A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 69: Circulation of Qi and Dragon-Form Horse Stance

Ninghai Zen casually asked, seemingly indifferent, after handing over the complete book of Dragon Palm:

"By the way, do you think my appearance just now had the air of a high master?"

Bai Qi sighed in his heart; this instructor was truly fixated on the notion of 'style', always striving to be extraordinary in everything.

"In the depths of winter, the master rests within the Book Tower, breathing the wind and swallowing the snow, akin to a deity; naturally, his demeanor is exceptional.

If, when the disciple ascends the tower, he recites a line, 'Who first awakens from the great dream, in life I know myself,' it would further enhance a sense of tranquility and wisdom."

Excessive flattery is unwise; mixed with a few sincere suggestions, demonstrating one's own value, could more effectively win favor.

"The line 'Who first awakens from the great dream, in life I know myself... that's a good one; hold on, let me jot it down."

Ninghai Zen floated to the low table, took out a palm-sized booklet from his pocket, and wrote as if the movement of dragons and snakes:

"Ah Qi, do you have any other insights? Please continue."

Holding the Golden Core Great Strength Skill and Dragon Palm, Bai Qi, aware that he was indebted to his master, served him eagerly:

"I believe it should be more grounded. The cold winds wrap the snow from all sides; Master Ning, although you are not afraid of the harsh cold, others may not have such profound skills, and they come up shivering; how can they calmly admire such elegance?"

Setting down the sheep's hairbrush, Ninghai Zen stroked his chin:

"You make a valid point; indeed, the weather is quite poor, and it's about time to pass into winter."

Sitting on a bamboo mat, still in the tranquil posture of a monk sitting cross-legged, he pressed his hand to the ground.

Almost instantly, the surroundings inside the house seemed to rise with tangible waves of heat, the chill entirely vanished!

The scattered snowflakes were transformed into streams of light smoke, imbued with the scent of submerged sandalwood, like strands of cloud floating, refreshing the heart.

"What level of skill is this in the Fourth Training?"

An astonished Bai Qi watched this scene from a mere ten steps away from Ninghai Zen; should he close his eyes at this moment, he'd feel as though the tall figure in the azure robe was nonexistent, replaced by a towering, gigantic furnace.

The doors and windows around were wide open, yet inside Dezhen Tower it seemed as though an Earth Dragon Fire Dao was laid beneath, warmly heated, without the slightest trace of cold.

"Is this good?"

Ninghai Zen withdrew his hand, quite satisfied.

"Master, you are mighty."

Bai Qi bowed his head, suppressing the thoughts of complaint, preferring to expend his energy to make the room warm as spring rather than bother closing the doors and windows or setting up a charcoal fire.

The instructor indeed did things uncommonly.

...

...

"The Fourth Training, the final step is called Circulation of Qi; reportedly, it is a thrilling step that steals the nod from heaven and earth, and before cultivating Qi, one must refine the acupoints."

Reflecting on Ninghai Zen's astonishing display of changing the weather with a palm on the ground, Bai Qi wondered, perhaps his master has achieved Fourth Training Great Success?

Already started refining acupoints?

"A solid backing means confidence. At least before stepping into Yihai Prefecture, Black River County is a place where I can walk sideways."

With two martial arts skills in hand, he returned to the first floor and buried himself into reading.

First, he read Ninghai Zen's modified and streamlined Golden Core Great Strength Skill, containing fewer obscure words compared to the original; this version was more straightforward and clear, exuding the aura of a master; if not for the fresh ink, it would be hard to believe it was crafted by the instructor overnight.

"The use of fists and palms is a tool, a skill. The substance of intention, the Dao, the spirit... is clear and evident.

For the so-called one, there are organs and bones within, muscles and skin without, proceeding in an orderly fashion, sequentially progressing, the hundred skeletal nodes naturally connected, ultimately merging into one Qi... deeply insightful yet simple to understand.

The strategy implements transformation, the thunderbolt drives the spirit, malicious intent is the best policy, a ruthless hand defeats men... Master Ning indeed advocates a method of fighting.

The Golden Core Great Strength Skill is my current foundational cultivation, Rhinoceros Viewing the Moon, Phoenix Spreading Wings, Lifting Mountains and Cauldrons, corresponding respectively to the training of limbs and chest and abdomen."

Bai Qi imprinted it in his mind word by word, contemplating the meaning and savoring the essence.

This was a habit formed through his literacy and transcription skills.

Comparing Ninghai Zen's sharp insight with his own internal understanding, he could discover his own deficiencies and greatly enhance his perspective.

An entire hour passed before Bai Qi finally digested the supplemented and completed Golden Core Great Strength Skill, thoroughly setting his mind at ease.

Suppressing the instructor of Black River County's Martial Arts Hall is not only an expert in tactics but also a giant in cultivation methods.

His analysis and refinement of the Four Trainings were remarkably meticulous, eliminating any danger of deviation or error in practicing Qi.

His eyelids slightly trembled, and the ink talisman floated in the air.

[Skill: Golden Core Great Strength Skill - Modified (Mastery)]

[Progress: 132/800]

[Effect: The body is like an iron plate and a golden bell, not fearing heavy blows]

Even without being hardened by beatings, progress has still increased a level, showing that the harvest is not insignificant.

