The world of film and television starts from the flow of money

Outside Chang'an city, in desolate mountains and ancient temples.

The dilapidated Buddha statue cast a distorted shadow in the moonlight, and the night wind whistled through the decaying window frames.

Yi Huawei sat cross-legged in the center of the hall, which was covered with cobwebs and dust. His dark blue robe stood out against the surrounding desolation. He held no books in his hands. The essence of "Wandering Among Flowers" and "The Art of Escape from Punishment" dictated by Shi Zhixuan had been imprinted into his vast sea of ​​consciousness like a brand.

With a slight thought, Yi Huawei did not get up, but an invisible scroll had already unfolded in his mind.

"Let your mind wander in tranquility, let your spirit merge with the vastness... Let your body move like a colorful butterfly flitting among flowers, let your will flow like a gentle breeze and swirling snowflakes..."

As the mantra flowed, Yi Huawei's aura suddenly changed. An indescribable "meaning" spread out, neither murderous nor malevolent, but rather a kind of unrestrained elegance and refinement like that of the Wei and Jin dynasty scholars, carrying the fragrance of ink and the aroma of wine.

In his mental "visualization":

With a light stroke of the fingertip, an invisible "ink mark" appears, neither true qi nor qi energy, but a "trajectory" drawn by pure spiritual intention! The trajectory is agile and ethereal, sometimes as elegant as Wang Xizhi's "Preface to the Orchid Pavilion," sometimes as unrestrained as Zhang Xu's cursive script. Every turn of the "brushstroke" contains an incomparably sharp cutting intent, yet it is wrapped beneath a graceful and refined appearance, truly "containing murderous intent within elegance."

Yi Huawei pushed the essence of the mental cultivation method, "Leaving Emotion Without Leaving a Trace," to its ultimate level. His mental image became blurred and uncertain within the illusion of his sea of ​​consciousness, as if merging into the "blank space" of a painting. Wherever his thoughts went, his form seemed to be there yet not there, like the blank space beyond the ink marks on rice paper—seemingly ethereal, yet containing infinite possibilities. This was precisely the supreme manifestation of spiritual cultivation—

"I think, therefore I am; when thoughts arise, the body vanishes."

If this method is mastered, external evils will find it difficult to invade, and the illusions of seductive arts will be like a gentle breeze brushing against a mountain, leaving no trace in one's heart. Hou Xibai only grasped the superficial aspects of it and was already able to resist Wanwan, while what Yi Huawei was currently deduce was already close to the rudimentary form of "mind transcending the void."

As thoughts flowed, countless "petals" outlined by the mind bloomed and fell in the void of the sea of ​​consciousness. Each petal carried a different "meaning": some were sword energy, some were finger wind, and some were bewitching thoughts.

They appear to drift aimlessly, but in reality, they align with the ultimate principles of nature, forming a deadly array constructed from "elegance." This is the ultimate form of "passing through a sea of ​​flowers without a single petal touching you"—not about evasion, but about using the profusion of blossoms as blades to trap the enemy in a deadly trap of beauty.

With a shift in his mind, the chilling and cruel nature of "The Art of Torture and Escape" surged within him. Yi Huawei skipped over the lengthy chapters describing torture and forced confessions, his mind piercing precisely into the two chapters that elevated "The Art of Escape" to an art form.

"The one who punishes is one who conceals; the one who flees is one who hides… His form is like a ghost, his shadow clings to the void… His aura is as deep as an abyss, his divine will is hidden in the deepest hell…"

Yi Huawei's consciousness instantly sank into the darkest corner of the hall. He didn't merge with the shadows, but rather "assimilated" them! Wherever his consciousness reached, his own presence was compressed to almost nothingness, as if he had become part of the darkness itself. This wasn't the "speed" of light-body skills, but the "nothingness" of existence. This was the supreme realm of "all bones are hidden, all traces are hard to find"—"I am the shadow, and the shadow is me."

Yi Huawei had a more thorough understanding of the key to Shi Zhixuan's creation of the "Illusion-Reality Transformation" Immortal Seal Technique by integrating the Flower Garden Heart Method. The "escape" in the "Punishment Escape Technique" is not only about physical concealment, but also about the perception and utilization of "spatial gaps."

