Chapter 9: Changes

After parting ways with Bai and Xiaoqing, Xu Xuan embarked on his journey home with a heavy heart. Night had blanketed the land, and the surroundings were chillingly silent; only the sound of his own footsteps echoed through the stillness.

When he finally arrived home, the familiar, comforting scent of his dwelling greeted him. Xu Jiaorong had not yet retired for the night, and seeing him return, she hurried to meet him.

"Brother, you have finally returned. Where have you been all day? You have worried me half to death." Concern was etched across Xu Jiaorong's face.

Xu Xuan forced a faint smile. "Sister, I am fine. I was merely out investigating some matters and have grown a bit weary."

Seeing that Xu Xuan was reluctant to say more, Xu Jiaorong did not press him, simply urging him to get some rest.

Back in his room, Xu Xuan sat at his desk and looked at the *Book of Documents* lying before him. This ancient classic had always been his source of wisdom and tranquility. Despite the many setbacks he had faced that day, including the loss of the Demon-Heart Pearl, he knew he could not succumb to despair; he had to keep improving himself.

He opened the book and began to study it intently. The flickering candlelight illuminated his focused expression. As he immersed himself in the text, he gradually forgot the troubles and exhaustion of the day. "The人心 (human heart) is precarious, the道心 (heart of the Way) is subtle; be refined, be single-minded, and hold fast to the middle path..." Xu Xuan recited in a low voice, his words echoing in the quiet room.

After some time, Xu Xuan suddenly felt a faint, warm sensation in his dantian. He was startled; he had never experienced such a feeling before. He set aside the book, closed his eyes, and concentrated on the changes within his dantian.

The warmth flowed like a tiny trickle, spreading slowly through his body. Xu Xuan was filled with confusion, unable to comprehend what was happening. He recalled his battle with the Pied Piper earlier that day and the strange encounters in Qingyan Village. Could these experiences have triggered some latent power within him?

Xu Xuan attempted to guide this energy. Drawing upon cultivation methods he had heard of, he adjusted his breathing, allowing his inner breath to circulate along with the warmth.

As he guided it, the energy became smoother, and the warmth in his dantian grew more intense. Xu Xuan remained perplexed as to why this would happen while reciting the *Book of Documents*. He had once heard that some ancient texts contained mysterious powers, but he had always dismissed such notions as mere legend.

At that moment, strange images flashed through his mind—glimpses of ancient scenes. They resembled primitive sacrificial rituals where people in bizarre attire chanted as if communicating with heaven and earth. The visions vanished as quickly as they had appeared, yet Xu Xuan felt they held some profound significance.

He opened his eyes, stunned. He knew his body had undergone an extraordinary change, though what it portended, he could not say.

He looked at the *Book of Documents* before him, hesitating whether to continue. But curiosity eventually overcame his uncertainty. He took a deep breath and resumed his recitation.

As he read, the flow of energy in his dantian grew more active, and the warmth intensified. Xu Xuan felt as if his entire body were being enveloped by a gentle force—a sensation that was both alien and strangely comforting.

Xu Xuan decided to keep this secret for now; he did not want to worry Xu Jiaorong. He picked up the book again, hoping to find clues within its pages regarding this transformation.

However, he found it difficult to focus. His mind kept returning to the warmth in his dantian and the bizarre visions. He knew that from this point on, his life would embark on a path filled with the strange and the surreal. At the same time, he felt a sense of relief, knowing that the distance between himself, Bai, and Xiaoqing was slowly closing.

The night deepened. Xu Xuan sat alone at his desk, his silhouette appearing somewhat lonely in the dim candlelight. Yet, his gaze was resolute; he was determined to unravel this mystery and face the unknown that lay ahead.