Chu Caiwei pursed her lips, her bright almond eyes following that figure until he plunged into the golden bowl. Even then, the beautiful big-eyed girl couldn’t shake off the scene she had just witnessed.
How magnificent… she thought.
“Young Master Xu is truly godlike,” the white-robed Taoist adepts exclaimed sincerely.
This way of performing miracles in front of people was, for them, somewhat too fashionable and innovative, causing a huge impact on their hearts.
In comparison, Senior Brother Yang, who would only repeatedly mutter “There’s no one like me in this world,” seemed quite inferior.
Thinking of this, the white-robed Taoist adepts and Chu Caiwei instinctively looked towards Yang Qianhuan, only to see Senior Brother Yang convulsing.
“So it can be done like this… so it can be done like this… In front of countless commoners of the capital, in front of the dignitaries of Great Shang, boldly drinking wine, reciting poetry, gallantly accepting the challenge.
“Why do I feel my brain trembling just by imagining myself in his place? This is the ultimate I’ve been pursuing, this is the feeling I’ve wanted, yet he achieved it so effortlessly…
“No, this was supposed to be my chance, my chance ah, Master Supervisor… has… misled me.”
On the roof of a tavern on the outskirts, Chu Yuanzhen sighed, “Impressive, truly impressive. This skill of attracting attention is unparalleled in history. Even when I topped the imperial exams, I wasn’t as glorious as him.”
“Amitabha, that’s why Lord Xu is a marvelous person,” Hengyuan smiled.
People with Lord Xu’s personality are far more interesting than rigid scholars, and much easier to get along with than martial artists who draw their swords at the slightest provocation.
This is probably why the courtesans of the entertainment districts like him so much. Besides craving his poetry, his personality is also attractive to women.
“He’s gone in.”
In the crowded throng, a commoner pointed at the “painting” projected in mid-air. At the foot of the majestic mountain, a cloaked man appeared.
…
That show-off was worth 99 points out of 100, I deducted 1 point because it felt a bit cringeworthy… But as long as I pretend not to be embarrassed, it’s a perfect 100… It feels quite good to be a bit chunni occasionally… Xu Qi’an was summarizing his performance while looking around.
This world seemed real, perhaps it was real. He had arrived in a small world created by the great supernatural powers of Buddhism.
The Buddhist mountain was towering and majestic, wreathed in clouds and mist, like an otherworldly paradise.
Faint Buddhist chants could be heard, involuntarily calming one’s mood, abandoning all worldly troubles, leaving only peace and joy in the heart.
Before him was a winding stone staircase, extending into the depths of the clouds and mist.
Xu Qi’an expanded his perception, sensing for a moment, but detected no signs of life. Insects, birds, and beasts were extinct here.
“The young monk Jingsi is guarding the middle of the mountain, so this probably isn’t the first checkpoint. What is the first checkpoint?”
With this doubt, he began to climb the mountain.
After walking peacefully for a quarter of an hour, Xu Qi’an saw a small stone tablet appear beside the stairs, inscribed with: “Eight Sufferings!”
…
“The eight sufferings of life: birth, aging, sickness, death, separation from loved ones, meeting with the despised, unfulfilled desires, and the flourishing of the five aggregates…”
Master Du’e’s compassionate voice rang out, echoing in the audience’s ears: “This first checkpoint is the Eight Sufferings Array. Only those with firm minds are qualified to climb the mountain and continue to accept the test of Buddha’s teachings.”
On the Eight Trigrams Platform, Emperor Yuanjing, wearing a Taoist robe, stood at the edge, overlooking the square, and said in a deep voice: “We have heard of this array. Supervisor, how powerful is this Eight Sufferings Array?”
“It’s not a question of power, it’s the kind of array that’s particularly wearing on people,” the Supervisor sipped his wine and explained to Emperor Yuanjing:
“If a young child enters the Eight Sufferings Array, they could easily come out. The more experienced in life a person is, the harder it is to break the array. In Buddhism, this Eight Sufferings Array is used by monks to temper their state of mind.
“Some people go through the test and their state of mind becomes more perfect. Others get trapped in the eight sufferings, and their Buddha’s heart shatters.”
Emperor Yuanjing immediately became solemn: “If even Buddhist high monks are like this, what about him?”
