Gou Zai Xi You Dao Chang Sheng

The patriarch's sermon has ended.

The disciples on the stone platform were still savoring what they had just heard, gathering in small groups and whispering among themselves.

Li Yan walked slowly down the mountain with the crowd, but his ears picked up all the surrounding discussions.

"...Senior Brother Li's words seemed ordinary, but upon closer examination, they were in line with the great Dao."

"Two years and seven months, crossing the sea on a raft... If it were me, I'd probably be a fish's belly by now."

"No wonder the patriarch specifically named him. Such a person's unwavering resolve is beyond the reach of ordinary people."

"It's a pity his cultivation level is only so-so..."

Li Yan walked with his head down, a slight ripple stirring in his heart.

The wood is beautiful in the forest, and the wind will destroy it.

The patriarch's public recognition today, though a stroke of luck, has also thrust him into the limelight.

The key to the right path lies in not standing under a crumbling wall.

Now that the wall is faintly visible, we need to think of ways to retreat and withdraw.

He showed no sign of it and quickly left Shiping.

A mountain breeze swept by, fluttering the hem of the Taoist robe and dispelling the restlessness in people's hearts.

Back at No. 7, Bingzi Courtyard, I closed the door.

Li Yan exhaled a long breath.

An old plum tree stands quietly in the courtyard, the morning dew still clinging to it.

He first washed his hands and burned incense, letting the calming fragrance dispel the chaotic thoughts that clung to his body.

Then, sit cross-legged on the futon, close your eyes and concentrate.

The mirror of the heart naturally reflects all that has just happened.

The patriarch publicly inquired and acknowledged the foundation of one's character. Reputation increased slightly, but so did public scrutiny; fortune and misfortune are intertwined.

[Stay true to yourself, respond calmly, avoid arrogance, and act with discretion.]

[Aura of Destiny +5 (Clear Dao Mind, in Harmony with Nature)]

[Current Affinity/Dharma Aura: 45/80]

Listening to the patriarch's detailed explanation of the five steps to cultivating the Dao seed brought clarity to the subsequent path of cultivation, and deepened the understanding of the method of seed condensation.

[Current comprehension level of the "Shouzhuo Jing" (Scripture of Simplicity): 98/100 (near perfection)]

[The "Nine Apertures Hidden Dragon Chapter" aligns with the Great Dao taught by the Patriarch, comprehension +10]

[Current comprehension level of "Nine Apertures Hidden Dragon Chapter": 75/100]

Li Yan's mind was clear.

The patriarch's seemingly casual question today actually contains a profound meaning.

After a moment of contemplation, he gathered his mind and focused his attention back on his own cultivation.

Li Yan opened his eyes and took out the tortoise shell from his bosom.

The nail plates are smooth and lustrous, with patterns that subtly flow in the sunlight.

A glimmer of understanding dawned in my mind, and a premonition began to surface.

"Earth essence seed... Three-hundred-year-old spiritual spring..."

He took the brown seed out of the storage bag.

The seeds were heavy, and the spiral patterns shimmered with a faint, earthy yellow light under the eyes.

The mirror of the mind reflects the same information as before.

It requires daily irrigation from a spiritual spring that is over 300 years old, supplemented by a thick earth array to gather spiritual energy, for more than a month before it may sprout.

A spring that has been around for three hundred years is truly rare.

Although there are many spiritual springs in Fangcun Mountain, those that are old enough and unclaimed are probably few and far between.

Just as he was pondering this, his ear suddenly twitched.

A faint rustling sound came from the base of the courtyard wall.

Li Yan got up and saw the jade rat squatting under the plum tree, holding a pine nut in its little paws and munching on it with relish.

Seeing him come out, the jade rat raised its head, its cheeks puffing out:

"...Squeak...You're back...Was the sermon good?"

Li Yan squatted down and took out a small pinch of spirit rice:

"I'm alright. How have you been lately?"

The jade rat took the spirit rice and stuffed it into its cheek:

"...It's fine! It's just that the big guy in that cave in the back mountain has been making quite a fuss lately..."

There's always a loud rumbling noise at night, keeping the hamster awake.

Li Yan's heart skipped a beat: "Could it be the pangolin?"

"...Yes, yes! That's it!"

The jade rat's small eyes revealed fear.

"...A few days ago I tried to sneak in and grab another seed, and it almost swatted me flat with its paw..."

