https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-2-Improvising-a-Cultivation-Technique-on-the-Spot/12532627/
Chapter 3: Xu Yan's Diligent Training
Chapter 3: Xu Yan's Diligent Training
"Stand with your feet apart, adjust your breathing, calm your mind, and focus your intention on your dantian. Sense the qi and blood within your body..."
Xu Yan stood in a sturdy horse stance, regulating his breathing and sensing his qi and blood under Li Xuan's guidance.
As Li Xuan instructed him, he explained, "The key to my cultivation method lies in the words 'enlightenment' and 'intention.' It's not about the form. You must calm your mind, forget yourself, and carefully contemplate to find the 'intention' within..."
Since he was making it up as he went along and had no real techniques to impart, he certainly couldn't teach Xu Yan radio calisthenics—that would be too embarrassing.
So, he could only have Xu Yan stand in the horse stance and sense his qi and blood by himself.
And if Xu Yan couldn't sense anything, then it was a matter of aptitude.
It had nothing to do with the effectiveness of the master's teachings.
"Whether or not you can sense your qi and blood depends entirely on your enlightenment and your ability to grasp the underlying 'intention.' Once you sense your qi and blood, try to mobilize it, tempering your skin, and entering the skin refining stage..."
Li Xuan earnestly taught Xu Yan about cultivation.
"This foundational aspect of martial arts is crucial. As the saying goes, a master can only guide you to the door; it's up to you to cultivate. Work hard, contemplate deeply, and take breaks when you're tired. It's important to find a balance between work and rest; don't be impatient."
"The more anxious you are, the harder it will be to sense your qi and blood. Do you understand?"
Xu Yan respectfully replied, "Yes, Master. I understand!"
"Good. Now, cultivate well!"
Li Xuan, with his hands behind his back, left the scene, feeling pleased as he accepted Xu Yan's gift as his disciple.
"The Nine-Leaf Primal Herb is a precious medicine. Let's cook some and see how it tastes!"
With that thought, Li Xuan took out a small knife and carefully cut a piece of the herb. He then went to the chicken coop, grabbed a chicken, and slaughtered it. He built a fire and added the herb to the pot to make a soup.
"It's only right that I provide meals for my disciple who's cultivating here. After receiving such a generous gift, it would be too heartless of me not to offer food."
Li Xuan muttered to himself.
While he was cooking, he glanced at Xu Yan, who was still standing in the horse stance, but swaying unsteadily, barely holding on.
Soon after, Xu Yan couldn't take it anymore and started to rest.
This was his third break.
"I can only deceive him for so long. It's not that I want to cheat you; it's that you came to me of your own accord," Li Xuan shook his head and didn't bother to intervene. His ruse would hold for a while longer, and he wouldn't be exposed just yet.
Moreover, Xu Yan's arrival had given Li Xuan an idea for escaping the small village. Perhaps he could now safely pass through the Evil Forest.
He had already planned his escape route. Once he left the village, he would head to the State of Wu and settle there.
By staying far away from the State of Qi and the Eastern River County, even if Xu Yan realized he had been deceived, he wouldn't be able to use his background and influence against him!
...
Xu Yan once again took up the horse stance, calming his mind and sensing the qi and blood within his body.
"Qi and blood exist within the body, flowing throughout. How do I sense and mobilize it? Master said it's about enlightenment and intention, not the form..."
Xu Yan continued to sense, but apart from the soreness in his legs from maintaining the stance, he couldn't detect any sign of the so-called qi and blood.
"Don't be discouraged. It hasn't been that long. If you persist, you will surely reap the rewards!"
Xu Yan encouraged himself, his gaze resolute as he continued to stand in the horse stance, sensing for qi and blood.
The chicken soup was ready.
Li Xuan glanced over and saw that Xu Yan was still in his stance, so he didn't disturb him. Instead, he started eating the soup himself.
"The Nine-Leaf Primal Herb is a rare treasure. They say that consuming it prevents all illnesses, keeps you youthful, and extends your lifespan by two decades... I wonder if that's an exaggeration."
After finishing the soup, Li Xuan felt more energetic, and it seemed like his entire being was lighter. He wasn't sure if it was a psychological effect or the actual power of the herb.
