Since the core of the Mind Pearl solidified, he knew no stupor, as if returned to the state of meditation during his earliest days of practice. Sitting there, he would often drift toward drowsiness, almost succumbing—and that was exactly how it felt now.

He drew a deep breath, focusing his spirit on the spot between his brows. After a moment, his mind felt somewhat refreshed. He slowly opened his eyes, a faint glimmer of golden light flashing briefly.

He frowned, feeling nothing different, so he closed his eyes again, turning his gaze inward. A sudden sense of surprise washed over him.

At the location of his Dantian, the Purple Pill was gone, transformed into a ball of white mist that filled the entire area. His spirit, like an arrow, pierced toward the center of this nascent white fog.

After traveling a certain distance, his vision cleared. He found himself submerged in clear water, as if situated in a pristine lake, the water transparent as a mirror, without stain or ripple.

The arrow of his spirit drilled further in, breaking through the water’s resistance, and suddenly shot into a crystal sphere.

This sphere was about the size of an egg, within which fleeting flashes of golden light intermittently appeared.

A faint golden light flickered, blinking in and out of existence at different points, seemingly trapped within the bead, desperately trying to break free.

As Li Muzhan’s arrow of spirit pierced inside, the golden light rushed toward it, swift as lightning. Li Muzhan had no time to react; the two instantly merged.

The golden light surged violently, and the crystal bead moved with it, beginning to spin. The clear water outside the bead swirled in response, driving the surrounding white mist into a vortex, resembling a nebula.

Li Muzhan’s mind instantly cleared, as if a cool, sweet frost had descended.

He sent out another sliver of his spirit to observe his entire Dantian: the pale golden crystal bead, the crystal-clear water, and the hazy white mist. These three layers were tightly interconnected, encompassing the solidity, liquid, and gaseous states—like a miniature planet, giving the feeling of a nascent universe evolving. Li Muzhan perceived the profound mystery, withdrew his spirit, opened his eyes, and a burst of golden light illuminated the room brightly.

Even with his eyes open, his spirit remained tethered to his Dantian. The sensation was utterly marvelous.

After pondering for a moment, he shook his head, unsure of the exact nature of the change. He looked up at the black Buddha statue on the table; it appeared exactly as before, showing no obvious anomaly.

This Buddha statue was, in fact, an instrument for Guanding (empowerment initiation). He mused that few people could know this profound secret; he himself couldn't have detected it before condensing three Mind Pearls.

His mind raced, and within moments, he understood: there was only one way to activate its empowerment—for the spirit to resonate with it. There were two methods for achieving this resonance.

The first was as he had just experienced: the spirit being powerful enough, like a dragon, to sense and accept the object directly.

The second method was through dedicated practice (Gongfu), requiring long observation and patient interaction of the spirit with the object, slowly adapting until resonance is achieved. This was known as the ‘Nourishment Method.’

Practicing this method demanded complete openness of heart and utter, prostrate devotion. Without this sincerity, no amount of effort would yield results.

Achieving resonance, if one’s devotion was absolute, might take three to five years; if sincerity wavered, it could take half a decade, or even decades, perhaps a lifetime.

He gracefully slid off the low couch, feeling his internal energy flow smoothly, controlled as if it were an extension of his arm, subject to his every whim.

He spared a smiling glance for the black Buddha statue and turned to leave the room.

Daoist Zheng was pacing in the courtyard, hands clasped behind his back, deep in thought. Hearing the footsteps, he turned, let out an "Eh," and his figure flashed as he crossed the distance to stand before Li Muzhan, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

Li Muzhan smiled faintly. "Daoist Master, you can tell?"

Daoist Zheng stroked his beard, tilted his head, and clicked his tongue in admiration. "Remarkable, little monk, truly miraculous! The Ziyang Tablet has vanished, transforming into Buddhist Gongfu!"

Li Muzhan chuckled. "Daoist Master, please come in."

