Chapter 3

The martial arts of the Quanzhen Sect are undoubtedly among the best in the world, but unfortunately, most of the Seven Quanzhen were Wang Chongyang's relatives and old friends. When Wang Chongyang taught them, they were already middle-aged, past the best age for practicing high-level martial arts, making it difficult for them to fully develop the Quanzhen Sect's skills.

Moreover, the Seven Quanzhen were not good at teaching their disciples. They could only pass on their superficial understanding of the sect's martial arts. The Quanzhen internal cultivation is the foundation of the sect, and to practice this profound skill, one must be free from distractions to achieve great success. When the third-generation disciples entered the sect, they were mostly around twelve or thirteen years old, the age when their minds are most easily distracted. How could they control their scattered thoughts and focus on refining their true qi? However, when people reach middle age, their temperament stabilizes, and their cultivation increases, naturally aligning with the essence of the Quanzhen profound skill. Therefore, Quanzhen disciples make faster progress after middle age. This is why it is said that the Quanzhen techniques become easier to practice the more one practices them.

Guo Jing was naturally simple and sincere, with a childlike heart. When practicing, he was completely focused, and he received the true transmission of Quanzhen internal cultivation, perfectly aligning with its essence. Therefore, in just two years, he had a solid foundation in internal strength.

Qiu Chuji was naturally a gifted cultivator. He once said, "My current slight Daoist aura is not obtained through passive meditation. It is achieved through active labor and good deeds. The sages and virtuous people who bestow the Dao on those who have accomplished great deeds naturally do so..." Naturally, he was not enthusiastic about teaching his disciples to meditate and cultivate qi, preferring to encourage them to prioritize "saving the world," showing a strong sense of chivalry. Li Zhichang followed the song's instructions and initially found his thoughts fluctuating, making it hard to focus. He then controlled his breathing rhythm, slowing down the circulation of blood and qi. Soon, his mind became clear and calm, with no thoughts arising.

With a calm mind and stable spirit, his true qi naturally generated. A warm current rose from the Yongquan point, and a cold current flowed down from the Baihui point. They condensed into the Jinjin Yuye (golden fluid and jade liquid) at the upper and lower jaw, forming a sweet and clear "dew." He swallowed the dew, which traveled down the Twelve Lofts and entered the lower dantian (Huachizhao point). The Huachizhao is the repository of essence, responsible for refining essence into qi. It has two openings, one connecting to the inner kidney and the other to the outer kidney. The upper opening can reach the brain, replenishing essence, while the lower opening connects to the outer kidney, expelling impure essence.

Li Zhichang followed the method, swallowing twelve mouthfuls of dew and circulating it for thirty-six cycles. When he opened his eyes, the moonlight shone like frost on the window. He felt refreshed and clear-minded, making it hard to fall asleep. A thought crossed his mind, and since he had not yet decided which internal martial art to practice, he decided to use this opportunity to explore. Through the generation of true qi, he perceived that true qi could subtly change the skin, muscles, and bones, even reaching the internal organs and membranes, promoting blood circulation, resolving stasis, and unblocking meridians. Although the effects were extremely subtle, only someone with his level of control over his body could feel them.

However, this was because his cultivation was still shallow. As his cultivation deepened, the effects would naturally become more pronounced. Moreover, he did not need his internal strength to be highly effective; it only needed to meet the requirements of a particular skill. This skill was the famous Thirteen Bodyguards' Hard Qi Gong. Taking advantage of the moonlight, Li Zhichang gathered his qi and blood in his hands until they turned red and emitted heat. He then struck his body in sequence, hitting each part nine times with consistent speed and force. After a round, even with his strong spirit, Li Zhichang found it challenging to continue.

He rested for a while, secretly circulating true qi to the areas damaged by the strikes. These injuries were extremely minor, and without self-awareness, ordinary people could only rely on applying medicine to heal them. Some areas were even beyond the reach of medicine. Therefore, although this skill has been widely known throughout history, only someone with extraordinary talent like Li Cunxiao could master it. Once mastered, this skill enhances qi and blood, making it more powerful than the Golden Bell Cover and Iron Shirt. It combines hardness and softness, making it invincible in the world!

Five years later, Li Zhichang was twelve years old. One day, Qiu Chuji brought another disciple back to Chongyang Palace. His secular name was Yin Ping, and after entering the sect, he was called Yin Zhiping. Originally, Yin Ping followed Ma Yu, but Ma Yu did not want to take on disciples, so he passed him to Qiu Chuji. After all, Qiu Chuji had not returned to Chongyang Palace for several years.

Qiu Chuji held Yin Zhiping's hand and pointed to Li Zhichang, saying, "This is a disciple I took in earlier, Li Zhichang. He is one year younger than you. Your master also has a lay disciple named Yang Kang, who is also one year younger than you. Since they entered the sect earlier, you must call them senior brothers. Li Zhichang entered the earliest, so he is your senior brother."

Yin Zhiping bowed to Li Zhichang, saying, "I greet Senior Brother Li Zhichang."

Li Zhichang saw that Yin Zhiping had clear eyebrows and bright eyes. Although he was only thirteen, he was already a handsome young man. Wearing a Daoist robe, he exuded an otherworldly charm, though it was a pity he would eventually become a dragon knight!

After accepting Yin Zhiping's discipleship, Qiu Chuji said to Li Zhichang, "Zhichang, explain the sect rules to Zhiping. In the future, you will also teach him the basics of martial arts."

Qiu Chuji then said to Yin Zhiping, "Zhiping, your senior brother will teach you the entry-level techniques. If you have any questions, come to me."

Yin Zhiping weakly replied, "Yes."

Qiu Chuji then said with deep meaning, "When I taught your senior brother, he understood everything at once. I only had to explain things once, and even if he had questions, he could figure them out by reading the classics in Chongyang Palace. So, you should take your senior brother as a role model, understand?"

Yin Zhiping wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and nodded in agreement.

Qiu Chuji, feeling relieved of a burden, was happy and walked out confidently. After Qiu Chuji left,

Li Zhichang patted Yin Zhiping on the shoulder and said, "Junior Brother Yin, come, let me explain our sect rules in detail."

Yin Zhiping said, "Please instruct me, Senior Brother."

Li Zhichang smiled warmly and said, "Zhiping, I have a handbook of the sect rules. You can read it yourself. I'll just tell you the most important thing: do you know that our Quanzhen Sect's founder, Chongyang Ancestor, was the greatest martial artist in the world?"

Yin Zhiping showed an excited expression, "Of course, I know. Our Quanzhen Sect's martial arts are the orthodox of the world, and even our uncles and aunts are rare experts in the martial world." Li Zhichang smiled, "You know that our Quanzhen Sect's martial arts are powerful, but to reach the level of Chongyang Ancestor, one must remain a virgin. Are you still a virgin?"

Yin Zhiping's face turned slightly red, "My family is very strict, Senior Brother."

Li Zhichang said, "That's good. I see that you have a remarkable physique, a natural talent for martial arts. The responsibility of revitalizing our Quanzhen Sect lies on your shoulders. You must work hard and not disappoint your master and me."

Yin Zhiping, being young and unable to control his emotions, felt the weight of the responsibility after hearing Li Zhichang's praise. He clenched his fists and said, "Senior Brother, I will definitely maintain my virginity and diligently practice martial arts for you and Master. I will strive to be like Chongyang Ancestor and bring glory to our sect."

Li Zhichang's face darkened at these words. Why is this kid so unlikable?

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