Bai Qi rubbed his throbbing temples, picked up the Dragon Palm, one of the Five Grand Captures, and continued to ponder it.

"This is a technique from a great master of Tongwen Hall, inspired by the sight of a yellow dragon rolling in water... Since there are Immortal Masters and Daoist Officials who can fly and vanish, well, having dragons is quite normal, not just boasting.

Dragon Palm comprises five moves: Dragon Rising, Dragon Claw, Dragon Twining, Dragon Swings Tail, and Dragon Twisting Pillar.

Shoulders like a turtle, chest retracted, back arched like a shrimp, can both retract and stretch, inhale and exhale, rise and fall, undulate like rolling waves... It has some commonalities with the Eight Sections Skill.

This method appears to be about blocking and evading, but in reality, it involves twisting, folding, and hiding techniques within emptiness, consuming a lot of energy.

It requires extremely long breathing to promote energy with Qi, to truly reveal the wonders of Dragon Palm.

Bai Qi, encountering martial arts techniques for the first time, felt more and more eager as he looked, finally couldn't help but stand up and start walking the steps of Dragon Palm.

At first it was quite awkward, and the moves were unfamiliar, but after two rounds, he gradually became more fluid.

He held a breath in his chest, slowly circulating it throughout his body with his Qi and blood, emitting a soft sound like trickling and rushing stream water.

Huala!

Hualala!

The robust Qi and blood cultivated through the Demon Fish Inner Pill and the treasure fish's flesh, surged with the guidance and pull, and increasingly took on the meaning of great rivers and waves rushing with a majestic force.

Bai Qi continuously practiced exhaling and inhaling, his quick breaths like a strong wind, stepping on a circular arc beneath his feet, the sound of his pants crackling, his figure flickering rapidly and urgently.

He twisted his waist, turned his hips, and flexibly rotated, his fists and palms transforming into various techniques such as inserting, grabbing, rubbing, holding, gouging, pointing, and intercepting.

In the spacious open area, a vague human shape moved vertically and horizontally.

"Dragon Claw, Snake Waist, Shuttle Step! Hand emerges with the body, body follows step to thrust, complementing each other.

Young Master Qi's comprehension is truly astonishing!"

At the entrance of Dezhen Tower, Lao Dao scratched his sable fur hat repeatedly, such a good seedling who could understand and enter the basics without a master's guidance, really saves a lot of trouble.

No wonder the young master took a fancy to him at a glance and decisively snatched him from the hands of several Great Martial Arts Halls.

Ninghai Zen, who knows when, floated down from the second floor; this instructor's habit of not using doors or stairs truly fits the description "mysterious and elusive."

"Indeed, when perfected, this palm technique can train the back to resemble a dragon's form, breathing like thunder, exhaling power like a beating drum; the ordinary first training level cannot withstand a few punches, and would be beaten to death."

Lao Dao's eyes lit up, as if seeing a treasure, smacking his mouth and saying:

"Once you learn the Horse Stance of Arhat Hand as well, uniting the dragon and horse, you'll walk as if on flat ground, walking across cliffs as if on a line, then there's nowhere steep you can't reach."

Ninghai Zen casually said:

"I'll go into the mountains again soon, find a Demon Tiger with sufficient Qi, extract a big bone to grind into medicine to strengthen him, passing the second training will be easier."

Lao Dao couldn't help but laugh:

"This time, how much silver are we going to take from Young Master Qi?"

Ninghai Zen said lightly:

"His fish stall business is not doing poorly; giving hundreds of taels to show respect to his master is only right. Wealth is external, holding too much might not be a good thing.

Being young and full of energy, if he mingles with those wealthy families and loses his purity, indulging in tenderness, even the best material could be wasted.

Hasn't such an example happened often in Yihai County City?"

Lao Dao sighed, seemingly deeply moved:

"Wealth is a shackle, fame and fortune are cages; only people like the young master can come and go freely."

Ninghai Zen sneered coldly:

"Eating, drinking, sleeping, how can one escape the mundane? I'm just an ordinary person.

After three thousand years of the Dao's decline, where are the true immortals and saints? They're all spirits and demons.

Tongwen Hall has fallen into decline in my generation."

Lao Dao fell silent, he polished the golden black plaque of Yihai's Hidden Dragon every day, fearing it might gather dust.

But even if the sign is bright, it needs reputation to shine; if the young master doesn't return to Yihai Prefecture, Tongwen Hall will remain buried beneath the ground.

"Let's go, when Ah Qi merges Dragon Form and Horse Stance, achieving the great success of Muscle Training, let him kill Yang Meng and lead him into the Ancestor Hall.

Recently, Black Water River seems lively, maybe you might run into a few old acquaintances."

Ninghai Zen was truly carefree, leaving as soon as he said, as if never bound by anything, even this Tongwen Hall couldn't restrain him.

Upon hearing this, Lao Dao smiled wryly, touching the sable fur hat with a gentle face:

"Young Master, it's been many years since we mixed in the Jianghu, who would still remember us?"