The disciples were playing outside the hall, sparring with their martial arts, teasing and testing each other. Jikong and Jing'er watched the spectacle from the sidelines.
When Li Muzhan suddenly appeared, they all sensed it, turning their heads to look. Their fighting ceased as Li Muzhan clapped his hands with a smile, his expression encouraging.
He patted each of the tigers, leopards, and bears on the head before returning to the main hall, with Jikong and Jing'er following him inside.
Jikong exclaimed excitedly, "Master, after you displayed your divine power and scared those fellows away, everyone here is utterly convinced by your Buddhist teachings!"
Li Muzhan nodded. "Mm, I see. Anything else major happen?"
"Those guys have all retreated!" Jikong reported.
Li Muzhan frowned and pondered for a moment. "They just left?"
"Yes," Jikong chuckled. "They were truly terrified of you, Master. If they dared to cause trouble again, all it would take is one recitation of a Buddhist sutra to make them lay down their butcher knives!"
Li Muzhan laughed. "That is actually a fine idea!"
Jikong giggled slyly. "Master, is this Buddhist sutra truly that profound—that it can change a person's mind? Can I learn it too?"
Li Muzhan looked him up and down and smiled. "You...? You need quite a bit more tempering."
"Master, you mean I can learn it? Really?" Jikong was overjoyed.
Li Muzhan said, "Any ultimate technique can be learned. The key lies in how you learn and how much effort you dedicate. If you don't put in the grueling work, it will never happen."
"Yes, Master, I will work hard," Jikong nodded quickly.
Li Muzhan instructed, "First, master the Arhat Fist. If you fail to reach the level of Grandmaster, I will immediately expel you from my gate, lest you shame me!"
"Don't worry, Master, I'm almost there!" Jikong boasted, slapping his chest proudly.
Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow, observed him, and nodded. "You're still a little short of that crucial spark. This period is the most vital; bite down and push through, and you'll reach Grandmaster. Slack off even slightly, and you'll regress, making it impossible forever. This step eliminates the majority of martial artists."
"Don't worry, Master, I will hold fast!" Jikong declared casually.
He understood the difficulty of reaching Grandmaster; the physical pain was immense, making him feel as if he lived within agony, constantly tormented. Yet, he gritted his teeth and endured, unwilling to be looked down upon by his Master or to miss this opportunity. Li Muzhan added, "No one can help you cross this threshold. Lift your spirits."
"Mm," Jikong nodded forcefully.
Jing'er watched the two of them with a puzzled expression. Though she understood their words, she couldn't grasp the true meaning—it was like deciphering heavenly script.
Li Muzhan glanced at Jing'er and nodded. "It seems Jing'er hasn't been lazy either. Good."
Jing'er immediately smiled. "Thank you, Master! ...Master, can I learn that kind of Buddhist power too?"
Li Muzhan nodded. "You both can learn it, provided you dedicate yourselves diligently. For now, you need to perfect your internal energy cultivation and nourish your body, then enter the Grandmaster realm, and only then practice the profound Buddhist arts."
"Yes, Master," Jing'er replied softly. "Master, those bad people won't come back again, will they?"
Li Muzhan said, "They will return, but they won't be the same people; they will likely be much more formidable."
His words proved true less than two days later. Early that morning, as Li Muzhan appeared, he sensed hostility. He opened his Eyes of the Void and saw a group of women dressed in white just outside the town.
There were ten women in total, all appearing to be in their forties, still possessing considerable grace, with clear, sharp eyes that spoke of decisiveness and lethal intent, surrounded by an aura of murderous intent.
Li Muzhan instantly recognized them as ten baleful spirits, dispatched specifically for killing. He shook his head helplessly; this Mo Li Palace was truly troublesome, stirring him up time and time again.
"Venerable Seniors of Mo Li Palace, may I ask the reason for your esteemed visit?" He suddenly materialized before the treeline, landing in front of the ten women, clasping his hands together with a sigh.
A plump, captivating middle-aged beauty with a face like a full moon studied him coolly and asked, "Are you Monk Zhanran?!"
Li Muzhan nodded. "I am Zhanran."
"Excellent, that saves us the trouble of looking for you!" The middle-aged beauty sneered. "The Palace Mistress requests your presence!"
