Chapter 399: Reflection Wall, Mountains and Rivers, Old Friends — Falling Petals and Shattered Jade, Wisdom Triumphs over Divine Ability
Original Mountain.
Reception Hall.
“Honored guests, please be seated.” Lin Bufan walked in calmly, waved his sleeve, and sat down slowly.
Zhu Xuanji, Shen Lingshu, Ning Jiufan, Ning Zhuo, and Lin Shanshan all took their seats one after another.
Lin Bufan raised his hand slightly, signaling the attendants of the Myriad Medicines Sect to serve spiritual tea and pastries.
Ning Jiufan stroked his beard with a smile and spoke first: “The tea and pastries are not important. Sect Master Lin, please speak about the Radiant Reflection Wall in the Ten Thousand Demons Cave.”
At these words, everyone’s attention was immediately drawn.
Ning Zhuo also chuckled: “So that’s how it is. The treasure within the Ten Thousand Demons Cave is the Radiant Reflection Wall? Forgive this junior’s ignorance, I have never heard of such a thing as a Radiant Reflection Wall.”
The two of them, grandfather and grandson, coordinated seamlessly, one left and one right, pressing forward together, surrounding Lin Bufan at the main seat.
This made Zhu Xuanji glance over, while Shen Lingshu raised a brow.
After Ning Zhuo had revealed himself, he had already transmitted a secret message to Zhu Xuanji, explaining how he discovered the treasure in the Ten Thousand Demons Cave. His original intention was to seek a cure for Granny Yuan, coveting the Ten-Thousand-Year Fire Essence of Mount Huoshi, but the unexpected happened. Granny Yuan and Ning Jiufan were subdued by Lin Bufan and became captives. He begged Zhu Xuanji to rescue them!
Shen Lingshu thought secretly: “This Ning Zhuo is truly skilled in schemes! By inviting Zhu Xuanji this time, he aimed to borrow the royal family’s authority and the renowned reputation of the Detective to counterbalance Lin Bufan.”
“Zhu Xuanji has walked straight into the trap! Yet, he has no choice but to step into it.”
“Let’s see what mystery this Radiant Reflection Wall holds.”
Zhu Xuanji, however, was full of admiration.
He thought to himself: “This Ning Jiufan has remarkable courage. A moment ago, he was reduced to a captive, and now he speaks as if nothing matters.”
“The bold spirit of the northern lands is indeed praiseworthy.”
Lin Bufan’s heart was heavy.
He was well aware of the current situation!
Though he appeared to hold the main seat, having operated here for over a hundred years as a local tyrant, in truth, he was the weakest in terms of standing.
The combined strength of Ning Jiufan and Ning Zhuo, along with Zhu Xuanji and Shen Lingshu, was already enough to make him wary. Not to mention the vast forces backing them.
“Zhu Xuanji and Shen Lingshu arriving together—most likely there are also hidden powerhouses from the royal family in the shadows.”
Outnumbered, defeat was inevitable.
The moment Lin Bufan welcomed Zhu Xuanji and Shen Lingshu into the Myriad Medicines Valley, he already understood this.
What he needed to do now was find a way to stand firm in defeat and safeguard both himself and the interests of the Myriad Medicines Sect.
Thus, facing the “attack” from the Ning family’s grandfather and grandson, Lin Bufan did not directly admit or explain what the Radiant Reflection Wall was.
But he also knew he could not remain silent.
So, pointing to the tea that had already been served before them, he said: “Back then, I was merely a Golden Core cultivator, my talent insufficient, unable to break through to Nascent Soul.
“In frustration, I chose to travel afar, seeking opportunities.
“Heaven took pity on me, and in the Ten Thousand Demons Cave, I accidentally entered a formation and encountered Zhang Huaixu.”
Zhu Xuanji frowned: “The Grass Sage Zhang Huaixu?”
Lin Bufan nodded.
Zhang Huaixu was a historical figure, born after the Forbidden Dynasty and before the Night Rain Dynasty.
In his youth, he practiced the Way of Confucius, known for his upright and proper calligraphy. After being demoted from office, he devoted himself to planting grass and trees, nourishing life, and nurturing his emotions.
In time, he gained enlightenment through grass and trees, taking heaven and earth as his teacher, merging nature into his cultivation of mind and spirit. He developed his calligraphy, creating a unique wild cursive style called “Grass and Wood True Words,” each stroke naturally formed, as if sprouting from nature itself. His writing could be as swift as a storm or as gentle as drifting clouds, each character carrying the Dao’s resonance.
Later generations revered him as the Grass Sage!
