One person: Starting with the Snow Drinking Blade

Chapter 107 Healing and Opening the Heart

Until that late autumn afternoon.

After completing the routine treatment that day, Nie Lingfeng did not arrange any other activities, but simply had her sit quietly in front of the house to try a deeper level of "introspection".

"Try not to consciously 'think' about the Ice Heart Mantra," Nie Lingfeng instructed, "but let that 'pure' feeling arise naturally from the bottom of your heart, like a mountain spring gushing from a crack in the rock. Then, use this 'clear' mind to 'see' inside your own body, not with your eyes, but with your 'mind.' Like looking at fish swimming under the water's surface, or looking at scenery behind a glass window."

Chen Duo tried as instructed. At first, it was the familiar process: silently reciting the incantation, lowering her consciousness, and fighting against the subtle toxins stirring within her body that had been "disturbed" by introspection. But this time, she did not insist on "fighting" them, but instead tried to relax and let the coolness brought by the Ice Heart Mantra flow naturally.

Gradually, a strange experience began to occur.

She "felt" as if she had been detached, suspended above a chaotic, dim "space." This "space" was the inside of her body. Below was not pitch black, but filled with various blurry, flowing "lights" and "shadows" with different "colors" and "textures."

Most of the area was a dark, viscous, slowly writhing gray and black—the stubborn, primal poison that had not yet been cleared away, like silt, accumulating in the corners, emanating an unsettling chill and corrosive feeling.

However, in some major meridian channels, especially near the heart meridian and the Ren and Du meridians that Nie Lingfeng has recently focused on clearing and nourishing, there flows a relatively clear, steady "qi" with a faint milky white halo—that is her own repaired blood and qi, as well as the pure qi nourished by the Ice Heart Technique.

At the edge of this chaotic scene, there are still some extremely faint, flickering, and differently colored specks of light—scorching red fragments of anger, dark yellow patches of confusion, and a fleeting glimpse of pale gold during moments of brief satisfaction… These are fragments of her primal and chaotic emotions that are beginning to resurface, like shattered kaleidoscopes scattered at the edge of her consciousness.

What shocked her most was that at the "center" of this chaotic scene, something had quietly floated up.

It wasn't a physical entity, but rather a... condensation of imagery.

It was extremely indistinct, its outline appearing and disappearing, its texture neither ice nor mirror. Its surface was not smooth, covered with fine, crack-like lines, as if it might shatter at any moment. Yet, at its core, it exuded an indescribable "clarity" and "stillness." The surrounding chaos, light and shadow, toxins, fragments of emotion… everything that passed near it seemed to be affected by that core of "clarity"—the restless would calm slightly, the gloomy would become slightly clearer, and the chaotic would tend towards order.

Although this effect is extremely weak and small in scope, it does exist.

This is... the "Mirror of the Heart"?

Chen Duo's consciousness "gazes" at this blurry "mirror," and an unprecedented understanding rises in her heart. It turns out that the ultimate goal of cultivating the Ice Heart Technique is not to create an indestructible "ice shell" to seal everything, but to polish a "heart mirror" in the deepest part of consciousness that can reflect all things without being tainted by them.

Reflect on what comes – whether it's toxins in the body, external stimuli, or emotions arising within oneself, reflect them truthfully, without avoidance or denial.

Once things are gone, they are gone—once they have been reflected, let them flow by, leaving no trace of attachment on the "mirror," keeping the mirror clear and bright.

"A heart as clear as ice" does not mean being insensitive, but rather having a clear and pure perception.

"Not alarmed even when the sky falls" is not fearlessness, but a clear and serene state of mind.

At this moment, Chen Duo felt as if she had truly "touched" a trace of the essence of the Ice Heart Technique. The blurry "heart mirror" trembled slightly, and the "tranquility" at its core seemed to solidify a little, while the area of ​​influence around it expanded by an insignificant circle.

She slowly exited the state of introspection and opened her eyes.

The last rays of the setting sun shone through the changing treetops, casting dappled golden light on the wooden house. An autumn breeze, carrying the coolness and scent of fallen leaves, brushed against my cheek. Everything seemed normal, yet everything felt different.

Nie Lingfeng had been standing not far away, watching her quietly. When he saw her open her eyes, he walked over, his eyes filled with inquiry.

"How does it feel?"

Chen Duo remained silent for a moment, seemingly organizing her thoughts. After a long while, she slowly spoke, her voice softer than usual, yet possessing an indescribable "texture":

"I... I think I 'saw' it. Inside my body... it's chaotic, lots of black things, and... some other light. But in the middle... there's a... blurry mirror. It's very quiet."

A sudden burst of joy flashed in Nie Lingfeng's eyes! The Mind Mirror had begun to solidify! This was a sign that the cultivator had entered the inner sanctum of the Ice Heart Technique! It meant that the cultivator had begun to truly establish an inner, stable spiritual core, and was able to observe and regulate the body and mind in a way that transcended mere "suppression" or "confrontation"!

This progress far exceeded his expectations! Chen Duo's comprehension and purity of mind are indeed extraordinary! Perhaps this is also related to her long-term state of being almost a "blank slate," lacking the common people's inherent cognitive barriers and emotional attachments, making it easier for her to touch certain pure and original realms of meaning?

