Gou Zai Xi You Dao Chang Sheng

Li Yan frowned slightly.

There is no record of such a monster near Fangcun Mountain.

Could it be that the clearing of the icy pool disturbed other demons cultivating nearby?

Did they lose this scale during their hasty escape?

Looking around, the mountains and forests were silent.

He put the scales away.

Although its specific use is unknown, since it fell from a monster, it must have some value.

Just as I was about to turn around, I caught a hissing sound in my ear.

It comes from the northeast corner of the herb garden, near the original site of the Seven Star Grass.

Li Yan felt a chill run down his spine and quietly approached.

Parting the grass, one could see a small, emerald-green snake, about the thickness of an arm, coiled under a half-withered herb, its breath weak.

The snake had multiple burn marks on its body, and several scales had fallen off.

One of them contained the very same emerald-green scales that had just been picked up.

The little snake sensed someone approaching, raised its head, flicked its tongue, and hissed.

But his voice was weak, indicating that his injuries were serious.

Li Yan observed the eye sockets.

Judging from its size and aura, this blue python should be a juvenile, not yet an adult.

His body was burned, and there was a faint aura of thunder and fire, as if he had been injured by a magical artifact.

Presumably, the battle at the cold pool affected its hiding place, causing it to flee here in panic, severely injured and unable to move.

Li Yan weighed the options in his mind.

Although the Azure Water Python is a demonic beast, judging from its spirituality, it seems to have not committed any murders and is still a juvenile.

I have no grudge against it, and if I take advantage of its injuries, I might get some materials, but they won't be of much use.

On the contrary, it may lead to unnecessary karmic consequences.

Moreover, its escape to the herb garden might also be a matter of fate.

The Way of the Gou Dao is not about simply avoiding the world; there are also things one should refrain from doing.

Li Yan took two steps back and took out the section of lightning-struck vine from his bosom.

Lightning-struck vines are effective against cold, yin-type snakes, but against aquatic monsters, they can be countered by the trace of heavenly lightning energy they contain.

This helps stabilize his injuries and expel any remaining fire toxins from his body.

He cut off a section of vine heart the size of a bean, ground it into powder with his true energy, and sprinkled it on the ground in front of the Azure Water Python.

Then, he took half a ladle of water and poured it aside.

Having done all this, he didn't linger, turned around and left, returning to his quarters.

But his ears were still listening to the sounds coming from that place.

At first, it was a hissing sound.

A moment later, the sound of licking could be heard.

After a while, the sound gradually faded and eventually returned to silence.

Li Yan sensed that the aquatic energy there was gradually calming down.

It seems the injury has been stabilized.

In the evening, Li Yan went to check again.

The Azure Serpent was no longer in the grass, only some water stains and a patch of newly shed emerald green scales remained.

Li Yan picked up the scale and placed it together with the previous one.

The mirror of the heart reflects.

[Rescuing the baby Azure Python settles the karmic debt, in accordance with nature. Aura of Karma +2]

[Current Affinity/Dharma Aura: 2/40]

Li Yan smiled slightly.

This matter is now resolved.

He carefully kept the two Azure Water Python scales, intending to use them later.

Night falls, and the mountain breeze is cool.

Li Yan sat cross-legged on the bed.

As the mind begins to open, spiritual powers begin to operate, and distracting thoughts gradually disappear.

"In three days, the registration and training assessment will begin..."

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The morning mist at Lingtai Fangcun Mountain was thicker than usual.

The mist rises from the valley floor of the seventy-two peaks, gathering into a milky white tide that submerges the thirty-six streams, leaving only the intermittent sound of water.

The thousand-step cloud staircase in front of the Three Star Cave is hidden in the mist, appearing and disappearing intermittently. The moss on the steps absorbs the moisture and shimmers with a dark green light.

Li Yan stood below the cloud steps, gazing up at the silhouette in the mist.

Today is the day of the assessment for the outer sect sweeping disciples to be promoted to registered follower disciples.

It is held every three years, and anyone who has opened three or more orifices can participate.

He carried the warm, smooth tortoise shell in his bosom, and felt the coolness of the water-spirit jade against his palm.

The eyes and ears are fully formed, and the mind is beginning to develop.

Having three acupoints in one's body is already considered quite good among outer disciples.

However, the assessment of immortal sects does not only consider the depth of cultivation.

It contains one's temperament, understanding, and a touch of luck and fortune.

