Chapter Two: The Long Voyage

Ha, there is no way to make you understand all at once, but you will come to understand. As long as you continue your wandering journey, you will find the answers there

Sir, are you not a citizen of this country? There is nothing here worth boasting about; if one were to indiscriminately brag, the Buddha would be displeased.

It seems not to be the case

Ader had been on the ship for several months without any discomfort, but after such a long time away from land, he felt quite restless. Seeing Li Lu busy with his tasks, he did not want to trouble him. After all, this great hero possessed extraordinary skills and was proficient in foreign languages, so he decided to explore on his own. After giving his instructions, Ader disembarked alone.

Her face flushed, and she disappeared into the room

If I don't ask you, will you not tell me

After passing through the Strait of Malacca and entering the Bay of Bengal, it took a long time before land was sighted. A smile finally appeared on Li Lu's tense face. On this day, the ship docked at a port called Madras, which is the westernmost city of India on Li Lu's nautical chart

Young Master, we have arrived in India. I will go to replenish supplies, exchange maps, and discuss how to proceed to the West.

Hmm, his throat was somewhat choked, "There is a distant place that I must go and see!"

What is that

Tomorrow

That is a sari, which is our traditional attire. Families like ours cannot afford to wear it. Even if we had one, it would be reserved for the Bathing of the Buddha Festival.

The sea breeze stirs thoughts, the sea breeze gently kisses the feet, and so we walk, even if it is forever, forever

When Ade learned that Siddhartha was the Buddha's secular name, he felt a sudden clarity in his heart. He invested a substantial amount of money to renovate the small temple, and the people praised his generosity. However, he was unaware that his union with Xitan was precisely the virtuous outcome that the Buddha had long sought, which would later become a significant factor in his role as the leader of the demons in treating Buddhists fairly. At this moment, what mattered was that the Buddha's words gave extraordinary meaning to his wandering journey. Ade was no longer lost; he intended to seek the true essence of his own life.

Ah—let's sing! Xitan dances gracefully amidst the support of the crowd, "South wind, oh North wind, blow into my garden, let the fragrance emerge, may the Buddha bless my beloved to enter that garden..."

Are you about to leave? Last night, Chunmei seemed to know he was coming and sat by the bed waiting.

For several consecutive days, visitors came to congratulate, and everyone was utterly exhausted. The barefoot bride became the new dream of all the young girls, and soon songs began to tell their story. The two lines of improvised lyrics by Adna were polished by singers and included, becoming a new classic for the young men. Now, the barefoot bride in the song can finally relax and enjoy the sweet feeling in the embrace of her beloved. The large ship raised its sails in the gentle breeze, leaving the port like an ark dedicated to carrying dreams, sailing southwest, around the Indian Peninsula, braving the waves.

It must be the Buddha who invited you here

Xitan, you are truly my lily flower

Ad's heart raced with excitement, and he quickly said, "Sure, I'll pick you up tomorrow!"

How vast is this world! It is said that our Song Dynasty is the central land, yet some also claim we are the extreme east, which warrants a thorough exploration. Li Lu brought a ship full of porcelain and silk, continuously explaining to Ade about the compass, cannons, and other knowledge along the way. By the time the ship sailed out of the South China Sea, Ade had transformed into an old sailor. Considering the dangers of this journey, Li Ying selected three of the best-performing ships: one for cargo, another with extra fresh water, and the main ship, the Tengjiao, which was equipped with cannons at the bow, stern, and both sides, making it one of the largest warships of the time. According to Li Lu, Li Ying had once sailed on his ship nineteen years ago in India, where a headstrong young lady went missing inland and returned pregnant with Ade. The young lady seemed to have suffered no grievances, but for the Li family, it was indeed difficult to accept, leading to various rumors to ensure the stability of their lives. Li Lu had always been troubled by this matter, feeling that he had let down the old master’s trust. The past is past; for the present, the only strategy is to safely deliver the young master.

The dance of Xitan is enchanting, and all the followers closely follow the procession, coming directly from the city, creating a magnificent scene. Xitan sings loudly: "I am the peacock in the garden, the thorny rose!" Adel immediately responds: "Thank you, and to the Buddha of the scriptures, my beloved among women is like a lily blooming in the midst of thorns!"

