Mei Ruolan said, "I will take Xiaoyuan and Qingyun with me. If you wish to go, I can plead with Master, and perhaps it will be possible."

Li Muzhan was overjoyed, then paused to consider. "The Canghai Sword Sect is predominantly female; as a grown man, can I even go?"

Mei Ruolan shook her head. "It is true that the Canghai Sword Sect is mainly women, but we do have male disciples; it's just that their status is low, placing them at a disadvantage."

"I see..." Li Muzhan realized, lost in thought.

Mei Ruolan frowned, silent for a moment, contemplating. "Zhanran, you should go to the Wang family. Their martial arts truly have unique merits; if practiced well, they are sufficient to rank among top-tier masters."

"To join another branch means I have attachments in my heart, so let's forget it... I might as well follow you to the Canghai Sword Sect; that would bring me peace of mind," Li Muzhan said with a smile.

Mei Ruolan looked at him, pursing her lips in a faint smile, sweeping a stray strand of exquisite hair from her temple. "Wait until you hear me out before making a decision; it won't be too late."

"Miss, please speak," Li Muzhan replied.

"It is quite inconvenient for a man like you to enter the Canghai Sword Sect!" Mei Ruolan sighed. "The first step is to become an outer disciple, handling odd jobs for a time. Only after passing the assessment can you qualify to practice martial arts. To enter the inner sect, there is also an assessment, and only then can you cultivate the superior martial arts."

Li Muzhan immediately managed a wry smile. "If a woman joins?"

Mei Ruolan chuckled. "Women also start as outer disciples first. Once they meet the requirements, they directly enter the inner sect to cultivate the supreme arts, saving countless hassles."

"The Head of the Canghai Sword Sect must be a woman!" Li Muzhan shook his head and sighed.

Mei Ruolan nodded with a smile. "Yes, the Head, Abbess Zhuzhao, is naturally a woman."

Li Muzhan asked, "Even with all that, men still join?"

Mei Ruolan offered a faint smile. "The martial arts of the Canghai Sword Sect are unparalleled under heaven. To endure some humiliation just to become a martial arts master—who could refuse? Moreover, this humiliation also serves as motivation."

Li Muzhan stroked his small mustache and chuckled. "If I follow you, my little servant girl, I'd first have to do chores. Who knows how many years it would take before I could cultivate the ultimate arts of the Canghai Sword Sect?"

Mei Ruolan smiled softly and nodded.

"How long do outer disciples serve?" Li Muzhan asked.

Mei Ruolan replied, "Three years."

Li Muzhan instantly offered a bitter smile, shaking his head helplessly. Three years—life is short, and the prime period for cultivating martial arts is even shorter. How many three years can one afford to waste?

He then considered that wasting it might not be entirely accurate. During these three years, he could diligently practice and first master the Ziyang Stele, building a solid foundation, before moving on to the martial arts of the Canghai Sword Sect. These three years of quietude would also be a rare opportunity.

Mei Ruolan smiled. "If you perform exceptionally well, I can plead for you and perhaps shorten it to one year."

Li Muzhan gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, "Good, I will go with Miss!"

Mei Ruolan shook her head, waved her hand, and laughed. "No rush. Think it over carefully. I depart for the Canghai Sword Sect in a month; your decision then will not be too late."

"That's fine," Li Muzhan nodded.

Mei Ruolan continued, "The Wang family..."

Li Muzhan waved his hand dismissively. "Miss need not say more. I will not go to the Wang family!"

"Sigh..." Mei Ruolan looked at him, helpless. "You, you are truly stubborn!" She scolded him lightly with a sidelong glance, the corner of her mouth slightly upturned, her mesmerizing gaze sweeping over him before she departed the Star Gazing Platform. ∽● ●■●●●●●r&qu;●●■●●11////●● ●●∽■●●●●●r&qu;●●■●●//●r&qu;●●■●

Li Muzhan bid farewell to Mei Ruolan and headed straight home.

