Gou Zai Xi You Dao Chang Sheng

Li Yan closed his eyes and concentrated, his mind like a mirror reflecting all the possibilities of tonight.

The former site of Hantan has now become a key area of ​​care for the Discipline Hall.

Although the main force was withdrawn during the day, only two disciples were left to take turns guarding the stone gate of the Water Mansion at the entrance of the shallow pool, where a warning formation was set up.

However, the Moon Lotus deep at the bottom of the pool is probably dozens of feet away from the ancient water palace, and they belong to different water veins and branches.

The Discipline Hall's attention was mostly focused on the stone gate's restrictions.

It is not always possible to perceive in detail other movements in deep, cold pools.

This may be the only chance.

But... going in person?

Li Yan gazed out the window at the mist-shrouded mountain peaks.

inappropriate.

Even with Abi's help and the protection of talismans, the risk is still too great.

Once discovered, the person's unauthorized approach to the crime scene, with unclear motives, could cause a resurgence of the crisis that was previously averted.

This is not the work of a wise person.

"The path of destiny does not necessarily require one to be in danger."

Li Yan whispered to himself, already having made up his mind.

He got up and took out several items from his storage bag.

Three newly drawn water spirit amulets.

This talisman was drawn using the essence of the Water Spirit Jade as a guide, and it has an extra blessing for aquatic creatures.

The two Rejuvenation Pills were low-grade pills that were refined the day before in the public alchemy room using calming flowers from the medicinal garden and several common herbs. They have a slight effect on external and internal injuries.

A small bottle of Ice Dew is made by collecting the morning dew from banana leaves and mixing it with powdered lotus leaves. It is icy to the touch and can temporarily enhance the flexibility of water.

He categorized the items, carefully wrapped them in oiled paper, tied them securely with thin rope, and finally covered the outer layer with a small thunder talisman.

It uses its lightning fluctuations to conceal the spiritual characteristics of the items inside.

Once everything was ready, Li Yan pushed open the door to the quiet room and walked into the courtyard.

The moonlight is like water, and the sparse shadows of the old plum trees lie askew.

He sat cross-legged under the plum tree, placed the warm tortoise shell in his palm, closed his eyes and concentrated, his mind clear and bright.

A wisp of thought called out, traveling along the spiritual connection between the speaker and the jade rat.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a rustling sound came from the grass at the base of the courtyard wall.

A small, silver-gray head peeked out; it was the Jade Rat.

Its small eyes looked around and, seeing that Li Yan was the only one there, it tiptoed to the plum tree.

It squeaked twice as it tilted its head back.

"...Why are you calling the rat?...In the dead of night..."

Li Yan opened his eyes and pushed the prepared package in front of the jade rat:

"I have a fortunate opportunity and would like to ask for your help. If this succeeds, you will receive 20% of the lotus seeds and lotus roots obtained."

The jade rat twitched its little nose and sniffed the package, but due to the cover of the micro-thunder talisman, it couldn't make out the details clearly:

"...What is it?...So mysterious..."

"It's to help Abi."

Li Yan stated frankly, "At midnight tonight, the Ice Flower deep in the Cold Pool will bloom."

Abi wanted to take it, but feared she lacked the strength; the bottom of the pool was cold, and there were lingering effects of the prohibition.

These talismans and elixirs can lend it a helping hand.

Jade Rat blinked: "...Let Rat deliver it?...There are guards there now, it's terrifying..."

"There's no need to go near the entrance to the shallow pool."

Li Yan pointed towards the back mountain.

"Do you remember that three miles downstream from the Cold Pool, there is a hidden water eye that connects to the underground current at the bottom of the pool?"

Abi should be able to sense your presence and will go there to meet you.

The jade rat tilted its head and thought for a moment:

"...There seems to be such a place...water seeps out from the cracks in the rocks, and it feels cool..."

"Exactly."

Li Yan nodded, then took out a small pinch of spirit rice mixed with Nourishing Aperture Pill powder.

"This is no easy task; this is my reward. Once Abi has succeeded, I will offer her additional lotus seeds."

The aroma of the spirit rice made the jade mouse swallow hard, and it scratched the ground with its little paws.

There is danger on the other side of the cold pool, but it is also very tempted by the lotus seeds of the Ice Flower.

Besides, there's this real spirit rice right in front of us...

finally.

The jade rat gritted its teeth.

