novelapdf Chapter 26: The Opportunity to Break Through to the Third Level of Qi Circulation
Chapter 26: The Opportunity to Break Through to the Third Level of Qi Circulation
"This Dragon Transformation Powder can actually accelerate the replenishment process of the Thorough Awakening Divine Power?"
When he left the shrine and looked at the packet of Dragon-Attracting Powder in his hand again, his gaze was completely different.
"No wonder Wang Kong said that this packet of [Dragon-Guiding Powder] is exceptionally precious, and is quite different from the previous ones."
"That's a pity, this Dragon-Guiding Powder is not a tonic."
Chen Lingxi's thoughts stirred, and suddenly a strange idea struck her.
He placed the Dragon-Guiding Powder on the table, sat cross-legged, calmed his mind, and the spiritual energy in his dantian slowly flowed out, advancing along the meridians of his right arm and into the Dragon-Guiding Powder.
The moment Chen Ling touched the Dragon-Drawing Powder, his brain was suddenly jolted.
In his spiritual perception, this dark brown powder contained an extremely rich spiritual energy.
"This Dragon-Attracting Powder contains so much spiritual energy. If I can use it properly, it might be enough to help me cultivate to the third level of the Spiritual Qi Realm."
Chen Lingxi remained silent for a moment, then leaned closer to the Dragon-Inducing Powder and took a deep breath.
This time he sniffed very carefully. After the pungent medicinal smell entered his nose, his blood and qi in his body became slightly hot, as if something was slowly dissolving in his blood vessels.
The copper-like qi and blood cultivated through the Seven Forms of Ceasefire showed signs of "melting" upon encountering this medicinal qi.
The sensation was so subtle that it would be almost impossible to detect unless he was fully focused, but Chen Lingxi knew it was no illusion.
"This Dragon-Attracting Powder is indeed a poison."
Chen Lingxi sighed.
It can dissolve and dissipate qi and blood, and it also has to withstand its inherent toxicity.
Those who can withstand the toxicity of this medicinal powder are qualified as medicinal catalysts, like him and Liu Changle.
Those who couldn't endure it, like Zhou Hu and Zhu Luanwen, died on the broken bed in the back room. Their bodies were taken away, and it's unknown whether they were thrown away or used for something else.
Upon realizing this, Chen Lingxi's gaze darkened.
He put down the Dragon-Inducing Powder, but a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
"The Concealing Edge Technique can construct an invisible barrier around the body, isolating the spiritual energy and the vital energy of blood and qi."
If the Concealing Edge Technique is applied within the meridians, using spiritual energy to form a membrane to envelop the blood and qi, could it shield against the toxic effects of the Dragon-Drawing Powder?
Once the thought popped into my head, I couldn't suppress it any longer.
He sat cross-legged and slowly began to practice the Concealed Edge Technique.
The cyan qi in the dantian circulated through the meridians, forming a faint barrier between the dantian and the meridians throughout the body.
The Concealing Edge Method envelops the circulating Qi and blood, isolating it from the inner walls of the meridians.
He carefully extended the membrane deep into the nasal cavity, covering every tiny opening in the respiratory tract where blood and air meet...
Then, he picked up the Dragon-Inducing Powder, brought it close to his nose, and took a deep breath.
The pungent medicinal aroma entered the nose and seeped into the body through the respiratory tract. It paused slightly when it reached the spiritual energy barrier constructed by the Concealed Edge Technique, and was firmly blocked outside.
The flow of Qi and blood remained normal, showing no signs of dissolving.
Chen Ling opened her eyes, her heart filled with joy.
"The Concealing Edge Technique can indeed isolate the effects of the Dragon-Drawing Powder on the blood and qi, but it does not block the spiritual energy itself."
He pondered for a moment, then poured the Dragon-Inducing Powder onto the table and carefully separated out a tiny pinch with his fingertips—about one-twentieth of the entire packet of powder.
"Even if the Concealed Edge Technique's barrier can't withstand this amount, the poison won't immediately dissolve my blood and qi. I still have a chance to catch my breath."
He put the small pinch of medicine into his mouth and swallowed it with warm water.
The moment the medicine entered his stomach, an overwhelming surge of spiritual energy exploded within him.
The amount of spiritual energy was so vast that Chen Lingxi even felt a little regretful for a moment.