He changed back into his original attire—a monk's robe, with his hat removed, his shaved head gleaming. He moved his left hand across his prayer beads, his steps unhurried and measured, walking slowly. He passed through the main street, exited the city, and then unleashed his newly learned movement technique. With a single stride, he covered several zhang, moving with the ease of a casual stroll, traversing high mountains and winding paths as if they were flat ground. In a short time, he arrived home.

Upon entering the courtyard gate, he saw two people seated inside, and he laughed aloud, "Daoist Zheng?!" Before him, seated rigidly by a table in the courtyard, was a middle-aged Daoist, straight as a spear shaft. His face was like refined jade, a beautiful beard fluttered beneath his chin, and his eyes shone like cold stars, full of spirit. It was precisely Daoist Zheng from Mount Chaoyang.

He stroked his beard contentedly, holding a large bowl, his eyes narrowed in blissful intoxication. Li Yurong sat beside him, holding a wine jar and pouring.

"Heh heh, little monk, you walk too slowly!" Daoist Zheng stroked his beard and smiled, setting down his large bowl before turning and chuckling, "Little girl, how about that? I wasn't wrong, was I? He's back now!"

"You were right," Li Yurong shot him a look, gracefully rising, her face blooming like a flower as she greeted Li Muzhan.

Li Muzhan performed the heshi salute and smiled. "I thought I had missed you, Daoist Master, but unexpectedly... you truly possess divine abilities!"

Daoist Zheng waved his hand, chuckling. "Ah, nothing much. I asked Old Man Lu for your background, and a quick inquiry in Jinyang City revealed everything... You're quite a local celebrity!" A delicate fragrance wafted over as Li Yurong approached him, scrutinizing him.

Seeing his complexion clear and his spirit soaring, she nodded, her jade-like hand brushing dust from his shoulders, smoothing out the wrinkles on his shoulders. Afterward, she playfully punched him once, grumbling, "You, really worry people sick!"

Li Muzhan dramatically stepped back as if wounded internally, laughing, "Second Sister, what did you hear?"

"Hmph, Big Brother told me everything!" Li Yurong gave him a sharp look and punched him again. "Why didn't you consult me about such matters!"

Li Muzhan shook his head and laughed. "Big Brother just can't keep anything bottled up!"

He appeared unconcerned, but his heart felt warm. Though his elder brother appeared cold, his heart was the softest, caring for him above all else. He turned to the Daoist Master. "Daoist Master, how is my wine?"

Daoist Zheng stroked his beard, nodding, and chuckled, "Not bad, not bad! Little monk, you weren't boasting; this is truly nectar, rare in this world!" Li Muzhan smiled and sat opposite him.

He had used a distillation method from later generations—a technique yet to appear in this world. In terms of alcohol content and purity, it naturally surpassed ordinary fine wines; it was potent yet mellow.

Li Yurong gave him a sharp look, placed her hands on his shoulders, and complained endearingly, "Pour wine for the Daoist Master, I'll go stir-fry a couple of dishes!"

Li Muzhan nodded and asked, "Where are Father, Mother, and Eldest Sister-in-law?"

Li Yurong pursed her lips and smiled. "They've all gone to Li Jian's house!... They've practically made Li Jian's house their own these days, staying there from morning till night."

"They must be missing their grandson," Li Muzhan laughed, shaking his head. He picked up the wine jar. "Second Sister, fetch me a bowl. I'm going to drink my fill with the Daoist Master!"

"Got it!" Li Yurong replied without annoyance and quickly returned with a large bowl. Li Muzhan asked again, "Why don't I see Senior Sister Qingsi?"