Oh, is that so? May I ask for your esteemed name?

Li Lu can be said to be utterly loyal to the Li family. It is said that in his early years, he went to sea for business and encountered a storm, resulting in the death of everyone on board. He clung to a wooden plank and drifted all the way to Goryeo, returning only two years later. Upon returning home, he found that his wife and daughter had been well taken care of by the Li family, lacking for nothing. Deeply moved, he sold himself into servitude and stayed with the Li family for over twenty years. No one in the Li family had traveled to as many places as Li Lu, yet he did not even know where England was.

You went out for a walk

"Are you called Xitan? My surname is Norman. Would you be willing to be my guide?"

Yes, I found it. People call me the Enlightened One

Adé stood on the deck, Hangzhou, family, Chunmei, all gradually receding, eventually becoming invisible.

Do you know Xi Tan

Adé gradually fell asleep, and when he awoke, he found himself in a small temple, seemingly the same one that Xitan had taken him to for sightseeing, where he had also prayed to a small wooden Buddha. However, the statue of the Buddha within was nowhere to be found

Is it the Bathing Buddha Festival? It's still early! Do you remember the date? Xitan didn't misjudge you; you are a good young man

Feeling shy! Just a moment ago, I was quite generous! Adé felt a sense of joy in his heart. When he turned around, he saw a large group of people behind him pointing and whispering. They were all neighbors from Xitan, quietly discussing among themselves. Upon noticing Adé turn around, they immediately scattered—some went inside their homes, while others tended to their chickens. Adé felt quite embarrassed, lowered his head, and hurried back to the boat

... ...

When is the Bathing Buddha Festival

The old man said with a smile: "When I was nineteen, I became a king, and my life was very fulfilling. However, at thirty, while I was traveling by carriage, I encountered an old man whose appearance was withered from toil, and his frail limbs could barely support his weight. The coachman Chana remarked that such people are everywhere in the world; whether there is one more or one less makes no difference. I felt very sad upon hearing this, but there was nothing I could do."

That is truly surprising, but what are you doing here

It is an elephant! The one I dislike the most, raised by a Samoyed!

What is that

Adé seemed to be in a dream, his heart filled with the love and blessings of Xitan in the sincere song. A sense of happiness he had never experienced before struck his heart, and he could not remain silent. Gathering his courage, he responded with the same song: "I want to enter that garden, to pick those grapes, to taste the honey bestowed upon me by the Buddha"

As he was speaking, someone shouted: "Water is mixed in the wine! The Buddha will punish you!" Then, a wine jug flew from a distance, striking the proud yogi on the head, and he instantly died

Another year passed, and while I was out, I encountered a person who was on the verge of death. It was said that such occurrences were commonplace, and there was little that could be done, as it did not affect the larger picture. A few days later, while bathing in the river at night, a corpse on the road startled my horse, and I was horrified by the decaying body in the ditch. I began to realize that everything in the world has an end, and from that day on, disaster and death were inextricably intertwined with me. Unless I could unravel the mystery of life, my existence held no joy. I started to understand that everything in the world has an end, and from that day on, disaster and death were constantly entangled with me. Unless I could find the answer to the mystery of life, my life was devoid of pleasure. When I could no longer endure it, I left my homeland in search of answers, wandering for an unknown number of years.

Have you found the answer

It is practicing yoga

Wherever the jubilant procession goes, there are crowds of revelers, immersed in the grand atmosphere of the Buddha Bathing Festival, splashing water everywhere, and the line of worshippers heading towards the stupa continues to grow. Xitan's father believes that gaining without effort contradicts the teachings of the Buddha, so he emptied all the money from his small pouch to purchase the most expensive offerings, earning the respect of the people. Being chosen to lead the procession is the greatest honor for Xitan's family and the entire village. He holds the offerings, filled with joy, and leads the way in song: "Buddha, you are the Buddha in my heart, the sacred place of our souls. I have gazed upon you in the sanctuary, and I will earnestly seek you. In the arid land, my longing is my devotion..." The crowd joins in unison: "Happiness, joy, for twelve years we have awaited this day!" (The Buddha Bathing Festival is held once every twelve years)

Everyone sings together: "Please eat, please drink, thank you for the grace of the Buddha!"

