Chapter 5: Fame at Baiyun Temple

A female disciple also approached a young woman and quietly asked, "Sister Zhou, is what they said true? Did you see it?"

A figure descended from the sky, and Li Yu had already changed into his own clothes, also bringing a set for Jiang Li. It is best to consume the Gathering Qi Pill in the wild; if taken indoors, the room cannot be occupied for at least ten to fifteen days.

Sister Zhou smiled and said: "Yesterday, a gentleman came to the temple, claiming that his new house was haunted and asking us to help exorcise the spirits. He offered a considerable amount of incense to the temple, and the reward for this task amounts to one hundred spirit coins. After the task is completed, twenty spirit coins can be given to Junior Brother Li."

Li Yu did not think that his talent was particularly exceptional. With normal cultivation, it might take a long time to reach the second level of Qi Refinement. Therefore, he eagerly anticipated a second meeting with the demoness, hoping to leverage his silver tongue to extract some benefits from her once again

Regarding Li Yu's unilateral decision, Jiang Li had no objections. The two of them tidied up in their room and then arrived at the entrance of Baiyun Temple, where Senior Sister Zhou was already waiting for them.

A long, long time ago, the ancients of this world began their pursuit of immortality. Numerous cultivation methods flourished, and to this day, many esoteric and unorthodox practices have long since declined and been lost to time, leaving only a few remaining.

From this moment on, another mysterious and magnificent world opened its doors to the young boy

The meals at Baiyun Temple are quite light. Li Yu took a steamed bun and paired it with cabbage and tofu, always feeling that the people around them were watching. At a certain moment, he could no longer hold back and turned to Jiang Li, asking, "Do you feel like they are watching us?"

Li Yu found it difficult to refuse others' kindness, nor would she go against the spirit coins. Moreover, the amount of spirit coins offered for this task was indeed astonishing. Thus, she nodded and said: "Thank you, Senior Sister Zhou, I will join."

Jiang Li possesses a water spirit vein and practices water attribute techniques, so there is no need to worry about her clothes getting wet

When the two returned to the Baiyun Temple, they encountered quite a few disciples along the way. Many of them looked at Li Yu with somewhat strange expressions. To be precise, the male disciples' gazes were tinged with envy and jealousy, while the female disciples mostly wore peculiar looks.

The value of currency is indeed precious, but the value of friendship is even higher

Li Yu raised his hand to take a look. Although he can now store spiritual energy within his body, he can only store it in the Shao Chong acupoint of his right hand. He still needs to open up eight more acupoints in order to advance to the second layer of Qi Refinement

Opening the acupoints is not an easy task. From the first level of Qi refining to the ninth level, those with good talent may complete it in a few years, while those with lesser talent may take several decades. Those with poor talent may spend their entire lives without being able to establish a foundation

Senior Sister Zhou smiled and said, "It is like this, there is a task with abundant spiritual coins, and it requires a companion in the Qi Refinement stage. I wonder if Junior Brother Li is interested?"

Li Yu and Jiang Li practiced the teachings of the Daoist school. It is said that by cultivating these teachings to the utmost, one can break through the boundaries and ascend, reaching the legendary realm of immortals, where one can share the same lifespan as heaven and earth, and shine alongside the sun and moon

As his voice fell, his body slowly floated up, at least three feet off the ground. Chen Ming stared in astonishment at this scene, exclaiming, "You, you have also gathered energy!"

Li Yu placed the clothes on the shore, while Jiang Li huddled in the water and said, "Throw the clothes down to me."

Li Yu did not say much, picked up the clothes, and casually threw them down. Jiang Li, this kid, is generous but also quite shy, acting just like a woman. If it weren't for his flat chest, Li Yu might really think he was a woman

This woman, Li Yu, is quite familiar, while the other party is named Zhou Zixuan. Due to her outstanding appearance, she is very well-known at the Baiyun Temple, and can be considered the flower of Baiyun Temple. On ordinary days, she has countless admirers around her, and she herself possesses the strength of the first layer of Qi refining.