The Supervisor smiled: “How could it be easy to win against Buddhism in a debate? Just this Eight Sufferings Array alone, in this capital, those who can pass through safely can be counted on one hand.”
Hearing this, Emperor Yuanjing frowned deeply.
Those in the capital who could pass through the Eight Sufferings Array could be counted on one hand, and he didn’t believe Xu Qi’an was among them. This had nothing to do with talent, but with temperament, insight, and also the system one belonged to.
How could a martial artist face the Eight Sufferings Array used by Buddhist monks to temper their Buddha’s heart?
If Buddhism emphasizes a thorough Bodhi heart, then martial artists are uninhibited, with a muddled heart.
“If we lose this battle, the originally equal alliance relationship will tilt…” Emperor Yuanjing thought.
This was what he was most worried about. Compared to twenty years ago, Great Shang’s national power had weakened severely and was no longer comparable to the Western Region’s Buddhism.
But this was an unspoken fact, no one would say it. However, if they lost this debate and it was recorded in history books, it would be equivalent to putting the matter out in the open.
When later generations study this period of history, they would think that in Yuanjing’s later years, Great Shang’s national power weakened, and he, as emperor, was not a ruler who revived the country, but a mediocre emperor.
“We can’t lose, we must win no matter what. We have three chances. If Xu Qi’an loses, Supervisor, you’d better choose a capable person,” Emperor Yuanjing said word by word.
…
“Is this array so terrifying?”
After listening to Hengyuan’s explanation, Chu Yuanzhen was greatly shocked.
“With Xu Ning Yan’s temperament, I’m afraid he won’t pass the test of the Eight Sufferings Array,” Chu Yuanzhen mused.
“Perhaps you should be more confident and remove the ‘I’m afraid’,” Hengyuan said helplessly:
“This Eight Sufferings Array is used by high monks who practice meditation to temper their Buddha’s heart. If warrior monks fall into it, at best their state of mind shatters, at worst they go mad and lose their sanity.”
This… Chu Yuanzhen’s face changed slightly: “Buddhism is excessively vicious, do they want to destroy Xu Ning Yan?”
Hengyuan said in a deep voice: “The Eight Sufferings Array has another function…”
…
“No fluctuation of energy, no feedback of danger, the Eight Sufferings Array won’t attack me.” Xu Qi’an stood beside the stone tablet, not taking a step forward for a long time.
Never mind, let’s break the array first.
Xu Qi’an stepped onto the stone stairs, entering the array. In an instant, the scenery before his eyes changed. The Buddhist mountain faded away, the stairs faded away, and darkness covered his vision.
“Waa waa…”
He immediately heard the cry of a baby. The cry tore through the black curtain, and he saw white walls, white sheets, and a group of people in white uniforms.
A nurse was holding a newborn baby, wiping its body.
On the bed lay a woman with a pale face, drenched in sweat. Her features were delicate and very familiar.
“Mom…”
Instinctively, Xu Qi’an called out.
This wasn’t the birth of Xu Qi’an from Great Shang, but the birth of Xu Qi’an who grew up under the red flag, born in New China.
The child slowly grew up, and after experiencing the happiest childhood, he was forced to go to school. Day after day, year after year of schooling, heavy coursework dominated his youth.
Finally, he endured until graduation, grew up, and was ready to enter society.
At this time, his parents, now visibly aged, patted his shoulder and said apologetically: “You’ve finally graduated from the police academy. Mom and Dad can’t give you anything, you have to work hard on your own, buy a house, buy a car, marry a wife, it all depends on you.”
He entered the workforce, worked day and night, hanging his head high and piercing his thigh with an awl to stay awake, all to save enough for a down payment on a house. Finally, he made a down payment on a house.
Then another problem arose, no money for decoration…
Xu Qi’an learned from his pain, left his job, went into business, failed in business, and began a decade-long struggle.
Ten years later, he finally had a fully decorated house and some savings. It was time to start a family.
At this point, his father fell ill… A serious illness almost bankrupted him. His father’s health deteriorated, and he had to be responsible for supporting both elderly parents.
Because of this, his girlfriend of many years left him.
Shouldn’t I have died of alcohol poisoning at this point… He wanted to mock himself, but his heart became exceptionally heavy.
The scene changed. He finally got married before he was forty, married a fairly good wife, and the next year their child was born. The couple had a big fight over sending their child to a better school.
