In the Laogong Temple.
Liu Hongchan bowed deeply and kneeled on the ground, asking Chen Yun to accept him as a disciple.
Seeing Liu Hongchan kneel on the ground and bow his head, Chen Yun felt a stir in his heart and pondered whether to take him as a disciple.
Based on the information he knows, although Liu Huachan is advanced in years, his talent is extraordinarily remarkable. Even though he only entered the Taoist path at the age of seventy, he still cultivated and achieved a successful outcome.
According to the records of the Taoist door, after Liu Hongchan achieved his elixir, he died and transformed into a white gas that emerged from his forehead, which then transformed into a crane and soared into the sky.
This statement sounds contradictory, as normally cultivating inner spiritual pills should involve nurturing the holy fetus into a golden pill, producing the Yang god, and then truly achieving Dao and immortality.
However, the records from the Taoist sects indicate that Liu Huachan achieved immortality through self-transformation after completing his elixir.
Chen Yun roughly understands why, he must be sure that Liu Hongchan indeed cultivated the golden pill, but because he entered the Taoist path too late, he did not achieve both body and soul to be perfect, so he chose to achieve immortality through corpse disintegration in the realm of human or earthly immortals.
Of course, according to the subsequent analysis that a white mist emerged from the top of the forehead and transformed into a crane, it is also possible that he ascended as a feathered immortal.
After all, ancient texts often confuse the concept of ascending as a feathered immortal with that of self-transformation into an immortal through body disintegration.
Whether Liu Hongchan achieved immortality through the self-transformation of his elixir or ascended as a feathered immortal, it is enough to prove his extraordinary talent.
Chen Yun was really moved by this person with outstanding talent, thinking whether he could take him as a disciple and thus illuminate his own door.
It is just that according to the records of the Taoist sects, Liu Hongchan should have been a disciple of Lu Dongbin.
If he were to take Liu Hongchan as a disciple at this time, it would be equivalent to stealing disciples from Lu Xiongshi.
Chen Yun suddenly recalled a conversation he had with Xiangmouzi and the phrase "the laws of heaven are like bamboo strips, curved but rebounding back to their original track."
This shows that Liu Hongchan is fated to be a disciple of Lu Dongbin.
Therefore, he should not take him as a disciple.
With this thought in mind, Chen Yun did not continue to insist. He merely shook his head and said, "Liu Dao brother, you indeed have the opportunity to achieve immortality in the future. However, your opportunity does not lie with me."
Liu Hongchan had worked hard to meet a Daoist master of the level of Chen Yun, where would he dare to miss the opportunity to become his disciple?
He continued to implore earnestly: "Liu Liu, I will sincerely follow the Dao, admire your boundless great law, and please teacher to accept me as a disciple."
Chen Yun knows that the other party will become a disciple of Lu Dongbin in the future, and he is afraid that he may be affected by his influence and something unexpected may happen.
Seeing the other party's earnest entreaties, after some thought, Chen Yun said, "I will temporarily accept you as a student of my school but not as a formal disciple. I will pass on to you a method of cultivating internal energy later. Over the next few years, you can go to Qingcheng Mountain to practice it. If you can meet my requirements, I will formally take you as a disciple. How is that?"
Liu Hongchan was overjoyed and quickly bowed three times again, "Thank you for the teacher's mercy."
Chen Yun didn't say anything else, and walked into the temple, "I may stay in the Laojun Observatory for a few days. Just right, come with me inside. I'll teach you the method of cultivating internal energy now."
Liu Hongchan scrambled after him, bowing as a disciple would, "Thank you, teacher, for bequeathing wisdom to me."
...
When they arrived at the inner yard, there was a courtyard room.
As soon as they entered, Liu Hongchan immediately seated Chen Yun in the honored seat, and he bowed respectfully while listening intently.
Chen Yun sat there, sipping tea and speaking: "It is said that the methods of spiritual practitioners in ancient times are not recorded, but the Yellow Emperor's Inner World, Yu Hua's secret books, and hidden books have been present in the world, but scholars have never been able to obtain their essence. Therefore, the methods of cultivating internal energy are mostly transmitted orally and mentally. Some people eat from their children to noon or drink from the pearls of the heavenly pool. Others expel old air and inhale new air. They guide, lead, stretch, bend, press on tendons and sinews. Some consume the moon and sun or close off their natural flow of energy. Generally speaking, vitality depends on form and form relies on vitality. When these two are full of each other, naturally long life will be achieved. This is called keeping your body harmonious with that of others. Today you have a special destiny to connect with me and I will teach you one method for cultivating internal energy. I hope you treasure this method and diligently practice it every day and night in the future."
