Master Hong gets comfortable, then starts to explain, "The process of internal alchemy differs from school to school, divided by philosophy. The school of our temple is the Quanzhen, which believes one must purify the mind before one can safely start to influence the body's energy."
She looks at me intently, making sure I'm following along. After I give her a nod to signal my understanding, she moves on, "If one's mind is chaotic, your Qi, in turn, will be chaotic. As such, before one can even begin to cultivate, their spirit must be stabilised through meditation."
She switches to a cross-legged position, her spine straight, then gestures for me to follow along. Once she makes sure I've assumed the pose correctly, she carries on, "Without spirit, one lacks wisdom; without life, one lacks the vessel to sustain spiritual realisation. The goal of meditation is to enter a state of no-mind, where one forgets the self, and forgets the physical world, allowing the Original Spirit to emerge."
Master Hong guides me in my first attempt. If meditation is about emptying the mind, then... what I need to do is dissipate my focus? But, if I'm focusing on forgetting my self, I'm actively working against the goal of meditation, which contradicts the whole process.
My thoughts are interrupted by a poke to my forehead. Opening my eyes, I find Master Hong kneeling in front of me, "Disciple, I could tell by the look on your face that you were overthinking it. Tell me your thoughts, and I will help you." She gives me smile.
I explain to her my thinking, causing her to roll her eyes at me, "Achieving a meditative state is a gradual process that takes time. It even took me two months to first reach it, and my master told me I had talent in it."
Giving her a nod, I start again. This time, I try not to think too much about the act, and let it do it's magic.
As I sit in silence, a thought comes to me. Stopping, I see Master Hong sitting in meditation, so I whisper, "Master?" She hums, curious. "I think I've done this before."
Master Hong opens her eyes and leans forward, "Truly, disciple? When?" She asks me, curiosity in her voice.
"In the forest of Mount Heng, before I was saved by Shi Min and brought to the temple. I was looking for a weapon to defend myself, when I came across my sword. I don't know why, or how, but something about the sword called to me." I lie. "With it in my hands, I leaned against a tree to examine it, and woke up sometime later, bewildered."
Master Hong has a surprised expression on her face as she takes in my story, "...Fascinating. Could you just align with the Tao in a way I can't perceive? Or perhaps there is something special about the sword?" Master Hong start to theorise. "Where is the sword now? Do you think it could help you reach such a state again?" She continues to question me.
"The sword is in my quarters, master. Should I go and get it?" Master Hong immediately nods, causing me to stand and bow, before leaving the hall.
As I walk back to my bed, I realise I might of made a mistake. I only achieved the state when attempting to divine the origin of Jian, how am I meant to do it again, when I already know all about it?
...Could I activate the divination, then cancel it halfway, before I connect with Jian? Then rinse and repeat, until I reach some modicum of meditation?
That's the best I could think of to do for now, anyway.
Once I reach my quarters, I grab Jian and walk back to Master Hong's courtyard. Entering, I find her drinking some tea, before she notices me. Seeing the sword grasped in my hand, she raises an eyebrow questioningly, "No scabbard? We'll have to find it one later if you want to continue using it."
"Pass it to me for now, I would like to see if I can figure out if there's anything unique about it." She raises her hand, palm up, leading me to carefully place Jian handle first in it.
Master Hong grips Jian and examines it, turning it around and searching its form for something, "From I can tell at a first glance, it's just a normal Jian... Made in the last twenty years at least, going by the hilt."
"Do you know a lot about swords, master?" I ask her.
"Hm?" She answers, distracted, "No, not really... I went on a pilgrimage about ten years ago, and encountered a Taoist who specialises in the art of sword making that taught me some things."
Master Hong, done with her inspection, hands Jian back to me, "I can't find anything about your sword that would lead me to believe that it's the reason behind your meditation. To me, it seem like you reached that state through your own ability." She moves back into her cross-legged position.
"Still, no need to discount its influence. Try to meditate again, this time with the Jian in your lap."
Doing as she says, I place Jian across my knees, like I once did in the forest, and try again. I allow the process to lead itself, while trying to feel the presence of Jian with my plan of half-divining it.
It takes a couple of minutes, but I feel the boundary between my mind and the outside world start to blur. Just as the state starts to set in, it's interrupted by a notification,
[Ability Learned – Meditation (Basic): Aided by Dao Child and some partial divination, you have successfully reached a selfless state, opening yourself up to the natural world.
With this ability, you can once again reach this state with greater ease.]
Master Hong notices my distraction, "Disciple, are you having trouble, has the sword not assisted you as I had hoped?"
"Ah, no master, I entered the state, but it felt like something kicked me out of it." I answer, evading her question.
