He had been steeped in warmth, like sinking into a hot spring, the comfort indescribable, losing all track of time and the shifting world around him. His five senses were completely shut down, focused entirely on the Xiang body. He awoke with a strange jolt, feeling as if it had been an instant, yet also an eternity.

After a deep exhalation, he intended to withdraw from the Guan Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing. With that thought, the eye between his brows moved, and the Heart Pearl instantly shot out of the Xiang body, splitting into three, which began to orbit two feet above the Xiang form.

Li Muzhan started, sensing something subtly odd.

As the Xiang body dissolved, he suddenly realized: the Heart Pearl had gained another one! The Xiang body vanished, and he withdrew from the Guan Tian Ren Shen Zhao Jing, returning to his original body, immediately sensing the difference.

With his eyes closed, his perception was extraordinarily sharp. Dust motes drifted slowly in the air, which he could feel, as well as the faint breeze circling his body.

Outside the temple, there were three distinct breaths. From the direction of the main southern entrance, the breathing was incredibly faint, almost non-existent. To the east and west, there were also breaths, deep, even, and long—clearly audible. He knew this was the Master and the two disciples, Lin Qiongying’s group.

He slowly opened his eyes. Light leaked out, and the interior of the temple instantly brightened. The Buddha statue flashed, appearing grim and spectral, like the Hall of Yama in the netherworld. The gray monastic robes stirred without wind, swaying momentarily before slowly settling, falling silent.

Li Muzhan allowed a faint smile to grace his lips. Though it was night outside, he felt the sky was exceptionally vast, his body and mind wonderfully relaxed, and life overwhelmingly beautiful.

“Sect Leader Lin?” he called out.

“Eh, Zhanran, you’re awake?!” A white shadow flickered before his eyes, and Lin Qiongying suddenly materialized, her white robes like snow, floating lightly, carrying a faint, delicate fragrance.

Her eyes, like clear water, swept over his face. She murmured in surprise, “It seems your martial arts have advanced significantly, Zhanran?”

Li Muzhan shook his head, smiling slightly, “I’ve only just stabilized my injuries.”

Lin Qiongying continued to regard him curiously, studying him, then nodded. She said casually, “That’s good then; just rest and recuperate slowly.” She felt a profound strangeness standing before him, as if gazing up at a towering mountain, an oppressive pressure meeting her face, causing her breath to hitch. Such an anomaly must mean his martial arts had indeed taken a great leap forward. Li Muzhan smiled, “What day is it?”

“The fifth day,” Lin Qiongying recovered, pursing her lips into a smile. “Truly formidable. Five days without food or drink, no one can manage that!” She quickly added, “Do you want something to eat?” Qi’er cooked congee, hoping you’d wake up to eat it, but we didn’t expect to wait four whole days!” Li Muzhan chuckled, “Good, I am indeed hungry.” The two women quickly brought over four torches, illuminating the temple interior. They set down a table and four bowls of steaming white rice congee, sprinkled with wild mushrooms, the aroma tantalizing.

The light was as bright as day. Li Muzhan remained seated on the couch, accepting the bowl of congee handed to him by Li Yuqi, nodding with a smile. Fu said, “It smells so fragrant!”

Lin Qiongying laughed, “Qi’er’s cooking is excellent. Try it. Don’t drink too much, just this one bowl to settle your stomach; eat more when dawn breaks.”

Li Yuqi dared not meet his gaze, slightly lowering her delicate head! Even veiled, Li Muzhan could see the blush on her cheeks, stunningly lovely. He could vaguely sense her emotions too: nervousness, excitement, sweetness, a complex tapestry.

His expression remained unchanged, but his heart clenched inwardly. For some reason, he glanced towards Zhou Wuxian, sensing a wave of impatience, annoyance mixed with helplessness. Turning to Lin Qiongying, he felt a thread of admiration, and a hint of smugness. Li Muzhan pondered: Could it be that his mind has opened? Cultivating the Buddhist practice of meditation often leads to various supernatural insights (siddhis).

He was naturally familiar with these insights, having experienced some before, such as heightened senses, thoughts flowing like beads, and visualizing scenes miles away.

Buddhist siddhis are the strangest things, both a chasm and an opportunity. Reaching a certain level of meditative attainment naturally brings one face-to-face with them. Once encountered, how one handles them is the crucial seal of the heart—the wonderful method of the Celestial Ladder, the deepest secret to achieving sainthood across ages, never transmitted through scripture, only through the heart-to-heart transmission of direct enlightenment (guan ding).

Ordinary practitioners are most easily ensnared by these siddhis; once caught, they fall into the evil path, never to attain rebirth. If one can transcend them, severing all attachments, then the Zen heart becomes firm, concentration deepens, and the cultivation realm ascends a further level.

Therefore, cultivation is not entirely beneficial and harmless. Reaching a certain height makes it more dangerous than not cultivating at all. This is why many common folk fear it; only those possessing great courage and wisdom can break free and reach the other shore.

