pappabearbooks Chapter 418 - 383: A Rare Treasure Land, Mastery Through Integration, Taoist Qi Reveals His Foundations
Chapter 418 - 383: A Rare Treasure Land, Mastery Through Integration, Taoist Qi Reveals His Foundations
Taoist Qi nodded and said:"Good, fists and reason are inseparable, let’s go to the backyard, you practice while I watch."
...
In the backyard of Taoist Qi, the concentration of wood attribute Qi was even denser than in the front yard.
While warming up, Meng Chuan asked:
"Senior, the wood Qi in this courtyard is so rich, I wonder how much it would cost to set up such a practice place?"
As Meng Chuan performed the Five Elements Spirit Breath Fist, he felt the pervasive "Wood Spirit Breath" in the air.
Taoist Qi first watched Meng Chuan practicing and nodded silently.
Upon hearing the question, he stroked his beard and chuckled softly:
"These are all old items from my [Baxian Temple], each is an ancient plant of some age and it took a considerable amount to transplant these flowers and plants here.
Just the front yard, you just saw that three-hundred-year-old [Tai Chi Pine].
If measured in money, it would be in the nine figures. If you count the other spirit plants and arrangements..."
Meng Chuan didn’t want to hear the rest, the price evidently far exceeded his expectations.
He didn’t expect that Taoist Qi, who seemed ordinary, was actually a "rich second generation"...
"Ahem... I think it might be nice for a student to come here occasionally to practice for free..."
Meng Chuan decisively gave up the idea of setting up such a place, even finding it hard to buy a pill, so he shouldn’t think about such a costly cultivation site.
Taoist Qi smiled faintly:
"You can come when you’re not in class, if I’m not here, just climb in by yourself. Help yourself to tea, don’t feel restrained."
His mind was as clear as a mirror, knowing why the United University eventually agreed to his high price, this youngster in front of him played half the role.
After speaking, Taoist Qi said no more.
He continued watching Meng Chuan practice fists, mumbling to himself:
"This fist technique is quite wonderful, with the robustness of Beng Fist, the fierceness of Palm Strike, the dexterity of Drilling Fist, the explosiveness of Cannon Fist, and the steadiness of Horizontal Fist.
The pathway of meridian operation is also innovative, five gates are merged into one to drive the power, with spirit breath blessing the fist stance, multiplying its power several times.
Which first-rate Five Elements Fist is this, such a genius idea, a genius execution, why haven’t I witnessed it before..."
A master recognizes skill immediately.
With just a few words, the [Five Elements Spirit Breath Fist] was almost fully analyzed by the old Taoist, leaving Meng Chuan in awe.
After finishing, Meng Chuan said:
"Senior, you truly have insight, this fist technique is indeed a product of merging five ancient martial fist schools, something I came up with through random thoughts."
Hearing this, Taoist Qi was somewhat shocked.
"Comprehending and integrating isn’t particularly difficult or particularly easy either, certainly not something that can be done easily at a lower level."
It requires a long time to find the correct path amidst the complex martial theories of the Five Elements.
Which martial arts family has this time, even martial arts masters rarely undertake such a task.
Unless their related comprehension and mastery have reached a certain height.
Only then can they seize a fleeting "inspiration" to achieve "comprehension and integration" in martial arts.
Let alone melding something as ancient as the Five Elements foundational fist technique.
Hence, Meng Chuan claiming to have created it himself was a bit unexpected for Taoist Qi.
In his heart, he already labeled Meng Chuan as having "astonishing comprehension."
"You created it yourself? Such great talent... truly living up to your reputation without any exaggeration.
Don’t call me senior, my current role is a school teacher, our titles should be as teacher and student."
"You display this fist technique, I observe it already has potential for Perfection, with the creativity of [Spirit Breath] backing it, this technique possesses high originality.
It should easily pass the review committee and be included in the Great Chu Xingyi cultivation technique catalog.
Are you... still seeking Perfection on top of this, continuing to refine and perfect it?"
