The two ascended the Star-Gazing Terrace, gliding lightly toward the eastern chamber, their steps suddenly softening until they fell without a sound, betraying the mastery of their Qinggong. Before the door lay a square wooden box, two feet across, gleaming with brilliant vermilion lacquer. The vermilion box was open, revealing two dishes inside: one of cucumber stir-fried with egg, and one of shredded pork with black fungus, along with a bowl of vegetarian mushroom soup and a bowl of rice—quite simple fare. Xiao Yuan pointed at the vermilion box and let out a soft sigh. Mei Ruolan nodded slightly, her brow furrowing in brief contemplation. She advanced a few steps, pressing close to the door crack to peer in, but the architecture of the Star-Gazing Tower was tightly sealed; no air passed through the gap, revealing nothing. She turned and moved to the southern window, where a flash of cold light at her waist sliced a tiny hole through the window paper, silently. Xiao Yuan rubbed her forehead and wrinkled her nose. She was truly dull-witted; she never thought of such a method! Mei Ruolan turned, pointed at Xiao Yuan, and then pointed toward the window. Xiao Yuan nodded, stepped forward twice, and leaned in, aligning her right eye with the small puncture. She could just make out Li Muzhan seated cross-legged on the couch within. Just as she was trying to discern exactly how Li Muzhan was faring, a hand patted her shoulder. She turned to meet Mei Ruolan’s hazy, captivating eyes. Xiao Yuan twisted back for one more glance before reluctantly stepping back. Mei Ruolan stepped forward, pressing her right eye to the hole. After watching for a long while, she slowly straightened, deep in thought. Xiao Yuan was anxious and gave Mei Ruolan a little push. Mei Ruolan took a step back, yielding the space. Xiao Yuan quickly pressed her eye to the hole and watched for a considerable time. Watching the girl bend over, nose to the hole, so earnest and focused, Mei Ruolan shook her head and smiled, musing that this Zhanran must possess considerable ability to draw such concern from the little maid. These past few days, every time Xiao Yuan returned after delivering food, she would invariably slander Zhanran, complaining he was fussy, difficult to serve, and utterly detestable. Yet, the moment something happened to Zhanran, she became terribly anxious. Though usually mischievous, Xiao Yuan knew her limits and would never act recklessly. To push her like that—this little sprite was surely about to cause trouble!

Xiao Yuan slowly drew her gaze back, let out a long breath, and turned to look over. Her face suddenly flushed red. She stuck out her small tongue and pressed her palms together in a gesture of apology, her expression begging for forgiveness. Mei Ruolan shot her a sidelong glance, turned, and walked away, arriving at the south side. She took out her necklace and opened the room door to enter. Xiao Yuan quickly closed the door behind them and tugged at her, pleading, "Hehe, Miss, you aren't angry, are you?" Mei Ruolan sat down on the central embroidered stool and scrutinized her from head to toe, causing Xiao Yuan to drop her gaze, her delicate face flushed, beautiful as if intoxicated. "Miss..." Xiao Yuan couldn't bear her gaze and called out softly. Mei Ruolan watched her coolly and said, "Xiao Yuan, starting today, you will follow me. I will assign someone else to Zhanran's side." "Why, Miss?!" Xiao Yuan asked urgently. "Concern clouds judgment!" Mei Ruolan stated plainly. Xiao Yuan’s face reddened, and she quickly retorted, "Miss ordered me to look after him. If something happens and I fail in my duty, won't I have let down Miss's trust?" "Is that so—?" Mei Ruolan looked at her with an expression that was half-smile, half-question. Xiao Yuan nodded vigorously, "Exactly so!" Mei Ruolan shook her head and laughed lightly, "Zhanran possesses a deep composure and an unyielding will; he is indeed far superior to ordinary people. But he is a monk; you must be careful!" "Hee hee, Miss is certainly joking! Him—?" Xiao Yuan burst into laughter. Mei Ruolan regarded her with that familiar half-smile, her gaze enveloping the girl. Xiao Yuan’s face flushed again, and she quickly said, "Miss is just thinking nonsense!" "I hope so," Mei Ruolan replied, smiling faintly. Xiao Yuan whispered, "Miss, perhaps I should still deliver the food to Zhanran. No one else can tolerate his peculiar temperament!" Mei Ruolan looked at her and slowly nodded, "Mm, alright then." "Thank you, Miss!" Xiao Yuan beamed with delight. Mei Ruolan smiled, "Judging by his state, he is currently in deep meditation. Let's wait, and do not disturb him." "Yes," Xiao Yuan replied crisply.

