From Paper Craftsman to World-Suppressing Immortal

After leaving the entrance of the Flower Goddess Temple, Zhang Zhixuan and Daoist Lingxu and others drove around for more than ten minutes before finally finding an inn.

As soon as the group entered, the innkeeper hurriedly greeted them, "Gentlemen, are you here for a meal and a stay?"

Zhang Zhixuan glanced at the short, stout shop owner and thought that it wasn't just his physique, but also his appearance, which was quite comical. The shop owner had a chubby, round face, a pair of small, black bean-like eyes that narrowed into slits when he smiled, and a high-pitched voice that sounded just like a weasel.

"Boss, do you have any spacious upper-class rooms? I'd like one."

"Alright! Four distinguished guests, please come in! One first-class room!" the innkeeper called out, personally leading the group to their room on the second floor of the inn.

After the guest rooms were arranged, the innkeeper bowed and smiled broadly, "Gentlemen, please feel free to ask for anything. Our staff will be there whenever you need us."

Zhang Zhixuan nodded without saying anything more. The shopkeeper tactfully withdrew and closed the door behind him.

Master Lingxu and the others placed their bundles on the table.

Zhang Zhixuan casually pushed open the window to let the room air out, and took a look at the street scene outside. People were coming and going, and peddlers of all kinds were shouting their wares. In the distance, he could see people performing martial arts. A group of teenagers were chasing, playing, laughing and running around at the alley entrance. As far as the eye could see, it was no different from other towns. Everything was just like the daily life of small town residents.

"Eat some dry food and drink some water, then put away the talismans and magical implements and conserve your energy."

When Master Lingxu spoke, the group nodded in agreement, took out dry food and water to quickly fill their stomachs, then packed their luggage and sat down quietly.

Chu Qinghe unloaded the broadsword he was carrying and placed it beside him. Lin Mo opened the medicine box and checked the bottles and jars inside. Pei Shouzhen and Daoist Lingxu didn't have any large items. After they finished packing, they formed hand seals, sat cross-legged, and closed their eyes to rest.

Zhang Zhixuan sat down on the edge of the bed, looking idly at the three masters and disciples of the Celestial Master's Mansion of Longhu Mountain who were sitting cross-legged in meditation. He had a thought and wanted to ask them about their meditation techniques, but seeing that they were already in meditation, he was too embarrassed to disturb them and could only watch. He tried to sit cross-legged in meditation himself, but he couldn't calm his mind, so he had to give up.

Suddenly, Pei Shouzhen opened his eyes and was about to get up when Zhang Zhixuan quickly asked, "Master Pei, what are the rules for meditation and entering a state of deep concentration in your Taoist school?"

"Does Layman Zhang want to learn?"

"Please don't hesitate to offer your guidance!"

At this moment, Daoist Lingxu also opened his eyes, his gaze falling on Zhang Zhixuan, and he simply watched quietly.

Pei Shouzhen walked up to Zhang Zhixuan and said, "Please sit down first, place your hands on your knees, face upwards, close your eyes, and empty your mind of all thoughts."

Zhang Zhixuan sat down cross-legged as instructed, placing his hands on his knees with his palms facing up. He closed his eyes, but his mind was filled with chaotic thoughts, and he couldn't calm down for a while.

Master Lingxu stood up and walked to Zhang Zhixuan, extending a finger and touching his brow.

The finger touched down, neither too hard nor too light, like a leaf falling on the water.

"Close your eyes, empty your mind, don't deliberately think about anything, and don't deliberately try not to think about anything. When thoughts arise in your mind, let them come and go as they please."

Zhang Zhixuan closed his eyes. Lingxu Daoist's fingers moved away from his brow, but his voice still lingered in his ears.

"Entering meditation is not about sleeping, but about returning your mind to its proper place. Your thoughts are your subordinates, not your masters. You sit there, as still as a mountain, quietly observing the flowing water, watching it come and go. You don't need to chase or stop them."

Zhang Zhixuan's breathing gradually calmed down. At first, his mind was still filled with a jumble of chaotic thoughts, but Master Lingxu's voice was like a broom, sweeping these thoughts away one by one. He felt as if he were sinking into water, not deep, just covering his head, and the surroundings were so quiet that he could hear his own heartbeat.