Liu Hongchan hurriedly knelt down on the ground, "Teacher, when you impart the teachings, the disciple shall learn them with the most solemn etiquette."
Chen Yun did not stop the other's action and slowly said, "I will teach you a method of Chisongzi's Internal Energy Cultivation, how does it sound?"
Before the creation of the Inner Dan (Internal Elixir) cultivation method, the main methods of Daoist practice included methods like internal energy cultivation, maintaining spirit, and directing qi.
The Inner Elixir cultivation method encompasses a wide range of practices, almost integrating all the different cultivation techniques into its practice.
The Chisongzi Internal Energy Cultivation method is the one that Chen Yun learned during his initial cultivation in the Chuanzhen Temple under his teacher.
Because it is not as powerful as the Inner Elixir cultivation method, he has never paid much attention to it.
Now that he is to pass on a secret method to Liu Hongchan, Chen Yun feels that this Internal Energy Cultivation method is appropriate and decides to use it.
Liu Hongchan, having the rare opportunity to learn the Divine Energy Cultivation Method, dares not have the slightest objection.
While bowing, he said, "The disciple will certainly diligently cultivate without fail and never repay the teacher's blessing for imparting the spiritual practice."
Chen Yun grunted and said, "The sequence of the Chisongzi Internal Energy Cultivation Method says: The laws of heaven are long and varied, with a multitude of things not being equal. Life is precious, yin and yang are on the same level. The path of heaven is straightforward, to cultivate it does not lead to confusion. Why is there such foolishness in the world, following in circles? Life does not wait for you, and life and death affect each other. Sorrow and grief, why not cultivate internal energy and dwell with immortals..."
The sentence was just completed.
Liu Hongchan was carefully memorizing and preparing to hear the next secret method.
Suddenly, Chen Yun stopped teaching, and his gaze shifted towards the main entrance.
Liu Hongchan was confused and asked, "Teacher, what's wrong?"
Chen Yun sat there calmly and said, "Go to the door, inform the visitor that my body is a little unwell today and I am not convenient to see guests. Ask him not to wait."
Liu Hongchan quickly replied, "As you say."
He obediently crawled up from the ground and walked towards the entrance of Laojun Temple.
At this point, Liu Hongchan still thought it was a random bystander or an officer from the Yingchuan Institute who had come to seek immortality or ask about the Dao after witnessing Chen Yun's incredible law.
But when he opened the door, he saw that outside, there were distinct banners and loud drums. In front and behind were twelve ceremonial processions, including civil and military officials, various attendants, and guards of the imperial army, all surrounding the jade chariot in the center.
Liu Hongchan's heart skipped a beat and he immediately knew that the person outside was not an ordinary mortal, but the true dragon emperor of the Khitan.
At this point, he still had the mindset of a common Daoist and did not realize that joining Chen Yun's door was already part of the orthodox Daoist sect.
Not surprisingly, Liu Hongchan was so frightened that he quickly knelt down on the ground and shouted, "The abbot of Laojun Temple... Liu Xuanying, a disciple of Chen Xian from Qingcheng Mountain, pays homage to Your Majesty."
Hm, he only said half of what he meant to say, and then remembered that he had just joined the Chen Yun school, which is why he changed his tone.
At this time, a middle-aged dignitary in a gold crown and wearing a Five-Claw Dragon Velvet Robe slowly descended from the jade chariot.
Walking with a majestic stride like a dragon and a tiger, he reached the door, his face beaming as he reached out to help Liu Hongchan up. "Mr. Liu, as a disciple of Chen Xian, you do not deserve such great honors. Please rise quickly."
Liu Hongchan was completely stunned. He never expected that just because he had joined the Chen Yun school, an ordinary mortal Daoist master, he would be treated with such respect by the emperor of the Khitan himself, who had personally helped him up from the ground.
He was a bit flustered and asked as he got up, "May I ask Your Majesty, what is the purpose of your visit to the Laojun Temple?"
The Liao Emperor smiled broadly and said, "I heard that an immortal had come to the Laojun Temple, so I came to pay my respects as well. Please ask Mr. Liu to inform them for me."
Liu Hongchan suddenly recalled what Chen Yun had said earlier and realized that his teacher's law was indeed boundless. He had already foreseen the Khitan emperor's visit before it happened.
He replied according to what Chen Yun had instructed, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the teacher says he has been tired from traveling and is a bit unwell. Therefore, he has declined visitors today. Perhaps... you could come another time?"
