Ye Wen watched the few moves Li Xiaoyao executed. While they didn't display the true essence of the technique, he could discern that the set of Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, as completed by Guo Jing, was already remarkably close to the original.

Coupled with the vast amount of material he had reviewed on this martial art since returning to this world—the online fan forums had dissected every nuance of the technique to an almost obsessive degree—Ye Wen not only corrected the parts he had initially practiced incorrectly but also began attempting to complete the missing palm techniques himself. Now, seeing Guo Jing’s completion, he could cross-reference his own many ideas with what he saw.

By discarding the dross and retaining the refined essence, the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms were finally whole! Li Xiaoyao finished the set of palm strikes and turned back to his master, “Those few moves my Fifth Senior Brother completed…” Ye Wen nodded.

“Your Fifth Senior Brother’s innate talent wasn't exceptional, but when it comes to specific techniques, he has moments of profound insight. For the Dragon-Subduing Palms to be completed through him—perhaps that was destiny!” He then inquired about Guo Jing’s insights and understandings regarding those specific missing moves.

Li Xiaoyao stammered, unable to articulate clearly. Finally, Ye Wen understood: although Guo Jing had completed the techniques, it was entirely based on his own feeling or sudden flashes of inspiration.

He knew how to execute them effectively, but explaining the underlying principles coherently was beyond him. Li Xiaoyao had only grasped the general outline.

He had asked Guo Jing about it afterward, but Guo Jing couldn't explain, and Li Xiaoyao himself became confused in listening. Naturally, when Ye Wen asked now, he couldn't provide a clear answer.

Fortunately, even amidst the vagueness, there were one or two sentences that Ye Wen could grasp—and those few sentences were enough to satisfy him. “What about your Fifth Senior Brother’s internal cultivation?” Knowing Guo Jing’s achievements surpassed his initial expectations brought Ye Wen great joy, yet Li Xiaoyao had spoken at length without mentioning Guo Jing’s actual level of internal energy.

Li Xiaoyao pondered for a moment. “I don’t know precisely what stage Fifth Senior Brother has reached with his Pure Yang Limitless Art, but I estimate it won't be long before he breaks through to the Grand Perfection of the Innate Realm!” After reaching Innate Grand Perfection, one could only continuously accumulate power, slowly approaching the realm of Shattering the Void.

Ye Wen wasn't certain if Guo Jing could achieve that. He could now see that without a great fortuitous encounter, relying solely on self-cultivation, even for a genius, might require a century or more, similar to the Nine Swords Immortal’s path.

But if one truly reached that level, the inevitable decline of the physical body posed a significant risk of failure—a truly frustrating predicament. Unless one was like himself or Xu Xian—young, vigorous, and immensely powerful—and managed to Shatter the Void while physically robust.

Thinking of this, Ye Wen suddenly asked with curiosity, “How did you Shatter the Void?” This question had been on his mind since first seeing Li Xiaoyao, but other matters kept pushing it aside. As Li Xiaoyao followed Ye Wen back inside the room, he began to relate in detail the events that transpired after Xu Xian Shattered the Void, revealing to everyone how Li Xiaoyao himself had ascended.

“After Martial Uncle broke through, I grew bored staying up in the mountains all day. Senior Brother and Senior Sister wouldn’t even let me eat my fill, so I figured I’d wander down the mountain.” Li Xiaoyao smiled sheepishly at this memory, as the true reason for his descent was simply an overwhelming craving for a proper feast outside.

“After going down, I first visited Fourth Senior Brother in the capital and stayed there for a while!” It was during this trip that Li Xiaoyao noticed the drastic change in Liu Muyan’s demeanor, even though Fourth Senior Brother treated him quite well. “At that time, Fourth Senior Brother seemed troubled by some matter, so I volunteered to take it upon myself to investigate that region in the southwest!” “The Southwest?” Ye Wen frowned, wondering what could be troubling Liu Muyan.

Li Xiaoyao nodded. “It was rumored that the Demonic Cult was showing signs of resurgence.

Many incidents had occurred in the Southwest, some involving figures from the martial arts world. The Imperial Court, due to the upheaval involving the Heavenly Dao Sect and the Buddhist Sect, couldn't find suitable personnel to investigate, and were considering contacting our Mount Shu Sect.

