Shi Feiyang told Xiong Man, "The Righteous Path of Huaxia does not cultivate for the next life, but for the present! The ancient Three Emperors and Five Sovereigns, all possessing Supreme Divine Power, devoted their lives to self-cultivation, establishing order in their families, and bringing peace to the world. So-called destiny is merely various causes and effects intertwined naturally, which is considered heaven-sent. However, the causality of the Mysterious Sect differs from that of the Buddhist causality. It is not certain that a hidden dragon not using its power will eventually lead to seeing a dragon in the fields. Once there is a change in the Trigrams, it turns into following the same path as others, which is considered a variable. The grand Dao itself has no set rules; humans observe the heavens to discern the Heavenly Dao and impose it upon the human Dao. In truth, the Heavenly Dao is but one manifestation of the grand Dao. The Dao gives rise to various paths, humans devise various calculations. The Dao is not simply a path, calculations are not simply the Dao; it is only by these calculations that humans seek the Dao.

If you can merge with the Dao and become one with all things, you will no longer be bound by destiny. The Dao inherently has no set calculations; humans glimpsing the Dao and walking the Dao forcefully establish their destiny. I do not know much about Buddhist law, but I once heard the monks at the Shaolin Temple reciting scriptures and teaching the Dharma, speaking of cause and condition leading to results, with no condition leading to no results. They also spoke of rewards of flowers and fruits; thoughts give rise to various laws, and with the cessation of thought, all laws vanish. In dreams, there clearly exist the six realms of existence, yet upon awakening, the vast world is empty. While in a dream, one can still suppress karma and transform it. When bound by destiny, one should be able to change or transform it."

Upon hearing this, not only was Xiong Man confused, but Xiao Shijiumei was also only half-understanding. Both sisters had studied Buddhism under the guidance of Master Yin Kong, but Xiao Shijiumei later cultivated the "Three Elements Secret Manual" from the orthodox Mysterious Sect, which mainly involved alchemy and sword control. Thus, her understanding of the great Dao and changing destiny was very limited.

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Shijiumei suddenly spoke, "It's not that I mean any disrespect, but it's said in Buddhism that great cultivators do not ignore causality. The words you speak seem to... seem to..."

Shi Feiyang laughed and said, "What, you think I'm speaking of the wild fox Zen? I didn't say that our friend Xiong can ignore causality. Instead, it's that if the cause isn't present, the result won't ripen."

Xiao Shijiumei understood this and so did Xiong Man, "But how should this matter be resolved? Please enlighten me, senior."

Shi Feiyang replied, "Your master has chosen the easiest and smoothest path for you, yet you are unwilling to follow it. I have tried to teach you with methods of the Mysterious Sect, but your Dao Foundation is weak, and you do not understand. My knowledge of Buddhist teachings is truly limited; I have only heard a monk from Shaolin Temple disseminating some phrases which, when compared to the Daoist Techniques, I have some acquaintance with. From what I can see, you either completely abandon the Buddhist Law and focus solely on the Daoist Technique, and on this path, I know what to do. Otherwise, you should go back and thoroughly cultivate Buddhist Law again; there are solutions on both sides, but they cannot be intermingled."

For years, Xiong Man had been almost driven mad by the affairs of destiny. During her cultivation, she had nearly deviated several times. Luo Ziyuan and Xiao Shijiumei had both advised her to give up resisting and to comply with fate. She had thought about giving up, but just could not reconcile with it. Hearing Shi Feiyang's words now was like grasping at the last straw. Steely resolved, she kowtowed, "I earnestly request your compassion, please take pity on me and accept me as your disciple, to transmit the Daoist Technique to me."

Shi Feiyang looked at her, also somewhat hesitant.

By altering Xiong Man's causality, he had indirectly changed his own future causal thread, weaving endless variables. Once it involves oneself, the calculation becomes the most difficult because one will change the current decision based on the calculation of the results, and this present variable will influence the future's certainty, layer by layer, until it is immeasurable.

However, at least he had figured out all the causes and effects related to Xiong Man and had foreseen this outcome, "I will say it again, your master has selected the smoothest and least effortful path for you. Yet, you are unwilling to take it. If you want to walk my path, I have a way to ensure your success in this lifetime. However, you will have to face all the hardships yourself, and whether you can succeed in the end will also depend on you."

Xiong Man said firmly, "I only ask for a chance from you, senior! I will devote all my effort to bravely climb the Immortal Path. Even if I still fail in the end, I will have no regrets!"

"Very well! From now on, you will be the chief disciple of the Kun Vein in my sect!"

Xiong Man immediately kowtowed to acknowledge him as her master and called Yuan Hua and Lin Han her senior brothers.

