"How much older is he to start lecturing on the Dharma? What is there to listen to!" Qi Er rubbed his bald head, pursed his lips, "I won't waste my effort!"

Old Hu said, "Qi Er, you are too self-assured. Don't think that youth precludes one from becoming a high monk. The Dharma is vast and boundless, and divine abilities are everywhere!"

Qi Er pursed his lips, not arguing, but clearly disagreeing.

Old Hu said, "Everyone, let's go listen when the time comes. Whether it's true or false, high or low, won't it be clear then?"

Qi Er said, "Old Hu, I think everyone might as well save their effort. Listening to his nonsense is not as good as us sitting here talking, isn't that right?"

"You boy, your vision is too narrow!" Old Hu stroked his beard and shook his head, "To pass judgment without having met the true master—how can one study the Dharma with such an attitude?"

"Old Hu, why are you protecting that young man so much?" Qi Er's face flushed red.

Old Hu shook his head, "You, you judge a gentleman with the mind of a petty person. It’s no use explaining to you. Whether he is a master or a common man, my old eyes can see very clearly!"

"Very well, I'll humor Old Hu this once and listen to what he has to say!" Qi Er's face flushed, and he snorted.

Seeing his expression, Old Hu knew he was unconvinced and likely plotting some mischief. This Qi Er, lacking in Dharma practice, was nevertheless superb in martial arts, with few rivals in Donglai Town.

This Master Zhanran seemed to be an enlightened monk; he should be able to withstand Qi Er's underhanded tricks. Old Hu was somewhat intrigued to see what mischief Qi Er would try.

Two days passed quickly. On this particular morning, Old Hu finished washing and dressing early, practiced his fist routine once, felt warmth spread through his body, and his mind felt refreshed and clear.

After eating breakfast, he strolled out of his residence and meandered toward the east. He arrived halfway up a mountain outside the town, where a small temple was nestled among the trees—it was the Yuanxin Temple, built by Steward Zheng.

When he arrived at the temple, the main hall doors were closed. In the open space before the hall, a group of people were seated, each on a tree stump, looking quite stable and at ease.

Seeing him arrive, the people greeted him one after another, "Brother Hu..."

Old Hu smiled and returned the courtesies, then sat down next to a thin, elderly man, chuckling, "Steward Zheng, why are you sitting here?"

This old man was dressed plainly, but the tailoring was exquisite, fitting him perfectly and giving him an air of vitality. Sitting among the crowd, he possessed a touch of a crane standing among chickens.

"Is it improper for me to sit here?" the thin old man laughed.

Old Hu said, "You should at least sit at the very front so you can hear clearly, shouldn't you?"

The thin old man smiled, "This Master Zhanran is no ordinary person; one can hear clearly even sitting here."

"Steward Zheng has witnessed Master Zhanran's power?" Old Hu asked with a smile.

The thin old man nodded and praised, "This Master Zhanran is young, yet possesses divine abilities. He pays no mind to ordinary folk. His temporary stay here is a great fortune for us."

"What divine abilities does Master Zhanran have?" Old Hu asked hurriedly.

The thin old man shook his head and smiled, "I won't say for now. You will know in time."

Old Hu smiled broadly, "Steward Zheng is being secretive now. Very well, I am eager to hear how profound Master Zhanran's Dharma practice is."

This thin old man was Zheng Xiyun, the wealthiest man in Donglai Town.

The crowd murmured amongst themselves. They weren't here to hear the Dharma, only to join the excitement. Buddhism flourished widely in the Xihua Dynasty, but few understood its tenets. Most simply visited temples to worship the Buddha and seek blessings; few could grasp the deeper layers.

The profound aspects of the Dharma were largely exclusive to monks. Those who could comprehend the Dharma were mostly educated individuals with a certain level of cultivation. Ordinary folk could barely recognize all the characters, so how could they understand the marvels of the Dharma?

However, it had been a long time since any monk had visited Yuanxin Temple. The sudden appearance of a monk, and a young one at that, piqued their curiosity; they were purely there for the spectacle.

"Dong..." A bronze bell suddenly chimed. The heads of the chattering crowd flinched, as if a basin of cold water had been poured over them. Immediately, all their distracting thoughts vanished, their minds cleared, and their hearts quieted. The urge to speak was gone. They all straightened up, sat properly, and stared fixedly ahead.

"Zi..." The doors of the main hall opened, and a young, bald monk walked slowly out. His steps were measured and serene, as if he were floating down on white clouds.

The crowd felt a surge of vigor, their gazes fixed keenly upon him.

He wore a purple kasaya, somewhat worn, looking as if it had been washed many times.

His appearance was ordinary, his skin smooth and warm like jade, his entire being seemingly carved from white jade. His eyes were deep and boundless, yet peaceful and composed, devoid of sorrow or joy—much like the gaze of the Buddha statues in the temple.

With the emergence of such majesty, the crowd instantly shed their stray thoughts, gazing at him in a daze. An unspoken confidence bloomed, preventing them from looking down on him due to his youth.