He turned and walked back toward the room. Daoist Zheng followed him inside. Li Muzhan pointed to the black Buddha statue on the high table. "Does the Daoist Master recognize this item?"

Daoist Zheng shook his head. "I am a Daoist, not a monk. How would I know this?"

Li Muzhan replied, "I obtained this by chance and always felt something strange about it. Today, during visualization, it underwent a marvelous transformation."

Daoist Zheng studied the statue for a moment, then shook his head, his expression suddenly changing. "This monk’s appearance is strange, not like someone from the Central Plains. Could it have been transmitted from west of the Great Snow Mountains?"

Li Muzhan nodded. "Yes, it should be esoteric Buddhist lineage."

West of the Great Snow Mountains, there is Buddhism, but it is entirely distinct from the Buddhism of the Central Plains—a secret tradition, never revealed outwardly, mysterious and powerful.

However, the Great Snow Mountains are so impossibly high, like a coiled giant dragon; even the most supreme martial arts masters attempting to cross them would find it akin to ascending to heaven—utterly impossible.

The majesty of Heaven and Earth is fully displayed upon those peaks. No matter how mighty one is, before Heaven and Earth, they remain but ants; those who try to defy the heavens are simply wiped out.

Many top masters, unwilling to accept this, tried to cross the mountains using their profound internal energy and superior martial arts, but without exception, none ever returned.

Legend claims that the Great Snow Mountains not only remain eternally snow-covered and bone-chillingly cold but are also plagued by terrifying, piercing Gangfeng (Astral Winds) against which the physical body cannot hold.

No matter how high one's martial arts cultivation reaches, one is still bound by mortal flesh. Confronted by those Astral Winds, death is certain.

Daoist Zheng stroked his beard and nodded, smiling faintly. "Hmm, if it originates from west of the Great Snow Mountains, little monk, you have stumbled upon a treasure! Let me see."

He reached out and gently touched Li Muzhan’s wrist, but Li Muzhan found himself unable to evade the touch.

After a moment, Daoist Zheng nodded and smiled. "It is done. Now, your entire body is suffused with pure Buddhist power, and further—"

Li Muzhan interjected, "What exactly is this? I am somewhat confused."

Daoist Zheng left the room and sat at the table beside the flower bed. Li Muzhan approached to pour him a bowl of wine, and the two talked while drinking.

Daoist Zheng drained his large bowl, stroked his beard, and mused for a moment. "In my estimation, it is... a Sarira."

"Sarira?" Li Muzhan was startled. He considered it, but could not grasp the connection. Buddhist Sarira are not formed from bone after death; this crystal sphere in his Dantian really didn't resemble one.

Daoist Zheng stroked his beard and smiled faintly. "That is my guess, old Daoist. As for what it truly is, I cannot be certain!"

Li Muzhan gave a wry smile. "It seems I must find a Buddhist person to ask."

Daoist Zheng nodded, showing no embarrassment, stating matter-of-factly, "Indeed. Buddhist matters are best discussed with monks. Yes, go ask Abbess Xueyin."

That evening, Li Zhuzi, Madam Qin, Zhao Yiyi, and the others returned. They chatted with Li Muzhan, creating a harmonious and joyful atmosphere that calmed his spirits.

Daoist Zheng showed no intention of leaving, apparently reluctant to part with the wine Li Muzhan brewed. After tasting his wine, all other wines tasted like mere water.

Li Muzhan was glad to have him stay. Although Buddhism and Daoism differed, and their Gongfu were distinct, the Daoist’s experience was valuable. More importantly, with him present to keep watch, his parents’ safety was assured.

The next morning, he left home and headed toward the Mei Residence.

Ascending the mountain path, he employed the lightness skill he had secretly learned from Leng Feng. He bounded several dozen zhang at a time, appearing relaxed and unhurried, yet moving with incredible speed. In no time, he reached the summit.

