The vital energy surged into the Dantian, directly absorbed by the purple bead. In the blink of an eye, the purple bead grew hotter and larger, eventually reaching the size of an egg.

As it expanded, the purple bead lost its solidity. Upon closer inspection, it seemed to shimmer like mist, as if inhaling and exhaling true essence.

He stopped his Tuna (breathing exercise). His Dantian felt warm, full, and saturated, like the satisfying, bloated feeling after drinking deeply when parched.

He slowly opened his eyes. A flash of purple light flickered in his gaze, and his face momentarily flushed with a subtle purple hue before gradually fading, returning to normal moments later.

He shook his head and smiled. He had managed to pull through this time, and the vital energy was truly astonishing!

Although he had studied the Dao Jing, the entire text spoke only of Kan and Li, of the Dragon and Tiger, without ever explaining what Kan and Li or the Dragon and Tiger actually were.

However, Li Muzhan's comprehension was extraordinary. He had grasped a vague shadow of the concept, guiding the vital energy into his Dantian. The instruction to focus the spirit, sink the breath, and calm the mind naturally converged there.

He dared to try it, relying on the protection of the Indestructible Vajra Divine Art and his formidable spirit. He knew he could stop at the critical moment.

Unexpectedly, it actually worked. A purple Dan (elixir/core) now pulsed fiercely within his Dantian. His entire body felt smooth and unhindered, as if he had reverted to an infant—all his bones soft and yielding, languid, wishing only to remain this way forever.

He chuckled to himself. Could this be the Golden Elixir spoken of in the Dao Tang?

Yet, according to the Daoist texts, the Golden Elixir should be colorless, not purple!

But the name itself was the Purple Sun Stele (Zi Yang Bei), so perhaps this Dan was meant to be purple. He hadn't practiced incorrectly!

He shook his head. For most people, lacking sufficient boldness, trying to force their way through those twenty characters of the inscription—if they dared to try at all—they would likely never cultivate.

This was because the first few characters detailed the method of energy circulation, but the later characters described internal realization (Neijing), clarity, and illumination—they were not energy circulation methods. One would mistakenly try to guess and fathom them using the circulation method, thus never achieving illumination or understanding how to cultivate the Spiritual Canon (Ling Dian).

Unless one was daring—like him—to simply start cultivating without thinking twice about the consequences.

Still, the method looked simple, but executing it was difficult.

The first step required the spirit (Xinshen) to be firm and powerful. If the spirit wasn't strong enough, one couldn't drive the Neijing to manifest. When he cultivated, he quickly solidified the Neijing. Another person might take several years, or even decades, to achieve this.

And if an ordinary person cultivated for years without success, and couldn't grasp the latter secrets, doubt would set in. Doubt would lead them to switch to other methods, naturally forfeiting the chance for great accomplishment.

The second hurdle was that if the Ren and Du meridians were not open, it would be difficult to directly form the Dan. The burning vital energy rushing to break through the barrier could easily fail on the first attempt. Repeated failures would cause the burning energy to dissipate, and when one would gather the strength to try again would be uncertain. Triggering this Neijing was not something that occurred every time; it depended heavily on fate and fortune.

The most difficult obstacle was the first: possessing a powerful spirit was the hardest attainment.

Internal energy (Neili) could be cultivated through accumulation; internal sight (Neishi) could grow with practice. But the enhancement of the spirit was something the world didn't recognize. It only increased unconsciously during deep meditative states.

His own Zen cultivation was profound, making his spirit far superior to ordinary people. If not for this, he wouldn't even have been able to enter the threshold of the Heavenly Man Divine Illumination Sutra (Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing). With the Jing (Sutra), his spiritual pearl condensed, and his spirit advanced by leaps and bounds, gaining several hundredfold.

These aspects were linked step by step, each intertwined with the next, as if guided by some inherent arrangement within the netherworld.

"Zhan Ran, why are you grinning like that?!" Xiaoyuan tilted her head to look at him.

The moonlight now flowed like water, illuminating the woods. Only the chirping of insects broke the profound silence.

