Chapter 330: The women worship him, praising him highly, and he has another extraordinary encounter, naturally obtaining a miraculous elixir!
Zhao Chunxia, a swordswoman by training, was naturally quiet and composed. After being captured, she was devastated and fell ill. Knowing her life was hopeless, filled only with endless regret, she gradually regained her spirits after receiving the note and exchanging words with him. She was quite skilled in calligraphy and had long been curious about Li Xian, piecing together a picture of a carefree young man from his writing. Being close in age to Wang Long, she figured a young man of that age could be just like him.
The perilous battle in the canyon just now revealed a stark difference. This young man was far more domineering, more alert, and more composed. It wasn't impossible for a second-realm cultivator to defeat a third. But Li Xian handled it with ease, playing to his strengths and avoiding his weaknesses, calmly maneuvering. His arrows concealed his spirit, his spear concealed its cold glint; he was proficient in many skills and wielded them with composure. This was truly rare.
Upon seeing his true face, she noticed his unusual features, unforgettable and exceptionally handsome. Even she, who considered herself of refined character, couldn't help but feel a pang of admiration. He had come to her rescue, and she gazed at him intently, her beautiful eyes lingering, her heart stirred with emotion. She smiled gracefully and said, "Thank you for your rescue, young hero!"
Li Xian said, "It's alright!" Approaching her, he saw the pipa-shaped collarbone chain piercing through her bone, a truly gruesome sight. Zhao Chunxia was beautiful, with slightly drooping eyebrows, pale red lips, and a few strands of hair scattered across her face. She looked every bit the suffering beauty, a sight that evoked pity in me.
Li Xian observed the chains and found the key to the mechanism. He then inserted the key and unlocked the entire collarbone chain, but the pipa hook was still in the back and could not be pulled out forcefully. He said in a deep voice, "Senior Chunxia, please bear with it for a while."
Zhao Chunxia said, "Young hero, please go ahead." Her pretty face flushed slightly, and she added, "Hui'er, you may go out now!"
Ji Hui was quite reluctant to leave, but had no choice but to go out. On the canyon floor, the women each found companions, chattering about what had just happened. Their eyes all shone brightly, their longing, admiration, and respect unspoken.
Lin Aoshan was quite popular. She was questioned by the women of the various sword sects. Mu Hongchou said, "Sister Lin, that...that young hero, are you very close?" Lin Aoshan raised her head slightly and said rather proudly, "Not bad. I...helped him a little, well, it's nothing."
Zhang Xiaoxue, a famous young beauty from the Jiushan Sword Sect, asked, "What a kindness you have shown me! What is your background, young master? Where do you live? And... what sect do you belong to?"
Lin Aoshan said, "Him? It's a secret. I can't say." Mu Hongchou asked, "Do you know him well? What kind of person is he? Please tell me, sister."
Lin Aoshan was quite pleased and said proudly, "I do understand him. He's different from those scions of noble families. He's intelligent and resilient, never yielding to his enemies. He's exceptionally talented. As far as I know, he's only just reached adulthood, still very young. He should be calling you 'elder sister.' The last time I saw him, he was no match for me; I defeated him in no time. Now... he'll defeat me in no time."
"He's quite loyal and doesn't discriminate based on background when making friends, and his friends all seem to respect him. I find it quite comfortable interacting with him. Hmm, another good point is..."
The women listened intently, feeling even more that this man was unparalleled, truly a rare find. Ji Hui, having listened for a long time, frequently glanced towards her master's cave. Zhang Xiaoxue said, "According to what Sister Lin said, could he be... could he be absolutely perfect?" Her heart pounded.
Lin Aoshan said, "To say he's perfect... I doubt it. I know his biggest flaw. He's full of mischief, sometimes deliberately playing tricks on people. And... he's a bit too dashing... but generally he's good." The women were completely unaware that "being too dashing" was a flaw. Lin Aoshan glanced around and saw that the women's pretty faces were all flushed, their eyes shimmering with a hint of spring in them. If they weren't "too dashing," how could they be in this state?
