Mei Duo felt the eyes of the crowd fixed upon her, and she knew exactly what they were thinking. Her face instantly flushed scarlet; a mix of embarrassment and annoyance made her stomp her foot. "Why are you all looking at me?" she demanded.

Covering her face, she turned and bolted away.

The Tibetan villagers watched Mei Duo retreat, erupting into hearty laughter.

Knowing Li Yundong understood no Tibetan, they spoke freely to Qiangbagela. "Qiangbagela, you really need to find a way to talk some sense into Mei Duo!"

Qiangbagela chuckled, continually stroking his white beard. "No need for me to persuade her. Mei Duo is far more anxious than any of us!"

With that, the group dissolved into a fresh burst of loud laughter.

Mei Duo, now running back toward the camp, heard the laughter carried on the wind, making her feel even more exquisitely shy. She covered her face with both hands, her cheeks so red they looked ready to bleed, yet her bright, flickering eyes were filled with a fiery passion and anticipation.

Li Yundong didn't understand their words, but he wasn't dense. Seeing the way they looked at him—a gaze full of admiration and reverence mixed with a spark of cunning, as if they were plotting something involving him—he felt a stir of unease. What are these fellows laughing about?

Seeing Li Yundong looking somewhat flustered under everyone's scrutiny, Qiangbagela waved a hand. "Alright, that's enough. Everyone back to your tents. We have a long journey at first light tomorrow!"

The crowd dispersed. The two foreigners and the Chinese guide pointed and commented on Li Yundong for a while longer before retiring to their own tents.

Li Yundong hadn't realized his solitary practice in the wilderness had attracted so much attention. He resolved firmly that he wouldn't perform any more earth-shattering feats until he found a suitable location to begin his Foundation Establishment.

Li Yundong slept soundly in his tent, but just as dawn began to break, the camp stirred with the sound of chanting, the crack of whips against oxen and horses, and the loud cries of the people greeting the day.

The loudest and clearest sound was a girl's soaring song. Though she sang in Tibetan, which Li Yundong couldn't comprehend, the melody was high, vibrant, and incredibly catchy, instantly refreshing his spirit and earning his silent praise.

Emerging from his tent, Li Yundong saw the Tibetans busily dismantling their shelters, packing the gear onto carts and wagons. Some of the nomads, noticing him, had shed their previous wariness; they greeted him with warm smiles.

Several elderly Tibetan grandmothers enthusiastically offered him steaming yak butter tea and barley cakes. Moved by their hospitality, Li Yundong smiled, downed the offered tea in one gulp, and ate a few barley cakes. This gesture instantly delighted the Tibetans, who became even warmer toward him.

Many of these people had been making the annual pilgrimage since they were teenagers; these tasks were performed with consummate skill. In less than thirty minutes, the entire caravan was packed and ready to depart.

Li Yundong walked slowly within the procession, his hands discreetly forming the various Dàshǒuyìn (Great Hand Seals) he had practiced the previous day. The Tibetans beside him noticed and exchanged hushed whispers, careful not to disturb him.

Only Mei Duo, like a joyous skylark, sang continuously throughout the movement, as if harboring some delightful secret.

Qiangbagela, riding an old horse, listened for a while. Hearing Mei Duo singing in Tibetan, "My beloved, if you were to be my lifelong companion, it would be like retrieving a priceless treasure from the deepest sea..."

He suddenly turned his horse at the front of the line and rode up to her, smiling. "Mei Duo, you usually seem so clever. Why are you being so foolish today?"

Mei Duo looked at Qiangbagela, confused, blinking her eyes. "Qiangbagela, what are you talking about? How am I being foolish?"

Qiangbagela laughed. "Your Han brother doesn't understand a single word of Tibetan. How can he understand you singing in Tibetan?"

Mei Duo's cheeks reddened slightly, and she retorted, a bit stubbornly, "But I don't know any Chinese songs!"

Qiangbagela winked suggestively. "You could translate the Tibetan lyrics into Chinese and then sing that version!"

Mei Duo fidgeted demurely. "But what if I sing it poorly and people laugh at me?"