Luckily, I ran fast!

He paused, then said mysteriously:

"...But I noticed that the big guy seems to be injured..."

There was a bloody smell in the cave, and its breathing was very heavy.

Li Yan pondered for a moment:

Do you know why it was injured?

The jade rat shook its head:

"...I don't know. But didn't the ground behind the mountain have an earthquake a few days ago?"

The bright light shooting into the sky from the other side of the cold pool, could it be related to that?

The strange phenomenon in the cold pool affected the earth's veins behind the mountain. It's plausible that the pangolin, which lives in a deep cave, was injured by the earth's vein tremors.

Li Yan's mind raced, and he asked:

"Besides the sperm, are there any other special things in that cave?"

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

"...Something special...it looks like a glowing stone..."

Deep inside the cave, that big guy was sleeping on that rock...

The stones were shiny and golden, and looked quite warm.

Upon hearing this, Li Yan made up his mind.

Pangolins are earth-elemental monsters. If we can get their help, we might be able to solve the problem of cultivating the Earth elemental seed.

However, the other party is injured and highly wary, so approaching rashly could be dangerous.

We need to proceed gradually.

He said to the jade rat, "If you go near that cave again, do not go deep inside."

We only observed from the cave entrance to see how badly the pangolin was injured, and when it went out to forage and rested each day.

The jade rat blinked: "...What are you planning to do? You wouldn't be thinking of taking advantage of that big guy, would you?"

It's ferocious! One claw can shatter a rock!

Li Yan shook his head:

"I'm not after it. I'm looking for an opportunity to make a deal with it."

It is something that is injured or needs healing.

I can offer elixirs and talismans in exchange for the seeds from the cave or that glowing stone.

The jade rat breathed a sigh of relief:

"...That's more like it. That big guy may be fierce, but he's not unreasonable..."

Once, I was chased by an eagle. I escaped to the entrance of its den, and it scared the eagle away.

As it spoke, it patted its little chest:

"...Alright! Leave this to Mouse! I'll go check it out first!"

That's all.

Chill!

It disappeared into the bushes.

Li Yan got up and returned to the quiet room.

Take out the section of Purple Thunder Bamboo, Wind Whisper Stone, and Tortoise Shell, and line them up in a row.

The Purple Thunder Bamboo contains the lingering charm of heavenly thunder, and the Wind-Singing Stone contains the essence of wind spirit.

Both are related to the Way of Wind and Thunder, which is perfect for the cultivation of "A Brief Explanation of Wind and Thunder".

Tortoise shells are related to omens and divination, and need to be kept warm for a long time.

The most urgent task at present is to strengthen the nine orifices in preparation for condensing the Dao seed.

The newly opened three apertures are still not very stable and require a lot of spiritual energy to nourish them.

And the source of spiritual energy...

Li Yan's gaze fell on the storage pouch at his waist.

There are also more than a hundred spirit shells inside, which are the surplus from the income of the herb garden accumulated on weekdays.

Spiritual shells have little spiritual energy, but if accumulated, they can still be used.

It's just that the efficiency is too low.

With eyes closed and focused inward, the Shouzhuo Sword hangs in the center of a pale blue vortex within the dantian, slowly rotating.

The sword's blade exudes wisps of Geng metal and Gui water energy, which nourish the acupoints.

"Perhaps, we can use formations to assist."

Li Yan got up and took out the cinnabar talisman paper.

Based on his understanding of "Feng Lei Xiao Jie" and "Shou Zhuo Jing", he began to draw spirit-gathering talismans.

This talisman is several times more complex than the Qingfeng and Weilei talismans.

One must use one's mind to trace the trajectory of the flow of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and draw it to converge at a single point.

Li Yanning calmed his mind, dipped the tip of his brush in cinnabar, and slowly began to write.

The first stroke draws upon the wood element of the East, represented by the Jia and Yi stems.

The second stroke is to outline the Southern Fire element (丙丁).

The third stroke incorporates the meaning of the central Earth element (戊己土).

The fourth stroke connects to the metal element of the West (庚辛).

The fifth stroke incorporates the essence of the Ren and Gui waters from the north.

The five elements cycle endlessly, creating a continuous cycle of life.

With swift strokes, the talisman gradually took shape.

As Li Yan finished the last stroke, he felt a sudden emptiness in his mind, as if half of his internal energy had been drained away.

