Success is always a matter of chance and ability. Yunxian's success only shows that there are indeed enough possibilities at the bottom of the lake. This also means that anyone who goes there is qualified to participate in the competition, and Lu Zhaozhao is no exception.
After clearing her mind, Lu Zhaozhao set off for East Lake.
Along the way, Lu Zhaozhao only pondered two questions. One was how to gain the upper hand in Longji, a place teeming with experts, including Yunxian. The other was the cultivation manual that Ying Che had asked someone to get for her before he went down the mountain.
As he said, this technique is indeed powerful, describing a method that can significantly increase a person's strength in a short period of time. Such techniques that provide short-term boosts are not uncommon. What makes this technique special is that, unlike other techniques that quickly lead to fatigue after a boost, it does not cause significant backlash to the caster, and its effects are not immediately apparent.
Lu Zhaozhao stroked the yellowed scroll with her fingertips, lost in thought.
This cultivation technique was given to her senior brother Ying Che by her master Yun Xian. It was only because Ying Che had a disagreement with her these past few days that she was giving this technique as an apology.
However, techniques that forcibly amplify cultivation are not popular in major sects. Firstly, such techniques are often harmful to the practitioner. Although this technique resolves most of these crises, there are still subsequent effects. Secondly, those who use such short-term cultivation enhancement methods are mostly rogue cultivators who roam the martial world. They may face danger at any time, while disciples of major sects have the protection of their sects and have never needed such things.
Similarly, Ying Che is incredibly strong, with few rivals among his peers. Yet, his master, Yun Xian, is entrusting him with this technique, which could only mean that he is about to face a senior whose strength and experience surpass his own.
"Who could it be?" Lu Zhaozhao couldn't figure it out, only knowing that in places she didn't know, the situation seemed to have become even more severe and complicated.
Fortunately, Ying Che should have already thoroughly mastered this technique, and the dense annotations on it made it exceptionally easy for Lu Zhaozhao to read.
While studying and traveling, on the last night before arriving at East Lake, Lu Zhaozhao finally saw the last part.
"This scroll is called the 'Formless Secret.' The immeasurable meaning arises from one dharma. That one dharma is formlessness."
The last sentence of the scroll caused Lu Zhaozhao's hands to tremble slightly.
Clearly, this scroll did not originate from the open cultivation world; in other words, it is not the same as the "Dao" they cultivate.
This is a Zen scroll!
Lu Zhaozhao took a deep breath and stared intently at the last sentence.
Buddhism believes that all things in the world have ten aspects, but none are like this one aspect, hence the name "formless." It means to get rid of worldly appearances in order to recognize the true nature of reality.
The scroll in her hand was likely only a fragment; the rest might be with Yun Xian, or perhaps he only possessed this one scroll. But what Lu Zhaozhao was certain of was that the cultivation technique recorded on this scroll was undoubtedly profound and mysterious. To reach the state of formlessness, one must first understand the ten forms, so she deduced that this scroll must have at least ten more parts!
Lu Zhaozhao bit her lower lip and fell into deep thought.
Emerging from the back mountain, she had previously crammed on the relevant history from that period in the library. Zen Buddhism, a mysterious sect that had briefly flourished a thousand years ago before disappearing again into the long river of the history of cultivation tradition, had now reappeared before her eyes.
She knew from the bottom of her heart that Yunxian, or rather, everyone in the contemporary cultivation world, had no direct connection with the conflict a thousand years ago. However, the reappearance of this sect that had retreated to the Northern Region, and the related events recorded in the destroyed historical materials appearing before her eyes time and time again, made her wonder whether this was a coincidence or a deliberate arrangement.
With East Lake right before her eyes, she had also roughly mastered the Formless Technique these days. If she forced herself to use it, even a Nascent Soul cultivator might not be unable to fight against it.
This place is very close to East Lake, and the surrounding area is full of powerful figures from various sects. Therefore, she cannot use her divine sense to sense the road ahead. She can only rest here for a while and wait for tomorrow to make a decision.
Just as she was about to rest, she suddenly heard a faint rustling sound of grass blades.
It was only for a moment, but she heard it clearly!
If there is no wind, then it can only be a living creature.
As the sword was drawn, Lu Zhaozhao listened intently, and for a moment, the only sounds in the world were her breath and her heartbeat.
Suddenly, there was a sound from the other side. Without hesitation, she slashed with her sword, stirring up a storm. The grass in front of her, as tall as a person, was neatly cut down, stretching for dozens of meters.
The sword energy swept across the cleared ground, leaving no place for the hidden troublemakers to hide.
"Raccoon slave?"
Lu Zhaozhao was somewhat surprised.
In the remote and desolate Donghu area, a pure white raccoon suddenly appeared. Could it be a spirit beast of the lake?
Lu Zhaozhao thought for a moment and went forward to check.
The raccoon seemed terrified, standing frozen in place. Lu Zhaozhao picked it up and examined it again and again, but couldn't sense any spiritual energy at all.
"How is that possible? Even if you're not a local spirit beast, you must be raised by some cultivator. How could you have no spiritual power at all?"
While Lu Zhaozhao was still puzzled, the cat seemed to realize what was happening, let out a cry, jumped down from her arms, and ran away into the distance.
Lu Zhaozhao squinted at the direction it left in, then kept a distance and followed it.
After several twists and turns, she followed the cat to a spacious open space.
The surroundings seemed to have been specially cleaned, with the resting tents arranged neatly, and the way they were arranged seemed to have a special meaning.
This specification seems to be something only a major sect could possess.
Lu Zhaozhao stood behind a tree in the distance, observing quietly.
The cat disappeared into the tent, leaving only the patrolling disciples and the blazing torches visible in the darkness.
After looking for a while and finding nothing amiss, Lu Zhaozhao felt relieved.
She had chased after it because she was worried that the raccoon had been deliberately released to scout the situation, but now it seemed that it really was just an ordinary raccoon, and she was relieved.
She turned around and was about to go back to rest.
There are too many sects and forces stationed in this area, and they all have their own grudges. She didn't want too many people to know about her trip, so she didn't plan to stay too close to this place.
Just before she took a step, a commotion came from the tents behind her.
"I am deeply grateful for your help, Master. I will report back to my master in detail when I return to the academy and continue the friendship between our two schools."
A tall, slender man spoke respectfully to another man beside him. The other man stood in the shadows, seemingly aloof and not responding much. Lu Zhaozhao could not see his face clearly.
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, it seemed to be time to say goodbye. The two slowly walked out, and the first person they saw was the man who had spoken at the beginning. He took a few steps closer, and Lu Zhaozhao was able to see his appearance clearly.
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