Breakfast was eaten in the Dining Hall.
Calling it a Dining Hall was generous. It was really just a somewhat larger room in the east courtyard, furnished with two old wooden tables and several long benches.
The porridge was coarse rice porridge, even thinner than last night's vegetable porridge, served with a small dish of salted vegetable lumps and several mixed-grain flatbreads.
Simple, but filling.
As Shen Hui ate silently, he secretly sized up his fellow disciples, mentally pinning labels onto the senior brothers and sisters he had just met.
Senior Brother Qingzheng, whose lay name was Li Changxing. True to his name, he had a square face and broad mouth, wide shoulders and a thick back. Sitting there, he resembled a small mountain. He also ate the fastest, slurping down two bowls of porridge and two flatbreads in a few mouthfuls.
He did not speak much, but he seemed steady and dependable, the solid sort who meant what he said.
Second Senior Sister Jingming's lay surname was Chen, though her given name was never mentioned. She ate with the greatest refinement, taking small, slow bites and making hardly any sound. She had an oval face, delicate brows and eyes, and a calm gaze that carried a serenity beyond her years.
Shen Hui had also heard that among all the disciples, Senior Sister Jingming possessed the finest temperament and the highest cultivation. Though she had entered the sect a few years after Senior Brother, her understanding of Daoist arts ran deeper.
Third Senior Brother Qingyi's lay surname was Zhou. He had a fair, clean-cut face and a gentle disposition. Even while eating, his back remained perfectly straight. When he occasionally spoke, he was never hurried, carrying a trace of scholarly elegance like some refined young gentleman.
Fourth Senior Sister Jinghui had a round face and large eyes, and she chattered endlessly. She was the liveliest person at the table.
While chewing on a flatbread, she kept curiously pressing Shen Hui for details about his time as a "fake monk." Only after Jingming gave her a faint look did she stick out her tongue and obediently return to eating.
Fifth Senior Brother was Qing Shi, the one who had brought him back. Honest and simple, he did not say much while eating either. He merely smiled now and then as he quietly refilled everyone's porridge.
As Shen Hui observed them in secret, he discovered that although these senior brothers and sisters, men and women alike, all wore gray-cloth Daoist robes, each possessed fine features and an outstanding bearing—every one of them strikingly beautiful and graceful.
Senior Brother was valiant and masculine, Second Senior Sister was pure and unworldly, Third Senior Brother handsome and elegant, Fourth Senior Sister charming and lively, and Fifth Senior Brother honest-looking and well-proportioned.
For that very reason, he had every reason to suspect that cultivating the Dao and refining Qi could improve one's genes and beautify one's appearance.
Of course, in his previous life, Shen Hui himself had been a famous handsome lad throughout the surrounding villages. The girls chasing after him had lined up from Clear Wind Temple all the way to France. In terms of looks, he was no less impressive than any of them—there was no need to mention it.
After breakfast, Fourth Senior Sister Jinghui suggested going to the back mountain to pick wild fruit. She said that at this time of year, the wild jujubes and wild persimmons in the mountains were just right.
Qingyi and Qing Shi both nodded in agreement, while Jingming did not object.
But Senior Brother Li Changxing said to Shen Hui, "Junior Brother Qingxuan, you've only just entered the sect, so you needn't go with them today. I'll first teach you the introductory method of attracting Qi."
Shen Hui was actually quite interested in going up the mountain to pick fruit. Since crossing over, he had not properly taken in the mountain and forest scenery of this world.
But since Senior Brother had already spoken, he could only suppress the thought and nod. "I'll follow Senior Brother's arrangements."
The others left the temple gates together, their figures swiftly vanishing into the mountain path where the morning mist had yet to disperse.
Li Changxing then brought Shen Hui to his own room and instructed him in seated meditation and Qi Refining.
This room was slightly larger than Shen Hui's. Its furnishings were simple, but a thick, unsharpened iron sword hung on the wall. The table held brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, along with several stacks of old books.
"At the beginning of cultivation, attracting Qi is paramount." Li Changxing did not exchange much small talk and went straight to the point.
He took a thread-bound book with yellowed pages from a wooden box and handed it to Shen Hui.
Three inked characters were written on its cover: Qi Attraction Art.
"This is the fundamental method of Qi Refining. You must first memorize the body's meridians and acupoints, understand the paths along which Qi and blood circulate, and only then can you attempt to sense the spiritual Qi drifting between heaven and earth. Guide it into the body, circulate it through the meridians, temper the muscles, bones, and organs, and nourish the soul."
Li Changxing spoke with meticulous seriousness. "You must quiet your heart and comprehend it carefully. Do not greedily rush for progress, and never allow impatience to arise. Many people require several months, or even half a year to a year, before they first develop a sense of Qi. That is perfectly normal."
Shen Hui extended both hands and solemnly accepted the thin booklet.
The book was not thick, and it felt slightly cool to the touch. When he opened the first page, he saw an intricate and detailed diagram of the human body's front-facing meridians and acupoints drawn in brushwork, surrounded by dense annotations in tiny regular script.
Further on were even more diagrams and text, explaining how to regulate one's breathing, calm one's mind, visualize, sense...
