Chapter 7

The next morning, he came out of the house with a smile, stretching a long yawn.

"Fellow Disciple." Fanning was practicing his boxing, greeting him without stopping.

"Hmm." Fakong responded.

After reading the *Moonlight Bodhisattva Wisdom Sutra* last night, it turned out as he had expected.

In the deep blue, tranquil void, there were three layers of lotus flowers under the Medicine Buddha.

Each time the *Medicine Buddha Sutra* was recited, three drops of sweet dew would fall.

One day could add seventy-two days to one's lifespan, and five days could add a year.

This speed was finally satisfactory.

He walked a few steps with a smile in the courtyard when a knock came from outside. Ning Zhenzhen's voice sounded: "Fellow Disciple Fakong."

Fanning, who was practicing in the courtyard, darted over to the door. After taking a deep breath and tidying his monk's robe, he gently pulled the door open.

Ning Zhenzhen entered with a purple sandalwood lunch box, smiling at Fanning and lightly stepping to the stone table.

Fanning blushed and clasped his hands in greeting.

Fakong sat down by the stone table: "Sister Ning, I should return after eating."

Ning Zhenzhen hesitated.

Fakong said, "Bao Shu should be fine now."

Ning Zhenzhen opened her cherry lips, wanting to say something but held back.

Fakong continued, "I also need to take care of the Medicine Valley; I can't stay too long."

The purpose of coming to Bright Moon Nunnery had been achieved, and he didn't want to get involved in any more trouble. He wasn't in a position to meddle in other people's affairs.

Just as Ning Zhenzhen understood him, he understood her.

He had offended her yesterday, and she had been cold to him. Today, her sudden smile must mean she had something to ask.

Ning Zhenzhen bit her red lip and said softly, "I have an aunt who has suffered from a mental disorder for years."

"I am skilled in herbs, not in medicine," Fakong replied. "I can help the tree, but not a person."

"Fellow Disciple, your Buddhist spells are profound. If they can help the tree, they should also help a person." Ning Zhenzhen's clear eyes showed a pleading look. "I hope you will show mercy and save Aunt Lianxue."

"It's not that I won't help, but I truly can't." Fakong shook his head.

"One Taiyin Fruit."

"…I really can't."

"Add one Taiyin Bone Washing Pill!"

"…Then I'll give it a try, but I can't guarantee the results!"

"Thank you, Fellow Disciple Fakong! I'll invite Aunt Lianxue over." Ning Zhenzhen turned and left.

Fakong had just eaten a few bites when Ning Zhenzhen returned, carrying a thin, haggard middle-aged woman.

Despite her emaciated and haggard appearance, the woman still exuded beauty. Her demeanor was as gentle as spring water. She apologized to Fakong, "Thank you for your trouble. Zhenzhen never gives up, and I can't do anything about it."

She knew her injury was incurable. They had tried all the best doctors, but none could help.

The Residual Heaven Finger was one of the six great techniques of the Residual Heaven Sect, extremely vicious and powerful. If one was struck, they could only survive if their cultivation was far superior to the attacker.

Fakong had no reputation in medicine and no cultivation, so even if he had cured the Taiyin Treasure Tree, she couldn't have much hope.

After so many disappointments, her heart was as dead as ashes.

Fakong put down his chopsticks and clasped his hands in greeting: "Aunt Lianxue, I'll give it a try."

"Thank you." Lianxue nodded gently.

Ning Zhenzhen carried her into the room, fetched a low bed, and carefully placed her on it, propping her back with a pillow.

Lianxue was so weak that she seemed to have no bones, relying entirely on the pillow to sit up.

Fakong sat in the small pavilion, closed his eyes, formed a hand seal, and recited the Spring Return Spell ten times.

Lianxue began to feel drowsy, becoming increasingly sleepy. Finally, she couldn't keep her eyes open and fell into a deep sleep, breathing softly.

Ning Zhenzhen gestured for everyone to be quiet.

Lianxue would wake up in pain whenever she was about to fall asleep. Living was a great torment.

Ning Zhenzhen took out a jade bottle from her bosom and handed it to Fakong.

Even if he couldn't cure Aunt Lianxue, this good sleep was worth the Taiyin Bone Washing Pill.

Fakong took the jade bottle and couldn't help but play with it.

Carved from green jade, it was exquisitely delicate, smooth to the touch, and faintly fragrant, carrying her scent.

Fakong pretended not to notice the scent, put the bottle in his bosom, and took out the *Taiyin Small Body Refinement* to flip through.

Ning Zhenzhen watched Lianxue out of the corner of her eye, afraid that her gaze might wake her.

Fanning stood still, looking at Ning Zhenzhen for a moment before turning his gaze to the distant sky.

The small courtyard was filled only with the sound of flowing water and rustling bamboo leaves.

Time seemed to stand still.

"Hmm…" Lianxue slowly opened her bright eyes, looking dazed.

She looked around and tried to sit up.

"Aunt!" Ning Zhenzhen rushed forward to support her, finding that Lianxue could now sit up.

Fakong put down the *Taiyin Small Body Refinement*: "The Spring Return Spell is limited in power and can't cure deep-seated ailments in one go. It needs to be used multiple times."

Lianxue looked at her hands in surprise.

She clearly felt her body becoming lighter and stronger.

"Fellow Disciple Fakong, what should we do?"

"If it doesn't work, come back to the Medicine Valley with me."

"…Alright!" Ning Zhenzhen nodded after a moment's hesitation.

