Chapter 874 Divine Grade Fetal Bottle
"Not bad, Ah Hong, right? This dantian, in my opinion, is as thin as celadon, and feels cold to the touch. It is relatively perfect. Although there are some sand grains inside, spiritual energy flows in like sand in an hourglass, but not much energy is leaked. It can be considered as half an empty celadon bottle. At the age of fifteen, it is appropriate to start refining qi."
On the high platform, the aged Yue woman removed her hand from the dark-skinned boy's head, and perhaps due to the lighting, her white eyes shone slightly.
She nodded slowly and offered a word of praise.
As the elderly Yue woman spoke, another Yue woman stood beside her, holding a scroll and taking notes, seemingly noting down "empty celadon bottle" and "bone age of fifteen."
The group of teenagers below were somewhat confused.
Senior Sister Yuan turned to Ouyang Rong and the others who were queuing up and explained:
"Our sect is a reclusive and superior sect, which uses the most traditional and ancient theory of Qi cultivation talent, which can be traced back to the pre-Qin period. Pre-Qin Qi cultivators believed that the Dantian in the human body is like a vessel, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth that is refined is the water in the vessel. Different vessels can hold different amounts of 'water', and thus they correspond to different innate talents."
This cold-faced man seemed to have been introduced many times today; he spoke quickly, but also very concisely and without omissions.
"Some of the vases are of superior quality, like crystal vases, while others are of inferior quality, like coarse pottery or rusty tiles. The former yields twice the results with half the effort when refining qi, while the latter is full of flaws when refining qi."
"Cultivating both at the same time is like trying to draw water from two bottles at the same time. The former will naturally hold more water, while the latter, by the time the water is collected, will have already leaked out most of it..."
"Those that are naturally excluded will be excluded from the mountain path. However, there are still some detailed classifications regarding the specific level of the embryonic bottle..."
The group of teenagers listened with great interest.
Ouyang Rong remained calm. He had heard his junior sister mention a similar Qi cultivation theory before, which came from the Confucian Academy, but it was essentially the same.
I remember that at that time, he had not yet taken the Transcendent Golden Pill. After his junior sister examined his dantian constitution, she said with regret that he had a body that leaked qi.
However, the junior sister didn't elaborate on the extent of his qi deficiency at the time. But regardless, he probably wouldn't have been accepted by any qi-refining sect back then, let alone a lofty and secluded sect like Yunmeng Sword Marsh.
As for his Qi Refining physique after swallowing the first Transcendent Golden Pill, it became what his junior sister described as slightly above average. However, Ouyang Rong didn't ask in detail what level it was, since there was no need to.
Because he relied on the unorthodox sacrificial rituals of the Fang Shushi lineage to advance his cultivation level, which was quite unorthodox, unlike his junior sister and Master Lu who used the dantian embryo bottle to cultivate spiritual energy step by step and gradually improve their cultivation.
However, Ouyang Rong didn't have high expectations for the quality of his current embryonic bottle, because the slow recovery time of his dantian's spiritual energy already spoke volumes.
The spiritual energy he exhausted last night has not even recovered half of its original amount without the help of Qi-replenishing pills.
But Ouyang Rong wasn't too panicked. He'd been through tough times before. His previous body was even worse, leaking energy and unable to even refine Qi. Now, his embryonic bottle had been miraculously improved by a Transcendent Golden Pill, making it at least a near-perfect embryonic bottle that could hold spiritual energy, allowing him to slowly climb to the seventh rank. He was practically moved to tears.
So, once a person has experienced a low point, no matter which way they go from here on out, things will only go up.
Ouyang Rong silently touched a bamboo tube he carried with him; a certain Transcendent Golden Pill was still quietly lying inside the Peach Blossom Spring painting.
Senior Sister Yuan didn't notice Ouyang Rong's unusual lowered gaze and thoughtful expression; she continued to explain loudly:
"Excluding those with leaky bodies that are unsuitable for Qi cultivation, the Qi cultivators of the pre-Qin period divided the embryos into three grades from low to high."
"Cracked pottery bottles, rusted copper bottles, and empty celadon bottles."
"This is also the standard level of the embryonic bottle. In the second stage of the assessment of innate talent, you can understand them as the lower, middle and upper grades."
The cold-faced Yue woman pointed to Ah Hong, who was walking off the stage in a daze, and nodded, saying:
"Ah Hong's porcelain vase almost meets the requirements of an empty celadon vase. It can be considered to have excellent quality. Not bad."
Lu Jinghong mustered his courage and asked:
"May I ask, Senior Sister Yuan, you said these are the three common types of embryonic bottles, could it be that there are even better ones?"
Senior Sister Yuan glanced at him and said patiently:
"Yes, there are more. The first three types already cover most of them. Above that is the top-grade embryo bottle, also known as the crystal bottle. This kind of embryo bottle can perfectly contain spiritual energy."
"Based on potential, those with inferior embryonic bodies can enter the realm of low-grade Qi Refiners, but it is extremely difficult for them to become mid-grade Qi Refiners, and it is impossible for them to become high-grade Qi Refiners."
