Chapter 10

As Ning Zhongze saw her husband's agitated expression, it seemed he had thought of something, and she couldn't help but ask, "Senior Brother, how do you feel? Could it be that Xing'er's set of movements really has some effect?"

Yue Buqun only came back to his senses after hearing Ning Zhongze's words and began to recount to his wife everything he had experienced. Ning Zhongze was also moved after hearing this. She hadn't expected that her son's set of movements would actually have some effect on the meridians. In the martial arts world, techniques for strengthening tendons and bones were extremely rare. The Shaolin Temple's "Yi Jin Jing" (Muscle and Tendon Changing Classic) became a renowned divine skill largely because of its ability to strengthen tendons. Imagine if a person's meridians could continuously expand; after several decades, the accumulated internal energy would far surpass others. With this set of Yi Jin Twelve Movements as an aid, the Huashan Sect's internal energy cultivation could surpass its former level.

At this moment, Yue Buqun said, "Although this set of movements is good, there is still room for improvement. I think it needs to be perfected. Moreover, I feel that there is something incomplete, and there must be a complementary technique. After I have refined the route for the circulation of true qi, I will teach it to you. However, deducing a technique is not something that can be done in a day. Even now, it has some effect. Sister, in a few days, I will initially organize it and pass it on to you, Shan'er, and Chong'er. Familiarize yourselves with the movements first, and it will be beneficial. It seems that our Huashan Sect will have a new technique that can both lay a foundation and be used as an auxiliary practice."

Yue Lingshan, standing beside them, was a bit dazed. She only knew that her father was going to have her mother teach her a set of movements. Over the past three years, she had become extremely familiar with horse stances, which she had grown tired of. Now, she was finally going to learn new movements, which she thought would be more interesting than horse stances. She was quite happy and didn't have any other thoughts.

Linghu Chong, however, heard everything clearly and was greatly shocked. He knew that his junior brother was far better than him in reading and writing, but he hadn't expected that his junior brother had also created a set of movements called the Yi Jin Twelve Movements. Not only had his junior brother cultivated true qi with it, but it also had the effect of strengthening tendons. Even their master was highly impressed. Thinking about how he usually played with his junior sister whenever the master wasn't watching and couldn't focus on his qi cultivation, while his junior brother, although sometimes played with them, spent most of his time reading and cultivating, he felt very ashamed. Considering that his junior brother was about to start internal energy cultivation, and that he, the senior brother, had only managed to open three meridians after two years of practice, he thought that with his junior brother's talent, he would quickly catch up. He decided to work hard and not be outdone by his junior brother. If he did, not only would the master be angry, but he would also lose face as the senior brother. He resolved to focus on his qi cultivation and martial arts practice, especially sword techniques.

After finishing his conversation with Ning Zhongze, Yue Buqun turned to Yue Fangxing and said, "Xing'er, in a few days, I will teach you internal energy cultivation. Since you have already cultivated true qi, you need to diligently practice qi cultivation and martial arts. Remember, the foundation of all martial arts is qi cultivation. Once your qi cultivation is complete, other martial arts will naturally improve. This set of Yi Jin Twelve Movements can be practiced again after your internal energy cultivation is advanced, and it will be even more effective."

Yue Fangxing was very excited to hear that his father was going to teach him internal energy cultivation, and his face showed his joy. He asked, "Father, what internal energy cultivation are you going to teach me? Is it the same as what Senior Brother practices?"

Yue Buqun was a bit troubled by this. Given the nature and refinement of the true qi in Yue Fangxing's body, although the basic Huashan Sect technique could be practiced, it would be a waste of his talent. His own Zixia Divine Skill required a high level of internal energy to practice and was traditionally only passed down to the Huashan Sect leader. Although Yue Fangxing had excellent talent, it was too early to determine if he would succeed the Huashan Sect leader. However, the Huashan Sect had many martial arts, and although most had been lost, some were still preserved. One of these was the Hanyuan Skill, which combined internal and external cultivation. This seemed very suitable for Yue Fangxing.

