[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-pure-yang":3,"chapter-pure-yang-pure-yang-chapter-56":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Pure Yang!",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2267156,4427,"Chapter 56: Smoke Without Injury, the Inner Landscape of the Dao","pure-yang-chapter-56",56,"\u003Cp>The night was endless, rain pouring heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The experience of that twelve-year-old year felt like a nightmare, especially in recent days, tormenting Zhang Fan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in his most recent dream, he saw something different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the darkness, he faintly saw where he stood—a towering mountain, rolling and undulating, veiled in mist; at its base, an ancient, weathered stone stele bore only two dragon-and-serpent seal characters:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>LONG HU!!!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How does he know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fan stared blankly at the six characters in the [Thousand-Year Old Demon] chat box, forgetting even the teacup he had crushed in his trembling grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong? What’s wrong? Did you run into an idiot online?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Hu, beside him, leaned over at the sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fan switched pages with both hands and tossed the broken teacup straight into the trash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing…” Zhang Fan, distracted, shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t let your consciousness stir. If you meet an idiot online, you should be glad.” Jiang Hu hurried to comfort him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Glad? Why?” Zhang Fan paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It means society is progressing, the nation is developing, people’s living standards are rising rapidly—not that internet users are becoming idiots, but that the internet has reached even the idiots…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This glorious age is as you wished.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…“\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fan narrowed his eyes, staring at Jiang Hu: “You’re really good at comforting people.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve got even better…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Hu glanced around, pulled a flyer from his chest, and shoved it into Zhang Fan’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A new foot massage parlor just opened at the square. Let’s go unwind after work?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Know Contentment and Be Happy!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fan looked at the name of the foot massage parlor and saw two bold promotional slogans on the flyer:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wash away all guests, health gifts for heroes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See? Know contentment and be happy…” Jiang Hu stamped his foot, visibly excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll talk after payday.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fan shoved the flyer back. He had no interest in foot rubs right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, after returning from Zhenwu Mountain, Zhang Fan’s goal was simple: train hard, reach the [High Skill] rank as soon as possible, and recover the lifespan lost from awakening his divine ability; if he could ascend to the [Tianshi] rank within his lifetime and return the Zhenwu Jade Tablet to Zhenwu Mountain, that would be even better…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carrying it made him feel like he was dragging around a time bomb—any day now, trouble might come knocking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond that, if he could master the Dao and return to a simple, ordinary life of food, drink, and leisure, that would be perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since returning, Zhang Fan realized life had changed utterly compared to before…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could no longer return to his quiet, ordinary days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Zhang Fan dismissed Jiang Hu, turned, and opened the chat window with [Thousand-Year Old Demon]…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Speak…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fan sent three messages in quick succession—when suddenly, the [Thousand-Year Old Demon]’s black avatar turned gray…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Offline!? Fuck…” Zhang Fan cursed under his breath, took a deep breath, and tried to calm his agitated consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forget it…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The most feared two words in mortal attachments are: forget it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll just focus on my cultivation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fan knew clearly: right now, the absolute priority was to cultivate hard and strengthen his power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether to recover his lost lifespan, shed the Zhenwu Jade Tablet, or live a simple life of food, drink, and leisure—none of it was possible without formidable cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had sufficient strength, he wouldn’t have been so outmatched when facing Wang Tao, forced to rely on Jiang Lai risking her life to protect him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t even know how Jiang Lai was recovering now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Lai…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Zhang Fan clenched his fists unconsciously. Since Zhenwu Mountain, Jiang Lai had saved him countless times. Never before had he craved strength so desperately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m already a [Skill Disciple] now…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the nine ranks of Daoists, crossing [Qi Worker] leads to [Skill Disciple].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fan had now mastered the [Heavenly Peng Fang] from the [Northern Emperor Method], officially entering the [Skill Disciple] rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not enough!!” Zhang Fan felt pressure mounting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above [Skill Disciple] lay [Mystic Master], above that [Spirit Officer], and only then came [High Skill]…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fan had a long road ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only consolation was that [Night Unlit] had granted him a relatively safe and stable space and time to grow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If only there were a way to accelerate progress…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fan pondered. Finally, after work, he packed his things and stood to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He doesn’t have much time left!