Mu Hongchou said, "A man should be dashing. If he is not dashing, but like Zhou Shijie, who is pedantic and hypocritical, he will only make people disgusted." Zhang Xiaoxue and the other women from various factions all nodded.
Luo Feiyan said, "It's quite true that he's full of wicked schemes." Everyone then looked over. Yi Qianqian, a top-tier member of the Yue Shan Sword Sect, possessing both beauty and skill, asked, "Junior Sister Luo, do you perhaps have some connection with him?"
Luo Feiyan's heart skipped a beat, recalling how she had been deceived, bound hand and foot, and left in an inn, waiting for days before finally being rescued. The humiliation she felt was difficult to explain to outsiders. Though she harbored resentment, she felt no hatred. Now that she had been rescued again, all grudges were settled, and bringing up the past would only make things more awkward. Her face flushed with shyness, she said, "Who...who has any connection with him? He's a strange person, who...who knows what he's thinking?" She bit her lower lip tightly, her gaze darting away.
Luo Feiyan hurriedly asked, "Yes... He's not a disciple of the Sword Sect, so why did he risk his life to rescue us? Does Sister Lin know the reason?"
Lin Aoshan said, "Of course I know. I am from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, and I came here to investigate He Wentian. This villain is ambitious and pretends to be benevolent and kind, making many friends in the martial arts world. In reality, he is extremely treacherous. Later, I found out that you were trapped here."
Yi Qianqian asked, "Is that young hero Li Xian also from the Sky Patrol Division?" Lin Aoshan replied, "He isn't, but he's a good person. We met halfway and shared the same goal—to rescue you. Alas, I'm not as capable as him; I revealed my whereabouts early on and was captured here."
"He is extremely capable, meticulous, and courageous. He managed to find this place and wait for the right moment to rescue us. If it weren't for Little Li, we would have been trapped for life and met a tragic end."
The women, understanding the reason, were all secretly relieved, their gratitude and admiration deepening. They all thought, "Our sword sect has no such young man. They are either lacking in wisdom, strategy, or courage. And...and certainly not as handsome as this young master. Speaking of handsome...I didn't get a good look at him just now. But to stare at him would be...and shameless." Their thoughts raced, hoping to see him again later.
Inside the cave, the pipa-shaped collarbone chain pierced through flesh and bone. Zhao Chunxia, dressed in a Taoist robe, needed to first remove her upper garment, press acupoints on her back, and massage her spine to relax and soften it before removing the "pipa hook." Otherwise, if the bone, flesh, and skin were broken, she would need to rest quietly for a long time.
Zhao Chunxia dismissed Ji Hui, but as soon as she spoke, she paused, "Why not let Hui'er do this for me? Well, since I've already said it, why be coy?" She turned to Li Xian and said, "Young Master Li Xian, it's our first meeting. You've surprised me! You're truly remarkable. Please give me a massage and then pull out the pipa hook."
Li Xian said, "I'm happy to do it. Senior Chunxia, if you hadn't attracted Zheng Dechun's attention beforehand, I wouldn't have been able to gain the upper hand." He first took off his Taoist robe, revealing his white inner lining.
The bloodstains burned red, a truly gruesome sight. Li Xian exhaled white mist, washing away all the bloodstains, revealing his bare back, smooth as jade, and began to massage it. Zhao Chunxia sat cross-legged on the futon, her eyes closed, biting her lip, experiencing something quite peculiar.
When her back felt numb, Li Xian pulled out the pipa hook. Zhao Chunxia immediately closed her orifices and breathed a sigh of relief, finally freeing herself from her predicament. However, as her strength dissipated, she fell backward. Li Xian supported her shoulders and called out softly. After Zhao Chunxia regained some strength, he helped her sit up straight, took off her embroidered shoes, and massaged her ankles.