The talisman paper lit up with five-colored light, which then subsided and transformed into a seemingly ordinary yellow talisman.

Reflection in the Mirror of the Heart:

[Successfully crafted the Five Elements Gathering Spirit Talisman (Mid-grade Mortal)]

[Effect: Can gather the five elements of spiritual energy within a small area, increasing cultivation efficiency by 30% for twelve hours.]

[Deepened understanding of the Dao of Talismans, initial glimpse into its principles (65/100)]

Li Yan wiped away the fine sweat and affixed the talisman to the wall of the quiet room.

Instantly, the surrounding spiritual energy was drawn to it and slowly gathered there.

He sat cross-legged under the talisman and began to circulate the "Nine Apertures Hidden Dragon Chapter

With all nine orifices open, the entire body's energy cycle is completed.

The spiritual energy enters the body and is distributed to various orifices.

The Qi Sea gathers water, the Crimson Palace blends fire, and the Niwan gathers earth.

The eyes absorb the essence of wood, and the ears receive the breath of metal.

The three gates of the spine govern the flow of Qi and harmonize the five elements.

After cultivating in this way for half an hour, the stability of each of the three newly opened fields increased by one point.

It was already late at night when we finished.

Li Yan took out the Wind Whisper Stone and placed it near his ear.

The gentle whisper of the wind enters the ear, like a mountain stream or the sound of pine trees rustling through a crack.

The ear orifices spontaneously absorb the wind spirit within, thereby connecting with the other eight orifices.

They also placed the purple bamboo on the windowsill to collect the night dew.

This bamboo needs to be moistened with water to slowly release its inner thunder essence; it cannot be rushed.

After finishing these tasks, Li Yan lay down on the bamboo couch and closed his eyes to rest.

Listening to the wind whistling and smelling the fragrance of bamboo, my mind gradually blends with the night.

Three days later, the Jade Rat returned.

It crawled in through the drainage hole in the courtyard wall, its body covered in mud, but its small eyes were shining brightly:

"...We've found out! The big guy is injured in his left front paw and is walking with a limp."

Every day at dawn, they would leave the cave to graze on the roots of a purple grass on the eastern hillside, returning to the cave about an hour later.

They would come to the cave entrance to sunbathe at noon, but they were very alert and would retreat at the slightest disturbance.

It stayed lying on the glowing stone all night, rarely moving.

Li Yan handed it a handful of spirit rice:

"That's tough. Do you know what those purple grass roots it's eating are?"

The jade rat said as it ate:

"...I don't recognize it, but it smells earthy, so it's probably for healing."

I secretly broke off a small piece; look at it.

It pulled a piece of purple grass root, about the length of a finger, from its cheek.

The grass roots are as thick as chopsticks, with ring-shaped patterns on the surface, and milky white sap oozing from the broken ends.

With a slight twitch of the nostrils, a faint earthy, medicinal scent could be detected.

Li Yan took it and examined it closely.

Reflection in the Mirror of the Heart:

【Purple Ring Earthworm Root (50 Years Old)】

[Note: Earth-type monsters often use healing herbs, which can promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, and strengthen muscles and bones.]

It has a slight effect on earth-elemental cultivators or demonic beasts.

It is indeed a healing substance.

Li Yan pondered for a moment and said, "I need to make a deal with it. Would you be willing to introduce me?"

The jade rat shrank its neck: "...It has a bad temper...what if it gets angry..."

"It's alright."

Li Yan took out a newly drawn water-replenishing talisman and a light thunder talisman.

"Take these two talismans and place them at the entrance of the cave."

The talisman carries my essence; if it has any intention, it will sense it.

A minor thunder talisman can be used to warn of danger, while a water-based talisman can be used to heal injuries.

These were all low-level talismans, not very powerful, but enough to express goodwill.

The jade rat hesitated for a moment, then accepted the talisman:

"...Well...I'll give it a try. But I'll have to wait until it's basking in the midday sun, that's when it's in the best mood."

Thank you for your trouble.

After the Jade Rat left, Li Yan continued to draw talismans and cultivate the Nine Apertures.

Just after noon the next day, the Jade Rat hurriedly returned.

Her little face was full of excitement:

"...It's done! It's done!" The big guy put away the talisman and sniffed the air for a long time.

Then he nodded toward where I was hiding.

It agreed to the deal, saying, "You should meet me outside the cave tomorrow at dawn when it returns from foraging!"

