Chapter 18: Nine Realms of Immortality, Sixteen Mantras "The black lead water tiger is the root of the creation of heaven and earth, it has substance and energy. The red mercury fire dragon is the origin of the creation of heaven and earth, it has energy but no substance..." Zhang Jiuyang practiced according to the formula of the Fire Dragon and Water Tiger diagram, and soon he was pleasantly surprised to find that the magic power in his body, which had been difficult to control due to its surging power, quickly became docile and continued to flow through his meridians along some mysterious route. If you look inward, you will find that the magic power will be refined more purely with each cycle, as if it has been tempered by water and fire, with yin and yang in harmony, achieving some kind of wonderful balance. What made Zhang Jiuyang most happy was that after he ate the ghost, the tremendous energy that was filled in his meridians, blood and flesh was guided out bit by bit. After being tempered by water and fire, it became the most refined and pure magic power and completely became his. At this moment, Zhang Jiuyang was like a snake swallowing an elephant. He was on the verge of bursting and began to gradually decompose his prey. Yunniang is the giant elephant. It is because of her legacy that Zhang Jiuyang was able to break through with overwhelming force. Of course, the picture of fire dragon and water tiger is the finishing touch. Without the guidance of this technique, Zhang Jiuyang would be like taking a panacea. Although the drug is strong, it is difficult to fully transform it into his own strength. The picture of fire dragon and water tiger turns the magic power as unruly as a wild horse into an obedient sheep.
Everything goes as planned and everything goes smoothly. Zhang Jiuyang slowly opened his eyes, the glow on his face gradually dissipated, and his eyes were bright and sharp, like stars. He opened his mouth and spit out a cloud of black and red mist, like shooting an arrow from a bow. It emitted a faint fishy smell. After that, Zhang Jiuyang felt relaxed all over, as if even his body had become a lot lighter. Those were the filth and waste gas in his body, which were expelled after being tempered by water and fire. It can be seen that the practice of the Fire Dragon and Water Tiger Diagram has indeed been on the right track and has entered the door. Next, it is only a matter of time to complete this picture, and it won’t take too long. Because the huge gains brought by the ghost-eating have not yet been digested, these are the foundation of his cultivation. "So this is the first realm." Zhang Jiuyang felt the changes in himself and finally understood the secret of the first level of cultivation. "The first stage of cultivation is called "Tune the Dragon and the Tiger". It aims to refine the yin and yang energy in the body, so that the dragon and the tiger can merge and blend into one, thus achieving a wonderful balance." The master explained: "After reaching this state, one's magic power will be born, the body will be strong and healthy, the ears and eyes will be sharp, and the yin and yang energies will nourish it. The three fires will be much stronger than ordinary people, and ordinary evil spirits will have difficulty in possessing it." According to legend, there are three fires in the human body, located on the top of the head and shoulders, which can resist evil spirits. People who often stay up late or are physically weak have three fires floating around and are more likely to encounter ghosts. "Turning dragon and tiger... it's really appropriate." Zhang Jiuyang asked again: "Old Gao, my master passed away early. Can you tell me how many realms there are in cultivation?" After a pause, he asked passionately, "Can you cultivate to become an immortal and live forever?" In Journey to the West, Monkey King's words "Can I achieve immortality?" are engraved in the hearts of countless people. After finally traveling to a world where one can practice cultivation, Zhang Jiuyang naturally regards immortality as his goal. "Become an immortal? Live forever?" The master sneered upon hearing this and said, "You must be dreaming. Although theoretically, one can become an immortal and live forever if one cultivates to the ninth realm, but... from ancient times to the present, there has never been a person who has reached the ninth realm. Those legends about people who have ascended to immortality are, after research, all fucking rumors!" "Let alone the ninth realm, even the eighth realm Yang Shen has not appeared in nearly a thousand years." After a pause, he looked solemn and said respectfully, "The first director of the Imperial Observatory, Zhuge Guoshi, one of the three great masters of the Qianyuan period, was only a real person of the seventh realm. Originally, he had the hope of cultivating to the eighth realm, but unfortunately... Alas!"
