[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-book-of-strange-tales":3,"chapter-the-book-of-strange-tales-the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-94":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Book of Strange Tales",{"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},2317374,4532,"Chapter 94: Bountiful Harvest (Requesting Monthly Votes)","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-94",94,"\u003Cp>“Young Daoist…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man merely regarded him with doubt; the principle of never offending an audience had accompanied him his whole life, sunk deep into his bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder, you have a nobleman’s forgetfulness,” Lin Jue remained exceedingly courteous, explaining, “Last year, on the second day of the second lunar month, at the Luoxian Temple Fair in Huizhou, I saw you and others perform your stage arts—I remembered it vividly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man extended a finger toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“At the time, you all played opposing sides; when you spat fire, it even scorched my hair,” Lin Jue continued. “When the fair disbanded in the afternoon, I saw several of you resting and eating in an alley. My cousin and I passed by and exchanged a few words with you and the others—those words have stayed with me ever since.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior sister, hearing the first half, thought this man had once burned her brother, and that her brother’s long, motionless stare had been about holding a grudge and hesitating—now he had come for revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wondered inwardly when her brother had become so petty and vengeful, yet tensed up all the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She even quietly took a deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only upon hearing the second half did she overturn her thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man gradually recalled, pointing at Lin Jue, eyes wide, scanning him up and down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I remember the spectator back then was refined, like a scholar—how come you’re now wearing yin-yang robes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man turned to glance at the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others, too, seemed to slowly remember.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve entered the Daoist path and now study under the Fuxiu Daoist Abbey on Yishan,” Lin Jue said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then this old man should call you…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Call me whatever you like. Daoists are naturally free-spirited, not bound by such formalities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hss…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Lin Jue speak, the old man slowly overlapped his image with that of the village boy from a year and a half ago—yet found the differences too great to reconcile, and could only say:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then, Young Daoist, what brings you here today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To catch up on old times,” Lin Jue said. “And to supplement your Yangqi Method and Yanhuo Technique.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The troupe members, hearing the first part, felt nothing unusual—but upon hearing the second, their eyes widened instantly, nearly leaping to their feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their expressions betrayed disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Daoist sat atop the troupe’s wooden chest, beside the path crowded with descending pilgrims, calmly explaining to them:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Yangqi Method divides into breathing and guiding. Most extraordinary folk in the rivers and lakes possess only half—those who master breathing can perform external techniques; those who master guiding can develop internal abilities. Elder, you likely know only breathing. Yet the two share common ground. Having practiced breathing for decades, it should not be difficult for you to grasp the secrets of guiding.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Yanhuo Technique also has three tiers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides fire pellets and gunpowder, and inhaling-exhaling fire, there is a third tier: one that requires no absorption of fire energy, but generates fire internally. This tier demands directing Qi into the five viscera, igniting fire in the heart—thus requiring the guiding method.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Having practiced Yanhuo for half your life, with guiding, mastering this superior form should come to you at a single point.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All of them listened intently, not daring to miss a single word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sky grew darker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Torches lit along the mountain path, forming a river of fire below. Daylight faded, the moon rose, and the third senior brother appeared again behind them, standing long before departing—only the young Daoist kept speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Mid-Autumn Festival; the moon hung like a jade plate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, the mountain was still noisy; then faint, intermittent Daoist chants and music emerged; later, only the rustle of bamboo in the night wind and occasional bird calls remained. At first, the girl listened attentively; then she wandered in circles around them with her fox, patting her rumbling belly; eventually, she sat aside and dozed off, the fox curled up asleep at her feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mountain had grown utterly still; moonlight lay like snow, the full moon suspended amid bamboo shadows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the performers listened intently, forgetting time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These are all I know,” the Daoist finally finished, rising. “If anything is unclear, it is not due to negligence, but because my understanding is limited. I do not expect you to instantly grasp the essence of these arts—only that I have not misled you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How dare we… how dare we…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Young Daoist…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man rose in alarm, bowing deeply to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other performers followed, bowing and thanking him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before their bodies had straightened, they realized the Daoist had already returned the bow—lower than theirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Daoist, this…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The night is deep, but the moonlight is bright—let us walk a while under its glow,” Lin Jue stood upright and said. “The mountains are high, the waters long—we part here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can we repay you for your teaching?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the moonlight, many pairs of eyes fixed on Lin Jue, flickering uncertainly, uneasy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder, you’ve already paid me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue spoke with ease, swept his sleeve, and turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fox hurried after him, took two steps, then turned back, biting her sleeve to wake the dozing girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moonlight was bright, the forest cast deep shadows—even the eaves and tiled corners of the palace towers above were clearly visible. The two and the fox passed through the bamboo path and soon vanished into the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back at the bamboo hut, each went to sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue had already lain down on his bed; his third senior brother slept quietly beside him, no sound at all—yet his eyes remained open, unable to sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mind was full of thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat up, crossed his legs, closed his eyes, and meditated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unaware, dawn arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From above, the Yanxia Abbey rang its bell, followed by faint chanting and Daoist music.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three Daoists rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Yanxia Daoists brought them breakfast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This abbey is bigger, that’s for sure—so many people chanting daily, music played and sung,” the third senior brother shook his head. “But back at our abbey, no one would ever rise so early.