A second life, An Eternal journey to Immortality

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A few minutes later, Jiang Cheng made his way to the area where butchers and hunters sold the meat and blood of fierce beasts.

He spent another eight hundred spirit stones across various stalls, carefully selecting additional blood essences and materials to enhance his medicinal baths.

Of course, such a large expenditure did not go unnoticed.

Jiang Cheng's senses tingled as he passed the butchers' stalls, his instincts telling him something wasn't quite right. He felt the weight of prying eyes on his back.

The moment Jiang Cheng spotted the flicker of a shadow in the corner of his eye—a rogue attempting to blend into the crowd—he knew he was being followed.

A few rogue cultivators began following him, their gazes lingering on his storage bag.

Jiang Cheng smirked inwardly but remained calm. Instead of confronting them directly, he took a series of turns through the winding alleys of Puchan Town, gradually shaking them off.

He made a large detour around the market, occasionally blending into the crowd and altering his pace until he was certain no one was tailing him.

Only then did he leave the outer market, heading toward the inner town where his secluded cave residence awaited.

... 

Back at his secluded residence, Jiang Cheng placed the Blood-Refining Cauldron on the ground with a heavy thud. Even though it was designed to be lightweight when infused with Qi, its sheer size and density made it clear that this was no ordinary tool. The intricate runes along its surface shimmered faintly, absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy.

Jiang Cheng took a deep breath. This was it—the final stage before he could truly push the Bloodforge Body Art to its limits in the Qi Refining Realm. The medicinal bath was more than just a refinement process; it was a trial, one that would test his endurance, willpower, and ability to withstand pain.

Just remember the benefits, he told himself, though a knot of unease formed in his stomach. The end result will be worth it.

He retrieved the wooden storage box from his storage pouch and carefully laid out the materials on a low table.

The various beast blood essences, powerful medicinal herbs, and the remnants of spirit beasts each contained an aura of fierce vitality. It was a fearsome sight—one that made Jiang Cheng momentarily reconsider his decision.

But no! He had made it this far. There was no turning back.

With precise movements, he began the preparations.

According to the ancient prescription recorded in the jade slip ، things Jiang Cheng bought were enough for three medicine baths.

First, he filled the cauldron with pure spring water drawn from a nearby spiritual well—clean and rich in natural essence. Next, he carefully uncorked the jade bottles and poured the blood essence in one by one.

The Black Python Blood Essence seeped into the water like ink, dark and viscous. It carried the Python's infamous resilience, meant to strengthen bones and increase overall durability.

Then came the Crimson Tiger Blood Essence, swirling in streaks of red, burning slightly as it mixed with the python's essence. It was meant to stimulate the heart and speed up blood circulation, reinforcing reaction speed.

Jiang Cheng then took the Storm Eagle Wing Bones, crushing them into fine powder before adding them into the mix. Sparks of residual lightning danced across the surface before vanishing.

This was to refine his nerve response and agility, enhancing his ability to move with speed and precision.

Lastly, he added the One-Legged Ironhoof Beast's Foot, which required a moment of chanting as he activated the talismanic cloth sealing its essence.

Once unwrapped, a heavy, iron-like substance melted into the cauldron, reinforcing the toughness of his tendons and muscles.

With all the beast blood added, it was time for the medicinal herbs.

He carefully placed the Dragon Marrow Grass, the deep red stalks dissolving slowly as they released their marrow-rich nutrients into the liquid. Next came the Blood-Forging Lotus, its pulsing veins spreading outward as if breathing life into the mixture.

Finally, Jiang Cheng added the Thunderroot Vine, watching in both awe and horror as the crackling energy from the vine caused the entire cauldron to shudder violently.

Bolts of weak lightning arced across the surface, flickering in jagged streaks like the cauldron was being possessed by some chaotic spirit.

Jiang Cheng stepped back, his heart racing. The air around the cauldron grew thick with a crackling tension that sent goosebumps up his arms. What the hell did I just do?

His eyes widened as the dark liquid inside the cauldron began to bubble more furiously, the surface frothing like a boiling cauldron of doom. The blood essences now seemed to hiss and writhe as if alive, swirling around in an angry, chaotic dance.

Oh no," Jiang Cheng muttered under his breath, his legs weak as he took another cautious step backward. "Why does it feel like I've just summoned a cursed beast?"

A flash of lightning crackled right above his head, making him flinch so violently that he nearly tripped over his own feet. What if it explodes?!

He began to tremble, his mind racing as the cauldron continued to crackle ominously. Did the ancestors try to deceive me with this prescription?

After a few hours of burning, he Then turn off the fire and looked at the dark liquid in the cauldron still boiling but not like the first time . He breath a sigh of relief

Jiang Cheng inhaled deeply, his face twisted in a poor expression of full of despair. "Today... today, the poor Taoist priest will risk his life for the greater good of the world," he said, voice dripping with mock seriousness, as though about to ascend to the heavens. "I implore the heavens, the gods, and Buddha himself to show mercy upon this poor soul!"

He raised his hands toward the sky, though realistically, there wasn't much sky to see in his cave

" If I fall here, let it be in the name of righteousness, a noble cause, and definitely not because I'm too stubborn to back out…"

Heavens " __ "

Gods " __ "

The cauldron bubbled menacingly, completely unfazed by his theatrics.

Jiang Cheng, trembling like a leaf in the wind, quickly threw his clothes aside, and with one last breath, he jumped into the cauldron—naked as a newborn.

