Behind the Technique Transmission Hall in the Inquiry Valley was a peaceful spot Tang Xiaoqi specially created for disciples newly entering the inner sect or encountering bottlenecks in their cultivation. Different from the grand lectures facing hundreds on the plaza, disciples coming here for guidance were few, and the atmosphere was more relaxed and sincere. At this moment, on a blue stone shaped like a lying ox in the valley sat a young disciple named Lin Feng. His face was youthful yet carried a hint of resolve beyond his years.
He was precisely one of the orphans who lost both parents in the demonic disaster three years ago, specially approved by Tang Xiaoqi to receive inner disciple allowance standards. His cultivation was extremely diligent, yet progress was slow. Currently, he frowned tightly because he could not grasp the key points of force application in a basic sword technique. Tang Xiaoqi was not sitting elevated, but casually sat on a stone by the stream across from Lin Feng, scooping a handful of clear, cold stream water, letting it flow through his fingers.
"Lin Feng, show me the 'Flowing Wind Returning Snow' technique once." Tang Xiaoqi's tone was calm. Lin Feng quickly stood, took a deep breath, drew his sword, and performed as instructed. Sword light flickered, movements were proper, spiritual power circulation followed procedure, yet always gave a stagnant feeling, lacking agility, and no bit of the elegant imagery the technique's name suggested. After completing the sword sequence, Lin Feng sheathed his sword, forehead sweaty, looking somewhat nervously at Tang Xiaoqi.
Tang Xiaoqi did not immediately comment on sword technique details, but pointed at several leaves floating along the stream, asking: "Do you see those leaves? Can they decide their own direction?" Lin Feng was startled, not understanding, honestly answering: "No. The water current carries them wherever, that is where they go." "Then look at the stream water itself," Tang Xiaoqi pointed to the babbling stream again: "Can it decide its own form?" Lin Feng thought for a moment: "Seems. also not. When meeting stones it goes around, when meeting low places it fills them, adapting to circumstances." Tang Xiaoqi smiled slightly, his gaze returning to Lin Feng: "Then when you practice sword, what are you thinking?
Are you thinking 'I must execute the Flowing Wind Returning Snow move,' or 'How do I make my sword, like this flowing water and floating leaves, naturally form according to the momentum of that moment'?" Lin Feng trembled, as if struck by lightning, standing frozen. When practicing sword, his mind was filled with technique diagrams, requirements from manuals, afraid of missing even a fraction, never once considering "momentum" or "naturalness"? Tang Xiaoqi stood, walked to his side. Without taking a sword, he merely formed sword fingers, casually sweeping forward.
No fierce sound of cutting air, no dazzling sword light, yet Lin Feng seemed to see an intangible "intent" flow past. The surrounding air seemed to become lighter and flowing. "Techniques are dead; people are alive." Tang Xiaoqi withdrew his fingers, looking at thoughtful Lin Feng: "Power is not something for you to forcefully control, but for you to have more choices, to better 'adapt' and 'protect.' Like this stream water, it cannot change a massive rock, yet can flow around it, moistening all things; it cannot decide its river course, yet can gather into rivers, flowing to the sea. At cultivation's beginning, you must know rules, understand laws, this is the foundation.
But if you only cling to forms, it is like scratching a mark on a moving boat, never grasping true meaning." He paused, tone becoming deeper: "We cultivators, commanding extraordinary power, should contemplate power's use. Is it for oppressing the weak, fighting recklessly? Or for having the ability, when danger comes, to protect those we wish to protect, the scenes we wish to guard? Lin Feng, you cultivate diligently, for what?" Lin Feng instinctively straightened his spine.
In his mind flashed his parents' resolute yet hopeful gazes as they pushed him into the cellar during the demonic disaster, flashes of senior brothers and sisters' care at Qingxu Temple, Elder Tang's usual earnest teachings. He gripped his sword, the confusion in his eyes gradually replaced by firm light, saying loudly: "Disciple cultivates not to dominate, but to no longer helplessly watch important things be lost before my eyes! Only to have the ability to protect!" "Good." Tang Xiaoqi nodded, eyes showing relief: "Remember today's words. The heart of protection is your sword intent's soul.
With protection in your heart, your strikes will not be confused, power gains direction. Try once more." Lin Feng took a deep breath, began again. This time, his mind held not only sword technique diagrams but also the stream's flow, leaves' wandering, his parents' final gazes in the cellar, the present he wished to protect. His sword movements were still the same technique, yet sword momentum suddenly changed, less deliberate, more fluid and natural.
As sword light scattered, it actually faintly brought a breeze's agility and intricacy. Though still immature, he had nonetheless entered the gate. Watching Lin Feng's eyes sparkle and his sword movements gaining a trace of "intent," Tang Xiaoqi was also moved. Teaching disciples was not one-way giving.
In guiding these young disciples to understand their hearts and see true nature, his own understanding of "power" and "protection" also continuously deepened and rounded. He once thought protection meant sweeping away all evil like thunder, like Father Xu Zhan, confronting darkness with absolute power. Later, he understood protection could also be like Aunt Su, guarding a spark of conscience in darkness, silently sheltering loved ones. Now he more profoundly realized protection could also be like this, spring wind and rain nurturing, guiding later generations to establish righteous hearts, granting them ability and faith to protect themselves and others.
This inheritance, this process of sowing seeds of protective faith, gave him a satisfaction different from personal power growth, broader and more enduring. His dao heart, in this teaching and feedback, seemed washed cleaner, more resolute. His understanding of the Purification Origin was no longer limited to expelling demons and eliminating evil, but included nourishing, guiding, and bestowing new life. He realized true strength was not merely reaching personal power's peak, but leading and empowering others, making protective faith spread like stars passing the torch, gathering into light illuminating the world.
After seeing the enlightened, grateful Lin Feng off, Tang Xiaoqi remained alone in Inquiry Valley. The setting sun stretched his shadow long. He gazed at flourishing spirit plants and endless flowing streams, a calm, profound smile appearing on his face. Teaching was also a reflection and sublimation of self-cultivation.
In this day-after-day instruction, he not only nurtured Qingxu Temple's future but continuously consolidated his own dao foundation, clarifying his path ahead. This insight, like streams flowing into seas, made his dao heart increasingly flawless. The road to higher realms also seemed clearer and broader before him.