At the beginning of summer, the sunlight is bright and warm, making it feel comfortable and gentle on the body.
Chen Yun is very eager to learn Guanqi Acupuncture and is staring at Cai Ruojin longingly.
So far, my mentor has only imparted teachings, dharma, and medical skills. He has never passed on any other forms of skill.
Previously, since he had never refined true qi, Chen Yun was not very concerned about it.
After all, the use of skills requires the existence of true qi as a prerequisite.
Now that Chen Yun has refined true qi, he naturally wants to learn two forms of skill.
Fortunately, Cai Ruojin is not secretive. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Since you, Master Chen, want to learn about Qi Observation, let me first explain what Qi Observation is."
Chen Yun quickly said, "Thank you."
"Master Chen, there's no need for such formality," said Cai Ruojin, stroking his goatee and speaking slowly: "Qi Observation is also known as the Art of Gazing at the Essence. Although it is a minor art, if one can refine it to its highest level, one can gaze at celestial phenomena at night to predict future changes, observe subtle aspects of a person's body to judge life or death, use Qi Observation to perceive a person's cultivation level; these are just some of the wonderful applications of this art."
Chen Yun nodded to show that he was seriously listening.
Cai Ruojin snapped his sleeve and said, "The Art of Qi Observation is simple to practice. All you need to do is use your spirit to command true qi into your eyes, allowing your naked eye to discern the invisible, and you will have learned Qi Observation."
Chen Yun stammered, "So simple?"
"Learning the Art of Qi Observation is easy," Cai Ruojin said with a half-smile, "but mastering it is difficult."
Chen Yun bowed respectfully and asked, "Please, allow me to learn more from Master Cai."
Cai Ruojin thought for a moment and said, "I'll start with the simplest form of Qi Observation, which is observing the Qi of others."
Chen Yun nodded and said, "Good, thank you, Master Cai."
Cai Ruojin organized his thoughts and said, "Looking at someone's fortune involves three levels: appearance, color, and Qi Observation. Appearance can be seen with the naked eye. The color and Qi are not visible to the untrained eye. Facial features are like one's destiny, and color reflects one's luck. Destiny is a predetermined factor of one's birth, forming their basic character. I won't discuss appearance first because Qi is formless, odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Therefore, it is not easy to observe. However, color is an outward manifestation of Qi. For example, a high-level fortune-teller observes that someone has 'darkened forehead', knowing that this person will face bloodshed or violence in the future. These topics are put aside for now. Uncle Chen, do you understand what I mean?"
Chen Yun understood at once, "What you mean is that the Art of Qi Observation allows the naked eye to see the invisible. To know about misfortunes, blessings, or ill omens, one must also distinguish what kind of invisible things they are?"
"Yes, that's right." Cai Ruojin nodded. "The heavens are in constant change, and so are human appearances. All things in nature, they are all like this. For example, why do I know that you have refined true qi and have cultivated to the ninth level? Because true qi nourishes a person and reveals it through color. Common people's complexions have four levels: yellow is the best, red is the second best, gray and black are the worst omens. Therefore, when someone has a 'darkened forehead', it usually means they will face a bloodshed or violent disaster. Those who cultivate, their complexion differs greatly from ordinary people. At first when holding true qi, even though it is yellow in color, there is a thin layer of essence light; those at a high level, their essence light shines like sunlight; you will feel as if half of the sky has been secretly ignited by observing your Qi with the Art of Qi Observation; that's why our Daoist ancestors' statues often have round haloes behind them—like that of Yuanshi Taizong Jingshi Zhenwu Zhengdong Yiguan Daotian Gongxian Guandao Zhengtian Baoti Guanlin Tianshuang Zhengding Xingyao Baodao Shouguan Daozong Taishitang Quanyao Tongyue Yantai Daojia Tianshi Daojue Daotian Guanguan Chuntu Ruxing Yangmugui Wuxiang Shouguan Yanjia Renjie Liusheng Daozheng Xiaoxing Xianglong Hua ‘top bearing round light’ in records is said to wear seven colors—the number eight represents endlessness."
