What exactly is a magnetic field, and what does it do? Regarding this question, Wang Guan truly couldn't offer an answer. After all, he had graduated many years ago, and his physics knowledge had long since evaporated.

"Still don't understand?"

At the same time, Elder Qian chuckled lightly, "That's very normal; frankly, I don't quite understand it myself. As far as I know, these beads are not naturally formed stone beads but are actually fired into shape."

"Ah?" Wang Guan was stunned. "So they aren't Dzi beads, they’re relics."

"Don't be so absolute," Elder Qian smiled again and continued, "The appearance of this Xumi Xiang incense is somewhat coincidental, yet it also seems inevitable."

"Buddhism uses incense as a medium to communicate with the Buddhas, so incense is used very frequently. Since Buddhists practice non-killing, besides being unable to use ambergris and musk, they often require other types such as sandalwood, agarwood, clove, turmeric, borneol, storax, benzoin, and so on. Generally, large monasteries with the means would always keep a cellar full of spices as backup."

Elder Qian spoke slowly, "However, as you know, in ancient times, due to natural disasters or man-made calamities, some monasteries fell into ruin."

"It is said that one day, a monk discovered spices buried for hundreds of years in the cellar of a dilapidated ancient temple. But unfortunately, due to the passage of so much time, coupled with the cellar’s poor sealing, water had seeped in, causing all those spices to completely rot and spoil, turning into a mound of fragrant mud."

Pausing there, Elder Qian smiled, "You can probably guess what happened next. That monk, for whatever psychological reason, actually thought of molding the fragrant mud into the shape of prayer beads. Then they were sent to a kiln to be fired, ultimately forming these beads that resemble natural jade."

"Uh…"

Wang Guan understood clearly that no matter how simply Elder Qian described the process, it surely hadn't been easy. It might have taken hundreds of years of trial and error, researching the principles of the craft, just to create the items. He could also imagine that the success rate for the production must have been extremely low; otherwise, these items would have flooded the market long ago, rather than being carefully concealed.

"As for why the beads still possess a fragrance after being fired..." Elder Qian shook his head. "I don't know that part either. The person who told me the origin of the beads only said that the shaping of the beads was the second step. They still needed to be placed back into a sealed incense cellar for decades or even a century until the magnetic field stabilized. Only then was the success considered complete."

"What?"

At this moment, Wang Guan didn't care whether the object was a Dzi bead or a relic. Sharply catching the implication in Elder Qian's words, his eyes suddenly lit up. "You mean you've seen beads like this before? How have I never heard of anything similar?"

"I had the fortune to see them once," Elder Qian chuckled. "It's normal that you haven't heard of them; people who obtain such items usually keep them enshrined. They are only brought out for display on very special occasions."

"Who has them now?" Wang Guan was intensely curious.

Elder Qian merely smiled without answering. He then picked up the prayer beads again, turning them over in his hands for a moment, a hint of admiration in his voice. "They are objects with no inherent scent, yet when held, one feels a light, elegant fragrance encircling them. According to that person's research, this should be the effect of the magnetic field. Don't doubt it; just as metal has memory functions, the magnetic field actually possesses a similar capability."

"The most famous example is the mirage. When a point in the magnetic field aligns with a memory from decades or centuries ago, it plays back the image of that time, much like a video recorder."

"We can understand light and shadow imaging,"

At this point, Wang Guan looked confused. "But this is fragrance—can scent also be replayed?"

"I don't know," Elder Qian directly shook his head, smiling faintly. "I’m not a scientist, how could I explain it clearly? That's why I said this fragrance might be an illusion."

"An illusion caused by contact with a magnetic field?" Wang Guan was utterly confused.

"Perhaps," Elder Qian wasn't certain, then chuckled again. "But you must remember, the beads themselves are made from that special fragrant mud material. Just because you don't smell an aroma on the beads doesn't mean they lack fragrance."

"What do you mean?" Wang Guan was completely bewildered.

Elder Qian explained, "If you stay long in the room of a beautiful lady, eventually you won't notice her scent."

"That’s a metaphor, isn’t it?" Wang Guan laughed wryly. "Besides, no matter what the smell is, as long as the sense of smell isn't impaired, everyone should be able to detect it... Well, it’s the magnetic field again."

As he spoke, Wang Guan mused, "If we took these things to a lab and scanned them with physical light beams, what kind of results might we get? Perhaps we could unlock their secrets."

"If you are willing to risk it and don't mind the cost, you could certainly take them to try."

"What do you mean?" Wang Guan quickly asked, sensing that Elder Qian’s words carried an underlying meaning.

"The beads possess a powerful magnetic field, and the light from the detection instruments is also saturated with intense magnetic force," Elder Qian smiled. "When two immense magnetic fields come into contact, will they remain peaceful or clash violently? The chances are fifty-fifty. Do you want to gamble?"

Nonsense. Only a fool would gamble.

In an instant, Wang Guan shook his head firmly. "If I can't understand the principles, then forget it. As long as there are benefits, that’s enough. Since the beads' magnetic field is similar to that of Dzi beads, they should be beneficial to the human body, right?"

