He changed Tiwat

"Embrace everything!"

Nothing happened.

Han Fulai twitched the corner of his mouth, even feeling somewhat relieved that Shen He couldn't see him trying to use his immortal power; otherwise, he would have been utterly humiliated. In his heart, Han Fulai silently cried out, "Zhongli, you'd rather send me a picture of me fishing than include an instruction manual for using immortal power!"

How exactly does one use this immortal power? He could only feel that there was indeed a force within his body, which seemed to make his movements more agile and powerful, and his physique seemed to have been enhanced, just like the legendary "internal force." But this power did not exist in the "dantian" or any other place as in martial arts novels; it only gave him the feeling that "there is indeed a force within his body."

...Could it be that this divine power is really just to enhance his physical abilities so that he can better work overtime for the people of Liyue?

Han Fulai shook his head. The only option now was to try to pull Shen He out of the magic circle. Fortunately, Shen He hadn't gone far after entering the magic circle.

He stood on tiptoe at the edge of the magic circle, barely managing to reach out and grab Shen He's shoulder.

The moment he touched Shen He's body, a complex feeling of loneliness and sorrow suddenly entered his heart.

A scene suddenly appeared in Han Fulai's mind: a girl dressed in plain clothes walking indifferently through a dilapidated village. He could even sense the subtle emotions in the girl's heart—as if it were his own experience.

On a sudden whim one night, Shen He secretly went down the mountain alone without telling his master. Relying on a picture of the old house he lived in as a child and vague memories, he kept walking south, back to his former hometown.

After more than a decade of spiritual practice in the mountains, she should have severed all ties with the mundane world. She didn't know if she still harbored any attachment to her family and relatives; she was merely following some vague sentiment, wanting to go back to the house she used to live in and see how her once stubborn father was living now.

However, when she returned to her hometown, she learned from her neighbors that her father had passed away several years earlier. The old house where she had lived as a child had also been pawned and demolished, and all traces of her memories had disappeared in the swaying wind and rain.

The sudden appearance of a strange young girl in white with white hair in a dilapidated village naturally attracted the attention of those around her. However, Shen He was completely unconcerned about the attention she received and refused to answer the various questions her neighbors had about her.

She simply stood silently in place, listening to the fleeting roar deep within her heart.

Resentment? Obsession? Relief?

In an instant, everything was there, yet nothing remained; only a still, ancient well remained in my heart.

Even a well that has completely dried up has lost its surface, where ripples can exist.

She stood there for a long time, and finally left amidst the astonished gazes of the people.

He walked slowly, never looking back.

Facing the girl's retreating figure, Han Fulai shouted with all his might:

"Shen He!"

The girl in white with white hair suddenly turned around, her icy eyes filled with confusion, and a single tear, like an icy crystal, still clung to the corner of her eye.

Chapter Seventy-Nine: Perfect and Sudden Cessation and Contemplation Break Through the Barriers of the Mind; The Spear of Annihilation Will Surely Hit the Target.

On a country lane, a white-haired girl walked alone. In a daze, she heard someone calling her name. She turned around abruptly, but there was no one in sight.

She is still all alone.

However, a different kind of emotion flowed into her heart—it was resentment and indignation, a suppressed roar, and a rebellion against the injustice of fate.

Shen He was very familiar with this feeling; she had experienced it once when she was six years old.

She suddenly realized that the person who had just called her name was the one who harbored this resentment and indignation.

At that moment, a memory suddenly appeared in Shen He's mind—someone else's memory.

Han Fulai was mentally prepared—if he wanted to pull Shen He out of the magic array, a part of his body, such as his hand, would inevitably enter the space of the magic array. This meant that he would very likely be trapped in this immortal array left behind by the True Lord Minghai Qixia at the same time as Shen He.

However, he still decided that he should try to pull Shen He out of the situation, not based on emotional impulse, but on rational judgment.

He made this judgment for two reasons.

The first point lies in the nature of this formation. This formation is not simply a protective array, but rather a "test" left by the True Lord of Minghai Qixia for future generations.

Shen He had previously told him that the Narakai Qixia True Lord was magnanimous by nature and wouldn't have cared too much about others taking his collection even while he was alive. From the scenery of the Narakai Qixia True Lord's grotto, one could glimpse that this immortal loved mountains and rivers and was close to nature. Such people are usually not very attached to material things. Now that the Narakai Qixia True Lord has passed away, he certainly wouldn't care about these things that one cannot take with him when he dies.

Furthermore, judging from Shen He's performance within the formation, this formation is at least not overtly aggressive; it doesn't contain damaging spells like wind, fire, or lightning, and certainly doesn't deal any physical damage. This makes it seem more like a test.

The reason why the True Lord of Qixia in the Sea of ​​Naruto would set up a formation is probably to ensure that his treasures would not be entrusted to the wrong person, and to test the wisdom and character of those who attempt to break through the formation—which is actually quite in line with the legendary behavior of immortals.

