A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 82: Incense Guide, Marrow Cleansing

Before Bai Ming could untangle the chaotic thoughts in his mind, Bai Qi, sitting by the door, seemed to hear something and turned his head:

"Awake?"

Bai Ming paused for a moment, was Ah Brother waiting for me to come back?

"While I was practicing standing meditation, I vaguely heard you calling my name. I thought you were restless in your sleep, talking in your dreams."

Bai Qi didn't seem surprised or shocked. In the page of the Mountain-Rushing Secret Technique he had, it mentioned similar strange occurrences of wandering souls.

There was a young man who rushed the mountains for the first time, received a packet of red paper incense, and ended up dreaming of himself appearing miles away, chased by a tiger.

The next morning, he told everyone about it vividly, and the mountain folk thought he was exaggerating, but soon after, neighboring villages reported that mountain beasts had indeed come out to attack cattle and sheep.

"When I returned to the room to check, I didn't notice you opening your mouth. You seemed deeply asleep, so I remembered the incident and lit a stick of incense at the door.

Mountain Herders speak of using incense as a guide. If you still didn't wake after the incense burned out, I was planning to ask the ginseng picker."

Bai Qi's calm demeanor provided Bai Ming immense reassurance, allowing his previously chaotic heart to swiftly to settle down.

"No wonder when I entered the village, there was none of that confused, disoriented feeling. I quickly found the right way."

Bai Ming suddenly understood. The state of a soul wandering at night is like traveling in dense fog, everything appears blurry, like a blind man.

Under such circumstances, it's easy to lose direction, falling into the disorienting dilemma known as "ghost hitting the wall."

"Ah Brother, I saw numerous 'Immortal Families' at Longkang Mountain, Master Zhuang, Uncle Huai, and the Sparrow Immortal, all benevolent beings! Those at the Fox King Temple and Mountain God Temple, they eat people…"

Bai Ming excitedly recounted his strange encounters tonight, like pouring beans from a bamboo tube.

"The Mountain Deity has spirits, each differing from the other, so it seems."

Bai Qi pondered over Ah Di's words, verifying them against the information he gleaned from the books at Dezhen Tower.

"Dragon Court gathers spiritual aura, outside the County City and Prefecture City, if one wishes to practice Daoist skills, they can only consume miscellaneous energies?

Tsk tsk, truly a domineering method, effectively controlling cultivators' paths upward. No wonder martial arts halls flourish everywhere, but Daoist temples and monasteries are scarce, and no renowned sects are heard of."

This world doesn't lack strange forces and supernatural beings. Bai Ming can learn without a teacher, recognizing the secret text of magic, proving he possesses some extraordinary talent. Involvement in peculiar matters isn't surprising.

"We need to be careful in the future to avoid mishaps."

Bai Qi added an extra cautionary sentence. This incident was also his oversight. He hadn't expected the red paper incense ash acquired from the Mountain Spirit worship to let Ah Di's soul depart from his body, wander blindly at night, almost becoming a meal for the Fox King and Mountain Monarch.

"Mmm, the Sparrow Immortal told me that having the first experience will make me know what to do next time. The incense burned in the temple can safeguard the soul, preventing it from being scattered by the wind.

She also mentioned that true cultivation begins with eating elixir and fasting, entering meditation and embracing the embryo, before attempting a Divine Soul Emergence..."

Bai Ming didn't hide anything, revealing everything candidly to Ah Brother.

"Indeed, the four steps in Daoist practice are eating elixir and fasting, entering meditation and embracing the embryo, gathering thoughts as a deity, spirit communication and manifestation.

But many intricacies remain within them that I haven't fully grasped. Since you have the aptitude for cultivation, when we arrive at the Yihai Prefecture, I'll help inquire more."

Bai Qi rubbed Ah Di's head. He also longed to tread the heavenly path of Daoist skill and magic, for ultimately, this is the ability to cultivate immortality.

Who wouldn't wish for eternal life, soaring through the skies and walking the earth?

But one has to be grounded, since aiming too high can lead to setbacks.

Given that the path to Daoist skill is only found in the prefecture city, rushing is futile.

Moreover, from what is currently known, even a Grandmaster Martial Artist proficient in the four practices doesn't seem intimidated by a Daoist Official.

"Anyway, martial arts and Daoist skills don't conflict. Stand firm and nourish your Qi and Blood properly, and you will have the chance to connect with them eventually."

Listening to Ah Brother's advice, Bai Ming felt deeply assured, as if not even the collapse of the sky could frighten him. Chuckling, he said:

"At the foot of the mountain, the large tree stump where Master Zhuang sits, there's the ripe Huangjing given by the Sparrow Immortal. Remember to take it, and Master Zhuang asked if you want to become a Mountain Herder?"

Bai Qi was slightly surprised. Despite not making a name for himself at Ginseng Collection Manor, remaining virtually unknown, he was actually considered?