Yesterday, when Xitan returned home, he discovered that the small bag sent by Ade contained over 900 rupees, which startled him. Xitan's father was very surprised, and Borado added with a hint of malice that his sister had spent the day with a noble young man from another town, implying that they must have engaged in disreputable activities. Just as Xitan's father was about to punish him, the elder and many villagers arrived, panting, claiming they had received the Buddha's decree during the evening prayer. They said that Xitan should wear the most luxurious garments the next day, and that the entire village would thus be blessed. All the villagers swore they had heard the Buddha's will and wanted to bless Xitan, with at least seven or eight people standing up to say they heard Ade loudly declare, "I will come to pick you up tomorrow!" Xitan's father was furious and was about to punish him when the elder and many villagers arrived, panting, claiming they had received the Buddha's decree during the evening prayer. They insisted that Xitan should wear the most luxurious garments the next day, and that the entire village would thus be blessed. All the villagers swore they had heard the Buddha's will and wanted to bless Xitan, with at least seven or eight people standing up to say they heard Ade loudly declare, "I will come to pick you up tomorrow!" and assured that "that young man" was either a king or a prince, as only someone of such stature could speak so boldly. Subsequently, a richly dressed individual came with a heavy gift to express gratitude; he was the ascetic whom Ade and Xitan had unearthed from the ground. He came from a distinguished family, denounced the disloyal, and publicly declared his intention to betroth his daughter to Xitan's brother Borado, allowing Borado to receive an education at a noble school. Xitan's father was enraged and severely punished Borado for slandering his sister. Under the elder's guidance, the village seamstress worked overnight to create the most luxurious sari for Xitan, and the nobles generously lent their precious jewelry. However, Xitan only accepted gold nail adornments, expressing his wish to dance barefoot for life, never forgetting the Buddha's grace.

Upon my arrival in this esteemed place, I am unfamiliar with the surroundings; it would suffice for you to help me get acquainted with the terrain. Adi thought to himself, having been on the ship for several months, surrounded only by men. Every morning, he stood tall, and since his visit with Chunmei, his desires in this regard had grown increasingly intense. At present, having a girl to engage with would be quite satisfactory; it would be the same no matter where he went.

Young man, don't be in a hurry, come sit over here! The old man chuckled heartily and insisted that Ade sit beside him. Since you are here, let us discuss the teachings of Buddhism! If you have any worries, just share them with the Buddha, and the Buddha will surely help you

"Where?" Ade asked anxiously, but the old man suddenly vanished, leaving only a voice echoing in Ade's mind: "To the north, to the west, just follow the ones you love!"

What is that? Ad is curious about everything

Um... Sitan is exhausted, but it does not matter. She has received the Buddha's guidance; she will serve her husband with her body and mind loyally, regardless of whether the future is filled with fatigue or suffering. All she possesses is happiness

As soon as he entered the room, he saw Li Lu sitting in the hall with a troubled expression. It turned out that Li Lu and his companions had encountered significant misfortune. First, at the merchant association, upon hearing that they were seeking maps to Western countries, everyone displayed looks of hatred, and the merchants bluntly stated, "There are none!" Then, at the market, for reasons unknown, no one was willing to sell them large quantities of grain, seemingly not due to price issues. Later, they learned that Islamic missionaries from the West had brought many negative influences to the local area, causing many who were not devout in Buddhism to gradually convert to Islam. Due to conflicting doctrines, for instance, cows are sacred in Hinduism, while Islam permits the consumption of beef, the rift between the two religions widened. Muslims refused to coexist peacefully with the Indochinese Buddhists, declaring, "Allah is the only true God in the world!" This led to violent confrontations, which had already escalated significantly in northern Indochina. When it was heard that they were heading west, the merchant association naturally assumed they were pilgrims heading to Mecca and ignored them. By the time the news reached the market, rumors had transformed into suspicions that they might be spies from Damascus. Li Lu nearly got into a fight with someone. It now appeared that if the situation could not be resolved quickly, the king's army would likely arrive within a few days. At that point, once conflict erupted, it would be impossible to clarify matters, leaving them truly in a dilemma.

is a practitioner of the tortoise breathing technique

How did I end up here

Xitan! I have come to pick you up!" Ade, sorry for not knocking, had no choice but to shout from outside the door

That is truly admirable! So, what is the answer to the mystery of life?

