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Chapter 385 The Five Levels of Qigong, Forging the Cauldron with True Essence

The sun is just right before noon.

The branches and leaves of the old locust tree in the courtyard cast dappled light and shadow on the ground.

A black myna bird chirped melodiously from a cage hanging in the treetop, adding a touch of tranquility to the small courtyard.

However, the moment Fang Cheng stood still.

This tranquility seemed to be dispersed by an invisible aura.

He sat with his feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and back bent as he rode.

He simply assumed a horse stance, yet his entire being seemed to undergo a fundamental transformation.

If he was just a humble and polite junior, then...

At that moment, he subtly revealed the demeanor of a master, as profound and majestic as a mountain.

It was as if he wasn't standing there, but rather a stone statue that grew out of the ground, steady and dignified, blending into the earth beneath his feet.

The birdsong in the courtyard had stopped sometime ago.

The old men sitting around the stone table subconsciously held their breath.

Even Ma Jianguo put down his teapot, his eyes focused intently.

Fang Cheng closed his eyes slightly and breathed deeply.

The next second, something unexpected happened.

First came a low hum, like the lingering echo of an ancient bell being struck.

The sound was initially very faint, but it was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples in everyone's heart.

Soon, it quickly became clear and powerful, like muffled thunder coming from the depths of the clouds, drawing ever closer.

Buzz buzz————

The air vibrated, and invisible sound waves spread like a tide throughout the courtyard.

The teacups on the stone table made a soft "click" sound as their lids collided rapidly with the bodies.

Even without a breath of wind, the leaves of the old locust tree began to rustle.

The source of the sound was Fang Cheng, who was standing in the courtyard.

His chest and abdomen, like bellows, were visibly heaving with a subtle yet powerful rhythm.

Each rise and fall was accompanied by a deafening roar that pierced everyone's eardrums.

Rumble--Rumble--

The sound grew louder and deeper, like rolling thunder in spring, echoing between heaven and earth.

This is not simply the voice of the heart, but a resonance of the internal organs, muscles and bones, and even every inch of flesh and blood under the stimulation of internal energy.

This force emanated from within, penetrating the body's surface and vibrating the surrounding air.

Gradually, another sound emerged from the muffled thunder.

Deep and oppressive.

Like the deep roar of the king of beasts surveying the forest, it makes one's eardrums ache and one's chest heave.

Immediately afterwards, "Crack!" and "Boom!"

A series of thunderous explosions pierced through his spine, reaching the back of his head.

The sound had a primal, wild power.

Like a lithe cheetah galloping across the grassland, the resonance of its muscles and bones rubbing together and its internal organs trembling blends with the booming sound of wind and thunder.

"It's Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound!"

Ma Jianguo blurted it out.

He could no longer remain calm, and suddenly stood up from the stone bench, his eyes wide open, his face filled with disbelief and shock.

Professor Wu Dewang's eyes flickered, and he couldn't help but push up his glasses, as if that would allow him to see more clearly.

Zhang Haixiang and Chen Zizhen exchanged bewildered glances, seeing the same surprise in each other's eyes.

Even Dong Yunchuan, who had already witnessed Fang Cheng's extraordinary abilities, was so wide open that he could fit an egg in his mouth.

He pointed at Fang Cheng, making a "hoarse" sound in his throat, but couldn't utter a single word.

Originally, the plan was simply for Fang Cheng to demonstrate to a few old friends and give them a good shock.

As a result, he was once again stunned into silence.

What other skills is this kid hiding?

However, this is not over yet!

As the breathtaking thunder reached its peak, wisps of white mist began to rise from Fang Cheng's Baihui acupoint on the top of his head and from the pores of his body.

The mist initially resembled smoke, then turned into clouds, quickly enveloping his entire body.

It was like boiling water, radiating amazing heat.

The temperature in the courtyard seemed to rise a few degrees as a result.

Sunlight penetrates this layer of heat mist formed by the evaporation of human essence and sweat, refracting a hazy halo.

It made him look like a legendary immortal who descended from the clouds.

It was truly magnificent, an incredible feat of skill!

Finally, when the thunder and roar reached their peak.

Fang Cheng slowly raised both palms in front of his chest.

Then, he exhaled a long breath of white, turbid air.

The arrow shot straight for more than two feet before dissipating into the air.

In an instant, the wind stopped and the sound ceased.

All the strange phenomena came to an abrupt end at that moment.

The white mist that surrounded him was reabsorbed into his body, as if it had never existed.

The courtyard returned to its previous tranquility, with only the heavy breathing of a few old men remaining.

Fang Cheng slowly opened his eyes, his gaze clear and his breathing steady and long.

It was as if the earth-shattering scene just now had nothing to do with him.

Fang Cheng stood up, finished his work, and looked at the old men in front of him who seemed completely petrified. He spoke calmly:
"My fellow senior brothers and sisters, please excuse my poor performance."

The entire courtyard fell into a deathly silence, and no one responded for a long time.

