Don't farm, cultivate immortality!

This white lotus is not something that originally existed in the world; it is a spiritual plant that the layman transformed using his own magical techniques.

The lay Buddhist's magic can modify plants within a certain range; the higher the level of cultivation, the greater the range of modification.

That white lotus was a unique parasitic plant created by the layman through continuous experimentation using the seeds of a spiritual plant called "carrion-eating lotus" and some demon kernels.

The lay Buddhist's life-giving magic focuses on how to modify spiritual plants and how to tame and control them.

Throughout his life, the lay Buddhist created many strange and wonderful things.

In his little diary, he wrote that he wanted to eat watermelon in winter, so he tried to combine pine cones and watermelon seeds. He succeeded, but the watermelon that grew was only the size of a pine cone, and the shell was hard and not very tasty. He destroyed it as a substandard product.

Even if a layperson's cultivation level is already very high, the modification of spiritual plants is still like a lottery; the effect produced is basically entirely dependent on luck.

It is a great pity that the layman did not leave behind the lottery formula that he successfully tested.

Not a single recipe was left, including the white lotus that made the lay Buddhist famous; not a single piece of information about him was left behind.

The lay Buddhist's so-called "starting from scratch" means this: he doesn't want those who come after him to follow his old path or be disturbed by him.

He left behind only the most basic "workbench," and everything else had to be created by those who came after him.

This is also a kind of pride for a genius. If the person who finds the jade slip is mediocre and lacks innovative talent, then he will certainly not waste his efforts on this method of life. Only those who are quick-witted, have ingenious ideas, and are not bound by common sense can carry forward this path. Only in this way can one be considered to have inherited the way of the White Lotus Hermit.

Zhuang Xing subtly informed Yunling of this, explaining both the advantages and disadvantages involved.

Yunling listened, feeling slightly uneasy, but showing no intention of backing down.

She lacked the talent for swordsmanship and could only achieve half the results with twice the effort in practicing swordsmanship and body tempering. However, she could make a leaf that had been separated from its roots sprout new buds. The White Lotus Hermit's method of revitalizing life was naturally very suitable for her.

Zhuang Xing gave Yunling a general overview today. This life-giving technique is the culmination of Bai Lian Jushi's lifelong research, and it cannot be explained clearly in a short time. Zhuang Xing does not intend to delve into it, which is why he thought of teaching Yunling to read so that she can learn on her own.

As dusk fell, it was time to say goodbye.

"That's enough for today, I should probably go home now." Zhuang Xing put away the jade slip. "Tomorrow I'll carve a wooden board over and use charcoal to teach you to read."

"Okay." Yunling nodded.

The two of them worked together to tidy up their secret base, washing the stone pot clean, putting away the bowls and chopsticks, and covering the stone pot with a lid.

The white mouse also came to say goodbye. Perhaps because it had been eating a lot recently, Zhuang Xing noticed that the white mouse had gained some weight. On its belly, a small "王" (king) character had grown, just like the fur on a tiger's forehead.

Zhuang Xing chuckled, recalling that five years ago, when the old hunter was digging up the tiger demon's core, a small piece was missing, and a beast tooth was stuck inside.

Perhaps five years ago, this white rat was just an ordinary field mouse. It was only after biting the demon core that the weak platinum rat bloodline within it was activated, gaining intelligence and transforming it into its current form.

Although such things are rare, they do happen; Zhuang Xing had seen similar examples in the layman's diary.

Indeed, there are countless opportunities in this world.

......

As the sun set, Zhuang Xing and Yun Ling walked side by side on their way back to the village.

"Oh, right, Yunling, hold out your hand, I have something else to give you." Zhuang Xing clenched his fist and mysteriously held it out to Yunling.

Yunling hesitated for a moment, but still obediently stretched out her hand.

In her palm was a newly braided hair tie. At the end of the hair tie, a cute little cat was braided in a special way; it was actually Hello Kitty.

"Don't tie your hair with hemp rope anymore. Mother said it will damage your hair," Zhuang Xing said.

Yunling touched the hair tied up behind her back; the hemp rope felt very rough to the touch.

She lowered her head slightly and responded in a very soft voice, "Mmm."

Oh dear, she's shy.

It was worth it for Zhuang Xing to put in the effort, getting the yarn from his mother to weave clothes and personally braiding this hair tie.

Yunling lowered her head, untied the straw rope, and put on the new hair tie that Zhuang Xing had given her.

The sunset glow made her face almost translucent. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and asked, "How do I look?"

"Perfectly suited!" Zhuang Xing gave a thumbs up.

This is a heartfelt compliment. Although Yunling is still young, she is already very eye-catching.

She didn't even dress up, just wore a simple outfit, and she looked adorable enough to be a child star on TV.

When she grows up and becomes a beautiful young woman, matchmakers will surely flock to her door to propose marriage.

The thought of Yunling marrying a stranger, becoming his wife, and bearing him children filled Zhuang Xing with a sense of unease.

Yunling has a good personality, can cook, is easy to talk to, and can also cultivate with him, helping each other.

If she's going to get married, she might as well marry me!

Zhuang Xing isn't like Boss Cao; he doesn't have any particular hobbies. He has no intention of giving away such a good girl. No normal person would give up such a good girl, right?

When they grow up and get married, they will be childhood sweethearts, a match made in heaven, and no monster can say a word.

"See you tomorrow then." Zhuang Xing waved goodbye to Yunling.

