https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-59-Xu-Yan-s-Journey-to-the-Imperial-Palace-to-Temper-His-State-of-Mind/12532713/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-61-Does-Cultivation-of-the-Great-Sun-Golden-Bell-Cloak-Require-Sunbathing-/12532715/
Chapter 60: Meng Chong's Enlightenment of the Great Sun Golden Bell Shield
Chapter 60: Meng Chong's Enlightenment of the Great Sun Golden Bell Shield
Back in the imperial study, Emperor Qi sank into contemplation. Since when had he, the mighty ruler of the Qi Empire, been reduced to such a state?
It started with the dispute over the heir apparent. His third son had lost a precious jade, which led to his defeat in the competition. The eldest son emerged victorious and initiated a campaign in Donghe County, starting with the purge of Guo Rongshan.
It was the doing of the ministers who supported the eldest son. They aimed to eradicate the Tianmu Sect in Donghe County, build merit for the crown prince, and solidify his position as the heir apparent.
The root of it all traced back to the search of Xu Yan's residence...
The mere thought of it filled Emperor Qi with rage and a sense of injustice. The search hadn't even happened yet, and he, the emperor, was being blamed. How could he, the ruler, be concerned about a mere merchant? Furthermore, he knew nothing about this matter.
Yet, he was the one bearing the consequences.
"Proclaim my edict: The First Prince has lost his virtue. He shall receive thirty heavy strikes of the board, and they shall be severe!" Emperor Qi proclaimed through gritted teeth.
Unable to vent his anger on Xu Yan, he could only take it out on his own son.
The First Prince was dumbfounded. He hadn't done anything, yet he received thirty strikes of the board. It was a gross injustice!
In his heart, he cursed his father, the emperor: "Old fool, unable to handle external affairs, taking your anger out on your own son!"
In the Qi Prince's Mansion—
Xu Yan sat cross-legged on the bed, his mind clear and tranquil. He had entered a state of self-forgetfulness, wholly immersed in the comprehension of his martial arts technique.
With the significant improvement in his mental state, he could now effortlessly enter this state of self-forgetfulness, fully devoting himself to the understanding of his martial arts.
Insights emerged in his heart, and Xu Yan felt that he was getting closer to comprehending the Precelestial Realm technique.
...
Three days passed.
Meng Chong still hadn't comprehended the martial arts technique and remained deep in thought. Li Xuan, sitting in a chair, watched this scene unfold and began to ponder how to guide his disciple.
He decided to elaborate on the cultivation method of the Great Sun Golden Bell Shield as much as possible, making it easier for Meng Chong to gain enlightenment.
"Could it be that my second disciple has poor aptitude for comprehension?" Li Xuan wondered, falling into his thoughts.
From the outside, Meng Chong appeared to be a brute. However, his thought process was unusual, capable of thinking in ways that others couldn't. Thus, his aptitude should be high.
Suddenly—
A golden light appeared.
"Your disciple frequently enters the Empress's palace to temper his mental state. His 'Heart of No Woman' mystical state has improved, and you have obtained the 'Clear and Bright' mental state."
Li Xuan was stunned. Did his foolish disciple enter the Empress's palace to temper his mental state?
Was it solely for tempering his mental state?
"Sigh, this disciple of mine..."
Li Xuan couldn't help but shake his head. Xu Yan's comprehension aptitude was indeed peculiar, and his ability to fill in the blanks was extraordinary. Li Xuan's initial statement, "A heart with no woman is like having a divine companion in cultivation," had been creatively interpreted by Xu Yan as a metaphor for the cultivation state.
"At least he doesn't truly have 'no woman in his heart' and is merely using it as a figurative state of mind..."
At that moment, Li Xuan's heart was clear and bright, undisturbed by external influences, allowing him to devote himself entirely to a specific state.
"So this is the 'Clear and Bright' mental state? Unperturbed by external influences, seeing through illusions, and having a steadfast mind..."
Li Xuan discovered that the 'Clear and Bright' mental state enhanced his focus, sharpened his thoughts, and granted him the ability to remain unmoved even in the face of great upheaval.
"Now, my mental state is even more akin to that of a sage."
