Gou Zai Xi You Dao Chang Sheng

The next day, the morning bell rang three times.

Disciples arrived one after another on the stone platform in front of the Three Star Cave.

Li Yan sat in the outermost corner, completely inconspicuous.

On the high platform, Patriarch Bodhi, dressed in a Bagua robe, sat upright with his eyes closed.

Once all the disciples had arrived, the Patriarch opened his eyes and lightly waved his whisk:

"Today we will discuss Chapter 3 of the Pure and Tranquil Sutra: The Method of Clear Understanding of the Nine Apertures of the Primordial Spirit."

The words fell.

Li Yan's eyes were working at full capacity.

All around the patriarch, the Daoist aura of black and yellow swirled slowly like two swimming fish.

With each word uttered, the fish flapped its wings, creating ripples that swept across the disciples below the stage.

True disciples have a clear aura resonating at their crowns, registered disciples have a faint glimmer of primordial spirit, while sweeping disciples are mostly in a daze.

Li Yan, however, saw it very clearly at this moment.

Those ripples of Daoist energy transformed into tiny golden runes in his eyes.

The flowing runes contain the key to cultivating the nine orifices.

He memorized it by rote, engraving the rune's form into his mind.

"The nine orifices of the primordial spirit are the beginning of understanding the profound mystery."

The patriarch's voice was clear and melodious, like a spring flowing over rocks.

"The nine orifices are: the upper dantian, Niwan, which is the residence of the spirit; the middle dantian, Jianggong, which is the pivot of qi and blood."

The lower dantian and the sea of ​​qi are the foundation of essence and vital energy.

These three apertures are the root of the primordial spirit.

The master explained the profound concepts in a simple and easy-to-understand way, and the disciples below the stage listened with rapt attention.

Li Yan, however, was distracted by two things.

He memorized the runes while observing the reactions of the others.

Sun Wukong sat in the front row, scratching his ears and cheeks, sometimes appearing enlightened, sometimes confused.

The golden beam of light above its head undulated slightly with the rhythm of the sermon, and the four-colored calamity energy twisted uneasily.

At that moment, the mirror of the heart was reflected.

Those who observe fire can see the big picture from small details, glimpse the fire in the embers, and find the extraordinary in the ordinary.

This person's destiny is marked by a glimpse of calamity, a gift from heaven, and also the beginning of a tangled web of cause and effect.

It turned out to be the case.

Li Yan thought to himself, this ability is bestowed upon the Fire Watcher by their destiny, but it is also a double-edged sword.

Seeing too much is not necessarily a blessing.

Then, he glanced at the other true disciples, who were either protected by spiritual light or had magical artifacts hanging above them, their auras profound.

The mirror of the heart reflects scattered fragments of information.

[Only true disciples, whose nine orifices are fully opened and whose primordial spirit and Dao seed are formed, may cultivate the true methods of this sect and receive the art of avoiding calamities and prolonging life.]

"It turns out that the true transmission requires the perfection of the nine orifices and the condensation of the Dao seed."

Li Yan wondered to himself, "What about the registered disciples?"

He looked at the disciples whose auras were slightly weaker, but who clearly already possessed cultivation.

The mirror of the heart reflects again.

[Those who register for training must have opened at least three acupoints to receive basic methods of guiding and refining qi. They may also listen to explanations of the true teachings, accumulating merit and practice in order to await the opportunity to be promoted to the true lineage.]

"Three orifices..."

Li Yan silently calculated the gap between himself and the registered disciples.

"I am still missing two apertures. And the gap between being a registered disciple and receiving the true teachings is an insurmountable chasm of six apertures and the condensation of the Dao seed."

As for sweeping and cleaning the outer gates... it's nothing more than doing odd jobs and learning superficial knowledge. Unless something unexpected happens, one will never truly enter the inner circle.

"What are the benefits of a promotion?"

He recalled a discussion he had overheard.

True disciples have their own independent cave dwellings, a fixed supply of elixirs and spirit shells, and access to the scripture pavilion to peruse scriptures.

They received profound training methods and regular guidance from their teachers.

Although registered disciples are second in rank, they still have a fixed monthly allowance, a seat to attend lectures, and the right to exchange resources for completing sect tasks.

As for the outer sect... all they had were simple meals, Taoist robes to cover their bodies, and the clouds and mist covering the mountains.

The path of cultivation is a journey of ever-changing heights.

Resources, techniques, and guidance are all sustenance for the path to enlightenment.