The historical records clearly noted that the Grass Sage had long passed away. For Lin Bufan to encounter him in the Ten Thousand Demons Cave meant this Grass Sage was not the original one, but something connected to the Radiant Reflection Wall.
Sure enough, Lin Bufan continued: “What I encountered was, of course, not the Grass Sage himself, but the image he left behind after discovering signs of the Reflection Wall here—an echo of his fate. You may also understand it as a Dharma Body.
“Though I lacked natural talent, the Grass Sage’s Dharma Body gave me guidance and imparted part of his legacy.
“With this legacy, I comprehended a portion of the Grass and Wood True Words, succeeded in cultivating spiritual herbs, and by that means broke through from Golden Core to Nascent Soul.”
What followed was precisely the information that Ning Zhuo, Zhu Xuanji, and the others had already gathered.
Relying on his Nascent Soul cultivation, Lin Bufan rose to become the leader of the Myriad Medicines Sect. He carried out sweeping reforms, eradicating dissent, cleansing corruption, and restoring the sect to strength.
His most famous measure was bypassing the old restrictive contracts by relocating the entire sect headquarters. This rendered many of the old contracts worthless scraps of paper, stripping the older powers of nearly all their benefits.
Lin Bufan said: “I paid a heavy price to move the entire sect into the Myriad Medicines Valley. On the surface, it was because of the abundant spirit springs here, suited for cultivating medicinal herbs and utilizing the Grass Sage’s legacy to the fullest.
“In truth, I wanted to continue seeking the opportunities hidden within the Ten Thousand Demons Cave.
“But time and again, when I tried to enter deeper, I was blocked by formations. Though I failed repeatedly, never did it shake my resolve.
“One day, the Grass Sage Zhang Huaixu appeared once more and told me the Spirit Wall was of utmost importance. Even if unclaimed, its destined master must be a pillar of humanity, a genius among geniuses. It could never be the private possession of someone as ordinary as me, and he urged me to abandon my hopes.
“This left me dispirited for many days.
“Moved by inspiration one day, I created this tea. Please, everyone, have a taste.”
The people in the hall were caught off guard.
They had been listening intently to Lin Bufan recounting hidden secrets, but unexpectedly he shifted the topic to the spiritual tea.
Yet, having listened so carefully already, their focus lingered, and all eyes turned unconsciously to the cups before them.
The cups were simple, resembling red pottery. Their surfaces were uneven and pitted, giving a crude appearance.
Inside, the tea leaves were orange-red like the autumn sunset, faintly showing patterns resembling mountains and rivers.
Shen Lingshu became intrigued and was the first to raise his cup for a sip.
He savored it, then praised: “Excellent tea.”
Ning Zhuo also took a sip.
At first taste, it was slightly astringent, with a subtle woody fragrance, like the cool air that greets one at the entrance of a forest.
As the tea slid down, its flavor deepened, turning faintly sweet, leaving an endless aftertaste.
When finished, a soothing warmth lingered in the throat, as though one beheld boundless mountains and rivers standing still in the flow of years. Voices of old friends seemed to whisper at one’s ears, filling the heart with melancholy.
Seeing everyone drinking silently, Lin Bufan spoke at the right moment: “This tea was created by me. I named it ‘Mountains and Rivers, Old Friends.’ Its tea trees are rooted in the most barren soil, and only by daily infusion of spiritual liquid refined from thousands of herbs can they grow and bear leaves.”
“I was moved by the predecessors, and I took this as my aspiration, renewing my efforts.
On one hand, I deliberately sought out many orphans and young children, tested their talents, and took them all as disciples. On the other hand, I had the Mountain God of Original Mountain infiltrate the Myriad Medicines Valley as well as the other three peaks, as part of a long-term scheme. Finally, I carried out new policies, drawing in cultivators to station themselves on the Lesser Strife Peak, encouraging them to fight continuously. By this method, I sought to win the favor of the Reflection Wall.”
“The Radiant Reflection Wall was originally a wall within the palace of Immortal Consort Jingyu. Learned in both heaven and humanity, Immortal Consort Jingyu used the Martial Emperor’s collections to study and practice the techniques gathered from across the entire world at that time. Over time, the wall gained spirituality and acquired wondrous powers.”
“It can reflect all manner of people in the world, preserving certain images. You may understand it as a special kind of Dharma Body.”
“The Grass Sage Zhang Huaixu whom I once encountered was one of them, deliberately left behind by the Sage himself at the time, to gift later generations with his legacy.”
The hall fell into silence.
