The carriage slowly rolled towards the manor under the watchful eyes of the crowd. As it neared the gate, it suddenly turned left, heading into the forest.
Throughout the journey, the carriage maintained its steady pace, exuding an oppressive slowness, as if ignoring the presence of others. The two coachmen sat with half-closed eyes, silent, their silence accentuating the deliberate pace.
The martial artists gathered at the manor gate watched the carriage traverse the mountain path as easily as on flat ground, momentarily confused. Then, a man in dark attire with a scar on his forehead rushed out from the crowd, chasing after the carriage.
“Quick, chase it!”
Shouts rose as martial artists followed the carriage. Its unexpected arrival must have had a purpose!
The black-curtained carriage moved unhurriedly, crossing forests and valleys, while a dark mass of followers trailed behind, too afraid to approach closely but unwilling to fall too far behind.
Suddenly, a gentle, clear male voice reached their ears:
“Still the heart and mind, undisturbed and unconfused, only then can true energy arise, filling the acupoints…”
“Within a hundred days, the meridians will open naturally…”
The carriage, surrounded by sparse golden-yellow and black-and-white light particles, appeared mysteriously sacred, as if a celestial being had descended, making the voice sound solemn and lofty.
The martial artists were stunned. Was a celestial being or a mystical treasure inside the carriage delivering teachings?
They felt both surprised and delighted, their steps lightened, their spirits tense, listening intently. They were very familiar with this content, as it was the initial stage of physical cultivation for practitioners, known as “Foundation Building in One Hundred Days.”
“…Refining essence into energy, storing it in the dantian, nurturing one’s spirit, as if embracing a fetus…”
The martial artists listened intently, fearing to miss a single word. Although the content so far was familiar, they wished to cross-check their past studies for any omissions or errors, for this was a celestial being “delivering a sermon.”
The carriage turned onto a mountain path, climbing higher, as if ascending to the peak, into the clouds.
As the gentle, clear voice concluded the teachings on nurturing the fetus and energy, the carriage fell silent once more.
The martial artists, eagerly anticipating something extraordinary, were restless, wanting to urge the voice to continue, but they feared the mysterious carriage. Not only the celestial being inside, but even the two coachmen alone could easily overpower them.
Could the following teachings be for cultivators, requiring aptitude, bone structure, and spiritual root?
While they were anxious, they suddenly heard an ethereal voice from the sky, like a song or chant, with golden-yellow and black-and-white light particles drifting down again.
“Man exists between heaven and earth, connected to the stars above and the earth below. Heaven has nine layers, and the body has nine orifices…”
“The stars are arranged, the body has acupoints, the natural way, the lines and joints…”
“The body is a world of its own, as is the physical form…”
These were new teachings to them. In just a few sentences, the secrets of the physical body were revealed.
So many mysteries in the human body!
The human body was no less wondrous than heaven and earth, equally precious, equally containing the pivot of the Dao and the principles of the universe!
Previously, they only sought to enhance their spiritual senses, to cultivate flying swords or form spirit talismans, ignoring this rich treasure!
Begging while sitting on a gold mountain!
They felt excitement, reflection, and regret.
At this moment, the clear voice returned:
“The eyes are the orifice of the liver, generating wood energy; the nose is the orifice of the lungs, nurturing metal energy…”
“The heavens possess nine orifices corresponding to the five viscera and six bowels. Cultivating these nine orifices means nurturing the five internal energies, which naturally gives rise to inner visions…”
Each sentence of scripture contained methods for physical cultivation, and the crowd was instantly entranced.
This was a completely new way of cultivation!
This was another way of cultivation!
It seemed as if a grand door had suddenly opened before their eyes, revealing a dazzling new world!
The secrets of the physical body, the wonders of martial cultivation, captivated them, making them forget the return.
Golden-yellow and black-and-white light particles rained down, swirling around the carriage. To the onlookers, they seemed to lift the carriage, sending it into the clouds.
A celestial being!
Indeed, a celestial being!