I haven't even truly crossed the threshold yet.

While pondering.

The patriarch lightly flicked his whisk, and three points of spiritual light flew out from his sleeve, hovering in mid-air, transforming into three illusory acupoints, flickering uncertainly.

"The coccyx, the spine, and the occipital bone are the three points that connect the spine and form a bridge between heaven and earth."

The spiritual light then transformed into three more passes, faintly resembling the shapes of dragons and tigers.

"The Mingtang, Dongfang, and Tanzhong are the three fields that govern the eyes, ears, and heart, and are the gateways through which the spirit enters and exits."

Nine points of spiritual light appeared simultaneously, forming a mysterious diagram of the human body's acupoints in the air.

Upon seeing this diagram, Li Yan felt a sudden enlightenment.

So this is how the nine orifices are divided, each with its own position and function, and it is not just a figurative representation.

"Only when all nine orifices are opened can one circulate the energy throughout the body, condense the primordial spirit seed, and step into the gate of true cultivation."

As soon as he finished speaking, the ripples of Daoist energy intensified, like a tide sweeping across the entire area.

Just as the ripples reached the edge of the stone slab.

Li Yan's eyes twitched.

It should be understood that inspiration should flow smoothly and naturally, but there was a slight pause under the stone slab in the southeast corner.

If it weren't for the patriarch's sermon at this moment, the Taoist aura would have resonated like a tidal wave, stirring up the spiritual energy of the entire stone platform.

If it weren't for the fact that his eyesight had just opened and he possessed the ability to observe fire, his mind wouldn't be completely focused on the changes in his spiritual senses.

This slight hesitation is extremely difficult for anyone to notice.

Like a strong wind blowing through a forest, where all the leaves rustle, but one leaf makes an unusual sound.

Li Yan's gaze naturally swept over that area before returning to his original expression.

Remember this: never take action in full view of others.

Therefore, he silently noted down the location of the white light.

In the southeast corner of Shiping, the third row of stone slabs is the seventh one from the left.

Three zhang to the left is a bamboo grove, and five zhang to the right is an ancient incense burner. The view directly in front is unobstructed.

However, the mountain road bend is not far behind, where the terrain can be utilized.

During this time, the mirror of the heart has already reflected:

[I sensed a blockage in the flow of spiritual energy; something unusual lay beneath the stone, possibly something damaged.]

[Note: This anomaly is extremely subtle and only becomes apparent under strong Daoist vibrations; it is difficult to detect with ordinary investigations.]

……

The sermon lasted for three hours.

As the event ended, the disciples gradually stood up and discussed their gains of the day in small groups.

Li Yan left with the crowd, walking as usual as he passed the stone slab, without even glancing at it.

But his eyes had already scanned the stone slab from top to bottom several times.

Three inches below the stone slab, there was a white jade pendant about the size of a thumb.

The jade pendant has tiny cracks on its surface, but a pure and subtle spiritual energy still flows within it.

Judging from its spiritual properties, it seems to be a water-elemental jade, which is beneficial for nourishing the meridians.

"Good stuff," Li Yan thought to himself, "but I can't take it now."

He walked away with the crowd until he returned to the woodshed on the back hill, where he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The mirror of the heart reflects what we have gained today:

[By listening to the patriarch's teachings and observing the Daoist symbols and inscriptions, one's understanding of the cultivation of the nine orifices deepens.]

[One lost spirit jade (water attribute, slightly damaged) has been found.]

The karmic connection has not yet increased (it requires triggering the cause and effect).

Li Yan was planning how to retrieve the jade.

It's not advisable to do it during the day, as there are too many people and distractions.

It's also not advisable to go at night, as there are night watchmen patrolling the Three Star Cave.

The best time is tomorrow, at the end of the Yin hour and the beginning of the Mao hour.

At that time, the morning fog was the thickest, the night watch disciples changed shifts, and the morning prayer disciples had not yet gotten up, leaving a gap of about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

The plan has been finalized.

Li Yan picked up the axe and continued chopping wood.

This time, however, with each swing of his axe, he silently recited the runes he had seen that day.

The axe rises and falls, runes flow.

Unbeknownst to them, the rhythm of chopping wood subtly resonated with a certain Taoist principle.

The next day at the end of the Yin hour.

Before dawn, the morning fog was so thick it was impossible to disperse.

Li Yan quietly left his room, carrying a wooden bucket, pretending to go to the cold pond to fetch water.