It was as if he had swallowed not a pinch of medicine, but a raging, roaring river.
The violent spiritual energy surged through his meridians, causing them to ache as if they were being torn apart.
At the same time, the dark and turbid poison also erupted, intertwining with the spiritual energy and rushing towards his blood and qi.
The spiritual energy barrier constructed by the Concealed Edge Technique was attacked from both inside and outside at this moment, causing it to tremble violently and emit a faint hum.
Chen Lingxi gritted his teeth and pushed the Concealed Edge Technique to its limit. The azure energy in his dantian surged out as if it had no cost, constantly reinforcing the crumbling barrier.
Fine cracks kept appearing on the barrier, only to be filled by new spiritual energy. This back-and-forth continued for an unknown period of time. Although the barrier was stretched to the point of being almost transparent, it ultimately did not break.
The poison was firmly blocked outside the barrier. After circulating through the meridians and finding no blood or qi to invade it, it gradually lost its edge and was forced out of the body by his spiritual qi. It turned into a thin layer of light brown sweat that seeped out from the pores and stuck stickily to the skin.
Chen Lingxi used her breathing technique to gather and refine that abundant spiritual energy bit by bit, then incorporated it into her dantian.
Two hours passed quietly, and he had already refined most of the spiritual energy.
When Chen Lingxi opened her eyes again, the sun outside the window had already begun to set in the west.
He exhaled a long breath, and then a look of joy appeared on his face.
The wisp of green energy in his dantian had grown considerably thicker, transforming from the thickness of a small snake to the size of two fingers joined together.
The minor damage caused by the stretching in the meridians has been completely repaired under the nourishment of spiritual energy, and the meridians are even wider than before.
He stood up, stretched his limbs, and felt his bones cracking all over his body.
Beneath the skin, the warm, jade-like luster became even more pronounced. Copper-like qi and blood flowed through the meridians, hot and condensed. It seemed that only a thin layer of paper separated them from the perfect copper-red color.
"This Dragon-Attracting Powder is indeed extremely dangerous, but it is also a great opportunity." He looked down at the packet of Dragon-Attracting Powder on the table and muttered to himself.
Relying solely on breathing exercises for cultivation results in too slow a progress in circulating Qi.
He roughly estimated that with the current scarcity of spiritual energy in the world, it would take at least three to five years to cultivate to the third level of Qi circulation.
However, with this Dragon-Attracting Powder, as long as a very small amount is taken each time and the Qi and blood are protected by the Concealing Edge Technique, the danger of the toxicity can be minimized while maximizing the benefits of spiritual energy.
What takes three years to accomplish may be achieved in just a few months.
He rewrapped the Dragon-Attracting Powder and tucked it inside his clothes, along with the three crimson pills.
After fetching another bucket of water to wash up, it was still early outside the window.
He was planning to go to the courtyard to perform a set of "Mountain-Moving" exercises to see how well his Qi and blood were progressing.
Just then, someone knocked on the courtyard gate.
The knocking was neither hurried nor slow, three knocks followed by a pause, quite proper.
Chen Lingxi cleaned up the marks on the table, walked to the courtyard gate, and unlatched the door.
A young servant in blue robes stood outside the door. He was about fifteen or sixteen years old, with fair skin and a demure demeanor.
The servant looked up at him and said, "Chen Lingxi, Steward Zhao summons you for questioning."
His voice wasn't loud, and his tone was flat, but the three words "Zhao the Steward" were enough to make ordinary servants tremble.
Chen Lingxi frowned almost imperceptibly.
Zhao Yong?
He had just returned from reporting to the capital, and only a few hours later, Zhao Yong sent someone to summon him. This was no coincidence.
Just as he was about to reply, another series of light footsteps came from outside the courtyard gate.
Another maidservant walked over quickly. He recognized her; she was Lin Longyue's head maidservant, named Liu Zhu.
In the past, when he went to the east hall of the west courtyard to deliver flower arrangements, he would usually receive vases from Liu Zhu.
Liu Zhu walked to the courtyard gate, glanced at the servant in blue, then turned to Chen Lingxi and said, "Chen Lingxi, Miss wants to see you."
Her voice wasn't loud, but it was steady and resonant, carrying the usual confidence of a head maid in the west courtyard.