Looking at those lines, those words, those abstract descriptions... Shen Hui felt his scalp tingle slightly.
This thing was more abstract and obscure than advanced calculus derivations, programming logic, or even the linear algebra he barely remembered!
But he also knew that this would be the foundation upon which he would survive and establish himself in the future. So he drew a deep breath, focused his mind, and tried his best to memorize those unfamiliar acupoint names and winding meridian paths.
Seeing how earnestly he read, Li Changxing began explaining in detail, from the most basic breathing posture, to relaxing the body and banishing distracting thoughts, and then to using inner vision to guide that ethereal, intangible "sense of Qi"...
As Shen Hui struggled to understand, he unconsciously followed Li Changxing's instructions. He sat cross-legged on the meditation cushion, closed his eyes, tried to relax his body, and slowed his breathing.
"Yes, just like that. Touch your tongue to your upper palate, focus your intent on the Dantian..." Li Changxing's voice continued beside him as Shen Hui did his best to follow.
At first, it felt awkward. His attention kept drifting elsewhere—to whether the breakfast porridge had been too thin, whether the wild fruit in the mountains was sweet, and how terribly crude the illustrations in this Qi Attraction Art were...
But gradually, perhaps because this body had already been somewhat unusual in this foreign world, or perhaps because his soul had become different from ordinary people's after crossing over, or perhaps simply because he had lived two lives and his temperament had been tempered into something calmer than that of his peers... those chaotic thoughts slowly settled on their own.
His breathing grew slower and deeper.
The sensation of his body gradually blurred, as though he were sinking into a warm, tranquil darkness.
Li Changxing was still explaining. "When the sense of Qi first arises, the Dantian will grow faintly warm, like ants crawling beneath the flesh..."
Yet that voice seemed to come from an immense distance, growing fainter and fainter until it disappeared.
Shen Hui felt as though he had begun to float, yet also as though he were slowly sinking into some ink-dark point within his body.
Within that vast emptiness, there was only the faint sound of breathing and an exceedingly weak, cool sensation seeping in through the Baihui acupoint atop his head, slowly sliding down his spine.
Senior Brother stopped speaking abruptly.
He stared in astonishment at Shen Hui, who sat before him with his eyes closed in meditation.
This newly admitted junior brother's expression was peaceful, his brows relaxed, and his breathing had already become long, even, and fine. His entire person seemed to blend into the surrounding environment, exuding the tranquil air found only when one had first entered meditation.
Wait... how long had it been?
From the time he had begun explaining to the time Shen Hui made his own attempt, not even the time it took for one stick of incense to burn had passed!
For ordinary disciples, merely getting into position and relaxing would take them half the day.
To truly banish distracting thoughts and enter meditation for the first time required at least ten days to half a month of repeated practice.
Even he himself had spent nearly half a month before he had barely touched the threshold of meditation.
Li Changxing opened his mouth. Seeing Shen Hui already immersed in the state, he forcibly swallowed the words that had reached his lips, afraid that making a sound would disturb him.
The astonishment on his face gradually faded, replaced by heartfelt delight.
"Master really picked up a treasure this time."
Yet Shen Hui, immersed in that strange state, had no idea that he was a "treasure."
He felt as if he had sunk into a gentle, warm darkness, but his consciousness was exceptionally clear.
Suddenly, a point of faint light appeared. It gradually stabilized, finally forming an ancient, unadorned image. Its background resembled aged parchment, while its edges bore marks of wear and smoke-blackening, making it look like some ancient relic.
Several lines of writing clearly emerged in the depths of his consciousness:
[Daoist Name]: Qingxuan [Bone Age]: Twenty-two [Realm]: Not Yet Entered the Dao (0/10) [Status]: In Meditation [Dao Xing]: One (Assignable) [Daoist Arts]: None [Destined Path]: Not Manifested [Corpse Liberation Wheel]: Not Activated
Shen Hui stared blankly.
Was this... what inner vision looked like?
It was rather... rather "thoughtful," directly turning everything into data and listing it as entries?
Rather than inner vision of meridians and a sense of Qi, this felt more like an attribute panel from certain games.
Yet deep down, he vaguely felt that something was not quite right. An odd sensation arose unbidden.
With a slight movement of thought, he attempted to "exit" this visualization state.
The Parchment Interface before his eyes immediately rippled like water and gradually dispersed, while the warm darkness around him swiftly receded.
The sensations of his body returned: the hard feel of the meditation cushion, the faint scent of ink and old wood in the room, and... an intense gaze from across from him.
Senior Brother Li Changxing was staring at him with an excited expression. His honest square face was filled with the delight of someone who had discovered uncut jade.
When Shen Hui suddenly opened his eyes and withdrew, the excitement on Li Changxing's face instantly turned to astonishment. He hurriedly leaned forward and asked, "Junior Brother Qingxuan? Wh-why did you come out? Did you encounter some obstacle? Could you not find the sense of Qi? Or are your meridians obstructed? Don't panic. Take your time. Everyone is like this at the beginning..."
He spoke quickly, concern clear in his voice. Evidently, he thought Shen Hui had encountered some difficulty and had therefore been forced to interrupt that rare state of meditation.
