"Oh? The Daoist Master is actually one hundred and twenty years old?" Li Muzhan asked, surprised, assessing the man from head to toe. The Daoist appeared to be only in his early forties; there was no way he looked a century and two. "Surely, Daoist Master, you jest?" Li Muzhan inquired. Daoist Zheng chuckled heartily, shaking his head. "You young monk, how could this old Daoist lie about his age?" Li Muzhan smiled and nodded. "Very well, I believe you, Daoist Master. It seems Daoist martial arts are truly miraculous, capable of preserving eternal youth!" "Naturally!" Daoist Zheng smiled, stroking his beard. "Those girls from the Jade Immortal Sect—you think they are all beautiful? It’s all due to their cultivation." "The Daoist Master is quite familiar with the Jade Immortal Sect," Li Muzhan observed. Daoist Zheng nodded. "Indeed, I have some familiarity with their origins." Li Muzhan continued, "I have some acquaintance with Sect Leader Lin, and I’ve heard tell of the Dragon-Phoenix Primordial Golden Classic." "Did that girl ask you to join the Jade Immortal Sect?" Daoist Zheng narrowed his eyes. Li Muzhan nodded and smiled. "Alas... that young girl, she just won't give up..." Daoist Zheng shook his head, a look of pity crossing his face. Li Muzhan watched him, saying nothing.

Daoist Zheng continued, "Girl Lin never stopped wanting to restore the Jade Immortal Sect's glory, hoping to revitalize it... but alas, it's never that easy. In this age, Buddhist sects flourish, and few practice Daoist martial arts. Her attempt to revive the sect is fighting against the heavens—truly a foolish girl!" Li Muzhan nodded in agreement. Indeed, the current Emperor favored Buddhism, causing it to prosper mightily, while Daoism, the state religion of the previous dynasty, was now suppressed to the brink of annihilation, having greatly declined. To seek its revival was indeed to swim against the current, an action a wise person would avoid.

In the world, power and momentum are paramount. Following the tide creates heroes; no matter how great an individual's ability, when pitted against the great momentum of the times, they are like a small ant against a giant tree—utterly incapable of causing a tremor.

Daoist Zheng said, "Young monk, your comprehension must be excellent... The Dragon-Phoenix Primordial Golden Classic is not easily mastered, otherwise, the Jade Immortal Sect wouldn't have fallen to this state."

"I am unworthy of Sect Leader Lin's high regard, truly," Li Muzhan sighed, shaking his head.

He could sense Lin Qiongying's fervent desire. She had gone to great lengths to recruit him into the Jade Immortal Sect, yet he had ultimately refused. She must have been deeply disappointed. Thinking of this, he felt a twinge of guilt; regardless, Sect Leader Lin had shown him kindness.

Daoist Zheng waved his hand. "Never mind that foolish girl... Tell me, do you choose Daoist arts or Buddhist arts?" Li Muzhan considered for a moment. "I will stick with Buddhist arts. I originated from a Buddhist sect; practicing Daoist arts now would be neither fish nor fowl."

In that fleeting moment, he had contemplated several outcomes. He must give up on the Ziyang Stele; the Indestructible Vajra Divine Art was his foundation for survival and could not be abandoned.

Moreover, the Indestructible Vajra Divine Art had already permeated his marrow, fundamentally changing his body—to discard it now was impossible. "Alas... I won't persuade you further!" Daoist Zheng sighed, shaking his head. "If you were to practice Daoist arts, I could teach you a few tricks..." Li Muzhan smiled. "That would be wonderful! Consider it payment for your wine, Senior!" Daoist Zheng looked surprised and snorted. "You want to haggle over wine money? How stingy!" Li Muzhan grinned slyly. "Senior, this wine of mine is no ordinary brew. Besides, once you taste it, you'll want more in the future... Senior possesses such high virtue; how could you accept it for free?" "Hmph, fine," Daoist Zheng grumbled, nodding reluctantly.

He thought for a moment. "Tell me what you wish to learn first. I will only teach you one set of techniques. Buddhism and Daoism are distinct; since you have chosen Buddhism, it is best you don't learn my skills." Li Muzhan requested, "Senior, please teach me a technique for survival—something I can use in dire moments and not practice regularly. That shouldn't cause any issues." "Hmm..." Daoist Zheng pondered before suggesting, "How about the Lamp Lighting Technique?" < The following line appears corrupted in the source text, but the context is clear: Daoist Zheng offers the technique. > "The Lamp Lighting Technique?" Li Muzhan asked quickly. "What is this art?" "It is a method to ignite one's inner energy, setting it ablaze," the Daoist explained. He appraised Li Muzhan briefly and nodded. "Since you have cultivated the Indestructible Vajra Divine Art, learning this technique suits you best." "Ignite the inner energy?" Li Muzhan pressed. Daoist Zheng replied, "Use your internal energy as oil, set it alight, and use it to fuel your movement when fleeing. It's the best way to escape. Words can only explain so much; practice is key." He then recited an incantation. The formula was simple, yet its ingenuity was unexpected. Li Muzhan stood stunned, gazing blankly at the sunset clouds, lost in thought for a long time. After a while, he finally let out a long breath and sighed. "There is always someone better. I am truly impressed, truly impressed!" Daoist Zheng smiled. "Young monk, don't think too highly of yourself. There are many clever people in this world. If you wish to achieve anything significant, you must strive and train relentlessly!" "Yes, this junior has learned much," Li Muzhan nodded. He then closed his eyes and began to contemplate the Lamp Lighting Technique. He was slow to grasp physical forms but lightning-fast with mental principles. In a short while, he grasped the essence, and after half an hour, he could execute it.

