When the mandala appeared, Qu Zan felt the inside and outside become sealed off from each other.
It existed only on the spiritual plane, invisible to the naked eye and perceptible only in meditative absorption.
"Well done," Duo'erna said approvingly.
"Whenever you cultivate from now on, you can construct this spiritual mandala to help shield you from the prying of outside spiritual senses. Cultivating within the mandala also helps you concentrate. Cultivating inside it can increase the speed of your progress!"
Duo'erna continued explaining.
Qu Zan was delighted. "This spiritual mandala actually has effects like that!"
Duo'erna looked at Qu Zan and asked, "When you were in meditative absorption earlier, constructing it with your own spirituality, did you run into some problem? You didn't look right to me. Sweat was seeping from your forehead."
"Your Excellency, I was going to tell you about this anyway." Qu Zan's gaze grew grave. After thinking for a moment, he recounted what he had experienced.
Duo'erna narrowed her eyes slightly. "Troubled by memories of the past? This-you've encountered the four maras too-"
Duo'erna's judgment matched Zhulin's.
"-This kind of anguish can breed further anguish and obstruct cultivation. It will disturb your body and mind-" Duo'erna said gently.
"Your Excellency, what do you mean by 'too'? Have you encountered them as well?" Qu Zan asked.
"Of course. Every cultivator encounters the four maras. There's nothing unusual about it," Duo'erna said with an air of nonchalance.
"How did you resolve it back then?"
"Contemplate phenomena as illusions. Back then, with the help of a powerful practitioner from the [Chöd School], I severed the obstacle mara." Duo'erna narrowed her eyes slightly, seeming to recall the past. "That was a method they practiced, called the [Four Maras Severance Realm].
Qu Zan's eyes lit up as he listened. If