"Am I dreaming...?"

The first to react was Zhang Haixiang, who had just lost the game.

He rushed forward in one stride, disregarding any semblance of seniority, and began to grope Fang Cheng's body with both hands, clicking his tongue in amazement.

"Hot, still warm! Kid...you're a monster, aren't you?"

Chen Zizhen also surrounded them, his eagle eyes fixed on Fang Cheng's abdomen, as if trying to see through his dantian.

"In martial arts legends, the Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound is a divine skill that strengthens the internal organs and cleanses the marrow. When mastered to a high level, the five internal organs become as hard as iron and the tendons and bones surpass those of dragons and tigers."

"But this skill has extremely high requirements for aptitude. The slightest carelessness can damage internal organs and cause qi deviation. In the past hundred years, no one has been heard of mastering it. You actually managed to master it?"

Dong Yunchuan finally snapped out of his shock. His face flushed red, and he slapped his thigh hard, bursting into loud laughter that made the locust tree leaves rustle.

"See that? You all saw it! I told you so, didn't I? This is a genius! A martial arts prodigy, one in a century!"

He then walked over to Fang Cheng, gently pushing the others aside as if protecting his own precious child, and asked with a concerned expression:

"Acheng, how are you feeling? Is anything bothering you?"

Wu Dewang sat down at the stone table, took off his glasses, and rubbed his eyes vigorously.

Then, with a slight tremor in her voice, she looked at Ma Jianguo.

"Senior Brother Ma, the qigong that Fang Cheng just demonstrated... should be a sign of mastering the Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound Technique, right?"

Ma Jianguo took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the turmoil in his heart.

The gaze directed at Fang Cheng was no longer simply one of admiration for a junior, but rather carried a hint of reverence.

Then, he said in a deep voice:
"Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound, Yi Jin Xi Sui, is the supreme method of strengthening muscles and bones by resonating with internal organs when boxing has reached a state of perfection."

“Throughout history, those who have mastered the skill to the point of ‘hearing the sound’ are already extremely rare. To achieve a level of sound solidification, creating a sonic wave of that quality, is something that can be found in almost no one throughout history! Acheng, you…”

He was momentarily at a loss for words to describe it.

Seeing this, Fang Cheng explained:

"I only recently figured out a bit of the trick. After I started to feel the energy, this happened occasionally during my practice, but I couldn't control it very well. It worked sometimes and didn't work at all."

"Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't?"

Dong Yunchuan's eyes widened:
“Ah Cheng, stop being so modest with us old men. This Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound Skill trains the five internal organs and the most fundamental essence, energy and spirit of the human body.”

"An ordinary person could practice their whole life and not even hear a sound. If they don't practice properly, their qi and blood will flow in reverse, causing internal bleeding on the spot!"

"What you've done is no longer as simple as 'cultivating qi'; it's a sign that your essence, qi, and spirit are beginning to condense and unite. Tell me honestly, what level has your qigong reached now?"

"Yes, Fang Cheng, please explain in detail."

“We old guys may not be very skilled, but we definitely have more experience than you. Let us give you some advice.”

The other old men also gathered around, chattering amongst themselves, their eyes filled with curiosity and inquiry.

Faced with a barrage of questions, Fang Cheng's heart stirred slightly, and he revealed a perfectly timed look of doubt:

“I don’t really understand the levels of cultivation. I just practiced the techniques taught by Master Ma and naturally produced this sound.”

"As for the white mist, it's probably because the blood and qi circulate too quickly during exercise, generating too much heat in the body."

These words were spoken casually, yet they made the old men's eyes twitch.

What does "natural" mean? They practiced their whole lives and still couldn't even touch the threshold of this "natural" state!

Ma Jianguo pondered for a moment, then slowly spoke to clear up his confusion:

“Acheng, the ‘qi’ in traditional martial arts is not an ethereal thing. According to our martial arts research association’s years of exploration and internal classification, qigong cultivation can be roughly divided into five levels.”

"The first level is called 'Qi cultivation and entry into the body.' At this stage, you mainly use the standing meditation and breathing techniques that I taught you before to feel the existence of Qi and let this energy take root and sprout in your body. Most of our students in the research group are at this stage."

"The second level is called 'Qi circulation throughout the body'. When Qi accumulates to a certain level, it can open up the meridians and allow it to form a complete circulation within the body, which is also known as the microcosmic and macrocosmic circulation."

"When you reach this level, your Qi can nourish your five internal organs, strengthen your muscles and bones, protect you from the cold and heat, and prevent all kinds of diseases. A few of us old guys reached this level more than ten years ago, and now our physical condition is no worse than that of young people."

"And the 'Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound' is one of the best methods to break through to this realm. Being able to emit thunder sound means that your internal energy has become strong enough to temper your bone marrow and reshape your physical body. In ancient times, this would be the beginning of a complete transformation."

Fang Cheng nodded, indicating his understanding.

Ma Jianguo then proceeded to elaborate:

"The third level is 'external release of true qi'. At this stage, qi no longer just circulates within the body, but can penetrate the body and affect the outside world."