"With a medium-grade Qi Refining vessel, it's not difficult to reach the lower grade. With effort, one can become a mid-grade Qi Refiner, but it's almost impossible to become a high-grade Qi Refiner; there's only a sliver of hope."
"For those with superior embryonic bottles, it is not difficult to become a mid-grade Qi Refiner, but it is extremely difficult to become a high-grade Qi Refiner, requiring great fortune."
"However, those who possess a top-grade crystal bottle can almost easily reach the sixth rank, and have a good chance of breaking through to the sixth rank and becoming a superior Qi cultivator. They are excellent seedlings and can be considered Qi cultivation geniuses. As long as they do not die prematurely or suffer setbacks in their character, they have the opportunity to become superior. This type is also the most suitable for cultivation."
"Oh, right, I forgot to mention, for today's second test, if a woman possesses a crystal vase, she can directly become a disciple of the Queen, while a man can directly enter the Bamboo Hall."
Lu Jinghong's mouth went dry from listening, and she seemed about to ask more questions, but Senior Sister Yuan had already calmly explained:
"Yes, among the Yue women in the previous batch, there was one with a crystal vase, and the most outstanding one was a divine-grade embryo vase that was a once-in-a-century find, called the Purple Gold Jade Vase. It opened everyone's eyes. Although after Uncle Tang carefully examined the aura, he found that it was only half a Purple Gold Jade Vase and not the most perfect aura, it was still very rare and was undoubtedly a divine-grade embryo vase."
Aunt Tang must be the aged Yue woman who presided over the second trial on the high platform. At this moment, she looked in the direction where a group of Yue women had left, her hands folded in front of her, her eyes showing admiration:
"I am well-versed in the secrets of bottle making and have presided over the assessment of physical attributes for so many years. To be able to discover another divine-grade embryo bottle is a joyous occasion in my old age, and I have no regrets."
Lu Jinghong and the group of teenagers all widened their eyes:
"A divine-grade embryonic bottle... a purple-gold jade bottle?"
Ouyang Rong also glanced over, as was his first time hearing about such ancient and novel Qi cultivation knowledge. He guessed that only a secluded sect like Yunmeng Sword Marsh would possess it, just like the ancient Wu-style clothing worn by the Yue women, which had always maintained the traditions of Qi cultivators from the Spring and Autumn Period.
Senior Sister Yuan nodded, then glanced in the direction the new Yue women had gone, a hint of envy creeping into her previously indifferent gaze:
"Well, besides the four types of embryonic bottles that cover the majority, the Qi-refining predecessors of the pre-Qin period also discovered some strange embryonic bottles that are different from the previous four types and stronger than the previous four types."
"They classified these special embryonic bottles as divine embryonic bottles and gave them names. Those with names were those that had already been discovered, and there were also those that had not yet been discovered by Qi cultivators... They were all above the four types of embryonic bottles, discovered and named, such as the Purple Gold Jade Bottle, Kunlun Mountain Bottle, Returning Void Vortex Bottle, Upside-down Cauldron Bottle, Thunder Pool Treasure Bottle..."
"However, these are all divine-grade embryonic bottles that are only seen once in a hundred years, and they are also recorded in ancient books. In the selection of Yue women in the past thousand years of our sect, there have only been a handful of perfect divine-grade embryonic bottles, and some of the current female rulers of our sect are among them."
"It can be said that anyone who possesses this divine-grade embryo bottle will almost certainly reach the upper level of Qi Refining. As for whether they can go further and enter the legendary Divine Continent Celestial Realm, that depends on their own destiny."
"Becoming a Celestial Being in the Divine Continent isn't something that can be achieved simply by having outstanding talent in Qi Refining. There are far too many mysteries involved. Even the Great Lady of our sect wouldn't dare say that everyone will reach this realm. And Your Excellency, the Great Lady, is already among the female cultivators who have broken through to this realm the fastest in our sect's history..."
Senior Sister Yuan gently shook her head:
"However, the young lady today is a special case. She was brought back by the Great Queen herself. It's not too surprising that she has a divine-grade embryo bottle and top-notch swordsmanship talent. The Great Queen values her highly. She even broke her seclusion and left the Sword Swamp some time ago to risk going down the mountain and bring her back."
"Half a divine-grade embryo bottle, or even a purple-gold jade bottle that enhances Qi refining. Putting aside the other two tests, it's clear that the Great Queen is personally accepting her as a disciple. This young lady doesn't really need to compete anymore. However, the necessary procedures cannot be omitted. These are the rules left by successive Yuanjun, and even the Chief Great Queen must abide by them."
Senior Sister Yuan clasped her hands in a fist salute towards the Yunmeng Ancestral Hall from afar, her expression becoming more serious, and then changed the subject:
"However, it's a pity for the young ladies of the same batch. There are clearly many outstanding ones in this batch, and even more eye-catching young ladies than in previous years. Unfortunately, she has overshadowed them all. If she wins the third round in the same way, it will truly become a legend. The last person to achieve a perfect slam of three rounds was Her Majesty the Great Queen."
The group of teenagers looked at each other in bewilderment.
Senior Sister Yuan didn't waste any words. She turned around, stood with her hands behind her back, and said to everyone:
"Alright, it's your turn to continue. Next up, Liu Aliang."