The second point concerns the safety of this grotto-heaven. Based on various indications, Han Fulai concluded that this grotto-heaven should be a very safe place.

Xingqiu's earlier warning to him was not without reason. Both the guardian mechanisms and the spawning demons could be threats to the cave. Han Fulai had previously appeared very confident about this trip in front of Xingqiu, mainly because he felt he could call on Xiao for help at any time, and he also had Shen He, a disciple of the immortals, by his side. Even if he encountered demons, he should be fine.

After breaking the seal on the entrance to the cave and receiving Zhongli's gift of immortal power, Han Fulai became even more certain of his judgment—Emperor Yan Wang had already scouted the place beforehand, so surely he wouldn't have left a death trap waiting for him to fall into? Although Zhongli wasn't very reliable when it came to bargaining, he was quite dependable in other aspects!

Of course, there is another important reason besides this—if he doesn't break this formation, he won't be able to get the "Mingxia Floating Life Stone".

It would be good to be able to pull Shen He out of his state of being bound by the magic array. Even if we were to get trapped in the array together with Shen He, we could just grit our teeth and break the array. At least there would be hope of waking Shen He up in the process.

Compared to his long and deliberate consideration, Shen He was much more direct, stepping into the formation with a simple "Try it and you'll see."

Han Fulai sometimes complains about the changes in himself. Since he transmigrated to Liyue, so many things have happened that have forced him to become somewhat cautious.

But no matter how cautious he was, his final conclusion was the same as Shen He's—"We'll know once we try." At most, he would add, "Anyway, it won't cost me anything."

Of course, being mentally prepared was ultimately beneficial. He discovered that even when affected by the formation, he could maintain a certain level of clarity.

After Han Fulai saw Shen He's memories and shouted at the Shen He in his memories, Shen He's figure disappeared.

Then he fell into a dreamlike state—he returned to China, to that internet company, and to the 996 lifestyle of a year ago.

Strictly speaking, this might not be an illusion, but rather his memory; he was playing the role of himself from that memory. Perhaps it was because he hadn't ventured too deep into the magic array, perhaps it was because he was mentally prepared, or perhaps it was because he now possessed immortal power. In any case, he knew that "himself now" was not the same person he was now.

Han Fulai was fully aware that he was being influenced by the magic array within the cave. Everything was like a lucid dream; his mind remained clear, but his body involuntarily moved according to his memories. It was as if he were observing his past life through his own eyes.

He watched himself commuting to work every day, crammed into the subway like a can, taking more than an hour each way; he watched himself being scolded by his supervisor; he watched himself working overtime at the company; he watched himself secretly glancing at civil service exam questions while working overtime; he watched himself liking selfies of goddesses on social media where he had no trace of himself; he watched himself emptying their shopping carts on every holiday; he watched himself calculating how long it would take to save up for a bride price in his tiny cubicle of less than ten square meters…

I kept reading until the day I failed the civil service exam, when I finally dialed my crush's number.

A familiar yet unfamiliar voice came from the phone, along with that familiar yet unfamiliar phrase, "Being with you is a waste of my youth."

Han Fulai chuckled.

He said, "Get out."

It was as if the mirror had shattered, and the illusion before my eyes had turned into fragments.

All the past failures, the humble and weak self of the past, and the humiliating memories buried deep in my heart... all seemed to vanish with the illusion just now.

Han Fulai regained control of his body and found himself still in the position of touching Shen He's shoulder. Shen He remained standing still.

Judging from the outcome, his attempt to awaken Shen He had failed. However, he didn't feel discouraged at all; even without Shen He's help, he believed he could break the formation on his own.

He felt completely relaxed. The world is so vast, where can't he go? He believed that everything depends on human effort.

Standing here now is Han Fulai, the Executive Deputy Secretary-General of Moonsea Pavilion, the political center of Liyue. Han Fulai, who was entrusted with important responsibilities by the oldest god on the Teyvat continent, is the Han Fulai who plotted and schemed to defeat the demon god and deceived the seven kingdoms with ease!

With a sudden realization, Han Fulai understood that the magic array left behind by the True Lord of Qixia of the Sea was designed to awaken a person's "inner demons," forcing them to confront the memories they least wanted to face.

Just as a demon like Xiao has to face its own "karmic obstacles," everyone has their own "karmic obstacles" to confront. For Han Fulai, his "karmic obstacle" is his past failed life. For Shen He, it is probably the experience Han Fulai witnessed—the longing to return to the human world, only to find himself unaccepted and lonely.

To overcome the "inner demon" summoned by the magic circle, outsiders are unlikely to be able to help; only Shen He can rely on himself. It's uncertain whether Shen He can figure it out... However, even if he can't, it doesn't matter, because he has already passed the test of the "inner demon" and can move within the magic circle. Now, he only needs to break the magic circle. The cube radiating white light from the incense burner in front of him looks very precise, yet also very fragile; it probably couldn't withstand a single brick.