Zhao Chunxia exclaimed in surprise, not expecting Li Xian to be so natural. But she couldn't bear to refuse, and let her massage her ankles to revitalize the blood and qi in her feet. Her ankles were pierced with iron hooks, which hindered the circulation of qi and blood, causing blood stasis in her wrists.
She forced herself to remain calm, but a tingling sensation rose on her head and back as she felt Li Xian's broad hands holding her ankles. Zhao Chunxia said shyly, "The conditions in this cave are quite poor; I haven't washed in a long time. Please don't...don't think my feet are dirty." Li Xian laughed, "I really couldn't tell. Is Senior Chunxia's body truly pure? Your feet are so small, yet like a piece of beautiful jade."
Zhao Chunxia blushed slightly and said, "You...we've only just met, you shouldn't be so flippant. To comment on a woman's feet like that is...very inappropriate." Li Xian smiled and said, "I originally thought Senior Chunxia was unconventional, so I was a little presumptuous. Besides, I was just speaking the truth, and my feelings were genuine. If I have offended you, please forgive me."
Zhao Chunxia spat, "You really are a glib-tongued young man. I can tell just by looking at the shape of your characters." It was unclear whether she was angry or embarrassed.
She saw the young man, who had been so spirited and charming just moments before, now earnestly massaging her feet, his movements gentle and tender. Though his words were flirtatious and lighthearted, his actions were never offensive. A tender and affectionate feeling welled up inside her.
Never in her life had she been so close to anyone; she felt a mix of dazed joy and shame. But it was over in an instant, the iron hooks on her feet removed. Zhao Chunxia was finally free, yet she lingered on the sensation she had just experienced. She thought, "My feet… have never been touched by anyone before. So this is what it feels like. My soles are a little itchy, but I don't feel any aversion. If I could massage them for a long time in the future…"
Zhao Chunxia put on her shoes and socks and donned her Taoist robe. Her wounds were now completely concealed. Li Xian asked, "Senior Chunxia, how many levels of power can you possibly unleash?"
Zhao Chunxia sighed, "There's only one level left. I was forcibly fed 'Seven-Nine Strength-Severing Powder,' which has restricted my internal energy and strength. It will take forty-nine days to fully recover."
Li Xian sighed, "What a pity, what a pity." Zhao Chunxia said apologetically, "Right now... I can only do my best to help." Li Xian said, "Let's rescue the other elders one by one first, and then we'll figure out a way out."
Zhao Chunxia said, "Alright!" The two climbed the mountain wall and rescued Elders He Lijun, Peng Sanluo, Tang Mengluo, and others one by one. Zhao Chunxia, who claimed to be extremely skilled in "massage," used massage to remove the hooks. Li Xian, holding the mysterious key, unlocked the various chains and mechanisms.
Within half an hour, all the elders had been rescued and gathered on the surface of the canyon. The elders from each sect counted the number of people; the female disciples of the Lishan Sword Sect, Yangshan Sword Sect, Jiushan Sword Sect, Hushan Sword Sect, and Yueshan Sword Sect were all safe and sound, totaling 179 people from the five major sword sects. To have survived such a perilous ordeal was nothing short of a great joy. They embraced each other, their laughter and chatter filling the air.
Zhao Chunxia, accompanied by her disciple Ji Hui, greeted Yang Piaoxue, the female elder of the Yue Mountain Sword Sect, saying, "Junior Sister Yang, it's been a long time!"
Yang Piaoxue cupped her hands and said, "Senior Sister Zhao! I was wondering why I didn't see you at the meeting of the five sects. It turns out you were harmed by the villains. Our escape proves that Heaven has eyes and didn't let the evildoers get away with it." Zhao Chunxia said, "To be honest, I've lived in Jingchun Mountain for so long that I've paid very little attention to sect affairs. I've become increasingly naive and was deceived by the villains. I need to deeply reflect on my recent experiences. I should return to the sect to serve and gain more experience. Fortunately, this matter is over. Once we escape from here, we'll expose He Wentian's true colors and avenge our great wrongs."
