Chapter 324

Early morning, Hongfu Huayuan, rooftop.

The waning moon had not yet set, the great sun was rising, the sun and moon shone together, and gold and silver colors splashed on Zhang Fan's body; one could vaguely see the rise and fall of his pores.

Three feet above his head, his Yuanshen sat cross-legged, motionless, letting the gold and silver light enter and exit, as if swallowing and breathing.

Rumble...

A strange fluctuation emanated from Zhang Fan's body, layer upon layer, almost covering the entire Hongfu Huayuan.

In the security room at the entrance, Liu Fusheng poked his head out, looking at the highest point of the building where Zhang Fan was; in his eyes under his reading glasses, a deep look of solemnity surged.

At this moment, even with his cultivation, he seemed to see a high mountain rising proudly from that rooftop, cutting across north and south, crisscrossing east and west, as if it had the phenomenon of the Daoist gate, as if it came from the orthodox Xuan gate.

"Long Hu Mountain..."

Liu Fusheng muttered softly; as the Six-Fingered Talisman Demon, a person who had become famous throughout the world more than ten years ago, he naturally recognized the phenomenon of that number one Daoist mountain gate.

"He really is the cub of Boss Zong; the incense of the Southern Zhang has been continued by him."

Liu Fusheng couldn't help but sigh, withdrew his body from the window, and started eating his steamed bun and soy milk.

At this moment, on the rooftop, the void phenomenon slowly dissipated, the Yuanshen returned to the body, and Zhang Fan's eyes slowly opened; in the deep black, there was a trace of clarity, as if that moment of cultivation had strengthened his essence, energy, and spirit significantly.

"What you just practiced was not the Divine Demon Sacred Embryo."

Just then, a familiar and pleasant voice came from not far away; where the sunlight fell, a beautiful figure slowly walked out, and it was none other than Li Miaoyin.

"You're early." Zhang Fan glanced at her, slowly stood up, and stretched his limbs.

"That is the method of contemplation my father taught me, not some profound art or supernatural power."

"Method of contemplation!?" Li Miaoyin seemed to realize something.

In the Daoist gate, there is a cultivation method called contemplation, which is a method to purify the body and mind, wash away thoughts, and return to a natural state by visualizing gods, symbols, scenes, etc., thereby realizing the realm of unity with the Dao.

For example, contemplating the sun, moon, and stars, contemplating the gods in heaven, etc.

With just this one thought, all thoughts are stopped, and finally, even this one thought is gone; that is non-thought, truly reaching the realm of non-action.

"We cultivate the Law, but we contemplate the Dao. The world is ignorant and wastes too much time and energy on supernatural powers and techniques, not knowing that if one hears the Dao in the morning, one will surely attain the Law by evening." Zhang Fan muttered softly.

"What a big tone, are these your words?" Li Miaoyin looked at Zhang Fan, revealing a unique brilliance.

It must be said that since returning from the 100,000 Great Mountains, this man is indeed a little different from before.

"Those aren't my words." Zhang Fan smiled lightly and shook his head: "Those are my father's words; I haven't reached this realm yet."

"Great Lingzong King!" Li Miaoyin was thoughtful; she naturally knew a lot about Zhang Fan's family situation.

"The method of contemplation you practice is very special, can you teach me?" Li Miaoyin stared straight at Zhang Fan, a trace of cunning in her eyes.

"You really are not polite." Zhang Fan smiled, then shook his head.

"You should also learn the method of contemplation; in fact, they are much the same."

Laozi said, abandon sageliness and discard wisdom.

What is a sage? The culmination of merit, the model of the human world.

The model that the world learns to imitate; in other words, that is a standard constructed by humans, born from the judgment of the conscious mind and artificial creation, far from the true natural Dao, deviating from the original truth.

Only by letting go of all judgment and thinking, and stopping all thoughts, can one gradually return to the natural original truth.

This is the core concept of the method of contemplation; just like Cook Ding carving an ox, the skill approaches the Dao, and finally, the cook, the knife, and the ox are as one, no different, chaotic like the beginning, just a part of that nature.

The highest realm of the Dao of contemplation is like this.

Thoughts rest, thoughts stop, just make the profound art a double cultivation, don't ask about the thousand-year affairs in the cave, looking back, it's already a carefree journey.

"Then will you teach me or not? I can also teach you my method of contemplation." Li Miaoyin said directly.

"You've always wanted to probe my depth, haven't you?"

"..."

"Sorry, my father said that our family's method of contemplation is not passed on to outsiders. Back then, my mother only learned it after marrying my father." Zhang Fan smiled lightly.

This method of contemplation originated from Long Hu and was passed down to the Southern Zhang lineage; everyone in their family knows it.

"Not passed on to outsiders, huh." Li Miaoyin said solemnly: "You wait, sooner or later I'll make you teach me."

"Hmm!?" Zhang Fan was stunned.