Following the mental formula, his spirit condensed into a spark, igniting the vital energy within his Dantian. With a sudden boom, his entire Dantian erupted in flame, like a spark hitting gasoline.

Li Muzhan flashed forward, and with another bang, he smashed through the wall, leaving a human-shaped hole. He was already gone, shooting away like a rocket. "Hahahaha..." Daoist Zheng blinked in surprise, then burst into uproarious laughter, completely overcome. After composing himself, he shook his head with profound admiration. "This young monk's comprehension is truly astonishing!"

Mastering the Lamp Lighting Technique so quickly wasn't just a matter of sharp comprehension; it spoke to the shocking strength of his spiritual focus. To condense a spark capable of igniting his inner energy—even when the Daoist Master was eighty, it took him two full years to achieve that stage. For Li Muzhan to summon a spark and ignite his energy instantly was truly phenomenal.

As Li Muzhan propelled himself with his movement technique, he felt his internal energy blaze like fire. The scenery rushed backward, blurring into indistinct streaks; he could only rely on pure instinct to move forward.

He wanted to stop, but his body felt consumed by fire; it demanded release. To halt now would feel as if he were being immolated; he had to run until the energy was spent. After running for about fifteen minutes, he suddenly stopped, stumbled, and collapsed onto the grass.

By this time, he had reached the far side of Mount Ai. In that blink of an eye, he had vaulted over the towering, majestic mountain—something utterly impossible for him before.

However, the price was steep. His Dantian was now utterly hollowed out. The Purple Elixir, dim and lifeless, floated quietly in his Dantian, all his internal energy having vanished.

This Lamp Lighting Technique demanded the ignition of all available internal energy, exploding outward like gunpowder, unleashing tremendous power—it was indeed a supreme escape art.

But such reckless expenditure of energy was a desperate, high-risk gamble. If he failed to escape and was caught, he would have no recourse but surrender.

He sat cross-legged, forming hand seals. The setting sun soon cast a pillar of light that only Li Muzhan could perceive; it was invisible to others.

The essence of the sun poured in. The once dim and lackluster Purple Elixir slowly brightened, and in moments, it regained its radiant splendor, just as before. Li Muzhan floated up, let out a deep breath, and laughed.

The Lamp Lighting Technique was indeed miraculous. Coupled with his Nine Luminaries Heart Method, if he could master it, he could cultivate even while running, drawing the essence of the sun and moon into his body, converting it via the Purple Elixir into the internal energy needed to fuel the flames, thus achieving sustained flight.

Thinking of this, he grew instantly excited. With this supreme art, fleeing would be like a tiger gaining wings, offering him significantly greater assurance! He then frowned.

Was he truly giving up the Ziyang Stele? If the Purple Elixir was gone, the power of the Nine Luminaries Heart Method would be greatly diminished, and the conversion time for energy would extend significantly. He sighed toward the sky, realizing one cannot have both the fish and the bear's paw. For now, he seemed forced to abandon the stele.

He used his movement technique to return home. Daoist Zheng was leaning back, smugly enjoying his drink. Seeing him enter, he smiled. "How was it, young monk?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "It is truly miraculous... Senior, since I am abandoning the Daoist techniques, must I destroy the Ziyang Stele?"

Daoist Zheng waved his hand dismissively. "Not necessarily. You just stop advancing the Daoist arts. In the future, as your Buddhist cultivation progresses, the East Wind will overpower the West Wind, and the threat won't be significant."

Li Muzhan breathed a deep sigh of relief. Thank heavens, he didn't have to destroy the Ziyang Stele; he truly could not bear to lose his Purple Elixir.

Daoist Zheng paused, then shook his head. "Alas... You currently lack a secular cultivation method; that is a problem. Find an opportunity to learn one."

Li Muzhan nodded. He truly had never learned a Buddhist inner cultivation method; the Indestructible Vajra Divine Art didn't count. The immediate priority was finding a Buddhist heart method to cultivate, one that could suppress the progress of the Ziyang Stele.

Daoist Zheng stroked his beard, thinking. "When it comes to Buddhist heart methods, the Vulture Peak Monastery is best. But they never share their arts externally, and those monks are not to be trifled with... Ah well! You must find your own way!" Li Muzhan offered a wry smile and nodded. "Yes, this junior will find his own solution." His thoughts immediately drifted to the black Buddha statue.

After bidding farewell to Daoist Zheng, he entered his room, took out the black Buddha statue, and sat cross-legged on the cot, turning it over in his hands. He sensed a profound mystery within it, yet he could not decipher it.

He turned it over and over, meticulously feeling its surface with his fingers, holding it close to his eye for minute inspection, then squinting at it from a distance—all yielded nothing.

He stubbornly refused to believe it was merely an object. He placed the statue on the table, then sat on the cot, staring intently, adopting the bearing of the Buddha beneath the Bodhi tree, vowing not to rise until he achieved enlightenment.

He stared without blinking for an unknown duration. Slowly, his eyes began to glaze over, seeming closed but not asleep, appearing to be in meditation but not truly meditating.

Suddenly, a brilliant light illuminated his mind. A colossal Buddha statue materialized, seated in the void, its body like pure crystal, save for its Dantian region, which was black and gray, shaped like a lotus leaf.

His spirit instinctively focused on the Dantian. The lotus leaf seemed to spin, relentlessly absorbing his mental energy. His spirit gradually weakened until, with a jolt, he awoke.

P: My apologies to everyone. I feel terrible that I wrote less today after just asking for monthly tickets yesterday. I promise to write more tomorrow.