As if sensing his thoughts, the core of the cube-shaped magic array, which was about to be shattered into pieces, began to rotate faster.

The sea of ​​clouds surged and churned, as if something was struggling to emerge from it.

Han Fulai was slightly surprised, but he quickly understood—the test of the magic array was not over yet.

Whether it's Qimen Dunjia or talismans of immortals, they are all traditions of Taoism. Taoism emphasizes "cultivating both nature and life," stating that "the creation of nature depends on the mind, and the creation of life depends on the body."

The "inner demons" are only the first test, testing one's mental cultivation. The next test will naturally be of one's physical strength. This is equivalent to passing a physical fitness test after completing academic exams.

A mechanical arm slammed heavily onto the ground of the sea of ​​clouds, and then a single eye flashing a dangerous red light emerged from the clouds.

Han Fulai, of course, knew what this was: the "Ruin Guardian," a humanoid combat machine representing the lost technology of the ancient kingdom of Kanria, affectionately known as "One-Eyed Treasure" by players. The Ruin Guardian was incredibly powerful; besides its impenetrable armor, it was also equipped with automatically tracking guided missiles. Back in the day, the four Ruin Guardians gathered on the beach of Lone Cloud Pavilion were known as the "Lone Cloud Pavilion F4," a nightmare for players.

If it had been a day earlier, Han Fulai would have only had two options upon seeing the guardian of the ruins: either run away or call for Xiao Shangxian to save his life.

But now he feels he has a third option—defeat the ruins guardian!

It's like defeating the weak version of yourself from the past.

Han Fulai suddenly felt a surge of power within his body, a power from immortal energy. The immortal energy arose from an unknown source, yet it surging through his limbs and bones.

Han Fulai was filled with heroic spirit. He imitated the style of fantasy novels, raised one hand high, and shouted: "Sword, come!"

What came was not a sword, but a long, light blue spear.

The divine eye on Shen He's braid shone brightly, and the "Disaster Relief" flew out of it and landed in Han Fulai's hand.

If Zhongli were here, he might marvel at the wonder of fate—many years ago, he had borrowed this gun and witnessed the falling out between his closest friends in the water-eroded cave beneath Yilongbu. Now, sensing Zhongli's immortal power, the gun seemed to be rushing towards an old friend he hadn't seen for many years.

Han Fulai, of course, was unaware of the key to this. When the "Disaster Relief" fell into his hands and came into contact with the immortal power flowing around him, it emitted a joyful tremor.

Amidst the tremors of the gun barrel, Han Fu naturally came to understand "pacifying disaster."

—This spear was forged from a meteorite from outer space. It is seven feet two inches long and bears the “Destruction Precepts” left by the forger, which can enable the wielder to attain the state of “perfect enlightenment”.

"Your former master was a Yaksha, wasn't he?" Han Fulai smiled and whispered to the spear in his hand.

The “precepts” are the four categories of precepts, which are traditionally believed to be the precepts established by the Buddha.

"Yuandun" means perfect and swift. The Tiantai school of Buddhism has a saying, "Yuandun Zhiguan," which is said to be the essence of the Lotus Sutra. It means that "all dharmas are inherently perfect and harmonious, and one dharma perfects all dharmas. If one is enlightened in a single thought, one can instantly enter the Buddha's position and instantly reach the Buddha's Dharma."

If we were to say what Liyue has in common with Buddhism, it would naturally be the Yaksha, one of the eight guardian deities of the Devas and Asuras.

Han Fulai gripped the gun handle, feeling the power of "pacifying disasters"—"perfect and sudden cessation of perception."

He had just broken through his mental barriers and was in a state of clear thinking. In addition, the "perfect and sudden" state that came with "pacifying disasters" made him, although he would not become a Buddha on the spot, he had the urge to learn from Shakyamuni, pointing one finger to the sky and one finger to the earth, and shouting "I am the only one who is supreme in heaven and on earth".

—Although he was completely ignorant of martial arts and couldn't even use a gun.

The ruins guardian, bracing itself with its hands, finally leaped from the sea of ​​clouds. Its single red eye scanned the area, locking onto the gun-wielding enemy before it. It trembled violently, as if setting gears that hadn't moved in years to a new routine, emitting a metallic, grating sound.

Han Fulai stepped forward slowly, his spear pointing diagonally at the ruins guard, striking a pose—a stance he had previously learned from Wang Shanting's notes on the ancient Hua School of spear techniques, "Thrusting the Bright Method."

