Chapter 870
Guiding Thoughts
"That only means you're lucky and destined to have the Heaven-Breaking Sword," Zhao Yuanqing said dismissively. "Good luck doesn't mean you're strong, much less that you're qualified to teach us."
"Senior Brother Zhao is right!" someone in the crowd echoed. "How can we, the disciples of the Xuantian Sect, allow an outsider to point fingers at us?"
"Exactly! The sect leader's decision this time was far too hasty!"
"How could someone who isn't even proficient in swordsmanship possibly teach us?"
The discussions grew louder, and more and more people began to express their dissatisfaction with Zheng Yi.
Zheng Yi stood on the high platform, quietly watching everything, his face expressionless.
After the crowd quieted down, he spoke, "It seems everyone is quite dissatisfied with me."
“It’s natural to be unconvinced,” Zhao Yuanqing said. “If you want us to be convinced, you’ll have to show us your true abilities.”
"Real skills?" Zheng Yi raised an eyebrow. "What do you want?"
“It’s very simple,” Zhao Yuanqing said. “Have a match with me. If you can beat me, I’ll acknowledge that you’re qualified to teach us. If you lose, please leave the Xuantian Sect and don’t embarrass yourself here.”
“Okay.” Zheng Yi agreed without hesitation.
He jumped down from the platform and came to the center of the training ground.
Zhao Yuanqing also stepped forward and stood opposite him.
“Mr. Dark Night, I will show mercy,” Zhao Yuanqing sneered. “After all, you are a guest invited by the sect leader, and I cannot beat you too badly.”
“No need to hold back,” Zheng Yi said calmly. “Bring it on.”
"Alright, then don't blame me for being impolite!"
Zhao Yuanqing shouted loudly, drew his sword, and thrust it at Zheng Yi.
His swordsmanship was swift and fierce, the tip of his sword flashing with a cold silver light, aimed straight for Zheng Yi's throat. This strike contained eighty percent of his power, making it incredibly powerful.
But Zheng Yi remained motionless. Just as the sword tip was about to pierce him, he slightly turned his body, letting the sword graz his neck.
"What a quick reaction!" someone in the crowd exclaimed.
Zhao Yuanqing's expression changed slightly.
He hadn't expected Zheng Yi to dodge his attack so easily. It should be noted that his swordsmanship ranked seventh among the inner disciples of the Xuan Tian Sect, and his speed and power were top-notch. Even a master of the same level would find it difficult to dodge such a thrust.
But Zheng Yi dodged it, and did so very easily, as if he were just taking a walk.
"Is that all you've got?" Zheng Yi asked calmly.
"Hmph, I wasn't even serious yet!" Zhao Yuanqing, enraged, launched an even fiercer attack.
His swordsmanship was like a whirlwind, thrusting one sword after another at Zheng Yi. The sword energy crisscrossed, completely surrounding Zheng Yi, giving him no chance to breathe.
But Zheng Yi remained completely at ease.
His movements were light and graceful, weaving freely through the sword light, always maintaining a distance of half a foot from Zhao Yuanqing. No matter how Zhao Yuanqing attacked, he could not even touch the hem of his clothes.
"How is this possible?" Zhao Yuanqing's face grew increasingly grim.
He had used all his strength, but still couldn't touch Zheng Yi. This feeling filled him with immense frustration and anger.
“That’s enough,” Zheng Yi suddenly said.
He raised his right hand and waved it gently.
A sharp burst of energy shot out from his palm, striking Zhao Yuanqing's wrist as he gripped the sword with unerring accuracy.
"Ah!" Zhao Yuanqing screamed as his longsword flew out of his hand and landed several feet away.
He clutched his wrist, staring at Zheng Yi in disbelief.
"What is your cultivation level?" he asked in a trembling voice.
"Peak of the Mahayana Realm," Zheng Yi said calmly.
"Peak of the Mahayana Realm?" A gasp of surprise rang out from the crowd.
They hadn't expected Zheng Yi's cultivation level to be so high. It's important to understand that most of the disciples present were at the mid-to-late stages of the Mahayana Realm, with only a few older disciples reaching the peak. And while Zhao Yuanqing was ranked seventh, his cultivation was only at the late stage of the Mahayana Realm.
The outcome of a disciple in the late stage of the Mahayana realm challenging a master in the peak of the Mahayana realm is predictable.
"Senior Brother Zhao, do you have anything else to say?" Zheng Yi asked, looking at Zhao Yuanqing.
Zhao Yuanqing's face turned bright red, and he lowered his head, not daring to say another word.
"Anyone else who disagrees?" Zheng Yi looked around. "You can all come at me together."
The crowd fell silent.
