Karmic Opportunities and Awakening

Zhuang Xun knew he had to grant them the karmic opportunities destined for them. Failure to do so would undoubtedly impede the grand progression of events.

Inside a newly cleaned and refurbished, elegantly simple room.

Zhuang Xun followed the two brothers to the bedside of the Jiang mother and daughter.

Qin Zhaoyu, standing nearby, cast a glance at the pair of mother and daughter. The daughter was exquisitely adorable, possessing a delicate charm untouched by worldly concerns.

The mother was mature, beautiful, and graceful, clearly from a scholarly family, exuding a refined elegance honed by years.

And the curves concealed by the silk fabric… had they perhaps matured a little *too* much?

For a moment, Qin Zhaoyu couldn’t help but glance down at herself. Her own gently undulating hills.

‘It was fine; she still had room to grow!’

Zhuang Xun, however, did not share such peculiar observations. He merely observed the mother and daughter, whose complexions remained somewhat pale, contemplating how to restore the innate vital essence they had lost.

After all, a person’s vital energy originated from innate vital essence. If vital energy was insufficient, innate vital essence had to be used for complementary regulation.

Improper handling could lead to physical weakness and mental fatigue, inviting numerous ailments in the future.

“Have either of them woken up at any point?” Zhuang Xun inquired of the attendant looking after the mother and daughter.

“No, Immortal Master,” the attendant replied.

The attendant pondered for a moment, then suddenly recalled something peculiar. “Oh, and Immortal Master,” they added, “While the young mistress was unconscious, I often heard her calling out ‘husband’…

“She would also softly murmur, ‘Xun-lang, if only I could become an immortal too…’

“I wonder if it’s from pining sickness or something else entirely.”

Zhuang Xun, upon hearing this, stroked his chin and surmised, “She is likely still trapped within her inner spiritual landscape, unwilling to awaken, which is why she speaks such dreams.”

Didn’t Zhuang Xun understand the Daoist techniques he himself employed? Once a spell concluded, the inner spiritual landscape would no longer feel as real as it did during the casting.

It would transform into a dreamlike illusion, neither fully real nor fully false. With even a slight will to resist, one could break free from such a delusion.

As for Jiang Lishuang, she was simply too young, and her physical constitution hadn’t kept pace. A portion of her extreme yin energy had been drawn out, merely leading to some mental fatigue and exhaustion.

Sleeping for an entire day and night would be considered normal. However, for such a prolonged unconsciousness to occur… It could only mean one thing.

Jiang Ningwan herself was unwilling to resist, choosing instead to sink into it, avoiding reality.

Yet, whether the ‘Xun-lang’ she spoke of was truly him… Only by asking her directly would that question be answered.

After all, Zhuang Xun possessed self-awareness. He hardly believed himself to be the universally beloved type. It was unlikely that a mere few days of acquaintance could lead to such profound affection.

“Let me give them two more Spiritual Essence Pills to help them recuperate for two hours, then we’ll observe the effects.”

Zhuang Xun gestured to Shangwen, Shangwu, and the others, instructing, “You all wait outside for a while. Zhaoyu, you stay here and watch; I will impart some knowledge to you.”

“Then we shall wait outside for news from our Daoist friend.”

Shangwen led Shangwu and the attendant out, closing the door behind them.

Thump!

“…”

“Master, if you’re merely imparting knowledge, there’s no need to send them away, is there?”

“That’s because something inappropriate for viewing might occur shortly, so of course, they cannot remain here.”

Zhuang Xun took a slight step forward, establishing the central core of a divine sense isolation array.

“First, help both of them sit up, facing me. I’ll review the characteristics of human meridians and vital points with you again.”

“Oh.”

Qin Zhaoyu followed Zhuang Xun’s instructions, helping both the mother and daughter to sit up. She then positioned them in a cross-legged posture, directly facing Zhuang Xun.

“Remove their clothes and put these two spiritual garments on them.”

