Apprenticeship at Qingcheng Mountain, Senior Brother Yu Canghai

Chapter 232: Comprehending the Secret of Immortality

"Qingcheng Sect, why have I never heard of it before?"

Shilong frowned.

He didn't remember that there was such a sect in the martial arts world!
"Could it be a small sect in the martial arts world?"

Shi Long said in his heart.

But that’s not right!
Judging from the age of the young Taoist in front of him, plus the profound martial arts skills he displayed, it means that he has an extraordinary martial arts inheritance and does not seem to be from a small sect.

"Why are you here, sir?"

Shi Long looked at Chu Yuan.

No matter where the other party comes from, since they have come to us, it means that they have no good intentions.

What’s more important is that he was completely unaware of anything until the young Taoist priest in front of him spoke.

It stands to reason that once one's martial arts skills have been trained to a certain level, one will be able to detect hostility in advance. If one cannot detect it, there is only one possibility, that is, this person's martial arts skills are far higher than his.

But how is this possible...

The other person was only about fourteen or fifteen years old.

If his martial arts skills are higher than his, could he be the disciple of Ning Daoqi, one of the three great masters?

"Master Shi, as the owner of the Shilong Martial Arts Arena and the best martial artist in Yangzhou, why is he hiding in a small manor outside the city? Do you need me to tell you the reason?"

Chu Yuan put his hands behind his back and looked at Shi Long with a half-smile.

Swish!
Shi Long's heart suddenly sank.

This young Taoist priest really came here for the "Secret of Immortality" on him.

Shi Long said, "Master Qingyang, you are joking. The reason why I live in the suburban manor is because I am old and no longer interested in running the martial arts school. I just want to live in peace and quiet. I have handed the martial arts school over to my disciples to manage, and I live in this suburban manor to recuperate."

He didn't know whether Chu Yuan was lying to him, so he pretended to be frank.

At the same time, Shi Long had made up his mind secretly.

Once he was sure that Chu Yuan was not deceiving him, but really knew that he had the "Secret of Immortality", he was ready to go all out and fight Chu Yuan to the death.

Chu Yuan smiled and said, "Master Shi, don't be so nervous. It's not a good idea for you to attack me now. Actually, I did come here for the "Eternal Life Secret" on you, but I didn't come here to take it away. I came here for a fair trade."

Chu Yuan's words forced Shi Long to reluctantly disperse the true Qi that was flowing into the palm of his right hand behind his back.

At this point, he was already very sure that the young Taoist priest in front of him, who looked very young, had unfathomable strength and was definitely stronger than him.

He was just about to take action and strike first when the other party saw through him.

This made him feel a little desperate. Shi Long asked doubtfully, "A fair trade?"

Chu Yuan said: "It's not only for a fair trade, but also for saving you. Master Shi has obtained the "Eternal Life Secret" for some time. Not only did I get the news, but other people in the martial arts world also got the news. After me, there will definitely be more people looking for you. Master Shi, your peaceful days are over."

Shi Long said in disbelief: "You said fair trade or saving me, just want me to hand over the "Eternal Life Secret" to you?"

A hint of sneer appeared on his face and he said, "Then I should thank you."

Chu Yuan said seriously, "It has been a while since Master Shi got the Secret of Immortality, but he has not comprehended anything yet. This shows that Master Shi's comprehension is insufficient. I am willing to exchange my self-created martial arts that directly point to the innate with you. When I comprehend martial arts from the Secret of Immortality, I can also pass it on to Master Shi. Strictly speaking, we are cooperating. This Secret of Immortality is owned by you and me. This way, Master Shi will not suffer any loss."

He is not as upright and heroic a hero as Qiao Feng, but he is not one who takes things by force.

Of course, if Shi Long didn't trust him, he would be unwilling to give him the "Secret of Immortality" no matter what.

At worst, you can just wait!

When Yu Wenzhi arrived, Shi Long fought with Yu Wenzhi, and Shi Long was defeated and fled. The "Secret of Immortality" fell into the hands of others. It is not impossible to get the "Secret of Immortality" from others.