Li Muzhan raised an eyebrow. "Palace Mistress Li?"
"Precisely!" the middle-aged beauty huffed. "Our Palace Mistress is extremely busy and cannot spare the time to come here herself. You had better come and see her!"
Li Muzhan shook his head. "I am also extremely busy. Since Palace Mistress Li is occupied, it would be best if we don't meet."
"Such audacity from a young monk!" The middle-aged beauty did not get angry, shaking her head as she glanced toward Donglai Town in the east. "We truly do not wish to resort to such measures."
Li Muzhan frowned. "Are you attempting to coerce me?"
The middle-aged beauty suddenly smiled. "Those who came before us reported back, and only then did we learn that the young monk is indeed a high-ranking ascetic, not only possessing profound Buddhist mastery but also a heart full of compassion for all beings... Tell me, if those people died because of you, wouldn't you fall into the hells?"
She leaned close to Li Muzhan as she spoke, her faint, alluring fragrance—the unique scent of a mature woman—drifting toward him. Li Muzhan remained composed, his gaze steady, his hands clasped in respect as he chanted a Buddhist invocation: "The sea of suffering is boundless; turn back and find the shore. Why must these female benefactors create further bloodshed?"
"Young monk, we are merely following orders; you cannot blame us. If you must blame someone, blame your stubbornness for refusing our Palace Mistress's invitation out of pride!" The middle-aged beauty smiled sweetly and tapped his chest lightly.
Her slender, refined, and smooth fingers were truly beautiful, like carvings of white jade. The light touch on his chest sent a mesmerizing sensation through him. Li Muzhan wasn't afraid of a sneak attack; he presumed she wouldn't stoop that low. The disciples of Mo Li Palace possessed a certain arrogance, disdaining underhanded tactics, though they certainly embraced strategy and maneuvering.
Li Muzhan stated firmly, "I will not tolerate you harming the innocent!"
"Then how will you stop us? By killing us?" The middle-aged beauty smiled and shook her head. "Besides, another group is already on their way—you cannot stop them all!"
"In that case, I suppose my only option is to submit obediently?" Li Muzhan frowned.
The middle-aged beauty smiled gracefully. "The young monk is a sensible man. Come along with us!"
Li Muzhan countered, "What if I capture all of you esteemed benefactresses? Would Palace Mistress Li then come to see me?"
"Oh, you have another trick up your sleeve? Too bad we brought twelve people this time, with two hidden in the town. Can the little monk find them?" The middle-aged beauty tittered and shook her head. "If you capture ten of us, the remaining two will surely resort to murder!"
Li Muzhan frowned and sighed. "I truly do not wish to use force!"
Saying this, he flickered and vanished, reappearing moments later holding a woman in each hand. They were dressed in the simple gray cloth of ordinary townspeople, their demeanor transformed from icy severity to something utterly unremarkable, easily overlooked by a passing glance.
Li Muzhan tossed the two women lightly; they landed silently before the group of ten. He smiled faintly. "Are these the two benefactresses?"
"They..." The middle-aged beauty's expression shifted slightly as she saw her two companions remaining still and silent.
Li Muzhan smiled serenely. "It's nothing, I merely sealed their vital points."
"Well done, little monk. You truly have some skill. It seems not only is your Buddhist mastery exquisite, but your martial arts are also formidable. You are indeed worthy of a meeting with the Palace Mistress!" the middle-aged beauty said with a sweet smile.
Li Muzhan shook his head. "It would be better if Palace Mistress Li came to see me. Esteemed female benefactresses, we shall meet another day!"
With that, his form flickered and vanished into a wisp of clean wind. The women felt a flash before their eyes, then their bodies stiffened, unable to move or control themselves any longer.
Li Muzhan turned to the middle-aged beauty. "This benefactress, please return and relay a message to Palace Mistress Li: I invite her to meet me. This is a small token of my regard."
He pulled a flower from his robe—a Gegé bloom. It was deep winter, and all nature had withdrawn, yet this flower, which should not have bloomed, was exquisitely vibrant, perfectly complementing the face of the middle-aged beauty, making her appear more beautiful than the bloom.