Zhao Chunxia said, "Hui'er, you haven't met your martial uncle yet. Now that the five major sword sects are joining forces, the disciples and elders of the other sword sects are as close as sisters and brothers. You are my disciple, and also a disciple of the Five Mountains Sword Sect."
Ji Hui bowed to each of the five female elders of the major sword sects, and they exchanged greetings. Ji Hui was both beautiful and skilled in martial arts, and she easily blended in with the other women, engaging in conversation. Zhao Chunxia said, "We are saved this time, all thanks to this young friend, Li Xian!"
The female elders each expressed their gratitude. Tang Mengluo bowed gracefully, her beautiful eyes filled with joy as she looked at Li Xian. Li Xian responded calmly, neither servile nor arrogant, and spoke with measured words.
Zhao Chunxia said, “Fellow junior sisters, in my opinion, our strength is less than one-tenth of the first level. Although we are a few years older than Li Xian, in terms of strategy and decision-making, we are probably not as good as this young man. There are many people here, each with their own opinions, which will inevitably lead to conflicts and damage the friendship between the five sects. How about letting Young Hero Li Xian take charge?”
Yang Piaoxue said, "I agree." Tang Menglu smiled and said, "I have the same idea."... Li Xian declined, cupped his hands and said, "Thank you all for your kindness. I, Li Xian, will do my best to help."
The female disciples embraced joyfully, all eyes turning to him. Li Xian immediately ordered the disciples and elders of the five sects to rest on the spot, to recover their spirits and conserve their strength.
Li Xian circled the gorge, thinking, "After all the hardships, I've rescued the women. Once I leave this place, I can leave safely. This trip has brought me the 'Golden Light of the Dao of Arts' and furthered my martial arts. There are many benefits, and although there were dangers and perils, it's ultimately a good outcome."
In a relaxed mood, Li Xian took down the Ghost Python Spear. He swept the spear tip horizontally towards the ground, sending large swaths of snow flying. Li Xian then thrust repeatedly into the ground, each thrust incorporating the essence of the "Gale Finger" technique. After a dozen or so thrusts, a crater had appeared in the ground.
He threw the bodies of Zheng Dechun's three sons into the pit and covered them with soil. Li Xian exhaled a breath of fresh air, cleaning the dirt off his spear. He thought to himself, "Although this battle had its twists and turns, it was easier than I expected. I hadn't even used my killing move yet, but Zheng Dechun was already dead."
Li Xian walked to the foot of a tree. One or two longswords were stuck vertically in the trunk; these were the "Azure Sword" and the "Sinking River Sword." Li Xian initially planned to first use his archery skills to harass and probe the enemy's strength, and then use his own strengths to dampen their enthusiasm. He would then engage in close combat, relying on the Remnant Demon Spear to maneuver and the Golden Light Technique to protect himself. If the battle became unsuccessful and victory seemed impossible, he would feign an escape and flee to this vicinity.
Suddenly drawing his sword, he wielded the Broken Demon Spear in his left hand and the Sunset Blood-Stained Sword in his right, launching a surprise attack. However, Zheng Dechun's martial arts skills were poor, and he could not withstand the exquisite Broken Demon Spear. Moreover, due to his "Self-Marriage and Childbirth Flow" martial arts style, he lost his first life early on.
The women lit a fire to warm themselves. Lin Aoshan, Luo Feiyan, and the others explored their surroundings together, discovering many weapons and blades. They let their hair down and descended, with some women practicing swordplay to warm up, creating quite a lively scene.
