In the courtyard, there was a three-story red pavilion.
Chen Yun knocked on the door three times at the top floor and introduced himself.
Only after hearing the voice of the teacher inside allowing entry did he push open the door and enter.
Upon entering, Chen Yun saw Zhong Liqun sitting in front of a long table, savoring tea. He again made due formalities.
Finally, Zhong Liqan invited him to sit down. After Chen Yun declined three times, he eventually sat down to the left of his teacher.
As soon as he sat down, Zhong Liquan turned his head and nodded in satisfaction, saying, "It seems that during these days, you have been very diligent in your cultivation. You have actually cultivated to the level of a lower-ranked mage."
Chen Yun replied respectfully, "All thanks to Master's teachings."
"Although the method is the foundation, it also requires personal insight and talent," Zhong Liqan said with a rare praise. "From the day you entered my door until now, it has been just a few months, and you have already cultivated to the level of a lower-ranked mage. Your insight and talent are indeed rare in this world."
Chen Yun was about to show some modesty.
Zhong Liquan struck again: "However, the path of Daoism is not something that can be accomplished in one day or night. Today, you are far superior to others, but who knows if you will always be ahead in the future? Therefore, always be like walking on thin ice and never forget your original intention. Only then can you attain Dao."
Chen Yun said, "Disciple receives training."
"Hahaha, it's not necessary to be so formal with me in everyday interactions," Zhong Liquan said, changing the tone of his words. "I remember that I promised you before that if you could cultivate to the level of a lower-ranked mage, I would teach you some auxiliary techniques. Since you have accomplished that, I will now teach you a few techniques."
Finally, he is going to pass me the techniques!
Chen Yun was extremely excited in his heart, but he still managed to keep his excitement in check on the surface, "Thank you, Master, for teaching me the techniques."
Zhong Liqun fanning his fan and sipping some tea said, "I recall that you previously mentioned you wanted to learn the technique of escaping combatants quickly. Since you have expressed this desire, I will first teach you a technique for quickly escaping during combat. What do you think?"
To escape quickly when in combat with others?
That would be excellent!
To protect one's life when unable to defeat others is indeed the true path to success!
Chen Yun said: "The techniques Master passes on, the disciple is very grateful."
"Slippery," Zhong Liqan laughed and scolded. "I'm teaching you this technique called 'Gleaming Golden Light.' Those who use this technique can transform their bodies into golden light, moving as quickly as light itself. It's a powerful evasion technique."
Hearing this, Chen Yun's eyes widened, and he was stunned in his heart. He never imagined that the technique his master had passed on to him was so "powerful."
If I'm not mistaken, the 'Gleaming Golden Light' technique, later on, was included in the 'Records of Immortals Through the Ages: The Top Thirty-Six Techniques' in the realm of Daoism. It's ranked ninth among the techniques!
At this moment, he finally understands why his teacher has always told him to learn "techniques" rather than "magic."
Law is the technique derived from law, a minor path.
Techniques are different; they are both techniques and laws, their power not to be compared with ordinary techniques.
If one must describe it, the techniques and laws of the Daoist are the "magic abilities" of the Daoist door.
The Daoist door doesn't have the concept of "magic abilities"; it emphasizes Dao, law, and techniques.
The term "magic abilities" originally has two meanings.
The first meaning is being able to communicate with spirits.
The second meaning is the Buddhist's great law, also known as "magic abilities," which refers to extremely high-level skills and abilities.
Chen Yun was surprised that his teacher would pass on such a powerful technique to him, his heart pounding continuously, and his voice trembled slightly, "Thank... thank you, Master."
Zhong Liqun seemed not to attach much importance to this technique, not even as he did with the internal energy cultivation method. Instead of dreaming and teaching the way, he directly told Chen Yun the chant, cultivation method, and other details of 'Gleaming Golden Light'.
Chen Yun quietly memorized it in his heart.
Zhong Liqan said again, "I have passed on the technique for escaping. Next, I will teach you a method for protection and attack."
Chen Yun leaned in and listened, saying, "Please, Master, show me."
Zhong Liqan said, "This protective technique is called the 'Protective Incantation.' When cast, it envelops the entire body in a glow of fire, making it invulnerable to weapons and impervious to water and fire."
Chen Yun, upon hearing this, knew it was yet another powerful technique and quickly replied, "Thank you, Master, for teaching me this."
