Daqin Zhentiansi

Under the complex and varied gazes of the crowd, Yan Feng, accompanied by two burly giant ape warriors carrying several heavy wicker baskets, respectfully crossed the square and arrived outside the side hall where Zhang Yuan resided.

Inside the wicker basket were carefully selected Xuanxing iron ore and Fenglei spiritual fruit.

There were also several pieces of dark scales taken from that leyline dragon, and a small bottle of dark green venom, all of which were hard to find in the outside world.

The palace doors opened, and Zhang Yuan, dressed in a dark black robe, appeared calmly at the entrance.

Yan Feng and the other two immediately put down their wicker baskets, knelt on one knee, and said in deep voices, "Disciple Yan Feng greets Master! We offer some spiritual materials for Master to use in alchemy and weapon crafting!"

This scene, witnessed by onlookers in the distance, stirred up a great deal of excitement.

Some admired, some were jealous, and some disdained.

Zhang Yuan remained calm and gestured with his hand to help her up: "Get up. Cultivation is the foundation; there's no need for such frequent visits."

Yan Feng stood up, a simple and honest smile on his face: "Disciple will remember Master's teachings. The young men of the clan are now practicing the 'Zhenyue Hantian Fist' and the 'Hunyuan Poshan Staff,' and their progress is quite rapid, but..."

He scratched his head.

"But whenever I circulate it to its deepest point, it seems as if there is an ancient roar from the depths of my bloodline, and my muscles and bones feel unbearably hot. It is as if a force is about to break out of my body, but I cannot find the way in."

Yan Feng has good aptitude, but given the nature of his cultivation lineage, he is helpless.

In particular, most of the ancient demon races rely on bloodlines, so he really has no way of grasping the feeling of breaking through by relying on cultivation techniques.

Zhang Yuan's gaze narrowed slightly, and his Chaotic True Essence transformed into an invisible probe, instantly scanning the area around Yan Feng.

Under his powerful perception, deep within Yan Feng's body, a dormant, ancient, and violent force was subtly stirring.

Its bloodline origins faintly echo the lineage of a divine beast in ancient legends, whose power could shake the heavens.

Mythical Beast Bloodline?
Is it the influence of the Qin Dynasty's legacy that has caused it to exhibit signs of ancestral regression?
"Oh?" Zhang Yuan pondered for a moment. "Did your ancestors have any legends about the origin of your bloodline?"

"Or are there any ancient relics, inscriptions, or stone carvings near the clan's territory?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Feng's large eyes lit up, and he hurriedly said, "Yes! There is indeed a broken ancient stele inside the 'Ancestral Ape Cave' at the deepest part of Nuyan Peak!"

"There are some unintelligible ancient characters and a blurry picture engraved on it, which looks like a... giant ape that stands tall and upright, moving mountains!"

"However, the inscription is incomplete, and no one in our clan has been able to decipher its meaning throughout the generations. They simply regard it as an ancestral totem."

A giant ape that could move mountains?
Zhang Yuan's heart skipped a beat; this was very likely related to the ancient mythical beasts "Mountain-Moving Ape" or "Earth-Splitting Divine Ape".

If the inscription on that stele could be deciphered, it might help the giant ape clan truly awaken their bloodline potential.

"Yes, I've noted this down. When the time is right, I may visit your ancestral home."

Zhang Yuan nodded slightly, keeping this as a clue in mind.

He turned to look at the wicker basket: "Have you prepared all the necessary medicines for the Blood Bodhi?"

Yan Feng's spirits lifted, and he quickly and carefully took out a leather bag from his bosom. Inside were various spiritual plant roots and minerals that exuded rich spiritual energy and strange medicinal fragrance.

"I have gathered all thirty-six auxiliary medicinal ingredients that Master instructed me to use, including 'Earth Fire Spirit Mushroom,' 'Frosty Pool Jade Marrow,' and 'Star Sand'! I am only waiting for Master to start refining the pill!"

The giant ape warriors behind him nodded excitedly.

Blood Marrow Rejuvenation Pill!

Ten times more effective, eliminating hidden dangers!

This is an incredible opportunity for the entire giant ape race!
"Alright." Zhang Yuan took the animal skin bag. "Let me make some preparations and choose a day to start the furnace. You all go back and cultivate diligently to solidify your foundation."

