Chapter 462: Chapter 427: Bow to Neither Immortals nor Buddhas, Cultivate Only Oneself—Enlightenment in Body and Mind Through Fists and Feet
He closed his eyes, digesting the bitterness in his heart.
The Celestial King shed tears.
Although Meng Chuan had no deity of faith in his heart, he could still feel the pain within the Noon Sun Daoist in such an atmosphere.
It’s as if someone told him and confirmed for him - practicing martial arts is a dead end.
This feeling is more unbearable than death.
Meng Chuan no longer disturbed, stood up to bid farewell and leave.
Only then did Noon Sun come back to his senses, and he solemnly said:
"The Ancestor’s action was precisely to select you as the ’Heir,’ naturally entrusting his core legacy items to you for management."
With that, he summoned the box back to Meng Chuan.
Inside were the Five Bright Fan and Purple Gold Pill.
Meng Chuan repeatedly refused.
Although he still didn’t know the use of these things, having come to the Fixing Immortal Shrine, he couldn’t just be taking and eating here...
Noon Sun said:
"To be honest, the demonic contamination has only started appearing in recent years. The core legacy items are more a notion, the specifics even the old Daoist and Great Chu don’t really understand.
But I roughly know, should the Ancestor be resurrected one day, these two objects would be his real-world anchor points.
The importance of this anchor to him is like the Martial Arts will for us, the Martial Arts family, it’s that essential.
You were personally chosen by the Ancestor as the heir, accept them."
Meng Chuan saw that the other party had put it that way and thought it impolite to refuse:
"Daoist Lord, I need to go out on a journey this time, not knowing when I’ll return to Yong’an.
This pot... I mean, the core legacy of Ancestor Cheng Yang, you keep it first, and I’ll retrieve it when I return."
"Sure, Xiaomeng, where are you planning to go?"
"Wudang Shaolin."
Noon Sun chuckled:
"Good, I see you’ve learned a mix of many things, neither Buddhist nor Daoist, yet you’ve incorporated all martial arts throughout history.
In this case, Wudang Mountain is the site of the True Martial Emperor’s Dao field, Shaolin Temple is the Zen martial ancestral court of Ancestor Master Bodhidharma.
Going there is perfect to validate your learning, you should sort it out and clarify your path forward.
Otherwise, when touching ’Celestial Being Resonance’, achieving the realm of Zhen Jun might hinder you."
Zhen Jun is the Daoist term for the fifth limit, the realm of the Martial Arts Venerable.
Daoist Noon Sun also saw Meng Chuan’s potential, giving him some advance pointers.
Meng Chuan solemnly nodded in gratitude, remembering the Daoist’s words in his heart.
The stars hung high, Meng Chuan politely declined the offer to stay overnight, and left under the stars.
"Farewell, Daoist Lord."
"This old Daoist wishes you success on this journey."
...
Meng Chuan left Yong’an, heading towards Huayin.
Since he’s traveling from Yong’an, how could he not climb ’West Peak Huashan’?
Huashan is located about a hundred kilometers south of Huayin City, in the suburbs of Yong’an.
This place is of great significance in the Ancient Martial Era, during the Zhu Ming period, it was the headquarters of the ’Huashan Sect’, one of the six major sects under the heavens at that time.
This place also witnessed the famous ’Huashan Sword Debate’ incident.
Martial arts masters fought over the ’Nine Yin Divine Skill’ created by the ancient martial grandmaster Huang Shang, deciding the number one in the world at the time here.
Later, entering the Qi Blood Martial Arts Era, Great Chu initially wanted to preserve the tradition of Huashan Sword Debate and establish it as the number one Martial Arts event of Great Chu.
However, this place is also a top-tier Martial Arts University, home to ’Huashan Martial Arts University’.
Considering the disturbance to secluded cultivation and the difficulty of transportation due to the perilous terrain of Huashan.
Ultimately, according to the north-south dividing line, northern and southern places each decided their ’North-South Representatives’ over the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers.
Each representative gathered at the critical node connecting the Yangtze River civilization and Yellow River civilization, atop Dahong Mountain.
Thus deciding the current number one Martial Arts family in Great Chu, aside from the Great Saint.