However, although the Hanyuan Skill was extremely powerful, second only to the Zixia Divine Skill, its cultivation method was quite different from ordinary internal energy techniques. Very few people in the Huashan Sect had successfully practiced it, and he himself had never seen it. He only learned about it when his master passed on the position of leader. After reviewing it, he found it to be quite different. If Yue Fangxing practiced the Hanyuan Skill, he could provide guidance, but some aspects would have to be explored by Yue Fangxing himself. Given Yue Fangxing's talent, he should be able to practice it on his own. However, it would depend on his choice. Since he had always been independent, if he was unwilling, he would still teach him the basic Huashan Sect technique. It would be a pity, as if someone could successfully practice the Hanyuan Skill, the Huashan Sect would have another powerful internal energy technique.

Thinking about this, Yue Buqun said to Yue Fangxing, "Xing'er, given your talent, practicing the basic Huashan Sect technique would be a waste. We have a Hanyuan Skill in the Huashan Sect, which also emphasizes internal and external cultivation and is practiced while moving, which is very suitable for the true qi in your body. It also has a Bao Yuan Skill to complement it. These two techniques were obtained by an ancestor over a hundred years ago and are said to be extremely powerful, ranking second among the nine Huashan Sect techniques. However, few people have successfully practiced the Hanyuan Skill, and its cultivation method is quite different from ordinary internal energy techniques. You will have to explore it yourself, and I can only provide guidance. If you are unwilling, I will teach you the basic Huashan Sect technique. What do you think?"

Ning Zhongze, hearing that her senior brother was going to teach her son a technique she had never heard of, was worried and said, "Senior Brother, since no one has practiced it, we should try it ourselves first before giving it to Xing'er. It would be better to let Xing'er practice the basic technique first!"

Yue Buqun replied, "Sister, the Hanyuan Skill is extremely powerful and must be practiced from the beginning. We cannot try it ourselves. Moreover, the true qi in Xing'er's body is highly refined and was cultivated through a dynamic technique, which is very similar to the true qi required by the Hanyuan Skill. He is very suitable for this type of internal and external cultivation technique, and I believe he can practice it."

Yue Fangxing, hearing his father's words, felt a bit helpless: It seemed that his talent had scared his father, who now saw him as a test subject. He thought, in this life, he had entered a state of enlightenment at the age of three and created a set of movements that could cultivate true qi at the age of six, which also had the effect of strengthening tendons. He had also read Confucian and Taoist classics and could sometimes discuss them with his father, so he was no longer seen as an ordinary child. Moreover, he had a breathing method integrated into daily life, which he didn't want to tell his father about, as it might make him think he was a monster. He decided to be less conspicuous in the future.

He also thought, according to his father, the Hanyuan Skill was obtained over a hundred years ago. He wondered if it was the same as the Hanyuan Skill passed down by Cheng Kun and Xie Xun. If it was, he would be very lucky. Although Cheng Kun was not the strongest in "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber," he was still a top-tier expert. After practicing the Shaolin Nine Yang Skill, he was on the same level as the Three Monks. Xie Xun, at a young age, became one of the four great law enforcers of the Ming Cult and was almost chosen as the next leader by Yang Dingtian, indicating his high level of martial arts, which was largely due to the Hanyuan Skill.

Even if it wasn't the Hanyuan Skill of Cheng Kun and Xie Xun, it was likely the Hanyuan Skill of Yuan Chengzhi. Yuan Chengzhi became a top expert in the martial arts world after ten years of practice, and although the martial arts level in the world at that time was generally low, and he often used the Golden Snake Secret Manual's techniques, his internal energy was still the Hanyuan Skill, which few in the martial arts world could surpass. This showed the extraordinary nature of the Hanyuan Skill. Although he had no teacher, with his father's guidance, if he made a mistake, his father could use the Zixia Divine Skill to help him recover. He was confident that after ten years of practice, he would surpass Yuan Chengzhi.

