The one lecturing on the stage was Elder Zhen Wu. Qin Yi vaguely remembered this Elder's face but was not familiar with him.
Elder Zhen Wu was responsible for teaching Martial Practice. When he saw Qin Yi enter, his voice paused for a brief moment, but he didn't stop; instead, he continued his lecture.
"The Path of Martial Practice is divided into Sword Control, Incantation Techniques, Talisman Inscriptions, and Forbidden Techniques."
"Sword Control is the art of manipulating a sword with one's Qi, allowing it to soar and strike through the air. It is a deadly art of immense power, an Immortal Technique (Senjutsu) that every disciple of Mount Shu must master."
"Incantation Techniques are spells of invocation and curse. They can beseech deities or banish spirits, arts capable of commanding ghosts and gods. When cultivated to a profound level, one may even summon Spiritual Gods to descend and aid in battle."
"Talisman Inscriptions can summon gods to punish demons, subdue monsters, and seal evil. Their power is vast and awe-inspiring."
"Forbidden Techniques, also called Forbidden Methods, are arts that can restrain vengeful spirits, venomous beasts, and all manner of evil entities."
"What I teach you today are fundamentals, but they are also the most important cornerstones on the Path of Cultivation."
"A tower of nine levels begins with a mound of earth. The higher you wish to build, the stronger the foundation must be. So too in your cultivation, you must remember this: the Path of Cultivation is divided into countless branches, with powers strange and varied. You must understand what to pursue and what to abandon, and above all, learn the way of specialization."
"Choose the path that suits you best. Commit yourself to it, immerse yourself in it. Only then can you achieve greatness."
"If you try to learn everything and master nothing, you will end up a jack-of-all-trades, accomplished in nothing at all."
Elder Zhen Wu's voice was stern, thunderous, carrying with it the resonance of True Qi and True Essence. His words vibrated through the air, shaking the hearts of every Mount Shu disciple and etching themselves deeply into their minds.
"Additionally, Daoist tradition divides the Cultivation Boundaries into sixteen realms, a piece of knowledge every cultivator must know."
Hearing this, Qin Yi focused his mind.
He knew that in the Legend of Sword and Fairy world, cultivation levels were indeed divided into sixteen realms, not the crude "level 99" of games, nor the vague, unmentioned ranks of film and television.
This was a real world, a world with heritage and depth, its systems complete and meticulously detailed.
"I will name the sixteen realms only once. You must remember them well."
"They are: Dao Practitioner, Seeking the Dao, Asking the Dao, Learning the Dao, Comprehending the Dao, Contacting the Dao, Nurturing the Dao, Achieving the Dao, Forgetting the Dao, Abandoning the Dao, Reaching the Dao, Alchemy Dao, Human Dao, Immortal's Way, Earthly Dao, and finally, the Heavenly Dao!"
"These sixteen realms are not merely levels of Qi Refining or Inner Strength. They also represent one's mastery of Sword Techniques, one's comprehension of the Dao, and the realization one attains through cultivation!"
"Only by reaching the corresponding realm can you wield more powerful Sword Techniques!"
Elder Zhen Wu's voice grew deeper, reverberating through the hall.
Below, every disciple sat upright, listening intently. Even though they had entered Mount Shu, without the Elders' teachings, many still knew almost nothing of the true Path of Cultivation.
Qin Yi's eyes flickered with thought as he silently pondered.
"In the Sword Immortal Realm, Sword Technique and Inner Strength aren't merely what their names suggest. Sword Technique doesn't simply refer to swordsmanship; it represents the sixteen Dao realms, a broad concept encompassing one's comprehension of the Way. And Inner Strength is not limited to True Qi or True Essence; it includes one's Essence, Energy, and Spirit (Jin–Qi–Shen), especially the strength of the Spirit."
"Sword Technique corresponds to the realm, while Inner Strength governs the entirety of one's cultivation."
"The higher one's Sword Technique realm, the stronger one's Inner Strength becomes, allowing mastery of various Immortal Arts (Senpō)."
"In The Legend of Sword and Fairy, cultivation is divided between Qi Skills and Immortal Techniques, and the human path between Essence, Energy, and Spirit. Only by growing in all three aspects, comprehensively and harmoniously, can one reach the pinnacle of cultivation and ascend to immortality."
It could be said that such a vast world possessed a complex and intricate system, one that required great time and effort to truly comprehend.
Qin Yi sat silently, absorbing every word with focus and diligence.
After about an hour, Elder Zhen Wu concluded his lesson and departed. Taking his place was Elder Xuan Qi.
"I am responsible for teaching you Qi Refining."
"Cun Si, or Mental Visualization, means to focus your thoughts upon a single object, clearing away distractions, and entering a state of QiGong meditation."