This is the daily work of the cleaning disciples.

He took advantage of the thick fog and slowly approached the southeast corner via a path that led around the side of Shiping.

He moved his eyes and scanned his surroundings.

unmanned.

With focused hearing, one can detect unusual sounds beyond the wind and insect chirps.

During this time, only the faint whispers of shift changes could be heard in the distance.

Therefore, Li Yan did not take immediate action.

I paused in the shadows at the bend in the mountain path and waited for a few more breaths.

He confirmed that the disciples on duty had gone far away and that the patrol route would not pass through this area in the near future.

The time has come.

Li Yan walked over, squatted down, placed the wooden bucket aside, and seemingly unintentionally pressed his hand on the stone slab.

With a subtle, skillful flick of the fingertips, it was lifted.

The stone slab was not completely lifted; only a small gap was created, just enough for a hand to slip inside.

He quickly reached inside, touched the warm, smooth jade pendant, and clenched it in his palm.

At the same time, with his other hand, he filled the gaps with soil of similar color and texture to cover up the traces of taking the item.

The whole process took no more than two breaths.

After restoring the stone slab, Li Yan picked up the wooden bucket and walked nonchalantly towards the cold pool.

After walking a hundred steps and turning onto the mountain path, the fog completely swallowed him up. He slowed his pace slightly and exhaled softly.

He opened his palm, and the white jade pendant lay there quietly.

The jade pendant is teardrop-shaped with three fine cracks on its surface, but inside there is a wisp of aquamarine energy flowing slowly.

Reflection in the Mirror of the Heart:

[Obtained: Slightly Damaged Water Spirit Jade]

【Efficacy: Long-term wear can nourish the meridians and accelerate the absorption of spiritual energy】

If activated using a secret method, it can release a calming and focused effect once.

[Warning: There is a very faint trace of someone else's scent on the jade pendant (about 90% of which has faded over time).]

It is recommended to temporarily refrain from wearing it, soak it in spring water for seven days to remove any remaining marks, and then reuse it.

Li Yan's gaze sharpened.

There is a mark.

Fortunately, there was a mental mirror to warn me; otherwise, if I had worn it rashly, the original owner might have sensed it.

The essence of Gou Dao: Don't be greedy or impatient, safety first.

Items of unknown origin must be thoroughly cleansed of any karmic ties before they can be used.

He put the jade pendant into his bosom and hid it close to his body, deciding to follow the advice of the Heart Mirror and soak it for seven days before doing anything else.

After filling the water tank, Li Yan returned to his quarters.

At this moment, at the beginning of the Mao hour (5-7 AM), the morning bell is about to ring.

He sat on the bed, holding the jade pendant, feeling the cool, refreshing water essence seep into his body through his clothes.

Although it cannot be absorbed directly, simply being close to it is enough to make the meridians feel more comfortable.

"This is what cultivation should look like," Li Yan murmured. "Accumulating little by little, moving forward step by step."

The threat of death still loomed over them three years later.

But at least now, he has seen the way.

Boom boom boom!

The morning bell rang.

Li Yan got up, hid the jade pendant in a hidden compartment under the bed, straightened his Taoist robe, and went out.

The mountain is shrouded in mist, and the road ahead is uncertain.

But a glimmer of light had already appeared in his eyes.

Since acquiring the Water Spirit Jade, Li Yan has become increasingly cautious in his actions.

The jade pendant is soaked in mountain spring water and hidden in a rock crevice in the back mountain. The water is changed once a day at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM).

Seven days later, the traces of another person on the jade pendant had completely disappeared.

That morning, Li Yan returned after changing the water and was about to go back to the woodshed when he saw his senior brother, the steward, standing at the crossroads.

"Li Yan, from today onwards, you no longer need to chop wood."

Li Yan's heart skipped a beat: "Senior brother, did I do something wrong?"

"No."

The senior disciple's expression remained calm.

"The patriarch has decreed that the medicinal herb garden on the back mountain has been abandoned for many years and needs to be tended. Since you are reliable and hardworking, you may go."

A medicinal herb garden?

Li Yan felt a chill run down his spine.

He bowed and replied, "This disciple obeys. However... I do not understand pharmacology."

"You don't need to understand."

The senior disciple waved his hand, "The patriarch said eight words: 'Let nature take its course and wait for it to grow.' Just do as he says."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Li Yan stood there, lost in thought for a moment.

Let nature take its course and wait for it to grow...

