Chapter 9: Return Light, Reflect Within: The Dragon-Snake Transformation

The wind stirred the grass; the moon’s shadow sank behind the mountains.

A piercing gaze, like a blade, cut through the gale, pierced the swaying grass, and found Zhang Fan’s form.

“Go.”

In an instant, Zhang Fan reacted, turning and fleeing.

He did not know the origins of the Qian brothers, but from their words, he could tell they were no decent people.

“You still think you can run off with such a fine offering!?”

Qian Shao Kun sneered, tilting his head as a single strand of hair darkened into a shadow and shot toward Zhang Fan.

The next moment, the black shadow wrapped around Zhang Fan like a rope, binding him tight—he collapsed with a thud, instantly paralyzed.

Under the pale moonlight, the “rope” binding Zhang Fan became clear: it was a long, slender worm, flesh-colored, wriggling like an earthworm. In moments, Zhang Fan felt his limbs grow weak, as if all his essence and energy had been drained.

“So you’ve only just begun stirring… You’re not even at Qi Gong. How could you possibly resist my Shao Chong?” Qian Shao Kun sneered, watching Zhang Fan with mockery.

Hair is the tip of the kidneys, born of kidney water essence.

Thus, those with weak kidneys often show it in their hair—mildly, it turns dry and brittle; severely, they lose it entirely and go bald.

The Shao Chong is a worm bred by the Qian family’s secret method, nourished by kidney water, dwelling at the hair roots, feeding solely on essence.

“His Yuan Shen has just stirred—he’s clearly a Daoist. Perfect for welcoming the Nan Chong.” Qian Sheng Wu stepped before Zhang Fan, looking down with satisfaction.

At this moment, Zhang Fan felt as if all strength had been sapped—his limbs numb, as if ten thousand ants gnawed at his body…

This pain was unprecedented.

“Hehe, the sensation after the Shao Chong feeds is most exquisite. Savor it well.” Qian Shao Kun stared at Zhang Fan like a piglet, admiring his own handiwork.

Between the two gates, the conscious mind is most restless.

The gate of emotion wounds the heart; the gate of life and death harms the body; turbulent thoughts corrupt the spirit, the body suffers, and all manner of emotions arise. To remain empty, to maintain stillness, to subdue the mind—then you see the Yuan Shen…

“Hm!?”

At that moment, Qian Sheng Wu’s brow twitched, his stern face revealing an unusual expression.

Trapped by the Shao Chong, lying on the ground, Zhang Fan did not sink into endless agony—he instead appeared half-open, half-closed-eyed, regulating his breath, as if entering stillness, so much so that even nearby insects avoided landing on him.

“Is this kid insane? Trying to enter meditation now?” Qian Shao Kun growled.

“He’s not insane…” Qian Sheng Wu observed Zhang Fan, his expression turning grave.

“In the past, the Pure Yang Ancestor once said in the Tai Yi Jin Hua Zong Zhi: the secret of cultivation lies in just four words…”

“Return Light, Reflect Within!”

“Follow this path, and all methods arise from the mind; all calamities shun the body…”

What is return light?

The Pure Yang Ancestor said: celestial light is the primordial Tai Yi true qi—the very thing people call [Spirit Qi].

Return Light, Reflect Within means drawing celestial light into the body to reflect upon the Yuan Shen.

This is the unerring path of cultivation.

Yet, only before birth can one glimpse the Yuan Shen; after birth, tainted by the postnatal, the body falls under the dominion of the conscious mind.

Moreover, at death, the conscious mind gradually fades, and the Yuan Shen briefly revives, drawing celestial light into the body—thus restoring temporary clarity.

This is what ordinary people know as “return light, reflect within.”

They do not realize that these four words, tied to life and death, conceal the great secret of cultivation.

“Still not insane? Now you’re sharpening your blade… Too late.” Qian Shao Kun sneered.

Cultivation is not the work of a single day or night.

After initial stirring comes manifestation. Even the lowest-level [Qi Gong] cultivators must labor like oxen and horses, daily transporting Spirit Qi to nourish the Yuan Shen—only through years of accumulation can the body manifest wondrous effects.

