Chapter 46: Marrow Refining And Fat Refining, Favored With Secret Teachings
The crowd of disciples were stunned, their faces either embarrassed or gloomy, all looking unpleasant.
Especially that Qin Min, she never imagined that in her Master’s eyes, she too could only take one of the three shortcuts of “human tool, human talent, human spirit.”
And Fang Shu landed among the crowd, his mood equally fluctuating.
Although after entering the marketplace, due to what he saw and heard, he had long ceased to hold naive fantasies about the cultivation of Immortal Cultivators in this world, and even harbored doubts about the so-called Immortal Sects.
But now, being so bluntly revealed by the Dojo Master, the taste in his heart was, for a moment, a mixture of emotions.
He also glanced at the others and found that even those two disciples who seemed to have decent backgrounds had complex expressions, their moods undoubtedly the same as his.
However, the stray thoughts in Fang Shu’s heart came quickly and left just as fast.
His mind quickly steadied.
So what if he was provisions for others? When it came to actual cultivation, who would end up consuming whom was yet to be seen! Besides, he had the Dao Talisman as aid.
After her speech, the Dojo Master narrowed her old eyes, her gaze constantly scanning the faces of the crowd of disciples, taking in everyone’s expressions.
Among them, two she paid special attention to: Qin Min and Fang Shu.
When she saw Fang Shu’s demeanor recover quickly, she couldn’t help but look at him a few more times.
After giving everyone ample time to digest, the Dojo Master’s face broke into a smile again, but this time it was no longer a forced grin.
She spoke: “Alright, don’t all pull such long faces. Isn’t it just helping to cultivate Magic Tools for others, raising Precious Medicine? Everyone has been through it, no one is better than anyone else.”
These words made everyone’s faces stir, and they immediately listened intently.
They only heard the Dojo Master say:
“Not just you all, this old body, the Qi Refining Spiritual Immortals and Foundation Establishment Earth Immortals in the Immortal Sects, even Core Formation Golden Immortals, the Divine Immortals who refine spirit in the world…(Note 1)
Even the Former Sages and Former Masters who established the framework of the Nine Branches of Immortal Studies over ninety thousand years ago were nothing more than a Medicine Slave. Our generation of Immortal Cultivators has all come this way through the ages; you’ll get used to it.”
These words, half consolation and half self-mockery, rang out, leaving Fang Shu and the others even more stunned.
The Dojo Master continued to ramble:
“Rest assured, this dojo and the Five Immortal Sects in Mount Lu are all proper Immortal Studies lineages, with established rules of the Magic lineage.
We do not, like those demons, eat our disciples alive, but emphasize making the best use of people, with voluntary transactions as the main principle.
Additionally, based on the experience of predecessors, those of the same kind cannot consume each other; no matter how much the Immortal Sects favor you, they will not devour and refine you, lest they ruin their own future—only evil cultivators would do such things.
Therefore, the Precious Medicine in your bodies will generally be used to temper Magic Tools, raise Spiritual Medicine and spirit beasts, and such, not to be eaten by people.”
Yet after these comforting words came from the old woman’s mouth, Fang Shu and the others’ faces did not improve, sinking low once more.
A disciple muttered:
“Not to be eaten by people, meaning only to be eaten by other species…”
Hearing this, the Dojo Master nodded candidly, with a half-smile:
“People eat demons, demons eat people—what’s wrong with that?”
At this, everyone fell silent.
“Alright, I’ve told you the three shortcuts. Whether you believe it or not, do it or not, that’s up to you each.
Heh, Immortal Sects accepting disciples isn’t charity.”
The Dojo Master clapped her hands:
“Perk up, idle talk is over. This old body will now explain the specific cultivation of the Essence Refining stage, and transmit the Insect Skill to the new entry disciples.
Fang Shu, come here.”
Pa! Hearing this, Fang Shu immediately suppressed his thoughts, respectfully stepped forward, cupped his hands in salute:
“Yes, Master.”
The gazes of the others also fell on him, some quick, some slow.
The next moment.
The Dojo Master tapped her ear, and a swarm of small red flying insects flew out from her ear.
Fang Shu had seen these flying insects before.
