Although Mei Qing was usually a relaxed and amiable person, once he set his mind to something and became determined, he was as stubborn as a mule and impossible to dissuade. He no longer bothered to change his horse, riding the same one to the temple every morning no matter how uncomfortable he felt. Upon arriving at the temple, he didn’t deliberately avoid Bi Zhen; instead, he would greet her openly and then calmly wait for her to cast her enchantments. Afterward, he would sit in meditation to neutralize their effects.
Mei Qing was expending a great deal of energy, but Bi Zhen was equally unwilling to back down. At first, they maintained a certain level of politeness, but as time passed, words became unnecessary. In the mornings, as soon as Mei Qing entered the courtyard, Bi Zhen would complete her flirtatious expressions, cast her spells, and then casually go about her business. Mei Qing would then return to his room to meditate and calm his mind. The two developed a kind of unspoken understanding, exchanging not a single unnecessary word.
Although Mei Qing is usually easygoing and amiable, once he sets his mind on something, not even eight horses could pull him back. He didn’t even bother to change the horse he rode to the temple every morning, enduring the discomfort as he traveled back and forth. At the temple, he didn’t avoid Bi Zhen either; instead, he would greet her proactively and calmly wait for her to cast her spells, after which he would sit quietly and meditate to dispel the effects.
Mei Qing’s endurance was remarkable, but Bi Zhen was equally determined. Initially, they maintained a semblance of politeness, but soon they dispensed with formalities. Every morning when Mei Qing entered the courtyard, Bi Zhen would cast her spells with a charming smile, then go about her business. Mei Qing, in turn, would return to his room to meditate and calm his mind. The two of them developed a tacit understanding, rarely exchanging unnecessary words.
Before long, Bi Zhen felt the time was right and would naturally make her way to Mei Qing’s room to cast her spells again. Mei Qing didn’t find this unusual; he simply dealt with it as it came, maintaining his composure no matter what tricks she employed.
As a result, Bi Zhen’s visits to Mei Qing’s room became increasingly frequent. At first, it was two or three times a day, then four or five, and by yesterday, it had reached seven or eight times. This made the young acolyte Ming Jing, who followed Bi Zhen, raise an eyebrow. Normally, Bi Zhen would look down on worldly men, barely acknowledging them. Yet, this Mei Qing had only been here for a couple of days, and she was already visiting him eight times a day. Could it be that Bi Zhen had developed feelings for him? Mei Qing was handsome and gentle, after all, quite the charming fellow…
So now, not only did Bi Zhen smile radiantly at Mei Qing—though she secretly gritted her teeth in frustration—but even Ming Jing, the young acolyte, couldn’t help but glance at him. To Mei Qing, it seemed as if both women were casting their spells on him simultaneously, their combined charm no small matter.
To say that Mei Qing’s days were torturous would be an understatement. Even if the infamous Smiling Tiger Ma were to devise a punishment, it couldn’t compare to this torment. Not only did Mei Qing remain steadfast during the day, but even at home, where Duo Yun was now fully recovered, he refrained from touching her. All of this was to prove a point to Bi Zhen.
Duo Yun, feeling somewhat neglected, was comforted by Mei Qing, who explained that he was practicing a health-preserving technique that required abstinence until a certain stage was reached. He also showered her with affectionate words, eventually making her smile again.
After more than a month, Mei Qing had endured Bi Zhen’s relentless torment, and his progress was astonishing. Now, he could meditate and cultivate his energy even while engaging in small talk with Bi Zhen. This was largely due to Bi Zhen’s frequent visits, which left him no time to sit quietly and focus. Moreover, Mei Qing couldn’t just focus on his cultivation; he had a pile of work to do, or else how would he win the bet with Sixth Master?
Ignorance is bliss, and Mei Qing, unaware of the dangers of his unconventional cultivation method, continued on his path. Typically, cultivators would choose a quiet place free from distractions to practice. Being interrupted at a critical moment could lead to serious consequences, ranging from minor errors to severe deviations, or even death.
Mei Qing, having never studied Taoist practices and lacking any guidance, was oblivious to these risks. He simply persisted, dealing with the waves of desire as they came, while continuing his research and meticulous transcription of ancient texts. Over time, his ability to maintain focus became so refined that he could meditate while walking, riding, or eating. Every day at the Rensheng Palace, he would engage in direct confrontations with Bi Zhen, enduring the burning flames of desire until evening, when he could finally dissolve them into the vortex of energy within him.