It is the current number one Martial Arts event of Great Chu — ’River Gathering’.
Principal Sui was also the champion of the previous event, the first under the Great Saint.
Meng Chuan hurried to the foot of Huashan, gazing at the ’sharp and square’, blade-like ridge of West Peak Huashan, feeling inspired.
...
The peril of Huashan is also for ordinary people.
His figure was like a crane in the clouds, disappearing into the mist in a few leaps, heading towards the Huashan Martial Arts University at the mountaintop.
It had gone through the ideological split of sword qi two sects and continuous wars, already no longer as glorious as the Ancient Martial Era.
Now following the reform of Great Chu, unable to rank among elite Martial Arts Universities, merely residing as a top-tier.
After all, a lean camel is bigger than a horse; in terms of Martial Arts foundation alone, it’s still no match for Yong’an Martial Arts University, a modern Martial Arts University.
The school still retains ’Huashan Sword Debate Peak’, ’Cliff of Reflection’, and ’Jade Maiden Peak’ as martial arts landmark check-in spots.
Meng Chuan’s destination this time is precisely these three places.
Whether he can be inspired by the scene, enhancing his martial philosophy.
The mountain wind brushed by his ears as he leapt up the steep mountain wall.
He purposefully subdued his Qi Blood, climbing using only physical strength, experiencing the arduousness of ancient martial artists reaching the peak.
Underneath the stars, the stone steps were indistinct amid the clouds.
He sometimes paused before cliff carvings, fingers brushing over the mottled characters ’Sword Qi Soaring to the Sky’;
Sometimes at the hazardous path of Canglong Ridge, he closed his eyes, seemingly hearing the sound of sword qi from the debate of the two sects back then.
When traversing ’Sparrow’s Turnaround’, he suddenly felt inspired.
Combining the Dao-yin technique of "Shaking the Pillar of Heaven" taught by Han Zhongli with a body technique, a slight crack in his neck bones surprisingly triggered the clouds to swirl around his body.
By the time he reached the northern peak, the morning sun had just pierced through the sea of clouds.
Meng Chuan gazed at the grand entrance of the Great Chu Martial Arts University bathed in the morning light, and the ancient archway with the plaque that read "Sword Qi of a Thousand Ages."
"The legend of sword qi clashes here is just like the various martial arts schools within me, requiring comprehensive synthesis into one."
Meng Chuan became increasingly insightful, as the panel flickered, triggering [Morning and Evening Enlightenment].
He decided to practice his fists first, not wasting this rare opportunity before entering the Martial Arts University for a visit.
He turned around and disappeared, standing atop a large piece of granite on the ridge of the mountain.
The rock was extremely smooth, but his feet gripped it like eagle claws, holding on tightly and not letting go.
The little fan in his mind grew brighter, as if urging him:
"Tap your teeth three times to produce saliva, focus your spirit to gather qi to the essence."
He took a deep breath in three times, intending to start punching.
But "Master Zhenyang" couldn’t hold back, so he took advantage of the moment of enlightenment to enter the relatively advanced energy refinement method taught by Jun Mu Yang.
Sitting upright on the rock, with his spine straight and his body relaxed.
Calming the mind and spirit, this is the key to tranquility and concentration.
Following the tune of the ballad in his mind, he lightly closed his eyes, tapped his upper and lower teeth together 36 times, then crossed all fingers of both hands at the back of his head, tightly covering his ears with his palms.
He then floated his index fingers over his middle fingers and powerfully struck down against the back of his head on either side 24 times, completing the entire process of "Tooth Tapping to Gather Spirit, Sounding the Heavenly Drum."
Han Zhongli’s voice passed through the gradually fading fan imprint, reaching his ears:
"This is the key to awakening the mind and unleashing original qi!"
Original qi is deeply hidden within the kidneys, providing the fundamental drive to enhance organ functions, promote growth and development, and defend against malign influences.
In colloquial terms, it is "essence."
Meng Chuan understood.
In the context of martial arts, it means that learning this energy refinement method can strengthen the body, invigorate the spirit, enhance the body’s energy reserves, and significantly increase stamina.
