Chapter 004: The Primordial Golden Elixir

He thought all the way until he returned to the Wuwei Sword Sect. Passing by the main hall, his gaze occasionally swept over the plaque inscribed with "Wuwei Wuwei" in the hand of the sect's ancestor, and he suddenly realized: "Oh, so that's how it is..." He hurried back to his room, where Daoist Jiu Xian was guarding the Bone Saint. Upon seeing his uncle return, he quickly asked: "How did it go?" Gu Wuxi extended his hand from his sleeve. "Half a piece?" Daoist Jiu Xian looked at the half golden elixir in Gu Wuxi's hand with surprise. Gu Wuxi smiled wryly and said: "Uncle, you misspoke—one shouldn't say things like making him bring glory to the Wuwei Sword Sect. Wuwei is indeed without fear; our aspirations, like yours and mine, contradict the essence of the Wuwei Sword Sect!"

Gu Wuxi immediately bathed and changed clothes, then walked overnight to the back mountain to show respect for his ancestral master. Beneath the preaching cliff of the back mountain lies the burial ground of the ancestors, known as the Zhendao Tomb. Although it is referred to as a burial ground, most of the tablets behind it merely serve as a place to store the relics of predecessors. Regardless of whether they succeeded or failed in ascension, no physical remains are left behind, unless death occurred due to an unexpected accident. Here lie the remains of dozens of predecessors, who perished during the last calamity of the Wuwei Sword Sect in a decisive battle against the then most powerful demonic sect, the Mieshen Sect. In that battle, the Wuwei Sword Sect used three of the ancestral master's golden pills to save three unparalleled masters on their side, ultimately achieving victory. The last golden pill was originally reserved for the then sect leader, Daoist Ziwu, but he chose to forgo the opportunity for rebirth in order to leave a golden pill for future disciples. The entire Wuwei Sword Sect regards him as the most heroic figure, second only to the ancestral master.

Gu Wuxi arrived at the outside of the Monument of Enlightenment, which was essentially just a gravestone. It was a tall stone tablet made of blue stone, over five meters high, inscribed with the names of the deceased. If there were any special achievements, they would also be recorded on it. For instance, under the name of Master Ziwudao, an ample space was devoted, using over a thousand characters to document his accomplishments.

The Daoist Jiu Xian informed him of matters that left him in a difficult position. The Bone Saint's life—of course, it was his own life as the Bone Saint—was one of reciprocating kindness and enmity, never owing anyone anything, nor allowing anyone to owe him. Yet now, he found himself indebted to the Wuwei Sword Sect for a tremendous favor. How could he repay this? Even when he was the Lord of Leigu City and one of the Three Saints of the Demon Path, the esteemed Wuwei Sword Sect would not have provided him with an opportunity to repay such a debt, let alone now, when he was utterly powerless. Daoist Jiu Xian had made it very clear: saving a life is a significant benefit for any cultivator's practice. The Wuwei Sword Sect did not expect him to repay them; they merely hoped he would join their ranks. To receive kindness without the ability to repay it was not the way of the Bone Saint. Joining the Wuwei Sword Sect was originally his intention, and it could not be considered a form of "repayment." However, his current situation left the Bone Saint in a quandary.

In the tomb of the Dao, it is quite simple, devoid of any decorations, embodying the essence of "wu wei". Every time Gu Wuxi passed a slightly taller tablet, he would bow deeply, honoring the predecessors who contributed to the Wu Wei Sword Sect. He continued until he reached the end, where the most ancient tablet was enshrined, that of Master Zhenfan Daoist. The tablet of the Master was also very simple, differing from the ordinary tablets only in its slightly larger size. Gu Wuxi prostrated himself, bowing down completely, and spoke slowly and clearly: "Master, above, I, Gu Wuxi, the seventeenth generation disciple of the Wu Wei Sword Sect, pay my respects. I currently have a child of exceptional quality, afflicted by a rare poison. I hope the Master will bestow upon me a golden elixir to save his life, and grant me permission to take him as my disciple, so that he may bring glory to the Wu Wei Sword Sect in the future"

The Golden Elixir of the Master Ancestor is the treasure of the Wuwei Sword Sect. This elixir was the last batch refined by the founding ancestor, Zhenfan Daoist, before his ascension. The alchemical furnace used for refining ascended to the heavenly realm with him, leaving behind only six Golden Elixirs. The efficacy of the Golden Elixir is unparalleled; regardless of the type of injury, one elixir can bring a person back to life, even if their primordial spirit is completely extinguished, the elixir can reunite the primordial spirit. Since the establishment of the Wuwei Sword Sect, it has lived up to the name of Yanyu Peak, enduring countless storms. If it were not for the protection of this Golden Elixir, it would have likely faced destruction at least once.

"Come, sit down, I have something to discuss with you." Daoist Jiu Xian sat beside the table, extending his hand to beckon Bone Saint. Bone Saint hesitated for a moment but eventually walked over. Daoist Jiu Xian looked at Bone Saint with kindness, causing the bewildered Bone Saint to feel a chill in his heart. ... Daoist Jiu Xian recounted the entire sequence of events to him, and Bone Saint suddenly felt a bit hesitant ...

The Daoist priest Jiu Xian nodded slightly and asked with some concern, "But can this half of the golden elixir save him?" Gu Wuxi replied, "Since the Master Ancestor has arranged it this way, there must be a reason behind it." He walked over to the Bone Saint, helped him up, and placed the half of the golden elixir into his mouth. "Alright, find a quiet room for him to rest. When he wakes up, see if he is willing to join our Wuwei Sword Sect. If he is not willing, then send him down the mountain." "Disciple obeys."