They waited for three full days. Each time Xiao Yuan delivered the meal, she would look through the small hole in the south window. Li Muzhan sat cross-legged on the couch, motionless, a faint smile on his face, resembling a Galan statue in a temple. At noon on the fourth day, the sun was directly overhead. It was a scorching summer day, the cicadas incessantly chirping, the entire Mei Manor enveloped in the intense summer heat. The water in the Clear Lake was transparent as a mirror; a gentle breeze swept across the surface, instantly bringing a cool, moist relief. Xiao Yuan carried the wooden box up to the Star-Gazing Terrace. A soft breeze billowed her pink silk luoshan, clearly displaying her curvaceous figure, undeniably alluring. She gently set the wooden box before the door. She looked at the untouched food, sighed, and turned toward the south window. Just as her eye approached the small hole, she suddenly covered her nose and staggered back two steps, her beautiful features changing color drastically. Holding her nose, she peered into the hole. Li Muzhan was sitting upright on the couch, motionless, but his monk's robe had turned black, as if dyed with ink. A strange, foul odor continuously drifted out of the hole, enough to make one retch. Her expression frantic, she turned and fled, transforming into a wisp of light smoke, instantly leaving the Star-Gazing Terrace and reappearing in the Quiet Garden in the blink of an eye. In the Quiet Garden, within a small courtyard, Mei Ruolan was practicing her swordplay with Gong Qingyun. "Clang, clang, clang, clang..." The swords struck each other, the sounds crisp and clear, forming a unique rhythm. Mei Ruolan wore a purple gown, while Gong Qingyun was dressed in a white one. Each held a long sword, executing and breaking down forms. As she attacked, Mei Ruolan commented, "Qingyun, your swordsmanship is intricate and your timing refined. However, against Zhanran, you will only lose, never win!" "Mhm, his sword is both fierce and fast; he is indeed tricky to handle," Gong Qingyun murmured, nodding. Her delicate, melon-seed face remained expressionless as her sword light dotted the air like scattered raindrops. "Precisely!" Mei Ruolan exclaimed, lightly waving her long sword, handling it with ease. "He possesses innate divine strength, equivalent to thirty years of arduous training. To defeat him, one must only be faster." Her sword moves flowed continuously, but Gong Qingyun shook her head, "To be faster than him is difficult!" Mei Ruolan nodded, "He is incredibly lucky... Senior Brother Zhao Yuzhen completed a mission and obtained the Wuying Sword Manual. Zhanran practiced it, and now he is like a tiger with wings!" "Senior Brother Zhao is truly generous!" Gong Qingyun sighed. Mei Ruolan showed a faint smile, "The few disciples in the Tianshu Institute share extremely deep bonds, unlike those in the other six academies." She continued, "Our manor stores countless sword techniques. The Wuying Sword is only mid-tier. Zhao Yuzhen and the other three practice it, and its power is only ordinary... But in Zhanran's hands, its might is boundless!" "What do you mean?" Gong Qingyun asked. Mei Ruolan was about to reply when a gust of wind swept past, and a figure in pink flashed into view. Xiao Yuan appeared and immediately hurried out, "Miss, Miss, come quickly and see!" "Has Zhanran moved?" Mei Ruolan stopped her sword movements. Gong Qingyun’s expression changed slightly. "What happened to him?" Mei Ruolan replied, "He has been in meditation for these three days." "Three days?" Gong Qingyun asked hurriedly. Xiao Yuan stamped her foot and urged, "Senior Sister Gong, listen to me!" Gong Qingyun quickly silenced herself, staring intently at Xiao Yuan. Xiao Yuan continued, "Miss, a terrible smell is coming from his room. Could it be...?" Mei Ruolan frowned and shot her a sharp look, "Don't talk nonsense!" The weather had suddenly turned hot these past two days, like high summer; everything spoils easily. Xiao Yuan slapped her own mouth, feeling her words were ominous, and quickly said, "Miss, let's go look quickly!" "Mm, I will go take a look." Mei Ruolan strode toward the exit, but paused suddenly, turning back with a frown. "Qingyun, what are you—?" Gong Qingyun quickly said, "Eldest Miss, let me go see as well!" "You are under confinement; you cannot leave!" Mei Ruolan waved her off, turned, and went out, Xiao Yuan trailing closely behind. Watching them leave, Gong Qingyun bit her lower lip, her bright eyes flickering. Her delicate face was filled with anxious impatience, yet she dared not step out of the small courtyard.