From then on, they lived for their child, raising him, and supporting his education, until one day, the child said: “Mom, Dad, I’m getting married, but I need a house. The girl’s family doesn’t want to live with you.
“Oh, before that, you need to prepare hundreds of thousands for the bride price. Just use Dad’s pension.”
Well, then let’s live frugally, provide most of our life savings, and pay the mortgage for the child. Isn’t this what people live for?
So, the son got married, had a marital home, and began his life. Then, the grandson was born, and the old partner was taken away because she had to take care of the son and daughter-in-law’s life and take care of the child.
Xu Qi’an began his life as a widower…
The end of this life was him lying on a hospital bed, ending his life. Before he left, only his equally aged wife was by his side.
At this moment, Xu Qi’an felt a sense of relief that he could “finally rest”.
One cycle ended, and the second cycle began.
From birth to death, he spent his whole life as a corporate slave, always striving to “live”. In his youth, he carried heavy coursework, in his young adulthood he struggled for the future, in middle age he struggled for his child, and in old age, he was still struggling for his child.
Except for the carefree childhood, it was only at the moment of his last breath that he truly felt “free”, feeling that he had shed all burdens.
“Is this the eight sufferings of life? Birth, aging, sickness, death, separation from loved ones, meeting with the despised, unfulfilled desires, and the flourishing of the five aggregates… What’s the meaning of such a life? My life isn’t like this, it shouldn’t be like this.”
In cycle after cycle, Xu Qi’an’s thoughts of entering monkhood grew heavier. A voice in his heart kept saying: Rest, rest, such a life has no meaning.
Let go of all this, and you’ll be free.
“No, no, my will is having problems…” He immediately realized that his thinking had gone wrong as if he had developed schizophrenia.
One voice enticed him to enter monkhood and seek freedom. Another firmly held onto his own ideals and thoughts.
The two consciousnesses collided within him, and Xu Qi’an painfully clutched his head.
“Think of something else, think of Fuqiao’s white buttocks.”
…
All his reactions were visible to the spectators outside, and countless people were worried for him.
“What’s going on? He looks like he’s in so much pain. But nothing seems to be happening.”
The Eight Sufferings Array acted on the mind, so outsiders couldn’t see into Xu Qi’an’s mental world and thus couldn’t empathize.
“…This is only the first checkpoint, and he’s already in such pain. How can he climb the mountain?”
A jianghu person heard this and sighed, “The difference is clear. This debate seems hopeless.”
They didn’t understand what the Eight Sufferings Array was. They only saw Xu Qi’an enter the “painting” and start climbing the mountain, but after just a few steps, he was in this state.
It was disappointing.
In the pavilion where the royal family was seated, Biaobiao clenched her delicate fists, her whole body tense, staring at Xu Qi’an without blinking, fully expressing her inner tension.
Huaiying held her teacup, never putting it down.
“Mother, Big Brother seems to be in a lot of pain,” Xu Lingyue said tearfully.
Aunt quickly looked at her husband, saw his face was as dark as water, and didn’t dare to ask. She comforted in a low voice, “It’s alright, it’s alright. Your big brother has always been capable. He wasn’t afraid of tens of thousands of rebels in Yunzhou, why would he be afraid of these bald monks?”
“Uncle, what’s wrong with my big brother?” Xu Lingyin pointed at the sky.
“Nothing’s wrong.”
Wei Yuan’s tone was calm, but the veins on the back of his hand gripping the armrest were bulging, his body unconsciously leaning forward, his eyes fixed on the “painting”, never moving away.
“Eight Sufferings Array!”
Prime Minister Wang Zhenwen snorted coldly: “This array is used by Buddhist high monks to temper their Buddha’s heart. If a martial artist falls into it and can’t break the array, their state of mind will shatter and they’ll be as good as useless. If they pass through safely, it means they have Buddha nature. You might as well take the opportunity to convert him to Buddhism.
“Arhat Du’e, what a cunning move. Slapping Great Shang’s face like this, aren’t you afraid of our million elite troops?”
As the Prime Minister of Great Shang, with the emperor absent, Wang Zhenwen was the spokesperson.
With his vast knowledge and mature political tactics, he spoke out Arhat Du’e’s calculations in just a few words.
Master Du’e chanted Buddha’s name, his tone serene: “Converting to Buddhism, how is that not a blessing?”
