Chapter 872
The Depletion of Heavenly Qi
Zheng Yi opened his eyes and saw Zhao Yuanqing standing at the door with a curious look on his face.
"Senior Brother Zhao, come in," he said.
Zhao Yuanqing walked into the courtyard and sat down opposite Zheng Yi.
"Sir, you seemed to be trying out some kind of martial art just now?" he asked.
“I’m trying to condense the Heavenly Qi into a physical form,” Zheng Yi said, “but I haven’t succeeded yet.”
"Heavenly Qi condensed into form?" Zhao Yuanqing asked in surprise. "What kind of cultivation technique is this?"
"It's recorded in an ancient book left by the Xuan Tian Ancestor," Zheng Yi said. "According to the description in the ancient book, the Heavenly Gang Qi can condense into various forms, and its power is several times stronger than ordinary Heavenly Gang Qi."
"I see." Zhao Yuanqing nodded. "No wonder you've been staying indoors these past few days; it turns out you've been researching this."
"Yes, but we haven't made a breakthrough yet," Zheng Yi sighed.
“Sir, I have an idea, but I’m not sure if I should say it,” Zhao Yuanqing said after a moment’s hesitation.
"you say."
"Sir, you said that the Heavenly Qi can condense into various forms. Isn't it somewhat similar to sword intent?" Zhao Yuanqing asked. "Our Xuantian Sect's swordsmanship emphasizes the outward expression of sword intent, condensing it into various forms to attack the enemy. This seems somewhat similar to what you said about the Heavenly Qi condensing into shapes."
Zheng Yi's eyes lit up when he heard this.
“The sword was released unexpectedly,” he murmured.
He had been trying to force the Heavenly Qi into shape using his willpower, but with little success. Now, when Zhao Yuanqing mentioned the sword's unexpected release, he suddenly thought of another possibility.
Perhaps the condensation of the Heavenly Qi is not driven by willpower, but guided by intention.
"The mind follows the will," he murmured, reciting the words from the ancient text. "So that's what it means!"
He closed his eyes and began to circulate the Heavenly Gang Technique once more.
This time, he did not forcefully control the Heavenly Qi with his mind, but instead imagined the shape of a sword in his mind and let the Heavenly Qi flow naturally in that direction.
A miracle happened.
The celestial energy began to condense in his palm, gradually forming the shape of a small sword. Although the sword was only half a foot long, it exuded a sharp aura, as if it were a real sword.
"It's done!" Zheng Yi excitedly opened his eyes.
He looked at the small sword formed from the celestial energy in his palm, a look of joy on his face.
"Sir, you succeeded?" Zhao Yuanqing was also surprised.
“Yes, thanks to your reminder,” Zheng Yi said. “I was trying to forcefully control the Heavenly Qi with my willpower before, which is why I couldn’t succeed. Now, guiding it with my mind is much easier.”
"I was just saying it casually, I didn't expect it to actually work." Zhao Yuanqing said somewhat embarrassedly.
“No, your reminder was crucial,” Zheng Yi said. “Without your reminder, I might have had to figure it out for a much longer time.”
"You flatter me, sir," Zhao Yuanqing said.
Zheng Yi sheathed the Heavenly Gang Sword in his palm and stood up.
“I’m going to find the sect leader and tell him about this discovery,” he said. “Would you like to come with me?”
“Alright, I also have something to report to the sect leader,” Zhao Yuanqing said.
The two left the courtyard and headed towards the residence of Master Xuantian.
The evening at Xuantian Mountain is exceptionally beautiful. The afterglow of the setting sun bathes the mountain peaks, turning the white sea of clouds into a golden-red hue. The bamboo forests in the mountains sway gently in the wind, rustling softly as if playing a melodious tune.
Arriving at Xuan Tian Zhenren's bamboo hut, Zheng Yi knocked on the door.
"Come in," came the voice of Master Xuantian from inside.
Zheng Yi and Zhao Yuanqing pushed open the door and went inside.
Master Xuantian was sitting at his desk reading a book when he saw the two enter. He put down his book and nodded to them.
"Mr. Dark Night, Yuan Qing, you've arrived."
"Sect Leader." The two bowed respectfully.
"Please sit down," Master Xuantian gestured for them to sit. "What is it?"
"Sect Leader, I have made some discoveries while studying those ancient books," Zheng Yi said.
"Oh?" Master Xuantian's eyes lit up. "What discovery?"
"This junior has discovered a method to condense the Heavenly Qi into a physical form," Zheng Yi said.
"The Heavenly Qi has condensed into a form?" Master Xuantian stood up, a look of shock on his face. "You mean you've mastered this technique?"
"Yes." Zheng Yi nodded. "Please take a look, Sect Leader."
He raised his right hand, activated the Heavenly Gang Technique, and concentrated the Heavenly Gang Qi in his palm.