Perhaps, after possessing the Innate Fishing Saint Body, he might also acquire the Innate Mountain-Driving Saint Body?

"We'll talk about this in the morning. Wandering at night, the soul takes a toll; quickly rest, and only by sleeping well can you recuperate."

Looking at Ah Di climbing back into bed, Bai Qi tucked him in securely, made sure the doors and windows were shut, and left the room.

He ventured to the southern foot of the mountain near Ginseng Collection Manor and indeed spotted a pile of pitch-black ripe Huangjing on a large tree stump.

"Sweet in taste, non-toxic, soothes the five organs, dispels wind and dampness, prolonged use can lighten the body and strengthen it, replenish essence and marrow."

With the skill of distinguishing medicinal effects, Bai Qi was familiar with this item; many medicinal books refer to it as "Immortal Grain."

"It even knows the nine steaming and nine drying process, that Sparrow Immortal is quite particular, not a senseless monster."

Huangjing, whether consumed raw or used medicinally, is less effective than when steamed and dried. Only through repeated processing can this rare item go from raw to ripe.

Make it tender, oily, soft, and sticky, so that it can be directly eaten to maintain youth and avoid hunger.

"Thank you, Master Zhuang, for protecting my brother, and thanks to Sparrow Immortal for giving us the precious medicine."

Bai Qi was very courteous and bowed to the big tree stump and the dark Longkang Mountain respectively.

He didn't have Ah Di's ability for Divine Soul Emergence, so he couldn't see the transformed forms of these mountain spirits.

He put away the handful of ripe Huangjing worth several hundred taels and turned to step back to the Ginseng Collection Manor under the night sky.

In the depths of the five hundred miles of mountain paths, where the vast darkness covered the skies, a half-rotted giant tree that had been struck by lightning leaned on the mountain ridge.

Its soft branches swayed gently, as if moved by the wind.

On the other side of the mountain's shady side, something the size of a millstone scraped against the rocks, making an ear-piercing sound like metal.

The rolling miasma, with a massive shadow faintly visible, coiled around a high cliff, absorbing the moonlight.

...

...

The next day, before the sun had risen, Xiaotou thought he was up early.

But he saw that outside the wide-open door, the brothers Bai Qi and Bai Ming were already standing in the courtyard practicing their stances.

"Talented and so diligent, how can people like us live!"

Xiaotou was immediately anxious. He wanted to stay a bit longer in the warm bed but quickly bounced up, hurriedly getting dressed.

"Why didn't you call me to practice! It's too much; secretly working hard while I was sleeping!"

Bai Qi slowly inhaled and exhaled, steadying his posture.

The Golden Core Great Strength Skill improved by Ninghai Zen seemed to be more effective in nurturing muscles and strengthening Qi blood.

He took a deep breath, feeling refreshed, as if his mouth was filled with a pleasant fragrance:

"There's a bowl of porridge on the stove."

Xiaotou rubbed his empty stomach. He hadn't skimped on meat recently and felt his appetite noticeably increase:

"Ah Qi, I'm afraid I won't be full. I should go out and buy two trays of meat buns for us to share. I've made a good amount of money gathering herbs these days, my treat!"

Bai Qi shook his head and said:

"Finish your porridge first."

Xiaotou obediently followed the advice and gulped down the porridge.

Before long, he exclaimed:

"Hey, why am I feeling so warm? So hot, so itchy, my whole body is heating up!"

Bai Qi pointed out:

"Quickly stand according to the Songshan Sect's stance method."

Not understanding why, Xiaotou resisted the boiling sensation in his blood and began to hold a horse stance, moving his fists and feet.

About half a stick of incense later, a fine combination of oils and sweat had formed sticky layers of grime all over his arms and chest.

"Ripe Huangjing is indeed a rare medicinal treasure, with almost miraculous effects for purification of the body and mind on weaker constitutions."

Bai Qi and his brother Bai Ming watched the scene unfold with amusement. Their own bodies were more nourished than Xiaotou's, with superior stance methods and solid foundations, so they could withstand the power of the ripe Huangjing.

Thus, they didn't display such an immediate reaction.

"I've grasped my Qi and blood! Ah Qi, I've broken through!"

Xiaotou couldn't care about his messy state, joyfully waving his arms and legs as he rushed towards a backed-away Bai Qi.

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't come over here!"

Just as he was celebrating, Zhu Ling'Er suddenly pushed open the courtyard door, intending to step inside.

Suddenly, her delicate eyebrows furrowed as if she smelled something; her bright eyes turned towards Xiaotou, who looked like he had just climbed out of a pit of manure.

"Sorry for the disturbance."

The esteemed lady from Yihai Prefecture covered her face and hurriedly retreated.

Xiaotou stood there as if struck by lightning, seemingly ashen-faced.

"Go wash up. Look on the bright side; at least you made an impression on Miss Zhu."

Bai Qi suppressed a laugh as he consoled him.