Volcanic Age

Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya—These were the three major schools of Lama Buddhism, and Tsongkhapa was a monk of the Nyingma school. Those of the Nyingma school wore red Buddhist robes and hats, and were often called the Red Hat Sect. It was also the oldest school of Lama Buddhism.

Although it was the most popular school in Tibet, they unfortunately didn't have as much power as the other schools.

"Our school is only passed down to a single person, whether it's a disciple or a son. Because of this, our Buddhist teachings change over time, and because of our solitary nature, we have not formed a strong, stable power."

In other words, even if someone misinterpreted or forgot a Buddhist script, there was no one to correct them. Without the presence of a father or a master, their interpretations became twisted into Buddhist laws.

"We have not expanded our teachings and influence into other fields like politics, like the Kagyu and Sakya schools, so our strength is limited."

"I have little interest in Buddhist teachings of the Central Plains, so it is touching to hear stories about Buddhism in Tibet. Haha."

"Hur hur. This little monk is overjoyed that you take such an interest, Benefactor."

"No, I said I have no interest." Zhou Xuchuan turned serious.

"I am not sure whether they looked down on me or not, but the other schools persecuted this old and weak monk. Don't you think it's cruel?"

"Hur hur hur!" Tsongkhapa laughed like an old man with dementia. "This little monk will stop with the jokes and become serious. Benefactor, just what is your identity?"

His gentle grandfather-like eyes became fierce.

"The Lama monks you faced four hours ago are martial monks who are considered to be experts, even though they may not be top-tier in the Potala Palace. Not only did you face several of them, you even managed to defeat them…"

Despite seeing it with his own eyes, Tsongkhapa found it unbelievable.

"I've never heard of a martial artist at the age of twenty being so powerful. Even the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes of the Central Plains would find it impossible to achieve such a feat," Tsongkhapa continued. "Even if you had become crazy in your thirst for power and chosen a demonic path, such strength should be impossible. If I may dare assume, Benefactor, you must be…"

Zhou Xuchuan gulped, waiting for the monk's next words.

"…An expert who has achieved Youth Restoration?"

This referred to a phenomenon where an old expert reached a level beyond the Harmony Realm. The wrinkles on the skin would disappear and the skin would become fairer. But that was just on the surface. All parts of the body would be rejuvenated, with the bones, teeth, and muscles returning to their prime state. It was literally a realm of legends.

"Hahaha!" Zhou Xuchuan leaned back and laughed. "Monk, if you go around saying that, you'll be treated like you're crazy even more than you already are."

Undergoing Bodily Reformation after the Harmony Realm would definitely involve some form of rejuvenation. However, it would be by fifteen years at most. Even the Ten Empyrean Overlords hadn't reached such a level, which indicated just how difficult it was to reach such a realm.

It wasn't that there were none in history, but only exceptionally powerful cultivators who had reached the realm of divinity had achieved such a thing.

"Monk, we'll really part ways here."

They both climbed down the mountain after Zhou Xuchuan had defeated the Lama monks. Zhou Xuchuan had retrieved his original objective, the Millennium Snow Ginseng, as well.

"Then let us not meet again."

Tsongkhapa… I've combed through my memories, but he's not a well-known figure. I didn't change the future much by saving this crazy old monk, right?

While Zhou Xuchuan was knowledgeable about the factions in the Central Plains, he did not know a lot about the factions outside, which caused his hesitation before saving the monk in the snowy mountain.

Let's hope so.

Though he still had questions, he decided not to dwell on them. The water was already spilled.

"Oh, and Monk." Zhou Xuchuan stopped as he was about to leave. "Whether in the Central Plains or in Tibet, cultivators place a lot of importance in repaying graces and resentments, do we not? You owe me your life, so as compensation, I want you to keep me a secret."

Zhou Xuchuan had made the mistake of revealing his affiliation and name. It was still too early to stand out, especially in a place like Tibet.

"That's not too hard. However, it pains me to send you away without giving much back in return, even though you have saved my life twice in a row, Benefactor."

"For the first time, you can repay me by keeping my identity a secret. As for the second, I'll hold on to it for now. If I, or the martial world in the Central Plains ever fall into danger, please help us out then."

Zhou Xuchuan sensed that this shameless monk might try to make another shameless request if he hesitated. After all, Tsongkhapa had been hinting at needing help by explaining the situation of Lama Buddhism on their way down. Naturally, Zhou Xuchuan had flatly refused everything.

"Hur hur. You're an exemplary man, Benefactor," Tsongkhapa exclaimed. "A man is bound to have his own desires, but you wished for the peace of the martial world of the Central Plains without hesitation. This old monk is impressed."

Asking him to teach me the Great Palm Seal Method is obviously going to be impossible, and he doesn't seem to have any spiritual medicines on him. The peace of the Central Plains? Bah, I don't even wish for something like that.

Tsongkhapa had introduced himself as a monk of the Nyingma school, the weakest faction in the Potala Palace. Forget asking for help, it looked like Zhou Xuchuan needed to help instead. This was why he gave the answer he did.