"...Okay! I'll go run it!"

"...But it's a deal, I want plump lotus seeds! Don't try to fool me with shriveled ones!"

"It's a deal." Li Yan smiled and pushed the spirit rice over.

The jade rat stuffed the spirit rice into its cheeks, then picked up the package, tested its weight, and managed to hold it.

It nodded to Li Yan, then turned into a thin silver-gray line, slipped over the courtyard wall, and disappeared into the night forest.

Li Yan watched it disappear, his mind connected with the tortoise shell, quietly sensing the changes in the unseen world.

He was not anxious.

Do your best, listen to destiny.

Without venturing into dangerous places themselves, but using spiritual creatures as a guide and borrowing the power of beasts, they will benefit if they succeed, and their foundation will not be damaged even if they fail.

Time passes little by little.

The moon slowly moved past its zenith, and midnight was approaching.

The mountains and forests grew quiet, even the chirping of insects faded away.

Suddenly, Li Yan's brow twitched.

Almost simultaneously, he faintly heard the jade rat's hurried, intermittent voice, traveling several miles, coming in a blurry manner:

"...We've arrived...the water's edge...it's cold...Abi's here...she took the things...and went back into the water..."

"...It was down there...it flashed briefly...very bright...then dimmed...something was vibrating..."

The distance was too great, and communication was lost.

Li Yan's five fingers tightened slightly.

Close your eyes and let your mind sink into the mirror of your heart.

The mirror surface ripples gently like water, unable to reflect distant scenes, but it can reflect the subtle changes in one's own destiny and fate.

The pale gold threads began to accelerate, slowly converging one by one.

[The jade rat, carrying a secret aid, secretly stirs up the karmic connections at the bottom of the pool. Aura of Destiny +3]

[Current Affinity/Dharma Aura: 18/40]

Li Yan was certain.

It is exactly midnight.

Li Yan opened his eyes.

"boom!"

A muffled, deafening roar faintly echoed along the earth's veins.

The ground, windows, beams, and pillars of the entire No. 7, Bingzi Courtyard trembled slightly.

Several petals of the withered flowers on the old plum branches in the courtyard fluttered down.

Li Yan stood up, activated his eyes to the fullest extent, and looked towards the direction of the cold pool.

All I could see was the night sky over there.

The originally clear moonlight gathered into a hazy, funnel-shaped beam of light, tilting and pouring into a place surrounded by mountains.

At the center of the pillar of light, a magnificent radiance, interwoven with ice blue and moon white, shimmered and danced.

Even from a great distance, one can feel the pure and powerful spiritual energy spreading in all directions.

The Moon Lotus has bloomed.

The commotion was much greater than expected.

Li Yan's mind raced, and suddenly his ear twitched again.

On the distant mountain peak, towards the main hall of the Three Star Cave, several dazzling streams of light of different colors shone and rose into the air.

They headed straight for the cold pool.

It moved at an extremely high speed, cutting through the night sky and leaving a long trail.

"As expected..." Li Yan murmured, unsurprised.

Such extraordinary phenomena when the treasures of heaven and earth mature cannot be hidden from true masters.

He sat down again and waited for what would happen next.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn has passed.

The pillar of moonlight that had been pouring down gradually dimmed.

The night sky returned to its clear state.

No new streaks of light flew towards the cold pool, and those that had arrived earlier did not return immediately.

Another half hour passed.

A flash of silver-gray shadow appeared in the grass at the base of the wall.

The jade rat, panting heavily, crawled in, its little belly bulging.

He had a wet, oily paper package dangling from his mouth.

It ran up to Li Yan, put down the oil paper package, plopped down on the ground, and patted its chest with its little paws:

"...It scared the mouse to death! The light down below suddenly blazed on, like a thunderclap! The ground shook!"

"...Several shadows flew past overhead in a flash, and I, the little mouse, hid in a crack in the rocks, too scared to even breathe!"

"...Where's Abi? Did it get discovered?"

Li Yan took the oil paper package; it was heavy and cold to the touch, and the surface was still damp.

"...I don't know!"

The jade rat shook its head.

"It took the things and went downstairs."

Later, when the pillar of light rose, I thought I glimpsed a green shadow flash at the bottom of the pool and darted deeper... I didn't see it again after that.

It paused, then looked at Li Yan: "...Um...lotus seeds..."

Li Yan untied the oil paper package.

