Commander Jin stood with his hands clasped behind his back, sizing him up with a smiling gaze. "Come now, if you can push me even a little, you pass. No need for other tests; you enter the Residence immediately!"

Li Muzhan’s expression was calm. He nodded once, took two steps forward, placed his hands lightly on the commander’s shoulders near the sockets, pressed twice, and said slowly, "Shall we begin?"

"Bring it on!" Commander Jin boomed, bending his knees and sinking into a high horse stance, his eyes wide and glaring fixedly at Li Muzhan.

He pondered silently: Deputy Steward Li was a man of integrity, always speaking plainly and never given to empty boasts. If he claimed this third brother possessed boundless strength, then his power certainly wouldn't be lacking. Though a man of great might himself, the Commander dared not be careless, lest he suffer a humiliating defeat in front of these youngsters!

His eyes flashed with ferocious intent, an icy chill instantly emanating from him, formless and intangible. Li Mufeng suddenly felt a profound coldness wash over him, inexplicably.

Li Muzhan’s senses were acute. He felt as if a sword had been thrust against his heart—an indescribable discomfort, making his breathing slightly labored. He drew a deep breath, let his body go utterly slack, dismissed the strange sensation, and focused solely on his hands before shoving forward with sudden might.

"Good!" Commander Jin roared, his body swaying slightly before he managed to regain his firm footing. His shout was sudden, like a thunderclap in a clear sky, momentarily silencing every sound in the training yard, making the very ground seem to tremble.

The crowd immediately stopped, looking up, their expressions quickly shifting to astonishment. In their eyes, a young monk was pushing Commander Jin. They knew the Commander enjoyed such displays; his foundational strength was immense, his stance solid—no one could budge him. Clearly, the Commander was indulging in this game now. The young monk showed no strain on his face, his demeanor utterly placid, as if the effort were negligible. Commander Jin’s expression, however, was a study in intensity: eyes wide and savage, his purple martial tunic swelling as if inflated, slowly rising and falling.

They sensed that Commander Jin was losing ground; the young monk appeared effortlessly graceful, while the Commander seemed to be exerting himself greatly. They failed to realize that Li Muzhan was pouring every ounce of his strength into the push, but his profound meditative cultivation kept all exertion hidden, perfectly restrained.

"Good! Good! You certainly have strength!" Commander Jin grit his teeth, each word forced out between clenched jaws, looking utterly terrifying.

Li Muzhan suddenly smiled faintly and slowly closed his eyes.

"Mmm…" His chest heaved violently, and a deep, resonant shout suddenly erupted.

The onlookers gasped, their expressions instantly turning solemn and reverent. Their bodies involuntarily straightened, as if a massive, majestic Buddha statue had appeared before them, evoking an inexplicable sense of profound dignity. This sound was the Great Brightness Mantra. Due to his deep meditative training, the quality of his voice when projecting sound was vastly different from ordinary monks, fully revealing his Buddhist majesty.

Commander Jin’s body shuddered. The inflated fabric of his tunic instantly deflated, clinging to his skin as if a balloon had sprung a leak. His face changed drastically, his body wavered, and he stumbled back a single step.

Li Muzhan took a corresponding step back, bringing his hands together in the traditional salute. "I concede!"

"Hah... Hah..., Good! Good! Good!" Commander Jin burst into loud laughter, shaking his head repeatedly, filled with admiration. "Zhanran, your divine strength truly is astonishing!"

Li Mufeng, standing nearby, offered a wry smile. This was clearly a trick orchestrated by his third brother; without that powerful vocalization, he never would have moved Commander Jin. While Third Brother appeared simple and earnest on the surface, often fooling outsiders with his honest demeanor, those who knew him understood that his mind was the most agile, prone to unexpected maneuvers. His ability to become a Deputy Steward was entirely thanks to those clever schemes of his.

His gaze suddenly fixed on the grey flagstones below. Two of the bricks had cracked, resembling dry, parched earth, the fissures spreading from the center outward, densely webbing the surface of those two stones. These were the exact spots where Commander Jin had been standing moments before.

"Commander Jin, my third brother...?" Li Mufeng looked over.

Commander Jin roared with laughter. "I keep my word! Since Master Zhanran truly could move me, he naturally passes! He joins the Tianshu Court!"

"The Tianshu Court?! But..." Li Mufeng paused, surprise mingled with hesitation.

Li Muzhan was also taken aback. On the way to the Mei Residence, his elder brother had explained that disciples recruited by the Residence were divided into seven courts, named after the seven stars of the Big Dipper: Tianshu, Tianxuan, Tianji, Tianquan, Yuheng, Kaiyang, and Yaoguang, each with differing status. Tianshu was first; its disciples were few, but every one possessed extraordinary talent and genius. Its position among the seven courts was transcendent, far surpassing the other six. Tianxuan, Tianji, and Tianquan were for male disciples; Yuheng, Kaiyang, and Yaoguang were for female disciples, all of equal status, competing in Grand Contests to determine rank and stipend. Only by graduating from one of these courts could one become a true Guard. His brother had spoken of the seven courts with deep reverence, noting that Tianshu accepted disciples only on merit, accepting only four in the last decade. These would soon graduate and undoubtedly become pillars of the Residence, highly valued core figures within the Mei domain.

