Monstrous Talent, Opening the Mind's Eye!

Perched atop a towering mountain peak lay a village—Fulong Village. Inside an elegantly appointed courtyard, a handsome youth sat cross-legged at its center. The boy wore a clean white robe, and hung around his chest by a red cord was an ordinary copper coin. Not far away, a withered, skinny old man puffed rhythmically on his pipe, a sharp glint flickering in the gaze he cast toward the youth. "Opening the mind's eye is exceptionally difficult. I hope this time he succeeds!" Silently reciting the mnemonic in his heart, Li Guanqi entered a profoundly wondrous state. "When the heart is unburdened, speck-like motes appear; When the mind holds no attachments, it pierces into the core. Ten thousand dharmas return to one, filling the gaze; When not a single thought arises, there lies the true man. Sit in stillness, gather spirit, count each heartbeat; Light from within slowly emerges, reflecting heaven and earth. Cast off outward form to grasp true essence; Once the mind's eye opens, the heavenly secret is known." The chant his grandfather had taught him echoed continuously in Li Guanqi's mind. His heart was calm as still water. Gradually, his mind ceased to be bound by external things, and his consciousness sank into the surrounding environment. Little by little, Li Guanqi felt as if he could "see" thick layers of mist. Amidst the originally dead, silent darkness, he caught sight of dense white fog—a revelation that nearly unsettled his mental composure! This was the first time since birth he had ever witnessed "color"! Quickly, he steadied his mind. As he recited the incantation over and over, he felt that this was the closest he had ever come to opening his mind's eye! In his subconscious, Li Guanqi walked toward the mist step by step, feeling as if invisible walls stood in his way, barring his path! With his mind composed and resolute, Li Guanqi forged ahead with firm, steady strides. Within his body, blood and vital energy surged violently, and the sand and dust on the ground around him began to tremble faintly. Smoke obscured the old man's face, yet one could still discern the upward curve of his mouth. "An Ethereal Dao Body... and only seven days to open the mind's eye..." "Such talent can only be described as a peerless monster." Before his words had even settled, the veins on Li Guanqi's neck bulged as he sat cross-legged on the ground. In an instant, his hazy consciousness broke clean through the mist! Boom! A shattering sound rang out within Li Guanqi's mind. Suddenly! Shock appeared on Li Guanqi's face, and his entire aura settled into tranquility. He... could see... Though viewing through the mind's eye held no color, it revealed everything in his surroundings without limitation, no different from human eyes. Su Xuan gave a slight nod, murmuring quietly to himself, "Before the Dao Platform of the Sea of Consciousness forms, having this mind's eye will suffice." Li Guanqi gazed at the elegantly appointed courtyard around him. This was the first time he had ever laid eyes upon it. "Grandpa?" Su Xuan smiled, rose with hands tucked behind his back, and said with a grin, "You can see now?" Overwhelmed with excitement, Li Guanqi's eyes reddened slightly as he nodded vigorously. Though devoid of color, it was enough to leave him deeply stirred. The old man clapped him on the shoulder and chuckled. "Haha, rest assured. Once you possess divine sense in the future, you'll naturally be able to see the world's vibrant colors." "Still, having only just opened your mind's eye, use it sparingly. Overusing it drains your vitality and spirit." "Come, come over here. Grandpa has prepared something good for you." Li Guanqi nodded slightly, committing the old man's words to memory. After standing up, he froze in place for a long time. He looked down at his own hands and feet, then picked up the copper coin on his chest to examine it closely. Cradling it in his palm, he murmured, "So... this is what a copper coin looks like..." Following the old man into the backyard, Li Guanqi caught the pungent scent of medicinal broth inside a wooden tub and curled his lip. "Soaking again today?" With that, he began stripping off his clothes; evidently, this was far from the first time. Yet the old man wore a mysterious smile and continued walking inward. "Not a medicinal bath today. Come over here." Li Guanqi said nothing. Following close behind the old man, he soon saw a stone pillar nearly as tall as a man. The square stone pillar was almost Li Guanqi's height, wrapped with several hemp cords. Li Guanqi's mouth twitched. Looking at the arrangement of the hemp cords, he could not resist asking, "Grandpa... you wouldn't be having me carry this thing on my back, would you?" Seeing that the old man did not