“The principle is indeed true.” Qian Sheng Wu nodded, slowly withdrawing his gaze.

“Take him with us.”

As he spoke, Qian Sheng Wu turned, gazing into the boundless night, toward the ancient temple hidden deep in the mountains and dense forest.

“Qing Wei Palace… that is where the suppression…”

Boom… Suddenly, a thunderous crash erupted; Qian Shao Kun was blasted sideways like a cannonball, smashing through one ancient tree after another.

“What happened?”

Qian Sheng Wu’s face darkened instantly—he turned to see Zhang Fan standing, his eyes pitch-black, body taut, as if brimming with terrifying power; pores along his right arm writhed, sprouting countless tiny scale-like patterns.

“This is…”

“Dragon-Snake Transformation!?”

At that moment, Qian Shao Kun sprinted back, blood lingering at his lips, dust coating his body, his face grim as he stared at the changing Zhang Fan.

Daoist cultivation relies on celestial timing.

In the second lunar month, when the spring thunder rumbles, the hibernating snake spits out the soil it has held in its mouth, reviving its vitality—some even ascend to become dragons.

At this time, cultivation is most favorable. If one stirs the Yuan Shen and nurtures it, one may attain the [Qi Gong] stage, the body grows strong, manifesting inexplicable abilities.

The Daoists call this the “Dragon-Snake Transformation.”

Thus, in the Book of Changes, there is a hexagon named [Thunder Above Heaven, Great Strength]: thunder above, heaven below—when spring thunder stirs, vitality surges, and the Yuan Shen grows strong.

But now, it is midsummer…

Roar…

At that moment, Zhang Fan lowered his head and let out a muffled roar; the fine scale patterns on his right arm grew vivid, terrifying power surging wildly through his limbs…

The Shao Chong, like chains, rapidly twisted and deformed under this brute force.

“His strength…” Qian Shao Kun’s pupils shrank sharply.

“Impossible!”

He had never seen anyone trapped by the Shao Chong enter meditation and gaze into emptiness; he had never seen anyone achieve Dragon-Snake Transformation after missing the spring thunder of Jingzhe…

“Monster!!!”

Boom…

At that moment, Zhang Fan slammed his foot down—terrible power took root and spread beneath him, sending dust surging skyward…

A crack split the night—the unbreakable Shao Chong burst apart under Zhang Fan’s monstrous strength, blood and flesh splattering ten paces around.

“This kid…”

Qian Shao Kun’s face darkened—he finally decided to kill. He stepped forward, charging into the dust—but Zhang Fan was gone.

“He ran?”

Qian Shao Kun waved his hand, dispersing the dust, scanning left and right—there was no trace of Zhang Fan.

“Impossible… Even if he achieved Dragon-Snake Transformation and gained a hint of [Qi Gong] power, he’s still a flea before us brothers… How did he escape?” Qian Shao Kun’s face turned livid.

He had wanted to savor the pleasure of toying with a mouse—yet the mouse had slipped away.

“Someone rescued him.” Qian Sheng Wu’s face was grave.

“Who? Could it be someone from Zhenwu Mountain?” Qian Shao Kun calmed down—if Zhenwu Mountain’s experts had spotted them, trouble loomed.

“I don’t know… Probably not. Otherwise…” Qian Sheng Wu’s expression grew thoughtful.

“Big Brother, that kid was strange…” Qian Shao Kun, slightly reassured, couldn’t help speaking.

“Forget him. The main matter is urgent.”

Qian Sheng Wu shook his head, turning back to the boundless night.

…

In the mountain stream, water murmured, shimmering with scales of moonlight.

Zhang Fan leaned against a great tree, feeling utterly drained, as if exhausted—he could no longer see the fine scale patterns on his arm.

“That feeling just now… Could it be because I swallowed the Great Snake’s moon essence?” Zhang Fan mused.

“You shouldn’t have run off.”

At that moment, a clear, cold voice came from beside the stream. Zhang Fan looked up and saw a familiar silhouette.

“Jiang Lai!”

(End of Chapter)