Even though, as my master, she wishes to help me in any way she can, I have no plans to ever tell anyone about my true origin, or my inborn power, Dao Child.
"Oh? Strange." She raises an eyebrow at me, "While that will require further investigation in the future, for now, I'm happy to know that you successfully reached a meditative state." She smiles at me.
"The speed at which you achieved it speaks of your talent. While I wouldn't like to rush your training, as long as you vow to me that you will not train by yourself for now, and to only do so under my supervision, I can begin to teach you the steps to internal alchemy." Master Hong has a serious expression as she issues this request. "Do you vow?"
Accelerated training at the price of a little delay? Yes, please. Even if I can only train when with Master Hong, Dao Child should guarantee that the speed at which I do so will be fast.
"I vow, master." I tell her, solemnly.
Master Hong gives me look of appreciation, "Good." She nods, "To begin with, you must learn about the Three Treasures; Jing, Qi, and Shen. Jing is ones essence, the fundamental energy we are born with, split into prenatal yin and postnatal yang. Prenatal yin is the acquired from your parents, while postnatal yang is gained after birth, through food, water, and breath."
"Yin and yang create and replenish each other; yang circulates through the eight extraordinary vessels, which becomes and replenishes yin, which in turn causes the marrow to become blood, body fluid, and, for a man, their semen." Master Hong pauses and looks at me, causing me to nod at her.
Satisfied, she continues. "Qi is your energy, your breath, the vital force that permeates everything and links you to your surroundings. Qi flows around you and in your body through your meridians, carrying energy and improving longevity. Finally, there's Shen, the spirit. Shen is the most refined form of energy; it represents our consciousness, mental health, and connection to the Tao."
Master Hong finishes her talk, and takes a sip from her tea to wet her dry mouth, "The Three Treasures are the essential substances of life. The practice of internal alchemy is the process of refining these energies from their densest physical form, into their most subtle spiritual form."
"Internal alchemy is divided into five major stages; Jing, Qi, Shen, Emptiness, and Unification. For now, all you need to know is the Jing stage; only when you have completed it will I teach the Qi stage, okay?"
Why does I feel like I've joined a cultivation sect? As this is the marvel universe, I thought the temples energy manipulation would be all about Chi. Unless their stages are more theoretical, and are about reaching certain states of thought? I guess I'll find out after when I begin.
I nod at my master, agreeing to her terms.
Master Hong goes on, "The Jing stage is about establishing a foundation for future cultivation. It focuses on the conservation of ones Jing and the opening of the meridians, to achieve a sufficient state of physical and spiritual health. This is to ensure that the initial step into internal alchemy is successful."
Done, Master Hong stands up and abruptly walks out of her home. Once out in her courtyard, she calls out to me, "Come, disciple!" I head outside, where I find her standing with her arms loose by her side, "To begin, I must teach you Daoyin. For now, I shall demonstrate, so you can get an idea about what you will be doing."
Master Hong raises her arms and starts to slowly pull them to herself, before pushing them out and moving to them side. Her feet follow her movements, while she breathes in time with controlled inhalations and exhalations.
...Isn't this just Tai Chi?
While she performs for me, Master Hong continues her teaching, "Daoyin is a set of exercises, each designed with a different goal in mind; such as the harmonisation of Qi, relaxation of the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm, training of the Lower Dantian, and the general improvement of health."
"With it, you aim to turn your physical energy into a refined internal flow, and to make sure that there are no blocks in your muscle that will interrupt that flow." She stops her movements, and looked at me, "When I have judged that you have mastered this technique, then you will be ready to move onto the Qi stage; the refining of Jing into Qi."
Master Hong walks up to me and guides me into assuming the initial form of Daoyin. As I attempt it, she corrects my movements and adjusts my speed.
It takes me ten minutes of flailing before I get a notification,
[Ability Learned – Daoyin (Basic):The precursor to modern Tai Chi; Daoyin is an exercise made to create flexibility of the mind, thereby creating harmony between internal and external environments, and aid its practitioners in developing a healthy spirit. You have been taught this by your master, Hong Yi, who sees your innate talent with Taoism, and hopes you will achieve the Tao.
When this ability is mastered, you will be able to easily overcome the initial step in turning your Jing into Qi. For now, enjoy the improved physical ability.]
As I read my new ability, I feel my movements and breathing become smoother. Master Hong notices my sudden improvement, and lets out a light exclamation, "Disciple, you have become proficient in Daoyin this quickly? Your talent in the Taoism is very impressive; if I were younger and more impulsive, I could see myself becoming quite jealous." She lets out a small chuckle.
"But don't be getting a big head, disciple; you may be talented, but effort will carry you more than you can know." She advises me.