Meng Chuan cupped his hands and said:
"Yes, Teacher Qi, you see perfectly."
"Any thoughts?"
Meng Chuan explained the two paths for Limit Breaking he had thought of earlier to Taoist Qi.
Taoist Qi pondered and said:
"The idea isn’t wrong, when the techniques and routines of ordinary fists reach a stage of nothing left to practice.
One is to draw parallels from other fist techniques related to the natural Five Elements and find another way out.
The other is to upgrade related martial theories to gain new insights, thereby enhancing the power of fist routines."
Meng Chuan nodded, what he contemplated was how to break limits, that is how to further transform and enhance the Spirit Breath Fist.
In essence, it aligns with what Taoist Qi was saying.
"Today, it’s our first meeting, and I’m going to share my family’s heritage, students from United University are indeed extraordinary...
Teaching a man to fish is better than giving him a fish, I can teach you a technique from my Daoist sect, a method for calming Qi, maintaining a serene mind, and adjusting breathing.
It should be beneficial to your conundrums."
Curious, Meng Chuan asked:
"Teacher Qi, is it a fist technique?"
"No."
"...A Secret Technique?"
Meng Chuan felt as if he was only daydreaming...
Taoist Qi smiled, shook his head, and continued:
"It’s a Qi refining method, called [Qi Observation Skill]."
Upon hearing this, Meng Chuan pondered:
"A Qi refining method, a cultivation technique for cultivationists of ancient times to regulate Qi and machines?"
Before setting out for the Demon Nest trial, he had considered whether a Qi refining method could influence his panel, breaking limits to gain trait enhancements.
Now with the Taoist bringing it up, it feels like falling asleep and someone offering a pillow.
I share the same fate with the ’Daoist sect’...
Meng Chuan was deeply curious but kept a calm facade, simply nodding for guidance.
"I learned from chatting with Dong Yue that you possess two top-tier hard skills from Daoist sects, Qi Nourishing Armor and Cyan Netherworld Dragon Lock.
To cultivate both to a profound level, aside from talent, you indeed have an affinity with my Daoist sect.
The [Qi Observation Skill] I am entrusting you with, although it is not an exceedingly sophisticated technique, it is also extremely difficult to enter for those unaffiliated with my Daoist sect.
You should use this Qi refining method today to test your compatibility with the Daoist sect."
Meng Chuan laughed and said:
"No problem, even the Dao Ancestor often appears in my dreams, so it shouldn’t be a big issue."
"...Alright, listen to me.
The Qi Observation Skill is not about using your eyes to observe, but a nasal cultivation technique that uses your breath to sense all things in heaven and earth.
How to observe and what to observe? From small things like plants and lime to large ones like mountains, rivers, and lakes, all the Qi they emit can be perceived.
Using your breath as a guide and your mind as a bridge, you capture the roaming spiritual essence of the world, a task that ancient energy cultivators spent their lifetimes doing.
The ’spiritual essence’ in your Spiritual Breath Fist is the essence of this Qi.
The Qi Observation Skill seeks the type of ’Qi’ you desire in the world."
Upon hearing this, Meng Chuan nodded thoughtfully.
He had already understood what spiritual essence was when he created the Five Elements Spiritual Breath Fist.
Taoist Qi, being a new teacher, sometimes spoke in riddles during class.
But he still understood.
Spiritual essence, as Meng Chuan deduced, was:
A kind of energy particle emitted by all things in nature, formless and intangible.
However, it can be sensed through special techniques like the Qi Observation Skill.
Once he learned this method, he could not only deeply understand nature.
But also capture the spiritual essence, sense its breath, and thus gain insights into the Five Elements, which seemed very practical.
Energy cultivation techniques are ancient wisdom, truly extraordinary, as glimpsed from the Qi Observation Skill.
Meng Chuan then asked:
"Teacher Qi, can this method observe ’Vital Qi’?"
"Which Qi?"
"Vital Qi."
"It cannot be observed, for there is no Vital Qi left in this world. How can you see what does not exist?