Regrettably, Master Faxing passed away too soon before he could perform the direct transmission. When Li Muzhan first manifested these insights, he relied on self-realization to sever them like inner demons. His cultivation surged forward fiercely, reaching the level of Chuchan (First Meditation), escaping the realm of desire.

His own cultivation was difficult and perilous; the slightest slip could cost him his life. Of course, if the level wasn't high enough, such danger wouldn't arise.

Li Muzhan managed to reach Chuchan on his own, displaying both courage and wisdom. Coupled with his profound Buddhist understanding, this earned him high regard and praise from the Divine Nun Xueyin. However, now that he had reached the material realm (Se Jie) and his Zen heart was settled, possessing siddhis was a joyous occasion rather than something to be discarded.

While sipping the congee, his thoughts churned, and he simultaneously perceived the moods of the three women—a quite marvelous sensation. Then he paused again. He was actually performing three tasks simultaneously!

Seeing the three women in their snowy white clothes and smelling their faint, delicate fragrance, Li Muzhan suddenly felt an erection, hard as iron, beneath his lower body. Fortunately, he was sitting cross-legged with his knees covered by his robes.

He did not panic. This was the side effect of the enhanced Heart Pearl. After cultivating a while longer, meditating several more times, and solidifying his concentration, he would naturally gain control over this desire.

When he had one Heart Pearl, he felt his spirit was like a tiger, intently watching all beings. When he had two, he felt like a dragon, looking down on all beings from the clouds.

Now, with three Heart Pearls, this sense of looking down was even stronger, accompanied by an endless urge to invade and possess—a craving to pull the three women into his embrace, to merge them into his very body.

“Zhanran, what is it?” Lin Qiongying suddenly looked up, her eyes as clear as water.

Li Muzhan’s heart stirred. He quickly suppressed the feeling, set down the empty bowl, and smiled, “Sect Leader Lin and the two young ladies have truly gone to trouble. Please rest now; I will take the night watch.” As he spoke, he formed the Ananda Mudra (Fundamental Wisdom Seal) with both hands.

Lin Qiongying chuckled, “Very well. You meditated for five days; you look quite energetic… I can still manage, but these two young maids have been worn out.”

Li Yuqi kept her head lowered, saying nothing. Zhou Wuxian glared at Li Muzhan, clearly displeased. She hadn't expected him to enter meditation for five whole days straight.

During these five days and nights, though they could rest, they slept only an hour each day, their nerves constantly taut—truly arduous work, especially for this irritating fellow! Li Muzhan joined his palms in a gesture of thanks, smiling, “Heh heh, thank you, Miss Li, Miss Zhou!”

Li Yuqi hastily shook her head, glancing at him quickly before lowering her gaze again. Zhou Wuxian’s bright eyes fixed on him, silently pursing her lips. Li Muzhan focused his senses slightly and knew she was silently cursing him. He couldn't help but sigh. It seemed that in life, it was hard to remain blissfully ignorant; knowing everything was truly rather tedious.

Zhou Yuxian was alluring and fiery, even more so than Li Yuqi, making one long to press her down and ravage her. Even a passing glance was enough to bring joy. Knowing she was cursing him naturally dampened his spirits.

Everyone soon finished eating. Li Muzhan sat outside the temple, and Lin Qiongying followed him out. Li Yuqi and Zhou Yuxian sat on the couch to meditate and regulate their breath.

Outside the temple, a makeshift couch had also been set up—two wooden planks laid over round logs, very simple. Li Muzhan and Lin Qiongying sat on it.

Lin Qiongying studied his face and smiled, “You still look unwell. When do you expect to fully recover?” Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed, “It might take about a month.”

In truth, he was already mostly healed; one more session of deep meditation would suffice, but he acted cautiously, always maintaining a degree of reserve. Lin Qiongying smiled, “Those two must be fierce to injure you this badly.” Li Muzhan shook his head and smiled without elaborating. As dawn approached, the party continued their journey.

Li Muzhan’s complexion remained pale, looking sickly, and he stayed inside the carriage most of the time. Zhou Yuxian and Li Yuqi drove the cart outside, while Lin Qiongying sat in the carriage.

On the two couches, one person sat on each side. Li Muzhan mostly kept his eyes closed, continuously circulating his internal energy, employing his threefold concentration—he was overjoyed, like a child with a new toy. He cultivated his inner force without using the threefold concentration, instead focusing on circulating the Purple Elixir (Zidan).

After several days of cultivation, the Purple Elixir had grown larger, increasing by about a third, shimmering brilliantly, almost tangible, becoming ever more magnificent and captivating. As the Zidan rotated, its gorgeous violet light illuminated his entire Dantian and his internal organs.