"Very good! Excellent!" Nie Lingfeng rarely showed such obvious excitement. He patted Chen Duo's shoulder. "That is the prototype of the 'Heart Mirror'! Remember this feeling, remember that 'mirror'. In the future, whether you are cultivating, dealing with the residual poison in your body, or even facing people and things in the outside world, try to keep this 'mirror' clear, observe things as they are, and not be swayed by circumstances."

Chen Duo nodded, her emerald eyes appearing exceptionally clear in the setting sun. She could sense Nie Lingfeng's joy. Although she didn't fully understand what "the initial condensation of the Heart Mirror" specifically meant, she was certain that she seemed to have done something very important.

After her mind mirror was initially formed, Chen Duo's cultivation entered a new stage. She was no longer satisfied with just sitting in meditation and chanting every day, and began to try to maintain that state of "clear mind mirror" in her daily walking, gathering, and even simple housework.

This is difficult. The slightest external disturbance, the subtle changes within the body, and the occasional thought that arises (such as finding it amusing to see a squirrel hopping around, or feeling anticipation upon smelling the aroma of stewed meat) will constantly "bump" into that still fragile "mirror of the heart," trying to leave ripples or traces on it.

Chen Duo needs to be constantly vigilant, like a tightrope walker, finding a delicate balance between "perceiving reality" and "remaining unmoved." This is far more difficult and delicate than simply sitting quietly to fight toxins in her body. She often "mistakes," her mind disturbed by emotions or external factors, causing ripples, and then the lingering toxins in her body will seize the opportunity to stir, bringing familiar hidden pain and irritability.

Whenever this happens, Nie Lingfeng will not directly help her suppress it, but will promptly remind her or interrupt her "disturbance" with a simple action (such as gently patting her shoulder or pointing out a strangely shaped fallen leaf), allowing her to return to the clarity of "contemplation".

"Breaking through barriers means refining your mind's mirror in dynamic situations," Nie Lingfeng explained to her. "Achieving stillness in stillness is merely the foundation. Maintaining composure in movement is the true skill. It's about making this mirror reflect clearly whether the outside world is stormy or gentle, while remaining serene and unmoved within itself."

On this day, Nie Lingfeng decided to give Chen Duo a more challenging "barrier-breaking" trial.

The autumn air was crisp and the sun shone brightly. Nie Lingfeng led Chen Duo to an open valley about three or four miles from the wooden house. The valley was surrounded by mountains on three sides, with a flat floor covered in knee-high, lush autumn grasses that had turned a golden yellow. A clear stream meandered through one side of the valley, its waters gurgling gently.

"Today, we will cultivate here." Nie Lingfeng stopped and said to Chen Duo, "I will use some... 'special' methods to 'interfere' with you. What you need to do is, no matter what I do, try your best to keep the 'mirror' in your heart clear, observe everything as it happens, but do not be swayed by any sights, sounds, or even the feeling of 'danger' that may appear, and you must not let the remaining poison in your body be triggered by emotional fluctuations. Understand?"

Chen Duo looked at Nie Lingfeng's calm face, then at the open yet unusually quiet valley around her. A hint of confusion flashed in her emerald eyes, but she still nodded: "Understood."

"Okay. Now, close your eyes, adjust your breathing, and let your 'mental mirror' stabilize."

Chen Duo did as instructed. She sat cross-legged on the soft autumn grass, closed her eyes, and silently circulated the Ice Heart Mantra. Soon, the blurry yet clear "mirror of the heart" slowly emerged in her mind, and the surrounding internal and external scenes began to be "reflected" in a more detached and objective way: the rustling of the wind through the grass, the sound of the stream, the occasional birdsong in the distance, her own steady breathing and heartbeat, and the dormant, undercurrent-like residual poison deep within her body...

Everything was "clear," but not "sticky." She felt like she was sitting on the bank, watching the river flow and the birds fly in the sky.

Just then—

"call out!"

A sharp, piercing shriek, seemingly capable of tearing through eardrums, came without warning from her left! It was incredibly fast, carrying a sharp, piercing sound and a chilling, sharp intent!

That was a potentially fatal attack! Her body screamed instinctively! Fear, like a cold, venomous snake, suddenly surged up her spine! The lingering poison deep within her body stirred violently, like a hornet's nest that had been startled! Chen Duo's heart clenched, almost stopping! The "mirror of her heart," which had just stabilized, shook violently, and even fine cracks appeared at its edges!

But she gritted her teeth, refusing to open her eyes, refusing to dodge, and even forcibly suppressing the defensive Gu poison that was about to erupt within her body! She chanted the Ice Heart Mantra in her heart, desperately pulling her almost collapsing consciousness back to that "mirror"!

"Observe! Just observe!" Nie Lingfeng's calm voice rang out like a stabilizing force, just as her consciousness was about to crumble. "That's wind! It's sound! It's energy! Not 'danger'! Let your inner mirror reflect it truthfully!"

"Duh!"

The sharp whooshing sound almost grazed her ear before disappearing into the grass a few steps behind her with a muffled thud.