While saying this, Liu Hongchan felt a little nervous in his heart.
After all, the person in front of him was the Khitan Emperor.
In the secular understanding, the emperor is an existence of the highest authority.
It's understandable that he would feel nervous, given the fact that the person in front of him is the highest authority in the world.
The group of officials following behind the Liao Emperor exchanged glances, clearly not believing that Chen Yun, a deity with boundless power, would fall ill from traveling.
It was clearly an excuse.
Even so, these officials knew better than to show any discontent. They had just heard how powerful Chen Yun was.
The Liao Emperor was also not upset about this. He even expressed his concern, "If Chen Xian is unwell, it would indeed be inappropriate for me to disturb him. In that case, I will leave my imperial doctor here. If Chen Xian calls for him, the doctor will enter and examine his health. Additionally, I have brought some precious herbs and delicacies with me on this visit. I trouble you to pass them on to Chen Xian."
Liu Hongchan dared not agree for Chen Yun, "I'll ask teacher about it?"
The Liao Emperor smiled and said, "There's no need for such formalities. If Chen Xian is unwell, I will not disturb him. The things you brought will likely be accepted by him. If he truly does not wish to accept them, you can handle it yourself. I will now take my leave."
Liu Hongchan had no choice but to respectfully bid farewell to the Liao Emperor.
Afterward, he closed the doors of the Laojun Temple once more and went back to listen to the great teachings.
Who would have thought that after a short period of learning Daoist teachings from Chen Yun, there were already people like Yefan coming to seek an audience outside the temple.
Chen Yun's attitude remained the same as before, still allowing Liu Hongchan to turn away the visitors.
...
At noon the next day.
Chen Yun was teaching Liu Hongchan the Chisongzi Internal Energy Cultivation Method.
"The classics say: 'There is no greater blessing than to be born, and no greater calamity than to die. If you wish to live a long life, you must keep your abdomen clear. To live a long and immortal life, there should be no impurities in your intestines. Therefore, eating grains makes one wise, while eating qi makes one divine. Hence, fasting is the way of life, and returning yin and yang essence is the treasure. Those who can practice this regularly will have a long life. Why indulge in desires and accelerate aging? Immortals eat qi, usually in the spring months of February and March on the 9th, 18th, and 27th days. If it is a day of the Wu Xing (Five Elements) of Jia Chen (Wood Dragon), Yi Ji (Fire Snake), Bing Chen (Earth Snake), or Ding Chen (Metal Snake), it is especially auspicious.'"
Outside the courtyard, Chen Yun sat on a stool and taught disciples, answering questions and solving puzzles. "When practicing qi, one should find a quiet place in the mountains, near a stream of the East, in a sunny location. Take a bath in fragrant water, use a jade book for the dantian that is one inch in diameter. Cultivate the dantian with mindfulness and visualize it. Inhale qi to reach the dantian, remove the nasal hairs first, lie down with your feet apart by five inches and your arms by five inches from your body. Keep your eyes closed and hold your hands firmly in place with palm facing up as a pillow. It should be three inches high. If you have diseases in your chest, increase the height to seven inches. If there are diseases under the navel, you can remove the pillow. After practicing qi, avoid eating raw vegetables or foods with strong smells."
Liu Hongchan carefully recorded the information, occasionally asking some questions.
Chen Yun answered all questions without reservation, explaining each one in detail.
When he finished explaining these two sections, he continued to elaborate on the third section of the teaching: "The method of fasting and practicing qi involves reducing one's food intake by a little bit each day, until after ten days one can stop eating altogether. During the initial two days without food, one might feel hungry or uncomfortable. To alleviate this, consume nine good dates and nine square-inch-sized cakes. One should eat these once a day for one night, no more than this. If you do not feel hungry or crave food, refrain from eating them. Drink water every day in an amount that is five to three liters; do not completely abstain from drinking. Always keep a date pit in your mouth to encourage qi retention and produce saliva..."
Just like yesterday, Liu Hongchan was listening with great enthusiasm, his eyebrows dancing animatedly.
Suddenly, Chen Yun paused again, looking outside the door and calling out, "Haichan."
Liu Hongchan, who was kneeling on the ground and listening intently to the great teachings, immediately lifted his head and asked, "Master, what is your command?"
Chen Yun said, "The Khitan Emperor has come again. You will block him for me. Tell him that I am not here today and do not know when I will return to the temple. Whether he wants to leave or stay is up to him."
(Chapter complete)
