After school let out that afternoon, Li Yundong returned to his home only to find Ziyuan sitting cross-legged in meditation in his living room. The moment he opened the door, she opened her eyes.

Li Yundong chuckled. "I should start charging you rent."

The implication of his words was to tease Ziyuan for staying in his house all day, laced with an undercurrent of familiarity. Had it been any other girl, she might have felt a flutter in her heart, chewing over the meaning of his statement.

But Ziyuan was ethereal, detached, and spoke with serene indifference, "How has your reading been these past few days?"

Li Yundong laughed, "Not bad. Why do you suddenly ask?"

Ziyuan didn't answer, instead, her expression turned serious as she asked, "What is Xiu Xing (Cultivation/Practice)?"

A small portion of Li Yundong's cultivation techniques had been taught by Su Chan, another small portion learned through chance and realization, and the final small portion taught by Ziyuan. Though Li Yundong didn't know why Ziyuan chose to teach him, he instinctively regarded her as half of his mentor.

Hearing Ziyuan's question, Li Yundong’s heart sharpened. He replied, "The Buddha says the world is suffering; we desire the other shore to attain tranquility. This process of seeking tranquility to reach the other shore—that is Xiu Xing!"

Ziyuan offered no affirmation, only asking again, "What is Xiu Zhen (True Cultivation/Seeking Truth)?"

Li Yundong stated, "To study the Dao and practice, to seek one's true self, to discard the false and retain the true—this is Xiu Zhen!"

Upon hearing this, Ziyuan nodded slightly, a flicker of approval in her eyes. "Not bad. I’ve seen you reading Buddhist and Daoist texts mixed together these past few days. I was worried you might suffer a Qi deviation, blurring the lines between Buddhism and Daoism."

Li Yundong chuckled. Had these questions been posed a few days earlier, he would certainly have been confused, undoubtedly equating Xiu Xing and Xiu Zhen. But now, having perused numerous classics from both schools, he could naturally distinguish between them.

Li Yundong smiled, "Is it really that serious? In my view, Buddhism speaks of Xiu Xing, and Daoism speaks of Xiu Zhen. Although one emphasizes 'practice' and the other emphasizes 'truth,' they actually share a common point: the character '' (cultivate/repair)!"

Ziyuan grew interested and inquired, "Oh? How so?"

Li Yundong wasn't rushed to explain. He simply sat down cross-legged on the living room floor. He noticed a ** beneath where Ziyuan was sitting and smiled, "Did you bring this yourself?"

Ziyuan nodded, then asked, "Do you know why people meditating always place something beneath them?"

Li Yundong paused. "I don't!"

Ziyuan smiled faintly. "Think about that question slowly. Now, continue with your previous topic."

Li Yundong shifted his focus from the ** back to explaining Xiu Xing and Xiu Zhen. He said, "Xiu in Xiu Xing and Xiu in Xiu Zhen are both a method. Xiu Xing emphasizes the process of experience and comprehension, whereas Xiu Zhen is the goal of 'discarding the false and retaining the true' achieved through a certain method of practice."

As he spoke, Li Yundong glanced at Ziyuan, who nodded. "Well said. Continue."

Encouraged, Li Yundong added, "In my opinion, there's no need to distinguish so clearly between Xiu Zhen and Xiu Xing."

Ziyuan disagreed. "For thousands of years, the two major schools of Buddhism and Daoism have been like water and fire, irreconcilable. How can two distinct paths be lumped together?"

Li Yundong shook his head and offered an analogy. "If I go to Beijing, I can choose to walk, or I can choose to fly. What’s the difference? Both reach the same destination! The only difference is that flying is much faster than walking!"

Ziyuan countered, "Isn't speed the biggest difference?"

Li Yundong waved his hand and laughed, "No, no. Speed has its advantages, but it also has its drawbacks. Buddhism emphasizes the process of Xiu Xing, much like walking to Beijing. Though slow, because one walks every step, they observe the scenery and the people thoroughly, seeing the myriad states of humanity. Whether they reach the destination is no longer important, because they have completed their cultivation."

"Whereas those who fly have a fleeting glimpse, only appreciating the thrill of altitude, without truly seeing the world's inherent nature. Even if they reach the destination, how can they discern the true from the false in this complex world?"

Ziyuan's expression stirred. She had only asked these questions to tap Li Yundong on the shoulder, fearing he might lose himself by oscillating between Buddhist and Daoist theories, leading to a deviation. She never expected him to articulate such a unique perspective!

How long had he been reading? How long had he been practicing cultivation?

To offer such insight?

Could it be that he truly was a rare cultivation prodigy unseen for a hundred years?

Throughout the ages, the lineage of the Zhengyi School had countless disciples, and geniuses beyond count. Ziyuan had seen far too many, yet someone like Li Yundong, having practiced for such a short time yet progressing so swiftly, was unprecedented in her life!