Those who were just shouting their dissatisfaction are now silent. They're not fools; they know they're no match for Zheng Yi.
"Since no one objects, let's begin the lesson." Zheng Yi returned to the platform and sat down behind the lectern.
This time, no one dared to voice any doubt.
"The Heavenly Gang Technique is an extremely powerful and domineering cultivation method, and it is very difficult to master," Zheng Yi said. "The reason you haven't even scratched the surface after so many years of practice is mainly because you haven't found the correct method."
"The core of the Heavenly Gang Technique lies in 'Heavenly Gang Qi.' This Qi differs from ordinary true Qi; it is more sharp and domineering. To cultivate Heavenly Gang Qi, you must first change your method of circulating Qi."
He stood up, walked to the front of the platform, and faced his disciples.
"Come, let me demonstrate how the Heavenly Qi operates."
He activated the Heavenly Gang Technique, and the Heavenly Gang Qi within his body began to circulate. A faint blue light emanated from his body, forming a barely perceptible halo in the air.
"See that?" he said. "When the Heavenly Qi circulates, it forms a protective shield around the body. This shield can defend against external attacks and also enhance your offensive power."
All the disciples stared wide-eyed, carefully observing the changes in Zheng Yi's body.
“Now, try circulating your Heavenly Qi as I instructed,” Zheng Yi said. “First, guide your Qi to your Dantian, then circulate it along the eight extraordinary meridians. Note that you should accelerate the circulation when you pass through the Mingmen point.”
He explained and demonstrated in great detail.
Following his instructions, the disciples began to try circulating the Heavenly Qi.
About half an hour later, several disciples began to emit a faint blue light.
"Did you feel it?" Zheng Yi asked. "That power surging from your dantian is the Heavenly Qi."
"I can feel it!" a disciple exclaimed excitedly. "I really can! I've been cultivating the Heavenly Gang Technique for three years, and this is the first time I've felt this power!"
“I felt it too!” another disciple said. “So this is how the Heavenly Qi operates! I’ve been misunderstanding it all along!”
More and more disciples began to understand, and their faces showed surprise and delight.
Zheng Yi watched all this with a slight smile on his lips.
It seems his explanation was effective. Although these disciples had been practicing the Heavenly Gang Technique for many years without making any progress, their foundations were very solid. As long as someone provided guidance, they could quickly make breakthroughs.
“Mr. Dark Night, I have a question,” a disciple asked, raising his hand.
"you say."
"I just followed your method to circulate the Heavenly Qi, and I did feel that power. But when I tried to channel it, I found I couldn't control it at all. What's wrong?" "That's because your control is insufficient," Zheng Yi said. "The Heavenly Qi is extremely powerful; controlling it requires very strong mental strength. You can try guiding it with your mind, instead of using your internal energy to propel it."
"Guiding with intention?" the disciple asked thoughtfully.
“That’s right.” Zheng Yi nodded. “The Heavenly Qi is not ordinary true qi; it cannot be controlled using conventional methods. You must treat it as a living thing, communicating with it through your will, rather than forcibly controlling it.”
"I see!" the disciple exclaimed in sudden understanding. "Thank you for your guidance, sir!"
"You're welcome," Zheng Yi said. "Does anyone else have a question?"
"I have one!" another disciple raised his hand. "Master, when I circulated my Heavenly Qi just now, I felt a burning sensation in my dantian. Is this normal?"
“That’s normal,” Zheng Yi said. “The Heavenly Qi is Yang in nature, and it generates heat when it circulates. If you feel too hot, you can slow down the circulation speed a little to allow your body to gradually adapt.”
"Understood, thank you, sir!"
One question after another was raised, and Zheng Yi answered them patiently one by one.
Before I knew it, the morning had passed.
"That concludes today's lesson," Zheng Yi said. "After you return home, continue your cultivation according to the methods I taught you. If you have any questions, come and ask me again tomorrow."
"Thank you, Mr. Dark Night!" the disciples said in unison.
Their attitude towards Zheng Yi has changed significantly. The previous disdain and skepticism have disappeared, replaced by respect and gratitude.
Zheng Yi nodded, stepped down from the platform, and walked out of the training ground.
"Mr. Dark Night, please wait!"
A voice came from behind me.
Zheng Yi turned around and saw Zhao Yuanqing walking towards him.
"Is there something you need, Senior Brother Zhao?" he asked.
Zhao Yuanqing approached Zheng Yi, hesitated for a moment, and then bowed deeply.
"I was blind and ignorant before, and offended you, sir. Please forgive me."
"Don't mind it," Zheng Yi waved his hand. "It's understandable that you question me."