Chen Yun seemed to have understood: if it's as Cai Ruojin said, learning the Art of Qi Observation is indeed relatively easy. However, to observe celestial phenomena at night, changes in Feng Shui, or a person's Qi and color, all require one's careful discernment. It's necessary to understand what kind of movements celestial changes can cause, what shapes the Qi of Feng Shui presents can bring about what kind of influence, and so on.
In short, the Art of Qi Observation is a minor skill, but one that requires profound knowledge.
Chen Yun was insatiable with Daoist knowledge and asked, "Are there any books on this topic?"
"Yes, I will give it to you later. It records how to use one's spirit to guide qi into the eyes and also clearly describes where to direct it." Cai Ruojin pondered for a moment and then added, "I remember that you want to learn how to make talismans, right?"
Chen Yun naturally remembered this matter.
He had previously heard Cai Ruojin say that after completing the talismans and injecting true qi into them, they would acquire miraculous functions, so he did not think much about it.
Now that he heard the other party ask about it, he asked, "Yes, is there a special method for infusing true qi into talismans? Is there a particular way to make them possess extraordinary functions?"
Cai Ruojin smiled and said, "There are some small tricks. Uncle Chen, let's wait until you learn the Art of Qi Observation before I find you. Then I will tell you the trick?"
Though Chen Yun didn't know why Cai Ruojin wanted to teach him the secrets of making talismans only after he had learned the Art of Qi Observation, he knew there was a reason for it. He nodded and said, "Alright, thank you."
The two of them chatted for a few more sentences.
Afterwards, Cai Ruojin brought over dozens of books and told Chen Yun that besides explaining the methods of the Art of Qi Observation, they also record various celestial phenomena, Feng Shui, face features, etc. As long as one remembers them well, they can be matched by copying them as is. This way, mistakes will be minimal.
...
Neiyuan, HongLou.
Chen Yun returned with dozens of books.
He first picked up the secret of Qi Observation to read.
The book records the incantation:
Visualize the sun on the left and the moon on the right, with stars arranged above them. Gradually, it begins to enter from the heavenly gate into the Xuan Tai Palace, Red Gate Palace, illuminating both inside and outside. The light fills a room……Then hold onto it, making qi flow smoothly. Allow it to enter through your nose and close your mouth to prevent exhalation or leakage……Continue to visualize the blue qi of your left kidney. A beam of blue light travels up your left spine until it reaches the back of your head and enters your left eye, passing through your right eye. Next, visualize the black qi of your right kidney. A beam of violet light travels up your right spine until it reaches the back of your head and enters both eyes.
Therefore, it is said: True qi enters the eyes, and one can see the void.
Chen Yun read the method carefully for a while and found that it was indeed very simple, but the difficulty lay in the execution.
How can one use their spirit to command qi while being in a lucid state?
He pondered for a long time, but he couldn't come up with any insights or tricks.
As the saying goes, "A good memory is better than a bad pen."
Chen Yun thought that it wouldn't work just by thinking.
It's better to try it out with actual actions and repetitions, perhaps gaining some insights from it.
He began to follow the instructions of the incantation.
"Visualize the sun on the left and the moon on the right, with stars arranged above them..."
Chen Yun imagined his left eye as the sun and his right eye as the moon, with the constellations densely filling the sky.
This was relatively easy for him as he had prior cultivation experience, and he was able to accomplish it effortlessly.
Next, Chen Yun imagined the light of the sun and moon, along with the stars, shining through the TianMen Gong (Heaven's Gate Acupuncture Point) and illuminating his body from top to bottom.
Then...
Huh, he couldn't continue.
Because Chen Yun was indeed unable to use his spirit to command true qi in a fully lucid state.