"Guarding the One, or preserving the Three Treasures, the Sun, Moon, and Stars, is equivalent to guarding your own Essence, Energy, and Spirit (Jin–Qi–Shen). The Heavens have their Three Treasures: Sun, Moon, and Stars. Humans have theirs: Essence, Energy, and Spirit. For us, these must never leak away. Let them fill your body, unite with your form, and you will extend your lifespan, perhaps even attain Eternal Life."
"Breath Control is the core of Qi Refining, through regulated breathing and concentration, one nourishes the body, heals sickness, and strengthens vitality. With perseverance, one may walk the mortal world for a long, long time."
"Daoist Guiding Techniques, the arts of body cultivation and health, are also essential. You must master them."
Elder Xuan Qi's face remained calm; his tone flat and measured, like one reading from a scripture, steady, unhurried, yet filled with profound depth.
Yet despite the simplicity of the lecture, Qin Yi had gained immensely.
From those few short sentences, he grasped a deeper understanding of the Way of Qi Cultivation.
"Maintain tranquility, focus the spirit, guide the flow of Qi, preserve the Essence–Energy–Spirit (Jin–Qi–Shen) within, let it fill the body and merge as one with the form, thus, one may attain Eternal Life."
Enlightenment dawned in his heart. Many phrases in the Notes of Qinghui, once obscure to him, now began to make sense.
Next to take the stage was Elder Yuan Shen.
"Inner Observation, Spirit Preservation, Fasting from Grain, Consuming Elixirs, and External Alchemy, these are the methods I shall teach you. Listen with utmost care."
After listening attentively, Qin Yi once again reaped great benefit. He could feel the vast and boundless wonder contained within that single character, Dao.
Just as the ancient saying goes: "The Dao gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two; Two gives birth to Three, and Three give birth to all things."
From that one character flows the infinite, complex, subtle, profound beyond measure, vast beyond comprehension, truly awe-inspiring.
For three consecutive days, Qin Yi listened to the teachings.
By the end, he had finally gained a true understanding of Mount Shu's cultivation methods.
Comparing the Notes of Qinghui with the lessons of the three Elders, Qin Yi formed his own insights into Martial Practice, Qi Refining, and Soul Nurturing.
The once-empty depths of his heart were slowly filled by the Dao itself.
Cultivation, Seeking the Dao, had always been a process of gradual accumulation.
Though Qin Yi's comprehension was astonishing and his talent almost terrifying, even he had to complete these initial stages of foundation-building.
"Soul Nurturing strengthens the spirit; Qi Refining prolongs life; Martial Practice slays demons."
"A disciple of Mount Shu may choose any one of the three to begin with. Entry-level training can be freely chosen, and upon deeper study, one may gain further benefits."
Qin Yi murmured softly as he sat cross-legged amidst the flower garden, eyes gleaming with the light of wisdom.
Comprehending the Dao is itself a process of deep thought; it requires the use of the mind. Those who walk the Path of Cultivation for long years are invariably quick-witted; their inner fires of intellect blaze into a great flame, illuminating their own souls, transcending the mortal world, and ascending to immortality.
"I must continue to accumulate… and then I will step into the realm of the Dao Practitioner."
Closing his eyes, Qin Yi entered meditation.
In that instant, flames of insight burst forth before his inner vision, scattering the darkness.
Countless sparks of wisdom collided and flared, like brilliant fireworks in the night.
And it was then that Qin Yi finally understood the true extent of his Innate Talent.
Talent Endowment!
That was his true gift, his unique Ability. No matter the discipline or art, once he began learning, his progress would be hundreds, even thousands of times faster than ordinary cultivators.
What others would need ten years, a hundred years, or even a thousand years to master, Qin Yi could accomplish in a fraction of that time!
For fourteen days straight, Qin Yi's schedule was unbroken: In the morning, he attended lectures and listened to the Way. In the afternoon, he studied the classics in Mount Shu's Scripture Pavilion, seeking to comprehend the Immortal's Path. And at night, he meditated alone, refining his thoughts and insights.
Gradually, his mind grew vast and luminous. His spirit strengthened to a frightening degree; even his eyes began to emit faint light, and the still air around him crackled with unseen energy.
"Soul Nurturing… Soul Nurturing… Soul Nurturing!"
"When the spirit grows strong, Qi follows the will. One can see events a thousand miles away, or look inward, observing one's own body. The divine light illuminates every inch of the self!"
Seated cross-legged on the ground, Qin Yi now saw into his own form:
the fibers of muscle, the texture of bone, the flowing meridians, the blood coursing through veins, the marrow, and the organs, all revealed before his inner sight.
Dao Practitioner!
The first realm of Sword Technique, he had reached it unknowingly, naturally, as water flows and clouds form.
"Then next… Qi Absorption and Guiding the Flow!"
The corners of his lips curved upward; Qin Yi's confidence was absolute.
(End of Chapter)
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