill—someone leaked it, and now the whole city is abuzz with rumors. In just a few days, dozens of cultivators have come seeking to buy it. More importantly, word of this miraculous elixir has reached the ears of the Tianyuan Sect. Immortal Yang himself has sent a message—he’ll be visiting in three days. Tell me, how could I not be anxious?”

The others finally understood, but quickly realized something was off. Anyone who had cultivated to the Nascent Soul stage was no fool; one immediately snapped, “So, Sima, didn’t you say all the Hunyuan Pills were gone? If that’s true, what are you worried about? Or is it that Chen Senior gave you more than you admitted, and you kept the rest for yourself?”

Sima Changfeng, blinded by anger, had failed to see the trap. If the pills were truly gone, faced with a visit from Immortal Yang of the Tianyuan Sect, he should be worried, not angry. His outburst had only exposed that he still possessed some of the pills.

Cursing himself, Sima was about to argue when Shangguan Yun, sensing trouble, shot him a look and intervened, “Sima, I told you from the start to bring out all the Hunyuan Pills and let everyone decide together how to divide them. But you insisted the elixir was too miraculous, and worried that one or two pills would cause strife among us. Now that everyone knows, why not just hand over the remaining two pills?”

Shangguan Yun’s deft deflection worked perfectly; those who had begun to eye him with suspicion immediately turned their attention to Sima Changfeng, their gazes sharp and expectant.