Chapter 192: Crossing Beyond the Peaks and the End Mountain, One Reaches the Garden of Eternal Alchemy. For Others, a Thought of Amazement. For Yang Wei—“Flirt with her? Child’s play. I’ll sleep with this woman!”
A place beyond all the peaks of the sect.
A place place filled with nothing but trees and clouds.
A place that's just endless nature.
Yang Wei and Guo Xiaomei gracefully flew on their swords as they journeyed to the other side of the Dragon Blossom Sect. Initially, Yang Wei thought they were heading towards the Hēi Lóng Mountains, but it appeared that wasn't the case.
Before he could ask, Guo Xiaomei spoke without looking at him, reciting profound words.
"Breath of life, essence of creation, transform the self. Alchemy of mind, alchemy of heart, shape the universe. Transcendence of self, is union with the infinite."
Truly, Yang Wei was shocked by her words; they held more depth and were far more profound than his mantra of the Frog's Tale of the Living Blade. In a sense, just hearing Guo Xiaomei utter these words made her appear far wiser than he had ever seen her before. It left him at a loss for a response, as anything he might say afterward could seem inadequate.
Seeing his reaction, Guo Xiaomei asked, "Do you understand the meaning behind those words?"
Yang Wei, maintaining his composure, tucked his hands behind his back and exhaled slowly. "I'm sure if I knew what that mantra meant, I'd be even more impressed than I already am," he admitted, maintaining his balance on his sword as they flew.
Guo Xiaomei admitted, "Well, I myself don't know the true meaning, but I'm hoping that after spending some time with Grandmaster Spirit Flora, you will."
"Hm?" Yang Wei tilted his head in confusion.
Who's Grandmaster Spirit Flora?
Before long, they found themselves soaring through the air behind End Mountain, the final peak of the Dragon's Peak Mountains Range. This route was unfamiliar to Yang Wei, who typically took a different path to reach the Hēi Lóng Mountains. Despite nearing their destination, Yang Wei failed to spot anything remarkable.
After a brief moment of contemplation, he turned to Guo Xiaomei and asked, "Shouldn't there be something noteworthy here? All I see is the same old scenery—trees, rocks, and well... more trees."
Raising an eyebrow at his comment, Guo Xiaomei responded, "Haven't you cultivated up to the 3rd level of Soul Harmony Attunement Arts?"
Yang Wei's eyes widened in realization, as if they were about to pop out of his head. It instantly hit him that he had completely forgotten about the foundational technique recommended by Mu Zhong, which was essential for disciples of Spirit Harmony Peak. "Um... no," he admitted sheepishly.
Guo Xiaomei chuckled softly. "No worries. It's said to take decades just to reach the first level of attunement. It's pretty much the only impressive thing about Spirit Harmony Peak."
Yang Wei clarified, "No, I mean I haven't cultivated it at all."
The gentle chuckles ceased abruptly, replaced by surprise in Guo Xiaomei's expression. "You haven't been cultivating it? Then what have you been doing?" she exclaimed.
Clearing his throat, Yang Wei stroked his chin as if he had a beard and replied confidently, "Something beyond your comprehension." He stood tall, his chest puffed out and his head held high to convey his lack of embarrassment.
"Sure," Guo Xiaomei said with a mocking, skeptical tone. She then gazed ahead at the picturesque scenery of nature and said, "If you had cultivated at least three levels of soul attunement, you'd be able to sense the barrier that lies beyond what the eye can see."
Yang Wei remained silent, absorbing every word she uttered.
"Close your eyes and try to pay attention to your surroundings," Guo Xiaomei instructed. "Can't you sense a specific type of Qi overflowing here?"
Yang Wei obeyed, shutting his eyes and focusing his senses. He detached his physical existence from his soul, making his soul the complete essence of his being. Instantly, he felt it—the heavy concentration of dragon vein Qi, even more than in the Dragon Vein Spirit Pool!
Abruptly, he opened his eyes and exclaimed, "I can sense a lot of dragon vein Qi here..."
Normally, it was impossible to easily detect the concentrated energies here due to several multi-dimensional barriers obstructing both the physical and spiritual realms. However, since Yang Wei focused solely on his spiritual essence, he managed to perceive it. For those who had reached three levels of soul attunement, sensing it would be natural, without needing to try.
Guo Xiaomei nodded. "Now that you've realized there's something beyond what your physical eyes can see, I'll help you fully perceive it."
"Perceive what?"
"The Garden of Eternal Alchemy!"
With a wave of her hand, a majestic transformation occurred. It was as though the physical skin of the entire forest had been peeled off to display its spiritual existence. For a moment, Yang Wei saw two realms—the Supreme Circle River of the Spirit-reaching Dragons, emanating intense chaotic energies of dragon vein Qi, and something entirely new and breathtaking.
Ancient stone pagodas, mighty mountains, and even floating islands and streams of water, which floated like clouds, emerged as if the blooming of a flower!
"Wow, what is all this?" Yang Wei exclaimed, his eyes wide with amazement.
The place exuded the beauty of a heavenly garden, far more peaceful than the other realm, which looked like an eternal whirlpool of boundless dragon vein Qi.
Guo Xiaomei explained, "This place is where you'll truly grasp the enlightenment of the infinite Dao of Medicine. It's a place where the pursuit of alchemical perfection knows no bounds."
Yang Wei could already feel his grasp of pill refinement expanding.
Guo Xiaomei added, "While the Garden of Eternal Alchemy and the Supreme Circle River of the Spirit-reaching Dragons might seem close at a simple glance, they're realms apart. Their boundaries are defined not by physical distance, but by the transcendent purpose of their expanses."
"So, they exist based on their own will and not of creation?" Yang Wei inquired.
Guo Xiaomei placed a finger on her chin thoughtfully and said, "Hmm, more like they exist based on the will of a Dao."
That was all Yang Wei needed to hear, and he nodded in response. But then, it seemed like something else was about to happen. Just as it did, Guo Xiaomei leaned towards Yang Wei and said, "You know the way you flirt with me, right?"
Yang Wei raised an eyebrow and replied, "Yeah?"
Guo Xiaomei's sudden question caught him off guard, leaving him heavily confused.
She continued, "I'm fine with it, it makes me feel very young and wanted, but... well, don't try flirting like that with Elder Qian. It won't end well."
"Elder Qian?" Yang Wei echoed, puzzled.
Guo Xiaomei nodded and explained, "Yes, she's my master. Her more popularly known name is Grandmaster Spirit Flora, one of the first disciples to reach Spirit Ascension realm aside from Su Meirong."
Just then, the arrival happened...
At the heart of the Garden of Eternal Alchemy, amidst groves of whispering bamboo and fragrant blossoms, a figure appeared. This figure possessed a beauty that rivaled the heavenly garden surrounding them. Yang Wei couldn't see her clearly from afar, but her ancient voice carried pure elegance as she spoke.
"Who would dare disturb the Apothecary Grandmaster of the Garden of Eternal Alchemy?! It seems the cultivators of this new era fail to understand what eternal seclusion means."
The mist could hide her face which was certainly beautiful, but it couldn't hide the silhouette of her sexy, hourglass figure. Simply by seeing just that, Yang Wei knew this woman would have heavenly beauty—and he was here for that.
Flirt with her? Child's play. I'll sleep with this woman.