The moonlight pierced the treetops and fell upon Xiaoyuan. She sat cross-legged, a long sword resting across her knees, watching Li Muzhan with her head tilted.

Li Muzhan smiled. "It's nothing... Xiaoyuan, are you still cross with me?"

He was in high spirits and felt Xiaoyuan was in a good mood, so he wanted to tease her.

"Hmph, who's angry?" Xiaoyuan pouted, giving him a sidelong glance.

They were very close. Her breath was fragrant, her delicate body emitting a faint, lingering perfume right before his nose.

"You could hang oil from your mouth with how sweet that sounds," Li Muzhan teased.

"I thought you wouldn't notice," Xiaoyuan retorted, though she didn't seem genuinely upset. She looked at him more closely. "Zhan Ran, when are you going to the Jade Immortal Sect?"

"To the Jade Immortal Sect?" Li Muzhan paused, then shook his head. "I'll have to wait until I have some free time. It won't be anytime soon."

"The Jade Immortal Sect is full of beauties, it must be a wonderful place!" Xiaoyuan sighed enviously, clicking her tongue a few times.

Li Muzhan laughed. "Even though they are beautiful, they are far inferior to the peerless beauty sitting right here beside you, Xiaoyuan!"

"Nonsense!" Xiaoyuan pouted, though the corners of her mouth turned up.

Li Muzhan chuckled inwardly. This lively and innocent girl, Xiaoyuan, simply couldn't resist sweet talk.

He sighed. "People only look at appearances; they get tired of them quickly. Someone with a good nature, like you, Xiaoyuan, is truly lovable... Those people from the Jade Immortal Sect, they are all arrogant; I really can't compliment them."

As he spoke, he shook his head repeatedly, feigning regret.

These words weren't entirely untrue, though he secretly made an exception for Li Yuqi.

Li Yuqi, at first glance, seemed cold and unapproachable, but upon closer contact, he realized it was merely a facade; her outer appearance was the complete opposite of her inner self.

Xiaoyuan beamed, laughing sweetly. "Hee hee, alright, Zhan Ran. I thought you had completely lost your mind, but it seems you haven't gone senile yet!"

"With you here, Xiaoyuan, who could possibly steal my heart?" Li Muzhan laughed heartily.

"Hmph, you just know how to coax me!" Xiaoyuan feigned displeasure, yet the joy in her eyes couldn't be hidden. She stood up and said sweetly, "Let's go."

Her delicate face was flushed, radiant and moving. Li Muzhan secretly worried that if they went out like this, others would assume he had done something to Xiaoyuan—it would be hard to explain.

However, he didn't really care. He stood up and left the woods with Xiaoyuan.

Outside the woods, they passed through the crowd gathered around and arrived at the carriage. Inside, the lamps were bright. Mei Ruolan was reading, and Gong Qingyun sat beside her, also holding a book.

The two women's gazes swept over Xiaoyuan's face, then settled on Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan smiled calmly, but Xiaoyuan's face grew even redder.

Mei Ruolan stared at Li Muzhan, sensing something unusual. She raised an eyebrow. "Zhan Ran, did you cultivate the Purple Sun Stele?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "I tried to cultivate it, and unexpectedly, I succeeded. I don't know if I did it correctly."

"Let's go outside and spar for a moment," Mei Ruolan stepped out of the carriage. Gong Qingyun gave him a deep look and followed. Xiaoyuan naturally joined the excitement.

"Let's just spar with palm techniques," Mei Ruolan said, her purple robes fluttering slightly in the night breeze.

Li Muzhan readily agreed, cupping his hands and smiling. "Very well, Miss, please instruct me."

He also wanted to gauge the actual power of the Purple Sun Stele.

Mei Ruolan smiled slightly and suddenly lunged forward, pressing her palm, which looked like white jade, towards his chest, stopping half a foot away.

Li Muzhan remained still. His right palm shot out rapidly to meet the white jade-like hand.

"Wuu..." A low roar suddenly erupted, like a violent tide surging. Li Muzhan was startled—only then realizing it was his own palm force manifesting.