Under the sight of my master, I spend the next two hours repeating the movements until they become muscle memory.
…
It took me another three weeks, but I finally mastered Daoyin under the ever surprised gaze of Master Hong,
[Daoyin (Mastered): Through repeated practice, a little help from Dao Child, and the guidance of a great master, you have mastered this ability. Aside from an increase to your physical attributes, you can now begin to safely cultivate the internal alchemy of your choosing.]
As the ability says, I've gained an increase to my strength and stamina, with the temple chores being noticeably easier then ever. The increase even made me realise how Shi Min managed to carry me from the forest when I passed out. With permission from my master, I've spent time training with Shi Min, who helped to correct some mistakes in my form.
Being in close proximity with Shi Min for long periods, our bodies close, with her soft touches upon my skin, has been torture. If I didn't have Daoyin to help calm me down and release some tension, I would be too fucking horny to even move.
Anyway, after mastering Daoyin, Master Hong has started teaching me the Jing stage, which has come to me quite easily. I also discovered that there is a level above 'Skilled',
[Internal Alchemy – Jing Stage (Proficient): Regulate your breathing, calm your emotions, and use Daoyin to open your energy channels. You have begun to focus your physical energy into your Lower Dantian, building a reservoir of energy.
At this stage, the energy can only improve your physical and mental health. When mastered, your Jing can begin to be refined into Qi.]
I've made some progress in this stage, with support from Master Hong, and have begun to see the initial benefits. For starters, if I want to, I can sleep less every night, and I have an easier time concentrating during lessons. My memory, which I was already quite proud of, has improved further, with it now bordering on photographic.
Beyond the steps I've taken in my cultivation, today I've been invited to tea with the Abbot. Now, I'm sitting in my quarters in quiet meditation, waiting for the scheduled time to come.
My peace is broken by an old voice, "Disciple Sarah?"
Opening my eyes, I find the older man from my first day here standing in the doorway. "I didn't mean to interrupt your meditation, but I'm here to bring you to the Abbot." He has a kind look on his face, "I don't know if you remember me, but my name is Lai Haibo, the Master of the Guest Hall."
I smile at Master Lai, "Master Lai." I stand and bow, "How could I forget? If it wasn't for you, Sister Shi would've probably not taught me your language, nor would I have been able to join the temple."
Master Lai has a slightly happy expression as he takes in my words, "A small thing, others would have done the same thing in my place. Now, are you ready?" He asks, causing me to nod, "Then follow me."
He turns and steps out, then waits for me to walk to him, before we start our walk to the Abbots courtyard. Along the way, Master Lai strikes up a conversation, "How are you finding life in the temple? The Abbot has informed me of your circumstance, I'm sorry there is nothing I can do to help." He apologises, quite unnecessarily, "I hope you're adapting well, I know it must be a great change from your previous life."
Master Lai seems like a nice man who means well, so I open up to him slightly, "...Honestly, as nice as the temple is, and as much as it has helped me, I feel kind of... lost." Master Lai stays silent, letting me speak my mind, "Life as a Taoist reminds me too much of my past, with my days monotonous, doing the same thing over and over again... I don't know if I want my future to be full of the same."
I don't why I'm opening up to Master Lai like this; maybe it's his calming presence, or the unassuming air of wisdom that follows him.
"Where I come from, life is chaotic, with too much noise, and too many people; the world has lost its spark, and the end approaches us... But here, life is full of opportunity, with wonders waiting to be explored." I pause to gather my thoughts, "...This dynasty doesn't even know of the existence of my homeland, did you know that? And that there's even an entire continent west of its waters, that won't be found for another two hundred years?"
Master Lai raises his eyebrows at that, but stays silent.
"My point is, I want to change. I want to move on from who I was, and find who I can be... And I don't think I can do that if I stay in the safety of the Grand Temple." I finally put in order and voice what I've been subconsciously feeling.
Master Lai lowers his head in thought as we walk to the Abbot.
Eventually, he opens in his mouth, "Sarah," He starts, forgoing formality, "I won't pretend to understand that I know what you are going through, but what I can tell you is that, underneath all of that, you are feeling what everyone does at some point in their lives." He stops, causing me to stand beside him, and looks at me, "All people, no matter their age or circumstances, one day think to themselves 'What am I doing with my life?'."
"Even I, before I joined the temple and became a priest, had the same thought. It's what pushed me to become a Taoist in the first place." He gives me a look of understanding that make me want to cry.
"Although all that I can do for you is to be there if you want to talk, what the Abbot has for you might help you come to a decision." Master Lai smile at me, then resumes our journey, with me following at his side, lost in thought.
Wondering what the Abbot's got for me.