Mei Ruolan’s expression was calm, her movements light as she floated; everything seemed normal, while Xiao Yuan looked worried, her lips pressed tightly together. When the two reached the south window of the Star-Gazing Terrace, a wave of nausea instantly washed over their chests. A foul stench clung to the air outside the window, concentrated and unmoving. The gentle breeze was unable to disperse this stench, which threatened to make them faint. Mei Ruolan wrinkled her brow, her expression normal, as if she couldn't smell the foulness. She pressed her right eye to the hole. After a moment, she pulled away, frowning in thought, hesitant. Xiao Yuan covered her nose and cautiously peered into the hole, gasping softly, "Ah, his face is completely black!" Li Muzhan's face was smeared as if with ink; his features were indiscernible, just a patch of dark blackness, quite frightening. Seeing Mei Ruolan still pondering, she urged, "Miss, let's go in and look!" Mei Ruolan thought for a moment and slowly nodded, "Fetch the Cold Moon Sword!" "Got it!" Xiao Yuan responded, vanishing in a gust of wind. She reappeared moments later, holding a silver-grey long sword, presenting it with both hands to Mei Ruolan. The scabbard was entirely silver-grey, the guard subtly engraved with a bright moon, with no other decorative flourishes—simple and rustic, yet radiating a pure, noble air. Mei Ruolan slowly drew the sword; it slid from the sheath silently. The blade was crystalline, like a cold spring reflecting the moon, emitting a faint chill. Though the sun blazed fiercely, the area around them felt as cool as autumn. "Chik! Chik!" Cold light flashed twice, and a circular mark, the size of a fist, appeared in the lower corner of the window lattice. The stench surged out, several times more potent. Xiao Yuan held one hand over her nose and fanned the air with the other, trying to drive the stench away. Mei Ruolan’s expression remained unchanged. She slowly returned the sword to its sheath, soundlessly. She placed her left palm against the circular mark, gently lifted, and extracted a round piece, the size of a fist—the window lattice section. The lattice piece was dark, forged from black iron. She handed the sword and the lattice piece to Xiao Yuan, then inserted her right hand into the round opening. With a soft pop, the window shifted slightly. She withdrew her hand and slowly pushed the window open. The stench rushed toward her, but she seemed not to notice. She floated lightly into the room, arriving soundlessly before the couch. Li Muzhan was entirely black—a black face, a black monk's robe, as if molded from black mud. Mei Ruolan extended a finger toward his nose. The inky black face and her pale, tender fingers formed a striking contrast. She frowned in contemplation, moved her finger, and touched the area just below his right earlobe. The moment her pale fingers made contact, the purple fabric of her gown suddenly puffed out, as if about to explode. She recoiled sharply. She took four steps mid-air, landing lightly two zhang away, stopping precisely before the screen, narrowly avoiding a collision. Xiao Yuan was startled, then floated into the room, ignoring the stench, and moved to support Mei Ruolan. Mei Ruolan pushed her hand away, shook her head, and stared intently at Li Muzhan. "Hush—!" A long exhalation suddenly sounded, like the roar of a dragon or a tiger. The cry erupted like a mountain flood, filling the entire room. The two women quickly channeled their internal energy to resist. He unlocked the hand seals, crossed his hands above his head, and pushed upward, slowly stretching with a long yawn. A sound like popping beans erupted from his joints. He slowly lowered his hands and opened his eyes. When his eyes opened, it was as if two bolts of lightning tore through the air toward them. Mei Ruolan and Xiao Yuan quickly averted their gaze, daring not meet his eyes, feeling the room suddenly brighten intensely, as if a scorching sun had fallen inside, blinding them. Moments later, the room returned to normal, and the two could finally see Li Muzhan’s eyes. Li Muzhan smiled, showing his teeth, "Eldest Miss, Xiao Yuan, long time no see!" His black face and snow-white teeth presented a strange, almost transcendent appearance. Xiao Yuan quickly asked, "Zhanran, are you alright?" Li Muzhan smiled, "I'm fine... How long was I meditating?" "Four days!" Xiao Yuan replied. "Oh, only four days..." Li Muzhan nodded, letting out a long sigh, though it felt to him like four years. "What exactly happened to you?" Xiao Yuan asked, her bright eyes wide with curiosity. Mei Ruolan said, "Xiao Yuan, we can talk later. First, get a wooden tub and fetch some water so Zhanran can wash." "Oh, alright!" Xiao Yuan snapped back to reality and hurried out the door.