When I heard about it, I decided to go myself!” Ye Wen uttered a soft ‘oh’ and didn't press further, listening as Li Xiaoyao continued. “On the way, I stopped by to see Third Senior Brother, which is how I learned he was happily settled down raising his son.

So, I didn’t involve him in this matter!” Ye Wen nodded, agreeing with Li Xiaoyao’s judgment. Xu Ping’s aptitude was limited, and having started martial arts late, his achievements were unlikely to be too high.

Now that he was married, gradually distancing himself from martial world conflicts was a good choice—after all, Xu Ping’s skill was more than enough for self-preservation, and backed by his Mount Shu identity, few would be foolish enough to actively seek trouble with him. Moreover, Xu Ping’s residence wasn’t far from the Nangong family, and his wife was from the Nangong lineage.

Within that sphere of influence, no one would dare harm Xu Ping, so Ye Wen wasn't worried about his third disciple’s future. “After bidding farewell to Third Senior Brother, I traveled alone toward the Southwest.

I encountered quite a few troublesome incidents along the way, and I noticed the shadow of the Demonic Cult behind these affairs!” Ning Ruxue looked puzzled. “The high command of the Demonic Cult was wiped out, and the remaining members are scattered among various rebel factions.

Where are these Demonic Cult members coming from?” Ye Wen gave a wry smile. “The world is vast, and the ambitious are not just one or two individuals.

Anyone who dreams of sitting on that Imperial Dragon Throne is essentially one of the Demonic Cult’s own!” Ning Ruxue wasn't inclined to dwell on such matters, not because she was dull; Ye Wen’s explanation made the implication clear, so she ceased speaking and quietly watched Li Xiaoyao continue. “And then?” “Then… I followed the clues and eventually discovered that this group had no actual connection to the Demonic Cult we previously exterminated.

However, they were stirring up trouble everywhere under the banner of the Holy Cult. Moreover, these people…” At this point, Li Xiaoyao showed disdain, “They seemed like a random collection of individuals, utterly incapable of achieving anything great!” Hearing this, everyone recalled Li Xiaoyao’s background, which had some ties to officialdom.

Even though he hadn't truly entered that sphere, it didn't mean he didn't understand its workings. Therefore, if he judged that group incapable of great things, that assessment was likely reliable.

“Afterward, I stormed their headquarters and slaughtered them until they were in disarray…” Li Xiaoyao made it sound easy, but Ye Wen suspected the matter was far from simple. His disciple must have encountered considerable trouble; otherwise, how could his power have skyrocketed to the Void-Shattering level?

It was likely a process of cultivation through constant fighting, combined with some fortuitous encounters, that led to his present state. Indeed, things unfolded much as Ye Wen had guessed.

Although Li Xiaoyao destroyed the rogue Demonic Cult, it provoked several masters—a group of ambitious individuals who pursued Li Xiaoyao, chasing him from the Southwest all the way East. They even forced him to flee toward the ocean, ultimately stranding him on a deserted island where he engaged them in a fight to the death within an iron cage.

“In the end, one of them struck me and sent me falling off a cliff…” Ye Wen’s face darkened upon hearing this. He raised a hand and said, “Enough, you don’t need to say more.

I already know what happened next!” Li Xiaoyao was greatly surprised, not understanding how his master could know everything when he hadn't finished his account. But since it was his master, he naturally wouldn't question it.

Then he heard Ye Wen casually state, “The rest is probably that you didn’t die from the fall, encountered some miraculous treasure, consumed it, experienced a massive surge in power, and then Shattered the Void.” Li Xiaoyao awkwardly scratched the back of his head after hearing this. “Master is indeed worthy of being called Master!” Xu Xian’s eyes narrowed upon hearing this.

“So, you’re saying you didn’t kill those who were hunting you?” Li Xiaoyao nodded. “They were numerous and their martial arts were formidable.

I barely managed to save my own life!” He then added with a bitter expression, “Moreover, my breakthrough to Shattering the Void was so sudden that I didn't even have a chance to return and inform Senior Brother and Sister. In this current situation, I wonder how worried they must be!” Ye Wen’s expression also soured.

He was certainly not pleased that his disciple had been treated so unjustly. However, since he couldn't return to the Nine Tripods, there was nothing he could do to resolve the immediate situation.

He could only hope his other disciples would notice something amiss, investigate the truth, and get retribution for Xiaoyao. “Don’t worry, your Senior Brothers will definitely avenge this insult for you!” While he wasn’t entirely sure if his disciples were united, he trusted Guo Jing implicitly.