Inside are two sections of translucent white lotus root, three lotus seeds about the size of longan, and an ice-blue color with moon-shaped patterns on the surface.

There are also eight complete and translucent lotus leaves.

The milky white sap at the cut end of the lotus root has solidified, and it has a pleasant fragrance.

Lotus seeds feel cool to the touch, and their inner radiance flows.

The lotus leaves are as graceful as ever, brimming with vitality.

It is clear that after Abi succeeded, she quickly divided the spoils and, as agreed, placed part of the harvest at the water's eye, which was then taken back by the jade rat.

Moreover, judging from the quantity, it's much more than what I agreed upon.

Li Yan was certain that Abi was unharmed, or at least had managed to escape.

He took out a lotus seed, broke off a small section of lotus root, and along with three lotus leaves, pushed it in front of the jade mouse:

"You've worked hard. This is what you deserve."

The jade mouse's small eyes widened, and it pounced on the ice-blue lotus seed, unable to put it down.

It sniffed the lotus roots and leaves again, squeaking and chirping.

"...It really was given to the hamster! That's wonderful! Thank you! Thank you!"

It stuffed the spirit into its cheeks, making its already bulging cheeks even rounder:

"...I need to find a place to hide and eat slowly...I'm leaving now! Call me next time you need anything!"

Having said that, he turned and slipped away, disappearing into the night in the blink of an eye.

Li Yan rewrapped the remaining lotus roots, seeds, and leaves and put them into his storage bag.

The mirror of the heart reflects.

[Indirectly helped the Azure Water Python obtain the Moon-Refining Lotus Fruit, sharing in the opportunity and deepening the karmic entanglement. Aura of Fate +8]

[Obtained: One section of Moon-Refined Lotus Root, Two Moon-Refined Lotus Seeds, Five Moon-Refined Lotus Leaves]

[Current Affinity/Dharma Aura: 26/40]

The aura of destiny surged, and a spiritual object was acquired.

Tonight's plans have been a complete success.

But Li Yan did not relax.

He went back to the quiet room and carefully put the spirit object away.

Then, he changed into a clean Taoist robe, sat cross-legged on a futon, and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing.

The cold pool is unusually disturbed tonight; the experts in our sect will surely investigate it thoroughly.

Although I did not visit in person, the Jade Rat's comings and goings may have left subtle traces.

The most important thing right now is to erase all suspicion and restore normalcy.

The next day, the morning bell rang as usual.

Li Yan pushed open the courtyard gate, but the mountain fog was still so thick it couldn't be dispersed.

But a sense of unease permeated the surroundings.

On the way to the dining hall, I encountered groups of three or five registered disciples, whispering among themselves.

The conversation revolved entirely around the strange phenomenon that occurred at the cold pool last night.

"I heard that last night, over by the cold pool, the moonlight shone down, causing the earth to shake violently!"

"More than that! Several sword lights flew past the main peak; it's probably because one of the elders has emerged from seclusion!"

"The Discipline Hall has increased its manpower early this morning and designated a three-mile radius around the Cold Pool as a forbidden area, saying that it is going to conduct a thorough investigation."

"Do you think it could be related to the water palace that the monkey disturbed? Could there really be some incredible treasure inside?"

"Shh...shut up! Do you think we can just guess about this?"

Li Yan listened silently, his expression unchanged as he ate some spirit rice and two side dishes, then found a quiet corner to eat.

After the meal, he went to the herb garden as usual.

The morning mist, like a veil, drifted over the path.

The mountain air seemed more vibrant than usual, as if stirred by the unusual moonlight of the previous night, drifting in wisps and strands amidst the mist.

Upon closer inspection, one can see faint traces of light in shades of pale gold, moon white, and ice blue, which have not yet completely dissipated.

"The spirit of heaven and earth is bursting forth, and even the plants and trees in the mountains seem more vibrant," Li Yan thought to himself.

The medicinal herb garden is in sight.

Surrounded by green fences, with wisps of mist rising from the ground.

Several disciples who were sweeping fallen leaves outside the garden stopped and bowed when they saw Li Yan arrive.

"Senior Brother Li."

Li Yan nodded in return and stepped into the garden.

Tranquilizing flowers, calming herbs, jade marrow fungus... all kinds of spiritual plants are growing well.

Last night, the spiritual energy fluctuated, and these low-level spiritual herbs actually benefited from it.

