Having successfully established her Foundation Establishment, Zhou Qin was about to descend the mountain when she noticed a Lama in a yellow cap and crimson robe standing on the peak, seemingly out of nowhere. Beside him stood a Golden-Feathered Great Eagle, taller than a man, its gaze sharp, eyes full of spirit, and altogether majestic.

Zhou Qin focused her sight and realized the Lama was none other than Duoji Danzeng, whom she had encountered before. She paused, surprised, and asked, "Master Duoji Danzeng? What are you doing here?"

Duoji Danzeng looked at Zhou Qin with an expression of reverence mixed with complexity, pressed his palms together in salute, and said, "True Person Zhou, I am one of the eighteen Guardian Monks of this mountain. Since there has been an anomaly on Mount Karyl, it is only natural I should come to investigate."

Only then did understanding dawn on Zhou Qin. She smiled apologetically, "My sincerest apologies, Master. I was establishing my Foundation here and disturbed the spirits of this sacred mountain. I have caused you trouble, and I shall certainly visit to apologize another day."

Duoji Danzeng shook his head, "No, True Person Zhou, I am not here to cause you trouble. Please do not misunderstand. I have a few words to deliver from Master Erdeni."

Since Zhou Qin had previously clashed with Master Erdeni, she frowned slightly and inquired, "What words are there?"

Seeing a hint of hostility in Zhou Qin’s expression, Duoji Danzeng did not rush to explain. He simply stated, "Master Erdeni asked me to relay five statements and one question to you. The first is: You are Bandalram; Meiduo is not!"

Even though Zhou Qin had just completed her Foundation Establishment, her will as firm as steel, she was utterly stunned. Her eyes widened as she stammered, "W-what did you say? I am the Goddess of Good Fortune? Then, what about Meiduo?"

Duoji Danzeng sighed softly and said, "This is the second statement Master Erdeni wishes me to relay: Meiduo merely has a trace of your spiritual energy within her, which is why she could turn the Mani wheel."

Zhou Qin couldn't help but ask again, "But, why let Meiduo act as the Bandalram? Why not let me do it?"

Duoji Danzeng continued, "Master Erdeni instructed me to convey his third statement: If he had told you back then that you were the Bandalram and Meiduo was not, would you have gone to the Potala Palace?"

Zhou Qin shook her head without hesitation: "Unless I were dead, it would have been absolutely impossible!"

Duoji Danzeng smiled, as if admiring Master Erdeni's foresight, and chuckled, "Master Erdeni’s fourth statement is: The Bandalram is the god of freedom; she would sooner die than be constrained. Thus, Master Erdeni knew he could not force you to the Potala Palace, but he still needed someone to stand in for Erdeni. So, he found Meiduo!"

Zhou Qin burst out in anger, "And you believe you can sacrifice Meiduo's freedom and happiness just like that? Do you think she is the same as Tsangyang Gyatso?"

The poetry Meiduo most loved to recite was that of the Sixth Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, a figure famous in Tibetan history as a tragic poet. He had been a fifteen-year-old youth before being identified as the reincarnated soul by Sangye Gyatso, who forcibly separated Tsangyang Gyatso from his lover, brought him into the Potala Palace, and ultimately led to Tsangyang Gyatso dying of sorrow.

Duoji Danzeng smiled faintly, "Master Erdeni’s fifth statement for me to convey is: Today’s Panchen Lama is not that Sangye Gyatso of old, and Meiduo is not Tsangyang Gyatso. Meiduo is only a temporary Bandalram; she is a devout Buddhist, and she possesses the very affinity that allows her to encounter the true reincarnated Bandalram. Therefore, she has an obligation to shield our Esoteric Buddhism from a great impending catastrophe. Once she fulfills her mission, she will naturally regain her freedom!"

Zhou Qin was slightly startled and asked, "Does Master Erdeni truly foresee everything I’m about to ask?"

Duoji Danzeng chuckled, "Master Erdeni has foreseen that too. He is a high monk of rare merit and immense power in our Esoteric School in recent years; he can predict many things."

Zhou Qin pondered for a moment, asking with half-belief, "In that case, can Master Erdeni also guess what I'm going to ask next?"

Duoji Danzeng laughed, "Master Erdeni anticipated that as well, which is why he also asked me to relay a question: Does the Buddha have a race?"

This single question instantly brought deep respect to Zhou Qin, as it directly addressed the doubt in her heart.

In Zhou Qin's view, she was clearly Han Chinese, so why should she be the reincarnation of the Bandalram for Tibetan Esoteric Buddhism? But Master Erdeni’s counter-question instantly resolved the confusion in her mind: Does the Buddha have a race?

Shakyamuni was originally from India, yet the Buddhism he founded is revered by Buddhists worldwide. The myriad gods and Buddhas across the heavens and earth all belong to different races; a religion is not defined by the race of its followers, nor are the deities within that religion necessarily all figures evolved from that specific race.

Only then did Zhou Qin truly believe: This Master Erdeni was indeed a person of great merit and profound power!

Yet, a flicker of unease remained in Zhou Qin's heart. She asked again, "Then when will this great calamity arrive? And will Meiduo suffer any harm during this calamity?"

Duoji Danzeng pressed his palms together and said, "Master Erdeni has two more statements for you, and he wishes you to relay them to True Person Li."

Zhou Qin was startled anew, "Master Erdeni also knows my Master?"

Duoji Danzeng laughed, "The Master knows everything!"

Zhou Qin asked, "What does the Master wish me to relay?"

