: Outside Yanxuan Palace, crows cry; a first glimpse into the wondrous interplay of the fi

Gold Melting Valley.

The flying shuttle retracted its escape light and slowly descended to the square in front of Yanxuan Palace.

Before long, Yan Chen, dressed in a commoner's cotton robe, slowly stepped out of the flying shuttle and surveyed the surroundings.

There seemed to be no senior brothers or sisters giving teachings today, so this place appeared deserted and desolate. On the flat ground in front of the huge hall, there were only a few scattered figures entering and leaving the magnificent hall.

Yan Chen raised his eyes and looked towards Yanxuan Palace.

Then one sees layers of bluestone in front of the hall, jade steps reaching the sky, a hipped roof with double eaves, covered with glazed tiles. When the sunlight shines down, it is as brilliant as molten gold flowing down, majestic and awe-inspiring.

Right now, two black crows are perched on the eaves of a building, their wings folded. A cold wind blows, causing their dark feathers to flutter slightly. Sunlight streams down, creating a shimmering effect, as if overflowing with color.

In an instant.

A sense of solemn and imposing pressure inexplicably welled up in my heart.

Yan Chen composed himself and slowly walked towards the front of the hall.

However, before he could even enter the hall, he was stopped by the disciples on duty there, who questioned him:

"Are you a mortal disciple from the Lower Three Academies? What brings you here?"

Yan Chen hurriedly bowed respectfully and said:

"Reporting to the steward, my junior brother Yan Chen, from the Forging Academy, has come to the Yanxuan Hall to borrow a 'Dao Pavilion' for his breakthrough!"

"breakthrough?"

The steward was slightly taken aback and carefully examined Yan Chen.

Immediately, he saw that the opponent's true energy was powerful and abundant, which was somewhat difficult to suppress. It was leaking out in wisps and strands, slowly dissipating from the surface of the body. It was indeed a sign that he was about to break through to the second level.

It was at this moment that the steward pondered the name "Yan Chen" and suddenly felt a strange sense of familiarity.

After some thought, I realized...

However, it was the mortal servant who had previously devised the "method of forging materials," which greatly reduced the pressure on the Gold Melting Valley and its stewards.

These past few days, Wang Fu has been busy and has been highly valued by his superiors, all because of this person.

Upon realizing this, the disciple's expression softened instantly, and he said with a slight smile:

"Yan Chen need not be overly cautious. The cultivation 'Dao Pavilion' of Yanxuan Palace has a clearly marked price. As long as you can afford the corresponding amount of money, anyone can enter it to cultivate."

As they spoke, the disciple in charge stepped forward and led Yan Chen into the hall.

"I observe that Junior Brother's true energy is pure and shows signs of overflowing, so there shouldn't be any bottlenecks. However, to be on the safe side, the time shouldn't be too short. In my opinion, three hours would be optimal. What do you think, Junior Brother?"

"It's entirely up to the steward."

Yan Chen still had over ten thousand magic coins in his hand. If it were for the sake of cultivation, worldly wealth could be discarded. A mere three thousand magic coins was not worth a second when it came to breaking through to a higher realm.

As they spoke, Yan Chen completed a simple registration and paid the corresponding legal fees.

The steward then took out a token, handed it to Yan Chen, and instructed him:

"This is the 'Dao Pavilion' token of my Yanxuan Palace. With this token, you may choose any 'Dao Pavilion' on the second floor to cultivate."

"However, there is one thing to note: if you see this token hanging in front of the door, it means that there are senior brothers in charge or ordinary disciples cultivating in this 'Dao Pavilion'. You must not disturb them."

After speaking, the steward thought for a moment and then gave a few more instructions.

Yan Chen listened, memorized it, and bowed respectfully.

"Junior Brother already understands the intricacies; thank you, Senior Brother Steward!"

After they finished speaking, the two parted ways.

Yan Chen took a deep breath, stepped onto the stairs, and strolled up to the second floor of the hall.

The first thing you see is a straight corridor, about three zhang wide, with tender green bamboo lining both sides, its branches and leaves spreading out, exuding an ancient and fragrant atmosphere that soothes the mind and calms the spirit.

On one side were rows of "Taoist pavilions," their entrances simple and unadorned. Apart from the nameplates, only a few pavilions had their temple tokens hanging outside their doors.

This means that someone is cultivating inside; do not disturb them.

Yan Chen glanced at them and found that these "Taoist pavilions" looked no different from the outside.

Without making any unnecessary hesitation, he immediately chose an empty "Taoist temple", hung up his token, and pushed open the door to enter.

The name of this "Taoist Pavilion" is Jingsi Pavilion.

Upon entering, a unique and delightful fragrance that lingers in the heart instantly wafts over you.