She is truly a genuine beauty from the land of the lotus! Ade silently marveled, as the noble and reserved aura that emanated from her tattered clothing astonished him. Perhaps this is the most beautiful aspect of the girls from Buddhist countries!

Adé dressed as quickly as possible, took some money from Lì Lù, and hurried towards Xī Tǎn's house

Young Master, we will inquire further upon reaching India. Traveling by sea is comparatively faster! Moreover, the risk of encountering bandits is much smaller!" This was said by Li Lu, "I have served the master for over twenty years in the Li family, and I will certainly ensure the Young Master arrives safely!"

Xitan : `` ... ... ''

Yoga? Wow! Impressive, even after so many cuts, nothing happened!

What is going on? Ade got up from the ground and hurriedly ran to the door. An old man was sitting on the bench outside, leisurely and content, as if he were waiting for Ade to wake up

Chunmei said nothing more, only softly weeping in his arms. They kissed seriously, gradually becoming wild. He understood that she wanted him to remember her, and how could he forget? The robe was lightly unfastened, and they spent a night entwined, with Chunmei silently enduring. When dawn broke, Ade quietly left, and Li Ying saw him off to the boat, saying little. Despite the thousands of words and myriad emotions, all that remained was watching her beloved son depart. In Ade's ears, he seemed to still hear his mother's voice: "Be careful, don't be reckless, come back if you can't make it!" And all of this, the solitary sail fading into the distance, gradually receded.

The fleet made several stops along the way, but quickly replenished their water and personnel before departing. Ade was fortunate, as he did not encounter any storms and always had favorable winds. There were two instances where they seemed to have encountered pirates, but neither posed any real danger. In one instance, it was estimated that the pirates had never seen such a large ship; they followed for a while but did not dare to act. In another instance, Li Lu was quite displeased and fired a shot from the divine cannon at the stern of the ship, causing the pirate ship to sink bow-first, without even getting a glimpse of the pirates' faces.

Adé let out a loud cry, waking from his dream, gasping for breath. To his astonishment, he found a clear image of a continent in his mind, as if he had not been dreaming the night before, but had instead been studying a map. The old man's words were quite strange, seemingly directed specifically at him: "To the northwest, your beloved will guide the way?" Xitan! Oh no! It's too late! The old man's words were quite strange, seemingly directed specifically at him: "To the northwest, your beloved will guide the way?" Xitan! Oh no! It's too late!

Adé felt a twinge of regret; perhaps he should have let Parsi take him along. The Li family's boat had only ever traveled as far as Tianzhu, and the way to head west was far from clear.

At night, Ade tossed and turned, unable to sleep. He wanted to meet his irresponsible father, perhaps driven by mere curiosity, as there was hardly any familial bond to speak of. Caught in a dilemma, he found himself in a difficult situation along with Li Lu and three hundred brothers of the Song Dynasty, unsure of what to do. He couldn't help but think of Xi Tan, a girl radiating a sacred brilliance! Holding the small wooden Buddha, he felt a sense of peace wash over him; perhaps a consecrated wooden Buddha truly is different, even if it holds no monetary value. He couldn't help but think of Xi Tan, a girl radiating a sacred brilliance! Holding the small wooden Buddha, he felt a sense of peace wash over him; perhaps a consecrated wooden Buddha truly is different, even if it holds no monetary value.

Xitan, may I have the pleasure of witnessing your beauty

The large ship advanced in the gentle breeze, and when it finally left the Bay of Bengal and entered the Arabian Sea to the north, it suddenly shook as if it had departed from the protection of the Buddha and entered a perilous realm

Xitan smiled, "Sir, your tone is quite strange. Allow me to take you around as a compensation for my brother's rudeness."

