Breaking through the illusion of the mortal world

Chapter 4 The I Ching's Marrow Cleansing

Startled awake from his dream, Lu Ming was still lost in thought about the vicissitudes of a thousand years when Xuanji's reproachful remark pulled him back to reality.

"This disciple truly understands now. Master is all-powerful and possesses boundless Daoist magic. Such methods are solely for the purpose of tempering the disciple's Daoist heart. The disciple is eternally grateful," Lu Ming said again after a moment's thought.

The Thousand-Year Trial of the Heart, though an illusion, did allow Lu Ming to grow considerably, and his speech became more mature.

Xuanji stroked his beard, a smug look on his face: "That's more like it. You do have some understanding."

But Random Mystery's expression turned serious, and there was no longer a trace of mockery: "You have dreamt for a thousand years, seen through loneliness, not trapped by joy or sorrow, your Dao heart is undying, and your obsessions are not entangled. You have successfully passed the Dao awakening and can now enter the outer gate of the Dao Academy to cultivate."

Lu Ming immediately bowed and said, "Thank you for your kindness, Master."

"Stop, don't call me master yet. Let's talk about it when you can enter the inner sect of the Dao Academy." Xuanji waved his sleeve, and a young cultivator slowly walked out from beside him. He had a handsome face and was none other than Zhao Ling, his personal disciple.

"Master." Zhao Ling bowed respectfully.

Xuanji instructed, "Zhao Ling, fetch two Marrow Cleansing Pills. Also, summon that young man who passed through Daoqi, named Qin Feiyu, who is from the same hometown. Have them both undergo a meridian cleansing and marrow purification."

"Yes, Master," Zhao Ling replied.

"Thank you, Master... Thank you, Immortal Master." Lu Ming was overjoyed. After a thousand years of trials, he naturally knew that the Yi Jing's marrow cleansing was a great opportunity to improve one's aptitude and undergo a complete transformation.

"If the people I choose are of poor quality, wouldn't that tarnish my reputation?" Xuanji waved his hand. "You may go ahead."

Zhao Ling led Lu Ming out of the vast white Dao realm. In less than half an incense stick's time, they found Qin Feiyu, who had also just finished his trial and looked dazed.

The two recognized each other at a glance, and their eyes lit up with surprise.

"Lu Ming! You passed too!"

"Feiyu! You've succeeded too!"

Zhao Ling looked at the two of them and smiled at each other, then nodded slightly and led them to a stream.

Zhao Ling took out two small jade bottles from her sleeve and handed them to the two men respectively, saying solemnly:

"This is the Marrow Cleansing Pill, which is extremely precious. Taking it can cleanse the impurities in the physical body, widen the meridians, and solidify the foundation of one's cultivation. It is a precious medicine for cultivators to build their foundation."

"However, the pain of undergoing the Yi Jin and Dui Zuan transformation is like scraping the bone to reshape it, and only those with great willpower can endure it. Even elite disciples need to cultivate diligently for several years and have a solid foundation of magical power and physical strength before daring to take it. Master's instruction for you to take the pill now is because he trusts your Dao heart and innate qualities."

Zhao Ling's gaze swept over the two of them: "Are you two ready?"

Lu Ming and Qin Feiyu exchanged a glance, the young man's eyes showing no sign of backing down. With a destiny for immortality before them, why fear physical suffering?

"Disciples are ready!" the two said in unison.

Zhao Ling nodded slightly: "Alright. I will protect you and guide the medicinal power. I will teach you the Qi-guiding technique, which you will use to circulate the medicinal power later."

Zhao Ling drew the earth's spiritual veins to a spot in the stream, forming a spiritual pool. The pool water was clear, shimmering with a faint white light.

"Take off your outer clothes and enter the pool."

Lu Ming and Qin Feiyu did as instructed and stepped into the pool, where the water just reached their waists.

"Take the pill."

The two uncorked the bottle, and a strange fragrance wafted out. A pill the size of a longan, white in color, lay quietly in their palms.

Without the slightest hesitation, the two tilted their heads back and swallowed it.

When the pill enters the stomach, it initially feels warm and soothing as usual.

In just a few breaths, a violent surge of energy exploded from his dantian, spreading like wildfire and instantly engulfing his limbs and bones!

"Ugh—" Qin Feiyu groaned, his face turning pale.

It felt as if countless red-hot needles were frantically piercing through blood vessels and meridians, every muscle was spasming, and every bone seemed to be being crushed and rebuilt.

The excruciating pain surged like a tsunami, wave after wave.

Lu Ming clenched his teeth, veins bulged on his forehead, and cold sweat instantly soaked his entire body.

He felt his body had become a battlefield, the medicinal power rampaging and forcefully breaking through the invisible shackles in his body, reshaping his tendons and bones.