A bell tolled from the depths of the fog.

Clear and melodious, it pierces through clouds and mist.

On both sides of the cloud steps, the mist slowly dispersed, revealing a winding stone path leading upwards.

Ancient pines gnarled and twisted beside the stone path, their needles glistening with dew, reflected in the faint morning light, resembling scattered stars falling from branches.

Li Yan took a deep breath, the cool mountain air filling his lungs.

I took a step and stepped onto the first stone step.

A cool, damp sensation from the moss spread under my feet.

The steps are engraved with fine cloud patterns, and the edges have become smooth after years of wear.

However, beneath the eye sockets, deep within those cloud patterns, a faint spiritual light flowed.

"These cloud-like steps should be the first test."

Li Yan understood immediately.

Open your ears to detect the sounds around you.

Three zhang to the left, a disciple was walking unsteadily, his breathing disordered, clearly due to nervousness.

Five zhang to the right, a person walked hurriedly, trying to get ahead, but almost stumbled on the wet and slippery part of the middle step.

Li Yan kept his eyes straight ahead and remained calm.

The divine power of enlightenment then operates, and distracting thoughts settle like dust, leaving the mind clear and lucid.

He took the most moderate path.

Not to the left, not to the right, but right in the middle of the cloud steps.

Each step was placed on the nodes where the cloud patterns intersected.

Under the light of the eye, those nodes have the most stable spiritual light, and the steps are the driest and most solid.

The higher you go, the thicker the fog becomes.

Ten zhang later, no one could be seen in front or behind.

Only the sound of footsteps echoed in the mist, sometimes near, sometimes far.

Li Yan remained calm.

The ears picked up the subtle echoes coming from the dozens of steps ahead.

That was the vibration of the steps taken by the pioneers.

Adjust your pace to the rhythm of the vibrations, always maintaining the perfect distance.

Neither too close to attract attention, nor too far to lose one's way.

After walking about a hundred steps, the fog ahead suddenly churned.

A barrier stretched across the steps, with glimmers of spiritual light appearing and disappearing.

Li Yan paused slightly.

Upon closer inspection, the barrier appears to be composed of countless intricate runes, slowly rotating.

Listen closely, and the runes hum with a deep, mysterious rhythm.

Distinguish the qi (vital energy).

One must use one's own spiritual sense to detect the weak points in the flow of spiritual energy in the barrier and pass through them.

If you force your way in, you will inevitably suffer a backlash.

Li Yan closed his eyes and concentrated.

The mind is clear and bright, and thoughts are pure and clear.

The buzzing sound in my ears gradually revealed its layers.

The outermost layer is the thick, stagnant earth spirit, while the inner layer is the ever-flowing, ever-present water spirit.

Deeper inside, a wisp of light breeze weaves through.

Where the wind ripples, the gaps between the runes widen slightly.

It is the right path.

He opened his eyes, lightly touched the ground with his toes, and slid in, his body brushing against the right side of the barrier, about three inches away.

The hem of her robe brushed against the edge of the rune, creating tiny ripples that quickly subsided.

It's over.

Continue to rise.

After level 300, the mist turns into a pale gold color.

Sunlight streamed through gaps in the clouds, refracting into countless beams of light in the mist.

Fine golden dust floated between the beams of light, creating a halo of seven colors.

It is beautiful, but it hides a secret.

Li Yan narrowed his eyes slightly.

Those golden dust particles were formed from pure golden spiritual energy, sharp as needles.

If inhaled accidentally, or if it gets on the body, it will damage the lungs and meridians.

Slow down your breathing, gather your inner energy, and cover your body with a layer of watery energy.

Water can overcome metal, but it can also contain metal.

When the golden dust touched the moisture, its sharpness diminished slightly, and it slipped off the hem of the garment without causing any damage.

Li Yan walked steadily through the pillars of light.

When there was a dense cloud of golden dust, he would turn sideways and walk around it, preferring to take a few extra steps rather than force his way through.

The essence of the Way of the Sage lies in avoiding and evading, not in displaying strength.

Level 500.

The fog suddenly dissipated, and the view opened up before us.

This is a platform, about ten zhang wide, with three sides suspended in the air, and only one side connecting to the cloud steps.

A dozen or so disciples had already arrived on the platform, some sitting cross-legged to regulate their breathing, others talking in hushed tones.

Li Yan found a secluded corner near the cliff and sat down silently.

