Chapter 16: The Dean's Lecture, Tracing Back to the Source

An elderly man with an air of immortal grace approached with a smile. He was none other than the white-haired elder who had served as the chief examiner and presided over the Sect Entrance Ceremony.

"This humble Daoist is Qingweizi. I am honored to serve as the thirty-sixth generation Dharma-granting Elder of the Taixuan Sect, and concurrently hold the position of Hall Master of the Outer Court, overseeing the true essence of the 'Taiyi Azure Profound Sword Manual.' Having cultivated for four hundred and twenty years and endured two tribulations of lightning, I currently manage the general affairs of the Outer Court."

After his brief introduction, Qingweizi took the copy of *Qi Nourishment: Initial Stage* before him and asked the disciples, "Have you all read this book?"

A bold disciple replied, "In response to the True Person, I have already read it six or seven times!"

"Not only have I read it, but I can recite it as well."

A faint smile appeared on Qingweizi's face as he looked toward a certain disciple. "Oh? Then recite it for us to hear."

Hearing this, Jiang Youling looked over and recognized the person as Xu Ke, unable to help but feel amused. With Xu Ke's temperament, he was exactly the type of person to say such things.

When asked to recite it on the spot, Xu Ke showed no sign of fear; instead, he looked radiant and began to recite fluently. In less than the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, he finished the entire *Qi Nourishment: Initial Stage* without a single error.

Qingweizi nodded in approval.

"Your recitation is as clear as a jade chime, and your words fall like pearls upon a tray. Seeing your diligence in study today, I shall grant you one Bingfire Talisman. I hope you continue to progress with this spirit. On the day the Jade Furnace Dan ripens in the future, do not forget to protect your juniors as I have done today."

As he spoke, a talisman flew from his sleeve and landed before Xu Ke.

Both surprised and delighted, Xu Ke took the Bingfire Talisman, bowed respectfully toward the seat of honor, and only then sat back down.

The other disciples stirred slightly, and Shen Yingshu beat her chest in frustration.

"Oh, if I had known reciting books could earn rewards, I should have spoken up loudly too! I could have recited that *Qi Nourishment: Initial Stage* long ago."

Jiang Youling smiled and comforted her, "Don't worry. The True Person might ask questions later; there is still a chance."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yingshu immediately ceased her regrets. She sat up straight, waiting expectantly for Qingweizi to ask a question.

However, Qingweizi did not ask any more questions. Instead, he opened the *Qi Nourishment: Initial Stage* and began to explain it word by word.

"The beginning of cultivating the Dao lies first in stopping one's thoughts. When thoughts stop, the spirit congeals; when the spirit congeals, Qi is born. Where does that Qi come from?"

Seeing the disciples frowning in deep thought, Qingweizi answered

"The source of 'Qi' can be traced back to three fundamental origins. The first is Primordial Qi—born from the Wuji, existing in the void before chaos was even distinguished, known as the Ancestral Qi. The second is Postnatal Qi—the interaction between Heaven and Earth, consuming the essence of the five grains and gathering the brilliance of the sun and moon, combined into the two energies of Ying and Wei. The third is the Qi of Merit—the weight of karma; for every good deed performed, a wisp of white Qi is generated, entwining around the Niwan Palace. It is said that the Primordial is the seed, the Postnatal is the nourishment, and Merit is the guide. When these three converge at the Crimson Palace, the True Seed of the Golden Core is formed..."

In addition to his explanations, he personally performed hand seals, demonstrating the technique for the Zi-Wu Seal and detailing the essential postures for meditation. Subsequently, he had the new disciples attempt to meditate, practicing the method of breath regulation to quell wandering thoughts.

Jiang Youling closed her eyes, breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth, making her breath long and silent. At first, her legs and feet felt painful and numb, her breath occasionally faltered, and it was difficult to concentrate. But as time passed, she grew accustomed to the pain, and her breathing became increasingly natural.

In a daze, she suddenly remembered that when she was collecting bark in the Talisman Hall yesterday, she had already been able to peel off a whole piece of Azure Elm bark. However, to process that bark into talisman paper, several more steps were required... Wait! Stop the wandering thoughts; I cannot think of these things.

