Chapter 60

(Today's update is a bit late as I had to take my computer for repairs. I apologize for the delay. Please give me your recommendations and support by adding this book to your collection.)

The dark yellow turtle shell was large, each piece as big as a millstone, with some natural patterns on it. Su Qinnian's mental energy attached to it, and he instantly captured an extremely profound aura, which seemed to subtly harmonize with the entire universe.

The second level of the "Mihun Dafa" mental energy was pushed to its limit, and Su Qinnian finally heard a faint breath, the breath of the divine turtle, extremely long, like the first breeze of the universe, showing no sign of stopping.

Later, when Su Qinnian looked at the shell patterns, he gained many different insights. Sometimes they resembled the Eight Trigrams, sometimes weapons, sometimes ancient mountains and forests, sometimes rivers and seas, and sometimes a vast starry sky.

At this moment, Su Qinnian's mental energy was greatly consumed, but he felt his physical blood and qi gradually undergoing subtle changes, with the bone marrow and blood surging and beginning to converge towards the five organs.

A realization surged in his heart.

"Heart belongs to fire, lungs to metal, liver to wood, spleen to earth, and kidneys to water. The five elements generate each other, and the five organs cycle, reflecting the natural changes of the universe."

Opening his eyes, Su Qinnian murmured, his face slightly pale, his mental energy gradually depleted. Unconsciously, the moon had already risen, and the moonlight poured down like water.

"The eighth level of the 'Turtle Snake Technique' should focus on refining the five organs, making the physical strength enduring. The various essences and spirits of the human body flow smoothly like clouds and water, pushing the body's limits to a new realm."

Taking a deep breath, Su Qinnian understood why so many outer court disciples found it difficult to break through the eighth level of the "Turtle Snake Technique." Not only was refining the five organs dangerous, but comprehending the principles of this level of the technique was not something that could be achieved through mere verbal instruction. The various paths of qi and blood circulation had to be memorized by oneself. If it weren't for his mastery of the "Mihun Dafa," which allowed him to delve into the mental realm, he wouldn't have been able to understand the essence of the eighth level so quickly. Ordinary outer court disciples had to rely on accumulated observation to gain insights, which might still be flawed, leading to dangers when attempting to break through to higher realms.

Therefore, among the more than a thousand outer court disciples, according to Su Qinnian's knowledge, fewer than twenty had achieved the eighth level of the "Turtle Snake Technique," and those who had reached the ninth level could be counted on one hand.

"Unfortunately, it seems my accumulation is still insufficient. Although I have comprehended the principles of the eighth level, the ninth and tenth levels remain shrouded in mystery, and I have not yet understood them."

Su Qinnian sighed. The outer court had a scripture hall, and he would need to visit it frequently in the future to read. Unfortunately, Qingyang Peak had been in decline for five hundred years, and Qingyang Palace had been emptied by the other peaks, leaving not even a single scripture or note behind.

For the next hour, Su Qinnian sat in meditation, using the residual undigested blood and qi to recover his mental energy while comprehending the principles of the eighth level of the "Turtle Snake Technique." He pondered the flow and trajectory of qi and blood, and the theories about the five elements and internal organs in his memory began to unravel, leading to deeper study.

The moon was high in the sky.

In the spring pond, the sleeping divine turtle suddenly moved.

This movement was earth-shattering.

The thick, wrinkled eyelids, even heavier than stone, opened, revealing eyes that seemed to be condensed from the flow of time, ancient and沧桑.

Like two dim yellow eternal lamps, the gaze was already a kind of profound yellow. As the "I Ching" says, "The profound yellow is the mixture of heaven and earth, with heaven being profound and earth being yellow." In Su Qinnian's view, the divine turtle's gaze seemed to have condensed the colors of heaven and earth, and as it opened its eyes, the stars in the sky dimmed.

Huff!

Then, the turtle's head lifted towards the sky, its huge mouth aligned with the bright moon, as if creating an invisible path. From the sky, the bright yellow moonlight descended like a tangible substance, entering the giant mouth. Su Qinnian clearly saw that in front of the turtle's head, the air collapsed, and even the void slightly distorted, creating an unreal scene.

In front of the Xuanwu Tower.

