Chapter 127: Li Yishan

Early morning, Yujing City.

Subway Line 2.

In the crowded carriage, all kinds of smells permeated: the smell of pancakes with pork tenderloin sausage, the smell of cheap, pungent perfume, the body odor of someone who had sweated all day without washing...

In such an environment, all kinds of people began their day of rushing and toil for the sake of living.

In the corner of the carriage, Zhang Fan stood with his feet lightly planted, his tongue against the roof of his mouth, his eyelids lowered, as if open yet not open, as if closed yet not closed.

People who often visit temples and Daoist shrines can discover that the eyes of the statues of gods and Buddhas are lowered in just this way, as if open yet closed, leaving only a line.

This simple action of Zhang Fan's is called the 【Method of Tai Xuan Generating Divine Water】. With his eyes narrowed into a line, leaving only the light of heaven to penetrate, one can roam the Great Void, yet be completely devoid of thoughts and desires.

One must know that in life, the thing that consumes the most Qi, blood, and energy is a person's thoughts and desires.

Daoist books say that in the north there is a vast sea, the vast sea generates a mysterious turtle, the mysterious turtle spits out True Qi, True Qi transforms into Divine Water, and Divine Water generates the kidneys. Therefore, Divine Water is the root of Qi, entering and exiting through human breathing. One breath out is one inch, one breath in is one inch. If a person can speak less, think less, and labor less, then in one hour they generate one foot. If a person sleeps for one hour, they also generate one foot.

The so-called "mysterious turtle" is the human kidney; kidney Qi is the innate origin and the foundation of the acquired.

In the secret language of the Daoist sects, Divine Water also refers to the nourishment of the body by kidney Qi. If a person can think less, speak less, and labor less, it can increase. Besides this, it can also increase while sleeping.

Therefore, Daoists say that sleep is the best method of health preservation.

However, people also have states where their soul is not guarded during dreams, so in daily life, one should achieve no thoughts during the day and no dreams at night, allowing the person to guard the Divine Water in a stable state. In this way, essence and Qi will flourish, the body will gradually become stronger, and over time, one can achieve the effect of "immortality."

With a simple action like Zhang Fan's, one can achieve the effect of thinking less and having fewer thoughts.

Once a person can achieve a state of no thoughts and no desires, whatever they do will be twice the result with half the effort.

Zhang Fan remembers that when he was in high school, he read a martial arts novel in which there was an extremely powerful sword technique, claimed to be invincible in the world, named the 【Sword of No Thought and No Desire】. To practice this sword technique, the only mental method was to achieve no thought and no desire. Once entering this state, the sword technique would be like a ghost or god, deciding life and death in a flash of lightning.

In fact, there is a similar mental method of success in the Daoist sects, called 【Using Non-Action as Action】.

In any matter, thinking too much will instead lead to failure; using the void as existence will surely lead to great success.

"Sister, there's a practitioner over there."

Just at this moment, at the other end of the carriage, a pair of eyes was watching Zhang Fan.

It was a young girl with a ponytail, exquisite features, fair skin, and a jade ring on her right hand. Beside her sat a slightly older woman, dignified in appearance, with long hair reaching her waist, quite charming.

Hearing this, the long-haired beauty couldn't help but follow the ponytail girl's gaze toward Zhang Fan.

"Tai Xuan Generating Divine Water... an orthodox Daoist method of health preservation."

The long-haired beauty's gaze narrowed slightly, and she tilted the ponytail girl's head over.

"Don't look around."

"What's wrong?" The ponytail girl asked, puzzled.

"This is not some wild fox Zen from halfway through." The long-haired beauty said in a deep voice.

Health preservation methods are different from cultivation methods; ordinary people can also try them. But to be able to guard one and enter meditation in this environment, regardless of what is happening outside, remaining unmoved—this is true skill. It is a state that cannot be entered without the awakening of the soul and constant contemplation of the Dao.

"This person's soul has awakened. If you peek at him casually, you will be discovered."

Ordinary people have keen perceptions; if someone looks at them while they are sitting there, they might notice, let alone someone who cultivates the Dao!?

"Great hermits hide in the city... Sister, it really is a different era. In the past, such Daoists were only in the deep mountains; now you can see them on the subway..."

"No wonder Grandpa said, in the Age of Dharma Decline, even if you have the supreme method, you must harmonize with the light and mingle with the dust." The ponytail girl couldn't help but say.

"Great hermits hide in the city?"

The long-haired beauty subconsciously glanced at Zhang Fan not far away.

"What kind of great hermit is he? Such existences wouldn't manifest their Dharma to ordinary people or show off in the bustling city."

The long-haired beauty smiled lightly. In her view, he was just an ordinary Daoist practitioner who had gained some superficial knowledge and was still quite diligent.

"Zhou Miao Yu, this is Yujing City, the capital of Jiangnan. Naturally, there are hidden dragons and crouching tigers. Although your Daoist methods have achieved small success, you must be low-key when you come to a big place." The long-haired beauty instructed.