Afterwards, he first went around to the dining hall, chatted with the familiar disciples who were sweeping and cleaning, and inquired about the past of the herb garden.

It was learned that the herb garden was once managed by an elder who was skilled in cultivating Starshine Spirit Herbs, but it was later abandoned for unknown reasons.

During this period, several people took over the management of the disciples, but none of them achieved much, and it gradually became a sinecure.

"That place is remote, the work is tiring, and it's easy to get caught up in old troubles, so nobody wants to go there."

The disciple said, "Senior brother, when you go, be careful in everything you do. Just keep your head down and do your work, and don't ask about the past."

Li Yan noted it down, thanked him, and left.

My vigilance grew even stronger.

It is a troublesome place that may involve old grievances, so one must be careful with words and actions and only do one's own job.

While pondering, they had already arrived at the back of the mountain.

The herb garden is located in a depression at the foot of the cliff, surrounded by rocks on three sides and facing a ravine on one side.

Wild grasses grew rampant, vines entwined, and a few half-withered herbs drooped their leaves, clearly indicating that the area had been neglected for a long time.

Li Yan rolled up his sleeves and began weeding.

It often takes a lot of effort for the roots of grass to grow deep.

Before long, blisters appeared on my hands.

He wasn't in a hurry; he pulled them up one by one and cleared them inch by inch.

When weeding, the eyes naturally reflect the direction of the grass roots and the distribution of soil.

The mirror of the mind imprints all of this, and patterns gradually emerge.

Grass roots are shallow and wide in sunny areas, while grass roots are deep and clustered in shady areas.

The soil near the water is moist and flowing, while the soil near the cliff is dry and stagnant.

Every blade of grass uses its root system to find the most suitable place for itself.

During the cleaning process, his eyes caught some unusual details.

The roots of several withered herbs had tiny tooth marks, and silvery-gray hairs were occasionally seen in the soil.

He had his doubts, but he didn't say anything. He just secretly noted down the unusual things.

Gradually, Li Yan seemed to be deep in thought. Is this what it means to let things take their natural course?

He changed his method of weeding, pulling the weeds along the roots.

The grass grows up from the roots, without carrying much soil.

Efficiency improved, and there were fewer blisters on my hands.

[A day of weeding reveals the myriad forms of grass roots, offering insights into the principle of adapting to nature.]

[Comprehension of the "Shouzhuo Jing" +1]

New words appear on the mirror of the heart.

The Classic of Simplicity?

Li Yan's heart stirred slightly.

I've never heard of this name before; I suppose I'll have to learn it through my work.

He continued cleaning.

Three days later, the weeds in the herb garden were all gone, revealing the dark brown soil.

Li Yan began loosening the soil.

Use a sharpened wooden stick to dig away the hardened soil little by little.

Earthworms meander in the soil, and insects and ants are busy at work.

Even near a deeper pit, silvery-gray hairs and a few specks of dung that shimmered like stars were found again.

He secretly made a mental note of it.

At the same time, under the light of the eye, the distribution of the soil's natural features is clearly visible.

Where is it thick, where is it thin, where is there residual warmth from the earth's veins, where is it nourished by streams?

He followed the flow of inspiration and adjusted the depth and density of the loosened soil.

[After loosening the soil for three days, observe the earth's veins and spiritual energy, and comprehend the principles of adapting to the land.]

[Comprehension of the "Shouzhuo Jing" +3]

The mirror of the heart can now reflect the flow of inspiration three inches below the soil.

On the seventh day, the medicinal herb garden was completely cleared.

Standing by the garden, looking at the newly turned land, Li Yan suddenly had a strange realization.

This land is like a blank sheet of paper.

He was the first to put pen to paper.

What should we plant?

Since he didn't understand pharmacology, he went to ask his senior brother in charge for advice.

My senior brother was busy copying scriptures when he tossed him a packet of seeds without even looking up.

"Plant anything, as long as it survives."

Upon hearing this, Li Yan opened the cloth bag, which contained dozens of shriveled, dark seeds, the type of which was unrecognizable.

As he was about to leave, the senior brother seemed to remember something and casually offered a suggestion:

"By the way, the area in the northeast corner of the herb garden has the weakest spiritual energy; nothing has ever grown there in years."

It seems there used to be a spirit herb that absorbed star energy that withered and died there, polluting the earth's energy. You should avoid that area.

Li Yan's heart skipped a beat. A spirit herb that absorbs star power?

