bayedsolid Chapter 720 Calm Mind and Solidify Foundation, A First Glimpse into the Path
Chapter 720 Calm Mind and Solidify Foundation, A First Glimpse into the Path
The moonlight, like a ribbon, streamed through the windows of the simple thatched hut, casting a cool glow. Inside, an oil lamp flickered, casting long shadows of two young girls. Lin Muxue sat cross-legged on a straw mat, her eyes slightly closed, her breathing long and steady—the basic breathing technique taught to her by Lin Wei.
Lin Wei sat not far away from her, calmly observing her like an experienced gardener carefully watching the growth of a seedling. Since deciding to stay that day, Lin Wei had made guiding Lin Muxue to stabilize her realm and control her power her top priority. The awakening of her bloodline power allowed the ten-year-old Lin Muxue to leap to the Great Perfection of the Earth Realm, a level many people dream of. However, this power came too fast and too fiercely, like a raging flood. If it was not guided and controlled, it would not only fail to unleash its true power but might also harm her and even affect her mind. After all, Lin Muxue was still very young and not very good at controlling the internal energy circulation of the Earth Realm. Moreover, she was originally only at the Great Perfection of the Profound Realm. Jumping four levels at once, she could not adapt to such a vast amount of internal energy, and she did not have enough techniques to assist her. Therefore, Lin Wei first taught her breathing exercises.
"Hoo..." Lin Muxue slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, the air carrying a barely perceptible warmth, which distorted slightly in the glow of the oil lamp before dissipating. She opened her eyes, her gaze clear, carrying a hint of post-cultivation comfort and confusion.
"How are you feeling?" Lin Wei asked gently, her voice soft but carrying a reassuring quality.
Lin Muxue nodded gently, feeling the more active and powerful force within her body than before: "Aunt Wei, I feel that the 'warm current' in my body is much stronger than before, and it is also more difficult to control. Sometimes, it runs wildly through my meridians uncontrollably, making me feel a little... panicked."
This was exactly what Lin Wei was worried about. Reaching the Great Perfection of the Earth Realm meant that the true qi (or energy transformed from bloodline power) within the body had become abundant and condensed, reaching a new level. However, Lin Muxue lacked a gradual cultivation process, her foundation was still shallow, and her control over this sudden and powerful force was severely inadequate.
“It’s normal to feel anxious.” Lin Wei stood up and walked to Lin Muxue’s side. “It’s like a child who suddenly has the strength of an adult but doesn’t know how to use it. Naturally, he will feel confused and afraid. Your anxiety comes partly from the impact of the power itself, and partly from your unfamiliarity with and distrust of it.”
Lin Muxue pondered: "Strangeness and distrust?"
“Yes.” Lin Wei nodded. “From today onwards, we will no longer merely ‘feel’ and ‘adapt,’ but rather ‘understand’ and ‘control.’ This breathing technique is the most basic of the basics. It can help you calm your mind and establish a preliminary connection with the power within your body. But to achieve a stable state of mastery, or even go further, this alone is not enough.”
She extended her finger and gently touched Lin Muxue's brow. A cool and gentle aura entered through her fingertip, and Lin Muxue felt a surge of clarity in her mind. The previously restless power of her bloodline seemed to have calmed down considerably.
"Concentrate, calm your mind." Lin Wei's voice seemed to carry a certain magic. "Close your eyes and look inward again. This time, don't just feel that 'warm airflow,' try to 'see' its shape, its flow path, its beginning and end. Imagine it as a part of your body, a friend that you need to understand and communicate with, not a terrible monster."
Lin Muxue followed her advice and once again immersed herself in introspection. This time, guided and prompted by Lin Wei's cool aura, she tried to concentrate her mind, no longer vaguely sensing, but striving to "focus" on that power.