Li Yu had long since rebuilt his worldview, understanding that this world is inhabited by demons and monsters. Some formidable demons can even stand toe to toe with top-tier cultivators. However, this is the territory of the Daoist sect, and no matter how powerful the spirits may be, they do not dare to act recklessly. At most, they are just wandering souls and wild ghosts, incapable of causing harm, easily dealt with by those at the Qi Refining stage.

Jiang Li adjusted her sleeves awkwardly and curiously asked Li Yu: "Where did you get your Qi Gathering Pill?"

Li Yu has already gathered his energy. As for him, Chen Ming has nothing much to say. He looks at Jiang Li and says to Zhou Zixuan: "Junior Sister Zhou, it's not that I'm saying this, but Li Yu is one thing, Jiang Li has not yet gathered his energy, taking him along will only cause trouble, won't it?"

Generally speaking, such minor tasks of exorcism require only one person; having two people is more secure, while three people may be somewhat excessive, as having an additional person means that the spiritual currency must be divided further.

Li Yu pondered for a moment and said, "Sister Zhou, could we add one more person? I would like to be with Jiang Li, and his spirit coins can be deducted from my remuneration"

Seeing her stand beside her, Li Yu主动问道: "Sister Zhou, is there something you need?"

Li Yu had a good impression of her. On several occasions, when Chen Ming wanted to take action against him and Jiang Li, it was she who intervened to stop him. If it were not for her, he and Jiang Li would certainly have suffered more losses at the hands of Chen Ming.

The turning point of his life occurred at the age of sixteen

Chen Ming was so furious that he nearly ground his back teeth to dust, letting out a low growl from his throat: "You two truly deserve to die..."

Items in the realm of cultivation cannot be purchased with mundane gold and silver. Spiritual coins are considered the currency of the cultivation world. To purchase elixirs, magical artifacts, and cultivation techniques, one needs spiritual coins, which can be obtained from Elder Sun.

As the two prominent figures of Baiyun Temple, Li Yu and Jiang Li walked side by side, they indeed formed a picturesque scene that caught everyone's attention. Senior Sister Zhou took the initiative to approach them, smiling as she said: "Junior Brother Li, Junior Brother Jiang, you have arrived..."

Not long after, by a stream in a certain place in the Baiyun Mountain Range

That year, he encountered the demoness of the magical path

... ...

He turned his head and saw a young and beautiful woman walking towards him

Jiang Li glanced at him and said lightly, "Who said I don't have energy?"

Upon hearing that Li Yu had invited Jiang Li, Senior Sister Zhou readily agreed and generously said: "If Junior Brother Jiang is going, that would be even better. I can give each of you fifteen spirit coins..."

... ...

At noon, Jiang Li walked in from outside and called Li Yu to go to the dining hall for a meal

Li Yu had long anticipated this and distanced herself from Jiang Li when she placed the elixir into his mouth

The price of the Gathering Qi Pill is not low, requiring at least 500 spirit coins for exchange. He cannot imagine where Li Yu managed to accumulate so many spirit coins.

Li Yu was engrossed in eating when a sudden waft of fragrant air blew by her side

Although Chen Ming was somewhat annoyed, he did not say anything. The task was undertaken by both individuals together, and as long as it did not affect his interests, it was fine for Zhou Zixuan to bring as many people as she wanted; the more people, the more support.

He certainly would not forget his good brothers in this opportunity to earn spirit coins; in order to avoid affecting the interests of others, he can only earn a little less himself

However, he originally regarded this task as an opportunity to spend time alone with Junior Sister Zhou, but unexpectedly, she brought along two bothersome individuals, who were, in fact, the two he disliked the most in the entire Baiyun Temple

Li Yu's current body is exactly eighteen years old this year. The memories before the age of sixteen are nothing special; they are merely those of a boy who lost his parents, struggling to survive in this world.