They were precisely the Blood Fleas the Dojo Master had given him for protection when he last went out.
But the other disciples, except for Du Yu Er, all showed surprise in their eyes, as if seeing Blood Fleas for the first time.
That Li Hou Er even muttered: “Why are the insects used to transmit techniques to Fang Shu different from the ones I got last time.”
The Dojo Master ignored their doubts and simply instructed verbally:
“This is the Flea Master.”
Then, the Dojo Master circled around Fang Shu, pa-pa tapping his body and bones, as if inspecting the quality.
Satisfaction showed on her face: “Foundation is still solid enough to withstand it.”
Then she pointed at Fang Shu’s body and lightly shouted: “Go!”
Buzz buzz! Those blood-colored flying insects immediately pounced toward Fang Shu.
But this time, they did not silently burrow into Fang Shu’s hair; instead, they crawled all over his body, bringing waves of stinging itchiness to his skin.
It was as if these things were not fleas, but mosquitoes.
The Dojo Master instructed Fang Shu: “Take off your clothes, strip clean.”
Enduring the itchy sensation, Fang Shu quickly stripped off his outer clothes completely, leaving only his underpants on.
One could see the Blood Fleas biting into his flesh; in a few breaths, they had swollen into bean-sized blood sacs, still continuing to suck the blood from Fang Shu’s body, their bellies turning black and purple.
This shocking scene fell into the eyes of Li Hou Er and the others, yet it did not provoke much reaction, as if it were only to be expected.
As the Blood Fleas sucked, Fang Shu’s Qi and Blood spontaneously circulated, and the nine Secret Scripts on his body surface immediately emerged, transforming into insect faces.
Then the Dojo Master’s fingers moved variably, pa-pa striking Fang Shu’s body, pressing the Flea Masters that had sucked his blood one by one to death on his body.
Strands of bloodstains appeared on Fang Shu’s body surface, making the nine ghost faces on him even more ferocious.
And wondrously, these bloodstains wriggled on their own, piecing together into patterns of script.
They overlaid the existing nine insect face Secret Scripts, making them more complex, evidently forming new Secret Scripts, or rather, a two-layer Secret Script structure.
At this point, the Dojo Master withdrew her hands, gesturing to the others:
“Those who haven’t mastered the Insect Skill yet, look clearly—this kind of vivid and lifelike Insect Skill Secret Script isn’t something you see every day.”
The crowd of disciples, except for Du Yu Er and Qin Min, indeed seized the opportunity to observe Fang Shu as a rare teaching aid, especially that Li Hou Er.
After instructing the other disciples, the Dojo Master turned back to Fang Shu and said:
“The Flea Master’s heads and mouthparts will remain on your body surface for about two months. Do not remove them yourself, lest your Physical Body’s Qi and Blood reject the Insect Blood, causing the Marrow Refining Secret Scripts on your body to disappear.”
At this moment, Fang Shu felt a fiery spiciness all over his body, as if he had been slathered in chili peppers.
He listened silently and nodded, then asked in a low voice:
“Dare I ask Master, is Marrow Refining the Immortal Cultivators’ Second Tribulation?”
The Dojo Master nodded in answer:
“Correct. The Immortal Cultivators’ Second Tribulation is called ‘Soft Bones and Tender Flesh,’ also known as ‘Bronze Casting and Iron Forging.’
A mortal’s bones and flesh are like rotten mud cakes compared to bronze, iron, mountains, and stones—utterly fragile. A mortal’s energy is also limited compared to oxen, horses, puppets, and such.
This tribulation refines Qi and Blood into the Bone Marrow, producing ‘Precious Marrow.’ This not only enhances the Immortal Cultivator’s blood production, bolstering Qi and Blood and energy, but also makes bones hard and flesh tough, akin to Bronze Tendons and Iron Bones, as if clad in a layer of tough armor.”
She continued eloquently:
“Once past this tribulation, you will have Qi and Blood like a tiger’s, muscles unified as one, able to travel a hundred li without fatigue, carry a thousand jun with ease, even achieve walking on snow without sinking or treading water without submerging, all without using Magic.”
Listening to the Dojo Master’s introduction, Fang Shu’s thoughts stirred, immediately drawn to the benefits she described.