Duoji Danzeng stated, "The Master says, when you ascend the snowy mountains in the future, never take the eastern route."

Zhou Qin asked, bewildered, "What does that mean?"

Duoji Danzeng chuckled, "I do not know myself. I am only responsible for relaying the message faithfully."

Zhou Qin thought for a moment, nodded, "I have noted it. And the second message?"

Duoji Danzeng delivered it: "The Master says that True Person Li has only learned half of the True Word Great Hand Seal; it is not the genuine True Word Great Hand Seal!"

Zhou Qin’s expression turned solemn. She knew this message from the Bandalram was an indirect reminder to Li Yundong. Though she didn't know why the Master would help Li Yundong, she still replied with solemnity, "I understand! Does the Master have anything else to say?"

Duoji Danzeng smiled and shook his head, "Nothing more."

Zhou Qin couldn't help but laugh at this point, "Master, do you finally have something you didn't predict? I actually have more questions to ask!"

Duoji Danzeng chuckled heartily, pressing his palms together again, "Man is not a sage, who can be without fault? True Person Zhou, please ask whatever you wish."

Zhou Qin questioned, puzzled, "How could Master Erdeni be so certain that I am the Bandalram? I never shook the prayer wheel! Moreover, if he concluded I am the Bandalram, why was he so fierce when I insisted on taking Meiduo away back then?"

Duoji Danzeng burst into laughter, pressing his palms together fully this time, "True Person Zhou, I was also curious about these very questions and asked the Master. The Master said: Shaking the Mani wheel is merely a smokescreen. Living Buddhas have never chosen reincarnated soul-children using such methods! He tracked your spiritual energy all the way here, but upon seeing you, he discovered you were Han Chinese, with an unyielding and resolute air about your brow. Coupled with the discovery that Meiduo nearby also carried your spiritual energy, he reluctantly settled for the next best option and let Meiduo take your place."

"But he never anticipated that you would try to stand up for Meiduo. If our Esoteric Sect does not have the Bandalram to help deflect this great calamity, our sect will face an unimaginable blow. Therefore, he could tolerate you, the true Bandalram, leaving, but he absolutely could not tolerate the fake Bandalram, Meiduo, departing!"

Only then did Zhou Qin fully grasp the situation. She returned the salute and said, "I see now. Thank you for delivering Master Erdeni's message. I will thank him on behalf of my Master."

Duoji Danzeng smiled faintly, patted the Great Eagle beside him, which was showing signs of impatience, and said, "Damur is getting restless. I have conveyed all my messages. True Person Zhou, until we meet again!"

Zhou Qin smiled and nodded to Duoji Danzeng. Then, after watching Duoji Danzeng let out a clear, high whistle, he leaped off the edge of the cliff.

Duoji Danzeng moved swiftly. The Golden-Feathered Great Eagle spread its wings with a rush, gliding downward like a bomber, and precisely caught Duoji Danzeng.

With its wings spread, the Great Eagle's wingspan reached an astonishing five meters. Even with a stout, grown man seated upon its back, the eagle effortlessly let out a cry before vanishing into the distant horizon.

After Duoji Danzeng departed, Zhou Qin looked at the exceptionally majestic Great Eagle with a hint of envy, thinking: If only I had such a grand eagle, travel would be so much easier.

Zhou Qin looked down at the foot of the ice mountain, a sheer drop of ten thousand zhang, and gave a wry smile, "Going up the mountain is easy, coming down is hard. Although I’ve succeeded in Foundation Establishment, I still can’t fly. How am I supposed to get down?"

Just as she was worrying, she heard a familiar voice nearby laughing, "Need a lift, True Person Zhou?"

Zhou Qin turned her head and saw Ziyuan and Ruan Hongling standing not far away, smiling at her.

Zhou Qin was instantly overjoyed, "Ziyuan, Ruan Hongling? What are you two doing here?"

Ruan Hongling said with a smile, "We escorted you all the way here for your Foundation Establishment! Why do you think we are here?"

Zhou Qin paused, "You've been following me?"

Ziyuan smiled gently and said softly, "Yes. Li Yundong was worried about accidents on your journey, so he asked us to follow and protect you all the way. However, to avoid interfering with your process of establishing your Foundation, we would not reveal ourselves unless you encountered malicious intent from other cultivators. Please forgive us, True Person Zhou."

Hearing this, Zhou Qin was deeply moved, and a gentle, tender smile unconsciously bloomed on her resolute and handsome face, "Master is so worried about me..."

Ziyuan smiled, "We've been out for nearly a month now; it's time to return. Calculating correctly, tomorrow is the Lotus Harvesting Assembly. True Person Zhou, do you plan to show your skills at the Assembly?"

Zhou Qin formed a palm gesture with one hand and bowed with a smile, "That is my sincere wish! I only fear embarrassing Master!"

Ziyuan gave a soft, knowing smile, just about to speak, when Ruan Hongling couldn't help but urge them, "Let's talk on the way back. Chatting here on this ten-thousand-zhang icy mountain where the temperature is tens of degrees below zero is really improper."

The three beautiful women exchanged glances and laughed in unison.

Ziyuan walked up to Zhou Qin, took her wrist with a smile, and asked, "True Person Zhou, are you ready to go down the mountain?"

This question had a double meaning. Standing on Mount Karyl, looking down upon the vast earth, Zhou Qin could never have imagined that she, the daughter of a high official, would one day stand at such a height as a cultivator, looking down upon the common people!

In that moment, Zhou Qin felt an unprecedented, powerful current flowing through her. Full of soaring emotion, she let out a great shout: "Descend!"