Cold sweat instantly soaked through Chen Duo's vest. Her body trembled slightly, but her eyes remained tightly closed, her consciousness fixed on the cracked yet stubbornly unbroken "heart mirror." She "saw" the trajectory of that sharp energy, felt its icy edge, and "heard" her suddenly accelerating heartbeat and the restlessness of the remaining poison within her body... Everything was reflected in the "mirror," crystal clear.

But she forced herself not to "identify" with that fear, not to "follow" that restlessness. She simply "watched" them happen, like watching a shadow play that had nothing to do with her.

Miraculously, when she actually achieved this, the fear that almost burst through the dam and the restlessness of the toxins in her body actually diminished in power, like a reflection in a mirror, and began to slowly subside. The cracks on the mirror of her heart also slowly repaired themselves under the nourishment of the Ice Heart Technique.

Before she could fully calm down—

"boom!"

The ground on the right suddenly trembled! It was as if a heavy, colossal object had crashed down! Soil and grass clippings flew everywhere! A scorching, explosive, and destructive shockwave rushed towards us! This time, not only our hearing and energy perception were affected, but our skin also felt a real burning pain and pressure!

Was it flames? An explosion? Falling rocks?

A barrage of terrifying thoughts flooded his mind! The fear that had just subsided was reignited, and with even greater intensity! The remaining toxins in his body, like ignited explosives, violently assaulted his meridians! His heart mirror trembled violently, cracks spread again, and even the "tranquility" at its core began to waver!

"Stay calm!" Nie Lingfeng's voice remained steady, yet carried an undeniable force. "Earthquakes, flying grass, heat waves... these are all phenomena! Reflect them as they are! Do not judge safety or danger! Do not be afraid!"

Chen Duo's teeth were almost grinding to powder, her nails digging deep into her palms, bringing a sharp pain that helped her concentrate her last shred of clarity. She poured all her energy, regardless of the consequences, into maintaining the existence of that "mirror of the heart"! She didn't think about whether she would die, she didn't care how uncomfortable her body was, she just desperately "saw" and desperately "reflected"!

Earthquakes are vibrations of energy frequencies.

Grass flying is the trajectory of an object being impacted.

Heat waves are disturbances in temperature and air.

The intense pain and agitation within the body are physiological and energy responses.

Fear... fear is just a strong emotional signal, like a dark shadow flashing across a mirror...

She "watched" all of this, like a detached and most detached observer.

The scorching shockwave reached her, but vanished like a phantom the instant it touched her body, leaving only a real, but not deadly, hot wind. The tremors on the ground also subsided quickly.

Is it fake? An illusion? Or a controlled attack?

Chen Duo had no time to think deeply. All she knew was that, once again, she had held onto that "mirror" on the verge of collapse.

For Chen Duo, the next hour felt like a rollercoaster ride between hell and heaven.

Sharp, piercing sounds came from all directions, unpredictably, sometimes near, sometimes far, sometimes seemingly aimed straight for vital points, sometimes just brushing past. The ground would suddenly collapse or rise, flames would ignite out of thin air and then extinguish in an instant, a bone-chilling cold would envelop you without warning, eerie whispers or mournful roars would ring in your ears, and even blurry, grotesque ghostly figures would flash before your eyes...

Nie Lingfeng used every imaginable means to stimulate her senses, instill fear, and shake her mind, relentlessly "interfering" with her. These methods weren't actually lethal, but the psychological impact and sensory stimulation they brought were undeniably real.

Chen Duo was like a small boat in a storm, on the verge of capsizing at any moment. Her "heart mirror" was on the verge of breaking time and time again, but it was barely maintained by her tenacious will and the support of the Ice Heart Technique. In fact, with each breakage and repair, the texture of the mirror seemed to become more solid, and the "tranquility" at its core became more stable.

She gradually figured out some tricks of the trade. When fear struck, she didn't fight it, but instead "pulled" it before the mirror of her heart, carefully "observing" its color, shape, and frequency of fluctuation—when fear was observed so objectively, its power seemed to weaken. When residual toxins in her body stirred up due to stimulation, she didn't forcibly suppress them, but instead guided the "tranquil" light of the mirror of her heart to "illuminate" that restless area, like sunlight melting ice and snow—slow, but definitely effective.

From her initial disheveled state and near collapse, to her later struggles and heart-pounding fear, and finally, she was able to maintain a relatively stable mental state during most of the "interference" attacks, with only slight ripples. The restlessness of the remaining poison in her body also became weaker and easier to soothe.

When Nie Lingfeng finally stopped all "interference," Chen Duo was still sitting cross-legged with her eyes closed. Her body trembled slightly from prolonged extreme tension and mental exhaustion, her face was as pale as paper, and her clothes were completely soaked with sweat. But the aura around her strangely presented a kind of exhaustion mixed with... a clarity and stability after transformation.

That "mirror of the heart" in consciousness, though dim in light and covered with tiny cracks where old and new intertwine, remained steadily suspended there. The "tranquility" at its core, like refined iron that has been tempered, was even more pure and resilient.

She slowly opened her eyes.