Li Muzhan drifted down, arriving before the mottled temple gate. He cast a glance around: pine trees dominated the surroundings, the walls were thick with moss, and the paint on the twin doors was nearly flaked away.

"Bang, bang, bang, bang…" Someone inside was striking a wooden fish, the rhythm unvarying—neither rushed nor slow, perfectly paced.

Listening to the measured cadence of the wooden fish, Li Muzhan’s heart gradually stilled. He couldn't help but sigh internally; the person beating the fish clearly possessed profound Buddhist cultivation and immense mental fortitude.

He raised his voice, calling out, "Your junior, Zhanran, by order of my grand-uncle, seeks an audience with Master Yinming!"

"Amitabha…" The sound of the wooden fish ceased, followed by a gentle, amiable Buddhist chant. Then, a short, stout young novice darted out. He looked to be about ten years old, his eyes perfectly round, radiating an almost startling intelligence.

He gathered the folds of his robe, lifted his legs with effort, and stepped out, pressing his palms together in a solemn gesture. "Benefactor, my master requests your presence!"

He was plump and sturdy, his head barely reaching Li Muzhan’s chest. He tilted his head up and said, "Benefactor, please follow me!"

"I trouble you, little master," Li Muzhan replied with a gentle smile and pressed palms.

The young novice hitched up his robe, re-entered the main gate, and walked straight inside. Li Muzhan followed him into the courtyard—a space paved with small stones, remarkably clean and tidy. To the west was a swing set, and to the east, a leather ball.

Above the main hall in the center hung a plaque inscribed with four grand characters: "Hall of Great Heroes" (Daxiong Baodian).

These four characters were written with balanced solemnity. At first glance, they appeared ordinary, nothing remarkable. Yet, upon closer inspection, they possessed a delicate, enduring beauty that lingered in the mind, offering endless resonance.

Li Muzhan couldn't help but exclaim, "Excellent calligraphy!"

The young novice paused at the doorway, looking back at him with an expectant, urging gesture.

Li Muzhan quickly hastened his steps and entered the great hall. Inside, a single, golden statue dominated the space, stretching from east to west—it was a Reclining Buddha.

The Enlightened One lay upon a massive lotus blossom, resting his head on one hand, the other held in a mudra near his waist. His eyes seemed neither fully open nor fully closed, light flickering within their depths, his expression utterly tranquil.

On his chest, a '' symbol appeared to rotate ceaselessly.

On the prayer cushion opposite the Reclining Buddha sat an old monk with white eyebrows, slowly fingering prayer beads with one hand while striking a small wooden fish with the other. His demeanor was placid, his spirit as undisturbed as a still, deep pool. He seemed seated within silent water.

Li Muzhan stepped forward, pressed his palms together in a bow, and greeted him, "I pay my respects to Master Yinming!"

The white-browed old monk was tall, draped in a coarse, ash-grey robe. His face was full and round, rosy like an infant's, possessing the unmistakable bearing of a high-ranking, distinguished monk.

He slowly opened his eyes, set down the mallet, and returned the gesture: "Amitabha… young monk, which of your grand-uncles sends you?"

Li Muzhan drew a letter from his inner garment and presented it with both hands. The young novice stepped forward, accepted the letter, and relayed it to the old monk.

Just then, another young monk entered, carrying a wooden tray upon which rested a cup of tea. He was small and agile, his eyes bright and lively, clearly possessing a sharp intellect as well.

He brought the tea before Li Muzhan and announced clearly, "Benefactor, please partake of tea!"

Li Muzhan accepted the cup and nodded with a smile, "Thank you, little master."

The old monk unfolded the letter, then smiled faintly, "You are Zhanran, correct? Is Benefactor Lan in good health?"

Li Muzhan responded respectfully, "Yes, my grand-uncle is very well."

The old monk returned a distant salute with joined palms and sighed, "Benefactor Lan's life has been one of unwavering devotion, his obsession unchanged. A century has passed in the blink of an eye, and now, finally, he sees the dawn. This is true fortune!… Truly fortunate, truly fortunate!"