Gradually, Zhang Zhixuan entered a special state.

Quietness brings peace of mind and harmony with nature.

Zhang Zhixuan quickly entered a meditative state, oblivious to his surroundings. Pei Shouzhen and Daoist Lingxu watched Zhang Zhixuan quietly and nodded in unison. Chu Qinghe and Yun Mo also lost their composure and gathered around to watch Zhang Zhixuan.

Yunmo looked surprised and whispered, "He grasped the true meaning of meditation after just a few words from Master?"

Chu Qinghe was also amazed and said in a low voice, "Second Junior Brother said he was born with the Daoist talent, and I thought he was bragging. Now I've seen it with my own eyes. Just this level of comprehension is extraordinary."

Zhang Zhixuan was unaware that the others were talking about him; his consciousness continued to sink deeper into the depths of his sea of ​​consciousness, to an even deeper place.

There was nothing around him—no light, no sound, no time. Eventually, he couldn't even feel his own existence.

When Zhang Zhixuan opened his eyes, the sun outside the window was gradually setting in the west, and the sky was getting a little dark. Oil lamps were already lit in the room.

Zhang Zhixuan finished his meditation and stood up. At the same time, a familiar light blue light screen suddenly popped up:

[Performing a single meditation session increases a Taoist's proficiency by 8.]

The Taoist priest has reached level 3.

[All Trades: Taoist Priest]

[Level: Lv3 (1/100)]

[Rank: 0]

【Exorcism and Suppression Lv3 (Permanent Passive, Upgradeable): By focusing on cultivation and dedicating oneself to the Tao, one is protected by the incense offerings of the Three Pure Ones, and all evil cannot invade. The talismans one creates deal 50% more damage to all demons and monsters, and one's own resistance to evil energy is increased by 30%】

[Skill: Exterminating Evil Sword Intent (Intermediate), using talismans as swords, wielding the sword to vanquish evil. With a single strike, evil and demons are slain. Number of strikes available at current level: 4.]

[Unlock Skill, Annihilating Coin: Coins are objects that carry the karmic will of countless lifetimes. Using copper coins as a vessel, throwing one coin will annihilate evil spirits.]

[Upgrade to the next level to unlock skills]

Zhang Zhixuan was overjoyed. With the guidance of Daoist Lingxu, he successfully entered a meditative state, and his Daoist proficiency level increased by one level.

"The 'Extinguishing Coin,' once thrown, never misses its mark?" Zhang Zhixuan was slightly lost in thought, recalling a martial arts master who wielded throwing knives.

At this moment, seeing Zhang Zhixuan awaken from his meditative state, Daoist Lingxu asked with a smile, "How was it?"

"Although I can't quite describe the feeling, after entering a meditative state, my physical and mental state is quite good!" Zhang Zhixuan said after thinking for a moment.

Master Lingxu nodded and affirmed, "To reach this level in your first meditation is already quite impressive. Don't slack off in the future; treat it as a daily practice and persist in it. You will surely benefit greatly from it."

"Thank you for your guidance, Daoist Lingxu!" Zhang Zhixuan said, bowing with his hands clasped in thanks.

Master Lingxu smiled and nodded, then looked at the darkening sky outside the window and instructed, "There will definitely be something unusual tonight. Be vigilant and keep your magical artifacts within easy reach."

The group nodded to each other without saying a word.

As darkness fell completely, and the moment the last ray of light disappeared from the horizon, all sounds outside the window ceased.

Just moments before, the noise and bustle of the nearby streets could be heard, but now, as night falls, the entire town has suddenly fallen into a deathly silence.

Zhang Zhixuan held his breath and peered out the window.

The once bustling streets were now deserted; not a single person could be seen.

The entire Peony Town was shrouded in deep darkness. Not a sound could be heard, and not a single person could be seen. Only emptiness and eerie silence remained.

The people inside picked up their weapons and waited quietly.

Just then.

"Thump...thump...thump..."

A knocking sounded suddenly.