"I'm hungry."

"Let's go, I'll treat you to steamed buns." Zhang Fan greeted.

"I don't like eating steamed buns."

"Then tofu pudding?"

"Okay, do you like sweet tofu pudding or salty tofu pudding?"

"Salty."

"Then we can eat together."

The two chatted and laughed all the way, went down from the rooftop, and walked out of the residential area.

When passing the security room at the entrance, Liu Fusheng was stunned, feeling his eyes blur, as if something had darted past in front of him.

He poked his body out abruptly, looking at the backs of Zhang Fan and Li Miaoyin as they walked away; he was stunned at first, then revealed a meaningful smile.

"Little Fan is really promising, his divine art is successful, and he actually brings a girl home for the night."

"The old Zhang family has a successor now."

As he spoke, he withdrew his body, his appetite opened, and he gnawed on another steamed bun.

Around 7:00 AM, the breakfast stalls in the old city were almost all students going to school; Zhang Fan and Li Miaoyin, two "big friends," sitting inside, seemed a bit abrupt.

Zhang Fan was eating tofu pudding with his head down while looking at his phone, scrolling through his Moments.

"So early, who are you paying attention to?" Li Miaoyin glanced and asked indifferently.

"Do you want to see?"

As he spoke, Zhang Fan placed his phone on the table, the screen just showing his Moments.

"I don't want to see your Moments, I want to see your blacklist." Li Miaoyin's mouth curled slightly, revealing a subtle smile.

"Blacklist? Why?" Zhang Fan asked, stunned.

"Moments aren't necessarily all friends, but the blacklist always has old acquaintances." Li Miaoyin said meaningfully.

"You win."

Zhang Fan remained silent, continuing to eat his tofu pudding with his head down.

Before, when he broke up with Xu Zhixia, they did indeed blacklist each other, but later they met and let go, and both unblocked each other.

Beep, beep, beep...

Just then, a message popped up on his phone.

Zhang Fan opened it and looked, his gaze narrowing abruptly; it was a message from Meng Qiwu, and it was "burn after reading."

"The Rat's people have already gone to Yujing."

A simple message, which automatically destroyed itself after Zhang Fan looked at it for three seconds.

"Finally, someone came." Zhang Fan sighed secretly in his heart.

Originally, he wanted to use the opportunity of becoming True Person Chaoran's closed-door disciple to cover himself and Zhang Lingzong with a protective color; after all, that was the invincible Pure Yang True Person in the world.

It's a pity that Xia Weisheng brought bad news; True Person Chaoran's closed-door disciple was not him.

Since that's the case, Zhang Fan can only look for other reinforcements and allies.

Among the Thirteen Zodiacs, Zi Shu is a good choice.

The Human Zodiac is dormant, and Given Chen Long is strong, already enough to threaten its status.

Lin Jianyue said that among the Thirteen Zodiacs, Zi Shu is the most mysterious; even the most senior, who has even seen the Three Corpse Daoist, You Chicken Jin Maori, is deeply wary of it.

Precisely because of this, Zhang Fan wanted to connect with the Zi Shu line; if they could work together from inside and outside to get rid of Given Chen Long, it would be equivalent to wiping out a great hidden danger for their family.

"Whose message? You can't even suppress the corners of your mouth."

Li Miaoyin's voice pulled Zhang Fan's thoughts back.

"It's nothing, eat, eat." Zhang Fan smiled lightly.

"When can you treat me to a good meal?" Li Miaoyin said.

"Lunch is too formal, dinner is too corrupt, only breakfast has true feelings."

As he spoke, Zhang Fan raised his hand: "Boss, another bowl of tofu pudding here."

As the words fell, Zhang Fan looked at Li Miaoyin: "Don't worry, there's plenty of tofu pudding!"

"..."

Near noon, Guangming Hotel.

Zhang Fan sat in the hotel lobby, waiting for Fang Changle and the Qi brothers.

Since Zi Shu's people are coming to Yujing, he naturally wants to ask these two Daoist descendants for information about the other party.

Dealing with such people, Zhang Fan must be more cautious.

Whether it's Lin Jianyue or Meng Qiwu, one can hear from their tone that this Zi Shu is not only mysterious, but also has extraordinary means and acts secretly and low-key.

Coming to Yujing this time to discuss such a big matter, he didn't even show himself, but sent someone instead, which shows his level of caution; no wonder no one has seen his true body for so many years.

Of course, it's also possible that such an existence doesn't look down on Zhang Fan at all, and sending someone is just to form a good relationship and save an opportunity.

"Given Chen Long Zhang Nanfeng..."

Zhang Fan was thoughtful, the figure of the beauty with the cinnabar mole appearing in his mind.

This person refined the Five Elements Wrong King and obtained one of the Nine Vessels, the True Dragon Horn, in the 100,000 Great Mountains, which can be described as adding wings to a tiger; if he really wants to kill him, I'm afraid even connecting with the Zi Shu line won't be enough.