“Your Uncle Dong is a master of this. His ‘Boiling Water in the Palm’ technique involves channeling true qi into the palm and rubbing water molecules together to raise their temperature. This step marks the beginning of the actual physical effects produced by the qi flowing from the inside out.”

Upon hearing this, Dong Yunchuan's face showed a hint of smugness, but when he looked at Fang Cheng, that smugness vanished instantly.

"This level is about the manifestation of control. The extent to which one can release true qi, and whether one can control it at will and apply it precisely in actual combat, are worlds apart."

Ma Jianguo continued:

"Therefore, the fourth level is named 'True Essence Casting Cauldron'."

"Only by reaching this level can a martial artist completely integrate their true energy with their own flesh and bones, undergoing a deep level of 'refinement' and 'tempering,' gradually making their body exhibit the characteristics of 'indestructibility,' greatly enhancing their ability to withstand blows and their self-healing ability, and achieving a comprehensive and qualitative leap in various bodily functions such as strength, speed, and perception."

"True Qi is no longer a wild horse that has broken free, but a servant that can be controlled like an arm. Martial artists can further condense Qi into various forms and attach it to weapons and fists, and even injure people from a distance."

"You could say that the first three layers are about 'accumulation,' while this layer is where the accumulated strength finally comes into play, allowing you to truly apply it in actual combat and compete with monsters that possess special abilities."

At this point, Ma Jianguo stared intently at Fang Cheng.

"When you are practicing, your breath rises like clouds, which means that your body is full of energy and has begun to exchange energy with the outside world."

"As for the fifth level, that is already a legendary realm, called 'Inner Landscape Manifestation'."

"When a practitioner's spirit, blood, and internal organs are at their peak, their inner vision will manifest outwards, forming all sorts of incredible phenomena."

"It is said that Bodhidharma, the founder of the ancient ancestor, mastered the Yi Jin Jing and had a Buddha's image behind him when he meditated; Zhang Sanfeng, the master of Wudang, had yin and yang fish constantly surrounding him when he practiced Tai Chi."

"These are the highest manifestations of inner vision manifesting outwardly."

"My Ma family's ancestor was fortunate enough to cross this threshold, establish a great foundation, and pass down related cultivation techniques."

"As for whether there are higher realms above the fifth level, that is beyond the comprehension of us ordinary mortals."

After listening, Fang Cheng had a general idea of ​​what was going on.

By using the Flame Breathing Technique he had mastered, he could make his entire body blaze with flames, greatly increasing his combat power. This clearly meant he had reached the fourth level.

He then feigned sudden realization and nodded slightly.
"Then I should have been lucky enough to reach the third level of true qi projection and barely touched the threshold of the fourth level of actual combat."

Upon hearing this, Dong Yunchuan immediately waved his hands repeatedly:
"You can make the Tiger Leopard Thunder Sound so loud, it's practically a sonic attack. Ah Cheng, if you've only just scratched the surface, then I'm afraid I'll never even see the door in my entire life."

Nevertheless, the old men looked at him with even gentler eyes.

Gifted yet humble and composed, this is the true mark of a fine talent.

Ma Jianguo sighed deeply and said with a complicated expression:
"In the past hundred years, martial arts have declined. We thought that we old guys had reached our limit, but I never expected that in my lifetime we would actually see a genius who can forge a cauldron with true essence."

"If Senior Li Guizhen were still alive, he would definitely consider you a kindred spirit. He was probably at this level when he was young."

The lively atmosphere in the courtyard cooled down slightly upon hearing the name "Li Guizhen".

Zhang Haixiang then remarked with emotion:
"Yes, Senior Li, slaying the sea monster single-handedly with his sword, that was truly divine skill. It's a pity that the heavens are jealous of such a talent..."

"I heard that Senior Li achieved the legendary 'internal vision manifesting externally' realm by fusing his internal energy cultivation with swordsmanship. If he were still alive, he would probably be trying to reach an even higher level of martial arts, right?"

Chen Zizhen's eyes were also filled with longing and regret.

"Who told you he's definitely dead?"

Dong Yunchuan suddenly blurted out a sentence, glancing at Fang Cheng:
"Besides, given the potential that Acheng is showing now, he may not be any worse than Senior Li back then."

All eyes turned to Fang Cheng once again.

The look in his eyes gradually shifted from initial shock to a look of earnest expectation.

It was as if in him I saw the hope that the severed path could be revived.

Dong Yunchuan suddenly coughed, straightened his expression, and said:
“Acheng, the question you asked me in the office last time, Brother Ma and I have already discussed it.”

As he spoke, he turned his head and looked at Ma Jianguo.

Ma Jianguo exchanged a glance with him, then took over the conversation, his tone becoming serious:
“Acheng, my father once told me some things about Senior Li Guizhen. Although my knowledge is limited, one thing is certain.”

"The path he chose to take is the very path we are currently walking!"

(End of this chapter)