She looked at Li Yundong in astonishment and commanded, "Continue!"

Li Yundong smiled again. "Of course, the reverse can also be true; everything has two sides. Take the example of walking to Beijing: walking lets one see all aspects of the world, but cultivation through walking is too arduous; one might spend a lifetime on the road, facing numerous dangers, and have a high probability of failing to reach the end.

"While flying gives only a fleeting overview and prevents one from absorbing the world's multifaceted nature, this method allows one to stand high and see far, experiencing views the ordinary person cannot, sensing feelings beyond their reach."

Ziyuan said, "You've said a lot, but what is your ultimate point?"

Li Yundong laughed, "In short: a black cat or a white cat, if it catches mice, it’s a good cat! Whether Buddhist or Daoist, if one attains the Great Dao, they are a master!"

Ziyuan laughed. "Then you still haven't clarified the difference between Buddhism and Daoism?"

Li Yundong expressed surprise. "Why must it be clarified? Didn't I already say it? As long as one reaches the destination, whether by walking or flying, as long as the purpose of cultivation is achieved, it is good! Because walking has its benefits, and flying has its benefits. Nothing in this world is perfect."

"In my view, if I want to experience the myriad aspects of the world, I walk, just as I did when I went to **. If I want to advance quickly, I fly. In short, one should choose the method according to their differing needs. Why must one insist on distinguishing between Buddhism and Daoism?" Li Yundong said with a smile.

Ziyuan was deeply shaken, and her mind suddenly felt muddled. She instinctively wanted to refute Li Yundong's viewpoint but didn't know how to begin.

As far as she could remember, her master and grandmaster had always told her: Buddhism and Daoism are distinct; they cannot be merged!

This concept was ingrained in her, like being told: Heaven and Earth are separate; they cannot become one!

But why couldn't they merge? Ziyuan had never paused to consider, just as she had once told Li Yundong, "The path lies beneath one's own feet, yet sometimes people overlook it, failing to notice it!"

"Why do we say 'buy East or West' instead of 'buy North or South'? Why do we say 'sleep with peace of mind' instead of 'sleep low and worry-free'?"

"Why must people sit cross-legged when cultivating?"

These were things many people saw but took for granted, never thinking to question the reason. Ziyuan was no different!

She only knew that one could not practice both Buddhism and Daoism simultaneously, but she never knew why!

Just as Li Yundong had never considered why people place a ** under their buttocks when sitting cross-legged.

Ziyuan looked at Li Yundong with complex emotions. She hadn't been truly impressed by his rapid progress before, viewing it merely as the aid of the Renyuan Golden Elixir, coupled with the boy's perseverance. Such people were common in the cultivation world, like carp crossing a river—nothing remarkable.

But now, Ziyuan could not help but look at him with new respect!

"I have been steeped in classics since childhood, reading countless texts on both Buddhist and Daoist schools. To think I’m receiving a sudden awakening from a young man who hasn't even cultivated for half a year!" Ziyuan marveled inwardly, shocked. "Truly, learning respects no age; the accomplished leads the way! This person's comprehension ability is truly unparalleled!"

Li Yundong was unaware of Ziyuan's inner shock. He smiled and asked back, "Why did you suddenly bring this question up today?"

Ziyuan snapped back to attention, steadied herself, and stated, "I was worried that by reading both Buddhist and Daoist cultivation texts simultaneously, you might become lost between the two different theoretical foundations, leading to a Qi deviation from which you couldn't recover, which is why I asked. Now that I see you understand the principles so clearly, I believe it is time to teach you to cultivate 'Divine Abilities'!"

Upon hearing this, Li Yundong was both surprised and delighted, his blood surging with excitement. "I can learn Divine Abilities?"

Ziyuan nodded. "You could have learned Divine Abilities when you first completed Foundation Establishment, but your theoretical foundation in cultivation was too weak then; you didn't grasp many concepts or understand many principles. However, seeing you pore over texts day and night these past few days, you have built a certain theoretical base and begun to contemplate various cultivation issues. Therefore, I can start teaching you the cultivation for the fifth Heaven Realm!"

Li Yundong imagined being able to wield powerful techniques like the Seven Treasures Spirit Fan using Divine Abilities, feeling an unbearable itch of excitement. He couldn't help but ask, "Can I learn them right now?"

Seeing his impatience, Ziyuan's expression hardened, and she rebuked him, "Look at how impatient you are! Never mind learning Divine Abilities; you still have problems with basic Qi circulation!"

Li Yundong’s expression became solemn. He took a deep breath, drawing Qi into his Dantian, instantly becoming calm and collected. He said respectfully, "I accept the guidance!"

Ziyuan nodded and continued, "Very well. Today, I will teach you the cultivation of the fifth Heaven Realm: Divine Abilities!"