Penglai Island saw snow once again.

Waves surged and crashed against the celestial isle. On this day, Penglai Daozi, dressed unusually in his Taoist robe, entered the Ancestor Hall to pay respects to the tablets of the revered ancestor masters that stood silently within.

After leaving the Ancestor Hall, he was greeted by the mountain winds and snow. In the distance, he could see someone rowing a small boat amidst the shimmering waters of the lake, gliding closer with the currents.

Penglai Daozi waved his hand lightly. His figure instantly vanished, then reappeared atop the Lake Heart Pavilion.

"One river of moonlight, one river of snow."

Noticing the approaching Bhikkhuni rowing the boat, Penglai Daozi sighed, as though initiating a conversation.

The Bhikkhuni smiled, untouched by the drifting snowflakes that fell around her. The small boat came to a stop before the Lake Heart Pavilion, and she rose from the boat, stepping onto the pavilion.

Penglai Daozi was slightly surprised.

Despite many previous visits, due to the divide between Taoism and Buddhism, the Bhikkhuni had never crossed into the Lake Heart Pavilion before.

Now, this act perhaps signified that the barrier between Taoism and Buddhism was beginning to crumble.

The union of Taoism and Buddhism, and the merging of the Three Teachings, had long been their shared aspiration.

Penglai Daozi, quieted and tempered after years of cultivation, trembled only momentarily before composing himself and said, "Has it come to fruition?"

"Almost," the Bhikkhuni replied softly. "I am close to transforming Chen Yi."

Penglai Daozi's face lit with a faint smile.

He continued to inquire, "How did you manage it? The many people I sent have all returned empty-handed."

Numerous among them were harmed or even killed by Master Tongxuan of Yin Sword Mountain.

The Bhikkhuni closed her eyes, seemingly reminiscing, or perhaps calculating. Truthfully, countless threads had branched into intricate details.

For example, the role played by the Great Yu Empress Dowager, who acted as a guide.

After a long while, she remarked, "It is tied to the Great Yu Empress Dowager. You acted according to the circumstances, and so did I."

Penglai Daozi suddenly understood.

A manifestation of Medicine Bodhisattva had become Master Zhihui, who was directed by the Empress Dowager of Great Yu and even assisted in finding the Dharma King's inheritance. The manipulable variables within these events were vast and immense.

It seemed the Empress Dowager was fully aware of this and possibly acted intentionally.

Penglai Daozi recalled something and sighed, "I remember you once said that his sense of self was deeply rooted. How on earth did you achieve this?"

"I simply let him know that he is no different from anyone else," Medicine Bodhisattva said slowly. "I made him understand that he, too, would die—just like the Smiling Pelican, the Impermanence Hawk, or the Death-Crying Crow. His emotions fluctuated, and from there, he grasped the truth of impermanence. No matter what he possessed, death awaited him nonetheless."

From the beginning, to avoid being struck down by Master Tongxuan's sword, Medicine Bodhisattva had meticulously orchestrated every move from the shadows.

For example, arranging casual conversations between figures like the Smiling Pelican and Chen Yi.

Or the Dharma King's inheritance secured by Anhou.

Or even the Shura Battlefield mural within Yuchun Hall...

Among these plans were countless seemingly insignificant efforts. Even as success was achieved now, it carried an air of unforeseeable fortune.

Still, fortunately, it was done.

The Bhikkhuni whispered, "Prepare yourself. I have split into two manifestations."

"Split into two manifestations?" Penglai Daozi regarded her solemnly and said, "If you fail, even your Golden Body Dharma at Mount Ling may be destroyed."

Since the clash between Buddhism and Taoism at Yintai Mountain, Medicine Bodhisattva's incarnations walking the world had grown scarce, with each closely tied to the stability of the Golden Body Dharma.

"One must gamble sometimes." She spoke without much emotion, "If the two individuals meet and entangle with one another, transformation will prove challenging."

The Bhikkhuni said further, "Failure won't occur. I have split into two manifestations—one to enlighten Chen Yi, and the other to guide the Princess of Xiang.

Chen Yi has been trapped at the Fourth Rank for a long time, repeatedly brushing against the threshold of returning to the Void. As he stands at a bottleneck, I shall guide him so that he simultaneously ascends to the Third Rank and experiences sudden enlightenment to renounce the path.

As for the Princess of Xiang, she has long been unable to achieve awakening because of Chen Yi's intervention. Now, the two are far apart, and after years of arrangements, it has all come naturally to this moment."

Penglai Daozi felt his heart stirred, surging uncontrollably. He made no attempt to suppress it—everything was as the natural order dictated.

Countless cycles had passed, through shifting seas and skies, and finally, this was the moment of fruition.

He laughed heartily, embracing the bone-chilling snow of the river, and recited poetically:

"Without enduring the bitter cold's piercing chill, how could the plum blossoms smell so sweet?"

...............…

...............…

The sky was dim and overcast; the pitch-black night seemed to engulf everything. Occasionally, fleeting sparks darted across the heavens, only to disappear as quickly as they came, consumed by the void.

A group of people moved toward Yin Sword Mountain. By their calculations, they had been traveling for four days now.

Throughout these four days, the path had changed many times, as though avoiding something. Everyone was aware of the looming peril but carried no complaints. The journey, though fraught, had been devoid of real calamity.

Yin Tingxue halted her steps.

She couldn't help but look back.

"Why has Second Madam stopped?" Min Ming spoke up curiously behind her.

Yin Tingxue scratched her head and replied, "I feel like... I heard something. Very faint, almost indistinguishable. Did you hear it?"

Min Ming shook her head. She hadn't heard anything.

Yin Tingxue said no more, though her brows furrowed. Somehow, her heart refused to settle.

Still, the journey had to continue.

Amidst the night, faint tremors stirred, almost imperceptible. As they pressed forward, Yin Tingxue hurriedly caught up with the group. After an unknown span of time, they reached a crossroads where an inn came into view—Yin Sword Mountain drew closer with every step.

Outside the inn was a yellow dog tethered and looking sickly. Even upon seeing people, it didn't bark; it only lolled its tongue.

The group requested good rooms and went upstairs to rest.

Four people shared two rooms so they could look out for one another—Little Yin and Yin Tingxue were staying in one.

The night deepened, and Yin Tingxue wore a troubled expression. Somehow, the voice she had heard earlier lingered in her mind.

Noticing this, the female crown spoke up and asked, "What's troubling you?"

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