Jiang Youling quickly suppressed the thought and continued to visualize her breathing. However, the more she tried to focus, the more stray thoughts emerged. One moment, she thought of the scene of the Chen family seeing her off when she climbed the mountain that day. The next, she thought of the day her father carried her into Demon-Subduing City, and the bear demon that had been blocked by the formation...

No, she was drifting too far. If this continued, when would the distractions ever cease?

Jiang Youling silently recited the *Scripture of Tranquility* in her heart, finally driving away the turbulent thoughts. The world became vast and boundless, and in her trance, only the sound of her breathing remained. Eventually, even the sound of her breathing became almost inaudible.

In a state between sleep and wakefulness, Jiang Youling felt as though she had grasped something, but when she tried to capture it, that speck of profound light vanished quietly like a firefly.

After an unknown amount of time, a bell rang out, sounding as if it came from the land of Wuji, vibrating through the entire room.

Jiang Youling regained consciousness and opened her eyes. She heard Qingweizi say with a smile, "Today's teaching ends here. You may all withdraw to review your studies," before he departed gracefully.

The people in the hall remained immersed in their recent cultivation, silent for a long time. Finally, it was the senior disciples who smoothed their robes and rose first.

"Although I have heard the Hall Master's explanation three times, I gain different insights every time I listen."

"When I first heard this passage, it was like looking at flowers through a mist. Only now, having entered the Dao, do I understand the profound meaning behind the Hall Master's words: 'Do not force it when the timing is not yet ripe.'"

Shen Yingshu looked at Jiang Youling. "Youling, do you have a sense of Qi yet?"

Jiang Youling shook her head. "How could it be that fast? The Hall Master said only those with superior innate talent can develop a sense of Qi during their initial cultivation. Since we lack spiritual roots, it's good enough if we can stop our wandering thoughts within seven days."

"Fair enough."

Shen Yingshu thought that made sense and stopped dwelling on it. She grabbed Jiang Youling's hand and hurried toward the dining hall.

"Let's go, it's time for dinner! I heard the dining hall added a dish called 'Jade Well Water' today. I have to rush there to see what it tastes like."

Jiang Youling suppressed a laugh. "Jade Well Water is made from the dew collected from bamboo leaves in the early morning. Drinking it can wash away the turbid Qi in the body and cleanse the meridians and marrow."

"Huh?" Shen Yingshu was slightly disappointed. "So Jade Well Water is just dew! But if it can remove turbid Qi, it sounds pretty good."

At the dining hall, the two queued up for the Jade Well Water and eagerly took a sip. Its color was as clear as glass, with a pale azure hue. The taste was crisp and slightly sweet, carrying a hint of the unique fragrance of bamboo leaves, making one feel refreshed.

Shen Yingshu drained hers in one gulp and marveled, "Back home, I used to read tales of the supernatural, and those stories always said immortals fed on wind and drank dew instead of grains. I didn't expect it to be more than just legend."

After their meal, the two returned to their room to continue meditating, practicing the breath regulation method taught by the Hall Master. As soon as they closed their eyes, stray thoughts rose up, making it difficult to enter a state of stillness.

By the time the distractions faded, the night was deep. When the Hour of the Pig bell rang, Jiang Youling stopped meditating and fell straight to sleep.

The next day, upon entering the Azure Elm forest, Jiang Youling remembered the convenient methods mentioned by the Hall Master in the Hall of Hearing the Dao.

*"When carrying water, imagine the Hundred Convergences connecting to the Heavenly Spring; though the bucket is heavy, the spiritual platform remains light.*

*When splitting wood, observe the strength rising from the Spring of Vitality; every strike of the axe is a form of cultivation.*

*On days of sweeping, hold the broom as if holding a fly-whisk; in every leaf and every speck of dust, see the true essence."*

When collecting the Azure Elm bark, she could perhaps use her *Laogong* acupoint to absorb the Wood Qi.

Jiang Youling chose a thick Azure Elm tree, climbed to a high point, and began peeling the bark with a small knife. While controlling the strength in her hand, she diverted a portion of her mind, imagining an endless flow of Wood Qi in the forest slowly merging into her *Laogong* acupoint, making her hands feel increasingly nimble.

Due to this division of focus, Jiang Youling's speed in peeling the bark became slower. However, whether it was an illusion or not, she felt a vague sense that her control over the small knife was becoming increasingly precise.