Seeking the Dao at Fangcun, and a Fateful Bond with a Caterpillar

North of Jianye City, the atmosphere was completely different from the east and south of the city.

This area was closer to the main routes leading to the outside world. Players were noticeably higher-level and moved with greater haste. Massive stagecoaches stood at the edge of the square, while the coachman NPCs mechanically repeated their sales pitches. Their destinations were prominently marked with advanced regions such as "Aolai Country" and "Longevity Village." The air carried a restless sense of both opportunity and uncertainty.

Su Yan did not hurry to the station. Instead, guided by Lingdang's mysterious intuition, he carefully searched the northern district. Holding the [Damaged Compass], he focused his senses. At first, nothing seemed unusual. But when he approached a seemingly abandoned training ground behind the station, the compass's broken needle gave an incredibly slight tremble! At the same time, a strange Data Stream fluctuation, similar to the one in the sunken ship yet more concealed and ancient, spread through his heightened perception like ripples from a stone cast into a lake.

The source came from a broken stone pillar half-buried at the edge of the training ground. The weathered patterns carved into it vaguely echoed the style of the runes on the compass.

So this is the place... Su Yan understood. This was not a way to directly repair the compass, but rather a "beacon," or perhaps a "verification point." It proved that the compass worked and pointed toward something connected to an ancient inheritance.

Just as he carefully sensed the stone pillar, a cool yet gentle voice sounded behind him.

"Young friend, are you interested in the Dao Rhyme lingering here?"

Su Yan's heart jolted, and he spun around. A middle-aged Daoist stood several steps behind him, though Su Yan had no idea when he had appeared. He wore a moon-white Daoist robe and a crescent-shaped crown. His face was lean, while his eyes were as clear as starlight. The Daoist's aura was completely restrained, blending seamlessly into the surroundings. Had he not spoken, Su Yan would never have noticed him.

Insight Technique swept over the man instinctively, but the information it returned made Su Yan's pupils contract.

[Patriarch Bodhi (???)]

Level: ???

Sect: Mount Fangcun

Description: An enlightened master of Mount Fangcun of Lingtai and Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars. He is deeply versed in Daoist arts, talismans, and secret spiritual techniques. He roams freely beyond worldly affairs in the Three Realms, his whereabouts unfathomable.

He was actually the patriarch-level figure of Mount Fangcun! And his intelligence far surpassed even Li Shanren and Fleeting Life, Dreaming from the market!

Su Yan did not dare be careless. He hurriedly bowed. "This junior is Su Yan. Greetings, Patriarch. I merely sensed that this place's aura... was rather unusual, so I stopped to take a look." He did not directly mention the compass or the abnormal Data Stream. Before someone like this, honesty might be wiser than concealment.

Patriarch Bodhi's gaze swept over Su Yan, pausing briefly at his waist, where his virtual inventory was located. He seemed to have noticed the [Damaged Compass], and a trace of understanding flashed through his eyes. Yet he did not expose it. Instead, he stroked his beard and smiled. "This was once a place where seekers pursued the Dao. Though it has fallen into ruin, its Dao Rhyme has not faded and still resonates with the laws of heaven and earth. Your spiritual platform is clear, your soul is resilient, and you differ from ordinary people. That you can perceive this lingering essence is also a matter of fate."

Then he changed the subject and asked directly, "I see that your innate talent is exceptional, and your Soul Power is particularly strong. You are an excellent prospect for the secret arts of Mount Fangcun. Are you willing to follow me to Mount Fangcun of Lingtai, enter Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars, comprehend the Great Dao, and learn the arts of Deity-Driving Talismans and slaying demons?"

Joining Mount Fangcun as a disciple!

Su Yan's heart leaped. This was precisely one step of his plan! Within the Fantasy Westward Journey system, Mount Fangcun was a sealing sect renowned for its powerful control abilities, unique talisman arts, and use of spiritual power. In this real world, such abilities were undoubtedly invaluable. Whether facing complicated battles or uncovering the secrets behind the world, Mount Fangcun's inheritance could provide tremendous support. Its cultivation involving the "soul" and "Dao Rhyme" might even help him better understand and use his cheat, perhaps even decipher those "abnormal Data Streams."

"This disciple is willing!" Su Yan bowed deeply without the slightest hesitation. "I beg the Patriarch to accept me into your sect!"

Patriarch Bodhi nodded with a smile. "Good. Once you enter my sect, you must observe its rules, cultivate with a tranquil heart, and never fall into the demonic path." With that, he waved his sleeve.