The two summons were placed side by side, one after the other.
The young servant in blue hesitated, glancing at Liu Zhu and then at Chen Lingxi, a hint of embarrassment flashing across his face: "This... about Steward Zhao..."
Before he could finish speaking, Liu Zhu said calmly, "Miss's matter is of utmost importance. If Steward Zhao has any questions, just have him come to the East Hall of the West Courtyard to inquire."
She didn't even look at the servant as she spoke, turned around and walked away. After taking two steps, she turned back and glanced at Chen Lingxi, signaling him to follow.
Chen Lingxi remained calm, cupped his hands in greeting to the servant in blue, and then followed Liu Zhu.
The young servant in blue behind him stood there, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty, but in the end he didn't dare to stop him again.
Chen Lingxi followed behind Liu Zhu, walking through the corridor at a leisurely pace.
A spring breeze blew in from outside the corridor, carrying the faint fragrance of early flowers in the garden.
He kept his eyes straight ahead, but his heart was churning with emotions.
Zhao Yong summoned him, Wang Kong disappeared, and the official returned less than half a day later; these two events must be connected.
Wang Kong was Zhao Yong's adopted son. Zhao Yong was a very shrewd man and would not speak without reason.
Sending someone to summon me today probably means they've already become suspicious.
Although he now possesses the cultivation level of the Lesser Completion of the Bronze Red Realm and has the Azure Edge Technique at his disposal, if Zhao Yong were to truly seize him within the Marquis's residence, he would be like a caged bird, unable to escape even with wings.
The only person he can rely on right now is Lin Longyue.
Chen Lingxi looked up at Liu Zhu's back in front of her, and her thoughts became clearer.
Although Lin Longyue is aloof and cold to the point of being almost indifferent, she values her reputation very much.
She allowed him to do flower arranging and martial arts training, and even allocated him a monthly allowance of ten taels of silver. This was not out of kindness, but because she thought he was useful.
Zhao Yong was the steward of the Marquis's mansion, wielding considerable power, but even that power couldn't surpass that of the Marquis's daughter.
"I need to make her feel that I am more useful."
Chen Lingxi lowered her eyes and walked steadily.
He wasn't afraid of Lin Longyue using him; he was only afraid that he wouldn't have the time.
Give him time, and with the help of the divine chamber and the Six Qi True Method, he will have a chance to change his fate.
-
West Courtyard East Hall.
Before Chen Lingxi even stepped inside, she heard laughter and chatter coming from the hall.
The laughter was clear and melodious, the voice of Princess Yunhe, carrying a hint of lazy ease: "...The lady-in-waiting from the Imperial Concubine's side personally came to deliver the message, saying that the locust branch in the vase is placed on the sandalwood treasure pavilion in the East Warm Pavilion of the Mirror Palace, and she admires it every day, becoming more and more delighted with it."
The Imperial Concubine even specifically asked which famous artist created this vase, as she herself had never heard of it.
Lin Longyue's voice was much gentler than usual, with undisguised joy: "I was just casually circling that servant, I never expected it to catch Your Majesty's eye."
"Just a casual gesture?" Princess Yunhe chuckled. "Your casual gesture is even better than those famous artists who were hired from the capital at great expense. The people from the Imperial Garden Bureau said that the charm of that locust branch vase lies in its 'wildness,' its unadorned and naturally charming nature, which is exactly the style that the Imperial Concubine has been liking lately."
"I heard that Her Majesty bestowed upon you a Wind-Riding Pill?"
Lin Longyue nodded and gave a wink to the maid beside her.
The maidservant came forward carrying a red lacquered tray. On the tray was a small white jade bottle, the mouth of which was sealed with red silk. The bottle was smooth and lustrous, and amber light could be faintly seen flowing inside.
"This is the Wind Riding Pill bestowed by the Imperial Concubine." Lin Longyue pointed to the white jade bottle and said solemnly, "This pill is extremely precious and is specially used by martial artists to refine their bodies and break through realms."
Taking this pill allows the medicinal power to cleanse the meridians, strengthen the bones, and help one break through limitations.
This elixir is sufficient to ensure my attainment of the Great Perfection of the Silver Bone Realm.
"With this elixir, I have a chance to catch up with Chu Linzi."