"I know, Sister..." Zhou Miao Yu pouted, somewhat dissatisfied: "You've been saying that the whole way."

Zhou Miaochun smiled upon hearing this but didn't say anything more. Her peripheral vision subconsciously swept across the carriage, but Zhang Fan's figure was already gone.

"Got off!?"

"Sister, the one we are meeting today... what was his name again?" Zhou Miao Yu suddenly asked.

"Li Yishan."

Zhou Miaochun's red lips parted slightly, spitting out a name.

Taoyuan Plaza, 17th floor.

Night Doesn't Brighten.

Having been out for a week and coming back to work, it was really a bit uncomfortable.

"My current realm should be considered as having stepped into the 【Spirit Division】 rank."

Walking into the elevator, Zhang Fan's mind was still on cultivation, secretly estimating his own strength.

Daoist realms, once the soul awakens and one begins night roaming, can be divided into nine grades: 【Qi Worker】, 【Art Apprentice】, 【Profound Master】, 【Spirit Division】, 【High Merit】, 【Great Being】, 【Zhai Head】, 【Gate Master】, and 【Celestial Master】.

Qi Worker, naturally, goes without saying; it is just the soul gathering medicine and refining True Yang, belonging to the work of water grinding.

Art Apprentice is the state where True Yang is abundant and the soul is strengthened, allowing one to practice magic arts.

Zhang Fan had reached this rank long ago.

Above Art Apprentice is Profound Master.

Mastering twelve minor arts qualifies one for the 【Profound Master】 rank.

Since Zhang Fan came down from Zhenwu Mountain, he had been tireless, with constant opportunities, and had practiced quite a few magic arts.

Such as 【North Emperor Dharma Tian Peng Teeth】, 【Taiyi Dharma Death-Crossing Art】, 【Great Sect Law, Appearance Together Spirit Apart】, 【Void Drawing Talismans, Breaking Mountains and Shaking Peaks】, 【Doumu Dharma, Heavenly Mother Heart Mantra】, etc.

Although he hadn't reached twelve minor arts, every magic art Zhang Fan practiced was extraordinary. The strength of his soul and the requirements for True Yang were not comparable to ordinary minor arts.

For example, the 【Heavenly Mother Heart Mantra】—even for a senior 【Profound Master】, the strength of their soul could not withstand the power of this magic art, not to mention that the True Yang required could almost drain them in an instant.

Therefore, Zhang Fan's current strength almost exceeded that of any 【Profound Master】.

Above Profound Master is Spirit Division.

Only by mastering a great art like the 【Five Thunders Orthodox Method】 is one qualified to be granted the 【Spirit Division】 rank.

"If the Fire Dragon Dan Sword is mastered, it won't be weaker than the Five Thunders Orthodox Method." Zhang Fan was thoughtful.

This magic art was something Zhang Fan had comprehended by chatting with the 【Millennium Old Demon】 and having his soul night-roam into the outer scenery. Although it had cost him quite a bit of effort and heart blood, and he had contemplated it day and night, it hadn't been truly mastered yet.

Therefore, Zhang Fan could only be considered to have one foot in the 【Spirit Division】 rank, and he was still far from the 【High Merit】 rank he dreamed of.

"If I master the Fire Dragon Dan Sword, plus the 【Weiling Demon-Suppressing Golden Seal】, I could wrestle with a 【High Merit】." Zhang Fan had a rough estimate of his own strength.

Weiling Demon-Suppressing Golden Seal—he still had such a hidden trump card.

However, this thing couldn't see the light of day. Once exposed, it would mean death.

"Damn it, who exactly sent it to me... isn't this setting me up?" Zhang Fan muttered.

His first reaction upon receiving the 【Weiling Demon-Suppressing Golden Seal】 yesterday was shock, followed by wild joy, then lingering fear, and finally, he hid it away.

This was the treasure of the 【Profound Marvel Gate】, enshrined for a hundred years. Now that it was lost, could they not be anxious and angry?

If it were discovered, wouldn't there be a great uproar? To calm the dispute, Zhang Fan could only bear the pressure himself and hide it.

"Unless absolutely necessary, this thing still shouldn't be used randomly." Zhang Fan secretly made a decision.

The top priority was still to cultivate hard, master the 【Fire Dragon Dan Sword】 as soon as possible, and charge toward the 【High Merit】 rank.

Only then would he truly have the capital to stand, and he could head to Shangjing City to find the Evil God.

Ever since he had glimpsed the traces of the Evil God through the 【Weiling Demon-Suppressing Golden Seal】 and operating the 【Soul-Splitting Great Dharma】, Zhang Fan knew that this thing was now lawless and not so easy to subdue.

By comparison, the Evil God had already possessed a body and was far more powerful than the Ferocious God.

If he didn't enter 【High Merit】, going there would just be throwing his life away.

Besides this, Zhang Fan now knew seven or eight out of ten about his own background. His dad was the Great Lingzong Wang, who twenty years ago ran rampant through the Daoist sects and entered Long Hu Shan only to retreat unscathed...