His thoughts extended like tentacles, keenly capturing the subtle "wrinkles" and "weak points" in the ancient temple space caused by the erosion of time and structural instability. With a gentle "press" on these points, his body could achieve a near-instantaneous "flash" in reality. This was the prototype of the spatial application of "where the mind moves, the body has already gone elsewhere".

Yi Huawei did not completely abandon the "intention" in those records of torture. He integrated the extreme analysis of "weaknesses in material structure" (such as bones, joints, meridian nodes, and the limits of mental endurance) and the profound understanding of extreme emotions such as "pain and fear" into his understanding of "escape" and "attack". His mental attacks can accurately find the target's most vulnerable and fearful "point", silent and deadly, sublimating "assassination" into a cold and absolutely efficient "spatial judgment".

When the elegant and unadorned artistic conception of "Wandering Among Flowers" and the shadowy and void laws of "The Art of Escape" collided and merged in Yi Huawei's vast sea of ​​consciousness, the core secret of Shi Zhixuan's "Undying Seal Technique," which had a fatal flaw due to his split personality—"transformation between reality and illusion, and the cycle of life and death"—was completely analyzed, completed, and pushed to a realm that Shi Zhixuan could not even imagine.

In Yi Huawei's deduction, the boundary between "illusion" and "reality" is completely blurred. With a thought, elegance can instantly transform into deadly reality (the "blank space" of Hua Jian You becomes the "judgment point" of Xing Dun Shu), and shadows can also carry the meaning of romance (the "shadow" of Xing Dun Shu becomes the carrier of Hua Jian You's "thought"). The transformation is seamless and unimpeded, without the stagnation and flaws caused by Shi Zhixuan's mental split.

The control over "life and death energy" has reached its ultimate level. The enemy's death energy (attack energy, negative emotions) can not only be "borrowed" and transformed into one's own life energy (defense or counterattack power), but also temporarily "exiled" to nothingness by Yi Huawei using the "blank space" concept of "Wandering Among Flowers", or guided, refracted, or even "stored" in a certain spatial node using the spatial perception of "Punishment Escape Technique", and then released when needed! This is no longer a simple "borrowing force to fight force", but is almost a prototype of "manipulating life and death energy and constructing a miniature spatial force field".

Within Yi Huawei's body, the "Beacon of Heaven and Earth" formed by the "Longevity Manual" vibrated slightly, creating a strange resonance with the newly born "Undying Intent" that merged the essence of the two great demonic arts.

The Dao Beacon provides this realm with an inexhaustible supply of primordial energy, making its foundation incredibly stable. In turn, the immortal realm's exquisite manipulation of space and energy guides the Dao Beacon to a more efficient and direct path for primordial energy absorption and refinement, as if accumulating a purer and more controllable power for its eventual "breaking through this realm."

In the deserted temple, Yi Huawei slowly opened his eyes.

A flash of purple-gold light appeared in his eyes, deep and unfathomable, as if containing a strange world constructed from elegant calligraphy and painting, dark shadows, and the cycle of life and death.

He did not rise to practice, yet an indescribable aura naturally flowed around him: sometimes like a scholar wielding a pen, elegant and refined; sometimes like a king of the night, profound and majestic; and sometimes as if he transcended this world, unpredictable and elusive.

The dilapidated Buddha statues inside the hall, illuminated by the pale moonlight filtering through the broken windows, cast mottled shadows that seemed to flow, twist, and recombine silently around Yi Huawei, as if submitting to a new law.

"Shi Zhixuan...is trapped by his emotions, drawing a circle around himself and imprisoning himself."

Yi Huawei whispered, his voice echoing in the empty, dilapidated temple, carrying an all-knowing indifference: "The ultimate demonic art is not about sinking into depravity, but... the beginning of transcendence."

He slightly raised his fingertip and gently touched a speck of dust dancing in the moonlight.

The dust was not thrown up.

It seemed as if it had been sketched by an invisible paintbrush, instantly transforming into a lifelike miniature orchid composed of pure light and shadow, blooming with a fleeting, exquisite beauty before silently vanishing without leaving a trace.

Leave a trace of affection.

When intention is at its peak, the birth and death of all things arise and cease from the mind.