This relentless practice caused the energy vortex within him to grow rapidly, especially at its core, which began to solidify. Unaware of the significance, Mei Qing continued his routine, not realizing that he was on the verge of a major breakthrough in his cultivation.
Zhong Shu, feeling guilty, had been avoiding Mei Qing and thus hadn’t noticed his progress. If he had taken the time to observe, he would have been shocked. Most cultivators take decades to reach the stage Mei Qing was approaching, and some, lacking talent or luck, might take thirty to fifty years.
Yet, in just over a month, Mei Qing had reached this critical juncture. If word got out, it would shake the entire cultivation world.
Mei Qing, oblivious to his own progress, continued to endure the grueling ordeal, unaware that Bi Zhen was also struggling.
As mentioned earlier, the Zhi Xiang technique was originally a form of observation, divided into internal and external practices. This method, said to have originated from the Southern Golden Elixir School, combined dual cultivation with Buddhist observation techniques. The external method involved using one’s appearance to stir the desires of others.
However, the external method required a strong internal foundation to withstand its effects. Initially, Mei Qing, unaware of Bi Zhen’s intentions and clearly outmatched, was at a disadvantage. But Mei Qing’s resilience surprised her. Many times, it seemed he was on the verge of breaking, yet he held firm, his endurance growing stronger over time. Not only did the effects of the spells diminish, but Bi Zhen herself began to feel the pressure, her own desires stirred. If not for her deep cultivation and strong resolve, she might have been humiliated.
Moreover, Mei Qing’s cultivation had advanced at an astonishing rate, faster than even the legendary prodigies of the Taoist world. No wonder the bet had stipulated that Mei Qing couldn’t be judged by normal standards. When he first arrived, he was still in the early stages of cultivation, but in just over a month, he was nearing the stage of forming the Golden Elixir, almost matching Bi Zhen’s own level.
If this continued, Mei Qing might even surpass her and form the Golden Elixir first. If that happened, not only would she lose the bet with the old man, but she would also never be able to hold her head high in front of Mei Qing again.
Thus, Bi Zhen spared no effort, practicing diligently in secret while focusing her spells on Mei Qing, determined to overpower him and secure her victory. Over time, her competitive spirit grew, and she forgot the original purpose of the technique—to distract Mei Qing with desire and hinder his cultivation—as well as the risks of backlash, pushing forward relentlessly to break his defenses.
“I’ve noticed that your progress in organizing the manuscripts has been swift, but there’s still much to be done, and it’s not quite meeting the initial expectations. After much thought, I believe it might be because you’re working alone, which can lead to confusion. Why not, from today onwards, work together with me in the same room? We might inspire each other and make greater progress.” Seeing Mei Qing’s unwavering resilience, Bi Zhen finally couldn’t sit still. Early that morning, she went to Mei Qing’s room and, with a charming smile, proposed a new challenge.
Mei Qing, feeling his resistance had greatly increased and his internal energy vortex becoming more solid, agreed without hesitation, thinking to himself, “Let’s see what else you’ve got!”
Bi Zhen’s quarters were located in a secluded side hall of the former palace, not as grand as the main hall but still exquisitely decorated. After Bi Zhen’s suggestion, Mei Qing moved his unorganized manuscripts to her room. Once he settled in, he noticed that Bi Zhen’s desk was also covered with similar manuscripts, but with one key difference: she had a scroll of ancient silk as a reference. Nearby, there were several other rolled-up silk scrolls, undoubtedly ancient artifacts.
Seeing this, Mei Qing realized that the manuscripts he had been organizing were likely translations of the ancient text on the silk scroll. The scroll itself appeared to be quite old, and the characters were in an ancient script, explaining the need for specialized translation.
Ancient scripts were incredibly complex, with various forms such as tadpole, bird-worm, and tripod scripts, each vastly different. Even those proficient in standard seal script might struggle without specialized knowledge. The frequent use of borrowed characters and multiple forms for a single character made the task even more daunting.