Zhong Liqan recited the incantation: "From afar, the Misty Mountains of the South are seen. Three thousand heavenly officials protect me, and my front general and rear general protect me. The fire dragon of my head is ten thousand feet high, and my fire dragon from head to toe is ten thousand feet high. When I step on it, I say, nine thousand fire dragons protect me. I am commanded by the Supreme Old Lord urgently!"
Chen Yun memorized the chant.
Zhong Liqan explained the method of use, "At first, when one's magical power is not profound, you need to place your left hand on the ground as a foundation and hold a sword with your right hand. Draw a circle on the ground, then a cross, and then step into it using the Ding character firm step. When one's magical power becomes deep and profound later on, one can freely use it as desired."
He then told Chen Yun the true qi's path of movement within the body.
Chen Yun memorized these methods again.
The introduction of the escape technique and the protective art was over after a round.
However, when discussing the attacking technique, Zhong Liqun became slightly hesitant. "I have several powerful magic techniques, and it would be no problem if I taught them all to you. However, learning these techniques takes time, which may affect your progress in cultivation. Therefore, after thinking left and right, I decided to teach you only one of them."
The Daoist school does not advocate for "magic abilities" and techniques.
"The Recitation for Morning and Evening in the Taoist School" reads, "With a heartful dedication, I bow before the highest scripture, wishing all beings to deeply understand the scripture's treasures, and possess unimaginable abilities."
Techniques and laws must have wisdom as a prerequisite condition to be unpredictable, otherwise it is easy to fall into the dark way or the demonic way.
Additionally, in the Taoist school, obtaining techniques and magical abilities does not necessarily require someone to teach them.
Generally speaking, as long as one's cultivation reaches a certain level, they will naturally acquire extraordinary powers.
For example, it includes realizing everything clearly, sitting and seeing all directions, dispersing form and body, changing a thousand and a thousand ways, before intention arises, one is already aware of the future, and so on.
Techniques are just a byproduct of cultivating the great law and comprehending the Great Dao.
If one becomes overly focused on studying techniques, they will only fall into the lower level.
Chen Yun naturally understood this principle.
Chen Yun smiled and said, "Being able to learn an attacking technique is enough for me. I won't spend too much time on the techniques."
"You understand this well. That's good." Zhong Liqun also smiled and said, "I have several attacking techniques here. I will tell you one by one, and you can choose which one you want to learn."
Chen Yun said, "Please, Master, tell me."
Zhong Liqan hummed, "The first one is swordsmanship."
Chen Yun reverently asked, "What is swordsmanship?"
Zhong Liqan said, "It's the art of controlling all weapons that have been forged and enchanted. It allows one to fight and gamble in the air with other weapons, such as flying swords. A single chill glint and a life can be taken instantly. Another example is the pearl of flame, which can be summoned and operated with controlled flames after being invoked. It can shoot where you point, burning everything in its path. I believe that with your quick wit, you'll understand this without further explanation."
Chen Yun naturally understood; the general idea was about controlling flying swords and magical artifacts.
Although some magical artifacts come with built-in control functions, such as the refined phantom dog artifact that Lu Dongbin created for himself, most require to be enchanted and then controlled through special methods. The flying needle that Chen Yun obtained from Li Guibai was like this.
Now, the "swordsmanship" that Master is talking about probably means that as long as this method of enchaining is followed, all magical artifacts can be controlled.
If the magical artifact is an air conditioner, then "swordsmanship" would be a universal remote control.
Chen Yun, speaking the truth, was quite moved. However, he did not immediately decide and asked instead, "Master, what else are there?"
Zhong Liqun took another sip of his tea and said, "I see that you have cultivated the 'Accumulation and Solidification of Essence' technique by Zhaogongming. I have another technique that goes hand in hand with your body, known as 'Durable Strength.'"
Chen Yun asked in a respectful manner, "What is 'Durable Strength'?"
Zhong Liqun said, "Using this technique, you can instantly increase your physical fitness. Whether it's strength, endurance, or explosive power, it will greatly enhance all of them. If your body is powerful enough, you can even shake the mountains and rivers with it."
Oh, close-range physical combat techniques.
This technique sounds very powerful, and Chen Yun is indeed very interested.
However, he felt that there might be even better ones behind him, and asked again in a hesitant manner, "May I ask Master, what other techniques are there?"
Zhong Liqun put down his tea cup and said with a smile, "Since you have cultivated the 'Spirit of Yin', how about I teach you the 'Soul Capturing Technique'?"
Chen Yun said, "Soul capturing? Does that mean it's a magical technique to attack people's souls and spirits?"