On one hand, everyone was rapidly digesting the shock of this hidden information. On the other, they could not help but feel deeply moved.
Lin Bufan had suffered setbacks, yet he did not give up. Instead, he opened new paths, trying every possible method.
He had operated here for over a century. This was a plan of solitude spanning a hundred years, steadfast and patient, biding his time.
The spiritual tea he created, “Mountains and Rivers, Old Friends,” was no less than a declaration of his own aspiration. He wished to emulate figures like the Grass Sage Zhang Huaixu, holding ambitions that endure through the ages, unshaken as mountains and rivers!
Lin Shanshan’s eyes grew misty, her heart most deeply touched.
Only now did she understand the painstaking devotion of her father. To scheme and plan for a hundred years—how difficult such a thing truly was.
Ning Zhuo, meanwhile, exclaimed inwardly at Lin Bufan’s brilliance.
Clearly, Lin Bufan was in a passive situation, pressed into disadvantage by Ning Zhuo’s schemes and the strong support of Zhu Xuanji. Yet Lin Bufan’s demeanor and bearing were truly formidable.
He took on the challenges posed by the Ning family’s grandfather and grandson, seemingly confessing his past and revealing the secrets of the Radiant Reflection Wall. But in truth, he was using this chance to declare his aspirations, the hardships he had endured, and the immense effort he had poured into seizing this opportunity!
Even someone like Ning Zhuo, after hearing these words and tasting the tea, could not help but sigh at Lin Bufan’s perseverance. His hostility diminished greatly, replaced with understanding.
Lin Bufan continued: “Top-tier talent is extremely rare. After searching for many years, I found nothing.
“I took on many disciples, hoping that by sheer numbers, one might succeed.
“And in the end, only one person was favored by the images of several ancient sages within the Reflection Wall, receiving their repeated guidance.”
“That person is my eldest disciple, Linghu Jiu.”
“In my heart, I was gratified, yet I also knew well—my beloved disciple is naturally indolent, candid in temperament, especially when drunk, often venting his feelings without care for propriety.
“It is precisely, ‘success comes from Drunken Moon Seeking Immortals, and failure also from Drunken Moon Seeking Immortals.’ Since Linghu Jiu possesses such talent and such a nature, all I can do is make up for his shortcomings.”
“Thus, I hid the truth from him. Secretly, I devised a wine and named it Deep Thought and Brewing Intent, tricking him into believing that it was the wine, together with his talent, that allowed him to commune with the underworld and receive the sages’ guidance.”
“In reality, so long as one is within the bounds of the Myriad Medicines Valley, even without entering the underground caverns, if chosen by an image of an ancient figure within the Reflection Wall, a cultivator can receive its legacy.”
Ning Zhuo nodded slightly.
Back when he had once again met the Five Elements Divine Lord beneath the Lingyin Willow, he had indeed found it strange.
Hearing Lin Bufan’s words now confirmed it.
Lin Bufan’s words ought to be true.
Ning Zhuo was inclined to believe.
Not because he trusted Lin Bufan’s character, but because he trusted Zhu Xuanji. As a Detective, Zhu Xuanji’s eyes often shone with golden light, a sign of his ability to discern lies. Back in Huoshi Immortal City, he had already used this method many times.
At this moment, Lin Bufan cast his gaze upon Ning Zhuo, his smile tinged with bitterness: “I thought everything was secure.
“Who would have expected that when Young Master Ning Zhuo first met my disciple, the two hit it off at once, and he even shared the Deep Thought and Brewing Intent with you.
“Ordinary wine tasting would be fine, but it just so happened that Young Master Ning Zhuo also gained the favor of the Dharma Body of the Five Elements Divine Lord, receiving his legacy.
“To obtain such a gift while drunk in the caverns would be one thing. But Young Master Ning Zhuo, after entering the Cave Residence in the Lesser Strife Peak, again received the Divine Lord’s legacy.”
“For any other cultivator, such blessings would have brought endless joy. But Young Master Ning Zhuo’s mind is meticulous and temperament exceedingly steady. Upon finding a flaw, he seized upon it firmly and acted as swiftly as lightning, leading my disciple straight to the formation and discovering the hidden mountain passage that leads to Original Mountain.”
At this, Lin Bufan sighed deeply, his expression bleak.
Ning Zhuo’s heart leapt—this was not good. He opened his mouth to speak.
But Lin Bufan added: “Having had tea, why not try these pastries?”
“These pastries were not my creation, but the joint work of my daughter Shanshan and my eldest disciple Jiu’er. They are called Falling Petals, Shattered Jade.”