I apologize, esteemed one. My younger brother is lacking in understanding. I hope you will not hold it against him in light of the Buddha's compassion

As Ade chatted with Xitan, he observed the local customs and traditions. Most of the women on the street were dressed similarly to Xitan, barefoot, while there were hardly any men dressed as elegantly as himself. No wonder he was being pursued; he must appear quite wealthy.

Adele slowly came to his senses, feeling that no words would suffice. Suddenly, he kissed the delicate red lips of Xitan, who was tightly embraced by him. Unable to struggle, she could only turn her head away. This unexpected moment led to a kiss on her ear, causing Xitan to let out a soft "Hmm" and her face turned bright red. In an instant, the surrounding music swelled, and people streamed out, splashing the two with water infused with flower petals, as if they had been waiting behind the door for this scene. Both Adele and Xitan were taken aback and quickly pushed each other away, but the crowd did not relent. Elderly and children surrounded them, continuously splashing water while smiling and offering blessings. Occasionally, someone would give Xitan a gentle push from behind, causing her to fall into Adele's embrace. Both Xitan and Adele were at a loss, yet the jubilant crowd filled their hearts with joy.

Did I say it was you

Madras is the largest artificial port on the Indochina Peninsula, but it is not a particularly prosperous place. The people on the streets appear to be quite impoverished, and they cast strange glances at Ade, who is dressed in Song Dynasty attire, making him feel uncomfortable. Fortunately, there is a clothing store at the port where Ade exchanged jade and clothing. The owner, who has a keen eye for quality due to his long experience at the port, not only provided Ade with a set of luxurious local garments but also paid him one thousand rupees. After changing his clothes and exiting the store, Ade still attracted attention—immediately, a group of begging children surrounded him—"Sir, please spare a meal!" "I will sing for you, la la la... After I finish singing, please give me money!" "Daddy, Daddy..."

Ad and Xitan wandered aimlessly for a day, their mutual reserve gradually transforming into candor, and their politeness evolving into affection. Xitan asked an elder he knew for a small wooden Buddha statue to give to Ad, and Ad discreetly presented Xitan with a small bag filled with rupees. As dusk fell, they returned to the vicinity of the port, both exhausted and joyful. Xitan pointed to an old courtyard and said, "That is my home. It is getting late, and I must return. Tomorrow is the Buddha Bathing Festival, and I will definitely take you, you country bumpkin, to see it!"

"Country bumpkin, have you seen the world?" The person in his arms is indeed Xi Tan

My name is Siddhartha, and I used to be a king

Young Master, beyond Nanhai Bay, it is no longer the Song Dynasty

Adé was momentarily at a loss for ideas. Xitan could not purchase enough provisions for three hundred sailors to last half a year; buying three bags of rice would certainly raise suspicions. Moreover, it seemed that women here had no status, much like in the Song Dynasty, merely appearing more open due to the hot weather. Adé spoke to Li Lu about the situation with Xitan, but Li Lu remained noncommittal. At this point, the only option was to observe from multiple angles and take one step at a time. If all else failed, they would have to procure scattered food supplies as much as possible, carry sufficient fresh water, and risk going hungry for a few days to try their luck in a nearby port city. However, without nautical charts or a guide, navigating the vast ocean without hugging the coast posed significant dangers.

Adele: "... ... The statue of Buddha is not what I stole!"

The celebration immediately reached its climax, as people expressed their happiness through song, grateful for the blessings of the Buddha. In that moment, emotions ran high, and the scene was unprecedented.

Hmm. Ade does not look at the land, but only gazes at the boundless sea. All of this is merely the beginning; I cannot linger!

Still watching, saving people...!