The carriage climbed higher along the mountain path, gradually reaching the summit. In front, white clouds stretched like the sea; behind, a sea of people, expressions varied, yet equally entranced.
The carriage did not stop, slowly approaching the cliff. The clear male voice continued chanting:
“The enigmatic gate, the abode of the primordial spirit, the threshold between life and death, profound and unfathomable…”
“Refining the ancestral gate, opening the gate of life and death, bridging heaven and earth, the meeting of inner and outer, the first completion of martial cultivation…”
As the lofty voice echoed, green grass grew on the cliff, springs gushed forth, golden-yellow light particles formed lotus blossoms, slowly blooming, while black-and-white light connected ahead, like a celestial glow descending.
Witnessing the indescribable phenomena and hearing unimaginable teachings, countless martial artists’ eyes moistened, tears streaming.
Those who heard the Dao felt moved in both body and soul!
Some martial artists wept openly, their excitement mingled with sorrow. Why had no celestial being imparted the Dao to them in their prime? Now, in old age and frailty, even upon hearing the great Dao, they could only hope for their descendants.
Fang Huayin and Wan Yu instinctively halted the mechanical horse as they neared the cliff’s edge.
Compared to the martial artists behind, they felt the teachings more profoundly. Combined with the detailed guidance from Master Su in recent days, the path to divine martial cultivation seemed to have clearly unfolded before them.
“This journey will take you far from civilization, into solitude and coldness. Will you still follow?”
Suddenly, an invisible force pushed them aside, landing them on either side of the cliff, while Meng Qi’s voice echoed in their minds.
“This…” They hesitated as the mechanical horse stepped forward, directly into the void.
A golden lotus of merit slowly bloomed, supporting the horse’s hoof!
In the eyes of the onlookers, the carriage drove into the sea of clouds, supported by golden lotuses and surrounded by black-and-white celestial glows, slowly leaving the cliff.
Indeed, a celestial being!
They stood still, bowed, and respectfully sent off the celestial being.
Fang Huayin and Wan Yu heard another voice in their minds: “You have already received the teachings before the inner and outer converge. Within ten to twenty years, you will open the nine orifices, commanding the martial world, no less than ordinary nobles and cultivators. Status, power, wealth, and glory will not be lacking. Are you willing to abandon these for secluded mountain training, enduring wind and rain, with no adulation?”
Fang Huayin and Wan Yu looked back at the martial artists kneeling and bowing, a sense of superiority and joy arising in their hearts. Although they bowed to Master Su, the two of them, having mastered the specific cultivation methods, were far superior to those still struggling. Just a hint of their knowledge would attract many followers and abundant wealth!
What is martial cultivation for, if not for such a glorious life?
They turned back, watching the carriage move through the clouds, lotuses blooming, celestial glows surrounding, seemingly ready to soar into the sky at any moment!
The pure white, cool clouds, like smoke and mist, obscured the distance, symbolizing a remote mountain temple, forgotten by the world!
What is the purpose of martial cultivation?
Wealth beyond measure, or the adulation of others?
A life of vengeance and gratitude, or the enjoyment of ruling the world?
Power that commands obedience with a single word, or the satisfaction of protecting loved ones?
Wan Yu took a deep breath, as if understanding what he truly wanted.
Suddenly, Fang Huayin bit her lip and stepped forward.
She wanted all of the above, but more than anything, she longed to explore the secrets of the physical body, to witness more wondrous sights on the path of martial cultivation, to elevate herself!
The former desires were secondary; whether present or absent, she would be content. The latter was the true foundation!
She took another step, stepping into the void. Before her was a bottomless abyss, the wind rushing against her face, threatening to dash her to pieces.
Fang Huayin closed her eyes, banishing fear, and stepped forward.
Her feet felt soft, not empty. She opened her eyes to see two white clouds supporting her.
Her heart lightened, her pace quickened, and more clouds appeared with each step.