Li Xian gazed into the distance. The Prisoner's Gorge was uniquely situated, its cliffs rising over fifty zhang (approximately 150 meters) high, but becoming increasingly treacherous after twenty-five zhang (approximately 100 meters). It was perpetually covered in snow and ice, the cliffs accumulating frost. Even with exceptional lightness skills, it was difficult to traverse. The frost clung to the cliffs, offering no foothold for leverage. Moreover, the frost was exceptionally cold, freezing to the core, hindering movement and drastically reducing the endurance of lightness skills.
Li Xian, facing Zheng Dechun, secretly climbed the iron chain to the very top, enduring the biting wind and snow, and unleashed his archery skills. He had cultivated the "Sunset Blood Sword" technique, possessing the "Heart Fire" characteristic, and wore the "Pure Qi Robe," granting him far superior resistance to cold compared to ordinary people. Thus, he moved freely and without hindrance. His ability to hold Zheng Dechun back so tightly relied on the terrain and topography of this place.
Yang Piaoxue retrieved her sword, cupped her hands, and asked, "Brother Li, our lives are all in your hands. Please tell us what to do next." She had an ordinary appearance, wore a light yellow silk shirt, fitted trousers, and black boots, and had a rather heroic air about her.
Li Xian thought to himself, "Judging from their appearance, they have all recovered their spirits and appearance. We should indeed think of a way to escape." He said, "The stone door behind us is thick and heavy, and there are huge rocks blocking it from the outside. Even if we work together, we will hardly be able to move it an inch. It is difficult to escape through the stone door. Right now... I'm afraid we have to go up."
Everyone looked up; a cold wind howled, and the frost was biting. Tang Mengluo opened his mouth and said, "This is a canyon; one should be able to escape from above. But it's probably not that simple, otherwise the stone gate would be meaningless."
Li Xian said, "Elder Tang is right, but we may try it. Does anyone here have excellent lightness skills? Come with me and try to explore the way upwards. If we can get through, then we'll give it a try. If not, we'll try another route."
All the elders were severely injured, their internal energy and strength weakened, making them unsuitable for rash action. The women, upon hearing of their collaboration with Li Xian, were all willing to try, but their reserved and shy nature prevented them from learning their skills properly and being ridiculed. Therefore, they hesitated, and none responded. After a while, Mu Hongchou said, "Young Master Li, my lightness skill is quite good; I would like to try it with you." Li Xian cupped his hands in praise, "Sister Hongchou, your chivalrous heart is admirable."
Mu Hongchou said happily, "I admire you even more, young hero. I am delighted to be able to cooperate with you." The women, seeing Mu Hongchou's bold assistance, couldn't help but feel disappointed and regretful.
The mountain walls were as if cleaved by a knife and axe, with grass and vines at the bottom that could be used as stepping stones, allowing for easy ascent. After climbing several more feet, the mountain walls became flat with few protrusions, making it much more difficult to find footholds.
When they had climbed more than ten zhang, the wind and snow howled and became increasingly dense. This greatly affected their ability to use light-footed skills, and Mu Hongchou's speed slowed down drastically. Although Li Xian, relying on his many special abilities, did not slow down, he was also disturbed by the wind and snow and could not land steadily.
When they reached about twenty zhang (approximately 33 meters), the mountain wall became icy and slippery, its cold accumulated over thousands of years, requiring extreme caution to land. A slight misstep would cause their feet to slip, making it impossible to leap any higher. Mu Hongchou leaped to twenty-four zhang (approximately 63 meters), her teeth clenched. Though unwilling to give up, she knew she had reached her limit. She lightly touched the mountain wall with her toes, turned, and leaned back, landing gracefully on the ground. She shivered uncontrollably; frost had formed on her hair, the hem of her clothes, and her eyelashes.
Lin Aoshan brought over some hot soup and asked, "Sister Mu, what's the situation?" Mu Hongchou replied, "It's much more difficult than I imagined. The cold at higher altitudes is bone-chilling, and even circulating one's Qi throughout the body is difficult to withstand. Moreover, the wind and snow obscure our vision, and sometimes we don't know whether we're in the sky or on the ground, let alone where to place our feet."