At this point, Lin Bufan had completely seized control of the conversation, leaving Ning Zhuo no room to maneuver.
Ning Zhuo chose to endure, following Lin Bufan’s lead and taking a piece of pastry.
The pastry’s surface was a pale gold, with mottled cracks. Sprinkled atop were a few sesame seeds and almond fragments, visually like scattered petals upon jade, elegant and refined.
Upon chewing, Ning Zhuo discovered that inside was a soft, glutinous body, unevenly filled with raisins, orange peel, pomelo peel, and almond fragments.
He ate three pieces in succession and found each one tasted different.
This was because the ingredients within were unevenly distributed, making each bite a new surprise, prompting curiosity—what flavor would the next one bring?
The raisin’s sweet tang? Or the bitter-sour of orange and pomelo peel? At times the crispness of almonds? Each taste was different, like the variables within a grand plan, unpredictable.
The pastry’s texture grew more layered with each chew, shifting from soft to a delicate stickiness. The sudden burst of raisin or orange peel brought unexpected delight.
Ning Zhuo had an insight and praised Lin Shanshan’s creation.
But Lin Shanshan quickly demurred, saying it was only a childish game, a task her father had set her that she grew impatient with after making just the base cake. She had sought the help of her Senior Brother.
Linghu Jiu, however, being indolent, drank heavily while making the pastry, leading to the uneven distribution of ingredients.
Yet the mistake became a happy accident, creating the unique quality of Falling Petals, Shattered Jade.
Zhu Xuanji, Shen Lingshu, and the others each tasted the pastry and gained their own reflections.
In the next moment, Lin Bufan’s words confirmed their insights. The Sect Master of the Myriad Medicines Sect spoke slowly: “Falling Petals, Shattered Jade was a surprise gift from the younger generation to me as their elder.
“It also told me that children and grandchildren have their own blessings and fates. As an elder, if I only insist on arranging everything according to my own will, it may be but a form of folly, something I should not force too much.”
“Alas… hearts do change.
“In the past, I took on many disciples, guiding them in cultivation, all for the sake of the Radiant Reflection Wall.
“But now, I only hope that these juniors may grow steadily and securely.
“For example, Young Master Ning Zhuo’s arrival at the Myriad Medicines Sect has been like this Falling Petals, Shattered Jade, bringing immense joy to the entire sect!
“Your interactions and fated encounters with my daughter Shanshan and my eldest disciple Jiu’er are like these ingredients combining, creating a pastry with a unique and novel flavor.”
“Alas, I am old now. I only hope that you may all have good fates and good fruits in the future!”
Lin Bufan spoke with heartfelt sincerity, his tone that of a kind elder worrying for the younger generation.
Ning Zhuo sighed inwardly: “Brilliant, truly brilliant!
“I have learned, learned so much.”
With such words, Lin Bufan turned defeat into advancement.
The atmosphere in the Reception Hall grew much more relaxed. Zhu Xuanji and Shen Lingshu had come with heavy pressure, with an air of demanding accountability. But now, both of them felt much goodwill towards Lin Bufan and greater understanding of him.
Through tea and pastry, Lin Bufan had subtly expressed his ideals, winning others’ recognition. While preserving his dignity and authority as Sect Master, he also drew closer to the Ning family through Ning Zhuo, Lin Shanshan, and Linghu Jiu, turning enemies into friends to the greatest extent possible!
Truly, Lin Bufan lived up to his reputation as the man who had held power over his sect for a hundred years.
With such a leader, how could the Myriad Medicines Sect not thrive?
Ning Zhuo was ashamed to realize that compared with Lin Bufan’s skill in human dealings, his own frequent use of Life Hanging by a Thread was but regression, laziness, and lack of progress.
“Sect Master Lin Bufan is a true outstanding figure!
“I must take him as a model and study well!!
“If I always rely on Life Hanging by a Thread, how could I ever improve in this aspect?
“No matter how powerful Life Hanging by a Thread is, it is still limited by cultivation. It cannot be planted into a Nascent Soul, and even planting it on Linghu Jiu would be noticed.
“But such skill in dealings—like spring rain that falls silently, nourishing without a sound—
“Marvelous, truly marvelous.”
At once, Ning Zhuo resolved that he would rely less on divine abilities in the future and focus on developing his own potential.
Using divine abilities was not hard. What was hard was to do without them and still act with ease.
Such a state and ability—today, Ning Zhuo had seen it embodied in Lin Bufan.
“Indeed, techniques are limited by cultivation, but wisdom is boundless!”