The transformation between reality and illusion made Li Yan feel as if he had fallen into a dream. His eyes turned from hollow to confused, sowhat at a loss...
Bang!
At this mont, he received a solid blow to the head.
To his surprise, Master Tong Xuan was already behind him for so ti, striking him on the head and shouting, "Hey! When practicing the profound Prajna Paramita, perceive the emptiness of the five aggregates!"
With one hand holding the staff, the other hand pinched his thumb and middle finger together.
This was the Buddhist Dharma Seal.
Li Yan felt as if a thunderbolt exploded in his mind, like a dark room having its windows opened, allowing spiritual light to shine in, instantly illuminating everything.
Feeling enlightennt in his heart, he imdiately sat cross-legged, his eyes slightly closed, as the insights from the Illusion Realm continuously echoed in his mind.
It was unknown how long it took, but Li Yan slowly opened his eyes.
He saw the Great Hall empty of people. Outside, the sky was bright, and it appeared to be past noon, with blue skies, white clouds, and a gentle breeze blowing.
Li Yan slowly stood up, rubbed the lump on his head, and said with a helpless smile, "Is this the Zen stick-pounding?"
"The old monk really ans business..."
Despite these words, a great joy rose in his heart.
Since leaving Li Family Castle, he had either been fighting or cultivating, feeling his strength rapidly increase, but always with many hidden dangers.
What Zhang Xiaoshan could advise on was only the techniques.
And last night was like a torrential rain, cleansing his mind and nding many spiritual gaps.
Walking out of the Great Hall, Li Yan slowly stretched, feeling clear-headed and light-hearted.
The matters weighing on his mind seed no longer important.
"Amitabha Buddha."
At this mont, a little novice walked up from outside the hall, hands pressed together, and said, "Mr. Li, Uncle-Master Tong Xuan would like to see you."
"Hmm."
Without delay, Li Yan followed him through winding corridors to a Zen room.
Master Tong Xuan sat cross-legged inside, holding prayer beads.
"Thank you, Master."
Li Yan quickly bowed in gratitude.
Seeing the change in his aura, Tong Xuan nodded slightly, a trace of a smile in his eyes, "It seems Mr. Li has gained much. Do not dwell on last night’s events."
With that, he explained the reason.
Only then did Li Yan realize that the opportune mont was actually the warm-up in the Great Hall’s Refining Heart Hall.
Baotong Zen Temple was ancient, initially built by Prince Xiaotong during the Liang dynasty, nad "Donglin Temple," and called "Chongning Wanshou Zen Temple" in the Southern Song period, a royal temple of the Great Xuan Dynasty.
The temple itself was situated on an acupoint near Wuchang, constructed using so Heavenly Spirit Earth Treasures, rebuilt many tis after destruction by war, gradually forming this Refining Heart Mystical Realm.
Of course, entry required conditions.
First, Buddhist disciples needed to set up a large array to open it.
Second, the mind had to be unguarded, hence the intentional secrecy, causing him to unknowingly enter upon stepping into the courtyard.
Third was the Zen stick-pounding thod to awaken and digest what was gained.
Even the staff the old monk held was a Buddhist Magic Artifact, left by Zen Master Huangbo. At the ti, when Zen Master Linji Yixuan consulted him, Huangbo didn’t speak but lifted the staff to strike, leading to enlightennt.
"Dexan stick, Linji shout" was well-known in Zen.
Although the strike was harsh, Li Yan truly benefited, and would certainly not complain, bowing again in thanks.
Master Tong Xuan smiled and said, "Mr. Li has helped us multiple tis, these little matters are not worth ntioning."
"May 13th is the birthday of the Guardian King of Light. We must prepare. I heard Mr. Li is also going to refine Magic Artifacts on that day?"
Li Yan nodded and said, "Correct. This trip to Wuchang was for this matter, and I must thank your temple for allowing us to use this land for Artifact Refining."
After so contemplation, Master Tong Xuan remarked, "In Wuchang City, there is the Overlord Well, said to be dug by Chu the Overlord, sowhat similar to Blade Clash Spring."
"In the depths of the Overlord Well, there was once an underground cold spring; if combined with the Spiritual Water of Blade Clash Spring, the crafted Magic Artifacts could have more spiritual charm."
"Unfortunately, the Overlord Well recently beca murky, often emitting yellow water with a foul odor. We don’t know what’s wrong."
"There are not enough people in the temple to investigate. If Mr. Li has ti, you could look into it. It would benefit both of us."