The scenery before Su Yan's eyes rapidly shifted, as if he were passing through time and space. After a brief bout of dizziness, he found himself amid a mountain range shrouded in immortal mist, its strange peaks rising one after another. Rosy clouds scattered their colors, while sun and moon cast wavering light. Thousands of ancient cypresses and countless stalks of green bamboo filled the land. Above the gate hung the words "Mount Fangcun of Lingtai," and upon the cave was carved "Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars." It was truly an immortal paradise.

Inside the cave abode, the ceremony was simple. Su Yan performed the disciple-taking ritual before Patriarch Bodhi's portrait, officially entering the ranks of Mount Fangcun.

[System: Congratulations! You have successfully joined the sect 'Mount Fangcun'!]

[System: Sect skill tree unlocked!]

[System: Obtained sect cultivation method Yellow Court Scripture (Beginner). Passively increases Spiritual Energy and maximum mana.]

[System: Learned sect skills [Dragon Quelling Talisman] (single-target spell damage, with a slight slowing effect) and [Mind Loss Talisman] (single-target seal that prevents the target from using spells).]

After accepting him as a disciple, Patriarch Bodhi did not waste time with pleasantries. He began teaching him immediately.

"The Dao of Mount Fangcun lies in the 'heart' and the 'talisman.' The heart is where the spirit resides, while a talisman is the foundation upon which techniques rely." Patriarch Bodhi's voice was calm, yet it struck directly at the essence. "Use the mind to command talismans, and use talismans to communicate with the laws of heaven and earth. Then you may summon wind and rain, command gods and ghosts, and seize the initiative against your enemies."

He explained in detail the breathing methods of the Yellow Court Scripture, how to condense Spiritual Power, and how to perceive the Spiritual Energy of heaven and earth. Su Yan discovered that while cultivating this method, he could actually draw upon the energy of his [Probability Accumulation Panel] slightly, increasing its recovery rate. The two seemed to share some hidden connection.

Patriarch Bodhi personally demonstrated [Dragon Quelling Talisman] and [Mind Loss Talisman] as well. Spiritual light gathered at his fingertips as he drew a talisman in the air. A purple lightning talisman instantly took shape and shot forward, blasting a distant sword-testing stone black with scorching marks. Then another sigil of distorted light flew out, causing an Immortal Crane puppet nearby to freeze in place, unable to move.

"The way of talismans lies in 'intent' and 'precision.' Only where the mind reaches can a talisman take form; only where consciousness extends will a seal surely strike." Patriarch Bodhi emphasized, "Practice diligently and comprehend the true meaning within talismans. Only then can you reach the pinnacle."

Su Yan was already intelligent, and his Spiritual Power surpassed that of ordinary people, perhaps due to his transmigration and cheat. His progress was swift. Before long, he could steadily draw basic talismans. Though their power was far inferior to the Patriarch's, he had grasped their basic framework.

During a break in Su Yan's practice, Patriarch Bodhi seemed to casually advise him, "There are three thousand paths to the Great Dao, and all may bear fruit. Yet all things in this world possess their own 'principles.' Recently, there seem to be events that defy those principles emerging across heaven and earth, like a lingering illness disturbing the world's peace. Since you have entered my sect, when you travel in the future and encounter such 'anomalies,' you may investigate and restrain them with the arts of Mount Fangcun. That, too, is cultivation."

These words undoubtedly confirmed Su Yan's previous suspicions. A being like Patriarch Bodhi must have noticed the world's "anomalies" as well and regarded dealing with them as a trial and duty for his disciples.

After cultivating at Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars for several days of game time and raising the proficiency of his two basic skills to a certain level, Su Yan asked the Patriarch for permission to descend the mountain and gain experience. Patriarch Bodhi did not stop him. He merely gave Su Yan some cinnabar and yellow paper needed to draw talismans, then reminded him once more, "Guard your True Heart and distinguish right from wrong."

After leaving Mount Fangcun, Su Yan used the sect's unique teleportation spell and returned directly to Jianye City. He was no longer the same as before. Though his level was still low, with the Daoist arts of Mount Fangcun at his command, his methods could no longer be compared to ordinary physical attacks.

He recalled his earlier battle with the Mutated Sea Hairy Caterpillar and the "strange wind" Lingdang had mentioned. To survive and explore this world more effectively, a reliable summoned beast companion was essential. Sea Hairy Caterpillars might be low-level, but capturing one with outstanding aptitude would be more than enough for the early stages. Besides... he remembered those Sea Hairy Caterpillars deep inside the sunken ship that had been affected by Data Stream distortions. Perhaps...