His eyes swept over everyone in the room.

Most of them had their energy between three and four orifices, while a few had reached five orifices, with a faint spiritual light gathering above their heads.

Clearly, it is a popular choice in this assessment.

One of them was dressed in a gray robe and had an ordinary face, but his eyes were unusually calm.

He sat alone on the edge of the platform, gazing at the sea of ​​clouds in a daze.

Li Yan glanced at it again.

The mirror of the heart shifted slightly, reflecting blurry information:

[An outer disciple, with four acupoints opened, his aura solid and seemingly restrained.]

"He's also someone who hides his true abilities," Li Yan thought to himself.

While I was pondering this.

The ground in the center of the platform suddenly lit up.

Rays of spiritual light seeped from the cracks in the bluestone slabs, weaving together to form a Bagua (Eight Trigrams) diagram.

The array rotated, and a jade platform rose in the center, upon which sat a bronze incense burner with three sticks of incense inserted.

The smoke curled upwards, lingering and transforming into three seal characters in mid-air.

[quiet] [settled] [enlightenment]

The senior brother's voice came from above the clouds, ethereal as heavenly music:

"The second test is about mindset. Before the incense burns out, those who can maintain their composure and remain undisturbed within the formation will pass."

As soon as he finished speaking, the array diagram shone brightly.

The disciples on the platform entered the formation one after another and found their places to sit cross-legged.

Li Yan also got up and chose the Kan position in the Bagua.

It belongs to the water element, and its aura is compatible with the water spirit jade in his arms, which can provide some assistance.

The moment they sat down, the battle formation was already underway.

The surrounding scenery changed abruptly.

The clouds and mist surged, transforming into countless illusions.

There are mountains of gold and jade pillars, and countless magical treasures, tempting people to reach out and take them.

A ferocious beast roared, its sharp claws pointing at people, forcing them to stand up and dodge.

The sight of an old friend, their voice and image appearing, accompanied by mournful cries, draws one's attention and gaze.

Li Yan closed his eyes and pressed his palm against the tortoise shell in his arms.

The tortoise shell exudes a warm, cool sensation, and the clear light of the mind guards the sliver of clarity in the spiritual realm.

The ears filter out illusory noises, leaving only one's own long breaths and heartbeat.

Although the eyes are closed, the inner vision is even clearer.

Illusions are all phantoms formed from spiritual energy, and their flow can be traced.

Do not move, do not think, do not pursue, do not reject.

Like a stone sinking into a deep pool, the surface of the water may ripple, but the bottom remains calm.

As time passed, the incense sticks slowly burned.

Some disciples in the formation were already unable to restrain themselves.

Some people reached out to grab the illusory golden mountain, while others cried out in alarm to avoid the ferocious beast.

Whenever someone moves, a ray of spiritual light envelops them and sends them out of the formation.

That's obsolete.

Li Yan remained seated throughout.

Until I caught a faint, slightly burnt scent of sandalwood as it was fading.

He opened his eyes.

Only seven people remain in the formation.

Incense ash fell.

The illusion dissipated.

"Those who pass the test reach the summit."

The deacon's voice rang out again.

The cloud-like steps reappear, extending upwards from the platform and disappearing into the dense fog higher up.

Li Yan got up and continued uphill with the other six people.

On this last stretch of road, the fog turned a deep blue-green.

The sounds of wind and thunder could be faintly heard in the fog, seemingly both near and far.

The steps became rugged, with occasional loose stones and vines blocking the way.

Li Yan moved with even greater caution.

Open your eyes wide and observe the flow of spiritual energy within three steps ahead.

Focus your attention on the rhythmic intervals in the sounds of wind and thunder.

A clear and discerning mind can subtly illuminate potential risks.

After climbing another two hundred steps, the sound of rushing water came from ahead.

A waterfall cascades down from the top of the cliff, cutting off the cloud-covered steps.

The waterfall is three zhang wide, with a rapid current. The white ribbon of water is like a dragon, crashing into the deep pool below and splashing up a spray of water about ten zhang high.

The pervasive moisture made the dark blue mist even more humid and heavy.

On the cliff face beside the waterfall, there is a row of pits, just big enough for half a foot, that meander upwards and leads to the back of the waterfall.

Clearly, one must climb over the waterfall.

The first few disciples who arrived were observing.