The Mei Residence recruited boys under ten; those over ten were not accepted. Li Muzhan was considerably older, having missed the prime window for martial arts training. If not for his own reputation, they likely wouldn't have accepted him at all. Entering the Residence meant preparing for hardship; starting late meant he would need to train harder and exert himself more than anyone else just to catch up. On the journey here, his brother had chattered incessantly, a departure from his usual solemn demeanor—Li Muzhan chuckled inwardly; his brother was even more anxious than he was!

"Exactly, the Tianshu Court!" Commander Jin waved his hand and smiled. "Zhanran possesses amazing divine strength, and I believe he is also intelligent; with a bit of focus, he will surely become a master!" He thought to himself that while he possessed natural power, it paled in comparison to Zhanran’s. In this contest, he had used every bit of his physical strength, bolstered by seventy percent of his internal energy. This monk’s godly strength rivaled that of martial arts experts who had cultivated internal arts for over a decade. If he mastered specialized techniques, he would immediately become a formidable young master! Such a talent should certainly enter the Tianshu Court; anything less would be a waste!

"Thank you, Commander Jin!" Li Muzhan returned the salute.

Commander Jin stepped forward, patted his shoulder, and smiled affably. "My name is Jin Kaitai. Once you are in the Tianshu Court, I will personally instruct you in your martial arts!"

"Yes," Li Muzhan nodded.

"Deputy Steward Li, you have a fine younger brother. I am quite envious!" Jin Kaitai turned to the Deputy Steward.

Li Mufeng suppressed his smile, maintaining a steady expression. "Third Brother’s sheer brute force turned out to be useful after all... I’ll rely on you heavily in the future, Commander!"

"Rest assured, I will be strict with him... Zhanran, come with me!" Jin Kaitai thumped his chest in assurance, turned, and gave a sharp order with a smile. He snapped his head back towards the group, fixing them with a fierce glare. "What are you all standing around for? Are you going to practice or not, eh—?!"

Like thunder cracking the clear sky, the disciples below jumped in alarm, quickly scattering back to their stations to resume their drills, restoring the noisy atmosphere. Jin Kaitai grunted once, then turned back, his face instantly softening into a smile. "Let’s go, we're heading to the Tianshu Court!" With that, he stepped down from the high platform, pacing with the strong gait of a tiger through the crowd, passing through the gate and walking north along the lake, ignoring the sweeping willow branches as he strode purposefully onward.

Li Muzhan nodded to his brother and followed closely behind Jin Kaitai. As they crossed the training ground, probing, curious gazes settled on him, carrying an undefinable pressure. He maintained a dignified expression, embodying the bearing of a high monk, walking with measured grace. He left the training ground and followed Jin Kaitai silently to a courtyard situated in the northwest corner.

This large courtyard was square, perhaps thirty meters long, enclosed by walls on the north, east, and west sides, facing the vast Ming Lake to the south, offering a sweeping vista of the water: pleasure boats dotted the surface, and a green island floated at the center. Along the northern edge stood three rooms, with one each to the east and west, all featuring exquisitely crafted windows and doors. A covered corridor, supported by two rows of vermilion lacquer pillars, spanned the distance between the courtyard and the lake from east to west. The beams were painted with vibrant motifs of lotus flowers, peonies, roses, and swirling cloud patterns. A gentle breeze drifted over, the lake water lapping softly against the stone foundation of the corridor in a soothing rhythm that calmed the mind.

Li Muzhan allowed a slight smile to grace his lips. Lying here on a summer night, watching the stars while listening to the sound of the waves—it would be a profound pleasure. His gaze shifted to the center of the courtyard, where an enormous locust tree stood, so thick it required two people to encircle, its branches soaring toward the sky, thick with foliage. Black spots dotted the grey brick ground, resembling marks left by rainwater. Li Muzhan knew better; it was sap dripping from the locust leaves, notoriously difficult to scrub clean. The back garden of Chengjing Temple also housed a large locust tree, though not as magnificent as this one. He instantly felt fondness for this place.

Jin Kaitai stopped beneath the locust tree and roared, "Where is everyone?!"

"Hehe, Commander’s esteemed arrival brings glory to this humble abode!" Before the voice faded, the main door opened, and a robust young man emerged, perhaps in his early twenties, with thick eyebrows, large eyes, and a handsome, imposing appearance, smiling broadly.

"Nanshan, are you the only one here?" Jin Kaitai shot him a look.

The handsome youth smiled back. "Senior Brother Nanshan left on an escort mission the day before yesterday. Junior Brother Cheng and Junior Brother Yuchi left the Residence just this morning; it’s just me."