Chu Yuanzhen now understood the other function of the Eight Sufferings Array and also understood why Number Six Hengyuan had been hesitant to speak earlier.
Arhat Du’e’s calculation was indeed insidious.
The first checkpoint was to test Buddha’s nature. If Xu Qi’an had no Buddha nature and was destroyed, then so be it, Buddhism would win. If he had Buddha nature, there were still several checkpoints waiting, to convert him to Buddhism. This way, Buddhism would not only win but also severely slap Great Shang’s face.
If the person sent to debate ended up becoming a Buddhist disciple, that slap would be exceptionally harsh.
In the various pavilions, the dignitaries immediately changed color. Even the noble ladies and young misses who had originally just been watching the spectacle put away their playful attitudes and stopped chatting and laughing.
Biaobiao suddenly became nervous, her peach blossom eyes with slightly upturned corners widening as she urgently said, “Huaiying, Huaiying, the Prime Minister says if the dog slave doesn’t break the array he’ll be ruined, but if he does break it he’ll become a monk. What should we do?”
Huaiying frowned, her delicate brows knitting together. Although she was knowledgeable and well-read, her cultivation was merely passable. The current situation was beyond her capabilities.
“So would you prefer him ruined or as a monk?” Huaiying asked in return.
“I…” Biaobiao opened her mouth but couldn’t voice the answer in her heart.
The angry people weren’t just the dignitaries in the pavilions, but also the observing commoners. In Great Shang, the people living in the capital were the proudest, because they lived in the core city of the court and had the pride of being citizens of a great nation.
Because of Jingsi and Jingchen’s “provocations” recently, the capital’s citizens had long harbored resentment. Today, when the Department of Celestial Observation agreed to debate with Buddhism, people gathered here to watch before dawn.
“This is too much! The court is so weak, repeatedly being ridden over by Buddhism, and all those experts remain silent.”
Gazes focused on Xu Qi’an, tense and holding their breath.
Aunt suddenly heard a “crack” sound. It was her husband beside her, crushing the armrest of his chair.
Her delicate brows furrowed as she said with frustration, “Why did they choose Ning Yan for the debate? What… what can we do now?”
Her husband had spent twenty years painstakingly cultivating his nephew to build a foundation. If what that old official said was true, that failing to break the array would ruin him, then her husband’s twenty years of cultivation would be wasted in an instant.
Breaking the array wasn’t good either. The main branch only had Ning Yan as its sole descendant. If he became a monk…
Aunt turned back to look at her son and daughter. Xu Xinnian’s brows were tightly knitted, and Xu Lingyue was biting her lip, her pretty face full of worry.
…
“There is a third way to break this array.”
Amid his schizophrenia-like pain, a thought entered Xu Qi’an’s mind. It was the voice of Monk Shenshu.
“Don’t respond, don’t think about anything related to me, just listen. This array is used by Buddhist practitioners to temper their state of mind. Those who enter the array will have two outcomes: their state of mind becomes more transparent, or it shatters.
“For non-Buddhists, if they can endure the Eight Sufferings Array, it means they have Buddha nature.”
No wonder I had thoughts of entering monkhood, Buddhism is trying to destroy my mind… He thought while enduring the twisted mental pain.
Monk Shenshu’s thoughts came again: “Besides these two, there is another way: break the array with the power of all beings!”
Xu Qi’an waited for a moment, but Monk Shenshu didn’t speak again. Out of caution, he didn’t call out to Shenshu in his mind.
Breaking the array with the power of all beings… What does this mean? The eight sufferings of life, so the power of all beings is needed to break it? But where can I get the power of all beings? This isn’t an ability a martial artist should have…
The cycle continued, the Eight Sufferings Array “corroding” Xu Qi’an’s spirit. The bad thing was, that the idea of entering monkhood didn’t intensify, instead, the collision of two “personalities” made his spirit increasingly twisted.
This meant that Xu Qi’an indeed had no Buddha nature. If he couldn’t break the array, what awaited him was a shattered state of mind.
Xu Qi’an reviewed all his techniques: Heaven and Earth Slash, Heart Sword, Lion’s Roar, Face-Changing Technique, Nurturing Intent… Hm?
Nurturing Intent?
The sword intent nurturing technique Chu Yuanzhen taught him, using one’s own emotions as power, infusing it into the sword and unleashing it.
