Some people might read too many stories and think that when important figures assign them work, it’s merely a test.
Song Lin had such thoughts before, but he did not desire much; as long as he achieved his own goals, he was satisfied.
After all, with the *Monster Chronicles* as his foundation, he didn’t need to rely on anyone.
If Master Zhi Xin wanted to take him as a disciple, Song Lin might not even agree.
The matter of the *Monster Chronicles* might be concealed from others, but for an expert of such tribulation-crossing level, Song Lin truly wasn’t confident he could hide it.
Even now, he still didn’t know what form his body took after entering the story world.
Perhaps others remained unaware, but in the face of such high-level masters, he feared they might sense this energy flow.
Over the next ten-plus days, Song Lin focused on cultivating the land in the back mountain.
When tired, he rested; when night fell, he stayed there to sleep.
In the meantime, he incidentally crafted eight Yellow Turban Warriors.
At night, the two of them ate dinner and drank wine to admire the moon in the newly erected pavilion.
"How did you originally detect the unchanging amidst change?" Taoist Zhi Xin suddenly asked.
Changes are not something an ordinary person can perceive.
Even though Zhi Xin had studied it for years, he only vaguely sensed it, without truly grasping it.
"That was a long time ago."
The Way is like a river; humans within its currents cannot seize it. Though traces seem to exist, at the moment a thought arises, it turns into an illusion.
Only by sheer luck can one glimpse a thread of the Great Dao.
Hearing this, Zhi Xin finally affirmed that this young man had some genuine insight, rather than parroting others’ wisdom, and said:
"So mysterious, so profound—the Door of Wonders. The Great Dao seems intentionally elusive to living beings. Only in the state of *Heavenly Human Connection*, merging with the universe in a state of no-self and no-body, can one capture a sliver of the Dao."
In Zhi Xin’s life, he had achieved enlightenment three times.
Each instance of enlightenment brought him rapid personal progression, yet curiously, the once-mystical changes in the Dao became tangible, not as elusive anymore, transforming the unreal into something solid, open to understanding.
"Master Mei Hua’s *Constant Number Theory* might be one-sided, but it does have its merits. Based on divination under this premise, it achieves a ninety-nine percent accuracy."
While the world trusted the ninety-nine percent reality, Zhi Xin believed the remaining one percent represented the true essence of the Dao.
The *Constant Number Theory* was suitable for resolving ordinary issues, but for higher-level realms, the theory proved inadequate—at most, useful for fortune-telling.
In short, the Great Dao is an extraordinarily wondrous phenomenon.
When unnoticed, it is omnipresent; but the moment one actively seeks it, it vanishes.
Hearing this, Song Lin’s heart stirred.
"Perhaps the Great Dao is inherently chaotic, existing between change and constancy, as if it resists being observed by consciousness. If we maintain a continuous state of unconscious *Heavenly Human Connection*, could we grasp this variability?"
"That is precisely my thinking..."
Zhi Xin’s ambition was grander—he sought to uncover the rule governing change and constancy. If he could capture this rule, then the Dao would be within reach, forming the cornerstone to becoming a Heavenly Master.
This method, which Zhi Xin was still exploring, he tentatively named the *Da Yan Heavenly Transformation Skill*. Completing it would allow one to enter enlightenment at will.
For ordinary people, a single moment of enlightenment benefited them for life. If one could step into enlightenment at any time, the gains would be immeasurable.
After discussing this with Zhi Xin, Song Lin vaguely understood the power of this method.
The *Cloud Engraving Mysterious Character Jade Scripture* was born of an understanding of the Heavenly Dao. Song Lin had comprehended it three times, each time grasping one mysterious character.
It was worth noting that the Undying Pill World, part of the Wilderness World, existed in an era where comprehending the Heavenly Dao was relatively easier.
In this world, one might not experience enlightenment even once in a lifetime.
If he learned Zhi Xin’s method and could enter the state of enlightenment at will, wouldn’t he be able to grasp infinite mysterious characters?
A few more days passed. freewebnøvel.coɱ
The fields and ponds were fully cultivated.
Taoist Zhi Xin set down his hoe, wiped the sweat from his brow, and smiled. "It’s done."