Compared to the “free from illness” after the First Tribulation, this Second Tribulation’s “Bronze Casting and Iron Forging” sounded far more like a “human among immortals,” with every gesture distinct from mortals.
After fantasizing for a few breaths, Fang Shu immediately suppressed his anticipation, cupped his hands, and spoke:
“Thank you, Master, for transmitting the technique.”
But as he bowed, the Dojo Master’s fingers blurred, pa-pa tapping his body, and she lightly shouted:
“Transmitting the technique isn’t finished yet. Stand steady; today I’ll also transmit the Fat Refining Secret Script of the Third Tribulation for you all to see.”
These words surprised Fang Shu; the other disciples staring at him were even more astonished.
Buzz buzz!
A group of Flea Masters jumped onto Fang Shu’s neck, scalp, forehead, cheeks, and such, beginning to suck blood and form blood cocoons.
But this time, the Dojo Master did not directly slap these Blood Fleas dead on Fang Shu’s face and head; she carefully removed them, leaving only the tiny mouthparts and insect heads on Fang Shu’s head.
Then she pa-pa pinched the Blood Flea bodies to burst, using her fingers as a brush to personally draw patterns on Fang Shu’s body.
When her movements stopped, the insect face Secret Scripts on Fang Shu’s chest and abdomen, front and back, had connected into one, like a folded giant insect face, while the insect face Secret Scripts on his limbs became extensions of the giant insect face’s antennae and limbs.
Compared to the first two layers of Secret Scripts, this third layer’s complexity was dazzlingly intricate.
The observing disciples all widened their eyes, staring intently, but for the moment unsure where to begin observing.
Only that Qin Min, her gaze sharp, stared fixedly at Fang Shu, her own Qi and Blood involuntarily circulating, as if trying to simulate the Dojo Master’s process of drawing the Secret Scripts.
Her unusual behavior drew the attention of the other disciples.
“Why is Master transmitting both the Marrow Refining Insect Skill and Fat Refining Insect Skill all at once today?”
Someone muttered: “Could it be that Junior Sister Qin Min is about to break through the Second Tribulation? So transmitting ahead for her to observe.”
The several senior disciples present all clicked their tongues, their faces full of wonder.
Hearing this, Fang Shu, whose body was numb all over, couldn’t help but slightly raise his eyelids.
But he immediately focused his mind, ignoring the rest, and carefully sensed the Qi and Blood circulation paths on his body.
The Dao Talisman in his mind trembled ceaselessly, recording and storing every detail of the changes on his body.
It wasn’t until the Dojo Master’s movements stopped and her instruction rang out that Fang Shu’s Dao Talisman quivered lightly and stilled.
The Dojo Master said: “Alright, this is the Fat Refining Secret Script and circulation path of the Third Tribulation; this fat is not flesh fat, but refers to Brain Fat.
The Blood Flea insect heads on your head are somewhat unsightly, but as usual, do not remove them casually; they will naturally fall off in at most two months.”
Fang Shu quickly replied: “Yes, Master.”
At the same time, in his mind, new text had already appeared on the Dao Talisman:
【Cultivation Method:《Hundred Insects Blood Refining Health Preservation Secret Skill Marrow Refining Chapter》（Recorded）,《Hundred Insects Blood Refining Health Preservation Secret Skill Fat Refining Chapter》（Recorded）】
Ordinary people need to learn the Secret Scripts before fully memorizing them in their minds, but Fang Shu, thanks to the Dao Talisman, recorded them successfully on the spot.
And once successfully recorded, he could comprehend the Secret Scripts anytime through the Dao Talisman.
Even so, having successfully recorded the Cultivation Method, Fang Shu would still heed the Dojo Master’s instruction and keep the Blood Flea heads on his body.
Because these insect marks on him not only formed Secret Script patterns, but also released medicinal effects, stimulating his Qi and Blood circulation to aid his cultivation, and promoting the Dao Talisman’s analysis of the Secret Scripts.
At this time, the Dojo Master patted Fang Shu’s shoulder, finally signaling he could move.
Then, using Fang Shu’s body as example, the Dojo Master carefully explained the principles of Marrow Refining and Fat Refining.
