[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-pure-yang":3,"chapter-pure-yang-pure-yang-chapter-9":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},2267109,4427,"Chapter 9: Return Light, Reflect Within: The Dragon-Snake Transformation","pure-yang-chapter-9",9,"\u003Cp>The wind stirred the grass; the moon’s shadow sank behind the mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A piercing gaze, like a blade, cut through the gale, pierced the swaying grass, and found Zhang Fan’s form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, Zhang Fan reacted, turning and fleeing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not know the origins of the Qian brothers, but from their words, he could tell they were no decent people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You still think you can run off with such a fine offering!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Shao Kun sneered, tilting his head as a single strand of hair darkened into a shadow and shot toward Zhang Fan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment, the black shadow wrapped around Zhang Fan like a rope, binding him tight—he collapsed with a thud, instantly paralyzed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hair is the tip of the kidneys, born of kidney water essence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This pain was unprecedented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Between the two gates, the conscious mind is most restless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hm!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Qian Sheng Wu’s brow twitched, his stern face revealing an unusual expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this kid insane? Trying to enter meditation now?” Qian Shao Kun growled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He’s not insane…” Qian Sheng Wu observed Zhang Fan, his expression turning grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Return Light, Reflect Within!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Follow this path, and all methods arise from the mind; all calamities shun the body…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is return light?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Pure Yang Ancestor said: celestial light is the primordial Tai Yi true qi—the very thing people call [Spirit Qi].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Return Light, Reflect Within means drawing celestial light into the body to reflect upon the Yuan Shen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the unerring path of cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, at death, the conscious mind gradually fades, and the Yuan Shen briefly revives, drawing celestial light into the body—thus restoring temporary clarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is what ordinary people know as “return light, reflect within.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They do not realize that these four words, tied to life and death, conceal the great secret of cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still not insane? Now you’re sharpening your blade… Too late.” Qian Shao Kun sneered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivation is not the work of a single day or night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The principle is indeed true.” Qian Sheng Wu nodded, slowly withdrawing his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Take him with us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Qian Sheng Wu turned, gazing into the boundless night, toward the ancient temple hidden deep in the mountains and dense forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Qing Wei Palace… that is where the suppression…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom… Suddenly, a thunderous crash erupted; Qian Shao Kun was blasted sideways like a cannonball, smashing through one ancient tree after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dragon-Snake Transformation!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Daoist cultivation relies on celestial timing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Daoists call this the “Dragon-Snake Transformation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, it is midsummer…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roar…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Shao Chong, like chains, rapidly twisted and deformed under this brute force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“His strength…” Qian Shao Kun’s pupils shrank sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impossible!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Monster!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Zhang Fan slammed his foot down—terrible power took root and spread beneath him, sending dust surging skyward…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crack split the night—the unbreakable Shao Chong burst apart under Zhang Fan’s monstrous strength, blood and flesh splattering ten paces around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This kid…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Shao Kun’s face darkened—he finally decided to kill. He stepped forward, charging into the dust—but Zhang Fan was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He ran?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Shao Kun waved his hand, dispersing the dust, scanning left and right—there was no trace of Zhang Fan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had wanted to savor the pleasure of toying with a mouse—yet the mouse had slipped away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone rescued him.” Qian Sheng Wu’s face was grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who? Could it be someone from Zhenwu Mountain?” Qian Shao Kun calmed down—if Zhenwu Mountain’s experts had spotted them, trouble loomed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know… Probably not. Otherwise…” Qian Sheng Wu’s expression grew thoughtful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big Brother, that kid was strange…” Qian Shao Kun, slightly reassured, couldn’t help speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Forget him. The main matter is urgent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qian Sheng Wu shook his head, turning back to the boundless night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the mountain stream, water murmured, shimmering with scales of moonlight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>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.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That feeling just now… Could it be because I swallowed the Great Snake’s moon essence?” Zhang Fan mused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You shouldn’t have run off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a clear, cold voice came from beside the stream. Zhang Fan looked up and saw a familiar silhouette.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Lai!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1332,"2026-06-19T21:05:40.312Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","59fb7090a26ed312beaefe763d51a238717e4dd17f76e64de73348cd5ddc4dfa","pure-yang-chapter-10","pure-yang-chapter-8",520,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fpure-yang-cover.jpg"]