During his meditation, his five senses were closed off. Now, as they slowly returned, he smelled the foul odor. He looked down, frowned in thought, slightly puzzled. "Zhanran, did you reach the second level?" Mei Ruolan sat on the embroidered stool, observing him. Her bright eyes were hazy, ethereal, as if in a dream. Li Muzhan’s heart was like a clear lake, still and unruffled; he was unmoved by her beauty, his will growing stronger. His gaze was clear, meeting Mei Ruolan's coolly. It was Mei Ruolan who became slightly unsettled and looked away. She was inwardly astonished; the Zhanran before her seemed increasingly unfathomable, his cultivation clearly having advanced significantly. In just a few days, to achieve the first level of the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art—it was unbelievable, defying credence. Yet, this clearly showed the signs of the first level’s completion: the washing and tempering of marrow, the hardening of the viscera. Having passed this stage, the five organs would be unobstructed, rendering disease impossible, adding at least one hundred and twenty years to his lifespan—a truly enviable achievement. Since the Venerable Monk Huiguo, he was the second person to accomplish this. Martial artists often possess strong bodies, but their lifespans are usually not long. The profound reason for this remains unsolved, but in her estimation, it was often due to excessive depletion and overdrafting of vital years. Li Muzhan smiled, "The second level? Perhaps..." His thoughts drifted back three days prior. While cultivating the Contemplation of Heaven and Man’s Divine Illumination Scripture, he suddenly had an inspiration: visualizing his body within the diagram, appearing upon a lotus flower, and cultivating the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art using this manifested form. Within this diagram, the manifested form was identical to his true body. The agonizing, knife-like pain transmitted to his mind was even clearer than if it were his true body, but his spirit was condensed within the circular bead, indestructible. No matter how painful, his consciousness remained perfectly lucid. As time passed, the circular bead changed from milky white to bright, shining like a round moon, emitting a soft, pure radiance. As the bead brightened, the sensation of pain intensified. He was in agony yet perfectly conscious—truly the most terrifying torture in the world. With the passage of time, the heart-bead grew brighter, transforming from the full moon into a blazing sun. His manifested body felt a searing heat, a combination of cutting pain and burning agony. Suddenly, his vision darkened, and the heart-bead abruptly split in two. The two bright pearls shot out, hovering three feet above his head, their light dazzling, like two full moons suspended high in the sky. His manifested form slowly transformed and vanished from the lotus flower. At that moment, he awoke.

"Water is here!" Xiao Yuan entered, carrying a wooden tub. The tub was thick enough for two people to embrace, reaching up to her chin, emitting clouds of steaming white vapor. Standing next to the massive tub, she looked even more slender; carrying it was like an ant hauling timber, yet she managed it easily and placed it gently before the two. Mei Ruolan stood up, "Zhanran, wash first. We can talk later." With that, she and Xiao Yuan left the room and returned to the south chamber. "Miss, what exactly happened to him?" Xiao Yuan asked curiously. Mei Ruolan shook her head, appearing thoughtful, her bright eyes growing hazier. Seeing her like this, Xiao Yuan knew further questioning was useless. Though her curiosity burned fiercely, she could only pace back and forth in the room. After a long while, footsteps were heard. Li Muzhan stood at the doorway, smiling faintly, "Eldest Miss, Xiao Yuan." "Eh, Zhanran, you..." She stared at Li Muzhan in astonishment. Bathing in the sunlight, he had undergone a dramatic transformation. His eyes were clear and bright, as if drops of spring water had been placed in them; his complexion was like a piece of white jade, luminous and warm, making one wish to touch it just to test the texture. Mei Ruolan sized him up and nodded, "Indeed, the second level!" Li Muzhan stepped into the room, performed a cupped-hand salute, and laughed, "I have troubled Eldest Miss with my concern; I am deeply grateful!" Xiao Yuan quickly asked, "Zhanran, do you want to eat? Three days without food or drink—is that alright?" Li Muzhan smiled, "Yes, please." Xiao Yuan rushed