These principles might have been familiar to Li Hou Er and the others, nothing new.
But for Fang Shu, they were quite profound, resolving some doubts he had accumulated during his usual Insect Skill cultivation on the spot.
The Dojo Master finished transmitting the techniques and lecturing.
She took the tea offered by Du Yu Er, slowly sipped a few mouthfuls, then finally said:
“Disperse.”
“Yes, Master.” The crowd of disciples cupped their hands in acknowledgment.
After paying respects, Fang Shu finally donned his Cultivation Practice Daoist Robe, dressed neatly, planning to leave with Li Hou Er and take the chance to ask him about cultivation matters.
But at this moment, the Dojo Master spoke again:
“Fang Shu, you stay.”
These words drew quite a bit of attention, but no one was too surprised, assuming Fang Shu, being newly entered, would receive extra instruction from the Dojo Master.
Only that Du Yu Er, her gaze flickered slightly, as if guessing something, and she gave Fang Shu a few extra looks.
“Yes!”
Hearing this, Fang Shu shot Li Hou Er a look, then stepped forward to attend by the Dojo Master’s side again.
After a good while, once the old woman finished a cup of tea, she said to Fang Shu:
“Follow this old body.”
Fang Shu cupped his hands toward Du Yu Er who had served the tea, then followed a step behind the Dojo Master.
The two did not head to the Assembly Hall, but went to the boundary between the front and back courtyards.
Soon, a python appeared in Fang Shu’s eyes.
He had followed the Dojo Master to the dungeon where disciples stored their valuables.
Only this time, he did not linger on the dungeon’s periphery, but followed the Dojo Master straight inside to a fine steel secret chamber covered in Talismans.
The secret chamber held many boxes and cases; what most caught Fang Shu’s attention was a bookshelf among them.
It held books of all sorts: paper ones, leather-bound, jade ones, even carved on Metal and Stone or Bone, all carefully preserved with yellow paper Talismans for moisture and insect protection.
The Dojo Master went to the bookshelf and carefully took down a translucent book, its pages slightly curled, thin as a cicada’s wings, with no title on the surface.
The Dojo Master peeled off the protective yellow paper from the book, then turned and handed it to Fang Shu.
Fang Shu cupped his hands to receive it, feeling it light as a feather, the book pages rough to the touch, truly like holding cicada wings.
He heard the Dojo Master’s raspy voice say:
“The disciples of this dojo over the past ten years all must take shortcuts to increase their chances of being accepted into Immortal Sects and gaining favor.
But you, Fang Shu, are different.”
These words made Fang Shu’s attention snap back from the leather book. His heart jumped as a possibility occurred to him, and he gazed intently at the Dojo Master.
The Dojo Master’s face broke into a slight smile:
“In this dojo, only you might study the Nine Branches of Immortal Studies ahead of time, without needing shortcuts, and enter an Immortal Sect via this broad Great Dao.”
Note 1: The immortal categories in this book are partly based on real Daoist texts, such as 《Collection of Zhong-Lü Transmitting the Dao》:
“There are five grades of immortals: Ghost Immortal, Human Immortal, Earth Immortal, Divine Immortal, Heavenly Immortal—these unequal grades are all immortals. Ghost Immortal does not depart from ghost, Human Immortal does not depart from human, Earth Immortal does not depart from earth, Divine Immortal does not depart from divine, Heavenly Immortal does not depart from heaven.”
Lü said: “What is meant by Human Immortal?”
Zhong said: “Human Immortal is the second lowest of the five immortals. Cultivators of Truth who do not comprehend the Great Dao, obtain one method in the Dao, one technique in the method, with steadfast faith and resolve unchanging through life. The five elements’ qi mistakenly intersect and congeal, form and quality solidify, safe from the eight evils and plagues, mostly healthy with few illnesses—this is called Human Immortal.”
Lü said: “What is meant by Earth Immortal?”
Zhong said: “Earth Immortal is half of heaven and earth, with the talent of a Divine Immortal. Not comprehending the Great Dao, stopping at minor achievement methods. No visible merit, only longevity dwelling in the world, not dying as a human.”