Awakening from a deep dream, Bone Saint comfortably stretched out, suddenly startled: how did he end up here? Hadn't he fallen asleep halfway up the mountain? He hurriedly got up and carefully observed his surroundings. Just then, the door opened, and Daoist Jiu Xian walked in with a smile: "You are awake..." Bone Saint looked at Daoist Jiu Xian, his eyes filled with vigilance. He had already guessed where he was—he had fallen asleep on Misty Rain Peak. Was there any other place he could have been taken to besides the Wuwei Sword Sect?

The disciple understands. Master Jiu Xian set down the Bone Saint on his back and said, "The main reason I came this time is because of this person." Gu Wuxi furrowed his brows and glanced over, asking, "What happened to him?" Master Jiu Xian shared his assessment with his senior uncle. Although he had not seen it with his own eyes, his guesses were quite close to the truth. "For some unknown reason, this person was able to kill the Dreaming Flower Snake that was cultivated two years ago, consumed its essence and flesh, and thus fell into a deep sleep from which he cannot awaken." Gu Wuxi still understood his intention. He scratched his already sparse hair and asked, "What happened to him?" Master Jiu Xian reiterated his assessment to his senior uncle. Although he had not witnessed it firsthand, his conjectures were largely accurate. "For some unknown reason, this person was able to kill the Dreaming Flower Snake that was cultivated two years ago, consumed its essence and flesh, and thus fell into a deep sleep from which he cannot awaken." Gu Wuxi still grasped his intention. He scratched his already sparse hair and said with difficulty, "Alas, this is somewhat troublesome. To resolve other poisons, our sect's Purple Still Pill cannot detoxify, but it can preserve life. However, for this kind of poison, what can be done? I have truly never heard of it before."

After he finished speaking, he lay motionless on the ground. Suddenly, the stone wall beneath the ancestral tablet moved, and a stone shelf popped out. Gu Wuxi slowly stood up and walked over to take a look, momentarily stunned: there was only half a golden elixir inside, neatly cut! What does this mean? Gu Wuxi pondered in his heart, not daring to linger. He picked up the half golden elixir and bowed as he retreated. All the way, he was thinking, what does this mean from the ancestral master? Can half a golden elixir save him?

Gu Wuxi nodded sadly and said, "Alas, beasts are inherently lacking; after cultivating for a thousand years, they still cannot withstand even a single human tribulation. How pitiful..." Daoist Jiu Xian remarked, "Today, I calculated that the snake faced this tribulation, so I went to take a look, intending to lend a hand, not wanting to waste our neighborly relationship. I didn't expect to arrive too late." Gu Wuxi agreed, saying, "You did nothing wrong; this is also a way to accumulate virtue and do good, which will greatly benefit your future ascension. Your Tai Xi divination has improved, and you are still able to predict calamities." Daoist Jiu Xian humbly shook his head and said, "Not yet; I miscalculated the timing." Gu Wuxi smiled and said, "Although this Tai Xi divination is an extraordinary skill, talent is very important. Among the three generations, you are the only one chosen by such a profound art. You must work hard!"

The Daoist of Nine Appearances hung his head in silence. Gu Wuxi walked back and forth a few steps, making up his mind: "Alright! You get up, and I will immediately summon the last golden elixir from our ancestral master to save his life! Once he awakens, he will be assigned to the miscellaneous duties, starting everything anew. He must not feel any sense of being different or superior to others, but you must closely monitor his every move in secret!" The Daoist of Nine Appearances bowed and said, "Disciple obeys!"

This time, Gu Wuxi decided to use the last ancestral golden elixir, as he truly believed in the potential of Bone Saint's physique, convinced that he would ultimately cultivate to immortality, leaving behind six golden elixirs like the ancestor, and then depart at ease. In other words, Gu Wuxi hoped that one golden elixir could yield six, or even more.

Gu Wuxi performed three kowtows and nine bows, completing the grand ceremony. He then lit three sticks of incense, the blue smoke curling gently, drifting above the stone tablet. This blue smoke contained Gu Wuxi's power, and only those from the Wuwei Sword Sect could unlock this stone tablet. The smoke slowly entered the characters on the stone tablet, circling around the first few characters. The stone tablet rumbled and moved aside, revealing a large opening behind it. Gu Wuxi first respectfully inserted the incense he held into an incense burner at the entrance of the opening behind the stone tablet, then bowed again before stepping inside. The blue smoke slowly drifted into the characters on the stone tablet, circling around the first few characters. The stone tablet rumbled and moved aside, revealing a large opening behind it. Gu Wuxi first respectfully inserted the incense he held into an incense burner at the entrance of the opening behind the stone tablet, then bowed again before stepping inside

"Please spare his life!" Daoist Jiu Xian knelt down and said, "Master Uncle, I know you must have a way. I have examined this child; his bones are extraordinary, a physique I have never seen before. If he could be taken under our wing, he would surely bring great honor to the Wuwei Sword Sect!" Gu Wuxi waved his hand and replied, "Our sect already has Hu Yong and Shi Xiangbei. With these two, it is sufficient to elevate the Wuwei Sword Sect—there's no need for such reasons if you want me to save him, right?" Daoist Jiu Xian insisted, "No, Master Uncle, you can see for yourself if you don't believe me." Gu Wuxi glanced at Bone Saint but did not stand up. He extended his hand to flick a stream of energy, which circled around Bone Saint's body and returned to Gu Wuxi's hand. Gu Wuxi's expression changed, and he stood up to walk over to Bone Saint, reaching out to touch his bones. Suddenly, his face changed dramatically: "Heavens, this is golden skin and jade bones; even a Great Luo Golden Immortal would be no match for this!"