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I really miss eating pu-gai noodles…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Junior sister, come with me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue made his decision, set down his bowl, and walked out with his long sword.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The junior sister, though unsure why, hurried after him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They walked out, wandered everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following narrow paths, climbing to high ground, searching open spaces in pavilions—only at noon did they finally find the bare-chested giant practicing the “Mountain God Body Protection Method.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shao Gong, we meet again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Daoists, what do you seek from me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The giant, having chosen a random spot in the bamboo grove for his midday rest, looked at them in confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nothing else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue wasted no words:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shao Gong, your mastery of the ‘Mountain God Body Protection Method’ is exceptional—but you are held back by low Dao cultivation. You practice Yangqi, yet possess only guiding, not breathing—you can only cultivate Qi within yourself, not draw it from heaven and earth. Therefore, I offer to supplement your Yangqi Method and add a Yanhuo Technique, in exchange for you teaching us both the ‘Mountain God Body Protection Method.’”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, not relying on ancient texts—but on sincerity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as yesterday on the mountain with those performers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Years ago, those performers had unintentionally activated a page of the ancient text; Lin Jue thus gained the Yanhuo Technique. Though the text’s magic was inherent, there was still a connection—so when he met them again, he naturally repaid the debt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nothing more than sincerity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The giant met his gaze, eyes flickering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What good would supplementing Yangqi do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Breathing and guiding—that is Yangqi. This is the ancient cultivator’s path. With Yangqi, you may truly enter cultivation; your Dao will advance, and your skill will finally match your worth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And what good is Yanhuo?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Spit flames, and at high levels, push fire with your palms.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The giant pondered, then asked: “The Grand Rite hasn’t begun yet, but it lasts only nine days—how can I possibly learn it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue immediately understood—he was tempted, yet answered honestly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yangqi is not difficult. You’ve already mastered half—so it will be even easier. Yanhuo is not difficult either. I will explain it thoroughly to you, and write down every difficulty on paper for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even so, my ‘Mountain God Body Protection Method’ is no simple thing—how can it be taught in ten days?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just teach it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Grand Rite is full of charlatans and impostors—how can I trust you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s up to you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you trust me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I trust you willingly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The giant stared at Lin Jue; Lin Jue stared back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The giant finally nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From that day on, Lin Jue and the junior sister met him daily on the mountain, exchanging teachings on the arts—this Grand Rite had gained yet another harvest, and their days grew full.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the mountain food, devoid of meat or fat, grew unbearably bland after several days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two days later, the Daoist ritual ceremony began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Incense burned, altar opened, water summoned, banners raised;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every day, smoke curled from the mountain, and the paths teemed with pilgrims coming and going; Daoists of the Lingfa Sect and wanderers who came for the spectacle had become a rarity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet none of this affected Lin Jue and the other two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue seized a moment of solitude, then stirred his mind and retrieved the ancient book, opening it to inspect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoosh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, new pages had appeared:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Water Control Art: the method of controlling water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Five Elements technique, often an innate ability of water spirits, allowing one to command the natural waters of heaven and earth; depending on one’s skill and cultivation depth, one may stir ripples, gather water columns, raise tidal waves, and the most powerful can sever rivers and alter their courses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among those who walk the land, few cultivate this art.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This must be the water demon’s technique.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also the first technique Lin Jue had encountered since descending the mountain. Judging by this, the water demon’s mastery of it was quite shallow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoosh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Illusory Silver Art: a trick or illusion technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It transforms all things in heaven and earth into silver; those with deep mastery can make it indistinguishable from the real thing, lasting for years without fading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the practitioner must remember: illusory silver is still false, and must not be treated as real.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does ‘must not be treated as real’ mean one cannot spend it as actual silver or deceive others with it? Or does it mean one cannot use it like real cinnabar or gold in alchemy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue pondered this, but had no time to dwell on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whoosh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stone Transformation Art: the method of turning to stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Five Elements technique, often an innate ability of mountain spirits, allowing one to transform one’s body into solid stone and lie sprawled across the mountainside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beginners can turn parts of their body into stone; with further practice, the entire body becomes stone, like a statue; when mastered, one can transform oneself into an unyielding mountain rock, unbound by one’s original form, so perfectly mimicking nature that it cannot be distinguished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The deeper one’s mastery, the more invulnerable the stone form becomes; the most powerful can transform their entire body into a mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So this is called Stone Transformation Art…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue murmured it aloud, in a voice only he could hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Transforming into a mountain…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Myth and legend abound with tales of deities turning into mountains—how much truth lies in them? And among the true ones, how many used this very technique?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lin Jue did not study it further; he closed the ancient book.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt a quiet satisfaction—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had only just begun this Daoist gathering, and already he had acquired so many techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed he truly needed to descend the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once this gathering ended and he returned to Yishan, he would have much to learn.\u003C\u002Fp>",2009,"2026-06-20T14:45:35.226Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","ac509f15fc86cc672b00e629b1ad26bfef2f156bff184a68c09e797813d8f954","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-95","the-book-of-strange-tales-chapter-93",608,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-book-of-strange-tales-cover.jpg"]