Li Muzhan could not understand what the master was saying. His 'Heart Insight' (Xintong) was useless here; it was only a blank expanse.

He couldn't even perceive the inner thoughts of the two younger novices; it was as if the moment he entered this hall, his Heart Insight had lost its efficacy.

The old monk smiled gently, "From this day forward, Zhanran, you shall reside here. I will teach you a set of skills."

"Understood," Li Muzhan nodded. "May I ask what martial art the master intends to impart?"

The old monk replied, "First, I will help you dissipate your internal energy (Neili), and then you will learn the Demon Subduing Staff Technique (Fumo Guncha)."

Li Muzhan managed a wry smile, "Must I truly disperse my internal energy?"

The old monk nodded, chuckling lightly, "Only by dispersing your internal energy can you properly cultivate the military's ultimate arts. Lan Benefactor’s deep concern—Zhanran, you must not fail his intentions."

Li Muzhan slowly nodded.

The old monk shook his head, sighing, "If it were not for your Heaven-granted opportunity to cultivate the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art (Jingang Buhuai Shengong), Lan Benefactor might not have possessed the resolve to make such a harsh decision."

Li Muzhan looked somewhat puzzled, "Master, what is amiss with the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art?"

The old monk smiled serenely, "The martial arts of the Vast Sea Sword Sect (Canghai Jianpai) are certainly high-level, but compared to the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art, they are leagues apart. It is a pity that cultivating the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art is so arduous. Zhanran, perhaps you have put the cart before the horse, forsaking the greater for the lesser?"

Li Muzhan nodded thoughtfully.

The old monk continued, "The Vajra Indestructible Divine Art is the supreme, subtle method for achieving Jishi Chengjiu (instantaneous realization in the physical body). Upon reaching perfection, the physical body becomes indestructible, allowing one to ascend directly to the Other Shore and transcend this world!… While the martial arts of the Vast Sea Sword Sect are powerful, they are merely minor paths in comparison!"

Li Muzhan slowly nodded.

The old monk shook his head, "However, achieving perfection in the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art is fraught with immense obstacles. … But how can the path to Buddhahood ever be smooth?"

Li Muzhan asked, "Does the Master know the method for achievement?"

The old monk shook his head, "Master Huiguo once made a great vow: to save all sentient beings, he wished to spread the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art throughout the world, to guide them to the Other Shore. Countless people came to know its core methods. … A century ago, I encountered Benefactor Lan through karmic destiny, and together we researched the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art, deducing its cultivation method."

Li Muzhan frowned. He had always believed the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art was exclusively taught within the Mei Manor; only now did he realize how profoundly mistaken he had been.

The old monk seemed to read his thoughts and smiled, "The Vajra Indestructible Divine Art practiced today is likely kept highly secret. … The first stage of the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art causes agony beyond measure, akin to being sliced by a thousand knives. To this day, I have only seen you successfully enter the threshold!"

Li Muzhan humbly replied, "This disciple was merely fortunate."

The old monk countered, "Without Heaven's bestowal of fortune, entry would have been impossible. … Master Huiguo hid nothing, which was a display of boundless compassion, yet it was in vain. What use is knowing the core methods of the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art if one cannot practice it?"

Li Muzhan smiled, recognizing the subtle mockery in Master Yinming's tone toward the Divine Monk Huiguo.

The old monk continued, "The first layer of the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art is easiest, the second slightly harder, the third harder still. By the fourth layer, it becomes utterly challenging. That you have reached this level shows your comprehension is not insignificant! … However, to break through the fourth layer using your current cultivation path, even practicing for decades would be fruitless!"

Li Muzhan’s eyebrows twitched, showing a hint of dissent.

The old monk beckoned, "Bukong, bring your master some tea!"

The small, slender novice had been resting his chin on his hand, tilting his head to listen with rapt attention. Hearing the old monk’s instruction, he quickly ran out and returned with a fresh cup of tea.