During the Ming Dynasty, the study of ancient texts was still in its infancy, and archaeological discoveries were far fewer than in later periods. Yet, for some reason, Mei Qing immediately recognized the script on the silk scroll as a variant of an ancient Yan script and identified the section as a sacrificial prayer.
While Mei Qing was still processing this, Bi Zhen made her entrance. Her eyes were like spring water, her face like a lotus flower, and she moved with such grace that she seemed almost too delicate to bear her own weight. Before she even spoke, a wave of enchanting fragrance enveloped Mei Qing.
This was a scene Mei Qing had witnessed countless times, yet it still overwhelmed him. Feeling his blood boil, he quickly divided his attention, stabilizing his mind and slowly rotating the energy vortex to dispel the flames of desire.
Bi Zhen, however, didn’t let him off so easily. Normally, her visits were brief, but now that they were in the same room, she seized the opportunity to engage him in conversation.
Bi Zhen, known for her reticence and icy demeanor towards men, was now smiling and flirting with Mei Qing daily. If the many suitors who had tried and failed to win her favor knew of this, they would surely have condemned Mei Qing as the biggest fool in the world, unappreciative of his good fortune.
Mei Qing, however, didn’t dare let his guard down. He knew all too well the power of this lady. No matter what she said, he treated it as wind passing a donkey’s ears, paying it no mind.
“I’ve long heard of your expertise in ancient artifacts, Mei Gongzi. You must have seen these silk scrolls of mine. What do you think?” Seeing Mei Qing’s noncommittal responses, Bi Zhen shifted the topic, asking softly.
This piqued Mei Qing’s interest. As a lover of ancient artifacts, he was deeply fascinated by ancient scripts. Seeing the scroll, he couldn’t help but comment, “In my humble opinion, this scroll might be an ancient sacrificial prayer, but its exact age is hard to determine at a glance.”
“Hehe, it’s quite ancient. These scrolls date back to the Shang and Zhou dynasties, and even the Qin and Han periods. Feel free to look at them, but be careful not to damage them. I’d be heartbroken, and you’d have to compensate me.” As she spoke, Bi Zhen handed Mei Qing several scrolls, playfully patting her ample chest when she mentioned being heartbroken, secretly cursing Mei Qing for not giving in and forcing her to resort to seduction.
Mei Qing, seeing Bi Zhen hand him the scrolls, instinctively reached out to take them. As the beauty before him spoke softly, her wide Taoist robe revealing glimpses of her figure, he felt his mind sway and his vision blur. The scroll slipped from his hand and fell onto the desk. Embarrassed, Mei Qing quickly regained his composure, picked up the scroll, and replied, “Ah, which one is from the Shang Dynasty? Could you point it out?”
Bi Zhen giggled, “Silly boy, so clumsy. The one you just dropped is from the Shang Dynasty!”
Mei Qing, already struggling to maintain his focus, was further thrown off by Bi Zhen’s teasing. Previously, when Bi Zhen openly challenged him, he could focus on resisting and then meditate to dispel the effects after she left. But now, engaged in conversation and discussing a topic he loved, he had let his guard down and fallen into her trap.
Realizing his mistake but unable to extricate himself, Mei Qing felt his inner energy stirring, his body growing hotter, and his desires rising, almost beyond control.
Desperately clinging to a sliver of clarity, he forced himself to look away from Bi Zhen’s alluring face, seeking to escape the temptation. Just as he was on the verge of breaking, his eyes caught the silk scroll and the translated manuscripts on Bi Zhen’s desk. Remembering the text he had just seen, he mustered his last ounce of strength and shouted, “Wrong!”
So now, not only did Bi Zhen smile at Mei Qing like spring blossoms in bloom—though she secretly seethed with frustration—Ming Jing also began casting furtive glances at him. To Mei Qing, it felt as though the two were working together, their combined allure creating an overwhelming force.
The truth was, Mei Qing’s days were pure torment. He believed even the infamous smiling tiger, Lord Ma, couldn’t devise a more torturous punishment. Not only did he remain completely composed during the day, but even at home, with the now-recovered Duo Yun nearby, he still refrained from any intimacy. It was all for the sake of proving a point to Bi Zhen.
Duo Yun, for her part, felt somewhat dejected, until Mei Qing spent a long time soothing her, claiming he was practicing a form of cultivation that required abstinence until he reached a certain level of mastery. He spoke many affectionate words, finally coaxing a smile from her.