to fetch the wooden box, opened it on the low table, and took out the two dishes, one bowl of soup, and one bowl of rice. Instantly, a rich aroma filled the room. Li Muzhan made no pretense, sitting down directly. Xiao Yuan handed him chopsticks, which he accepted, and he began eating quietly. Mei Ruolan and Xiao Yuan sat opposite him, watching him chew slowly. "Zhanran, you cultivated to the second level, didn't you?" Mei Ruolan’s bright eyes were hazy. Li Muzhan looked up, meeting her gaze, and smiled, nodding, "Yes, by sheer luck." Mei Ruolan smiled faintly, "The profound secret must lie within the Vajra Sutra, I presume?" Li Muzhan was surprised, then nodded, "Eldest Miss spoke exactly to the point!... Without penetrating the Vajra Sutra, achieving entry into Vajra Indestructible is very difficult." His words were not empty rhetoric. Having perfected the first level, his comprehension of Vajra Indestructible was deeper; the Vajra Sutra was crucial to it. Mei Ruolan nodded repeatedly in contemplation, "No wonder..." Li Muzhan continued, "Without decades of dedicated practice, one cannot fully grasp the Vajra Sutra, making it nearly impossible to find the gate to Vajra Indestructible." Mei Ruolan smiled, "Where is the gate?... If you do not wish to say, never mind; I was presumptuous." Li Muzhan replied, "No appearance, no self, no sentient beings... Only upon cultivating to this point can one withstand the suffering and enter the gate of Vajra Indestructible." "No appearance, no self, no sentient beings..." Mei Ruolan murmured, frowning in deep thought. Li Muzhan added, "There is a critical juncture within this: one must act without intention... If one cultivates the Vajra Sutra merely to cultivate Vajra Indestructible, attachment solidifies, and success will never come." Mei Ruolan managed a bitter smile, shaking her head and sighing, "Indeed, it deserves to be called a profound art!" Li Muzhan also laughed. His entry was purely by chance; without the Contemplation of Heaven and Man’s Divine Illumination Scripture, even with profound Chan mastery, it would have been impossible.

In the days that followed, Li Muzhan’s meditation periods grew longer. Initially, it was three or four days, then ten days, and finally, he once entered a single month-long trance. Cultivating within the Contemplation of Heaven and Man’s Divine Illumination Diagram yielded double the results with half the effort. In the diagram, his spirit split in two, each half diving into one of the two heart-beads. The heart-beads descended from the Baihui point into the manifested form, transforming into a vertical eye between the eyebrows. The two heart-beads became two eyes, overlapping to form double pupils. In this state, he could practice dual cultivation: the manifested form could simultaneously practice two sets of techniques—two different true scriptures, or Vajra Indestructible alongside the Tianyuan Breath Retention Technique, or one true scripture plus Vajra Indestructible. Cultivating within the Divine Illumination Diagram made his spirit firm and solidified; the circulation of true qi was faster, making the efficiency exceptionally high. The first level of the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art refines the five viscera, causing knife-like twisting pain. The second level refines the bones, like ants gnawing at the marrow, accompanied by intense itching throughout the body. If his spirit had not been condensed in the heart-beads, he could never have endured it. The Contemplation of Heaven and Man’s Divine Illumination Scripture was miraculous, and Li Muzhan was extremely delighted. The human body holds infinite mysteries, divided into layers: flesh and blood, essence, qi, and spirit. Each layer is higher than the last. Spirit is the source; it can guide qi—where spirit leads, qi follows. Spirit can also transform into essence, replenishing vitality. However, guiding spirit within the physical body is not as straightforward as guiding qi; it is far more complex. Thus, while cultivating internal power within the Heaven and Man Divine Illumination Diagram, the true body’s internal power moved synchronized with the movements of the spirit in the diagram, allowing for simultaneous training. But for technique cultivation, the Contemplation of Heaven and Man’s Divine Illumination Scripture was useless. Through this method of cultivation, his internal energy deepened immensely, yet his swordsmanship made little progress. Following several sessions of deep meditation, a year and a half had passed.