Chu Yuan has plenty of time anyway.

Chu Yuan's words made Shi Long look uncertain.

He was broken by what Chu Yuan just said.

Just as Chu Yuan said, it has been several years since he obtained the Secret of Immortality.

In the past few years, he has lived in a manor outside Yangzhou City, studying and contemplating day and night, but he has not figured out anything so far.

Maybe his talent and understanding are really not enough.

More importantly, Chu Yuan has found this place, which means that the news that he obtained "The Secret of Immortality" has been leaked. "The Secret of Immortality" is one of the four great books in the martial arts world. It is rumored that "The Secret of Immortality" contains the secret of immortality and breaking the void.

Even the emperor would be tempted!
In the future, there will be an endless stream of people coming to look for him.

Reality no longer allowed him to continue studying and comprehending the "Secret of Immortality" as before.

Shi Long weighed it in his mind and said, "If you really mean what you just said, how can I believe you?"

Chu Yuan said: "I will tell you part of the formula of the Nine Heavens Gangqi that I practiced, and then you can decide whether to agree to my proposal!"

Shilong said: "Okay."

If what Chu Yuan said was true, and the "Nine Heavens Gangqi" he practiced was really a martial art that could directly reach the innate, then even if Chu Yuan did not keep his promise after getting the "Eternal Life Secret", his loss would not be that great.

Chu Yuan immediately selected a part of his own "Nine Heavens Gangqi" practice formula and passed it on to Shi Long orally.

After listening to this, Shi Long was still a little unsatisfied: "This skill is actually aimed at cultivating a breath of innate true qi, opening up the meridians of the human body, and cultivating a protective qi. Once the protective qi is cultivated, one can be invulnerable to swords and guns, and immune to water and fire. Such a powerful martial art, why have I never heard of it in the martial arts world before?"

Chu Yuan said: "It's very simple, because this skill is my own creation, it is the secret of Qingcheng Sect, and it is also a part of the Nine Heavens Sutra."

“I created it myself!”

Shi Long then remembered that Chu Yuan had just said that this martial art was created by him.

"At such a young age, he has already created such a powerful martial art and mastered such unfathomable martial arts. Taoist Qingyang's talent and understanding are the only ones I have ever seen in my life."

After a long time, Shilong let out a long sigh.

Comparing myself with him, I have obtained the "Secret of Immortality" for several years, but I haven't even comprehended the basics of it. I am really incomparable.

Perhaps if I give the Secret of Immortality to the young Taoist priest in front of me, he will be able to uncover the secret of the Secret of Immortality.

"How about it, Master Shi, are you willing?"

Chu Yuan asked Shi Long.

After a moment of silence, Shi Long weighed the issue for a long time and finally made a decision: "I do."

The reason why he was willing to do so was because the "Nine Heavens Gangqi" that Chu Yuan exchanged with him was much more powerful and exquisite than the "Pushing Mountain Hands" martial arts he was currently practicing.

His martial arts "Pushing Mountain Hands" was also self-created, but it cannot be compared with "Nine Heavens Gangqi".

Although it is said that the Secret of Immortality was written in oracle bone script by Guangchengzi, the teacher of the ancient Yellow Emperor, it is believed that once it is deciphered, one can reach the state of "breaking the void" and achieving immortality. However, it is far away in the sky, like a flower in a mirror or a moon in the water, and it is impossible to obtain.

However, "Nine Heavens Gangqi" is different. Once he agrees, he can obtain this martial art and quickly improve his strength.

Seeing that Shi Long was finally convinced, Chu Yuan smiled and said, "That's good, Master Shi, don't worry. After I get the "Eternal Life Secret", I will temporarily live in your manor for a while. If I can comprehend something from the "Eternal Life Secret", I will immediately teach it to you."

"Thank you." After Shi Long thanked him, he became a little bored: "Let's talk about this later."