One person attempted to ride the water with his own energy, but as soon as he reached the waterfall, he was swept backward by the rapids and nearly fell in.

Another person took out a talisman, which transformed into a protective light shield, and forcibly rushed in.

"Sizzle!"

Suddenly, a sound was heard, and the light shield was torn apart by the water flow, forcing them to retreat in a sorry state.

Li Yan did not rush forward.

He stood a few feet away from the waterfall, carefully observing the water flow with his eyes.

The waterfall has seven main streams that alternate and impact each other.

Between each stream, there are brief intervals where the water flow slows down and the water vapor is thinner.

Listen closely, and you'll hear the roar of the water.

The alternation of the seven streams of water has its own rhythm, which corresponds to the order of the Big Dipper's movement.

A slight tremor ran through my mind, and a premonition began to surface.

Follow its rules and seize the opportunity; you can get through it.

He gripped the Water Spirit Jade even tighter.

The cool, refreshing water flowed through my meridians, and a faint blue light emanated from my body.

Just as a stream of water crashed down, and the gap was about to appear but had not yet appeared.

Li Yan lightly touched the ground with his toes, his body leaping like a fish into a stream, and he cut diagonally into the gap between the two streams.

The water vapor hit my face, feeling as heavy as a thousand pounds.

However, the layer of aquatic blue light surrounding them, which originated from the same source as the waterfall's mist, largely neutralized the impact.

At the same time, his hands swiftly reached out and grabbed the first indentation on the cliff face.

With fingertips pressed firmly against the rock face, he channeled his inner energy, becoming as steady as a rock.

The next moment, the second stream of water arrived.

Li Yan didn't try to withstand the attack head-on. Instead, he slightly shifted his body to the side, following the flow of the water, thus avoiding the most violent frontal impact.

Once the water flow subsided, immediately climb upwards and grab the second depression.

This was repeated time and time again.

He always followed the rhythm of the water flow, sometimes moving forward and sometimes stopping, sometimes leaning to the side and sometimes following the flow.

The disciples watching from below saw that figure rising and falling in the waterfall.

Every time it seemed like it was about to be swallowed by the raging torrent, it always managed to stay afloat at the crucial moment and gradually climb higher.

It eventually disappeared into the curtain of water behind the waterfall.

Someone sighed softly, "Such steady movements."

Behind the waterfall lies a hidden paradise.

It is a natural grotto with cracks in the dome that let in sunlight, making the water vapor inside the cave swirl and shimmer with a rainbow halo.

In the center of the cave is a clear pool with crystal-clear water and a bottom covered with colorful pebbles.

A black jade stele stands by the pond. There are no words on the stele, only a simple landscape painting.

It is precisely the outline of Lingtai Fangcun Mountain.

Two people were already standing in front of the monument.

Besides Li Yan, there was also the gray-robed disciple who had been noticed earlier, and a girl in red.

The girl was about sixteen years old, with bright and lively eyes, and a string of silver bells tied around her waist, which jingled as she moved.

She was staring at the ink jade tablet, muttering to herself.

The gray-robed disciple stood with his eyes closed, seemingly sensing something.

Li Yan did not disturb them, but quietly walked to the edge of the pool and bent down to look at the water.

The pool water reflected the sunlight from the dome, and also his face.

Three years of trials and tribulations have faded the childishness in his brows, replaced by a more composed demeanor.

His eyes held a restrained brilliance, occasionally flashing with a sharp light.

As I was watching, ripples suddenly appeared on the pond water.

One lap, two laps, three laps...

At the center of the ripples, three emerald green lotus leaves slowly rose.

Each lotus leaf supports an object.

The left leaf is a scroll of bamboo slips, the color of bronze.

The middle leaf is a jade pendant, white as solidified fat.

The right leaf is a wooden sword with patterns resembling flowing clouds.

"The third test is the selection of auspicious items. Choose one of three items, and the one who obtains it will be registered."

The deacon's voice was now right next to my ear.

The gray-robed disciple opened his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the three objects before he fell silent in thought.

The girl in red blinked and pointed at the jade pendant: "This one's pretty, I want this one!"

After saying that, he reached out to take it.

As soon as she got her hands on the jade pendant, it emitted a bright white light that enveloped her.

The girl's figure gradually blurred, leaving only a string of silvery laughter.

She was taken away.

The gray-robed disciple looked at Li Yan and said, "Brother, please go first."

Li Yan shook his head: "Fellow Daoist, you may choose first."