When he returned to the sunken ship at East Sea Bay, Su Yan knew the route well. He avoided player-dense areas and ventured deep into the ship's lower level, searching for Mutated Sea Hairy Caterpillars with dark-red bodies and ferocious glints in their eyes.

This time, he no longer relied solely on his Iron Sword. Facing a charging Mutated Sea Hairy Caterpillar, Spiritual Energy surged at Su Yan's fingertips, and a crackling [Dragon Quelling Talisman] rapidly formed!

"Go!"

The purple lightning talisman struck the Sea Hairy Caterpillar precisely, erupting in a burst of electric sparks!

-68! (Spell Damage)

The damage number floated up, far higher than his previous physical attacks! The Sea Hairy Caterpillar stiffened from the lightning strike, its speed clearly reduced.

Su Yan's heart settled. Spell attacks were indeed remarkably effective. He immediately activated [Mind Loss Talisman], and a sigil of distorted light sank into the Sea Hairy Caterpillar's body. Its body suddenly jerked to a halt. The poisonous glow gathering in its mouth flickered several times before going out completely! It could no longer use spells!

"Success!" Su Yan was delighted. The sealing effect worked exceptionally well against monsters that relied on special attacks.

He pressed forward, added several normal attacks with his Iron Sword, and easily killed the sealed Mutated Sea Hairy Caterpillar.

He did not leave. Instead, he continued searching for a target. What he wanted to capture was not an ordinary Mutated Sea Hairy Caterpillar, but one with keener instincts and greater potential. He shifted the points from [Probability Accumulation] slightly toward "capture success rate" and "chance of encountering a high-aptitude mutated pet."

After clearing out four or five Mutated Sea Hairy Caterpillars, he finally found a creature unlike the others in the corner of a rusted cabin.

It was slightly smaller than its kind, but its shell was not dark red. Instead, it was a deep purple that was nearly black, covered in natural silver speckles like stars. Its eyes did not shine with pure red light either, but held a lively, cunning glint. When Su Yan approached, it did not attack immediately. Instead, it backed away warily and let out threatening hisses.

"You're the one!" Su Yan instinctively knew this Sea Hairy Caterpillar was extraordinary.

He still used [Dragon Quelling Talisman] first to weaken it, carefully controlling the damage to avoid accidentally killing it. Once the Sea Hairy Caterpillar's health fell below half and its movements slowed, Su Yan took out an ordinary [Pet Talisman].

He calmed his mind and attached a faint thread of Spiritual Power to the Pet Talisman, an application made possible by Mount Fangcun's cultivation method. At the same time, the effect of [Probability Accumulation] quietly activated.

"Capture!"

The Pet Talisman turned into a ring of light that descended over the special Sea Hairy Caterpillar. It struggled fiercely, and the ring flickered unsteadily.

One second, two seconds...

Just as the ring was about to collapse, Su Yan was struck by sudden inspiration. In his mind, he visualized the true meaning of "stability" within the talismans of Mount Fangcun.

The ring abruptly stabilized and contracted, completely enveloping the Sea Hairy Caterpillar!

[System: Congratulations! You have successfully captured the summoned beast 'Sea Hairy Caterpillar'!]

He had done it!

Su Yan eagerly opened the summoned beast interface to inspect his new companion's attributes.

[Sea Hairy Caterpillar (Mutated)]

Level: 0

Attack Aptitude: 1388

Defense Aptitude: 1056

Vitality Aptitude: 3200

Mana Aptitude: 1488

Speed Aptitude: 1200

Evasion Aptitude: 1320

Lifespan: 7000

Growth: 1.102

Skills: Advanced Poison, Life Steal, Night Battle

Su Yan sucked in a sharp breath.

These aptitudes, especially its Attack Aptitude and Growth, were absolutely top-tier for a level 0 Sea Hairy Caterpillar! It even came with three practical skills. [Advanced Poison] had a stronger effect, [Life Steal] ensured endurance, and [Night Battle] prevented it from weakening at night. This Sea Hairy Caterpillar was worth far more than he had expected! The combination of his cheat and Mount Fangcun's spiritual secret arts was astonishingly effective!

Watching the little fellow lazily wriggle in the pet space, strange coloration and all, Su Yan happily gave it a name—"Little Big Dipper," inspired by the star-like speckles on its shell.

With his newly mastered Mount Fangcun talisman arts and his infinitely promising little companion, Little Big Dipper, Su Yan left the sunken ship. His next destination was clear: the station north of the city, where he would take a carriage to the broader and more unknown land of Aolai Country.

The compass in his hand trembled faintly, as though it, too, resonated with the new journey ahead.