Qiangbagela chuckled heartily. "Then just go up to him and sing it only for him. None of us will listen, and that solves the problem."

Mei Duo's eyes brightened, and she smiled. "That is a good idea!" With that, she hopped off the cart and ran toward where Li Yundong was walking.

Qiangbagela laughed softly, watching Mei Duo’s graceful yet energetic retreating figure, his smile full of affectionate warmth.

"Han Brother!" Mei Duo ran up to Li Yundong like a happy little bird, her face alight with joy and eager expectation. "May I sing for you?"

Li Yundong loosened the fingers he had been using for the hand seals and smiled at her. "Didn't I tell you to call me Han Brother? That title sounds a bit strange. Besides," he gestured vaguely, "weren't you singing just now?"

Mei Duo’s cheeks flushed faintly, but her gaze was bold and intense as she looked at Li Yundong. "Can you understand the lyrics?"

Li Yundong smiled and shook his head. "Not a single word."

Mei Duo beamed. "Then I’ll translate it into Chinese and sing it for you. All right?"

Li Yundong was surprised. "You can sing it in Chinese? Alright, sing it then."

Mei Duo cleared her throat, deliberately waiting until everyone else in the group had moved ahead. They slowly lagged behind the main body of the caravan, establishing a considerable distance, before she began to sing: "I asked the Buddha: Why does it snow only when I am sad?" "The Buddha replied: Winter is passing; leave behind some memories." "I asked the Buddha: Why does it always snow on nights I don't pay attention?" "The Buddha replied: In moments of inattention, people always miss a great deal of true beauty." "I asked the Buddha: Will it snow again in a few days?" "The Buddha replied: Don't fixate only on this season, or you will miss this winter."

Mei Duo’s voice was clear and melodious, rendering this deeply philosophical yet highly suggestive love song with stirring emotion, flowing elegantly and sweetly. Li Yundong felt as if every sound in the vast expanse of heaven and earth had vanished, leaving only Mei Duo's captivating voice echoing around him.

When Mei Duo finished, she bravely glanced at Li Yundong. Seeing his expression moved and his eyes fixed straight ahead, as if lost in thought, she tentatively asked, "Was my singing not good?"

Li Yundong snapped back to reality, quickly saying, "It was wonderful, absolutely wonderful. I was completely mesmerized."

Mei Duo's heart soared. "You liked my song?"

Li Yundong looked at her. Seeing her steady gaze fixed upon him, a look he knew too well—it was the same look the young girl often fixed on him—a gaze brimming with worship and affection, the kind only seen in a girl deeply in love.

Li Yundong’s heart skipped a beat. He suddenly understood: this girl was likely truly fond of him!

In the past, Li Yundong might have secretly gloated or felt pleased. But now, he felt a distinct sense of difficulty and worry. He had come to this region specifically for his Foundation Establishment practice, seeking to cultivate purity of mind and desire. On the road, he had even sold the phone that allowed him to contact Su Chan, terrified he wouldn't be able to bear the ache of longing and end up lingering on the phone with the young woman. Now, he never expected that he would end up incurring a romantic debt here.

What should I do? Li Yundong couldn't help a bitter smile. With a sudden impulse, he deliberately changed the subject. "Your song was truly beautiful. Could you sing a few more?"

Seeing that Li Yundong enjoyed it, Mei Duo happily began to sing again. Her voice was superb, and she managed her breath perfectly; she sang for two full hours without showing any sign of fatigue, her voice remaining as fresh as when she started.

Li Yundong couldn't help but admire her. "You are amazing. Singing for so long and not feeling tired at all!"

Mei Duo smiled sweetly at him. "I’ll sing as long as you like listening." Then, emboldened, she suddenly reached out and firmly grasped Li Yundong’s hand. "I will only sing for you from now on, is that alright?"

Even after over a month of rigorous cultivation, Li Yundong’s willpower was as strong as steel, yet his heart still hammered against his ribs. He didn't know what to say. He knew he couldn't agree, but he feared that voicing a refusal would hurt this girl, who was as pure as a snow lotus.