"Thank you for your great kindness, Master!" Yan Feng and the other two were overjoyed and bowed respectfully once again.

Only then did he shoulder the empty basket and, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, leave Xuanyu Temple with his head held high and his chest out, yet in a proper and orderly manner.

These scenes, especially Yan Feng's heartfelt respect and Zhang Yuan's calm acceptance, were clearly seen by Zhao Kun, the acting abbot.

He stood in the shadows of the high corridor of the main hall, his face grim.

Li Xuan leaned closer and whispered, "Senior Brother Zhao, look at this Zhang guy, he really doesn't respect the rules of the temple!"

"To openly accept such a grand gift from the demon race, and even address that barbarian as master and disciple, what about the rest of the sect?"

"If this continues, I'm afraid Yanfeng will only know about Zhang Yuan and not about my Xuanyu Temple!"

Under the jurisdiction of the Zhenshou Temple, there were not many demon clans that were truly respectful.

If one of the demon races could submit, that would be a powerful ally.

Which garrison commander wouldn't want to be like Zhang Yuan, having a demon clan at his disposal?
Zhao Kun snorted coldly, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes: "You've just arrived and managed to achieve some merit by chance, yet you're already so unrestrained."

"When the abbot was alive, he could tolerate him to some extent, but now... it's time to make him understand who's in charge of Xuanyu Temple!"

His words brought a flash of surprise to Li Xuan's eyes.

……

Several days later, the morning bell rang again.

It was the time for the town's daily morning prayers.

All the garrison commanders who were not on missions gathered in the main hall and sat on prayer cushions.

Zhao Kun sat upright in the main seat, his face solemn.

His gaze swept across the surroundings, and a faint surge of Saint Realm True Spirit power emanated from his body.

"Now that the abbot is away, we are surrounded by powerful enemies, the fighting among the demons is intensifying, and the Heavenly Palace is pressing us for the payment of tribute every day!"

Zhao Kun's voice was low and accusatory.

"At this difficult time, we fellow disciples should diligently cultivate ourselves, unite sincerely, and overcome these challenges together! However..."

He changed the subject, his gaze sweeping across the room, lingering especially on Zhang Yuan.

"However, there are always some people who are not ambitious, do not do their proper work, and spend their days mingling with alien races and demons, accepting lavish gifts and calling each other brothers!"

"Is such behavior the right way?"

"Wouldn't this chill the hearts of our fellow disciples who have risked their lives for this temple? If this continues, where will the dignity of our human race in guarding this temple be!"

After he finished speaking, the temple fell silent; you could hear a pin drop.

Almost everyone's gaze, whether openly or subtly, was drawn to Zhang Yuan, who sat below Qing Xuanzi, his eyes closed in meditation.

Li Xuan immediately seized the opportunity, abruptly stood up, pointed at Zhang Yuan, and said sternly, "Zhang Yuan! Did you hear what Senior Brother Zhao said?"

"You've only been in the temple for a few days? You've only managed to achieve a few minor merits by chance, yet you're already so arrogant and have such shady dealings with the demon race! Do you still have any respect for the seniors in the temple? Do you still have any regard for my identity as the human race's guardian envoy!"

The atmosphere became tense instantly.

The garrison commanders either looked up or their eyes twitched.

Everyone knows what's going on.

Qing Xuanzi frowned, about to speak up for Zhang Yuan, but Zhao Kun coldly interrupted him: "Junior Brother Qing Xuan, this is a matter of the temple. Your injuries have not yet healed, so it would be better for you to rest."

His words carried an unquestionable authority, directly shutting down Qing Xuanzi's words.

Zhao Kun's gaze was sharp as he stared directly at Zhang Yuan, with a hint of barely perceptible probing and difficulty: "Zhang Yuan, since Junior Brother Li mentioned your meritorious service, you must have your own insights into the sect's inheritance."

"This morning's lesson will be for you to share your cultivation experience with the 'Mysterious Jade Returning to Truth Technique.' It will also allow us to see the 'profound' gains you've made after three days of studying the Scripture Cave."

As soon as this statement came out, everyone had different expressions.

Who doesn't know that the "Mysterious Jade Returning to Truth Technique" is one of the fundamental methods of the temple? It is profound and mysterious.

