A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 86 - 85: Breakthroughs All Around, A Night of Lasting Light
Leaving Bai Ming in the care of Liang Laoshu, Bai Qi once again arrived at Tongwen Hall.
He still didn't see the shadow of Ninghai Zen. This instructor was someone who couldn't stay idle, either going into the mountains for ten days to half a month or sailing downriver on a small boat. It was said about him that the dragon shows its head but not its tail, and that was indeed true.
"It's been a few days since we last met, Young Master Qi. You look full of energy and your steps are brisk. It seems that following He Tai and the others into the mountains for the autumn hunt was quite fruitful."
Lao Dao, wearing his mink fur hat, sat in the front yard cracking sunflower seeds, carefully scooping up the large pile of shells in his hand for fear they might fall to the ground.
"My archery, horseback riding, and mountain-gathering skills have all improved a bit. Passing by the corner store on the street, their roasted peanuts had just come out of the pot, steaming hot. I brought two bags for you, Uncle Dao, to enjoy with your drinks tonight."
Many times, Bai Qi felt that Uncle Dao guarding the vast Tongwen Hall was like guarding a solitary, unvisited tomb.
Ninghai Zen, on the other hand, was like an outsider who only comes by during the holidays to offer a ceremonial visit.
"Thank you for thinking of me, Young Master Qi. Haha, the half-jar of good wine I snagged from Old Liang last time still has plenty left. Later, I'll whip up a couple of good dishes to treat my Five Viscera Temple."
Lao Dao cheerfully accepted, enjoying carrying some snacks around with him in his old age and occasionally taking a bite or two.
"By the way, before the master went into the mountains, he left the Arhat Hand's technique manual for you, Young Master Qi, to study and comprehend well."
"Okay, I'll first go to Dezhen Tower to read a bit."
Bai Qi took the thread-bound booklet, crossed the front yard, and returned to his room.
He neatly arranged his "equipment," including the cow horn hard bow, ice-cracked pattern ring, and the ripe Huangjing medicine pouch, among others.
All these items together were worth over a thousand taels of silver, truly a substantial fortune.
"Two bezoar stones, ground into powder, then made into incense at the medicine shop. The next time we encounter miasma in the mountains, we won't need to fear it."
Bai Qi carefully stored them away, feeling extremely secure. Looking throughout Black River County and beyond, there truly wasn't a safer place than Tongwen Hall.
If only he were a direct disciple, instead of just barely under Ninghai Zen's tutelage, without having entered the Ancestor Hall to offer incense.
He even thought of leaving his outer-city residence idle, and moving into Tongwen Hall with Bai Ming some day, where he'd sleep much more peacefully!
After a brief rest, Bai Qi walked along the corridor, passing through the buildings and courtyard, stepping into the spacious Dezhen Tower to immerse himself in reading.
Old tales of the previous dynasty, miscellaneous records of the Dao being lost, discussions of ghosts and spirits... all kinds of books.
He wasn't picky, grabbing any book and devouring it.
With his photographic memory, he read quickly, swiftly flipping through the pages.
After reading satisfyingly for over an hour and a half, the ink seal within his mind subtly vibrated, bringing Bai Qi out of his immersion.
His gaze quickly swept over it, realizing it was a breakthrough in technique.
[Technique: Literacy and Calligraphy (Proficient)]
[Progress: (1/800)]
[Effect: Reading brings benefits, with a mind free of distractions, one can enter a fine state]
"This description this time..."
Bai Qi silently pondered over the eight words presented by the technique, a flash of insight prompting him to spread open the Arhat Hand manual given by Uncle Dao.
"Muscle and bone separation, dislocating and severing flesh appear to be about training fists, yet actually prioritize leg technique.
The postures in the training chapter are called 'Horse Stance,' and the moves formed by the technique are also 'Horse Shape.'
The focus is on depth and stability. There is a saying in Daoist arts about taming the 'monkey-like heart and horse-like mind,' describing a person's thoughts as rambunctious and hard to control.
Mastering Horse Shape means taming a mind as wild as a galloping horse, hence it can be called 'Arhat'..."
He turned page after page, inexplicably experiencing a sense of sudden enlightenment, as if a curtain had been lifted from his understanding.
"The first path commands the horse with a single whip; the second path features cross tricks and drilling; the third path involves chopping and hammering in cartwheel stance; the fourth path involves slanting kicks, supports, wipes, and blocks; the fifth path has twin lions playing with water; the sixth path snatches the dragon and takes the jade belt..."
Bai Qi had never been more focused, without the slightest distraction.
The images and words of the Arhat Hand reflected in his eyes, engraving themselves into his memory.
He suddenly got up, inhaling and exhaling deeply, with each breath remarkably long.
Crack!
His pant legs suddenly burst open with a crisp sound!
Bai Qi took two steps forward, his ten toes spreading like galloping hooves, able to cover several yards in one leap.
His whole body seemed like an unrestrained galloping horse, wild and free, impossible to stop!
Compared to the fast and stealthy movements of the Dragon Palm, and close combat techniques, the Arhat Hand was more prominently wild and intense, seeming incongruous with its Zen-like name.
Pang! Pang! Pang!