Li Yurong pursed her lips and smiled, glancing at him. "Senior Sister Qingsi went back today; she'll be here tomorrow." Seeing her strange smile, Li Muzhan shook his head. "I was just worried about home." Seeing her odd smile, Li Muzhan knew his Second Sister had misunderstood again, thinking he had taken a liking to Senior Sister Qingsi. Although Senior Sister Qingsi was beautiful and elegantly pleasing, he harbored no improper thoughts; he only felt that her presence brightened the courtyard, adding a touch of enchanting atmosphere.

Li Yurong said as she headed toward the kitchen, "With the Daoist Master here, Senior Sister Qingsi doesn't need to stay here constantly." ∽●r&qu;●●■●●●●●r&qu;●●■●●11////●●● ●●∽■●●●●●r&qu;●●■●●

Li Muzhan and Daoist Zheng drank wine. Daoist Zheng stroked his beard and appraised him, nodding, then smiled broadly. "Little monk, not bad! Your skills have improved again!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Pure luck, Daoist Master. Do you happen to know a person named Leng Feng?"

"Leng Feng?" Daoist Zheng raised an eyebrow, chuckling. "Leng Feng of the Heaven-Shaking Fist?" Did you encounter him?"

Li Muzhan held his bowl in his right hand and suddenly punched with his left. The fist instantly reached Daoist Zheng's chest, stopping an inch away, the gust of his punch rippling the Daoist's robe.

Daoist Zheng's expression did not change, nor did his body. He nodded. "Hmm, it seems you really did run into Leng Feng... Did he teach you that fist technique?" No, he belongs to the Helian family."

Li Muzhan shook his head. "I crossed paths with him. He knocked me down with one punch and humiliated me extensively. Alas... After using Herculean effort, I finally escaped and saved my life."

Daoist Zheng smiled knowingly. "Leng Feng is no simple figure. Heaven-Shaking Fist—just listen to that title; most people wouldn't dare use it! ...Little monk, being able to escape from Leng Feng's grasp is enough to make you proud!"

Li Muzhan gave a bitter smile and shook his head. "Alas... this debt must be repaid eventually."

Daoist Zheng assessed him and said with a smile, "Your current skill is a notch below Leng Feng's. Wait a while; with three to five years of practice, you can take revenge."

He continued, "That fellow Leng Feng is cold-faced and cold-hearted, cunning as a fox. That you managed to escape... incredible, little monk!"

Li Muzhan chuckled, picked up his bowl, and drained it. "Daoist Master, please!" Li Muzhan filled two bowls and raised his, draining it in one go.

Daoist Zheng also drank his down in one gulp, wiped the wine stain from his beard, and smiled. "Drinking really requires company. Let's drink until we drop today!"

Li Muzhan laughed. "Drinking until we drop might be difficult; I can drink a thousand cups and remain sober!"

"I can drink ten thousand cups and remain sober! Let's compete!" Daoist Zheng raised his eyebrows and glanced sideways at him. Li Muzhan showed no weakness: "Fine, let's compete. But neither of us can use our internal energy."

Daoist Zheng declared proudly, "Of course not! Using internal energy would be wasting this fine wine, wouldn't it!?"

Thus, the two downed bowl after bowl. In the time it took Li Yurong to finish stir-frying two dishes, they had finished one jar of wine. Li Muzhan went to the cellar and personally brought up three more loads, lining up six jars in the courtyard. The two drank non-stop. Li Muzhan would fill the bowls, and they would clink them together before draining them in one swallow. He would refill, they would clink again, and drain again. Drinking like this, by the time Li Yurong finished cooking the two small dishes, four jars of wine were already gone. ~∽ r&qu;●●■● ●●●0●●●●●//∽■●&qu;+ ●●■●●∽●

When Li Yurong brought out four dishes after finishing cooking, the two had already finished six jars of wine. Both were slumped over the table, unmoving, their faces flushed crimson, eyes hazy—both utterly drunk.