The gray-robed disciple no longer stood on ceremony, walked to the edge of the pool, and stared at the bamboo slips and wooden sword for a long time.

In the end, he took the bamboo slips.

The bamboo slips were taken and transformed into a stream of light that entered his brow.

He nodded slightly to Li Yan, and his figure faded away as he departed.

Only the wooden sword remained in the pool.

Li Yan approached.

Upon closer inspection, the wooden sword exhibits natural grain and a subtle, flowing light, with two ancient seal characters engraved on its blade.

【Shou Zhuo】.

It shares the same name as the "Shouzhuo Jing" (Scripture of Keeping Simplicity) which I have come to understand.

Reach out and grasp the sword hilt.

It feels warm and smooth to the touch, unlike wood; it's more like warm jade.

The sword trembled slightly, emitting a clear and melodious sword sound that resonated faintly with the three orifices within Li Yan's body.

The next moment, the scene before my eyes shifted.

When I regained my senses, I found myself standing in front of an unfamiliar courtyard.

With its green tiles and white walls, surrounded by bamboo fences, the courtyard features an old plum tree with gnarled branches and in full bloom.

The fragrance of plum blossoms is cool and refreshing, mixed with the spiritual energy of the mountains, soothing the soul.

The senior disciple in charge stood in front of the courtyard gate, holding a roster. When Li Yan appeared, he picked up his brush and began to draw.

"Li Yan, you have passed the test. You are hereby granted a jade token and assigned to residence in courtyard number seven (丙字七院)."

After saying that, he handed over a blue jade talisman, about the size of a palm, with the characters "方寸" (square inch) engraved on the front and the number "丙七" (Bing 7) on the back.

"With this talisman, one can enter and exit the first floor of the Sutra Repository and collect a registered allowance at the beginning of each month."

There is a basic array in the courtyard, which is controlled by jade talismans.

Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), attend the sermon in the lecture hall; do not be late.

Li Yan accepted the jade talisman with both hands: "Thank you, Senior Brother."

The senior disciple nodded and handed over a new robe.

It was still gray, but the texture was soft and fine, and the cuffs were embroidered with silver trim, which was quite different from the coarse cloth robes of the sweeping disciples.

"Go."

Li Yan bowed and took his leave, then walked towards No. 7, Bingzi Courtyard.

When the jade talisman was placed near the courtyard gate, the bamboo fence parted automatically.

Upon entering the courtyard, one sees three tiled houses, with bright windows and clean tables.

The east wing is a quiet room, furnished with a futon and an incense burner.

The west wing served as a study, with empty bookshelves, containing only a desk and a chair.

The main hall is simple, with only one landscape painting hanging on the wall. The painting is filled with swirling clouds and mist, and there is a faint sense of spiritual light flowing through it.

Li Yan first took a walk around the courtyard.

Observing the array through the eye, one can see that a formation stone is buried at each of the four corners of the courtyard wall, forming a small spirit-gathering array and a soundproof barrier.

Although not high-end, it is sufficient to ensure that one will not be disturbed during cultivation, and the privacy is greatly improved.

Compared to the monks' quarters, this was worlds apart.

Push open the door to the quiet room.

The spiritual energy inside was noticeably denser than outside, likely due to the effect of the spirit-gathering array.

The cushion is woven with herbs, making it soft, comfortable, and calming to sit on.

The incense burner was covered with a thin layer of ash, which must have been left by the previous owner.

Li Yan did not rush to clean up, but first sat cross-legged on the futon, closed his eyes and regulated his breathing.

My mind sank into the mirror of my heart.

The words slowly appeared in the mirror.

[Promotion is a process of being registered and trained, leading to an increase in status and a slight shift in one's destiny.]

[Current Fate: Fire Watcher (White) → Wind Listener (Green)]

[New Acquisition: Plain Wood Sword (Unrefined)]

The change in destiny from white to green, though only one level, signifies that one is no longer the faintest trace of ink in this celestial landscape painting.

Listener to the winds, hear the whispers of the winds from all directions, and observe the world's fiery colors with your heart.

That's quite fitting for the occasion.

Li Yan opened his eyes and took out the Shouzhuo wooden sword.

The sword is two feet three inches long and one inch and two-tenths inches wide, and it is light in the hand.

He ran his fingers along the sword, slowly channeling his inner energy into it.