She said with even greater admiration, "In other canyons, a height of twenty or thirty feet is not considered difficult. The terrain here is unique and extremely challenging. Brother Li just climbed the iron chain to a height of over thirty feet and struggled against Zheng Dechun. It may seem easy, but only by trying it yourself do you realize how difficult it is."
Li Xian leaped several more feet, but had no choice but to give up and land back on the ground. He said in a deep voice, "Going uphill is probably difficult. I have a strong resistance to cold, but the mountain walls are slippery and the wind and snow are extremely strong. It is difficult to cross the canyon with my lightness skill alone. Although the elders are highly skilled and have strong lightness skills, their resistance to cold may not be as good as mine. After going up to about thirty feet, my hands and feet will be numb and I will have difficulty crossing it."
He said, "He Wentian is a man of deep thoughts. He seems to have a way out, but in reality, he has no way out."
The women were slightly disappointed. Li Xian said, "There is not much food left here. If we wait idly, we will only suffer from cold and hunger. When the stone gate opens, our enemies will surely follow. At that time, a fierce battle will be inevitable, with heavy casualties. For now, since it is difficult to go forward or upward, we can only go deeper and explore the mysteries within. However, there are also dangers within, and I cannot predict what we will encounter. I have decided to explore. Whether you follow me or not is entirely up to you."
Zhao Chunxia was very impressed, thinking to herself, "Although he shoulders a great responsibility, he is not arrogant. This young man is rare in his composure, and the more I look at him, the more I admire him. Although he is the same age as Wang Long, his ability to handle affairs and respond to situations far surpasses his." After chatting for a while, the women all wished to go with him.
The Prisoner's Gorge extends inward, densely covered with vegetation. Li Xian thought to himself, "Going inward is bound to be dangerous, but since I've already ventured into this perilous place, how can I be completely sure of success? I can only be cautious in everything I do and leave the rest to fate."
Before setting off, Li Xian prepared order and supplies.
The women were divided into six groups: one group for each of the five major sword sects and one group for wandering martial artists. Each group was further subdivided into "shoulders" (什). Those with close relationships were prioritized for a "shoulder," where they would look after and support each other. They were required to constantly monitor their companions' whereabouts, and the order of the group was carefully and reasonably arranged.
Li Xian further subdivided the tasks, assigning everyone to transport grain, patrol, manage miscellaneous affairs, and harvest fruits and grains—no matter how small, everything was meticulously arranged to prevent chaos in case of unforeseen circumstances. The elders, though physically weak, were knowledgeable and experienced, and did not need to handle miscellaneous tasks; they only needed to rest and offer their advice.
Li Xian selected the best from each sect: Lin Aoshan, Luo Feiyan, Yi Qianqian, and Mu Hongchou to assist him. A total of 179 people from various sword sects, plus wandering martial artists, made nearly 200 people. Each had their own role and position, and they cooperated with one another.
The elders were all filled with admiration, admitting they were no match for Li Xian. They all thought, "This young man is truly a genius. How can he be so mature and experienced at such a young age? We are ashamed to be elders; our leadership abilities are far inferior to his." They all sighed, thinking, "If we escape danger this time, these young girls will probably have even more worries. With such a talent, how could their hearts not be swayed?"
That night, everyone lit a fire for warmth. The servants and cooks evacuated hastily, leaving behind surplus food. Three to five cartloads of fruits, vegetables, rice, beans, and meat remained—enough for two days. Li Xian lay on the blanket of snow, drifting off to sleep, recalling the past when he had provoked bandits and led the people of Heihe Village in their resistance. Applying this experience to the present, he thought, "This is both a crisis and a blessing. Without the experience of Heihe Village, if I were to lead these women now, I'd be overwhelmed and at a loss. Besides, the female disciples of the Sword Sect are quite strong; if used properly, they could help me escape this predicament."