Surprised, Yan Chen looked up and scanned the room, quickly getting a clear view of the layout.

The pavilion is about ten feet square, with carved windows on both sides decorated with curtains. A gilded crane-head lamp burns in the center, and two yin-yang Boshan censers stand on the left and right, each about one foot and three inches in diameter. The incense smoke rises and falls, like hanging clouds and willows, creating a transcendent atmosphere.

He looked extraordinary and dignified, but upon closer inspection, he suddenly felt a sense of transcendence and emptiness, his mind and spirit were purified, and he could not have any distracting thoughts.

"What a brilliant idea!"

Yan Chen's brows relaxed, and his mind was clear. Compared to his own mortal courtyard, this place was the best choice for breaking through his cultivation level!

Without further hesitation, he sat cross-legged before the crane-headed eternal lamp and silently recited the "Fourfold Meditation Mantra" in his heart to eliminate distracting thoughts.

A short while later, a hissing sound could be heard rising, like thunder on a calm day, rising and falling within the Jingsi Pavilion.

Yan Chen slightly closed his eyes, keenly sensing the flow and burning of the Bing Fire Qi in his meridians.

A slight crackling sound rang out from within the bone.

An indescribable tingling and numb pain was relentlessly attacking his mind, hindering the circulation of his internal energy.

Yan Chen remained unmoved, his expression unchanged, his teeth clenched, silently wielding the "Tea Stove Brewing Sword Dance Song," drawing Qi like a sword to slash away the filth.

In the early stages of Qi cultivation, physical health is paramount.

After a cultivator enters the first level of Qi Refining, their muscles, bones, skin, and flesh become as if they have been cast from molten copper or iron; this is known as "copper muscles and iron bones".

To reach the second level, one must further temper the body, cleanse the marrow and remove impurities, and burn away the leaden essence to make the body initially pure and spiritual.

Therefore, it is necessary to use Qi as a guide to attack impurities, reverse the flow of Qi through the bones, from top to bottom, like water pouring onto the ground, penetrating every nook and cranny, with the fire of Bing permeating it, making all the bones and joints of the body more spiritual, which is called "forging tendons and bones".

As for the "simmering of internal organs" in the third level of Qi Refining, that is another kind of hard work, which Yan Chen only has a vague understanding of at the moment, and will leave it for another day.

Right now, we must exert all our strength to circulate the Qi throughout the body and break through the last two barriers.

We just want to be absolutely certain!

About half an hour later.

Sweat beaded on Yan Chen's forehead, and the flow of the Bing Fire Qi within his body was noticeably more sluggish than before.

In the blink of an eye, he suddenly raised his hand and placed the two porcelain bottles of spiritual liquid in place with a flick of his sleeve.

He had already consumed most of the spiritual liquid containing the essence of Jia wood.

As for the other spiritual liquid containing the Qi of Gui Water, not a single drop was touched.

Wood generates fire, while water overcomes fire. Therefore, in the past few days, Yan Chen has been using the wood-elemental elixir to help the fire element (丙火) grow and benefit himself.

He kept his distance from the spiritual liquid porcelain bottle containing the essence of Gui water.

However, right now, thanks to the unique fragrance within the Jingsi Pavilion.

Yan Chen's mind was clear and his thoughts were surging. He was no longer bound by rules and regulations and began to be lively and creative.

"The flow of Qi is mutually nourishing and generating... hence, shallow waters bring flourishing trees, and sparse trees bring bright fire!"

"It's true that water and fire are mutually destructive, but if the element of wood is present to mediate... it might actually have a surprising effect!"

Upon realizing this, Yan Chen immediately ceased his hesitation.

He flicked the cork off the bottle, grabbed it, tilted his head back, and chugged it down!

The elixir enters the mouth, rolls down the throat and tongue, and permeates the entire body!

Yan Chen tossed aside the empty porcelain bottle, immediately circulated his Qi, refined the two streams of Gui water and Jia wood Qi, and used Jia wood as the foundation, nourished and nurtured by Gui water, finally strengthening his own Bing fire!

"With hands clasped together, strength is undiminished; the body bends, energy surges back from the crown of the head; force flows through the three gates and eight meridians, allowing the Qi to circulate freely in the dantian!"

Yan Chenfu was suddenly inspired, as if he had forgotten himself, and devoted himself wholeheartedly to the circulation of Qi.

The barrier at the second level of Qi Refining is almost a thin membrane.

It breaks with a single poke!

……

On the roof of Yanxuan Palace, two black crows suddenly sensed something, abruptly flapped their wings and leaped into the air, letting out two cries.

He immediately turned around and headed straight for the Huacai Tower, which was not far away!