"Attacking people's souls and spirits is just a small technique," Zhong Liqun waved his hand, and said, "My Soul Capturing Technique is an extremely fierce technique. There's no need for any false techniques, dream techniques, or soul capturing techniques like those that are troublesome. This technique can be divided into two parts. First, use external objects to engrave a person's life calendar, name, and other information on them. Then, perform daily rituals to summon their soul from a distance. Second, cultivate one's own Soul Capturing Qi. If one can cultivate this Qi, they can capture a person's soul with a secret method during combat."
A high-end version of the "Soul Falling Technique."
Chen Yun probably understood.
However, as Chen Yun already knows a set of soul falling techniques, there is no need to learn this one.
Chen Yun shook his head, "As a disciple, I don't want to learn this kind of technique."
Zhong Liqun was not angered by the disciple's repeated refusal to learn, but continued with a smiling face, "You don't want to learn this or that. What do you actually want to learn?"
Chen Yun blinked and said, "Disciple... can I learn the art of thunder?"
"Ha ha ha," Zhong Liqun laughed, pointing at Chen Yun with his fan, "You are quite greedy. You want to learn the Thunder Law, the supreme among all arts?"
That's right, Chen Yun had a goal from the very beginning, which was to learn the thunder law that sits at the apex of all arts.
Just that Zhong Liqun had been actively telling Chen Yun what he would teach him, and he did not want to mention what he wanted to learn at first.
Now the situation was a bit different. Zhong Liqun asked what he wanted to learn, and Chen Yun of course had to mention the art that was on his mind, the thunder law.
Who doesn't know that among the Taoist schools' attacking techniques, thunder law is the top choice?
Chen Yun smiled ingenuously, "I just want to learn something powerful, so I got addicted to thunder law."
Zhong Liqun stuck out his tongue and said, "This thunder law is not easy to practice. You must think it over by yourself."
Chen Yun said, "It's just that I want to learn something more deeply, focusing on a single attacking type of technique."
Zhong Liqun nodded slightly and said, "Since you say so, I'll teach you the 'Jade Screen Ten Thunder' technique then?"
Chen Yun said: "Jade Screen Ten Thunder?"
Zhong Liqan said, "This consists of ten levels: the first is the Jade Pivot Thunder, the second is the Thunder of the Divine Hall, the third is the Great Cavern Thunder, the fourth is the Thunder of Immortal Capital, the fifth is the Northern Pole Thunder, sixth is Taiyi Thunder, seventh is Purple Mansion Thunder, eighth is Jade Dawn Thunder, ninth is Supreme Heaven Thunder, and tenth is Taiji Thunder. When practiced to a high level, one can summon the yin and yang energies, control thunder from when heaven and earth were separated and created, just like an actual thunder god!"
He glanced at the sky and said with slight disdain, "I'm referring to the 'Supreme Thunder God' of the Primeval Essence, not the Thunder God of heaven like the one in the sky."
Wow!
That's quite fierce!
Chen Yun's heart was pounding wildly.
Zhong Liqan added, "The 'Jade Pivot Ten Thunder' is even harder to learn than the 'Golden Ray Soaring on the Ground'. It is a unique school with a broad range of knowledge. If I had to describe it in one word, it would be the 'Great Law of Thunder'!"
Chen Yun quickly said, "Disciple will learn the 'Jade Pivot Ten Thunder' technique."
Zhong Liqun said, "Very well, but this technique requires a personal teaching. From today onwards, after you have finished your training at midnight every night, come to the third floor here. I will teach it to you personally every night."
Chen Yun said, "Thank you, Master."
That concludes the teaching of the law.
Zhong Liqan changed the subject and suddenly said, "When you came back just now, did you see the three elderly Taoists kneeling at the gate?"
Chen Yun did not understand why Master suddenly mentioned this matter, and was stunned for a moment, saying, "I saw them."
"Hmm," Zhong Liqun said calmly, "These three are the leaders of the Yellow Turban Sect, and they have all reached the level of True Immortals. Call them in, and I'll see for myself how this Yellow Turban Sect has gathered such a stronghold that it even dares to bully my disciple Chen Yun!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Yun was astounded, unable to believe that Master was so protective of his shortcoming. He hadn't expected that Master would personally intervene in the fight between himself and Lin Feiyun, intimidating the leaders of the Yellow Turban Sect just to vent his anger on behalf of Chen Yun.
(Chapter completed)
