Night fell.
Zhang Fan sat quietly in the dilapidated hut, cultivating the Eternal Meditation Technique for the first time.
He'd thought it would be difficult.
But to his surprise, shortly after entering meditation, he caught a glimpse of the true god himself. Zhang Fan saw millions of flickering flames—faith burning bright—rushing like a tide toward the radiant divine figure.
"Is this… the true form of the God of Eternity? It's incredible…"
A mix of hesitation and excitement surged through him before he was finally forced to exit his meditative state.
Just then, a wave of comfort washed over his entire body.
A breakthrough?
How could that be?
It hadn't even been the time it takes to burn a single incense stick—and yet he had already broken through to the fourth level of the Yuqing Realm?
Impossible!
He had been stuck at the second level for over five years.
And now, with just a moment of meditation, he had jumped straight to the fourth?
If he kept this up until dawn, wouldn't he reach the next realm entirely?
Zhang Fan clenched his fists as the injustices of the past few years came flooding back.
The humiliation, the cold treatment…
And then, the gentle gaze of his senior sister.
"If I don't have power, why would anyone take me seriously?"
He recalled the miracles he'd seen in the chat group—the lives changed through divine favor—and a wave of pride rose in his chest.
He decided to test something.
The ability to control objects was a skill unlocked at the fourth level of Yuqing.
Zhang Fan had never dared try it before.
Bathed in pale moonlight, his eyes settled on a hatchet lying nearby—something he used every day.
He focused.
Hum!
The room trembled.
The blade rose into the air—floating effortlessly.
"It… It moved! It's flying!"
Zhang Fan jumped up, barely suppressing his excitement.
He didn't notice that the bloodthirsty aura clinging to his body had already vanished, replaced by radiant purity.
This is real.
This is power.
The Eternal Meditation Technique… was the real deal.
Tomorrow is the offering ceremony. I can't afford to embarrass my master now.
As a one-star priest, he would be allowed to choose a divine spell.
After the sacrifice, he could unlock a second.
Zhang Fan reviewed the available techniques, eyes shining with anticipation.
He finally settled on Fire Attribute magic.
Two years ago, Qi Ritian had used an Ice Immortal Technique, dazzling the crowd and drawing the envy of even their master.
Then I'll choose fire. I'll dazzle them even more.
He sat cross-legged again, entering meditation once more.
The night passed quickly.
By the time Zhang Fan opened his eyes, golden sunlight was pouring into the room.
He'd spent the whole night in deep cultivation—yet it had felt like an instant.
He rose to his feet and stretched, his joints cracking, a surge of power radiating from within.
Yuqing, Sixth Level.
In just one night.
Then, without warning, he let out a surprised yelp.
Just now, he'd subconsciously tried to circulate the Great Brahma Prajna, but there was no reaction at all.
Only the Taiji Xuanqing Dao remained active.
Wait…
He remembered the hostility group members had shown toward monks—especially Fahai, who was ruthlessly ridiculed for claiming to follow the Buddha.
Could it be…
The divine power of the Eternal Meditation Technique had swallowed up his Brahma Prajna!
Cold sweat dripped down Zhang Fan's back.
What should I do now?
He scratched his head in frustration, then sighed.
It didn't matter.
He picked up his hatchet, strapped it to his waist, and walked toward his master's residence.
Whatever happens, I'll face it one step at a time.
To grow stronger, sacrifice was necessary.
And besides… gods hated monks anyway.
So what if he'd lost Brahma Prajna?
Zhang Fan had always been reserved and shy.
But after reading the group's chat logs for an entire day—especially the experiences of Solanum, the one who called herself the Spirit of the Demon Sword—something began to change within him.
If I had power…
Then Caomiao Village wouldn't have suffered.
If he had power…
He could pursue his senior sister without fear.
If he had power…
He wouldn't be punished at will.
He'd be the one receiving praise!
Young people were easily moved.
And after seeing the power of the Eternal God, Zhang Fan had unknowingly placed that divine presence above all else—even if he wasn't fully aware of it yet.
When Zhang Fan arrived at his master's residence, the old man glanced at him coldly and didn't say a word.
"Alright, now that everyone's here, let's move out," said Tian Buyi, his voice gruff. "Song Daren, take care of the ones who can't fly on their own. I'll go on ahead."
He flicked his sleeves and soared into the sky as a streak of rainbow light.
His wife, Su Ru, turned to comfort the remaining disciples. But before she could speak—
Zhang Fan calmly tossed his hatchet into the air, stepped onto it, and rose into the sky.
He flew.
Effortlessly.
Following behind Tian Buyi.
Everyone stared, stunned.
Tian Ling'er's mouth dropped open.
"Mother… am I seeing things? Just a few days ago, Zhang Fan was only at the second level… how is he flying?!"
Su Ru was speechless.
She had no idea how to explain it.
Who had ever seen something like this?
Song Daren coughed. "Uh, let's just follow them. We'll ask what happened once we arrive."
"Y-Yes, let's go."
Su Ru's gaze lingered on the distant figure in the sky, and she let out a quiet sigh.
This child… he's finally found his fire.
Who wouldn't be angry after being treated coldly for so long?
When Tian Buyi landed at the destination, he heard the wind rushing behind him and turned, expecting to see his wife.
Instead, it was… Zhang Fan?
His most disappointing disciple?
"You… since when can you ride an object?"
Just a week ago, the boy had barely reached the second realm.
He'd even scolded him harshly and thrown him into the firewood shed.
Even if Zhang Fan had swallowed elixirs like candy, he shouldn't have progressed this fast!