The crowd was startled, then understood. As they prepared to follow, the black-and-white celestial glow intensified, enveloping the carriage and Fang Huayin. Golden lotuses bloomed, ascending to the heavens, leaving only the sea of clouds!
This magnificent, sacred scene left them both awestruck and wistful.
After a moment of silence, someone bowed again, proclaiming loudly: “The celestial being’s kindness has opened the martial path of this world!”
“If I ever achieve success, I will revere you as my ancestor!”
Although the teachings were theoretical, they were explained in such detail that one could easily find their own cultivation path!
…
By the roadside, Fang Huayin watched the carriage stop, the black curtain finally lifted. Su Xiansheng, dressed in a green robe, and Jiang Nü, radiant and peerless, stepped out together.
Wasn’t the destination a remote mountain, far from civilization?
Meng Qi smiled at Fang Huayin: “Haven’t you bowed yet?”
Fang Huayin, suddenly inspired, knelt and bowed: “Disciple greets Master!”
Meng Qi waved his hand: “You did not lose heart in despair, nor were you lost in glory. Very good. But now, you are only an honorary disciple. This book is created by your Master and Jiang Shibo after two months of deliberation, directly pointing to the convergence of inner and outer cultivation, with many techniques and annotations. Take it and cultivate diligently. I will often come to test you. If you are not diligent enough, you will remain an honorary disciple for life.”
Fang Huayin was both surprised and delighted, accepting the book and bowing again: “Thank you, Master, for granting this book.”
The book had no title, a product of Meng Qi and Jiang Zhiwei’s sparring and deliberation over these days. They planned to name it later when they had external cultivation techniques, as Jiang Zhiwei knew Meng Qi needed merit and moral energy, so she had remained silent, only sharing a little for crafting items.
As Fang Huayin bowed, Meng Qi and Jiang Zhiwei walked away, soon disappearing at the end of the road.
“Time flies. Unknowingly, you have become a master to others…” When Fang Huayin could no longer see them, Jiang Zhiwei sighed, recalling vividly the little monk in the Shaolin Temple.
But she quickly overcame her sentimentality, joking: “How many disciples do you plan to take in the future?”
“Let’s aim for twelve. If Fang Huayin cultivates successfully, I’ll bestow her the Dao title ‘Ci Hang.'” Meng Qi joked, feeling pleased with the idea.
As he spoke, half of his acupoints opened, displaying a solar illusion, dazzling stars, chaotic golden crows, and a vast earth.
Seeing this, Jiang Zhiwei smiled and nodded: “Congratulations, you’ve also reached the second level of external cultivation.”
During these days, Meng Qi had consumed countless treasures, fully cultivating the more common half of the acupoints, finally entering the second level of external cultivation, but all his heavenly treasures were exhausted.
“Yes, but the most troublesome part is the remaining half of the acupoints. They involve rare illusions, requiring scarce treasures, making collection quite troublesome.” Meng Qi was pleased but worried. Fortunately, there was the Six Realms Cycle Master, allowing him to collect other treasures to exchange with Him, though it would be better to find them directly, avoiding His deductions, such as celestial traces trading, or the Ten Thousand Manifestations Gate and the Ink Palace!
…
In the Ink Palace headquarters in Yingmo City.
Meng Qi and Jiang Zhiwei encountered a divine master clad in crimson robes, her face exquisitely delicate yet strangely doll-like, her power utterly imperceptible.
“Our palace’s mechanisms cannot be disclosed temporarily, to avoid suspicion.” The divine master’s voice was emotionless and flat.
Meng Qi smiled: “But the cave heaven is indeed a cave heaven. The variety of missing treasures should be considerable. Your palace must have many secret mechanisms and devices that cannot be made.”
The divine master nodded: “With Yun He Zhenren leading, we are more at ease. We will exchange the rare treasures from the cave heaven for the scarce items we need.”
She paused, her voice indifferent: “Another matter, our palace wishes to make a request. If you can find a piece of ten-thousand-year-old ‘Qing Hua Ling Mu,’ you may choose two of the thirty-six secret mechanisms.”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage