Chapter Fifty-Two: The Longevity Sutra of the Azure Emperor

Within the Chisong Dojo, the arrival of the Wind Spirit stirred up great commotion, yet the earth’s veins remained undisturbed. Instead, the layered clouds in the heavens were swept and scattered by its presence, resembling flecks of gold evenly spread across the sky above the dojo. The members of the Dao Palace stepped out of their dwellings, gazing at this extraordinary spectacle in the heavens, as if the world before their eyes had grown more vibrant and alive, filling their hearts with awe.

They felt as though the mountain winds had suddenly gained sentience, and somehow, they could commune with them, resonating together in harmony. Before they could fully contemplate this sensation, they witnessed a white fox stretching its body, wandering freely across the sky!

"Is that Lady Bai up there?" someone exclaimed in astonishment.

Since becoming acquainted with Bai Yi, the Dao Palace members often addressed her as Lady Bai. Now, seeing her soaring in the sky, they exchanged bewildered glances.

"Hmm? Why is it Fellow Bai Yi?" Jiang Liunian, hearing the commotion, stepped out and, upon seeing Bai Yi flying overhead, could not help but feel surprised. But he quickly realized this must be the handiwork of Fellow Yu Chen! On Chisong Mountain, only this person possessed such miraculous abilities.

Just as he was about to return indoors, his steps suddenly halted, and a look of shock appeared on his face. He had abruptly sensed that he, too, had somehow mastered the art of wind-riding.

Jiang Liunian closed his eyes, circulating his internal energy and resonating with the mountain winds, slowly immersing his whole being within them. In the next moment, he felt himself lifted by a force. Opening his eyes, he saw himself standing upon the mountain wind, suspended in midair!

Inspired, he manipulated his energy like a rudder, controlling his direction; his entire being was like a mighty roc, diving headlong into the vast sea of clouds!

As the wind roared past his ears, a sense of unrestrained freedom surged within him. Since embarking on the path of cultivation, he had never felt so liberated! This was the immortality he sought—the way it should be!

He drifted among the heavens and earth, detached from mundane impurities, united with the wonders of nature. It was as if the shackles of the mortal world had fallen away!

Overflowing with joy, he let out a long, exuberant cry, expanding his chest.

At that moment, he was not alone in experiencing this sensation. Within Chisong Dao Palace, elders and disciples alike were seized by inspiration, one after another riding the wind and soaring freely.

Lin You stood at the edge of the cliff, observing the excitement on their faces, a faint smile upon his lips.

The Wind Spirit, born between heaven and earth, naturally could utilize the power of the earth’s veins within the dojo, allowing everyone on the mountain to travel by wind without difficulty.

Most crucially, the dojo now possessed a guardian spirit, capable of defending itself against external threats! Though the Wind Spirit appeared gentle now, it was only because he restrained it. If it transformed into a gale, it could overturn all of Chisong Mountain! Even if a martial master invaded, they would be torn to pieces!

Lin You stood with hands behind his back at the cliff’s edge, gazing into the vast distance. Once his mind was calm and clear, he sat cross-legged and began to contemplate the scripture derived from the little jade tree.

Since the scripture was acquired from the little jade tree, he temporarily named it "The Green Emperor's Longevity Sutra."

At present, the scripture contained only a single chapter on refining vital energy—short, concise, yet each word seemed to contain profound mysteries, as if pointing directly to the ultimate truth of heaven and earth.

The scripture said: Heaven and earth possess spirits; the human body contains essence! Refine the form with breathing, inhale the mist! Combine to form true energy, called magical power; command heaven and earth, transform the machinery…

Lin You had long memorized the entire scripture; now, after a brief contemplation, he closed his eyes to attempt cultivation.

According to the scripture, the martial true energy he cultivated was actually the essence within the human body, a part of post-heavenly turbid energy. Even if it later transformed into true essence, it could not achieve spiritual transformation. To enter the path of immortality, one must first gather the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to purify the turbid energy within oneself. This fusion of spiritual energy and true energy produced true vital energy, also known as magical power, which could activate Daoist arts and magical abilities, granting wondrous transformations.

Moreover, the process of cultivating true vital energy gradually altered one’s very life form—a process called refining vital energy. By gathering and refining spiritual energy, one’s mortal body was transformed into a magical body, granting eternal youth and prolonged lifespan.

With his current cultivation, Lin You could refine thirty-six strands of magical power if he converted his entire energy with spiritual energy, corresponding to the third level of refining vital energy. If he refined one hundred and eight strands, reaching the ninth level of true vital energy, he could begin laying his Dao foundation and truly remake himself.

The most efficient method to cultivate magical power was to consume spiritual pills, for spiritual energy was rare and unruly, whereas spiritual herbs were gentler.

Previously, he had refined a Nourishing Essence Pill, a cultivation pill used by ancient practitioners specifically for magical power. Yet the pill he created contained little spiritual energy, and was much slower than directly gathering spiritual energy for cultivation.

He turned his mind inward, looking toward the little jade tree. At this moment, thirty-six jade leaves of spiritual energy hung from its branches. This was the reward for having just awakened the Wind Spirit and upgraded the dojo. Now, Chisong Dojo could produce seventy-two jade leaves of spiritual energy each month—twice as many as before!

With a thought, Lin You summoned a jade leaf, which transformed into a stream of light and entered his body. As soon as the spiritual energy entered, his inner true energy began to boil, like a drop of pure water falling into a pot of hot oil. The lively spiritual energy seemed almost alive, freely coursing through his meridians. His true energy chased after it, as if irresistibly drawn.

Calm as a mountain, energy flowing like a spring.

Following the instructions of the scripture, Lin You gently guided the spiritual energy, allowing it to settle in his dantian sea of energy. Perhaps the scripture was effective, for under his guidance, the spiritual energy gradually became calm and obedient. He had little difficulty directing it into his dantian.

Lin You discovered that the spiritual energy harvested from the little tree was nothing like the wild, untamed forces described in the three other methods. Instead, it was intimately close to him, without the slightest barrier.

He surmised this was because the spiritual energy was born within the dojo itself, and thus naturally bonded with its master, making it easier for him to refine.

With this realization, Lin You set aside all concerns, immersing his mind completely and began purifying his true energy.

He closed his eyes, sitting cross-legged at the cliff’s edge, sinking into deep meditation.

Beside him, the Wind Spirit had already formed an invisible wall of wind, blocking all disturbances from outside—a loyal guardian deity, steadfast in protecting Lin You.

…

Meanwhile, on the main road of Jinhua Prefecture, two men rode slowly toward Chisong Mountain.

The leader was an elderly man with a long beard reaching his chest. Though wrinkles covered his face, his brows still carried a dash of elegance, hinting at an unruly youth. Accompanying him was a middle-aged man carrying a long sword, a faint sharpness emanating from him.

"Master Guo! Chisong Mountain lies just ahead. But you are busy and esteemed—why trouble yourself to come in person?" the middle-aged man said respectfully to the elder.