Li Yan was certain in his heart:

"What conditions did it propose?"

The jade rat shook its head:

"...It didn't say. But judging from the way it stared at the Water-Nourishing Talisman, it seemed to really want it."

I guess they want to change their healing items.

Li Yan nodded.

For pangolin claw injuries, it is necessary to promote blood circulation, remove blood stasis, and strengthen muscles and bones.

The precious seeds and the glowing stone in the cave are quite valuable.

Sufficient capital needs to be prepared.

So he wrapped up the three water-nourishing talismans and the two thunder talismans.

Then, half of each of the blood-activating vine, bone-strengthening flower, and blood-stasis-removing herb picked from the medicinal garden were mixed, pounded into a paste, and stored in a jade box.

With everything prepared, Li Yanjing awaited the next day.

The next day at 3:45 AM.

Li Yan followed the jade rat to the depths of the back mountain.

This place is rarely visited by people.

Ancient trees reach for the sky, and vines hang down to the ground.

The pangolin cave is located at the bottom of a cliff.

The entrance to the cave is about three feet wide, and is mostly covered by vines.

The open space in front of the cave was covered with claw marks and scattered with pebbles.

Li Yan stood ten feet outside the cave, observing through his eyes.

Deep inside the cave, there was a heavy, earthy aura, with a hint of sweet, bloody smell.

It was the pangolin.

He waited quietly.

About an incense stick's time later, rustling sounds came from inside the cave.

A colossal creature slowly crawled out.

This pangolin is nearly ten feet long, covered with palm-sized, yellowish-brown scales with sharp edges.

It has a long, narrow head, a pointed snout, and a pair of small eyes with an earthy yellow luster.

Its left forepaw was covered with a layer of dried, dark red scabs, which dragged slightly on the ground when it moved.

After it emerged from the cave, it first cautiously looked around.

He twitched his nose, smelling Li Yan's scent, and then looked at the jade box and talisman in his hand.

Finally, their gaze fell on Li Yan's face.

Li Yan cupped his hands, his mind slightly clear, and conveyed his thoughts:

"Greetings, fellow Daoist. My name is Li Yan. I heard that you were injured, so I prepared this small gift in the hope that you may do your part."

The pangolin remained silent for a moment, then a heavy thought came through:

"...Human...you have the scent of the Jade Rat on you...and the smell of the talisman from before..."

It paused.

"...What do you want to change to?"

straightforward.

Li Yan didn't beat around the bush:

"I've heard that in your cave, fellow Daoist, there are many exquisite creatures and a luminous strange stone."

I have a few requests, and I am willing to exchange them for healing medicine and talismans.

The pangolin squinted its small eyes:

"...The finest seeds...are those brown seeds?"

That thing is of little use to you humans, and it's extremely difficult to cultivate.

"I have my own reasons."

Li Yan said, "As for that glowing stone, it must be something you rely on for your cultivation."

I only ask for a small piece, or even just a tiny crumb.

The pangolin pondered for a long time.

It lowered its head and licked its injured front paw, its thoughts conveyed:

"...I can give you three fine seeds...but not the glowing stones."

I rely on it entirely for healing and cultivation.

Li Yan felt a slight tremor in his heart.

It's likely that the object contains pure earth elemental energy, making it a hundred times more precious than ordinary stone marrow.

His thoughts shifted:

"Since you are the foundation of my Daoist practice, I dare not force you."

However, fellow Daoist's injuries are quite severe, and relying solely on the Purple Ring Earth Dragon Root may not be enough for a quick recovery.

I can provide you with a blood-activating and bone-strengthening ointment, a water-moistening talisman to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, and a micro-thunder talisman to dispel stagnant and evil qi.

If you would allow me to take a small handful of stone fragments.

Perhaps I could try to concoct a suitable medicine for you, fellow Daoist.

The pangolin's eyes gleamed: "...You know alchemy?"

"Having only a superficial understanding."

Li Yan truthfully replied, "But with fragments as a guide, combined with blood-activating and bone-strengthening medicines, it may be possible to form a pill."

This is not an exaggeration.

The book "A Hundred Mirrors of Herbs" records several folk remedies for healing wounds from earth-elemental demon beasts.

With a superior medicinal guide, the chances of successfully forming the elixir are not small.

The pangolin was clearly tempted.

It has been injured for several days, and although it eats earthworm roots every day, the effects are slow.