answer, merely beaming at him with a grin, Li Guanqi shrugged. He walked straight up to the pillar and slung the hemp ropes across his shoulders. Exerting strength through his waist and back, the stone pillar lifted off the ground! Li Guanqi's face flushed bright red as he spoke in a rapid rush, "Grandpa! This thing weighs at least five hundred jin!" "Your grandson... is having a bit of a hard time here..." Su Xuan chuckled. "What of five hundred jin? You're already at the peak of Body Tempering; five hundred jin isn't heavy." "Starting today, you will carry this thing whether you're eating or sleeping, heading up the mountain or down!" Li Guanqi did not complain of hardship, only asking, "What about when practicing my boxing routines?" Su Xuan turned around and smiled. "Carrying it then too, of course. You'll carry it even while you sleep." Left with no choice, Li Guanqi had to comply, though he had no idea what the purpose of doing so was. Stepping out the door under the setting sun, the old man headed to the village entrance to play chess. Before leaving, he glanced casually at Li Guanqi and muttered to himself, "You brat, it's all for your own good..." Early the next morning, Su Xuan was busy preparing something. Carrying the stone pillar on his back, Li Guanqi climbed up the mountain, huffing and puffing. In the morning, smoke curled from the chimneys of every household. Women in floral padded jackets pushed open their courtyard gates and called out loudly for their respective children. After all, the interval after waking up while waiting for breakfast was playtime for the local youths. "Goudan! Time to come home and eat!" "Cuihua, get back here!" "Chenchen, you little rascal, get yourself back here right now!" Zhao Beichen lurked in the shadows, waiting for that youth to arrive. The gaze he fixed upon the boy was filled with venomous resentment. Meng Wanshu treated everyone with cold detachment, yet she was willing to say a few extra words to Li Guanqi. As Zhao Beichen saw it, Meng Wanshu was the wife he had set his sights on! What right did a dead blind brat have to stand on equal footing with him?! Precisely because of this, Zhao Beichen had spent the last few years constantly making trouble for Li Guanqi. Only, every single time, Li Guanqi beat him black and blue. Now that Li Guanqi had opened his mind's eye, even without looking directly at him, Zhao Beichen's breathing sounded as coarse as an ox's in his ears. Spotting an opportunity, Zhao Beichen darted out and swung his fist toward Li Guanqi. Yet Li Guanqi merely sidestepped to evade it, throwing a counterpunch squarely into Zhao Beichen's stomach. The searing pain brought Zhao Beichen to a crouch, clutching his belly in agony. Pointing at Li Guanqi, his voice trembled. "Li... Guanqi! You dead bastard! Just you wait two more years!" Squatting down, Li Guanqi smiled playfully. "No matter how many years pass, it'll be the same. You can't beat me." Seeing Li Guanqi stand and look their way, the little boys nearby instantly pulled bitter faces and said, "I... I have to go home. My mom's calling me to eat." Once the other children scampered off, Li Guanqi paid no further mind to Zhao Beichen lying on the ground. His horizons had long since extended beyond Fulong Village. As for Zhao Beichen... He had never resorted to lethal weapons; otherwise, Li Guanqi would have dealt him a fatal blow long ago. Li Guanqi's nose twitched as he followed a fragrant aroma. Leaning over the wattle fence of a certain household, the youth called out, "Auntie Li! What special occasion is it today? You even stewed a pullet?" Creak— A slightly plump, middle-aged woman pushed the door open and stepped out. Looking at the youth with a face full of smiles, she called out warmly, "Oh, it's Guanqi! Have you eaten yet? Auntie will get you some." Watching the smiling woman, Li Guanqi murmured inward, "So this is what Auntie Li looks like..." Li Guanqi rubbed his stomach theatrically and said, "Haven't eaten yet, to be honest." "It's just that my nose is as sharp as a dog's, and I didn't want to eat the coarse porridge and bitter greens my grandpa made, so I followed the scent right over." Seeing this, the woman waved her hand hurriedly and said, "You cheeky brat, don't talk nonsense. As it happens, Auntie still has half a basin left." "I'll scoop you some rice too. Take it back to eat with your grandpa." Hearing this, the youth's smile broadened, and his tongue turned sweet. "Thank you, Auntie Li." "Ah... with cooking like yours, it really is a waste not opening an eatery down the mountain." The woman's eyes crinkled, adding a few more lines to the corners of her eyes. "You brat, you're the only one with such a sweet mouth. Just wait here." Before long, a graceful, slender young girl walked out