Li Muzhan’s spirit was greatly amplified; the circulation of the Zidan was much smoother and faster. Under the Zidan’s rotation, his meridians had also expanded by a third. Consequently, his internal strength surged—a blessing in disguise due to misfortune.

He mused internally: This Art of Self-Abandonment (Sheshen Dafa) is like a great tonic for me. It condensed one Heart Pearl and enhanced the Purple Elixir. If I use it a few more times, won’t I become even more formidable?

However, he dared not use the Sheshen Dafa often. After an hour, the effect would wear off, leaving him soft all over, his bones feeling as if they had been removed, his entire being threatening to dissipate. This was not merely the draining of internal force or energy, but something inexplicable that made him deeply wary. His sharp intuition told him the Sheshen Dafa was extremely dangerous and must not be used repeatedly.

He trusted his intuition implicitly, so he dared not act rashly. Otherwise, instead of achieving his dream of being the world’s foremost expert, he might end up losing his life and leaving this world—what a waste that would be!

Seven days later, they arrived at a small town. They left the carriage at an inn and proceeded on foot, heading east toward a chain of continuous mountains. After crossing two peaks, they arrived at the foot of a towering, sheer mountain.

“Zhanran, we’re here,” Lin Qiongying turned to him.

Li Muzhan surveyed the surroundings. This was a valley, encircled by mountains. To the west, south, and north, the slopes rose straight up and down, treacherously steep.

To the east, an even higher peak soared vertically, standing upright like a treasured sword thrust straight into the clouds. Looking up, the summit was shrouded by white clouds, making it impossible to see clearly. Li Muzhan asked in surprise, pointing, “Sect Leader Lin, is this your sect’s domain?”

“What, does it not look like it?” Lin Qiongying asked with a proud smile.

Li Muzhan shook his head, examining the area. The terrain was flat, covered in lush green grass. A small stream wound down from the east, passing through this area and flowing toward the distance. Li Muzhan smiled, “Truly a fine location! It’s a valley, surrounded by mountains, with only a small path to the west—very quiet and secluded. Li Muzhan asked with a smile, “What if someone surrounded us?”

Lin Qiongying pursed her lips and giggled, “Let them try to surround us! We have everything up there; we could last ten or eight years without issue!”

Li Muzhan nodded, “If there’s a bird to carry messages, and external reinforcements arrive, it would truly be impregnable!” Lin Qiongying smiled and suddenly let out a long cry.

Soon, a dark object descended rapidly, stopping directly before them in a moment. It was a large, round basket, thick as two people embracing.

The round basket was woven from wire, with a wooden base beneath it, densely wrapped around the sides, looking very sturdy, capable of holding four or five people. Li Muzhan frowned; the basket strongly resembled a birdcage from later ages. Lin Qiongying reached out and smiled, “Zhanran, shall we go up?” Li Muzhan nodded.

Lin Qiongying leaped lightly into the basket. Li Muzhan followed, standing beside her, and Li Yuqi and Zhou Yuxian leaped in simultaneously.

The four stood on the wooden base, gripping the surrounding wires, forming a circle to prevent the basket from tilting.

This formation placed them facing each other, breaths mingling. Li Yuqi stood directly opposite him, slightly lowering her head until her neck flushed red. Zhou Wuxian stared at Li Muzhan without blinking, as if trying to overpower him with sheer presence.

Li Muzhan ignored her and looked toward Lin Qiongying, smiling, “This method is quite peculiar, truly foolproof!”

Lin Qiongying pursed her lips and chuckled, “Though this method is a bit clumsy, its strength lies in its reliability. Unless we wish it, no one can get up here!”

Li Muzhan nodded, understanding why they weren't afraid of the Helian Family attacking. This method of ascent would render even the Helian Family helpless. The round basket rose extremely fast. Their white robes fluttered, and in the span of a few breaths, they ascended dozens of zhang.

The ground below shrank rapidly; the stream became a ribbon, the forest a meadow. Before their eyes were patches of floating clouds, and the air grew cold and crisp—the sweltering summer had turned into autumn.

The round basket suddenly stopped. They were hovering before a triangular wooden frame, suspended in mid-air, surrounded by the mountain peaks. Before them lay a stretch of continuous buildings. The basket shifted sideways, slowly gliding onto the flat ground at the summit, and then settled down.

Li Muzhan shook his head in awe; the defenses were indeed stringent. If they were enemies, halfway up in the air, unable to reach the sky or the ground, dropping the basket would mean certain death.

Several young women in white stood quietly. Upon seeing Lin Qiongying, they all bowed their fists, “Master!”

Lin Qiongying floated gracefully to the ground, waved her hand, and introduced Li Muzhan to them.

They were all clad in flowing white, but their faces were uncovered. Each was of good to excellent appearance, though none possessed the beauty of Li Yuqi or Zhou Yuxian.

Seeing Li Muzhan, they were greatly astonished, as no man had ever appeared here before.

P: Sorry for the lateness.