His mom was even the previous generation's Xiao of the Thirteen Zodiacs...

If this were to spread, he would immediately become the target of everyone.

Now, Zhang Fan finally realized what it meant to have one's very existence be a sin.

"Damn it, I forgot, I still have a Zhenwu Jade Tablet on me..." Zhang Fan felt his temples were about to split.

This thing was also related to the great calamity of the Daoist sects back then. Only when he reached the 【High Merit】 rank could he attempt to strip it from his body.

"Better to just lie low and cultivate well."

Zhang Fan sighed in his heart. Having lived this long, he had never felt his situation was so dangerous. He couldn't show his head or his tail; he could only live low-key.

"Fanfan, good morning."

Just as he entered the company, he ran into Little Wen He. The latter greeted him, her smile as sweet as usual.

Ever since that matter with the Rooster, Little Wen He had become a bit more normal, having some normal human emotions, especially toward Zhang Fan, being more enthusiastic than before.

"Sister Wen, did Jiang Lai take leave?" Zhang Fan looked at that empty desk and couldn't help but ask.

"Tsk tsk, asking about a girl as soon as you get back, you really aren't human."

Jiang Hu sat in his seat, crossing his legs and playing with his phone, not even raising his head.

"On a business trip, she'll be back in two days." Little Wen He smiled slightly, a hint of profound meaning hidden in her eyes.

"..."

"Dad's dad is a monster, Dad's mom is a monster..."

Just at this moment, a pleasant phone ringtone sounded. Zhang Fan took out his phone and looked; the caller ID was Li Yishan.

"Hello?"

"Drinking party tonight, come quickly."

Li Yishan's voice came from the other end of the phone.

"A drinking party early in the morning? Are you okay?" Zhang Fan rolled his eyes.

Since college, Li Yishan liked to have a couple of drinks whether there was something going on or not, often mixing in major bars and nightclubs. Several times he had been dead drunk, sleeping on the road, and had to be carried back by Zhang Fan.

He was just a man; otherwise, he would have been picked up by someone else long ago.

For this, Li Yishan's response was very simple: at first, I didn't touch a drop of alcohol, later I couldn't enjoy life without alcohol, paired with that lonely expression, as if what he was drinking wasn't alcohol, but the vicissitudes of the world, love, and hate.

"Are you coming or not?" Li Yishan said impatiently.

"Young Master Li, you eat, drink, and play all day... don't you have to work?" Zhang Fan pouted.

"Life, you know, take one step at a time, if it really doesn't work out, die halfway. What is work?" Li Yishan replied.

"..."

Zhang Fan remained silent. He did know that Li Yishan's family background was indeed extraordinary.

"I'll introduce you to two beauties."

"Beauties?"

"Just like you, they are also Daoists..."

"Hmm? Is this some kind of role-playing?" Zhang Fan was stunned for a moment, then showed a strange expression.

"Pfft, pfft, pfft... just like you, they have certificates, okay? Proper orthodox Kun-Dao."

Li Yishan's disdainful voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Last time you went to Zhenwu Mountain for tourism, didn't you become a monk? I'm introducing you to two peers to see if you can spark some fire."

"Spark fire!?" Zhang Fan's brows furrowed, his expression becoming even stranger.

"Sparks of thought!"

Li Yishan seemed to see Zhang Fan's expression from across the air and immediately added.

"What time do you get off work?"

"The rule is six o'clock." Zhang Fan replied.

"What about actually?" Li Yishan asked.

"Probably around seven-thirty."

"So late?" Li Yishan seemed to have seen a ghost.

"Nonsense, even prison has sentence reduction, work only has overtime!" Zhang Fan rolled his eyes.

"Fine, see you tonight, I'll send you the address later."

As he spoke, Li Yishan hung up the phone. The next moment, with a "whoosh," a SuperChat message was sent over.

"Crown Hotel!?"

Zhang Fan glanced at it; it wasn't far from Taoyuan Plaza.

"Fine!"

Zhang Fan picked up his teacup and took a small sip. The way of cultivation emphasizes relaxation and tension; cultivating all day, being too tight won't work either. It's a good opportunity to relax, meet new people, absorb some human energy, and change the magnetic field.

In this way, perhaps Zhang Fan's 【Fire Dragon Dan Sword】 could have a breakthrough.

"Fanfan, your friend is looking for you."

Just at this moment, Little Wen He's voice came from the doorway.

"Friend?"

Zhang Fan hadn't even swallowed the water in his mouth when he froze. Early in the morning, what friend would come to the company? Thinking of this, Zhang Fan stood up and poked his head to look at the company entrance.

Pfft...

At just one glance, he couldn't hold it back and sprayed out all the tea in his mouth, his eyes wide, looking in disbelief at the two figures standing at the door.

"Hi."

Su Shiyu was pretty and lovely, showing a sweet smile and greeting him, while Shi Shougong stood beside her, looking indifferent, but still waved his hand.

"You... how did you find this place?" Zhang Fan was stunned and lost his composure.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 128 =====