After Qu Zan finished reading the Five Great Treatises, he took advantage of the time he still had to ask Huo De Lama to authorize more Buddhist scriptures for him.
He wanted to see whether he could comprehend a new method from the scriptures.
"You want to read Buddhist scriptures?" Scripture Master Huode asked.
"Yes, Lama. I've read through all three scriptures you authorized for me before. Please choose a few more for me."
Scripture Master Huode looked at him with feeling and said, "You little fellow truly thirst for the Dharma! I'll authorize two more books for you."
He thought for a moment and said, "Two in all: the Sūtra on the Measure of Meaning and the Sūtra on the Bodhisattva's Conduct." He wrote on a wooden slip and handed it to Qu Zan when he finished.
Qu Zan took the wooden slip and went to the Scripture Repository to request the scriptures.
He turned the pages one by one, reading closely. Only when the Monastic Steward reminded him that the hall was closing did Qu Zan return the scriptures.
After an entire day of intensive study, Qu Zan felt dizzy and his head felt swollen.
That night, Qu Zan lay in bed to sleep, thinking about how he would have to go to Dharma Master Duo'erna's place to work before dawn the next morning.
"Ah, studying these days is tiring, but it certainly is fulfilling!"
Qu Zan yawned and sank into a deep sleep.
At the third watch, his left hand suddenly began to stir-the left hand that housed the power of a Vengeful Ghost.
Its five fingers moved eerily, as though they had come alive. Like a scorpion's legs, they propped up his palm and shifted it across Qu Zan's body.
Deep in sleep, Qu Zan