He then took a thick book from his sleeve.
The ink on the cover was still wet, emitting a faint fragrance of ink, as though freshly written.
The cover bore seven large words: *Golden Liquid Jade Liquid Rejuvenation Scripture.*
"This scripture will help you achieve great success in core formation!"
"Thank you, Grandmaster."
Song Lin accepted the scripture and skimmed through it. It detailed the processes of the three stages: Nourishing the Pill, Refining the Pill, and Breaking the Core.
Song Lin immediately stored it away, bid farewell to Zhi Xin, and returned to the Taoist temple.
Less than three months remained until the Phoenix Platform Dragon Throwing.
The people of the Taoist School and the court had moved in, and the entire Mei Mountain Jungle became much calmer.
Previously, visitors came every few days, and Chi Hai sent a constant stream of letters, sometimes even gifts.
Now, everything had ceased, bringing an unexpected tranquility.
With the Phoenix Platform Dragon Throwing ahead, the storm over Song Lin securing the leader’s position had subsided.
Shi Yinhua had departed for Lingnan half a month ago. If all went well, with his talent, he should return after the Phoenix Platform Dragon Throwing.
Inside the secret chamber, Song Lin opened the *Rejuvenation Scripture.*
The text divided core formation into two stages: *Golden Liquid Rejuvenation* and *Jade Liquid Rejuvenation.*
The first stage was *Jade Liquid Rejuvenation.* Here, jade liquid referred to the divine water formed when kidney water rose to the heart palace and combined with mana, nourishing the core.
This stage was also called the *Small Rejuvenation Pill.*
Achieving mastery in *Jade Liquid Rejuvenation* would allow one to enter the alchemy realm.
The alchemy realm entailed *Golden Liquid Rejuvenation*, which involved using lung liquid instead of raising kidney qi and heart qi, integrating it into the lower dantian.
Mastering the *Golden Liquid Rejuvenation* process reached the late stage of core formation, known as the *Breaking Core Realm.*
The *Breaking Core Realm* marked the endpoint of the core formation stage. To break through to the Purple Mansion, one could only rely on fortune.
In the days that followed, Song Lin remained in the chamber, cultivating the *Rejuvenation Pill Technique.*
A few days ago, in the Mei Mountain Jungle.
Two processions traveled along the official road.
A group of people in the jungle had prepared a dharma altar, adorned in luxurious Taoist robes, waiting in formation.
At the front, Huoyun looked neatly groomed, with fiery red hair and beard meticulously combed.
The leading procession halted, with the left marker reading: "Prince Lingwu."
The right marker bore the inscription: *Yunzhou Society Commandery Officer of Jianghu.* Eight cyan-eyed golden-maned dragon-headed horses pulled a coral cloud-patterned carriage.
As the curtain of the carriage lifted, a middle-aged Taoist of lofty stature, standing nearly ten feet tall, stepped down. On his head grew bronze dragon horns, and his cyan eyes gleamed.
The middle-aged Taoist was strikingly handsome, with features like white jade and eyes like resplendent stars.
"Brother Copper Dragon, it’s been a long time!" Huoyun Taoist stepped forward, clasping the middle-aged man’s arms with a tone of warmth.
"Brother Huoyun, it’s been a Jiazi, hasn’t it? The jungle affairs indeed seem bustling."
"Naturally. Small sects can hardly compare to your carefree ways, Brother Dao."
Copper Dragon was of half-demon lineage, with bronze flood dragon blood coursing through half his veins. He was responsible for overseeing the Five Counties River Basin.
The other elderly figure was Prince Lingwu, the emperor’s uncle, Wu He.
That man served as a mere figurehead, tasked with delivering the emperor’s imperial decrees. Huoyun greeted him symbolically, then paid him no further mind.
"Official matters await and leave us little time to talk. I must trouble my worthy brother to arrange a dwelling."
By custom, the overseers dispatched from above were forbidden from conversing with any contestants.
"Of course, official duties take precedence. Allow me to make arrangements at once."
Their eyes met briefly, an unspoken understanding passing between them.
Three months passed swiftly. A storm was brewing.
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