The purple bead in his Dantian spun. The vital energy shot out like a viper leaving its hole, swift as lightning. His intent guided it; his internal energy followed—it was utterly synchronized.

"Bang!" A dull thud sounded, and the two separated.

A purple glow flashed across Li Muzhan's face and slowly dispersed. He felt refreshed and composed.

Mei Ruolan staggered slightly. A soft radiance flowed beneath her skin, instantly extinguishing the worldly dust, as if she had transformed into an immortal maiden descending from the sacred mountain.

At this moment, a crowd had gathered around them, watching the exchange with focused excitement.

Mei Ruolan smiled. "What strong internal energy. Take another palm strike from me."

Saying that, she pressed her palm toward Li Muzhan's chest again. Her strike was even softer now, like snowflakes drifting in the melting water. Li Muzhan met it again, and their palms collided.

"Bo," like a small pebble dropped into a deep well.

Their palms stuck together for a moment, then sharply separated.

Mei Ruolan retreated a step, the soft light flowing under her skin, her entire body seeming to turn to white jade.

After Li Muzhan retreated a step, his body swayed, almost losing stability again, but the ethereal purple glow on his face instantly stabilized him.

A moment later, the purple energy faded. Li Muzhan sighed sincerely. "Miss has such profound palm techniques."

"Your internal energy is refined to an incredible degree," Mei Ruolan laughed. The two met each other's gazes and suddenly laughed, leaving the onlookers utterly bewildered.

Xiaoyuan and Gong Qingyun exchanged glances, staring blankly, not understanding what the two of them were laughing about.

"Alright, let's stop here," Mei Ruolan waved her hand. The surrounding crowd, still unsatisfied, slowly dispersed with puzzled expressions.

"Miss, what happened?" Xiaoyuan couldn't help herself, rushing back into the carriage to ask urgently.

At this time, all four had entered the carriage. It was spacious and not crowded. Li Muzhan sat at the far end, near the rear beaded curtain, cross-legged and quietly meditating.

Mei Ruolan smiled. "This Purple Sun Stele is indeed profound."

"Purple Sun Stele?" Xiaoyuan was very confused, shaking her head. "What kind of martial art is that?"

"It's the mental cultivation method Sect Leader Lin gifted you. Zhan Ran has succeeded," Mei Ruolan turned fully toward Li Muzhan, pursing her lips and smiling. "Sect Leader Lin gave you a great gift this time. You should thank him properly."

Li Muzhan smiled. "It's nothing much; just that my internal energy has become more condensed."

In truth, he realized that after forming the Dan, his Dantian had expanded by a circle, becoming larger than before, its capacity nearly doubled. However, this offered him little immediate benefit.

He was currently constrained by his meridians; no matter how large the lake, if the river channels were too narrow, the water couldn't flow out effectively.

With the purple Dan formed, his internal energy circulated faster, moving at will, swift as lightning. The energy was much more solidified, and its power far surpassed before.

"Don't underestimate this!" Mei Ruolan shook her head. "The condensation of internal energy is a matter of great importance!" It was like the difference between a Fine Sword and a Precious Sword, or a bronze sword versus an iron sword. A bronze sword, no matter how thick, would be instantly cut by an iron sword.

"Oh?" Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow.

"Of course," Mei Ruolan added, "but if an iron sword meets a copper staff that is too thick, it might not cut through either!"

Li Muzhan laughed. "I understand."

"You truly have great fortune," Mei Ruolan nodded, smiling. "Internal energy refined to this degree means cultivation will be twice the result with half the effort, and your meridians will broaden very quickly."

"Why doesn't Miss try cultivating it?" Li Muzhan suggested.

Mei Ruolan shook her head. "I won't bother. This was given to you by Sect Leader Lin."

Li Muzhan smiled. "Since Sect Leader Lin gifted it to me, I shall offer it freely. Miss, Senior Sister Gong, Xiaoyuan, all of you should try cultivating it."

Xiaoyuan immediately broke into a wide smile. "Really?"