Others were uncertain, but if Guo Jing learned his junior brother had been bullied, he would certainly descend the mountain to seek revenge for Xiaoyao! And Guo Jing had excellent standing within Mount Shu; if he went down, others surely wouldn't stand idly by.

It wasn't impossible that the entire Mount Shu Sect might mobilize. Thinking of this eased his mood slightly.

He set aside Li Xiaoyao’s matter for the moment and instead briefed him on the current situation at Mount Shu. “Xiaoyao, now that you are here, there are a few things I need to tell you first!” Ye Wen then gave a few brief instructions.

Essentially, he was not to mention the Nine Tripods to anyone, no matter who asked, treating the matter as if it never existed. At the same time, Ye Wen tested Li Xiaoyao’s current cultivation progress and decided to teach him the Innate Heaven and Earth Art, instructing him to begin practicing it with Xu Xian the next day.

Ning Ruxue could also attempt to practice it; perhaps her manifestation of the Innate Heaven and Earth Art through sword energy would possess a unique quality! Ye Wen himself would fully focus on mastering the Golden Dawn, followed by the Blood Vault Sky.

Once he brought the Blood Vault Sky to completion, he estimated his strength would only be slightly inferior to that demonic serpent, with a gap that would no longer be insurmountable. When that time came, he could lead everyone out for vengeance—returning every grievance and settling every score!

The next day, everyone resumed their cultivation according to the original plan. Ye Wen, however, returned to the mountain peak, facing the rising morning sun to practice the Golden Dawn.

But as soon as he sat down, Ye Wen felt a distinct haziness in his mind, as if his consciousness had been transported to another location. Looking around, everything was utterly dark, nothing visible.

Simultaneously, his surrounding true qi vanished as if submerged in a vast sea of mud and dust; no matter how hard he tried to mobilize it, it remained inaccessible. While feeling perplexed, his consciousness suddenly grasped something.

With a mere thought, a Buddhist wheel, about the size of a plate, materialized in Ye Wen’s hand. As the Sanskrit script on the wheel flickered, it emitted a soft, sacred light.

Ye Wen opened his eyes, his crystalline pupils seeming to resonate with the wheel. Immediately following this, the light from the wheel coalesced into a human shape.

Ye Wen stared—wasn't this the very Wu Zhen who had gifted him the wheel back then? “Patriarch Ye, as soon as Wu Zhen appeared, he clasped his hands together and bowed to Ye Wen.

This assured Ye Wen that the person before him was not an illusion but Wu Zhen himself. “Master, what brings you here…” Ye Wen’s pupils were incredibly profound.

His cultivation had advanced, and he felt a greater familiarity with his eyes. With a slight glance, he realized Wu Zhen was not a physical body, but more akin to a condensed spirit or soul.

Wu Zhen smiled calmly. “This humble monk attains Nirvana today.” Ye Wen was startled.

He recalled that Wu Zhen had mentioned taking long, final seclusion years ago. He hadn't realized it had spanned so many years, culminating in his nirvana today.

But nirvana was nirvana; for such Buddhist masters, passing away today was merely preparing for a better beginning. Ye Wen didn't understand why Wu Zhen would seek him out after 'passing away.' “Does Master have any last wishes?” Wu Zhen chuckled.

“This life is complete, so all affairs are settled. How could there be any lingering wishes?

I merely came to share a final moment with Patriarch Ye, to forge a good karmic bond!” Hearing this, Ye Wen also smiled. “I have long heard of the concept of karma.

Master has repeatedly shown kindness to me, likely seeking a favorable result. I wonder if there is anything Patriarch Ye can assist me with in the future?” His bluntness didn't embarrass Wu Zhen.

The handsome monk softly recited a Buddhist invocation and praised, “Patriarch Ye is indeed a man of deep understanding!” Then, without waiting for Ye Wen to speak further, he stated directly, “I have come today to pass on a set of Buddhist teachings to Patriarch Ye. Whether you can comprehend them depends entirely on Patriarch Ye’s own enlightenment!” Ye Wen felt a great headache coming on.

He now suspected that Wu Zhen wanted him to learn this Buddhist art so that, upon his reincarnation, Ye Wen could help him transmit his current life's memories or cultivation back to his next life. This favor wasn't insignificant; it was proper for Ye Wen to repay a kindness.