"Focus your mind, circulate the Qi-guiding technique, and direct the medicinal power!"

Zhao Ling sat cross-legged by the pool, her hands quickly forming hand seals. Two gentle streams of spiritual energy protected the two of them, steadily safeguarding their heart meridians and sea of ​​consciousness, preventing the medicinal effects from damaging their very foundation.

Despite the excruciating pain that felt like fainting, Lu Ming focused his mind and guided the medicinal power along his meridians according to the incantation.

Each step he took was excruciating, like being cut by a knife, but he had only one thought in his mind—hold on! He had endured a thousand years of loneliness in his dreams, what was this little pain!

Qin Feiyu gripped the rocks by the stream tightly, growling softly. He looked at Lu Ming beside him, who was also struggling, and gritted his teeth to endure.

Time stretched on endlessly amidst the intense pain.

After an unknown amount of time, the violent effects of the drug gradually subsided, the tearing pain faded, and a tingling and refreshing sensation washed over me.

Lu Ming felt his pores open wide, and layers of black, foul-smelling impurities were forced out, merging into the stream and turning the clear spirit pool into a murky mess.

When the two opened their eyes again, although they were exhausted, they were full of energy and vitality.

Lu Ming felt as light as a swallow, with clear senses and hearing, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth seemed within reach; he had been reborn.

"Congratulations to both of you junior brothers on your successful marrow cleansing." Zhao Ling's face showed approval. "Stay here for a while to recuperate and recover your strength. I will take you home later to say goodbye to your families."

Half a moment passes in the blink of an eye.

Zhao Ling led Lu Ming and Qin Feiyu to the village entrance in no time.

By this time, the village entrance and alleyway were already filled with anxious villagers waiting.

The parents of both families were extremely anxious, their temples showing signs of age. Since the two children disappeared three days ago, their families have been worried sick day and night, unable to sleep for several nights.

Although the village chief told them there was nothing wrong and that they were undergoing a trial to awaken the Dao, how could the parents not be anxious?

"Ming'er!"

"Yu'er!"

Mr. and Mrs. Lu were the first to see their son. They rushed forward, grabbed Lu Ming's hand, and looked him up and down, their voices trembling: "You child! Where have you been these past few days! You scared your parents to death!"

Seeing the bloodshot eyes and haggard appearance of his parents, Lu Ming felt a pang of sadness. He quickly supported them and whispered, "Father, Mother, I'm fine. I'm sorry to have worried you."

Qin Feiyu's parents also gathered around, feeling both heartache and reproach, their eyes red with tears.

Lu Ming took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent emotions in his heart, and slowly said, "Father, Mother, Fei Yu and I have both passed the Dao Enlightenment."

One sentence instantly silenced the surroundings.

Mrs. Lu was stunned, then covered her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes. Mr. Lu trembled, gripping his son's hand tightly: "Really...really?"

"Yes." Lu Ming nodded. "The Immortal Master asked me to go to the Dao Academy to cultivate. I'm back now to say goodbye to my parents."

The news spread quickly, and the entire Qinghe Village was in an uproar. Two children passing through the Daoqi together—this was a once-in-a-lifetime divine opportunity!

Lu's mother held her son's hand, tears streaming down her face, yet she smiled and wiped them away, saying, "Good...good...your father and mother are so happy for you, but the journey ahead is long and arduous, you must take good care of yourself..."

Lu Ming felt a pang of sorrow, recalling the heart-wrenching pain of his parents' passing in his dream. He knelt down with a thud and kowtowed three times: "Your unfilial son cannot serve you by your side. Father and Mother, please take care of yourselves. When your son has achieved success, I will surely return!"

Lu's father helped him up, his voice hoarse: "A man's ambition lies in all corners of the world, go! Don't worry about home, we'll be waiting for you to come back!"

On the other side, Qin Feiyu also tearfully bid farewell to her family. Da Huang whimpered softly around Lu Ming, nuzzling him repeatedly, clearly reluctant to leave. Lu Ming crouched down and gently patted its head: "Da Huang, watch over the house, protect my parents, and wait for me to come back."

Finally, amidst the farewells and blessings of the entire village, Lu Ming and Qin Feiyu once again bowed deeply to their hometown and their loved ones.

As he stood up, the reluctance in the boy's eyes had turned into determination.

The two then went home, packed a few things, and set off.

"Senior Brother Zhao Ling, let's go."

Zhao Ling nodded slightly, and with a gentle wave of her sleeve, a soft spiritual energy lifted the two of them. The three figures soared into the air, skimming over villages and fields, flying towards a distant market town. That would be their starting point on their journey to the Dao Academy.

Lu Ming took one last look at the ever-shrinking Qinghe Village and silently recited in his heart:

Dad, Mom, wait for me.