Two sheer, single-toned gowns appeared in Zhuang Xun’s hand, which he placed into Qin Zhaoyu’s.

“…”

Qin Zhaoyu felt the cicada-wing-like smoothness of the fabric, along with some subtly raised patterns. Most importantly, both spiritual garments were rather sheer, possessing a translucent, hazy quality.

They bore a striking resemblance to the intimate apparel she had only ever seen in certain specialty shops.

“Master, why don’t I try one on first?”

“Don’t overthink it. I hadn’t anticipated this situation today either. Hurry and change them into these.”

The reason Zhuang Xun insisted on dressing both mother and daughter in spiritual garments was his concern that when he circulated his energy, the spiritual qi might surge too powerfully. This could cause their clothes to suddenly burst open.

While these spiritual garments leaned towards a subtly alluring, intimate style, he currently had no time to re-weave new ones. They would have to do; as long as they prevented exposure of their private areas, it was sufficient.

After all, Zhuang Xun had never imagined a day would come when he would actually need them.

“…..”

“Then, Master, could you give me one afterward?”

“Hm?”

Noticing Zhuang Xun’s displeased gaze, Qin Zhaoyu immediately explained, “This disciple merely wishes to study the spiritual patterns carved upon them; I have no other intentions.”

“If you want to study them, I’ll teach you how to carve them when there’s time. You’re still young; you can’t wear these kinds of garments.”

“This disciple turns eighteen this year; I’m no longer young.”

“What I mean is, they’d probably be a bit loose and ill-fitting on you.”

Zhuang Xun’s blunt remark filled Qin Zhaoyu with no small amount of resentment. But she had to hold back; she couldn’t defeat her master yet, so coercive measures were out of the question.

“…..”

“This disciple will definitely grow up.”

With that, Qin Zhaoyu began to undress the mother and daughter. Zhuang Xun, ever perceptive, turned his back, consciously avoiding the scene.

Speaking of growing up, she had said the same thing three years ago, yet nothing had changed. Zhuang Xun had grown accustomed to her impractical remarks. He was too lazy to even comment anymore.

****

After a rustling of fabric, Qin Zhaoyu had dressed the mother and daughter in the spiritual garments. It had to be said, Jiang Ningwan’s proportions truly stirred a pang of jealousy in her.

“Alright, Master, please begin your spell.”

“Mm.”

Zhuang Xun hummed softly, turning to gaze at the two exquisite forms before him, each possessing its own unique charm. Six spiritual threads, as fine as white silk, gracefully extended from his fingertips, his eyes as calm as an ancient well.

“A mortal’s meridians consist of twelve primary channels and eight extraordinary ones.”

Three spiritual threads each entered Jiang Ningwan’s glabella, heart, and perineum. Similarly, the other three entered Jiang Lishuang’s corresponding points.

“The primary channels are the three yin and three yang meridians of the hands and feet, serving as pathways for vital energy and blood.”

A profound light continuously gleamed within Zhuang Xun’s eyes. He projected the entire meridian circulation and the state of associated organs of the human bodies before him into his mind.

“The extraordinary meridians are the Ren, Du, Chong, Dai, Yin Qiao, Yang Qiao, Yin Wei, and Yang Wei. They govern and regulate the twelve primary meridians.”

Following this, faint glows corresponding to all the body’s meridians gradually began to appear on the two women’s skin. Jiang Lishuang’s meridians all appeared, not a single one missing.

However, Jiang Ningwan’s situation was somewhat more complex. Aside from four of her eight extraordinary meridians being blocked and four open, her Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian, Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian, and Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian,

These four meridians all showed clear signs of yin energy stagnation, with a tendency to spread to other meridians.

“For cultivators, the foremost step is to draw qi into the body. Only by allowing spiritual qi to circulate smoothly within the body can one nourish the self with qi and prolong life.”

“Therefore, all twelve primary meridians and eight extraordinary meridians must be clear and unobstructed to reach the first threshold of cultivation.”