However, he wasn’t confident in his own comprehension, especially since Buddhist teachings rely so heavily on enlightenment. As if sensing Ye Wen’s concern, Wu Zhen merely said, “Patriarch Ye need not worry.

This teaching has no fixed form; its nature depends entirely on individual understanding. If Patriarch Ye believes it is One, then it is One.

If Patriarch Ye feels it is Two, then it is Two. Do not fear that you cannot grasp it!” Ye Wen muttered, “I fear that after listening, I will feel nothing at all, only that it’s a duck egg!” “Then it shall be a duck egg!” After uttering what might have been a jest, Wu Zhen began reciting softly.

Ye Wen, however, heard no actual sound. He only watched as Wu Zhen’s mouth moved, causing lotus blossoms carrying stacks of Sanskrit characters to continuously stream out, circling incessantly beside Ye Wen until they spun without dispersing.

When Wu Zhen stopped speaking, those characters suddenly surged into Ye Wen’s pupils. The pupils flashed intensely, seven-colored light shifting in rapid exchange.

Simultaneously, Ye Wen faintly smelled the fragrance of sandalwood and heard Sanskrit chants ringing in his ears. “Is this dead monk trying to convert me?” He then heard Wu Zhen reply, “Patriarch Ye does share some entanglement with my Buddha, but you lack the destined affinity.” Only then did Ye Wen relax.

When his vision cleared, he saw that Wu Zhen’s form had largely dissipated. Only the handsome tonsure and half a shoulder remained floating in the air.

Seeing such a sight in the dead of night, even the handsome and benevolent Wu Zhen would likely terrify someone half to death. Wu Zhen said nothing more.

He simply kept his eyes closed, a serene smile lingering on his lips, softly chanting Buddhist scriptures. Ye Wen could hear clearly this time; he realized these were ordinary sutras, not profound methods for subduing demons.

The fact that the monk retained the serenity to chant at this moment spoke volumes of his Buddhist heart. Ye Wen silently admired him.

People like this would always reach the pinnacle in whatever they pursued. Unconsciously, he rose and bowed to Wu Zhen.

After the bow, Wu Zhen completely vanished, leaving no trace behind. From beginning to end, Wu Zhen never asked Ye Wen for anything; he simply appeared, imparted a Buddhist teaching, and disappeared.

However, Ye Wen could largely guess that it was certainly related to his next life. “Wait, could he possibly be my son?” The sudden thought made him feel profoundly uneasy.

He secretly resolved that if he didn't find Wu Zhen’s reincarnation, he absolutely wouldn't allow the two women to have children! While contemplating this, he suddenly opened his eyes and found himself still seated on the mountaintop.

Yet, all the melting snow in his surroundings had vanished. Moreover, fresh, verdant grass was sprouting beneath him, and a few small flowers bloomed near his feet.

Ye Wen looked around and saw this phenomenon extended across a ten-meter radius. He was enveloped in a soft, golden light that wasn't harsh to the eyes, feeling like warm sunlight illuminating this small patch of the world.

He also discovered that his Golden Dawn technique, which had been advancing sluggishly, had actually reached completion! A wave of surprise gave way to joy.

However, the sudden disruption shattered the previous tranquility of his heart. The surrounding golden light lost its gentle warmth and instantly became intensely scorching.

The green grass and flowers at his feet withered instantly. Further out, the area was no longer affected by Ye Wen; in a blink of an eye, it was once again covered by wind and snow, returning to a field of white.

Ye Wen paused, watching the changes around him with a flicker of annoyance. He then remembered the Buddhist teaching Wu Zhen had imparted and tried to test it immediately.

But no matter how he recited it, he couldn't activate it. Even though he was mentally reciting the Sanskrit characters exactly as they appeared in his mind, nothing changed.

“I hate Buddhist doctrine!” Assuming he lacked the necessary enlightenment, Ye Wen ground his teeth in frustration. However, he then noticed that although his eyes remained open, he hadn't accidentally unleashed the somewhat uncontrollable Glazed Fire due to his emotion.

Coming back to himself, Ye Wen waved his hand and cast a simple Bixue Bing to form a mirror floating before him. He looked at his pupils, which were shifting in seven colors but lacked any flowing radiance: “It seems I did gain some benefit!

At least these eyes are somewhat easier to control.” Good heavens, I’ve wasted so much time… A sin, a sin~ Also, this is the last day of the month, pleading for all forms of ticket support. RA