"Zhenzhen!" Lianxue hurriedly said, "What's good about it!"

Ning Zhenzhen said, "Aunt, as long as the injury can be cured."

Lianxue shook her head gently: "It's too much of a disturbance, and it's inconvenient."

Fakong smiled: "Aunt Lianxue, my valley is independent of Vajra Temple, and I live there alone."

He understood Lianxue's concerns.

As a disciple of Bright Moon Nunnery, it was fine to meet Vajra Temple disciples occasionally, but living together would damage her reputation and the nunnery's name.

It would also cause trouble for Vajra Temple.

Lianxue hesitated.

"Aunt, it's settled!" Ning Zhenzhen said, "…Do you really want to give up? I certainly won't!"

How could she be content without avenging this?

Lianxue's bright eyes flickered.

Ning Zhenzhen looked at Fakong seriously: "Thank you, Fellow Disciple Fakong!"

Fakong smiled: "I'll do my best, but I must say in advance that Aunt Lianxue's injury won't be cured in a short time."

He had already discovered the limitations of the Spring Return Spell. It could cure diseases but not injuries.

The power of the Spring Return Spell was similar to the positive energy in traditional Chinese medicine, which expels negative energy, or disease, naturally curing the disease.

However, when it came to injuries, it could only speed up recovery, and the current power of the Spring Return Spell was weak, only slightly accelerating recovery.

He had a way to instantly heal Lianxue, which was the Sweet Dew Branch.

Although Lianxue was beautiful and gentle, she wasn't enough to make him consume his lifespan. He could use the Spring Return Spell to slowly heal her.

He could clearly feel the improvement in the Spring Return Spell as he used it, becoming more proficient and powerful.

---

Fakong was led by Fanning, and Lianxue by Ning Zhenzhen. The four of them left Bright Moon Nunnery and hurried towards Vajra Temple.

The scenery flew by, and Fakong felt satisfied.

The trip to Bright Moon Nunnery had been highly rewarding.

One day could add seventy-two days to his lifespan, and after a month, it would be six years. Using these six years, he could practice the Small Arhat Fist and the *Taiyin Small Body Refinement* in the Prajna Time Wheel Pagoda.

The Taiyin Treasure Tree bore fruit every five years, which would help him practice the *Taiyin Small Body Refinement*.

The Taiyin Bone Washing Pill was a great thing, a secret pill of Bright Moon Nunnery, capable of improving one's constitution.

This would enhance his constitution, and with the strange state in the pagoda, he could practice the Small Arhat Fist and the *Taiyin Small Body Refinement* in six years.

Once he mastered these, he would have a solid foundation, and practicing the Vajra Eight Extremes would be much faster.

Mastering the Small Arhat Fist would take him from the ninth to the eighth rank. With more effort, he could reach the fifth rank, giving him the ability to protect himself, even if he couldn't win, he could escape.

He pondered silently.

Lianxue fell into a deep sleep again due to the Spring Return Spell before they left.

Fanning, seeing that no one was talking, focused on the journey, especially not wanting to fall behind Ning Zhenzhen, which would be embarrassing.

The group traveled in silence.

"The *Taiyin Small Body Refinement* isn't actually suitable for you to practice," Ning Zhenzhen suddenly broke the silence.

Fakong said, "Oh—?"

"Your Vajra Temple martial arts are extremely yang. Practicing it might lead to mental disorder."

Fakong nodded thoughtfully.

"Actually, you could just practice the *Taiyin Small Body Refinement*. It's much stronger than your Small Arhat Fist."

Fakong smiled.

"Don't believe me?"

"Why is the *Taiyin Small Body Refinement* stronger?"

"How do our Bright Moon Nunnery martial arts compare to your Vajra Temple?"

"…Evenly matched."

Ning Zhenzhen smiled: "Fellow Disciple Fakong, did you gain any insights from the *Moonlight Bodhisattva Wisdom Sutra*?"

She didn't bother to argue.

"I read the *Moonlight Bodhisattva Wisdom Sutra* not to understand Buddhism," Fakong said, "but to appreciate the style of the first abbess of Bright Moon Nunnery through her handwriting."

"Writing reflects the person." Ning Zhenzhen's bright eyes sparkled. "The first abbess's style is truly inspiring."

The deeds of the founding abbess inspired them to practice diligently.

At the time, there were only seventy-two temples in the Great Snow Mountain. The first abbess of Bright Moon Nunnery, Abbess Mingyue, was a woman who dominated the era, and no one among the seventy-two temples could match her.

Thus, Bright Moon Nunnery was ranked among the top nine temples of the 108 temples in the Great Snow Mountain, all due to the legacy of Abbess Mingyue.

Fanning couldn't join the conversation and focused on the journey.

He envied Fakong's ability to chat with Ning Zhenzhen so easily, completely unaware of the tension between them.

When they arrived at the Medicine Valley, Lianxue woke up.

Fakong asked Fanning to build a pine wood house for Lianxue.

He went to Huinan, explained the situation, and wanted to stay in the Prajna Courtyard, leaving the Medicine Valley for Lianxue to stay.

Huinan, hearing that Fakong had cured the Taiyin Treasure Tree, stroked his silver beard and nodded, saying only, "Not bad."

He then explained the reason for the effectiveness of Fakong's Buddhist spells.

The elders of the Prajna Courtyard had studied and believed that Fakong might be the reincarnation of a bodhisattva, with the accumulated merit and virtue from his past life making him so.

This guess was close to the truth.