Fortunately, at that moment, Qiangbagela called out loudly from within the group. "Mei Duo, time to eat! You’ve been singing all morning, aren't you hungry?"

That announcement saved Li Yundong. He quickly said, "Let's go eat first!"

Without waiting for Mei Duo, he fled in haste.

Mei Duo stamped her foot in frustration where she stood. "That annoying Qiangbagela! Why didn't he speak up earlier or later, but chose this exact moment? It’s infuriating!"

After lunch, Li Yundong spent the entire afternoon staying close to the Tibetan community, never daring to lag behind alone. Mei Duo tried to find opportunities to approach him, but he deftly avoided every chance, causing Mei Duo to stomp her feet in annoyance repeatedly.

It wasn't until evening, when the group reached a winding, long river, that Qiangbagela flicked his horsewhip and announced loudly, "We'll rest here for the night!"

Li Yundong glanced around. The sun was setting low, the horizon piled high with fiery clouds, and in the distance, sacred snow-capped mountains stretched in endless chains. Nearby, a river flowed like a silver ribbon across the lush green earth. The scene was so perfect that if framed anywhere, it would look like a richly colored oil painting.

"What a beautiful place!" Li Yundong praised silently. He was beginning to understand why Ziyuan had sent him here for cultivation. Not only was the altitude high, placing him closer to the azure heavens, but the air was clean, unlike the polluted atmosphere breathed daily in the cities choked with exhaust fumes.

Li Yundong surveyed the surroundings; feeling the vastness of the sky and the sweeping vista, his mind instantly felt cleared, and the vital energy within him grew stronger. Such conditions were certainly more conducive to Foundation Establishment practice.

Noticing the clean river, Li Yundong suddenly felt an urge to bathe. However, he knew the local customs forbade bathing in certain rivers, so he sought out Qiangbagela. "Qiangbagela, I was hoping to take a bath in the river. Is that permissible?"

Qiangbagela pondered for a moment. "This river was usually restricted for casual bathing. But since you are the reincarnation of Mahakala, of course, you may bathe in this river."

Li Yundong smiled. "Wouldn't that be special treatment? No, no, that wouldn't be right. I should probably skip it."

Qiangbagela laughed. "We lack water resources here, so people rarely bathe. You Han people are different from us; we can endure not bathing for a year, but you absolutely cannot. Go ahead, it’s fine. In fact, even the cleanliness-minded girls come to the river to bathe; you wouldn't be the only one."

Reassured, Li Yundong thanked Qiangbagela. He left his tent and indeed saw groups of Tibetan women heading to the river to wash clothes and bathe. The women saw him and boldly smiled, greeting him in Tibetan.

Li Yundong smiled back, watching them go before turning to his tent to plan his bath for later that night.

Qiangbagela watched Li Yundong return to his tent, stroked his beard, thought for a moment, and then walked toward Mei Duo’s tent.

Deep in the night, the sky was dotted with stars, and a bright moon hung overhead. Li Yundong quietly slipped out of his tent and went to the riverbank. He laid his clothes on a rock to hold them down before slipping into the cool water.

Having been a homebody in the city, Li Yundong had certainly never experienced the feeling of traveling for a month without a proper wash. As he scrubbed, a thick layer of grime came off. He couldn't help but laugh to himself, "Well, this is after having washed once before. I can't believe it's gotten this dirty again in just a few days! If that girl knew, she'd despise me!"

As he was muttering to himself while bathing, he suddenly heard a splashing sound near the bank. Li Yundong immediately became alert and turned his head, his voice dropping to a low growl. "Who is it?"

Li Yundong turned, and his entire body froze!

Mei Duo was stepping slowly into the river. Her hands covered her chest, and she was completely naked. The bright moonlight illuminated her body, making her skin look as tempting as fresh cheese. The girl’s gaze, simultaneously shy and audacious, locked directly onto Li Yundong. She spoke, "Han Brother, it's me. Let me help you bathe, all right?"

Li Yundong felt his mind explode in a deafening buzz. He watched, helpless, as the completely unclothed girl approached him step by step, losing all composure and unsure of what to do.

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