A small sword, about half a foot long, slowly took shape in his palm, exuding a sharp aura.
"This...this truly is the condensation of Heavenly Qi!" Master Xuantian exclaimed excitedly. "I've studied those ancient texts for decades, yet I've never been able to understand their mysteries. I never imagined you'd master it in just a few days!"
"This is all thanks to Senior Brother Zhao's reminder," Zheng Yi said. "He was the one who made me think of guiding the Heavenly Qi with my mind, rather than forcibly controlling it with my will."
"Guided by the mind." Master Xuantian seemed to understand. "So that's how it is. I've been using my will to drive it all along; no wonder I haven't been able to succeed."
"Does the sect leader want to give it a try?" Zheng Yi asked.
"Of course I want to." Master Xuantian nodded.
Zheng Yi explained the method he had comprehended to Master Xuantian in detail.
After listening, Master Xuantian closed his eyes and began to try it.
A moment later, a small sword began to form in his palm. Although it wasn't as complete as Zheng Yi's, it was already taking shape.
"It's done!" Master Xuantian excitedly opened his eyes. "It really is done!"
"This is only the sect leader's first attempt, and he's already done quite well," Zheng Yi said. "With a few more practices, he'll master it."
"Many thanks for your guidance, Master An Ye!" Master Xuan Tian bowed deeply to Zheng Yi. "I have studied this technique for decades, and today I have finally made a breakthrough, all thanks to your guidance, Master."
"Sect Leader, you flatter me," Zheng Yi said. "This is a cultivation technique recorded in ancient texts; I merely deciphered it."
“No, it’s not just about deciphering.” Master Xuantian shook his head. “I’ve also read those ancient texts, but I still couldn’t understand their mysteries. The fact that you could understand and master them in just a few days shows that you have an extraordinary understanding of the Heavenly Gang Technique.”
"You flatter me, Sect Leader," Zheng Yi said.
The three chatted for a while longer, discussing the various possibilities of the celestial energy condensing into form.
Night falls, and the stars twinkle.
Zheng Yi bid farewell to Master Xuantian's bamboo hut and returned to his own courtyard.
He lay on the bed, eyes closed, his mind replaying the day's gains. The Heavenly Qi condensed into form—this was an advanced technique of the Heavenly Qi Manual. Mastering this technique would increase his combat power by at least 20%.
"What else can we break through?" he murmured.
He recalled that ancient books also recorded other cultivation techniques, such as the Heavenly Gang Body Protection and the Heavenly Gang Clone Technique. He had not yet tried these techniques, and perhaps he could find some new breakthroughs from them.
"I'll continue my research tomorrow," he thought, and gradually drifted off to sleep.
The next morning, Zheng Yi began studying those ancient books again.
This time, he focused his attention on the Heavenly Gang Body Protection technique.
According to ancient texts, the Heavenly Gang Body Protection is a defensive technique that creates a shield of Heavenly Gang Qi around the body to resist external attacks. This shield is incredibly strong and cannot be penetrated by ordinary attacks.
Zheng Yi began to try it according to the description in the ancient book.
He activated the Heavenly Gang Technique, guiding the Heavenly Gang Qi to the surface of his body, and then tried to condense it into a protective shield with his mind.
Unlike yesterday's attempt to condense the Heavenly Sword, this time the attempt went very smoothly. Perhaps because of yesterday's experience, he quickly grasped the essentials of the Heavenly Protection Technique.
A faint blue light appeared around him, forming a barely perceptible shield.
"It's done!" He opened his eyes, a look of joy on his face.
He picked up a pebble from the ground and smashed it hard against his arm.
"Crack!" The pebble struck the shield on his arm with a crisp sound, then bounced away. His arm, however, was completely unharmed.
"The effect is good." He nodded in satisfaction.
Over the next few days, Zheng Yi continued to study those ancient books and gradually mastered several advanced techniques of the Heavenly Gang Technique.
The Heavenly Gang Clone Technique is an incredibly magical skill that allows one to use Heavenly Gang Qi to create a clone that is identical to oneself. Although this clone has no physical form, it can perform simple actions on one's behalf, such as moving and attacking.
The Heavenly Gang Sense is a perception-based technique that allows one to use Heavenly Gang Qi to perceive all surrounding movements. Upon reaching a high level of mastery, one can even sense enemies several miles away.
Every time Zheng Yi mastered a new cultivation technique, he would record it in detail, then compile it into writing, preparing to hand it over to True Person Xuantian. These techniques were the legacy left by Ancestor Xuantian and rightfully belonged to the Xuantian Sect.
That afternoon, Zheng Yi was cultivating in the courtyard when there was a knock on the door.
“Who?” he asked.