Zhang Fan looked at his master's stunned expression and couldn't help but smile.
So this is what strength feels like…
Even the master who scorned me is shocked speechless now. This… is amazing.
"Master," he said politely, "last night, I felt my cultivation surge all the way to the sixth level of Yuqing."
"What nonsense is that? You expect me to believe you broke through four levels in one night?!"
Tian Buyi, alarmed, grabbed Zhang Fan's wrist.
He suspected the boy might have practiced some forbidden technique.
But after examining his pulse, he found the flow of qi was stable, the essence was pure, and the body was filled with righteous energy.
No signs of demonic arts or pill backlash.
Just… what the hell is going on?
Seeing his master frozen in shock, Zhang Fan couldn't help but laugh aloud.
Soon after, the senior sister returned as well.
Everyone's eyes were filled with astonishment.
Especially Tian Ling'er.
As soon as she landed, she rushed over and grabbed his arm, flooding him with eager questions.
Zhang Fan felt a burst of joy deep in his heart.
Yesterday's decision was right after all.
If he hadn't embraced the Eternal Meditation Technique, he would still be receiving those cold, indifferent stares.
Now, he was finally standing in the light.
Facing everyone's curiosity, Zhang Fan smiled calmly and explained,
"I had an epiphany last night. But I didn't realize it myself—it was a gift from an immortal god."
"An immortal god bestowed you a technique?" Tian Buyi looked at Zhang Fan strangely, muttering under his breath.
"The god said he lacked believers, so he chose me. After that, my strength surged to the sixth level of the Yuqing Realm overnight. Honestly, it's quite normal."
Normal?
You must've hit your head.
Tian Buyi found the whole thing absurd, but Zhang Fan hadn't even left the premises—so what other explanation was there?
After a long pause, Tian Buyi sighed.
"Forget it. Let's just see how you perform today. We'll talk more later."
"But—" Su Ru hesitated. She felt this was important enough to report directly to the sect leader.
She was silenced by a glance from her husband.
She soon understood.
For years, Dazhufeng had been looked down upon.
People mocked them, belittled them, treating them like background characters.
Tian Buyi wanted to seize this opportunity—to make a statement with Zhang Fan's rise.
Meanwhile, Tian Ling'er was still clinging to Zhang Fan's arm. Once her father left, her gaze turned soft.
"Junior Brother, I've always treated you well, right? Teach me too~"
Her tone was sweet and flirtatious.
Zhang Fan blushed furiously, his ears turning red.
Beside them, Su Ru gritted her teeth. She raised her hand and smacked her daughter lightly on the back.
"You child! What nonsense! A divine gift can't be casually passed down!"
"Mother, I was wrong…"
Tian Ling'er shrank back.
She could tell her mother was serious, but a trace of unwillingness lingered in her eyes.
Zhang Fan's heart moved. He spoke quickly:
"It's alright, Madam. The god welcomes believers. This meditation technique can be passed down."
"What did you say? It can?"
"Yes."
The Eternal Meditation Technique wasn't restricted.
In fact, the god encouraged its spread.
Anyone who saw his divine body would inevitably become a believer—unable to resist bowing before his presence.
Even supreme leaders of great sects would be no exception.
The surrounding elders were stunned.
But Tian Ling'er reacted the fastest—immediately asking Zhang Fan to teach her.
He gave a simple explanation, and the method instantly imprinted itself into her mind.
Tian Ling'er blinked in surprise.
"That's it? It just… appears in my head?"
She closed her eyes and tried meditating, silently reciting the technique's verses.
Zhang Fan nodded.
"That's the power of the Eternal God's technique—so simple that anyone can learn it."
Su Ru hesitated, then said solemnly:
"Let me try it too. But don't teach anyone else yet—we don't want to cause trouble."
She was cautious.
This was divine power. If Zhang Fan was mistaken, the consequences could be severe.
Everyone understood that.
Tian Ling'er, however, had already sat down cross-legged and entered meditation in the resting area.
Su Ru followed shortly after.
As she examined the technique in her mind, she was amazed.
Compared to their sect's inner arts, this one was so simple, even a child could grasp it.
One after another, mother and daughter fell into a meditative state.
Meanwhile, cultivators from other sects began arriving at the venue.
But Zhang Fan's attention remained fixed on his senior sister.
Though his gaze lingered on her, his mind was already back in the chat group, ready to join the banter.
For Peace:
"@Pudu All Sentient Beings, why's the bald guy gone quiet today? Come on, let's go three hundred rounds! Whoever backs down has to yell 'Three Bald Thieves!'"
Li Er:
"He doesn't dare. Coward's always been that way."
Ninja Scientist:
"Yup. Monks talk big but run like rats when challenged."
Spirit of the Demon Sword:
"If he dares to show up, I'll flame him into oblivion."
Junior Brother of Dazhufeng:
"Hello, seniors… I just joined. Still getting used to things, so I didn't dare speak."
Tanjiro:
"How old are you? I'm sixteen."
Junior Brother of Dazhufeng:
"Same. Sixteen."
Pudu All Sentient Beings (Fahai):
"What do you want to compete in? Just because I'm silent doesn't mean you can slander me at will!"
For Peace:
"Alright, I won't bully you. How about we compete in reciting sutras?"
Pudu:
"Fine. I'll use a short one. Let's see who recites faster."
For Peace:
"Nah, never mind. I surrender."
"THIEF BALDY! F**K YOUR MONK MOTHER!"
Junior Brother of Dazhufeng:
"…"
Tanjiro:
"…"
Spirit of the Demon Sword:
"…"
So that's what he was planning all along.
Digging a trap just to curse him louder.