The moment his body hit the boiling liquid, every nerve in his body screamed in agony. It felt like a thousand needles had just been driven into his skin, each one burning with an unholy heat. His muscles clenched, his breath caught in his throat, and for a brief, terrifying moment, he thought he might just combust.

"AHHHHH!!" he yelped, his voice high-pitched as he instantly regretted every life choice that led him to this moment. The cauldron was like a giant, living furnace—each inch of his body seemed to be on fire, the heat seeping into his very bones. His skin felt as though it was being roasted alive, the burning sensation crawling deeper with every passing second.

"Why does this feel like I'm being cooked alive?!" he screamed his body spasming uncontrollably. The cauldron definitely didn't feel like a healing bath, eyes wide with panic.

"The ancestors definitely deceived me!" he wailed,

The more he thought about it, the more it seemed like a conspiracy. They probably gave me the worst ingredients on purpose,

I should've listened to Ruan Xue and just bought the spirit tea set," he muttered bitterly, trying to make light of the situation as his body continued to convulse.

Jiang Cheng slipped and fell fully into the cauldron, swallowing several mouthfuls of the burning liquid.

"FUCK!" he screamed, choking as the molten-like liquid scorched his throat. His stomach twisted in agony. "Why did I think this was a good idea?" he groaned, barely keeping his head above the surface as the pain intensified.

As Jiang Cheng's body contorted in agony, the relentless burning sensation seeping deep into his bones, a familiar thought began to creep into his mind.

Why did I think I was ready for this?

Every pulse of pain reminded him of his own limitations. He had always prided himself on his determination, but this was beyond anything he had experienced before.

Was he truly prepared to take on the trials of cultivation? Was he capable of surpassing the limits of his mortal body?

The thought made him grit his teeth, fighting back tears and the urge to give up.

No. I've come this far. The path of cultivation isn't easy, but if I stop now, what was the point of everything I've endured?

For a fleeting moment, Jiang Cheng allowed himself to acknowledge his vulnerability. He was terrified, yes, but he wasn't going to quit. He had no other choice but to keep going. With each wave of pain, his willpower strengthened, and his resolve became more unshakable.

"Pain is but a fleeting shadow, and I am the one who will outlast it! I will rise from this cauldron like a dragon from the depths!" he muttered to himself, almost defiantly.

The medicinal bath continues for quite a while, and slowly, Jiang Cheng's frantic screams faded into gritted teeth and clenched fists. The pain still roared through his body, but his mind began to sharpen as the power of the medicine slowly seeped in.

At first, it felt like his very soul was being ripped apart, but gradually, the fiery torment began to blend into something more... bearable. He could feel the power of the beast blood, the herbs, and the spiritual essence working their way through his muscles, strengthening his tendons, and fortifying his bones. His body slowly started to adjust, like a blacksmith's hammer forging steel.

Slowly, Jiang Cheng began to actively devour the energy within the black liquid.

his body seemed to hum with power, and the pain that had once overwhelmed him began to fade. Instead, a deep, satisfying warmth spread throughout his entire being. He felt his muscles stretch and strengthen, tendons becoming like steel, and his very bones felt unbreakable.

As the energy surged through him, his power grew at a terrifying rate. His Qi flowed more smoothly, and his body seemed to expand, absorbing the immense vitality from the medicinal bath.

It was as though he was being remade from the inside out, and he could feel himself getting stronger, faster, more formidable, "The ancients didn't deceive me," he loughed for a while before he calmed down.

Jiang Cheng remained in the cauldron for three full hours, his body absorbing every drop of energy the black liquid had to offer. The pain, once unbearable, had long faded into a strange, almost euphoric feeling of growth and strength.

His body now thrummed with power, each breath deeper, more controlled, as if he had just unlocked a hidden reservoir of energy within himself.

Finally, the once-vibrant black liquid began to lose its intensity, gradually turning a dull gray, devoid of any life or energy. The cauldron, now just a hollow vessel, seemed to exhale a soft hiss as the last of its power faded away.

Finally, Jiang Cheng felt the last remnants of energy drain from the cauldron. He let out a long sigh of relief, his body still tingling with residual power. "It's finally over," he muttered to himself, feeling a strange mixture of triumph and exhaustion. His blood seemed to boil with energy, and for a moment, he actually thought he could crush a Golden Core monk with one hand if they dared show up in front of him.

"Yeah, right," he chuckled to himself, shaking off the ridiculous thought. His mind was just a bit too clouded with newfound strength, but it felt good to dream.

Suddenly, a wave of exhaustion hit him like a hammer, and his eyelids fluttered. The energy that had once surged through him now seemed to drain away in an instant, and all he could think about was sleep. Without any more strength to resist, he slumped back into the cauldron, his body sinking into a deep, uncontrollable slumber.

Jiang Cheng slipped into a deep sleep, his body sinking into the warm embrace of the cauldron. In his dream, he found himself seated on a throne of golden jade, surrounded by thousands of ethereal beauties. They showered him with praises, each more extravagant than the last.

He basked in their adoration, grinning like a fool. This is the life, he thought, eyes half-lidded as they fed him fruits and whispered sweet words.

Just as he was about to declare his eternal reign, a loud growl echoed through the dream. His stomach grumbled, ruining the perfect illusion.

"Not now," he mumbled, eyes still closed as the girls around him offered more food, unaware of his very real hunger.