"Understood. I swear in the name of Lama that I will rush to your aid if the Central Plains fall into danger, even if it means causing a disruption in the Potala Palace."

"Then we're parting ways, okay? Don't get attacked by someone else and be careful. Also, I need to go to the toilet because my guts aren't feeling good, so please let me go now. Otherwise, I might just do it in front of you."

Tsongkhapa stepped back at Zhou Xuchuan's threat.

"Well, then. Be careful on your way." Tsongkhapa put his palms together in prayer.

*

Before Zhou Xuchuan returned to the Central Plains, he found a secluded spot and settled into a lotus position to consume the Millennium Snow Ginseng. He dealt with any nearby animals and blocked the entrance of the cave with a boulder. Although the cave was pitch dark, it posed no problem for him.

He carefully removed his clothes, folding them neatly to the side, and sat naked.

"At this rate, I might be called the spiritual medicine king." He picked up the Millennium Snow Ginseng and dusted off the dirt on it.

He couldn't help but feel that he was eating all sorts of spiritual medicines. It started with the Water Spiritual Fruit, then the Lesser Circulation Pill, then the Ten Millennia Fire Carp, the Seven-horned Serpent, and now the Millennium Snow Ginseng.

Each of these treasures would make cultivators rush over in a frenzy, yet he had consumed all of them. The advantage of knowing the future was truly amazing.

After scrutinizing the Millennium Snow Ginseng for a moment, Zhou Xuchuan placed it in his mouth, chewed it thoroughly, and swallowed.

Gulp!

Okay then, here it goes.

For Bodily Reformation, he knew only the theoretical aspects and did not have any first-hand experience. This process required an overwhelming amount of internal qi, and was typically achieved during the breakthrough from the Harmony Realm to the next realm.

Badump, badump.

Two energies twisted like a helix as they reached his dantian. The two energies were spiritual qi and yin qi.

Huup!

The Millennium Snow Ginseng lived up to its name; as soon as he consumed it, waves of qi started flooding in. Still, Zhou Xuchuan remained calm. He had previously handled even more qi with the Ten Millennia Fire Carp.

The difference was that the attributes were the complete opposite this time.

I must do it quickly, but I must not rush. One misstep could lead to qi deviation.

He moved the spiritual qi with extreme caution.

Bodily Reformation, the first step.

As soon as the spiritual qi entered the dantian, he redirected it outward. The spiritual qi residing in his dantian was split into hundreds of different streams.

Break.

Whether human or animal, bones regenerate and become sturdier after being broken and properly healed. The first step of Bodily Reformation focused on this process.

Crunch!

The spiritual qi moved violently like an enraged boar. It seemed as if it would mercilessly destroy anything in its path. Anything that became an obstacle was smashed to pieces, with the bones of the body bearing the brunt of its destructive force.

"Fuck!"

Undergoing Bodily Reformation with an overwhelming amount of qi instead of during breakthrough came with severe pain.

During a breakthrough from the Harmony Realm, a cultivator would enter a state of selflessness and not feel the pain of Bodily Reformation. However, what Zhou Xuchuan was doing right now required moving the spiritual qi with his own will to achieve Bodily Reformation, so he had to remain conscious. This also meant that he had to experience all the pain.

Twenty-three bones from the frontal bone to the hyoid, twenty-six bones from the atlas to the caudal vertebra, twenty-five bones from the sternum to the ribs, sixty-four bones from the collarbone to the finger bones, sixty bones from the femur to the toe bones, two bones in the waist, and six minor bones—A total of two hundred and six bones were all broken.

Aaargh!

The pain was unimaginable, nearly causing him to pass out. But he knew losing consciousness meant death. He would collapse like a boneless animal and die in this solitary cave.

The destruction occurred simultaneously in multiple areas, amplifying the pain. It was worse than anything he had ever endured in both his lives.

Urgh!

Beyond his bones, many other parts of his body were also broken. His hair fell out, leaving him bald. His skin peeled away in layers, like a shedding snake. His fingernails and toenails fell off.

I didn't know a forceful change of physique would be so painful…

The Ten Empyrean Overlords achieved Immunity to Extreme Temperatures or Bodily Reformation through breakthroughs. What Zhou Xuchuan was doing right now was a forceful, shortcut method that bypassed all their efforts, so he couldn't help it even if it came with side effects.

Second step…!

The spiritual qi that branched out from the dantian to break two hundred and six bones returned. However, it didn't just return. It still had its fierce vigor as it changed his body.

The meridians!

Not just cultivators, people in general were born with wide and clean meridians, but the passages would narrow with growth. Even the purest cultivation methods would accumulate residue as long as this world wasn't the realm of sages.

That residue would accumulate in the passages, narrowing them. Especially in the case of the Governing Vessel and the Conception Vessel, where they would be blocked completely.

Zhou Xuchuan intended to use the spiritual qi in the Millennium Snow Ginseng to remove all the residue in his meridians.

Remove everything!

The spiritual qi surged like a waterfall, pushing out the residue. Despite the residue's attempt to settle back, the overwhelming force of the spiritual qi pushed it out completely.

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