"Okay, see you tomorrow." Yunling twirled a lock of her hair with her fingers and waved goodbye to him.

The two parted ways at the village entrance and went their separate ways home.

...

The following afternoon, Zhuang Xing arrived at the White Mouse Cave.

Yunling seemed unwilling to let the villagers see her and Zhuang Xing together; they usually met here.

Yunling hadn't arrived yet; she usually arrived earlier than Zhuang Xing.

Zhuang Xing didn't think much of it and sat down to wait. He was holding the plank he had shaved in his hands, sitting on the stone, his legs swinging back and forth.

He used charcoal to write and draw on the wooden board, wondering which word he should start teaching Yunling later.

Let's start with something simple, like the characters "庄行" (Zhuang Xing), which have very simple strokes.

However, after waiting for a long time, Yunling still did not appear.

He felt a little uneasy; this was the first time Yunling had broken her promise.

She's such a reliable person; there must be some unavoidable reason why she broke her promise. But not knowing the reason for her breaking the promise still makes me feel uneasy.

While we were waiting, the white mouse emerged from its burrow.

The white mouse squeaked twice at Zhuang Xing, circled around the rock where Zhuang Xing was sitting, then climbed up and nibbled at Zhuang Xing's trouser leg.

Without Yunling present, Zhuang Xing couldn't fully understand what Bai Shu meant; he could only sense that Bai Shu was very agitated.

Zhuang Xing frowned and asked, "Is there a problem with Yunling?"

The white mouse stopped and squeaked. Zhuang Xing noticed that it was trembling slightly, as if it had been frightened.

What makes white mice afraid?

Could it be that we've encountered a monster?

He immediately sensed something was wrong, picked up his wooden sword, and stood up.

"Can you find Yunling? Take me there," Zhuang Xing said to the white mouse.

The white mouse nodded and led Zhuang Xing forward, heading back towards the village.

When they arrived at a crowded place, the white mouse scurried into Zhuang Xing's sleeve to hide.

“Use your paws to show me the way, I can see,” Zhuang Xing said in a low voice.

Guided by the white rat, he arrived at a doorway. The white rat pointed inside and squeaked.

Seeing no one in the courtyard, Zhuang Xing hesitated for a moment before shouting, "Is anyone there?"

No one answered him; the house was silent.

Outside the houses, everything was the same as usual; villagers came and went, and children ran by laughing and playing.

Zhuang Xing thought for a moment, then barged in anyway.

He gathered his "qi" in his eyes, but he did not see any breath.

The door to the house was ajar; with a creak, he pushed it open.

The house was dimly lit. As soon as he entered, he saw a familiar figure lying on the ground.

It was Yunling. She had fallen to the ground, her forehead covered in cold sweat, her hair damp with sweat and clinging to her cheeks.

Upon seeing this, Zhuang Xing quickly stepped forward and helped her up. She seemed to have a fever; her forehead felt very hot to the touch.

She actually opened her eyes, looked around hazily for a moment, and only after recognizing Zhuang Xing did she speak softly, "Am I...am I dreaming...I'm sorry...I broke my promise..."

Zhuang Xing frowned. Just now, wisps of black energy had drifted out from Yunling's body; this was not a normal cold.

He had seen similar situations in the lay Buddhist's diary, but he never expected that Yunling would encounter such a strange thing.

"Don't speak yet, let me help you inside to rest for a while."

Zhuang Xing helped her to her feet, and she almost fell onto him.

Zhuang Xing helped her to the bed, opened the jade slip, and turned it over.

A dark, malevolent aura emanated from Yunling, causing her to develop a fever. Zhuang Xing opened the window, allowing sunlight to shine onto her.

Yunling immediately shrank back, seemingly very uncomfortable with the sunlight.

Zhuang Xing then circulated his internal Qi, covering Yunling's entire body. Wisps of black Qi were forced out, and Yunling's breathing became slightly more even.

All the conditions match the layperson's little diary perfectly; there's no mistake, this is the blockage of the five orifices caused by being possessed by evil spirits...

Chapter 41, Twenty-Seven: The Yin Ghost

"Humans are yang, ghosts are yin. However, the dead are not tolerated in the world. Even the most powerful ghosts, if they have no place to stay, will turn to ashes in an instant when exposed to sunlight."

“There are very few ghosts in the world. I was fourteen years old when I saw one.”

"It was springtime, and during a leisurely stroll, I passed through a village and stayed at a farmhouse. The farmer treated us to wine and chicken. Although the wine was cloudy, the farmer and I got very drunk."

"On that day, I saw a twelve-year-old girl in a farmer's house. She was as thin as a rake and her eyes were sunken like bowls."

“I never stopped focusing my Qi on my eyes, and then I felt wisps of black Qi emanating from the woman’s body. When the black Qi met the sunlight, it was like water being quenched and evaporated.”

“I asked the farmer, and he replied that three months ago, his brother went up the mountain to chop firewood and did not return for seven days. The mountain man found his brother’s clothes, axe and pickaxe in the forest, and later found signs of a struggle and picked up bear hair. He knew that the bear had eaten him. He held a funeral for him. His daughter and brother had been in love since childhood. She cried bitterly at the funeral and was heartbroken. As a result, she became so thin.”

"However, I had doubts in my heart, so I talked with the woman and asked her about everything. I learned that after her brother died, she fell seriously ill. After that, she disliked sunlight, did not eat hot food, and did not want to see open flames."