Over the course of more than a month, Mei Qing endured Bi Zhen’s relentless enchantments and achieved progress so profound it was almost unbelievable. He no longer needed to sit in formal meditation; he could cultivate his energy even while engaging in superficial conversation with Bi Zhen. This was out of necessity—Bi Zhen’s frequent visits left no time for him to settle into proper meditation. Moreover, Mei Qing had other responsibilities to attend to, for he needed to fulfill the wager he had made with Master Liu.
Unaware of the risks, Mei Qing had no idea how reckless his method of cultivation was. For cultivators, the first requirement was to find a quiet, undisturbed place to practice. Interruptions during critical moments could lead to disastrous consequences—minor disruptions might cause imbalances, while severe ones could result in madness or even death.
Having never studied Taoist cultivation and lacking any guidance, Mei Qing naturally didn’t understand these dangers. With desire constantly surging within him, he abandoned the idea of resolving it all at once and instead adopted a steady, enduring approach. He continued his research, meticulously copying and organizing his findings. In time, his ability to maintain focus improved so much that he could cultivate while walking, riding, or eating.
Each day, he would begin his confrontation with Bi Zhen at Rensheng Palace, enduring the torment of desire’s purple flames until evening, when he could gradually dissolve them into the swirling energy within his body.
This practice caused the energy vortex inside him to grow rapidly, as if nourished by a powerful elixir. Most notably, its core began to solidify. Mei Qing, unaware of the significance, simply continued his practice. In truth, he had already reached the stage of completing the celestial cycle, on the verge of the union of Heaven and Earth and the formation of the golden elixir.
Zhong Shu, burdened by guilt, had been avoiding Mei Qing and thus failed to notice these developments. Had he taken the time to investigate, he might have been shocked into a stupor. For most cultivators, the journey from foundation-building to the stage of Heaven and Earth union typically took at least a decade, and for those less gifted or fortunate, it could take thirty or fifty years.
Yet Mei Qing had reached this threshold in just over a month. If word of this ever spread, the entire cultivation world would be thrown into upheaval.
Unaware of his progress, Mei Qing continued to endure his suffering, unaware that Bi Zhen was also struggling.
As previously mentioned, the Zhi Xiang Method was originally a form of observation, divided into internal and external observation. Said to have originated from the Southern Elixir Sect, it combined techniques from dual cultivation with Buddhist visualization methods. External observation involved projecting one’s allure to provoke desire in others.
However, there was a crucial caveat: external observation required internal observation as its foundation. The practitioner had to withstand the effects of their own allure. Initially, Mei Qing had been unaware of Bi Zhen’s enchantments, and his cultivation level was far inferior to hers, giving her a clear advantage. But Mei Qing’s resilience proved extraordinary. Though he often seemed on the verge of breaking, he never did. Instead, his endurance grew stronger over time, diminishing the effectiveness of Bi Zhen’s spells while increasing her own strain. More than once, she found herself plagued by intrusive thoughts, and only her deep cultivation and firm resolve prevented her from succumbing.
Moreover, Mei Qing’s progress had been astonishing. In just a short time, he had advanced to the point where his cultivation level nearly matched hers. No wonder others had said he couldn’t be judged by ordinary standards. When he first arrived, he had been at the stage of returning to the cauldron, but now, after just over a month, he was already nearing the formation of the elixir. At this rate, he might surpass her entirely.
If that happened, not only would she lose her bet with that old man, but she would also never be able to hold her head high in front of Mei Qing again.
Determined not to lose, Bi Zhen threw herself into her cultivation, relentlessly casting spells on Mei Qing in a desperate bid to maintain the upper hand. Her competitive spirit grew, and she forgot the original purpose of her technique—to stir Mei Qing’s desires and hinder his cultivation. She also ignored the danger of magical backlash, consumed only by the desire to defeat him.
“I’ve noticed that you’ve been making rapid progress in organizing the manuscripts, but there’s still much work to be done. Perhaps working alone has its limitations. Why don’t we work together from now on? We might inspire each other and make even greater progress.” Unable to break Mei Qing’s resolve, Bi Zhen finally proposed a new challenge, smiling sweetly as she entered his room one morning.