Shen Hui opened his mouth, thinking, I'm not anxious. At least, not as anxious as you are. But seeing Senior Brother's sincere, concerned gaze, he swallowed the words again.
He steadied himself and ultimately decided to probe indirectly first.
"Senior Brother," Shen Hui carefully chose his words, trying to sound merely curious, "after entering meditation just now, I followed your instructions and attempted inner vision... but the scene one sees through inner vision, I wonder... what should it look like?"
Hearing this, Li Changxing relaxed slightly. So that was what he was confused about.
He sat up straight and patiently explained, "At the beginning of inner vision, what you see is simply an image of your own meridians, formed by visualization with the mind. Where the Dantian is, where the meridian nodes are—when the sense of Qi moves, there should be faint light or a warm current wherever your consciousness is focused. As your cultivation deepens, your inner vision will become increasingly clear and subtle, until you can even observe the Qi of your organs and the splendor of your marrow."
Shen Hui's heart skipped a beat, but his expression did not change. He merely nodded. "Oh, I see. So it is a visualization of the meridians... Then may I ask, Senior Brother, does everyone see the same thing through inner vision?"
Li Changxing smiled. Though this junior brother asked many questions, he was at least a cautious person.
"Of course, it is broadly similar. The meridians and acupoints of the human body are established by the creation of heaven and earth. Though there may be minor differences, how could the fundamental image differ? What, do you expect to see a flower?"
He made a rare joke, then immediately grew serious again. "But don't overthink it, Junior Brother. It is normal for one's first inner vision to be vague and unclear. The fact that you entered meditation so quickly already makes you a rare talent among ten thousand! Given time, you will certainly be able to visualize it clearly. Remember: guard against arrogance and impatience. Stabilizing your state of mind is the foundation."
"Yes, this junior brother understands." Shen Hui answered respectfully, but his heart was already churning.
Different. Completely different.
What he had seen was not a meridian diagram, but an... "interface."
"Senior Brother, I would like to try again," Shen Hui said.
"Good, good! Calm your mind and do it. There is no need to force yourself to remain in it for any particular length of time." Li Changxing hurriedly encouraged him.
Shen Hui closed his eyes again, adjusted his breathing, and banished distracting thoughts.
With his previous experience, he sank into that vast, empty meditative state even faster this time.
Sure enough, before long, that ancient parchment-colored interface once again clearly emerged in the depths of his consciousness.
[Daoist Name]: Qingxuan [Bone Age]: Twenty-two [Realm]: Not Yet Entered the Dao (0/10) [Status]: In Meditation [Dao Xing]: One (Assignable) [Daoist Arts]: None [Destined Path]: Not Manifested [Corpse Liberation Wheel]: Not Activated
It was not an illusion.
Shen Hui's consciousness swept over the entries one by one.
"Dao Xing." "Assignable"...
His attention settled on the "0/10" after the Realm entry, especially the "10" after the slash. Beside the words "Not Yet Entered the Dao," there also seemed to be an extremely tiny, nearly illusory "+" sign.
A thought naturally arose: Assign?
Like a droplet falling into a lake, sending faint ripples across its surface.
The next instant, Shen Hui felt a gentle current of air suddenly circulate through his entire body.
This current was not that thread of cool, wandering energy drawn in through the Baihui acupoint atop his head. Instead, it surged forth from his limbs, bones, organs, and viscera all at once, swiftly gathering into a stream.
The stream circulated on its own along some mysterious path. Wherever it passed, it brought an indescribable sense of ease and fullness, as though parched earth had received rain.
At the same time, the words on the Parchment Interface changed:
[Realm]: Not Yet Entered the Dao (1/10) [Dao Xing]: Zero (Unassignable)
The Realm entry's (0/10) had become (1/10), while the assignable point in the Dao Xing entry had changed from "One" to "Zero."
He tried to "click" the other options. [Destined Path] was dim and lifeless, showing no response. [Corpse Liberation Wheel] likewise seemed to be nothing more than a record entry that could not be interacted with.
Only [Dao Xing] and [Realm] appeared to have some connection.
Shen Hui remained in meditation. He could even vaguely sense that at the Baihui acupoint atop his head, that thread of cool spiritual Qi from the outside world was still slowly and continuously seeping in, merging into the current circulating by itself within his body.
After an unknown amount of time, the assignable number after [Dao Xing] twitched slightly, changing from "Zero" back into "One."
Another point had been added!
Understanding suddenly dawned on Shen Hui.
Perhaps these Dao Xing points would slowly increase as he entered meditation and absorbed spiritual Qi?
And by consuming those points, he could directly raise his Realm!
This... this was...
A cheat!
Standard equipment for a transmigrator—late, but it had finally arrived!
A ripple stirred in Shen Hui's heart: a little absurdity, a little secret delight, and a little relief of so that's how it is.
He thought of his parents, who had died early and whose faces had already become blurred in his memory. An inexplicable thought flashed through his mind.
"You two didn't die entirely in vain. After all, this buff has finally come in handy..."
At least his trip through worlds had not been for nothing. This last bit of hidden treasure had finally been scraped together for him.