First Hearing of the Magic Master's Renown, the Seed Master Plan

With Yuan Zhen's sudden rise to prominence and decisive victory, the much-anticipated Dharma Hall trial finally came to an end.

After the headmaster and elders departed, the monks in the courtyard did not disperse at once.

Figures shifted across the bluestone ground as subdued voices buzzed through the air. Quite a few people, intentionally or otherwise, kept glancing toward the blue-gray figure standing quietly in the center.

The first to approach was Yuan Cheng. His plump, round face was beaming with delight. "Congratulations on taking first place, Junior Brother! I knew you were no ordinary man! You actually mastered the Muscle-Tendon Transformation Scripture!" His congratulations were utterly sincere, without the slightest trace of frustration at his defeat. Instead, he was filled with curiosity and excitement.

Zhu Yingxiong's lips curved faintly as he pressed his palms together in thanks.

Then, monks began gathering around them in twos and threes. Some offered congratulations, some struck up conversations, and others circled around in an attempt to pry into the secrets of his martial arts.

The mockery of the past had now turned into warm attentiveness and subtle flattery.

Zhu Yingxiong wore a faint, appropriate smile as he dealt with them calmly, while his heart remained as still as water.

He knew better than anyone why everything had changed.

Such was the way of the martial world. In the end, it all came down to one word: strength.

Amid the pleasantries, a deep, heavy voice cut through the noise. "Yuan Zhen."

Looking up, Zhu Yingxiong saw his senior brother Yuan Zhuo approaching. Yuan Zhuo lightly patted his shoulder, his eyes full of gratification, and said in a low voice, "Master has summoned you to his meditation chamber."

"Thank you for delivering the message, Senior Brother." Yuan Zhen pressed his palms together.

Yuan Zhuo nodded. His lips moved as though he wanted to say something more, but in the end, he said nothing. He merely added, "Go quickly," before turning away.

After briefly exchanging farewells with Yuan Cheng and the others, Yuan Zhen turned and headed alone down the quiet path leading deeper into Dharma Hall.

Behind Dharma Hall, the bamboo shadows remained dense. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, scattering dazzling patches of light across the pebble path.

Zhu Yingxiong stopped outside the meditation chamber and raised a hand to knock.

"Come in."

Pushing the door open, he found Chan Master Worryless seated cross-legged on a meditation cushion. Seeing him enter, the old monk merely lifted a hand slightly, indicating the cushion opposite him.

Yuan Zhen sat down with his back straight and his posture respectful.

The old monk's gaze settled on his face, his calm expression carrying a deeper meaning. "When praise gathers around you, it is easy to lose your way. When the road ahead suddenly broadens, it is easy to grow arrogant."

Zhu Yingxiong naturally understood the admonition. Lowering his head, he pressed his palms together. "Yes. This disciple will keep Master's teachings firmly in mind."

"Now that you have taken first place, there are matters you ought to know."

Zhu Yingxiong understood that this was the "opportunity" his master had mentioned before.

"This trial was intended to select the true talents among the younger generation," Chan Master Worryless said evenly. "Its purpose is the Seed Master Plan jointly implemented by the Eight Schools Alliance."

Hearing this, Zhu Yingxiong's heart stirred. Naturally, he knew of this so-called Seed Master Plan.

But he did not reveal it, merely listening in silence.

"The Eight Schools Alliance was proposed by Compassionate Voyage Sanctuary. It united the eight great sects—Shaolin, Wudang, Changbai, Xining, Cloud-Entering Daoist Temple, Ancient Sword Pool, Scholarly Clan, and Bodhi Garden. In the early years, they aided the Hongwu Emperor in pacifying the realm and were bestowed the title of the Eight Great National Schools, jointly upholding the righteous spirit of the orthodox martial world."

"And this Seed Master Plan, in the end, exists for one man alone."

Zhu Yingxiong's heart tightened. He had already vaguely guessed whom the chan master meant.