"Sir, it is I, Zhao Yuanqing." Zhao Yuanqing's voice came from outside the door.
"Come in."
Zhao Yuanqing pushed open the door and walked in, his face showing excitement.
"Sir, I have good news to tell you!"
"What good news?"
"Following the methods taught by you, Master, I have finally mastered the Heavenly Gang Technique!" Zhao Yuanqing exclaimed excitedly. "I can feel the Heavenly Gang Qi condensing in my dantian. Although it is still very weak, it is indeed Heavenly Gang Qi!"
"Congratulations, Senior Brother Zhao," Zheng Yi said with a smile. "You've made rapid progress."
"It's all thanks to your excellent teaching, sir," Zhao Yuanqing said. "Your teacher adjusted the cultivation method according to my physique, which is why I was able to master it so quickly."
“Your foundation was already very good; it’s just that your previous training methods were incorrect,” Zheng Yi said. “Now that your methods are correct, you’ll naturally be able to grasp the basics.”
“Sir, I have another question I would like to ask you,” Zhao Yuanqing said.
"you say."
"After sensing the condensation of Heavenly Qi, I tried to circulate it throughout my body. However, every time I circulated it to my heart meridian, I felt a sharp pain. What could be causing this?"
Zheng Yi listened and pondered for a moment.
“This is likely due to your cold constitution,” he said. “The Qi of Heaven belongs to Yang, while the heart meridian belongs to Yin. When Yang Qi circulates to a place where Yin Qi gathers, a conflict occurs, which is why you feel a stinging sensation.”
"Then what should I do?" Zhao Yuanqing asked.
"Before the Heavenly Qi reaches the heart meridian, use a portion of it to form a protective layer around it," Zheng Yi explained. "This will buffer the conflict between the Heavenly Qi and the Yin Qi, reducing the stinging sensation."
“A protective layer forms around the heart meridian.” Zhao Yuanqing said thoughtfully, “I understand. I’ll try it when I get back.”
"Take your time, don't rush," Zheng Yi said. "Cultivation is a long process; haste makes waste."
"I've got it." Zhao Yuanqing nodded. "Thank you for your guidance, sir."
He chatted with Zheng Yi for a while about cultivation, then said goodbye and left.
Watching Zhao Yuanqing's departing figure, Zheng Yi's lips curled up slightly.
Although Zhao Yuanqing was arrogant at first, after spending a few days with him, he discovered that Zhao Yuanqing was actually a very studious person. As long as someone was willing to guide him, he would study very diligently.
"I hope he will achieve something in the future," Zheng Yi murmured.
Two more days passed.
That morning, Zheng Yi was meditating and cultivating in the courtyard as usual.
The soft morning light filtered through the ginkgo tree branches, casting dappled shadows on him. The air was filled with the fragrance of earth and the fresh scent of flowers, a truly refreshing experience.
He activated the Heavenly Gang Technique, circulating the Heavenly Gang Qi throughout his body.
After several days of practice, his mastery of the Heavenly Gang Technique has become even more profound. The Heavenly Gang Qi flows freely within his body, like silver rivers, continuously nourishing his meridians and acupoints.
Suddenly, he felt the Heavenly Qi in his dantian begin to surge violently.
"This is..." He was startled.
He could feel the Heavenly Qi in his dantian rapidly condensing, as if it were about to form something. The feeling was both familiar and strange, leaving him somewhat at a loss.
"Could it be that I'm about to break through?" he murmured.
He dared not be negligent, and quickly focused his mind, concentrating on guiding the Heavenly Qi in his dantian.
The celestial energy condensed more and more, becoming increasingly dense. Finally, it formed a golden sphere the size of a fist within his dantian!
"Heavenly Golden Elixir!" Zheng Yi excitedly opened his eyes.
He had read those ancient books and knew that after cultivating the Heavenly Gang Technique to a certain level, the Heavenly Gang Qi would condense into a golden core in the dantian. This golden core was called the Heavenly Gang Golden Core, a symbol of the strength of a Heavenly Gang Technique practitioner.
Those who possess the Heavenly Gang Golden Core are several times stronger than those without it. Moreover, the Heavenly Gang Golden Core can continuously generate Heavenly Gang Qi, ensuring that cultivators never have to worry about the depletion of Heavenly Gang Qi.
"I never expected that these past few days of research and cultivation would actually allow me to condense the Heavenly Gang Golden Core," Zheng Yi murmured. "It seems that the cultivation methods in those ancient books are indeed helpful for cultivating the Heavenly Gang Technique."
He stood up and stretched his limbs.
After the Heavenly Golden Elixir was placed within his body, he felt his entire being brimming with power. That power surged continuously from his dantian, making him feel as if he could defeat any enemy.
"I'll go find the sect leader and tell him the news," he thought, walking out of the courtyard. (End of Chapter)