Daoist Jing Shou, lying on an old rattan chair, suddenly stood up. He looked up at the moonlight pillar connecting the sky and the earth, murmuring, "The divine turtle swallowing the moon, could it be a sign of divine favor? The flow of time and fortune suggests that Qingyang Peak will reappear in the world, returning to its peak of glory."

Daoist Jing Shou had been in the outer court of Baiyun Peak for decades, and the awakening of the divine turtle and its moon-swallowing phenomenon did not occur every year. Sometimes the turtle would sleep for three or four years without waking. The fact that it appeared today was a coincidence that, according to the scriptures, was often considered a predestined event, closely related to the flow of the Dao, mysterious and profound.

Of course, such principles of the Dao were beyond his reach. In the entire Wudang, perhaps only the one in Jinding Taihe Palace could barely grasp a thread of it.

Now, Daoist Jing Shou had a different perspective. Perhaps the one who spoke initially was not just acting on a whim.

In the backyard of the Xuanwu Tower.

The phenomenon of the divine turtle swallowing the moon was too grand. Su Qinnian focused his mental energy to the extreme, etching this scene permanently into his mind.

At the same time, he stood still with his arms open, empty and motionless, but a gentle breeze gathered around his arms, and he entered a state of enlightenment.

The outer court of Baiyun Peak was in turmoil.

Dozens to hundreds of outer court disciples rushed out, gazing at the celestial phenomenon of the divine turtle swallowing the moon, a sight that was rare, occurring only once or twice a year.

Some of the disciples who had cultivated inner family true qi had quick footwork, but the phenomenon of the divine turtle swallowing the moon did not last long, only about ten breaths. By the time they reached the Xuanwu Tower, the moonlight pillar had already shattered into a rain of light and disappeared into the sky.

They missed it!

Several disciples regretted, as such opportunities were especially precious for the young generation, a time of rapid growth and the need to seize every possible opportunity.

...

The moon gradually set. In front of the Xuanwu Tower, Daoist Jing Shou looked deeply at Su Qinnian as he walked out, said nothing, and lay down on the old rattan chair, sipping a cup of strong tea and closing his eyes.

Deep in the outer court of Baiyun Peak, there was a somewhat secluded courtyard. As soon as one approached, a strong medicinal aroma could be smelled. Through the bamboo fence, one could see baskets of herbs drying, some of which Su Qinnian recognized, and some were not even recorded in the eighth volume of the "Yao Jing."

This was the residence of Daoist Jing Wu, the outer court officer of Baiyun Peak, and also the place for refining medicines and seeking elixirs.

As one of the few officers in the Wudang outer court who was proficient in pharmacology and alchemy, Daoist Jing Wu did not have the intimidating aura of a typical martial artist. Instead, he had a gentle demeanor. At dawn, he began to sort the herbs in the baskets, picking out those that were still damp from the night dew and storing the dried ones in medicine jars.

He did everything himself, without any help. As an outer court officer, Su Qinnian did not see anyone assisting him, which moved him. This might be the sincerity and dedication described in the classics.

"The elixir will be ready in half a month. The foundation-building pills for this month have not yet been completed."

Without looking up, Daoist Jing Wu said calmly, as if he had already sensed the visitor but did not greet Su Qinnian.

What sharp perception!

Su Qinnian was impressed. At this point, he had deeply grasped the essence of the "Turtle Snake Technique," and his aura was as subtle as a thousand-year-old turtle in hibernation, barely perceptible. Yet Daoist Jing Wu could still detect him immediately, indicating his cultivation was not to be underestimated.

Without hiding or beating around the bush, Su Qinnian spoke, his eyes bright. "I humbly request Daoist Jing Wu to take action and save the life of a young child."

"A young child?" Daoist Jing Wu raised an eyebrow, finally looking up at Su Qinnian. "Which branch are you from, and which disciple's descendant is in danger? Do you have a letter or message from a senior?"

"Xiaoyao Valley, Qingyang Peak, Su Qinnian."

"The young child is not a descendant of Wudang. I encountered him by chance while descending the mountain. He is from Qingshan Town, Yunyang County, the eldest grandson of the Hu family, a scholarly family. He is only three years old and has been possessed by a demon, suffering from demonic qi, and his life is in danger. I humbly request you to take action and save his life."