Chapter 7: An Introduction to the Taiqing Alchemy Path

"The Initial Interpretation of the Great Clarity Alchemical Path" is one of the many overused immortal arts in the Celestial Court. Although it bears the prestigious name of Great Clarity, in reality it only compiles a few of the Supreme Elder Lord’s insights on alchemy. The rest is a chaotic amalgamation of various celestial families’ understandings of the alchemical path.

Within this immortal art, one can observe many different styles of alchemy—some gentle as a breeze, others blazing like fire.

Whenever Jiang Wang practiced alchemy according to this manual, he frequently ended up with failed brews.

This frustration sparked an idea: to use fragments of the Fate Jade Disc to extrapolate and refine "The Initial Interpretation of the Great Clarity Alchemical Path."

If he could obtain a more advanced alchemical immortal art, perhaps he could independently concoct elixirs, eventually achieving "freedom in elixir creation."

However, activating the Fate Jade Disc fragments required magical power as a catalyst, supplemented by spirit stones.

Jiang Wang had no spirit stones.

He had only recently arrived at the Celestial Court; salaries were disbursed annually, and aside from a small palace allocated to celestial soldiers and generals, he possessed nothing—not even furniture within the palace.

Upon learning that the dimensional chat group’s item shop allowed exchanging points for spirit stones, he did not hesitate to trade all his points for spirit stones and even sought help from other group members.

What did he use to exchange for spirit stones? Naturally, the "elixirs" Jiang Wang brewed!

Though he often had failures, the wildflowers and herbs freely gathered in the Celestial Court possessed extraordinary effects.

Every successfully brewed elixir was potent.

Once he completed his extrapolation of "The Initial Interpretation of the Great Clarity Alchemical Path," his understanding of alchemy would deepen, and the elixirs he produced would surely astonish the group members.

Though a single ordinary elixir was not worth ten spirit stones in the Celestial Court, Jiang Wang believed members from other worlds would not mind such a small difference.

After receiving a spirit stone from Hulena, Jiang Wang silently added a "1" behind her nickname.

It wasn’t to keep track of how many spirit stones she had given, but merely a habitual mark.

Having done all this, he closed the dimensional chat group and resumed his cultivation.

Though his lifespan spanned a million years, Jiang Wang knew he must not forget his original resolve.

The Celestial Court was a formidable place, but fraught with danger.

In the Western Journey world, Monkey King was not the only one who had rebelled against Heaven.

First came Erlang Shen Yang Jian, who challenged the Heavenly Laws.

Then Sun Wukong, who rampaged through the Southern Heavenly Gate.

And later Chen Xiang, wielding the Heaven-Opening Divine Axe, directly confronting the Great Celestial Sovereign.

How many celestial soldiers and generals had served as the backdrop to their fearless heroism?

Jiang Wang understood his strength was insufficient; he needed to cultivate further.

Entering meditation, the Great Celestial Immortal Art circulated, and Jiang Wang’s magical power flowed, his cultivation subtly advancing.

Time slipped away unnoticed.

When he opened his eyes again, a ray of newborn sunlight streamed into the palace.

Celestial soldiers and generals resided in the Lower Nine Heavens, where sun and moon still marked the passage of time.

At the very moment the sun rose, a mysterious purple aura—vague yet unmistakably real—was absorbed by the Fate Jade Disc fragment atop Jiang Wang’s head.

In that instant, Jiang Wang’s cultivation surged dramatically; his previously unstable celestial foundation grew as solid as metal and stone.

Jiang Wang was not surprised.

This was one of the Fate Jade Disc’s profound wonders.

It could actively absorb the pure purple essence produced at dawn.

Though this aura was not as legendary as the primordial chaos purple energy, it was highly beneficial to ordinary immortals.

Whether ingested or absorbed, it provided immense nourishment.

Exhaling deeply, Jiang Wang felt refreshed and invigorated by his cultivation.

At that moment, a golden-armored celestial soldier flew over and greeted him: “Brother Jiang Wang, two comrades have requested a day off from the general, intending to attempt their promotion. Hurry with me to guard the Southern Heavenly Gate.”

“Understood, I’m on my way,” Jiang Wang replied.

Holding a position in the Celestial Court had its perks.

For a wandering immortal, promotion meant having to invite a few close friends to serve as protectors.

But within the Court, things were simpler.

One could simply request a guard leave and directly promote within their own palace.

The vast Celestial Court had purged all demonic influences; the mental tribulations, geomantic fire trials, and other hardships of promotion were greatly mitigated, making ascent easier.

This was why Jiang Wang knew guarding the Southern Heavenly Gate was a dull task, yet he chose not to become a wandering immortal.

With this thought, Jiang Wang leapt up and followed the golden-armored soldier, flying swiftly toward the Southern Heavenly Gate.

There, numerous celestial soldiers vigilantly guarded their posts.

Jiang Wang silently took his position, his golden armor radiating a sacred glow, lending him an aura of solemnity.

His monotonous gatekeeping duty began, and he remained motionless.

The Celestial Court’s laws were strict; guarding the Southern Heavenly Gate demanded absolute decorum.

Any conduct undermining the Court’s dignity would result in reprimand by the guarding generals or, in severe cases, heavenly punishment.

Fortunately, Jiang Wang was accustomed to the life of a statue.

Now with the dimensional chat group, he had even less hesitation about idling.

His consciousness sank back into the chat group, where members chatted cheerfully.

Useless Prophet: "Honestly, I thought about it all night. I’m so looking forward to the little gifts from the immortal masters! Ah, why don’t I have enough points?"

Old Celestial Master: "Fortunate if one receives, resigned if one misses—Prophet girl, do not fret."

Snake Queen: "You all have me stunned—are immortal things really that great? Have you ever even seen an immortal?"

Little Spider: "I think the Prophet and Old Celestial Master are brainwashed! A million-year lifespan is impressive, but lifespan and power aren’t necessarily the same."

Mosquito’s Nemesis: "I admire you all—discussing one topic all night! I missed today’s supermarket discount, feeling awful."

Golden Generation of the Martial Soul Hall: "Ah, I signed in today and got another 100 points, just exchanged for a spirit stone. Could I give it to the immortal? If I get 100 points daily, in eight days I’ll receive a little gift from the immortal."

Useless Prophet: "Unfair! Why do I only have 4 points? After deducting previous debts, I owe the chat group over a hundred points."

Snake Queen: "Stop complaining. If not for those previous debts, you’d be dead by now."

Useless Prophet: "True. By the way, hasn’t the immortal master spoken in a long time? Does he not want to chat with us?"

Old Celestial Master: "The immortal must be very busy. Prophet girl, don’t bother the immortal—it lowers your favorability."

Golden Generation of the Martial Soul Hall: "Then my favorability with the immortal must be high! I’ve already sent two spirit stones. Really looking forward to the little gift."

Southern Heavenly Gate Guard: "@Golden Generation of the Martial Soul Hall, eight more to go! Keep it up—the surprise gift will probably exceed your expectations."

Though Jiang Wang was unsure of the elixirs’ effects in other members’ worlds, in Hulena’s world, elixirs were definitely high-tier items!

Because in that world... the overall quality was extremely low!