Furthermore, the left claw has injured tendons and bones, and if it is not treated quickly, it may leave hidden dangers.

After a long silence, it slowly nodded: "...Alright. If you can refine the elixir, it will help me recover."

I can give you three fine seeds of Earth element, plus... three qian of scraps scraped from the surface of the stone.

Li Yan was secretly delighted, but remained calm on the surface: "It's a deal."

However, alchemy requires several days of work; fellow Daoist, you must wait patiently.

"……Can."

The pangolin said, "But you must refine the elixir near my cave entrance; I want to watch with my own eyes."

This is to prevent him from taking the materials and never returning.

Li Yan nodded: "That's how it should be."

The deal is done.

The pangolin turned and went back into its burrow.

A moment later, it picked out three brown seeds.

There was also a thin layer of golden powder, weighing about three qian (approximately 15 grams), held in a large leaf.

Li Yan's heart mirror reflected golden powder.

[Core fragments of leyline chalcedony]

[Note: This is a treasure of the earth element, formed from the essence of the earth and containing extremely pure and warm earth spirit.]

Using this formation or in medicine can have the remarkable effect of strengthening one's foundation and harmonizing the five elements.

Just by getting close, Li Yan felt a slight throbbing in the acupoints all over his body.

After a moment's thought, he took it and carefully put it away.

Then he took out the ointment, the moisturizing talisman, and the minor thunder talisman, and gave them to the pangolin.

The pangolin sniffed it, then carefully put it away.

Li Yan cupped his hands and said, "Fellow Daoist trusts me, and I will not fail in my trust."

However, alchemy requires gathering the earth's energy and adjusting the fire temperature. Could we borrow this open space at the entrance of your cave and start the furnace here at this time tomorrow?

Firstly, it allows me to benefit from the lingering energy of the earth's veins; secondly, it allows you, fellow Daoist, to witness it with your own eyes, thus putting your mind at ease.

The pangolin's small eyes darted around, scrutinizing Li Yan for a moment before slowly nodding: "...Alright. What do you need?"

"A quiet place, a spring of life, and a few withered branches."

Li Yan looked around the open space at the cave entrance.

"Furthermore, one must calm the mind and concentrate when refining elixirs. I hope that fellow Daoist and the Jade Rat will protect me and prevent any external disturbances."

The pangolin growled softly, which was taken as agreement.

Li Yan returned with the Jade Rat, carrying the Earth Essence Seed and fragments of Stone Marrow.

On the way, the jade rat asked curiously:

"...You really know how to refine pills? I've heard that refining pills is very difficult, and many human cultivators have blown up their furnaces while refining them."

Li Yan smiled and said, "Let's give it a try. Whether it succeeds or not, we must do our best."

Upon returning to Courtyard No. 7, Section C, Li Yan immediately began preparations.

He first took out the three Earth Essence Seeds.

Upon closer inspection, the earth-elemental spiritual light inside the seed was much stronger than that of the previous one, indicating that it was older.

Reflection in the Mirror of the Heart:

【Earth-based refined seed (complete)】

[Note: This is a degenerate variant of the ancient spiritual plant, the Earth-elemental Divine Tree, containing pure Earth-elemental essence.]

Cultivation requires daily watering with spiritual springs over three hundred years old, supplemented by a thick soil array to gather spiritual energy, for more than a month before there is a possibility of sprouting.

If successful, it can slowly improve soil quality and gather the earth's vital energy.

The way of formations is the manifestation of the principles of heaven, earth, and numbers.

This formation, using limited materials to activate the five elements' cycle, deepened my understanding of the formation chapter in "A Brief Explanation of Wind and Thunder."

【The Way of Formations: A First Glimpse (30/100)】

The 300-year-old sacred spring remains a problem.

Li Yan's gaze fell on the bag of stone marrow core fragments.

This item is the essence of the earth's veins. If used to set up an array, it may simulate the effect of a three-hundred-year-old spiritual spring.

He pondered for a moment, then took out "A Hundred Mirrors of Spiritual Herbs" and "A Brief Explanation of Wind and Thunder".

The former details the cultivation of spiritual plants, while the latter touches on the basics of formations.

After reading for a long time, I gradually began to understand.

"The earth vein marrow is the essence of the earth."

If you use the debris as a base, you can set up a "Minor Five Elements Life-Generating Array" to draw upon the earth's spiritual energy.