Chu Yuan's words just now reminded him that his aptitude was limited. Even if Chu Yuan had comprehended something from the "Eternal Life Secret", he would most likely not be able to practice it.

However, he still hadn't given up completely in his heart and was holding on to the last glimmer of hope of giving it a try.

As he spoke, Shi Long took out a map from his arms and threw it to Chu Yuan: "This is the Secret of Immortality."

Chu Yuan took it in his hand, opened it and saw that the material of the map was made of black gold thread, with various complex symbols and characters on it, totaling more than 7,000 words.

Chu Yuan took a quick glance and found that the text did not belong to any current characters, but more like oracle bone inscriptions from ancient times.

This "Secret of Immortality" is said to have been left by Huangdi's teacher Guangchengzi. It is a Taoist treasure. Now that it has fallen into the hands of a Taoist like him, it is just right for his major.

"It has been several years since I got the Secret of Immortality, but I haven't figured out anything. I hope Taoist Qingyang can figure it out."

Shilong sighed.

In fact, he was skeptical about whether Chu Yuan could comprehend anything from "The Secret of Immortality".

Chu Yuan said: "I would like to borrow the good words from Master Shi."

……

In the Shilong martial arts field.

After listening to the report from their disciples Qi, Xu and others, Li Yu and Cui Ziliu's expressions suddenly changed: "Not good, Master is in danger."

Then he immediately took several martial arts disciples and rushed to the manor on the outskirts of Yangzhou to remind his master Shi Long.

It was already late at night when everyone arrived outside the manor.

Li Yu and Cui Ziyang went forward and knocked on the door. A servant opened the door with a lantern. After the two men explained the reason to the servant and reported to Shi Long, the servant led everyone in.

"Master, today a master came to the city, claiming to be your friend, and asked about your residence. He has a secret method of soul-stealing. My disciples have low martial arts skills and could not resist, so he revealed your residence. We are here to warn you!"

Li Yu and others came to the quiet room where Shi Long usually practiced martial arts. As soon as they met, Li Yu said to his master Shi Long who was sitting at the top.

Shi Long sat upright on the round chair and said, "This person is indeed a good friend of my teacher. You don't need to worry about this matter anymore."

"No, you are..."

At this moment, the disciple of Shilong Martial Arts Field named Xu, who was standing behind Li Yu, looked to the side with an expression as if he had seen a ghost.

Li Yu and Cui Ziliu also looked over and realized that their master Shi Long was not the only one in the room.

Sitting on the chair next to them was a young Taoist priest with a childish look, looking at everyone with a smile.

"Yes, it's me."

Chu Yuan glanced at Shi Long's disciples and said with a smile: "Your master just said that I am indeed his good friend."

The disciple named Xu who was guarding the gate during the day was puzzled and asked, "But... if you are a good friend of the owner, why don't you even know where the master lives?"

Chu Yuan said: "It's very simple. Before I went to the Stone Dragon Martial Arts Field, I was not a good friend of your master, but now I am." Stone Dragon also said: "Yes, Taoist Qingyang will live in this manor for a while in the future, you don't have to make a fuss."

Li Yu and Cui Ziliu looked at their master and Chu Yuan with doubtful eyes.

If the young Taoist priest before their eyes was really as unfathomable as their disciples said, they even doubted whether their master could be a match for this young Taoist priest!
If he is not an opponent, then is the master threatened?

Master, if you are being coerced, just give a hint.

However, the two observed the expressions of Chu Yuan and his master Shi Long for a moment and saw that there was no tension beneath the calm surface. They felt that perhaps the two had really become good friends.

"Alright, you guys knew I was in danger, yet you still reminded me. It's worth my time teaching you martial arts. It's getting late, you should go back and rest."

The stone dragon drove everyone away.

"Master, take care!"

"Take care, Master!"

After seeing that there was indeed no problem, the disciples of the Shilong Martial Arts School left one after another.

After these disciples of Shilong Wugong left, Chu Yuan looked at Shilong: "Master Shi has accepted a group of good disciples!"