The dilapidated door of the Xitan family creaked open with a "squeak," and before Ade's eyes, it seemed as if a snow-white peacock had flown out. A woman dressed in luxurious attire was already dancing gracefully. Her arms were smooth and slender, and her fair fingers adorned with golden nails sparkled in the morning light. Her movements were delicate and agile, with her long, jet-black hair flowing freely. She wore a snow-white sari with golden edges, tightly cinched at the waist, and her long legs swayed the fabric of her skirt, dancing lightly as if a peacock were displaying its charm. Ade had never seen such a dance in his life; he was instantly dumbfounded, completely entranced. The enchanting figure glided towards Ade, her fair fingers with golden nails shimmering in the morning light, her movements still delicate and agile. She wore a snow-white sari with golden edges, tightly cinched at the waist, and her long legs swayed the fabric of her skirt, dancing lightly as if a peacock were displaying its charm. Ade had never seen such a dance in his life; he was instantly dumbfounded, completely entranced. The enchanting figure glided towards Ade, gently wrapping her fingers around his neck from behind, her beautiful face facing him as she softly blew a breath. At that moment, Ade caught a whiff of a fragrance reminiscent of musk and orchids, filling his heart with a soft jade-like warmth, causing his very soul to soar.

She is my most beloved child, and she told me everything about your matters last night

Cats have nine lives, and it is said that curiosity killed the cat. Even with nine lives, can I return alive?

Xi Tan, with his hands behind his back, struck a pose reminiscent of a spoiled child, turned back at the threshold, and waved to Ade, saying, "See you tomorrow morning"

Ad looked around, but there wasn't even a single person to collect the bodies

Three months have passed, and Ade's Taiyi True Qi has reached the fifth level. This internal skill was taught by an old fortune teller. When Ade was ten years old, he was very interested in fortune-telling and insisted on learning it from the old Taoist he encountered on the street. The old man was quite helpless but did not leave Hangzhou. Ade not only pestered him after class but also often skipped classes to accompany him at his stall. The old man made him memorize some books on Qimen Dunjia and similar subjects, one of which was "Taiyi True Qi," claiming it would be useful in the future, though it had never proven effective. When doubts arose, the old man had already disappeared. It was said that after the governor consulted him for fortune-telling, he followed the advice to gamble and nearly lost his life, leading to a citywide manhunt for him. Only the Taiyi True Qi remained, and later all masters said it was a truly valuable skill, genuine and irreplaceable. Ade gradually realized that true qi is the power generated by the internal energy cycle of the body, which can be transformed into a form that is easy to utilize through the continuous accumulation and refinement of excess energy. However, magical power seemed to be absorbed from the outside; the body was merely a conductor, and the source of strength was not within but rather in the external world. Ade's understanding was not very clear, and he could not find a way to grasp it.

What about the Buddha statue www.hetushu.com?

As soon as the words fell, a little rascal appeared on the elephant's back, waving incessantly: "Xitan! Xitan! ... ... Ah!" Ade grabbed a salted fish nearby and hit him on the head from two zhang away, causing the elephant to disappear with a shout, while the crowd on the street cheered in unison. Ade paid for the fish, and Xitan took out a handkerchief to wipe his hands.

I have left

Li Lu was not in the mood to attend the celebration; if he went out, he might get beaten. After worrying all day, he found no solution. Suddenly, he heard a commotion outside. When he came out to check, he saw countless people joyfully welcoming Ade back, who was embracing a beautiful and noble local girl, almost being carried onto the ship. Before he could inquire further, the crowd had already piled various gifts and food onto the deck, transforming the large ship from the Song Dynasty into a venue for public viewing and revelry. People referred to Ade as Prince Norman. The King of India, Rama, reportedly received a divine message from the Buddha in a dream and rushed over that very night to personally declare the marriage between the two valid, referring to Xitan as "my daughter." Li Lu was dumbfounded, but he still remembered to present precious goods as gifts to the king and host a banquet for everyone.

What is that

At a moment when Ade was at a loss, a local girl ran over and grabbed a child, scolding him: "Borodo, you are doing such shameless things again, get away, the Buddha will punish you!" The children scattered in a rush, and as they left, they playfully slapped the girl's backside, which made her shout in anger. Ade felt as if he were watching a play, as several children ran away while saying, "Borodo, your sister Xitan is involved in so many matters, your family will go bankrupt!"