Confident in his growing resistance and the deepening of his energy vortex, Mei Qing readily agreed without hesitation, thinking to himself, “Let’s see what new tricks you have up your sleeve.”
Bi Zhen’s quarters were located in a secluded wing of the former imperial palace—modest compared to the grand halls but still elegantly adorned. After she spoke, Mei Qing moved his unfinished manuscripts to her room. As he settled in, he noticed that Bi Zhen’s desk was also covered in similar manuscripts, but hers were accompanied by an ancient silk scroll for reference. Several other scrolls lay nearby, clearly ancient artifacts.
The moment Mei Qing saw the silk scroll, he understood. The manuscripts he had been organizing were likely translations of the ancient text. The scroll was clearly very old, its script an ancient form of seal writing, explaining the need for expert interpretation.
Ancient scripts were notoriously complex, with vastly different styles such as tadpole, bird-insect, and bronze scripts. Even experts in ordinary seal script would struggle to decipher them without dedicated study. Moreover, the texts were riddled with loan characters and variations, making them nearly impossible to interpret.
At this time in the Ming Dynasty, textual scholarship had not yet flourished, and archaeological discoveries were limited. Yet, inexplicably, Mei Qing instantly recognized the script as a variant of the ancient Yan script. He could even discern that the section Bi Zhen was working on differed from his own, likely a ritual prayer.
As Mei Qing was still lost in thought, Bi Zhen made her move. Her eyes sparkled like spring water, her face as delicate as a lotus. She approached with a graceful sway, exuding an intoxicating charm.
Mei Qing had seen this act countless times, yet it never failed to stir his blood. He quickly split his focus, steadying his mind while guiding his energy vortex to dispel the rising flames of desire.
But Bi Zhen wasn’t about to let him off easily. Usually, she would visit briefly, but now that they were in the same room, she seized the opportunity, engaging him in soft, intimate conversation.
Legend had it that Bi Zhen rarely spoke to men, treating them with icy indifference. If those who had once longed to be accepted by her knew that she was now lavishing attention on Mei Qing, a man seemingly oblivious to her charms, while he suffered in agony, they would surely condemn him as the most undeserving fool in existence.
Mei Qing dared not let his guard down. He knew Bi Zhen’s power all too well. Whatever she said, he treated it as mere wind passing through a donkey’s ears.
“I’ve heard of your expertise in ancient texts. These scrolls must be familiar to you. What are your thoughts?” Seeing Mei Qing’s distracted responses, Bi Zhen shifted the conversation.
The question struck a chord. Mei Qing, a man deeply passionate about antiquities, was immediately intrigued. He replied, “From what I can tell, this scroll seems to be a ritual prayer, though its exact period is hard to determine.”
“Haha, these scrolls date back to the Shang and Zhou dynasties, some even from the Qin and Han. If you’re interested, feel free to look, but be careful not to damage them—I’d be heartbroken, and you’d have to pay me back.” As she spoke, she handed him several scrolls, playfully patting her ample chest at the mention of “heartbroken,” secretly cursing Mei Qing for forcing her to resort to seduction.
Mei Qing instinctively reached out to take the scrolls. As she spoke, her delicate fingers tapped lightly against her robe, revealing tantalizing glimpses beneath. Mei Qing’s heart raced, his mind clouded, and the scrolls slipped from his hands onto the table. Embarrassed, he quickly regained his composure, picked them up, and stammered, “Which one is from the Shang dynasty?”
Bi Zhen giggled. “Silly, clumsy boy. Whichever one you drop is the Shang one!”
Mei Qing, already struggling to maintain his focus, was thrown into disarray by Bi Zhen’s teasing. Previously, when she had confronted him openly, he could brace himself and later dispel the effects. But now, engaged in conversation and distracted by his passion for ancient texts, he had let his guard down.
Though he realized his mistake, it was too late. Bi Zhen was watching him closely, and there was no turning back. Though he tried to maintain clarity, his inner energy surged, his body burned hotter, and his desires swelled beyond restraint.
He desperately clung to the last shreds of his composure, forcing his gaze away from Bi Zhen’s seductive face to escape her influence. Just as he felt he could no longer hold on, his eyes fell on the silk scroll and the translated manuscript on the table. Suddenly, he had an idea. Summoning his last ounce of strength, he shouted, “Wrong!”
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