Sure enough, Chan Master Worryless's eyes were as deep as pools as he spoke each word distinctly.

"The Magic Master, Pang Ban."

As those four words fell, even the rustling bamboo beyond the window seemed to quiet.

"Forty years ago, Pang Ban rose abruptly to prominence. With overwhelming force, he first defeated Zhong Zhongyou, the foremost figure of the demonic sects at the time. Later, he defeated Master Juejie, leader of our righteous path. For nearly forty years afterward, his demonic might has soared to the heavens. He has run rampant without restraint, and no one in the world has been able to stand against him."

Chan Master Worryless rolled his prayer beads between his fingers and continued.

"Only seventeen years ago, because of Yan Jing'an of Compassionate Voyage Sanctuary, did he conceal his tracks and shut himself away within the Magic Master Palace. Yet his demonic arts have already reached a profound level, touching upon the transformations of heaven and earth. Should he return to the martial world now... it may become a calamity for the entire martial world of the Central Plains."

Chan Master Worryless's voice grew low. "The Eight Schools prepared for danger before it arrived and jointly launched this Seed Master Plan in the hope of cultivating someone capable of resisting the Magic Master, Pang Ban."

"Among the previous generation, Shaolin put forth your Martial Uncle No Attachment, along with Cheng Wang, the finest among our lay disciples. For the new generation, each of the eight schools must nominate another candidate."

Chan Master Worryless's gaze fixed upon him. "Now that you have taken first place and mastered the Muscle-Tendon Transformation Scripture, which none has mastered for a century, you are qualified to represent Dharma Hall in the year-end Four-Academy Martial Contest and contend for this position."

He paused briefly, his gaze solemn. "Should you emerge victorious, the resources of the Eight Schools will be at your disposal: martial manuals, secret collections, guidance from renowned masters, and prestige in the martial world. None of it can compare to what you possessed before."

Then his tone sank. "But beneath opportunity lies calamity. In the future, you will inevitably face Pang Ban's peerless demonic might. The danger involved is not something an ordinary man can endure."

Chan Master Worryless suddenly fell silent. The meditation chamber sank into brief stillness. Patches of sunlight slowly drifted across the floor tiles, as though time itself had hesitated.

"The road lies before you," Chan Master Worryless said slowly. "Yuan Zhen, choose for yourself."

Zhu Yingxiong lowered his eyes, but turbulent waves abruptly surged within his heart.

In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through his mind...

Having been granted a second chance by heaven, how could he possibly live out an ordinary life?

In the end, no matter which world it was, everything came down to one word: contend.

Contend for opportunities, contend for one's future, contend for the right to stand proudly in this world.

He raised his eyes, and a spark-like sharpness shone within them.

He pressed his palms together and bowed.

"This disciple... is willing to enter this game. Please grant me your approval, Master."

Chan Master Worryless nodded slowly, a trace of approval flashing in his eyes. From within his sleeve, he took out a dark brown wooden token the size of a palm. The wood was heavy and solid, and on its face, an ancient "Scripture" character had been carved in cinnabar.

"Since you have learned the Muscle-Tendon Transformation Scripture and taken the Little Rejuvenation Pill to strengthen the foundation of your cultivation, you may use this token to enter the Scripture Repository and read its scriptures for three days. If you find any suitable supreme techniques during that time, you may choose one or two to practice. Only then will you possess the strength to contend against the outstanding talents of the other academies."

With that, he handed over the token.

Yuan Zhen accepted it with both hands and said solemnly, "Thank you for this generous gift, Master. This disciple will not disappoint your expectations."

"Good." Chan Master Worryless slowly closed his eyes. "Go."

"This disciple takes his leave."

Zhu Yingxiong left the meditation chamber and gently closed the wooden door behind him.

Standing on the stone steps, with the clear breeze from the bamboo grove brushing against his face, he found that it could not disperse the heavy excitement in his heart.

He tucked the token close against his body but did not hurry to visit the Scripture Repository. There were three days ahead of him; there was no need to rush.