Shi Long said, "I'm sorry to have made Taoist Qingyang laugh."

As he spoke, his heart tightened.

Because he suddenly thought of, in addition to the "Nine Heavens Gangqi" that Chu Yuan made a deal with him to pass on to him, there was also the martial arts that Chu Yuan displayed since he appeared in Yangzhou City, the miraculous lightness skill, and the soul-capturing technique that his martial arts disciples had just mentioned.

From this perspective, Chu Yuan is truly unfathomable.

Chu Yuan didn't know the complicated thoughts in Shi Long's heart at this time, and said: "It is Master Shi's blessing to have this group of people who know that the master is in trouble and can rush to remind and rescue him without worrying about their own safety."

Shi Long replied: "I think so too."

……

The next period of time.

Chu Yuan settled down in Shilong, a manor outside Yangzhou city.

He also taught Shilong all of the "Nine Heavens Gangqi" that he created.

While he began to study and comprehend the "Secret of Immortality" in his hand.

Although he said that Shi Long lacked talent and comprehension, Chu Yuan also knew his own situation.

The reason why he has reached this point today is entirely due to his own accumulation step by step!
Of course, there are also a few special abilities!
Dream!

Once you fall asleep and enter the dream state, your understanding will greatly improve.

Problems that you cannot think clearly or solve during the day can be thought clearly in your dreams.

So Chu Yuan meditated normally during the day, and slept with "The Secret of Immortality" in his arms at night, meditating on the oracle bone inscriptions in his dreams.

After contemplating for a period of time, Chu Yuan discovered that many parts of the oracle bone inscriptions contained contradictions and conflicts, and even one word had more than a dozen annotations with completely different meanings.

The remaining part of the text has not been deciphered.

Chu Yuan felt that he could not learn anything from studying these oracle bones, so he gave up completely.

Finally, he focused on the seven human-shaped pictures in "The Secret of Immortality".

Yes, in the atlas of "The Secret of Immortality", apart from the oracle bone inscriptions and some annotations by predecessors, the most important ones are the seven human figures.

These seven human figures are not facing each other, and there are various symbols such as red dots and arrow markings, which seem to be describing some method of cultivation.

After Chu Yuan studied the "Eternal Life Secret" for a long time, he discovered that the seven human-shaped pictures were not just a set of martial arts, but each picture contained the ultimate truth of heaven and earth and the mysteries of the universe.

It is more like the secret of integrating the mysteries of heaven, earth and nature, and some concepts and traces from Taoist scriptures.

The idea is that the human body is a small world, and outside the body is another world. Therefore, as long as one grasps the natural laws of these two worlds, the two worlds inside and outside can be combined into one, forming a perfect whole, and ultimately achieving the state of "harmony between man and nature."

This state of "harmony between man and nature" is the true "harmony between man and nature".

It is much stronger than the "harmony between man and nature" that Xiaoyaozi displayed in his previous life, which was only in its embryonic form.

Every human-shaped picture in this "Secret of Immortality" is actually a method of absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth through acupoints, replenishing oneself, and cultivating innate true energy.

Chu Yuan tried to practice according to the seven human-shaped pictures in the "Eternal Life Secret", but he found that when he tried to stimulate his internal energy according to some of the symbols, his blood and energy immediately churned and he showed signs of going astray. It was extremely dangerous and seeing that there was no way forward, Chu Yuan stopped.

……

Three months later.

Outside Yangzhou City, Shilong Manor.

In a quiet room.

"Speaking of this 'Eternal Life Secret', it is similar to the 'Nine Heavens Qi' that I created, which can absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and increase one's own strength after practicing it."

After almost understanding the general idea of ​​"The Secret of Immortality", Chu Yuan sat cross-legged in the middle of the quiet room, holding the "The Secret of Immortality" in his hands, frowning and thinking hard.

"I remember that to practice the 'Eternal Life Secret', one must not have any internal energy in the body. This is somewhat similar to the 'Northern Divine Art'."