My current emotions are indeed very bad, but not enough to cleave open the Eight Sufferings Array… But thinking from a different angle, why must I use my own emotions?
Why not try to borrow others’ emotions? To nurture sword intent with others’ emotions.
As soon as this thought arose, it became unstoppable.
He closed his eyes, using the secret technique Chu Yuanzhen taught him to sense emotions. Only this time, instead of focusing on himself, he focused on the outside world.
To his surprise, he sensed the emotions from the outside world, emotions from the observing citizens of the capital… These emotions were like an ocean, mainly of tension and anger.
Are you angry too?
Then lend me your strength.
Xu Qi’an immersed himself in the ocean of emotions, absorbing the angry emotions. Gradually, a strong, boundless rage rose from the depths of his heart.
Like a wild tide, like thunder, like raging fire.
He unconsciously pressed on his scabbard, as if about to draw his sword.
“Not enough, still not enough…”
…
On Clear Cloud Mountain, at the Cloud Deer Academy.
The statue of the Second Sage suddenly began to shake, waves of righteous qi rushing to the sky.
A red wooden box hanging above the Second Sage’s statue also shook. Something unknown was sealed inside, seemingly about to break out of the box.
In a flash of clear light, Principal Zhao Shou appeared in the temple, staring at the red wooden box with uncertainty.
Immediately after, three flashes of clear light appeared as Li Mubai and the other two great Confucian scholars arrived to check the situation.
“What’s going on? Why is the Second Sage’s statue moving again…”
Li Mubai’s voice suddenly stopped. He stared at the red wooden box in disbelief, stuttering: “It, it… what happened to it?”
Principal Zhao Shou said eerily: “Someone has stirred the power of all beings. It has awakened.”
The three great scholars looked at Zhao Shou as if he was mad.
Zhao Shou ignored them, bowing deeply: “Please be calm, senior.”
The three great scholars snapped out of their daze and bowed in unison: “Please be calm, senior.”
The shaking of the red wooden box weakened, slowly returning to stillness.
…
“He’s about to draw his sword!” someone shouted hoarsely.
Among the watching crowd, some felt relieved because Xu Qi’an had finally made a move, no longer immersed in pain. This made them feel as if they had taken a reassuring pill.
Any responsive action was good; the worst fear was losing without any resistance.
Wei Yuan was stunned for a moment, not understanding Xu Qi’an’s action.
Not just him, anyone who knew about the Eight Sufferings Array couldn’t understand Xu Qi’an’s intention.
The Eight Sufferings Array wasn’t an enemy, what use was drawing a sword?
Was he going to cut himself?
“Father, what is he trying to do?” Miss Wang asked in a low voice.
“He can’t do anything,” Prime Minister Wang shook his head, saying disappointedly: “The best outcome is if he endures the Eight Sufferings Array… I don’t know why the Supervisor chose him.”
On the high tower, Emperor Yuanjing said in a deep voice: “Supervisor, is this the person you chose?”
In his view, Xu Qi’an’s behavior was no different from a cornered beast’s desperate struggle.
“Your Majesty… you didn’t feel anything?”
The Supervisor looked at him, his eyes filled with undisguisable disappointment.
Biaobiao shouted: “Draw your sword, draw your sword!”
As soon as she shouted, she was stopped by Imperial Concubine Chen, who scolded: “Stop shouting, it’s undignified.”
“Why isn’t he drawing his sword? Quick, draw your sword!”
At this moment, from among the surrounding commoners, someone shouted.
“Draw your sword!”
Immediately, others joined in.
More and more people joined in, the shouts growing louder and louder, until finally, the cries of “Draw your sword” filled the air.
“Draw your sword, draw your sword…”
The sound waves were like a tide.
…
“Enough!”
And so, Xu Qi’an drew his sword.
Clang…
In the peaceful Buddhist realm, a dazzling light suddenly burst forth. It was like the morning sun breaking through darkness like light cleaving open chaos.
This light wasn’t condensed from Xu Qi’an’s power, but from the power of thousands or tens of thousands of citizens of the capital at that moment, the power of unity.
Crack!
The stone tablet inscribed with “Eight Sufferings” was covered in cracks, then “bang,” it shattered.
Rumble…
The entire Buddhist mountain shook at this moment as if it was about to collapse.
This slash cut through the Eight Sufferings Array. The power of the Eight Sufferings Array came from this Buddhist realm.
