Chapter 15: Entering Meditation for the First Time

“But my method is still experimental. If you trust me, you can give it a try.”

Zhuang Yun’s expression was unusually serious. She wasn’t entirely sure whether spiritual power would increase alongside inner strength, but she trusted her intuition.

“Alright.” A long-forgotten excitement surged within Lin Yiwen’s heart. He had nearly fallen into despair, abandoning those distant dreams.

But today, someone told him there might still be a chance. Without hesitation, no matter the cost, even if only a glimmer of hope remained, he had to try!

“Bang! Bang! Bang!” Just as the two were talking, a sudden, urgent knock sounded at the door.

Lin Yiwen opened it to find Old Chen San standing there.

“Little Lin! I’m right across the street. It’s rare to see you home at noon today. I recently bought some delicious and fun things from Star A. Come on, help me bring them in!” Old Chen San smiled warmly as he directed several robots to carry the goods inside.

“Old San, I know you love cooking. These vinegars and soy sauces were specially developed on Star A. I also brought some cured meats, seafood, and premium nutrient fluids. I even picked out some interesting antiques and jade stones for you...”

“No need, Old Chen...” Lin Yiwen wanted to refuse, not wanting to owe anyone favors.

“Kid! Why be so polite with me? If you ever need anything, just say the word. I’ve got your back.” Old Chen San patted Lin Yiwen’s shoulder.

“Hey, how come Xiao Yun is here too?” Zhuang Yun looked a bit disheveled, with traces of grease still at the corners of her mouth.

Old Chen San glanced slyly at the two. He knew Lin Yiwen had always kept to himself over the past ten years, never even interacting with girls.

But this time, he had brought a girl home for a meal!

Old Chen San grinned mischievously. “I get it, I get it! I won’t disturb you then. I’m off!” Without waiting for a reply, he conscientiously closed the door behind him.

You just don’t understand...

Lin Yiwen’s face flushed with embarrassment. Zhuang Yun, unfazed, curiously asked, “Is Old Chen San really close to you?”

Lin Yiwen guessed that Taoist Zhuang had briefed her about his family, so he didn’t hide it. “Yeah. My parents were top mech engineers on Star A4. He was their mentor, teaching them everything hand by hand. After my parents passed away, he took good care of me.”

“Now that he’s retired, he’s moved from Star A4 to live in seclusion on Star G33.”

“Sorry...” Zhuang Yun glanced at the family photo on the bedside table. She could tell Lin Yiwen’s parents’ death had hit him hard, and seeing the many medications for mental illness in the room made her sympathize even more.

Lin Yiwen smiled faintly. “It’s okay. It’s all in the past.”

“Then why did you leave Star A4 for G33?” Zhuang Yun asked, puzzled.

“Let’s just say G33 is my hometown. With my parents gone from A4, there’s no point for me to stay there.”

***

“Star A4? What kind of place is that?” Zhuang Yun had often heard people mention Star A.

Lin Yiwen activated his light-brain and showed her the scene: buildings of various shapes floated in the air, far more numerous aircraft than on G33, and countless armed mech patrols monitored every move of the people from above.

“So bustling...”

“Star A4 sits at the intersection of multiple interstellar trade routes, gathering the best resources from across the United Federation.”

“The Federation’s top research institutions, innovative enterprises, and elite military academies have all established bases there. It’s no exaggeration to say Star A4 is the heart of the entire United Federation.”

“I want to go there someday! I’ll make the Yun Yin Sect shine on that star! Hahaha!” Zhuang Yun was already dreaming of a bright future.

Lin Yiwen studied the energetic girl beside him and smiled. She had potential. “You definitely can.”

For a moment, Lin Yiwen realized that smile was genuine. It seemed it had been a long time since he had truly smiled.

After a satisfying meal, they arranged to meet again the next day. Lin Yiwen returned to his repair shop while Zhuang Yun continued her all-night search for Boss Yang’s toad...

Zhuang Yun searched through the night again...

The next day, after finishing work at the shop, Lin Yiwen packed bags of vegetables, meat, seafood, seasonings, and a deep fryer and headed to Yun Yin Sect. He even brought a refrigerator just in case the mountain lacked proper storage.

Zhuang Qi Tong and his disciples were practicing when a luxurious and flashy flying vehicle landed in the courtyard.

Everyone thought:

Rich! Truly rich!

Luxurious! Truly luxurious!

But out of the car stepped a youth wearing a white tank top smeared with engine oil.

“Lin Yiwen? What are you doing here?” Zhuang Qi Tong looked utterly bewildered.

Bewildered at why Lin Yiwen was here.

Bewildered that his shop assistant was a hidden wealthy heir.

“I’m here because Xiao Yun called me!” Zhuang Yun appeared before them, dark circles under her eyes.

“Sorry, I forgot to tell you all last night while catching toads!”

“From now on, Lin Yiwen will come to our sect at noon to practice with us and improve together!” Zhuang Yun raised her fist, encouraging everyone.

***

Zhuang Yun glanced again at the bags of ingredients and kitchenware Lin Yiwen had brought, scratched her head, and sheepishly said, “And I’ll help cook some dishes too. Everyone burns a lot of energy, so nutrition is important!”

Zhuang Qi Tong and his disciples thought the first part was fine, but the last part...

Clearly, it was you who wanted to eat meat and tricked him into coming...

When everyone saw the sumptuous dishes laid out at lunch, they silently gave Zhuang Yun a thumbs-up for her foresight!

The dishes were the same old ones, but now they were rich in color, aroma, and flavor! During lean times, they barely added salt and were used to bland meals.

But today, every human taste bud was awakened!

“Little Lin, will you come again tonight? There’s only one mech at the shop, so take your time fixing it. When it’s mostly done, come up the mountain early,” Zhuang Qi Tong said sincerely.

“If you want, I can prepare a room for you. It’ll be convenient to rest.”

The third senior brother had been captured last time and knew Lin Yiwen had helped a lot. He hoped Lin Yiwen could also gain from staying at the sect. He added, “Brother Lin Yiwen, the spiritual energy around Yun Yin Sect is abundant. If you stay overnight, even just sleeping will help your cultivation progress!”

Seeing Lin Yiwen hesitate, the senior brother added, “This is what our master says!”

Under the expectant gazes of everyone, Lin Yiwen nodded in agreement.

After the meal, Zhuang Yun led Lin Yiwen to begin meditation and breath control, but Lin Yiwen struggled to enter the state.

He wanted to grow stronger! To enhance his spiritual power! Closing his eyes and focusing, his mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, like drifting leaves, unable to settle, and sweat poured down his face.

The previous night, Zhuang Yun had contacted Jiang Mingxu to learn about Lin Yiwen’s past and understood his mental block. “Lin Yiwen, I know you’re anxious, but no success comes overnight. Take it slowly.”

Zhuang Yun’s voice entered Lin Yiwen’s mind like a distant bell: “Try taking deep breaths and let go of all distractions. Sink your breath into your dantian...”

Lin Yiwen closed his eyes again. This time, he was patient, not rushing, and felt each breath and heartbeat’s rise and fall.

As time passed, he seemed to glimpse the world deep within himself—dark all around, but a distant light guiding him step by step forward.

When Lin Yiwen opened his eyes, the sun was setting behind the western hills, and the smile of the girl before him bloomed like a freshly opened flower.

“Congratulations! You’ve succeeded in your first meditation!”