Seeing Tran Ngoc Linh reject the offer so decisively, Hoang Hai Van became anxious. She quickly bowed to the Zen master before rushing after him. She hadn’t expected things to fall apart so soon.
It was autumn in the mountains, and night fell quickly. By the time they left the temple, the sunlight had already faded, and a thick mist obscured the surroundings. Hoang Hai Van grabbed Tran Ngoc Linh’s hand and pulled him back.
“It’s already dark. Let’s stay here for the night and figure things out tomorrow.”
With five kilometers of steep stairs and a treacherous mountain path still ahead, staying was clearly the best option, whether they liked it or not.
That evening, Hoang Hai Van asked the Zen master for a place to sleep and also requested some food to prepare a simple vegetarian meal. The master kindly pointed her toward the garden and kitchen.
The Zen master lived a simple life, still using a wood-fired stove for cooking. Hoang Hai Van cheerfully prepared the meal but was still preoccupied with finding a way to persuade Tran Ngoc Linh. She knew that once he made a promise, he would find a way to keep it. Since he had refused to train, he would definitely come up with another plan. But they had come all this way, and now they had met a true master. If they left, who knew when they would find another person with such abilities?
After finishing the meal, she brought a portion to the Zen master and then sat outside with Tran Ngoc Linh to eat by the fire. In truth, she found this moment rather pleasant. Even though the night was cold, her heart felt warm.
The Zen master glanced at the two young people enjoying their meal together before looking up at the sky with sorrowful eyes. In the distant horizon, lightning flashed, illuminating the heavens.
If fate willed it, there was no escaping it.
It had already been decreed by the heavens.
A monster was about to be summoned.
That night, Tran Ngoc Linh and Hoang Hai Van slept in the guest room. Each had their own bed. But Hoang Hai Van couldn’t sleep. She kept thinking about how to deal with Tran Ngoc Linh.
Perhaps she would have to resort to beauty as a weapon once again.
Aside from seduction, tears were also a powerful tool.
She began to sniffle softly, letting out a quiet sob.
As expected, upon hearing her cry, Tran Ngoc Linh couldn’t ignore it. Whether her tears were real or fake, he just couldn’t stand it. He got up, walked over to her bed, and asked,
“Why are you crying again?”
Hoang Hai Van sat up. Seeing that her plan had worked, she felt triumphant inside but kept a pitiful expression on her face.
“Someone promised me they’d return me to my body. But as soon as things got a little difficult, he backed out.”
Hearing this, Tran Ngoc Linh immediately knew she was playing him. But he didn’t mind falling into her trap.
He reached out, wiped away her tears, and said,
“Alright, stop crying. I’ll find a way.”
Then, without warning, he leaned in and kissed her deeply.
 
The next morning, Trần Ngọc Linh and Hoàng Hải Vân went to find the Zen master. He had risen early and was standing at the mountain’s peak, gazing into the distance. The elderly monk, bathed in the slanted morning sunlight, looked almost like an immortal sage.
Trần Ngọc Linh approached, keeping a respectful distance, and asked politely:
"Master, is there a way to open the Yin-Yang Eyes without staying here to train?"
The master continued to look towards the vast, cloudless horizon. This boy’s soul was truly unique—it carried both the dark energy of a demon and the pure essence of an angel. He was the one destined to possess Yin-Yang Eyes of limitless power. But the greater the power, the harder it was to unlock.
The monk wished to keep Trần Ngọc Linh here for training, guiding him toward righteousness. That way, when his power awakened, he wouldn’t be tempted to use it for evil. However, the young man had firmly rejected the idea of staying.
With a calm expression, the Zen master shook his head and said, “If you refuse to train, then I’m afraid I cannot help you.”
Seeing Trần Ngọc Linh get rejected, Hoàng Hải Vân decided to take her own chance. After all, she had already awakened her Yin-Yang Eyes. Perhaps she could push herself further and solve her problem on her own.
Stepping forward, she respectfully asked,
"Master, I have already unlocked my Yin-Yang Eyes. Could you teach me how to use them? Is there a way for me to harness this power and resolve my own issue?"
Hearing this, a hint of disappointment flickered in Trần Ngọc Linh’s eyes. He had wanted Hoàng Hải Vân to rely on him. But since the master had refused to help him, there wasn’t much he could do to change the situation.
The Zen master turned to Hoàng Hải Vân and said, "Come with me."
She followed him to the edge of a deep abyss. The master stopped and pointed downwards.
"Look into the chasm. What do you see?"
Hoàng Hải Vân stepped forward and peered into the abyss. She focused her vision, trying to see something—anything—but the only thing she felt was a sharp, piercing headache.
Observing her struggle, the Zen master explained,
"Earlier, we stood in a place filled with boundless Yang energy. It is a place where one can meditate to absorb positive energy. This abyss, however, is a source of immense Yin energy. It is a place where one can meditate to absorb dark energy. To truly use the Yin-Yang Eyes, one must undergo intense training in either a highly Yin or highly Yang environment."