Zhang Jiuyang's heart moved. He had read about that period of history in history books before. Six hundred years ago, the country was in turmoil and heroes were vying for supremacy. Taizu Liu Xuanlang killed a dragon and started an uprising, claiming to be the Mandate of Heaven. He had two sworn brothers. One was named Zhuge Qixing, who was a man of extraordinary talent and later became the national teacher and prime minister of Daqian. The other one is named Yue Jingzhong, the military god of Daqian. The three brothers worked together to end the chaotic times and established Daqian, with the reign title of Qianyuan. It was a period of epic and moving years. With their joint efforts, the country's strength was growing, and the people were prosperous and well-off, which was known as the Qianyuan heyday. These three people are also known as the Three Heroes of Qianyuan, and are admired and praised by countless people in later generations. What Zhang Jiuyang didn't expect was that Zhuge Qixing, the wise minister in Daqian's history, was actually a great cultivator of the seventh realm. However, according to historical records, Zhuge Qixing died at the age of 81. This age is considered longevity for ordinary people, but for a great monk in the seventh realm, it is definitely short-lived. It seems there is some hidden story behind this. "Let's not talk about this anymore. Let me briefly tell you about the realm of cultivation." The master shook his head and continued, "In fact, cultivation can be simply described as four sentences and sixteen mantras." "Which four?" "One hundred days to build the foundation, ten months of pregnancy, nine years of facing the wall, and sixty years of ascension to immortality!" Zhang Jiuyang chewed over these four sentences and found them extremely mysterious. "In fact, the current nine realms of immortality are nothing more than the subdivision of these four sentences. For example, the first three realms are the Dragon and Tiger Adjustment, the Hundred Days Pass, and the Small Zhoutian. When combined together, they form the Hundred Days Foundation Building." "The fourth, fifth, and sixth realms are all about ten months of pregnancy. The seventh and eighth realms are about nine years of facing the wall. As for the ninth realm, it takes sixty years to ascend to heaven." Zhang Jiuyang nodded. These sixteen words were easy to remember and clear. "You have now completed the first stage of Dragon and Tiger Adjustment. The next step is the second stage, the Hundred Days Pass. However, I suggest that you don't rush. First, complete the Fire Dragon and Water Tiger Diagram, and then try to break through the second stage." "I can get a lot of credit for Yunniang's case this time. Maybe I can help you get the second picture. Of course, it's just a possibility. Don't hold your hopes too high." Even an expert doesn't dare to make too many promises, in case he fails to do so, it would be embarrassing. Zhang Jiuyang was deeply moved. Although the two of them had been through life and death together, they had only known each other for a short time, yet the other party was still willing to help him. Although Lao Gao seems a bit unreliable, he is indeed a righteous person. "Brother Jiu, have you guys finished chatting? I'm so hungry..." Ali hung upside down on the willow tree, experiencing the lightness of her soul. Not only did she not feel any resentment towards the death, but she found it very novel and exciting. Just as the master was about to say something, Uncle Jiang, who had been quiet all this time, suddenly changed his expression. His look became extremely serious, and he gestured something to Ali. Ali, who was happy just now, suddenly became panicked. She did not translate, but flew over and hugged her father's hand, her voice filled with tears. "Daddy, where are you going? Why can't I go with you?"
Zhang Jiuyang frowned and was about to ask something when he was grabbed by the master. The master obviously knew something. He shook his head at Zhang Jiuyang and said in a deep voice, "No matter what you see later, don't say anything, and don't show it." His voice was very solemn, and his serious expression was even a bit nervous and fearful. Even when facing Yunniang, he never showed such emotion. "Remember, don't be spotted...you can see them!" …… (End of this chapter)