Ouyang Rong adjusted his felt hat, stepped onto the platform, and approached the elderly Uncle Tang…
"Take off your hat."
With his back to everyone, Ouyang Rong took off his felt hat. Tang Shishu, who was about to reach out, paused slightly, glanced at the tattoo on his forehead a few more times, and seemed to be thinking of something.
She didn't ask, but with a kind expression, she placed her hand on Ouyang Rong's forehead.
One breath... two breaths...
In less than three breaths, Uncle Tang withdrew his palm.
Ouyang Rong noticed that although it hadn't been three breaths, the old Yue woman had been examining his amphorae for a longer time than A Hong had just done. She seemed to furrow her brows slightly and examined it again, but in the end, she still didn't relax her brows and chose to withdraw her palm.
Uncle Tang looked at the expressionless young man and slowly spoke:
"Liu Aliang, is he also surnamed Liu...? The dantian vessel is hollow, shallow with a narrow mouth. When spiritual energy is poured in, it overflows slightly, but there are no cracks like those on clay or coarse pottery. However, there are some mottled rust spots, which can slowly dissolve the rust and open up the meridians..."
Uncle Tang turned to the Yue woman who was recording the notes beside him and said:
"It's a fairly standard bronze-bodied rusted bottle, a medium-sized bottle. As for bone age... nineteen, that's a bit too old."
The tone sounded slightly regretful.
Seeing that his identity had not been exposed and the test had been passed, Ouyang Rong was unwilling to stay any longer. He turned around seemingly woodenly and quickly walked down from the platform.
There seemed to be some gazes directed at him, but he didn't pay much attention to them, including the subtle reactions of Uncle Tang and the others. Having passed this most vulnerable hurdle, Ouyang Rong actually breathed a slight sigh of relief.
Ouyang Rong's Qi Refining talent was only average, which was expected and nothing to be surprised about. Moreover, he still had a Transcendent Golden Pill that he hadn't taken, which he did specifically to avoid today's entry check.
In retrospect, it's fortunate I didn't take it.
Back then, Ouyang Rong transformed from an ordinary, weak body into his current intermediate Qi Refining talent by consuming only one Transcendent Golden Pill. If you calculate carefully, it means he jumped two levels, surpassing the lower-grade Qi Refining talent.
If I had taken this newly acquired Transcendent Golden Pill before today, and if I had advanced two more levels, I would have roughly estimated that the embryo bottle would have become a top-grade talent, becoming that crystal-clear bottle, and directly entering the Bamboo Hall.
Moreover, it will inevitably attract the attention of ladies like Lady Zhishuang. If Lady Zhishuang discovers that this suddenly prodigious Liu Aliang is a piece of trash she personally tested, whose talent is inconsistent, she will probably dissect him for research.
Ouyang Rong remained expressionless and returned to the stage.
Ah Hong turned to look at him, patted him on the shoulder, as if to encourage him.
On the high platform, the second test was still ongoing. After Ouyang Rong, came Sha Ergou, Lu Jinghong, and others.
A few breaths later, Uncle Tang withdrew his hand from Sha Ergou's head, glanced at him, and said rather kindly:
"Sha Ergou, Dantian embryo bottle, empty inside, like a small hourglass, spiritual energy is like mist and difficult to condense, but the mouth of the bottle has mottled rust... it can be considered a copper-bodied rust bottle, with medium-grade aptitude, and in terms of bone age, fifteen... not bad."
"Thank you, Goddess."
Sha Ergou ran off the stage and grinned foolishly at Ouyang Rong:
"Brother Liu, I'm also a copper bottle, and I'm actually the same as you. Hehe, I'm pretty amazing too."
Although he was of average talent and didn't have much right to be arrogant, Ouyang Rong couldn't help but laugh and nod when he heard Sha Ergou's silly words.
Just then, a surprised voice suddenly came from above:
"Hey kid, what's your surname? Where are you from?"
Ouyang Rong and the others turned to look and found that it was Lu Jinghong, whose forehead was being pressed by the old Yue woman as she examined the amniotic fluid.
The expression on Tang Shishu's face looked rather strange.
Lu Jinghong clasped his hands in greeting:
"Young man, your surname is Lu, and you come from the Lu clan of Fanyang in the north..."
Uncle Tang interrupted:
"No wonder, you're a member of the Lu family of Fanyang. You can tell at a glance that this fetal vessel is not ordinary; it's one of the four types that are quite different from the norm. The last time I saw this kind of fetal vessel was when my three daughters were in our clan..."
She paused, first giving Lu Jinghong a complicated look, then composed herself, regaining her composure, and turned to the cold-faced Yue woman and the woman holding the pen, saying:
"Record it as usual, Lu Jinghong, longevity..." Uncle Tang paused, as if changing his words: "Lu's medicine bottle, a special bloodline embryo bottle, Qi refining aptitude... equivalent to the Glazed Pure Bottle, can be considered top-grade aptitude."
"Lu's medicine bottle?"
Lu Jinghong was stunned for a moment, but upon hearing the next four words, his face lit up with joy...
(End of this chapter)
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