“Sir, you are incredibly generous,” Zhao Yuanqing said. “I have benefited greatly from your explanation. I have been practicing the Heavenly Gang Technique for five years without ever grasping its essence. Today, with your guidance, I have finally gained some understanding.”
"I'm glad it was helpful to you," Zheng Yi said.
“Sir, I have another request,” Zhao Yuanqing said.
"you say."
"I would like to ask you some questions about the Heavenly Gang Technique privately, sir. Would you be so kind as to enlighten me?"
Zheng Yi glanced at Zhao Yuanqing and nodded.
"Okay. Come find me at my place this afternoon."
"Thank you so much, sir!" Zhao Yuanqing said excitedly.
Zheng Yi said nothing more and turned to leave the training ground.
In the afternoon, Zhao Yuanqing indeed arrived at Zheng Yi's residence.
Zheng Yi's residence was a secluded courtyard arranged by the Xuantian Sect. The environment was quiet and the furnishings were elegant. There was an ancient ginkgo tree in the courtyard, and under the tree were a stone table and several stone chairs.
Zheng Yi was sitting on a stone chair drinking tea when he saw Zhao Yuanqing walk in and nodded to him.
"Senior Brother Zhao, please have a seat."
Zhao Yuanqing sat down opposite Zheng Yi, looking somewhat reserved.
"Sir, I have a few questions I would like to ask you."
"you say."
"Sir, you just said that the Heavenly Qi belongs to Yang and generates heat when it circulates. But when I practice the Heavenly Qi Technique, I feel cold, not heat. What's going on?"
Zheng Yi was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.
"What you're feeling is cold?"
“Yes,” Zhao Yuanqing nodded. “Every time I circulate the Heavenly Gang Technique, I feel a chill in my dantian. Over time, it even makes my whole body feel cold.”
Zheng Yi pondered for a moment, then said, "Extend your hand so I can take your pulse."
Zhao Yuanqing extended his right hand, and Zheng Yi placed two fingers on his pulse. A faint stream of celestial energy flowed into his body through the pulse.
A moment later, Zheng Yi withdrew his finger, a look of realization on his face.
“I understand,” he said. “Your constitution is yin-cold, which clashes with the yang-oriented nature of the Heavenly Gang Technique. That’s why you feel cold, not hot, when you practice the Heavenly Gang Technique.”
"A cold constitution?" Zhao Yuanqing was somewhat surprised. "But none of the other disciples in our sect have this problem."
“Everyone’s constitution is different,” Zheng Yi said. “Most people have a neutral constitution, so cultivating the Heavenly Gang Technique is no problem for them. But your constitution is more yin and cold, which clashes with the attributes of the Heavenly Gang Technique, hence this situation.”
"Then what should I do?" Zhao Yuanqing asked anxiously. "Does this mean I'm not allowed to cultivate the Heavenly Gang Technique?"
“It’s not that cultivation is impossible,” Zheng Yi said, “it just requires a different method.”
"In what way?"
“Although the Heavenly Gang Technique is a yang-type cultivation method, it also contains some yin-type elements,” Zheng Yi said. “You can try starting with these yin-type elements and gradually transitioning to the yang-type aspects.”
"I've never heard of this method before," Zhao Yuanqing said, somewhat puzzled.
"I figured this out myself," Zheng Yi said. "Although the Heavenly Gang Technique is a complete cultivation method, it's not suitable for everyone to start from scratch. For people with special constitutions, some adjustments need to be made according to their individual circumstances."
"Please enlighten me, sir!" Zhao Yuanqing said excitedly.
Zheng Yi nodded and began to explain in detail the cultivation method suitable for Zhao Yuanqing.
He explained it very carefully, from the way of circulating qi to the route of practicing the exercise, from guiding the mind to regulating the true qi, he explained every detail clearly.
Zhao Yuanqing listened very attentively, nodding from time to time, and kept every word Zheng Yi said firmly in mind.
It took Zheng Yi about an hour to finish speaking.
“After you go back, cultivate according to the method I told you,” he said. “If you have any questions, you can come to me anytime.”
"Thank you so much, sir!" Zhao Yuanqing stood up and bowed deeply. "I will never forget your great kindness!"
“No need to be so polite,” Zheng Yi said. “I’m also very happy that you’ve made progress.”
Zhao Yuanqing expressed his gratitude a few more times, then took his leave.
Watching Zhao Yuanqing's departing figure, Zheng Yi's lips curled up slightly.
Although Zhao Yuanqing was arrogant at first, he wasn't a bad person at heart. With proper guidance, he should be able to achieve something in the future.
The next day, Zheng Yi continued to teach his disciples in the training ground. (End of Chapter)