Li Muzhan nodded with a smile. His ultimate pursuit was to become the world's greatest martial artist, but one person's ability was limited. He was still weak now; having companions with higher martial arts skills would certainly bring no harm.

Mei Ruolan shook her head, insisting it was inappropriate and firmly refusing.

Seeing her refusal was resolute and not mere pretense, Li Muzhan inwardly praised her moral character, yet also sighed secretly. The relationship between them was close in appearance but distant in reality.

He didn't press the matter further, and his initial warmth gradually cooled.

He appeared unconcerned on the surface, smiling. "Miss, that palm strike just now contained several layers of force, wave after wave—it was truly wondrous!"

Mei Ruolan nodded. "Yes, that is the introductory mental technique of the Vast Sea Sword Sect. My control is lacking; I can only release three layers of force."

"If your control were deeper, how many layers of force could you release?" Li Muzhan asked.

Mei Ruolan said, "Nine layers."

Li Muzhan clicked his tongue in surprise and sighed. "The Vast Sea Sword Sect truly lives up to its reputation."

A single palm strike containing nine layers of force was indeed profound. If he had encountered it, he would have certainly suffered a disadvantage.

Mei Ruolan smiled. "It is quite remarkable that you could withstand three layers of force!"

"I relied on the wonder of the Purple Sun Stele. It doesn't deserve Miss's praise," Li Muzhan replied courteously.

Xiaoyuan observed the two of them, vaguely sensing something was amiss, but she couldn't pinpoint exactly what. She thought hard for a long time, couldn't figure it out, and had to let it go.

She inwardly lamented why Miss refused such a generous offer from Zhan Ran.

Gong Qingyun was engrossed in her book, her expression serene. She hadn't spoken since getting on board, but whenever her gaze met Li Muzhan's, she felt sweet satisfaction.

....................

The following days passed peacefully. Li Muzhan remained inside the carriage, rarely showing himself, much like being in seclusion—continuously cultivating hard.

Having experienced danger and fleeing for his life from pursuers, he cultivated with even greater diligence.

Because his internal energy wasn't deep enough, he was constantly pondering how to find a shortcut. Finally, he conceived a brilliant method: circulating the Dan through the meridians.

As his spirit focused, the purple Dan grew smaller and more condensed, shining brilliantly like a spiritual pearl, rotating ceaselessly like a star.

After a day of refining his spirit, its size was halved.

Li Muzhan suddenly had a bizarre thought: what would be the effect of driving this purple Dan through his meridians?

Having faced life and death, he feared nothing, and with the Indestructible Vajra Divine Art, he was utterly confident. He acted as soon as he thought of it, moving the purple Dan out of his Dantian and guiding it to circulate along the Governor Vessel (Taiyang Jing)!

Initially, it was incredibly difficult. Moving the true energy of the purple Dan was simple; a mere thought would bring the energy instantly, swift as lightning. But moving the entire purple Dan was exceptionally hard.

It was as if an invisible vortex existed in his Dantian, generating immense suction. Every time he activated his divine will and exerted his full force, the purple Dan would move a tiny bit, only to be immediately pulled back to its original position—all previous efforts wasted!

His spirit was like a dragon, tireless. To move the purple Dan, he didn't sleep or eat for several days. An ordinary person could never accomplish this.

His will was firm. Although the task was arduous and progress slow, he never gave up. After three days of continuous effort, the purple Dan was finally transported out of the Dantian.

Outside the Dantian, the purple Dan moved very slowly through the meridians, like a stone blocking a pipe, inching forward. Every inch required a massive expenditure of spirit.

Simultaneously, this forced propulsion stretched the meridians as if cut by knives, causing excruciating pain. He was both exhausted and in agony, enduring inhuman torment.

Li Muzhan gritted his teeth and persevered. Whenever his spirit was depleted, he would immediately immerse himself in the Heavenly Man Divine Illumination Chart, quickly restoring his energy to resume driving the purple Dan.

In two days, the purple Dan traversed the Governor Vessel. In the following five days, the remaining five main meridians were covered, and the Dan moved faster the further it traveled.

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