“Yet in the mortal world, from birth to adulthood, people consume all manner of grains and their minds are often restless. How many can maintain consistently clear and unobstructed meridians?”

Qin Zhaoyu listened, then recalling Zhuang Xun’s past words, stated, “So, only those born with naturally clear meridians, and who remain unimpeded later in life, can possess cultivation aptitude.”

“Precisely. If one has a spiritual root, their meridians are certainly clear, and their later life will be unaffected. However, clear meridians do not necessarily imply a spiritual root.”

Zhuang Xun’s fingertips subtly twitched, and a surge of supreme yang and righteous spiritual power instantly flowed into Jiang Ningwan, dispersing the yin energy stagnating within her meridians.

“Thus, while there are many martial artists in the mortal world, those with cultivation aptitude are exceedingly few.”

“In Jiang Ningwan’s case, if her meridians aren’t cleared, she will eventually become prone to anger, suffer from depleted heart qi, and have a poor appetite. Ultimately, she would live in melancholy and not meet a good end.”

Zhuang Xun then guided the spiritual threads into her *Dian Yi* point, shifting the energy from her heart to her *Dantian*.

“Master, are you clearing her eight extraordinary meridians?” Qin Zhaoyu asked, observing Zhuang Xun’s actions.

His technique closely resembled the one he used to clear her own meridians when she was a child. The only difference was that his spiritual threads back then had been an intertwining of blue and red.

Zhuang Xun had later explained it was to match her spiritual root. Therefore, he had used spiritual power with specific attributes to clear her meridians.

“After all, I am making use of them, so consider this a special form of compensation.”

Zhuang Xun knew well that for mortals, no amount of spiritual treasures or pills could compare to granting them a body capable of health and longevity. Especially for those engaged in commerce.

As for Jiang Lishuang, merely nurturing and clearing her meridians would suffice for the young girl. He wasn’t going to be her master anyway, and shaping her into a flawless body later wasn’t his responsibility.

He couldn’t be bothered. For Zhuang Xun to do extra work? Impossible. Not in this lifetime.

****

Half an hour later.

Jiang Ningwan’s fair forehead was now covered in a fine sheen of sweat, and her spiritual garment was soaked with a mixture of perspiration and impurities.

The sheer fabric clung to her body, highlighting her almost perfect curves with utmost clarity. At this moment, Zhuang Xun’s fingertips moved subtly, and the spiritual threads detached from his hand, flowing into her body.

“Mmm, ah~”

Jiang Ningwan’s delicate, cherry-like lips parted slightly as a mysterious yet gentle power erupted within her body. It spread rapidly from within, outward.

Boom~!

A powerful surge of energy swept away the surrounding silk floss. However, the spiritual patterns on her garment flickered, containing and suppressing this force.

It continuously evaporated the mixed liquids saturating the spiritual garment, gradually diffusing into wisps of swirling mist. The scent was quite peculiar.

“Cough, cough…”

Qin Zhaoyu coughed twice, covering her mouth and nose, then with a wave of her hand, opened the doors and windows.

“Master, this smell is so strange… When you cleared my meridians as a child, this never happened, did it?”

“Isn’t that obvious?”

Zhuang Xun curled his five fingers into a light grasp, and the swirling mist swiftly gathered in his palm. It gradually coalesced into a greyish-black ball of qi.

“You possess a spiritual root, and you’re still young, so you have very few impurities in your body. Unlike others, who are almost thirty and still possess a mortal body with blocked meridians. The impurities in their bodies are simply incomparable.”

Gradually, the swirling mist in the room diminished, all gathering into the qi ball in Zhuang Xun’s palm before dissipating into nothingness.

“……”

At this moment, Jiang Ningwan, sensing the unusual changes within her body, slowly opened her beautiful eyes. However, when her gaze fell upon Zhuang Xun’s face, as handsome as an immortal’s,

She seemed still immersed in the lingering afterglow of her dream, her consciousness not yet fully awake. She instinctively… softly called out… “Husband….”