For ten days straight, Zhang Yan remained secluded in his Cave Mansion, diligently cultivating in pursuit of a breakthrough.
However, perhaps because his efforts had not yet reached the requisite threshold, though he could feel the flow of qi circulating smoothly through his meridians, and the trace of Primordial Qi in his navel growing thicker and stronger, he still could not take the step he had long anticipated.
Unlike his previous breakthrough achieved in one decisive moment, this time he felt a hint of disappointment, though he understood this was to be expected. That previous instance was the result of three years of effort culminating in a moment of release; such fortuitous occurrences were not something one could count on happening every time.
Given this, there was no reason to force it.
The path of cultivation often requires unwavering determination and bold advancement, but at other times calls for patience and measured restraint. The choice rests solely in one's own mind. Since he lacked neither Daoist Books nor Elixirs, and with his breakthrough on the horizon, there was naturally no need to rush over mere days.
Not long ago, Ai Zhongwen had visited him with an invitation to attend the Dharma Assembly together, but Zhang Yan had courteously declined on the grounds that his cultivation was not yet complete.
Now, calculating the time, the Dharma Assembly had already been ongoing for over three days. However, considering the event was set to last a full month, there was no need to rush in pursuit of fame.
At the break of dawn the next day, Zhang Yan bathed, dressed, and carefully readied himself. Draped in a cloud-patterned mysterious Daoist robe, he took his time before heading off leisurely to Dangyun Peak.
Dangyun Peak was the Sixth Peak of Cangwu Mountain, with a Daoist Temple named Shangze Temple that sprawled broadly over its grounds. Among the eighteen peaks, its cascading waterfalls and streams rendered it uniquely picturesque, which is why it had been chosen as the venue for this Dharma Assembly. As Zhang Yan walked the mountain paths, he observed disciples from various sects coming and going in droves, all wearing elegant robes and adorned with flowing sleeves, exuding an air of transcendent detachment.
After roughly an hour, he arrived at the Mountain Gate of Shangze Temple.
The main gate was divided into three arched doors, as per the customary practice during Dharma Assemblies, inscribed with the words "Heaven," "Earth," and "Human." The "Heavenly Gate" was reserved exclusively for the disciples of the host sect, the "Earth Gate" was for disciples of visiting sects, and the "Human Gate" was designated for nobles, officials, and wealthy elites.
As a disciple of Shanyuan Temple, Zhang Yan naturally entered through the "Heavenly Gate." Upon presenting his copper token as proof of identity, the Child guarding the gate did not dare obstruct his way, allowing him to pass freely through the threshold.
However, as soon as he stepped through the gate, someone extended a hand to block his way and said coldly, "Halt! Which sect do you belong to?"
Looking up, Zhang Yan saw standing before him a Daoist Nun in her thirties, holding a horsetail whisk. Her skin was fair, her features strikingly beautiful, but her arched brows and sharp gaze, combined with her straight, masculine nose, immediately marked her as a person of forceful character.
Zhang Yan performed the standard disciple's salute to the Daoist Nun and spoke, "Disciple Zhang Yan of Shanyuan Temple."
"So you are Zhang Yan?" The Daoist Nun seemed to have heard of his name before. After sizing him up briefly, she remarked, "I've heard you are well-versed in the Erosion Text. Let me ask you, the story of the 'Elephant River'—where does it originate?"
Without hesitating, Zhang Yan replied, "It comes from the work *New Language Map* authored by Kong Lan, an independent cultivator from a century ago."
*New Language Map* was a travelogue, with "Elephant River" being one of its tales.
The story recounts that during the ancient barbaric era, at the foot of Gao Mountain, there was a village suffering from scarce water sources. The villagers relied entirely on a Spiritual Creek for their survival, but the creek ran sporadically, leaving them anguished. Frequently, they saw ten elephants playing in the creek and blamed them for the disruptions. They made numerous attempts to drive them away but failed, eventually resorting to killing the elephants outright, which then cleared up the creek's flow.
Little did the villagers know that upstream, a giant snake was cultivating. Whenever the snake came down to drink water, the elephants would drive it away. Once the elephants were killed, no one was left to challenge the snake. It refined its cultivation into a demonic essence, descended the mountain, and began devouring humans daily, causing the village's population to scatter in despair.
The Daoist Nun stared directly into Zhang Yan's eyes and said, "Now that you know, let me ask you: If you were one of those villagers, what would you do?"
This tale was often used to caution cultivators against being deceived by appearances and urged them to seek the root of a problem to find the most prudent resolution. It was also sometimes utilized by elders to assess and examine the temperament and judgment of their disciples.
Some disciples believed that although the elephants caused intermittent water shortages, they ensured the villagers' survival, so the status quo should be preserved even if inconvenient. Others argued that since the villagers had the capacity to kill elephants, they also had the power to slay the snake and should therefore march upstream to eliminate it. Yet others advocated that the villagers, being ignorant of the true cause, could only compensate afterward by offering a person daily to feed the snake.
Opinions varied widely, with numerous interpretations.
After brief deliberation, Zhang Yan answered without hesitation, "Kill one elephant."
The Daoist Nun's eyes sparkled as she pressed further, "Why?"