She pointed at Li Muzhan's head and scolded, "San'er, drunk the moment you get back? Wait until Mother returns to deal with you!" Li Muzhan, slumped over the table, murmured something and smiled faintly at her. Daoist Zheng, however, was truly passed out on the table, completely motionless, as if asleep.

Li Yurong shook her head, ignoring them both, and returned to her room to meditate. Both men had constitutions far beyond ordinary people. By evening, they awoke naturally, looked at each other, and burst into laughter, feeling utterly refreshed.

"Little monk, your tolerance for alcohol is indeed impressive!" Daoist Zheng chuckled.

Li Muzhan laughed softly. "Daoist Master is not lacking either; not inferior to me."

"Hey—you're mistaken. It's you who is not inferior to me!" Daoist Zheng waved his hand, smiling contentedly.

Li Muzhan said with a smile, "Alright, let's just say the Daoist Master is stronger."

Daoist Zheng shook his head and said seriously, "What do you mean, 'let's just say'? When you arrived, I had already had some. We got drunk at the same time, so my capacity is better!"

Li Muzhan admitted defeat with a helpless smile. Daoist Zheng nodded with satisfaction, looking quite smug.

He continued, "In my opinion, a drinker like you, little monk, is rarely seen. It's just a pity you ran into this old Daoist!"

Li Muzhan smiled wryly, surprised by Daoist Zheng's obsession with drinking capacity. They chatted and laughed for a while, then Daoist Zheng slowly let his smile fade. "Little monk, you are in danger now!"

Li Muzhan smiled. "Is it the Helian family?"

"Hmph, the Helian family? They're nothing!" Daoist Zheng curled his lip and waved his hand. "Don't mention them! ...I'm talking about your skill."

Li Muzhan smiled and requested, "I seek the Daoist Master's guidance."

Daoist Zheng stroked his beard and said, "You've mixed too many things! ...You practice Daoist techniques and Buddhist techniques, and you've mastered them deeply, which is rare. Unfortunately, the faster you practice, the sooner you will die!"

"Is it because Dao and Buddhism cannot be integrated?" Li Muzhan asked.

Daoist Zheng replied, "I've explained this principle to you before; you haven't taken it to heart, have you?"

Li Muzhan shook his head. "This junior understands, but the power of the Ziyang Stele is immense, and the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art was acquired over millennia. I can't bear to abandon either one."

Daoist Zheng's cold-starlight eyes flashed with surprise. "You, little monk, have actually learned the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art?" Remarkable! Truly remarkable!"

He nodded, suddenly understanding. "No wonder. I was wondering. Logically, with your cultivation, you should have time to change techniques within ten years. But now it's become dangerous... It turns out you've learned the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art!" His gaze held a hint of admiration as he chuckled, "You are second only to the divine monk Huiguo. Extraordinary!"

Li Muzhan smiled modestly. "It's merely luck. I have a foundation in Zen skill and understand the profound meaning of the Vajra Sutra, making my cultivation easier than others."

Daoist Zheng nodded. "Hmm, in my view, you must make a firm decision now: will you practice Daoist arts or Buddhist arts? You cannot delay any longer!"

Li Muzhan picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of the cold dish, chewed slowly, and smiled. "Has the Daoist Master ever heard of the Dragon-Phoenix Reversion Golden Scripture?"

"The Dragon-Phoenix Reversion Golden Scripture?" Daoist Zheng's eyes flashed. "You know of it?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "I happened to hear about it accidentally."

Daoist Zheng also picked up his chopsticks, plucked a peanut, threw it into his mouth, and chewed. "The Dragon-Phoenix Reversion Golden Scripture is extraordinary! It is the shortcut to the Great Dao, the true immortal method for attaining the Way! ...Have you been to the Jade Immortal Sect?"

Li Muzhan replied, "Yes, I heard of this skill at my cousin's place in the Jade Immortal Sect."