At first, everything remained blurry. But gradually, with intense focus, she seemed to truly "see" something. It was no longer just a warm current, but a torrent formed by countless tiny, shimmering golden specks of light. They surged and flowed within her body along a predetermined path, sometimes turbulent, sometimes gentle. She could even "see" some narrow, congested places, and each time the torrent passed through, it caused a slight feeling of stagnation, which was the source of her "chaotic" and "panicked" sensations.
"Have you found it?" Lin Wei's voice rang out at the right time.
"Mmm!" Lin Muxue's voice carried a hint of excitement and exhaustion. "I...I think I see it! They look like a golden river!"
"Very good." Lin Wei withdrew her finger, a hint of approval in her eyes. "This is the initial application of 'Insight'. Earth Realm experts not only have abundant true qi, but more importantly, they have enhanced spiritual power, enabling them to introspect and perceive subtle details. Your innate spiritual power is not bad, and with the nourishment of your bloodline power, it is not difficult for you to achieve this."
She paused for a moment, then continued, “This ‘golden river’ is the source of your power, a gift from the awakening of your bloodline. The reason it is ‘rushing’ now is twofold: first, the river channel (meridians) is still blocked and not wide enough; second, you lack effective ‘dams’ and ‘sluice gates’ to control its flow and direction.”
"Then... what should I do?" Lin Muxue asked anxiously.
“Dredging the river and building dikes,” Lin Wei said succinctly. “This requires efforts in two aspects: first, cultivating more profound techniques to guide the power to flush and broaden the meridians, while tempering the spirit and enhancing control; second, combining the power within the body with specific moves through actual combat drills, deepening understanding and mastery in application.”
In the days that followed, Lin Wei began to systematically guide Lin Muxue's cultivation. She did not impart any earth-shattering divine skills or secret techniques, but started with the most basic stance training and boxing forms.
“Standing meditation is the foundation of all martial arts. It is especially important for your current situation.” Lin Wei demonstrated a simple “horse stance”: “Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, bend your knees and squat down, making sure your knees do not extend beyond your toes, keep your back straight, and hug your arms in front of your chest as if holding a ball. It looks simple, but it has endless inner power. Through standing meditation, you can strengthen your muscles and bones, stabilize your lower body, and more importantly, in the long period of stillness, you can better feel the flow of internal energy and train your willpower and concentration.”
Lin Muxue began practicing Zhan Zhuang (standing meditation). At first, after only the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, she felt unbearable soreness in her legs, her whole body stiffened, and fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. The power of her blood and energy also became more restless due to the tension in her body.
"Stay calm!" Lin Wei's voice rang out, carrying an undeniable authority. "Don't let the soreness in your body and the restlessness of your strength affect you. Calm your mind and imagine your feet as the roots of an old tree, deeply embedded in the ground, drawing upon the stability and weight of the earth. Let the power within your body flow slowly and rhythmically with your breathing, washing away those places that make you feel sore and blocked."
Lin Muxue gritted her teeth and followed Lin Wei's instructions. Sweat streamed down her face, soaking her clothes, but she stubbornly refused to give up. She remembered her parents' instructions, the responsibilities on her shoulders, and everything Lin Wei had done to protect her and her mother. A powerful will sustained her.
Time passed slowly, from the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, to two, and then to an hour… Lin Muxue's horse stance became increasingly stable. Although the soreness in her body still existed, it was no longer so unbearable. More importantly, she discovered that during the stance training, the previously restless blood energy within her body seemed to have truly become more docile. Under Lin Wei's guidance and the restraint of her own willpower, it flowed slowly along a clearer and smoother path, like a tamed wild horse. With each flow, she felt as if her meridians had widened slightly, and her body became lighter and more powerful.
After stance training comes the boxing form. The boxing techniques taught by Lin Wei are also simple and unadorned, without fancy moves, only punches and kicks, wide and open, yet containing exquisite power generation techniques and methods for using strength.