Once at the top, he looked back down at the small village below. Wisps of cooking smoke curled upward, punctuated occasionally by the sound of chickens crowing and dogs barking—a scene full of rich, earthy life.

Whenever he witnessed such a sight, a profound sense of gratitude always welled up within him.

Suddenly, he frowned, turning south, and called out toward the dense pine forest, "Which esteemed master is present?"

From the woods drifted two figures, both elders. One was plump, with snow-white beard and eyebrows, his face entirely smooth, glowing faintly red, resembling an infant.

The other elder was also stout, but his face was fleshy and uneven, his eyes squeezed into narrow slits, giving the appearance of a gentle smile, yet a chilling glint shone from those slivers of eyes.

One elder looked like an immortal, clad in coarse linen (geyi), with a kind expression, smiling as he assessed Li Muzhan.

The other resembled a butcher or a newly rich man, wearing silk brocade, every finger on his plump hands adorned with gold rings, flashing in the sunlight alongside his ornaments.

Both men were portly and seemed clumsy, yet they landed without making a sound.

The Geyi elder smiled gently and asked, "Little monk, are you Zhan Ran?"

Li Muzhan frowned, then gave a faint smile. "Do the seniors belong to the Helian Clan?"

"Heh heh, clever boy."

The Geyi elder nodded. "To think someone so young could cause Leng Feng to suffer a loss—truly formidable!"

"Enough of the pleasantries!" the silk-clad elder frowned, impatient.

"Heh heh, old fellow, always so rushed!" The Geyi elder shook his head with a slight laugh. "Since you are in a hurry, you can strike first!"

The silk-clad elder glared. "A mere junior like this, I can’t be bothered to act. You go!"

He narrowed his already small eyes, which remained just as small even in the glare.

"You... very well, I shall go." The Geyi elder sighed and smiled. "Zhan Ran, no more wasted words, meet my attack!"

Saying this, he drifted forward gracefully, striking out with an open palm.

Li Muzhan met the attack with his own palm, and his heart immediately sank. This elder looked benevolent, but his internal energy was profoundly deep, and his attacks were relentless, each one aimed at killing.

His own internal energy was robust, but every palm strike forced him to struggle greatly to defend. He quickly drew his sword, preparing to use the Qiankun Sword Style to first defend and then strategize.

Unexpectedly, the elder’s palm technique was exquisite. As Li Muzhan drew his sword, the palm work abruptly shifted. With two rapid "Pa Pa" sounds, two palms struck Li Muzhan’s chest.

Li Muzhan was flung backward, shaking his head internally while airborne.

These two strikes appeared light and airy, using minimal force, but the palm energy coiled like a spiritual serpent, burrowing through his meridians and heading straight for his Dantian.

Li Muzhan’s spirit stirred, his internal energy following suit, setting up layer upon layer of obstruction. One by one, they neutralized the invading energies just before they reached his Dantian.

After dissipating those two flows of internal force, although the palm impact itself was heavy, he possessed the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art, which offered no impediment.

He used the momentum of the impact to adjust his posture, moving fluidly in the air while executing the Lamp-Lighting Art.

His spirit focused, condensing into a single spark. With a 'Boom' like a rocket igniting, the internal energy in his Dantian suddenly ignited, surging into his legs.

He flashed through the air, instantly vanishing from sight, and reappeared twenty zhang away. With another flash, he appeared thirty zhang further.

The two elders exchanged a look, shook their heads with wry smiles, and did not pursue.

At such a frantic speed, even their superior lightness skill could not catch him; it would have been a pointless effort.

The Geyi elder smiled faintly. "This little monk truly has some mastery..."

The silk-clad elder said coldly, "You can still smile! We have completely lost face this time!"

The Geyi elder merely laughed. "Losing face is nothing. This little monk is interesting, truly interesting!"

Postscript: I will release four to five chapters today, making up for yesterday’s oversight, and as thanks for everyone’s monthly tickets! D

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