"I still need to find strong external reinforcements." Zhang Fan muttered softly.

"Zhang Fan..."

Just then, a familiar voice came from the side, pulling Zhang Fan's thoughts back.

"Hmm!?"

Zhang Fan looked up and couldn't help but be stunned; a beautiful figure entered his sight.

"Xu Zhixia!"

It had only been half a month since they parted in Jingjiang City; Xu Zhixia had become much thinner, and her expression looked extremely haggard. Seeing Zhang Fan again, her heart was filled with mixed feelings.

Xu Zhixia had feelings for Zhang Fan, but in Jingjiang City, Zhang Fan killed Xu Changnian and Xu Banshan in succession, killing like hemp, with no taboos.

However, at the last moment, he let her go.

At this moment, Xu Zhixia's attitude toward Zhang Fan was extremely complicated.

"What a coincidence, you're here?" Zhang Fan asked casually.

He knew that the Xu family had quite a lot of industries in Yujing City and throughout Jiangnan Province.

Xu Zhixia, after all, went to university in Yujing City, so she was naturally more familiar with this place than the average Xu family member.

"Next month, True Person Chaoran of Zhenwu Mountain will hold a disciple-taking ceremony, and I followed my family to Jiangnan Province to prepare congratulatory gifts."

Xu Zhixia wanted to leave immediately, but facing Zhang Fan's concern, she couldn't help but answer.

"I see." Zhang Fan nodded.

The biggest event in the entire Daoist world today is True Person Chaoran taking a disciple; the Xu family, as a Pure Yang family, is naturally on the invitation list and will enter the mountain to observe the ceremony that day.

True Person Chaoran's closed-door disciple, this congratulatory gift must naturally be carefully prepared.

That day will surely be the focus of the world, with people coming from all directions to congratulate.

"Zhang Fan, you've changed."

Xu Zhixia looked at Zhang Fan, and the past could not help but appear in her mind; the Zhang Fan of that time was like a different person from now.

"People always change."

"The only thing that doesn't change in this world is that everything is changing." Zhang Fan said indifferently.

"Just like between us?" Xu Zhixia interjected.

"Don't mention the past." Zhang Fan sighed lightly.

The things of the world are indeed impermanent.

At that time, his Yuanshen had not recovered, they had just broken up, he was reluctant to let go, as if suffering a love calamity, falling into pain and confusion.

But now, the positions of the two seem to have swapped.

"Zhixia."

Just then, a clear and slightly majestic voice came.

Zhang Fan looked up and saw a graceful and luxurious woman walking over; she was dressed appropriately and generously, vaguely revealing a delicate figure, with fair skin and exquisite features; she looked to be only in her thirties, but although she was well-maintained, her eyes revealed the precipitation of years of experience.

"Mom." Xu Zhixia saw the person coming and hurriedly greeted her, her expression becoming a bit nervous.

"Hmm."

The woman gave a light hum, but her gaze fell on Zhang Fan.

"Little Zhang, right? We meet again." Wei Qingshuang said indifferently, her eyes revealing the majesty of a superior.

This was not the first time she had met Zhang Fan.

Back then, when he had just graduated from university, she had looked for Zhang Fan; there was no cliché five-million-dollar check, only a suggestion that sounded like an order.

In the mouth of this noble lady, Zhang Fan's background clearly couldn't even touch the threshold of the Xu family, and leaving her daughter was the best and only choice.

This was not a discussion, this was a suggestion; rather than coming from someone who had been there, it was more like a suggestion from a superior.

At that time, Zhang Fan didn't even have the qualifications to refuse.

That was the day he completely cut off contact with Xu Zhixia.

"Yes, where in life do we not meet, we meet again." Zhang Fan sighed.

"Little Zhang, you promised me you wouldn't see Zhixia again." Wei Qingshuang said indifferently.

Her words were polite, but a chill flashed in the eyes staring at Zhang Fan.

Clearly, she didn't like people going back on their word; this was an act of challenging her majesty.

"Mom..." Xu Zhixia was anxious; she looked at Zhang Fan, a look of worry and even fear flashing in her eyes.

"Auntie, you are someone who has seen the world, how did you become so childish? Only things you can decide for yourself count in this world." Zhang Fan said indifferently.

As these words were spoken, Wei Qingshuang was stunned; she felt that this young man in front of her was somewhat different from when she first met him, but after a brief stun, a look of anger surged in the eyes of this Mrs. Xu.

"Do you know who you are talking to?"

"Auntie, I call you Auntie only because my parents taught me well. Besides, do you know who you are talking to?"

As the words fell, Zhang Fan's gaze lifted slightly, becoming cold; he reached out one hand, like a swift thunderbolt, landing on the center of Wei Qingshuang's brow, and with a light hook, he detained her Yuanshen out.

(End of chapter)