The leaves were covered with glistening dewdrops, and their inner radiance was slightly stronger than usual.

As usual, he made a round of inspections, then took a bamboo tube and watered several herbs that needed water.

Just as he bent over, his ear twitched.

A whooshing sound came from afar.

Li Yan looked up and saw three sword lights returning from the direction of the cold pool, passing over the medicine garden, and heading straight for the main peak.

The sword light was of various colors.

A fiery red streak.

A stretch of green bamboo.

A streak of silvery white as frost.

The speed was extremely fast, yet the outline of the figure treading the sword could still be clearly seen.

Standing atop the crimson sword light was a burly Taoist with a bushy beard and piercing eyes; he was none other than Lei Yan Zhenren, the head of the Discipline Hall.

The figure on the azure sword light was a lean old man, dressed in coarse linen and wearing a bamboo hat; he was Elder Qingzhu, the master of transmission.

On the silvery-white sword light was a middle-aged woman, dressed in a plain robe and wearing a jade hairpin, with a cold and stern face. She was the Hall Master, Frost Moon Fairy.

The three high-ranking members of the sect returned together, all with solemn expressions.

Li Yan lowered his eyes and continued tending to the flowers and plants.

But my mind is as clear as a mirror.

The three immortals have personally investigated, and it seems the matter of the Cold Pool will need to be thoroughly investigated.

Sure enough, before noon, the Discipline Hall issued a new decree.

All registered disciples must register their whereabouts last night at the Hall of Affairs today.

Anyone who can provide clues about the strange phenomena in the Cold Pool will be rewarded with 300 spirit shells and 50 Dao merits.

The news spread, and the registered area was immediately in an uproar.

Three hundred spirit shells are equivalent to half a year's monthly allowance.

Fifty hours of practice can be exchanged for a decent basic exercise in the Scripture Pavilion.

Immediately, the crowd began to discuss the matter.

Some say they saw a streak of light moving eastward, others say they heard muffled sounds from underground; the truth is hard to discern.

Li Yan waited in the herb garden until the end of the 9-11 PM before leisurely heading to the Hall of Affairs.

A long queue had already formed in front of the hall.

Dozens of registered disciples stepped forward one by one to recount the events of the previous night to the disciples on duty in the Discipline Hall.

They then presented their identity jade talisman, which was then examined by the attending disciple using a magical artifact to verify any remaining aura.

It was already afternoon when it was Li Yan's turn.

The person on duty was an unfamiliar young disciple, whose cultivation level was around five apertures, and whose expression was solemn.

"Name, address, where you were from midnight to 3 AM last night, what you were doing, are there any witnesses?"

Li Yan handed over the jade talisman: "Li Yan, No. 7, Bing-character courtyard. He cultivated in the quiet room of the courtyard last night and did not go out."

The array formation within the courtyard serves as proof.

The young disciple took the jade talisman and placed it in front of a round bronze mirror.

Ripples spread across the mirror's surface, reflecting the array fluctuations recorded by the jade talisman last night.

From midnight onwards, the spirit-gathering array in courtyard number seven of the Bing character continued to operate, with the sound barrier activated, until the end of the Yin hour.

This is the basic function of the registered courtyard, originally intended to protect the disciples' privacy during their cultivation, but now it has become proof.

The young disciple nodded and marked it on the roster: "Okay. Next."

Li Yan retrieved the jade talisman and turned to leave.

As I walked out of the Deacon Hall, I caught a glimpse of two people standing under the side corridor.

A man dressed in a dark gray Taoist robe with silver trim, with a handsome face and a reserved expression.

It was Zhao Yuanqing, a true disciple whom I had met once before.

The other person was a gaunt old man, dressed in hemp clothing and straw sandals, with his eyes half-closed and a green bamboo cane in his hand.

Li Yan felt a slight chill.

Although the old man did not exude any aura, he stood there as if he had become one with the surrounding world.

He didn't dare look any longer, lowered his head and quickly left.

After walking a hundred steps, my heart suddenly skipped a beat.

[Avoiding the scrutiny of the real person, words and actions are flawless. Aura of destiny +1]

[Current Affinity/Dharma Aura: 27/40]

Li Yan did not stop walking, but secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems that the old man was using a secret method to observe the aura of the disciples in the hall.