Li Muzhan stood before the main hall, quietly observing the crowd, his gaze even.

He adopted the Dharma name Zhanran and appeared in the Xihua Kingdom as an act of secluded practice. He had received enlightenment from Master Kongjing, understanding the importance of 'Faith' as a method to increase power.

He suddenly realized why the Buddha sought to save sentient beings. It wasn't purely out of compassion, but for merit, and merit was not intangible; it was real power.

The source of the power of merit was the power of faith. Faith could condense onto a physical body, augmenting his strength. He had found a way to break through to the Grand Master realm.

His arrival in the Xihua Kingdom was precisely to test whether this method was effective. Donglai Town, the easternmost small town in Xihua, was his first stop.

He intended to test the waters gently, proceeding step by step, starting here, experimenting gradually. If he could truly find a way to enhance his power, he could naturally avenge the arrow that had struck him long ago.

"Greetings, benefactors. I am the monk Zhanran." He pressed his palms together in a salute and smiled slightly. "It is fate that brings you benefactors here today to listen to the monk speak. The monk wishes to talk about the cultivation of the Dharma. Listening to the Dharma is not as good as practicing the Dharma; only by practicing the Dharma can one become a Buddha." Li Muzhan said with a gentle smile.

His voice was clear, reaching every ear, each word like a perfectly round pearl. They felt refreshed listening to him, unknowingly beginning to believe.

Li Muzhan spoke kindly, "The Buddha once said that all beings possess Buddha-nature and can all achieve Buddhahood. The path to Buddhahood is not merely chanting a few mantras or reciting a few sutras, but involves fundamental methods. The crucial step is to illuminate the mind, see one's true nature, break through the heart's barriers, perceive the Tathagata, and see one's original face. Only then can one let go of everything and perceive that everything is void."

Li Muzhan continued, "The monk will first speak about how to practice the Dharma. Samadhi meditation is the fundamental method. Only by entering the state of deep absorption can the original mind be released, allowing marvelous profundities to arise. As for how to enter Samadhi, there are established methods. Those who do not understand the method of concentration will struggle their entire lives without ever stepping into the gate of Buddhism."

As he spoke, he beckoned with his hand. Instantly, a meditation cushion flew out of the main hall, drifting lightly to land behind him. He slowly sat down and smiled, "Precepts, Concentration, Wisdom. Adhering to precepts is extremely difficult. When one first begins practicing the Dharma, strict adherence isn't necessary. As cultivation progresses later on, keeping the precepts will naturally follow."

He spoke fluently, then demonstrated to the crowd how to meditate, how to halt intrusive thoughts. He then invited them to try for themselves, noting that every stump was round enough to serve as a cushion, where they could sit cross-legged.

Following Li Muzhan's guidance, the crowd tried it out, then sat in silent contemplation. They discovered their minds became clear, followed by a brilliant white light before their eyes, and their bodies felt as light as feathers, seemingly ready to float away at any moment.

Just then, a whistling sound carried from afar, reaching them quickly. A figure flashed into view—it was Qi Er arriving.

Everyone immersed in the state of concentration heard the whistling sound and slowly opened their eyes. Each heart was as still as water, calmly observing Qi Er.

Li Muzhan pressed his palms together in a salute, "Benefactor, please take a seat."

Qi Er stood at the temple entrance with his arms crossed, sneering, "No need. I came to listen to the Dharma. What Dharma did the master preach?"

Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head, "I only spoke of introductory methods. Would the benefactor like to hear them?"

"Can you explain the Heart Sutra?" Qi Er scoffed coldly.

Li Muzhan said, "Although the Heart Sutra is brief, it is profoundly subtle. Explaining it would likely consume too much time, and everyone here would struggle to comprehend it. It requires a certain level of cultivation to truly grasp."

"That's laughable. If you can't explain the Heart Sutra, why come out to preach the Dharma at all?!" Qi Er pursed his lips in disdain. "Then what about the Avatamsaka Sutra (Huayan Jing)?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "The Huayan is too long; explaining it would take even more time."

"Then which sutra can you preach?" Qi Er asked dismissively.

Li Muzhan said, "I know all these Buddhist sutras. However, merely listening without practicing is futile. I first allowed everyone to practice the method; then, when we discuss the Dharma, the comprehension will be deeper."

Qi Er shook his head repeatedly, "This is truly hilarious. I've followed my master for many years, and I never heard that one must practice the Dharma before listening to the teachings!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "As for the high monks, perhaps it’s better not to mention it!"

"What do you mean by that?" Qi Er frowned.

Li Muzhan shook his head and said gently, "High monks preach the Dharma to cultivate believers. This monk preaches the Dharma to foster Arhats and Bodhisattvas."

"What arrogance!" Qi Er sneered, "Based on you—? Have you achieved the realm of Arhat yourself? And you talk of fostering Arhats and Bodhisattvas!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "How do you know I haven't reached the realm of Arhat?"

"You—?" Qi Er shook his head, "Based on your age, you achieved Arhat?"