"There's a bit left. I should give it to Xu Yan."
Muttering to himself, Li Xuan got up and walked over to Xu Yan.
"It's alright. The path of martial arts is about perseverance and a steadfast will!" Li Xuan consoled him.
Amusement bubbled within Li Xuan, though his expression remained serious. "Of course, you can't sense your qi and blood. I'm just making this up as I go along. If you were to sense it, you'd be a monster!"
"You still have a year. You must be hungry now. Go and eat," Li Xuan suggested.
Xu Yan's stomach rumbled at the mention of food, and he gratefully replied, "Thank you, Master!"
"This is chicken soup made with the Nine-Leaf Primal Herb. It's a nourishing tonic. Go on, drink it," Li Xuan said with a smile.
"Yes, Master!" Xu Yan exclaimed, deeply touched. The Nine-Leaf Primal Herb was his gift to Li Xuan, and now his master had used it to cook soup for him. Li Xuan truly didn't care about material possessions, and Xu Yan felt even more convinced that his decision to come here had been the right one.
As Xu Yan ate and drank the soup, he asked, "Master, how long does it usually take to sense qi and blood and make progress in cultivation?"
"It varies from person to person," Li Xuan replied.
"What about the fastest record, Master? How long did it take for them to make progress?" Xu Yan inquired, his eyes shining with curiosity.
Li Xuan rolled his eyes internally. According to the made-up cultivation method he had taught, it would be impossible to make any progress at all. "If I set the bar too low and you don't achieve any noticeable results, you might start doubting, so I have to set the standard for a prodigy higher," he thought to himself.
So, he answered, "In ancient times, a true prodigy would complete the skin refining stage in five days, the bone refining stage in ten days, and the organ refining stage in fifteen days. They would then progress to the stage where their tendons and bones thunder, and their qi and blood surge with power, thus successfully entering the path of cultivation."
"About a month in total, then," Xu Yan summarized, his eyes widening in astonishment.
"Five days to complete the skin refining stage? A month to enter the path of cultivation? Is that what you consider a prodigy, Master?" Xu Yan thought to himself, feeling a mix of awe and concern. "I wonder if I can achieve the skin refining stage in five days. Today, I can't even sense my qi and blood. Completing the skin refining stage in five days seems impossible. Could it be that my talent isn't good enough?"
Anxiety began to creep into Xu Yan's heart.
Li Xuan had been closely observing Xu Yan's reactions, and he was pleased to see the worry in his eyes. "Of course, such individuals are one in a million. There's no need to rush. As long as you can enter the path of cultivation within a year, I will consider you qualified," he added, placing a reassuring hand on Xu Yan's shoulder.
"So, in Master's eyes, completing the path of cultivation in a year is merely considered qualified," Xu Yan said, his gaze steady and determined. "Master, please rest assured. I will definitely enter the path of cultivation within a year and won't let your efforts go to waste!"
Li Xuan patted Xu Yan's shoulder, his face filled with gratification. "With such dedication, I'm glad I made an exception to take you as my disciple!"
Xu Yan's heart swelled with emotion, and he felt even more driven to live up to his master's expectations. After quickly finishing his meal, he stood up and said, "Master, I'm going to continue my cultivation!"
"I will cultivate diligently and won't let your efforts be in vain!" Xu Yan vowed, his eyes shining with determination.
"You foolish boy," Li Xuan murmured, shaking his head and heaving a soft sigh. He didn't like deceiving others, but now, there was no turning back.
Ever since he had accepted Xu Yan's gift and started teaching him the made-up cultivation method, Li Xuan knew he had committed himself to this path of deception. There was no turning back, and he could only hope that his ruse would hold long enough for him to escape this village.
Night had fallen. Before retiring to bed, Li Xuan stepped out to check on Xu Yan, who was still diligently practicing the horse stance. "What a hardworking lad," he thought to himself, feeling a twinge of guilt.
Not wanting Xu Yan to overexert himself, Li Xuan offered some advice. "Cultivation requires a balance between hard work and rest. Pushing yourself too hard can damage your foundation. Remember to take breaks when needed!"
"I understand, Master!" Xu Yan replied respectfully.
Li Xuan nodded, closed the door, and retired to his room for the night.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