If I hadn't actually been cultivating in the courtyard last night and hadn't used the formation to conceal it, I probably wouldn't have been able to hide it from everyone.

Back at No. 7, Bingzi Courtyard, Li Yan stayed inside and didn't go out.

Sitting cross-legged on a futon in the quiet room, in front of him on a jade plate were a blue lotus seed, two moon-quenched lotus leaves, and a section of white lotus root.

The moonlight shone through the window and fell perfectly onto the jade plate.

The lotus seeds have flowing crescent moon patterns on their surface, the lotus leaves are translucent like ice crystals, and the lotus root has a milky white sap that doesn't dissipate at the cut end.

All three shimmered with an icy blue light, reflecting the moonlight.

The mirror of the mind reflects the method of refining.

【The three treasures of Cuiyue share the same origin and coexist in harmony.】

Lotus seeds represent the spirit, lotus leaves represent the energy, and lotus roots represent the body.

Divide and eat, and each will get its own benefit.

When combined and refined, they complement each other to create the Moon Essence Cleansing Pill, which has remarkable effects on cultivators in the Opening Stage.

[Specific method: Use lotus seeds as a guide, dissolve them in your mouth and swallow them, and draw in the moonlight to cleanse and refine your spirit.]

At the same time, apply lotus leaves to the Tanzhong acupoint and apply lotus root slices to the Taiyang and Yuzhen acupoints.

By circulating the guiding method of the *Shouzhuo Jing* (Scripture of Guarding Simplicity), the spiritual energy of the three elements is gathered and channeled into the heart, cycling repeatedly until it is complete after nine cycles.

[Note: This process requires a high degree of concentration and requires the power of moonlight as a medium.]

The best time is when the moon is at its brightest. Today happens to be the full moon, making it an excellent opportunity.

After reading it, Li Yan understood.

He looked up at the moon, observing it through his eyes.

The moon is full and round, its clear light like a waterfall.

The essence of the moon was several times more concentrated than usual, and it dripped down in strands, which were drawn into the courtyard by the spirit-gathering array.

The Moon Soul Stabilizing Tablet hanging under the beam of the quiet room, stimulated by this, caused the thirty-six lotus root plaques to emit a warm glow.

Upon seeing this, Li Yan took off his shirt, revealing his upper body.

First, place two lotus leaves of the Moon-Quenching Lotus on your chest. The lotus leaves will melt upon contact with your body, turning into two wisps of icy blue energy that seep into your skin.

The cool sensation spreads along the meridians and penetrates into the heart.

Next, take a lotus root, cut two thin slices (as thin as cicada wings), and place them on both temples.

Cut another slightly thicker slice and stick it to the back of the head.

The lotus root slices are cool and refreshing, with pure and subtle energy seeping in to nourish the meridians connected to the eyes and ears.

Finally, he picked up the icy blue lotus seed and put it in his mouth.

The lotus seeds melt on the tongue, turning into a sweet and smooth liquid that flows down the throat.

It initially feels cool, but after entering the stomach, it gradually intensifies.

The abundant and pure moonlight essence washed over his limbs and bones.

Li Yan groaned, feeling as if his meridians were being washed by an icy spring, a sensation that was both painful and refreshing.

He quickly calmed himself down and began to practice the "Guardian of Simplicity" mantra.

A bright light shone from the mind's aperture, transforming into a vortex that drew in vital energy, converging it towards the chest.

At the same time, the moonlight outside the window was drawn in and condensed into a silver beam that poured into the top of Li Yan's head.

"boom!"

The sea of ​​consciousness trembled.

Li Yan felt his soul leave his body and float up into the air, looking down at the quiet room.

The moonlight, like water, enveloped my body.

At the Tanzhong acupoint on the chest, ice-blue and silver-white light intertwined, forming a slowly rotating vortex.

The spiritual energy of the lotus leaves, lotus roots, and lotus seeds gradually merged under the guidance of the mind.

The first transformation, the spiritual energy washes over the meridians, the pain is like being cut by a knife.

The second turn, the pain gradually subsided, turning into a cool and comfortable feeling.

In the third cycle, spiritual energy begins to nourish the acupoints, and the eyes and ears become brighter.

In the fourth rotation, the Qi vortex in the heart aperture solidifies slightly, and its stability gradually increases.

Fifth turn...

Sixth turn...

Li Yan's mind sank into a mysterious state.

In my ears, I hear the gentle murmur of moonlight flowing through my veins, and the sound of the tides as spiritual energy surges through my meridians.

The eyes reflect the distribution of spiritual light of one's own internal organs, meridians, and acupoints.

The mind is clear and bright, illuminating the whole situation.

By the time the ninth revolution was completed, it was almost midnight.

The moon was setting in the west, and its silvery glow was fading.

Li Yan opened his eyes, a flash of sharp light in them that disappeared before returning to a gentle expression.

Looking down, the lotus leaf on his chest had vanished without a trace, leaving only faint ice-blue patterns that blended into his skin.

The sun, and the lotus root slices at the Jade Pillow, also turned to ashes.

The surging spiritual energy within his body had been completely refined.

At the heart point, the energy vortex was stable, and the radiance was restrained, yet it was several times more solid and substantial than before.

Reflection in the Mirror of the Heart:

[Refine the three treasures of the moon, using the moon as a medium, and complete the process after nine cycles.]

The heart orifice, nourished by the essence of moonlight and water, becomes much more stable.

[Current mental stability: 60/100]

[Deepened understanding of the *Shouzhuo Jing* (Scripture of Simplicity), the moonlight cleanses the heart, and the spirit unites with the Dao. Comprehension +20.]

[Current comprehension level of the "Shouzhuo Jing" (Scripture of Simplicity): 70/100]

[Aura of Fate +5 (Refining spiritual objects of heaven and earth, in harmony with nature)]

[Current Affinity/Dharma Aura: 32/40]

Li Yan breathed a long sigh of relief, feeling refreshed and more alert than ever before.

With the slightest thought, one can clearly sense the rustling of grass and the crawling of insects within ten feet outside the courtyard.

They could also vaguely sense the emotions of the spiritual plants in the herb garden on the back mountain.

The joy of gazing at the moon, the parched thirst of lacking water, the pain of insect bites...

This is a sign that the mind's potential has been fully realized.

Li Yan got up and opened the window.

A mountain breeze caresses the face, and the night dew is refreshing.

In the distance, towards the cold pool, faint spiritual light still lingered, but it was no longer as magnificent as the night before.

The lockdown on the Discipline Hall has not yet been lifted, but the number of patrolling disciples has been reduced by more than half.

As dawn breaks in the east, the morning mist rises again.

Li Yan pushed open the courtyard gate. The mountain scenery was bathed in the gray-blue light of the sky, with distant peaks like dark eyebrows and nearby ridges shrouded in mist.

The last vestiges of spiritual light in the direction of the cold pool have completely vanished, leaving only the ordinary mountain mists flowing by.

The newly posted notice from the Discipline Hall hangs on the jade wall in front of the Deacon Hall, written in cinnabar.

The earth's veins in the Cold Pool have been leveled, and the spiritual object has been claimed. Unauthorized disciples are prohibited from approaching; violators will be severely punished.

With just a few words, the earth-shattering phenomenon was glossed over.

Li Yan paused for a moment in front of the notice, his mind clear.

Now that the sect's higher-ups have set the tone, the matter is considered settled.

However, neither a large-scale search of the mountain was conducted, nor was the whereabouts of the lotus seeds investigated.

It is likely that when the three real people were investigating, Abi had already taken most of the spoils and disappeared into the deep waters, leaving no trace.

The small portion I received was just the right amount.

It's sufficient without being too conspicuous.

Li Yan withdrew his gaze and turned to head towards the herb garden.

The ears pick up all the surrounding discussions.

"Have you heard? That strange phenomenon in the icy pool is the ripening of a thousand-year-old spiritual lotus!"

"More than that! It is said that the lotus blossoms in nine grades, and the moonlight bestows its light upon it, attracting three immortals to arrive together!"

"What a pity, it was taken by the sect... Otherwise, obtaining even one lotus seed would be worth three years of arduous cultivation!"

"Stop dreaming. Such a spiritual object is beyond the reach of either of us."

Li Yan remained composed, but a slight unease stirred within him.

Rumors always spread faster and in more bizarre ways than the truth.

A thousand-year-old spiritual lotus, nine-grade moonlight... that saves me the trouble of concealing it.

As for the sect taking it away, that's an excellent excuse.

While pondering, they arrived at the herb garden.

Before the morning mist had dissipated, glistening dewdrops clung to the leaves of the plants in the garden, reflecting the soft light like scattered stars.

Li Yan conducted his routine inspection.

The edges of the pale blue petals of the Tranquilizing Flower were tinged with silver, and its spiritual energy was even stronger than yesterday.

The golden threads in the veins of the Qingxincao leaves are becoming increasingly clear.

Even those few ordinary hemostatic vines had a faint jade-like hue emanating from their stems.

"The moonlight cleanses and refines, benefiting all living beings."

Li Yan gently stroked a calming petal.

With a slightly clear mind, one can sense the joyful emotions emanating from flowers and plants.

He smiled slightly, took the bamboo tube, and began to water the plants.

The water is rootless, clear and sweet.

When watered at the base of the plant, the soil slightly sinks and develops a wet, dark sheen.

While I was working, my ear suddenly twitched.

From the old site of the seven-star grass in the northeast corner, a rustling sound came.

Li Yan glanced around and saw that the soil had slightly arched up, and a small silver-gray head had poked out.

It is a jade rat.

Its little eyes darted around, and seeing that no one was around, it slipped out and ran to Li Yan's feet, stood up, and gestured with its front paws.

"...Squeak!..."

Li Yan crouched down and took out a small handful of spirit rice from his robes: "Thank you for your hard work. How is Abi?"

The jade mouse hugged the spirit rice, its cheeks puffing out:

"...It's doing great!...The little one said it swallowed the biggest lotus seed and ate half a lotus root, and now it's hiding in its old nest in the deep ravine to digest...It said it'll be sleeping for at least a month..."

He paused, then his small eyes lit up:

"...But it asked me to tell you thank you for the talismans and pills...and that it will come back to you to exchange them for something better after it comes out of seclusion!"

Li Yan nodded: "That's good. Be careful, and don't go near the Cold Pool again in the coming days."

"...Understood!" The jade rat stuffed the spirit rice into its cheeks, then took out something and handed it to Li Yan.

"...This is what Abi asked me to bring you...she said it was dug out from a crevice in the rocks at the bottom of the pool...it's useless..."

Li Yan took it; it felt solid in his hand, a fist-sized, bluish-black stone.

The stone is rough, with a surface covered with fine pores, and a faint aura of coldness seeps out.

Reflection in the Mirror of the Heart:

【Iron Sinking in the Cold Pool (300 Years Old)】

[Note: Having been nourished by the coldness of the earth's veins and the essence of water for three hundred years, it contains a trace of Gui water and refined gold.]

It can be used to craft low-level water-based flying swords or magical artifacts, and can also be used to aid concentration when cultivating water-attribute techniques.

It's a pretty good material for refining weapons.

Li Yan accepted it and gave the jade rat a few grains of spirit rice as a reward.

The jade mouse was overjoyed and burrowed back into the soil, disappearing from sight.

Li Yan continued tending to the herb garden, but in his heart he was pondering the use of this piece of heavy iron.

I am not skilled in weapon crafting, so I can't use it for the time being.

However, the Artifact Pavilion often has tasks to acquire such materials, which can be exchanged for Dao Merit.

However, it is not advisable to take any action at the moment.

With the scandal at the Cold Pool still fresh in people's minds, bringing out the Heavy Iron at this time inevitably raises suspicions.

It will take some time.

As the sun rose higher, the fog dissipated.

After finishing his work, Li Yan was about to return to his courtyard when he heard a whooshing sound coming from the mountains and forests.

It was moving extremely fast and heading straight towards the herb garden.

Li Yan remained expressionless, his gaze piercing through the gaps in the fence as he looked toward the source of the sound.

A few breaths later.

A golden shadow swept out from the treetops, somersaulted twice in mid-air, and landed on the stone platform outside the garden.

The man in the oversized grey robe, with bits of grass and dew clinging to the hem, had a thunderous mouth and a pair of golden eyes; it was none other than Sun Wukong.

This monkey's aura is different today.

His body radiated a restrained spiritual light, yet it subtly exuded a profound and harmonious Daoist charm.

The golden pillar of fortune above his head was even more solid than when he had seen it a few days ago.

The four-colored calamity energy swirled and churned around it, yet it could not penetrate the core of the golden light.

At the center of his brow, a tiny, rice-grain-sized golden spot of light appeared and disappeared.

Li Yan felt a slight tremor in his heart.

"Senior brother! It's me, Old Sun!"

Sun Wukong grinned.