"Those two rascals never stay put!" Jin Kaitai grunted, then turned and pointed at Li Muzhan. "This is your new junior brother, surnamed Li, named Muzhan, monastic name Zhanran."

The handsome youth paused, then offered a respectful bow with clasped hands. "So, the new junior brother! A pleasure to meet you, a pleasure! I am He Nanshan!"

Li Muzhan returned the salute. "Greetings, Senior Brother He!"

He Nanshan switched to a double-handed salute as well, smiling. "Just call me Second Senior Brother, and I'll call you Fifth Junior Brother, how does that sound?"

"Yes, Second Senior Brother," Li Muzhan nodded, his expression calm with a slight smile.

Jin Kaitai pulled a thin booklet from his robe and handed it to Li Muzhan. "Zhanran, this is the introductory cultivation method. Take a look first. If you don’t understand anything, ask Nanshan; I'll explain the finer details tomorrow!"

Li Muzhan acknowledged him and took the yellowed booklet. It was thin, only a few pages, the cover inscribed from top to bottom with five seal script characters: Tianyuan Tuna Shu (Heavenly Origin Breathing Technique).

Jin Kaitai stated gravely, "Remember, never share this with outsiders! ... Nanshan, I’m leaving Zhanran in your care. Settle him in and let him get acquainted!"

"Leave it to me, Commander, no worries!" He Nanshan replied cheerfully.

"Commander, I have one rather presumptuous request." Li Muzhan spoke up suddenly.

Jin Kaitai stopped in his tracks and turned to look, his eyes flashing. "Speak!"

Li Muzhan said composedly, "My home is close by, only about a quarter of an hour’s walk. I wish to return home to sleep tonight—is that permissible?"

Jin Kaitai’s face darkened, his brow furrowed. "Go home to sleep? Nonsense!"

He Nanshan smiled gently. "Fifth Junior Brother, when first starting cultivation, one must calm the mind and focus entirely on practice, without distraction. We all live within the Residence... Does Fifth Junior Brother have some difficulty that requires him to return home?"

Li Muzhan gave him a grateful smile. This Commander Jin seemed to have a volatile temper; his expression shifted the moment the request was made, ready to flare up. He Nanshan’s timely intervention provided a moment of necessary buffer.

Li Muzhan continued, "My elder brother and elder sister left home when they were young. I am the only one who stayed by my parents' side. To suddenly leave them now, I fear..."

"Ah, so Fifth Junior Brother is showing filial devotion!" He Nanshan nodded, then turned to Jin Kaitai. "Commander, look how close he lives..."

Jin Kaitai frowned, his face grim. After a moment, he grunted, "Fine, I agree! ... But! Hmph, if you haven't reached the third level of the Breathing Technique by the end of this month, you must come back here to live!"

"Thank you, Commander!" Li Muzhan nodded emphatically.

He Nanshan glanced between Jin Kaitai and Li Muzhan, shaking his head with a wry smile.

"Let's go!" Jin Kaitai huffed irritably and strode away with long, powerful steps.

"The Commander truly values you, Junior Brother," He Nanshan said, recalling his gaze to Li Muzhan and sighing. "Given his temper, the fact he didn't explode today is like the sun rising in the west!"

Li Muzhan smiled and returned the salute. "Thank you, Second Senior Brother!"

He Nanshan laughed heartily and waved his hand. "From now on, we are family. No need for such formalities!"

"Understood," Li Muzhan replied.

The Tianshu Court truly contained no mediocre talents. Although this Second Senior Brother was young, he was clearly perceptive and worldly, not someone to be underestimated. Had it been someone else, they would already be overcome with gratitude. However, being a person reborn, possessing unusual experiences, his temperament had been hardened; he was not easily swayed by external affections, and while he appreciated the Second Senior Brother’s goodwill, he maintained his clarity.

"Come, I'll give you a thorough tour!" He Nanshan smiled and led the way, guiding him out of the small courtyard toward the west. As they walked, he described the scenery, which was picturesque and breathtaking, until they had passed the locations of the other six courts: Tianxuan, Tianji, Tianquan, Yuheng, Kaiyang, and Yaoguang. The scenery there was also pleasant, but being much farther from the lake, it felt inferior.

After touring for an hour, they returned to the Tianshu Court. The two sat in the covered corridor, gazing out at the clear lake surface.

He Nanshan sighed. "Fifth Junior Brother, don't think the Commander is truly that easygoing. Mastering the Breathing Technique to the third level in one month... alas... that is as difficult as scaling the heavens!"

"Has Fifth Junior Brother ever practiced martial arts before?" He Nanshan asked next.

Li Muzhan nodded gently. "I have always made my living chopping wood. When I had nothing else to do, I would wave my axe around for practice, but I have never cultivated internal energy."

"Then this is troublesome!" He Nanshan frowned. He rubbed his hands, considering for a moment. "Fifth Junior Brother, we cannot delay even a moment. Let us begin right now!"