Chapter 538: Discovery

However, the hand seals for the Earth Submersion Technique she learned today were completely different from the ones she knew.

She used the Earth Submersion Technique she learned in her past life, and she found it simpler.

Pan Yun thought for a moment and decided to look up the Earth Submersion Technique recorded in the Spirit Realm later.

After eating, Pan Yun returned to her room to bathe and apply medicine.

Miao He sighed in relief: "The wound hasn't split open, just a bit red—if it doesn't reopen, a few more days of medicine should fix it."

Pan Yun: "This wound heals so slowly."

"That's because your internal injury is also serious—your body is prioritizing healing that first, so external wounds naturally heal slower," Miao He said. "But it's not slow at all—you've been injured for only three days, and the wound is nearly healed. Most people can't match this speed."

Pan Yun: "Maybe it's because I'm still young."

Being young has its advantages—recovery speed is top-notch.

Miao He agreed: "Once the scab falls off, apply some scar-removing ointment. You're young—within two years, it'll be gone."

Pan Yun wasn't particularly concerned about that; she only demanded: "As long as it doesn't hurt during the plum rain season."

That's not guaranteed.

Wounds are always sensitive to weather changes.

After applying medicine, Pan Yun sat in meditation again, then changed into a Daoist robe, picked up a broom, and went to sweep the Doumu Hall.

The Doumu Hall is swept daily, so it wasn't particularly dirty.

Pan Yun swept slowly, meanwhile diverting her attention to the Spirit Realm to search for the Earth Submersion Technique.

Because she disliked Earth Submersion, she had learned a specific version of it in her past life.

She learned it in first grade of middle school; later, the state improved the technique—Earth Submersion should have new versions now, simpler, with faster Qi flow and higher efficiency.

These details were fragmented and scattered; she hadn't paid attention while studying, but the Spirit Realm must have backups.

Pan Yun searched carefully, flipped through records, and finally found it just as she finished sweeping the hall and courtyard.

She casually set the broom aside, fetched a wooden bucket, drew water, soaked a cloth, and wiped the tables, the bases, and even the feet of the Doumu Yuanjun and other deities, all while mentally comparing the advantages and disadvantages of several Earth Submersion Techniques.

To find a simpler, faster, more efficient Earth Submersion Technique, Pan Yun occasionally put down the cloth and practiced the hand seals with her fingers.

After trying them all, Pan Yun frowned and murmured: "They're all simple~~"

She tried the hand seals Master Xue Taixu taught today—she formed them instantly, and with incredible speed. "Also simple."

"Forget it. Let Tao Yanbai and the others pick."

After learning Earth Submersion, Pan Yun looked up at the Doumu Yuanjun, whose paint was nearly worn off, clasped her hands in a seal, and bowed: "Fusheng Wuliang Tianzun. I cleaned a bit too much today—I'll bring paint tomorrow to touch up your paint."

The next day, Pan Yun really brought paint to repaint the deity's feet.

Zhang Ziwang, who had come to meditate, stared at her expressionlessly.

Pan Yun finished the foot and turned around, startled: "Zhang Yuanzhu, don't you make any sound when you walk?"

Zhang Ziwang, pale-faced, said: "You're guilty, that's why you didn't hear me."

"Nonsense—if I were guilty, I'd have heard you long ago. I'm just too focused—only someone completely absorbed ignores outside noises."

She wouldn't admit that she hadn't noticed because her mind was immersed in the Spirit Realm, studying Water Submersion.

If she was going to learn a new Earth Submersion Technique, why not learn the other Submersion Techniques too?

She disliked burying herself in earth, but she loved water—perfect chance to let Tao Yanbai and the other three pick their favorite to practice.

Zhang Ziwang, perhaps too lazy to argue, stepped forward, bowed respectfully to the Doumu Yuanjun, then sat cross-legged on the mat and closed his eyes to meditate.

Pan Yun was slightly surprised, glancing around: "Zhang Yuanzhu, don't you meditate in your own room?"

Zhang Ziwang didn't open his eyes, coldly saying: "If you're idle, touch up the other places that need paint. And…"

He opened his eyes and stared at her coldly: "Don't use the wrong paint—if you do, the Mount Sanqing Temple will have to compensate for the statue."

Pan Yun immediately looked down at the Doumu Yuanjun's feet, confirmed her color mix was correct, and sighed in relief: "Stop scaring people—I'm the temple attendant of Mount Sanqing's shrine. I've had professional training in repainting."

A full month of professional training—if there's still a problem, it's definitely Senior Brother who taught it wrong.

Zhang Ziwang ignored her, closed his eyes, and adjusted his breathing.

Pan Yun also painted seriously; though she no longer immersed her mind in the Spirit Realm, she couldn't help stealing glances at Zhang Ziwang.

He wasn't just pale—he carried a faint scent of blood, and…

Pan Yun's eyes flickered with golden light; she could see his soul was unstable.

Was this the result of the Lei Bian punishment?

It looked terrifying—his soul was already unstable after just the first strike; there are three more to come.

Don't let him go insane.

Pan Yun looked troubled; unfortunately, even if she begged True Person Zhang, it wouldn't help.

By the way, what spirit pills can stabilize the soul?

Hmm, Zhang Ziwang is so rich—Miao He and Tao Yanbai might make a profit off him.

Miao He is fine, but Tao Yanbai is truly poor—he's almost at his ten-day break; she must find a way for this child to earn money.

Pan Yun filed the matter away in her mind, lowered her gaze, and continued painting.

After finishing, she packed away her small brush and tools and left without disturbing him.

But as soon as she stepped out of the hall, a strange feeling rose in her heart—Pan Yun couldn't help turning back.

Zhang Ziwang still sat cross-legged on the mat, motionless; the spiritual energy swirling around him had increased slightly, but nothing seemed abnormal.

Pan Yun decided to trust her instinct and used her innate ability to observe him.

The world before her instantly shifted—the normal colors faded, replaced by a misty haze that gradually cleared, revealing multicolored auroras extending from all directions toward Zhang Ziwang…

Pan Yun's mouth fell open.

Following the auroras, she saw they all originated from the Doumu Yuanjun's statue.

Pan Yun looked up, meeting the Doumu Yuanjun's eyes—She gazed at her tenderly, full of compassion and benevolence.

Pan Yun stared down and saw Zhang Ziwang's soul gradually repairing itself, solidifying under the gentle glow of the aurora.

Pan Yun understood at once.

If they struck Zhang Ziwang with thirty Lei Bian lashes together, he might die—but if split apart, he would have time to recover between punishments.

Pan Yun turned away, stunned.

So the statue of Doumu Yuanjun had this function—no, it was Doumu Yuanjun herself who possessed this power; She protected Her devotees.

Then what power did her master possess?

She had sat in meditation before her master's statue countless times—besides absorbing more Qi and cultivating faster… well, that counted too.

Pan Yun returned to Phoenix Perch Courtyard, carrying her things, lost in thought, and decided that tomorrow, when she cleaned the Doumu Shrine, she would arrive half an hour early, finish cleaning, then meditate for half an hour before returning.

She didn't go alone—she called several of her junior disciples to join her: "If you have nothing else to do, you may meditate and cultivate in the Doumu Shrine."

Miao He: "We'll help Little Auntie clean."

"No need," Pan Yun waved her hand. "Your studies are heavy—focus on your own tasks. You're about to leave the palace for trials; you must hone more survival skills."

Seeing Miao Zhen: "Is cultivation faster in the Doumu Shrine?"

Pan Yun winked at them and lowered her voice: "I discovered a secret—cultivating inside the Doumu Shrine stabilizes the soul."