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the office, Bai Budai hugged his thermos, watching Zhang Fan’s retreating figure through the window, murmuring softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Longhu Mountain were reopened, the Zhenwu Jade Tablet would surely be reclaimed—Zhang Fan would have to go there no matter what. Without [High Skill] cultivation, in such a setting, he’d truly be helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…Night gradually enveloped Yujing City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Walking down the street, Zhang Fan thought of his boss’s instruction: reach [High Skill] before September 9th next year…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was that even possible!? “Does he really think I’m a beast of burden?” Zhang Fan muttered to himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhang Fan!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a call came from a nearby alley.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fan stopped, turned—and saw a familiar figure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re… the client from earlier?” Zhang Fan instantly recognized the young Daoist before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m Cao Wushang, from Bai He Guan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Wushang introduced himself, slowly stepping out from the alley’s depths: “I’ve been waiting for you to ask you something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fan grew wary internally. He could no longer ignore the name Bai He Guan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone saw you associating closely with Wang Tao before the He family incident,” Cao Wushang said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was in full charge of this He family case and had gathered all intelligence from the very first moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I didn’t know his identity,” Zhang Fan explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could have imagined that the delicate, sweet-tempered classmate Wang Tiantian would turn out to be Wang Tao, the Boar of the Twelve Zodiacs!? Zhang Fan had felt nauseated for days over it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, ignorance is no crime…” Cao Wushang nodded. “But…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shifted tone abruptly: “I mentioned it outright in front of Bai Budai today—but he brushed it off casually…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If there were truly nothing suspicious, he could have explained clearly…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Two possibilities…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Wushang raised two fingers: “Either you’re connected to Wuwei Men, and this ‘misunderstanding’ isn’t a misunderstanding…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Or your own identity is suspect, which is why Bai Budai is being evasive…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these words, Cao Wushang’s face broke into a sly smile: “I personally lean toward the second possibility…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But whether you’re connected to Wuwei Men or not—I’ll find out by investigating.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Cao Wushang stepped toward Zhang Fan: “Come with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come with you? Do you even have enforcement authority to order me around?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fan raised an eyebrow, coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you want to suffer a bit, then?” Cao Wushang stood firm, his robes stirring without wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hum…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same instant, Zhang Fan vanished in a blur.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tian Peng, Tian Peng, Nine Yuan Fiend Children!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chant reverberated, hand seals formed; intense yin energy instantly turned to wrath. Two fangs materialized from Zhang Fan’s shoulders, piercing forward with force, striking straight at Cao Wushang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Northern Emperor Method, Tian Peng Fang!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Wushang’s pupils shrank sharply—he was blasted backward like a cannonball, crashing deep into the quiet alley, smashing through a wall, sending up a cloud of dust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, let’s go?” Zhang Fan, coldly, leapt forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Great Law of the Dao: Smoke Without Injury!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a casual voice emerged from the swirling dust. Cao Wushang stepped forward calmly, dust swirling around him, yet not a single wound marred his body—not even a tear in his robes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’re the one behind the Northern Emperor heir rumors that shook Yujing City…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Wushang’s gaze toward Zhang Fan changed instantly—his earlier casualness now laced with terrifying brilliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Bai Budai’s little temple really does hide monsters…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Excited words echoed in Zhang Fan’s ears. His eyes flared as dust surged—and Cao Wushang drifted forward like a withered leaf, landing right before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Today, I’ll teach you, Bai Buran, what true Daoist art really is!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Grand Sect’s law: outwardly united, inwardly divided!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Cao Wushang extended a finger, pressing it to Zhang Fan’s third eye—the very space where the Nascent Soul resides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outwardly united, inwardly divided: the body remains, but the Nascent Soul has shifted position…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the technique of the cuckoo in the magpie's nest: one's own Nascent Soul enters another's body to spy on their secrets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hum…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, Zhang Fan’s body shuddered violently, his third eye burning as if on fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment, Cao Wushang’s Nascent Soul entered his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hum…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Torrential rain poured down, thunder rolled, and the surrounding scene startled Cao Wushang’s Nascent Soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is an inner landscape!!!?” Cao Wushang froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daoist cultivators, once their Nascent Soul awakens, can perceive ten thousand external landscapes—the shifting lights of heaven, earth, sun, moon, stars, clouds, and auroras.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beyond that, they can also observe inner landscapes within their own bodies: the forms of flesh, sinew, bone, organs, and Nascent Soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lightning flashed, wind howled, rain fell in wild torrents, yet all around was utter darkness—no glimmer of light, only a crushing sense of annihilation rising from every direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This… this… Great Night Unlit… How… how is this possible?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Cao Wushang’s Nascent Soul snapped to alertness—his face finally twisted with deep shock and terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1585,"2026-06-19T21:05:40.312Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e026050c5dff6e218b8cd84d5e5be9590a5ba30f784a811af047fbb446819cb3","pure-yang-chapter-57","pure-yang-chapter-55",520,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fpure-yang-cover.jpg"]