Li Xuan narrowed his eyes, preparing to refine the cultivation method of the Great Sun Golden Bell Shield and guide Meng Chong on how to comprehend the technique.
Soon, he entered the state and found the direction for refinement.
"Are these the benefits of the 'Clear and Bright' mental state?"
Suddenly—
He raised his head and looked at Meng Chong.
Meng Chong, too, lifted his head to gaze at the sun in the sky, murmuring to himself.
He excitedly stripped off his clothes, baring his upper body and revealing his muscular physique. He strode into the sunlight, assumed a horse-riding stance, took a deep breath, and entered a state of cultivation.
Li Xuan: "???"
No matter if Meng Chong was thinking along the right lines or not, it was a good sign that he was having insights and ideas.
Li Xuan decided to quietly observe without interfering with Meng Chong's cultivation.
What mattered most was that his disciple had ideas. It was just like Xu Yan in the past, whose unconventional thoughts and self-interpretations had ultimately led to his cultivation success.
So, it wasn't a bad thing to think outside the box.
What was truly frightening was having no ideas at all!
Li Xuan secretly hoped that Meng Chong would be able to successfully cultivate the Great Sun Golden Bell Shield.
He looked up at the sun. It was winter now, and though the sun shone brightly, the weather was cool, so there was no risk of overheating or getting sunstroke.
However, Li Xuan was curious about what exactly his disciple had realized.
Li Xuan had no intention of interfering, and since Meng Chong seemed to have an epiphany, he decided to silently observe. With his current perfect Qi and Blood Realm, his acute senses as a martial artist would allow him to perceive any changes in Meng Chong's cultivation.
If Meng Chong's cultivation improved, he would surely notice.
Standing in the sunlight, Meng Chong felt the sun's rays on his skin, bringing a slight warmth.
"First, I need to sense Qi and Blood. How do I sense Qi and Blood? The Great Sun Golden Bell Shield is about understanding the scorching heat under the Great Sun, allowing the Qi and Blood to permeate from the outside in, infusing the bones and flowing into the organs..."
"Since I can't sense Qi and Blood from within and refine it outward, I'll use the intense heat of the Great Sun to stimulate my Qi and Blood, and then refine it from the outside in..."
Meng Chong carefully savored this insight. As he spent more time soaking in the sun, he gradually became aware of the warmth on his skin, and with each breath, a faint warmth emerged.
"I can sense my Qi and Blood!"
At that moment, Meng Chong's heart was filled with delight.
As the Qi and Blood coursed through his veins, it slowly gathered around his body, creating a strange resonance with the sunlight shining on his skin.
"From the outside in, permeating the bones, and then flowing into the organs. This is the basic refinement method of the Great Sun Golden Bell Shield. By cultivating the fleshly Golden Bell, and then bursting forth with Qi and Blood, transforming it into a Qi and Blood Golden Bell, one steps into the Qi and Blood Realm..."
Meng Chong continued to gain insights into the cultivation method.
The Qi and Blood refined his skin and then flowed inward, spreading throughout his bones.
In that instant, he felt as if ants were crawling on his bones, and a sharp, painful sensation emerged.
His muscles couldn't help but twitch a few times.
However, he endured it without making a sound, only his breathing becoming slightly heavier.
"Is this bone refinement? It's a bit uncomfortable, but I feel like there are some changes happening..."
Meng Chong was thrilled.
The Qi and Blood refined his bones, and then slowly dispersed, seeping into his organs and refining them.
The first organ refinement required control over the Qi and Blood, and it couldn't be rushed. It needed to be a slow and careful process.
Thus, Meng Chong focused all his attention on directing the Qi and Blood, allowing it to flow through his organs.
Organ refinement was a relatively slow process, taking longer than both skin and bone refinement combined. After the first organ refinement was complete, the Qi and Blood retracted into the bones and then back into the skin, forming a cycle.
Meng Chong was delighted to discover that his body seemed to have an indescribable sense of roundness, as if his inner and outer selves had become one, with no gaps or leaks. It felt like a massive bell had enveloped his body, or perhaps he had transformed into an impenetrable bell himself!
(End of Chapter)
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