carrying a basin of steaming stewed chicken. Dressed in a light-blue gown, she held the brim-full basin of stew. Afraid the soup might spill, her round eyes remained glued to the bowl. As she walked, Meng Wanshu grumbled, "Li Guanqi, were you born in the year of the dog? Every time my family makes something good, you show up right on the dot." Looking at the pretty, delicate girl, Li Guanqi leaned over the wattle fence and quietly watched her. "So... Wanshu is this pretty." At the thought, the corners of Li Guanqi's mouth curled up, and he chuckled softly. "Meng Wanshu, who do you think will get to marry such a virtuous, dutiful wife as you in the future?" Meng Wanshu's face flushed red. Exerting quite a bit of effort, she managed to hoist the basin onto the fence. Rolling her eyes at Li Guanqi, she turned to run back inside, but then immediately remembered that Li Guanqi was blind and couldn't see. Pouting, she tilted her head back and scolded him, "Stinking blind brat!" Li Guanqi laughed heartily. Before leaving, he stood in place holding the basin, bowed slightly, and said somewhat awkwardly, "Uh... is that Uncle Meng back?" The man standing before Li Guanqi said nothing, only planting a kick on his backside. He chided with a laugh, "Tease Wanshu less from now on. You're almost at the age to join a sect, yet you still haven't learned to act decent." "Scram, you rascal!" Li Guanqi chuckled and quickly nodded in reply. "Understood! I'll bring Uncle Meng some wine tomorrow!" Pushing open the door, the youth called out softly, "Grandpa? I’m back." Winding through various turns, he finally came to a courtyard set somewhat further away. Pushing open the door, the youth called out softly, "Grandpa? I’m back." At the doorway, the pipe-smoking old man's eyes immediately lit up. Smacking his lips, the old man remarked, "Old Meng's wife's cooking really is the best after all." Li Guanqi set down the basin, his body wobbling so hard he nearly pitched forward onto the ground. Su Xuan curled his lip and scolded peevishly, "You've only just opened your mind's eye to see, and already you're using it like this? Today, you'll perform an extra hundred reps of the boxing stance!" The youth's face instantly collapsed into misery, yet he dared not talk back. "You controlled your force well today." "If you'd hit him any harder, I'd have to attend a funeral feast at the Zhao family tomorrow." The youth rubbed his head, remaining silent for a long while. "Burp—" "I'm done eating." Li Guanqi suddenly realized things were amiss. His chopsticks jabbed into the basin several times, producing only the clinking of bamboo against pottery. "Are you off to play chess with Old Lu again, Grandpa?" "None of your business! Practice your boxing properly!" "I'm heading into the mountains to find a few things. I'll be back in a couple of days." "Remember to go down the mountain tomorrow to buy me some wine." With a downcast face, the youth shoveled mouthfuls of plain rice, ultimately finishing every single grain. After eating, the youth went to the backyard, stripped off all his clothes, and stepped into the tub. The dark-green medicinal broth stung his skin continuously. Within a few breaths, his skin turned crimson, and fine beads of sweat began oozing from his forehead. His body trembled slightly, his jaws clenched tight. It was as though he were enduring some extraordinary agony. Through the dark-green medicinal liquid, one could faintly discern dense, mysterious markings traced across the youth's body. It was only this year that Li Guanqi had opened his mind's eye and gained the ability to see. Yet in his "eyes," though only black and white existed, it was already an immense, heaven-sent delight. Therefore, every day, he would keep his mind's eye open until his mental energy was utterly depleted. Because... he cherished these days of knowing light from dark above all else. Sitting cross-legged in the tub, Li Guanqi quietly endured the pain brought by the medicinal bath. In his mind, he was already planning what to do after finishing his stance training. Accompanied by whistling fists, he finally completed his final form. Li Guanqi activated his mind's eye and realized it was already the midnight hour. His brow furrowed slightly. "Why hasn't Grandpa returned yet today?" Li Guanqi didn't overthink it, lying down on the bed and drifting off to sleep. Early the next morning, his grandfather was still nowhere to be seen, so he simply prepared to head down the mountain to buy wine. After all, his grandfather sometimes disappeared into the mountains for days on end; he was already well accustomed to such occurrences. Humming a little tune, Li Guanqi headed down the mountain. At the same time, someone with deep ties to him was also down the mountain, in Changxing Town.