"A punch isn't just about brute force," Lin Wei explained as she demonstrated. "The power of a fully-fledged Earth Realm cultivator can't be achieved by relying solely on the arms. You need to learn 'whole-body power,' unleashing the power of your entire body, including the power of your blood vessels, through the roots of your feet, the axis of your waist and hips, and the tips of your arms, in a complete and coordinated manner. See clearly, in this punch, the power originates from the ground, is transmitted through the legs to the waist and hips, then rotates through the waist and hips to transfer the power to the arms, and finally is released from the fist. The whole process must be completed in one smooth motion, like flowing water, without any stagnation."
She slowly threw a punch, seemingly slowly, but before the fist even arrived, a sharp gust of wind rushed towards her, causing the oil lamp flame to flicker violently.
Lin Muxue was stunned. She could feel that the power contained in Lin Wei's punch, though seemingly unassuming, was profound and condensed, as if it contained the potential to destroy the world. This was in stark contrast to the powerful but somewhat mixed and superficial power in her own body.
"I'll give it a try," Lin Muxue said eagerly.
She took a deep breath, recalling Lin Wei's key points of the movements, and imitated her punch. However, the punch was weak and powerless; she barely mobilized the power of her bloodline, let alone any "whole force." She was somewhat frustrated.
"Don't rush," Lin Wei said without criticizing her. "You have enough power within you, but you don't yet know how to 'mobilize' it. It's like you have a huge treasure trove, but you don't have the key or know how to open the door."
She walked behind Lin Muxue and gently placed her hands on either side of her waist and hips: "Feel this, the waist and hips, are the core of power. When you punch, it's not the arm that moves first, but the waist and hips that rotate first, driving the body, and then the arm. Come on, follow my guidance, and do it again."
Under Lin Wei's personal guidance, Lin Muxue threw another punch. This time, a gentle yet firm force came from Lin Wei's palm, driving the rotation of her waist and hips. Lin Muxue tried hard to feel the way this force was transmitted.
“Yes…that’s it…sink your shoulders, drop your elbows…the power rises from your feet, passes through your knees, over your waist and hips, and is transmitted to your shoulders and arms like waves…” Lin Wei’s voice whispered in her ear, like the most accurate navigation.
"Drink!" Lin Muxue shouted and threw a punch.
"Whoosh!" This time, the force of the punch was noticeably more powerful. Although it was still somewhat raw, Lin Muxue clearly felt that a portion of the bloodline power within her body was successfully guided out and poured into her fist as her waist and hips rotated and her arms swung.
"Very good! You've improved!" A hint of satisfaction flashed in Lin Wei's eyes. "That's the feeling. Remember, the power comes from deep within the body; it's the result of overall coordination, not just the contraction of local muscles."
The following days were monotonous yet fulfilling. During the day, Lin Wei instructed Lin Muxue in stance training, fist practice, and the more profound "Tranquility Technique"—a method Lin Wei had specially tailored for her, combining breathing techniques and emphasizing the tempering of mental strength and the nurturing and channeling of bloodline power. In the evenings, she would have her consolidate what she had learned during the day, or share stories about martial arts realms, cultivation insights, and even tales of her experiences in the martial world, broadening her horizons.
Lin Muxue's mother, a gentle and kind woman, though ignorant of martial arts, silently supported her daughter. She meticulously cared for their daily needs, preparing the most nutritious meals for them. When Lin Muxue felt fatigued from training or encountered setbacks, she offered her the gentlest encouragement and comfort. The warmth of home became Lin Muxue's strongest support, allowing her to maintain a peaceful and resilient heart throughout her arduous training.
As time went by, Lin Muxue made rapid progress.
She can now easily stand in a stance for two hours, her body as steady as a rock, her breath long and deep, and the power of her bloodline is like a calm lake when she is still.
In terms of boxing, she has already grasped the basic techniques of "whole-body power." Although she is far from being a master, each punch she throws carries a calm and sharp momentum. The power of her bloodline can be mobilized relatively smoothly and integrated into her moves. She is no longer in the predicament of having power but nowhere to use it, as she used to.