Daoist Zheng suddenly laughed. "The Jade Immortal Sect, the Jade Immortal Sect... Heh heh, perhaps no one remembers the Jade Immortal Sect now. Everything in the world, the ebb and flow, the waxing and waning—it's all like this!"

Li Muzhan asked, "Did the Jade Immortal Sect ever produce an immortal? Is that true?"

"Yes, quite true," Daoist Zheng nodded, smiling. "Few people nowadays recall the glory of the Jade Immortal Sect; only old monsters like me retain some memory..." Li Muzhan nodded slowly, deep in thought.

Daoist Zheng's expression darkened, and he grunted, "Little monk, don't play coy with me. If you keep practicing like this, you'll lose your life! No more delaying!"

Li Muzhan smiled and nodded. He felt extremely close to Daoist Zheng, attributing it to fate. This Daoist Zheng possessed unfathomably profound martial arts and dazzling charisma, yet his personality was carefree and unrestrained. However, when it came to wine, he was extremely serious—a true eccentric wandering through the mortal world. Li Muzhan believed his words.

He pondered for a while. He couldn't bear to give up either of the two skills. The Ziyang Stele was infinitely subtle; its internal energy solidified like water, its intent absolute, subject to his will. The Vajra Indestructible Divine Art was even more profound; his survival against so many masters was largely thanks to it; otherwise, even with the Heaven-Viewing Divine Bear Art, he would have already died. Without the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art, when facing a master in combat, if he were struck by a palm or a sword, he wouldn't even have time to circulate the Heaven-Viewing Divine Illumination Art before being instantly killed. He truly couldn't decide between the two.

After a long pause, Li Muzhan looked up. "Daoist Master, is there no way to have both?"

"You certainly dare to wish for the best of both worlds!" Daoist Zheng shook his head and smiled wryly.

Li Muzhan managed a bitter smile.

"..." Daoist Zheng stroked his beard, musing deeply.

Li Muzhan's spirits lifted immediately. "Is there truly a way?"

Daoist Zheng pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "As far as this old Daoist knows, there is no way."

Li Muzhan sighed.

Daoist Zheng continued unhurriedly, "Having both the fish and the bear's paw is sheer foolish fantasy; nothing in the world is absolutely perfect! ...Buddhist internal energy and Daoist internal energy are like water and oil; trying to fuse them into one is fundamentally impossible!"

Li Muzhan nodded.

Daoist Zheng mused, slowly continuing, "Many astonishingly talented geniuses in the past had the same idea as you—to merge Dao and Buddhism, extract their essence, and achieve unparalleled merit. Sadly, their outcomes were tragic. Simply dying from qi deviation was considered fortunate; many others ended up mentally disordered and insane, living a life worse than death, causing great regret!"

He added, "Little monk, I am not joking. You cannot continue practicing the Ziyang Stele. Otherwise, the mildest outcome is qi deviation; the worst is mental chaos and sudden death."

"Thank you for your concern, Daoist Master," Li Muzhan nodded.

Daoist Zheng explained, "Buddhist martial arts generate qi from shen (spirit); Daoist martial arts generate qi from jing (essence). Although both are forms of internal energy, their natures differ. When you cultivate deeper and your internal energy becomes purer, you will understand the difference." Li Muzhan nodded.

Daoist Zheng continued, "Refining jing into qi, and refining qi into shen—this is Daoist cultivation. ...Buddhism directly refines shen to generate qi. They are fundamentally two separate paths; forcing them together only invites suffering!" Li Muzhan nodded.

Daoist Zheng stroked his beard and smiled. "In my view, given your innate quality, practicing Daoist arts is best. Cultivate them to the extreme, and you can enjoy long life, existing the same age as heaven and earth!"

Li Muzhan laughed. He didn't believe in immortality.

Daoist Zheng smiled knowingly. "Look at me; I'm over one hundred and twenty years old. Can you tell?"

P: Sorry for the late update. This chapter was difficult to write; explaining the theoretical aspects truly took a lot of effort.

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