In the original plot, Xu Zhu, who received the martial arts from Wuyazi, was taught the internal force of "Northern Divine Art" only after Wuyazi had abolished his Shaolin Kung Fu.

The reason why Duan Yu learned the "Northern Divine Art" was because he didn't know martial arts at first.

When Chu Yuan passed on the "Northern Divine Art" to A-Bi, it was because A-Bi's own martial arts skills were extremely poor and her internal strength was so weak that it was almost non-existent.

"If you want to master this "Eternal Life Secret", it seems that you must give up your own martial arts."

Chu Yuan felt emotional.

He used up 30 to 40 percent of the innate true qi he cultivated through the "Nine Heavens Gangqi" when he was opening up the meridians for his senior brother Kunyang in Qingcheng Mountain.

As I have been busy comprehending the "Secret of Immortality" recently, I haven't spent much time on cultivation, resulting in little recovery.

From this perspective, it is not impossible for him to give up his martial arts at this time.

He was not planning to give up his self-created "Nine Heavens Gang Qi" and only practice "The Secret of Longevity".

However, "The Secret of Immortality" is one of the four great books, which contains the secret of breaking the void and achieving immortality, and he also needs to learn it.

Although if it comes to immortality alone, his self-created "Nine Heavens Sutra" can already achieve some of that.

Therefore, Chu Yuan decided to give up his martial arts first and practice the "Eternal Life Secret". After he had a thorough understanding of the "Eternal Life Secret", he would see if he could apply some of the ultimate principles of heaven and earth and the mysteries of the universe in the "Eternal Life Secret" to the "Nine Heavens Gangqi".

"But my innate energy will be wasted!"

Chu Yuan was a little reluctant.

After all, he spent a year practicing hard.

"Shilong is also practicing my "Nine Heavens Gangqi", so if you're not a good person, you can help him open up his meridians."

Chu Yuan thought.

Chu Yuan did it as soon as he thought of it. He immediately went to find Shi Long and told him the conditions for practicing "The Secret of Immortality".

"To practice the 'Eternal Life Secret' one actually has to have no internal strength at all, and thus waste one's own martial arts skills!"

Shi Long's expression changed.

No wonder he hasn’t figured out anything over the years. Even if he had figured it out, he wouldn’t dare to practice!

"Have you started practicing the Nine Heavens Qi that I gave Master Shi?"

Chu Yuan asked Shi Long.

Shi Long said: "I have already started practicing!"

Chu Yuan asked: "What level has the Stone Hall Master reached in his cultivation?"

Shi Long said: "The second floor!"

Chu Yuan was not surprised. Shi Long was a first-rate master in the martial arts world with extremely high skills, so when he practiced "Nine Heavens Gangqi", his speed must have been quite fast at the beginning.

Anyway, he is much stronger than his senior brother Kunyang who took a year to reach the first level.

Chu Yuan said: "It would be a waste if I gave up my martial arts skills. I am willing to help Master Shi open up his meridians. I wonder if Master Shi is willing?"

Shi Long was delighted when he heard this, and immediately stood up from his chair and asked, "Are you serious?"

He had been practicing "Nine Heavens Gang Qi" for some time and knew that Chu Yuan's martial arts was indeed a martial art that directly targeted the innate, but it was extremely difficult to practice.

Chu Yuan’s martial arts skills are unfathomable, and he is very likely a congenital master.

If he is willing to help me open up my meridians, I can achieve twice the result with half the effort when practicing on my own.

"really."

Chu Yuan said.

"But it's not easy to cultivate one's skills. Taoist Qingyang, have you considered it?"

Shilong then continued.

Anyway, if it were him, he would definitely not be able to make up his mind to abandon his martial arts and practice the illusory "Secret of Immortality".

"I've thought about it. Anyway, I'm still young. I'm only fourteen years old this year. I have plenty of time."

Chu Yuan said.

Shilong: ...

Only fourteen years old?
At the age of fourteen, his martial arts skills were better than his. He felt that he had been living like a dog all these years.

(End of this chapter)