Moreover, following Han Zhongli’s demonstration, he understood why Jun Mu Yang lived so long.
With this practice perfected, the body has another chance to "revert to innate."
The cells rejuvenate, like being reborn, which not only slightly enhances physical fitness but also can extend lifespan by a hundred years or more out of the blue.
"It’s worthy of the name [Longevity]..."
Upon hearing the initiation prompt in his mind, Meng Chuan swallowed the final mouthful of saliva, feeling its nourishment throughout his body.
When he opened his eyes, he was once again awestruck by the wisdom of ancient energy refinement practitioners.
[Longevity and Bliss Method: Initiate (3%) Awaiting Limit Break]
[Limit Break Trait: Return to Simplicity (Advanced)]
The word "advanced" was particularly dazzling, not to mention the meaningful value of "Return to Simplicity."
Taking advantage of the lingering enlightenment, Meng Chuan continued practicing before it faded.
Upon concluding the guiding movements, he gracefully began practicing the Eight Segments of Brocade of Zhongli.
His mouth continuously produced saliva, nourishing everything like spring wind and rain.
Through introspection, he felt the original qi in his body constantly accumulate, then scatter through the inner three burners to all limbs and bones.
On the rock, the panel kept delivering prompts, frequently refreshing his skill proficiency.
While practicing, he gazed at the dangerous scenery of Hua Mountain.
Meng Chuan felt exuberant inside, gradually grasping the wonderful sensation of "action follows thought, thought pursues qi."
This feeling steadily boosted his martial will.
Reflected in the martial firmament within him, stars and orbits also progressed.
Even on the pitch-black earth beneath the starry sky, signs of life burgeoning became increasingly evident.
Unexpectedly, even though the method wasn’t perfected, it was subtly enhancing his bodily foundation.
Thus, when enough energy is amassed, and the method reaches perfection, he can again "revert to innate."
It’s indeed a top-tier energy refinement method, as it not only provides the ability to gain advanced traits through limit breaking but also uses [original qi] to transform the body, a truly marvelous method.
[Longevity and Bliss Method: Initiate (3%)→(50%)]
Feeling the disappearance of the enlightenment state, he ceased practicing and paused on the spot, gazing into the distance.
"One instance of enlightenment was merely the initiation stage, only boosting proficiency by about 50%.
Most likely, like the Brahma Prison Seal, it cannot break through the limit in a short time as a [late-stage cultivation technique]."
Nevertheless, Meng Chuan still decided to designate this method as the main course for daily practice.
Not only because of the wondrous use of original qi but also because he cared deeply about his uncle and aunt and wanted to break through its limit early, starting from lowering the cultivation threshold.
He hoped that in the future, the elderly could practice this method like practicing Qi Observation Skills, to extend their lifespan.
He had no grand ambitions, only wishing that his family and friends would remain safe forever.
Previously, while integrating the [Chapter of Fear] into his Tao Heart for seeding demons, Meng Chuan experienced the loneliness of having no relatives in sight.
"Hopefully, this scene will never manifest in reality..."
Coming back to senses, with a slight metamorphosis again in his martial will, Meng Chuan’s eyes flickered with deep luster.
This figure of his standing by the cliff edge already held a faint master presence.
A Martial Arts Master is a master-level figure dedicated to their path, and achieving this is not just about attaining Qi blood.
In terms of martial principles, they must also reach the master level.
Unexpectedly, before even reaching Wudang, Meng Chuan experienced the Dharma Realm of Master Zhongli and the grinding of Hua Mountain, facilitating martial principles’ growth once more.
This consolidated multi-disciplinary learning tremendously benefits his future martial journey.
"The shortcut of incense-fueled immortal paths is illusory, sectarianism is illusory, only the true meaning realized between fists and feet is the cornerstone of divine enlightenment."
This is Meng Chuan’s path of breaking illusions and realizing truths, also the ultimate method of fusing various martial arts into one.
Without stepping out of the San Qin region, Meng Chuan had already taken the first step in aligning his future path:
[Not worshiping immortals and Buddhas, only cultivating oneself, balancing both life and destiny, realizing truths through fists and feet.]