With each punch, Bai Qi's back muscles shook in large blocks, accompanied by the undulating spine, bringing all the strength in his body to his five fingers, causing the air to explode with sound!
From afar, he resembled a magnificent steed galloping freely across the vast expanse of the world.
"The force of the Horse Shape isn't weaker than that of the Dragon Shape. The latter is fierce, the former is wild. Once unleashed, every part of the body exerts force. No wonder Master Ning had me wait until I achieved Minor Achievement in Muscle Training before teaching it.
If Xiaotou were to put all his strength into a move, he would immediately experience muscle tears and might even injure his bones."
Bai Qi's feet moved with interconnected steps, faintly resembling a horse form. His fists and palms intertwined, with energy surging, causing his clothes to cling tightly to the body surface.
If someone were to fix their gaze upon his back, they would see large muscles bulging fiercely, with a spine like a dragon entwined around a post, yearning to break free and soar upwards.
"When I polish the Arhat Hand and Dragon Form Fist to perfection, I can achieve the union of dragon and horse... However, to practice the dragon form well, the bones must be refined like steel, exchanged for mercury blood, and transformed into silver marrow. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Otherwise, the spine is too fragile, utterly incapable of supporting the horse form, much less transforming into a dragon."
Bai Qi slowly retracted his fist and foot stance, his body, in stillness and motion, seemingly stirred a breeze, rustling the pages of a book.
As his qi and blood settled, his flushed face returned to normal.
He lifted his eyelids, revealing a flash of dark markings.
[Skill: Arhat Hand Technique (Beginner)]
[Progress: 17/800]
[Effect: Punching in all directions, kicking with the power of a thousand catties]
"Indeed, my understanding was correct. Subduing chaotic thoughts, moving like a swift horse riding the wind... Literacy and comprehension breakthrough, under the influence of efficacy, not only makes reading beneficial but also allows a heart free of distractions, gradually entering a perfect state. Truly an essential choice for training!"
The combination of skills once again brought Bai Qi delight.
He was panting heavily, the exertion tremendous from refining both techniques simultaneously.
Even with such a solid foundation, he was feeling somewhat exhausted and weary.
"Fortunately, I have a great tonic! Sowing good deeds, reaping good fruits. Ah Di saved a kingfisher, exchanged for ancient method steamed and sun-dried tiger ginger. Preaching in the mountains indeed has its significance."
Bai Qi took out a packet of ripe huangjing powder he carried with him, poured it into a cup of water, shook it twice, and then poured it into his stomach, waiting for the medicinal power to spread.
"Practicing the Dao by taking elixirs to avoid grains, eating the fare of immortals for my training, truly a remarkable luxury."
Bai Qi drank until not a drop was left, licked his lips, and began using Golden Core Great Strength Skill to absorb the medicinal power.
In this manner, he alternated between nurturing and training, rapidly advancing his technique. When his internal qi and blood were depleted, he continued to take ripe huangjing to refill his reserves, feeling invigorated.
A subtle sense of reminiscent fitness enthusiasts consuming protein shakes from a past life.
"Young Master Qi should indeed join Tongwen Hall, remembering the three rules clearly — committing your marrow to the path of cultivation, tirelessly day and night, unmindful of life and death, to reach the pinnacle of the world!"
Training throughout the night, toughening oneself, if the master sees this, he'll surely be happy.
At the courtyard gate, Lao Dao looked on with satisfaction, gazing at the long-lit lamp in Dezhen Tower and the shouting sounds.
Over the years, it wasn't that there were no good seedlings pleading for Ninghai Zen to take them as disciples; those with natural martial talents and remarkable perseverance were not scarce.
But ultimately, they never won the master's favor, remaining unmoved, allowing them to leave.
Only Young Master Qi, starting with extraordinary comprehension and now practicing techniques with sensitivity, diligence, and dedication.
Like pure gold and jade material, gradually unveiling its inherent brilliance!
"Yihai, hiding dragons, these four words! This banner! Perhaps it won't always remain obscured in Black River County!"
Hope rose in Lao Dao's eyes, as he grabbed his mink fur hat, silently turning to leave.
...
...
The next day, when the sky was bright.
In Dezhen Tower, lamps burned throughout the night, several large candles as thick as a child's arm burned out.
Bai Qi opened his eyes, having not slept a wink, yet he was still exuberant, his gaze astonishingly bright, almost condensed to a point.
If the room, with doors and windows shut, were pitch dark, it might even emit a faint glow, creating a startling scene of the empty space generating light.
A subtle stir of his mind summoned the incessantly vibrating dark markings, reflecting the significantly increased progress of several skills.
[Skill: Dragon Palm (Minor Achievement)]
[Progress: 167/800]
[Effect: Starting with subtle power at every inch, stepping softly yet firmly with every move]
...
[Skill: Arhat Hand Technique (Minor Achievement)]
[Progress: 9/800]
[Effect: Subdue restless thoughts, spiritual sense arises, body like a galloping horse with explosive strength]
...
[Skill: Golden Core Great Strength Skill (Proficient)]
[Progress: 421/800]
[Effect: Body like an iron plank and golden bell, fearless of heavy blows]
