Ming Zhitian couldn't help but ask, "Does this Nan'an Temple have both monks and nuns?"
The monk, unphased, replied, "Benefactor, that is not the case. King Shenwu embraces all things, and this is merely a small Nan'an Temple. Form is emptiness, emptiness is form. If you can discern the difference between male and female, it is difficult to traverse the long void. Just as you have female benefactors, I still allow you into the temple. As long as the heart is pure and the six senses are clear, one can encompass the world, absorb the sea, and embrace all hearts."
"Wow, little monk, your eloquence is wasted if you don't use it to woo girls," Ming Zhitian teased.
The group burst into laughter. The monk shook his head helplessly. "Shenwu shines together. Benefactor, do not mock this humble monk. Jingyuan, you shall guide these benefactors. I must go and sweep the courtyard."
Jingyuan nodded, "Benefactors, please follow me."
Nan'an Temple appeared small, but its grounds were extensive. After several turns, they arrived at a row of guest rooms.
The group freely chose their rooms, one for each person. Ming Zhitian and Buck shared one.
The night passed, and Nan'an Temple was very peaceful. Everyone slept soundly and woke up feeling refreshed.
After bidding farewell to the monks and nuns, they left the temple and encountered Hai Bububu and his four companions, who were just emerging.
Yan Lixue invited Ming Zhitian, "Would you two be willing to travel with us?"
Xiao Linglong wanted to agree, but Ming Zhitian waved his hand, "No, our paths diverge. We will go our separate ways."
Yan Lixue nodded, "Then please, do as you wish."
"Buck, let's go."
Xiao Linglong also got on Buck and waved goodbye to them. After Ming Zhitian and his group left, Xue Mingyuan grumbled with dissatisfaction, "They're just two poor cultivators. Why did you approach them, Lixue? See? You tried to be friendly, but they were cold."
Yan Lixue remained silent. Hai Bububu disliked his words. "What's it to you? Lixue-jie is happy to do it, isn't she?"
...
Following Xiao Linglong's previous visit, the two rode Buck towards Wanli Senmu, arriving three days later.
Before them lay a forest of leafless trees, with only trunks and no branches or leaves, a truly peculiar sight.
Ming Zhitian sighed with emotion, "This... is Wanli Senmu?"
"Yes, I'm so excited!" Xiao Linglong clasped her hands over her chest in anticipation, her face beaming.
Xiao Linglong opened her eyes, "Let's go."
Entering Wanli Senmu...
Suddenly, the forest stirred. Vines extended and intertwined, blocking their path: "Stop here. This is a restricted area of Wanli Senmu. Uninvited guests are not allowed!"
"Who? Who's speaking?" Ming Zhitian asked cautiously.
"Your tree grandfather."
"........."
Xiao Linglong smiled and said, "Young one, please don't misunderstand. We are here to join a sect... we are here to participate in the sect trial, yes."
"Oh? Are you not the obscure little girl who came here a year ago looking for a sect?"
Xiao Linglong chuckled, "Tree grandfather remembers me?"
"To break through in a year, your aptitude is decent. Enter."
Ming Zhitian thought, "These people... no, are the trees here this dismissive? Breaking through to Qi Cultivation Layer One in a year and being called decent aptitude? What's going on? Or is cultivation really this difficult?"
Xiao Linglong bowed to the tree ecstatically, "Thank you, Grandpa."
The two entered Wanli Senmu. Everything was natural. The trees here were all living beings, with eyes, noses, and ears.
The trees communicated amongst themselves: "Why are this year's newcomers so unimpressive?"
"What do you know? They call it 'restrained outwardly, expansive inwardly.' With your poor eyesight, you should see a doctor."
...
Emerging from Wanli Senmu, time seemed to flow like a long river within, yet it felt like a fleeting moment, and they were out.
Perhaps it was a form of restriction; if Wanli Senmu wanted you out, you would be out. If it didn't allow you to leave, you would be trapped forever.