56. The Mists over West Lake

“It is indeed an ancient artifact. Since it was used by a prominent Buddhist master in antiquity, it must not be an ordinary item. Your luck is quite remarkable.” Uncle Thirteen turned the string of prayer beads over in his hands again and again. He could tell they were extraordinary, but lacking spiritual perception, and with the beads already refined by Chen Fengyun, he could not discern their true purpose.

“Each of the six beads contains a mantra seal, specifically the six-character mantra of Buddhism.” Nevertheless, Chen Fengyun explained this to Uncle Thirteen, who simply nodded and handed the beads back.

“Fengyun, when I watched you set up the formation earlier, you weren’t manipulating the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, but rather the energy of the earth’s veins. Does this mean your Qi-Observing and Vein-Seeking technique has reached initial mastery?” Uncle Thirteen suddenly asked, his eyes filled with anticipation.

“Yes, Uncle Thirteen, I’ve comprehended the Qi Vein technique and reached initial mastery. I can now draw upon the energy of the earth’s veins to set up formations and create a field, which can trap enemies or enhance speed,” Chen Fengyun replied with a nod.

“This is wonderful! Our lineage finally has a true Qi Vein Master again. I no longer feel ashamed before our ancestors, nor will I be embarrassed to face my master.” Uncle Thirteen was overjoyed, his voice trembling with emotion.

“Uncle Thirteen, I still have some questions I don’t fully understand. Let’s discuss them together when we return,” Chen Fengyun said.

“Certainly, certainly.” Uncle Thirteen understood that Chen Fengyun intended to impart some of the knowledge and skills of a Qi Vein Master to him. He was delighted. Though he could not become a true Qi Vein Master himself, as a cultivator, he could still perform minor techniques.

At that moment, Uncle Thirteen felt a surge of gratitude. He had treated Chen Fengyun kindly at first simply because he was the only other cultivator in the area. Passing on the lineage’s scriptures to him had been a gamble, yet he never expected Chen Fengyun would actually comprehend the Qi Vein technique and become a true Qi Vein Master.

Following this, Chen Fengyun spent another day with Uncle Thirteen, imparting to him the aspects of the Qi Vein technique he could grasp, helping him master some minor spells.

Although Uncle Thirteen’s cultivation was limited and he had not become a true Qi Vein Master, he could be considered a quasi-Master now. He was able to observe and sense qi, locate clearer earth veins, and use their energy to perform small spells.

On July 10th, Chen Fengyun set out for home. The university had already called to inform him that admissions for his chosen program had concluded, and he had been accepted into the Archaeology Department of the Capital University. He was simply awaiting the official letter.

“In the future, if you can help with matters of the Southern Sect, do so. Of course, if they act wrongly, you may correct them. I’ll let them know,” Uncle Thirteen said as Chen Fengyun departed. Although he did not reveal to Feng Tianbao and the others that Chen Fengyun had inherited the true transmission of their lineage, he instructed them to treat Chen Fengyun with the same respect as himself and to obey any of his commands.

Though the members of the Southern Sect were puzzled by the sudden appearance of a junior master-uncle, none opposed Uncle Thirteen’s orders. To them, he was their guiding figure.

Moreover, upon learning from Feng Tianbao, Ye Mingfu, and Chu Wangshu that Chen Fengyun had cured Uncle Thirteen’s injuries, allowing him to live several more years and travel the world, they developed genuine admiration for their junior master-uncle.

Only Yang Wanshi, the fourth brother, was dumbfounded when he heard the news. He never imagined that the young man he had once sparred with on Mount Lincang in Yunnan would suddenly become his master-uncle.

And then there was Lord Liang, Eighth of the Southern Sect, who dominated the seafood market of Hainan province with assets in the billions. Upon learning that the youth he once quarreled with had become his master-uncle, his face darkened, unsure how to process his feelings.

Chen Fengyun was unaware of all this. His journey had yielded tremendous gains, and he intended to return home to digest these experiences, adapt to his newfound abilities—especially those newly comprehended skills which required careful study to truly make his own.

Moreover, when returning, Chen Fengyun did not ask Ye Mingfu to send a car for him, nor did he take a vehicle. Instead, he walked into the wilderness, relying on his Qi Vein Master abilities to travel.

Before leaving Hangzhou, he glanced back at the skies above West Lake, where a massive cloud of qi still hovered. With his current spiritual perception and Qi Vein Master abilities, he still could not discern what lay within that cloud.

Yet he could sense the overwhelming presence contained in it—a power far beyond his current ability to confront. At the same time, he noticed the cloud had not changed at all, as though the formidable being beneath West Lake remained in a deep slumber.

“Fortunately, this unknown power seems to be asleep. Otherwise, who knows what might happen. But just because I can’t face you now doesn’t mean I won’t be able to in the future. Someday, I’ll return and meet you,” Chen Fengyun murmured to himself, then turned and departed. He had told no one, not even Uncle Thirteen, but guessed that Uncle Thirteen might sense something, though he too would be powerless to face it.

Chen Fengyun was confident. Now at the ninth layer of Qi Refining, with spiritual perception at the mid-tier of the Yellow grade, he believed himself capable of continued advancement. One day, he would possess the power to contend with the mighty presence beneath West Lake.

Standing outside Hangzhou, Chen Fengyun gazed toward the clouds over the sea, noticing a towering cloud rising from the ocean depths. He could not tell whether a powerful being lay hidden beneath the waves or if the sea itself held such immense energy.

At present, his abilities did not allow him to traverse the seas at will. To roam the oceans like the Eight Immortals, he would need at least to reach the Foundation Establishment stage. Still, the sea would be a destination for his future journeys.

The route from Hangzhou to Rongcheng, though a straight line, spanned over thirteen hundred kilometers, crossing five or six provinces and passing through ranges such as Huangshan, Dabie, Lushan, Wushan, Daba, Qinling, and Emei, as well as the Yangtze River basin, Han River, and countless other rivers and lakes.

Along the way, Chen Fengyun tested his Qi-Observing and Vein-Seeking techniques against the landscapes, mountains, rivers, and various terrains, growing increasingly adept at their use and at employing the abilities of a Qi Vein Master.

He discovered that over every famous mountain and river, clouds of qi rose and shifted, constantly changing, manifesting the dynamic energy of the earth’s veins. This energy was available for him to borrow, though it could not directly advance his cultivation. Still, it enabled him to wield the various techniques and powers of a Qi Vein Master, adding to his strength.