The old monk took a slow sip, sighing contentedly.

Li Muzhan also raised his cup for a light taste. The fragrance lingered on his palate, and a pure, clear energy filled his chest, dispelling all turbidity. He couldn't help but sigh, "Good tea! … Truly good tea!"

The old monk smiled, "This is Cold Mountain White Mist (Hanshan Baimu); I planted these myself."

Li Muzhan laughed, "Master has a refined hobby!"

The old monk smiled kindly, "The mountain air is quiet, yet the heart cannot always be so. Occasionally indulging in such trivialities is merely to cultivate a bit more vitality."

He continued, "The cultivation of martial arts in this world follows only two paths: one, from the inside out, beginning with internal energy training; the other, from the outside in, beginning with physical body training. Both paths converge upon the same destination; upon reaching perfection, they achieve the unity of internal and external, becoming one complete whole. … However, the powers generated by these two methods clash with each other, making it impossible to possess both simultaneously, like the separation of water and fire."

Li Muzhan nodded slowly. He truly had never heard these principles before. After all, his time in cultivation had been short. Since joining the Vast Sea Sword Sect, he had been constantly occupied with secluded cultivation or adventuring outside the mountain, never finding the opportunity to settle down and study texts.

The old monk stated, "The core methods of the martial world follow the first path, while the military follows the second. They are fundamentally divergent."

Li Muzhan asked, "Master, is it impossible to practice both?"

The old monk shook his head, "Since ancient times, countless brilliant, exceptional talents have harbored your very thought. Only one succeeded: Master Huiguo!"

"The Vajra Indestructible Divine Art?" Li Muzhan started.

"Precisely!" The old monk slowly raised his gaze, looking toward the distance, and sighed, "Master Huiguo was truly a world-shaking genius, one who appears once in a millennium!"

The old monk’s eyebrows and beard moved as he declared proudly, "Though the world admires Master Huiguo for mastering the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art and achieving physical incorruptibility, they do not know the true extent of his profound wisdom."

He continued directly, "Within the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art, Master Huiguo actually managed to fuse the two paths into one! This astonishing mystery—I suspect that in this age, only myself and Benefactor Lan truly comprehend it, a truth we have gained through a century of arduous contemplation!"

Li Muzhan quickly bowed, "Your disciple wishes to hear the details!"

The old monk's eyes lit up, and he spoke in a deep voice, "The first to fourth layers of the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art follow the first path, inside-out. … Layers four through eight follow the second path, outside-in!"

Li Muzhan’s mind raced, the layers of the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art flashing through his thoughts: refining the five visceral organs, refining bone, refining skin, refining flesh, refining fascia, refining sinews, refining blood, refining vessels, and final perfection.

Comparing them, it was indeed as stated: the refinement of the five organs down to the skin and flesh was inside-out; the refinement from skin and flesh to blood and vessels was outside-in.

But had Master Yinming not pointed it out, he would never have conceived of this complexity, relying only on the clumsy method he had guessed—getting beaten. Ultimately, it was a lack of deeper knowledge.

The old monk concluded, "You have reached the fourth layer. To advance to the fifth, you must tread the second path. You must go to the military, … for military techniques are not passed down among common folk."

Li Muzhan suddenly understood, realizing why his grand-uncle had given that order.

The old monk smiled faintly, "As for the method of energy dissipation, that is the result of the lifelong research and creation of myself and Benefactor Lan. It was only fully perfected two years ago."

"Oh—?" Li Muzhan smiled, intensely curious, suspecting this dispersal method held unique profoundness.

The old monk explained, "This method of dispersal transforms your internal energy and integrates it into your flesh and blood. Combined with the Vajra Indestructible Divine Art, it is unsurpassed. Though the internal energy vanishes, the body will become even more resilient."

PS: In the previous chapter, I mistakenly wrote 'Zhumei' instead of 'Zhuzhao,' I am deeply ashamed, my apologies to everyone. V