"I'm not going to give up. I'll keep trying."
Chen Yun has a strong will, and he is determined to accomplish what he sets his mind to.
One try.
Three times.
Five times.
By the time the sun began to set, he had not yet succeeded in using his spirit to command qi in a lucid state.
...
In the following days, Chen Yun practiced Jingjue transformation every night, listened to his teacher's lectures and exercises during the day, read Daoist sutras and medical arts, and also researched various celestial phenomena, Feng Shui, face features, etc. whenever he had free time. He also tried using his spirit to command qi in a lucid state in his spare time.
Although he still had nothing to show for his efforts, he found the days quite fulfilling.
That morning, the morning breeze blew across his face.
Chen Yun had just finished listening to his teacher's lectures and was returning to his room, where he was reading a book by the window.
He stared at the "Laozi Huangting Jing" while trying once again to command qi using his spirit in a lucid state.
"The inner person of the Yellow Court wears brocade robes, a purple-hued flying skirt surrounded by clouds..."
While reading, Chen Yun was also attempting to practice the Art of Qi Observation.
Quickly, he devoted himself to reading "Inner Scenery and Ultimate Dao" from the Yellow Court Jing: "The Ultimate Dao does not require difficult decisions; true spirit must be preserved. At every joint of the hundred meridian points of the mudan pool, there dwells a deity..."
He wasn't sure if it was because he was too focused on reading and cleared his mind.
Suddenly, Chen Yun felt that everything in front of him became particularly vivid.
For example, the ink strokes in front of him seemed to reveal tiny particles.
He couldn't help but be taken aback.
In an instant, the true qi dispersed, and the feeling vanished.
"It seemed like I accidentally used the Art of Qi Observation just now?"
Chen Yun was sure he had not made a mistake.
Because when the true qi dispersed, he clearly felt it.
"Hey, how did I accidentally succeed in using the Art of Qi Observation?"
He was somewhat surprised. He had tried to command qi using his spirit while reading the Daoist classics every day, but he had never succeeded so suddenly before like that just now.
Chen Yun calmly reflected on the feeling from just now.
"I was reading the Yellow Court Jing and my mind was completely empty… Oh, I understand now!"
He had an epiphany.
Commanding qi with the spirit, isn't it commanding qi with the will.
Before, he had tried to control the true qi with his intention, so naturally, he couldn't succeed.
Reading the Yellow Court Jing and emptying his mind was almost like the state of meditation. By not moving and allowing my spirit to move automatically, while I was also trying to guide the true qi along the practice route of the Art of Qi Observation, my spirit naturally controlled the true qi to wander within my body.
"So that's it."
Chen Yun was deep in thought.
Chen Yun roughly understood why his teacher knew he had cultivated true qi but did not teach him any techniques.
Because if one cannot achieve the state of mindfulness to command true qi in a lucid state, even if one understands the operating principles of the technique, it will not be possible to use it.
Understanding the situation is now doable.
Chen Yun tried again, gradually emptying his mind.
At first, it was a bit difficult to achieve.
However, as he continued to try, all the distracting thoughts in his mind were expelled.
His mind became empty.
At the same time, true qi was being commanded by his spirit.
A true qi stored in the left kidney turned into a beam of blue light, traveling from the left posterior spine all the way to the back of the head, and then entering the right eye.
Another true qi stored in the right kidney turned into a beam of purple light, rising from the right posterior spine to the back of the head, and entering the left eye.
In the next moment, Chen Yun felt a sense of enlightenment.
He saw the willow tree in front of the window, the swallows circling under the eaves, and even... qi and qi particles that exhibited bright, raw light.
Most astonishing to Chen Yun was that he could observe these particles interconnected into strings, intertwining with each other like tiny spider webs, forming an enormous net that extended to all directions, even to the depths of the earth and the void.
It seemed as if he had understood the origin of matter.
Breathtaking, grandiose.