The next morning, Li Xian rose and began practicing his spear, honing his skills and increasing his proficiency. Zhao Chunxia internally practiced the "Spring Observation Manual," and spring's essence bloomed around her, with green shoots emerging from the snow carpet. Li Xian pondered, "The sword sect's foundation is not to be underestimated. I possess a copy of the Jade Avoidance Manual, which is also a health-preserving technique, but I haven't had the opportunity to practice it. For now... continuing to hone my Remnant Demon Spear is the best course of action. My wife once bestowed upon me the 'Finger Flicking Golden Light,' but I've neglected it for a long time and haven't touched it yet. Once I'm out of danger, I'll refine each technique."
Li Xian has a graceful figure.
[Proficiency +1]
【Broken Demon Spear】
[Proficiency: 6678/35000 (Perfect)]
[You have absorbed the essence of heaven and earth, proficiency +1]
【Bone Shaping Embryo】
Proficiency: 8/100
Their marksmanship improved steadily. Half an hour later, everything was ready, and they ventured deeper into the valley, leaving traces of red ropes along the way. The canyon was long and secluded, and they traveled for about a day. The vegetation along the way gradually changed, with more moss and less snow. Seeing that the women were exhausted, Li Xian ordered them to rest and spend the night on the spot.
The women were all from the martial arts world, some shy and some demure, but all unpretentious and sensible. They worked together, dividing the tasks, cooking meals, building thatched huts... The women were intelligent and kind-hearted, preparing delicacies and setting up private shelters for Li Xian.
They served tea and water, being quite attentive. Li Xian was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and accepted the food and tea. The night passed peacefully, and they set off again the next day. They traveled for two days in this way, the canyon was dark and endless, and they had no idea where it would end.
All their food supplies had been exhausted. Along the way, they had some exotic fruits and herbs, which they mixed with the snow-white pot and stewed to make a fresh fruit and vegetable soup. This was enough to barely fill their stomachs. After traveling for about a day, the women, with their cultivation levels, were not yet starving. However, the lack of food and the cold, damp environment inevitably dampened their spirits.
They set up camp again for the night. Li Xian stepped onto the ground and felt a slight difference; it felt softer. He then let his hair take root, sensing the details of the earth. Li Xian immediately sensed something amiss and ventured forward alone. Using his light-footed skill, he leaped and landed, repeatedly brushing his hair aside to further probe the earth's texture.
Half an incense stick later, Li Xian returned to the camp and said to everyone, "If we go any further, we will reach the swamp. It is also a strange soil with a strong adhesive force. Even if you have cultivation, you must not be careless. You need to use ropes to connect with each other before moving forward."
Knowing the road ahead was long, the women all obeyed. The next day, as dawn broke, they tied themselves together with ropes and set off into the swampy area. Li Xian, using his extraordinary lightness skill, took a few steps ahead to scout the area.
The canyon was dark and deep; as they ventured deeper, the light gradually disappeared. Li Xian opened his double pupils and scanned his surroundings. Originally intending to observe any hidden dangers, he discovered a mysterious and unusual sight: a crevice in the mountain wall, from which a faint light emanated.
Inside is a natural stalactite cave, dazzling with iridescent colors and the occasional "tinkling" sound of a spring. Inside is a stone shaped like a large cauldron, hollow inside, containing a white elixir.
Li Xian was surprised, but then overjoyed. He had heard Madam Wen say that the "Dao of Alchemy" was vast, and that humans could refine elixirs, and so could the heavens and earth. Certain unique terrains and feng shui might even give birth to miraculous elixirs of heaven and earth.
This stone cauldron was formed naturally; having its shape, it naturally acquired its function. With the cauldron complete, the elixir naturally manifested. Through the mysteries of heaven and earth, and the unseen workings of fate, a single elixir was spontaneously created.
(End of this chapter)
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