The Vital Qi of the universe flows freely, and as our Dao prospers, we say that Vital Qi is the unified origin of all things.
Formless and shapeless, it pervades the heavens and the earth, condensing into form when gathered, and returning to emptiness when scattered.
But the human world is currently undergoing a great catastrophe, with mountains and rivers shattered. To resist the erosion of demonic Qi, the origin of Vital Qi is damaged and has become mere Qi."
Meng Chuan nodded in agreement; he had seen similar statements online.
He believed the Buddhist sect might also have its own interpretations of this...
Taoist Qi continued:
"However, this statement isn’t entirely accurate. Remember the ’real world’ you enter when sensing Qi?
There, Vital Qi exists, and the whole world is composed of it. Unfortunately, we can only enter it once in our lifetime.
If one could always train in such an environment, the progress would be astonishingly fast.
Even the most prestigious divine skills would smoothly advance without bottleneck challenges in such a setting.
Alas...I see that martial artists borrowing Vital Qi for true Qi enlightenment aren’t truly making the best use of it.
It’s like...a young man meeting the most beautiful lady during his most powerless years..."
At the end, Taoist Qi wore a somewhat wistful expression...
"Teacher Qi, what a vivid metaphor..."
Meng Chuan didn’t expect that Taoist Qi, who appeared so unassuming, would speak so intriguingly...
Just as he was about to begin his cultivation, he recalled his other purpose for seeking out Taoist Qi.
Meng Chuan spoke about the matter of the advanced Five Elements Soup with him.
Taoist Qi’s voice slowly reached his ears:
"External aids are merely embellishments; it depends on one’s wealth. Do you think my garden’s layout still needs those things?"
Meng Chuan smiled bitterly and nodded, thinking to himself:
"Taoist Qi is right. My academic and battle credits are currently more urgently needed for cultivation pills, and my funds are far from sufficient.
When I have more resources, I’ll consider these things later..."
He had also consulted with Mr. Shen about Moistening Vein Spirit Pills and other ’Cultivation Great Pills.’
Several labs in the vast sea were collaborating to tackle the key difficulties, and it shouldn’t be much longer before they hit the market.
However, due to the high taxes on such pills, the price might be steep,
prompting Meng Chuan to think he should save more money if he wished to indulge in them.
...
Regaining his focus, Meng Chuan calmed his thoughts.
Then, the two of them refrained from idle talk and began the introductory cultivation of the Qi Observation Skill.
In the middle of their practice, Dong Yue came by after class, carrying two boxes of wine and a roast chicken.
Unexpectedly, despite Taoist Qi being new to the United University, he had already become a drinking buddy of Old Dong...
At 9 p.m.
As Meng Chuan’s breathing gradually stabilized, he faintly ’smelled’ the fresh breath exuded by plants.
After repeated attempts to capture it, his veins grew warm, and the ’spiritual breath’ in his fist responded in kind.
Seeing this, Taoist Qi smiled lightly:
"Not bad, you’ve grasped the essence of Qi Observation in just half a day; you indeed have a connection with our Dao."
Beside them, Dong Yue munched on the roast chicken and nodded:
"This kid is adept in both Tao and Buddhism. In his presence, there are no sectarian barriers, and his comprehension is quite extraordinary."
Taoist Qi was secretly impressed, truly a prodigy.
Dong Yue had previously told him that Meng Chuan had grasped Buddhist True Skills in just half a day, indeed proving he was dual-cultivating Dao and Buddhism...
Leaving other matters aside, today’s observations.
From inventing his fist skill to understanding the Qi Observation Skill, what Meng Chuan demonstrated today left Taoist Qi thoroughly convinced.
"Old Dong, you’re right; this boy is indeed a freak of nature, mastering everything."
"Alas, Xiaomeng has only one flaw, his alcohol tolerance is somewhat lacking; he still needs to work on it."
"..."
Meng Chuan didn’t have time to listen to the idle chatter between the two and looked at the panel:
[Martial Arts]
[Qi Observation Skill: Beginner (1%) Awaiting Limit Breaking]