Li Yan cupped his hands and smiled, "Junior Brother Sun, you seem to be in high spirits today. What brings you to my herb garden?"

"Hey! Don't even mention it!"

Sun Wukong leaped into the garden and plopped down on the soil ridge that Li Yan had just loosened, not caring that it was dirty.

"Weren't you punished the other day for cleaning the animal trail?"

I, Old Sun, worked for two whole days, sweeping those dozen or so broken paths on the back mountain clean, not even a single leaf could be found!

The senior disciple in charge checked this morning and finally nodded in approval, giving me half a day off!

As it spoke, it took out an oil paper package from its bosom and handed it over:

"Senior brother, look! I picked some wild honey from the back mountain, it's so sweet! I'll share half with you!"

Li Yan took it; the oil paper package was still warm from his body.

Upon opening it, one finds a thick, golden honey syrup with a fragrant aroma and an almost magical quality.

"The honey from that nest of jade bees on the cliff behind the mountain?"

Li Yan was surprised, "Those bees are very fierce; ordinary disciples dare not approach them."

"Hehe! I, Old Sun, have a way!"

Sun Wukong said proudly, "I transformed into a little bee, sneaked into the hive, and stole two honeycombs while the queen bee wasn't looking!"

Those silly bees are still buzzing around there!

Li Yan chuckled; this monkey's actions were indeed unpredictable and whimsical.

He took out a jade bottle, poured out a small portion of the honey, and returned the rest:

"Thank you, junior brother. But please be careful in the future. The jade bee's venom is quite potent, so don't be careless."

"Okay, okay!"

Sun Wukong waved his hand, his golden eyes suddenly darting around, and he moved closer.

"Senior brother, I've actually come today to ask you about something else."

"Oh? What is it?"

"that is……"

Sun Wukong scratched his head.

"When I meditate recently, I always feel a swelling in the space between my eyebrows, as if something is about to burst out."

Sometimes strange images flash before my eyes.

There are mountains, there is water, and... and there is a huge pillar, reaching to the sky and standing upright, but I can't see it clearly.

It pointed to the golden spot between its eyebrows: "Senior brother, look, isn't this spot glowing a little?"

Li Yan stared intently at it.

Below the eye orifice.

Within those golden spots, countless tiny runes were created and circulated, faintly forming a mysterious structure that was slowly condensing.

It is the prototype of the Dao.

Moreover, judging from its aura, it is not an ordinary Daoist seed of the Five Elements.

"Junior Brother Sun, have you already opened all nine orifices?" Li Yan asked.

"Nine orifices? They're all open long ago!"

Sun Wukong counted on his fingers,

"The eye aperture, the heart aperture... anyway, I, Old Sun, have already opened up all the key points that Master mentioned in a long time!"

Now, my body is circulating internal energy, like a mighty river, rushing and roaring!

Li Yan sighed inwardly.

What is ordained by Heaven is not something that can be measured by reason.

He practiced diligently for three years before finally opening the three orifices.

This monkey has been practicing for less than three months, yet his nine orifices are already open, and the seed of the Dao is about to solidify.

"The unusual appearance between your brows, junior brother, is likely a sign that a seed of Dao is forming."

Li Yan slowly said, "The seed of the Dao is the root of cultivation and the foundation of magical power."

After the nine orifices are opened, the Qi is abundant and the spirit is full. A seed of true spirit condenses at the ancestral aperture between the eyebrows, which is the seed of the Dao.

Sun Wukong blinked. "Like a seed? If you plant it, it can grow into a powerful being?"

"The analogy may be crude, but the principle is sound," Li Yan nodded.

Sun Wukong scratched his ear: "So, this swollen feeling I'm experiencing means the seed of enlightenment is about to form?"

"That should be true," Li Yan said. "However, for the seed of the Dao to condense, one must unite one's mind and spirit and draw upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to nourish it."

Junior brother, you should spend more time meditating and contemplating these days, maintaining a clear and lucid mind. When the time is right, the seed of the Dao will naturally appear.

"Sit quietly and contemplate..."

Sun Wukong wore a bitter face.

"I hate this the most!"

As soon as I sat down, it felt like a million monkeys were fighting in my head, it was so noisy!

Li Yan pondered for a moment and said, "If you can't calm your mind, you might try to find stillness in movement."

"Finding stillness within movement? How do you achieve that?"