It might be possible to simulate the nourishing effects of a spiritual spring within a small area.

The Lesser Five Elements Life-Generating Array is an auxiliary array recorded in "Feng Lei Xiao Jie".

It requires the five elements of spiritual objects as a foundation, harmonizing and generating each other, to gather and purify spiritual energy.

The items in Li Yan's hands could barely be gathered to represent the five elements.

However, this formation is complex to set up and needs to be operated continuously for more than a month, which consumes a lot of spiritual resources.

If successful, it will not only cultivate the essence of Earth, but also benefit one's own cultivation.

Worth a try.

He took out talisman paper and cinnabar, and began to draw the array symbols.

This time, five basic array symbols need to be drawn, corresponding to the five elements.

Each one needs to be infused with the corresponding spiritual powder.

Li Yan first took a small amount of stone marrow fragments, ground them into a very fine powder, and mixed them with cinnabar.

Dipping the brush in spiritual ink, I slowly outlined the central Earth symbol.

This talisman is of utmost importance; it must be as stable as the earth, possessing the virtue to bear all things.

With a calm mind, the pen tip falls as if connected to the earth beneath my feet.

The talisman was completed; a flash of yellow light disappeared into the talisman paper.

Next, scrape off some bamboo powder from the Purple Thunder Bamboo, some fragments from the Wind Whisper Stone, and some jade powder from the Water Spirit Jade.

As for the fire element, he used his own heart blood instead.

The heart belongs to fire, and his heart orifice is already perfected, his essence and blood contain the spirit of fire.

Thus, the five array symbols were drawn one after another.

Li Yan's forehead was already covered in sweat.

Drawing array symbols requires several times more energy than drawing ordinary talismans. If he hadn't opened all nine of his orifices and strengthened his spiritual soul, he probably wouldn't have been able to complete it.

After a moment of rest, he began to set up the formation.

Clear out an open space of about ten feet in diameter in the center of the quiet room.

According to the five elements and directions, place the five array symbols at the five corners.

The central Earth talisman, the eastern Wood talisman, the southern Fire talisman, the western Metal talisman, and the northern Water talisman.

Then, using the spiritual spring water, array patterns were drawn on the ground to connect the five talismans.

Finally, place the four Earth Essence Seeds on the central Earth Symbol.

With everything in place, Li Yan stood before the formation, his hands forming hand seals as he activated the "Nine Apertures Hidden Dragon Chapter".

The spiritual energy from the nine orifices was slowly poured into the formation.

At first, the array symbols glowed faintly, and the array patterns rippled.

Gradually, the five colors of light flowed and blended together.

Earth generates metal, metal generates water, water generates wood, wood generates fire, and fire generates earth.

The five elements cycle endlessly, creating a continuous cycle of life.

In the center of the formation, four Earth Essence Seeds trembled slightly, their spiral patterns gleaming with an earthy yellow spiritual light.

The surrounding spiritual energy, drawn by the array, slowly converged, transforming into a light mist that enveloped the seed.

Li Yan was overjoyed, but dared not relax.

Maintain the formation's operation and continue to observe.

Half an hour later, the formation was running smoothly and the five elements were in harmony, so he no longer needed to constantly infuse it with true energy.

Reflection in the Mirror of the Heart:

[Successfully set up a minor Five Elements generating array (simplified version)]

[Effect: Simulates the nourishing environment of a three-hundred-year-old spiritual spring within the formation, gathering and purifying the five elements of spiritual energy.]

It has remarkable effects on the cultivation of earth-elemental spiritual plants and is also beneficial to cultivators' practice.

[Current status of the Wu Earth seedling: Nourishing (expected to germinate in 35 days)]

Li Yan breathed a long sigh of relief.

Finally, a problem has been solved.

Next, they would refine pills for the pangolin.

The next day.

Three zhang away from the cave entrance, Li Yan chose a flat, sheltered spot.

First, sweep the ground with a dust-cleaning talisman, then take out the small stove in the courtyard and place it in the center.

Guided by the jade rat, a bamboo tube of clear mountain spring water flowed from a crack in the rocks not far away.

The pangolin swept up a pile of dry pine branches.

Once everything was ready, Li Yan washed his hands, calmed his breathing, and sat cross-legged in front of the stove.

The jade rat squatted on a rock in the distance, its small eyes unblinking.

The pangolin lay at the cave entrance, seemingly dozing, but its breath firmly locked the area.