Did Li Yuzhen really succeed in gathering energy

The Qi Refining Stage is the first step in the cultivation of the Daoist path. During this period, the primary focus is on the meridians. Ancients divided the three hundred sixty acupuncture points of the human body into five spiritual meridians, each possessing seventy-two acupuncture points, corresponding to the five elements. In the Qi Refining Stage, it is necessary to completely open all seventy-two acupuncture points of a specific spiritual meridian.

Of course, what I witnessed with my own eyes was Chen Ming being struck and sent flying by him with a single punch, and he was still able to fly in the air. What else could it be if not a successful gathering of energy

Disciples of the White Cloud Temple do not necessarily take the Kunlun as their master, and on ordinary days, there is no need to address each other as senior or junior siblings. For those with a general relationship, they may simply call each other by name, while those with a closer relationship may refer to each other as brothers and sisters.

Li Yu shrugged and said: "Found it..."

Sister Zhou said: "Rest assured, the remuneration for Junior Brother Li and Junior Brother Jiang will come from my spirit coins, and Senior Brother Chen's fifty spirit coins will remain unchanged"

Chen Ming widened his eyes in disbelief and said, "The other two companions mentioned by Junior Sister Zhou, are they really them?"

Although Li Yu was in great need of Lingbi, he did not agree directly. Instead, he first asked, "What is the task?"

Unfortunately, Li Yu had no means of contacting the Demon Path Sorceress and could only wait for her to come find him

Quickly, he put on his clothes and walked out of the water. Since Li Yu was slightly taller than him, the clothes of Li Yu appeared somewhat baggy on him, giving him a somewhat comical look

Li Yu flicked his fingers, and a pill entered his mouth

Originally intending to sell a Qi Gathering Pill to exchange for a low-grade magical artifact or talisman for self-defense from Elder Sun, after hearing Jiang Li's words, Li Yu changed his mind.

As the Gathering Qi Pill was consumed, Jiang Li felt a surge of spiritual energy rampaging within his body, and soon, a foul-smelling black substance appeared on his body, reminiscent of the stench of decaying books

In three months, the sect's steward will come to select disciples; his luck is truly remarkable

During these three days, he remained shut in, focusing intently on organizing his memories, with even his meals being brought to him by Jiang Li

The gazes of the crowd were filled with envy, for successfully gathering energy signified a formal entry into the path of cultivation. Unlike them, who had been stuck in the energy induction stage for two years, they were on the verge of being expelled from the Baiyun Temple.

Each layer consists of eight acupoints, and there are a total of nine layers in the Qi refining stage

Jiang Li was taken aback for a moment, uncertainly saying: "Ah?"

There is no need for Sister Zhou to seek Li Yu for this task; it is purely a matter of looking out for him

He glanced at Jiang Li, then at Li Yu. They had both entered the Qi Refining Stage, and he feared he had no chance for revenge. If he provoked them again, he would likely face another beating.

The only way for Li Yu and the others to obtain spirit coins is by undertaking certain tasks within the temple

Li Yu reappeared before the public three days later

... ...

Li Yu has not gone out for the past three days and is unaware that he has already gained fame among the disciples of Baiyun Temple, but not because of his success in gathering qi, rather due to other matters

Ritual implements and talismans can be gradually accumulated, but there is only one true friend for him

The young woman recalled a certain image, her face flushed. The other women, upon seeing this, could not help but exclaim: "Li Yu, oh Li Yu, we didn't see this coming..."

By Sister Zhou's side stood a figure, none other than Chen Ming

Having officially entered the Qi Refining Stage, during these days of seclusion, Li Yu has focused on digesting some memories related to cultivation

Jiang Li cleared her throat lightly and said, "Perhaps they envy your successful energy gathering..."

Sister Zhou exclaimed with joy: "Great! This task is very urgent, and we should not delay. We will set off immediately"

Jiang Li was taken aback for a moment, ultimately only able to sigh at Li Yu's good fortune