"Absolutely beneficial, with not a single drawback." Elder Qian was very certain. "Wearing them constantly, I won't claim all illness or disaster will vanish, but they can certainly maintain a cheerful mind and body, ensuring health and longevity."

Wang Guan considered this and immediately felt it was profoundly true.

Regardless of how the fragrance existed, when he touched the beads, he truly felt a delicate, elegant scent waft over him, an aroma that soothed the spirit. When the mood is uplifted, one becomes optimistic and positive, and the body and mind naturally follow suit in health.

"In that case..."

Wang Guan thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "How about I string these beads into a bracelet and lend it to you, Elder?"

Fearing Elder Qian might refuse, Wang Guan specifically used the word 'lend.' He was young and surely wouldn't need it immediately. His parents weren't very old either, so there was no urgent need for them. Therefore, letting Elder Qian wear it would be making the best use of the objects.

"Heh heh, you are thoughtful, but I have no need for it."

However, Elder Qian was pleased but refused. "Though the items are excellent, they conflict with my own magnetic field."

"What do you mean?"

Wang Guan paused, naturally suspecting Elder Qian was politely declining out of modesty.

Seeing Wang Guan's suspicion, Elder Qian reached up, hooked the silk cord around his neck, and slowly drew out an oval pendant. Then he smiled gently, "Having this item is sufficient for me."

"What is that?" Wang Guan glanced and his eyes immediately widened. "A Nine-Eyed Dzi Bead!"

The preciousness of a genuinely old Dzi bead needed no elaboration, and the Nine-Eyed Dzi Bead was considered the highest grade among them—capable of averting all calamities, increasing compassion, bestowing immense authority, and bringing great fortune.

In the (merit/virtue) of Dzi bead cultivation, the Nine Eyes encompass the symbolism and essence of all totems, representing the final attainment in Buddhist practice, birth from the Nine-Rank Lotus. Nine also symbolizes the unknowable, the unsurpassable, and the infinitely vast realm.

In Tibetan Buddhism, the Nine-Eyed Dzi Bead has the effect of transforming misfortune into auspiciousness for the wearer, making it the most treasured of all Dzi beads—arguably the King of Dzi beads, embodying the merits of all Nine Vehicles, representing the power of supreme authority alongside the compassion for all sentient beings.

In ancient times, the Tibetan people revered the Bön religion, which held the number nine in the highest regard. Legend also claims that only two genuine Nine-Eyed Dzi Beads exist in the world: one is worn on the statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in the Jokhang Temple.

The other’s whereabouts remain unknown to this day...

At this very moment, Wang Guan stared at the Nine-Eyed Dzi Bead in Elder Qian's hand without blinking, intensely suspecting that this might be the legendary, missing Nine-Eyed Dzi Bead.

"I have been wearing this item for over a decade now,"

At the same time, Elder Qian explained with a smile, "It has already merged with my own inherent magnetic field. Wearing anything else now would likely cause disruption, which would be counterproductive."

Wang Guan nodded in understanding, feeling a touch of awe internally. Elder Qian didn't just show up; when he did, he brought out a treasure as weighty as a Nine-Eyed Dzi Bead. His depth was truly unfathomable.

"And stringing these nine beads together, as you suggested, would be an immense waste," Elder Qian added timely. "In truth, each bead can be strung individually."

Wang Guan felt this was even better when he heard it; he could thoughtfully distribute them.

"Oh, right," Elder Qian continued his guidance. "The items were retrieved from a sealed environment, so their magnetic fields are somewhat unstable. When Master Banshan arrives later, have him re-consecrate and bless them for you; that will help them integrate better with your own person."

"Understood."

Wang Guan nodded, deciding to follow Elder Qian's instructions.

Everyone shared a similar experience: outwardly, they were absolute atheists. Yet, when encountering matters like this, most people would likely adopt the attitude of 'better safe than sorry,' whether it worked or not—just for peace of mind...

"Elder Qian,"

While studying the Xumi Beads, Wang Guan’s mind kept returning to Elder Qian's Nine-Eyed Dzi Bead. Finally unable to contain his curiosity, he quietly inquired, "Wearing the Nine-Eyed Dzi Bead, do you feel anything particularly special?"

"Heh heh, that’s hard to say, hard to say," Elder Qian shook his head and smiled. "It can only be understood implicitly, not explained verbally. These beads share similar properties with Dzi beads; they are a variant. Wear these for a few years, and then you will know what it feels like."

"Oh..."

Wang Guan didn't ask further, but he was certain the Nine-Eyed Dzi Bead was an unparalleled treasure. Just one glance suggested it emitted an indescribable aura.

"Stop coveting it," Elder Qian glanced at him and chuckled lightly. "This is my heirloom; it's meant to be passed down to my grandson after I'm gone. Besides, you already have nine of them, aren't you satisfied?"

"Very satisfied, extremely satisfied," Wang Guan replied with a smile. "But I can imagine that when Master Banshan sees these beads, he’ll certainly start nagging me again to become a monk."

"Just ignore him," Elder Qian smiled, then frowned slightly. "But he does have foresight; he mentioned being held up when he was preparing to come over..."