The practice of the "Mindfulness Technique" has greatly benefited her. Her mental strength has grown stronger day by day, and her perception of the power within her body during introspection has become clearer and more detailed. She can "see" the subtle changes in the flow of blood energy in her meridians and can actively guide it to flush out any blockages. Each successful flush makes her feel that her meridians are wider and smoother, and the flow of power is more harmonious and unimpeded. The feeling of power running wild and uncontrollable has become increasingly rare.
Her demeanor was also subtly changing. Her original fragility and confusion gradually faded, replaced by a calmness, resilience, and a hint of the sharpness of a martial artist. Her eyes became brighter and more determined, occasionally flashing with a golden light—a sign that her bloodline power was beginning to solidify.
On this day, as the sun set, it painted the sky with a magnificent crimson glow.
In the open space in front of the thatched hut, Lin Muxue was practicing a set of basic palm techniques taught by Lin Wei. The movements of this set of palm techniques were smooth and fluid, seemingly unlike the fierce and powerful fist techniques, but in fact they contained the principles of yin and yang, and the balance of strength and softness, making them very suitable for honing moves and refining control.
She moved with graceful ease, her palms flitting about like butterflies, moving in front of, to the sides, and behind her, creating gentle breezes. Golden bloodline power flowed silently within her, its power varying with the expansion of her palm techniques—sometimes as gentle as a spring breeze caressing willows, sometimes as fierce as a thunderbolt, controlled and controlled with perfect balance.
Every move, every stance, was executed meticulously, with perfect fluidity and fullness. The mastery of power, speed, and timing had reached a considerable level. It was no longer the initial rote imitation, but rather an infusion of his own understanding, resulting in a touch of divine essence.
After finishing her set of palm techniques, Lin Muxue stood still, her breathing slightly rapid but still steady. She stood there quietly, sensing the state of her body.
At this moment, she clearly felt that the power of her bloodline was like a surging river, completely under her control. It flowed joyfully through her wide and unobstructed meridians, and with each cycle, she felt the power become more condensed and pure. Within her dantian (the place where the power of her bloodline converged), the golden energy core was more solid and dazzling than before.
An unprecedented sense of fulfillment and control filled her entire being. She could feel the subtle energy flowing in the surrounding air, hear the faint sounds of birds and beasts in the distant mountains and forests, and even vaguely "see" the tracks of earthworms burrowing into the soil. The sharpness of her senses had reached a new level.
More importantly, the panic and confusion she felt had completely vanished. In its place was a deep-seated confidence and peace. She had a clear and accurate understanding of her inner strength and her own level of attainment.
"Aunt Wei, I feel... I seem to be different." Lin Muxue turned around and looked at Lin Wei, who had been silently watching her, her tone filled with undisguised joy and affirmation.
A relieved smile appeared on Lin Wei's face, a smile as warm as melting snow, filled with heartfelt praise: "Yes, you're different now."
She walked slowly to Lin Muxue, carefully examining her, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction: "Your aura is steady and refined, your eyes are clear and firm, and the power of your bloodline flows smoothly and is controlled at will. Congratulations, Muxue, you have truly solidified your Great Perfection of the Earth Realm!"
"Really?!" Lin Muxue was overjoyed, her voice trembling with excitement. All the hard work, sweat, and perseverance she had endured over the past few days had now blossomed into sweet fruit.
"Absolutely true." Lin Wei reached out and gently patted her shoulder. "From today onwards, you are a true Great Perfection Earth Realm martial artist. Although you still lack combat experience and your fighting skills are still immature, your foundation is already solid. It's like building a house; once the foundation is solid, you can build layer by layer without fear of storms."
Hearing Lin Wei's affirmation, Lin Muxue's tense nerves finally relaxed completely. Overwhelmed by joy, she couldn't help but feel her eyes well up with tears.