The desolate temple returned to deathly silence, with only the purple-gold demonic patterns in Yi Huawei's eyes, which had not yet completely faded and were a fusion of elegance, shadow, and the cycle of life and death, indicating that the essence of the two demonic arts had been reborn in his hands and transformed into the foundation for a higher realm.

………………

The majestic outline of Luoyang gradually disappeared into the light dust raised behind us.

Yi Huawei changed out of the blood-stained blue robe and into a moon-white brocade robe, covered with a black light fur coat with silver trim. He rode the magnificent Zhaoye Jade Lion, exuding an air of elegance and nobility, a stark contrast to the disheveled and wild-looking "Nameless" from before.

His goal for this trip was clear—Ryukyu, the Dongming faction, and Shan Meixian.

The Yin Kui Sect is elusive and unpredictable, like mercury seeping into the ground, infiltrating everywhere yet leaving no trace. Zhu Yuyan is even more elusive, appearing and disappearing like a dragon. If one wants to find her, Shan Meixian, the eldest daughter of the Yin Empress and leader of the Dongming Sect, is the most likely lead. As for Shi Zhixuan? Although he and Zhu Yuyan are now enemies, it's impossible to get information about her whereabouts from him. Given Shi Zhixuan's arrogant nature, killing him would be easier.

Leaving the bustling capital region, riding south, the scenery along the way unfolds like a slowly unfurling scroll of the chaotic late Sui Dynasty, with a cruel undertone of blood and fire.

Along the official road, the villages that once boasted wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys are now mostly deserted. Amidst the crumbling walls, overgrown weeds grow, and only the cawing of crows remains. The few figures that are seen are mostly elderly, weak, women, and children, their faces sallow and emaciated, their eyes numb, leaning against dilapidated doorframes, staring blankly at the noblemen in fine clothes riding past on horseback.

On the banks of the great river, ragged laborers crawled like ants under the howling of whips. They carried heavy stones or massive timbers, constructing "dragon boats" or palaces long neglected, built solely to satisfy the emperor's selfish desires. The overseers were fierce and ruthless, whipping and beatings for the slightest slackening. The murky river wailed, as if telling of endless suffering. Yi Huawei's gaze swept across the scene, his heart unmoved, merely a testament to the decay of the foundations of this vast empire.

Along the official roads, one could often see caravans of refugees, families in tow, wandering aimlessly southward. They were emaciated, their steps faltering, pushing creaking, dilapidated carts, each carrying perhaps only a few worn belongings and a starving child. An atmosphere of despair permeated the air; a plague or a small-scale raid by fleeing soldiers would be enough to wipe out this entire group.

At the entrances of some of the more prosperous towns, checks became more stringent. Private guards in different uniforms, representing the influence of local powerful clans (such as the Yuwen and Dugu clans), eyed passing travelers and merchants with predatory intent, demanding tolls or searching for them. The atmosphere was oppressive and tense.

On this day, Yi Huawei arrived at Shouchun, a major town in Huainan. It was almost noon, so he stopped to rest at a relatively clean teahouse near the city gate. He asked the waiter to take care of his horses, while he ordered a pot of tea and sat by the window, calmly observing the bustling crowds and strict checks at the city gate.

At the most conspicuous spot at the city gate, several brand-new arrest warrants were posted. One of them, though crudely drawn, clearly depicted a profile of a disheveled man, dressed in coarse linen, with eyes as wild as a wild beast. Beside the portrait, a line of large, striking characters in vermilion ink read:
[Nameless Bandit Hunter]: Killed Lord Yuwen Huaji! Severely injured Imperial Preceptor Ning Daoqi! His crimes are heinous!
Anyone who can provide clues or capture and kill this fiend will be rewarded with ten thousand gold pieces and promoted to a third-rank military officer!
Those who harbor criminals are equally guilty!
The seals were clearly affixed to the private seal of the Yuwen clan and the official seal of the Yangzhou General Administration!

Yi Huawei picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, and a barely perceptible smile played at the corners of his lips. This wanted poster… it did capture a certain spirit, seizing seven or eight tenths of the state he was in when he killed Yuwen Huaji that day. However, the man before him now, dressed in fine clothes and with his hair neatly tied up, his face like jade, exuding composure, was worlds apart from the crazed "Nameless" in the painting. Who could connect this elegant young nobleman with that infamous bandit?