He intended to rest properly for a day, then go study the scriptures and contemplate martial arts at dawn tomorrow, once his mind and spirit were fully at peace.

For now, he should first pay tribute to his stomach.

Turning, he stepped onto the path by which he had come. Swaying bamboo shadows stretched his silhouette long and slanted behind him.

At the midday meal, when Zhu Yingxiong entered Five Contemplations Hall once more, the atmosphere inside noticeably paused.

Many eyes lifted from their bowls and settled on him. Some had only just heard the outcome of the trial, and the surprise had yet to fade from their faces. Others who had watched coldly the day before now wore complicated expressions, as though they wanted to speak but held themselves back.

Whispers rose in scattered fragments, but not a single mocking remark remained. There was only unconcealed astonishment and discussion.

Zhu Yingxiong's expression remained unchanged as his calm gaze swept across the hall. As expected, Yuan Xing was nowhere to be seen.

"Junior Brother Yuan Zhen, over here!" Yuan Cheng called in a lowered voice. Zhu Yingxiong walked over and sat in the empty seat beside him.

Throughout the meal, the monks remained quiet, but he could clearly sense numerous gazes clinging to him, present and absent by turns.

When the meal was over and he rose with Yuan Cheng, two or three fellow disciples from Dharma Hall unconsciously gathered near them. Their words carried a newfound warmth and a desire for instruction.

Quite a few young novice monks followed nearby as well, their eyes full of curiosity and admiration.

Zhu Yingxiong and Yuan Cheng were the first to leave Five Contemplations Hall, only to run into a group approaching from the opposite direction.

They were martial monks from Arhat Hall, surrounding someone as they came.

The man stood more than a head taller than ordinary monks, broad and massive as a mountain. His steps were heavy, and his monk's robes were stretched tight across his muscles.

He had a square face, a wide mouth, thick brows like halberds, and a pair of piercingly bright eyes. When he looked at others, he naturally exuded a rough, oppressive presence.

The two groups met in the open space before the hall. The man swept his gaze over Zhu Yingxiong, his voice ringing like a muffled bell. "You are Yuan Zhen from Dharma Hall?"

"This is Yuan Tong of Arhat Hall, first place in Arhat Hall's trial this time." Yuan Cheng was exceptionally well-informed and quietly gave him a reminder from the side.

"That is correct. Greetings, Senior Brother Yuan Tong." Zhu Yingxiong pressed his palms together in greeting, neither servile nor overbearing.

But Yuan Tong first turned to Yuan Cheng, raising a thick brow. "Yuan Cheng, I thought you would be the champion of Dharma Hall this time. I did not expect you to lose to a junior brother so much younger than yourself."

The smile on Yuan Cheng's plump face did not fade. He replied frankly, "This little monk's skills were inferior. I concede wholeheartedly."

"Good!" Yuan Tong's voice abruptly rose. His gaze returned to Zhu Yingxiong, and an oppressive force bore down on him. "For my junior brother to concede wholeheartedly, you must have some ability."

He stepped forward half a pace, looking down from above, battle intent blazing in his eyes. "At the year-end martial contest, I will be sure to see just how much real skill you possess!"

Without waiting for Zhu Yingxiong's response, he swept out a large hand and strode into Five Contemplations Hall with the martial monks of Arhat Hall behind him.

As those martial monks passed by, each gave Zhu Yingxiong a sidelong look. Their gazes were full of scrutiny and eagerness to compete.

Zhu Yingxiong remained where he was, his expression as calm as before. Only a faint glint of sharpness flashed deep within his eyes.

That afternoon, Zhu Yingxiong followed his usual routine: chanting scriptures, performing rites, and sitting in meditation.

Only after the evening lesson ended and the monks dispersed did he finally break free from the crowds and head alone toward his meditation chamber in a corner of the compound.

Dusk pressed down heavily, like pale ink soaking into the horizon.

He pushed open the door, entered, and gently shut the deepening night and the sounds outside beyond it.