He connected the silver hair and starlight-like excrement to the clues, and quickly jotted it down:

"Thank you for your guidance, senior brother."

Back in the herb garden, Li Yan buried the seeds one by one in the soil.

There is no set method, and no regard for category.

Simply place the seed in the most suitable position based on the thickness of the spiritual energy reflected by the eye.

Those with keen intellect should bury their secrets deeper.

Those with shallow minds should bury their ideas shallower.

Bury them densely in damp places near the stream.

Bury the remains sparsely in dry areas near the cliff.

Everything should be done in accordance with the trend.

He planted the least sparsely in the dead zone in the northeast corner, which had been specifically warned about.

They simply scattered a few grass seeds symbolically.

By the time the last seed was planted, it was completely dark.

As the mountain moon rises, its clear light shines upon the medicinal garden, making the newly turned soil gleam with silver light.

Li Yan sat on a stone by the garden, closing his eyes and regulating his breathing.

The eyes circulate, illuminating the entire medicinal garden.

The inspiration beneath the soil is slowly flowing towards the seeds.

The shriveled seed coats began to tremble slightly, as if they were breathing.

It's about to sprout.

A sense of joy welled up in Li Yan's heart.

Just then, a rustling sound came from behind.

Turning around, I saw Sun Wukong.

The monkey had crept over at some point and crouched behind the rock, its golden eyes shining brightly in the moonlight.

"Senior brother, what are you doing here?" it asked in a low voice.

"Plant the herbs." Li Yan patted the stone beside him. "Sit."

Sun Wukong hopped over and sat down, staring curiously at the herb garden: "What kind of herbs are you planting? Can they grant immortality?"

"No," Li Yan chuckled, "They're just some common herbs."

"What's the point of that...?"

Sun Wukong muttered to himself, but quickly became excited again, "Senior brother, I learned how to transform today! Look!"

It took a deep breath, twisted its body, and transformed into a sparrow, fluttering to Li Yan's shoulder, tilting its little head.

"Chirp chirp!"

Then it transformed back into a monkey.

"How is it?" Sun Wukong scratched his head.

"Very good," Li Yan said sincerely.

How long has it been?

The speed at which this monkey is progressing is simply astonishing.

"But I always feel... something's missing."

Sun Wukong suddenly stopped laughing, scratched his head, and said...

"I can change, but I always feel like that's not me. A sparrow is a sparrow, and I am me. Forcing us to be together just feels awkward."

Li Yan was shocked.

This statement may seem naive, but it points directly to the core of the principle of change.

Form is easy to capture, but spirit is hard to imitate.

He looked at Sun Wukong and suddenly asked, "What were you thinking when you transformed into a sparrow?"

"I want to...fly high and fly fast."

"And what about the sparrow itself?" Li Yan said slowly, "When it wakes up in the morning, the first thing it does is arrange its feathers."

When hungry, they forage for food, picking up grass seeds. They flee in fright when they encounter hawks or falcons, and chirp when they see their own kind.

It didn't want to fly high or fast; it just wanted to live, to live like a sparrow.

Sun Wukong was stunned.

The moonlight, like water, shone on his furry face.

For the first time, a thoughtful expression appeared in those golden eyes—deep and profound.

After a long while, it murmured:

"Senior brother, are you saying... I have to forget that I'm a monkey before I can truly become a sparrow?"

"It's not forgetting."

Li Yan looked at the newly planted seeds in the herb garden, "It's about following the natural order. Following the sparrow's nature, following its way of life."

The more you try to become it, the less likely you are to become it. If you stop trying and simply live like it, you'll actually become it.

The words fell.

The gray gas surged violently.

[To reveal the true meaning of change to the chosen one, touching upon the origin of the Great Dao. Aura of Fate +5]

Current time: 8/10

The golden pillar of light above Sun Wukong's head swelled up a size in that instant.

The swirling gray-black aura of calamity was mostly dispersed.

Li Yan was shocked.

His words had greatly improved the monkey's cultivation and reduced its calamity.

The karma of a chosen one is truly immense.

"I understand!" Sun Wukong suddenly jumped up, his eyes shining with golden light. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother!"

With a somersault, it flipped up the cliff face, twisted its body in mid-air, transformed into a night owl, and flapped its wings to plunge into the deep forest.

Its posture and demeanor were exactly like those of a real night owl.

Li Yan looked in the direction it disappeared, feeling a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex emotion encompassing both emotion and reflection

He himself, who was only three years away from death, was giving instructions to the Monkey King who would later wreak havoc in the Heavenly Palace.