Inside the teahouse, several customers who looked like merchants were pointing at the wanted poster and whispering among themselves:

"Tsk tsk, just who is this 'Nameless One'? He even dared to kill Lord Yuwen Huaji and injure Immortal Ning?"

"Shh! Keep your voice down! Are you out of your mind?! I heard this guy is a powerful figure in the Demonic Sect, a ruthless killer!"

"Ten thousand taels of gold! And a third-rank official position! The Yuwen clan has really gone all out this time!"

"Hmph, even the biggest bounty is only worth taking if you're alive! This kind of person isn't someone we can afford to mess with. Just watch, just watch..."

Yi Huawei listened to the discussions with a calm expression, as if it were none of his business. He put down his teacup, tossed aside a few copper coins, got up, took his horse, and walked leisurely toward the city gate.

At the city gate, several Yuwen clan retainers and city guards were menacingly inspecting passersby, their sharp eyes scanning anyone who came close to the physical features depicted in the portrait. When Yi Huawei led the magnificent Jade Lion of the Night closer, everyone's attention was involuntarily drawn to him.

His luxurious attire and extraordinary demeanor clearly indicated that this person was no ordinary individual. The soldiers conducting the inspection instinctively suppressed their menacing expressions; the foreman even managed a fawning smile and cautiously stopped him.
"Young master, please wait a moment. It's just routine, please show me your travel permit."

Yi Huawei casually tossed out a well-made travel permit bearing the mark of a major merchant in Luoyang—a little trinket he had casually "picked up" before leaving Luoyang.

The squad leader carefully checked everything and became even more respectful, but his gaze involuntarily darted back and forth between Yi Huawei's handsome face and the crude portrait on the wanted poster.

The difference... it's just too huge! The soldiers behind him whispered among themselves:
"Boss, do you think this person... looks like him?"

"Resembles? Resembles my ass! One is a celestial being, the other a mudfish! The wanted poster depicts a savage, while this young master is clearly a nobleman from a prominent family!"

"Exactly! Could that savage afford to ride a horse like that? Or wear clothes like that? Don't be delusional!"

"That's true, that's true..."

The foreman respectfully handed the travel permit back to Yi Huawei, bowing and saying, "Young Master, the travel permit is fine. Please proceed!"

Yi Huawei nodded slightly, not even glancing at the wanted poster, and calmly led his horse through the city gate.

Upon entering Shouchun City, the streets were slightly more bustling than outside the city, yet the desolation of a chaotic era was still undeniable. Yi Huawei found the best inn in the city and settled in, instructing the innkeeper to take good care of the horses.

At dinner time, he was drinking alone in a private room on the second floor of the inn. At the next table were several weary travelers from the martial arts world, carrying weapons, and a well-informed old scholar from the local area. Their conversation drifted intermittently to Yi Huawei's ears.

"...Have you heard? Something strange has happened in Yangzhou recently!" a bearded man said in a low voice.

"What is it? Speak quickly!" someone urged.

"It is said that two petty thugs from Yangzhou, named Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, somehow got lucky and obtained the legendary Taoist treasure—the Longevity Manual!"

"The Longevity Manual?!"

The old scholar gasped in shock: "Isn't that the legendary supreme manual written by Guang Chengzi, containing the secrets to shattering the void? How did it fall into the hands of two scoundrels?!"

"That's right! Right now, all the martial arts forces in Yangzhou, as well as the government and the Yuwen clan, are searching for those two like mad! I heard that those two are incredibly slippery and have escaped from capture several times!"

"Hey, those two kids are in for it. They're guilty of possessing a treasure! How could they possibly keep something like the 'Longevity Manual'? They're doomed sooner or later!"

"Not necessarily. I heard they were saved by some kind of powerful figure..."

"Masters? In this chaotic world, where would so many masters come from? It's mostly just hearsay..."

Kou Zhong? Xu Ziling? The Secret of Longevity?
Yi Huawei picked up his wine glass, his eyes flickering slightly. This was indeed an unexpected gain. It seemed that the "chosen ones" of this world had begun their legend. The "Longevity Manual," which he had long since deciphered and which served as the "beacon of the Dao," had stirred up the winds of change in this way once again. He had no interest in this, but it confirmed that the timeline of this world was indeed progressing as he knew.

(End of this chapter)