The Ruin Guardian's long arms hung limply to the ground, and the bearings at its waist began to slowly rotate, causing its entire upper body to twist. It wasn't just stretching because it hadn't moved in a long time; it was brewing a terrifying killing move—the ultimate technique that had brought countless Genshin Impact players to their deaths and defeated countless adventurers of the Teyvat continent, "Transmission: Death Rotation."

As its upper body spun faster and faster, a metal tornado created by the ruins' guardians swept through the magic circle. Even steel and iron would be reduced to fragments if caught in this metal tornado.

Han Fulai, however, was smiling.

"Kanria has already been destroyed, and you're still trying to cause trouble? You'll be driven crazy!"

In the illusion, Shen He was still watching Han Fulai's memories. She couldn't understand the strange buildings and machines, nor could she understand most of the conversations in this memory, but she could feel the young man's efforts and unwillingness to give up. She saw Han Fulai, exhausted after working overtime on his birthday, returning to his rented room, slumped on the table, holding paper and pen, writing a poem. The poem was titled "A Small Self-Portrait on the Twenty-Fourth Day".

Within the grotto-heaven formation, Han Fulai channeled his immortal power, leaping high into the air. His azure spear gleamed, pointing directly at the one-eyed guardian of the ruins.

Surrounded by the metallic tornado guarding the ruins, he even found himself reciting poetry:

"The cycle of involution never ends; twenty years of endless exams exchanged for a single day off."

"Disaster Relief" pierced through the Ruins Guardian's single eye—its greatest weakness, as its control center was located behind the single eye.

The metal tornado stopped, and a plume of black smoke rose from the Ruin Guard's head as it slowly slumped down. The Ruin Guard will cease all movement until its control center repairs itself.

"Fortunately, the article did not meet Huang Zu; the housing prices are still as poor as those of Ma Zhou today."

Han Fulai fired two shots, accurately piercing the bearing connecting the Ruin Guard's arm and shoulder. With two "clicks," the Ruin Guard's arms detached from its shoulders.

Without the support of his arms, the ruins guard could no longer maintain his sitting posture and fell backward.

"It is simply that your talents are not suited for the world; is it truly that I am unworthy to be a marquis?"

Han Fulai leaped up again, swinging his spear in the air as if it were a large club, smashing the smoke-filled head of the ruins guard to pieces.

The clouds around the magic array surged and converged at Han Fulai's feet, forming a vortex in the sea of ​​clouds.

"Know that in my youth I had lofty ambitions and vowed to be the best among men!"

Han Fulai closed his eyes and finished reciting the last line. He channeled his strength into his arm and thrust his spear forward, creating waves of clouds as it aimed directly at the core of the magic array.

With a clang, the core of the magic array shattered into pieces.

Chapter Eighty: Utilizing Four Ounces to Transform a Thousand Weights, Gently Applying Tai Chi to Control with a Single Point

As the cube atop the bronze furnace was shattered by Han Fulai's "Disaster Relief," the scene in the grotto-heaven shifted once more.

The magic that separated the space has been broken, and the wondrous sea of ​​clouds in the cave no longer exists.

The strange mountains and ancient trees, the waterfalls and the sea of ​​clouds, all disappeared. What appeared before Han Fulai was a bronze furnace, a stone table and several stone benches, surrounded by exotic flowers and rare herbs, which seemed to be the place where the True Lord of Minghai Qixia used to receive immortal friends.

Inside the cave, there is a lake formed naturally by underground water flow. There are stone lanterns along the path on the lake, but the lanterns are not lit, clearly indicating that they have been neglected for a long time. The cave is filled with naturally formed stalactites and stalagmites. If it were equipped with professional colored lighting, Han Fulai was certain that the scenery of this cave would be no less than that of any scenic spot.

However, in this cave that has lost its owner, the only source of light is the strange rock in the distance that emits a faint green glow, making the entire cave scenery appear rather dim.

At this moment, a clear, cold voice entered Han Fulai's ears: "That is the 'Mingxia Floating Life Stone' we are looking for."

Han Fu turned around and saw Shen He walking towards him, her face still expressionless, making it impossible to tell that the sad and lonely girl in his memory was the same person as the one in front of him.

"You're awake." Han Fulai nodded, without mentioning what he had seen in the magic circle earlier.

"Yes, thanks to you, we were able to break through that magic array. Chongyun said your martial arts are unparalleled, and it's true." Shen He wasn't surprised that Han Fulai was able to break through the magic array. On the way to Liyue Harbor, Chongyun had told her the legend of the great hero Han she was looking for.

In Chongyun's description, Han Fulai is a master of the Ancient Hua Sect, possessing all three of the sect's secret techniques: the "Genesis and Restraint Method" and unparalleled proficiency in both spear and sword. His cultivation is so high that even immortals take notice. It was he who faced the attacks of the demon gods and the Fatui at the Jade Pavilion without fear, single-handedly protecting the immortals—this is, of course, a setting added by Liyue storytellers for Han Fulai.