So what does that have to do with you coming here

As they were speaking, the two individuals who had helped fill the hole had already leveled it off and were compacting the soil with shovels. "Alright! His wife will go with you, and the property will belong to me!"

Just now, no one buried the dead, so why bury them now that they are alive

The sound of drums ceased, and Xitan's father, accompanied by the village elders, approached. The crowd parted to make way for them. Xitan's father appeared excited, and the elder was panting: "Young children, may the Buddha bless you; you will surely find happiness!" Then, the elder turned to the crowd and said: "The Buddha is divine; may He bless our Xitan with happiness, and we too shall find happiness! We must express our devotion to the Buddha through our faith!" Immediately, the drums began to play again, and the crowd, dressed neatly, began to march in an orderly fashion towards the sacred mountain pagoda outside the city, supporting the elderly and carrying the young. The elder turned to the crowd and reiterated: "The Buddha is divine; may He bless our Xitan with happiness, and we too shall find happiness! We must express our devotion to the Buddha through our faith!" Once again, the drums sounded, and the crowd, dressed neatly, began to march in an orderly fashion towards the sacred mountain pagoda outside the city.

Ah, Xitan's voice was generous and melodious, "I didn't expect you to be capable of this as well. Very well, tomorrow I will let you experience it properly"

When one dies, they are buried lying down, but that person is standing. They will be dug up seven days later

Ade possessed little but a Bible, a crystal ball, and the Dragon Spring Sword. In order to acquire sufficient magical power to use the crystal ball, Ade contemplated various methods to enhance his internal strength and recite incantations, yet none seemed effective. The Bible had caught Ade's attention, but he merely read it as a story, filled with many events that made him skeptical. Was it not Nuwa who created humanity? If there truly is a God, he must be quite familiar with Pangu and the others. Perhaps he is even a conspirator of Dayu, one who brought a catastrophic flood upon humanity, while the other gained fame through flood control. The Bible had caught Ade's attention, but he merely read it as a story, filled with many events that made him skeptical. Was it not Nuwa who created humanity? If there truly is a God, he must be quite familiar with Pangu and the others. Perhaps he is even a conspirator of Dayu, one who brought a catastrophic flood upon humanity, while the other gained fame through flood control. Ade could not bear it; in reality, he was not at all concerned with what Jehovah had done. His mental abilities were indeed continuously strengthening, but they were far from an advanced level. He could convey his thoughts to Li Lu from ten zhang away, yet he could not hear Li Lu's thoughts. Moreover, prolonged use led to fatigue, though his internal strength remained intact; it was merely a mental exhaustion, which was quite distressing. His mental abilities were indeed continuously strengthening, but they were far from an advanced level. He could convey his thoughts to Li Lu from ten zhang away, yet he could not hear Li Lu's thoughts. Moreover, prolonged use led to fatigue, though his internal strength remained intact; it was merely a mental exhaustion, which was quite distressing. Gradually, Ade mastered a set of techniques; when he grew tired from practicing his mental abilities, he would use his internal energy to adjust his breathing, and then practice again, which made him feel less lonely. To be honest, Ade had never worked this hard before.

Ade carefully observed the girl named Xitan. She was a Tamil indigenous girl, dressed in very coarse cloth. Her bare shoulders revealed a healthy and graceful figure, and her demeanor was solemn and reserved. When she slightly bowed to Ade, her palms pressed together as if in prayer, and this contemplative expression made her dark, deep-set eyes appear even more profound and beautiful. Her face was a well-proportioned oval shape, with clear and elegant contours, a straight and slender nose, and thick hair. Her low forehead was painted white, a common attire among the Sivabettar people. When she slightly bowed to Ade, her palms pressed together as if in prayer, and this contemplative expression made her dark, deep-set eyes appear even more profound and beautiful. Her face was a well-proportioned oval shape, with clear and elegant contours, a straight and slender nose, and thick hair. Her low forehead was painted white, a common attire among the Sivabettar people.

When faced with difficulties, one should not simply seek the help of deities and Buddha. Oh, the day has already broken. I apologize, sir, but I have an appointment!