"No problem."
Li Yan imdiately agreed, "I’ll check it out when I return."
After he left, Master Tong Xuan pondered for a while, taking a booklet from a nearby shelf, on which information about Li Yan was clearly written.
In the eyes of others, even if Li Yan made a mark, he was still too young, far from reaching a level where he could stabilize an area or influence a situation.
However, those in Zen who surpassed the five "obstacles" perceived him as extraordinary; those who accomplished this when young all had Innate potential.
The significance of an Innate expert is entirely different...
...
"The Overlord Well?"
At Yuquan Temple, Master Lu, whose work was interrupted, was a bit annoyed, but upon hearing it related to the Overlord Well, he nodded, "Indeed, there is such a thing."
"Blade Clash Spring is located on Fuhu Mountain, beneath it is a mineral vein. The Spiritual Spring Water is Geng tal (yang). The Overlord Well is in Wuchang City, connected to the underground water veins and river, belonging to Xin Jin (yin)."
"Therefore, the water from Blade Clash Spring can temper the edge of blades, making them strong and aggressive. anwhile, water from the Overlord Well is gentle, suitable for making jewelry-like Magic Artifacts, and can enhance the toughness of embedded talisman."
"I once sent people to the Overlord Well, but they could not find the cause. It might be due to an underground water vein redirect. Having Cold Spring Water is a bonus, but without it, it’s no big deal."
"The surrounding people have been offering incense around the Overlord Well year-round. Baotong Zen Temple asked you to look, mostly due to a shortage of manpower and not wanting to create public panic..."
"I see."
Upon hearing this, Li Yan understood imdiately.
Such matters could be checked incidentally, especially since he had gained substantial benefits this ti.
Upon returning to Wuchang City, the sun was nearing the horizon.
The dayti dragon boat races had ended, and Zen monks from the three cities of Wuchang set up magic platforms to release hungry ghosts and bless lost souls.
In previous years, this would occur typically from May 5th and last for three days. This year, however, it had lasted ten days.
People didn’t understand the reasons but wouldn’t miss such events; believers and worshippers hurried from their hos to pray and perform rituals.
Li Yan instinctively invoked the Yang Jue, imdiately sensing so hidden Yin Qi drifting around the river.
To date, many things had beco clear.
The Fengshui Master Yu Lanshan, with a plan to defeat the demon’s Feng Shui Array using natural forces at the right ti and place.
Now, with the two deities of tortoise and snake converged, the Yin Sha Qi accumulated over the years on the Yangtze River was stirred up, appearing all over, necessitating nightly blessings.
Though tedious, it was like a thorough clearing, ensuring this stretch to the Three Gorges would remain calm and free of water ghosts for a long ti.
Hence, the Prince Mansion and the Zen community cooperated.
Certainly, more ans were planned thereafter.
On May 13th, the birthday of Saint Lord Guan, both in the pugilistic world and among the people, grand ceremonies would be held to cleanse Yin Evil Qi.
On May 15th, the "Great Dragon Boat Festival," the dragon boat race final took place during the day and the "Carrying the Bodhisattva" ritual happened at night.
This was a parade ritual, where the Divine Statue from temples was carried around villages and riverbanks, led by the Water God General Yangsi.
The Wuchang Prince Mansion ordered that villages and docks along the Yangtze join in, achieving a thorough cleansing on the river to subdue evil Qi.
Not only would it dispel the White Tiger Sha over the Barbarian King’s tomb, but also prevent water disasters on the Yangtze for years, providing stable support for the southwestern war situation.
With such a massive undertaking and arrangents, manpower was naturally scarce.
...
Returning to the Chamber of Comrce hall, Li Yan saw the Tian Family present, and finding nothing amiss, he set off for the Overlord Well.
Near Wuchang, lakes were plentiful, and the city was no exception. Besides the Prince Mansion’s Bibo Lake, Purple Sun Lake was the largest.
Purple Sun Lake was considered a Wuchang sight, visited by Lu You and Huang Tingjian, leaving lines like "ten-mile pavilion lotus fragrance" and "ten miles of pandanus and lotus fragrance."
The Overlord Well was located in the northwest corner of Purple Sun Lake.
Li Yan was tasked by Baotong Zen Temple to check the Overlord Well, thus there was no need for subterfuge. The governnt office also dispatched several Governnt Officials to accompany him, heading straight for Purple Sun Lake...
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