Zhao Kun himself had cultivated diligently for nearly a thousand years, yet he had only reached the fourth level, making him the top cultivator in the temple besides the temple master. Others, such as Qing Xuanzi, mostly lingered at the third level.

To have Zhang Yuan, a newcomer to the temple and supposedly a rogue cultivator who had ascended to immortality, explain this technique is clearly an attempt to embarrass him in front of everyone!

Li Xuan and the others already wore sneers, as if they were watching a good show.

Zhang Yuan slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calm and undisturbed.

He straightened his perfectly wrinkle-free black robes, calmly rose, and walked to the center of the dojo.

He didn't look at Li Xuan or Zhao Kun, but swept his gaze over everyone present, and his voice rang out calmly and clearly.

"The 'Mysterious Jade Returning to Truth Technique' and even the Qi cultivation methods we practice are, in essence, nothing more than using the false to cultivate the true, using tangible methods to guide the intangible path."

"The Way is fundamental, the Law is secondary. Cultivating the Law without cultivating the Way is ultimately a mirage; cultivating the Way without being bound by the Law is the only way to glimpse the true mystery."

His opening remarks were concise and to the point, directly addressing the fundamental principles of the Dao.

However, before he could finish speaking, a young garrison commander who had only recently entered the second level of the "Mysterious Jade Return to Truth Technique" couldn't help but sneer: "Senior Brother Zhang, who doesn't know these profound principles?"

"Could it be that you comprehended all this in just three days in the Library Cave? If that's all, then that day's merit was wasted!"

Zhang Yuan glanced at him indifferently, his eyes showing neither joy nor anger, yet the young cultivator felt a sudden chill, and the words he was about to say stuck in his throat.

Zhang Yuan ignored this minor incident and continued, "Knowing what it is, we must also know why it is. Today, we will begin with the first level of mental cultivation."

"The great way is simple, and its practice is subtle. The first level, the chapter on guiding qi, 'guiding' is not about forcibly taking in qi, and 'qi' is not about swallowing it whole."

Zhang Yuan's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.

The saying "the initial opening of the mysterious gate to receive spiritual energy" emphasizes the word "energy." Where does this energy lie?

"In the transitions of breathing, in the fleeting moments of mental activity, in the subtle sensations of merging the body with the universe. It is not about rigidly guarding the dantian and forcibly pushing the qi to circulate, but about experiencing the stirring of that wisp of innate breath in a relaxed, quiet, and natural state, like a spring bud breaking through the soil, silent and without a sound, yet containing boundless vitality."

"When the opportunity arises, the Qi should be drawn in like a stream flowing into the sea, nourishing things silently; this is true Qi drawing."

It nourishes things silently.

He spoke while casually gesturing with his hand.

A wisp of pure and gentle spiritual energy lingers around your fingertips as if it were alive.

This spiritual energy sometimes transforms into a spring drizzle, and sometimes flows like a babbling brook, perfectly embodying the "relaxation, tranquility, and naturalness" and "budding vitality" he speaks of.

Those disciples who had just begun their studies or were stuck at the first level of the bottleneck, seeing this scene and listening to this profound yet simple explanation, felt that the long-standing difficulties had suddenly been resolved, and their faces showed expressions of sudden realization and surprise!

A glint flashed in Qing Xuanzi's eyes, and he nodded secretly.

He knew his junior brother's abilities.

I never expected that the Xuan Yu technique had been studied to such an extent.

Zhao Kun remained expressionless, but his eyelids twitched almost imperceptibly.

“As for the second level, ‘Condensing Qi and Transforming Essence,’” the spiritual energy at Zhang Yuan’s fingertips suddenly condensed, transforming into a small, warm, jade-like, slowly rotating Qi pill, “Transforming Essence is not simply compression, but rather ‘the union of spirit and will, returning to the origin.’”

"Qi can be pure or impure, and thoughts can be mixed or pure. When condensing qi, one must use one's spirit to refine it, removing the impurities and keeping the essence, just like sifting sand in a great wave to take only the true gold."

"The more concentrated the spirit and the purer the intention, the more refined the qi becomes, and the faster and purer the transformation of essence. Forcibly compressing it only increases the internal heat, and the foundation will inevitably become unstable."

As soon as he finished speaking, a middle-aged town garrison commander who had been stuck at the peak of the second level for many years couldn't help but stand up excitedly: "Senior Brother Zhang! May I ask what constitutes 'divine refining'?"