Therefore, this slash cut through the power of this Buddhist realm.
“Crack!”
Another crisp sound, not from the Buddhist mountain, but from the outside world.
Master Du’e lowered his head in astonishment, seeing a crack appear on the golden bowl.
“The golden bowl cracked, the golden bowl cracked!”
Biaobiao stood up with a series of “Ah ah ah,” screaming while pointing at the golden bowl, stomping her feet incessantly.
The young girl’s screams echoed.
Hearing Biaobiao’s shouts, first, the dignitaries in various pavilions instinctively looked down at the golden bowl. They indeed found a crack in it.
“What? The golden bowl cracked?”
The surrounding commoners and jianghu figures couldn’t see the golden bowl, or couldn’t see it. Their hearts raced with great urgency, desperately wanting confirmation:
“Did it crack? Did the golden bowl crack? We can’t see clearly!”
Several jianghu figures standing at the front stood on tiptoes, constantly pushing those around them to adjust their position. Finally, they saw the golden bowl beside Arhat Du’e.
Looking closely, they saw a crack on the surface of the golden bowl.
“It cracked! The golden bowl cracked!”
With this voice, wild cheers arose, each wave higher than the last.
“Smelly bald donkeys, weren’t you so aggressive? Hmph, did you think our Great Shang had no one?”
“Hurry back to the Western Regions! The capital is not a place for you to strut and show off!”
This was truly a deafening roar of thousands.
The commoners were busy hurling insults and rejoicing, while the jianghu figures focused on Xu Qi’an himself.
At some unknown time, another brilliantly talented young man had appeared in the capital, whose name they had never heard before.
…
On top of Guanxing Tower, Emperor Yuanjing, overlooking his subjects’ jubilant cheers, smiled.
“Not bad!”
He praised satisfactorily, then asked: “Supervisor, what was that slash just now?”
When did Xu Qi’an become so powerful?
The Supervisor ignored him.
In the pavilion, Miss Wang pursed her lips, looking at Prime Minister Wang Zhenwen, and said in a low voice: “Father, didn’t you say he was bound to lose? Didn’t you say to pass the Eight Sufferings Array, only…”
“Alright, alright!”
The Prime Minister hurriedly waved his hand to interrupt, “Father admits he misjudged. Are you satisfied now?”
Though he said this, his expression showed no anger.
He drank some tea with a rather relaxed demeanor, saying: “Wei Yuan has gained another tiger general.”
At this point, his tone became somewhat gloomy.
In the Night Watchmen’s area, Wei Yuan let out a light breath, patted Xu Lingyin’s head, and said calmly: “That slash was mediocre, just passable.
“However, if it were you, could you break the array with one slash?”
The Golden Gong Bearers lowered their heads in shame.
The martial arts fanatic Yang Yan couldn’t help but ask: “How did he do it?”
Wei Yuan’s expression froze for an instant, quickly recovering to his usual calm demeanor of having everything under control: “When he comes out, you can ask him yourself.”
Lord Wei knew all along, no wonder he was so calm… The Golden Gong Bearers realized in their hearts.
The happiest was still Xu Pingzhi, who grinned, unable to hide his smile, in stark contrast to his previous state.
“Not bad,” the old lady muttered.
This lecher was indeed formidable, she had to admit that.
On top of the tavern, Hengyuan sighed: “An unbelievable slash, how did Lord Xu manage it?”
As he spoke, he turned his head to look at Chu Yuanzhen, only to find Number Four with a dazed expression, muttering: “How is this possible, how is this possible…”
As if he had gone mad.
Could Lord Xu’s slash just now have had such a strong impact on Number Four?
Hengyuan was stunned.
At this moment, Master Du’e’s voice rang out, each word clear and distinct in people’s ears:
“The Eight Sufferings Array was only the first checkpoint. The second checkpoint is called the Vajra Array. This humble monk observes that after unleashing that slash, the silver gong bearer is exhausted. Does he still have the strength to pass the second checkpoint?”
Hearing this, everyone immediately looked up at the “painting.”
Xu Qi’an was sitting on the stone steps, panting heavily, his face pale.
Even ordinary people who didn’t understand cultivation could see that Xu Qi’an was in poor condition.
This made them realize they had rejoiced too early. At this point, he had only passed one checkpoint, still at the foot of the mountain, far from the summit.