Shi Feiyang said, "You should each address accordingly, Yuan Hua, you can call him senior brother, and Han'er, you should refer to him as junior brother."

Xiao Nineteenth Sister was shocked by Xiong Man's sudden decision to become a disciple. She wanted to persuade her to reconsider, but Xiong Man had already kowtowed with determination and accepted the mentorship. Xiao's outstretched hand could only retract helplessly. She knew her senior sister had suffered a lot over the years and was unable to help her escape from her plight. Now that an opportunity had presented itself, her senior sister was determined to seize it at all costs. Yet, she felt her senior sister's decision went against their late master's plans and was deeply improper, but as the deed was done, she had no more to say.

After Xiong Man became a disciple, Shi Feiyang asked Yuan Hua and Lin Han to open up another cave nearby, with passages connecting to the main hall of this one, and individual exits outside, as well as separate living quarters.

Shi Feiyang first inquired about what Xiong Man had learned in the past. Xiong Man answered truthfully, "I have read Buddhist Scriptures with my previous master, but never learned Buddhist Techniques. I have learned Mysterious Sect Swordsmanship, and with my teacher's help, after more than a decade of diligent practice, I tempered this Immortal Sword, barely qualifying as a Sword Immortal. However, I have not learned the true ways of the Mysterious Dao or Immortal Techniques." Thinking of her junior sister and how their prowess in Magical Treasures and Mana had grown increasingly profound, she couldn't help feeling sorrow and a sense of injustice.

After listening, Shi Feiyang designed a set of Cultivation Techniques tailored to her circumstances. The physiological structures of women differ from men, and the Dan teachings diverged: men refined their essence, while women refined their blood. Men's energy is buoyant and must be restrained, directing the Heart Fire down to the Kan Palace, capturing True Mercury with True Lead, and then using True Lead to capture True Mercury. Women's blood is turbid and heavy, requiring the guidance of blood and energy into the Vermilion Palace, where the richness of the blood fills the essence, refining it into Qi. Ultimately, all paths led to the same source, though the initial approaches were polar opposites.

If a man were to practice female techniques, he would become chesty and irritable, with his Primordial Spirit unsettled. Conversely, a woman practicing male methods might risk energy leakage.

Upon receiving the Dan Skill, Xiong Man expressed profound joy and gratitude to her master.

Shi Feiyang cautioned her, "With your Foundation Establishment perfected, you must not leave Bu Xu Mountain until you've transformed Qi into Spirit. Once your Primordial Spirit achieves the ignition of Primordial Qi and attains a fraction of Pure Yang, I will teach you some Spells and you shall temper corresponding Magical Treasures to be fit for tribulation. Only then may you descend the mountain. As long as you remain steadfast in your aspirations, you may hope to reach the Heavenly Immortal Position."

Bu Xu Mountain stood more than twice the height of Dinghu Peak, with a majestic presence, its upper half shrouded in clouds, and surrounded by strangely shaped rocks. Standing at the peak, the misty clouds created a feeling as if one was about to step into the void toward immortality.

The cave opened by Shi Feiyang was situated halfway up the mountain, with its entrance facing directly east in the Zhen position. When Xiong Man asked what it was called, Shi Feiyang explained that since he came here only for a temporary stay and was still in search of treasures, he had not named the place, so he allowed Xiong Man to choose a name for it.

Looking towards the distant Dinghu Peak, Xiong Man reminisced about the past—if she had been able to slay the Demon Dragon and obtained the Heavenly Book, she wondered what her circumstances would now be. She thought to name it "Dragon Slayer Cave," but suddenly remembered her master's surname was Dragon and the name was too taboo. Then, she recalled what her master said, "Heaven's movement is vigorous, and the superior man should constantly strive for self-improvement," a phrase from "The Book of Changes" relating to the Qian Trigram, with the following line being "Earth's configuration is receptive, the superior man carries myriad things with a generous virtue," corresponding to the Kun Trigram. Considering her master had also said she was to be his foremost disciple from the Kun lineage, she proposed the name "Kun Zai Cave."

Shi Feiyang gave a faint smile upon hearing this and nodded in agreement.

Xiao Nineteenth Sister also settled on the mountain. She had already intended to establish her own retreat here and now, concerned for her senior sister, she carved out a cave on the western side of the mountain to pursue her quiet Cultivation within.

After acquiring the Dan Skill, Xiong Man devoted herself to rigorous and diligent practice, seldom leaving home. Yuan Hua, who loved his sword, often came seeking Xiao Nineteenth Sister to spar in swordsmanship. The two, one human and one ape, often engaged in fierce exchanges, benefiting and progressing together from their bouts.

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