"Whenever I try to concentrate my Qi, I always feel restless and my Qi is agitated, making it difficult to refine it!"

Zhang Yuan looked at him but did not answer directly. Instead, he pointed with his finger, and a wisp of true spiritual power left his body and outlined itself in the air in front of the garrison commander.

In an instant, a miniature illusion appeared.

A turbid and turbulent river represents restless spiritual energy.

The riverbank represents the mind and spirit.

The sandstorm represents distracting thoughts.

Then, the illusion changed, the sandstorm gradually subsided, and my mind calmed down.

The turbid waves in the river settle under the guidance of unseen intentions, and the divine will is purified.

Finally, the clear water from the upper layer, with its pure essence, is drawn into the center of the river and condenses into beads.

Condensing Qi into Yuan.

“Look at this scene, calm your mind, and seek the solution,” Zhang Yuan said calmly.

The garrison commander was struck dumb, staring intently at the illusion. His body trembled slightly, and his aura began to circulate and settle on its own. His face revealed an expression of ecstasy and sudden enlightenment!
He suddenly bowed deeply to Zhang Yuan: "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother!"

Then he immediately sat down cross-legged and entered a meditative state on the spot!
This scene caused an uproar in the dojo!
Everyone was stunned!

The power of the true spirit can simulate the Dao realm, instantly helping people overcome their bottlenecks.
What kind of method is this?

What a level of attainment this is!

The young cultivator who had previously questioned the matter was now completely dumbfounded.

The mockery on Li Xuan's face froze completely, turning into incredulous astonishment.

Even Zhao Kun, who had been sitting as still as a mountain, unconsciously clenched his Taoist robe with his hands on his knees, and a storm raged deep in his eyes!

Qing Xuanzi was so excited he almost slammed his fist on the table in admiration.

The atmosphere of the entire dojo completely changed.

All the gazes directed at Zhang Yuan were filled with unprecedented shock, awe, admiration, and longing.

No one dared to look down on them in the slightest!
Zhang Yuan took in everyone's reactions, but his expression remained calm, as if he had only done a trivial matter.

He paused slightly, his voice as calm as ever: "Let's stop here for today."

"The Way is understood through practice, and the Law arises from within the heart. Remember, the right path is to follow the Way, not the Law."

After speaking, he bowed slightly to Zhao Kun, who was in the main seat, and without waiting for the other party's reaction, he turned around, walked steadily back to his prayer mat, sat down, and closed his eyes again.

The temple was completely silent.

Only the subtle sounds of energy flowing from the enlightened garrison commander, and countless complex and indescribable gazes falling upon Zhang Yuan.

What was intended as a humiliating challenge ultimately transformed into a sermon that solidified Zhang Yuan's unparalleled prestige within the Xuanyu Temple.

Zhao Kun's face shifted between pale and flushed in the shadows.

"Om-"

The Taoist who broke through was surrounded by surging spiritual energy, and his aura suddenly soared. He directly advanced from the peak of the second level of the "Mysterious Jade Return to Truth Technique" to the third level!
His face was a mixture of ecstasy and gratitude. He bowed deeply to Zhang Yuan, his voice trembling with emotion: "Thank you so much, Senior Brother Zhang, for your guidance! The bottleneck that has bound me for ten years has finally been broken today!"

Seeing this, Zhao Kun's face turned ashen. Suppressing his resentment, he announced, "Morning class is over. Dismissed!"

Having said that, he turned around, flicked his sleeves, and strode away without looking back.

The reactions of the people in the hall varied. Some disciples looked at Zhang Yuan with awe and then left silently.

Meanwhile, the town garrison commanders, who were amazed by Zhang Yuan's brilliant explanation, quickly gathered around and asked a barrage of questions about cultivation.

Zhang Yuan remained calm and patiently answered several questions about the details of "condensing qi into essence." Seeing that the enthusiasm of the crowd had not diminished, he pondered for a moment and said loudly, "Since you fellow disciples are all eager to seek the Dao, I can hold a lecture for half a day on Xuan Yu Cliff two days from now."

"Anyone who has questions about the first three levels of the 'Mysterious Jade Returning to Truth Technique,' or who wishes to understand the key points of 'Guiding Qi,' 'Condensing Yuan,' and 'Unblocking Meridians,' may come here." (End of Chapter)