Of course, the most important point was that Yue Fangxing did not want to practice the basic Huashan Sect technique. The effectiveness of the Huashan Sect's basic technique could be seen from the fact that in the original story, Linghu Chong, after practicing for over ten years, was still a second-rate expert in the martial arts world. He not only failed to reach the threshold for practicing the Zixia Divine Skill but was also far inferior to a barely first-rate villain like Tian Boguang. Moreover, the Huashan Sect's basic technique was clearly derived from the Quanzhen Sect. The Quanzhen disciples in "The Legend of the Condor Heroes" and "The Return of the Condor Heroes" were not impressive, and after decades of practice, they were still inferior to those who practiced for a few years. If this was the case for a few, it might be acceptable, but if it was common, it indicated a problem with the technique.

Based on Yue Fangxing's speculation, the basic technique was likely created by Wang Chongyang for his disciples to lay a foundation, with low requirements for talent, almost anyone could practice it. However, to achieve great success, it would require a lot of effort and a certain level of Daoist knowledge. From this perspective, the basic technique was good for laying a foundation, and if practiced to the extreme, it could make one a top expert, but it would take a very long time.

Yue Fangxing did not want to wait that long. Next year, Dongfang Bubai, now known as Dongfang Sheng, would rise to power, and in twelve years, the "Smiling, Proud Wanderer" would begin. At that time, the martial arts world would be in turmoil, and if his martial arts were not strong enough, he might not even know how he died. It was better to practice the Hanyuan Skill, although it was a bit risky, his father had some confidence, and he wouldn't harm his only son.

Thinking about this, Yue Fangxing respectfully said, "Father, I am willing to practice the Hanyuan Skill." Seeing Ning Zhongze's concern, he added, "Mother, with Father's guidance, there shouldn't be any major problems. Even if I get injured, Father's Zixia Divine Skill can help."

Yue Buqun was pleased with his son's courage and nodded in approval. He indeed had some confidence, otherwise, he would be harming his son. Ning Zhongze, seeing this, had no choice but to agree.

At this moment, Yue Fangxing thought of another matter. He wondered if this was the formal start of his apprenticeship. In the original story, Yue Lingshan, although she had been on Huashan Mountain for many years and practiced martial arts, had never formally apprenticed. New disciples called her "Junior Sister." He had been annoyed by Linghu Chong calling him "Junior Brother" for years. He couldn't bear the thought of new disciples still calling him "Junior Brother" in the future, which would be embarrassing. Moreover, this would not be beneficial for the long-term development of the Huashan Sect.

Thinking about this, Yue Fangxing said to Yue Buqun, "Father, when will I formally apprentice?" He then winked at Yue Lingshan. Although she didn't know what was going on, she knew her brother was smarter than her and joined in, demanding to apprentice as well.

Yue Buqun had not planned to have his children formally apprentice, as he considered them to be part of the Huashan Sect from birth. However, hearing Yue Fangxing's formal tone, he took it seriously and thought carefully.

Hearing this, Yue Fangxing added, "Father, although my sister and I are already part of the Huashan Sect, we have never paid respects to the ancestors. It was fine before, but now that Father is going to teach us Huashan Sect techniques, it would be disrespectful not to pay respects. Moreover, this would not be beneficial for the Huashan Sect. Outsiders might think the Huashan Sect belongs to our family. In the future, Father will surely take on more disciples. If he personally teaches each one, how will he have time to practice? It would be better to establish a system of inner and outer sects, with designated people responsible. In my opinion, it would be best to set the rules now to avoid future problems."

Yue Buqun nodded in approval, as he valued respect for teachers and the way of the Dao. Hearing his son's words, he was very pleased, thinking, "Xing'er not only has outstanding martial arts talent but is also good at reading. This level of understanding is something even Chong'er might not achieve. It seems the 'Gentleman Sword' has a successor!" He decided to choose an auspicious day to formally take his children as disciples.

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