The middle-aged beauty paused, taking the Gegé flower. She frowned as she examined it. She could smell its fragrance; it was clearly a real flower. But at this season, in this temperature, how could a Gegé bloom? It was profoundly strange, perhaps a manifestation of Buddhist divine power.
"Please give this flower to the Palace Mistress. She will understand," Li Muzhan instructed.
The middle-aged beauty conceded with a sigh. "Very well, I shall."
Li Muzhan offered a respectful bow. "I won't escort you further. May fate allow us to meet again!"
The middle-aged beauty bit her red lip and huffed, "Little monk, don't celebrate too soon. Our Palace Mistress will surely avenge us!"
Li Muzhan smiled. "Yes, I eagerly await Palace Mistress Li's distinguished arrival."
As he turned to leave, he made a subtle gesture, and suddenly, four of the women moved, regaining their freedom. They considered attacking, but the middle-aged beauty stopped them. Their skills were far inferior to his; even if they fought, it would be over in one move. It was better to retreat honestly, report to the Palace Mistress, and then decide the next course of action.
Li Muzhan watched them depart, his heart heavy. He wondered if this tactic would work. Through that flower, Li Yubing could gauge the depth of his cultivation. The ability to make a Gegé bloom in winter required the skill of a Great Grandmaster; anyone below that level wouldn't even attempt it. Since Li Yubing was a Great Grandmaster, she would understand the implication immediately upon seeing the flower.
Though Li Yubing was known to be volatile and unafraid to engage Great Grandmasters, Li Muzhan himself felt a stirring of interest, eager to test his own depth against a Great Grandmaster. However, he could not recklessly abandon Yuanxin Temple; if his base were compromised, he would be severely restricted. If a fight was necessary, it should happen on his own turf.
The next morning, as he returned to Yuanxin Temple from Fuyun Mountain, he suddenly felt an intuition. He instructed Jikong and Jing'er to remain inside the temple and not leave, then his form flickered and vanished.
Beyond Donglai Town lay vast, rugged mountains. He materialized on the peak of one mountain, where a woman in white already stood. She was undeniably beautiful; at first glance, she appeared eighteen or nineteen, but upon closer inspection, perhaps in her early twenties. Li Muzhan guessed her true age to be around forty, judging by the weariness etched subtly between her eyebrows.
He clasped his hands in respect and smiled gently. "Palace Mistress Li, I am Zhanran."
Her bearing was gentle and graceful, like that of a lady from a noble family. She had a delicate, oval face, dimples on her cheeks, and skin as fair and smooth as white jade. Her clear eyes held a soft, tender depth—she possessed peerless, captivating elegance.
She offered a gentle smile. "I am Li Yubing."
Li Muzhan found it hard to believe. He had expected her to be an icy, hard woman radiating killing intent and resentment. Instead, Li Yubing was the complete opposite: warm, generous, and possessing a dignified composure that would make other women feel ashamed.
Li Muzhan said, "Palace Mistress Li, I apologize for the prior disturbance. I hope your magnanimity will overlook any offense I caused."
"Master is too kind," Li Yubing replied softly, waving her delicate hand with a gentle smile. "I am truly delighted that the Master, being so young, has attained such profound cultivation!"
Li Muzhan smiled. "Palace Mistress wishes to exchange pointers with me, I presume?"
Li Yubing nodded slightly. "It is rare to encounter a true opponent; I naturally cannot miss this chance. Master, you are a Great Grandmaster, correct?"
Li Muzhan smiled and shook his head. "I cultivate the Buddhist Way, not the martial path."
"Interesting. Buddhist arts possess limitless divine power; I am eager to witness them. Master, please display your methods. I shall receive them one by one!" Li Yubing invited.
Li Muzhan pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Then I shall recite a passage from a Buddhist sutra. I hope Palace Mistress Li will offer correction."
He sat cross-legged on a stone, formed his hand seals, closed his eyes to center his breath, and began chanting the Sutra of Great Compassion. Every word was like a pearl, clear and resonant, flowing into Li Yubing's mind one by one.
Li Yubing's expression remained unchanged, as if she hadn't heard a thing, merely watching Li Muzhan quietly. Li Muzhan continued the recitation. After about a dozen lines, Li Yubing's expression shifted slightly. She too found a stone, sat cross-legged, formed her seals, closed her eyes, and began murmuring to herself.