Breaking through the illusion of the mortal world

Chapter 11 First Sound Garden

Chuming Garden is nestled in a beautiful valley.

Thousands of independent courtyards with white walls and blue tiles are scattered along the mountainside and beside the stream.

Each courtyard is equipped with a basic spirit-gathering array. Although it is only the simplest version, the spiritual energy gathered is far superior to that of the outside world.

Lu Ming, Qin Feiyu, and Hu Zhen's courtyards happened to be next to each other.

Lu Ming stood in his small courtyard, took a deep breath, and felt the spiritual energy of the place. He then sat down cross-legged and began to circulate the Qi-guiding technique.

Having previously undergone the Yi Jin Fa Sui (Muscle/Tendon Changing and Marrow Cleansing) and practiced the Basic Qi Induction Technique, he already possessed a trace of spiritual power within his body, but this was only the beginning.

Lu Ming couldn't wait to gain more power.

The systematic teachings of the Taoist academy will be the cornerstone for him to truly embark on the path of Taoism.

The next morning, the melodious chimes echoed over Chuming Garden, and life at the Taoist temple officially began.

All the new students gathered again at the Hall of Ten Thousand Laws. This time, the instructor was a gentle-looking female cultivator, Elder Liu.

Elder Liu was teaching the "Dao Yuan Jing," which is not a specific cultivation method, but a classic text that elucidates the essence of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, the mysteries of the human body's meridians, and the foundation of Daoist practices.

Her voice was gentle, and she quoted extensively from classical texts to explain complex principles in a clear and engaging manner.

"...Therefore it is said: Qi is the source of life. Heaven and earth have spiritual Qi, and the human body has primordial Qi."

Drawing upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to replenish one's own vital energy, refining essence into qi, and cultivating qi into spirit—this is the proper path of Taoist cultivation.

Elder Liu's gaze swept across the audience below the stage.

"However, the meridians in the human body are like mountains and rivers, some wide and some narrow, some open and some blocked."

Those with exceptional talent find the river wide and the energy intake swift and natural; those with mediocre talent find the river narrow or even silted up, requiring a slow and painstaking process, or a forceful push through with strong willpower...

The disciples below the stage listened intently.

Based on his own experience of unobstructed meridians after undergoing the Yi Jin Fa Sui method, Lu Ming gained a deeper understanding of Elder Liu's explanation.

He could feel that the spiritual energy within him seemed to become more dynamic as he gained a deeper understanding of the Dao Source Scripture.

A young man in brocade robes sitting not far from him yawned. He was a member of the Nangong family, a great family of cultivators in Zhongzhou, and his name was Nangong Yu.

He had been exposed to spiritual practice since childhood and was rather disdainful of these basic theories.

Lu Ming listened very attentively, occasionally jotting down key points on the jade slip, feeling that these basic theories were like the foundation of a house, of utmost importance.

After the theoretical lessons come the practical exercises.

All the disciples were taken to the Dharma Performance Platform behind the Hall of Ten Thousand Laws.

The practice ground was vast and its surface was engraved with reinforced formations, enough to withstand the spell practice of lower-level disciples.

The person in charge of teaching basic Taoist techniques and martial arts was a burly elder with a booming voice.

"The Dao is profound and mysterious, while martial arts are powerful and vigorous! Both are essential paths to cultivation!"

Elder Wu's voice was like thunder, making the disciples' eardrums buzz.

"Today, I will first teach you the most basic 'Qi-Inducing Technique' and 'Body-Strengthening Fist'!"

The "Qi-Inducing Technique" was very similar to the rubbing that Lu Ming had obtained before, but after Elder Wu personally explained and demonstrated it, many of the subtle key points became clear.

"Body Strengthening Boxing" is a set of boxing techniques designed to improve blood circulation and strengthen muscles and bones throughout the body, consisting of eighteen postures.

"The Qi-guiding technique requires calming the mind and perceiving the spiritual energy to enter the body and return to the dantian."

Body-strengthening boxing requires mobilizing qi and blood, using intention to guide qi, and tempering the physical body!

While explaining, Elder Wu slowly and powerfully demonstrated the Body Strengthening Fist.

In an instant, thousands of teenagers sat cross-legged on the Dharma performance platform, trying their best to sense the spiritual energy.

They were practicing body-strengthening boxing in various crooked and awkward postures.

Lu Ming quickly got into the zone, and the Qi-guiding technique circulated smoothly. The surrounding spiritual energy flowed into his body in wisps, and that spiritual power slowly grew stronger at a visible speed.

When practicing "Body Strengthening Boxing", he could feel the benefits of Yi Jin Fa Sui even more. His movements were smooth and his blood and qi surged, as if he had inexhaustible strength.

Qin Feiyu made only average progress in Qi cultivation, but showed amazing talent in Body Tempering Fist.

His fist techniques were powerful and vigorous; he quickly grasped the essence and could even draw upon a trace of vital energy, which earned him a slight nod of approval from Elder Wu.

Hu Zhen has a good talent for Qi cultivation, but the Body Tempering Fist made her suffer a lot. She was drenched in sweat after just a few movements, but she gritted her teeth and persevered again and again.

Nangong Yu activated his Qi-guiding technique, and the spiritual energy fluctuations around him were noticeably stronger than those of the surrounding disciples.

Clearly, he comes from a family with a strong academic background and has a solid foundation in learning.

When he practiced body-strengthening boxing, he exuded elegance and precision, but the arrogance in his eyes never diminished.

At the end of the day's training, all the disciples were exhausted, but even more so, they were excited.

They finally truly touched the door to spiritual practice.

At night, Lu Ming sat cross-legged in his small courtyard, not in a hurry to cultivate, but reflecting on the day's gains.

"The Dao Academy...the Nine Provinces...the Four Seas..." Lu Ming murmured to himself, his heart filled with anticipation for the future and a faint sense of urgency.

He knew that in this place teeming with geniuses, he would have to put in even more effort to stand out.

Life at the Taoist Academy officially began amidst this intense yet fulfilling rhythm.