Li Muzhan smiled, "Who says one must be old to achieve Arhat?"

As he spoke, he lightly pointed at the ground. Instantly, a small, tender shoot emerged from a crack in a stone. The sprout grew into a green branch, and a small flower bud appeared at the tip, growing towards the wind until it gradually transformed into a blooming lotus. The lotus was as white as snow, pure and flawless, swaying gently in the breeze.

Li Muzhan bent down, plucked the lotus, and gently sent it floating toward Qi Er, smiling slightly, "Is this the realm of an Arhat?"

"...No, it doesn't count!" Qi Er stammered, his eyes wide.

Li Muzhan laughed and shook his head, "All right then, tell me how it should be done."

"A lotus blooming in fire is what counts," Qi Er stated.

Li Muzhan pondered briefly and then smiled, "That's easy to arrange. Go fetch the temple's cooking pot, heat up some water, and I will demonstrate a thing or two."

"Good!" Qi Er readily agreed, turned, and ran off. He quickly entered the adjacent courtyard and soon returned carrying a large pot. He set it up on a few stones, fetched a bucket of water, poured it in, and started a fire underneath.

The crowd watched Qi Er busy himself silently; no one offered help, but Qi Er was very familiar with the place, having lived there for several years before being driven out just a few years prior.

His martial arts were excellent, and his movements were quick. He was also practiced at chores like starting fires and boiling water. Soon, the fire blazed brightly, and the water in the pot slowly began to heat up.

Gurgle, gurgle—the water boiled, steam rising in thick plumes.

Everyone gathered closer. Li Muzhan walked smilingly to the pot and said, "Buddhism does not emphasize divine abilities. Once one focuses on abilities, attachments form, and one falls into the demonic path. Today, I risk falling into that path to slightly display some power and solidify the great faith of everyone here."

He pointed a finger, and instantly, a lotus emerged from the boiling water. Its stalk slowly elongated upward, the flower gradually unfurled, finally blossoming into a giant white lotus, swaying in the wind.

Li Muzhan smiled at Qi Er, "Benefactor, how about this?"

"Good, good!" The crowd roared, their expressions excited.

Qi Er slowly nodded, "Truly formidable. I submit. Master, please accept me as your disciple!"

Li Muzhan smiled, "I perceive that Benefactor has deep-seated aggression and a sharp killing intent. Have you perhaps broken the precept against killing?"

"Master, some bandits ran into our town, intending to cause trouble. I had no choice but to kill them; it was acting on heaven's behalf. Does that count as breaking the killing precept?" Qi Er argued, unconvinced.

Li Muzhan shook his head, "The precept against killing is not for others, but for oneself. Once one kills, the heavenly demons will inevitably attack during meditation. It cannot be avoided."

"I fear no heavenly demons," Qi Er snorted.

Li Muzhan sighed, "These heavenly demons come partly from beyond the heavens and partly from within the heart. Once one kills, a heart-demon is sown, which cannot be removed. Therefore, the Buddhist precept against killing is for the sake of cultivation."

"So that's how it is!" Qi Er suddenly nodded in realization, "I always thought it was about compassion."

Li Muzhan smiled slightly, "Compassion, compassion. After cultivating the Dharma and reaching a certain realm, compassion naturally arises, rather than forced compassion. Precepts are not for compassion, but for cultivation. The world is unaware, and many high monks are reluctant to divulge this heavenly secret. I reveal them all here, hoping to ferry you all across the river to the other shore."

"Master, please accept me as your disciple!" Qi Er suddenly knelt on the ground, kowtowing heavily. His head struck the green bricks with loud "bang, bang" sounds. Each impact was delivered with full force, and in moments, the skin on his forehead turned bluish, clearly showing he hadn't used any internal power.

Li Muzhan pondered, then smiled, "Very well. I see you possess considerable roots of wisdom and an inherently good nature. I shall accept you as a registered disciple."

"Thank you, Master!" Qi Er looked up, overjoyed, "Disciple Qi Er greets Master!"

"You shall be my chief disciple. I bestow upon you the Dharma name Jikong," Li Muzhan said softly, gently stroking the top of his head. Instantly, the stubbled scalp regained its smooth, bright appearance.

Li Muzhan suddenly clapped his palm onto Qi Er's Baihui point, issuing a sharp shout: "Duo!"

Qi Er immediately formed hand seals, sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, appearing like an old monk entering deep meditation, truly entering the state of Samadhi.

Li Muzhan turned to the crowd and smiled, "Benefactors, perhaps you should sit quietly for a moment. You will surely benefit, and even if you cannot grasp the marvelous profoundness of the Dharma, it will extend your years."

By this time, the crowd held him in utmost reverence. Seeing such divine ability, they had no more doubts. Li Muzhan's youth now became an asset; achieving such a state at such an age naturally meant the method he practiced was supremely subtle and unparalleled.

Since such a wondrous and subtle method existed, their advanced age was no hindrance; perhaps they too could cultivate to his level and achieve Arhatship. (To be continued)