Nothing could be more wondrous than this.

He got up to return to his quarters.

Before leaving, I looked back at the herb garden one last time.

Under the light of the eye sockets, the seeds buried in the soil are now absorbing the spiritual energy of the earth's veins.

The fastest one has already cracked its seed coat, and a very faint green bud is struggling to peek out.

Li Yan smiled slightly.

Let nature take its course and wait for it to grow.

These eight characters are not only about medicine, but also about people and about the Way.

The next morning, Li Yan was clearing pebbles along the edge of the herb garden when he overheard two disciples talking as they passed by.

Have you heard?

Senior Brother Zhao Yuanqing seems to have encountered some problems while practicing the Seven Star Qi-Inducing Technique the other day, and urgently needs the star marrow of the Seven Star Grass to harmonize his Qi and blood.

"Seven-Star Grass? Isn't that extinct? Do we still have it on Fangcun Mountain?"

"It seems that... the herb garden was managed by an elder who was skilled in cultivating Starshine Spirit Herbs in the early years. It is said that he successfully cultivated one of them, which is located in the northeast corner."

"However, after that elder passed away, the herb garden was abandoned and no one mentioned it anymore."

"Senior Brother Zhao also discovered the clue by searching through ancient books. He has already reported it to the steward and will be coming to pick it up soon."

The sound of their conversation gradually faded into the distance.

Li Yan paused slightly, understanding dawning on him.

He remained calm and continued working, already planning his next move.

That night, the moon was bright and the stars were few.

Li Yan went around to the peach grove behind the mountain and picked a handful of ripe wild peaches.

He knew that the monkey loved this taste the most.

Sure enough, just as I returned to the vicinity of the herb garden, I saw a golden shadow swing down from the cliff and land beside me.

"Senior brother, you brought me delicious food again?" Sun Wukong scratched his ears and cheeks, gazing longingly at the handful of peaches.

"I picked them while I was patrolling the mountains today."

Li Yan handed over the peach, saying, "Your Taoist skills have improved recently; do you still often come to play in this herb garden?"

Sun Wukong took a bite of half a peach and mumbled:

"Come here! It's quiet and full of spiritual energy."

It's just... that piece of land in the northeast corner looks lifeless, and I, Old Sun, find it displeasing.

A few days ago I saw some silvery-furred mice digging holes there, but I yelled at them and they ran away.

A thought struck Li Yan, and the clues between the few strands of silver-gray hair and the starlight excrement instantly connected.

His expression remained unchanged; he simply nodded and said:

"The atmosphere there is rather unusual. Since you come here often, please keep an eye out for me. If anything seems amiss, just let me know."

"Leave it to me!" Sun Wukong, munching on the delicious food, readily agreed.

Two more days passed, and all the seeds had sprouted.

Tender green shoots pierce through the soil, standing trembling in the morning dew, delicate yet tenacious.

He crouched down and gently touched a seedling.

The eye sockets reflect its interior.

The roots are reaching downwards, searching for water veins.

The stems and leaves grow upwards, chasing the sunlight.

All life grows according to instinct and in accordance with the forces of heaven and earth.

Is this the Dao?

Li Yan seemed to understand something.

He got up, picked up the bucket, and watered the plants gently and slowly, allowing every drop of water to seep into the soil without splashing or rinsing.

After watering the plants, he sat on the rock to meditate, as usual.

With eyesight focused and mind clear, I reflect on the insights I've gained over the past few days.

Comprehension of the "Shouzhuo Jing" (a classic text on humility and simplicity): 12/100 (Beginner's Guide)

【Eye stability: 32/100】

[Aura of Destiny: 9/10]

Although progress is slow, it is progressing step by step.

Just then, a sound came from the mountain path in the distance.

Li Yan looked up and saw a group of people walking towards the herb garden.

The leader was an unfamiliar disciple, dressed in fine clothes and a jade belt, with a hint of anxiety between his brows.

Several disciples followed behind him.

The true disciple walked to the edge of the garden, glanced at Li Yan, and asked in a nonchalant tone, "Are you in charge of the herb garden?"

"Yes." Li Yan stood up and bowed.

"I am Zhao Yuanqing, the true disciple, sent by my master to retrieve the Seven Star Grass."

"Since you're in charge of the herb garden, you should know where the Seven Star Grass is, shouldn't you?"

Li Yan's mind was clear.