The wooden sword trembled slightly, and the patterns on its blade glowed with a soft blue light, flowing and resonating with the true energy.

The mirror of the heart reflects the method of refining and consecrating.

Nourish it with spirit, communicate with it through energy; with daily accumulation, the sword's heart will naturally become clear.

[Note: This sword is made of a special material, seemingly connected to the "Shouzhuo Jing" (Scripture of Simplicity). When forging it, one can simultaneously comprehend the scripture, achieving twice the result with half the effort.]

Li Yan did as instructed, placing the wooden sword horizontally on his lap and supporting it with both hands.

Use your eyes to observe the sword, your ears to listen to the wind, and your mind to maintain stillness.

True energy flowed like a stream, seeping into the sword's body in strands.

The spirituality within the sword is like that of a newborn infant, innocent and pure, slowly absorbing the energy.

Gradually, a faint connection was formed between the man and the sword.

Although it cannot be controlled like an arm, it is no longer an inanimate object.

The ritual lasted for one hour.

Li Yan finished his practice and hung the wooden sword at his waist.

The sword blade gently brushed against the Taoist robe, sending a warm, smooth sensation through it, like the company of an old friend.

He got up and pushed open the study door.

Although the bookshelf was empty, there was a scroll of silk on the table.

The unfolded section contains the rules and regulations and details of the rights of registered disciples.

Three rules and regulations.

First, fellow disciples must not kill each other.

Second, the techniques must not be passed on privately.

3. No one may leave the mountain gate without permission.

Rights exist.

At the beginning of each month, you can receive fifty spirit shells and three nourishing pills.

You may enter the first floor of the Sutra Repository to borrow basic exercises and miscellaneous classics, limited to three books at a time, for a period of one month.

You can accept sect missions to earn cultivation points, and exchange them for pills, magic weapons, and high-level cultivation techniques.

You can listen to your senior brother preach three times a month.

If one cultivates to the level of nine apertures and passes the assessment, one can be promoted to a true disciple.

Li Yan read it carefully and memorized it.

Rights mean resources, while rules define boundaries.

Within these boundaries, he can go further and more steadily.

He put away the silk scroll and walked out of the courtyard.

The sun was already setting in the west, and mountain mists were rising again.

The residences of the registered disciples are located halfway up the mountain, offering a wide view.

You can see the monks' quarters below, and the seventy-two peaks shrouded in mist in the distance.

Smoke rises from the chimneys, signaling the start of dinner preparations in the dining hall.

Registered disciples have their own private kitchens and can prepare their own meals or dine on the second floor of the dining hall.

The place provides spiritual rice and vegetables, which, although costing spiritual coins, are beneficial to spiritual practice.

After thinking for a moment, he decided to go and check out the dining hall first.

As we descended the stone path, we encountered several other newly initiated disciples. We nodded to each other but did not engage in any further conversation.

There were hundreds of registered disciples, who competed with each other, making their relationships far more complex than when they were sweeping and cleaning.

It's always better to be cautious.

The second floor of the dining hall was indeed different.

The tables and chairs were neat and tidy, the windows were clean and bright, and there was a faint smell of medicine in the air.

A wooden sign hangs on the wall, listing today's dishes.

【Spirit Rice】One Spirit Clam per Bowl

Stir-fried bamboo shoots and a dish of three kinds of scallops

[Stewed Pheasant with Ginseng] One bowl of Five-Spice Shell

[Purple Ganoderma Soup] Ten Lingbei (a type of shellfish) in one bowl

Not cheap.

But Li Yan noticed that the spiritual energy contained in those dishes was indeed several times stronger than that of the free food on the first floor.

He touched the only four spirit shells he had in his pocket.

After hesitating for a moment, I still ordered a bowl of spirit rice and a plate of stir-fried bamboo shoots.

It costs four spirit shells.

I found a quiet spot by the window and sat down to eat slowly.

Each grain of rice is translucent and glistening in the mouth.

A faint sweet fragrance wafts through the mouth as you chew, and the spiritual energy spreads from the stomach and into every part of the body.

The bamboo shoots are crisp and tender, with a sweet taste tinged with a slight bitterness, as if they have been infused with calming herbs.

After finishing the meal, the internal energy within his body increased slightly.

Although seemingly insignificant, these small differences accumulate over time and become a significant gap.

"No wonder everyone is vying to become a registered disciple and a true successor," Li Yan thought to himself.